Selectmens Meeting Minutes 06/12/2018
Board of Selectmen June 12, 2018
After returning from an Executive Session with nothing to report, Chairman Marie Smith called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.
Present were Joseph Pacheco, Marie Smith and Patricia Riley.
Mrs. Smith opened the meeting with our Pledge of Allegiance.
New Business
The dedication of the Town Report was held in honor of Gordon Luciano. His service to the Town of Raynham began in 1993 on the Finance Committee, he also served as a Selectman, Board of Health, he was an Assessor, Sewer Commissioner, B-R Regional School Committee, Capital Planning Committee, Solid Waste Committee, Tax Increment Financing Board, Open Space Committee, Raynham member to the B.C. Advisory Board, and Raynham member to the MBTA Advisory Board. The Board of Selectmen and the Town of Raynham wish to express our deepest thanks to Gordon and his family. Mr. Pacheco said; your father would be extremely proud of you. The people of Raynham owe you a debt that we’ll never be able to pay back. Your contributions to the Town are immense and it was my honor to have served with you and two of the best minds I have had a chance to work with are you and Mr. Donahue. Ms. Riley said for 25 years he has dedicated to the Town and 6 to the School Committee and your legacy of service will leave an indelible mark in history in the Town. Mr. Luciano thanked everyone for the honor.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to accept the minutes of the May 29th, meeting as printed, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Chief Jim Januse was present to update the Board on the Activity Report for the month of May. Fires, fire incidents, mva investigations, and public assist were 92; Ambulance, medical emergencies mva’s and public assist were 195; Miscellaneous inspections, fire alarm work and items of note were 80; Mutual aid fire and ambulance, 1 ambulance given, 1 ambulance received; 1 fire given, 1 fire received for a total of 4. There was a total of 1,218 calls for May 2018 which is 86 more than last year. Chief Januse updated the Board on several employees who have been out on extended sick leave. He also informed the Board that the Fire and Highway Departments have received $30,000 for payment received for work that was done during the blizzard of 2013.
Appointments
Mr. Matthew Tannis, applicant for the Board of Health position was present for an interview. He graduated from Mass Maritime with a degree in Environmental studies and he previously work at the Board of Health in Taunton, is currently working in Hansen and is looking to expand his career. Ms. Riley made a motion to table the matter, as she would like to review the job description, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Public Hearing – Animal Control – Nuisance Dog Complaint
Adam Perry, Animal Control Officer discussed the matter of two dogs owned by Patrick Riley. His two dogs have killed chickens and ducks owned by Amy and Dan Smith and have attacked chickens owned by other residents as well. Ida and Patrick Riley, owners of the dogs spoke about the incident and said that they have replaced fencing around the yard with a metal fence and will put in an electric fence as well. He said he would consider restitution. The other person whose chickens were killed is an employee of the Town of Raynham and Mr. Riley didn’t like the way he was addressed. Mr. Pacheco said; my biggest concern is that it’s happened more than once and where they have a tendency to attack, I’m concerned that it could lead to people being attacked. And it would be my recommendation to take this under advisement and have the Animal Control Officer do an inspection to see the repairs that were made to the fence and bring in some photos for the Board to review. I appreciate the steps that you have taken but I believe that it’s the Board’s obligation, to insure the steps you have taken, and that this doesn’t happen again. Linda Brackett, Assistant Animal Control Officer said, the dogs are not licensed. Dan Smith read a letter to the Board and Amy said that she is now terrified to go out in the yard with their two small dogs. And they also destroyed the chick coop, not just the chickens. Mr. Pacheco said; I don’t believe that it’s this Board’s jurisdiction to require restitution. Our jurisdiction is to insure the dogs are being kept appropriately and securely and I think that we can recommend restitution, and I would, but I don’t believe that this Board has any legal standing to require it. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to take it under advisement and request that the Animal Control Officer do an inspection of the property, produce some evidence for consideration to see if the repairs are suitable, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
New Business
The Application for Change of Manager for the Greyhound Package Store, 676 Broadway was discussed. The applicant was not present. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Completion of Old Business
The ballot question 2 ½ for debt exclusion for the Raynham Sewer Department was discussed. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to have it held on July 24th which is a Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Ms. Riley seconded and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous. Ms. Riley requested that the Sewer Commissioners come forward to disclose the cost of the project and how it will affect tax bills prior to the vote. People will be much more likely to vote in favor for it, it they know all the details. Mrs. Smith said; we have two proposed questions. Mr. Donahue, who was in attendance, commented on the matter. He said I would strive to echo the warrant article as closely as you can. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to go with the language that includes the neighborhoods being serviced, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
The Archive Room at the North School is done; and there are minor bathroom finishing touches left to do.
Mr. Flaherty, as Acting Health Agent, performed three Public Swimming Pool Opening Inspections, and follow up on two Chapter II Housing complaints.
The solar panel project is moving forward with the agreement between the Town and the firm who will be doing the project.
The Town’s website is down temporarily for maintenance by our host VTHS. It should be back up soon.
Mr. Flaherty will be attending insurance company meetings for the best rates and coverage for the Town.
Student Government Day was held on Thursday, May 31st and went very well.
Raycam needs another Board Member. Please contact Kevin Ellis, if interested. Raynham Historical Society needs 2 more members please contact Pat Riley. Contact info can be obtained at the Selectmen’s Office.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on June 26th at 7:00 p.m. as the Board is observing the summer schedule.
The next Dept. Head Meeting will be held on June 21st at 9:30 a.m.
The SMHG Meeting will be held on June 20th in Seekonk.
The RFD Safety Committee meeting will be held on July 10th at 5:00 p.m.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley attended the scholarship awards night at the High School and there were so many deserving students. On June 1st was the RAVE appreciation celebration. Also, Children and Seniors Together week was a great success, Ms. Riley read letters of appreciation that the children had written. Also, this past Saturday she attended the MMA and she will report at the next meeting the wonderful information she has learned.
Citizen & Community Input
Laraine Nickerson of First Street was present to give the Board a request with 50 signatures, to instruct the Raynham Planning Board to earnestly and transparently accomplish an amicable revision of Article 24. We, the undersigned, ask that Mr. Daniel Andrade and Mr. P. Burke Fountain be recused from these meetings, on the basis of their business relationship with any and all developers that may profit from the eventual passing of a revised Article 24. Ms. Riley said she would like to see this come to an amicable resolution, although we as a Board, but we cannot instruct them on what to do. Mr. Donahue was present and said he would also like to see this come to an amicable resolution and also submitted correspondence to request a permit for Sunday, December 2nd for the Frosty Half Marathon beginning at the Middle School at 8:30 a.m. They will hire a Police detail. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Adjournment
7:59 p.m. Ms. Riley motioned, and Mr. Pacheco seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Respectively submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary