Selectmen’s Minutes
December 12, 2006
Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
************************************************************************
Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Board of Selectmen:
Linda M. Zuern, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Clerk
Judith Conron
John J. Harrington
Stephen F. Mealy - absent
Call the Meeting to
Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Moment of
Silence/Salute the Flag
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve the Minutes of December 5, 2006 as amended. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Public Comment –
Non-Agenda Items
None at this time.
Correspondence
Selectman Sloniecki reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office for review.
Comments on
Correspondence
TA Guerino noted letter submitted by Charlie Miller
regarding Fire Fighters Dave Pelonzi and Jim Giannelli and stated this letter
will be placed in their personnel files.
Shellfish Regulations – Tim Mullen
No changes except for applicable dates. When changes are required, they will be reviewed with the proper committees.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to accept the Shellfish Regulations for 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Conservation
Restriction – Morton Family
Paula Goldberg, for the Morton Family, said the Conservation Commission recommends the Board of Selectmen approve the Conservation Restriction as it is a resource preservation restriction with no public access.
The Board of Assessors’ requested the Board of Selectmen not approve the Conservation Restriction: 1) the property is not for public use; 2) the real estate tax break could potentially be a burden to the taxpayers of Bourne; and 3) there is a potential of fifteen (15) lots that could fall into this restriction.
TA Guerino stated that the approval of this Conservation Restriction is of a timely manner, as the Morton Family needs to have filed at the Barnstable Registry of Deeds by December 31, 2006 for Federal incentive taxes.
R. Conron spoke as an Open Space Committee member and requested the Board of Selectmen not approve this Conservation Restriction.
B. Mullaney, Conservation Agent, noted that this property was strictly looked at as wildlife protection and didn’t take into affect the issues raised tonight through discussion.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to Indefinitely Postpone the Conservation Restriction requested of the Morton Family until a policy is in place and the Board has a clear understanding of such policy. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
C. Miller requested a copy of the map of the parcel discussed for the Shore & Harbor Committee and was received.
Appointments – Conservation Agent
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to appoint Brandon Mullaney to the seven (6) positions as stated. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
1) Community Oversight Group
2) Pollution Task Force
3) Buzzards Bay Action Committee – member
4) Open Space Committee – staff member
5) Conservation Commission designee – Joint Zoning Conference Meeting
Committee
6) LEPC – Environmental Staff
Conservation Fee Review
TA Guerino asked B. Mullaney to review and make recommendations. The two recommendations: 1) Notice of Intent from $100 to $125; and 2) Determination of Applicability from $50 - $75.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to accept the change of fees as stated in the B. Mullaney e-mail to TA Guerino effective January 1, 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron took this time to inquire about the tree clearing access road on Mashnee Road and if there is any way to slow the process down.
B. Mullaney stated the Army Corps intention was to cut the trees to preserve the sand plane grass, which are nesting grounds for piping plover and other rare and protected species.
Licenses/Permits
a) Trading Post Lounge
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Trading Post Lounge request to close one (1) day – February 4, 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
b) Pan-Mass Challenge
TA Guerino will call Pan-Mass with regard to the size, color, number of signs and location. Once information is received he can make a recommendation to the Board.
c) Year Round Common Victualer, Entertainment, Car Dealer’s, Innholder, Livery & Lodging House Licenses
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki approve to grant
Class I Auto Dealers – Showcase Nissan, Inc., Bobcat of Cape Cod, Inc., Battles Buick, Cape Cod Harley-Davidson, Falmouth Toyota, Inc., New England RV & Marine and Prestige Auto Group, LLC. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Class II Auto Dealers - Cape Cod Classic Cars, Falmouth Motorcar, Inc., and S.E.L. Foreign Auto LTD be renewed subject to full taxes cleared by December 31, 2006. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant the remainder Class II Auto Dealers – Coastal Motors and Equipment, AFN Motors, Inc., Southeast Truck Center, Inc., Jack’s Auto Sales & Appraisal, Diamond Motors, Bayview Auto, Bay Motors, Irontraders, Canal Auto Center, Inc., Battles Used Cars and Trucks, Michael DePace, Inc., Sagamore Car Wash & Detail Center, Buzzards Bay (KC Enterprises, Ltd.), R.B. Motors, Inc., Kent Auto and Towers Used Cars. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Class III Auto Dealers – Knowlton’s Garage, Inc. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Harrington is recusing himself from the next vote on Food Licenses:
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki approve to grant Food Licenses – Nick’s Pizza subject to full taxes cleared by December 31, 2006. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki approve to grant Food Licenses (46 names) – Effie’s, Flip Flops Café & Gifts, Pocasset Deli, Trading Post Lounge, Inc., Friendly Ice Cream Corp., International House of Pancakes, Leo’s Seafood Restaurant, Golden Place Restaurant, Capeside Diner, Mezza Luna Restaurant, Inc., Stir Crazy Restaurant, Pizza by Evan, Otis Fish and Game Club, Inc., Slap Happy’s Grille & Bar, Inc., Trowbridge Tavern & Ale House, Monument Beach Sportsman’s Club, Inc., Lost Dog Canal Café, The Brookside Club, Weary Travelers Club, Inc., Sandy’s Restaurant, Cape Boulevard, Pocasset Golf Club, Inc., (2) d/b/a Baskin Robbins, (5) d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, Port O’Call, Inc., Buzzards Bay Eagles, McDonald’s Corp., Prime Time House of Pizza, Whaleback Restaurant, Courtyard Restaurant, Krua Thai and Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay House of Pizza, Wayho Restaurant, Wayho Grill, Inc., Aptucxet Post #5988, Subway, Sam’s Snack Bar, McDonald’s, Honey Dew Donuts, Graziella’s Pizza & Seafood. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant General Licenses – Surf’s Up Mini Gold, J&S Vending, Inc., and Ryan Family Amusement. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant General Licenses – Adventure Isle subject to full taxes cleared by December 31, 2006. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Coin Operated Amusement Devices Licenses – Trading Post Lounge, Inc., Slap Happy’s Grille & Bar, Inc., Lost Dog Canal Café, Weary Travelers Club, Inc., Sandy’s Restaurant, Cape Boulevard, Port O’Call, Inc., Buzzards Bay Eagles, Whaleback Restaurant, Courtyard Restaurant, Aptucxet Post #5988, J&S Vending, Inc. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Innholder/Lodging Licenses – John Anderson, Noah’s Ark, Beachmoor. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Livery Licenses – Cape Cod Transportation, Road Runner. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
d) Stir Crazy
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED
and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington
approve to grant closing for renovations (cleaning) from December 17, 2006 –
February, 2007. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
e) Hacienda
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington approve to grant Common Victualer License for breakfast and lunch. Business hours Wednesday – Monday (closed 1 day – Tuesdays) from 6 am – 2 pm, subject to the Fire Department and Board of Health conditions. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Establish Priorities with Transportation Committee
Chm. Zuern discussed the Executive Order dated May 20, 2003, providing information of a list of materials related to projects (highways, busses, trains, etc.). There are a lot of transportation issues in Bourne. Should the Board of Selectman set priorities for the Transportation Committee to study or do we need a Transportation Committee?
TA Guerino will send a letter to the current Transportation Committee members and ask if they still have an interest in still serving on the committee.
Selectman Conron added to thank the members for their services, and if they are not interested, the Board of Selectman plans to move forward. She also added to review the Executive Order of September, 2003 to discussion.
Discussion of Goals – Financial – Capital
TA Guerino informed the Board of Selectmen of the Capital Work Group meeting on Monday, December 18, 2006 at 2 pm at Town Hall. In this meeting they will look at capital items item definitions. TA Guerino recommended a Capital Sub-Committee for top priorities.
TA Guerino said the Town of Bourne needs to look how other communities do their capital. We need to fund the budget from other than debt exclusions.
Selectman Conron stated she would like: 1) how to fund capital, 2) how much to put toward capital; and 3) debt load. She also suggested using new growth to fund capital.
Chm. Zuern stated how the MMA shops have a ten (10) year plan and rotated items to know what they needed to buy.
Selectman Harrington suggested looking into a number of models of how capital is funded (debt exclusion, free cash, community host user fee) to see the implications.
TA Guerino said this is already possible with the existing long-term sheets and just add variables to the report.
Chm. Zuern suggested a figure for capital.
TA Guerino said the Capital Outlay Committee has a good handle on department requests as they meet. They will see what is needed and what is affordable to make a recommendation to the Board of Selectman.
Public Comment
Reporter Paul Gately – Upper Cape Coder – asked if there are any signs of capital debt. TA Guerino stated the retirement is not significant, but is a debt. Also the High School windows are completed.
P. Gately also asked what the total request of FY 08. TA Guerino stated it is $4M minus the School Department, which is not an unusual number at this point.
J. Mulvey stated he is encouraged by the financial discussion tonight and thanked the Board of Selectmen.
Town Administrator’s Report
TA Guerino noted the Bourne Food Panty and the need for a new building. He also wanted to include the Friends of Council on Aging for their participation with the Food Pantry.
Other Selectmen Business
TA Guerino wanted to mention the Joint Meeting between the School Committee and the School Building Committee this week.
TA Guerino spoke with Tom Moccia of the Buzzards Bay Village Association, requesting more Board of Selectmen involvement with Buzzards Bay. He suggested a tour with the Board of Selectmen for a site view and see what needs areas need work.
Selectman Harrington requested not to have a meeting on January 2, 2007.
TA Guerino suggested canceling meeting and if there are items that need to be discussed there is a 48 hours notice time period for notifying parties.
TA Guerino talked with Finance Committee Chairman Hal DeWaltoff discussing the Joint Meeting between the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee on December 18, 2006. H. DeWaltoff requested the Board of Selectman to come up with budget priorities for a framed discussion.
Selectman Conron said she saw the meeting as given a chance to look at the priorities and adjust them according to the outcome of that meeting.
Selectman Harrington hopes what comes out of the meeting is to be able to champion each other’s goals (Board of Selectmen, Finance Committee and School Dept.).
TA Guerino will relay discussions tonight with H. DeWaltoff that the Board of Selectmen and the Town Administrator suggest a budget and the Finance Committee is a resource.
Selectmen’s Reports
Selectman Conron said she is starting office hours on Thursdays from 12 pm – 2 pm at Town Hall. She encourages people to visit.
Selectman Harrington said his office hours are on Wednesdays from 12 pm – 2 pm at Town Hall.
Chm. Zuern thanked the DPW for the light display at the rotary and the park. She also thanked the businesses on Main Street for their Holiday decorations as well.
Chm. Zuern said the Fire Fighters are camping out starting December 13, 2006 until December 17, 2006 collecting toys and food at the Mezza Luna Restaurant parking lot.
Chm. Zuern said the Executive Session will be at next week’s meeting at 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm.
Chm. Zuern said the Buzzards Bay Village Association’s Snowflake Ball will be held on February 10, 2007. Tickets are $22 for a table of 8, $23 for a single ticket and $45 for two (2) tickets. The first 75 tickets sold will be sold at a discounted price. Some of this money will benefit the Green Belt Pathway project.
TA Guerino noted that December 13, 2006 opens the fiscal impact analysis.
Public Comment
Question was asked what kind of priorities for health. TA Guerino said they are regulatory requirements that need to be reviewed.
Adjourn
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to adjourn. UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting adjourned at 9:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.