Selectmens Meeting Minutes 10/01/2019

Minutes
Meeting date: 
Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Board of Selectmen                                                                                                  October 1, 2019

Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall, 558 South Main Street. In addition to Chairman Pacheco, Selectmen Marie Smith and Patricia Riley were in attendance. 

Ms. Riley made a motion to enter into Executive Session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21, to discuss strategy with respect to, or in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and also to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares. On a roll call vote, Chairman Pacheco and Selectmen Smith and Riley voted in the affirmative to enter into Executive Session.                                                                                                                                     

Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the open meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the meeting room at Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall, 558 South Main Street. In addition to Chairman Pacheco, Selectmen Marie Smith and Patricia Riley were in attendance. Chairman Pacheco announced that the Board was returning from Executive Session with nothing to report at this time.  

Ms. Riley led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mr. Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting was being recorded live by RayCAM. 

Acceptance of the Minutes

Ms. Riley made a motion to accept as printed the minutes of the meeting held on September 24, 2019. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Department Heads & Committees

Mr. Matt Tanis, Health Agent, was present to update the Board on the temporary ban on the sale of vaping products. He explained that on September 24th, Governor Charles Baker declared a public health emergency due to severe lung disease associated with the use of e-cigarettes and vaping products. With the approval of the Governor and the Public Health Council, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health issued an Order to temporarily prohibit the sale and public display of all vaping products, flavored and non-flavored, in retail establishments, online, and by any other means in Massachusetts. The order will continue until January 25th, 2020, unless extended, or rescinded. Once he had received guidance on how to proceed, Mr. Tanis sent out a notice to all 24 permitted vendors and he followed up with a compliance check. He reported that all 24 permitted vendors have now complied.  Mrs. Smith said, “I want to commend the Governor on what he did and acting as quickly as he did.”  Mr. Tanis added that Rhode Island has also enacted the same type of ban.  Ms. Riley asked Mr. Tanis if he could update everyone on the EEE situation.  Mr. Tanis replied that the third and final round of aerial spraying has been completed for the season and it is his understanding that there has been a significant reduction in the mosquito population. The threat remains, however, until the first freeze of the season.

Police Chief Jim Donovan was present to update the Board on police activity. For the month of July, there were 1,581 incidents, 45 people were booked, and there were 5 overdoses.  In the month of August, there were 1,381 incidents, 52 people were booked, and there was 1 overdose.  In the month of September, there were 1,436 incidents, 66 people were booked, and there were 3 overdoses.  Chief Donovan added that Bristol and Plymouth Counties are pooling and tracking their overdose information for a coordinated approach to addressing the problem. Chief Donovan also reported that there was a fatal motorcycle crash on September 4th at the intersection of Rt. 138 and Carver Street, and, on the same date, an armed robbery suspect that Raynham Police helped bring to justice was convicted and received a five- to seven-year sentence.  Raynham Police Officers and Detectives played a big part in that investigation. Several reports of mail being stolen were investigated and Raynham Police subsequently apprehended two suspects, one of whom still had mail in his shoes at the time of the arrest. The stolen mail has been returned. 

Mr. Ed Buckley, Highway Superintendent, was present to give his monthly report.  He said the salt shed is 65% complete and should be done soon.  King Street is 90% complete. White Street should be done in three or four weeks and they will look forward to completing the footbridge next year.  The Highway Department crews will continue roadside mowing and catch basin cleaning right up until winter.  Mr. Buckley said he submitted his Stormwater Annual Report yesterday and the grounds crews are preparing the fields for sporting events.  The department is also cleaning up some of the memorials and doing some landscaping around them. 

