Selectmens Meeting Minutes 10/08/2019
Board of Selectmen October 8, 2019
Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the meeting to order at 5:45 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, Subsection 2, to discuss strategy with respect to, or in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel and also to conduct grievance hearings that are required by the collective bargaining agreement with OPEIU Local 6. 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 October 1, 2019, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Appointments
Mr. Pacheco announced that Raynham Center Water District Superintendent Jon Chase has asked to be appointed to the Open Space Committee for a one-year term. Mrs. Smith made a motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
New Business
Mr. Pacheco stated that he was informed by the Assistant Animal Control Officer prior to tonight’s meeting that there was a dog bite this evening and the dog in question is the same dog that the Board had a hearing on in July. Mr. Pacheco further stated that after conferring with the Assistant. Animal Control Officer and the Interim Town Administrator, he would recommend scheduling a dangerous dog hearing for next Tuesday, October 15th, at 7:00 p.m. Mrs. Smith made the motion, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco stated that the Board needs to reschedule the hearing date for the application of Advantage Truck Group at Lot 22, Paramount Drive, for a Class I Dealers’ license for October 22nd at 7 p.m. Mrs. Smith made a motion to reschedule, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Gordon Luciano reviewed his report as the Interim Town Administrator. He reported that the Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. at the Raynham Middle School. The warrant is currently being printed in booklet form and will be mailed out to each residential box holder by the end of the week. Copies of the official warrant have been posted at the six locations throughout the town as required and on the Town Website as well. Printed copies will also be available in the Selectmen’s office.
Mr. Luciano also reported that for the Pre-Town Meeting, “We will be trying something a little different this year for the Fall Town Meeting only. At the end of the agenda of the Selectmen’s meeting next Tuesday, 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. Having it on the Selectmen’s agenda will allow for additional showings on our cable channel.” Mr. Luciano said that it will also be easier to find that way on the viewing schedule for those who wish to see the rebroadcast prior to Town Meeting. “Just follow the Selectmen’s meeting listing,” he explained.
Regarding Waste Management’s proposed facility modifications, Mr. Luciano reported that they have been forwarded to Town Counsel for his review. He also noted that Highway Superintendent Ed Buckley has summarized some housekeeping items and concerns that he has asked Waste Management to address before the Board approves the proposal.
Upcoming Meetings
In his report, Mr. Luciano noted that the next regularly-scheduled Selectmen’s meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 15th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
The Public Safety Building Committee will be touring newly constructed Public Safety Facilities this Thursday, October 10th. The location, lot size, functionality, and square footage are some of the areas the Committee will be focusing on. Mr. Luciano said they will be visiting three locations.
Mr. Luciano said that Graham Waters will begin his employment as Raynham’s new Town Administrator next week, and Mr. Luciano will help him during the transition. Mr. Luciano said that it has been an honor to serve as Interim Town Administrator. The Board thanked Mr. Luciano for all his hard work and said that no one could have been more qualified than he was to take on the position, and yet, even knowing that, he exceeded expectations.
Selectmen’s Report
Mrs. Smith attended the Business & Economic Development Committee’s meeting and stated that they are planning their awards night. She noted that they always select the best award recipients.
Ms. Riley wanted to encourage everyone to attend the Annual Town Meeting on October 21st, at 7:00 p.m. at the Raynham Middle School. She noted that the quorum for Town Meeting used to be 150, then it was reduced to 75, and now it’s only 25 people, which means that only 25 people can make important decisions for the entire Town. She also noted that the Fire Department is visiting the Raynham Schools this week for Fire Prevention Week. Today they were at the Merrill Elementary School. Tomorrow they will be at the LaLiberte Elementary School, and, on Thursday, they’ll be at the Middle School. On Friday, there will be fire drills at the three schools and a luncheon at the Merrill School.
Ms. Riley stated that, in addition to the parents’ groups at the three Raynham Schools, the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School also has a parents group and all high school parents are encouraged to attend. School Committee Chairman Susan Prewandowski. chairs the meetings and Principal Angela Watson attends all of the meetings to discuss high school news, issues and concerns with parents.
The R.A.V.E. Board of Directors held its first meeting of the new school year on Monday. New members elected to the Board for the new school year include Raynham Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita, LaLiberte Elementary School’s new principal, Holly Hargraves, and Raynham teachers Beth Flaherty and Maureen O’Connor as the Bridgewater-Raynham Education Association’s delegates to R.A.V.E.
Correspondence
Correspondence was received from the Greater Taunton Charitable Association to request a permit for the 15th annual “Stuff the Bus” Thanksgiving food donation event at the Market Basket on Rt. 138 on Saturday, November 23rd & 24th. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
The Department of Public Utilities has notified the Board that Columbia Gas has completed its Energy Efficiency Three Year Term Report and the report is available if anyone is interested in perusing that.
Raynham Council on Aging Director Elizabeth Moura has notified the Board that at its regularly scheduled meeting on September 9th, the Council voted unanimously to appoint Carol Stoehr-Ware as vice chairperson.
Adjournment
At 7:15 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