Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
8/22/05
The
Board of Selectmen met this evening at the Easton Town Offices, Selectmen’s Office, 136 Elm Street, Easton, MA with John Haederle presiding. Also in attendance were Charles King, Colleen Less, Irwin Cohen and Town
Administrator Martha White. Colleen Corona was not present. 7:00 pm
Verizon New England Inc./Massachusetts Electric Co., pole
relocation – P145 Foundry Street
Right of Way Manager JoAnne Robidoux was present. Robidoux
explained the request to accommodate the new Walgreens store to be located on Foundry
Street in the five corners area.
On King’s motion, seconded by Cohen, the board voted
unanimously to approve the request for the pole relocation.
Common Victualler application – Lukoil Mini Mart – 675
Washington Street
Applicant Mohamed Khan and Asad Hussein were present. Hussein noted he is working on the
outstanding issues with the Building Department with respect to the second
means of egress. A final inspection is required.
White noted we would hold the license until all the issues
have been addressed.
On Less’ motion, seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to approve the license contingent upon resolving the
outstanding egress issue with the Building Department.
Common Victualler application – Easton
Lucky Corner – 670 Depot Street
Applicant Peter Wu was present and explained his intent to
open at the new location. White noted the Fire Department, Board of Health
concerns and the final inspection required by the Building Department. Wu explained his intent to open in a few
days after all issues are resolved.
On Less’ motion, seconded by Cohen, the board voted
unanimously to approve the license subject to the outstanding Board of
Health/ Fire Department concerns and the final inspection by the Building
Department. The board noted that the
license would be for take out only, no inside seating.
Lothrop Street
re-opening
White announced that Lothrop Street,
in the area of the Oliver Ames
High School, reopened today.
Minutes
On Haederle’s motion, seconded by King, the board voted
3-0-1 to approve general minutes dated 7/25/05. Less
abstained.
On King’s motion, seconded by Less, the board voted
unanimously to approve general minutes dated 8/8/05.
Meeting with Human Resources Board (HRB) to discuss
non-union wage study – comparison communities
White explained the HRB would not be present this
evening. White explained the new
information. After follow up with Chair
of HRB and the non-union wage study consultant, they are in agreement that
Westford and Wareham could be taken
off the list of comparison communities.
Less asked the rational behind the number of the communities that were
selected. White explained the issue of
the median income and the concept of using this as a guideline for a community
to be able to pay salaries. The consultant doesn’t agree that this is the
case. White explained the need to be
competitive in the market; if employees retire, the wealthier communities do
not necessarily pay more. Less suggested
that when teachers retire they are replaced with younger teachers at a lesser
pay. White suggested that the non-union
group is different; there is not a large pool to pick from when vacancies
occur. Less referred to a conversation
she had with members of Municipal Benchmarking, a company that does benchmark
studies and they agree with using criteria 20% above and 20% below the median
income when choosing comparison communities.
White reiterated that the consultant feels that he can move forward with
the removal of the top and bottom communities.
The board agreed with taking Westford and Wareham
off the list of communities to be surveyed.
See attached list.
On Haederle’s motion, seconded
by Less, the board voted unanimously to remove Westford and Wareham
from the comparison community list.
Real estate transfer – intersection of Bay
Road/Depot Street
White explained the proposed reconfiguration in the Depot
Street area and the new CVS building. White spoke of the 5 corners area road
improvements. She referred to the
proposed realignment of this area, the CVS gift of land and a contribution of
$75,000 to the town. All of the money
contributions will be used as grant match funds for the new road developments. White asked that the board approve the
attached letter of intent, acknowledging that the agreement would be subject to
town meeting approval. The cost to the town would be $10. White noted that the CVS entity would prepare
the Form A plan and the deed. White
noted that they have begun to survey the intersection area. This will not slow down design work for
CVS. White did note that the Mobil Exxon
site would be affected by this change. A
side contract with VHB has been done to address their issues because their
driveway, approved through site plan approval, will no longer be
accessible. White is working with Mobil
Exxon and town departments to resolve the issues. Less expressed some concern
with lack of traffic lights at this location as proposed. White expects this new design to alleviate
the current problem at that intersection.
