November 19, 2002
Chairman Raymond W. Platt called an emergency meeting of the Board of Health to order at 6:45 p.m.
Present were Raymond W. Platt, Gordon D. Luciano, Donald L. McKinnon and Health Agent Alan Perry.
Mr. Perry stated that the home located at 454 South Street West sustained severe fire damage today and Mr. Perry feels it should be condemned. The resident declined to attend this evening's meeting. Mr. McKinnon asked what the owners comment was when told the property would be condemned. Mr. Perry stated that the owner was very concerned however there was not a lot of conversation other than Board of Health issues. Mr. Perry stated that he is not sure if this is 1 or 2 units, however it appears to be 2 with the back unit sustaining severe damage. There seemed to be some hazardous chemicals, which might have been used for a printing business. There was also a wood stove that had apparently not been inspected by the Town. Mr. Perry stated that the structure would need to be
professionally cleaned. The front unit itself did not seem to have any structural damage but the smoke residue is dangerous. Mr. Luciano asked if there were 2 units? Mr. Perry stated that there appeared to be 2 separate units but it doesn’t appear to be two separate families living there. There are 2 separate entrances and there was some kind of operation going on in the back unit. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to condemn the property at 454 South Street West until after the points addressed by Mr. Perry have been rectified. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
6:56 p.m. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to adjourn the emergency Board of Health meeting. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelley A. McGovern
Recording Secretary
November 19, 2002
Chairman Raymond W, Platt called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:02 p.m.
Present were Raymond W. Platt, Gordon D. Luciano and Donald L. McKinnon.
Mr. Platt stated that prior to this meeting there was a Board of Health Emergency meeting to authorize a condemnation order on a house at 454 South Street West because of serious fire damage today and a number of other issues to be addressed.
Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano second to accept the minutes of the November 12, 2002 meeting as printed. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Health Agent Alan Perry stated that with regard to the Board of Health Hearing scheduled for 7:15 p.m. for 144 Pleasant Street, Mr. Perry has had the ability to meet with the owner regarding the Order Letter. Half of the problems have been cleaned up. The owner is trying to comply with the Order Letter and will be going out of town for the holidays. The owner was aware of this evening's meeting but did not want to attend. Mr. Perry recommended an extension to December 10, 2002 for corrections to be made. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to continue this hearing to Tuesday, December 10, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Joseph Bettencourt appeared before the Board with an update on the schools. They are progressing fairly well at the Merrill School. The windows will be installed 100% shortly. They are working diligently on the boiler room for temporary heating. They continue to finish up odds and ends and things they didn’t know were there. They are down to about 2 items at the Middle School prior to getting the Permanent Certificate of Occupancy. The LaLiberte has about a page and a half of punch list items for the contractor to complete. There has been a concerted effort by Mr. Caputo in raising funds for a new playground. Through his negotiations we will be able to order the playground equipment at a large discount. We will have a playground in the spring behind the LaLiberte. The Merrill School is moving along very well. If the contractor continues at the same pace we will have a Certificate of Occupancy in the late spring. Mr. Bettencourt wanted to publicly thank the Board for the
help they have given the Building Committee throughout this whole process. We have been fortunate enough to have a contractor that responds and we are moving in the right direction. Mr. Luciano stated that it has been a good team effort. No matter what the issues have been it seems to work out well. Mr. Bettencourt stated that we are fortunate to have a group of reasonable human beings that work in a cooperative effort. When there is a problem it comes to the table and is worked on.
