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

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 10/4/99.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 8/9/99, as amended. Clark abstained.

Tufts announced awards for the following Firefighters. Norman McNeill, J. K. Burns, Michael Graca, David Betzer, Phillip Blye, Thomas Stone, Ray Phillips, James Tully, John Howard, Antonio Gomes, Carey Benson.

Tufts noted the fees reflect a 3% increase. On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the proposed FY’00 License fees for the Selectmen’s Office.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve a Yard Sale for Temple Chayai Shalom on 10/31/99, from 9am-2pm.

Paicos gave a brief explanation. Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, RE: G.L. 268A, Section 19, to consider Memo 63 from the Town Administrator (see attached) as full disclosure RE: signing Town payment warrants, and that the Board as appointing authority of the Town Adm., has deemed that the interest is not so substantial as to be deemed likely to affect the integrity of the services which the municipality may expect from the employee, was not voted at this time. Webster asked for an opinion from the Ethics Commission. Paicos noted they won’t render an opinion. Clark questioned section 26-3 of the by-laws. Paicos noted the Charter supercedes the by-law.

David Tropeano in attendance. Tufts read the various department comments. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Common Victualler License for Avellino Pizza, 700 Depot Street, subject to the usual final inspections.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Bid for Underdrains to Capone Bros., Inc., at a price of $14.90 per lineal foot, as recommended by the DPW Director.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve as permanent the temporary parking BAN at Rolling Pines.

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

Hardin noted the letter received from the Attorney General’s office and that they declined to look into the recent allegations due to the FBI investigation. Hardin noted he has checked with several law enforcement officials and the FBI only has jurisdiction over federal matters, not State issues. Hardin noted the need to clear up the cloud over this issue and asked the Board to vote to ask the Attorney General for a full investigation on these matters, because this is a State issue not Federal.

Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, to send a letter to the Attorney General with an explanation as to why his decision not to investigate should be reconsidered, was not voted a this time.

Webster read from a prepared statement. (see attached). Goodwin noted that she sees this as an extension of the original motion made back in August.

At this point in the meeting Selectmen Clark returned.

William Grimes, David Gardner, Robert Kane, Wade Saucier, Michael Graff, Lawrence Kavanaugh, Edward Murphy in attendance.

Paicos noted there has been concern since the landfill closed RE: compost. He noted he had previously told the neighbors at the landfill area that the site wouldn’t be considered for a compost area. Paicos noted that DEP will prohibit a compost on most of the landfill area anyway. Paicos reviewed his memo to the Board (see attached). Paicos noted that the ACEC causes a condition for a post closure study to be done.

Paicos noted there are several alternative options. 1) consider an alternate location. 2) compost containers for residents, sold at cost. 3) any landscape services provide this service at a cost. 4) the Selectman could ask the Board of Health to require current haulers/vendors to offer this service. 5) W. Saucier suggested placing a roll-off container at a Town facility and hire someone for 3-4 hours on a Saturday, charge a fee to pay for the salary and expenses involved.

Paicos noted he is not sure how great this need is for residents.

Tufts suggested a regional compost area with surrounding communities.

Grimes noted this issue will be easier to solve with the two boards collaborating. Grimes noted that yard waste is not considered solid waste and can’t be dumped at SEMASS. Grimes noted it is not reasonable to ask vendors/haulers to pick up compost. Grimes questioned what the Town will do in severe weather situations with our own compost and branches. Paicos noted our chipper would be put to use or the Town would hire an extra chipper in the case of severe storm damage and for Christmas trees.

Grimes noted he wants to site a particular area, possibly in the industrial park, which would involve only a basic plan be sent to the DEP. He noted the Board of Health would be responsible for overseeing this facility. Grimes noted that several haulers expressed interest in building a transfer station at no cost to the Town, as he had described. Grimes noted that Raynham leases land to haulers and allows them to open up the station and operate it. Grimes noted he would want to lease land to haulers, not sell.

Gardner questioned if compost could be dumped back on ConCom land.

Kane noted that W. Bridgewater has an active compost area and the ground is able to be reclaimed.

Murphy noted he never used the landfill, but he extensively used the compost area along with many other people. He noted that his neighbors used to rake up and clean up the street and drains, but now without a compost area to bring the debris, the streets are not being cleaned. Murphy noted he understands not wanting to keep the compost area at the landfill open due to the commitment to that neighborhood. Murphy questioned where landscapers drop their materials. Kane noted on their own properties.

Tufts questioned how other surrounding communities can require their haulers to pick up the compost. Grimes stated he wasn’t sure.

Graff noted that in the case of Sharon, they have a contract with their haulers that they must pick up yard waste, and they make the haulers abide by it. Graff noted a transfer station idea is a good one, and the most cost efficient one. Graff noted the Recycling Committee was told that absolutely no transfer station would be allowed in Town.

