Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

January 12, 2004

                                 

The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Oliver Ames High School, Room #3 with Chairman Gerard Marsan presiding.  Also in attendance were Jeffrey Tufts, John Haederle, Carla Goodwin, Colleen Corona and Town Administrator Martha White. (5:30pm)

 

 

MINUTES        

On Haederle’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the board voted 4-0-1 to approve General Minutes dated 11/3/03.   Corona abstained.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the board voted 4-0-1 to approve General Minutes dated 11/17/03.  Corona abstained.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the board voted 4-0-1 to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 11/17/03.  Corona abstained.               

               

2004 Meeting Schedule

See attached proposed schedule.  Marsan noted that the proposed date of 7/5 would be celebrated as a holiday for the employees.  The board agreed that 7/12 would become a meeting date in lieu of 7/5.  Tufts noted that 4/26 is the date before election and the board does not meet. The board agreed to add a meeting on 5/3 to take place of the 4/26 proposed meeting date.  It was noted that this is the night before election and in the past, the board did not meet.  The board discussed the upcoming meeting on 1/26/04,  Marsan and Haederle will not be present.  Corona noted that the Municipal Building Committee is holding a public meeting that evening regarding construction of the new school.  The board agreed to meet on 2/2/04 in lieu of 1/26/04.

 

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously by roll-call to go into Executive Session  for the purpose of discussing negotiations with respect to real estate, to return to Open Session.

Tufts yes, Goodwin yes, Corona yes, Haederle yes, Marsan yes.  5:50pm.

 

The board reconvened Open Session at 6:45pm.

 

Bidding for Kennel Services & Facilities

White referred to draft RFQ and requested the board’s permission to go forward.  Goodwin noted that Norton and Mansfield had talked about sharing similar municipal services other than kenneling.  White noted that this proposal should not create a problem with any regional ideas that would be proposed.

On Haederle’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to accept the RFQ as  submitted. 

 

Discussion/Possible Vote re: Sunday Openings for Package Stores

Package Store Owners/Managers Bob Hamalian, John Vatalaro and Barry Pedell were present.  White reviewed the proposal with the board. 

White suggests allowing sales from noon10pm on Sundays.  White referred to a suggested motion, for package stores to be open on Sundays from noon10pm.  White noted that the stores would not be required to stay open until 10pm if they choose not to.   Corona noted that she has spoken to the package store owners and they are all in favor.  Goodwin asked the business owners their opinion on the closing time.  All agreed that 10pm is fairly late to stay open each Sunday but agreed that they would like the flexibility, especially during the holiday season.  The board discussed the closing times at great length. 

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to allow all licensed package stores within the Town of Easton to remain open 7 days of the week, with the Sunday hours to be 12:00pm to 10:00pm., subject to conditions imposed by the ABCC, with all other conditions of each license unchanged.

 

Special Town Meeting (STM) Discussion

Article 19

Patricia Webster and Personnel Plan Review Committee(PPRC) Chairman Jeff Morse were present.

Marsan noted that when the board last discussed the issue, it was agreed that a committee consisting of White, Morse, Haederle and Assistant Assessor Anne Carney (representing the non union group) would meet for the purpose of coming up with an alternative amendment to the article.  White updated the board on the progress of those meetings.  Two meetings were held and a proposal was drawn up, but not supported by all the above representatives.  It was noted that Haederle and Morse do not support the amendment.  White referred to this amendment as “plan b”.  See attached proposed amendment.  Haederle referred to the alternative and felt strongly that a Selectmen member should not be representing it at the STM.  Tufts noted that each member has a right to propose an amendment.  Marsan spoke of how important it is if a member speaks of an amendment, it must be clear that the board did not endorse the amendment and they are speaking as a citizen.  Goodwin referred to “plan b” and felt that it should be presented now, at the Selectmen’s meeting, or she could not support the  plan b”.  Tufts noted that his basic question as to why changes were being proposed requiring a charter change had not been answered.  Haederle gave his opinion that if a wage and classification is done, the new Human Resources Board (HRB) should do it, causing the need to change the charter.    Marsan spoke of the warrant article as printed and the need for an amendment, cleaning up the article and the flaws relating to it.  Marsan suggested that another amendment might be requested, implying a different intention. 

Doug Mullen of Stonehousehill Road suggested that any more amendments would just create more confusion.  The board did not resolve the issue of the amendment prior to adjourning to the STM.      

                                               

Town Administrator’s Notes

None

 

Press Notes

None

 

Selectmen’s Notes

None

 

On Haederle’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:15pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Mary McCarthy

 

 

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