Selectmens Meeting Minutes
Board of Selectmen July 24th, 2018
After returning from an Executive Session, under Mass. Gen. Law Chap. 30A, Sec. 21, Ms. Riley discussed the contract for Matthew Tannis and she made a motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the contract, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Raynham and the Raynham Patrolman’s Union from July 1, 2018 – June 30, 2020 which allows for a 2% increase each year, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco voted present.
Chairman Marie Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present were Joseph Pacheco, Marie Smith and Patricia Riley.
Ms. Riley opened the meeting with our Pledge of Allegiance.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to accept the minutes of July 10th, meeting as printed, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Completion of Old Business
Chief Januse was present to address the Board on the expansion of the Fire Department building. He said that the Town voted to do a feasibility study on the existing building and it would be safe to build a second story on it. The department has been there for 61 years and the only addition that was made to that building was 25 years ago when a bunk room was added on and was done by the men on the Fire Department. Chief Januse utilized the money that was voted on and got an estimate of $1,160,000 to do the addition. Chief Januse will give the Board copies of the estimate. Mrs. Smith agreed that the department needs more space and said she would like to see the reports and go from there. She said Capital and the Finance Committee need to be approached. She asked what is proposed in the estimate? Chief Januse replied the kitchen, bunk rooms and showers would be upstairs, and downstairs would be all administrative. Ms. Riley asked is this a long-term solution? Also, there used to be a sub-station, does the Town still need that? Chief Januse said yes to both, we used to have sub-station there in the eighties, it was stored in Matteson Motors and we still need it. Mr. Pacheco said I think we’re on the right track with this proposal but one thing I want to add is that I would hope at some point that this Board will make a financial commitment to move forward with this project. I believe the scope of this project is something we could do with free cash and I think that is something we should evaluate. I don’t think that there is any necessity to go to the tax payers for a debt exclusion or an over-ride. We had a very successful auction this year where we sold a number of town owned properties that netted the town in excess of $600,000 and every year we have had very healthy free cash amounts and I believe the way we are scheduled to go this year we would be able to make a sizeable commitment to fund this project through free cash without adversely impacting any other town project. Ms. Riley asked, would it be asked at Town Meeting? Mr. Pacheco replied, absolutely it would have to be an article, anytime we appropriate money we have go to the taxpayers and ask, but where we have the free cash and had a lengthy study earlier this year about what we were going to do with the free cash, and we have about $2,000,000 and with the sale of the properties we are in a phenomenal position to move this project forward. Ms. Riley said, I certainly want to say that this Board totally wants to support all of our departments.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
The Archive Room at the North School is done; and the bathroom he believes is done.
The North School Committee is meeting on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. Flaherty, as Acting Health Agent, performed one Title 5 system inspection and one perc test is scheduled for tomorrow.
There has been no EEE in MA, but 45 West Nile Virus samples were found outside of Bristol County.
The new Health Agent is slated to start on August 1st.
The new ACO vehicle was received today, but still needs to have crates and shelves installed.
Raycam needs another Board Member, please contact Kevin Ellis, if interested. Raynham Historical Society needs 2 more members please contact Pat Riley, contact info can be obtained at the Selectmen’s Office.
There will be online training for the Conflict of Interest Law offered over the next two weeks to all boards, commissions and Town employees who qualify. This training is mandatory every two years.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be held on August 7th at 7:00 p.m. as the Board is observing the summer schedule.
The next Dept. Head Meeting will be held on July 23rd at 9:30 a.m.
The SMHG Meeting will be held on July 26th in Seekonk.
The next SERSG meeting will be held on September 12th at 9:00 a.m. in Mansfield.
Mr. Flaherty will be on vacation from August 9th and will return August 20th.
Selectmen’s Report
Mr. Pacheco said going back to May 29th we had correspondence with the Treasurer’s Office requesting our approval of a taxpayer form. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve that, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Mr. Pacheco is requesting that the Board enter into correspondence with Escapades again to update the Board as to the status of their license and their operations, this has been going on since January and we sent additional correspondence in February, March and April and they have not defined what their business hours are. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to enter into correspondence where it has been over 90 days since the last correspondence to see the status of their license, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Last Thursday, Mr. Pacheco was elected as Chairman of the Bristol County Advisory Board and the first Raynham resident to be elected to that position. Ms. Riley and Mrs. Smith congratulated him.
Mr. Pacheco said, there is a vacancy that needs to be filled, that is the position of Assistant Town Administrator which will offer consistency and continuity and stability in the Town. Typically, it has been an internal posting, but I would be open to feedback. Mr. Pacheco said, I would like to make a motion to see it filled, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
New Business
Ms. Riley wanted to discuss the Town Hall HVAC system. The Board has received written complaints regarding the heating/cooling of certain offices from time to time, within the building. Mr. Flaherty said the heating and cooling system seems to be a little temperamental, but he feels that it is a minor issue and said from time to time you have to reset the switch. He said we could go down the path of spending a lot of money but when it becomes an issue, we address it accordingly. There will be someone from the State Indoor Air Quality Control program checking it out and making sure it is healthy and safe and provides a good working environment.
Ms. Riley suggested room units as some people get really hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
Ms. Riley offered some proposals of goals and objectives for FY19 to be discussed at the next meeting.
1. Improved transparency
2. Improved Communication
3. Review and revise if necessary all Town By-Laws
4. Review and revise if necessary all Town Policies
5. Short and long-term planning
6. Review the B-R Regional Agreement and resolve any relevant issues
7. Professional development for Town Officials and Staff
Ms. Riley attended a Mass. Selectmen’s Association Regional Meeting and she talked about the many topics that were discussed at the meeting. Ms. Riley wanted to refer it to Mr. Flaherty for his review. Ms. Riley made a motion that, we as the Board of Selectmen, support a zero tolerance for any and all forms of harassment, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Appointments
Application for Appointment for Constable was received for Adam Perry. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Application for Appointment for Constable was received for Kevin Moreira. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Adam Perry and Linda Bracket requested to be appointed to the North School Committee. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Correspondence
A Tag Day request was received from the Disabled American Veterans for October 12th. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
The House of Hope in New Bedford requested several Tag Days, Aug, 2nd, 3rd , 6th, 7th, & 8th . Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received regarding the Chapter 90 project request for Richmond and White Streets. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous. Ms. Riley requested that better signage be placed before road construction projects as the raised structures are hard to dodge.
Citizen & Community Input
Mr. John Teixeira of First Street who is the Planning Board representative to SRPEDD was present and wanted to discuss the Zoning bill.
Adjournment
7:32 p.m. Ms. Riley motioned, and Mr. Pacheco seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Respectively submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary