Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 11/12/2019
Board of Selectmen November 12, 2019
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.
Ms. Riley led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mr. Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting is being recorded by RayCAM, but it is not going out live due to the work that is being done to upgrade the cable equipment at Town Hall. The recording of the meeting will be played back at a later time.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the minutes of the meeting held on November 5, 2019, as printed. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Fire Chief Bryan LaCivita was present to give his report for the month of October. There were 162 fire-related calls, 191 medical calls and 85 miscellaneous calls for inspections, fire alarm work, and other items of note. He also reported that there was one man out on sick leave. Chief LaCivita wanted to recognize some of the members of the department for their work in the schools during Fire Prevention Month. Capt. Jeff Kelleher conducts the public education part of the program with assistance from Firefighters Mike McRae and Drew Alexander. Chief LaCivita noted that the program definitely works as evidenced by the two Raynham students who knew to call 911 in emergency situations. The Board thanked Chief LaCivita and the members of his department for their work in the community.
Mr. John Donahue was present to give a report on the efforts of the Government Study Committee. He stated that the Committee is about ten months in and, thus far, they recommended updating the Master Plan, which was approved at the Annual Town Meeting, and the need to modernize the information technology systems in town government, and that is happening. The Committee also got deeply involved in the Town Administrator’s job description, which was adopted. The Committee now has eight items that they are working on and a number of them still need a little work. He stated, “I am here tonight to present two that the Committee voted on at their meeting on October 30th. These two items were unanimously approved.” Mr. Donahue explained, “It is recommended that the Board of Selectmen have discussions with the Raynham Center Water District and the North Raynham Water District to determine the feasibility of these two entities being combined into one. The study was done 15 years ago, and the decision was non-committal. The Committee believes that a study is warranted now as the two districts have changed. The Committee recommends that the study analyze the financial ramifications to the rate payers and the potential benefits of the water delivery systems as a singular district. The Committee recommends the analysis take a long-term view and not simply as a point of time event. Any study, if not conclusive, should analyze a path forward towards an eventual merger.” Mr. Donahue further commented that having two water districts was a duplication of efforts and a relic of the past that was originally set up with regard to fire protection in town. He stated, “The Committee encourages the two districts and the Board to look at this to see if there is a path forward in the next five, ten or fifteen years, and, if so, to put a date on the calendar that these two districts will be merged.” Mr. Donahue stated that the second item that the Committee wanted to bring forward was a recommendation that the Board of Selectmen have discussions with the Council On Aging and the Raynham Housing Authority to study both the possibility of additional elderly housing and improving elderly services. Mr. Donahue explained, “The Town of Raynham has a critically low supply of affordable elderly housing. The cost of elderly housing is cost prohibitive for most of our senior residents. As part of this endeavor, the Committee recommends the Board of Selectmen engage with the Council On Aging to determine innovative ways to increase services delivered to the Town’s senior population. This was mentioned several times in the town surveys. This could be facility expansion, transportation or any number of ways the town could provide more services to our elderly. The Committee believes it’s time for the right people to sit at the table and investigate any avenue possible for increased elderly housing.” Mr. Pacheco suggested putting the Government Study Committee’s recommendations on the Agenda in two weeks in order to give the Selectmen time to digest the report. He stated, “The Housing Authority and the Water Districts don’t report to us, so that is going to be a challenge. The Council On Aging does, so we have some latitude there.” The Board agreed to put it on the Agenda to be discussed in two weeks. Mr. Donahue stated that there are members of the Government Study Committee who would be willing to serve on a subcommittee, “if that is the way you want to go”. Ms. Riley thanked Mr. Donahue and the members of the Committee. She noted that seniors are the fastest growing segment of the population, so looking at expanding elderly services makes perfect sense. Ms. Riley also asked if both recommendations could be included in the Master Planning process “especially if we are looking long term”.