Mr. McKinnon stated that the School Building Committee meeting has come back to point zero; $71,500,000 is where we wish to stay. The Board has been consistent in endorsing this. The Building Committee is in favor of that. Mr. McKinnon met with Attorney Fred Dupere and Bill Lewis. The Building Committee is waiting for reports from Attorney Dupere. The Advisory Committee is where it was. The delay will be in Boston on legislative action. Bridgewater and Raynham will vote this April unless in the interim there are changes. Mr. McKinnon will be in contact with the Superintendent or the Assistant Superintendent on a weekly basis. The Superintendent stated that the site is still where it was 6 months ago. The discussion is ongoing on the Pawlowski property. Mr. Bettencourt stated that Mr. Leach agrees that we need to build a new high school. What keeps hitting the table is the site and the buyout and other needs. That is not what the Committee is for; the Committee is for
building a new regional high school. That is why we have a lawyer to see how to dispose of the property and acquisitions for our sister community. This has nothing to do with the Building Committee. We had the same problems with the road access at the Middle School. These matters need to be kept separate. Mr. Platt stated that Mr. Caputo called yesterday and the playground has been ordered and will be in storage to be installed while the children are on spring vacation. Two major companies have come forward to do the site work. When time becomes appropriate people will be lined up to do the manual labor. It will take 3-4 days to complete. Mr. Luciano stated that he would be remiss if he didn’t mention that a lot of this was being coordinated by the LaLiberte Parents Organization. This is not coming through the School District or the town. We owe a debt of gratitude to so many. Also, thanks to Mr. Caputo for his
relentless pursuit to make this happen. There are three things with the regional high school: the acquisition, the land and the buyout. Raynham is on good solid ground on 2 out of 3. We need to say to Bridgewater that we need time limits. Mr. McKinnon stated that the School Committee boxed in Bridgewater by not voting until a site was approved. Mr. Bettencourt stated that construction is not getting any cheaper and reimbursement rates are going down. We are extremely fortunate with our timing to get 73% reimbursement on our schools. Mr. Luciano stated that the latest list of reimbursements came out on October 29, 2002 and the Middle School and Merrill School are grandfathered and the LaLiberte was the last project guaranteed in Massachusetts at 73% reimbursement.
Pat Riley appeared before the Board with regard to RAVE. Ms. Riley stated she wanted to thank everyone. The newsletter is at the print shop and should be going out next week. The 12th annual golf tournament was a great success. There were more golfers participating than ever before. Mr. Murby donated the Par 3 Golf Course for use again this year. All the money raised will go directly to our Raynham schools. The golf tournament raised $6,850.00, which is $1,100.00 more than was ever raised before. Allison Gingras and Colleen Kelly were the co-chairs of this event. Superintendent Gerhart’s team was the winning team. At the Board of Directors meeting they voted to give $1,500.00 in RAVE scholarships to Raynham students graduating from
high school who were volunteers. The Arts Enrichment program will receive $2,750.00 and $750.00 will go to supplies and training for the Great Books program. At the principals discretion will be $500.00 for each level and the remainder will be held for school needs. This is an incredible fund-raiser. There will be a second fund-raiser this year, the Donation Celebration at the Galleria Mall. There have been 270 tickets sold and the Board of Directors will determine the best use of the funds in January. The Kindergarten reception was a success with 50 volunteers riding the buses. The Kindergarten teachers and bus drivers said it was a great help. There were many early bird volunteers this year helping teacher’s move. Great Books has started for grades 3, 4 and 5 and the 2nd grade will start in January. The Kindergarten VIP readers program is beginning and there are about 20 new RAVE volunteers this
year so far. If you would like any information about RAVE call (508) 977-0504. RAVE is also looking for seniors to be pen pals. Ms. Riley also received a request for Crossing Guards; anyone interested can call the RAVE office or Mr. Jaffe at the Middle School.
Ms. Riley stated that the first Inside Scoop was broadcast from the new Raynham studio last week. We need people in the community to take advantage of the studio. Any groups that want to be on the Inside Scoop can call Ms. Riley. Also, the Historical Commission is looking for photographs or documents to be on their website. We want to preserve as much of the history of Raynham as we can. The photos and documents would be borrowed and scanned into the website then returned.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) is forming a coalition to oppose the rail. Easton has voted to join. Mr. Buckner recommends that the Board vote to join the coalition. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to join the coalition per the recommendation of Mr. Buckner. Mr. Platt made it unanimous. Mr. Luciano stated that the subcommittee has worked closely with PEER and their expertise is immense. Joining the coalition would only strengthen our cause.
Mr. McKinnon requested that the Board send a letter to the coach of the girls soccer team for winning the Southern Championship; they had a fantastic season. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to forward this letter. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon stated that the lighting of Raynham would be held on Sunday, December 13, 2002 with a rain/snow date of Monday, December 14, 2002. Also the dedication of the fire station to Ted Januse is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2002.
