___________________________
Date Approved
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton
Minutes
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted 4-0-1
to approve general minutes dated
Home Consortium Grant Award
White referred to the attached grant information. Tufts credited White for her efforts on this program and noted the history of the grant. Marsan asked about other towns that participate. White noted twelve other towns plus the two cities. The board also commended White for her efforts.
Appointment to
Council on Aging
It was noted that
interviews were originally held on
The Board voted 3-2 by roll call to appoint Carl Palm to the vacant position
on the Council on Aging with a term expiring
Goodwin – Higgins,
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously by roll call to appoint Denise Higgins to the Task Force
for Senior Center Development, subject to her approval.
Haederle
– Higgins, Marsan – Higgins,
White will amend the
charge to include the new citizen at large.
Public
Participation
None
Meeting with Historical Commission re:
Demolition Delay Bylaw
Chairman Melanie
Deware, Ed Hands and Greg Galer were present.
Deware spoke of the
newly created bylaw, which will be voted at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting
(ATM). Deware gave history of the vote
at a previous town meeting and an overview of the bylaw that the commission is proposing. The proposed bylaw would require the Building
Inspector to notify them if they had a permit for demolition. Hopefully this would give the commission time
to review the property and history records to see if they had any information
or concerns. This applies to outside structures
only, not inside. Hands noted only
substantial demolition to a building.
The Commission feels that this would be useful to give alternatives to a
homeowner who may wish to sell their property.
Hands spoke of the impact and how to minimize any impact. They would propose to increase the age of the
home from 50 to 75 years of age. This
will change the amount of homes that would be affected. There may be approximately 1100 properties,
including public businesses or public buildings like the Town Hall. Hands spoke of other towns and the fact that
1 in 10 building permits is demolition delay.
Hands referred to the ZBA applicants and how the Commission reviews the
applications prior to the ZBA holding their hearing. Hands referred to the example that over the
years, looking at 10 homes, they would only recommend a concern of one of
them.
Homeland Security Grant Award
Mr. Saunders from
the Bristol County Commissioners noted that the application for the Homeland
Security Grant has been approved in the amount of $125,000. Chief Stone and Firefighter/Bristol County
Representative William Downey were present also. Saunders explained the excess revenue from
the Bristol County Retirement. The need
for Police and Fire has increased since the September 11th
event. Saunders thanked Stone and
Olmsted Memorial
Cairn Design Contract Amendment
Greg Galer was
present and updated the board on the Olmsted Memorial Cairn project. Galer
spoke of the Phase I work and the remainder of $85,000 is still available but
not enough to complete the project. The
Historical Commission is working with CPA Committee on funding. Galer spoke of the need for continued
construction documents. Galer
distributed maps showing the phases of the project. Bid packages are being worked on. The CPA Committee will go to town meeting and
ask for modification to $100,000. CPA
also voted to front $10,000 from their administrative funds to help get prepared for the bid documents, etc. The money will be
paid back. The request tonight is for
the $10,000 contract with the firm of McKinley Kalsow and Associates, LLP. Goodwin asked about using more CPA funds to
fund the entire project. Galer noted
that $300,000 would be needed just for this piece. Galer spoke of the grant funding for the
project and noted that progress is being made, one piece at a time. White thanked Galer and noted the
complication of this project.
Tufts’ motioned to approve amendments to the McGinley Kalsow
and Associates contract. Haederle seconded the motion. White
noted that the CPA Committee would be requesting a warrant article. White noted that the amendment #3 funds are
not available until after town meeting.
The Town Accountant will sign off after town meeting for the
funding.
Tufts questioned the
height of the area. Galer noted the
installation of the railing for safety.
Tufts asked about underground wiring.
Galer noted that the funding is not available but agrees that this is
the correct solution. The board voted unanimously on the motion.
Referral of
Zoning Amendments to Planning & Zoning Board
White referred to
the Stormwater Management Bylaw Amendment.
See attached memo.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to transmit to the Planning and Zoning Board
a proposal to amend the Easton Zoning Bylaw by including a new subsection for
Stormwater management under section XI environmental performance standards with
the new sub-section to be identified as 11.2 Stormwater Management.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to transmit to the Planning and Zoning Board
a proposal to rezone town-owned land from Residential to Municipal and Open
Space Mar R08-402 – 303 By Road (from the cemetery commission)
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to transmit to the Planning and Zoning Board
a proposal to rezone certain town-owned land from Residential to Municipal and
Open Space as follows: U-17-172 15 Pond Street;
U38-062 288 Depot Street; U09-084 39 Arborway; R08-403 32 Dunbar Drive; R07-223
43 Dunbar Drive.
White referred to
citizen petition to amend Section X-Signs of the Zoning Bylaw. See attached memo dated
Goodwin motioned to transmit to the Planning and Zoning Board
a proposal to amend the Easton Zoning Bylaw generally related to signs and
specifically pertaining to electronic message center and changeable copy
signs.
