----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, October 29, 2009 8:57 AM
Subject: 10-13-09
The Chairman opened the meeting at 6:15 P.M. Present were Selectmen Hewins, Angley, Ward, Chairman Casey, Town Administrator LaFond and A.T.A. Bouchard.
Motion by Angley, second by Hewins to go into Executive Session for the purposes under M.G.L. Chapter 39 § 23B for the purposes of Collective Bargaining, non-union contract negotiations and pending litigation and then return to Open Session. Roll Call Vote: Unanimous
Open session reconvened at 7:30 with Selectmen O’Donnell present along with the above mentioned members of the Board.
The Chair led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and read the announcements.
Comcast Cable Contract Public Hearing:
Ron Clarke, Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee, and Gerry Buckley from Comcast came before the Board regarding the renewal contract. Clarke explained the highlights of the ten year contract renewal that had expired in July of 2008:
· Cable franchise fee will increase to 4.5% from 3%
· Comcast will continue to provide live video local original capability from 8 sites throughout the Town.
· Meeting Room #1 will be upgraded with new audio and visual equipment.
· CCAT will have the option of purchasing a third channel within the next two years
· Equipment at the CCAT studio will be upgraded
Motion by Angley, second by Ward to approve Contract. There were no public comments or questions. Vote: unanimous.
Mr. Angley left the meeting room.
Acceptance of Grant for Historical Commission/Historic District Commission:
Motion by Ward, second by Hewins to accept $2,500 grant for the re-use study of the Grange Hall. Vote 4-0.
Tiki Kye Restaurant Extension of Hours:
Motion by Ward, second by Hewins to approve extension of hours on New Year’s Eve. Vote 4-0.
Mr. Angley returned to the meeting room.
Plymouth County Advisory Board Representative for 2010:
Motion by Ward, second by Hewins to appoint Casey as the Town of Carver’s representative. Vote unanimous.
Plymouth Airport Commission Update:
Ward stated that the Airport Commission has established an advisory group (PAAG) at the recommendation of the facilitation firm to seek a consensus on a new master plan. The Commission is requesting that the Board appoint four representatives from Carver, with one member being a Selectmen or their representative. One of the representatives should be from a North neighborhood adjacent to the airport and two representatives from a West neighborhood of the airport. The Town of Plymouth will have five representatives. Ward stated that Rich Gronberg, Bob Bentley, Bruce Kaiser, Claire DeLoid, Sarah Hewins, Rosemarie Hanlon as well as he have been going to meetings. This will be an advisory group, but the Town will still pursue seats on the Commission. Motion by Angley, second by Ward to
set deadline of Wednesday October 21 for applications to serve on the PAAG.
Vote: unanimous.
R.E. Tax Impact - Building Projects:
Resident Paul Johnson objected to allowing the Town Administrator to present a power point because the opponents of the override would not be able to present one being that it is three days before the election and they would not have sufficient time to challenge LaFond’s figures. Ward stated that he requested LaFond gather this information and feels people need to know the costs and it would be irresponsible not to give the citizens information. Angley stated he appreciated Johnson’s concern but it would be irresponsible not to do this. O’Donnell stated that the schools already did a presentation. LaFond stated the figures were generated with assistance from the Assessors, Treasurer, bond counsel and schools and included different scenarios that included the school building
project, fire station and police station. Mr. LaFond proceeded with his power point presentation that reflected the different scenarios on the tax impact on all three building projects. O’Donnell stated that these cost estimates do not include a 2.5% tax increase or CPA tax increases and that we are experiencing the worst financial times since the Great Depression and that a lot of people are just over the edge already and it will displace a lot more resident. He stated that a lot more people will not be able to afford to live here. He cannot support these projects right now. Tax Collector/Treasurer Franey stated that he was not involved with LaFond’s presentation and felt that he should have been included, and had several comments directed at LaFond on what method he used to calculate the figures e.g., tax shift, etc. LaFond stated he had two meetings previously with the financial staff and stated he had sufficient information from
these two meetings. School Committee Chairman Struski spoke in favor of the school building project and septic system repair.
State Ethic Commission Liaison:
LaFond explained that the Board needed to designate a top level administrator as the Town’s Liaison for the conflict of Interest Law. Motion by Ward, second by Angley to designate the Town Administrator as the Liaison. Vote unanimous.
