Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes

November 17, 2003

                                 

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 and Town Administrator Martha White. (6:00pm)

 

Public Hearing – Consideration of Sunday Openings for Package Stores

 (2003 holiday season)

Marsan read the notice of hearing as it appeared in the Enterprise.  The holiday Sundays include each Sunday beginning the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving Day through New Years Day.  Marsan also referred to Town Counsel’s memo on this issue.  There were no comments or questions by the public.  Goodwin questioned what the surrounding towns do.  White noted that it is fairly standard across the state to open on Sundays during the holiday season. 

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to allow all licensed package stores within the Town of Easton to remain open on certain Sundays, specifically beginning with the Sunday before Thanksgiving and continuing each Sunday thereafter until New Year’s day; this authorization is approved as a term of the annual alcoholic beverage license and shall remain in effect for all renewals subject to further action of the Easton Board of Selectmen, with the stipulation that such licensed package stores shall close by 10:00pm on said Sundays, and further subject to conditions imposed by the ABCC.

With this motion, this process will not need to be repeated each year unless the board takes different action in the future. 

 

Public Participation

None

 

Change of Manager – Easton Beverages, Inc. dba The Wine Guys (Package Store)

Mr. Ralph Vatalaro was present.  Marsan referred to the new business and noted they will be an asset to the Town of Easton. 

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to approve the change of manager subject to  the CORI check coming back satisfactory.

 

Weekly Landfill Report

Chairman Henry Mehler and DPW Director Wayne Southworth were present.  White noted the brief report and reported that they are close to settling with the contractor.  The Landfill Committee will meet CDM this week to clarify outstanding issues.   

 

 SERSG Bid Awards – DPW Supplies & Services 2004

White referred to the list of DPW supplies bid by SERSG.  The hand notations are the ones that DPW participated in. See attached list.  The new bidding process will eliminate discrepancies that occurred in the past. 

Tufts’ motioned to approve the bid award as presented.  Haederle seconded the motion. 

Goodwin asked about the beginning date of 1/1/04 and questioned how we will know which ones were wrong based on the contract date.  White explained the calendar 2003 bids and how the problem was remedied and re-bid.  She indicated that those contracts will expire on 12/31/03.  Goodwin asked about working with other towns to see what went wrong.  White indicated the problem and how the SERSG director has communicated with the other towns.  The problem has been resolved for all member communities. 

The board voted unanimously to approve the DPW Supplies and Services for 2004.

 

DPW Bid Award –  Road Salt

White noted that SERSG does not bid road salt.  The DPW Director participated with other communities on this bid award for American Rock Salt Company.  White noted that the contract has been approved by Town Counsel.  Southworth noted that 37 communities participated in this bid and noted the favorable bid amount compared to last year.  Tufts questioned if Southworth would anticipate any trouble getting the material from New York.  Southworth noted that they have a storage area in Taunton. 

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to approve the bid award for American Rock Salt Co in the amount not to exceed $111,790. 

 

Special Town Meeting Warrant Discussion

Tufts questioned the board’s position on articles 19, 20 & 21. He questioned if the board should reconsider the tie vote on article 19.  Tufts noted that the article should be explained, giving the reason for the changed motion.  Haederle noted the confusion on the articles, specifically article 19 and the last minute changes.  Haederle asked that the board give an explanation of the article, trying to clarify what the status is now.  Goodwin referred to hand outs that the citizens will receive when they register for town meeting.  Goodwin referred to the amendments to article 19.  See attached information.  The Board discussed the potential for many amendments to the article. 

                                                               

Town Administrator’s Notes

None

 

Press Notes

None

 

Selectmen’s Notes

None

 

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously by roll-call to go into Executive Session for purposes of discussing litigation, not to return to Open Session.  6:45pm

Marsan yes, Tufts yes, Haederle yes, Goodwin yes.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Mary McCarthy

                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                                Approved

 

                                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                                Date