White referred to
aquifer protection district change zoning change. See memo dated
Tufts asked about
notifying property owners. White
indicated that it is not necessary.
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to transmit to the Planning & Zoning
Board a proposal to amend Town of Easton zoning map by amending the boundaries
of the Aquifer Protection District.
FY’05 Budget
White referred to
the current 2005 revenue projections.
White reviewed the projections in detail. See attached spreadsheet. White noted the upcoming meeting with the
financial team, budget subcommittee and department heads (Police &
Fire). White asked about process and if
the board would want to meet with each department. Marsan reflected on last year’s process and
meeting with the departments that were going to be impacted by change. Tufts referred back to previous meetings and
suggested that the time be spent where needed, on changes only. White spoke of a budget informational
meeting on April 12th for the board.
White hopes to have the full budget available by April
12th.
Special Municipal
Employee Designations
White referred to
her memo dated
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted 4-1 to table the issue, pending a review of individual boards on
institutional knowledge and to further check with the Town Clerk to see if
there is any designation of the special municipal status for review on a future
agenda. Tufts opposed.
Town
Administrator Performance Evaluation
Marsan noted that he
and Haederle are the subcommittee for the Town Administrator Evaluation
Instrument. Marsan noted the timing of
the first evaluation. Marsan and
Haederle suggested a proposal to the board that the evaluation instrument also
involve a scoring process. Haederle
further explained the proposed scoring process; Haederle suggested a #1 – #5 scoring mechanism,
#1 being the lowest. Using this method
can compare an average. Haederle further
suggested using the category line i.e. #1. Service and Support to the
Board
of Selectmen. Goodwin suggested including comments so that
the Town Administrator understands the reason for the scoring. Goodwin felt that in general, the evaluation
instrument is a good learning tool.
After review, the five evaluations will be turned over to the Town
Administrator. Tufts suggested that we
do not have enough evidence to move forward on some of the items listed on the
tool. Haederle agreed that this could be
a problem and that we need to keep in mind that it has not been a full annual
cycle, some things may not apply. After
much discussion, the board agreed that the would submit information to Marsan
by April 8th for discussion at the April 12th agenda.
Right of First
Refusal Consideration (61A) –
White referred to
the memo and the notice of intent from Attorney John Keach. White noted that she has not heard back from
all the boards and committees but hopes to have all the information by the next
meeting on 4/12. Tufts noted the major
issue with the changes in the cranberry bogs and suggested that we look at the
whole picture and not the individual people.
It was noted that the 61A is for lot 4 only; lot 3 will come back to the
board with another filing. White noted
Ed & Lynn White submitted a letter to the board. White will call the White’s prior to it
coming back to the board at the next meeting.
Tufts spoke of growth and the tool of the 61 Option and its efforts to
preserve open space. Marsan noted the
statutory time frame. Haederle spoke of
the possible impact on septic systems if the lots are developed.
SERSG Assignment
of Contract for Purchases of Liquid Calcium Chloride – Innovative Municipal
Products, Inc
The board noted the
change due to the purchase of Road Solutions by Innovative Municipal Products.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by
Charter Change
Update
White updated the
board on the charter change bylaw question.
White spoke of the mailing to all households. This mailing must be done two weeks prior to
the election. White noted that the
printing company would be doing the mailing and the postage. $2,502 is the approximate cost for the
printing and may need to request a reserve fund transfer for this expense.
Ambulance
Abatement Request
On
Haederle’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted
unanimously to approve the
ambulance abatement as requested in the amount of $1,931.13.
Haederle suggested
that we check into a system to better deal with ambulance abatements, possibly
quarterly.
Town Administrator’s Notes
None
Press Notes
None
Selectmen’s Notes
None
On Haederle’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted
unanimously by roll call to go into Executive Session, not to return to
Open Session, for purposes of real estate negotiations, real estate litigation
and labor negotiations.
Tufts yes, Haederle yes, Marsan yes,
Respectfully submitted,
Mary McCarthy
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Approved
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Date