JULY 10, 2007 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairman John Donahue called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:06pm.
Present were John M. Donahue, Donald L. McKinnon and Joseph Pacheco.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to accept the minutes of the June 26, 2007 meeting as printed. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue informed all that the Board was returning from an Executive Session regarding Litigation.
Alan Perry, Health Agent, was present to discuss the recent detection of EEE in Raynham. Mr. Perry said that the mosquito found on July 4, 2007 was a bird biting type. He said that the State Department of Public Health contacted the Town on July 6, 2007 and that Mr. Perry immediately notified all. Mr. Perry stated that he has been in communications with the Department of Health regarding the positive testing and the Town’s commitment to EEE. Board members agreed to forward correspondence to the Governor, Senator Pacheco, Representative Flynn to reaffirm the Board’s stance in arial spraying for mosquitoes.
Christine Kelly and Jeff Mann were present to discuss the expansion of existing wine & malt licenses to include liqueurs and cordials. Mr. Mann stated that Occasions is strictly a function hall and would be interested in the expansion of their license to move forward in the marketplace for renting the hall.
Ms. Kelly informed that all employees are TIP certified. Mr. Mann requested the Board’s approval to submit an article for the warrant to allow wine & malt licenses to expand and include liqueurs and cordials.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to open the Town Warrant for submittals of articles. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept for the Town Warrant, Article 4 as printed. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Gordan Luciano, Bridgewater/Raynham Regional School District, was present and informed the Board that the District approved EEE spraying on June 15, 2007 for all school properties at the Merrill, LaLiberte and Raynham Middle Schools. He thanked Chief Pacheco for his support in providing the District with a Resource Officer. He thanked the Fire Department for their Fire Safety Programs that is provided at the schools. Mr. Luciano thanked all residents for their support of the school budget and recommended the Town call a Special Town Meeting on July 30, 2007 regarding the staffing in the schools. He stated that the Town of Bridgewater has been contacted and will be doing the same. Mr. Luciano spoke of the cost in unemployment with all the lay-offs of staff.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve Article #1 and #2 as printed for the Town Warrant. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve Article #3 as printed for the request of $25,000 for litigation. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to close the Warrant for July 30, 2007 for articles, pending minor modifications by Town Counsel. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Present was Chief Pacheco, Captain Pacheco, Officer Silveria, and Mark Hammer from Traffipax-Traffic Safety Systems. Mr. Hammer presentation to the Board was for a turn key service on traffic. He informed the Board that Traffipax has been in business for over 20 years. The presentation informed the Board of all the services and equipment that Traffipax would supply to the Town. Mr. Hammer stated that the only cost to the Town would be $35 per paid citation, after the first two (2) months of service. Mr. McKinnon discussed the cost of citations to residents and the rising cost of individual insurance. Mr. Hammer stated that the citations are moving vehicle citations and it would act just like a regular citations received from a normal police officer. Mr. Pacheco stated that
he attended a demonstration recently on Elm Street and within an hour, there were over 50 violations. Chief Pacheco requested the Board acceptance of a proposal from Traffipax.
Mr. Donahue questioned the citation process if and when an individual would challenge the citation in court, and who would be responsible for the appearance on the Town’s behalf. Mr. Hammer stated that Traffipax would be responsible.
Officer Silveria was present and informed the Board that the new motorcycle for the Department was available for viewing at the Town Hall.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve a Health Insurance Reform, Section 125 Plan for employees not eligible for health insurance through the Town. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon discussed the Commonwealth of Massachusetts per capita income different between Bridgewater and Raynham.
Mr. Pacheco thanked all the voters, poll workers and Town Clerk’s Office for their assistance during the
vote. Mr. Pacheco commented on the opening of talks by Middleboro regarding the proposed casino.
Mr. Donahue said that Mr. Buckner, Mr. Stolte, and he had a recent meeting with Aquaria recently. Discussion centered around a possible short cut through the Pine Swamp. He said that mitigation is still pending.
Mr. Donahue also thanked Raynham residents for their support in education.
Correspondence – The Board received a request from Chief Pacheco to appoint Jennifer Pohl as a Special Police Officer in the Town of Raynham. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to appoint Jennifer Pohl as Special Police Officer in the Town of Raynham. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received a request from Chief Pacheco to appoint Jonathan S. Tracey as a full-time officer in the Town of Raynham. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to appoint Jonathan S. Tracey as a full-time officer in the Town of Raynham. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for tree work on Route 24 from Cape Road Plaza. The request is being made for the visibility of the plaza sign. The letter said that MA Highway has been contacted and required the support of the Town. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to support the request and forward to the Tree Warden. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received information from Senator Pacheco regarding available grants for the repair of municipal police stations. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to forward to Chief Pacheco. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received information from SRPEDD regarding the Draft TIP for FY2008-2012 which included signal lights on Rt. 138 and Rt. 495. It informed of the 30-day public comment period, which began on July 5, 2007.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals from Melissa Victor of Brook Street. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to forward the request to Chairmen Newton of the Zoning Board of Appeals for his review. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept requests for the Zoning Board of Appeals through July 24, 2007. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Correspondence - The Board received information regarding the Greenbush commuter rail demonstration/presentation next Thursday, July 19 at 2 PM.
Correspondence – The Board received information regarding the Opening Meeting Law. Bristol County District Attorney’s office was offering seminars to cities and towns on the law. The Board felt it was a good idea.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for Tag Day from the Taunton Daily Gazette for July 13, 14, 15 at Wal Mart with proceeds to go to the Children’s Hospital. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon seconded to approve the request for Tag Day. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
9:03pm – Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. McKinnon 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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