MINUTES OF THE CARVER SELECTMEN’S MEETING
JANUARY 23, 2007
SELECTMENS MEETING ROOM AT TOWN HALL
Present: Frank Muscato, Chair, Frank Casey, Jim Grimes, Mike O’Donnell, Jack Angley and Town Administrator Richard LaFond.
At 7:00 p.m. the Fire Department Honor Guard entered and the Chair opened the meeting with Pledge of Allegiance.
Fire Chief Craig Weston introduced Christopher Vincent who was recently elected to be a Lieutenant in the Fire Department. He was subsequently appointed by the Chief. Town Clerk Jean McGillicuddy administered the oath of office and his wife Sue pinned the new badge on Lieutenant Vincent.
Weston stated that Vincent was trained to FF 2 and possessed the leadership and listening skills necessary to perform the job. The Board congratulated Vincent on his appointment
Muscato announced the following:
Committee openings exist on the Finance Committee, IDC, Earth Removal Committee, Handicapped Commission and Recreation Committee. Residents wishing to apply, please contact the Selectmen’s Office.
Community Forum Series continues with the following schedule:
January 24, 2007 – Renewable Energy
February 28 , 2007 – Affordable Housing
March 28, 2007 – Smart Growth
April 25, 2007 – Cole Property update
7:10 PM Plymouth/Carver Aquifer Advisory Committee Appointments
John Clarkeson, Asst. Director of Water Policy, EOEA met with the Board to discuss the scope and extent of the P-C Aquifer Committee. Clarkeson distributed copies of the enabling legislation and the earmark of $100,000 for the project. They have contracted with Fuss & O’Neil and the project must be completed by the end of the fiscal year.
Grimes commented that overall the committee was a great thing but asked who developed the MOU that had recently seen. Grimes believes that there should be more representation.
Clarkeson stated that the membership is specified by legislation not by him or the MOU. All meetings are open and everyone is invited to speak. He stated that a recent meeting had about 35 participants and that he is not familiar with MOU as it was he work of another group prior to this legislation and that the document has not been discussed in any recent meetings. The committee is charged with developing an action plan and Reps’ O’Brien and Gifford, and Senator Murray were responsible for the legislation in support of their local communities. As a state official he has no charge other than to see that action plan is achieved.
In response to a question from Angley, Clarkeson responded that the designee role is to help the vendor in identifying key people to speak with within each community and to be a conduit of information. He referred the Board to the language contained within the scope that instructs the vendor to meet with local officials. The purpose of the study is not for state to tell local community what to do but rather to have local community tell the state the best way to manage the aquifer.
Clarkeson further stated that watershed action plans are community based rather than state driven.
Angley stated that he is concerned about protecting the resource for use by the resident of Carver and speculated political muscle exercised by other town’s or the state may compromise that. He cited the example of Silver Lake and the City of Brockton.
Muscato stated that the Board either appoints someone to represent Carver or Carver will have no input into the process.
In response to O’Donnell Clarkeson confirmed that the committee would have no regulatory authority.
Grimes stated that he was not prepared to vote tonight.
Casey inquired as to voting procedures and Clarkeson responded that their have not been any formal votes to date. The committee engages in discussion with each other and the vendor while the vendor takes notes of the discussion.
Interviews:
Ed Fuller: Stated that was a 28 year resident, a registered landscape architect and has raised three children. He lives in the North Carver Historic District and has served on Historic District Commission where he co-authored first by-law. He participated in first meeting of the committee and gave input to the MOU. He stated that it is an interesting and important mission to try and unify 7 towns with regard to aquifer and that the priority should be to get information to the public with regard to how to protect aquifer. He is concerned that group will become an additional layer of bureaucracy with regard to projects and won’t support that. He believes his job would be to listen to the boards and administration and report back.
In response to a question form Angely regarding a possible conflict of interest Fuller stated that he does not do professional work in Carver and doesn’t envision any conflict. He stated that he is a former employee of the A.D. Makepeace company.
