Selectmens Minutes 02/26/2019
Board of Selectmen February 26, 2019
Chairman Marie Smith called the open meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and stated that there was no Executive Session held this evening. Present were Chairman Smith and Selectmen Joseph Pacheco and Patricia Riley.
Mrs. Smith led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and reminded 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 February 19th meeting as printed, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Department Heads
Mr. Matt Tanis, Health Inspector, was present to give his monthly report. His budget has been completed and sent to the proper departments. Last week the State came in and offered training on communicable disease tracking and management, so Raynham is back on line with that. He has received some complaints regarding food, which have been addressed and corrections have been made. There will be two new food establishments in town. A new eatery will be going in to the former Christopher’s on Route 138, and a coffee shop will be located in the old Tedeschi’s on North Main Street. He has three applicants for the vacant Health Inspector’s position, and he will interview them. He has prepared a draft of the guidelines for residential kitchen permits and operation regulations, which is a result of the new food code. He also did an inspection of the South School with Mr. Flaherty and has submitted a report on that. He reported that “mold, mildew and/or other past water damage was noted in five of the lower level rooms” and he recommended that the affected areas be removed and replaced or treated with a mold remediation cleaner. He will be having a Rabies Clinic this April, with the date to be forthcoming. He has received a copy of the permit renewal application that EarthSource, Inc. has submitted to the DEP. As part of the process, DEP requires a letter from the Board of Health. He has prepared a letter for the Board to review. He stated that the DEP has some issues that they are working on and they are in communication with EarthSource. Mr. Pacheco said he has been working with Mr. Tanis on this issue. One idea that he had and wants included in the draft is the cell phone number of the plant manager. He also wants the phone number given to the direct abutters, so they can call directly in the event there are further complaints.
Police Chief James Donovan was present to give his monthly report. Last month, there were 1,339 incidents and 56 people were booked. There were 224 calls to 911 and two non-fatal overdoses. A defendant, who was previously apprehended by the department for rape of a child, was sentenced to 30 years in prison. There was a break-in on Broadway and the department arrested the suspect. There was a home invasion and a person with a knife attempted to rob the people there. That person was arrested. The department has lost some personnel to injury, maternity leave and to military leave. Chief Donovan is still aggressively seeking grant funding for new positions. The department has received funding for 911, and also has acquired grant money for insurance for officers who are injured.
New Business
Chief Donovan thanked the Board for voting to appoint Jared Turkington to the Police Department full-time. Jared attended B-P, BSU and both the Reserve and Police Academy on his own time and at his own expense, with no expense to the taxpayers. Mr. Turkington thanked the Board and the Chief for his appointment. Town Clerk Marsha Silvia conducted the official swearing-in ceremony for the Town’s newest officer, Jared Turkington.
Ms. Riley read a Proclamation for the week of March 3rd through March 9th as Read Across America Week in the Town of Raynham. Ms. Riley made a motion that the Board of Selectmen vote to adopt the proclamation and enthusiastically endorse the Read Across America effort, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Completion of Old Business
The Board discussed the contract with Pomroy Associates for the Operator’s Project Manager for the Fire Station project. Ms. Riley made a motion to accept, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
The Board discussed the approval of the job description for the posting for the Fire Chief’s position. Mr. Pacheco suggested that the position be posted by March 1st and closed on Monday, March 25th at 4:00 p.m. Ms. Riley made a motion to accept, Mr Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
Phase One has begun on the town hall entranceway project and he is waiting for diagrams of the options and estimates of the costs involved with each option. Option I would just be a canopy. Option II would add an area for an additional second floor meeting room.
The South School was evaluated by the Building Inspector, Mr. Flaherty and the Health Inspector. Estimates for the repairs and remediation will be forthcoming.
The Town budgets for FY2020 are being examined by Finance Committee Chairman Gil Alegi and the Finance Committee members.
The Annual Town Meeting is set for May 20th and all articles for the warrant are due no later than March 30th. The Board has received a letter of interest for one of the open seats on the Historical Commission.
The next Selectmen’s meeting with be March 5th at 7:00 p.m.
The next SRSG Meeting will be held on March 20th at 9:30 a.m. in Mansfield.
The next SMHG meeting will be held on March 13th at 9:00 a.m. in Seekonk.
The next Department Head meeting will be March 21st at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Flaherty will meet with the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Superintendent and Business Director on March 6th at 10:00 a.m.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley requested that the 2003 Annual Town Meeting article regarding the screening committee for department head positions be put on the Agenda for next week’s meeting for further discussion. She stated that hopefully the Board will hear from Town Counsel, who has been asked to review it.
Correspondence
Correspondence was received from MEMA for a basic sheltering class to be held on Thursday night, Feb. 26th, from 6:00 – 9:00 at the South School in Raynham. Mr. Flaherty said that the Middle School is designated as a temporary shelter if needed.
A letter of interest was received from Margaret Silva, a former school teacher in Raynham, to serve on the Board of the Historical Commission. Ms. Riley made a motion to forward the letter to the Historical Commission, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
A Tag Day request was received for Supreme Perfectionists, Inc., for the following dates: Aug. 3rd, 4th, 5th 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Ms. Riley made a motion to accept, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
The Massachusetts Municipal Association’s Legislative Breakfast meetings will be held at different locations on March 22nd, March 29th , and April 5th , for the latest information on FY2020 budget bills and key legislative initiatives. The closest location is Mansfield and that will be on March 22nd.
Adjournment
At 7:30 p.m., Ms. Riley motioned, and Mr. Pacheco seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties and signing of Bills and Warrants with no business to be conducted afterwards. Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary