August 27, 2007
Present was Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan, and John P. Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jonathan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Jack read the agenda contents.
RE-ENGINEERING COMMITTEE
Thomas Doyle, 7 Chicatabut Avenue.
Thomas told the Board he is interested because of his background. He does risk management for business. He manages liability claims in New England for Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Jim thanked him for volunteering. Ramesh gave him a brief summary of where the committee is right now.
Jim Lehan moved to appoint Catherine MacDonagh, Ari Alpert, Jack Campbell, Eric Carlson and Thomas Doyle, term to expire June 30, 2008. Ramesh Advani seconded and it was so voted.
CHIEF BUSHNELL- RISK MANAGEMENT
Present was Chief Bushnell to talk to the Board about Risk Management. He did an analysis of types of calls the Fire Department responds to. They can do four tiers. The first tier is an investigation by a fire officer. The second tier is a still alarm. Two FF/Paramedics and officer would respond. Third is a company call which is half the department. Medical or incident has occurred and they need an ambulance, etc. The fourth is a general recall. All off duty and any men would be called in. Because of this, they have cut back 50% of calling men in.
They have an adequate amount of men. Per OSHA, they need four men to begin extinguishing a fire. With the two firefighter/paramedics and company officer and Chief, they have their four men.
Chief Bushnell explained the tiers with a power point presentation.
He thanked the Board for allowing him to present this. He explained that most of the calls are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. He discussed needing more personnel.
Jonathan questioned any relationship between our risk management and residents homeowners policy. Chief Bushnell said he didn’t think there was any.
Jim explained why we bought an Expedition for the Fire Department. He responds to all calls and brings men and equipment with him. He transports items that could not be transported with a smaller vehicle.
Jack asked the time of an ambulance call. Time of dispatch to time of return is usually an hour.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE
Bob Nicodemus and Kim Eldred, Economic Development Commission, and Tom Poppey, Planning Board was present.
Bob Nicodemus said they’ve been active since April. Bob said they’ve gone through a research program. A combination of outreach into the suburbs to see what’s been happening in other communities and a look-see to see what might be needed in the near and distant future (distant meaning May 2008) and what they think the town should be focusing on in the way of inspiring and/or promoting commercial and business development in the Town of Norfolk.
They issued a report in July of their sense of action items and from that report, they also issued an inventory database of the communities that they inventoried, and a short list of town center goals and objectives that they thought might be a first focus of something that the EDC would prioritize. This is what they have done to date.
In research, have discovered about six towns that are similar in size to us and have amenities similar to us that they could use as references for what works and what doesn’t work in either their town center community or their business and commercial districts which is what they believe is the ultimate focus of the EDC. They have also heard and believe that they need more research beyond that in the local community. Bob said they are going to ask the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen when they can begin an outreach system. They had an opportunity that was a learning experience of a business asking questions, and they didn’t have them all, and feel they should have the information.
Bob said it is a belief that all boards and committees don’t know what the other committees are doing. He feels they should. Some towns do it well and we don’t. We should be on the upside of that.
Tom said this is not happening in isolation either. This is in tandem with other things like zoning changes, master plan, etc. The work the committee is doing is very thorough in doing background and a baseline, and now they need to do outreach.
Jonathan asked what the EDC wants from us tonight so that they can come back September 27th. Bob said they wanted to know Town Hall first and they feel they do. Now they want to go outside Town Hall. Outreach is town resident, landowner and developer. Tom wants them to keep the prospective of seeing what other towns have done, and not lose that.
Both Selectmen and Tom Poppey endorse them doing the outreach they need to do.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack gave the bi-weekly calendar.
ACTION ITEMS
Jim Lehan moved to grant the Knights of Columbus permission to hold their annual Tootsie Roll Drive on Saturday, October 13th from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Transfer Station. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the Issuing Authority Report – Cable Television License Process – Verizon of New England, Inc. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to accept an open space donation at Old Mill Meadow for the Town of Norfolk under management and control of the Conservation Commission. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to award the Weeber Tank Rehabilitation Project to Marcel A. Payuer, Inc. for $317,000.00 which includes the alternate bid for the exterior coating as specified in bid documents, per the recommendation of Remo Vito. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the snow removal rates for the 2007-2008 winter season per the recommendation of Remo Vito. Ramesh Advani seconded for discussion. Ramesh said he noted that the rates didn’t increase much until 2004, and now it has increased every year. He felt we should keep the rates level for a year or so, and send a message to the drivers. It was so voted.
