February 6, 2007 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairman Donald L. McKinnon called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to
order at 7:03pm.
Present were Donald L. McKinnon, Raymond W. Platt, and John Donahue.
Mr. Donahue motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to accept the minutes of the January 30, 2007 meeting as printed. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Bettencourt was present and updated the Board with the progress for the new Town Hall/Sullivan School. He invited the general public to an open house on Saturday, February 10, 2007 between 11-1pm. He stated that the completion of the new Town Hall would be ready for the move on March 2, 2007. Mr. Bettencourt complimented Erika Ueberbacher, Conservation Agent, for her assistance during the project. He recommended naming the new Meeting Room as the Donald L. McKinnon Meeting Room. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. Donahue seconded to name the Meeting Room at the new Town Offices as the Donald L. McKinnon Meeting Room. The vote was 2-0 with Mr. McKinnon voting present.
Mr. McKinnon thanked all for the dedication in his name. Mr. Platt requested Mr. Bettencourt follow through with the necessary actions to coordinate the dedication.
Francis Gay, GATRA, was present and reviewed the package previously sent to the Town regarding options for transportation. Mr. Gay said that GATRA has hired a company to conduct a comprehensive service analysis; where as only a small input from the analysis has been supplied in the package. Erika Ueberbacher, Rt. 138 Committee, was present and stated the Rt. 138 Committee had reviewed the package and would be in favor of Option A, bus stops along King Phillip Street and the Senior Center. Mr. Gay said that the majority of the bus stops are flagged stops. In Taunton the designated stops are toward the downtown area and were within the ADA Regulations. Ms. Ueberbacher asked what the different bus sizes were to be and what type of advertising would be done to promote the routes. Mr. Gay said that
at the start the bus size would be the small van type buses which accommodate 18 passengers and are easier to maneuver around the small side streets; and the advertising would most likely be door to door especially for the seniors. Joe Pacheco, Rt. 138 Chairman, was present and stated that the committee was in favor of the service especially along Rt. 138 to Market Basket. Mr. Gay also stated that a survey could be performed regarding the routes. Carol Sullivan, Chamber of Commerce, was present and stated that the transportation from GATRA would be an asset for both commercial and residential interests. Mr. Burt, General Manager of Wal-Mart, was present and stated that he was in favor of the service extension up Rt. 44 to the Wal-Mart store. Mr. Gay asked if the Board would be in favor of all options or would there be any other recommendation for service to the Town of Raynham.
Mr. Donahue said all that the funds spent for GATRA is not new funding, but is funding that is spent yearly. Money going to the MBTA could be shifted to GATRA for local service. Mr. Donahue asked if an analysis from GATRA could be forwarded as to the desirable route on the Town’s budget. Mr. Platt said that he would not recommend the service to extend to Middleboro, but would like to see service on Chestnut Hill, Senior Center, Rt. 138 and Rt. 44, Pine Hill Estates, and Wal-Mart. Mr. McKinnon spoke of the extension of a route presently in E. Taunton on Middleboro Ave. It’s small extension down to Pine Hill Estates and Wal-Mart. Mr. Gay said he would obtain figures for the suggestions presented tonight and forward it to the Town.
Mr. Brennan was present to represent River Front, LLC-manager Russell Yule. Mr. Yule is buying the property at 531 Church St. Mr. Brennan said that River Front, LLC has applied for a TDR and was requesting a vote by the Board to decline the Town’s option to purchase the property. Mr. Platt motioned and Mr. Donahue seconded to decline the option to purchase the property at 531 Church Street. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Platt said that the TIF Committee met this evening regarding a possible new applicant and that the next TIF Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 13, 2007.
Mr. McKinnon said that the Board held an Executive Session prior to the regular Board of Selectmen’s meeting this evening regarding Litigation and Collective Bargaining.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrators Report was reviewed
Mr. Donahue discussed the MBTA Commuter Rail. Mr. Donahue said that Governor Patrick recently met with Mayors in local cities to discuss the project. Mr. Donahue recommended placing a non-binding ballot question to the residents during the Town Elections in April regarding the rail project.
Mr. McKinnon requested correspondence to be forwarded to Senator Pacheco and Representative Flynn regarding the interest Raynham and other affected towns would have in a meeting with the Governor similar to the previously conducted meeting with local Mayors to discuss the rail project.
Mr. McKinnon recommended the use of Gilmore Hall by different Committees such as the Cemetery Committee for a “place to hang their hat”. Mr. Donahue motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to request Mr. Buckner forward correspondence to Committees inquiring of their interest in Gilmore Hall on a trial basis of six months. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Chief Pacheco a request to reinstate the position of Captain in the Raynham Police Department effective April 1, 2007. Mr. Donahue motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to authorize Chief Pacheco to reinstate the position of Captain effective April 1, 2007. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received information from the Bridgewater/Raynham Regional School Committee regarding a public forum for the FY08 school budget on Monday, February 12, 2007.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Planning Board information regarding their approval of Brook Street, Rolling Brook Estates as a Town way.
8:31pm – Mr. Donahue motioned and Mr. Platt seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing Bills and Warrants and to go into Executive Session re: Negotiations
with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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