SELECTMEN’S MEETING
MINUTES
OCTOBER 2,
2000
The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton Junior High School Auditorium with Chairman Frederick Clark presiding. William Hardin, Patricia Webster, Carla Goodwin, Leo Harlow and Interim Town Administrator Martha White were also in attendance. 7:00pm.
Clark noted two Emergency Items.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to discuss the items under emergency conditions.
One Day Liquor License – Stonehill College 10/5/00 – On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the one-day license.
Fire Department Open House – Clark read the announcement regarding the open house at Fire Station #1 on Saturday 10/7/00.
The announcement of the Southeastern Regional Vocational School Open House for Saturday, 10/21/00 was read by Clark. (1-5pm)
Clark read the announcement issued by Vision 2020 regarding a ceremony on October 25th on board the Mayflower II in Plymouth on October 25, 2000.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 4-1 to table the discussion and discuss in Executive Session. Hardin opposed.
A memo from the Department of Education was ready by Clark. White reported that she had submitted a grant application for the HVAC systems and the Center and Parkview Schools. The information was forwarded to Representative Creedon. Webster questioned the status of the EJHS. White noted that the Municipal Building Committee is working on a new study and will give recommendations to the Board. EJHS will be among the highest priorities. Harlow asked if it would be possible under the grant to look into the possibility of renovating NEG into a primary school for the downtown area. Clark suggested that this could be looked into.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to accept with regrets the resignation of Steve McAlarney from the Board of Appeals and to further give a letter of commendation to him for his years of service.
Hardin commented that McAlarney increased the professionalism on the Board and that he had done a great job on the Board and further expressed his appreciation.
David Brown – 14 Linden Street.
Brown questioned if a letter had been sent to Mr. Hager at the Southeastern Regional School regarding the audit. He requested a copy once it was sent. He also asked the status of the Fire Study. White noted that she met once with the committee and is currently waiting for maps. She apologized for the delay and noted that the landfill and MBTA had taken priority in recent months.
No adverse comments noted from Police, Fire or DPW.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the walk on October 14, 2000 at 10:30am subject to the first aid stations clearly marked, per the Fire Department.
DISCUSSION REGARDING CONTRACT AMENDMENT FOR MELANSON HEATH FOR FOCUSED AUDIT.
White reported that the additional amount to amend the contract for Melanson Heath & Company was approximately $3,000-$5,000.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to go forward with the focused audit, authorizing the approximate amount of the amendment.
DISCUSSION REGARDING POSSIBILITY OF LOCATING COMMUNICATION TOWER AT TOWN POOL.
White reported that she did not have the additional information needed by NEXTEL. No action taken.
White reported that since her appointment as Interim Town Administrator, she has not been able to continue on the program due to the time constraints. She explained the process of the low interest loans and its complexity. At this point, citizen have been referred to banks which offer low interest loans for septic repair. White answered many questions posed by the Board members. She reported that there was currently approximately $62,000 of unspent money which may assist 2 or 3 families. She stressed that the bank loan programs may be more time efficient than using the state and local paperwork. There was much discussion about the staff time involved for the program. Clark suggested a committee be formed that can help with the program. He stressed the need to have this done to protect the public water supply. At this time Clark suggested we table the discussion, come up with a committee and then advertise for members. Webster suggested that money from the consulting service line item of the budget could cover the cost of this type of committee. Clark suggested that this type of work seems to fall under the Board of Health’s jurisdiction and suggested we check with other communities.
On Clark’s motion, seconded by Harlow, the Board voted unanimously to table the issue until the Board has further information as stated above.
Clark read White’s memo dated 9/26/00.
Webster referred to the resident residing at 250 Main Street and asked White for an update. White reported that she now has a contact person from Mass Highway and she will be contacting him regarding this issue.
Clark read the ad which ran in July for hiring of a new Town Administrator. Goodwin offered to work with Patty to have the position advertised for again, after approval of the ad by Treasurer/Collector.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to allow Goodwin and Webster to work out the details of the ad for advertising.
