The Board of Selectmen met this evening with Chairman Jeffrey Tufts presiding. In attendance were William Hardin, Patricia Hunt, Patricia Webster and Town Adm. Kevin Paicos.

Selectman Frederick Clark absent.

R. Hill in attendance.

Paicos gave a brief explanation of the contract with Veri Associates. Hunt expressed concern that the contract doesn’t say specifically what the Town wants done. Hill noted the work is already done as the Board had wanted it done. Hill noted this is a modular design and can be added to at a later date. Hill noted Parkview is ready to go out to bid, and the specs were written such that the one bid will be able to be used over the two year period for other sites. On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Contract with Veri Associates.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General minutes dated 9/22/97, as amended.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to table Executive Session Minutes dated 9/22/97.

Tufts read the notice of the Award for the Water Division from DEP. Paicos noted the various awards for Water Division employees and commended the Water Division for all their efforts.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sign request at the Rockery and to approve erection of a temporary tent, and to waive all fees involved.

C. Curry, J. Linehan in attendance.

Curry gave a brief explanation of the process. On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Hunt, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sale of $11,470,000 4.00 percent Bond Anticipation Note of the Town dated October 3, 1997 and payable March 13, 1998 to State Street Bank & Trust Company, at par and accrued interest plus a premium of $9,685.78. (see attached).

Paicos gave a brief explanation of the history of this issue with SERSG, as described in his memo to the Board. Hunt noted that in the past two years, two communities came to the Board asking to buy water and the Water Advisory Board advised against this. Hunt expressed concern that this Agreement is open ended and anybody can sign it. Hunt noted that Easton has made a conscious decision to expend the money necessary to conserve and protect our water. Other communities haven’t made the same commitment. Hunt noted her concern that some emergencies could come up as a result of lack of protection of the infrastructure and are not really "emergencies". Hunt also expressed concern that this Agreement is a decision made by Water Superintendents, not Water Commissioners. Hunt stated she is still not sure we can sell water outside of the Town, and that may need special legislation. Hunt noted she is not sure whether we can do this and whether we should do this. Hunt noted the Town has spent a lot of money for water protection/conservation and other communities don’t and we have to be very careful. Paicos noted this is not a finished document, and it is meant for true emergencies. Paicos noted that situations could arise that we would be the requestors as well as the one being requested of. Paicos noted this is intended for short term, 24-48 hour emergency situations, not to make up for inadequate supplies. Hunt stated the need to examine the reasons why a community has an emergency, noting this could be a result of not paying proper attention to their infrastructure. Paicos noted this is for "extreme" emergencies, and it is not morally and ethically proper to refuse in these extreme emergencies. Paicos noted this agreement has ground-rules on how to respond to extreme emergencies prior to them happening. Paicos strongly urged approval of the emergency agreement on water. Paicos noted the Selectmen can re-word this as they see fit. Hardin noted he is in favor of a short term agreement and would like to see the language address the "short term" issues clearly. Hardin stated that he didn’t know why we needed the same agreement will all 17 communities. We could have different agreements with each community.

W. Southworth noted the intent is for a "short term" emergency agreement and DEP encourages every community to have one. Southworth noted the need to have the guidelines spelled out as to what the expectations are i.e., payments etc. Southworth noted this agreement has taken up to a year to put together between 17 communities. Hunt noted the agreement doesn’t say what Mr. Paicos says it says. Hardin suggested the Town Adm. incorporate the changes mentioned and then bring the document back to the Board. Webster noted it may just be a policy needs to be in place to address these issues and emergency situations. Webster noted she wants more specific language on "What is an emergency". Hunt noted she would rather this be a Town policy vs an Intermunicipal Agreement. Paicos gave a brief explanation as to why this needs to be an Intermunicipal Agreement, but noted he would have C. Salisbury look into this again, policy vs agreement. Board members also questioned why we need an agreement with other than our neighbors.

Tufts noted the Merit Review discussion will be on another agenda when Selectman Clark is in attendance.

On Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to appoint George Tyrrell and Lewis Aries, Jr., to a three year term on the Cable TV Advisory Board. Hardin noted there were no interviews.

C. Gillis, C. Tabaie, S. Freitas, P. O’Donnell, L. Harney in attendance.

Gillis noted the Partnership has been meeting monthly and that the Queset on the Pond project that was approved by a previous Board, has been reviewed again with D. King. Gillis noted that the advantage is that all units built are "affordable". Gillis noted that currently there are 213 affordable units and it will jump to 312 with this project. Gillis noted that eventually the Selectmen will see a proposal. Paicos noted this is a LIP and still needs both the Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals approval. Gillis noted the Town has certain properties and the Partnership is trying to identify parcels to see if they are amenable to affordable housing. The Partnership is actively looking at this in particular, at foreclosures being rehabed. Gillis noted the Partnership wants an active plan. Hunt noted she only found out about the LIP through the EHP Minutes. Gillis gave a brief explanation of the history of this project. Hunt questioned if there was a change with the plan from the 1993 approved plan. Gillis noted there were no changes from 1993, the Partnership just wanted to be sure no changes were made, so that is why they reviewed it. Hunt questioned if the EHP solicited Town boards/departments input, per the EHP Charge. Gillis noted they only re-approved what had already been approved and he didn’t solicit board/department comments. Gillis noted if there had been any substantial changes he would have dealt with this differently. Paicos questioned if this is an elderly housing project. Gillis stated yes. Paicos noted he is not sure the vote in 1993 is still valid, and this may be why the Developer came back for another vote. Tufts noted that he would rather not get into the merits of any particular project where it wasn’t advertised as such. Gillis noted that Town Counsel stated that the previous Board’s vote would stand. Paicos noted that we have a Special Counsel to handle LIP’s. Hardin noted that at a recent seminar RE: LIP’s, it was noted that 1) the Town should be sure there are no ConCom issues on the land, and 2) if this is a joint venture with a developer, they need the Board of Selectmen in the process at the very beginning. Hardin asked that the EHP remind anyone

coming forward with an LIP project, that they must come to the Selectmen. Tufts noted he wanted to have this time for the Board to meet with the EHP and give their input and to hear where the EHP is going. Hunt noted she wants to be sure the EHP is following the Charge and asked for issues to be brought back to the Selectmen for discussion. Gillis noted that M. White has been looking into possible areas, with the least amount of impact on Town resources, "getting the best bang for the buck". Gillis noted that if the Town can take a pro-active stance on Town owned land , the EHP will come back to the Board for approval/adoption of the policy necessary. Gillis noted the EHP is studying options so the Selectmen can adopt a policy. Gillis noted this way the Board will have an opportunity to review what the EHP is working on. Hunt questioned if there was implementation of a home program. Gillis stated no, he had solicited input at the Home Show and there wasn’t enough interest. Paicos noted the Board is interested in establishing affordable housing but want to do it while also keeping the Town’s zoning intact. Paicos noting the need for a Town plan for affordable housing, stated that no community in Mass. has such a plan. Paicos noted that Easton could be the first to develop and file such a plan. Paicos noted the EHP could develop this and the Board could approve, and then file with EOCD. Paicos noting this is part of the EHP Charge, encouraged them to work with Bill Sketchly on developing this plan. Paicos noted he would like to meet with the EHP and B. Sketchly. Hardin noted he would like to see guidelines for affordable housing and encouraged the help of a consultant. Paicos noted he would research the possibility of a budget for this purpose. Hunt RE: note in EHP Minutes that Selectmen should be attending the meetings, stated that Selectmen can’t appoint one of their own body as a member on a committee they already appoint, and that is why they don’t attend. Gillis noted that as soon as couple of more programs are sifted through, they will request the Consultant’s help and will come back to the Board with draft policy in writing within two months.

Paicos gave a brief explanation of the process that establishes the Goals and Objectives. Hunt expressed concern with people being gone two days in a row, and suggested a day in between the meetings. Paicos noted it would be hard to skip a day in between, but he would take this under advisement. Hunt requested the matter be discussed as an agenda item to see if the Board still agrees with this process.

(Attached is the first draft)

GOALS #1 was reviewed with changes in D - rename, I - eliminate, M move to Goal #2, T - add "and monitor", V add " and volunteers on Town Boards", a new N RE: permitting process.

GOAL #2 was reviewed with changes in E - eliminate, I,J,L,P were amended, new E RE: joint civilian dispatch.

GOAL #3 was reviewed and A,B,E,J,L,M,N amended.

GOAL #4 was reviewed and O amended, R eliminated.

GOAL #5 was reviewed and A - amended, D added RE: capital budget process.

GOAL #6 was reviewed and it was agreed to leave it as is.

It was agreed that the Town Adm. will incorporate the changes and give a new draft to the Board for approval.

At 9:26PM, on Hunt’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED_______________________________

DATED________________________________