Minutes of the Board of Selectmen meeting of Wednesday, June 2, 2010. Present were Eldon F. Moreira, Chairman; Jerry D. Lawrence, Clerk; Nancy J. Maloney, Member. Also present was Elizabeth D. Faricy, Administrator. The meeting convened at 6:30 p.m.
Also present were:
Mr. Donovan Wood, owner of Wine Palace
Mr. Stephen F. Hobbs of 137 East Street
Mr. Thomas Tyrell of 61 Union Street
Mr. Jim Benson, Moderator
Amanda Reed of The Enterprise
Mr. Paul Stringham, Building Inspector
Mr. Dan Petronelli of 275 Crescent Street
The Board called for a moment of silence in honor of former Selectman Victor R. Flaherty, Sr., at the start of the meeting.
Mr. Moreira suggested that the Board create a citizenship award to be awarded annually to a West Bridgewater resident in memory of Mr. Flaherty at the Memorial Day celebration. Mr. Moreira stated that the award should be given out to a candidate that exhibits Mr. Flaherty’s character and civic leadership.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to create the Selectman Victor R. Flaherty, Sr., Memorial Award to be given annual to a West Bridgewater resident and to establish a committee to determine the criteria for the aforementioned award.
Mr. James Benson, Moderator discussed Article 34 of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant concerning a proposed change to the Finance Committee By-Law.
At 6:37 p.m., Ms. Sandy Churchill of The Enterprise and Mr. James Noyes of 145 Matfield Street entered the room.
The Board reviewed a letter of interest from Ms. Christine Newman to serve on the Historical Commission. Mr. Benson stated that the Historical Commission voted unanimously to recommend her appointment.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to appoint Ms. Christine Newman to the Historical Commission for a term of three years effectively immediately. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
The Board reviewed board and committee appointments for fiscal year 2011. Mr. Lawrence MOVED to take the matter under advisement and consider the appointments at the next meeting. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to sign the Agricultural Preservation Restriction paperwork for Anderson Farm. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to approve the minutes of May 4, 2010. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
Mrs. Maloney MOVED to accept for review the minutes of May 18. Seconded by Mr. Lawrence and so voted unanimously.
The Board reviewed a letter of resignation from Anastasia Poulos from the Cable Television Advisory Committee. Mr. Lawrence MOVED to accept the resignation and send a letter of thanks for her service. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
The Board reviewed a letter of interest from Mr. Tom Snell to serve on the By-Law Study Committee. Mr. Lawrence MOVED to appoint Mr. Snell to the By-Law Study Committee. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
Mr. James Noyes, candidate for appointment to the Planning Board, Mr. Hugh Hurley, Mr. Anthony Kinahan, Mr. Jerry Stetson, all of the Planning Board, and Mr. Steve McCarthy of the Board of Assessors entered the room at 6:43 p.m.
The Board held a joint meeting with the Planning Board and discussed appointing a new member to fill the vacancy left by the death of Grete Bohannon.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to appoint Mr. Jim Noyes to fill the vacancy on the Planning Board to serve until the next Annual Town Election effective immediately. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney. Roll Call vote showed: Moreira, yes; Lawrence, yes; Maloney, yes; Hurley, yes; Kinahan, yes; Stetson, yes.
The Board reviewed a notice from the By-Law Study Committee regarding the proposed changes to the By-Laws as set forth in articles on the Town Meeting Warrant. Mrs. Faricy stated that the By-Law Study Committee was unable to get a quorum together to issue a recommendation but that they provided a notice of the opinion of the two members that were present.
Mr. Lawrence MOVED to accept the review from the By-Law Study Committee. Seconded by Mrs. Maloney and so voted unanimously.
During the Public Comment Period, Mr. Stephen Hobbs of 137 East Street presented a petition to the Board requesting that they reconsider their decision to not renew Building Inspector Paul Stringham’s contract. Mr. Hobbs read the petition.
Chairman Moreira welcomed other comments on the matter. Mr. Steve McCarthy, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, stated that his dealings with Mr. Stringham have been minimal but that they are always professional and that he is pro-economic development. Mr. Dan Petronelli of 275 Crescent Street, stated that he is both a resident and a general contractor and has worked with Mr. Stringham on numerous residential projects. Mr. Petronelli stated that Mr. Stringham finds the balance between helping the contractor and working with the homeowner. Mr. Thomas Tyrell of 61 Union Street stated that Mr. Stringham’s professionalism is impeccable. Mr. Hobbs stated that the signatures gathered on the petition were obtained just that day.
At 7:12 p.m. Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Tyrell, Mr. Petronelli and Mr. Hobbs left the room.
The Board assigned readers of the Warrant Articles and Motions for Annual Town Meeting and the Warrant Articles and Motions for Special Town Meeting.
At 7:37 p.m., Mr. Benson, Ms. Churchill and Ms. Reed left the room.
At this time, Mrs. Maloney MOVED to enter into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter
39, Section 23 B exception 3, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining or litigating position. Also, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel, to actually conduct collective bargaining contract negotiations with non-union personnel. Also, to consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease or value of real property if such discussion may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the governmental body. Open Session will not reconvene. Roll Call vote showed: Moreira, yes; Lawrence, yes; Maloney, yes.
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