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.

At 5:35PM, on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously, by roll-call, to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Real Property, to return to Open Session.

Hunt in favor, Webster in favor, Clark in favor, Hardin in favor, Tufts in favor.

At 6:00PM, the Board reconvened Open Session.

ARTICLE 60 - Attorney G. McGregor in attendance.

McGregor stated he agrees with Town Counsel’s opinion noting this is a package deal supplied by the State and the net cost to the Town is $0. McGregor noted this program is commonly regarded as a good deal and is also known that the State will not make any changes. McGregor suggested that the entire motion supplied by the State should be read at the ATM.

ARTICLE 5 - On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend dismissal of Article 5.

ARTICLE 23 - On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend tabling Article 23 until Article 60 is resolved.

ARTICLE 55 - On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 55.

ARTICLE 56 - G. Turner in attendance. On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of Turner Lane allowing 60 days to fulfill the conditions. Hunt, Tufts opposed.

ARTICLE 54 - C. Kone in attendance. Kone noted that this recommended change in the zoning by-law eliminates the inconsistency in use classifications in recreation uses in the Zoning by-Law.

Kone noted the Planning Board voted to support this Article.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to recommend support for Article 54. Tufts opposed.

BUDGET CHANGE MEMO #10 - Paicos gave a brief explanation. On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 3-2 to recommend approval of decreasing the Reserve Fund to $40,000. Webster, Clark opposed.

BUDGET CHANGE MEMO #11 - Paicos gave a brief explanation. On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to reduce the Salary line for the Board of Health Director by $40,000, for a new Board of Health Budget total of $131,463.

ARTICLE 44 Revised Motion (see attached) - Paicos passed out a letter from the CSBSC. Paicos expressed concern with too little time to make such a major change that affects several other committees. Hunt noted this is a good direction, but stated we need the committees involved to work together to amend the current Article. Hunt noted she wants every group affected by such changes to be represented. Hunt’s motion, seconded by Clark, not to support Article 44, was not voted.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to commit this to further study, and that the PFSC be charged with reaching out to all groups involved i.e. Library Directors, CSBSC, School Committee, and to work out a compromise and report back to the Board of Selectmen.

ARTICLE 19 - Clark questioned where the station closing stands in light of the vote to dismiss Article 19. Paicos noted that with the $45,000 Reserve Fund Transfer there should be no need to close stations in the next 30 days. Paicos noted that no station closings will take place without the Board’s decision.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to accept with regret the resignation of Roberta Hafferty from the Advisory Committee, and to send a Certificate of Appreciation for her years of service.

The Board decided to table the appointment of the new candidate until the annual appointments in June.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to waive the building fees for the tent and the certificate of occupancy for the Family Fun Day on 5/3/98.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Pole Petition 98-02, subject to the DPW’s recommendation for the installation of a light, as referenced in the letter from R. Goldrup of Eastern Utilities.

At this point in the meeting, on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to take under emergency conditions, a Proclamation for Ernest Camara.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve a Proclamation for Ernest Camara, on his retirement as Town Accountant.

M. Lincoln in attendance and gave a brief explanation. Lincoln noted the need for someone to sign the agreement and he requested the Board of Selectmen approve the Town Administrator to sign.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Town Administrator to sign the new Takeover Contract, as recommended by Town Counsel.

At 6:50PM, on Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn to the Annual Town Meeting.

APPROVED_________________________________

DATED__________________________________