Present: Jack Angley, Chair, Frank Casey, Jim Grimes, Mike O’Donnell, Dick Ward, and Town Administrator Rick LaFond
Angley opened the meeting with Pledge of Allegiance and read announcements concerning vacancies of boards and committees.
7:00 p.m. – William Sinclair of the RDA and Jack Hunter, Director of Planning, presented a draft agreement on 21 Plymouth Street that would convey the property from the Board to the RDA. The provisions were reviewed by the Board including:
Conveyance by the town to RDA for $1.00; RDA would market and sell property as a single family residence; RDA would retain 5% of the proceeds net of closing costs, fees, etc; RDA will reimburse the town for all insurance expenses incurred.
Grimes stated his concerns that the agreement does not provide enough funds for the RDA and doesn’t target an amount for the Stabilization Fund.
Ward was concerned that the process move quickly to get the RDA moving on this project.
Grimes stated that he could support this agreement but didn’t want these provisions to become a template for further transactions.
Sinclair stated that they were not sure as to the final proceeds but that they would be meeting with a realtor for a market analysis to determine if it was best to sell as-is or to perform some property improvements before marketing for sale.
Motion by Ward to proceed with the agreement with the RDA on 21 Plymouth Street;
Second by Grimes,
Unanimous Vote
The Board reviewed an agreement drafted by RDA regarding the conveyance of the Ben Ellis School from the Board to the RDA. Hunter stated that the RDA met with Mr. Casey twice (and Mr. Ward once) as instructed by the Board to draft an agreement. The draft provides for the leasing or renting of the property. Hunter noted that there are two parties interested in leasing.
Grimes stated that he wanted keep the option to purchase open. Ward stated that he did not want that to be an option just yet citing property values and the concerns of the neighbors. He is concerned that the town would regret selling the property in the future and advised a lease agreement to cover the town’s costs.
O’Donnell agreed that the market for sale is not good right now but that his intent is to get the property on the tax rolls and wanted to retain the option to sell.
Ward agreed that sale could be an option under the right circumstances and suggested that language be amended to include possible sale.
Casey stated that of the interested parties in leasing – one would be a very good immediate fit and that he feels good about potential uses.
Hunter stated that he will bring back sentiments to RDA and an updated agreement will be drafted with the concerns raised. Angley suggested that they come back as soon as possible to keep this process moving.
Kevin Tracey – Presentation of case for Boston Post Cane
Mr. Tracey explained the history of the Boston Post Cane. A replica of the original is now presented to the oldest town resident. He presented a wooden and glass case that he made to preserve the original cane. Mr. Traced donated this to the town.
The Board thanked him for his effort and donation.
Rotary Collision Center Request for Class II and Commercial Garage License
The Board convened a hearing to consider the application of Jonathan Porkka of 300 Pond Street, Osterville MA with regard to the above licenses at 78 North Main Street – formerly Kearns Collision.
The application requested a 3 car license with hours of operation Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Motion by Grimes to approve application;
Second by Ward,
Unanimous Vote
Ferreira’s Used Car and Repairs, Inc Request for Class II License
The Board convened a hearing on the above referenced application. The applicant did not appear and the application appeared to be incomplete.
Motion by Casey to close hearing without issuance of any licenses;
Second by O’Donnell,
Unanimous Vote
Request for Appointment to IDC
Mr. Ronald E. Dzengeleski of 2-3 South Meadow Village requested appointment to the IDC. He has lived in Carver for four years and cited his background in business and construction as qualifications for appointment.
Motion by Ward to appoint Mr. Dzengeleski to the IDC;
Second by Casey,
Unanimous Vote
Request for One Day Special License
Motion by Ward to approve a 1 day special liquor license for the St. John’s Club on Silva Street on February 14, 2009 from 8:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.;
Second by Grimes,
Unanimous Vote
Review of Minutes
Motion by Grimes to approve minutes of Nov. 28, 2008 and Dec. 16, 2008 as printed,
Second by Ward,
Unanimous Vote
NSTAR Transformer Move
LaFond stated that the move was currently schedule for February 1, 2009. It was expected to arrive in barge at Cordage Park in Plymouth on January 29. The move is anticipated to take approximately 6 hours if all goes well. The route is Wenham Road, Left on Silva, Left on Rt. 58, and Right into the substation.
Selectmen’s Notes
Ward reminded people of Martin Luther King Day and wished President Obama the best upon his inauguration. He also noted the return of Mr. Farquharson to limited duty and suggested sending a letter to Jean Bouchard thanking her for her efforts.
Casey stated that former Selectmen Bernadette Hemingway asked him to remind people about the food collection points for Head Start. He stated there is a new collection point at the Carver Post Office.
Grimes stated that he was not aware of Farquharson’s return and that this was a decision the Board should have discussed. Ward stated that he read this in the December notes from the Town Administrator. LaFond stated that he gave the Board two written updates on the subject the last one being in mid-December stating that Gerry was scheduled to return the first week of January. Grimes stated that he recalled a discussion about 6 months ago and received an email from someone from a website. He then saw it in the paper on Friday. He stated that he was stunned. He questioned the capacity of his return. LaFond read the updates that were provided to the Board in November and December and discussed the parameters of his return.