Sarah Hewins: Stated that she is member of the Planning Board for nine years and has been the Conservation Agent for eight. Selectmen’s delegate to PC aquifer committee for about 3 years. Important that delegate communicate to the boards what is going on and communicates the input of town officials. Wants to make sure growers concerns, town wells, economic concerns are addressed.
Frank Harris: Stated that he was a 9 year resident of the town, a member of the IDC for a year and a half, and has worked in water for 20 years. He wants to help the town and believes that communication is important for the delegate and that this study is good idea if handled properly.
Grimes stated that he has a problem with the MOU. Muscato responded that it is not in effect and would not be until and if the Board voted to approve.
Motion by Angley to continue with Sarah Hewins as the Delegate and to appoint Ed Fuller as Alternate Delegate
Second by Casey
Resident Paul Johnson asked how many boards a person can serve on and recommend someone on IDC be appointed.
William Sinclair stated that he considered it is important for appointee to attend the meetings and that Hewins’ attendance record on Planning Board is not the greatest.
Muscato stated that he has sat on the current committee with Sarah, that she was very instrumental in developing the scope of services, and, that there would no sense changing representation now.
Grimes questioned whether or not a paper vote would be in order.
Casey requested a point of order as there was already a motion and second on the floor.
Angley requested action on his motion.
VOTE: 3 in favor 1 against (O’Donnell) and one abstain (Grimes).
Motion by Grimes to not accept the draft MOU.
Muscato stated that there is no MOU before the board for action.
Bill Nepolitano of SERPDD stated that the MOU is not a viable document as it was never finalized. It is based upon models used throughout the state but has never been finalized. He further stated that the committee is only acting on the scope of services and serve at behest of board. Also, the final plan must be approved by towns and state.
O’Donnell stated that the town’s delegates needs to take the message that we do not support the MOU in present form and referenced particularly article 4.
Earth Removal By-law Review Committee
Motion by Angley to appoint the following to the Earth Removal By-law Review Committee:
Agricultural Committee - Dick Ward
Board of Assessors- Charlie Hamilton
Conservation Commission- Alan Kinsgbury/Peg Blanckwell
DPW- Peter Cokinos
Earth Removal- John Garrettson
Planning Board- Bryan Lauzon
Board of Selectmen- Jim Grimes
and to add spaces for three citizens at large.
Second by O’Donnell
Unanimous Vote
Chair called for interested citizens to apply to the Board of Selectmen’s Office.
Angley suggested that perhaps Mr. Harris would accept an appointment to this committee.
Harris agreed that he would.
Plymouth Airport Commission – Technical Advisory Committee
Motion by O’Donnell to appoint Grimes and Richard Gromberg to Plymouth Airport Commission – Technical Advisory Committee
Second by Angley
Unanimous Vote
Fire Prevention & Safety Grant
Motion to approve by O’Donnell
Second by Grimes
Unanimous Vote
FY ’08 Financial Presentation
Town Administrator Rick LaFond presented a 5 year revenue and expenditure analysis as well a preliminary budget proposal for FY 2008. With the assumption used by LaFond the town would realize a $2,000,000 cumulative budget deficit through FY 2012. He recommended that to offset this cumulative deficit and the projected deficit for FY 2008 that the town proceed with a 2.5% operational budget increase. He cautioned that this may have to be reduced if state aid is less than a 6% increase, and, that the for every percentage point less of state aid would require a one-half percent reduction in this preliminary proposed operating budget.
Citizens Participation
None
Selectmen Notes
Muscato reminded the public of the dates for the Community Forum Series.
In response to questions from the Board LaFond reported that there was no additional process made on the animal shelter or other punch list items. Further, the he recently spoke with town counsel and it was agreed that there were no other options remaining short of litigation. Although the litigation process has begun in terms of preparation, filings have been withheld as long as BATG was making progress. Progress has ceased.
Motion by O’Donnell to proceed with litigation,
Second by Grimes
Unanimous Vote
Town Administrator Notes
None
Motion by Angley to go into executive session (at 10:50 p.m.) to discuss pending litigation and not to return to open session.
Second by Casey
Unanimous Vote.
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