King asked for clarification and suggested that this may help to bring
the Bay Road traffic more
directly onto Depot Street. Less asked for clarification of the affect of
the Exxon Mobil driveway. White
explained that this is a secondary driveway; there will still be a second
access off of Bay Road. White suggested that a stop sign might be
installed at that intersection. VHB will
be preparing the design and the board will review this again. King asked if we have the strips of land that
conforms to the traffic design. DPW
Director Wayne Southworth noted that we are not taking any additional land for
the right of way. No additional land was
needed from CVS for roadway improvements.
On Less’ motion, seconded by King, the board voted
unanimously to approve the letter of intent.
American
Legion Boys
State Proclamation
American Legion Commander Bob Hicks was present. Haederle read the proclamation. Hicks, expressed appreciation for the board’s
support and the public notice given.
Haederle noted that we have signed proclamation for each of the young
men that attended Boys State
in June. Kevin Thompson was present and
received his proclamation. The board
congratulated the boys for their involvement with Boys
State.
Request to assent to modification of Presidential Path
Subdivision
Robert Taylor of 10 Hoe Shop Street
and DPW Director Wayne Southworth were present.
White explained the proposal to develop land in the subdivision known as
Presidential Path. State law provides
that a modification cannot be made unless the other owners within the
subdivision agree to the change. Taylor
noted that the other owners have agreed to the modification. The Town of Easton’s
approval is required as some of the land in the subdivision is town owned. The land is in the vicinity of one of our
town wells. White noted that the
proposal is to allow Taylor to further
develop land off of Reagan Road,
consisting of another 3 lot residential subdivision. This would consist of two house lots and one
lot as a gift to the town. The town has
interest in this parcel because of the close proximity to the well. Half of the land will be developed and the
other half would be donated to the town.
Taylor gave an explanation
of the original Presidential Path development and the new proposal. Any new septic systems will not be in close
proximity to the town’s well site. Taylor
noted that the land is under purchase and sales agreement, subject to getting
the approval. Southworth showed the 6.7
acre plan of the land on a map. The town
has 3 wells in this area. Southworth
showed the wells on the map and noted the importance of them to the town of Easton. It was noted that the town acquired other
land acquisitions in the past to help protect our well areas. The closest lot to the well is 567
feet. Haederle asked about certain
zones. Southworth explained the zones in
detail. Haederle expressed some concern
with the proximity of the proposed homes to the wells. Haederle suggested the Planning & Zoning
Board originally put a restriction on this subdivision for a reason. Haederle emphasized the importance of
protecting the public water supply. Taylor
noted that he is looking for the simplest way to develop the property while
protecting the town’s interest and suggested that the land will be built either
way. White reminded Taylor
that the purchase and sales agreement is subject to obtaining permits. Taylor
suggested that he has modified subdivisions in the past without any
problem. Taylor
suggested that the Planning Board could approve a modification of a plan. Taylor
referred to the land given to the town over the years and the benefit to the
town. Cohen asked Southworth’s opinion
of the creation of two lots compared to four.
Southworth suggested a nitrate loading analysis should be done at some
point and acknowledged that this could be an area of concern. Cohen asked if the analysis should be done
before the town makes a decision.
