April 15, 2008 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairmen John Donahue called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to
order at 7:01pm.
Present were John Donahue, Donald L. McKinnon and Joseph R. Pacheco.
Barry Amaral, Bristol County Registrar of Deeds, was present to present to the Board a framed copy of a deed dating back to 1731 and a map of the Town.
Mr. Luciano, Superintendent Guasconi, Joseph Gillis, Dr. Prewandowski and Steve Donohue were present to present Mr. Donahue with a plaque in honor of his dedication to the Town and the number of years he has served on the Board of Selectmen. All members thanked Mr. Donahue for his hard work and dedication to the Town.
Department Heads present were Mr. Stolte-Highway Department, Erika Ueberbacker-Conservation Agent, Rod Palmer-Building Department, Marsha Silvia-Town Clerk, Mrs. Sleezer-Town Administrator Assistant, Chief Pacheco-Police Department, thanked Mr. Donahue for his commitment to the Town and the professionalism he has brought to the Board. Mr. Donahue thanked all and stated that it has been a pleasure working with everyone in the Town.
Mr. Stolte requested the Board’s approval on a contract for the purchase of a cap for the flare at the landfill.
Mr. Stolte informed that the cost would be $15,000-16,000 and that funds are available through the Landfill Closure Account. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the contract for Highland Power to purchase a cap for the flare at the landfill in the amount of $15,000-16,000. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte requested the approval to apply herbicide on the fields at the schools during school vacation.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the application. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Stolte presented Dana from Tighe & Bond to discuss the proposal of a food waste composing facility in Raynham. Mr. Stolte stated that the Board would need to make a decision as to moving forward with the project or not. Tighe & Bond said that previously a grant was accepted from DEP to develop a proposal for a food waste composing facility and that four different types of composing methods have been received from interested parties. The composting types proposed were as follows: digestion, anaerobic, aerated and Verma-culture. Tighe & Bond stated that the Town would need to establish a Committee to review the proposals and rate accordingly. At full build-out/full capacity, the revenue to the Town from the facility could be between $60,000-700,000 per year. Mr.
Stolte informed that Attorney Antine has reviewed the contract in the RFP proposal. Tighe & Bond said that the state statute for a contact is three years with two years renewable, although DEP recommended a longer contract, ie: ten years with a five to ten year renewable contract. Chief Pacheco said the revenue from the proposal would be good for the Town and that the Police Department was needed for a pistol range. Mr. Stolte said the revenue from the proposed facility could assist in the funding for the pistol range project.
Mr. Donahue asked if the cap for the flare, which was just approved, would still be necessary if a facility was approved. Tighe & Bond stated that for short term, the cap was necessary. Mr. McKinnon thanked Mr. Stolte for what he was doing for the Town, but with economic times being difficult, he still had concerns with the proposed project. Mr. McKinnon stated that odors from the proposed facility could be a concern and that the Town was presently dealing with a situation which was costly.
Mr. McKinnon stated that he felt this might not be the time to introduce another potential odor business to the Town. Mr. McKinnon said he would like to wait and see what other communities will be doing in the future and that he would like to withdraw his support for the project. Mr. McKinnon said that he would be opposed to any action at this time. Tighe & Bond informed the Board that the proposal was a newly created model and agreed that odor management would be a major component of the project. Mr. Pacheco stated that he spoke to Mr. Stolte yesterday and expressed his concerns. Mr. Pacheco said that he would like to see the safety of the residents first and would like for the residents to review and comment on the proposal.
Mr. Donahue asked Mr. Stolte for figures regarding Waste Management funds to the Town and the proposed funds from the project along with odor issue with Waste Management. Mr. Stolte informed that there have not been any issues with odor from Waste Management and that the facility had installed detectors. Mr. Donahue stated that with no complaints of odor, Waste Management must be in a good location. Mr. Donahue asked to what point the Town could proceed with the project without being fully committed. Tighe & Bond said that the Town could go all the way through short of the signing of a contract with a proposed applicant. Mr. Donahue said that he would like to see the project through to the next step and learn more about the technology; therefore, he would support the proposed project
through the next step. He said that he believed the location is an ideal place for composting. Mr. McKinnon stated that the Waste Management facility is located in a gully where as the landfill was raised. He also stated that the number of trucks traveling on Thrasher Street would increase. Mr. Pacheco asked Chief Pacheco if there would be any concerns with the increase of trucks on Thrasher Street. Chief Pacheco stated that as a safety concern he did not see any except that the road was in need of widening. Tighe & Bond said that the proposed applicant for the facility could possibly include the cost for the road improvements. Erika Ueberbacker-Conservation Agent said that the Board of Health Agent and her office should review the contract and that a site visit was conducted for facilities with windrow operation only. Agent stated that the RFP does not state the transport of animal waste to the facility. She also informed
that there was no input from her office during the RFP process. Agent informed that there were many items to deal with including road improvement. Mr. Donahue said that by moving forward and researching a potential revenue enhancement project for the Town would be something he would like to see happen.
