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

Selectmen Frederick Clark absent due to illness.

Mark Morse and Phil McLaughlin of MMA Consulting, Chief Blye, Captain Downey, A. Martin, several firefighters in attendance

M. Morse gave a brief background of the process of the report and a brief summary of major issues in the report.

Tufts questioned who sets the standards. McLaughlin noted it is NFPA, and gave a brief explanation, noting there are three - response time standards, staffing standards and medical standards with an ambulance service. McLaughlin noted that the density of structures would indicate the number of pieces of equipment and staff to respond. He gave a brief explanation of the current vs the proposed supervision structure in the report.

Webster questioned if 80% of calls are medical, if the Town opts for 2 stations therefore increasing response times, isn’t the Town negatively impacting 80% of the Fire Department work. She asked if a compromise position may be to maintain 3 stations and only add 1 man per station (3 man crews) to address firefighter safety. McLaughlin noted that 3 men is better than 2, however 4 men crews meet NFPA Standards. McLaughlin noted he would recommend 2 stations with 4 firefighters in each vs 3 stations with 3, 3, 2. He would also recommend researching regionalized stations - substations with Easton, Stoughton and Sharon. He would also recommend enhancing the force with a call force that would need some intensive ongoing training. He would also recommend central civilian dispatch to help reduce the response time. McLaughlin gave a brief explanation of the positive effects of automatic mutual aid.

Goodwin questioned what methodology and protocols were used to establish the standards and recommendations. Morse gave a brief explanation. Goodwin noted that the bottom line is what % of service does this community want to "afford".

McLaughlin noted it is better to arrive at a scene later with larger crews vs shorter response time with smaller crews. He noted this Town is not a lot different than most of suburban America. He noted the difficulty trying to meet service needs in the real world of tax dollars. He noted that law enforcement personnel can be trained as first responders to enhance response time also.

Webster expressed concern with the proposal to close station #1 because it is in the area of the schools and elderly housing. McLaughlin noted that station #1 doesn’t allow for easy access because there are 10 major turns to be negotiated before getting to a major roadway. He noted the breakdown of the calls is approx. 60% BLS; 30% ALS and 10% dramatic support needed. He noted the question comes down to response time vs staffing. (Draft Report on file in Selectmen’s Office).

Downey noted things said have been both discouraging and encouraging, but that he is concerned with staff safety. Downey noted the need for more firefighters and he doesn’t care about the number of stations. The need is to propose more manpower. He stated he doesn’t need to talk about more or new stations, but is concerned with going through another budget cycle without doing something further.

A. Martin questioned how all of this information will be put forth to the public to decide what we need and what we can afford. Hardin noted he wants to hold public meetings. He noted the DPW will be asked to blowup maps/diagrams for the public presentation. Hardin also noted he wants to have a meeting with the firefighters.

Goodwin noted that the Board needs to decide how this information will get disseminated and there needs to be a connection to the tax dollar. Downey noted the document should be acted on as it refers to staffing immediately in this budget cycle. Downey noted he doesn’t want to pit department against department.

Referring to Appendix C Tufts suggested using this part of the document RE: sub-committee working together to go forward. Tufts noted he is not ready to just act tonight and there needs to be a sub-committee/task force to decide the forum for the public outreach.

Goodwin noted that on page 75, the sub-committee is outlined, and suggested going forward as it is written.

Paicos noting that he is aware of safety issues in both the fire and police departments stated that he couldn’t just add personnel without looking at the total budget for the entire Town.

Paicos noted that the report identifies $1,000,000 as needed to increase staffing to "safe standards". Paicos noted there needs to be a middle ground for compromise, and we need to engage the public immediately in these discussions.

Paicos noted the need to have the Firefighter Union, Department Heads, Finance Committee, and the public engaged in this discussion with the Consultants.

It was agreed that Paicos will work on beginning the "Committee" with Chief Blye and Tony Gomes.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to have the Town Administrator meet with the Fire Chief and the President of the Firefighter’s Union per Recommendation IV-9, Page 75 of the Draft Report to implement this plan (Fire Department Planning Committee) ASAP.