The consensus of the Board for deadline for submittal of resume would be November 15, 2000.
White gave an update to the Board regarding Easton Auto Sales and the issue of hours of operation. White prepared a draft letter to the establishment.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to send the letter to Easton Auto Sales.
Harlow asked Southworth for an update of the Randall Street Sidewalks. Residents in the area had the understanding that the work is done. Southworth reported that the work will be complete at the end of October.
Hardin reminded citizens to vote at the 10/4/00 election.
Webster noted that the CARE group is submitting letters to Secretary Durand regarding the MBTA.
D. Murphy of the Enterprise asked for an explanation of the ballot procedure for upcoming election and the focused audit.
Interim DPW Director Wayne Southworth present.
Clark read memo from White and referred to a minutes submitted by SEA dated 9/26/00. White referred to memo dated 9/29/00 also from SEA re: Hydrogen Sulfide. White gave an update and noted that the landfill is being discussed daily and felt more information has come forward regarding the health effects of the hydrogen sulfide. She referred to readings before the flares were placed (5 parts per million). Since the flares the readings have been 1 part per million or less. White noted that no level is acceptable but we must put the numbers in perspective. It was reported that the Water Department has acquired new equipment to do the testing. White and Southworth feel confident with the readings they have received. Southworth explained the landfill site walk last week and noted the readings received by the new town equipment and the SEA monitor were identical. The levels have been tested a few times daily and they are only getting small readings of methane. Southworth urged citizens to call him if they experience odor and he will come out and test.
David LaBrosse - 3 Bradford Street was encouraged with the knowledge of the new equipment. Resident have been exposed 24 hours a day. He expressed concern that we still have not seen long term health studies and further noted that there are four expectant women on Bradford Street and was concerned of the health risks. It was noted that White and LaBrosse attend the Board of Health meeting this evening at 6pm. The Plainville Landfill Mass Department of Public Health report was referred to. Hydrogen Sulfide was referred to as a nuisance odor problem and it was noted that the sulfide could be considered and eye, nose and throat irritant. Goodwin noted that the study was available to all citizens.
Board of Health Member Bill Grimes noted that the citizens should be alerted of the danger. He stated that this situation should not be minimized. He suggested that it was a potentially serious problem and the situation needs to be resolved.
Gill Heino – 28 Elm Street noted that the studies done in the past have been conflicting. White reiterated that no concentration is acceptable.
Todd Heino – 123 Prospect Street asked why the town was not looking into long term health risks of hydrogen sulfide. Goodwin stated that we are going forward at this time to put this problem to an end and could not imagine what it must be like to live in a home dealing with the odor problem. Heino referred to the C&D material and suggested we now have odor due to the fact that we took in the material to make $58,000.
Richard Harb – 261 Sheridan Street questioned why the town got so little money for the material when other towns are paid much more. Harb suggested that erosion is still taking place and the liner must be fix or replace the liner to eliminate the odor. He expressed appreciation to the Board for finally addressing the problem.
Peter Downey – 19 Sheridan Street asked about the safety of the Town employees during the capping process. He specifically asked if any of them had experience health problems and if the town had taken any precautions. Southworth suggested that the major concern is safety. Information regarding hydrogen sulfide has been made available to the employees. Southworth has encouraged open dialogue.
White reported good news with the findings of leachate collected and tested. The test results were iron bacteria and is very natural and has no reason for concern. White reported that staff meetings will continue to take place every Wednesday. The landfill committee will also be meeting weekly if needed. At this time White anticipated approximately $450,000 of additional money needed to complete the capping process. White also noted that at this point, she was intending to go before the FinCom for a Reserve Fund transfer to get funds for the canisters. She further noted that the Town of Easton does not have legal authority to enter into a contract with SEA because there is no funding source. White and Southworth recommend a Town Meeting vote to secure funds for the landfill.
Grimes further indicated that the Town was aware of in 1991 that the landfill needed to be closed. He suggested that somebody needs to be held accountable for this problem.
