Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes
July 26, 2004
The Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton Town
Offices, Selectmen’s Office with Chair Colleen Corona
presiding. Also in attendance were John
Haederle, Clerk, Colleen Less, Gerard Marsan, Charles King and
Town Administrator Martha White.
The Board convened the open meeting at 7:00 p.m. with a pledge of allegiance to the flag.
Announcements/Proclamations
Mr. Robert Hicks of the American Legion George S. Shepard
Post 7, spoke on the history of American
Legion Boys State. The following young men were chosen by their
high school guidance counselor to participate in Boys
State and were elected to various
offices by their peers: Zachary Langway, Jesse Victor, Mark Fisher, Jonathan
Monnin, Matthew Zussman, Steven Marsh and Keith Richardson. The board extended
congratulations to the boys for the honor and they in turn thanked Mr. Hicks
and the sponsors.
Licenses/Permits
Vasanthal Shah, representing Shree Gokulesh Corp. dba Mutual
Mart was present for a hearing on a common victuallers’ license for the
property at 675 Washington St.
White relayed that all was in order
except for the Board of Health permits for tobacco and food.
King motioned to
approve the CV license pending all necessary permits being obtained from
the health department. Marsan seconded the
motion and the Board voted unanimously to grant the license.
Corona announced
that the appointment with the Municipal Building Committee to discuss the
school construction bids would not take place as scheduled as the MBC is still
in the process of reviewing the bids and is not, at this time, ready to make a
presentation to the Board.
Action/Discussion
Vote of Eminent Domain:
White explained that the Board of Selectmen had previously voted on the taking
by eminent domain of the North Easton
Grammar School on March 24, 2004. Due to a delay at the
Bristol County Registry of Deeds, the document was not recorded within 30 days
as required by law. So this needs to be repeated. White will send a courier to the
Registry this time. Marsan noted that the Registry was for some time 4-5 months
behind in the opening of their mail. Less
motioned for the Board to adopt the Order of Taking as authorized by Town
Meeting with respect to the property of the North
Easton Grammar School.
Marsan seconded the motion and a unanimous vote of the Board followed.
Waiver of fees for
NRT: White explained this was a routine item and that it has been the
Board’s policy to waive fees for local non-profits and this is an annual request.
King motioned to waive the fees for the October 3, 2004 Harvest Fair. Marsan seconded and a unanimous
vote of the board followed.
Acceptance of Gift: White relayed that Mirrione Realty Trust is
planning a Chapter 40B housing development and Mirrione has agreed to fund the
difference ($7,500) between the amount appropriated from CPA funds for the
Affordable Housing Plan and the bid received for that plan. The funds have been received but it is
necessary for the Board to vote to accept these funds. Haederle motioned to accept the gift from Mirrione and Less seconded the motion. A unanimous vote
of the Board to accept the gift was taken.
Ambulance Bill
Abatement:
White explained that the amount of $384.00 was a contractual
write-off for bills that have been determined to be uncollectible. Marsan motioned to approve the
ambulance bill abatement of $384 as requested. Less seconded and a unanimous
vote by the board followed.
Reappointment of
Constables:
The following candidates for constable have been recommended
for re-appointment by Chief Kominsky and Detective Fulcher: Desmond Chow and
Jerold Loomis. King motioned to
approve Chow and Loomis as constables. Haederle
seconded the motion and a unanimous roll call vote followed – Haederle – yes,
King – yes, Less – yes, Marsan – yes, Corona – yes.
Discussion of Town
Counsel:
White said that previously the Board had asked her to work
on a Request for Proposals but she has not received direction from the Board as
to the preferred “model” for town counsel; alternatively an RFP could be issued
that does not define a model but leaves it open to proposals from firms,
individuals, in-house alternatives, etc. Less had given some information to
White and she needs guidance on the parameters and restrictions the board is
seeking. White also advised that Brackett and Lucas is willing to come once a
week with specific hours to facilitate open dialogue with department heads so
as to address issues before they become problems. It was noted that the
geography (with Brackett and Lucas being located in Worcester)
was not conducive to problem prevention and White envisions counsel meeting
with department heads and committee chairs only. Less suggested the in-house
counsel approach. Marsan said it might be the best of both worlds and a
sub-committee had previously studied the issue and to get someone in-house, it
would cost over $100,000. The person would then need a secretary so there would
be added costs. A lawyer from B&L one
or two days per week would keep the firm up-to-date on all town issues where a
new lawyer would need a learning curve. If
we went with new counsel, B&L would remain with the cases they are already
handling. Less noted that they have already budgeted for $200,000 and the costs
could go up from there. Haederle asked if B&L would were to be here one or two
days would it be a flat rate? Corona
was also concerned about the rates. Marsan asked if the lawyer would bring Easton
work with them. White advised that it is anticipated that department heads
would “hold” their issues for the weekly visit by Counsel, rather than call
them as they arise, thereby not adding costs; B&L does not charge for
travel time. They would bring Easton
work and/or other work; if other work then that time would be billed to other
clients. Marsan suggested crafting an RFP after they start coming here weekly. Corona
said the board could get information from reviewing an RFP that was thought to
have been done earlier, but White did not believe an RFP had actually been done
prior to retaining B&L. Corona suggested starting with one day per week and
take it from there. White reiterated that citizens would not have access, only
committee chairs and department heads. Corona
said the Board would not vote on the issuance of an RFP tonight and she will
call other towns and survey them on this issue. White will call B&L and
arrange for a lawyer to be on-site for one day a week for now. Corona
wants a monthly update and Marsan wants a record of the contacts. He also mentioned it would give the town the
ability of a quick response to events.
Special Town Meeting
Warrant:
White needed a vote by the board on both articles:
Membership to the regional school committee: the
current election process would change to a joint appointment (Selectmen and
School Committee) within the community they represent. Ralph Armstead, Easton’s
representative to the Regional School Committee, was present to explain the
article. Less motioned to include
the article and recommend favorable action to Town Meeting. Marsan
seconded with a unanimous vote of the board following.
Artificial turf: White read into the record her memo
advising against the artificial turf and a long discussion ensued. White
explained that the article as submitted calls for bonding for the turf and
alternative funding mechanisms are not possible within the language of the
article. Further discussion centered around the funding issues and Corona
stated that Board members would need to agree to disagree. Corona then motioned not to recommend funding
the artificial turf; a second to the
motion was made by Less and a vote was taken 4/1 with Corona, Less, King and Marsan in favor and
Haederle voting in opposition. Marsan suggested taking a position at Town
Meeting on not supporting the turf article for financial reasons. Members
talked briefly about the funding mechanisms, such as the state picking up the
some of the cost, but nothing definite was decided.
Minutes
Regular session (4/26/04)
Corona motioned to accept. Haederle seconded
and a vote followed with Corona, Haederle and Marsan voting to accept and Less
and King abstaining due to the fact that they were not present at the
meeting.
Regular session (5/3/04)
Marsan motioned to accept with
corrections noted and King seconded with a unanimous vote following.
Regular session (5/11/04)
Less motioned to accept with corrections
noted and King seconded with a
unanimous vote following.
Executive session (5/3/04)
Less motioned to approve and Haederle seconded with a unanimous vote following.
Executive session (5/11/04)
Less motioned to approve and Haederle seconded with a unanimous vote following.
At 8:38 pm, on a motion by King, seconded by Less, the Board voted unanimously to go into Executive
Session to discuss executive session minutes. Corona –yes; Less-yes; Haederle-yes; Marsan – yes
and King-yes.
Respectfully submitted;
Linda Paquin ____________________________________
Approved
____________________________________
Date