Westport News

Members Present:        Veronica F. Beaulieu, Chairman
                                  J. Duncan Albert, Vice Chairman
                                  Steven J. Ouellette
                                  Robert P. Rebello
                                  Gary E. Mauk, Clerk

Also Present:              Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator
                                
Ms. Beaulieu called the Board of Selectmen meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Westport
Town Hall, 816 Main Road, Westport, MA with the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance by all present.

Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was observed for Edgar Towne, Jr. who passed away.  Mr. Towne served on the Personnel Board.

Housing Partnership Committee / Board of Selectmen RE: Noquochoke Village Presentation
Drew Leff and Robert Jahardy from GLC Development Resources and Kate Kenman from Kenman Landscaping were present to give a presentation of the Noquochoke Village project.  Reviewed were a summary of the project, selected conceptual plans, financial feasibility and the RFP.  The proposed project will consist of 54 housing units.  Project goals would be green building, diversified residency and wastewater treatment. It was established that the brownsfield would be a good site to develop.  Items established were two wells in the vicinity, project is 200 ft. from the river, no rare species were found on site, there are wetlands and there is an existing road on site.  The residential area would be around the property and traffic concerns would be addressed.  The total development costs are approximately $12 million.  Also reviewed were subsidy programs, desirable elements for developers and the options of a 40B or 40R.  Shown were design examples of other affordable housing developments.  Of this project, 39 units would count toward the Town’s affordable housing.  The preferred plan would be a 60/40 ratio for rental and sales.  The main access for the property would be across from the school on Rte. 177; automobile flow would be circular through the site, with visitor parking being provided.  There would be use of passive solar orientation, an allowance of pedestrian and bike circulation, and units would be clustered together according to rental or sale.  There can be water supply, which could be provided due to ample water on site.  The following steps for the RFP was reviewed.  There would be an invitation to developers to bid on proposals with project information and background data, development guidelines, submission requirements, selection criteria (stating a restriction of 54 units) and the finalization of the RFP. It was established that preferably, up to 70% could be Westport residents but it could not be restricted.
Mr. Coughlin stated that while fine tuning this project, the brownsfield should be cleaned up immediately.  Mr. Coughlin then asked that the Board of Selectmen give him authority to work with GLC and Mass Development to clean up the site.

Motion made by Mr. Albert to authorize the Town Administrator to work with GLC and Mass Development in cleaning up the brownsfield at the Noquochoke Village site. Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Ms. Elizabeth A. Collins stated that people who may apply for housing could be people who lived in Westport prior and had to leave because they could not afford to stay.

Mr. Brian Corey questioned the size and cost of a road, including the well on site.  Mr. Corey also asked what the breakdown would be of units to be rented and sold.

Mr. Leff stated that for rentals it could be 18 one-bedroom units and14 two-bedroom units.  As for sale units it could be 8 one-bedroom units, 6 two-bedroom units and 8 three- bedroom units.  Mr. Leff stated that in working with a developer, the best scenario would be sought, whether it is a 40B or 40R.

The Board thanked Mr. Leff for the presentation.

 At this time, Mr. Montano stated that GLC has done a wonderful job. Mr. Montano then asked why the Board of Selectmen got rid of three members of the Housing Partnership Committee (HPC).

Ms. Beaulieu stated that discussion was held regarding downsizing committees, boards and so forth.  The complaints seem to be who was put back on committees.

Mr. Montano stated that Mr. Leach was recommended to be appointed to the HPC and he was.  The HPC had just had a meeting and there are so many little issues that need to be addressed; this is a critical time with the Noquochoke project.  Mr. Leach does not have the time and can only do his part as advisory.  Mr. Montano asked that another person be switched with Mr. Leach and that person is a former Board of Health member.

Ms. Beaulieu stated that advisory boards have been done away with and others have been combined into the appropriate board.

