December 10, 2002
Chairman Raymond W. Platt called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:01 p.m.
Present were Raymond W. Platt, Gordon D. Luciano and Donald L. McKinnon.
Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to accept the minutes of the December 3, 2002 meeting as printed. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Ray Danis of the Raynham Housing Authority appeared before the Board stating that the concerns and problems he had asked the Board to resolve regarding Hill Street and South Street East had been rectified. Mr. Danis thanked the Board for their help. Mr. Danis stated that he has 3 years to run on his appointment as a Housing Authority Commissioner and he would like to see the project for 24 more units started with any help from the Board. With regard to the Government Study Committee Mr. Danis stated that there are squabbles in towns around us and he thinks that an increase in the members on the Board would only increase town bureaucracy. Mr. Danis thinks we have a good mix of age and ability in our town government and if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
Mr. McKinnon stated that he attended a meeting on town government at B-R on Saturday and Town Moderator William Tripp was there as Chairman. Mr. McKinnon asked Mr. Tripp to come in and address the Board and to tell them how he will be handling the Committee. There are many issues including talk of separating Health/Selectmen, increasing the number of members on the Board of Selectmen to five and combining the treasurer and tax collectors offices. In a preliminary discussion with Mr. Tripp, Mr. McKinnon thinks that things are very cumbersome and will have to have an advisory committee broken down into sub-committees. The Study Committee would need to go to towns of our size and find out what they did and study those communities. Mr. McKinnon agrees that if it isn’t broken don’t fix
it. The meetings of the Government Study Committee will be on Tuesday’s at 5:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s meeting room. All are welcome. This town is a good town and a well-run town. Mr. Luciano stated that the Study committee has made tremendous progress to date. The study was precipitated due to the fact that we have 2 resignations and one retirement of our town financial team. The perception is that if it’s not broken don’t fix it. Volunteers can’t handle the level of expertise needed in the financial area. The Town Accountant and Tax Collector have their input and others in the financial field have made the financial structure a top priority. The town financial person is the point person to be a financial advisor. Mr. Luciano thinks we are at the point where we need to be very careful of relying on our volunteer base. Another area discussed was the citizen petition to expand the Board
from 3 to 5 members. Mr. Luciano re-invited the people or person in who started the petition to discuss their goals and objectives. The overall objective of the Government Study Committee is to improve the quality of life. There are two subcommittees the first consisting of Mr. Luciano, Town Accountant Belcher Stanley, Tax Collector Barbara Gallagher, Mr. Buckner, and Finance Committee Chair Marie Smith to study the financial aspect of the town. The second subcommittee consisting of Town Moderator Tripp, Russell Martorana, Dr. DeSantis, and William Lewis Chairman of the Board of Assessors is to handle the management and administration aspect. This is an open process with no hidden agenda and no politics involved. It is healthy to take a look at yourself. Mr. Danis asked if the Board would agree that when you increase the bureaucracy it will cost more to run the Town? Mr. Luciano stated that it will not
necessarily cost more to the run the town if we look at how other communities handled expansion of government. Also the creation of a DPW needs to be looked at but not during this time period. The next meetings of the Government Study Committee will be Monday, December 30, 2002 at 5:30 p.m. and Tuesday, January 14, 2003 at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
Mr. McKinnon stated that he does not discourage anyone from coming to the meetings. Mr. McKinnon stated that it was up to the people who drew up the petition to present it however they chose. It isn’t up to them to come before the Board to explain themselves. Mr. McKinnon considers politics an honorable art. To keep politics out of something would mean keeping compromise out. At the part time local level of government there shouldn’t be politics of a negative type. Mr. McKinnon would like to go to surrounding towns and see how it is done. Mr. Platt stated that there are clearly two opposing viewpoints of things.
Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to appoint Linda King to the TIFF Committee. Mr. Plat made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt read a letter from the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District with regard to the Bond on the Middle School. Mr. Buckner stated that based on the decline in debt services level principal is the normal method of financing bonds for municipal government. We have a $2,500,000.00 debt exclusion in the current year. Phase V sewer and the proposed high school will add to the debt level. Level debt will drop the tax rate by $.72 per thousand, we now pay $1.04 to service the debt on the Middle School. Level Debt will drop that to $.32. Mr. Buckner recommends that the Board vote for Level Debt Services on this bond only. This is a one-time deviation from the normal way of financing. State reimbursement is at level funding and we will know our payment
for the next 20 years. Mr. Luciano stated that these are the types of issues that will come up in our future. Each bond will be approached individually. If we go with level principal we will pay more on the front end and on the principal so payments increase dramatically in years 10-15 and more in years 15-20. By doing level debt payment we will be paying today what a family will be paying 10 years from now to put children through school. Families many years from now should participate. Mr. McKinnon complimented Mr. Buckner on his research and work on this. Time and again he has come to the front on this type of financial information. Mr. Platt stated that this is not creative financing it is solid. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to vote for Level Debt Services on the Middle School Bond per the recommendation of Mr. Buckner. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt stated that some time ago Building Commissioner Rod Palmer approached the Board relative to obtaining services of an outside firm because he would be moving to Raynham. Mr. Platt met with Mark Trivett the Easton Building Commissioner and he is willing to provide all the inspection services through his office in Easton with permitting fees paid here in Raynham. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to send a letter to Mr. Palmer stating that the Board has approved the use of Easton Building Department Services. Mr. Platt made it unanimous. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to send a letter of thanks to the Easton Building Commissioner Mark Trivett. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
SRSG recommended that Health Resources be awarded the 3-year contract for Drug and Alcohol Testing Services. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to award the 3-year contract to Health Resources per the recommendation of SRSG. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to table for one week the renewal of liquor licenses for public input. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to place on the agenda for Tuesday, December 17, 2002 Class I and Class II licenses. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon reminded everyone that Friday, December 13, 2002 is the annual lighting of the town with a rain date of Saturday, December 14, 2002. This will be the 5th year for the lighting of the town.
