Selectmens Minutes 06/11/2019

Board of Selectmen                                                                                                   June 11, 2019

Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room at Veterans’ Memorial Town Hall, 558 South Main Street. In addition to Chairman Pacheco, Selectmen Marie Smith and Patricia Riley were in attendance. 

Ms. Riley made a motion to enter into Executive Session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21, to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct collective bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel; to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property if the chair declares that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body; to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Sewer Employees Union or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body; and to discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices or strategies with respect thereto. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion. On a roll call vote, Chairman Pacheco and Selectmen Smith and Riley voted in the affirmative to enter into Executive Session.                                           

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 Marie Smith and  Patricia Riley were in attendance. Chairman Pacheco stated that no votes were taken in the Executive Session.

Ms. Riley led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Chairman Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting is being recorded live by RayCAM. 

Acceptance of the Minutes

Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2019 meeting as printed and Mr. Pacheco seconded. The minutes were approved with Chairman Pacheco and Ms. Riley voting in the affirmative and Mrs. Smith abstaining.   

Department Heads and Committees

Chief Jim Januse was present to update the Board on the Activity Report for the Fire Department for the month of May.  Calls for fire-related incidents including fires, motor vehicle accident investigations and public assists totaled 92. Calls for ambulance-related incidents including medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents and public assists totaled 155. Miscellaneous calls including inspections, fire alarm work and other items of note totaled 104. There were no mutual aid calls. As of May 31, 2019, the number of incidents the Fire Department has responded to totaled 1,169, compared to 1,218 as of May 31, 2018.  Chief Januse also updated the Board on those employees who have been out on extended sick leave.

Appointments

Chief Januse was present to announce the following  promotions that he has made within the Fire Department, effective July 1^st, including: Trevor Chute to Firefighter Paramedic; Jason Karns to Lieutenant; Brad Carr to Lieutenant; Jeff Kelleher to Captain; and Barrett Johnson to Deputy Chief. Town Clerk Marsha Silvia administered the oath of office to each individual. Chief Januse offered his thanks to the Board of Selectmen,  Chief Donovan and the Police Department and all town departments, especially the men and women of the Fire Department. He said it has been a great honor to serve the Town of Raynham.  Deputy Chief Bryan LaCivita, who will become Fire Chief effective July 1^st, said, “I want to thank Chief Januse for his many years of selfless service. He has always shown us an unwavering confidence in the department with his leadership over the past 11 years.  We all wish you a happy and healthy retirement.’ He added, “ We are promoting a talented group of fire officers today who will lead with stability in the years to come.” Sharing a favorite quote, he then stated, “I’m not here for me. I’m here for we, and we are here for them.” 

The Board also received a letter of interest from Kenneth Bollin who requested appointment to the Business and Economic Development Committee.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Correspondence was received from Raynham Council on Aging Director Elizabeth Moura, stating that the Council had unanimously voted to recommend the Selectmen appoint Carol Stoehr-Ware of Raynham to the position left vacant by the passing of long-time member Betty Thompson.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to appoint, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Public Hearing - Westborough Beverage Corp., dba Walmart #2012 for a Change of Directors

Mr. Pacheco opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m. and the Board discussed the request. With no one present to speak for or against the request, Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.  The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:21 p.m.

Public Hearing – TMLP Revised Petition for Joint Pole Location

Mr. Pacheco opened the Public Hearing at 7:21 p.m. and the Board discussed the request for the joint pole location on Locust Street. With no one present to speak for or against the request, Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.  The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:22 p.m.

