Town of Carver, MA - Board of Selectmen's Minutes of 5-22-07

Attorney Solomon, who is currently negotiating our cable renewal contract, gave the Board an update on the Verizon Legislation. He is requesting that the Board write a letter to our state legislators opposing this legislation prior to the Joint Telecommunication Hearing to be held on June 10^th at the Statehouse. If the legislation is passed Verizon will not be obligation under it to provide for public access television. LaFond indicated this is approximately a loss of $93,000 to the community. This is the number one issue for MMA to oppose this legislation. Verizon currently is under contract with approximately 48 municipalities and they have been asked to apply for the cable license in Carver. Motion by Grimes, second by Casey to sent a letter to the Cable Commission opposing this legislation. Vote unanimous.

Jack Hunter, Will Sinclair, IDC Chair, and Clarke Rowell from Unibank came before the Board to discuss the North Carver Water District Legislation article being presented at the ATM. Rowell stated that setting up the district allows the Town to issue bonds. The bonds are tied to the Town’s bond rating. LaFond thanked Rowell for coming before the Board to answer questions. Hunter reiterated what Rowel stated, and that the water district needs to be less than 10,000 people to apply for grants. Jack Franey brought up the issue of appointed or elected commissioners and feels it should be a town meeting vote. Rowell pointed out the advantages of the Board of Selectmen appointing the Commissioners in order to have the correct people. Grimes agreed initially he believes they should be appointed to get the district going, but feels town meeting should decide appointed vs. elected board. Motion by Grimes to approve draft legislation as written, second by Ward. Vote unanimous.

John Clarkeson and Jim Reardon of Fuss and O’Neil gave a PowerPoint presentation on the results of the Plymouth/Carver Aquifer Advisory Committee study. The purpose of the study was to protect this very important aquifer by analyzing various factors.

Clarkeson thanked Sarah Hewins and Ed Russell for the participation on the committee and asked for a letter of support for the plan and looking for a continued partnership from all seven communities as more items need to be addressed as this is the second largest aquifer in Massachusetts.

Grimes stated he thought it is important for the Board to realize that the BATG issue will not be resolved in the near future, and we do not have an animal shelter. He believes the Town should move forward in building the facility ourselves and then deal with BATG in the future.

ACO Seery stated she has discussed this issue over and over with residents. She feels in the very least the Town needs a holding facility for animals. They have had six dump dogs since January compared to two or three for the same time period in the last couple of years. Angley questioned whether we had a sufficient number of animals to warrant needing a shelter. Seery has some concerns regarding staffing, not getting any increase in hours, etc. She stated rescue organizations could take over running of the shelter, or the Town could have volunteers help staff it. Grimes stated we had a shelter before and we should have one now, why make it complicated.

Ward stated that he visited the Lakeville Animal Shelter, and talked to the employees that run it. The need has reduced at this shelter over the past couple of years. Seery interrupted stating in their Town. He stated there are many state regulations regarding a shelter that are mandated. The facility in Lakeville cost $300,000 to build. Ward also stated the full time ACO’s salary is $50,000 and he has three assistants helping him. Seery interrupted stating she gets paid $18,000. The shelter is housing regional animals to offset the cost of the shelter. There has only been one dog from Carver sheltered this year. Seery stated she has taken many home. Ward questioned why she would take dogs home when we have a contract with Lakeville. Seery stated it takes three hours to take an animal to Lakeville and they only get paid for 4 hours per day. Ward questioned if a shelter would be a wise investment for the Town and we should have a committee to study this.

Seery stated she felt it was important to go before Selectmen and the residents to explain how she handled problem at no additional cost to the Town. She stated she had funds taken away from her expense account in December, and she has a good relationship with other Towns. Duxbury has taken two dogs, and Kingston has taken three. Other Towns have been nice enough to help us. LaFond stated that he had spoken to the Animal Rescue League, and they would be willing to meet us at the bridge to take our animals to their facility on the Cape.

Resident Bryan Lauzon (Ass’t ACO Sherman’s husband) stated that he knows for a fact that at times the Lakeville Shelter has been full. He stated Town has taken advantage of the staff and not giving them what they need. Seery’s husband, Tom, stated there is an Animal Shelter at his and Sherman’s house. It is important and there is a need in this Town.

