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

M. Sites in attendance. Sites noted that the gift of Parcel B for 35.4 acres abuts lots in Milestone Acres. Sites also noted that Parcel A has already been accepted.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to support acquisition of Parcel B on behalf of the Town.

Paicos recommended the Board release the Bond.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to release the Bond from the Earth Removal Permit for 160 Center Street.

CONSERVATION COMMISSION BUDGET - M. Sites in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Conservation Commission Budget in the amount of $30,790.

J. Hopkins, R. Roth in attendance.

Tufts read the notice and various department reports. Roth noted he had submitted all the requested information. Clark read the Board of Health comments. Hopkins noted that the 3 basin sink has been installed, as requested.

Hardin noted that only MA Driver’s License is an acceptable form of ID in Easton, and suggested the employees attend the Easton Police Dept. seminar on checking ID’s at alcohol establishments.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the transfer of the Beer & Wine Package Store License to John Hopkins, DBA/Lil Peach.

PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD - C. Kone in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

There was much discussion RE: hiring a Planner.

Hardin’s motion, seconded by Tufts, to recommend approval of the Planning and Zoning Board Budget in the amount of $59,848. did not pass with a 2-2 vote. Hardin, Tufts in favor.

RECREATION DEPARTMENT - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Recreation Department Budget in the amount of $49,212.

RECREATION - POOL BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend support of the Recreation - Pool Budget in the amount of $28,448.

BOARD OF HEALTH BUDGET - W. Saucier in attendance. Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Board of Health Budget in the amount of $171,463.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Board of Assessors Budget in the amount of $151,151.

COLLECTOR/TREASURER BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Collector/Treasurer Budget in the amount of $273,519.

DEBT AND INTEREST BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Debt and Interest Budget in the amount of $2,711,228.

TOWN CLERK BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Town Clerk Budget in the amount of $155,876.

COUNCIL ON AGING BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Council on Aging Budget in the amount of $123,727.

VETERANS BUDGET - Paicos gave a brief explanation of this Budget.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Veterans Budget in the amount of $88,513.

Webster’s motion to appoint Wendy Nightingale, was seconded by Clark.

Tufts’ motion to appoint Bruce Baker, was seconded by Hardin.

Hardin noted that the two previous Accountants were from business backgrounds and did an excellent job in municipal accounting. Hardin noted that Baker already knows how the Town operates. Hardin noted he feels that Baker is the number one candidate.

Webster noted that Wendy Nightingale is the only candidate that has a CPA, CGA, and is currently working on certification as a procurement officer. She noted that Wendy is working in a neighboring community and is familiar with Easton.

Clark explained the point system/matrix, that he used for scoring the candidates. Clark noted that out of a possible 8 points, Nightingale received a score of 7 and Baker received a score of 1.

Tufts noted that for him it came down to 2 candidates and he weighed municipal experience with knowledge of the Town. Tufts noted that the present Town Accountant, didn’t have prior municipal experience, but learned what was necessary to do a great job.

No action taken.

(see attached list)

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include the article to increase Town Clerk fees.

No action taken on Building Inspector fees.

RE: Sewer Study Committee, there was much discussion RE: just establishing a Charge and a Committee vs having a warrant article. On Webster’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to inquire with the Board of Health that if a Committee is Charged and appointed, would they withdraw the warrant article for inclusion in the ATM Warrant.

Nothing done with Authorization to file special legislation to establish Trust Funds at this time.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include acceptance of various reports and compensating balance agreements.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include and recommend the Revolving Account Articles a-d.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include and recommend the F. B. Wetlands Prot. Fund Appropriation.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 3-0-1 to include the Fire Dept. Labor contract. Webster abstained.

No further action taken on funds for Rockery Grant match.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include indemnification for employee’s legal bills.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include Transfer of funds to a-d.

No action taken of funds for Fly-Away Pond Grant.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include the two articles submitted by Board of Assessors.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include and recommend the Transportation Bond Issue Funds.

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

There was some discussion RE: an article to pay discrepancy of funds for a Town Employee. No action taken.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Tufts returned.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include the $10,000 additional funds in Revolving Fund for Police Dept. article.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to include sick-leave, buy-back article.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include and recommend an Employee Recognition Program article in the amount of $6,000.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include and recommend the (2) articles to rescind vote for Bond Authorizations.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include the supplemental appropriation article for existing budgets.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to include the article for repairs to OAMH Steps.

No action taken on Civilian Dispatch Center equipment.

No action taken on General By-Law changes.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include (2) citizen petitions, the (2) Planning Board articles, and the article to re-zone land already owned by the Town to ConCom.

After some discussion, On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to include an article which would allow Selectmen to enter into agreements with Cell Tower Companies.

At 9:40PM, on Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED______________________________

DATED_______________________________