Question & Answer Period
1) Ms. Newcomer asked the status of the satellite dish and whether parliamentary procedure was followed during a meeting.
Ms. Beaulieu stated that the dish was still not installed but a phone call would be made to see where the installer was.  Ms. Beaulieu noted that Mr. Bob Spain, the contact person from Charter, was no longer employed by Charter but an effort will be made to find out the status of the installation.  As for procedure, Ms. Beaulieu stated that she tries to follow such with each meeting.

Consider
1) See Town Administrator’s Report.
2) One response was received from the Fire Department regarding the DCR Flood Hazard Management Program.  This item will be held until next meeting pending the submission of more responses.
3) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to hold on the approval of all minutes until the Board of Selectmen meeting on August 28, 2007.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Correspondence Requiring Action and/or Reading
1. Mr. Albert stated that the cable license agreement was extended to 2010.  Mr. Albert asked that a copy of the extension letter be resubmitted to the Department of Telecommunications and Energy, Cable Television Division.
2. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to take under advisement an invitation received from the Westport Historical Society, Inc. regarding a ceremony at Adamsville Pond for the completion of dredging. Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Richard Vohnoutka to the Town Building Committee.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
4. Motion made by Mr. Albert to follow the recommendation of Sgt. Majewski of not installing a 2, 3 or 4-way Multi-Stop Sign(s) at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue, Howland Road and Richmond Pond Drive.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.  
 A letter will also be forwarded to Bruce Derbyshire and a copy of Sgt. Majewski’s report.
5. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to follow the recommendation of Sgt. Majewski and approve the request from Pet Partners for a fundraising walk on Sunday, October 28, 2007.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board voted unanimously in favor.
6. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to have the office staff or Town Administrator arrange for a meeting date and time in September with the Coalition for Buzzards Bay regarding the 2007 State of the Bay; and to invite the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Board of Health, Highway Department, Estuaries Committee, Stormwater Management Committee, Harbormaster and Shellfish Warden and the Fisherman’s Association.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
7. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to proceed in obtaining an opinion from Legal Counsel regarding designation of Town Beach Parking areas as a distinct zone or district; and if that opinion is favorable, to allow the procedure to go forward and to notify the Board of Selectmen and the Police Department.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
8. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to take under advisement and forward to the Housing Partnership Committee, an invitation to join the Municipal Coalition for Affordable Housing.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
9. No action taken.
10. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the use of the Town Beach for a wedding ceremony for Andrea Lang and Arthur Putt on August 18, 2007 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
11. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to have the Town Administrator look into the installation of a push button door for handicapped entrance to the Town Hall such as the Town Hall Annex has; and that Ms. Chandanais not pay for the installation but have it installed in her husband’s honor.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
12. A letter received from Comprehensive Environmental, Inc. regarding “2008 SRF Funding Project Assistance” is to be forwarded to the Stormwater Management Committee and the Highway Department.
13. This item was taken under advisement until the next Board of Selectmen meeting.

