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 1/12/98, as amended.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 2/2/98, as amended.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 1/12/98.

This item will be on the next agenda.

Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster to support granting of the refinancing at 2 Kerrin Marie Circle, was not voted at this time. Hunt expressed concern with the listed value being too high, and that the affordability of this unit must be preserved.

Hardin questioned if this brings any liability to the Town.

Hunt suggested asking Special Counsel if a foreclosure would affect the deed restrictions causing this not to be affordable any longer.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to table this item to ask Special Counsel if a foreclosure would wipe out the deed restrictions.

Tufts read the notice.

Bell Atlantic Right-of-Way Engineer Rep. in attendance.

Clark read the DPW response. In response to the DPW memo, the Engineer from Bell Atlantic noted that originally the property was staked, but with the construction going on, they must have been removed. She also noted that the Board could approve the petition contingent upon resolving the street light issue. She noted she is not currently aware of any resolution.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to table the Pole Petition for Bridge/Baldwin Streets, to the 3/2/98 meeting to get the streetlight issue resolved with Engineering.

Tufts noted that at the last meeting there were two votes in favor of Nightingale and two votes in favor of Baker.

There were no new nominations put forth.

Hardin noted that he had received a nasty, threatening letter at home RE: his vote for Baker for Accountant, and noted that anyone who wants to ask him why he votes as he does is free to call him at home and discuss things.

Wendy Nightingale was appointed Town Accountant by a 3-2 roll-call vote.

Chief Stanley Bates in attendance.

Bates noted this brings the total number of special officers to 23.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call to appoint Mark Larson, Paul Curtin, Michael Norman, Mark Russell as Special Officers for the Town of Easton.

POLICE BUDGET - Chief Bates in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget. Hunt expressed concern with the ACO Budget being un-prepared in the event the current shelter owner stops providing this service for the Town.

Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, to recommend approval of the Police Budget in the amount of $2,432,553 was amended by Hunt to increase the ACO Budget line #5590 by $10,000, but did not receive a second.

Hunt asked for information on the monthly rate paid to the shelter.

Webster amended the motion, seconded by Clark, to remove line #4541 in the amount of $2,875.

Vote on the amendment did not pass with a 2-2-1 vote. Clark, Webster in favor, Hunt abstained.

Vote on the main motion was 3-2. Webster, Hunt opposed.

Draft ATM Warrant dated 2/23/98 attached.

ARTICLE 32 - Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, to include Article 32, was not voted at this time.

Webster asked to have a further discussion on central civilian dispatch with both Chiefs and the Data Processing Dept. present. Webster questioned how this can be implemented, and what are the outstanding issues. Webster questioned 5 years later, where do we stand and do we still need/want this. Webster questioned if this is cost effective to have civilian dispatchers vs using police officers and firefighters.

Webster noted there are some glitches and communication problems and they warrant further discussion. Tufts and Hardin both noted that these decisions have been made and discussed on several occasions and the two departments are in process of implementation of joint civilian dispatch. Hardin noted that it is less expensive to hire a civilian dispatcher vs the rate of pay for police officers or firefighters. Tufts again noted that the Board is most anxious for this to go forward.

FIRE BUDGET

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

Chief Phillip Blye in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation of this budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously, of those present and voting, to recommend approval of the Fire Budget in the amount of $1,944,281.

AMBULANCE BUDGET - Chief Phillip Blye in attendance, and gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, to recommend approval of the Ambulance Budget in the amount of $295,975, was amended by Tufts, seconded by Hunt, to remove from line #5850 $6,500 for a trailer. $6,500.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hunt, to recommend approval of the Ambulance Budget in the amount of $289,475, by removing $6,500 from line #5850, was voted 3-1. Clark opposed.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Webster returned.

FIRE ALARM BUDGET - Chief Phillip Blye in attendance, and gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the Fire Alarm Budget in the amount of $19,199. Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 14 - D. Gardner in attendance. Gardner suggested 4 citizens-at-large be appointed. Hunt noted she doesn’t think this should go to the ATM. Hunt noted there is no charge suggested and Town Meeting is not the place for this type of issue. Hunt noted she doesn’t feel that people with vested interests should

sit on this type of a committee, i.e. Real Estate agents. Hunt noted that this came out of a concern for the new Title 5 requirements, but amendments have been made, and the Town should wait until the Growth Management Study is done before addressing this.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted 4-1 to include Article 14 in the ATM Warrant. Hunt opposed. It was agreed that both Boards, Health and Selectmen, need to establish a Charge prior to the ATM.