Tufts noted that in the interim, we could set up something like Wade’s idea for the short-term resolution. Goodwin asked for the two Boards to meet again to discuss long-term resolutions with creative, efficient answers. Goodwin noted that in the short-term she would like to put an idea such as Wade’s into action. Hardin noted that the idea of a transfer station has never been popular in this Town. He noted that he likes it that now trash is being picked up at homes and taken outside of the Town, but he would keep an open mind to the transfer station possibility.

Clark questioned if a transfer station would include recycling. Grimes stated yes. Clark expressed concern with illegal dumping in the future and would be in favor of a transfer station in the industrial park area.

Webster noted she wants to handle the short-term issue and to look at the following: 1) where the roll-off container should/could be placed: 2) to track the cost to the Town, including salary and expenses to run this; 3) how many people are utilizing this service. Webster noted she is interested in a transfer station idea as long as the Town would not fund or run the facility. Webster asked the Board of Health to research the concept and report back to the Board of Selectmen RE: where it could be sited as well as the cost, contracts and what other towns use this arrangement. Webster suggested a referendum question in the spring on the transfer station.

Both Gardner and Grimes stated that the Board of Health can’t mandate recycling services by all haulers. They noted the haulers don’t mind not hauling in Easton, they would give up their business in Town if mandated.

Goodwin noted the two Boards need to take leadership in this Town and insist on what we need for our citizens. Goodwin noted the need to resolve a short-term solution, but asked to meet again with the Board of Health to get the long-term issue resolved.

Paicos noting that vendors can open transfer stations without us, questioned why they are coming to Town boards to discuss this. Grimes noted they are assuming it would be on Town land.

Graff expressed concern that the Board of Health is concerned more with the haulers being put out vs what’s good for our citizens. Graff noted this is a business and the haulers would come for even 29% of the Town’s business. Tufts noted the need this evening is where to place the roll-off. Paicos noted he would meet with the DPW Director and discuss this tomorrow.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to set up an area to house the roll-off container(s), decide the hours of operation, fees necessary, and staffing – forthwith.

Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, to have a tracking method with the number of people, the exact costs, the volume of materials dumped, and to ask the Board of Health to let the Selectmen know exactly what can be expected, i.e., what are other communities doing in current contracts with haulers, where are some of the similar transfer stations located, who is willing to set up a transfer station and at what cost, was not voted at this time.

Paicos noted that after the Board of Health does more research, and provides the information to the Board of Selectmen, there will be another joint meeting scheduled. Kavanaugh questioned if the roll-off could be placed at the empty schools. Paicos noted that traffic would be a problem leading to NEG, and LSIS isn’t our property.

A resident noted concern that future issues with all sorts of yard waste would be important to address and would need some sort of transfer station, somewhere.

M. White in attendance.

White noted that the Planning Board is holding final public hearings on 10/20/99, and would have the final language for Warrant. White asked that the Selectmen allow the Planning Board to decide final wording.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to include Articles 31, 32, 33 in Draft #2 of STM Warrant.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to allow the Planning and Zoning Board to finalize the language on all zoning articles.

Paicos RE: Long Pond, gave a brief status report.

RE: Capital plan form request, Paicos noted the Board received a copy of the requested FinCom plan, as well as the Chairman’s Committee plan.

Paicos noted the new ConCom maps, and congratulated Maurice Goulet and Jan Fowler.

Paicos noted the Special Counsel opinion RE: the Board not being able to abate a water bill.

Paicos noted the Employee Safety Week is 10/25-10/29, and encouraged the Board to attend if possible.

Paicos noted the Town State Budget passed with an additional $411,000 included, but without the Cherry

sheet in hand, he can’t assess the real bottom line yet. Paicos noted the MBTA assessment also passed.

Webster noted that the Fire Dept. Open House was a success, as was the HUGS II fundraiser.

Webster questioned the status/funding for winterizing NEG. Paicos noted that this has been resolved within the existing DPW budget. Paicos noted he would send a memo to the Board RE: LSIS status.

Tufts asked for the Board to submit any FY’01 budget suggestions to Paicos.

Hardin questioned if the Town conducts an independent audit. Paicos noted that there is an annual audit done by an independent Auditing firm that is very comprehensive. Hardin asked if specifically the Selectmen’s budget is audited. Paicos noted that every budget, including the Selectmen’s budget, is audited every year.

Clark expressed concern with a letter received from E. Cahill of 221 Bay Road. Clark asked Paicos to investigate the situation and report back to the Board at the next Selectmen’s meeting.

Clark RE: Chestnut St. groundwater questioned if there is any information on the possible contamination and to what extent has the Mansfield Superfund site contaminated the Easton groundwater. Paicos gave a brief explanation and noted he has a meeting set for 10/20/99 in his office with key departments. Paicos noted that water testing will be provided free of charge to any resident who requests it.

At 9:25PM, on Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of Pending Litigation and Labor Negotiations, not to return to Open Session.

APPROVED_______________________________

DATED________________________________