Selectmens Minutes 03/19/2019
Board of Selectmen March 19, 2019
Chairman Marie Smith called the open meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the municipal meeting room at the Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall 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 March 12th meeting as printed, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Appointments
Ms. Riley made a motion to appoint Maggie Silva to the vacant position on the Historical Commission, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Citizen & Community Input
Mr. John Grace, who lives at 55 Jess Marie Road, wanted to discuss a proposed by-law that he is submitting as a citizen’s petition regarding limitations on fencing on personal property. Mr. Pacheco said, “Typically what we do is have it on the agenda, either this week or next, and we will close the warrant and accept articles. As long as you have the signatures certified by the Town Clerk, and you meet the criteria for it, it will go on the warrant. I would reserve any comments or questions for Town Meeting.” Mr. Grace stated that he has submitted the petition with 29 signatures to the Selectmen’s Office. He said he is proposing the bylaw to address an ongoing problem that he has had for the past 8 months. He said he has contacted the Police but there is nothing they can do to help him at this time.
New Business
Ms. Riley stated that she had asked that the Bridgewater-Raynham Regional School District’s proposed budget be placed on the agenda for discussion. She explained that she attended the public hearing last week at the high school and she is very concerned because Bridgewater’s commitment to a 3.4% assessment increase requires a 3.29% increase from Raynham. She said, “That level will result in a budget deficit of almost $4,000,000 from the Superintendent’s original proposal. Traditionally, the Superintendent’s budget is based on what the District really should have. The School Committee’s budget is based on what the District really needs, but, in this case, the budget has been tailored to reflect the level of the proposed town assessments. Originally, there was a proposal to add about 45 positions, but the Superintendent reduced that to the 18 that he really feels are needed. Now none of them are included. I have a list of what was removed. At the Mitchell Elementary School, there are 2 positions. At Merrill, there’s one position and then one shared between Merrill and LaLiberte. At the Williams Intermediate School, there would be 1 ½ positions, Bridgewater Middle School-2, Raynham Middle School-1, at the High School-4 positions, and, district-wide, there are 5 positions. One area that the committee has zeroed in on involves the social-emotional issues that the kids are dealing with. It’s not just at the High School level, it’s also at the Middle School and elementary levels as well. They’re dealing with behavioral and emotional issues and this budget, as proposed at this point, would have nothing additional to address those issues and nothing to address the class sizes which are increasing with the building going on in both communities. Also, there’s a zero amount of funds for text books and supplies.” Mrs. Smith asked, “How is that possible? How can you have zero in a budget for text books?” Ms. Riley explained that if there are any savings at all at the end of this year, they might use those funds for that. She stated, “It still comes down to a $400,000 shortfall which would be covered by digging into the revolving accounts and excess and deficiency accounts, their emergency funds. The School Committee can’t come back and say we need more money. It’s pretty disturbing if you look at the class sizes that exist right now without educational assistants in the classrooms. Right now, there are 7 kindergarten classes at the Merrill School and those are going to have to fit into 6 first-grade classes. That’s because there was a first-grade teacher who retired last year and that position was not filled because the assessments the School Committee was asking for last year were not met. It accumulates year after year, and you can see they’re dipping into their excess and deficiency account by $1 million to fund this proposed budget. It’s very concerning, but I was encouraged that since the Raynham Finance Committee was thinking about gifting money as a last resort to cover three needed positions in Raynham, Bridgewater Council member Dennis Gallagher stated that Bridgewater’s budget is not finalized and they’re still looking to see if they can come up with more funds. Tomorrow night there will be another meeting with the Finance Committees. Both communities have serious issues to deal with and budgets are tight, but the education of our kids is so very important.” Mrs. Smith said, “I think it’s time for the two towns to come together and ask what we need the most. We need education for our children and they need to start paying what they should. Bridgewater has not historically.” Ms. Riley said, “If you consider the per pupil cost across the Commonwealth, Bridgewater-Raynham is woefully towards the bottom of that list, so we’re not overspending on education.” Ms. Riley said the meeting will be held tomorrow night at 6:30 at the high school.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Flaherty reviewed the Town Administrator’s Report.
The basement at South School is being renovated by RMC Construction and should be done soon.
The invitation for bids for the Council on Aging’s siding project has been published. The bids should be back by April and construction will start by the beginning of May.
Painting should be done on the second floor at Gilmore Hall.
The Town Budgets for FY2020 are being examined by the Finance Committee. Everything is coming together.
The Annual Town Meeting is set for May 20th and all articles for the warrant are due no later than March 29th.
There is one opening left on the Historical Commission to replace Ms. Riley.
The next Selectmen’s meeting will be March 26th at 7:00 p.m.
The next SRSG meeting will be March 20th at 9:30 a.m. in Mansfield.
The next SMHG meeting will be March 28th at 1:00 p.m. in Seekonk.
The next Department Head meeting will be March 21st at 9:30 a.m.
Mr. Flaherty and Mr. Buckley will attend a Contract Administration Class sponsored by MCPPO in North Attleboro on April 2nd.
Ms. Riley asked if she could say a few words at the Department Head Meeting, relative to the Government Study Committee. She explained, “I just want to make sure that if anybody wants to go before the Government Study Committee and present any concerns or ideas they know that opportunity exists.” Mr. Flaherty and Selectman Pacheco indicated they would have no problem with that.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley thanked everyone who supported RAVE’s comedy night fundraiser which was a huge success and which raised almost $9,000.” All of the funds raised will support R.A.V.E.’s “Salute To Our Veterans” programs including the Veterans’ Day assemblies in the Raynham Schools, the Memorial Day Parade and the purchase of flags to decorate the center of town on patriotic holidays.
Correspondence
Correspondence was received from Raynham Park for (two) One-Day Alcohol Special Licenses and outside entertainment on Saturday, July 20th and Sunday, July 21st. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve contingent upon the Police Chief’s approval, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from the North Taunton Food Pantry asking if the volunteers could bring cardboard boxes to be recycled at the Raynham Transfer Station on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from the Taunton Civic Chorus regarding the celebration of its 60th anniversary event on May 5th.
Adjournment
At 7:26 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. It was so voted.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy
Recording Secretary