June 28, 2005 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairman John Donahue called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:05pm.
Present were John Donahue, Raymond W. Platt and Donald L. McKinnon.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to accept the minutes of the June 14, 2005 meeting.
Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue said that the Board was returning from a meeting regarding the Town audit. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to reconvene the meeting. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Chief King was present and requested the Board to appoint Dwayne P. Correira as a full-time permanent police officer effective immediately. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve Dwayne P. Correira as a full-time permanent police officer. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Chief King requested the Board to declare a personnel emergency within the Police Department.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to declare a personnel emergency. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Chief King requested the Board approve an increase in the hourly rate of pay for a Special Police Officer from $12.00 to $13.50 per hour. Chief King said that the last increase in rate was eight years ago. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the request of an increase in rate of pay for Special Police Officers to $13.50 per hour. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Linda King, Treasurer/Town Collector was present and informed all that the 1st installment for taxes will be mailed on Thursday and that the Town now has a lock box where payments will be mailed.
Mr. McCarthy was present and requested the Board to designate the property sites of C.H. Babb Co. and Mastria Subaru as Economical Opportunity Areas. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to designate the property sites of C.H. Babb Co. and Mastria Subaru as Economical Opportunity Areas. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McCarthy said that the Planning Board would be appointing individuals to a Rt. 138 Zoning Committee. Mr. McCarthy asked that any interested individuals contact his office for more information.
Mr. McCarthy stated that an announcement regarding the Senior Center Grant would be announced by the end of the week.
Mr. Platt informed all that he met with Mr. Dorsky, proprietor of the K-Mart Plaza, who informed him that there are plans for the entire plaza with additional buildings to be added.
Deputy Chief Pacheco was present and said that there have been numerous complaints on traffic speeding and stated that at this time, the department is short on personnel. Deputy Chief Pacheco informed that residents can also log on to the Raynham Police Department website to inform the department of problem areas and the department will respond back to residents.
Deputy Chief Pacheco said that the Raynham Historical Commission and the Taunton River Study
Commission is joining together for a Public Hearing on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 to discuss Heritage Land Estates in Raynham.
Deputy Chief Pacheco introduced representatives from Secure Restore who demonstrated to the Board a live website which was televising the Board of Selectmen Meeting. Deputy Chief Pacheco said that Secure Restore has donated six computers for Homeland Security use and later to be forwarded to the schools. Mr. McKinnon commented on the Secure Restore archiving especially for the Historical Society. The entire Board thanked Secure Restore for the presentation.
Mr. Donahue said that the Annual Appointments needed to be made. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the list of Annual Appointments and to add to the Raynham Economic & Business Development Committee, Joseph Pacheco. Mr. Platt said that Joseph Pacheco would be replacing Mr. DeSantis who verbally resigned upon moving out of state two months ago. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt said that the TIF Committee presently has three applications for the vacant position of citizen-at-large. Board members agreed to forward the applications to the TIF Committee and requested a recommendation be forwarded to the Board of Selectmen prior to their next meeting.
Mr. Stolte was present and requested the Board’s approval on painting of the Highway Department building. He said that the funding for this project would be taken from the Highway Department Operations Account. Mr. Stolte informed that quotes were received and his recommendation would be to award the contract to Mr. Cotterpin in the amount of $8,500.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to award the contract for painting of the Highway Department building in the amount of $8,500. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte requested the Board’s approval for the improvement of the spillway at Johnson Pond.
He said that quotes were received and recommended awarding the contract to Tighe & Bond of Westfield, MA in the amount of $20,500. Mr. Stolte said that the funding for the project was approved at the 2004 Town Meeting, Article #31. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to award the contract to Tighe & Bond for the engineering work for the improvement of the spillway at Johnson Pond in the amount of $20,500. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte requested the Board’s approval of a tarp cover for the trash hauling truck. Mr. Stolte said that quotes were received and he recommended awarding the contract to A. J. Equipment of Abington in the amount of $8,400.20. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to award the contract to A. J. Equipment of Abington in the amount of $8,400.20. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte requested the Board’s approval of a 2,000-gallon steel storage tank for fuel. He said that the funding for this project would be taken from the Highway Department Operations Account. Mr. Stolte said that quotes were received and he recommended awarding the contract to Meco Environmental Service in the amount of $6,280. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to award the contract to Meco Environmental Service for a 2,000 gallon steel storage tank in the amount of $6,280. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte requested the Board’s approval on the 1st amendment on the initial contract for Rt. 104 for redesigning. Mr. Stolte said that the cost of the redesign would not exceed $40,000 and that the completion of the redesign would be 4-6 weeks. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve a maximum amount of $40,000 for 1st amendment of Rt. 104 project redesign. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue reviewed items with Mr. Stolte regarding the concerns of residents regarding the Tracy Corner traffic signals. Mr. Donahue said that Ms. Farrington has offered a portion of her property for which two neighbors and she would share one driveway. Mr. Stolte said that there is a computer within the control box for the traffic lights which malfunctioned after a lightning strike and the Highway Department requires 30 days of continuous and proper operation before accepting it. Mr. Stolte said that July 8, 2005 would be the end of the 30-day cycle. Once the Town accepted it, changes could be made. Mr. Stolte said that sensors were installed and are working efficiently. He said that non-glare bulbs would be installed to cut down the brightness in residents’ homes. A left turn only lane near
Tedeschi’s would also solve one of the problems. Mr. Cabral questioned the cost of the redesigning of the driveways and asked why was it not done previously.
