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.

Tufts noted that this will be Selectman Hunt’s last full meeting, and gave her a plaque for her service to the Town on the Board of Selectmen.

Dr. Simmons, M. Manning, C. O’Neil, L. Altieri, W. Flynn in attendance.

Dr. Simmons gave a brief presentation on the School Budget.

After much discussion, On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the School Budget in the amount of $17,855,957.

At this point in the meeting Tufts questioned what the position of the School Committee was on re-establishing the Central Maintenance Committee. M. Manning noted that he thought the School Committee would want a voice on this Committee and would be favorable to re-establishing it. L. Altieri also noted he would be in favor.

DATA PROCESSING BUDGET

Dr. Simmons in attendance.

Paicos noted that the Board had asked for the School Committee and the Superintendent to send a letter RE: school appropriation to the DP Budget. Dr. Simmons noted he did send a letter.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the Data Processing Budget in the amount of $211,440.

ARTICLE #9 - Paicos noted there was a SPED overrun of approx. $86,000, and gave a brief explanation.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of the SPED money in the amount of $86,000 which will be part of Article 9.

At this point in the meeting on Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to take under emergency conditions, two bids submitted by the Data Processing Department.

G. Danziger, W. Nightingale in attendance.

Danziger gave a brief explanation of the bids, 1) Fire Department software, 2) PC’s for Fire Department and Central Dispatch, noting that he was unaware of the Selectmen’s policy of having this type of information by the Friday before each meeting.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to award the Bid in the amount of $30,500, to Information Management Corp., as recommended by Data Processing. Clark opposed.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to award the bid to Gateway at a per unit cost of $1,339. for an amount of units between 10-30. Clark opposed.

ARTICLE 60 - M. White in attendance. Hunt noted that an audit clause was in the paperwork she had received from White. Hunt noted we need to issue a bond that secures the State’s money. Hunt noted that as proposed, she would support this program. On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to support Article 60 provided that 1) if interest is chargeable, it is not higher than 5%, 2) that repayment by homeowners is within 10 years, 3) Special Counsel McGregor reviews to see if there are any other issues the Board should be aware of.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 3/30/98, as amended.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 3/30/98.

On Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Arbor Day Proclamation.

At this point in the meeting on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 4-0-1 to take under emergency conditions a Proclamation for the Lions Club. Hunt abstained

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 4-0-1 to do Proclamations for all those receiving Lions Club Awards. Hunt abstained.

PLANNING AND ZONING BUDGET

Paicos gave a brief explanation.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the Planning and Zoning Budget which includes a full-time senior planner and a 3/4 time secretary with a total budget amount of $62,441. Clark opposed.

DPW BUDGET

Paicos noted this related to Budget Change Memo #6

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of a new total for the DPW-Central Maintenance Budget of $679,989.

ARTICLE 9 - Paicos noted the amount of $129,750 was needed for the following Budgets: SPED - $86,000; Legal - $20,000; Data Processing - $23,750.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend support of Article 9 in the amount of $129,750, as described above.

M. Lincoln in attendance.

Hunt questioned if the Board already has this power, and if so, is the Board subject to zoning requirements. Lincoln noted the Board can approve leases for up to 10 years already, and would be able to sell land with this Town Meeting vote of approval on this Article. Lincoln noted that local zoning would not be an issue at this time. Lincoln noted the Town is not subject to the same zoning issues as a private person would be. The Town is exempt from zoning issues. Lincoln noted the Board could set up a lease for 10 years with the option to renew for another 10 years. Hardin noted that Cell Towers are now considered a "public utility" and as such are exempt from zoning, under current law.

Hardin’s motion, to recommend approval of Article 13, did not receive a second.

Hunt noted she would want this to read "subject to public hearings".

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 13 subject to 1) deleting the word "sell", and 2) add "approval of such towers subject to successful compliance with the applicable Town of Easton zoning requirements".

ARTICLE 36 - R. Hill, P. Mullen, M. Brockman, D. Brown, G. Galer in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation. Hill noted $200,000 for Center and $200,000 for Parkview schools HVAC; $57,000 elevator at OAHS; $10,000 repair of steps at OAMH.

After some discussion, on Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 36 in the amount of $467,000 as recommended by the DPW Director as shown above.

ARTICLE 37 - R. Hill, P. Mullen, M. Brockman, D. Brown, G. Galer in attendance.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 3-2 to request a memo on how to expend $130,000 on a meaningful project(s) from R. Hill, and the PFSC. Clark, Hardin opposed.

Hill gave a brief explanation of the status of the playground rehab project. There was much discussion RE: playgrounds.

Hardin’s motion, seconded by Tufts to recommend approval of Section A of Article 37, for $66,000 for sander truck and $60,000 for playground rehab, for a total of $126,000 was not voted at this time.

Hill gave a brief explanation of the need for the Dump Truck/Sander. D. Brown noted the need for the Truck as well. Brown noted the Capital Planning Committee ranked this truck third in importance, and stated he wants to see this vehicle funded.

