June 30, 2009 BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Chairmen Donald McKinnon called the regular meeting of the Raynham Board of Selectmen to order at 7:13pm.
Present were Donald L. McKinnon, Marie Smith, and Joseph Pacheco.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept the minutes of the June 16, 2009 meeting as printed. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. McKinnon informed all that the Board was returning from an Executive Session prior to the regular meeting regarding litigation.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to name the new Town Hall Court Yard in the name of Barbara L. Sleezer. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
7:15 - Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to recess for ten minutes to view the Town Hall Court Yard with Mrs. Sleezer. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
7:22pm - Mr. McKinnon reconvened the regular Board of Selectmen Meeting.
Mr. Stolte was present to discuss with the Board the Solid Waste Budget, which is short of $97,000 from last year. Mr. Stolte suggested the following to the Board to aid in the adjustment for the shortfall: increase in landfill sticker price from $10 to $20 per car; current tags from $ 0.50 to $2.00; outside haulers disposing of grass clipping to be charged a flat fee of $400 per year for each truck in the business; reduction of hours on Saturday for the brush section at the landfill. Mr. McKinnon asked if there would be an additional charge for brush disposal above the suggested increase of $20 per car. Mr. Stolte said there would be none at this time. Mr. Stolte’s suggestion for the brush disposal on Saturday would be to close the facility. All Board members concurred that they
would not like to see the brush disposal closed on Saturday. Mr. Pacheco suggested tabling the discussion until the next Selectmen’s meeting in two weeks.
Mr. Pacheco congratulated Mr. Stolte for his assistance and a job well done on the More Grant.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the appointments as listed. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Mr. Buckner’s Town Administrator’s Report was reviewed.
Mrs. Smith informed all that RAYCAM Board of Directors met recently and appointed the following officers: Chief Lou Pacheco-President, Jerry Gibbs-Vice Chair, Mrs. Smith-Treasurer, and Ms. Riley-Secretary. Mrs. Smith stated that the school contract for RAYCAM is in need of one signature remaining and that the Directors have persuaded Mr. Bettencourt to oversee the renovations of the new studio at the Middle School.
Mr. McKinnon informed all that a recent decision was to have the Conservation Agent remain at a part-time employee with a maximum of 19 hours per week, which would include availability for hearings and Tuesday nights.
Mr. Buckner said that a recent decision was also made regarding the Assistant Building Inspector. Since the beginning of January, there have been only two permits pulled for single family homes. Therefore, the Assistant Building Inspector will be changed to an hourly, as-needed position.
Mr. McKinnon discussed the Town’s budget and said that a Special Town Meeting will be scheduled at a later date to address and resolve the necessary budgeted items. The possibility of an increase in hotel and meals tax will need to be discussed at the Town Meeting. Mr. McKinnon reviewed figures from a local newspaper regarding the estimated tax for Raynham regarding meal tax-$264,000 and hotel tax-$60,000. Mr. Wheeler, Finance Committee, was present and stated that the Quinn Bill reduction could be approximately $100,000 to the Town.
Mr. Pacheco discussed the meal and hotel tax and the effect it could have on local restaurants and hotels. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to request from the Bridgewater/Raynham School District a formal update on their budget. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Present was Jim Zahakos who discussed the following regarding budget cuts to the Town: the proposed cut of 15 teachers to be laid off and his support of the increase to meal and hotel taxes. He stated that the students would be punished if the Town did not gift the amount needed for the fiscal year.
Mr. Pacheco commented on the statements made by Mr. Zahakos and said that the Board is not punishing anyone and that the increase in meal and hotel tax would effect businesses in Town.
Mr. McKinnon informed all that the last broadcast from the Easton Studios would be tomorrow night until the future new studio was completed in September.
Mr. McKinnon invited Mr. Wheeler to attend the meeting next week in Bridgewater with the Bridgewater Board of Selectmen to discuss the possible Superintendency Union.
Correspondence – The Board received from the MMA information regarding a Conference Committee Release of the Fiscal 2010 Budget.
Mr. McKinnon stated that all Board Members had received an oral resignation from John Montagano for his position on the Council on Aging. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to accept with regrets. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received a letter of interest from Manuel Paul Rocha for the vacant position on the Raynham Council on Aging. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward the letter to Council on Aging. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Joshua Freeman a proposal regarding the number of elected representatives to serve on a “Regional Economic Community Budget Committee”.
Correspondence – The Board received from Chief Pacheco a request to pay officers for unused vacation time. Mrs. Smith motioned and Mr. Pacheco seconded to approve the request. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Homes for Our Troops a request for a 5-mile road race on November 8, 2009. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to forward the request to the Chief of Police. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from Attorney Antine a draft of the Lease for the Lions Club.
Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mr. Smith seconded to forward the draft lease to the Lions Club for review. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
Correspondence – The Board received from the Police Department information regarding six empty positions to be filled from the reserve list.
Correspondence – The Board received the following Tag Day requests: Apponequet Regional High School, Deca Club for July 19, 2009; Pop Warner Cheerleaders for a car wash on July 11, 2009; Lakeville Hockey Club for a car wash on August 22, 2009; Rock Youth Ministry for a car wash on July 25; and Decal All Star Cheerleading Team for August 2, 2009. Mr. Pacheco motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to approve the above listed Tag Days. Mr. McKinnon made it unanimous.
9:10pm – Mr. Pacheco 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. McKinnon made it unanimous
Respectfully submitted,
Dawn M. Caradonna
Recording Secretary
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