Westport News

Members present:        Steven J. Ouellette, Chairman  
                                  David P. Dionne, Vice Chairman   
                                  Veronica F. Beaulieu
                                  J. Duncan Albert
                                  Robert P. Rebello, Clerk

Also present:            Charlene R. Wood, Town Administrator

Chairman Ouellette called the Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. in the Westport Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Executive Session – 6:35 P.M.
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 39, Section 23B to discuss contract negotiations.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Roll Call Vote:  Ms. Beaulieu-aye.  Mr. Rebello-aye.  Mr. Dionne-aye.  Mr. Albert-aye.  Mr. Ouellette-aye.  

Mr. Ouellette announced that the Board would return to Open Session following the Executive Session.

Open Session – 6:50 P.M.
Evelyn A. Goddard – RE: Presenting of the Gold Cane – oldest Town resident
Ms. Goddard was present to receive the Gold Cane recognizing her as the Town of Westport’s oldest resident at the age of 102.  Ms. Goddard was also presented an Official Citation signed by the Board of Selectmen.

Ratification of Union Contracts – Non-Union Employees and Elected Offficials Wage Increases
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to ratify Union Contracts with the Police, Fire, Town Hall Clerical, Library, Cemetery and Highway Departments for three-years at the percentages of 3/3/3.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to offer the same to all Non-Union Employees and Elected Officials.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Carol Gill, 165 Mouse Mill Road RE: Public Hearing on an application for a six-month trailer permit for living purposes while remodeling residence
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:05 P.M.  Mr. Ouellette read the Public Hearing Notice and Abutters List aloud. Ms. Gill, applicant, was not present but appeared later after the hearing.  No abutters were present.
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to allow a six-month trailer permit to Carol Gill, 165 Mouse Mill Road for living purposes while remodeling residence.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
The hearing was closed at 7:08 P.M.

Juan Caraballo d/b/a Caraballo Storage, 851-D State Road RE: Continued Public Hearing on an application for a Storage License
Mr. Ouellette opened the continued hearing at 7:15 P.M.  It was noted that Mr. Caraballo was not present.  No abutters were present.  The hearing was closed at 7:30 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Dionne to deny the application for a Storage License at 851-D State Road due to the failure of Mr. Juan Caraballo to appear for this continued hearing following notification.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted 4 in favor; 1-opposed (Albert).
*It was noted that a letter will be sent to Mr. Juan Caraballo and notification was to be forwarded to the Planning Board as to the Board of Selectmen’s decision.

Nelson Caraballo d/b/a Caraballo’s Auto Sales/Repair, 851 State Road RE: Request for the addition of Juan Caraballo to Class II and Repair Licenses
No action was taken on the request of Nelson Caraballo for the addition of Juan Caraballo’s name to a Class II License and Repair License at 851 State Road due to outstanding issues (taxes).

Titan Propane, LLC d/b/a Southeastern Propane-Joe Cooney, Mgr. RE: Public Hearing on an application for a license of an aboveground storage tank for liquid propane gas on property located at 795 American Legion Hwy.
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:50 P.M.  Mr. Ouellette read aloud the Public Hearing Notice and Abutters List.  Mr. Cooney, applicant, was not present.  No abutters were present.  
7:59 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Rebello to continue the Public Hearing to December 18, 2006 at 8:00 P.M.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Road Layout Hearings RE: Aime’s Way, Meadowbrook Lane and Longwood Drive
The Public Hearing was opened at 8:00 P.M.  Mr. Ouellette read aloud the Public Hearing Notice for the layouts of Aime’s Way, Meadowbrook Lane and Longwood Drive.
Ms. Tanja Ryden, Conservation Commission, noted that a Certificate of Compliance has been issued for Aime’s Way but there has been no issuance of a Certificate of Compliance issued by the MA DEP for Longwood Drive or Meadowbrook Lane.
Mr. Ouellette noted that the Planning Board was okay with Aime’s Way and would give a recommendation for Meadowbrook Lane and Longwood Drive at Town Meeting; according to Boucher & Heroux, the work is done and they are just waiting for MA DEP paperwork to be issued.
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to support Aime’s Way adoption.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to hold the Board of Selectmen’s vote regarding Meadowbrook Lane and Longwood Drive until Town Meeting.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Question & Answer Period
1) Mr. Wayne Sunderland, Planning Board, asked what was the status of the guardrails to be installed at Strawberry Lane.  
Ms. Wood stated that they are waiting for a check to come in to pay for the placement of the guardrails, and once that is received, all is set to go.

Consider:
1) Approval of Board of Selectmen Special Meeting Minutes for June 27, 2006
This item was tabled pending review of the audiotape.

2) Approval of Board of Selectmen Regular Meeting Minutes for November 9, 2006
Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve and accept the Regular Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2006. Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted 4 in favor; 1-abstention (Dionne).