New Business

Mr. John Donahue, who serves as Chairman of the Government Study Committee, was present to report the committee’s recommendations for the updated job description for Town Administrator. He explained that the committee deliberated whether the position was comprehensive enough or whether a Town Manager’s position was needed. The Committee decided in favor of the Town Administrator’s position with some changes to give the position more authority on hiring, union negotiations and the way Town Hall is managed.  This upgrade would also include a greater financial role in working with the Finance Committee on the town budget.  It would also include periodic updates to the Selectmen and the Finance Committee on expected revenues and expenditures and the town’s general financial condition.  There were aspects taken from a number of job descriptions pulled from 6 – 8 localities which are similar to Raynham and have had an open Town Administrator’s position in the past 6 months.  The recommended requirements are to have a Bachelor’s degree but preferably a Master’s degree.  Mr. Donahue asked the Board to review the recommended job description. He stated that if the Board has any changes and wants the committee to revisit any areas for review, the committee would be happy to do that.  Interim Town Administrator Gordon Luciano suggested that the Board take the next two weeks to make any adjustments and vote to accept the final job description at its next meeting on June 25^th. He explained that the next steps would involve drafting a job posting and a salary scale. If the position could be posted by the July 9^th meeting, a three-week time period would then be needed to accept applications. The screening committee could then review all of the applications and come up with between three and six applicants for the Board’s review and interview in August. Mr. Luciano continued, “The Board could pick a finalist and that would bring us into September. The applicant would have to give notice, and that would bring us into late September or early in October.”  Mrs. Smith made a motion to take the matter under advisement, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.  Mr. Pacheco said that the Board should list the job description on the Agenda for a vote at the next meeting in two weeks and also vote at that meeting to request the Moderator form a screening committee.  Everyone agreed with Mr. Pacheco’s suggestion regarding taking action at the next meeting. Mr. Donahue emphasized that a formal background check would be necessary and that would be beyond the scope of the screening committee. Ms. Riley suggested that a consultant could do that as well as provide whatever assistance the committee might need.

On another matter, Chairman Pacheco said the agreement with the Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant to display a banner for Raynham Pride Day was standard language and in order.  Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Ms. Riley said a tentative Memorandum of Agreement has been reached with the Sewer Department Employees’ Union and it has been ratified by the union members. She stated that it is a three- year contract beginning on July 1, 2019, with basically a 2% increase each year.  Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

The Board received correspondence from the State’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations regarding an audit of dealerships to assess compliance with state law pertaining to Lemon Law stickers. Mr. Pacheco said all but two of the dealerships were in compliance, but they are doing significantly better than last year, so he suggested leaving it to the State to discuss the improvements they need to make. 

Correspondence was received from Highway Superintendent Ed Buckley recommending that the Board vote to award the contract for the application of chemicals and fertilizers at various parks and ground locations within the Town to Yukon Landscaping Inc. of Raynham under the procurement process. Mr. Buckley explained that Yukon was the low price quote and a responsible and responsive vendor.  Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.

Old Business

Mr. Pacheco discussed the Citizen’s Petition that had been submitted. Ms. Riley made a motion for the Board to sponsor it for placement on the warrant only, so that it could go forward to the Planning Board for a public hearing, but not to take a position for or against. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Town Administrator’s Report

Mr. Luciano reviewed the Interim Town Administrator’s Report. 

There are two committee openings for the Zoning Board of Appeals for associate members (staggered terms) and one opening on the Finance Committee for a one-year term. 

Mr. Luciano continues to meet on the various insurance policies with the goal of having a final set of documents for approval by the Board at the next meeting.  He will be adding addendums that include cyber security and upgraded injured-on-duty coverage. 

Mr. Luciano wanted to thank Olson’s Greenhouse for the donation of flowers at each of the welcome to Raynham signs and for the Eagle Scout project at the Police Station. 

The completion of the Town Hall meeting room improvements should be in time for the meeting the week of July 22^nd. 

Upcoming Meetings

Mr. Luciano also reported that the next Selectmen’s meetings for June and July will be June 25^th, July 9^th, and July 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall.  However, Town Hall will be open every Tuesday in June from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. In July and August, the schedule for the Town Hall offices will reflect the Selectmen’s schedule. 

The next Department Head meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20^th, at 10:00 a.m. here at Town Hall.  Mr. Luciano has asked that all attend or, if unavailable, they send a representative from their department in their place to discuss the close out of the fiscal year.   

Union negotiations continue with the Highway Department employees’ union and begin on Tuesday, June 18^th,  with the Firefighters’ union.    

Correspondence

Correspondence was received from Matt Tanis from the Board of Health who has issued two Orders to Correct for two Raynham residents. 

Mr. Tanis also reported that the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program recently conducted a tobacco retail inspection/compliance check in Raynham as part of the Food & Drug Administration’s contract with the state. The Board of Health currently has 24 tobacco permits issued to Raynham vendors. Mr. Tanis reported that during the compliance check, only one vendor, Quick Stop, was found to be out of compliance for selling to a minor and not asking for an ID. The MTCP and FDA will handle any penalties related to the violation. Mr. Tauis will be coordinating with the Raynham Police to conduct compliance checks on the local level.

At 7: 48 p.m., Ms. Riley motioned and Mrs. Smith seconded to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of Bills and Warrants, with no business to be conducted afterwards.  Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. 

Respectfully submitted,

Janet Murphy

Recording Secretary