The Board of Selectmen met this evening with Chairman William Hardin presiding. In attendance were Frederick Clark, Patricia Webster, Carla Goodwin, and Town Adm. Kevin Paicos. Selectman Jeffrey Tufts absent.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to table General Minutes dated 6/15/98.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 2-0-2 to approve General Minutes dated 9/22/98, if Town Counsel agrees this vote is sufficient. Webster, Clark abstained.

Clark read the Proclamation.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to support and approve the Proclamation for Fred Gladstone’s retirement.

J. Linehan in attendance.

Paicos read the letter of commendation for J. Linehan, and noted that only 17 Town Clerk’s in the State have this designation.

Paicos and the Board joined in congratulating Linehan on her accomplishment.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Webster left during discussion and voting.

ARTICLE 5 - C. Curry in attendance. Paicos and Curry gave brief explanations. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously, of those present and voting, to recommend approval of Article 5.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Webster returned.

C. Curry in attendance, and gave a brief explanation.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to vacate the decree on the Mill Street property, subject to the owner paying all outstanding taxes, legal fees, etc.

C. Curry in attendance and gave a brief explanation.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to declare all property on list as surplus (see attached).

ARTICLE 10 - Bob McLaughlin in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation.

Webster questioned if it is legal for the Town to supplement a private scholarship with public money. She expressed concern that this may set a precedent for other groups wishing Town money for their use. She asked how much of an increase in the scholarship could be funded without additional appropriation from the Town. McLaughlin stated the scholarship could increase to 2-$1,000 awards plus 2-3 $300 vocational awards. Webster stated that although she feels this scholarship has merit she doesn’t support additional Town money being spent. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted 3-1 to support Article 10, subject to a ruling from DOR. Webster opposed.

ARTICLE 12 - Irving Vose, Lee Williams, Richard Freitas in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation. Webster asked that if passed by STM vote that this money appear as a line item in the recreation budget for FY’00. Paicos stated that it could if initially approved through STM vote.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend support of Article 12 in the amount of $2,000.

ARTICLE 11 - On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted 3-1 to recommend approval of Article 11, subject to a ruling from DOR. Webster opposed.

ARTICLES 14, 15, 16 - P. Mullen, C. O’Neil, A. Barron, L. Altieri in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation of the recent meeting held to re-word these articles. On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Articles 14, 15, 16.

ARTICLE 13 - Paicos gave a brief explanation.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 13.

Hardin noted that DPW had no issues with this petition. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve Pole Petition 98-76 on Turnpike Street for re-location.

At this point in the meeting, Selectman Webster left during discussion and voting.

Chief Blye in attendance.

Paicos noted the MOA had to be changed due to entering a new fiscal year after the unsuccessful attempt to hold the STM in June, 1998. Paicos noted that only one year retro pay can be approved, so the extra year of retro pay will now be considered a signing bonus.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously, of those present and voting, to approve and sign the updated Memorandum of Agreement for the Fire Contract, subject to the new figures, if necessary.

Selectman Webster returned at this point in the meeting.

Chief Blye, FF G. Corbett in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation and reviewed his memo RE: this issue with the Board.

Corbett noted that this is a safety issue.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to issue the RFP for construction of a new Tower.

C. Walsh, L. Sukeforth, R. Volta in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation of the request from the Church. Walsh reviewed the letter she submitted. (see attached), and asked that the specific language requiring this property to be always a "church", be removed.

R. Volta noted that he along with other neighbors wants the restriction kept that this should be a church. He noted that he would rather have a future Board of Selectmen discuss this, at a time when the current Church owners, would want to sell the property.

Goodwin noted she would rather keep the language in and have a future Board decide this when and if it is necessary. The Board agreed in general that so much progress had been made over the last two years between the church and neighborhood, they didn’t want to have this issue stand in the way now.

Walsh asked that something in writing be given to the Church noting that it is inherent in this issue that the owners of the church property could come forward in the future to have a Board of Selectmen revisit the deed restriction. Hardin noted that he sees no peril to the church by having this current language kept in. Goodwin suggested the Town Administrator send a letter for the Church Elders to keep with their file on the land issue, which notes that a future Board will decide this issue, if and when necessary.

No further action taken.

ARTICLE 1 - On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted 3-0-1 to recommend approval of Article 1. Webster abstained.

ARTICLES 2, 4, 6 - On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Articles 2, 4, 6.

ARTICLE 9 - On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 9.

ARTICLE 8 - On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 8.

ARTICLE 21 - J. Grant, M. Sites in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation. Grant gave a brief explanation of the actual piece of property owned by Willis Buck.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 21 in the amount of $150,000.

ARTICLE 22 - J. Grant, M. Sites in attendance. Grant gave a brief explanation of the property owned by Oliver Ames, known as Monty’s Pond.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 22 in the amount of $160,000.

ARTICLE 17 - Paicos gave a brief explanation. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 17 in the amount of $1.8Million.

Paicos noted that just today, he received information from Special Counsel RE: the possible need for extra articles RE: single vendor collection contract, etc. After much discussion, it was agreed that a STM in the winter for these additional articles would be called vs adding to the 11/9/98 STM Warrant, and possibly delaying it.

ARTICLE 18 - On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 18.

At this point in the meeting on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted 3-1 to approve inclusion of warrant articles RE: drainage repairs, gas clean-up at Police Station, and the Standard article for Planning and Zoning. Clark opposed.

ARTICLE 25 - On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted 3-1 to recommend approval of Article 25 in the amount of $40,000. Clark opposed.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 3-1 to approve the Routine Article for the Planning and Zoning Board to give their non-binding report under. Clark opposed.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted 3-1 to recommend approval of an Article to replace the Police/Fire complex gas clean-up money. Clark opposed.

Hardin and Paicos thanked Webster for her work on this issue.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to release the Executive Session Minutes (per attached list).

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to appoint Scott Bamford to the Easton Housing Partnership for a three year term.

Paicos noted that the Fire Department was awarded another SAFE Grant for fire awareness education in the schools.

Paicos noted the second annual SE Mass Vision 2020 Forum will be held at BSC on 10/24/98, from 8:30AM to 12:30PM.

Paicos noted RE: the letter from the ZBA Chair, asking for a short leave of absence, that this will be resolved in a few months. He noted that they have enough alternates to serve in the interim.

Webster questioned a drainage issue on Day Street. Paicos will check into this with R. Hill.

At 10:10PM, on Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED________________________________

DATED_________________________________