September 28, 2009
Present was James C. Lehan, Robert J. Garrity, James M. Tomaszewski, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jim Lehan called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
EVERETT STREET
Present was Charles H. Stone, Jr., Police Chief.
Chief Stone gave a brief summary to the residents of what he has done in their area. He gave them results of traffic stops made on Everett Street, and Chief Stone read the statistics.
Jim said that he and Jack will be meeting with Walpole tomorrow at 4. Hopefully, we will have some assistance.
Richard Connors said the traffic is on the ineffective side, not the effective side.
Matt Mullaney, 35 Everett said that a car keeps leaning on the horn and making rude gestures and he wondered if he can be stopped? They have called the station and reported the vehicle and plate number (white Cadillac). Chief Stone said yes.
Many neighbors talked about the stop signs – some were for them; some hated them. They talked about Walpole, the signage for games and events, the speed limits on their road, and noise.
Nancy wanted to know about the big trucks. Butch said the truck exclusions have gone to the State and is waiting to hear from them.
Butch Vito, DPW Director said he will look at doing a lower speed limit on that road, but he agrees with Chief Stone that 32 mph is the speed limit.
BETSEY WHITNEY, CPC INTERVIEW
Betsey Whitney is a town resident and lives on Valley Street, which is in Precinct 4. She said that when she heard that Richard Connors resigned, she was very interested. Betsey said she is now retired and wants to become more active in the town. She said she became interested in history in Norfolk and is on the Historical Commission. She said she was aware of the CPC, but was ignorant as to how involved it was.
Rob Garrity moved to appoint Betsey Whitney to the vacancy for Precinct 4 on the Community Preservation Committee, term to expire 6/30/10. Jim Tomaszewski seconded and it was so voted.
DPW UPDATE
Butch Vito, DPW Director and Bob McGhee, DPW Superintendent was present.
Butch discussed the salt bids. Butch said we need a first and an alternate. In a bad winter with many storms, we have had trouble getting our supply with only one vendor. He pointed out we are in a consortium bid with Medfield.
The recommendation was to award the bid for winter 2009-2010 to Eastern Minerals, Inc., of Lowell, MA CC delivered at $64.00/ton, and an alternate supplier to Morton International, Inc., Chicago, IL, Solar delivered at $64.63/ton.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to accept the recommendation on these bids. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Butch mentioned the snow rates. He would like to discuss raising the rates. If you look at the chart, Norfolk is substantially lower than the other towns. Butch said the loss of staff has made a difference. We need to be as competitive as other towns because we can’t afford to lose the drivers we have. We can’t put trucks on the road. He is afraid drivers will go to other towns and not come to Norfolk.
Jack said he’s not happy to see the rates go up, but understands we do need to stay competitive. Bob said the rates go more with gas rates, than the amount of snow. He said the reason to shop around is to look at other towns and stay competitive. We have used the same men year after year and the men are loyal to Norfolk.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to approve rates for winter 09/10 as recommended. Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
Butch is discussing the water leaks. He gave the Board a handout regarding the leaks. We are still losing about 150,000 gallons. We fix 17 and 15 more pop up. Butch said we switched chemicals today. Jim L. wants a notice put on the website.
Jim L. asked if we’ve seen any pattern. Butch said a lot of them are older services, and subdivisions of the 80’s and 90’s.
Wrentham is supplementing about 250,000 gallons a day. Rob would like better historical data on pumping and usage. He feels since we developed the DPW, we are aggressive in water.
Butch reviewed an Agreement for Avoca Village with the Board. They are bankrupt. They got $250,000 from the bank, who released the bond to the Town. Butch feels confident that they can do the work for this amount.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to go forward with the Agreement for Avoca Village, and grant the Chairman and Town Administrator to sign for the entire board. Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
ACTION ITEMS
Jim Tomaszewski moved to accept as policy the Procedures for Street Acceptance. Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to vote a preliminary assessment that the cable franchise of Comcast of Massachusetts/New Hampshire, LLC should not be renewed on the grounds that: the cable operator’s proposal is not reasonable to meet the future cable-related community needs and interests, taking into account the cost of meeting such needs and interests. The Board of Selectmen will issue a “written statement detailing the reasons for this preliminary denial” within fourteen (14) days of the effective date of this Preliminary Denial, in accordance with 207 CMR 3.06(3). Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to recognize October 24, 2009 as United Nations Day and issue a proclamation. Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
Jim Tomaszewski moved to approve solicitation at the Transfer Station by the Cub Scouts Pack 125 for two consecutive Saturdays, October 10 and 17th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to sell popcorn. Rob Garrity seconded and it was so voted.
At 9:40 p.m., Jim Tomaszewski moved to go into executive session for pending litigation. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Rob Garrity, aye; Jim Lehan, aye; and Jim Tomaszewski, aye. The Board will return to open session only to adjourn the meeting.
At 10:07 p.m., Rob Garrity moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of September 28, 2009.
__________________________________
James M. Tomaszewski, Clerk
| 
