September 27, 2010
Present was Robert J. Garrity, James M. Tomaszewski, James C. Lehan, Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator and Marian Harrington, Executive Assistant.
Rob Garrity called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Rob announced this meeting is audio and video taped. Jack Hathaway read the agenda
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Present from Habitat was Susan Rooks, Affiliate President, and Paul George.
Paul said they are happy with the volunteers. He suggested anyone wanting to help can go onto their website and sign up and let them know when they can work. They need to regulate how many people are there. Paul said that they are hoping to have the woman into the house by Thanksgiving. They are hoping sooner than that, but she will definitely be in for Thanksgiving.
Jim Lehan said the Affordable Housing has two that they have put contracts on, and two more they are looking at. He plans to keep them busy. Susan said they are thrilled. Jim said speaking on behalf of the Affordable Housing Trust, they are happy to be in the partnership. Jim expressed the sentiments of the neighbor who fought this. He told Jim he is excited and misunderstood. He said it is a great house and he learned something.
Paul said they are always looking for donuts, coffee, muffins etc. if anyone wants to donate. There is an age limit of 16 and older to volunteer to help work.
Jack said all the feedback he got was positive and thanked them.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Action Items
Jim Lehan moved to layout Trailside Way and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to layout Keeney Pond Road and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to award the salt bid, joint with the Town of Medfield, to American Rock Salt Co., LLC of Mount Morris, NY, CC delivered at $47.20/ton. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to award the salt bid, joint with the Town of Medfield, for an alternate supplier to Eastern Minerals, Inc. of Lowell, MA, SOLAR delivered at $47.63/ton. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the Monster Dash 5K road race to be held by Pop Warner Football on October 30, 2010 at 10 a.m., beginning and ending at the Freeman-Centennial School. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the annual Santa’s Parade held jointly by the Norfolk Lions Club and Norfolk Recreation, on Sunday, December 5, 2010 beginning at 2:45 p.m. Jim Tomaszewski recused himself as he is a member of Norfolk Lions Club. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve Ariana Lane as the street name for Mill River Heights, subdivision off Myrtle Street. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted by Jim Lehan and Jim Tomaszewski. Rob Garrity voted no.
BOB MCGEE, WINTER RATES
Bob McGhee was present to discuss snow rates.
The Board asked about bidding this with other towns. Bob said he never thought of regionalizing this. Rob said we are same except with 6 and 10 wheel dump trucks for snow hauling. Bob said the spreadsheet is wrong. He said that they have only increased the snow shovelers rate this year. He said no one will come out of bed for $11 an hour to shovel, but they will for $15.
Rob asked about the new piece of equipment – the push plow. Bob said it sits level and pushes upon the pavement without any damage. He said that this should remove the windrow of snow. He said he’s hoping this will remove the night plowing in parking lots. Jack asked if a contractor had one we will be using. Bob said we used it last year for a 16” storm prior to Christmas and they used it in the parking lots and saved about two hours in plowing.
The Board asked about a minimum to go out to plow because of budgets. Bob said they look out the window and decide. He said they also go by the call of the Chiefs. Bob said they usually sand before plowing, because it makes it easier at the end of the night.
Bob feels that we need to be pro active with people and let them know we’re doing it. If we don’t let them know, we will hear about it. The Board said that we did major roads first, and secondary roads last. Bob said we talked about it, but didn’t activate it. Bob said we should do a campaign. Maybe neighbors taking care of their own neighborhoods or street. The Board worried about liability. Everyone agreed that public safety is first, and roads must be safe and passable.
Jim Lehan moved to approve snow rates with the addendum under snow hauling that there are no increases. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Mailbox Policy
Bob wants a policy for mailboxes. Jim T. said you need to look at the age of the mailbox. You can’t have a one size fits all policy. He said the first four years he lived there, the plow would go 80 mph and take out the mailbox. The Board thought we had a policy. Jack said that we replace a mailbox with a generic pine post and Home Depot mailbox. Or reimburse $75. The Board agreed we need to have a policy and be consistent. Bob said he would prefer we reimburse because he doesn’t have the labor force to go out and put mailboxes up, or hire a carpenter which isn’t cheap. They said there were 100 instances last winter.
Bob presented a brochure that he wrote and the Board suggested putting something on the website. They will see how this winter goes, and maybe residents will weigh in on it.
In other issues, the Board discussed Fruit Street. Bob said on the week of the 4th, they will be reclamating Seekonk and Fruit Street and then on Friday Aggregate will come in and pave. Barring weather, they will get it done in a week. He will put signage and brochures on the doors of residents.
The Board complimented him on Grove Street and the excellent job done.
Jim T. asked about Miller/Myrtle intersection. Bob and Jim Lehan will review it and Jim will report back to the Board.
BOB NICODEMUS, EDC
Bob Nicodemus stopped by and said he has been in touch with town counsel, and knows she made changes to the article but hasn’t seen it yet. We will provide it to him.
Bob said there will be a meeting Thursday at the Planning Board at 8 p.m. to discuss the EDC articles.
FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Jack provided the Board with the draft warrant to review. We have 21 articles, plus two that we are still working on. With respect to the noise article, Jim L. said there has to be a happy medium between disturbing neighbors, and what a property owner can do on his own property. He is talking about unregistered ATV’s, etc.
The Board was not in favor of an article to serve alcoholic beverages on Sundays before noon. They removed the article about alcoholic beverages.
Jack said he has a meeting on October 6th with A&F in Boston to discuss the ambulance.
Rob mentioned the two energy articles. The Stretch Code is a step closer to becoming a Green Community.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT (continued)
The Board discussed the Selectmen’s Goals. Rob read the goals to the public.
Jack reported on the School Building project meetings that he and Jim T. have attended.
Old/New Business
Rob mentioned that a resident owns the right of way to the Town Pond. He would like to barter. The Board suggested this be looked at with Planning Board.
The issue of old town hall came up as well and it will be still used by Recreation.
At 9 p.m., being no further business, Jim Lehan 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 27, 2010.
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James C. Lehan, Clerk
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