Mr. McKinnon stated that he requested that the Board withdraw the Broadway site a few weeks ago so the Conservation Commission could do some inspections. Mr. McKinnon stated that after some investigation it was found that on March 18, 1968 Article 41 of the Town Meeting voted to raise and appropriate $8,000.00 for the purchase of land for a future site of a fire station. The land is 39,204 square feet and it was purchased from Alice Berube. This land has been designated as a purchase for a fire station. Mr. Luciano stated that he was not aware what the land had originally been purchased for. Mr. McKinnon stated that this is just information that it was originally for a fire station.
Mr. Luciano stated that we have in Raynham a recycling committee consisting of Mr. Buckner, Luke Ross, Jim Ross, Roger Stolte and Harry Carey. The Mass DEP has released the statewide rate for recycling which is 38%; Raynham is tied for the region with 48%. That is a 13% increase over 5 years. To have a 48% rate is quite a credit to this community and the citizens who participate. This dramatically reduces the cost of disposal of municipal solid waste in Raynham. Mr. McKinnon stated that he could only praise those involved in that effort. Mr. Luciano suggested that a letter go out thanking those that use the recycling area and also reminding people that you do not need a landfill sticker to use the recycling area.
The Governor formed a Gaming Commission asking for recommendations on expanded gaming. Mr. Luciano recommends that this Board take a stand regarding additional gaming in Raynham. Mr. Luciano suggested that an informal letter be forwarded stating that if gambling goes forward this Board insists on a mitigation fee formula. We are not looking at it as a benefit but clear reimbursements on mitigation concerns we might have. Mr. Luciano moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to forward the above letter. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt stated that the landfill is really a recycling center, it is neat and clean and there are people there to assist you. It is an immaculate, efficient area.
Mr. Platt stated that the dedication of the fire station to Ted Januse is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2002 at 9:30 a.m. The Honor Guard from the Fire Department will be marching in the Taunton Christmas Parade later that day. The Department is asking that the public park on the Town Hall side of the lot so that church services will not be disrupted.
Correspondence: Old Colony Cougar Grid Iron Club requested permission to hold a car wash at Walmart on April 19, 2003. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to grant this request with Water Department approval. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: Raynham Girls Traveling Basketball League requested permission to tag at Shaw’s on Saturday, December 28, 2002 and Sunday, December 29, 2002. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to grant this request. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: T & M Realty will be doing engineering and survey services to rectify existing drainage problems on Britton Street.
Correspondence: The Board received a Final Judgment on a Tax Lien in the amount of $12,275.20 for Robert F. Moore, et al. Mr. Buckner would like to do a little research on this property. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to approve abatement of the 2003 taxes. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Correspondence: Reverend Tilbe requested that a crosswalk be painted between the Library and the Church as the lots are used for overflow parking. Mr. Luciano stated that this is on the plate when South Main Street is completed. Highway Superintendent Roger Stolte has to work with Mass. Highway on this. There are handicap requirements. Mr. Buckner will so inform Rev. Tilbe and the Library.
Correspondence: Raynham Housing Authority is working with Water Tech International to install showerheads and aerators and replacing toilets. Water Tech will be installing 40 handicap toilets and they would like to have the plumbing permit fees waived. Mr. McKinnon stated that he spoke with Building Commissioner Rod Palmer and this is the company doing the work on the 40B units on North Main Street. Mr. McKinnon stated that the correspondence from Water Tech was that they would install these fixtures at no cost. Mr. Luciano asked if we don’t waive the fee who pays it? Mr. Platt stated that it would not be the Housing Authority. Mr. Luciano stated that it was the intention of the Board to waive fees that would otherwise be paid by the taxpayers or ratepayers. Mr.
Luciano does not recall waiving fees on private projects to private contractors. This is a private request born by a private entity. The Housing Authority would not be paying the fee. That is very different than waiving it for the Senior Center or Gilmore Hall. Mr. Platt stated that he spoke with Mr. Palmer on this. Gatehouse is the development firm doing the 40B and part of the agreement was to diminish the flow of sewerage. It is a prerequisite of the approval process that they reduce that flow. They have not pulled any permits yet. The letter sent out states that Water Tech would install at “no charge to the homeowner”. Gatehouse cannot charge anyone in town for these permits. Mr. Palmer recommended that these fees not be waived. Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Luciano seconded to deny this request for plumbing fee waivers. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
8:22 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 Office Employees Union with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. Platt made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Kelley A. McGovern
Recording Secretary
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