Mr. McKinnon motioned to table for an undecided period of time and Mr. Pacheco seconded for discussion. Mr. Pacheco said that he would like to look at the proposal more closely especially if it was a revenue enhancement project for the Town. Mr. Pacheco and Mr. Donahue voted to move forward on the proposal for a food waste composting facility in Raynham. Mr. McKinnon was opposed. Board Members discussed the recommendation of a Committee to review and rate the proposals.
Chief Pacheco presented a list of streets to Mr. Pacheco upon his request for the installation of street safety signs. Mr. Pacheco informed all that the signs have arrived and suggested ten streets where they could be installed. Chief Pacheco stated that he would list the streets on the website for residents to comment on.
Borden Colony Advisory Committee Members were present to advise the Board that at a recent meeting, the Committee recommended rejecting the non-price proposal from Olson Greenhouse or to accept the one-year proposal as presented. Conservation Agent was present and informed that the Conservation Commission also voted unanimously to reject the non-price proposal from Olson Greenhouse or to accept the one-year proposal as presented. Mr. McRae, Conservation Commission Chairman, was present and requested an Emergency Executive Session. Mr. Piscatelli, Olson Greenhouse, was present and stated that at the last meeting with Borden Colony Advisory Committee he felt there were no issues with the proposal.
Mr. Olson stated that he would sign a statement for which they would agree to any change put forth by the Conservation Commission. Mr. Pacheco asked if a one-year proposal was acceptable to Olson Greenhouse. Mr. Olson said yes. Mr. Donahue stated that the RFP would need to be approved based on the original proposal.
8:38pm - Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to recess for an Emergency Executive Session regarding contractual negations. The vote made it unanimous.
8:58pm- Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to reconvene from Executive Session. The vote made it unanimous.
Mr. Donahue stated that the vote tonight would be on the RFP and addendum as presented. Mr. Piscatelli asked if the business could continue at Borden Colony if the RFP was rejected. Agent stated that she would supply Olson Greenhouse with the recommendations from the State on Borden Colony. Agent stated that the presented five-year proposal was not in keeping with the RFP. Agent stated that the addendum does not provide any new items. Mr. Donahue proposed an extension of the existing contract for Olson Greenhouse to carry through for the planting season. Mr. Piscatelli stated that there was no clarification at the meetings as to the need of any new items. Mr. Piscatelli said that an extension on the present lease would be acceptable at this time. Agent recommended the
following: working with the states requirements for Borden Colony along with the clean-up procedure as requested; Committee would meet to work on Master Plan for an RFP; Master Plan to be reviewed by Town Counsel. Mr. McRae stated that the proposal was not written within the RFP requirements and recommended rejecting at this time. Mr. Piscatelli stated that the proposal was written within the RFP and it was critical to Olson’s future to continue to grow. Agent stated that the extension would be for the growing season, not one year. Mr. Donahue informed that the Town is actually back to the beginning with the RFP process for Borden Colony and suggested the Olson’s to be involved in the planning of the next year RFP.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to reject the proposal as submitted and to extend the present contract with Olson through the 2008-planting season. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept as printed the articles for the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon suggested forwarding correspondence to the Planning Board requesting that a member attend the Town Meeting. Mr. Pacheco concurred.
Mr. Pacheco informed that he and Mr. McKinnon recently attended the Economic & Business Development Commission Awards Night.
Correspondence – The Board received an invitation to the Raynham Historical Society Open House on April 22, 2008.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Attorney General’s office information regarding an Assistant Attorney General Policy Advisory.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Planning Board information regarding Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Chapter 44, Sec 55C.
Correspondence – The Board received a copy of a letter of thanks to the Raynham Veterinary Hospital for their assistance in the rabies clinic from the Board of Health Agent.
Correspondence – The Board received request for tag days as follows: Taunton High School, car wash on May 10; Baptist Church of All National, car wash on April 26; Taunton High School DECA on September 6, Greater Taunton Leo Club on May 25. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the above listed tag days pending approval from the Water District. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
9:35pm – Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of bills with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to go into Executive Session regarding litigation.
Mr. Donahue made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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