Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 10/15/2019
Board of Selectmen October 15, 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 bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Chairman Pacheco and Selectmen Smith and Riley voted in the affirmative to enter into Executive Session.
Chairman Pacheco called the open meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., also in the meeting room at Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall, 558 South Main Street. In addition to Chairman Pacheco, Selectmen Smith and Riley were in attendance. Chairman Pacheco announced that the Board was returning from Executive Session. He asked Ms. Riley if she would report on two items discussed in Executive Session. She noted that the two proposed contractual agreements discussed in Executive Session were on the agenda for action and could be reported on at that time, and the Chairman agreed.
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 8, 2019. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Appointments
Mr. Pacheco reported that a contractual agreement has been reached with Graham Waters as Town Administrator and it is before the Board for approval. Ms. Riley welcomed Mr. Waters and made a motion to approve the contract, which will employ Mr. Waters as Town Administrator for the period beginning October 14, 2019 through June 30, 2022. She stated that the terms are within the parameters of the advertisement. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
An application was received from Lawrence Cabeceiras for appointment as a Constable for the Town of Raynham. Mrs. Smith made a motion to appoint, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Public Hearing – Dangerous Dog Hearing – Matthew Keith, 539 South Street East
Mr. Pacheco called the Public Hearing to order and stated, “Last week, I was notified that a dog who bit someone was the same dog that this Board had a hearing on back in July with the owner Matthew Keith of 539 South Street East. At that hearing, we imposed certain requirements in order for the owner to maintain the dog and it’s my understanding that those requirements were not met and subsequently there has been another attack.” Mr. Pacheco stated that he would ask Linda Brackett, Assistant Animal Control Officer, for her presentation, and then if the owner of record was present, he could respond. Ms. Brackett stated that she wanted to bring a couple of things to the Board’s attention. She explained that at the hearing in July, the owner stated that he did not yet own the property where the first incident took place, but, in fact, he had taken ownership of the property in February of 2019. Ms. Brackett also pointed out that conditions imposed by the Board at that hearing included requiring the owner to build a kennel for the dog, license the dog, and keep the dog muzzled when he is not in the kennel. Ms. Brackett said the owner did not build a kennel and a letter from the Town Clerk indicates that the dog still has not been license. Neighbors have stated that the dog is outside without a muzzle and they are very frightened of him. Ms. Brackett continued, “What really concerns me is that the dog got out and went as far as Ashleigh Way and attacked someone.” Mr. Pacheco asked if the owner of the animal was present. No one answered. Mr. Pacheco said that he instructed Interim Town Administrator Gordon Luciano to make sure the owner was served papers regarding the hearing. “So, I’m confident that he did receive notification of this hearing,” Mr. Pacheco stated. “Is there anyone who would like to speak on this issue?” Mr. Virgilio Cabral of Ashleigh Way, the man who was bitten by the dog, was present and he showed the Board his bandaged hand. He stated, “It could have been a lot worse.” He explained that the dog pulled his wife across the yard when she tried to pull him away. Mr. Fred Klausky of 525 South Street East was present and he said, “I live next door and I didn’t realize that the dog had been brought before the town before. I wish there was some way the town could have notified the abutters.” Mr. Pacheco said, “Last time we postponed the hearing because the owner wasn’t present and we could not confirm the receipt of the notice, but this time I’m confident he received notification of this hearing and he has chosen for whatever reason not to attend.” Mrs. Smith said, “I would like to know why he didn’t do the requirements and he’s not here to answer the questions.” Ms. Brackett said she asked him why he had not complied with the requirements and he told her that “they were busy and hadn’t gotten around to it.” Ms. Brackett said the requirements ordered by the Board at the July hearing were supposed to be done within 30 days and still “there’s no fence whatsoever.” Mrs. Smith asked, “What kind of dog is