The Board of Selectmen met this evening with Chairman Jeffrey Tufts presiding. In attendance were William Hardin, Patricia Webster, Carla Goodwin, and Assistant Town Adm. Martha White.

Selectman Frederick Clark absent.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve General Minutes dated 5/17/99, as amended.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted 3-0-1 to approve General Minutes dated 7/12/99. Hardin abstained.

General Minutes dated 7/26/99, were held to the next meeting.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 5/17/99.

On Webster’s Motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted 3-0-1 to approve Executive Session Minutes dated 7/12/99. Hardin abstained.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to support and approve the Proclamation for Eagle Scout Garrett L. Rice.

Tufts noted that a 3% COLA for FY’2000 was approved for Non-Union employees at the 7/12/99 Executive Session Meeting.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously to approve the waiver of fees for a temporary structure and occupancy on 10/3/99, and to approve placement of signs on public property, as requested.

Cynthia Curry in attendance, and gave a brief explanation of the Bond Anticipation Notes.

On Goodwin’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to approve the sale of a $2,750,000 3.75percent Bond Anticipation Note of the Town dated 8/12/99, and payable 8/11/00, to BankBoston, N.A. at par and accrued interest plus a premium of $4,799.13. (see attached).

Attorney Arthur Pearlman, D. Patel in attendance.

Tufts read the notice of hearing and the various department comments.

Pearlman gave the Chair affidavits of notices sent to abutters.

Pearlman noted this is a MA Corp. with D. Patel the sole officer and shareholder. He noted Patel has owned a service station in Jew Jersey for 4 years and then moved here to work for and with his family to run a convenience store in Raynham that also sold beer and wine. He noted that the Easton store will also be managed by family as well. The hours of general operation of the store will be 7 days a week, from 6AM until 11PM, with alcohol only being sold during the appropriate days and hours. Pearlman gave a brief explanation of the floorplan. He noted that Patel is familiar with MGL 138 and will educate himself with any laws, regulations etc., required by the Town also. Pearlman noted he has met with W. Saucier and Scott Faria RE: septic system repair. He noted they need some final tweaking of the plans for the septic system, and could have the system completely installed within 30-60 days. He noted he met with the Planning Department and if the siteplan on file is not acceptable, he will have Scott Faria file an amended one. Pearlman noted he attempted to reach Captain Howard, but will try again tomorrow. He noted he spoke with W. Fulcher and he will remove the clothing bin as well as address any other concerns the Building Inspector has. He noted he will provide the proper applications to the dept. for items such as the window for selling ice cream. Tufts noted that the Planning Board as well as the Building Inspector needs to approve the window for selling ice cream.

Pearlman asked the Board to consider approving the application subject to completion of the outstanding department issues. Hardin noted his concern RE: locked storage for alcohol. He also noted his concern with alcohol being served to minors in Easton, and stated that sting operations are held in Town. Hardin noted he would expect the applicant to attend classes on identifying false ID’s held by the EPD, and noted that Easton accepts only MA drivers licenses. Pearlman noted he would create a locked storage area and submit updated plans, as well as get in touch with the above named departments that still have outstanding issues.

On Webster’s motion, seconded by Hardin, the Board voted unanimously to continue the Hearing to 8/23/99 at 7:15PM.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster the Board voted unanimously to approve the Water Meter Bid Award for Badger Meter Co., in the amount of $61,952.

At this point in the meeting Selectman Jeffrey Tufts left during the discussion and voting.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call, to Act as Water Commissioners.

Goodwin gave a brief explanation of the issue at hand, and the request for the abatement. Hardin noted that another church in Town had a similar situation and they had to pay the whole bill. Hardin noted he would want to question the DPW Director and Water Superintendent on this before making a decision.

Hardin’s motion, seconded by Webster to table this to see if a precedent has been set on these issues, was not voted at this time.

Webster noted that problems have occurred at this site before and she wants to find out what the real problem is.

At this point in the meeting the Board ceased functioning in their capacity as Water Commissioners.

Martha White in attendance and referring to her memo, reviewed it with the Board.

Hardin asked for further clarification of flexible development. White noted that it gives more flexibility to the Planning Board to work with developers and the attributes of a particular site. She noted this could involve cluster development but with larger open space as part of the total project. She noted it could involve longer driveways and dual driveways, etc.

Goodwin commended the process and the committee involved. Goodwin noted she wants to be sure the education on these zoning issues is given to the Board and the Public in an orderly fashion with time lines in order and in a cohesive manner for the Town Meeting presentations. Goodwin noted that in the past zoning issues haven’t been communicated in a thorough and cohesive way.

Tufts suggested narrative be added for the STM zoning articles.

This item was held for a future meeting.

On Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to send letters to the appropriate authorities asking for an investigation.

D. Mullen, B. McAndrews, A. Martin in attendance.

Hardin RE: Ch. 90 money noted that the MMA fought for and got approved the full $150M budget by the House and Senate. Hardin noted that Governor Cellucci may decide to cut that back by $50M, and Hardin asked for citizens to call or write the Governor urging him to sign the budget with the full $150M for Ch. 90.

Goodwin thanked the public for their condolences after the death of her father.

Goodwin questioned if anyone is checking for compliance with the water ban, noting that some of the businesses on Washington Street are using water during the daytime. White noted she would check on this.

Webster RE: Main St., noted there are stumps, no sidewalks, cement bags everywhere, in general an unsafe situation, and she wants a status report. White noted the contractor was held up by Bell Atlantic not relocating the poles, so he left the job temporarily. White noted that Bell Atlantic was advised to respond ASAP. Webster asked if the Contractor could remove the stumps and debris on people’s property, which has nothing to do with the pole relocation issues. D. Mullen noted that the condition is a safety hazard and that the Board should send a letter to Bell Atlantic, and that they need to be more aggressive with the Contractor also. B. McAndrews noted that as a COA Van driver, this is a real problem and his clients on Main Street are elderly, and at risk walking to the van. A. Martin noted her concern with safety for walkers on Main and Center Streets. Martin also expressed concern with the unsafe conditions, and school will be starting in a few weeks. White will follow up on these issues with Roger Hill.

Tufts noted RE: the Town Counsel application, there will need to be a Screening Committee prior to the Board’s interviews.

White RE: hurricane issues copied the Board with the Building Department’s article on this.

At 8:22PM, on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously by roll-call to go into Executive Session for the purpose of Pending Litigation and Labor Negotiations, and to return to Open Session.

At 9:22PM the Board reconvened Open Session.

Tufts reported that the Board voted to authorize a temporary restraining order against the MBTA in an effort to get an injunction RE: the DEIR.

Tufts reported that the Board voted to approve a 3% COLA for the Town Administrator for FY’2000.

At 9:24PM, on Hardin’s motion, seconded by Goodwin, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn.

APPROVED_________________________________

DATED__________________________________