October 24, 2006
Bourne Veterans’
Memorial Community Center
239 Main
Street
Buzzards Bay,
MA 02532
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Attendance:
Town Administrator
Board of Selectmen
Stephen
F. Mealy, Vice-Chairman
Jamie
J. Sloniecki, Clerk
Judith
W. Conron
John
J. Harrington
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the minutes of October 16, 2006 that were
taken prior to town meeting.
VOTED 4-0-1 Selectman
Harrington abstained
Public Comment – Non Agenda Items
Sally Riggs of the Bourne Finance Development Corp have contracted with Tighe & Bond to assess the needs of the whole town specifically in Buzzards Bay.
There will be a public participation meeting on
November 6th so members of the community can express their thoughts
and suggestions. Notice of the meeting will be put on the town’s web page.
Item
B: Administrator
Guerino said he sent the letter to Town Counsel regarding the removal of the
book from the library.
Town
Counsel
a. Snow Plowing on Private Ways with Town Counsel
Comments
from Police, Fire and DPW
Selectman Sloniecki asked Town Counsel to explain his last opinion dated September 14, 2006. Town Counsel explained that you could only use public monies on municipal services that are open to the public. Selectmen have the authority to make that determination.
Town Counsel said he reviewed all opinions regarding this matter. Minimum criteria that roads are open during the time of year that municipal monies are being spent.
Chairman Zuern commented that if the Board makes a
policy on private ways, it has to be applied throughout the entire town.
Town Counsel said the policy must be uniform for all private ways in town for it to be legal. We can’t send buses down private ways unless they are plowed and Police and Fire need to be able to respond on private ways. Roads need to be maintained for public safety. This needs to be taken into consideration.
There were pictures taken of signs indicating roads
not for public access but the Associations chose to have the signs removed in
order to have roads plowed.
Selectman Harrington said if a taxpayer makes a
request, the board should comply for public safety reasons. Scraggy Neck
Association wants their roads restricted but not for the entire year.
Selectman Conron
presented a draft copy policy on Removal of Snow and Ice on Private Ways and
handed a copy to the Board. Policy was read.
Chief Ford said
he has set a policy that trespassing is not a high priority. Agreements have
been made with the Associations that if they have a vehicle towed, they must
call the license plate number into the Police Station. Can compromise by
putting up designated parking signs and parking times.
There was discussion on the fourth paragraph of the
draft policy “at least 90% of the year” and changed the word automobiles
to vehicles.
Selectman Conron said Scraggy Neck Association didn’t bring the policy to the Board but she brought this up to the Board as amend.
Selectman Harrington asked Mr. Goon what he thought of Mr. Bradley’s recommendation? Mr. Goon said he couldn’t answer the question on behalf of the 145 residents.
Chairman Zuern
suggested that Mr. Goon go back to the Association, have a meeting to see if
they would agree with Mr. Bradley’s recommendation.
Board members expressed their opinion on whether or not this policy should pass or not.
Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Mealy to move the policy as amended and to add the word “all”
vehicles. VOTED: 2-3
(Conron, Mealy voted yes/Sloniecki, Harrington,
Zuern voted no)
Administrator Guerino said in the interim months,
there is an agreement in principal with Scraggy Neck.
b.
Cape Cod Aggregates discussion
Town Counsel said this should be discussed in executive session since a majority of the Board isn’t updated on the events prior to public session.
State
Representatives and Senator Murray
Representatives
Patrick, Gifford and Senator Murray were invited this evening to meet with the
Board so they could express their appreciation and to say thank you for
everything they have done for the Town of Bourne and also the hard work they
have done at the Statehouse.
Administrator Guerino also
expressed his appreciation to the Representatives and Senator for their
cooperation and support on issues that are important to Bourne. We are grateful
to have such a great delegation.
Senator Murray said the Commonwealth is at a steady
economic place. Don’t foresee an increase in revenues over the next couple of
years. In fact, this fiscal year hasn’t
been very good. Recommend not taking
over the debt of the Turnpike Authority and explained reasons why.
Representative
Gifford commented on Health Care and ways of saving money. Bourne also did extremely well with funding
for the Buzzards Bay Village Assoc. and Bourne Finance Development Corp to
assist the town with economic goals. Spoke on the Railroad Line Study towards
the Bourne/Wareham line. Transportation issues are important to Bourne.
Representative Patrick thanked the Board of Selectmen
for having the Representatives and Senator at their meeting. We have worked
well together and done a lot for Bourne.
Representative Patrick explained each of his goals:
Homeowners insurance, Energy Efficiency and Utility Programs, Wind Turbine and
Net Metering. Also expressed that Senator
Murray has done wonders with education funding.
There was
question and answer time between Board members and the delegates. Administrator
Guerino expressed tremendous appreciation to Senator Murray from Superintendent
LaFleur for all the work she had done for the access road.
Chairman Zuern
recognized Senator Murray’s attendance being 100% over 14 years. Thanked the
delegates for all their help in bringing money into the town. You all work well
together and took the towns needs and concerns into consideration.
Selectman Conron
asked how could we help you? What would you like us to do? Senator Murray said
the Board has always been pro-active. When the Board runs into a roadblock,
contact them immediately without hesitation. It makes getting to the bottom of
the issue much easier then waiting.
Representative Gifford thanked the Police and Fire Chiefs
and Marie Oliva for everything they had done with the flyover and economic
involvement. It’s a great honor representing
a town that receives a lot of attention.
Senator
Murray read the monies that Bourne received this past year. Quite impressive!!
Jim Mulvey said
it was a privilege and an opportunity to speak with the Representatives. He commented on public safety concerns i.e.:
Cohasset Narrows Bridge is deplorable and the Railroad Bridge behind Penner’s
Restaurant needs to be repaired.