Flynn thanked the Board of Selectmen and the Townspeople for their support, noting he likes and admires the Town. He noted the issues currently i.e. ERL, MBTA, are important to him and he will be accessible to the Town. He noted he will have a district office full time in Bridgewater. Noting the upcoming start of the 1999 Legislature, he noted he will be inviting one member of the Board to be his guest in Chamber on 1/6/99.

Goodwin asked that he look into House Bill #552 RE: pensions, as well a the House Bill on insurance reforms. Flynn noted he will report back.

Lynn White in attendance, and gave a brief explanation on the land proposal. (see letter attached)

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Conservation Restriction on the remaining land at 539 Bay Road.

Carol Ann White in attendance.

Tufts asked that they complete the construction ASAP. On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Common Victualler License for the rest of 1998, and to renew for 1999.

Cynthia Curry, Jan Linehan in attendance.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the BAN to be awarded to Bank Boston in the amount of $1,450,000 with a 3.07% and a bid premium of $1,600.00. (see memo)

COA/VETERANS - Del Kent in attendance. Webster questioned the status of the Senior Tax Voucher program, and D. Kent gave a brief update.

LIBRARY - Annalee Bundy in attendance. No changes in the proposed Goals and Objectives for the Library.

TOWN CLERK - Janet Linehan in attendance. No changes in the proposed Goals and Objectives for Town Clerk.

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD - Marc Rousseau in attendance. No changes in the proposed Goals and Objectives for Planning and Zoning Board.

BOARD OF HEALTH - No one present.

RECREATION - Paicos reviewed. No changes in the proposed Goals and Ojbectives for the Recreation Department.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR - Webster asked for a copy of the tasks. She stated that it is the Board of Selectmen’s responsibility to review and approve the Town Administrator’s work plan (tasks) in order to properly oversee the position and ultimately evaluate performance. There was much discussion RE: the need for Selectmen to review the tasks in relation to the goals and objectives in order to help the Town Administrator’s review process. Paicos noted he will submit the TA’s goals and objectives with Tasks, when he submits the approved document. Paicos asked that if a member has concerns with issues, or a particular task, that they should speak directly to him and try to strike a compromise ASAP.

Hardin asked that the Town Administrator pull out the short terse objectives and add a little more detail; provide the Board specific tasks listed for the Town Administrator; that the Board communicate to the Town Administrator the likes and dislikes, but that there not be one member dictating to the Town Administrator.

Tufts asked that the process be changed so that goals come out in June. Paicos noted that with the changes in format now these goals and objectives will be generated much quicker. Each Department puts together their own goals and objectives per department. Paicos noted he will be discussing with the Department Heads the possibility of generating goals and objectives prior to the budget and incorporating them into the same.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted 3-1 to accept the Goals and Objectives for FY’99-’00 as presented by departments, as amended. Webster opposed.

Webster noted that she cannot approve the Goals and Objectives if it includes the Town Administrator’s goals since the Board of Selectmen has not reviewed the Tasks and she is not comfortable approving them sight unseen.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the 12/14/98 License Renewal List for all licenses, except Class II. (see attached)

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

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously, of those present and voting, to approve the Class II Licenses on the 12/14/98 License Renewal List (see attached ) as written.

Noting that the licensed premises have been either in active or abandoned, it was agreed not to renew the Class II Licenses of Fidelity Motors and The Used Car Center.

At this point in the meeting Tufts returned.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to approve the new Common Victualler License for 1998 and to renew for 1999, subject to the Fire Department approval.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to approve the new Common Victualler License for 1998 and to renew for 1999, subject to the Fire Department approval.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the recommended firm of Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, Inc.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to appoint David Kerr as a Special Police Officer.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to accept with regret, the resignation of Joseph Derian, and to send a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to accept with regret, the resignation of Charles Hammond and to send a Certificate of Appreciation for his years of service.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to appoint Marie Healey for a term that expires 6/30/2000 and Nicolina Previti for a term that expires 6/30/2001, to the Council on Aging.

Paicos noted the Sewer Study Committee will not be able to meet on 12/16/98.

Tufts asked that an agenda item re: Memorialization Committee appointments be scheduled.

Tufts noted the upcoming public meetings for the Growth Management Study in January will be held at the new school cafeteria, and notice will be published in the newspapers.

Hardin commended those involved in the recent School Holiday presentation.

The Board wished all Happy Holidays.

At 11:15PM, on Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED____________________________________

DATED_____________________________________