Mr. Donahue said that the issue with traffic using Tedeschi parking lot along with speeders would need to be addressed at a later date once the personnel emergency in the Police Department is fixed. Residents asked why the walk buttons are taped over. Mr. Stolte said that there were no sidewalks yet, but they will be operating once sidewalks were installed. Mr. Donahue informed all of Attorney Antine’s comments regarding the traffic lights and any removal of signals. Mr. Cabral stated that safety has decreased since the lights have been installed; traffic back up has increased and asked the Board to place the lights on flashing mode along with another traffic study being completed. Mr. McKinnon said that the installation of the traffic lights were to accommodate residents and that
another traffic study is not needed, just patience from all. Mr. Platt concurred with Mr. McKinnon statements. Mr. Cabral stated that residents were never inconvenienced 20-27 years ago as they are today. Mr. Noyes from GPI stated that a traffic study was done and the intersection warranted the lights. Mr. Silvia was present and said that he obtained 125 signatures on a petition from residents of North Main St. and drivers passing through the intersection in support for the continued use of traffic lights on N. Main, Mill and Center Street. Mr. Silvia presented the petition to the Board. Mr. Platt stated that many residents from the Housing Authority have expressed a comfort level pulling out of Mill St. with the traffic lights working. Ms. Farrington requested an increase in police patrol during peak times. Mr. Donahue agreed with Ms. Farrington’s request.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. McKinnon stated he reviewed the Raynham Quality of Education Report. Mr. Donahue informed all that he would be presenting the report to the School Committee tomorrow night. Mr. McKinnon thanked Mr. Donahue for chairing the Committee and requested a letter be forwarded to each Committee member thanking them for their commitment.
Mr. Donahue informed all that he spoke to Mayor Nunes yesterday and said that Mayor Nunes was presenting Raynham’s counterproposal to the Taunton City Council tonight.
Mr. Platt said that he spoke to DEP last week and they are still evaluating on the project.
Mr. Donahue stated that MEPA filed an extension for comments until July 8, 2005.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to place a plaque on the Sullivan School stating the School’s dedication date. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon thanked the Historic Commission for recommending the Sullivan School to be used as the new Town Hall especially Lou Pacheco and Pat Riley. Mr. Bettencourt was present and said that he will be meeting with an Architect and has contacted a civil engineering firm for the location of the building. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded for the following to be the Building Committee for the Sullivan School/Town Hall: Rod Palmer, Richard McCarthy, Joe Bettencourt, John Noblin, and Mr. Frank Campbell who is Mr. Noblin’s partner. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to waive all fees for the Sullivan School/Town Hall project. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt requested Gilmore Hall be presented to Capital Planning for their evaluation. Mr. Platt suggested a joint meeting with the Finance Committee, Capital Planning and Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Platt stated that he has noticed trucks unloading automobiles along Rt. 44. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to forward correspondence to all auto dealers along Rt. 44 and Rt. 138 stating that unloading of automobiles along these routes is prohibited in accordance with their license.
Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to disallow an antenna on the existing Town Office grounds. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue asked for the Board’s concurrence in asking the School Committee tomorrow night to add an administrator at the LaLiberte/Merrill Schools, since they now share one administrator.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the request to ask the School Committee to appoint one additional administrator for the LaLiberte/Merrill School. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Lou Bousquet a request to be appointed to the Taunton River Study Committee. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to reappoint Lou Bousquet to the Taunton River Study Committee. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Senator Pacheco his comments regarding House Bill 3116 re: Rent Control for Mobile Home Parks. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to forward a letter of thanks to Senator Pacheco. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence - The Board received a request for a variance on a septic system repair at 25 Shirley Road. Mr. Perry recommended approving the variance for separation from groundwater of 4.5 feet instead of 5 feet. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the request for a variance. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous
Correspondence – The Board received requests for Tag Days as follows: Kick Start for Kidneys, car wash on July 24 and August 14, 2005; Middleboro Class of 2006 for September 4, 2005; Taunton High School Class of 2006, car wash for July 30, 2005; Taunton High School Student Council, car wash on July 23, 2005; F.L. Chamberlain School, Middleboro on July 16 and October 22, 2005. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the request for tag days pending the approval from the Water Districts for car washes. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded for an Executive Session regarding Negotiations. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
9:52pm-Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing Bills and Warrants and to go into Executive Session regarding Negotiations with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
| 