OLD BUSINESS UPDATE
Jack discussed Call & Wait and said he hopes to hear from George Hall. They have submitted a request to give them more time and to change the timelines. Jack said that he received a call from Dan Orwig who wanted to discuss his side of it. He said that approvals of the Conservation Commission took a lot longer than he anticipated. Jack said that he told Mr. Orwig that there was nothing we’ve seen that will make them believe that Mr. Waznis was going to clean up the property. Jack told Mr. Orwig he would present this to the Board, but he did not think they would go along with it. Jonathan said that these issues have nothing to do with Mr. Waznis. The Board all agreed that they have no interest in pursuing this.
Jack reported that GATRA did start on August 20. The medical transports will be starting as well.
Jack said the 115 project is still on tap for 2009. Nothing has changed.
Jack said that with respect to the Patriot Place/Everett Street project, there is improved site distance, have ordered signs, cleaned up shrubs and growth, and will cut pavement during the beginning of November. The Police have been doing radar. The County will be doing official counts in September. Progress is being made.
Jack reported that we are continuing with the Memorial for Adam Kennedy.
Jack said as far as the Buckley & Mann property, Bob needs to come in and give us an update. We can have a warrant article to assist, if needed. Jack will talk to Bob tomorrow.
Jack told the Board that the Caritas tax bill has been paid.
Jack discussed the Connect CTY – reverse 911 software. It has the ability to call the whole town immediately and contact everyone. It can target neighborhoods, employees, department heads. It would be great if a child or elderly person is missing. Can be used by DPW for flushing of a water system. Recreation can broadcast for events. We can report a power outage to a group or population. It can be used for town meeting or town election notices. Dispatch won’t have to make calls to the public safety team. Jim discussed the medical reserve group who can use this for many reasons.
Jack said that the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund needed to be formed. Ramesh Advani moved to appoint Jim Lehan, Scott Dittrich and Sarah DelMastro to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund for a one year term, expiring June 30, 2008, and Jack Hathaway and Rob Garrity for a two year term under Chapter 44, Section 55C. Jonathan Smith seconded, and it was so voted.
Jonathan mentioned Jeannette Wood’s resignation from the Affordable Housing Committee, and told the Board to keep in mind that we will need a member.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack read the draft 2008 goals for the Board of Selectmen. Board made some changes and agreed.
Jack reported that Congressman Barney Frank came to the Library on Saturday and it was well attended. Congressman Frank addressed some of our questions we had presented ahead of time. Some of the issues were assistance with the Public safety Building; resolve contamination at Southwood, and building a bridge at the MBTA in the center of town. He may be able to help us with the road program through his aides. Mr. Frank’s aide did say he will reach out to the EPA regarding the cleanup. They are not earmarking funds for public safety buildings. A strong contingency of the group asked state level questions and not federal level questions. Ramesh said on our action list we should note the Town Center road project. Jack will follow up with Frank’s office.
Jack discussed the Memorandum of Agreement from Lisa Davis regarding the MBTA. We will wait for the Planning Board’s comments.
Jack brought up the parking lot at old town hall for residents. He said we need to renew the parking stickers. What is the Board’s pleasure? Jim prefers it the old way. Ramesh informed the Board of the Town of Sharon’s MBTA parking lot for their residents. The Board was okay with the permitting again, and keeping the fee at $75.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Ramesh Advani moved to accept the minutes of July 9, 2007 and regular and executive session minutes of July 23, 2007. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
WARRANT ARTICLES
Jack reviewed each article to let the Board know what they are and where they derived from.
The Board feels if you get rid of the bylaw for PBC, then you need a replacement bylaw telling a group how to build their project. Jonathan doesn’t agree with that, and wants to know what George says. Jack will follow up on that.
Ramesh wants it clear and doesn’t want to vote against his own board on town meeting floor. We need the piece that states what the process says.
At 10:52 p.m., Jim Lehan moved to go into executive session for the purposes of contract negotiations. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Jim Lehan, aye; Jonathan Smith, aye; and Ramesh Advani, aye. The Board will only return to open session to adjourn the meeting.
At 10:58 p.m., Jim Lehan 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 August 27, 2007.
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Ramesh H. Advani, Clerk
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