January 8, 2007
Present was James C. Lehan, Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jim called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Jack read the agenda contents.
POLE HEARING – MARSHALL STREET
Jim opened the hearing at 7:05 p.m. Representatives present from Verizon were Paul Schneider, Rights-of-Way Manager and Mike Risano, Project Manager.
Jim read the hearing notice stating that the relocation is Marshall Street. On the northeasterly sideline, approximately 1200 feet southwest of the intersection with North Street, relocate Pole No. 11 approximately 30 feet northwest of existing location. Remove one JO Pole.
Paul explained that the pole is in the middle of the road, so they would like to move it. This is for the Bristol Pond Estates project.
Jonathan asked how soon the pole will be moved. Paul said as soon as possible. The Board questioned Medway Branch poles. Paul said they are last on the list. They can’t do anything until everyone else has. Companies are independent.
Jonathan Smith moved to relocate pole 11, Marshall St. for Bristol Pond Estates. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
SIGNING OF NOTES
Treasurer-Collector Cheryl Kelley and Asst. Town Clerk Gail Bernardo were in to have notes signed by the Board of Selectmen.
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION – CHIEF STONE
Jim Lehan presented an award to Charles Stone, Police Chief for thirty (30) years on the job and the Board all thanked him for excellent service to the community.
METRO LEC AWARD TO FORE KICKS
Present from Fore Kicks was Tom Teager, owner. Norfolk Police Chief Charles Stone and Detective Glen Eykel, Officer/LEC Member Nate Fletcher and Deputy Chief Russell Jenkins of Braintree Police, who is also the head of the Metro LEC, and Capt. John Welch of the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Department.
Chief Stone introduced members of his department and Deputy Chief Jenkins, and explained what the Metro LEC is. He said Fore Kicks (Tom Teager) has been gracious enough to the Metro LEC to let them use his facilities during inclement weather to do their training. They wanted to repay him for his generosity because without this facility, they wouldn’t have a place to train.
Deputy Chief Jenkins presented a plaque to Tom Teager and thanked him for his assistance to the Metro LEC.
CHIEF STONE – POLICE UPDATE
Charles Stone, Police Chief was present to do his department update.
Jack Hathaway thanked Chief Stone for his years of service, and for implementing the Metro LEC.
Chief Stone introduced Nate Fletcher who is a newly appointed Detective and Metro LEC member. Chief Stone talked about successful results from the Metro LEC in Norfolk.
Chief Stone said they are right on target with all their budgets, halfway through the year. As long as something major doesn’t occur, he should end the year okay. They have all 3 new cruisers in operation as of December. Roundabouts are working well. In the past two months, he has had more accidents than they had in the year and a half it’s been there.
Chief Stone talked about the fire/police facility. The addition was put on in 1986 for about $500,000. It brought them up to what they needed. The department has now grown and their needs have grown and technology has grown. The fire side has grown through personnel and equipment. Chuck said this building was not built for the personnel housed there 24 hours a day. There are now three departments in there. They have air quality issues, sewer issues, HVAC issues and more.
Jim asked about lack of capacity with the facility. Chuck said when the second addition was built, enhanced 911 didn’t exist. It requires quite a bit of equipment, such as it has to be cooled to 70 degrees. They have had to bring in air conditioners to cool it down. They need a 2 or 3 position console for dispatch. The area is cramped at best.
Air quality is the biggest issue. It can be considered a sick building syndrome. They have mold and dust and other things through the cooling/heating system.
Chief Stone said that anyone hired after 1988, cannot smoke. He said they need a fitness area. Age 57 is the average life span of an officer. He said they are sitting in a cruiser for hours and then get a call and have physical exertion. It’s not good.
Chief Stone said they have a difficult time keeping their cell block operational. They have septic, water and air quality issues. It is not a safe condition, and this is one of the areas they need to address.
Ramesh questioned what would happen if they had a level funded budget this year. You will either devastate the services, or have layoffs. Chief Stone said if he has to keep it at the same number as last year, he will absolutely have to lay off personnel. He said with all the increases in homes, residents, miles of road, type of calls, etc., it will be a devastating cut to the budget. They would become reactive instead of proactive.
LIQUOR LICENSE TRANSFER HEARING
Present was Joseph Guarino, applicant, and his attorney, Richard Griffin.
Jim read the hearing notice for a transfer of a restaurant liquor license from Tylers Restaurant, Inc., to Guido’s Restaurant, Inc. The property is at 218 Dedham Street, Norfolk.
