Selectmens Minutes 06/25/2019
Board of Selectmen June 25, 2019
Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the meeting to order at 6:00 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.
Ms. Riley made a motion to enter into Executive Session in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21, to discuss strategy with respect to, or in preparation for negotiations with nonunion personnel or to conduct bargaining sessions or contract negotiations with nonunion personnel, to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Fire Employees Union and the Highway 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 strategy with respect thereto. On a roll call vote, Chairman Pacheco and Selectmen Riley and Smith voted in the affirmative to enter into Executive Session.
Chairman Joseph Pacheco called the open meeting to order at 7:01 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 the Board was returning from Executive Session on numerous topics which Ms. Riley will report on.
Ms. Riley led the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance and Mr. Pacheco informed everyone that the meeting is being recorded live by RayCAM.
Reporting on the topics discussed in Executive Session, Ms. Riley stated that a tentative agreement had been reached with the Firefighters’ Union. The collective bargaining agreement covers three years beginning July 1, 2019, and includes a 2% increase each year. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley then made a motion to approve a two-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Building Commissioner Robert Iafrate. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a one-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Health Agent Matt Tanis. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a two-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Highway Superintendent Ed Buckley. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a one-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Plumbing & Gas Inspector Michael Doyle. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a one-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Town Accountant David Grab. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a two-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Treasurer/Collector Michael King. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve a one-year Employee Agreement between the Town of Raynham and Veterans’ Service Officer Micaila Britto. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco noted that the ongoing collective bargaining with the Highway Department Employees’ Union was not taken up in Executive Session.
Acceptance of the Minutes
Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the minutes of the June 11, 2019 meeting as printed. Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the minutes as printed of a special meeting that was held on June 20, 2019. She explained that only one agenda item was discussed at that meeting. A request for a one-day liquor license for American Legion Post 405 on Mill Street for Saturday, June 22nd, for the Tenth Annual Sons of the American Legion event was granted. Mrs. Smith seconded the motion to approve the minutes and Mr. Pacheco abstained. It was so voted with two in favor and one abstention.
Department Heads and Committees
Health Agent Matt Tanis was present to address the Board. He reported that the pool and tanning establishment inspections have been completed and he discussed the guidelines set by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the sale of CBD products. He will go out with the help of the Police Department and check for compliance and they will also do the tobacco checks for compliance at the same time. He has issued an Order to Correct to a residential property in Raynham and has had some success. He will keep checking to make sure they are in compliance.
Appointments
The Board discussed the slate of annual appointments for Fiscal Year 2020. Mrs. Smith said she did not want to approve the Animal Control officers. Mr. Pacheco asked for a motion to approve the slate of annual appointments without the Animal Control Officers. Ms. Riley made the motion, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco then asked for a motion to approve the Animal Control Officer and Assistant Officer. Ms. Riley made the motion, Mr. Pacheco seconded, and Mrs. Smith voted no. The motion passed with two in favor and one opposed.
An application for Re-Appointment for Constable was received from Ian Dailey. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
The Board discussed an application from David LaPlante of Raynham for an opening on the Capital Planning Committee. Ms. Riley made the motion to appoint, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
The Board discussed the appointment of Michael Sheridan to the Finance Committee for a three-year term. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Public Hearing – Board of Health fee changes effective July 1, 2019: Mr. Pacheco opened the Public Hearing at 7: 13 p.m. The Board discussed the proposed fee schedule. With no one present to speak for or against the matter, Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco adjourned the Public Hearing at 7:13 p.m.
Public Hearing – Proposed changes to the Town of Raynham for body art establishments and body art practitioners: Mr. Pacheco opened the Public Hearing at 7: 13 p.m. With no one present to speak for or against the matter, Mrs. Smith made a motion to approve, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Pacheco adjourned the Public Hearing at 7:14 p.m.
New Business
Mr. Pacheco asked the Board to consider a vote to authorize the Chairman to sign off on year-end transfers. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from Under the Sun Farm in North Dighton to lease the property on King Philip Street that includes the farm stand from July through October. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
An Application for an Entertainment License was received from Barrels & Boards, Inc., at 1285 Broadway. Mr. Pacheco reported that everything appeared to be in order. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Old Business
Town Moderator John Donahue was present to discuss the Government Study Committee’s final draft of the job
description for Town Administrator. The only change from the original proposal concerned the hiring process
for all department heads. The additional language now stated that the Town Administrator would coordinate the
search for all department heads with the Moderator’s Advisory Committee and make final recommendation(s)
to the Board. Ms. Riley questioned that the Town Administrator’s recommendations would then be subject to
the ratification of the Board, rather than the vote of the Board. Mr. Donahue stated that the intent was that the
final decision would be up to the Board. Mr. Pacheco stated that he was personally comfortable with the
proposed language upholding the integrity of the Board’s authority to make the final decision. Interim Town
Administrator Gordon Luciano suggested that the word “ratification” could be eliminated such that the job
description would read that all department head level hires are subject to a vote of the Board of Selectmen. The
Board decided to strike the word ratification from the job description. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve the
job description, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous. Mr. Donahue discussed the salary
for the position of Town Administrator, suggesting that it should be somewhere between $115,000 and
$160,000. He said the recommendation was to post it at $140,000, plus or minus, “so it doesn’t really lock you
into anything and any offer you make will be contingent upon successful contract negotiation and a successful
background check.” Mr. Pacheco said right now there are so many openings for Town Administrators and
Assistant Town Administrators, and, as the pool of qualified candidates shrinks, compensation has to increase.