New Business

Mr. Pacheco presented the October 21st Town Meeting Warrant.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to accept it as printed and close the warrant, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Mr. Peter Richard presented a proposal for facility modifications for the Raynham Regional Solid Waste Processing and Transfer Station. He explained that the proposed upgrades to the material recycling system at the facility will increase operational efficiency and increase recovery of recyclable materials. A new apron feed conveyor on the tipping floor will facilitate material loading and accelerate its movement up and into the processing operation. The modifications will provide additional temporary storage capacity and will reduce material handling. A major advancement is proposed for the collection and processing of clean wood that will significantly increase clean wood recovery rates. Additional overbelt magnetic separators and conveyors are also proposed for installation to maximize the amount of metals recovered at the facility. A covered concrete bunker will be built behind the current building in the northeast corner.  There will be no additional tonnage or increase in traffic, and this will help to improve recycling.  Mrs. Smith asked if there would be any waste products contained in the bunker. Mr. Richard said there will be no disposable waste in the bunker. Ms. Riley asked to hear Mr. Buckley’s comments on the proposed modifications.  Mr. Buckley stated, “I did raise some concerns with Waste Management when we met regarding dust and dust suppression and that being an ongoing issue with the facility.  Also, there are some pavement repair issues in the rear of the building that should be rolled into this project as a requirement as the water overflows the catch basins and not into our retention areas.  Some privacy screening should be added along the fence.” Mrs. Smith asked Mr. Buckley how long he thought it would take to comply with the items that he addressed. Mr. Buckley replied that it would probably take a couple of weeks for the pavement issues and a couple of weeks for the fence. Interim Town Administrator Gordon Luciano said, “My recommendation would be to forward this to Town Counsel, just to make sure that the improvements that are recommended or suggested tonight fall within the framework of the existing contract, and, if they don’t, ask him to draw up an amendment with Waste Management with any particulars that would need to be added into the current contract.”  Mr. Richard said he would be glad to meet with Town officials before the final application is submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Pacheco said, “It makes sense and I think some of the enhancements will be good for that area.”  Mr. Pacheco asked for a motion to accept Mr. Luciano’s recommendation and refer it to Town Counsel.  Ms. Riley made the motion, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Planning Board member John Teixeira asked if Mr. Richard had spoken with Building Commissioner Robert Iafrate about constructing any building. Mr. Pacheco said, “I would probably think they would need DEP approval before they go through the Building Department for any approval.” 

An Application for a Class I Dealers License was received from Advantage Truck for Lot 22 on Paramount Drive in Raynham.  Mr. Pacheco suggested setting a hearing in two weeks on October 15th at 7:00 p.m.  Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.

Completion of Old Business   

Mr. Pacheco said, “We have the ABCC’s approval of the transfer of license for Harry’s La Casa Mia, which I think we previously voted on over the summer.” Mrs. Smith made a motion to accept, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Town Administrator’s Report

Mr. Luciano reviewed his report as the Interim Town Administrator. 

The Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the Raynham Middle School.  The warrant has been finalized with both the Capital Planning and Finance Committees finishing their review and recommendations.  Mr. Luciano explained, “Once the warrant is approved and signed tonight, I will forward it to the printer. The warrant will then be printed in booklet form and mailed out to each residential box holder as well as posted on the Town website.  Copies will also be available in the Selectmen’s Office.” 

Mr. Luciano continued, “For the Pre-Town Meeting, we would like to try something a little different this year and this would be for the Fall Town Meeting only. At the end of the agenda of the Selectmen’s meeting on October 15th, there will be an open forum for anyone who would like to ask questions on any article in an informal setting.  In attendance will be members of the Capital Planning Committee, Finance Committee and the Town Moderator.  We will not be reading aloud each article.  That will be done at Town Meeting.” 

Mr. Luciano also reported that the Raynham Police Department has received three E911 grants this past month including: Support and Incentive for $45,801, Training for $15,108, and Emergency Medical Dispatch for $5,525.  Mr. Luciano wanted to recognize Pam Silva of the Police Department for her tireless efforts in obtaining these grants on behalf of the town. 

Upcoming Meetings

In his report, Mr. Luciano also noted that the next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Meeting Room. 

The Department Head Meeting will be held on Thursday, October 3rd at 10:00 a.m., also in the Town Hall Meeting Room. 

Selectmen’s Report

Ms. Riley said, “I think it’s great to send out a copy of the Town Meeting warrant to try and get more people to attend, and, as far as the Pre-Town Meeting, I don’t think it’s necessary to read every word of each article. I would request, though, that we summarize what each article says because residents may not get a chance to read the warrant.” Mr. Luciano said, “I will pass that along to the Town Moderator.”  Ms. Riley stated that in an effort to highlight some of the great things going on in town, she would like to mention an article in the Journal News about the Raynham Freedom Food Farm receiving a first prize and a third prize for their tomatoes. She noted, “The farm came to Raynham in 2014. It’s organic certified and focuses on regenerative, sustainable practices to grow produce and grains and raise livestock. It’s also a location for community members to buy, pick, and grow their own produce, and, through community-sponsored agriculture, members can buy a share of the farm and receive a portion of the harvest.” She continued, “That made me think about Borden Colony and how much of the agriculturally-restricted area is actually being used for agriculture and what is being done for outreach. Maybe when our Park & Recreation Director comes to give his next report to the Board, he could address that.” Mrs. Smith noted that there is a portion of the agricultural property at the Borden Colony that is used for a community garden and that can be utilized by residents who don’t have space on their own property for a garden. Ms. Riley also commented on the wonderful programs and planned events now being offered by the Park and Recreation Department.

Adjournment

At 7:38 p.m., Mrs. Smith motioned and Ms. Riley seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of Bills and Warrants, with no business to be conducted afterwards.  Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Murphy

Recording Secretary