3) Approval of Board of Selectmen Executive Session Minutes for November 9, 2006
This item was tabled to the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Correspondence Requiring Action and/or Reading
2) Mr. Ouellette asked Ms. Wood to check with the John McNally, Building Inspector, as to whether the hours of the Local (Building) Inspector Ralph Sousa could be staggered and also to check if the Building Inspector could cover the car lot inspections instead of the Police Department.
3) It was requested that Sgt. Majewski, Westport Police Dept., work with Steve Smith of SRPEDD to bring the evacuation route and plan up to date with the State’s information.
Ms. Wood noted that there is a verbal agreement with White’s Restaurant and a written agreement with the Senior Center.
4) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to accept Sgt. Majewski’s recommendation of not
placing a “Deer Crossing” sign on Division Road and to forward a copy of Sgt.   
Majewski’s report to the Highway Department in order to alert them to missing speed
limit signs on Division Road.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board Voted
Unanimously in Favor.
5) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to take the investigative report of the Sgt. Majewski regarding 96 Charlotte White Road under advisement until John McNally, Zoning Enforcement Officer and the Board of Health can give a full report on the dumping of bus sewerage.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
6) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve the list of Democratic Poll Workers as follows:  Precinct A:  Warden-Barbara Lambert, Inspectors-Helen Beaulieu & Shirley Desrosiers; Precinct B:  Clerks-Elmira Beals, Inspectors-Geraldine Fortier & Alberta Lavoie; Precinct C: Clerks-Beatrice Harrison, Inspectors-Louise Amaral & Joan Fuller; Precinct D:  Warden-Almerinda Techara, Inspectors-Emil Fuller & Norman St. Amour; Precinct E: Warden-Ann Chandanais, Inspectors-Marlene Pelletier & Thelma Sullivan.  Extra Poll Workers: Laura Medeiros, Priscilla Couto, Alice Gallant, Elinor Gay, Margaret McCarter, Constance Taber, Ruth Ann Enos and Grace Newcomer.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
7) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint John G. Faria to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
8) Motion made by Mr. Dionne to appoint Timothy Gillespie to the Capital Improvement Planning Committee. Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
9) Motion made by Mr. Dionne to appoint Paul Schmid to the Water and Sewer Committee.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
10) Motion made by Mr. Dionne to take under advisement a letter received from the Mass Audubon regarding a list of recommendations and costs for the renourishment program for the Westport Town Beach during the winter (Oct-Mar) of 2006-2007 pending recommendation from the Dredging Committee.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
12) Motion made by Mr. Dionne to strike the reading of a letter regarding 2006 Municipal Mini-Grants Available. Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.  Ms. Wood stated that the deadline is December 15th and Ms. Gay Gillespie will be applying.


Town Administrator’s Report
1) The meetings scheduled for the upcoming week were reviewed, noting that the Board of Selectmen are posted for 6:30 P.M. on November 28th for the Special Town Meeting at 7:00 P.M.
2) A)  Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve sending a letter of support to the WRWA
for a MCZM grant.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor. 
B) Motion made by Mr. Dionne to approve an amendment to the contract with STG Consultant Services in the amount of $2,500.00 through December 31, 2006.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
C) The Board preferred that this item (electricity and natural gas pricing) be addressed at a regular meeting on January 8, 2007.  The schedule will be checked.
Also, Mr. Dionne will be contacting a representative for biofuels to come to the Board of Selectmen meeting on December 4th.
D) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to award the contract for re-sampling #6 in the Westport River to the low bidder, Alpha Woods Hole Labs in the amount of $8,198.00.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted 4 in favor; 1-abstention (Rebello).
E) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to award the bid for the Town Hall ceiling project to Alpha Contracting Associates, Inc. of Dedham for the 1st floor ceilings in the amount of $6,400.00.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
F) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to award the bid for repairs of the boiler at the Library to GM Refrigeration.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
3) A)  Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Kim Ledoux as part-time recording clerk
for the Housing Partnership Committee.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
B) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Ed Goldberg as the Finance Committee’s Representative to the CIPC.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
C) Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to approve the request to hire a temporary part-time recording clerk for the Council on Aging and to increase the hourly rate of the Social Day Program staff by $2.00 per hour.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
D) The interview dates for Town Administrator applicants will be Monday, November 27, 2006 at 4:00 P.M. and Thursday, November 30, 2006 at 4:00 P.M.

Other Issues
1) Mr. Rebello mentioned that there was a situation during voting at the Macomber School in addition to a Building Inspector stating that the door swing was against code.  Mr. Rebello stated that Ms. Samson, Town Clerk suggested that the schools should try to schedule a Professional Day when there is an election.
Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to send a letter to the School Department regarding election days and whether there should be no school on those days, perhaps making “Teacher In-Service” days.  Second by Mr. Dionne.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
2) Motion made by Mr. Rebello that minutes from all boards, committees and commissions be emailed to the Board of Selectmen members whenever possible.  Second by Ms. Beaulieu.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.
3) Mr. Rebello stated that he was disappointed when he read an article that misrepresented the Board of Selectmen.  The article was with Mr. Dionne.  Mr. Rebello stated that he was upset after reading comments that stated there was no support given for grant writing, the use of biofuels and wind turbines, etc.
Mr. Dionne stated that he gave an interview to Grant Welker of the Fall River Herald News.
4) Ms. Beaulieu stated that the Board of Selectmen supported the waterline but at the Economic Development Task Force meeting there was no show of support for the waterline project.

Motion made by Ms. Beaulieu to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting at 8:20 P.M.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board Voted Unanimously in Favor.

Adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,



Diane Pelland, Confidential Clerk
to the Board of Selectmen


APPROVED:                        
Robert P. Rebello, Clerk