Hunt amended the motion, seconded by Clark, to remove the playground rehab in the amount of $60,000 from the main motion.

Vote on the amendment did not pass with a 2-3 vote. Hunt, Clark in favor.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend support of the Dump Truck/Sander in Article 37.

Tufts’ motion, seconded by Hardin, to recommend approval of $60,000 for playground rehab did not pass with a 2-3 vote. Tufts, Hardin in favor.

Clark stated he wanted $80,000 for playground rehab.

Webster asked for a memo from P. Goodman on how the money will be spent for playground rehab.

Clark’s motion to recommend approval of $80,000 for playground rehab, did not receive a second.

Tufts noted that it would be better to approve the $60,000 vs $0.

ARTICLES 41 - 43 - P. Mullen, R. Hill, M. Brockman, G. Galer, D. Brown in attendance.

P. Mullen noted that the PFSC wants to present and outline the Capital Improvement Plan to the Town Meeting. Mullen noted they will make a presentation with some sense of how to fund this. Paicos suggested the motion should to be a "leave of meeting" to allow PFSC to explain the needs. Hunt suggested that the Board vote to ask for "Town Meeting support of the PFSC continuing their efforts". P. Mullen noted he wants the Town to decide to come up with $750,000 out of the capital budget and to bond the rest, for a total of up to $1.5-$2M per year.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to support the PFSC continuing efforts to seek Town Meeting support of the continued implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan and to dismiss Articles 41, 42, and 43.

ARTICLE 44 - (see attached amended article)

There was much concern expressed by the Board RE: acceptance of this article by the CSBSC/School Committee/ Library Board of Directors.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to table this Article and to get comments from the CSBSC/School Committee/Library Board of Directors for the next meeting.

ARTICLE 51 - M. Sites in attendance.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 51.

ARTICLE 17 - M. Sites in attendance.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted 4-0-1 to recommend approval of Article 17 in the amount of $32,000. Hunt abstained.

ARTICLE 14 - D. Gardner in attendance, and submitted a revised Article (see attached).

Tufts suggested the charge should include 1) a look at the problem areas, 2) to assess all different costs of the methods available, 3) what are the zoning implications.

Hunt suggested establishing a Wastewater Management Committee to investigate alternatives for wastewater management in Easton. Webster asked that the charge include identification of the areas of need, to develop a plan of options i.e. treatment plants, and to identify funding available. Tufts noted he didn’t think the charge could be worked out before the Town Meeting and he would rather tell Town Meeting the Boards are committed to working on this and they hope to have a charge within one month. Clark noted that the charge should include "researching failed systems in environmentally sensitive areas". Webster suggested explaining to Town Meeting that the charge will be done in 30 days and to dismiss this article. Gardner noted he would not be in favor of that. Gardner noted he wants Town Meeting to be able to vote on this. Tufts suggested establishing a committee, as suggested by Hunt, with 7 at large members to be appointed jointly by both boards.

On Tufts motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to have the new motion for Article 14 read "to establish a Wastewater Management Committee, to investigate alternatives for wastewater management in Easton and further to provide that a Committee Charge, including membership will be determined by joint session of the Board of Selectmen and Board of Health.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Hunt sat in the audience as a resident.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLE 1

Paicos noted that several Department Heads are prepared to give a presentation at the STM with information on the additional operating and capital costs that would be necessary.

Paicos suggested appropriating $40,000 in Article 1 of the STM, whether people are opposed or in favor of commuter rail, to be able to thoroughly investigate the MBTA’s rail proposal. Paicos noted he has asked Raynham to appropriate $20,000. This would make a total of $60,000.

Both Webster and Clark noted that the department costs have never been communicated to the Board. Paicos noted he would get the Board this information in the morning.

Hardin expressed concern with the financial implications of the MBTA proposal.

Clark’s motion, seconded by Webster, to recommend approval of STM Article 1 in the amount of $40,000, was not voted at this time.

Webster noted that the only way to have a binding vote on this issue is with the STM vote, not a referendum question. Tufts noted the Town should be just looking into the areas that affect and will protect the Town as a whole. Tufts noted that citizen groups should be doing the lobbying.

ARTICLE 26 - Paicos noted the Memo he gave the Board and gave a brief explanation. Hunt noted the Board had asked that the information on the accounts receivable be aged.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of Article 26 in the amount of $10,000. Hunt opposed.

ARTICLE 29 - Paicos recommended $10,000 for this Article.

On Clark’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of Article 29 in the amount of $10,000.

ARTICLE 33 - On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Clark, the Board voted unanimously to recommend dismissal of Article 33.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to reconsider Article 37 - Playgrounds. Webster opposed.

Hunt noted that after listening to the discussion by the PFSC, R. Hill and the Capital Planning Committee she is now convinced that the Playground Rehab is the most realistic project at this time for the $60,000.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 4-1 to recommend approval of Playground Rehab in the amount of $60,000 in Article 37. Clark opposed.

At 11:45PM, on Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to adjourn to Executive Session for the purpose of discussing Real Property, not to return to Open Session.

APPROVED_________________________________

DATED__________________________________