Bill McAndrews – 16 Spooner Street expressed concern that a five minute exposure to gas can cause death. Clark asked about Harb’s issue about drainage. Southworth replied that rips in the swales have been observed and repairs do need to be made. He reiterated that we cannot go forward with the repairs until the funding source has been identified.
Dennis Nolan - 28 Western Avenue expressed disappointment that we cannot go forward at this point and questioned how we got where we are today. He questioned the content of the fill of the landfill.
On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to take up under emergency conditions, a Special Town Meeting to fund the landfill capping project.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to call a STM as soon as possible.
White noted at this time that the dollar figures are still being calculated. White and Southworth are also looking into the option of contracting the work out.
Webster further indicated that a charter change had been discussed for hiring a Town Administrator and this item should be included on the warrant. Downey recommended that the Town use crews to help cap the landfill before the bad weather comes. Clark questioned whether we could take money from the DPW budget and replace it at a later date. Southworth expressed great concern with the risk in the event that Town Meeting did not fund the additional money. Southworth reiterated that DEP believes that there should be no trespassing on the landfill property. If unauthorized personnel accesses the landfill area, the Town will be fined. A fence may need to be installed. D. Brown expressed the lack of confidence he had with SEA and was concerned about them controlling the bid process.
Alice McCarthy – 300 Center Street suggested that if canisters were not needed, the liner could be fixed with that money. The canisters could be purchased with the money allocated at STM if needed.
Maureen Papineau – 43 Rockland Street commented that this project was mismanaged from day one. She credited Clark as Chair of the Board for bringing this issue to the forward. Papineau criticized White for not having answers to questions week to week.
R. Harb suggested that money be taken from the DPW budget to fix the drain swales. Then the liner problem can be addressed. Town Meeting money can then be used to finish the project and replenish the DPW budget.
T. Heino noted that if he not trespassed on to the landfill, the issue would not have come to light. He felt that he could not rely on the people at the landfill to get accurate readings. G. Heino noted that he accessed the landfill last Sunday to get the information to resolve the issues. Southworth noted at this point that the trespassing issue is through DEP and that he was simply passing the information along.
On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to establish a subcommittee for the landfill. Webster suggested Jay Conceison, Peter Downey, David LaBrosse, Gill Heino and John Horan. At this point, Webster disclosed the fact that Peter Downey is her brother. Clark suggested that a schedule be created with the DPW to arrange for a mutually convenient time for the committee to access the landfill area.
Webster questioned the status of the hydro-seeding and the rental of equipment. Webster asked for a copy of the original landfill bid. White will obtain it from SEA.
T. Heino suggested if the readings of the sulfide reached 1part per million, the Board should notify the neighborhood. Downey suggested that the seeding of the slopes be done as soon as possible. Southworth noted at this point that the rental equipment was going back today and any other work at this point can be done with the Town’s equipment.
Clark commended White for the financial analysis and the plan of action for SEA.
Mark Luke - 28 Black Brook Road asked if the money would cost layoffs. Clark assured him that no layoffs would occur because of this issue.
Ralph Ventresco - 164 Bay Road asked about the Town’s Moody Bond Rating. He referred to Stoughton homes that dealt with odor for over 2 years before the Town did anything. He also commented that the citizen committee should be authorized to access the landfill unless the DEP is trying to hide something. White noted that the Collector/Treasurer was preparing information regarding bonding and the impact on the 2002 budget. Clark commented that the Town is trying to follow protocol.
D. LaBrosse noted that the tears and rips have been apparent for a long time and he cannot praise DEP. He questioned why they shouldn’t be held responsible.
Webster asked White to be sure the subcommittee received copies of all materials.
On Harlow’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call to adjourn Open Session, to go into Executive Session, not to return to Open Session, for the purpose of Union Negotiations, Negotiations with Non-Union Personnel, the Non-Union Cola and Documentation with regard to litigation. (10:05pm)
Goodwin yes, Webster
yes, Clark yes, Harlow yes, Hardin yes.
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Approved
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Date