North Carver Water District Legal Representation:
LaFond stated that the district has asked for advice from Town Counsel due to the overlap with town officials and employees as a potential for conflict. The commissioners have voted to have K & P as their counsel and recommends that the Selectmen do the same. Motion by Angley, second by Ward to allow K & P to represent the Water District. Vote unanimous.
Legal Services RFP update:
LaFond stated RFPs were opened on this date with Jean Bouchard in attendance and at some point the Board should decide how to proceed and who will participate in the initial screening. Motion by O’Donnell, second by Ward to table discussion until the next meeting. Vote unanimous.
Benjamin Ellis School:
Will Sinclair and Jack Hunter came before the Board on an update on the school. The RDA has expended approximately $5,000 on repairs, however there is a mold issue on the building and the RDA received two quotes and will cost between $8,000 to $16,000 to mitigate the issue. There is a potential tenant for the first floor. Also, 13 Everett Street has been sold for $56,000 and they are working with a realtor on the 93 North Main Street property. They authority has also contacted residents abutting town property for preliminary talks on purchasing the parcels. On the Wareham and Shoestring Bogs the RDA is working with bog owners. Rochester Road is being surveyed for two possible Form A lots. Bates Pond is ongoing as well as the Grange Hall Project.
Minutes of September 8 and September 22, 2009:
Motion by Ward, second by Angley to approve minutes of September 8, 2009. Vote unanimous.
Motion by Angley, second by O’Donnell to approve minutes of September 22, 2009. Vote unanimous.
Selectmen Notes:
Angley - Nothing
Hewins presented an informational letter to Board Members on the Plymouth County Aquifer Committee to apprise them of what the committee is doing. She also reminded residents of upcoming forum on “Losing Ground” that will focus on the loss of open space over the last ten years. There will be a follow up forum. She urges residents to please vote this Saturday on the school building project and septic system whether or not they were in favor it and asked residents to support it if they can afford it.
Ward urged residents to vote in favor of this difficult decision and stated it will be another 20 years before the Town considers this amount of dollars again. He visited the schools on Tuesday and walked outside, and he could see the rust. He could not believe the problems in the buildings. He urged citizens to take the $23 million the state is offering and the state will not come up with this kind of money in the future. He believes it is financially irresponsible if we do not vote for the debt exclusion.
O’Donnell stated he is opposed to the debt exclusion votes as these are difficult times and more difficult times are in store in the future. He does not believe in Mr. Ward’s threats as he believes there will be funding available in the future and the Town can tap into those. O’Donnell brought up the issue of CCAT’s Selectmen’s Corner. He did not get an invitation to appear and it does not reflect his views and wants it identified as so. Casey responded by stating his telephone number, and stated that if Board Members have questions, please call him. Casey stated that this show was produced years ago and he was approached by CCAT to bring the program back. The format is the same - Town Officials and the issues that affect the Town e.g., Jack Hunter,
Conservation, Board of Health, etc. and does not espouse any views.
Casey announced that the Board in Executive Session had signed a new agreement with the Police Chief. This agreement dealt with language issues and the contract was shortened. Copies of the contract can be obtained from the Selectmen’s Office.
Casey stated he would be remiss if he did not speak on the election on Saturday as this is an important vote. He stated the most important in 20 years, probably in 50 years. This is the future of the children of Carver, and urged everyone to let their voices be heard.
Town Administrator Notes:
LaFond stated that the DPW placed second in the Eastern Massachusetts snow plowing competition last week and wanted to recognize the DPW as they do not get a lot of recognition. Operators were Mike Harriman and John Woods.
The Town has awarded the Marcus Atwood House proposal to develop the bid documents to Newport Collaborative for $26,500. They are the same firm that did the assessment and feasibility study.
He has met with the Treasurer/Collector, Director of Assessing, John Adams and the Town Clerk and it has been tentatively scheduled to get the tax bills out January 1st. The tax classification hearing will be scheduled for the November 24th meeting. The Town will need to convene a Special Town Meeting to conclude budget matters that need to be settled prior to November 30 or December 1st . This will be discussed at the October 27th meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
Jean M. Bouchard
Assistant to Town Administrator
Town of Carver
108 Main Street
Carver, MA 02330
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