April 28, 2008
Present was Jonathan P. Smith, Ramesh H. Advani, James C. Lehan, and Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator.
Jonathan called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. Jack read the agenda contents.
MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEE AWARDS
Jack Hathaway read the names and years of awards for municipal employees. The Selectmen presented the award and shook their hand.
Five years: Joseph DiRosario, DPW; Christia Sena, Police. Ten years: Kathryn Astley, Library; Douglas Johnston, Fire; Mark Haigh, Fire; Hilary Cohen, Animal Control; and David Eberle, Police. Fifteen years: Karen Turi, Building; and Robin Glasser, Library. Twenty years: Dorothy Strohl, Advisory Board and Bonnie Durand, Library. Thirty years: Cheryl Kelley, Treasurer/Tax Collector.
The Board also presented Jonathan Smith with a certificate of appreciation for 19 years of service to the Town of Norfolk, having served on various committees including three years with the Board of Selectmen. Tonight is Jonathan's last night on the Board of Selectmen.
MEDWAY BRANCH WATER ARTICLE
Remo (Butch) Vito, DPW Director, present.
Butch talked about residents coming to him to see if they could pursue water. Butch told them that they would have to come before town meeting and there would be a betterment. After the bids came in, the betterment cost is $8,509 per resident if they want to pursue it. There are 12 residents, 1400 feet of water main. For a 10 year betterment, it is $850 per year.
Ed Nolan asked what the interest rate is. Butch said 4.49.
Butch said $226 is the total project cost. Construction is $149,000 and engineering is $18,500. Loam, seed, etc. is $5,000. Legal fees $5,000. Interest is $47,500. Everything was the same except construction.
Butch said with the road, they stopped the top coat until they know if this project is going to happen. They will cut through driveway entrances.
The Board discussed the charges to hook up, and how it works for the residents.
Ray Angelone, 1 Medway Branch asked the water rate. Butch said $4.75 and explained the tiered system.
Butch said he would start in the summer.
John Wayne said he is hoping it will alleviate his electric bills. Ray Angelone said he's against it. He has a well, and is happy. Also factor of a water hydrant.
John Wayne said he is probably selfish. He wants to be able to put in water in case the well goes down.
Bill Smith, 3 Medway Branch. He is concerned about sodium in his well. He's afraid not having water would affect the sale of his home. It is very expensive to put in a new well. A fire hydrant is a plus.
Jennifer Woodard complements water with purchasing water. She's looking at all the costs. They are happy with their well, and their well water. How do you know what the quality of Norfolk water is and how often it's tested?
Ramesh explained how the wells are tested and hydrants flushed etc. He said that there is information on the website.
Ed Nolan asked how much the town borrows. Butch said we borrow the whole amount. Ed said that if we borrow through the water does it hurt the borrowing rate? The Board said no.
Angela Wayne said that because the road is torn up, it would be a good time to do this and with the high sodium in the well, they feel they could eventually be at risk. If something happened later, they would pay even more for water later.
The majority of residents in attendance are in favor of the water.
KEVIN ROCHE, PETITION ARTICLE
The Board reviewed the articles with Kevin. Kevin said he doesn't feel that the second article will fly, so he is going with the first article.
Kevin said that he feels that if the Town owns the lake, we should own the dam.
Andrea Langhauser, Chair of CPC said they hadn't seen the article, but had heard it was out there. CPC has no recommendation as they haven't discussed this.
Jonathan asked Kevin if he's ever had the dam inspected. He said no, but it is 300 years old and made of rock and is sound.
Jim asked about the barn that had car repairs. There is a shed and a garage. Kevin said it had a concrete floor because Jim was concerned about spillage from the vehicles.
Ramesh and Jonathan questioned how he came up to $150,000. Kevin said that's what it was assessed at on his tax bill.
Andrea said that CPC told Kevin if he wanted to use CPC funds, he would have to go before them with an application. Ramesh said he would be opposed to any of the ways he asked for (sources of funds) because he feels that there are enough funding issues without purchasing a dam. He said if we were using CPC funds, he would think differently.
