Selectmen’s Minutes
July 31, 2007
Bourne Veterans’ Memorial Community Center
239 Main Street
Buzzards Bay, MA 02532
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Attendance:
Thomas M. Guerino
Board of Selectmen
Stephen F. Mealy, Chairman
Jamie J. Sloniecki, Vice Chairman
Judith Conron, Clerk
Linda M. Zuern
John A. Ford, Jr.
Call the Meeting to
Order
Meeting was called to order at 7:15 P.M.
Moment of
Silence/Salute the Flag
Approval of Minutes
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to release and approve the Executive Minutes of November 3, 2006. VOTE 4-0-1 with abstention from Selectman Ford.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to release and approve the Executive Minutes of May 29, 2007. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to release previously approved the Regular and Executive Minutes of July 10, 2007. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to approve the regular session Minutes of July 24, 2007 as amended. VOTE 5-0.
Announcements
None at this time.
Public Comment –
Non-Agenda Items
Mr. Jeff Avery, owner of Buzzards Bay Theater - noted a meeting last Friday regarding the use of Village Green (events and improvements). Business and property owners, etc. attended. Handouts of the meeting were distributed to the Board members.
Immediate improvements recommended was to create committees to organize and schedule events on a regular basis.
Items suggested for success of the Village Green
Events suggested to held on the Village Green
Mr. Avery is looking for volunteers to assist and encourages the public to contact him by telephone or e-mail at jeff@buzzardsbaytheater.com.
Chm. Mealy presented a plaque to the Carraras for their part in the 4th of July Parade on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the Town of Bourne.
On behalf of the sponsors, the Carraras presented a plaque to the Town of Bourne for being a 2007 Parade Sponsor. Chm. Mealy requested a list of volunteers.
Selectman Conron reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is one file in the Town Administrator’s Office for review. She also added the August 11, 2007 Noah Ship invitation being held at the MMA.
Selectman Ford noted letter from William Locke toilet facilities on Bassett’s Island and insisted other areas have same (Picture Lake, etc.).
Selectman Sloniecki noted Atty. Troy letter regarding Chrisco vs. Town of Bourne – withdrawn and TA Guerino noted start over towards installation of any gas appliances/pumps at new facility.
TA Guerino noted NSTAR’s request to install one (1) pole and moving additional wires on Shore Road.
Ms. Barbara Trocchi, representing NSTAR, noted supplying electricity on existing homes by installing poles will be on conservation areas. Currently, all homes have electricity.
Mr. Murphy, customer who encouraged the process of installing pole line by NSTAR, noted the current wires are a safety issue. He added he would allow an easement on the south side of his property.
Discussion held on alternatives.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to recess the Pole Hearing until September 11, 2007 and reconvene hearing at that time. VOTE 5-0.
Under public comment, Charley Miller suggested cable lines.
Licenses/Permits
Town Administrator’s
Report
TA Guerino noted several appointments (Assistant Assessor, Director of Business at ISWM and DNR Director) per e-mail. He is requesting the Board approve the appointments and waive the 15 day period.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve the appointments of Assistant Assessor, Director of Business/ISWM and DNR Director and to waive the 15 day period. VOTE 5-0.
TA Guerino thanked Mr. & Mrs. Carrera for the 4th of July parade. He also thanked the Police and Fire Departments for their assistance to the parade.
TA Guerino noted material on the lower/mid Cape where area towns (Falmouth, Sandwich and Bourne) are looking to copying negotiation contracts on cable services. This information will be forwarded to the Cable Advisory Committee before making a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. (Selectman Zuern noted looking back into the cost).
Personnel reviews will be conducted in August.
Public Forum will be held on July 25, 2007 at the Community Center for hiring Police and Fire Chiefs. A consultant available interview process will begin afterwards.
TA Guerino noted a conservation restriction on Wings Neck. Upon the Board’s recommendation, a review Conservation Restrictions was requested by the new Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Robinson reviewed handout of the Compact Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. Town of Bourne Conservation Restrictions (a copy of which is attached hereto).
It was noted that property owners are discussing relinquishing their property development rights and said same will soon be brought in front of the Board. Conservation Restrictions will need to be recorded by December 31, 2007 to be included for tax exemptions.
TA Guerino inquired about value of the property that is not going to be diminished by 75%, and if there can be a less tax relief on said property. (It was noted the Assessor can adopt a case-by-case process).
Discussion held.
Selectman Conron requested viewing the current Policy. TA Guerino will provide Selectmen with copies of current Policy for the next meeting.
Public comment by Jim Mulvey noted the town being free of acquiring large tracks of conservation and removal of tax rule should be a consideration.
Public comment by Charley Miller noted open space acquired by the town is open to the public. Conservation Restriction is a win-win situation for the property owner.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve closure of Beach Street on 8/7/07 at 4pm – 9pm. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve Annual Picnic to be held on August 18, 2007. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve the Football Field Dedication on August 31, 2007 for a one (1) day beer and wine license with Fire Department restriction (no blocking any roadways). VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve the Family Weekend on October 13, 2007 for a one (1) day beer and wine license at 11:30 am with Fire Department restriction (no blocking roadways). VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to re-appoint Gloria Dimock and to appoint Virginia McGagh and Barbara Baker to the Archives Committee. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to appoint Robert Gaynor as regular member of the ZBA, leaving one (1) associate member. VOTE 5-0. (It is noted per Lee Berger letter, the ZBA request two (2) additional associate members).
Selectmen Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to re-appoint Judith Riordan as Bourne’s Representative to the Barnstable County HOME Consortium.
VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to appoint Andrew Murray as Bourne’s Representative to the Barnstable County Human Rights Commission Alternate. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to appoint Wendy L. Hampton to the Education/Scholarship Committee. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to re-appoint: Cindy Coffin; George Sala; Sandra Vickery; Rickie Tellier; Tim Mullen, George Eldridge; Phil Goddard; George Tribou; Paul Gately; Joel Gould; Steve Kelleher; Linda Zuern; Brendan Mullaney; Chrystal LaPine; and Jeff Luce to the Local Emergency Planning Committee. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to appoint Don Ellis to the Route 6A Advisory Committee. VOTE 5-0.
Town Administrator
Report
Upper Cape District to meet August 20, 2007 to discuss budgetary process at the Bourne High School beginning at 7:00 pm.
The Appeals on Wings Neck appraisal issues – town won initial case and are upheld on Appeal. TA Guerino commended the Chief Assessor.
Recommendation of Sheryl Hamilton as NRO in the Department of Natural Resources was requested last week. TA Guerino is requesting the waiver of 15 days.
Selectman Ford MOVED
and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to
waive the 15 day period for Patricia Hamilton as the DNR NRO. VOTE
5-0.
Charter reviewed by the House and Senate. Senator Murray’s office requested highlights (Gov. Patrick was in what the changes to the Charter meant). TA Guerino anticipates the Governor will sign the Charter within a week.
TA Guerino noted receiving letter dated July 31, 2007 by Cindy Coffin regarding the $16, 600.00 grant received for the Buzzards Bay Estuaries Program for the Head of the Bay Stormwater. .
TA Guerino handed the Sewer Commissioners Wastewater Advisory Committee – Report of Sewer Commissioners to the Board. (Selectman Sloniecki requested the April 18, 2007 Sewer Commission Committee minutes from TG for review at this time).
Other Selectmen
Business
TA Guerino noted deferring the contract issue with regard to Mr. Len Cubellis (currently tentatively scheduled in August, 2007) to another future time.
Selectmen’s Report
Selectman Zuern noted Police Dept and Fire Department working with Youth Council
Selectman Zuern attended BFDC meeting Beachmoor regarding the future of Buzzards Bay
Selectman Zuern noted Fred Dunbury’s (principal of Otis Elementary School) passing. She also noted the passing of Clem Hutchins. Both were active persons in the community and both will be missed.
Selectman Sloniecki noted the Bourne Youth Baseball’s Golf Tournament held on Monday, August 6, 2007 ($125 golf and meal). For further information, go to www. byb.org to download form or contact any member of the golf committee.
Selectman Conron attended Barnstable High School regional meeting held on July 18, 2007 regarding law passed of local option to provide health insurance. She suggested the Board take time to investigate, as having an obligation to look into. TA Guerino noted he would be attending meeting.
Selectman Ford attended the retirement of Heather Gallant on July 13, 2007.
Selectman Ford met with the Buzzards Bay Consultants on July 24, 2007.
Selectman Ford attended the Fire Chief Committee on July 26, 2007.
Selectman Ford also attended the Beachmoor demonstration of the Buzzards Bay future design on July 26, 2007.
Selectman Ford attended the retirement of Chief Noise who is now a resident of Bourne, who will be working with the IMC.
Selectman Ford also noted the August 8, 2007 breakfast at the Sunny Side Café on Main Street and encouraged the public to call the Council on Aging for more information.
Selectman Ford noted the Council of Aging invitation of the Liberty Ship on August 19, 2007.
Chm. Mealy reviewed the Board’s August Schedule:
August 8, 2007 – meeting
August 13, 2007 - meeting
August 14, 2007 – meeting 6-9
August 20, 2007 – meeting budget process
August 21, 2007 – 6:00 pm (defer negotiated contracts to September)
Adjourn
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to adjourn. UNANIMOUS VOTE. Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.