Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 11/19/2019
Board of Selectmen November 19, 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. 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 is being recorded by RayCAM and will be shown on the Raynham Channel at a later date.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to approve as printed the minutes of the Special Meeting of the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board held in Executive Session on November 4, 2019, and the regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen held on November 12, 2019. She noted that there was no action to report from the Special Meeting held in Executive Session. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Mr. Matt Tanis, Health Agent, was present to give his monthly report. Mr. Tanis reported there are several food establishments that have recently opened or are in the process of opening very shortly in Raynham. There is a new Dunkin Donuts, convenience store and gas station on Rt. 44 that also just opened. Taco Bell is undergoing renovations, but the drive-through is still open. Mr. Tanis said he will be inspecting Barrels & Boards tomorrow and they will be all set in a few days. There was an electrical fire at Shaw’s in the produce section, but management was on top of it. He inspected it and they are all set. Mr. Tanis is still continuing to monitor the vaping ban and will alert the Board if there are any changes. The mosquito season is over, but he will be working with some state agencies over the winter months to continue to have a proactive approach, such as more larvicide spraying and community outreach. In the coming months, the State will be reaching out to the Towns that were affected. Although the mosquito season is over, the tick season is still on, and ticks are out in force. Mr. Tanis cautioned everyone to check themselves for ticks after outdoor activities.. The Health Inspector position has been posted. Mr. Tanis has kept on top of the inspections that need to be done. He also recently attended the Mass. Health Association Conference where he participated in a mock food borne illness outbreak investigation, which shed light on the new food codes that have recently been put into effect. Lastly, Mr. Tanis reminded everyone to get a flu shot. He also wanted to thank the Board and all the Department Heads for the support he received during the EEE season. The Board thanked Mr. Tanis for all of his efforts.
Mr. Tim McRae, Executive Director of the Park & Recreation Department, was present to give his monthly report. He began by thanking Mr. Tanis for the great job he did during the EEE season. Mr. McRae stated, “We have officially started our extended day care program at Merrill and LaLiberte in both morning and afternoon sessions and anyone who is on our waiting list can go to the Raynham Middle School program. This year the summer camp will be held at LaLiberte, which offers more shade outside. It usually averages about 100 children per week. The camp will run from 8:00 in the morning till 5:30 at night and will have many activities including field trips during the summer.” Mr. McRae also reported that sign-ups for the basketball season are now taking place. He continued, “The winter brochure will soon be ready. The ‘Lion King’ was sold out. The kids had a wonderful time and there was a lot of positive feedback. There are still some tickets left for the Dec. 8th showing of the Boston POPS and the Dec. 29th showing of a ‘White Christmas’. We held a Halloween party at the LaLiberte Elementary School for kids 8 and under and that was a great success. They all took home a pumpkin. Next year they may change it over to a trunk or treat party. The Christmas Tree Lighting will be coming up on Saturday, December 7th at the Gazebo Park at 4:00 p.m. There will be carolers and Santa usually is there and everyone is invited.” Mr. McRae wanted to thank his staff for all of their hard work. Mrs. Smith asked Mr. McRae about any developments regarding plans for a dog park. Mr. McRae replied, “We are still reviewing it and looking at various sites in town where it could be placed. We are giving serious consideration of not putting it near Pine Tree Lane, but we are still talking about going forward with it.” Mrs. Smith asked, “I see that you are doing improvements on the Gymkhana Building?” Mr. McRae replied, “Right now, we’ve done the roof and we are trying to clean it up and we will replace a few windows. We have turned the water off.” Mrs. Smith asked, “Do you have any plans for it?” Mr. McRae replied, Nothing concrete right now.” Ms. Riley thanked Mr. McRae and his staff for the great job with all the activities going on. She asked how many children are being accommodated at the day care each day. Mr. McRae replied, “Between 130 – 140 combined.”
Completion of Old Business
The Board discussed the approval of the Waste Management agreement. Ms. Riley said, “We did get a presentation a few weeks back and I know our Highway Department Superintendent had some issues he wanted included and it was referred to our Town Counsel. I understand at this point it would be appropriate for us to give initial approval so they can go to the Department of Environmental Protection and get the approval that is needed there and then come back to us so that all necessary Town approvals can be acquired.” Mr. Pacheco asked, “Is that a motion?” Ms. Riley said, “Yes.” Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco stated, “Article 12, the workstation replacement was approved at Town Meeting. We just have to approve the contract to SHI, which is on the State’s Bid List.” Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Waters reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report. He stated, “Due to the change in scope of work for the public safety building, I am posting a new RFP/RFQ for an Owners Project Manager (OPM). Rick Pomroy was the OPM for the project when it was just the fire station addition. Now, because we are building a new building, and at a new site, the scope of the project has changed too much for his services to be covered under the previous contract. This puts a small delay in the building schedule, but the Spring Town Meeting is still targeted for having the project put before the residents of the town.”
Mr. Waters continued, “Once a new OPM has been selected, we will be moving full steam ahead with the building project again. At the suggestion of Mr. Pomroy, the Town will be soliciting landowners for potential properties for which the building committee may not be aware of currently. In essence, it is to avoid any ‘if I had only known’ scenarios. This will not obligate the Town to purchase anything. It is merely just an opportunity for landowners to offer up their property to be considered for purchase by the Town. This may prove more fruitful for the Town by giving the Building Committee more options to consider in selecting a new building site.”
Mr. Waters also reported that on November 13, 2019, Mr. Pacheco was elected to represent the member communities of Bristol-Plymouth for the upcoming collective bargaining matters.
The Town will be upgrading the IT infrastructure throughout many of the departments with the replacement of workstation and network equipment. This is a step toward achieving the Town’s goal of enhancing the use of technology in daily operations.
Mr. Waters also reported, “The Town staff participated this morning in an online demo of e-permitting software. Permitting is conducted by numerous town departments and having that process put online is something which residents have demanded and expected for quite some time. This demo is a step toward achieving the Town’s goal of enhancing the use of technology in daily operations.”
Upcoming Meetings
The next scheduled Selectmen’s Meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 26th, at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall in the Don McKinnon Meeting Room.
The Government Study Committee will hold their next meeting on Wednesday, November 20th, at 6:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Conference Room at Town Hall.
Mr. Waters will be in attendance at the Council on Aging breakfast on Monday, November 25th, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Senior Center, 2215 King Philip Street.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley stated, “Our R.A.V.E. volunteers are in the schools this week to help with the Mary Lou Arruda Child Safety Fingerprinting Program which was started by Shoshanah Garshick and then Police Chief Peter King. It was at his recommendation that the program was started after the Mary Lou Arruda case and Police Chief King (Ret.) still, after so many years, trains the volunteers and oversees their efforts.”
Ms. Riley also said, “I just got notice that a craft show will be taking place at our First Congregational Church, as a fundraiser for the Parkinson’s Foundation in memory of Sarah Jayne Myers on November 30th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and R.A.V.E. will be having their annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, December 7th, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Ms. Riley also wanted to mention that a couple of tragic accidents have occurred recently, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved and the first responders.
Correspondence
Correspondence was received from Michael Lalli, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, requesting a public hearing on December 3rd to discuss the classification of Real and Personal Property valuations for FY 2020. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from George and Elaine Kyranos of Orchard Avenue requesting a “Dead End” sign be put at the entrance of the street. Mr. Pacheco recommended a motion to forward the request to the Highway Department. Ms. Riley made the motion, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous..
Adjournment
At 7:20 p.m., 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