Mr. Luciano recommended the Board vote to approve the job posting at the next meeting on July 9th, in order
to meet the advertising deadline for The Beacon, the official publication of the Massachusetts Municipal
Association. He stated, “Otherwise, you will be looking at six weeks later and that will push us into the fall.”
Ms. Riley said, “Just for clarification, we are not just posting this internally, we are advertising this throughout
the State.” Mr. Luciano replied, “Yes.” Mr. Pacheco asked, “At this time, does the Board want to request the
Town Moderator assemble a hiring advisory committee for the position?” Ms. Riley said, “Yes, I make that
motion in accordance with the previous Annual Town Meeting vote.” Mrs. Smith seconded and Mr. Pacheco
made it unanimous. Mr. Donahue said, “I will assemble a committee and ask that letters of interest be sent to
the (Interim) Town Administrator. We know that we need to have a handful of department heads and at least
one resident at large.” Mr. Donahue said he will report back to the Board by July 12th.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Luciano reviewed the Interim Town Administrator’s Report.
Regarding Committee openings, he reported that there is one committee opening for the Zoning Board of Appeals for an Associate Member for a one-year term.
Mr. Luciano discussed the insurance coverage for Fiscal Year 2020. He stated, “We have increased some coverage areas, updated our property, liability, automotive, accident and umbrella coverage for a total annual premium of $247,567. That is a reduction of $17,426 from the current year. I recommend approval.” Due to the urgency of taking action since the current contract expires on June 30th, Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
The test results from the Susi Corporation’s operation at 365 Gardiner Street were received, and, in summary, there are no reportable concentrations for contaminants of concern identified at the site.
Mr. Luciano discussed the Town Hall meeting room improvements. He also stated that RayCAM Executive Director Michael Heylin was in attendance to update the Board in preparation for the cable television contract renewal hearing that will take place at the next regularly-scheduled meeting. Mr. Heylin then came to the podium to briefly describe the improvements and the highlights of the contract renewal and to see if the Board had any questions. He explained that with the new license, the Town will have three channels. New monitors will be installed in the meeting room to enhance the meetings and meetings will now be filmed with new high definition cameras. Mr. Pacheco requested that a monitor be installed in the hall outside of the meeting room, so if there is an overflow crowd, they can watch the meeting from the hall. Mr. Heylin said he would have one installed there.
Mr. Luciano discussed the one bid for the new salt shed that was submitted by Construction Dynamics, Inc., for $819,807. Mrs. Smith made a motion to award, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Upcoming Meetings
The Selectmen’s meetings for July will be July 9th, and July 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall in accordance with the every-other week summer meeting schedule, which will continue until the week of Labor Day.
Union Negotiations continue with the Highway Employees’ Union with the next scheduled negotiation to be held on Wednesday, June 26th at 5:15 p.m. at Town Hall.
Selectmen’s Report
Ms. Riley said the Historical Commission met recently with new members Maggie Silva and Karen Jackson in attendance. One of the primary goals of the Commission at this time is to pull together all of the historical information about the Town that exists in different locations. In keeping with that effort, the next meeting will be held on July 25th at the Raynham Public Library, at which time Library Director Eden Fergusson will demonstrate the resources available at the library and online through its website. Another long-term goal involves the effort of converting Gilmore Hall into a museum for the Town of Raynham as was determined by a previous Annual Town Meeting vote. Ms. Riley also noted that the Raynham Historical Society has a really nice display at its location in the Hannant House. The admission charge is $5.00 to cover some of the costs involved and it will be held on alternate Saturdays and Sundays, with the first date being Saturday, June 29th. She also reported that NOAH will be holding a cat adoption event this Saturday at 9:00 at North School with about 52 kittens available for adoption. There will also be a host of activities going on this summer for seniors at the air-conditioned Senior Center. The Raynham Food Basket at the Raynham Baptist Church is available for all Raynham residents and is open the second and fourth Thursday of each month. She also noted that “The retirement of Chief Januse takes place June 30th and we wish him a very happy and well-deserved retirement, and we wish incoming Chief Bryan LaCivita all the best in his new role.” She also wished everyone a happy and safe July 4th. Referring to concerns that were raised at the pre-Town meeting regarding Animal Control services being understaffed and underbudgeted, Ms. Riley suggested that the Animal Control Officers report to the Board on a monthly basis as the other department heads do to update the Board and the public. Mr. Pacheco said he thought the Council on Aging Director should do so as well. Ms. Riley agreed.
Correspondence
Mr. Donahue was present to request permission for the Colonial Road Runners to hold their 7th Annual Frosty Half Marathon on Sunday, December 8th. They will use the Raynham Middle School and hire five or more police details to monitor the course. Ms. Riley made a motion to approve, Mrs. Smith seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Correspondence was received from the Council on Aging recommending that the vacancy on the SAVE Committee left by the passing of Betty Thompson be filled by Council On Aging Board member John Teixeira. Mrs. Smith made a motion to accept, Ms. Riley seconded, and Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Adjournment
At 7: 50 p.m., Mrs. Smith motioned, and Ms. Riley seconded, to adjourn for the performance of administrative duties, signing of Bills and Warrants, with no business to be conducted afterward. Mr. Pacheco made it unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Murphy, Recording Secretary