November 26, 2007
Present was Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jonathan Smith called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Jack Hathaway read the agenda contents.
EMPLOYEE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Holly Merritt and Paul Vito, members of the Employee Insurance Advisory Committee came forward. Holly read a prepared summary. Holly said they are happy with the 5% increase but have other questions such as how many employees go elsewhere for employment with better benefits, and how many potential employees don’t take the job because the health insurance is low.
Jim said we share a common goal and will continue to work on it. He said that the Board of Selectmen vote was unanimous and he had full support of this Board.
Jim said he couldn’t commit to a future board, and this is now part of the budget so hopefully another Board won’t change this.
The Board stopped discussion to open the public hearing.
EARTH REMOVAL PUBLIC HEARING – ELITE FOOD COMPANY
Jonathan Smith opened the public hearing and read the hearing notice.
Ramesh Advani moved to recess this hearing until December 10, 2007 at 8:30 p.m. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Continued – Employee Insurance Advisory Committee
Ellen Horton read a statement on behalf of the teachers. There was more discussion on the health insurance rates.
ACTION ITEMS
The Board discussed voting to make the winter bans a policy through the Town Administrator as this is an administrative decision that can just be put in place annually without the vote of the Board. Jim Lehan moved that the winter parking ban become policy and the Town Administrator become the power to enforce the policy. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
The winter parking ban voted is as follows: To suspend all street excavation in the public ways from November 15, 2007, through April 15, 2008, except for extreme emergencies or hardship. To impose a Winter Parking Ban, effective November 15, 2007, through April 15, 2008. No overnight parking on town roads will be allowed. This is to include parking vehicles on the sides of roadways, just off the road.
Regarding the request of Butch Vito, DPW Director that the Board vote to reject all bids for the Sanitary Landfill Leachate Pond Roof Structure project as all bids exceeded the funds available, the Board felt that no vote was necessary. To reject bids, it can be the DPW Director who does this. The authority should go to the Director and Town Administrator and away from the Board.
Jim said that maybe we should relook at this whole project. We should have Butch in to a meeting to discuss this.
Jack asked that the Board approve the liquor license renewals for 2008 to Eagle Brook Saloon; Guido’s Restaurant; Horse ‘N Carriage Restaurant; Norfolk Fine Wine & Spirits; Sarthi Convenience, Inc., d/b/a Norfolk Food Mart; Provo Discount Liquors; Shubham Variety, Inc., d/b/a Linda’s Variety Store and Fore Kicks.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the 2008 liquor licenses as so stated in action items. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
OLD BUSINESS
Jack reviewed budgets.
Jack reviewed what has been going on at Buckley & Mann. The applicant has applied for a building permit and Bob Bullock let Conservation know. Jack emailed a response back to ConComm to the Board.
Ramesh said that this has been discussed at the Advisory Board and an article at town meeting. The implication of ConComm indicates that they have been left in the dark. Ramesh doesn’t know if it’s a communication issue or what the problem is. He thinks finger pointing and emails back and forth aren’t the way to go. He feels that we should have ConComm in. It is non-productive.
Jim agreed. We are one town and we should be working together. There is a wall between ConComm and the Building Dept. He agrees that we need to have them in to tell us what is wrong here. This was discussed at length at town meeting. Jim said what is the point – we are not the applicant.
Jack, Bob and Ramesh will work through this with ConComm.
Jack said he and Butch met with Pam Russell from the Executive Office of Transportation regarding the PWED grant. Spring town meeting we should bring this up. We should do a roundtable on this and involve all land use boards. Target this for the spring.
Engine 2 is expected to be delivered in mid-December and put in service in January.
Jack discussed addressStreetEverett Street. They decided to have another meeting with the residents because we can’t let this drop. We need to have Plan B defined before we go to this meeting. Plan B is in the event the Walpole Board of Selectmen don’t want to be involved. Jonathan will reach out to the Walpole Board.
Jack told the Board that Jamie Masterson has given his notice as IT Coordinator and will be going to work as a full time FF/Paramedic in January. Mark Haigh has resigned to go to work for Deaconness, but will remain as a call firefighter.
Jack said the Perambulation of bounds was successful with Wrentham. placeCityFranklin was invited but declined.
Jack told the Board that he issued a Restraining Order for a local dog on addressStreetLeland Road.
BI-WEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack reviewed the calendar.
Jim said that we are requesting to have senior management of Stop & Shop in to our meeting in January. We need to talk to George on how to establish an Economic Development Corporation, which we will need to know the information before we meet with them. We need George to outline the process and what steps do we need to take?
Jim thanked the DPW for organizing and maintaining the memorial for Adam Kennedy and thanked Colonial Fence for donating the fence behind the memorial.
Ramesh suggested we answer the letter from the Library Trustees. We need to fix this, but how? Jack talked with Robin, and Jim wants to get together and try to figure out a stipend, such as assigning grant writing responsibilities and pay her a stipend. Balance it as fair compensation. Try to do this before our next meeting. Jonathan said that’s a band-aid. There is an underlying problem that needs to be met. Jim said perhaps this is a time to discuss the Human Resource position that was voted at town meeting.
At 9:34 p.m., Jim Lehan moved to go into executive session for litigation and other contractual negotiations and contract negotiations. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Jim Lehan, aye; Jonathan Smith, aye; and Ramesh Advani, aye. There will be no open meeting except to adjourn.
At 9:53 p.m., Ramesh Advani moved to accept the minutes of September 10, 2007, regular and executive session; September 24, 2007, regular and executive session; October 15, 2007, regular and executive session; and a special meeting of October 30, 2007. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
At 9:54 p.m., Ramesh Advani 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 November 26, 2007.
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Ramesh H. Advani, Clerk
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