Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 10/29/2019
Board of Selectmen October 29, 2019
Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the meeting to order at 6:15 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 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 and also to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body. 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 Joseph Pacheco called the open meeting to order at 7:10 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 led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mr. Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting is being recorded live by RayCAM.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to accept the minutes of the meeting held on October 22, 2019, as printed, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Mr. Matt Tanis, Health Agent for the Town, was present to give his monthly report. He stated that on Wednesday night a truck owned by EarthSource had a malfunction with the locking mechanism on the dump gate. That resulted in a spill of mixed biosolid, which is a sludge product, onto Rt. 138 from Raynham Park to Rt. 495. The product is non-hazardous but has an earthy odor. MassHighway responded and conducted cleanup efforts and MassDEP was also notified. Mr. Tanis had a lengthy conversation with Jeff Gould and the response coordinator regarding the spill. Mr. Tanis also spoke with Bob Kelley who has been working with anyone whose vehicle was affected by the spill. He is also working with the truck drivers to ensure that this does not happen again.
Mr. Tanis stated that he is continuing to monitor the vaping ban which remains in effect and he believes that it will remain in effect for the next month. He also discussed the mosquitos and the EEE threat. Parts of Bristol County have received a killing frost, but the Raynham area has not. Although mosquito activity has declined, the risk of being bitten still exists and he cautioned people to still use insect repellent. Ticks continue to be of concern and Mr. Tanis warned people to check themselves as well as their pets. He said inspections are on track and annual permit renewals are beginning to go out.
Old Business
Mr. Pacheco discussed the continuation of the consideration of the application for a Class I Dealers License for Advantage Truck, Lot 22, Paramount Drive. Mrs. Smith asked if Atty. Edmund Brennan could just review the case since it was not televised last week. Atty. Brennan of 1 Church Green in Taunton, who represents the applicant, said Advantage Truck is proposing to build a 28,500 sq. ft. building to accommodate sales, parts and warranty work and general truck maintenance. There will also be a distribution component to distribute parts throughout New England. The company has a very large presence in southeastern Mass. now. They service many customers including the Town of Raynham. There will be about 35 people working there and it will be a 24/7 operation with all the work being done inside the building. They have been working closely with the trustees of the park to get their approval for the building plans and landscaping, etc., and they have a certificate that the trustees signed today. They have the approval of the Planning Board and Conservation and the closing is imminent. Atty. Brennan said, “I was hoping I could pick this up tomorrow morning.” Mrs. Smith thanked Atty. Brennan for the recap. Ms. Riley asked Building Commissioner Robert Iafrate if he had any reservations or concerns about the project. Mr. Iafrate said the Planning Board, at its third public hearing, issued a site plan approval for the project with the proper waivers and conditions for the use of the 28,500 sq. ft. building. He stated, “The Planning Board is confident that the safeguards are in place.” He explained that will include keeping the traffic off the residential streets and keeping the trucks on Paramount Drive, then onto Rt.44. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco asked Town Administrator Graham Waters to have the documents ready to be picked up tomorrow.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Waters reviewed his report as Town Administrator.
Mr. Waters explained that he continues to hold one-on-one meetings with the Selectmen, staff, and department heads. He has also met Eden Fergusson, Raynham Public Library Director, to learn about library operations and other goings-on of the library.
Mr. Waters is continuing to familiarize himself with the current projects that are underway, and he is planning on moving the Master Plan process forward in the future. He is trying to coordinate a presentation by SRPEDD of that process for the Board of Selectmen and the public. Ms. Riley said that she was happy to see that Mr. Waters was going forward with the Master Plan.
Upcoming Meetings
In his report, Mr. Waters also stated that the Government Study Committee will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, October 30th at 6:00 p.m. at Town Hall in the Selectmen’s meeting room. The agenda has been posted online.
The next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5th at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Hall Meeting Room.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley reported that the annual Veterans’ Day “Salute To Our Veterans and Members of the Military” assemblies will take place in the Raynham Schools on Friday, November 8th, beginning at the Raynham Middle School at 9:00, and continuing later in the day at the Merrill Elementary School and the LaLiberte Elementary School. Any Veterans in the community or military members who would like to attend are invited to call the Selectmen’s Office or email Becky George at ravevolunteercoordinator@gmail.com. Mr. Paul Monti will be the guest speaker. Ms. Riley also noted that the “Homespun Holidays” at the First Congregational Church will take place on Friday, November 8th from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m., as well as on Saturday, November 9th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Correspondence
A request was received from Daniel Wilkinson to install portable speed bumps on Thrasher Street to prevent people from speeding. Chairman Pacheco recommended forwarding the request to Police Chief James Donovan and Highway Superintendent Ed Buckley for their review Ms. Riley made the motion, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Adjournment
At 7:22 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 afterward. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary