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

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 11/24/97, as amended.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 12/8/97, as amended.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 11/17/97.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 12/8/97. Hunt abstained.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to extend the hours to Monday-Saturday from 7:00AM to 10:00PM, and Sunday by appointment, and then as of 1/1/98, the hours will be from 7:00AM - 2:00AM Monday - Saturday, and Sunday by appointment only.

C. Martindale in attendance. Martindale gave a brief explanation of the signs, placement and size. Board agreed not to allow signs at the Rockery. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the placement of signs, as described in letter (see attached), to be placed at the entrances to Town.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Common Victualler License renewals, as proposed (see attached).

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Miscellaneous License renewals, as proposed.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Electronic Games License renewals and the Alcohol License renewals, as proposed.

At this point in the meeting, Selectmen Hunt and Tufts left during discussion and voting.

Hardin noted a comment from Conservation commission RE: an Order of Conditions for Jim’s Auto Body and Martin Auto Sales.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously, of those present and voting, to approve the Class II License renewals, as proposed.

R. Hill in attendance.

Clark asked Hill’s opinion on the three alternate routes. Hill gave a brief explanation of all three routes. Hill noted RE: Power Line route that there is no provision to widen this to allow two lanes of traffic. Hill noted he spoke with a couple of contractors and they stated they would have trouble getting drivers to run the power line route due to the inadequacies of the route. Clark noted there doesn’t seem to be a good one in the three options. Tufts expressed concern with going from Prospect St. onto Foundry St. Tufts noted he would rather get permission to use the proposed Pop Warner land. Hill noted that at a meeting last week with residents of the Landfill area, the subject of access was discussed and there didn’t seem to be a lot of upset with the residents RE: the trucks. Hill noted that there are plans to widen the intersection of Foundry and Prospect, but not until after the Landfill closure date. Hill noted he would contact the owners at the intersection to see if he could cut back trees to improve the site distance. Hill noted he will also research the use of the proposed Pop Warner land. Hardin asked Hill to look into the right-of-way access for trucks vs Prospect St. Hill noted he would need to go through protracted permitting process with the ConCom and DEP to use the right-of-way. Hunt noted she would rather explore the proposed Pop Warner land also for access to the Landfill. Hill noted he will explore the Pop Warner land option further and also research the status of current Appeals on that land and the realistic impact of those Appeals on the Town using that land.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 3-2 to further explore Option 3. Webster, Clark opposed.

S. Jacobson, R. Johnson, R. Hill, W. Southworth, D. Mullen, S. Tufts in attendance.

R. Johnson gave a brief explanation of the Aquifer Protection Update Report submitted to the Board. Paicos expressed concern with the projected levels of nitrates at "build-out". Paicos expressed concern with continuing without changing zoning. Johnson noted that the "action level" is at half the "MCL" so that a reaction can happen when the half level is hit. Hunt questioned what the treatment is for high levels of nitrates. Johnson noted that once the action level is hit, the next step it triggers is quarterly testing. Johnson noted that the process for nitrate removal is very expensive. Paicos questioned at what point does treatment begin. Johnson noted that if one sample at or above MCL is found, DEP would probably ask for a couple more samples to confirm this. Once confirmed that there is a MCL violation, DEP would require treatment. Tufts stated if the one sample is a confirmed sample, that triggers it then and no further samples are needed. Johnson agreed. Hunt said she was concerned about the spikes triggering a treatment requirement. Paicos asked if the Consultant could do a more exacting study that would more precisely define potential problems. Johnson stated no, this model is from DEP and is the only one available. Johnson noted there would still be a fairly long time frame to act if the 1/2MCL were reached. S. Tufts noted that the Water Advisory Board will be meeting 12/16/97, to discuss this report. Paicos asked for steps to be recommended for the Town to be more conservative. Johnson noted he would not have that information at this time. Jacobson noted that the report gives technical statements and it would be out of place for the Consultants to propose zoning changes. Paicos asked that the Consultant put in the report "That the Town may consider the following: ... in light of the prediction that action level will be hit in the future." Paicos asked what can be done now to avoid the prediction. Hunt expressed concern with the tone in the report RE: nitrates not reflecting possible problems, as we have discussed, and that at page 2 the report contains a statement that nitrates are not predicted to be a problem and that people would rely on that to say there is no chance for future problems. Johnson said that was not what was intended. Hunt said then it should be changed. Tufts stated he was concerned about the happy tone in the report and he doesn’t see it as happy. We are very conservative in our water protection and want to continue that way. Paicos noted he can see a clear and present trend towards a problem i.e. nitrate loadings and he is looking for guidance from the leadership. That leadership being the Consultants, DPW Director, Water Superintendent, Water Advisory Board. Paicos noted the need for more information and recommendations on how to keep this from becoming a problem.

S. Jacobson, R. Johnson, R. Hill, W. Southworth, D. Mullen, S. Tufts in attendance.

Jacobson gave a brief explanation of the Water Master Plan Report, noting this is an update of the 1988 Plan.

Paicos noted the outstanding job the Consultants did on both reports.

In response to a question on new source potential by Paicos, Jacobson noted there are two other sources identified that are technically feasible, but he’s not sure DEP will allow these sites. The two sites do not include Borderland. Paicos asked Amory to embellish the report in terms of future water sources and supply, noting the possible need for discussing demand reduction.

Hunt noted the cost of the new wells and that they are needed to deal with growth factors. Hunt noted we are now coming up to a maximum supply and are in the same situation as many surrounding communities with supply vs need. Southworth noted the increased need for education on conserving water. Jacobson noted that Wellesley has a summer rate, which is higher and yet during the draught last season, people used the same amount of water regardless of the cost.

Clark expressed concern with some health risks noted in the report. He also questioned page viii of the report and whether the first and second paragraphs were related to each other. Jacobson said no and that he’d change the wording. Clark questioned if Jacobson thought selling water to surrounding towns was a good idea. Jacobson noted that this shouldn’t be done on a regular basis, but rather on a temporary basis when a surplus is available.

In response to a question from Clark, Jacobson suggested looking into a storage facility as a possibility. Tufts questioned if DPW would be coordinating the road improvements with the water main repairs/removal. Hill noted he tries to coordinate this whenever possible. Hunt questioned if the monetary investment in well #6 with the cost of a water treatment facility is worth the output or daily yield of water projected for that well.

Hunt asked if the Consultant could guarantee that the Town has future additional water supply, that the proposed wells will go on line, and that they will not get permitted and produce water as is hoped or predicted. Jacobson said there is no guarantee. Hunt asked that the report say that and that there have been a lot of comments on the report tonight and where do we go from here.

Jacobson noted he will be meeting with Paicos this week and will discuss the comments made by the Board.

Mullen questioned what the Board wants from the Water Advisory Board. Tufts noted suggestions RE: improvements on water per gallon costs.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Hunt sat in the audience as a resident.

Paicos noted he did a special taping with Dick Murphy on the Railroad. Paicos noted he sent letters RE: the environmental issues to Sec. Moynihan. Paicos noted he sent letters with the help of John Haederle to the Army Corp of Engineers. Paicos noted there was a mailing to 15 environmental agencies/organizations, and the mailing was followed up with a phone contact to each group. Paicos thanked those involved with the recent mailings and phone calls. Paicos noted there is a citizen effort going on with a number of letters being sent to Sec. Moynihan also. Paicos noted he had notified Special Counsel that he is employed by both Easton and Raynham. Paicos noted there is a letter from Special Counsel in the I&N. Paicos noted he did a Press Release on the meeting held last week, and sent it to several newspapers. Paicos noted that the Taunton City Council renewed its vote to oppose the Attleboro Line and also voted to support the Middleboro Line for the extension.

Tufts noted the memos/letters RE: MBTA have been put on the Internet by Burt Lewis.

Tufts noted he attended the Raynham Selectmen’s meeting last week.

Clark questioned where the studies by the Department Heads were. Paicos noted those studies were the basis for the Town’s Position Paper.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Hunt returned.

Paicos noted that the Fleet Inventory was given to each Selectman.

Paicos noted the merit report was given to the Selectmen. Clark questioned what the cost for legal fees was over the past 16 months, by Paicos to prevent that information from being given out. Paicos will get the information.

None.

At 10:50PM, on Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of Labor Negotiations, Possible Litigation, Executive Session Minutes, not to return to Open Session.

Clark in favor, Tufts in favor, Hunt in favor, Webster in favor, Hardin in favor.

APPROVED___________________________________

DATED___________________________________