April 9, 2007
Present was James C. Lehan, Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jim Lehan opened the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents. There was a brief moment of silence in memory of Sgt. Adam Kennedy who was killed in the line of duty in Iraq.
VERIZON
Present was Richard Colon, Regional Director.
Rick Colon said he was here tonight to discuss their project called fiber to the premise. It’s something that has attracted a lot of attention lately with the media. Over the past 3 years, Verizon has been building out communities across Massachusetts and are currently in about 100 communities in various stages of deployment with voice data and video products. This is a very unique application of fiber optic. Verizon is the only company in the nation today, whether it be a telecom company or cable tv company that is using fiber optics in a 100% application from its switching centers all the way to the size of the phones in a small business. What this does is provide a very clean crisp signal for voice data video. Mr. Colon gave the Board a fiber optics fact sheet. This would provide a choice for cable tv
users. Most people have no choice and are limited to one provider. Verizon is offering a superior quality service over a fiber optic. This would be from Franklin wire center as we don’t have our own. Verizon is working in the communities with underground wires. Residents in town will see a lot of activity with Verizon trucks in town. Fiber optic technology is not susceptible to the elements.
Ramesh mentioned the industrial areas we are trying to develop. He is interested in how Verizon could get engaged and attract businesses. Rick said that they have done that, and helped people work at home because of the high speed internet. Ramesh asked would you be interested in working with our Economic Development Committee? Ramesh would be interested in how Verizon could get involved. Can Verizon get involved in public access service? Rick said Verizon is fully committed to carrying the same public access service that our current provider currently gives us. It would work through the contract and would be negotiated.
Timing was the end of this year, or beginning of next year.
Jonathan encouraged Rick to go ahead and apply because he said that we are currently active in working with our current carrier. He said that they should go ahead and start working with us as we have only moderate funds to obtain outside counsel to help us with the contract.
Rick said they filed legislation at a state level that takes care of everything. He said it covers public access, franchise fees, capital grant money and others.
Jim said that keeping us informed is what we need from Verizon.
TIF FINANCING
Paul Keating, Elite Foods and Lynn Tokarczyk were present.
Paul said it was a good process to get to know everyone. He said all the publicity has also helped residents get to know who Elite Foods is.
Jonathan Smith moved to designate 7 Shire Drive, Assessors’ Map18, Block 69, Lot 24 as an Economic Opportunity Area. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to recommend proposed tax implement financing plan as of April 9, 2007 to town meeting. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
BUSING FEE ISSUE
Jim brought up the School Committee hearing on the busing issue that Jack attended and asked Jack to brief them on this.
Jack stated that he attended this hearing with the DPW Director, Remo Vito and Police Chief Charles Stone regarding the busing issue. Jack said they were invited by the School Committee because they knew there would be some questions the community would have with respect to sidewalks, drop offs, need for crossing guards, etc. He was surprised there weren’t more people there. There was maybe 40 or 50 people there. Jack said there were many concerns from those in attendance about the safety of the children walking to school, costs, one man spoke eloquently about the need for him to hire someone to drop his kid off at the bus, and if the bus isn’t there, how that would impact him. The group that was there voiced much concern about the whole fee proposal. Some of the other topics that were covered
were why can’t we have an override for the cost of the busing, some talked about other communities who have busing and some have busing fees and some don’t. Jack said there were questions directed at him as to why the busing fee wasn’t moved over to the municipal side of the budget. He tried to answer the questions the best he could.
Jim suggested that we have them hold off for a year and help them find some money. Jim is terribly concerned about the safety of their kids. He said they are in a dilemma and we could take money from our side and give it to the schools. Jim is looking to buy some time for the schools as they don’t have that time.
The Board discussed the expenses and in which fiscal year it will be spent. They discussed the need to improve the turn around area for drop offs and to put the buses out front.
After much discussion by the Board, Jim said that he feels it is important to have the time frame of one year to work on this and help the school find the money because he feels this is significant for the safety of the children.
WARRANT
Ramesh Advani moved to open the warrant to add curative language to an article. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to insert the Article being #36 in the April 9th draft amending the zoning bylaw with some language advised by the Attorney General and done by the Town Counsel. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan Smith moved to close the warrant. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
ACTION ITEMS
Jonathan Smith moved to approve the Gasoline Storage licenses for 2007 to Daley Service, Inc., 2 Rockwood Road; DPW, 33 Medway Branch; W.T. Holmes Transportation, 22 Myrtle Street and Camger Chemical, 364 Main Street. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to approve a Slow Children sign on Grove Street. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
OLD BUSINESS
Jack reported on the MPO and TIP projects. Coler and Colantonio will be there to represent us as they will be there for other towns, as well.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack gave his Bi-Weekly Calendar.
Jack said the Board should appoint him and another member to be a formal team to negotiate with the church for the land. He said he would like to meet as soon as possible prior to the town meeting. Jim suggested Jonathan and Jack. Jim cannot do it as he is affiliated with the Church, and Ramesh will be out of town on business.
Fire Department Reorganization
Jonathan suggested revising our bylaws in the fall to allow the Chiefs to have the authority they should have. This would allow our department heads to be managers. Reorganization should be the Town Administrator and dept head instead of the Selectmen voting.
Chief Bushnell explained that they are reorganizing the department from a managerial position. They want to put Peter Petruchik as Captain. Michael Findlen will be Lieutenant, replacing a lieutenant who stepped down to return as a firefighter. Russ Hall will be the Lieutenant in charge of EMS. He coordinates the ALS program.
Jonathan Smith moved to adopt the Fire Chief’s Reorganization Plan. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan talked about the KP budget with an 8%. The Advisory Board approved and it means Plainville will need to increase their budget. The message needs to get out to the towns. We need to do that with other departments as well.
Ramesh reminded citizens that we need volunteers for the Re-engineering Committee.
At 9:39 p.m., Jonathan Smith moved to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was a roll call vote: James Lehan, aye; Jonathan Smith, aye; and Ramesh Advani, aye. The Board will not return to public session nor take any votes.
At 10:45 p.m., being no further business, Ramesh Advani moved to adjourn the meeting. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of April 9, 2007.
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Jonathan P. Smith, Clerk
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