Atty. Griffin spoke on behalf of Mr. Guarino. It would be a home style Italian restaurant. There are very few changes to the premises. There will be no increase to the lounge; in fact it will be less than what is there now. The restaurant will have a 90-seating capacity. They will have an Identiscan and all employees will be TIPS certified. Atty. Griffin said that Mr. Guarino has a restaurant called Guido’s in Walpole and holds a liquor license there, and has never had any problems.
Jonathan asked about retaining the restaurant in Walpole. Joseph Guarino said he will retain the restaurant there. He said yes, he has a great staff that works his Walpole restaurant and he will be able to leave and come work this one. He will work from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Walpole and then come to Norfolk. He feels positive about being able to handle two places. It will be new people and himself.
Mr. Guarino said he is only doing cosmetic changes to the place. There will be new benches, new tiles, new floor, new wood, new lighting fixtures, new counters, painting the place. He is putting in new tables in the bar and a new bar. He will have similar hours of operation. 7 a.m. to midnight. He has considered closing by 10 p.m. He will not have entertainment. Mr. Guarino said he will not be doing breakfast. He will strictly do restaurant, take out and catering.
Jonathan Smith moved to transfer the liquor license presently held by Tylers Family Restaurant, Inc. to Guido’s Restaurant, Inc., Joseph Guarino, Manager, 218 Dedham Street. Jonathan then amended the motion to include Tyler’s Family Restaurant, Inc., Roger W. Ring, Manager. Conditions are that an Identiscan or similar device be used on the property, and all employees handling liquor are TIPS trained. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
ACTION ITEMS
Ramesh Advani moved to change the closing hours on Shubham Variety, Inc., d/b/a Linda’s Variety Store, 158 Main Street from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
BIWEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack gave his biweekly calendar.
OLD BUSINESS
Jack reviewed the Patriots Place issue. They will discuss this at our February 5th meeting. Get letters out. Do it first thing on the meeting. 90 minutes block – 7:30 to 9. Check with Jack about what the letters are. Send a letter to Rep. Ross and Sen. Brown.
Jim will head up a committee as a private citizen to help for major disasters. People who want to volunteer to help out such as four-wheelers to take meals to people, or look for lost people, or whatever. Ramesh would like some of these emergency procedures at the Senior Center and on cable; maybe on Jack’s program.
Jack touched on Buckley & Mann property, as well as the fire and police facility and renovations. Jim would like a target date firmed up on the fire/police facility. We’re balancing too many considerations. We need to make some decisions. We have three on the table and we need to decide what we are going to do.
Jim said we should come to a conclusion with interested parties, to decide on a location for the fire/police facility. Do time horizons. We may not be able to do this by March but Jim asked Jack to work toward March 5th and see where we are.
Jack and Ramesh met with Mark Racicot, MAPC. Walpole and Norfolk applied for an economic development grant based on properties including the Southwood property. This will look at zoning, commercial, industrial and other things that we have requested jointly.
Jack summarized the roundtable a few weeks ago on the Sherwood/David Road development. The developer is working with the Planning Board to try to accept the streets.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Jonathan Smith moved to accept the minutes of November 27, 2006; December 4, 2006; December 14, 2006, special meeting; and December 19, 2006. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
REVOTE – LETTER OF INTEREST FOR SCHOOL DEPARTMENT
Jonathan said that we took a vote for a Letter of Interest in October, and unbeknownst to us, there needed to be specific language and we have to revote:
Jonathan Smith moved a resolution that having convened in an open meeting on Tuesday, October 17, 2006, the Board of Selectmen of Norfolk, in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest dated October 26, 2006 for the Freeman-Centennial School located at 70 Boardman Street, Norfolk, MA 02056 which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which Norfolk Public Schools may be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the future: Priority 1 – Replacement or renovation of a building which is structurally unsound or otherwise in a condition seriously jeopardizing the health and safety of school children. Priority 3 –
Prevention of the loss of accreditation. Priority 5 – Replacement, renovation or modernization of the heating system in a schoolhouse to increase energy conservation and decrease energy related costs in the schoolhouse. Priority 7 – Replacement or addition to obsolete buildings in order to provide for a full range of programs consistent with state and approved local requirements.; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town School District to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted
At 9:18 p.m., being no further business, Jonathan Smith moved to adjourn the meeting. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of January 8, 2007.
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Jonathan P. Smith, Clerk
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