Southworth agreed that it should be done prior to a decision. Taylor
suggested that he shouldn’t have to do more to modify a subdivision than what
has been asked of him in the past. White
explained the unique restriction on Reagan Road. Taylor
spoke of the requirement of a residential compound subdivision and that any
member of the subdivision must be a member of the homeowners association. The town land is marked municipal and open
space. White disagreed with the point
that the land has been rezoned and the town is not a member of the homeowners
association. That subdivision could not
have been proposed as a residential subdivision without giving the land to the
town. At this point, White suggested
further study and review by counsel and moving forward with the hydro geological
study. Haederle agreed with further
information needed to clarify that the septic systems would not have any impact
on the water wells. Taylor
suggested he could work with Southworth and noted that he doesn’t want to delay
the process. King asked if this were
approved, would it be an extension of Reagan Road. White referred to the Planning Board original
approval and the modification would affect the provision of the extension. White has been working with the Town Planner
on these issues. The town doesn’t want
to accept Reagan Road; it
was built almost as a driveway. Taylor
suggested that two lots on seven acres of land is a reasonable request. Taylor
hopes that they can prove that the septic will not impact our wells. White asked that the board continue this
discussion. White again noted that she
would ask for a definitive answer from counsel. The board agreed to continue the discussion
to a future agenda, possibly 9/19/05.
Review of contracts for Water Division
Woodard & Curran for pumping
station equipment
DPW Director Wayne Southworth indicated that the 30B
procurement procedure was followed for the variable frequency drives for the pumping
stations and upgrading of the SCADA system controls. Southworth noted that these capital items
were approved at town meeting. He
explained the process. This would allow for
a variable speed in pumping in an efficient manner.
On Haederle’s motion, seconded
by Less, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract to
Woodard & Curran, not to exceed $18,655.
HESCO for 2 flex drives
Southworth explained
the need for the contract, to install the equipment referenced above.
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted unanimously to approve the contract to HESCO, not to
exceed $16,955.60.
King asked about the
Depot
Street to Fox Ridge Road construction status. Southworth noted the state engineer must be present
before construction can begin. The
project is funded through state and federal funding which requires entire
oversight by Mass Highway. Construction should begin
shortly.
Special Town Meeting warrant review
White reviewed the
warrant and noted that wording may change.
Article 1
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted unanimously to approve and recommend.
Article 2
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article 3
On King’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article 4
On King’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted
unanimously to include and recommend.
Article 5
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article 6
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by King, the board voted unanimously to include
Article 7
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article 8
On King’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article 9
On Less’ motion,
seconded by Cohen, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article 10
On King’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article 11
On Less’ motion,
seconded by King, the board voted unanimously to include and recommend.
Article 12
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted unanimously to include.
Article 13
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by King, the board voted unanimously to include.
Ongoing
discussion re: library construction
project
Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) & Building Committee Charge
White explained the
changes to the MOU. See attached.
White referred to a
recent meeting with three members of library, their project manager, Colleen Corona and Colleen Less held on 8/8.
All parties at that meeting agreed to the changes in the MOU. Both Selectmen and Library Board members will
need to vote to approve the MOU and the Library Building Committee Charge.
Haederle commended
White for her work in clarifying issues concerns in the MOU. King asked about the lease. White referred it as minimal.
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted unanimously to approve the amended MOU and Library
Building Committee charge as presented.
Board of Appeals
resignation – Stephen Johnson
On King’s motion,
seconded by Haederle, the board voted unanimously to accept with regrets Mr. Johnson’s
resignation. A certificate of
appreciation will be issued.
Appointment to Canoe River Aquifer Advisory Committee – Janet Simolari
On Haederle’s motion,
seconded by Less, the board voted unanimously by roll call to appoint Janet Simolari to the Canoe River
Aquifer Advisory Committee with a term expiring 6/30/08.
Cohen; Simolari,
Haederle; Simolari, Less; Simolari, King; Simolari.
Review of
proposed Stormwater Management Policy
The board briefly
reviewed the proposed policy. Haederle
suggested a minor change to paragraph #1.
The board will discuss this policy further in the future.
Proposed
Selectmen’s Meeting Thursday, September 8th
The board agreed to hold and additional meeting on 9/8/05 at 7:00pm in the Selectmen’s Office.
Town Administrator’s notes
None
Press notes
None
Selectmen’s notes
None
On Haederle’s motion, seconded by Less, the board voted
unanimously by roll call to adjourn open session and go into executive
session for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations, not to return to open
session. 8:55
Haederle; yes, Less; yes, King; yes, Cohen; yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Southworth
__________________________
APPROVED
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DATE