Mr. Waters asked if the Board would want to have a joint meeting with the Housing Authority or a working session and bring in the Council On Aging and have a discussion. Mr. Pacheco said, “I would suspect that they would agree to it. The problem is the funding. We’ve always had the land and we have always had the need. It’s been about the funding and unfortunately there are very limited state and federal funds for a town like Raynham. That’s been the barrier for the past twenty years.” Mrs. Smith said, “Maybe we could look at other services they are asking for. I would be for that.” Ms. Riley stated, “I as well”.
Appointments
An application for Appointment for Constable was received from Daniel Sullivan of Raynham, and Police Chief James Donovan has signed off on the application, indicating his approval. Mrs. Smith made the motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
A request was received from Attorney Karl Vrana of the Board of Appeals to appoint Paul H. Beaulieu of Raynham as an Associate Member of the Board. Mrs. Smith made a motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
New Business
A request was received from the Raynham Lions Club for a One-Day Liquor License. The Park and Recreation Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
A request was received for a Class III License Renewal for Rose’s Used Auto Parts at 1 East Britannia Street in Raynham. Mrs. Smith made a motion to allow, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mrs. Smith attended the Veterans Day services at American Legion Post 405. She noted that the Post has awarded about $25,000 in donations this year to various organizations and one of them was the Historical Society. On behalf of Post 405, Mrs. Smith then presented a check for $1,000 to Jane Burgoyne, President of the Raynham Historical Society. Mrs. Burgoyne thanked her and the Post on behalf of the Raynham Historical Society. Mrs. Smith said she also attended the celebration of the Historical Society’s Vintage Clothing Exhibit last week and it was very well done.
Ms. Riley said she also attended the Historical Society event. She stated, “Congratulations to everyone involved. I know there were a number of members who put many hours in to create the display. Barbara LaFlamme was the visionary who deserves much of the credit even though we lost her before the exhibit could be completed. Many of the items came from Kathleen Roberts’ attic, and she would have adored the display. Her niece, Cathy Bryant, was one of the main organizers, along with Diane McGuire, Arlene Blumenthal, Penny Sawyer, and, of course, the president, Jane Burgoyne.” She also noted that a nice framed letter from Isabelle Hannant hangs on the wall in the Hannant House explaining that she left her house to the Historical Society because she wanted to give back to the town that she loved and she wanted to help preserve the Town’s history. The Historical Society is always looking for new members. Annual membership dues are only $15.00, and donations of any amount can be sent to the Historical Society at Post Office Box 136, Raynham Center 02768. The website is raynhamhistoricalsociety.org.
Ms. Riley said she also attended the Veterans Day services at American Legion Post 405 and another one of the donations was given to the Raynham Food Basket. She then presented a $1,000 check from American Legion Post 405 to John Teixeira, who accepted on behalf of the Food Basket. Mr. Teixeira thanked the Post for the donation.
Town Administrator’s Report
Town Administrator Graham Waters reviewed his report.
Mr. Waters said Raynham Health Agent Matt Tanis received a notice that Deborah Taylor was resigning as Health Inspector to become a GIS Coordinator for the Town of West Bridgewater. He stated, “Deb was a perfect candidate for the position and we know West Bridgewater is gaining a valuable employee by hiring her. Mr. Tanis is updating the job description and it will be posted and advertised in the near future.”
The Treasurer/Collector’s Office will be interviewing for the Senior Clerk’s position on Monday, November 18th.
Upcoming Meetings
In his report, Mr. Waters also noted that the next regularly scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 19th at Town Hall on the second floor in the “Donald McKinnon” meeting room.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley thanked all of the Veterans, members of the military, and special guests who participated in the Veterans Day assemblies in the three Raynham Schools. She noted that they were very successful with more Veterans attending than ever before. She noted that just at the LaLiberte Elementary School alone, there were about 30 Veterans and members of the military. She also remarked that the respect the students in all three schools had for the Veterans and members of the military was nothing less than outstanding.
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 afterwards. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary