December 15, 2008
Present was James C. Lehan, Robert J. Garrity, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator. Ramesh Advani was absent from the meeting.
Jim Lehan opened the meeting at 7 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
TAX RATE HEARING
Jim Lehan opened the hearing at 7:03 p.m. Jack read the hearing notice.
Jack said he has talked to our former Chief Assessor, Robbie Alford who is filling in, and to the Board of Assessors, and we need to continue the hearing as new growth hasn’t been approved by the Department of Revenue yet. We will not have approval by December 31, and we will need to send out estimated bills.
Rob Garrity moved to continue the hearing until January 5th at 7 p.m. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Jack noted that we have been interviewing for Chief Assessor and introduced our candidate, John Neas. Mr. Neas said he lives in Franklin and has two children, 7 and 11 years old. He is a real estate appraiser and teaches real estate classes and seminars. He has no public sector experience. Mr. Neas said he will continue his own business part time, but his first loyalty will be to the town. He will not do business in Norfolk.
Jack said that John was by far the best candidate and was also approved by Pat Salamone, chairman of the Board of Assessors. He would start employment with Norfolk on January 5, 2009.
Jack is looking for confirmation of his appointment of John Neas. Rob Garrity moved to confirm John Neas as Chief Assessor. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack read the Bi-Weekly Calendar.
ACTION ITEMS
Rob Garrity moved to award a contract to Advantage Drug Testing, 62 Elm Street, Andover, MA for a three-year period, 1/1/09 to 12/31/11 for the administration of a drug and alcohol testing program for municipal employees.
Rob Garrity moved to allow the Horse ‘n Carriage Restaurant, Guido’s Restaurant, and Eagle Brook Saloon to extend their hours of operation on New Year’s Eve. They would be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages until 2 a.m. on January 1, 2009.
CLASS III HEARING – NORFOLK AUTO
Kevin Roche, 38 Main Street, Norfolk, MA was present to represent Norfolk Auto.
Jim Lehan opened a hearing on the Class III license of Norfolk Auto, Inc., 38 Main Street, Norfolk, Paul E. Roche, owner. This is a routine hearing required by state law.
The Board had no questions, and there were no abutters present. The Board noted there had been no complaints during the year.
Rob Garrity moved to grant a Class III license to Norfolk Auto, Inc., 38 Main Street, Norfolk to expire January 1, 2010, subject to the same conditions as on the current license. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
ANNUAL LICENSES
Jack read the list of licenses to be renewed for 2009.
Rob said he didn’t like the redundancy with the processes. He referred to Café Pesto’s liquor license. We granted the license, and then they have to go before the ZBA. We need to take a good look at the zoning bylaws and process for liquor licenses.
Rob Garrity moved to renew the following liquor licenses: Eagle Brook Saloon, Guido’s Restaurant, Inc., Horse ‘n Carriage Restaurant, Norfolk Fine Wine and Spirits, Sarthi Convenience, Inc., d/b/a Norfolk Food Mart, Provo Discount Liquors, Shubham Variety, Inc., d/b/a Linda’s Variety Store, Fore Kicks and Café Pesto. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted. Licenses expire 12/31/09.
Rob Garrity moved to renew the following Common Victualler licenses to expire 12/31/09: Eagle Brook Saloon, Guido’s Restaurant, Inc., Horse ‘n Carriage Restaurant, Norfolk Town Pizza, Bourque’s Restaurant, Dunkin’ Donuts, Fore Kicks, and Center Ice, Inc. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to renew the following Entertainment licenses to expire 12/31/09: Eagle Brook Saloon – Live Music, secular days and Sundays, 1-5 instruments. Hours - 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Fore Kicks – Eleven (11) coin operated arcade machines, secular days and Sundays. Winter hours - Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Summer hours – Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Norfolk Rink Management Co., Inc. – Six (6) coin operated arcade machines, secular days and Sundays. Hours – 7 a.m. to midnight. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to renew the Class I licenses as follows: Cliff’s Cycles and MPG Motorsports, to expire January 1, 2010. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Rob Garrity moved to renew the Class II licenses as follows: Auto Clinic, and Norfolk Auto, Inc., to expire January 1, 2010. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
The Board had concerns about two Class II licenses – Norfolk Auto Brokers and Mitch’s Repair Service and will discuss those two licenses on December 29, 2008.
It was noted that there are no taxi license renewals as Foxfield Taxi of Foxboro will no longer conduct taxi service in Norfolk.
WATER REQUEST
Tim Konowitz, owner of Miles Excavating was present.
Mr. Konowitz told the Board that he donated his time and services to a Norfolk resident whose well recently failed, by installing his new water service to tie him into the Norfolk water supply. Given the fact that this resident recently suffered a family loss and has been unemployed for awhile, he decided to donate his time and services to help. He is now asking that the Board of Selectmen waive the connection charge of $3,246 and the inspection and permit fee of $150, because this person just cannot afford the fees.
The Board would like to do it, but wants to be able to know there are no issues here. Jack said he talked to Town Counsel and was told we have the authority to do it, but we should be careful of setting precedent. Jim said they would like to do it, but is struggling with how to do it. He said that with the economy the way it is, many residents are struggling. They are sympathetic to this, but don’t know what else may come to them in the future. It was discussed that this could be financed over 5 years through their water bill. The Board is supportive of this, but would like Ramesh’s input, too. Jack and Butch will discuss this and come back to the Board on January 5th, if they can come to a decision by then. This will be restricted to residential.
BUDGET OVERVIEW
Jack discussed the budget and gave a brief summary of how the Governor’s cuts will affect us.
The Board discussed the municipal, schools and other budgets. They talked about pensions.
EDC
Bob Nicodemus, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee (EDC) was present.
He told the Board that the Town Center should be considered for town meeting for expedited permitting process by EDC. They submitted it in the fall but we didn’t end up having the meeting. The Board and Bob discussed a Stormwater program through town center, and development for the spring town meeting. They would like to have a meeting with the Planning Board, EDC and BOS for long range planning infrastructure. We should get going with the pre-planning. Jim said we need all the permitting boards present.
Jim said we need a common vision as we don’t have one. We have a lot of disjointed things going on around the town center without a common vision.
Bob would like to do pre-planning work prior to town meeting. We need to get going. Bob said Planning Board meets Thursday night and possibly meet again January 8th. Bob wants specific defined agendas around these meetings.
The Board wants the Capital Outlay Committee up and running quickly so they can be involved in the early stages of this and start looking at what we need.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
OLD BUSINESS
Call & Wait. Leonard M. Krulewich of Newton has been named receiver for the clean up by the Court. Also, George Hall will be filing for fees.
The School Building Committee has filed a request with the SBA to appoint Joslin Lesser as the Owner’s project Manager for the feasibility study. They will then negotiate with them, and then hire an architect.
Jack reported that the Public Safety Building Committee has met several times and is reviewing similar projects in the area under the concept of lessons learned.
Bob Bullock attended the Planning Board meeting with Jack to discuss the concept of redevelopment of selected areas. They will meet with them again on January 8th and the Board is welcome to attend.
Town Hall reorganization is complete. Bob and Jack met with the Planning Board to discuss this, and they seem satisfied.
Jack met with the Plainville Town Administrator and School Superintendents from Norfolk, Plainville and KP (Wrentham had a conflict) to talk about the FY10 budget. KP has a February goal in mind. Norfolk and Plainville are in similar boats as far as budgets.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack mentioned that he has resumed Conversation Corner with NCTV. He will also be on WDIS on the Lunch with Len show occasionally.
Norfolk Recreation has received a generous donation for the rebuilding of Kid’s Place. NCL and the Lion’s Club donated a portion of the proceeds from the Haunted Train Ride.
The Board signed a resolution for energy. Rob gave a synopsis of what the resolution meant. He is looking for members for the Energy Committee.
Jim Lehan nominated Greg Mirliss as a member of the Public Safety Building Committee. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted. Rob voted as we had the support of Ramesh who, although not present, had voiced his support to Jack prior to the meeting. Rob had disclosed earlier that Greg was his campaign manager.
Jim brought up the EDC – corporate. Jim offered to get this process going. They gave a brief summary about Walgreen’s and Stop and Shop. Jim said he feels nothing will be done about them loaming and seeding. He said let’s give them until April 1st - give them the 60 day notice. We could hold the hearing in March and then we meet April 1. Rob said have this conversation with a full board on the timing. Jack said we will take photos.
We should notify them of us holding a hearing in the spring to light a fire under them. Jim wants them to fix the front part. Jack would like the part that the townhouses look down on fixed.
At 9:13 p.m., Rob Garrity moved to go into executive session for contract negotiations. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Rob Garrity, aye; and Jim Lehan, aye. The Board will not return to open session except to adjourn the meeting.
At 9:48 p.m., Rob Garrity moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of December 15, 2008.
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James C. Lehan, Clerk
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