October 9, 2007 Board of Selectmen
Meeting called to order at 7:05 PM.
Present were John M. Donahue, Donald L. McKinnon and Joseph R. Pacheco.
Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written.
Bridgewater- Raynham School Committee member, Steven Donohue was present to introduce Dave Thomson, new Middle School Principal. Mr. Thomson talked about changes in curriculum and organization at the school this year.
Mr. Pacheco said that the Regional Task Force on Casinos met last week with Senator Pacheco addressing the group. He said the Governor hadn’t decided how to seek local input on any proposed casino. Discussion followed. Mr. Pacheco moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to ask the Governor for a Town election vote on any proposed casino. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. McKinnon moved and Mr. Pacheco seconded to set Tuesday, November 13th as the date for the pre-Town Meeting and November 19th for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Regarding the draft warrant, Mrs. Smith, Chairman of the Finance Committee, said her Committee would probably make recommendations on the articles closer to the meeting date when the Free Cash figure is available. Mr. Buckner said the final warrant would have to be ready for next week’s meeting.
Mr. Pacheco requested that the Board invite former Selectmen in to a meeting for ceremony to thank them for past service and hang a plaque with the names of Selectmen going back to 1950. Other members of the Board concurred and October 23rd was set as the date.
Mr. Donahue read correspondence from Town Accountant Janice Boucher submitting her resignation as of December 31, 2007. Mr. Pacheco moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to accept Ms. Boucher’s resignation with regret. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous. Mr. Donahue asked Mr. Buckner to research how the search was handled two years ago when Ms. Boucher was hired.
The Massachusetts Collector and Treasurer Association wrote the Board stating that Linda King was awarded the designation of Certified Mass. Municipal Treasurer. Mr. Pacheco moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to send her a letter of congratulations. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue said there was correspondence regarding the fence between the Town Hall and Mr. Dolan’s property. Mr. Dolan was present and again asked that the fence be removed. Mr. McCarthy said that Zoning By-Laws required the fence. At the Board’s request a meeting with all parties will be coordinated by Ms. Ueberbacher.
In response to a question from the press, Mr. Pacheco explained that the Board was opposed to casinos in general but did not want to take a vote specifically on the proposed Middleboro casino because it did not feel it should tread on a neighboring community’s sovereignity.
Mr. Donahue opened the presentation to the Sullivan School Study Committee, the Building Committee and Mr. William Sullivan by thanking all for coming. He thanked the members of the Study Committee for their vision and the Building Committee for seeing that vision through to reality. He said framed photos of the new Town Hall would be given to each of the members.
He turned the proceedings over to Mr. McKinnon who spoke about Mr. Sullivan’s contributions to education in Raynham. Former teachers, pupils and School Committee members praised him for his character and contributions. Mr. Pacheco then moved and Mr. McKinnon seconded to dedicate the main conference room as the William Sullivan Conference Room. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Meeting was adjourned so everyone could view the conference room.
Respectfully submitted
Randall A. Buckner
Town Administrator
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