Town Administrator’s Report
1)  Meetings for the upcoming week were reviewed.
Projects / Issues:
1) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the contract with Direct Energy and to authorize the Board of Selectmen Chairman to sign the agreement for a three-year contract and to finalize the rate at 11.03.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve a permit for Use of a Public Way for the River Boys, LLC – 1 Bridge Road / 10 Cherry & Webb Lane.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to authorize the Town Administrator to look into and review the Massachusetts Opportunity Relocation and Expansion (MORE) Jobs Program for available funds. Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
4) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Michael Coughlin to the Westport Economic Development Task Force as an Exoficio Member and to contact Congressman Frank’s Office for a recommendation of a representative.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
5) Update of Beach Avenue temporary closing.
Mr. Coughlin stated that this would be a temporary closing of Beach Avenue for public safety reasons.  All emergency/public safety personnel would be provided with a key.  Mr. Coughlin stated that Sgt. Majewski drove him to Beach Avenue with a 4-wheel drive vehicle and they almost got stuck.  Mr. Coughlin stated that he would meet with the Highway Department in order to clear up safety issues but in addition, there could be conservation issues in moving the sand.  The gate would be located 20 ft. in from Acoaxet Road.
Mr. Emile Morad asked how long temporary would be and were there any plans to rectify the situation.  Mr. Morad asked why the chain could not be placed where the sand was.
Mr. Gil Piexoto stated that he has lived there for 29 years.  It is a big problem down there and it is also a tow zone.  People don’t care about the $25.00 parking ticket.  There are no toilet facilities and there is trash being left everywhere.  There are fires on the beach at night by kids and there is no police coverage.
Mr. Mauk stated that he would support a temporary closing but asked how long temporary would be.
Mr. Louis Andrade stated that perhaps with a temporary closing it would discourage people from going there.
Mr. Albert stated that by closing the road, it would eliminate parking on private property.  Mr. Albert noted that this was not a Town Beach, it is private property.  Mr. Albert also encouraged people who live down there to have the Town petitioned to remove the street as a public street and allow it to be private, then as an association you could place a gate wherever you wanted as long as emergency personnel were provided with a key.  Mr. Albert stated that he would be in favor of this.
Mr. Morad noted that the Town owned property down there also.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to temporarily close Beach Avenue where the Town Administrator recommended and to allow public safety personnel possession of a key to the gate and for the Town Administrator to report back to the Board of Selectmen in three months (November 19, 2007) with a review and preliminary recommendations.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
6) Mr. Coughlin stated that Mr. Souza has been performing the duties of the Building Inspector since Mr. McNally’s departure and should be compensated so.
Mr. Mauk asked if he would be compensated at 90 %.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Ralph Souza as Acting Building Inspector at  
the full rate of salary.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in  
favor.   

Other Issues
1) Mr. Ouellette asked that the Building Inspector/Zoning Enforcement Officer look into the business at 1058 State Road.  Mr. Ouellette stated that the Board licensed one business there and now there appears to be another business on the lot, a wood stove business.  Mr. Ouellette stated that he had parking and environmental concerns.
2) Mr. Rebello asked if the motorcycle business at 479 State Road had any licenses through the Board of Selectmen for repairs.  It was established that changing tires did not require a license.
3) Mr. Albert asked for an update on Beach Permits and a meeting with the Beach Association.
Mr. Coughlin stated that he has met with Mr. Harrington of the Beach Association and he has had discussions with the Board of Health regarding contracts for removal of the trailers in case of a storm.  There will be a set of changes that will be advocated with the trailer residents.  Mr. Coughlin stated that he has also met with the Building Inspector regarding structures that can and cannot be removed; if permanent structures are destroyed, then they will not be allowed to be replaced.  Mr. Coughlin stated that if a meeting were held with the Association without a detailed proposal, it would be a futile effort.  Mr. Coughlin felt that the greatest issue to deal with is the hurricane evacuation status and in order to deal with it is that proof must be provided that a hauler will be available to remove the trailers within 24 hrs. notice.  Mr. Coughlin stated that in speaking with Mr. Harrington, the Association speaks for the vast major of trailer members, but the biggest concern of the Association was for the people who do not belong to the Association.  Mr. Coughlin stated that there would be compromise on both sides and he could not promise that legal would not be involved.  In a case of a really major storm, FEMA could step in and take the Town right out of the picture.
Mr. Mauk stated that the Town needed a set of rules, regulations, fines and bonds on these lots.  Mr. Mauk felt that fees should be raised and firmly believes that bonds should be posted.
Mr. Coughlin stated that bonds and fees were important but more important were health and safety issues.
Mr. Albert stated that there is a permitting issue and compliance was needed.
Ms. Beaulieu stated that the Board of Selectmen would see what Mr. Coughlin brings forward for recommendations and they would go from there.

Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting at 9:03 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:  Gary E. Mauk, Clerk