Jim said he would not support any other type of funding for this, and he said there are a lot of questions. He has concerns about the condition of the property, and he feels that they don't want the liability of buying a problem. He also said that CPC doesn't have the answers and they need them. Jim said the most glaring issue is that he doesn't know what fair market value is, and we would need to know that. There are a lot of open questions that he should work through.
Kevin said it is hard to get a fair appraisal. He said that there are comps and where would you get another lake with a dam? Andrea said they are professionals, and that is their problem.
Jonathan said that CPC would be the only viable source of funding. Jonathan said that even if residents wanted to use CPC funds, you cannot do it from town meeting floor, because you can't force CPC to use the funds. He agrees with his two members that this Board recommend this article be indefinitely postponed.
Betsy Pyne asked if we own any other dams on man-made lakes. Jack said we control Mirror Lake Dam and City Mills Pond. Betsy questioned if DOC owns any of the dam.
Scott Dittrich suggested that if Kevin doesn't want to be responsible for the dam, he could donate it to the town and be rid of the responsibility. That way he would continue to own the garage and the property. Then he wouldn't have to have control of it. Andrea said these are the types of discussions they could be having.
Jim said that when the town purchases something, there is usually a consideration and reason why. He hasn't heard that. He would find it difficult to consider this now. There are too many open questions.
Andrea told Kevin they would seriously work with him if he were to give them an application, and help him.
WARRANT ARTICLE
Andrea Langhauser discussed Article 22 and said they are committed that this is the right thing for the town to do. They are recommending using CPC funds for this. The appraisal came in that the land is worth what the purchase and sale stated. They are going forward with their recommendation to purchase.
Ramesh stated he is against this article.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Action Items
Jim Lehan moved to grant American Legion Post #335 permission to conduct their annual poppy drive at the Transfer Station on Saturday, May 17th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be 2 adults present. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Ramesh Advani moved to allow the Norfolk Lions Club permission to hand out flyers at the Transfer Station on Sat., May 31st. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
The Board discussed the Norfolk Lions Club request for permission to hold a "White Cane Day" and would like to solicit vehicles (boot drive) at the Main Street/Route 115 roundabout/intersection, and also fundraise at the Transfer Station. They would like to do one of three dates: 5/17, 5/31 or 6/21. Chief Stone told the Board that he does not approve of fundraisers at the roundabouts. He feels this presents a safety issue with drivers trying to negotiate the roundabout and see what's going on. He suggested other locations to do this, and asked the Board to consider a policy against fundraisers here so that no other organization could ask to do it. Ramesh agrees with Chuck. Jim wondered where else they could do it. Ramesh Advani moved to do allow the Norfolk Lions to fundraise at the
Transfer Station on either 5/31 or 6/21 - their choice. Jim Lehan seconded, and it was so voted.
Per the recommendation of Butch Vito, Jim Lehan moved to award the Water Main Improvement Project to Tornare Construction Corp. for the amount of $579,601.46. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to award the Gold Street Supplemental Well Construction Project to Dankris Builders Corp., for the amount of $88,200.00. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to authorize Remo Vito, as DPW Director, to sign all cemetery deeds. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to approve the Conservation Restriction - Bristol Pond Estates - Lot 17, Land off Marshall Street. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES
Jim Lehan moved to accept the minutes of January 23, 2008, Special Meeting and Executive Session; and January 28, 2008, Regular and Executive Session. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was so voted.
BIWEEKLY CALENDAR
Jack read the calendar events.
BUDGET
Jack did an update on the budget, based on their meeting last week.
WARRANT
The Board reviewed the warrant.
NEW BUSINESS
Jack read the letter of commendation from Foxboro Police Chief on Officer Susan Fornaciari for her assistance to the Foxboro Police Department.
At 10:40 p.m., Jim Lehan moved to go into executive session for the purpose of contract negotiations. The Board will return to open session only to adjourn. Ramesh Advani seconded, and it was a roll call vote: Jim Lehan, aye; Ramesh Advani, aye; and Jonathan Smith, aye.
At 10:55 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 April 28, 2008.
______________________________________
Ramesh H. Advani, Clerk
| 
