Selectmens Meeting Minutes 08/07/2018
Board of Selectmen August 7, 2018
After returning from an Executive Session, held under Mass. Gen. Laws Chap. 30A, Section 21, Chairman Marie Smith called the public meeting to order at 7:20 p.m.
Present were Joseph Pacheco, Marie Smith and Patricia Riley.
Ms. Riley opened the meeting with our Pledge of Allegiance and, immediately following, a moment of silence was observed for Mr. William Sullivan, who was a longtime Superintendent of Schools in Raynham.
Ms. Riley announced that two votes were taken in Executive Session. She stated that “We voted to ask the Building Inspector to forward three names of qualified individuals who could perform some per diem inspections and that was a unanimous vote.” She also noted that the Board voted to have her work on negotiations with Bridgewater regarding the former regional high school building.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Mr. Pacheco made a motion to accept the minutes of the July 24th meeting as printed. Ms. Riley seconded and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Mr. Buckley was present to give his monthly report. The department has completed the resurfacing of Richmond Street and White Street is in progress, with sidewalks to follow. The parking lot to the basketball court will be completed soon and bleachers will be installed. The Park & Grounds crews have been busy mowing and doing tree removal. The Hazardous Waste Day was very successful, and the solar project is fully underway and will go into late fall.
Completion of Old Business
Ms. Riley offered her revised proposals of goals and objectives for FY19. She said, this is for the full year and can be worked on as time goes on:
1. Improved Transparency
2. Improved Communication
3. Review and revise as needed all Town By-Laws
4. Review and revise as needed all Town Policies
5. Review and revise as needed all Job Descriptions
6. Short- and long-term planning including the following:
- Conduct a Needs Assessment
- Establish a Study Committee to look into government issues as well as current and future space needs and space availability
- Develop a Strategic Plan for the Town based on the Needs Assessment
- Create a 5-year and 10-year Capital Improvement Plan based on the Needs Assessment and the Strategic Plan
7. Review the B-R Regional Agreement and resolve any relevant issues
8. Professional development for Town Officials and Staff
Ms. Riley apologized for not doing more about making people aware of the recent Special Town Election. Mr. Pacheco said, “I would disagree with your characterization of the ball being dropped on the election. I think the Town Clerk did a great job and did everything she could. I can only speak for my involvement. I had it on Facebook and twitter and on my website and the digital board was out advertising it. I had concerns that we would have a low turnout being in July.” Ms. Riley said she made no mention of the Town Clerk nor did she intend to infer that the Town Clerk didn’t do enough to publicize it.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
The outside concrete steps are to be finished this week on the North School. A quote for cleaning the entire building will be put together this week and the final painting should be done by next week.
The MDPH Air Quality Division performed an inspection for air quality as it relates to the employees and visitors of Town Hall. The report should be furnished by next week but the preliminary feedback is very good with only minor suggestions for improvement.
The new ACO vehicle that was purchased is having lettering done and shelving installed and will be done as soon as possible.
RayCam has filled its need for a new Board member. The Historical Commission still needs two more members. Anyone interested should contact Pat Riley or the Selectmen’s Office.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on August 21st at 7:00 p.m. as the Board is observing the summer schedule. The next Dept. Head Meeting will be held on August 23rd at 9:30 a.m.
The SMHG Meeting will be held on September 13th in Seekonk.
The next SERSG meeting will be held on September 12th at 9:00 a.m. in Mansfield.
Selectmen’s Report
Mr. Pacheco asked if an expense report could be compiled for the North School, per project. Mr. Flaherty said he will take care of it.
Ms. Riley wanted to discuss the HVAC issue and wanted to know if a dehumidifier could be installed in the downstairs office experiencing a problem with excessive moisture. Mr. Flaherty wanted to see the MDPH inspector’s report as to which rooms were listed as needing them. He would like to solve the problem with the HVAC technician at the source. Mr. Pacheco said, in the long run, “I think that’s going to be our better option to upgrade the system rather than take up valuable room space with dehumidifiers.”
Ms. Riley watched the Planning Board hearing and said Judson Street residents expressed their concerns about the proposed development of a large 24-hour Truck Sales and Service facility on Route 44 abutting their neighborhood. Ms. Riley wanted to know if it would be appropriate for the Selectmen, acting in their capacity as the Board of Health, to send a letter to the Planning Board expressing concern about noise and air quality issues. Mr. Pacheco said, “I think that project is an atrocity. It’s not in line with what’s on Route 44 and I think it’s disingenuous to the residents to think it’s going to be a business park and now it’s going to be a truck depot. There is one in Shrewsbury and it’s an eyesore and outside of the public health concerns is the safety concerns, the traffic issues. With a 24-hour facility and the possibility of an industrial accident, the police and fire would have to be on high alert all the time. I don’t think that is a good project for Raynham at all.” Ms. Riley made a motion to send a letter expressing the Board’s concerns. Mr. Pacheco seconded. Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Ms. Riley wanted to remind everyone that the Purple Heart Dedication Ceremony will be tomorrow at South School. She also asked Mr. Flaherty to follow up on the selectmen having Town of Raynham emails as recommended by the Massachusetts Selectmen’s Association because all town-related e-mails should be part of the town’s record. Mr. Flaherty has already spoken with the IT department on that matter.
Mr. Pacheco asked if the Asst. Town Administrator’s position could be on the agenda in two weeks so that the candidates could be discussed.
Correspondence
Correspondence was received from the Commonwealth of Mass. Department of Revenue, as a reminder that municipalities with a population of 5,000 or more must provide, on or before August 1st, a report of all providers who have furnished goods, services or provided real estate space to the municipality during the preceding fiscal year in which the provider received $5,000 or more from the municipality. Mr. Flaherty has forwarded the correspondence to Mike King, Treasurer/Collector, to complete the report.
Correspondence was received from the Park & Rec Department regarding an estimate of replacement of signs at Borden Colony. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve their recommendation of the low bidder, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from Katherine Maloney at Comcast regarding the Town’s program agreements.
An Application for an Entertainment License was received from Crue Brewery of 95 Ryan Drive. Mr. Kevin Merritt was present to discuss the request. He would like to have an acoustic band come in on Thursdays. Mr. Pacheco said, “I have no issues with it and I would motion to approve.” Ms. Riley seconded and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous. Mrs. Smith wanted to know the hours of operation. Mr. Merritt said Thursday and Friday from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 12:00 – 8:00 p.m. They will be raising money for charities soon as well.
Correspondence was received from Marsha Silvia, Town Clerk, thanking Mr. Buckley and his staff for their help in the preparation of voting booths and tables for the recent Town Election. The Board thanked her as well.
Correspondence was received from Sen Marc Pacheco’s office regarding $10,000 from within the State budget that he allocated to the Senior Center.
The Board was notified that the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission will hold a hearing on September 6th on Smitty’s Filling Station’s appeal of the Board of Selectmen’s denial of their application for a transfer of liquor license for 1285 Broadway.
A Tag Day request was received from Taunton Pop Warner for the following dates: Aug. 20th – 23rd and 27th – 31st, and Nov. 10th & 11th. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Adjournment
At 7:51 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary