Selectmen’s Minutes
November 6, 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 7:00 P.M.
Moment of
Silence/Salute the Flag
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to approve minutes of October 23, 2007 as amended. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to approve minutes of October 30, 2007 as amended. VOTE 5-0.
Selectman Conron reviewed the correspondence. All correspondence is on file in the Town Administrator’s Office.
Comments on
Correspondence
TA Guerino will look into the contract of Comcast regarding the addition of new services.
Several announcements of upcoming events were made.
Donna Barakauskas - The Board of Assessors recommends the Board of Selectmen retain one tax rate for all classes of property for FY2008. The Board of Assessors feels a small benefit to the residential taxpayer achieved through the use of two tax rates is not warranted in light of the increase in tax paid by Commercial/Industrial/Personal Property taxpayer. Bourne is largely a residential community that simply does not have enough of a Commercial/Industrial base to make classification worthwhile.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to support the Board of Assessor’s recommendation to keep single tax rate for FY2008. VOTE 5-0.
Christine O’Neill on behalf of Financial Solutions requests to petition Board of Selectmen for relief from property tax to renew our business certificate. Financial Solutions only leases one unit from owner of property and has been in business since August 1999.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Ford to grant relief of property tax to Financial Solutions. VOTE 5-0.
Brendan MacGregor’s Eagle Scout Project – Picture Lake
Community Service Project requesting Selectmen’s approval to carry out: 1) repave entry ways; 2) add benches; 3) add three more trash barrels; 4) set up boulders to block cars from entry to beach; 5) add new sand; and 6) place gravel to stop erosion.
Selectman Zuern suggested in addition to adding trash barrels, include recycling bins.
Selectman Sloniecki requested Mr. MacGregor come before the Board in the spring to report progress.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Conron to approve Eagle Scout Project at Picture Lake. VOTE 5-0.
LIP application – Dennis Waitekunas (discussion only)
Application to build Jasper’s Motel on Scenic Highway. Economic conditions dropped financing and now looking for Selectmen’s approval of concept to reclassify project from motel use to year round housing (40B).
Project already approved by Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Police and Fire Departments.
Project includes 24 – 1 bedroom units (12 to be sold and 12 rental units – 6 of which will be low income). Units will be in the $300,000 +/- range.
Coreen Moore (Town Planner) noted that for change of use, applicant would need to go before the ZBA, as there is not enough land for the area.
Ms. Moore noted Housing Specialist stated said project meets some of Housing Partnership goals: 1) advocate for 1 bedrooms; 2) putting affordable development where there is none; and 3) no impact to town fiscally.
Ms. Moore also noted the Housing Partnership would work further with applicant to achieve other goals with said project. Ms. Moore noted the Town is co-applicant.
TA Guerino noted traffic impact is not an issue with said project. He also requested to put said project on next week’s agenda.
Mr. Mulvey suggested getting Town Counsel’s opinion of LIP application.
Selectman Conron noted the Spencer Meritorious Public Service Award (usually at Town Meeting each spring). She went on to discuss Town Meeting vote that authorized giving of the award.
Selectman Conron suggested Board’s comments to be forwarded to her for future discussion.
Chm. Mealy read into record the Selectmen’s Alternative Energy Advisory Committee Membership and Charge.
TA Guerino noted since said Committee will dovetail the Highway Study, he suggested having a preferred consultant come before Board to discuss how facility will move forward.
Membership discussion included having a flexible term length, and not limiting appointment to Town of Bourne citizens only.
Selectman Conron suggested putting the committee membership
and charge on the website.
Selectman Ford MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Sloniecki to approve Selectmen’s Alternative Energy Advisory Committee Membership and Charge as written. VOTE 5-0.
TA Guerino noted Selectmen should be in receipt of budget calendar.
Other Selectmen Business
Moderator Parady requesting applicants for Charter Enforcement Committee.
Selectmen’s Report
Selectman Zuern noted receiving an inquiry if there is an appeal process with regard to the Toby Island Conservation Restriction. After speaking with TA Guerino who spoke with Town Counsel, she was advised there is no appeal process.
Selectman Sloniecki MOVED and SECONDED by Selectman Zuern to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 10:25 pm. (8:50 pm) UNANIMOUS VOTE.
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Groezinger, sec.