it?” Ms. Brackett replied, “He’s a grey and white pit bull.” Mr. Klausky said, “He keeps the dog tied up in the woods behind the house.” Ms. Riley pointed out that at the hearing in July, the owner was told that the dog had to be under his control at all times and obviously that has not been the case. Ms. Bracket added that he was also supposed to be muzzled when he wasn’t in a kennel. Ms. Riley said, “The dog is obviously a danger to the area and there are many children who live in that neighborhood.” Mr. Pacheco said, “I think what’s unfortunate is the Board’s desire to preserve the animal’s life and the owner’s flagrant negligence.” Mrs. Smith said, “It’s too bad that it has to be the dog’s punishment for the owner’s ignorance.” Mr. Cabral stated, “I want you to know that my wife is very much against putting this dog down.” Mrs. Smith said, “I really wish he was here. This is totally unfair that he is not here to represent himself or his dog.” She continued, “I don’t like to do it, but the dog is obviously a danger to everybody around there. He’s not confined and he doesn’t have a responsible owner. . . . I don’t think we have another choice other than to put the dog down.” Ms. Brackett said, “I just want you to know that I agree with you, I’m an animal lover, but this time wasn’t even in his own yard.” Mrs. Smith added, “He was quite a distance from his own yard.” Ms. Brackett further stated, “The man next door is in a wheelchair. If the dog jumped on him, he wouldn’t be able to get up.” Mr. Pacheco asked Mrs. Smith, “Your motion is to put the dog down?” Mrs. Smith said, “Yes”. Ms. Riley said that she would second the motion “regretfully, I don’t think we have another choice,” she said. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
New Business
Mr. Pacheco stated that the first agenda item was the proposed Town Representation Contract with Gordon Luciano. Ms. Riley reported, “This is an agreement with the Town of Raynham and Mr. Luciano once his tenure as Interim Town Administrator has concluded on October 17th and it covers any assistance, attendance, and participation that he is required to provide related to his services as Interim Town Administrator, and I would recommend that we approve it.” Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco stated, “Just to clarity, this is a per diem contract and only as needed.” Ms. Riley replied, “Yes, it is.”
Mr. Pacheco stated, “The renewal contract with the Lakeville Animal Shelter is coming up and this is a contract that we have had for 5 or 6 years.” Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Graham Waters gave his first report as Town Administrator. He stated, “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 mailed out to each residential box holder. Copies of the official warrant have been posted at the six locations throughout the town as required and have been posted on the Town Website as well. Printed copies in both standard and booklet form will also be available in the Selectmen’s Office.” He also reported, “Raynham has received a Sustainable Materials Recovery program recycling grant in the amount of $2,800 from the Department of Environmental Protection.”
Upcoming Meetings
In his report, Mr. Waters also noted that the next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting will be held next week on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Meeting Room. The Public Safety Building Committee will meet next week on Wednesday, also in the Town Hall Meeting room.
Selectmen’s Report
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 also wanted to acknowledge and extend condolences to the family of Scott Mosman, who recently passed away from the EEE virus. She noted that although he was a Taunton resident, he grew up in Raynham.
Ms. Riley also congratulated the LaLiberte Parents’ Organization for bringing Rob Surette and his “Amazing Hero Art” to the elementary school for two performances, one during the school day and an evening performance that was open to the public. Recognized as the world’s fastest portrait painter, Mr. Surette actually works for Walt Disney Productions, but his contract allows him time every year to visit schools and spread his inspiring message about real heroes and how everyone has the power to reach for their dreams and make the world a better place.
Mr. Pacheco stated that the Board would now turn the meeting over to the Town Moderator for the Annual Pre-Town Meeting and adjourn afterward.
Town Moderator John Donahue, accompanied by Finance Committee Chairman Gil Alegi and Capital Planning Committee Chairman Brendan Loftus, then came forward and conducted the Pre-Town Meeting.
Adjournment
At 7:56 p.m., immediately following the conclusion of the Pre-Town Meeting, Ms. Riley motioned, and Mrs. Smith 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