Selectmens Minutes 03/05/2019
Board of Selectmen March 5, 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 26th meeting as printed, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Department Heads
Mr. Ed Buckley, Highway Superintendent, was present to give his monthly report. He stated that the groundhog gave out false information this year. So far this season Raynham has had twelve sanding events, eight plowing events, and has received 36 inches of snow. About 950 tons of salt have been used and the total expenditures so far to date are approximately $197,000. The department has done some tree clean up and truck maintenance in between storms. They are still in the process of permitting for the salt shed and should be going out to bid at the end of the month. The walk bridge should be going out to bid shortly too. For the past three Saturdays, they have been selling permit stickers for the year ahead.
Old Business
The Board discussed the letter that Health Agent Matt Tanis drafted to be sent to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection regarding the permit renewal application of EarthSource, Inc. EarthSource has applied to the MassDEP for the renewal of their Approval of Suitability for Type I residual sludge compost produced at their facility at1950 Broadway. Mr. Pacheco said he had reviewed the draft and he approved. Mrs. Smith questioned the suggestion made at the last meeting that the abutters be contacted and given the number for a dedicated phone line for nuisance complaints. She pointed out that it would set a precedent and the fact is the odor does not necessarily effect only the abutters. She suggested that it be posted on the website and on cable. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to move forward with the letter regarding EarthSource, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
The basement at South School has been evaluated by the Building Inspector, Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Costa of RMC Construction. The estimate for the repair and remediation from RMC will be forthcoming for rug replacement and painting. Mr. Flaherty said the mold will be remediated also.
The invitation for bids for the siding on the Council on Aging’s Senior Center is moving along. The project should be bid on and ready by May.
Painting will be done on the second floor at Gilmore Hall next week.
The Town Budgets for FY2020 are being examined by Mr. Alegi and the members of the Finance Committee.
New HR policies and documents will be forthcoming soon.
The Annual Town Meeting is set for May 20th and all articles for the warrant are due no later than March 30th.
Interviews were held this afternoon for the new Health Inspector.
The Raynham Historical Commission still needs one new member.
The next Selectmen’s Meeting will be March 12th 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.
A meeting with the Bristol-Plymouth Regional Technical School Superintendent and Business Manager has been set for March 6th at 10:00 a.m.
Selectmen’s Report
Mr. Pacheco reported that he attended the Bristol County. Advisory Board meeting recently and they approved a supplemental budget to address the repairs to the Taunton Superior Courthouse which will include interior work and also the replacement of the copper roof.
Ms. Riley reported that today was the first day of the 22nd Annual Read Across America activities in the Raynham Schools. Due to Monday’s school cancellation, Monday’s scheduled events at the LaLiberte Elementary School will take place next Monday. Special guests visited classes at the Raynham Middle School today, and Read Across America activities will take place at the Merrill Elementary School on Friday. RAVE’s “Salute to our Veterans” comedy night fundraiser will be held on March 16th at the American Legion facility.
The Government Study Committee met last Wednesday, and the attendance was light because of the weather. Fire Chief James Januse discussed the present and future needs of the Fire Department and offered his insight regarding the department going forward.
Ms. Riley requested the agenda for next week’s meeting include discussion of the 2003 Town Meeting Article regarding the use of a screening committee to assist in the hiring process for department heads. She asked that Town Counsel Ted Pietnik be contacted prior to the meeting for his input since the matter was previously referred to him for review. She said she intends to make a motion at next week’s meeting to ask the Town Moderator to go forward in accordance with the Town Meeting Article. She stated that the Government Study Committee had recommended the article in 2003 and the Annual Town Meeting with over 200 voters in attendance had approved it. She stated, “If we want to change it, we can go back to town meeting and change it, but we should honor the Town Meeting vote.” She referred to the successful use of screening committees in the search for a School Superintendent and noted that opening the process to include more people gives the public greater confidence in the fairness of the process. Mrs. Smith stated that she agreed that “the town meeting voted on this and I believe we should be doing this.”
Correspondence
A Tag Day request was received from Taunton High School Cheerleading for the following days: July 12-14, July 20-21, August 9-11, and August 16-18. Mr. Pacheco made a motion to accept, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
The Town of Raynham is having its Rabies Clinic on Saturday, April 6th, from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. behind the Raynham Fire Station. The law requires that all cats and dogs over three months old have to be vaccinated for rabies. To receive a shot, dogs must be leashed and cats must be in a carrier. Vaccinations are administered by the Raynham Veterinary Hospital personnel at a cost of $15.00 with all proceeds going to the Raynham Library.
Adjournment
At 7:30 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.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy, Recording Secretary