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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - BoS - 08/23/2010 Minutes—Board of Selectmen August 23, 2010 Selectmen Present: Karen Quigley, Chairman Edwin G. Carr Frederick R. Koed Paul Carlson Leland H.Jenkins Others Present: William R. Griffin,Town Manager Chairman Karen Quigley called the meeting to order at 6:OOPM. Executive Session—Strategy with Respect to Litigation Selectman Frederick Koed moved that the Board go in to Executive Session for the purposes of discussion pending litigation and that such discussion, if held in open session, could compromise the Selectmen's strategic position with respect to litigation. The Board will come out for open session. Mr. Paul Carlson seconded the motion. Selectman Frederick Koed—Aye Selectman Leland Jenkins—Aye Edwin G. Carr-Aye Selectman Paul Carlson -Aye Chairman Karen Quigley—Aye The Board retuned to open session at 7:OOPM. Town Manager's Report Town Manager, William Griffin, announced that Harbormaster Lorri Gibbons has been advised by the Army Corp of Engineers that the Corp has received funding to begin the sampling and testing required for the dredging of the entrance of the channel and the inner harbor channel. If the testing is successful, environmental permits will be sought and federal funding will need to be secured for plans, specifications and for the dredging work itself. Mr. Griffin also advised the Board that he and Mr. Tom Gruber have been invited to meet with the Mass Department of Transportation officials on September 3rd to review the PWED grant application and the plans for the Phase III of the Village Revitalization project. Minutes—Selectman Koed moved to approve the minutes of June 7th and June 21't as amended. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Pole Hearing Continued—Elm Court— Due to a notification error,this is a continued hearing. Mr.Tom Cichocki of National Grid addressed the Board. He was joined by the applicants requesting the pole relocation, Michael and Kimberly Reilly of 32 Elm Court. Chairman Quigley noted that the correct abutters have now been notified via certified mail. Chairman Quigley asked if there were any abutters in the audience that wished to speak for or against the petition and there were not. Mr. Griffin stated that he did receive a notice from an abutter speaking in favor of the petition. Mr. Reilly explained that they have renovated their home and part of that renovation is to add a driveway that would allow them Selectmen 8.23.10-JBO 1 Minutes—Board of Selectmen August 23,2010 to park two cars side by side. The pole is blocking one of the cars ability to get in. Mr. Reilly explained that they originally designated a location however some of the abutters had problems with where they were proposing to move the pole. He stated that the Stebbins who live across the street at 35 Elm Court expressed concerns about hitting the pole when they back out of their own driveway. Mr. Reilly said that the day before this hearing,they (he and their neighbors) came up with a compromise that would not have the pole come up so far as shown in the submitted photos. He stated they have agreed on a new location which moves the pole back to the left about 3 feet 3 inches. He said that Mr. Stebbins felt that he could successfully back out of his driveway with this new location without hitting the pole. Mr. Reilly stated that if National Grid is OK with the new location and as long and there is not a boulder or something underneath,they would like to put it there. Mr. Cichocki stated that it was their pole and their decision. Chairman Quigley asked if there were any other abutters that expressed concern. Mr. Reilly stated that his neighbors the Shuells of 38 Elm Court had been concerned, but after meeting the day before, he said the are OK with the new spot. Chairman Quigley stated that presumably where they are not present, neither of them are protesting. Selectman Carr stated that he went up to the site and everything seems to be as they are proposing. Selectman Jenkins moved to approve the updated plan for this pole relocation. Selectman Carr seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Peter DeCaprio—Water Commission Candidate—Mr. DeCaprio addressed the Board. Chairman Quigley thanked Mr. DeCaprio for volunteering his time as she knows he is involved in many committees in Town. Selectman Carlson added that Mr. DeCaprio has also been a very valued member of the Water Planning Group (WPG). Chairman Quigley stated that Mr. DeCaprio's involvement with other committees, the Capital Budget Committee, the Budget Planning Group and the Water Planning Group, has shown his thinking is just what the Town needs for such a position as Water Commissioner. Selectman Carlson asked Mr. DeCaprio about his background in utility investment and if that would create any conflict of interest with the Town's contract negotiations and dealings with American Water Works (AMC). Mr. DeCaprio did not see how it would. He said he thought his being on the Commission would help with the contract negotiations with AMC could be helpful and get the Town a different audience with the company. He felt it there would be more benefits than conflicts. Mr. DeCaprio then reviewed his background for the Board. *The Board needs to wait for the Chairman of the Water Commission, Chris Seebeck,to arrive so a vote can be taken to appoint Mr. DeCaprio. Ted Carr—Possible Visit to Town by NASA's Steve Bowen—Selectman Carr agreed to work with Mr. Tom Wigmore to see if they could coordinate something with Lieutenant Bowen's possible visit in November. Police Chief Mark DeLuca—Six Month Update& Review—Due to technical difficulties with the equipment and the inability to broadcast,the Board announced they would move this to a future agenda. Peter DeCaprio—Water Commission Candidate—Mr. Seebeck arrived and both he and Water Commissioner Glenn Pratt moved forward to address the Board and take the vote. Selectman Carlson moved to appoint Mr. Peter DeCaprio to the position of Water Commissioner. Selectman Carr seconded the motion. The vote was unanimous (7-0,Selectman and Water Commissioners). Selectman Carr moved to adjourn the meeting. Selectman Carlson seconded the motion and the vote was unanimous(5-0). Meeting adjourned at 7:35PM. Selectmen 8.23.10-JBO 2 Minutes—Board of Selectmen August 23,2010 Respectfully submitted, Karen Quigley Chairman Selectmen 8.23.10-JBO 3