Wayne Covell – Signage
Mr. Covell represents 41 Meetinghouse Lane. There are concerns with a lot of temporary signs going up around the flyover. Mass Highway has installed signs directing traffic on state and local roads for MacDonald’s, Dunkin Donuts, Friendly’s Restaurant, Shell and Mobile gas stations. Requesting permission to place temporarily signage in front of his business. Other businesses are installing signs not only on state highway but also on town roads and presented pictures of the signs. Would like some relief from the Board of Selectmen by waiving the enforcement of the Sign Bylaw and allow signs to be put up. Request that signs be allowed until the completion of the flyover then signs would come down.
Chairman Zuern spoke with Building Inspector Roger LaPorte who referenced Section 3210 of the Zoning Bylaw “General Sign Regulation” Section E which states: No signs shall be placed within a public way or on public property except with a permit from the Board of Selectmen.
Administrator Guerino said he would have Mr. Tellier meet Mr. Covell to mark out the right-of-ways to make sure the signs are on public way.
Selectman
Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki move to
give a permit to local businesses at 41 Meetinghouse Lane, in the construction
zone, to place one lawn sign on town property which would promote their
establishment. UNANIMOUS VOTE
Ballot
question permitting food stores to sell wine
Chief Ford spoke on the zero tolerance in the Town of Bourne for serving minors. He further stated that during the last sting operation, the town was 100% in compliance. Stores are hiring a young labor force. There are already enough problems keeping the cigarettes out of the hands of minors.
Chief Ford
summarized the ballot question. There
is a limit on the amount of licenses the town can get. Bourne could get an additional 8 licenses.
Chief Ford said he is representing the Chamber of Commerce and speaking on behalf of Marie Oliva that there was a vote taken, with 1 opposed not to support the ballot question.
Joel Gould said the town has the chance of getting 8 more
licenses. There are 4 identifications allowed when making a purchase: MA
drivers license, passport, MA Liquor Identified Card and Military ID. It’s
going to make it difficult for working kids to be responsible when kids their
own age come in the convenience store and try to make a purchase. Are we that
inconvenienced that we have to purchase a bottle of wine from a convenience
store? Recommend that the Board vote no
on the non-binding resolution.
Jim Civilinski spoke in support of fellow package store
owners and read from a prepared statement. With this bill it would allow 2997
additional licenses in the state. There are 1200 supermarkets in MA leaving
over 600 additional convenience stores to be able to hold a license. There will be more licenses issued to gas
stations, convenience store and drugstores. Alcohol is a controlled substance
in MA. This bill is going forward with
a disregard to the community. Drunk driving will increase dramatically. MA is
one of three remaining states in the country with safety driving records. We
are leaders, not followers.
Establishments that could hold license have
employees between the ages of 16 – 19 years of age. If passed, Stop N’ Shop
could own up to 10% of 2900 licenses (290 licenses) while liquor stores must
still have a limit on the number of licenses issued. The ABCC has endorsed a NO vote on this bill.
Selectman Harrington made a MOTION
and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to vote NO on question
1. VOTED 4-0-1 Selectman Conron abstained
Procedure on Policy Adoption regarding enforcement
LCP Policy
Liquor, Zoning Fees & Other
Administrator Guerino recommends the same fees for the next calendar year. If fees are going to increase, need to start fee comparison next March or April.
Selectman Sloniecki made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Mealy to approve license structure as agreed upon. UNANIMOUS
VOTE
Class I, Class
II, Class III are in line with all other towns and recommend that the Bus, Taxi
and Public Licenses remain the same effective January 1, 2007.
Selectman Harrington made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Mealy to keep the fees the same effective January 1, 2007. UNANIMOUS
VOTE
Zoning Board of
Appeals recommend a fee increase from $100 to 130 for variances and special
permits effective January 1, 2007.
Selectman
Sloniecki made a MOTION and SECONDED by Selectman Mealy to
approve the increase in fees from $100 to $130 effective January 1, 2007. UNANIMOUS
VOTE
Licenses/Permits:
ALS Family Charitable Foundation, Inc. will
be holding a Walk-a-thon on September 9, 2007 from 7AM to 4 PM along the canal.
Will provide public safety officers as needed.
Selectman Conron made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Mealy to approve the application as submitted. UNANIMOUS
VOTE
Town Administrator Report
Putting a together a Citizens Forum for November 20th
to discuss Proposition 2 1/2 override for the new school. Information that has
been provided may not have been publicized well. This will allow an
informational session with a moderator controlling the forum. It was suggested
to have 4 meetings between know and the 29th of November so citizens
can have their questions answered and address any concerns.
Selectman Harrington will be holding office hours
every Wednesday from 12 Noon – 2 PM at Town Hall. Records will be kept on who
met with the Selectman and a summary of the discussion. This will begin a week
from tomorrow.
Selectman Conron
would like to get up a table at a supermarket to answer questions. This is
currently being done in Sandwich.
Selectman
Conron is interested in the ISWM Working Group.
Selectmen’s
Reports
v
Selectman
Conron: Suggest having a goal session to speak about the implementation phase
during the next 2-week recess.
v
Selectman
Mealy: Pass
v
Selectman
Sloniecki: Pass
v
Selectman
Harrington: Pass
v Chairman Zuern: There will
be an Upper Cape Committee meeting on November 22nd @ 8 AM,
Craft Fair at the Community
Center on November 4th, requesting opinion from Town Counsel on
procedures for reviewing the budget, Reverse 911 is tentatively schedule to
begin on November 27th reminding citizens of the ballot question on
November 29th.
Selectman Sloniecki made a MOTION and SECONDED
by Selectman Mealy to adjourn the meeting at 10:35 P.M. UNANIMOUS VOTE