Selectmen’s Minutes
December 5, 2006
Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
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Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Board of Selectmen:
Linda M. Zuern, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Clerk
Judith Conron
John J. Harrington
Stephen F. Mealy
Call the Meeting to
Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M.
Moment of
Silence/Salute the Flag
Chm. Zuern spoke of the passing of Russ Cookingham who was a resident of Bourne and served the community on the Pollution Task Force.
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Workshop Minutes of September 19, 2006 as submitted. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Minutes of September 19, 2006 as submitted. UNAMIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to approve the Minutes of November 28, 2006 as submitted. UNAMIMOUS VOTE.
Public Comment –
Non-Agenda Items
Cindy Coffin thanked Jake Gould for his help in implementing the Reverse 911 system, which was first held on November 27, 2006. This system makes random calls based on how the phone number is loaded into the system by Verizon. It was successful, with a few glitches, which are being worked out. These calls went to residents as well as businesses.
There are no TTY numbers, and people are encouraged to supply such numbers. Cell phone numbers can also be supplied. Also noted that if there is a pause in an answering machine, it is detected as no one there and the system will hang up.
Selectman Mealy inquired about the demographics of the system. TA Guerino said in emergency and well calls this system will work.
If there was a power failure, the Police Station has a generator to back up and will work for landline phones.
In conclusion, for the long-term purpose, the Reverse 911 is a great resource for the town. Eight lines are currently running for this system and more lines can be added in the future. C. Coffin also said to look out for your neighbors in emergency situations so the word gets out.
Chm. Zuern thanked the Buzzards Bay Village Association, the Mirant Plant and members of the public for their donations as well as Cindy Coffin for drawing up the grant of $56,000 for getting the Reverse 911 together. TA Guerino noted the operations cost came out of a budget line item.
Joan DeLapp said she read an article in the paper about complaints in Barnstable County regarding government communications complaints and is happy to say that the Bourne community work together. She added thanks and praise to the Board of Selectman and the residents of Bourne. She also added it was nice to see the Bourne Pumper Truck in the Falmouth Christmas parade.
Transportation Update
– Wes Ewell
The Buzzards Bay Transportation Association is conducting a comprehensive plan with the BFDC and the Cape Cod Commission. The goal is to have Bourne Village revitalized to be the tourist attraction it once was.
Wastewater studies as well as a visual study (pictures of key buildings and enhance how could look) have been performed. Other studies include the highway access and how it affects the bypass, busses, local taxis and ferry services to name a few. Incidentally, the ferry services are currently being studied at the Mass. Maritime Academy as a class project.
Also included as part of the studies is Narrow’s Bridge and what happens when this bridge is closed while under construction.
After conducting a town survey, it was determined that the highest concerns were the following:
Future items:
Public Comment
Charlie Miller stated that the Shore & Harbor Committee has discussed visitor slips at Taylor’s Point.
Jim Mulvey noted the construction of Narrow’s Bridge and how with a similar project, a new roadway was constructed.
Wind Turbine and Waste Energy Facility (Jim Powers introduced Mark Haley for the presentation. Mr. Power’s company is called Alternative Energy Resources.)
Herhof is a European company that uses a European process to mechanically and biologically stabilize waste to get the most energy output using a 3-step process:
Mark Haley also noted that this proposed plant is ideal for being built close to the landfill to reclaim land (reusing what’s in the old landfill) and to extend the life of the landfill. TA Guerino will discuss further with Mark Haley with regard to involving the ISWM Working Group.
The wind turbines are a smaller variety, which have a less visual impact (65 feet tall) and have a 20-year life cycle. Wind energy is very competitive with coal. There are also no bird killings. The birds tend to fly around this turbine variety as opposed the conventional models.
This presentation was brought to the Board to educate the town to propose erecting of a plant or assist the town with an RFP in obtaining a plant necessary for the waste energy.
Correspondence
Selectman Sloniecki reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office for review.
TA Guerino mentioned three (3) businesses that won’t be renewing their liquor licenses: The Sagamore Inn, the Golden Field Corp. (Barlow’s Landing), and Penner’s Place. The Board is asked to sign the paperwork, but no vote is required.
Adoption of Goals
TA Guerino recommends the formal adoption.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to adopt the Selectmen Goals as presented. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Parrot Bar &
Grill – Keno License
New owners would like to reinstate the Keno license. No Keno signage will be erected on the outside of the building. No formal vote was taken by the Selectmen, only if there was an objection.
Financial Closeout – Linda Marzelli
A PowerPoint presentation was given by Linda Marzelli. A copy of the Town of Bourne Year End Finances dated December 5, 2006 is attached hereto as part of the December 5, 2006 minutes.
Selectman Conron commented on how informative this document is and said she would like to see a column added to compare the previous year to the current year.
Chm. Zuern commented on all of the hard work by the TA, Treasurer’s Department and Town Hall employees working together. She also noted this financial state would not have been possible without the override vote passing at the ATM.
Town Administrator’s
Report
TA Guerino is pleased to announce the recommendation of Karen Horihan as the Town’s new Treasurer and her scheduled first day is December 18, 2006. He is not requesting the 15-day waiver.
TA Guerino also announced the recommendation of Kari Leighton as the Bourne Council on Aging Outreach Coordinator position for 18 hours per week and her scheduled first day is also December 18, 2006. He is not requesting the 15-day waiver.
Budgets are on track for December 15, 2006. It isn’t final, but all information that is needed for the Joint Meeting between the Board of Selectman and the Finance Committee is in.
TA Guerino asked for an Executive Session for next week and that the Board of Selectmen meet at 6:30 pm next Tuesday, December 12, 2006.
Selectman Mealy requested 15 minutes prior to the Executive Session to discuss a staff member. Chm. Zuern requested that enough time be given so the staff member could bring counsel with them.
The Board of Selectmen are asked to be at next week’s meeting at 6:15 pm to include the discussions before the regular meeting at 7:00 pm.
The seawall (Monument Beach) work has started. A contractor is working to put a material order in place. TA Guerino is also working with the Conservation Commission to construct in the near future.
Monument Beach Marina continues to have work constructed by the Sheriff’s Department.
The Capital Working Group will meet next week to discuss the 5 and 10 year plans.
The future ISWM Working Group will have its first meeting on December 20, 2006. The Working Group members consist of Hal DeWaltoff, Steve McNally (who will ask members to serve in his place, as well as for the Sewer Commission, due to time constraints), a member at large, and TA Guerino.
Project Status and Proposed Scope of Work/Cost Estimates by Mahoney & Douglas – TA is working with Jim Wenzel for funding, which is included in an article voted at Town Meeting. This includes testing of LNAP gas and insolvents in the ground by extracting the dirt and testing the concentration. Mahoney & Douglas will come back and extract another sample to see if there is an increase or decrease of gas and insolvents to put together a remediation strategy.
Other Selectman
Business
Selectman Sloniecki suggested change the wording on the vote taken by the Board of Selectmen with regard to the Bourne Rotary project being the highest priority.
Discussion was held.
Selectman Harrington MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reconsider the original motion stating the Bourne Rotary is the highest priority and change to “beyond work currently done on the Scenic Highway, the town’s highest future priority is the Bourne Rotary. VOTE 4-1 (opposing vote from Selectman Mealy).
It was suggested to use the wording from the November 21, 2006 vote:
Selectman Harrington MOVED
and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki
to reconsider the original motion stating the Bourne Rotary is the highest
priority and change to “beyond work currently done on the Scenic Highway, the
town’s highest future priority is the Bourne Rotary and the wording stated in
the Local Comprehensive Plan. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Discussion held and motion should be clearer:
Selectman Harrington MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to reconsider the original motion stating the Bourne Rotary is the highest priority and change to “beyond work currently done on the Scenic Highway, the town’s highest future priority is the Bourne Rotary project”. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Chm. Zuern said that she has resigned from the School Building Committee and the position will need to be filled by another member of the Board of Selectmen.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to approve Selectman Harrington as a representative of the Board of Selectmen on the School Building Committee. UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Selectman Harrington said he is starting up his office hours again on Wednesdays, from 12 pm – 2 pm.
Selectman Sloniecki had none at this time.
Selectman Mealy wanted to discuss the Food Pantry. A resident of Bourne has a house to give to the Town of Bourne (approx. 1,800 sq. ft.) to use if the town can find property to move the house to. TA Guerino stated this is worthy of discussion at a later time.
Selectman Conron said she is opening her office hours on Thursday, December 14, 2006 from 12 pm – 2 pm. She also inquired of the meeting place for the joint meeting between the Board of Selectman and the Finance Committee. TA Guerino will frame the agenda and suggested the Bourne Middle School as a meeting place.
Chm. Zuern noted the Festival of Trees at the Mass. Maritime Academy was successful. The event raised $2,000 after expenses and will go to the Green Belt Pathway.
Chm. Zuern said the Briggs-McDermott House and the
blacksmith will be open next week with their activities.
Chm. Zuern also noted that the Fire Fighters of Bourne are camping out for the Homeless for toys and canned goods. This will start on December 13, 2006 through December 17, 2006 at the Mezza Luna parking lot. This camp out was very successful last year.
Selectman Sloniecki would like to wish good weather for the Fire Fighters for this camp out.
Adjourn
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Harrington to adjourn. UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.