September 2, 2008 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairmen Joseph Pacheco called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:03pm.
Present were Joseph Pacheco, Donald L. McKinnon and Marie Smith.
Mr. Pacheco informed all that the Board was returning from two Executive Sessions, one regarding Contract Negotiations and the other Litigation.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept the minutes of the August 19, 2008
meeting as printed. The vote made it unanimous
Mr. John Donahue was present to update the Board on the discussions regarding the buy-out of the old Bridgewater/Raynham High School. Mr. Donahue requested that a current Board member join the discussions. Mr. Pacheco said that he would take the position on the Committee to discuss the potential buy-out.
Fire Chief James Januse was officially sworn in as Chief of the Raynham Fire Department. Board members congratulated Chief Januse and spoke highly of his family’s past. Fire Chiefs from surrounding communities such as Bridgewater, Dighton, and Easton were present to welcome and support Chief Januse in his new position. Ms. Dooley, the Chief’s aunt, wished him good luck on behalf of her family. Rev. Tilbe was present and wished the Chief good luck.
Mr. Bettencourt was present and updated the Board on the Fire Department and Highway Garage projects. Mr. Bettencourt informed that the projects should be complete by the end of September.
Mr. Stolte and Jim Noyes, engineer on the Rt. 140 project, were present. Mr. Stolte said funds were available from the State for safety issues. Mr. Noyes informed that the Rt. 44/Orchard Street intersection was rated #13 out of the 100 worst intersections in the region. He stated that he has proposed a Draft Project NEED Form, which was presented to the Board. Mr. Pacheco stated that he previously spoke to Mr. Stolte regarding this proposal and would endorse favorably. Mr. McKinnon and Mrs. Smith concurred that they too would be in favor of the project. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to endorse the application for the project. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Kevin Ellis, Cable Commission Chairman, was present and informed the Board that the Cable Commission has unanimously voted to recommend the Raynham Middle School as a new location for the cable studio.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept the recommendation for the use of the Raynham Middle School as the new location for the cable studio. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Rick Colon, Verizon representative, was present and informed the Board that Verizon will be ready to start to build out their cable network in the Town of Raynham in 2009. If the Town so chooses to offer Verizon in the future, Mr. Colon recommended forwarding correspondence to the Department of Telecommunications and Cable to inform them that the Town will be soliciting for different networks and to waive the National Advertisement. Mr. McKinnon asked that if Verizon obtained a cable license in Raynham, would it be for the entire Town or just a portion? Mr. Colon said that their goal would be for 100% of the residents to receive Verizon with a total build out to be completed within 6 years. Mr. McKinnon asked if Verizon would support a local cable studio. Mr. Colon stated that Verizon would
support the community’s studio’s operating budget through a provision in the contract. He said that capital grants were available for construction of a studio. Mrs. Smith asked if working with the community studio could pose a problem for Verizon. Mr. Colon stated that Verizon would be committed to airing community programming. Mr. Pacheco stated that the contract for which Raynham had presently with Comcast was what they would be looking for in any competitor. Mr. Pacheco asked if Verizon would consider senior citizen discounts. Mr. Colon stated that Verizon does not and will not enter into any negotiations in the contract for senior citizens discounts and does not offer it in any other state. Mr. Pacheco stated that the majority of senior citizens in the Town would not benefit from package deals if they do not own a computer and that the access to Boston channels was what the Town would be looking for in an agreement. Mr.
Colon informed him that Verizon would offer Boston channels. Mr. Ellis recommended to the Board that the initial license process be started.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward correspondence to the DTC informing that the Town will be soliciting for different networks and to waiver the National Advertisement. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Ellis said all that Pride Day is scheduled for Sunday, September 28, 2008, 1-4pm with a rain date of October 5, 2008. He said that Wal Mart has donated $1000 to sponsor the Petting Zoo at Pride Day and asked for the Town’s approval to accept the gift. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept the donation from Wal Mart in the amount of $1000. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to appoint Jon M. Le Tourneau, Sr. as assistant Plumbing Inspector for the Town of Raynham. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to appoint Jennifer Sypher as Warden position in Precinct 2. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to appoint Timothy Holt, 55 Lakeview Drive, Raynham as Constable for one year. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco said that he recently spoke to the Planning Board Chairman regarding the vacant Town Planner position. He said that Mr. Andrade recommended the vacant Town Planner position be at least part-time. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the advertisement of the vacant Town Planner position as part-time. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to appoint a Building Commissioner Search Committee with the following members: Board of Selectmen-Mrs. Smith, Town Administrator, Planning Board Chairman or designee and Town Counsel-Marc Antine. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon requested a letter of thanks be forwarded to Barney Frank’s office thanking them for the assistance in obtaining Boston channels through Comcast for the Town of Raynham. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward correspondence to Mr. Frank’s office. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco read correspondence from Attorney Antine regarding the decision from the ABCC on Christopher’s appeal of a decision to build an outdoor patio. Mr. McKinnon requested an Executive Session with Attorney Antine to discuss further the decision of the ABCC. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward correspondence to Attorney Antine requesting an Executive Session. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco read a letter from Gordon Luciano, Chairman of the B-R Regional School Committee, responding to the Board’s request for a study committee on a superintendency union or deregionalization for grades K-8. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to appoint a town Committee to conduct such a study. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Members to include: Board of Selectmen-Mr. McKinnon, Chairman of the School Committee or designee, Chairman of the Finance Committee, and Town Administrator-Mr. Buckner.
Correspondence – The Board received from Chief Januse the Fire Department Activity Report for the Month of August.
Correspondence – The Board received from Mr. McCarthy a list of projects in progress.
Correspondence – The Board received from Mr. McCarthy information regarding safety issues along Rt. 44 with dealerships unloading vehicles in the emergency lane. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward correspondence to Chief Pacheco requesting his recommendation on the law for the use of emergency lanes along with the recommendation of citations upon a possible violation. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Kathy Malone of Comcast clarification regarding the broadcasting of Boston channels in Raynham.
Correspondence – The Board received information from the Department of Agriculture regarding the mitigation of $17,800 for Borden Colony.
Correspondence - The Board received a request for approval of an Absent Payment Approval by the Fire Department. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the Absent Payment Approval for the Fire Department. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received an invitation from the Bridgewater/Raynham School Committee to welcome Superintendent Forbes on September 10, 2008 at the Bridgewater/Raynham High School.
Correspondence – The Board received a request from the Daughters of the American Revolution to proclaim September 17 through September 23, 2008 as Constitution Week along with the recognition of Bells Across American on September 17, 2008. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to proclaim September 17 through September 23, 2008 as Resolution Week along with the recognition of Bells Across American on September 17, 2008. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received requests for Tag Days as follows: Rising Starz Gym, November 9, 2008; MA 2010 ROTC, car wash on and candy sale on October 1, 2008; AIMCO Pediatric Cancer on September 25, 2008; Taunton High School Key Club, car wash on October 4, 2008; Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity of Bridgewater State College, September 27, 2008; Silver City Skate Land, November 29, 2008; and Teen Challenge, October 3 and October 24, 2008. Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the above listed Tag Days. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
8:43pm – Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards.
Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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