November 29, 2005 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairman John Donahue called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:00pm.
Present were John Donahue, Raymond W. Platt and Donald L. McKinnon.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to accept the minutes of the November 22, 2005 meeting. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Chief Pacheco was present and informed the Board that Officer Fred Isenor will be retiring on
January 7, 2006. Chief Pacheco requested the Board’s approval to obtain a list from Civil Service.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded Chief Pacheco’s request to obtain a list from Civil Service. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Chief Pacheco informed all that on October 28, 2005 Officer Riley responded to an armed robbery and his professionalism resulted in the arrest of two individuals. Chief Pacheco requested the Board’s approval of a one day off with pay accommodation for Officer Riley. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve for Officer Riley an accommodation of one-day off with pay accommodation. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Bettencourt was present and updated the Board on the process of the proposed new Town Hall/Sullivan School renovation.
7:06pm – Public Hearing – Board of Assessors- Classification of Real/Personal Property Tax
Present were William Lewis, Gordan Luciano, and Michael Lalli. Mr. Luciano informed all that under Chapter 136 of the Act of 2005, the state will be allowing Towns to set interest rates for senior citizens in the deferred property tax program at a lower percentage. The previous annual interest rate was 8%. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to refer Chapter 136 to Town Counsel. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Luciano informed the Board that the Board of Assessors voted to ask for an apology for the omission of Mrs. Clark as a member of the Assessors Office.
Mr. Luciano informed all of the changes in values from FY05 to FY06 for lots, homes, condos and commercial/industrial properties.
Mr. Lewis stated that he was concerned with the higher rate in the North versus the Center Water District. The Board of Assessors presented an overview of all figures. Mr. McKinnon thanked the Board of Assessors especially for the correspondence to the Legislature for the lower interest rate for Senior Citizens under Chapter 136. Members representing Raynham from the Chamber of Commerce were present and said that they would be in favor of a flat rate. Members of the Cranberry Chamber of Commerce were present and urged the Board to move torwards a flat rate in the future.
Mr. Roland of Forest Street and owner of Stoneforge was present and asked the Board to vote on an even shift change, which would be fair to businesses and homeowners. Jack Pillsbury was present and concurred with Mr. Roland’s on an even shift change. Jeffrey Mann and Christine Kelly were present and expressed their concerns regarding a tax increase. Mr. Mann said his renters would feel the increase and it in turn could jeopardize his business. Bob Cardasi said that if the increase in the shift is great, then all individuals would feel the effect. Mr. Platt commented on the TIF Board and its attraction of new businesses to Raynham. Mr. Donahue reviewed figures with Mr. Lewis. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded for a 1.27 tax shift for discussion. Mr. Buckner
said that the 1.27 tax shift would be an equal 3% increase to existing tax bills. Mr. Donahue read a Local Service Report. Mr. Donahue stated that Towns should not put a heavier shift over to existing businesses and he would agree with a flat rate in the future. In Mr. Lewis’s opinion, he would look forward to a flat rate along with Mr. Lalli and Mr. Luciano. Mr. Luciano stated that he would vote for a 1.22 shift change. Mr. Lewis stated that he would vote for a 1.22-1.25 shift change. Mr. Luciano stated the new growth for Raynham was 52% residential and 48% commercial. Mr Donahue called for a vote on the pending motion. Mr. McKinnon voted for a 1.27 shift change, Mr. Platt and Mr.Donahue voted against. Mr. Platt motioned for a 1.25 shift change and Mr. McKinnon seconded the vote. The vote was unanimous.
Mr. Platt thanked Mr. McKinnon for his vote. Mr. Donahue thanked everyone for coming.
Mr. McKinnon commented on the Water District increases in the last 10 years. He recommended the Board of Assessors continue to forward their figures for classification of taxes two weeks in advance. Mr. Luciano stated that the Fall Town Meeting would need to be moved to the first week in November in order for the Board of Assessors to forward their figures to the Board in time.
9:30pm Mr. Donahue closed the Public Hearing
9:30pm-Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded for a five-minutes recess. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
9:35pm – Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to reconvene the regular Board of Selectmen Meeting. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for the use of a Raynham Fire Department fire truck to transport 50 children from the Raynham Giants Team to the Lions Club on December 11, 2005.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to approve the request. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous. Board members congratulated the children and will forward the request to the Police Department as well.
Mr. Donahue read the newspaper announcement regarding the Public Hearing for the proposed Trash Transfer Station on Rt. 138.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. Donahue asked if there were any recommendations from the Building Committee for appointments to the vacant positions. Mr. Buckner was requested to contact Mr. Bettencourt for assistance in finding members for the Building Committee.
Correspondence – Bridgewater School Building Committee forwarded an invitation to the Board for its open house on the opening of the North Wing on December 17, 2005.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Bridgewater School District a corrective copy of the distribution of the Town’s gift for FY06.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for a tag day from the Veterans Help Network, Inc. for December 16, 2005 at Wal Mart. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to approve the request. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon suggested that organizations requesting tag days wait until the holiday season is over due to the Salvation Army Fundraiser during the month of December.
Correspondence – The Board received from Mr. & Mrs. Oldfield a thank you for the help that
Mr. Stolte and the Board gave them with their concerns regarding the construction of South Main Street and Richmond Street corner.
9:50pm – Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards.
Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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