Grimes stated that it was a major decision and questioned when the Board discussed it. Angley questioned why the board would have needed to. Grimes stated that he has a question of authority. Angley stated that he was always under the assumption that he may be returning if it was possible and that Jean had filled the role temporarily. O’Donnell stated that he had questions about the transformation of the position and whether or not all requirements were met. LaFond agreed that the job had changed and that Gerry was unable to fulfill any of the physical requirements of the job description. LaFond described the basic duties the Gerry would provide. He also stated that Gerry’s return can not be a surprise to anyone and questioned the point of written updates to the board that were requested by Mr. Ward last year. O’Donnell stated that LaFond spoke with him about it but he was expecting further discussion. LaFond stated the he did speak with the appropriate people. O’Donnell stated
that he wished he was apprised of the matter as he is getting questioned by employees and taxpayers and he doesn’t have any answers.
Casey stated that he had questioned LaFond over the past 6 months regarding Gerry’s status and also had the opportunity to speak to Gerry on a couple of occasions. He stated that LaFond informed him that he had cleared the situation with Plymouth County Retirement and that this is the Town Administrator’s appointment. He stated that this situation was a major component of the last budget process and questioned why nobody with a concern would have inquired. He questioned what the problem is as the town is saving money. Grimes stated that his concern has nothing to do with LaFond’s job performance but rather with the Board needing to be more proactive and that this is something they should have known about. He stated that we could have bumped a current employee up into a leadership position and still save
money. Angley stated that this is why we hire a Town Administrator. Ward stated that when he was elected he was aware of Gerry’s situation and that he hoped to return. He also stated that those personnel decisions are the Town Administrator’s, that he thinks Gerry is the person for the job, and that he feels bad that this discussion is overshadowing his point of thanking Jean Bouchard for effort in filling in. LaFond stated that Bouchard deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the job she did filling in for Gerry but that the temporary situation went on too long. LaFond stated that nobody is more qualified to know if someone within the department was prepared to step up in to that role. He stated that it was not appropriate in that forum to discuss the issue in greater detail due to privacy rights. LaFond stated that he provided written updates usually twice a month and that he believes he went to great lengths to inform the Board so that they could discuss this
or other issues with him. LaFond said that the magnitude of this decision is fairly insignificant compared to decisions that are made daily throughout the town departments. He stated the he knows that he did right thing for the town and that as good a job as Jean did, the town has missed Gerry’s expertise and attention to detail. He explained briefly his knowledge of Gerry’s disability retirement status and how it impacts what he is able to do for the town. O’Donnell stated that he doesn’t think that this is a trivial matter and that nobody is attacking Gerry or Jean. He stated that this is about an open, transparent process, that this is a job change that should go to town meeting. LaFond stated that he had no problem with Selectmen raising concerns but that he wishes that it were done 4-6 weeks ago in a timely manner and that he made every effort to inform. He further stated that this action was a central part of the last budget process. O’Donnell
stated that this did not necessarily mean that Gerry would be coming back. Ward stated that he would not respond to questions from a website that refers to the town hall as “clown hall” and that he was pleased to have Gerry back and moved that the board get on to the next item.
In response to a question by Paul Johnson asking for a copy of the job description LaFond stated that Gerry is working off the existing job description in providing service that he can physically and mentally perform that is not in conflict with the input of the Executive Director of the Plymouth County Retirement Association.
Grimes stated the received an email from LaFond regarding the Conservation Commissions efforts to acquire land in the cedar swamp. He questioned where the Town Administrator got the authority to have the Conservation Agent in and then speak to the Chair requesting an emergency meeting when the Board had already voted unanimously on the matter. LaFond asked Grimes if his question was where he got the authority to ask the Chairman a question. LaFond stated that nobody requested an emergency meeting and explained that the meeting would have been posted properly if agreed to. LaFond explained that the Conservation Agent had come to him indicating that the Commission had been able to put together answers to the Board’s questions and that there may be some value to meeting before the end of the year. He contacted the
Chairman who instructed him to ask the Board if they wished to meet and to further explain that the Chair was not comfortable with a meeting unless all five members approved. Angley explained his discussion with the Conservation Agent and asked Grimes what his problem was. Grimes questioned the logic of paying the back-taxes of a resident as proposed by the ConCom.
O’Donnell raised his concern that the Board at the last meeting had agreed to meet in executive session and that the Chair had informed him that that wasn’t going to happen. O’Donnell read part of an email from Angley regarding this topic and stated that Angley had publicly connected him to an issue last summer that he had no involvement with thereby impacting his reputation. O’Donnell wanted Angley to explain why his name came up in a negative fashion. Angley stated that he did not mention his name in a negative light
O’Donnell cautioned people to be prepared for the cold weather; reminded people about the signage forum and the meeting of the Casino Task Force at the High School. O’Donnell read the fireman’s prayer in honor of the Lt. Kelly of the Boston Fire Dept who was recently killed in the line of duty. He requested the people keep Lt. Kelly’s family in their prayers as well as our military personnel and President Elect Obama.
Grimes stated that he was still trying to deal with the previous ACO officer and the he is prepared to discuss her issues in open session at the next meeting.
LaFond informed the Board that EMD had received a $50,000 grant from Entergy along with the other town’s in the emergency planning zone. The funds are to be used for updating communication equipment and personnel call-out equipment. He asked for the Board to approve up to $150,000 snow over-expenditure.
Motion O’Donnell to approve,
Second by Ward
Unanimous Vote
LaFond distributed materials on the expedited permitting process for the Board’s review as their approval would be necessary and the IDC was seeking their approval at their next meeting. He wished Jean a well earned vacation.
Motion by O’Donnell to adjourn,
Second by Ward,
Unanimous Vote
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