Mr. McKinnon stated that the meeting at B-R Saturday with the Superintendent was an exploratory meeting that lasted 3 hours and was spirited with various sides explored. It appears as if there will be a varied opinion on both sides in both Raynham and Bridgewater. Mr. McKinnon stated that he knows every major player on both sides and they are all respected professionals with good credentials that have valid concerns. There is a true disagreement on many issues but not whether to pursue a new high school. Mr. McKinnon congratulated the Superintendent and his staff, the School Committee and the Selectmen in Bridgewater and all others involved. The target date for a vote is April. Mr. Luciano stated that he thought there were a couple of telling points at the meeting. Progress was
made. There is a clear definition of timetables. Bridgewater has been negotiating with the lawyer for the Powlaski’s and hopefully there will be a resolution and a signed agreement on December 30, 2002. There is support for a regional high school in both communities. The message from Bridgewater was until they have an answer for K-8 they will not vote on a high school. The Superintendent did a fantastic job of moderating the meeting. A lot of positives came out of it. Bridgewater put a plan together but it was sent back because of changes in the ground rules. Progress is being made since the last vote.
Mr. McKinnon stated that he had a meeting with the distributor of the toilets in town along with Mr. Palmer, Town Counsel Marc Antine, Mr. Newton, Mr. Buckner and 2 representatives from the cooperation. As Mr. McKinnon understands it the company has to obtain 50,000-gallon flow reduction. If they meet that they can get their permit from the state. They stated that they are now at 40,000-gallon reduction. They could not say when they might reach 50,000. When they do reach 50,000 it will be done. The toilets are priced at $250.00 and the permit is $40.00 for a total of $290.00 each. They stated that they are dealing with licensed plumbers and they did pull permits when they found out they were needed. The company will analyze each proposal and decide whether to return and
replace the toilet. The showerhead and aerator on the sink will be replaced on the spot, which gives a minor reduction. The resident signs for each installation of a showerhead or aerator. The elderly housing and Pine Hill Estates are the major areas the company is concerned with. It is also nearly impossible to match the color of the existing fixtures.
Mr. McKinnon stated that the dedication of the fire station to Ted Januse worked out well. Mr. McKinnon thanked Senator Pacheco for speaking; it was a good fellowship time. Everyone seemed very happy. Mr. Luciano congratulated the Januse family on this honor.
Mr. Luciano stated that from time to time the Board members have spoken about speeding in various neighborhoods. As promised a plan has been put together with Deputy Chief Pacheco and Sargent Pacheco and will there will be periodic and very stringent enforcement. On November 18th, 19th and 20th the department utilized 6 officers and issued 74 civil citations for a total of $9,720.00 in fines. The cost for overtime for the officers was $1,003.00. The enforcement is not being done to raise money it is being done for safety of the citizens of our community. This is to send a clear message to obey the speed limits in Raynham. Mr. Luciano complimented Sargent Pacheco and Deputy Chief Pacheco for their efforts in putting together this program.
The Raynham Center Water District will hold a Special Town Meeting on Monday, December 16, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. for a vote on whether to go forward with a study of a merger of the two water districts and the impact such a merger would have. This is clearly a vote to study the issues. This will be a fairly short meeting with only 1 Article.
The Capital Planning Committee and the Finance Committee will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at 5:45 p.m. to study the Park & Recreation, Highway and Sewer facilities.
Mr. Platt stated that on Thursday, December 12, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. there would be a TIF Committee meeting to look into the possibility of studying another company interested in our town.
Correspondence: Mr. McKinnon read a Proclamation for best wishes to Joan Puccini who will be retiring as the Middle School Nurse after 17 years. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to accept the retirement of Mrs. Puccini effective December 31, 2002. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: Health Agent Alan Perry forwarded his recommendation for an extension for the cleanup of the Pleasant Street property due to the inclement weather. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to approve an extension to January 7, 2003 as recommended by Mr. Perry. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: There will be a Taunton River Wild and Scenic Committee meeting on December 11, 2002 at 6:00 p.m.
Correspondence: Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to schedule a hearing on an application for a Fortune Teller’s License on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to schedule a hearing on a change of manager at the Chester Bearse American Legion on Tuesday, December 17, 2003 at 7:15 p.m. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to accept with regret the resignation of Kelley McGovern as Recording Secretary to the Board effective January 1, 2003. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
8:24 p.m. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties and to go into Executive Session on Collective Bargaining with the Police Department and Collective Bargaining with the Highway Department with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelley A. McGovern
Recording Secretary
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