Selectmen's Meeting Minutes 12/17/2019
Board of Selectmen December 17, 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 Patricia Riley and Marie Smith were in attendance.
Ms. Riley led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mr. Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting is being taped by RayCAM and will be played back at a later time.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to accept as printed the minutes of the special meeting held on December 4th, which was held in Executive Session with nothing to report at this time, and the minutes of the regular meeting of December 10, 2019, as well as the minutes of a special meeting held on December 11th, which was also held in Executive Session with nothing to report at this time. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Department Heads & Committees
Mr. Matt Tanis, Health Agent, was present to give his report. He stated that the State has lifted the vape ban and created a more comprehensive program regarding vaping and tobacco products as of December 11th. Stores cannot sell any tobacco products including cigarettes and e-cigarettes to anyone under the age of 21. Stores cannot sell any flavored e-cigarettes, flavored vaping products, or electronic nicotine delivery systems with a nicotine content of greater than 35 mg/ml. Stores cannot advertise products they cannot sell, use fraudulent or misleading statements in advertising, or display advertisements with celebrities, cartoons, or similar endorsements. Stores can sell non-flavored electronic nicotine delivery systems with a nicotine content of 35 mg/ml or less. The store must maintain records obtained by the manufacturer that validate the nicotine content
of electronic nicotine delivery systems available for sale on the premises. Stores must keep all tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes for sale behind the counter where sales are made, and out of reach of consumers and not on the counter. Stores must display all state newly-required signage in plain view by a person standing at the cash register. Effective June 1, 2020, all flavored tobacco, including menthol cigarettes, will no longer be allowed for sale except in smoking bars, which Raynham has none. Mr. Tanis has visited all the locations that hold tobacco permits and provided them with the updated information. On another matter, Mr. Tanis reported that the posting will close on Monday, Dec. 23rd, for applications for the Health Inspector’s position. He will review the applications with the Town Administrator and schedule interviews. He also reported that following inspections that he conducted, Barrel & Boards and Dippin’ Donuts opened for business. Mr. Tanis also had a meeting with the MDPH emergency planner and Raynham continues to meet the state requirements for preparedness. In March, there will be a meeting with other communities in Bristol County to address the next EEE season. Mr. Tanis also discussed the odors coming from Earth Source. He said he called and reported it and Mr. Kelly said it was because they were moving the material. The Selectmen thanked Mr. Tanis for all of his efforts.
Appointments
An application for Appointment for Constable was received from Adam Loomis of Bridgewater. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, contingent upon the approval of the Police Chief. Ms. Riley seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
New Business
Mr. Pacheco discussed the slate of Alcohol & Entertainment Licenses for approval for 2020. Mrs. Smith said, “We can approve them, but I have an issue with one.” Mr. Pacheco said, “We can approve them and then come back to address it and have them come in.” Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
A Tag Day request was received from the Raynham Girl Scouts for the following dates: Jan. 4th, 5th, 11th and 12th. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
A Tag Day request was received from the Freetown-Lakeville Athletic Association for December 23rd. Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Graham Waters reviewed his report as Town Administrator.
Mr. Waters stated, “The Finance Committee has had two resignations recently: Ms. Maria Gomes and Mr. Michael Sheridan. The Town thanks them for their service and wishes them a financially prosperous future. Because of these resignations, and two other absences, the Finance Committee did not have a quorum to hold tonight’s meeting. Mr. Alegi, the Chairman, has postponed the meeting until a future date to be announced for January, 2020.”
Mr. Waters also reported, “The Town’s finance team held a bond rating call with S&P Global to have them rate the Town’s credit worthiness on a proposed $1.6 million bond for the Town’s final sewer phase. The Town is seeking an upgrade to its credit rating due to its strong financial reserves and low debt ratio.” He explained that as a result of lessons learned from this call, the finance team will be working on several permanent financial policies, including a debt policy, stabilization / reserve policy and am OPEB funding policy. Mr. Waters offered a special thank you to Mike Lalli of the Board of Assessors for taking the time to come in and participate on the call.
Mr. Waters also reported that the Town has engaged Weston and Sampson Consulting and Engineering Services for an emergency action plan for Kings Pond Dam. The dam has been identified as a “high hazard” dam and the firm will conduct a breach analysis which would show the downstream flooding that would occur.
Upcoming Meetings
In his report, Mr. Waters explained that the Selectmen’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 7th at 7:00 p.m. in the Don McKinnon Meeting Room at Town Hall.
The Planning Board’s meeting scheduled for December 19th has been cancelled.
The Government Study Committee will meet on January 6, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall.
Selectmen’s Report
Mrs. Smith attended the celebration held at the Life Care Center on South Street East to commemorate 25 years of service in the Town. Ms. Riley also attended and said it was a nice event. She stated that the facility provides a very valuable service to the Town and surrounding area. She requested that a letter of congratulations and appreciation be sent to the facility.
Ms. Riley also noted that a special reception will be held at the Council On Aging on Thursday to recognize Peggy Evers who served as the Outreach Worker for many years, assisting the Town’s senior citizens.
Ms. Riley also wished everyone a very happy holiday season.
Mr. Pacheco asked if the Board wished to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the bills and warrants for the Selectmen for the next two weeks instead of holding special meetings for that sole purpose. He explained that the new job description for the Town Administrator allows the Board to delegate that responsibility. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve and pointed out that a special meeting could always be scheduled if a matter that required the Selectmen’s attention should arise. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous and he pointed out that the Board will reconvene for its next meeting on Tuesday, January 7th.
Adjournment
At 7:18 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