SELECTMEN’S MEETING MINUTES
The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton
On
Goodwin yes, Corona yes, Haederle yes, Tufts yes, Marsan
yes. (
The board reconvened open session at
Presentation of Citations by Senator Brian Joyce
Senator Joyce was presented on behalf of other Senators and Representatives and presented citations from the senate. Joyce read the citations for Carla Goodwin and Jeffrey Tufts, as they are leaving their terms of office later this month. Joyce also gave a brief update on local aid and revenues and noted that he does not project any further cuts in local aid.
Gift from
Mr. David Simas was present and gave a brief presentation on behalf of the Registry of Deeds. See attached information. Simas indicated that the computer will be in place in the next couple of weeks and the scanning may be complete in approximately 6 months. White noted the tremendous asset of having this ability to receive up to date accurate information, in house. Assistant Assessor Anne Carney and the Board of Assessors were present. Carney spoke positively about this opportunity and the new technology.
Public
Participation
None
Minutes
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted
4-0-1 to approve General Minutes Dated
Approval of
Volunteer Application Form
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to accept the new form. A signature line, date line and town seal
will be added with the intention of having it posted on the web as a PDF file
for downloading purposes.
Request for
Waiver of Fees – Library Project
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to approve the request for waiver of the
building and other fees under the Selectmen’s jurisdiction.
Request for
Waiver of Fees – Oliver Ames &
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to approve the request for waiver of the
building and other fees under the Selectmen’s jurisdiction.
Right of First
Refusal Consideration (61A) –
White referred to
the
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously not to exercise the right of first refusal under 61A on
Application for
Transfer of Restaurant All Alcohol License from Black Swan Inc., dba Blackthorne Tavern to Brennan’s Restaurant Inc., dba
Brennan’s Blackthorne Tavern (new common victualler and entertainment
licenses) 402 Turnpike Street
Stephen
Brennan, Mrs. Christine Brennan and
Brennan distributed
a copy of the plan for his new business.
Haederle asked about
the atmosphere and if it would change.
Brennan spoke of the same staff, fireplace and live music. Carpet, paint and new equipment (cosmetic)
will be changed as well as enhancement of the menu. Goodwin asked about changes to bathroom to
allow handicapped accessibility. Brennan noted that they would be addressing
these issues. Marsan noted the
department comments, specifically Board of Health needing new permits. Marsan commented on the background check and
noted Brennan’s work, etc. Haederle
asked about parking. Brennan noted
improvement would be made. Tufts asked
about entertainment. Brennan explained
how they would re-evaluate the current entertainment and make some
changes. Brennan noted that improvements
would be made to the lighting.
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to approve application for transfer of the
restaurant all alcohol license, new common victualler and entertainment
licenses, subject to changes on the Form A, the required certificate of
insurance relative to workers compensation and obtaining necessary permits by
the Board of Health.
Town Accountant Wendy Nightingale was present. White referred to the FY’05 Budget Executive
Summary. See attached. Marsan complimented White on the overview and
the format used. He referred to the
budget and how it addresses some of the things that the board discussed over
the year. Also, town meeting referred to
the hiring of a HR Director. Marsan
spoke positive of a person in this capacity noting the need for a professional
in that area. Marsan referred to the
budget subcommittee and the expansion of it over the last few years. He specifically noted drawing together boards
like the Finance Committee and School Department. Additional meeting were suggested to prepare
for town meeting and finalization of the budget. Goodwin referred to the structural problem
with funds and the fact that it’s not about raising revenues. 89% of funds are on residential tax basis.
Goodwin noted a disproportionate share, other than single-family homes. We
cannot raise revenues in another way.
Goodwin spoke of the tax rate vs. tax dollar amount. Goodwin asked White to expand on the
revenue-generating problem. White
explained that there is no mechanics to increase revenue to help with the
problem. The residential factor is very
important and we have very little business.
She spoke of the highway access issue, which cannot be resolved. White spoke of the wage adjustment
factor. White noted that none of the
issues could be resolved quickly in the foreseeable future. The funds are not enough to fund the
community needs.
Maureen Papineau of
Discussion of
Meeting Schedule
The board discussed
an additional meeting date for budget purposes.
May 11th was proposed at
Town
Administrator Performance Evaluation
Marsan noted that
the board would be discussing this item at the next meeting on
Annual Town
Meeting Warrant Review
White referred to
the draft warrant dated
On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Goodwin, the board voted unanimously to
include and recommend.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Tufts, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend. Article #3
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Tufts, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
White indicated that
she and the Finance Team do not recommend the article. She asked for the board
to hold on action until she meets with the Board of Health.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Goodwin, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article #7
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Tufts, the board voted unanimously to include and take no position at this time
on recommendation.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Marsan, the board voted unanimously to include both articles.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Goodwin, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
No action was taken
at this time.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include.
No action was taken
at this time.
No action was taken
at this time.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
No action was taken
at this time.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Tufts, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
On Corona’s motion,
seconded by Marsan, the board voted unanimously to include.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Marsan, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to include.
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include.
No action necessary,
citizen petition automatically included.
Article #30
On Tufts’ motion,
seconded by Goodwin, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article #31
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article #32
On Goodwin’s motion,
seconded by Corona, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend. Water Main Easement
White explained the
Easement for
Library Access-
No action taken.
Funding for
No action
taken.
Street Acceptances
No action taken.
No action taken.
No action taken.
No action taken.
No action taken.
Town Administrator’s Notes
None
Press Notes
Vicki Downing asked the status of the TA performance evaluation. Haederle indicated that the TA and the board are still in the process of reviewing the evaluation.
Selectmen’s Notes
Tufts asked if the traffic safety request for stop sign on Sheridan and Spooner has been forward. White indicated that it has been forwarded and waiting for a response. Tufts also asked that the town enforce the recycling bylaw at some point in the near future.
On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Corona, the board voted
unanimously to adjourn at
Respectfully submitted,
Mary McCarthy
______________ _________________________________
Approved
________________________________________________
Date