ARTICLE 25 - At this point in the meeting Selectman Tufts left during discussion and voting.

Roger Hill in attendance, and gave a brief explanation of this Article.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously of those present and voting to include and recommend Article 25 on the ATM Warrant.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Tufts returned.

ARTICLE 35 - Roger Hill in attendance and gave a brief explanation of this Article.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include Article 35 on the ATM Warrant.

ARTICLES 47, 48, 49 - R. Hill in attendance and gave a brief explanation.

Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, to include Articles 47, 48 and 49, was amended by Hunt, seconded by Webster, to put the by-laws, in their entirety in the ATM Warrant Articles.

ARTICLE 60 On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include (2) articles pertaining to the purchase of aquifer land, in the ATM Warrant.

ARTICLE 36 - Skip Davis in attendance, and gave a brief explanation.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted 3-2 not to include Article 36 in the ATM Warrant. Clark, Hardin opposed.

ARTICLES 37, 38, 39, 40 - Paul Mullin in attendance and gave a brief explanation of these articles. Mullin read from a prepared statement on the status of our public facilities.

Mullin noted that Article 37 would require $25M fund. Article 38 would require between 2 1/2 - 3$M. Article 39 would cost approximately $50-70,000.

Paicos noted Article 37 as is presently worded is not lawful and no action can be taken on it. Article 38 has no text included. Paicos noted that if Article 37 in contrary to the Capital Planning Committee’s proposal, it would be extremely ill advised and would create chaos on the Town Meeting floor.

RE: Article 39 Paicos noted there is no funding for this unless a position is cut out of the current operating budget. Paicos noted he objects to the Committee being solely responsible for the duties of this person, noting the Town Charter already deals with this issue. Paicos noted he agrees with the general idea of a facilities manager.

Paicos noted that ARTICLE 40 is a good idea, and is already in place in other communities. Paicos noted he has some concerns with some of the provisions, but agrees in general. Paicos noted his concern with the reaction of the School Committee without proper education and discussion of the issue.

ARTICLE 37 - Hunt’s motion, seconded by Tufts, not to include Article 37 in the ATM, did not pass with a 2-3 vote. Tufts, Hunt in favor.

Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, to include Article 37 in the ATM Warrant was voted 3-2. Tufts, Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 38 - Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster to include Article 38 in the ATM Warrant, was not voted at this time. There was much discussion RE: whether or not Articles 37, 38, and 39 should even be on the Warrant.

ARTICLE 39 - On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 3-2 to include Article 39 in the ATM Warrant. Hunt, Tufts opposed.

ARTICLE 40 - On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted 3-2 to include Article 40 in the ATM Warrant. Tufts, Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 45 - Janet Linehan in attendance.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted 4-1 to include and recommend Article 45 in the ATM Warrant. Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 46 - Janet Linehan in attendance.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to include Article 46 in the ATM Warrant. Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 50 - On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to include Article 50 in the ATM Warrant and insert the quote of law already in place.

ARTICLE 51 - M. Sites in attendance and gave a brief explanation of this Article.

On Tufts motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include Article 54 in the ATM Article.

ARTICLE 52 - Robert Hamalian in attendance. Hamalian noted that the Town of Abington had already requested this legislation, instead of waiting for the 2000 census. Board noted that Mr. Hamalian’s request, unlike the wording in Article 52 by the Town Adm., was for this license to go to him, not to the Town in general.

After some discussion, on Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 3-2 to not include Article 52 in the ATM Warrant. Tufts, Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 58 - On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to include Article 58 in the ATM Warrant.

ARTICLE 53 - On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Board voted unanimously to include Article 53 in the ATM Warrant.

ARTICLE 55 - Board noted that this is a citizen petition, and is automatically in the ATM Warrant.

ARTICLES 56 & 57 were held for an opinion from Town Counsel, as they were previously submitted by petitioners.

ARTICLE 33 - On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Tufts, the Boar voted unanimously to reconsider the vote on Article 33.

Hunt noted that the OAMH Trustees didn’t vote to ask the Town for any money for this Article.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board vote unanimously not to include Article 33 in the ATM Warrant.

Due to the hour the Board decided to address the remaining items on the 2/23/98 agenda at the 3/2/98 meeting.

Webster asked that the elderly tax break be on the next agenda.

At 12:25AM, on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED_______________________________

DATED_______________________________