June 16, 2009 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairmen Donald McKinnon called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:08pm.
Present were Donald L. McKinnon. Marie Smith, and Joseph Pacheco.
Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept the minutes of the June 9, 2009 meeting as printed. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Marilyn Whalley, Town Planner, was present to review the newly revised Affordable Housing Plan for Raynham. Ms. Whalley informed the Board that the Planning Board has reviewed the plan.
Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the Affordable Housing Plan as submitted and forward it to the State. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Ellis, Permanent Cable TV Advisory Committee, was present along with Attorney August. Attorney August presented the Board with a Summary of the Cable TV Renewal License and informed them that Verizon, at present, has not submitted a draft contract and will not until Comcast has finished its contract. Mr. Ellis informed the Board that the rates were de-regulated by the State and therefore were not negotiable. Attorney August stated that there were a few changes since the last submittal of the License on the verbiage for the connection of cable to the High School. Accompanying the summary were two additional side letters regarding occupancy of the new facility at the Middle School and Senior Citizen discounts. Mr. McKinnon questioned the broadcasting of Boston channels versus Providence
channels for viewers once the license was renewed. Attorney August informed that Comcast did not include broadcasting of the Boston channels in the renewal license except the availability under different package deals through Comcast. With the concerns of the Boston channels, Attorney August informed the Board that the FCC did not allow Towns/Cities to petition them regarding such matters. Rather, he suggested writing the FCC requesting a rules change to allow Towns/Cities to file said petitions. Attorney August stated that the use of the Easton studio would be available to Raynham at an additional fee per month, which is stated in the renewal license. Board Members concurred to request that Attorney August discuss with Comcast the removal of the fee and use of the Easton Studio. Mr. Pacheco asked if there would be a billing station in Raynham. Attorney August said that Comcast would not agree to a location. Mr. Ellis said that the
effective date of the contract was July 7, 2009. Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept the Cable TV Renewal License effective July 7, 2009 subject to the change in the fee for the use of the Easton Studios. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco verbally submitted his resignation for the position on RAYCAM effective immediately.
Mr. McKinnon motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept Mr. Pacheco’s resignation. The vote made it unanimous.
Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to appoint Chief Lou Pacheco to the vacant position on RAYCAM. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Chief Pacheco informed the Board that Officer Correia was resigning to take a position on the RI State Police Department. Mr. McKinnon stated that the open full-time position would be placed on hold. Chief Pacheco informed the Board that the Department would be down three men.
The Board received a letter from Ms. Tripp thanking the Police Department for their continued cooperation and support, especially Jeff Finch, Joe DeCoste and Rachael Gaffney.
Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to appoint the following to the Open Space & Recreation Plan Committee: Lou Bousquet, Randall Buckner, Elizabeth Francis, Gordon Luciano, William Lewis, Erika Ueberbacher, Marilyn Whalley, Duane Wheeler. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to adopt the Order of Taking for the Hill Street temporary construction easements, part of the MORE grant requirements. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mr. Pacheco informed all that Phase I of the MORE Grant had been completed and construction was within the time restraints that the State mandated.
Mr. Pacheco informed that the State would be allowing Communities to apply for Fire Station Grants and that Ms. Whalley will be looking into the application process.
Correspondence – The Board received a request to allow the construction of bleachers between the Merrill and LaLiberte Schools. The funds were raised by a Committee and construction would be overseen by
Mr. Stolte. Mr. Buckner concurred that the project would be a benefit for the schools and that Mr. Stolte would be overseeing the installation. Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept and approve the installation of bleachers between the Merrill and LaLiberte Schools. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received information regarding a land taking agreement of a portion of Paramount Drive by the State. Mr. Buckner said that the Town would be giving a portion of the street to the State, which will eventually become part of Rt. 44. Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to accept the agreement. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from MA Recycling a request to endorse an expansion of the “bottle bill”. Board members concurred to table for 2 weeks.
Correspondence – The Board received from the MA State Ethics Commission information regarding a seminar on July 9, 2009 regarding Conflict of Interest.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Finance Committee information regarding newly elected officers for the FY ending June 30, 2010: Duane E. Wheeler, Chairman and Gilbert Alegi, Vice-Chair.
Correspondence – The Board received the May Fire Department Activity Report.
Correspondence – The Board received a request for a car wash at Bernie & Phyl’s. Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the request. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
8:41pm – Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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