Casey cautioned people on the cost of building and operating a shelter after talking to the Animal Rescue League personnel on the costs associated with the closed Pembroke facility. He further stated twelve since January is not a log of animals, and does not expect the staff to spend ten hours a day trying to find the owners and they should take the dogs to Lakeville. He further stated it would be cheaper to put the dogs up at the Hilton, than building a shelter.

Grimes stated this should be on the next agenda to discuss the Animal Shelter. Ward stated we need to discuss this matter at the next meeting and ask if people wish to serve on committee. Motion by Ward to put item on the next agenda and reach out to community for people to help with this committee, second by Grimes. Vote unanimous.

Chief Arthur Parker informed the Board that we were notified by Town Counsel two weeks of a final decision on a dismissal of a police sergeant, thereby creating a vacancy of one permanent sergeant. Parker is recommending Temporary Sergeant Marc Duphilly to fill the position. Motion by Grimes, second by Casey to appoint Duphilly. Vote: unanimous.

LaFond stated that the Superintendent of Building and Grounds is presently on medical leave, and stated that Jean Bouchard has born the brunt of supervising the department. This is an increase in responsibility for Bouchard as indicated on the Wage and Classification Plan. Jean position is classified at a Grade 4 and the Superintendent’s job is classified at a Grade 9 level. He is recommending a differential for Jean to Step 1 of Grade 9 temporarily until Mr. Farquharson returns. He feels Bouchard is best suited for the management of this department due to her experience both at the Town and as a business owner

Grimes stated he is concerned even though he knows Bouchard works hard, and hopes that Gerry comes back as soon as possible. He has several issues. Has the Town looked at anyone in the department to supervise the others, and also giving it to someone in the Selectmen’s Office will other people look for more hours or more raises. He is looking for accountability - can Bouchard complete her own work and do this too. LaFond indicated this is not a raise for Bouchard and not an increase in pay for additional hours, but a differential due to the increase in responsibility. He also has to come to a reasonable decision on who best to deal with the department in Gerry’s absence. Bouchard is better able through management experience to handle problems as they arise in the department and has proven to be a very effective manager and more experienced with municipal government issues than any other employee in the department. An understanding of municipal government is needed to supervise staff.

Residents in attendance expressed their views – Brian Lauzon stated that Gerry runs the water. LaFond stated Gerry gets separate stipend from the water budget. Jack Franey stated in Rockland the next senior person in the department took over and received that pay.

Ward asked how much longer Gerry was going to be out. LaFond stated it is not known. Ward asked if Bouchard would continue in the interim, and maybe we should continue another approach in the future. Right now it seems like that is what is needed to be done. LaFond stated there are three full time union employees, and there is no provision in the union contract in such a small department for another employee to supervise on a daily basis.

Resident Bob Belbin suggested someone should be shadowing Gerry in order to take over position. LaFond gave pros and cons of this concept. Belbin urged Board to give someone the opportunity. LaFond stated everyone is talking about Gerry as if he is dead and buried and he has a lot of years to work for the Town when he comes back.

Resident and Ass’t ACO Tom Seery stated that the increase to Bouchard is a concern to other department heads and needs to be closely looked at. LaFond stated he works with department heads every day and this is not a problem and again stated this is a temporary differential not an increase. Lauzon stated maybe the office has too many secretaries.

Resident and ACO Sheila Seery stated many people are doing extra things and not getting paid, that is the way it is. Grimes stated the Board will set a precedent by doing this. Lauzon stated that there have been many back room deals since LaFond has been here.

Franey stated that since he feels that Bouchard is a hard worker and is underpaid – everyone needs to be updated. Angley stated Bouchard is doing extra work and responsibility and should get paid and there are no back room deals.

Motion by Casey to approve differential, second by Ward. Belbin asked Board to wait until full Board is present and table tonight. Grimes stated he want to bring this matter up for reconsideration. Vote 3-1 (Grimes no).

Bob Belbin discussed the Carver Clean-Up Day. They would like seven members and it will be the third Saturday in June. This will be continued every year. Motion by Grimes to thank Belbin for his efforts. Vote unanimous.

LaFond stated that he and the Town Accountant will be working on recommendation for Town Meeting. He also commented on the Fiscal Policy Meeting of the MMA and the discussion of running a community with less state reimbursement.