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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOS MINUTES 3-3-1971March 3, 1971 Executive session. Discussion with Priscilla Carlson, Town Accountant regarding accounting system and reports due. Discussion with N. Lawrence D�Afile, Chief of Police, regarding Police station and new radio. Upon a motion by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Caponigro it was voted to accept the bid of Motorola Communication & Electronics, Inc, of $1,771.00 for (1) one 100 watt base station C71LHB1100; (1) one atenna slim line with necessary cable, connectors, and installation. Other bids received: A. J. Nielsen Radio Service $10600.00; Lakewood Communications, Inc., $1,445.00,alternate #1 bid $10740.00,Alternate bid #2 $1,020. Selectman Clemmey opposed (4 -1) Upon a motion by Selectman Clemmey, seconded by Selectman Caponigro it was voted to accept the bid of Ragan & Peck $2,485.00 for the renovation of the Police Station at the High School, money to come from the Town Hall Renovation account - #695 -0, The other bid received was from John R.-Butler Company $2,614.00 March 39 1971 Meeting called at 7:31 P.M. All members present, and the Town Manager. Upon a motion by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Saunders it was voted unanimously to approve the Town Treasurer's Warrant in the amount of $111,736.55. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed. Letter of resignation received from Lincoln Noble as Manager of the Municipal Airport, effective March 15, 1971. Letter received from the Environmental Health Committee proposing that when matters concerning Environmenal Health are to be discussed at the Selectmen's meeting that you inform the Committee so that at least one member can be present. The Committee was formed with the idea of being advisors to the Board of Health and other Boards and Committees interested in matters pertaining to the environmental health of the community. Another lengthy letter received from the Environmental Health Committee re- garding the town department, namely the Highway Department establishing a record in spreading salt and sand on the streets. It is the committee's concern that most roads have been over - sanded and salted. This salt will find its way into our rivers, streams and watertables, causing salt pollution. Invitation received from the City of New Bedford, the Whaling City Festival Committee, to participate in the Festival Parade which has been scheduled for June 26, 1971 at 3:00 P,M to approximately 7:00 P.M. The town was in- vited to enter a float in this parade to boost the town which will enable the committee to boost tourism in all areas of Bristol County, Copy of letter read from Don Breda, Camp, Dresser and McKee, to Thomas C. McMahon Director of Water Resources Commission, Division of Water Pollution Control regarding the report on Sewerage and Sewage Treatment, and corres- pondence between the State and Camp, Dresser and McKee concerning the sewer plant with reference to proposals regarding the effluents from the town sewer plant and the Norton Reservoir, Notice received from the Department of Public Works, Division of Waterways advising of the annual Rivers and Harbors Hearing which will be held on April 1, 1971 at 1Ot30 A,M, at 100 Nashua Street, Boston, Projects for which petitions were filed prior to 1970 will notUefufthOt considered unless they are resubmitted at this hearing, Petitions should be submitted in priority order, Notice received from the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Develop- ment District advising there is still time to participate in the Public S Service Caxeers Program administered by the District under a grant from the Economic Development Administration, The objectives of this program are to help secure, with merit principles, permanent employment for dis- advantaged persons in governmental agencies at all levels, and to stimulate the upgrading of current employees. - 2 Notice received from the Massachusetts Department of Corporation and Taxation, Bureau of Accounts, advising that the amount of available funds, or free cash as of January 1, 1971 for the town is $284,590.00. Notice received from the Department of Public Works regarding votes on State Aid advising that as soon as the information is available after Town Meeting that two certified copies of Chapter 90 Construction and Chapter 90 Maintenance be forwarded to the District Highway Engineer so that the necessary forms and contracts for funds can be processed. Applications received from Savini Pontiac Sales for signs at 90 South Main Street, free standing signs on the property to replace existing signs. Upon a motion by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Caponigro it was voted to refer the appli- cations to the Building Inspector and have him report back next week regarding the signs. The Town Manager advised the Board of the bids received for the alterations for the Police Station at the High School, John R. Butler's bid was $2,614, and Sagan and Peckfs was $2,485., both bids included electrical work. The Board agreed to wait awarding of bids until Chief D+Afile comes in later, The Town Manager told the Board that he has an appointment with Parker Carr from the Department of Public Works tomorrow afternoon to go over the requested street signs, one way traffic signs and parking., signs in town. The Town Manager advised that he had talked with Ryan and Elliott, and had set up an appointment for next week at 8:15 P.M, regarding Maple Street, Selectman Zecher spoke about receiving a complaint about a building on Jewell Street, and he was advised that the Building Inspector is checking on this. He also advised that he had stopped in at the D,P,W, in Taunton regarding Chapter 90 funds. There is an error in Article 40 of the Town Warrant recommending that $6,900, be transferred from Surplus Revenue, appropriated and disbursed, and that $20,700, be received from the Commonwealth and County for Chapter 90 Layout and Construction of Gilbert and West Streets, These figures should have been $6,500, and $190500, respectively, Selectman Clemmey advised that two communications had been received stating both amounts, and the higher amount had been used, Also discussed Article 7 in the Special Town Meeting regarding the auction of land bounded on Chauncy and Crocker Streets, Selectman Saunders questioned about the Blue Cross /Blue Shield insurance not being put out for bids. Had been questioned by someone regarding this. After discussion it was agreed to write to Representative Ames regarding dbeck.ing,on the method of awarding insurance to Blue 'Cross /Blue Shield by the County. Selectman Zecher brought up about requesting the State to take over the maintenance of the Routes 106 and North Main Street underpasses, and was advised that a letter is to be written to Representative John Ames requesting his assistance regarding legislation to request the State to assume this responsibility. - 3 - The Board agreed to wait`: on the awarding of the Police radios until Chief D'Afile comes in later, The Chairman spoke about having the different departments buy supplies in bulk amountso which should be a saving to the town, Selectman Zecher brought up about a previous suggestion about meeting with the Fire Chief once a month at the Fire Station. He thought the meeting should be at a regular Selectments meeting in open session with the Fire Chief to discuss his department, Upon a motion by Selectman Zecher, seconded by Selectman Saunders it was voted to establish a policy to have the Fire Chief meet with the Selectmen at their regular meeting, in open session, the last Wednesday of each month with the exception of any time there is a heavy agenda on that night, then the week could be changed, L. Ferrier, Superintendent of the Light Department met with the Board regard- ing questions about money turned over to the Town; questions about how the Light Department is being run, and comparisons with other companies or munici- pals that are in the same category, He presented first the comparison of rates second the comparison of total income, and the comparison of performance with other municipals. He advised that the tabulations shown in the companieo with other towns show the town's rate to be lower, and that it is difficult to set aside funds to be turned over to the town in lieu of taxes, This difficult situation should be corrected, and it should be determined whether or not the town should continue with the low rates turning over less to the town, or to raise the rates in order to provide a larger sum in lieu of taxes. Selectman Zecher brought up about the monies owed by the Department for Blue Cross /Blue Shield for 1969, 1970 and this year, and a discussion followed. Upon a motion by Selectman Saunders, seconded by Selectman Caponigro it was voted to go into executive session. The regular meeting adjourned at 9s00 P.M.