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.

Police Chief Keith Pelletier / Officer Daniel Sullivan RE: Sergeant Promotion
Police Chief Keith Pelletier and Police Officer Daniel Sullivan were present.  Chief Pelletier stated that he was formerly requesting that Office Daniel Sullivan be promoted to the position of Sergeant within the Westport Police Department.  
Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to promote Daniel Sullivan to the position of Sergeant for the Westport Police Department.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
Town Clerk Marlene Samson swore-in Sergeant Sullivan to his duties.

Anthony Cucchi RE: Update
Anthony Cucchi and Jennifer Holske were present to give a brief update of what was happening with the Trustees and the improvements being done at the Town Farm.  Mr. Cucchi stated that there has been roughly $50,000.00 worth of improvements done thus far.  The Trustees of Reservations are confident in moving forward to Phase II, which is a long-term commitment with the Town.  Once the long-term agreement is completed, this would give the Trustees peace of mind to go out and secure the necessary funds.  At Town Meeting, it would have to be voted to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into a 3-year or a longer-term lease.
Ms. Beaulieu noted that no date has been set for a Town Meeting but when the Trustees bring forward their information, a spot on the warrant would be saved.
Warren Messier, CPC was also present and explained that the CPC and the Trustees of Reservations partnered together to acquire 28 acres of land near Donovan’s Brook.  The CPC donated $250,000.00. This land would be used for future development for passive recreation.  This piece of property also opens up the property located on Main Road.  Mr. Messier stated that there would be a draft warrant article submitted when a date is set for a Town Meeting seeking partial reimbursement.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to reserve space for two warrant articles on the upcoming warrant, when a date is set.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Paul Cusson RE: Regulatory Agreement – Briggs Landing
Paul Cusson was present and requested the approval and signatures of the Board of Selectmen in regards to an updated Regulatory Agreement, Deed Rider, Monitoring Service Agreement (CHAPA) and Monitoring Service Agreement (MassHousing).  Mr. Cusson stated that this project was known as “Briggs Landing”.  Mr. Cusson then gave a summary of the 40B project. Mr. Cusson stated that there would be 89 units developed as single-family homes.  Of those units, 23 would be affordable, or as they are referred to “preference category” units.  There will be 2 pools of applicants; one will be preferred (Westport residents) and the other – non-preferred (non-Westport residents).  Of the 23 units only 70 percent, or 16 units, will be set aside for Westport residents, while 7 units will be for non-Westport residents.  Mr. Cusson stated that all of the units could also go to Westport residents, depending on who or how many apply.  Mr. Cusson stated that at this time, he is negotiating for a date and time to hold the public hearing at which the public lottery will be held.
Motion made by Mr. Albert to sign the updated Regulatory Agreement/Deed Rider for Briggs Landing.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign the Regulatory Agreement/Deed Rider for the Board of Selectmen.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Question and Answer Period
1) Ms. Gay Newcomer asked for an update on the satellite dish and stated that she had to make a correction of a date that she announced at last meeting.
In regards to the satellite dish, Mr. Coughlin stated that there would be a meeting held with four senior Charter Communications members, Mr. Albert, Mr. Cataldo and himself and there will be another onsite visit conducted as to the placement of the dish.  Mr. Coughlin stated that by the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting, they should have a solid date for the installation of the dish.
Ms. Newcomer said that she wished to correct the date that she gave for the cable meeting for Mass Access, it will be October 19, 2007 in New Bedford.

Correspondence Requiring Action and/or Reading
1) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Gary Mauk to the Fire Station Building Committee as an “At-Large” member.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-abstention (Mauk).
2) A letter received from Jim Hunt requesting appointment to the Fire Station Building Committee will be placed on file, due to the fact that there are no current openings.
3) Mr. Ouellette stated that the Westport Economic Development Task Force will be looking into a request received from the Commonwealth regarding lease space for the MA State Lottery Commission.
4) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the Education Reimbursement of $350.00 to Linda Cunha, Asst. Director/Children’s/Young Adult Librarian when the course is completed with a “B” grade or better. Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
5) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve a request for use of the Town Beach for a wedding ceremony on September 27, 2008 by Mr. Bruce Hamilton, contingent upon the details being worked out with the Town Beach Committee and the Police Department.  Second by Mr. Ouellette. The Board voted unanimously in favor.
6) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to dispense with the reading of a letter received from the MMA regarding the Fall Regional Legislative Breakfast Meetings.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
Ms. Beaulieu asked that if any of the Board members were interested in attending, to contact the office staff.
7)   Ms. Sharon Connors, Westport Historical Commission Chairman was present.        
Ms. Beaulieu noted that the Assessor’s records indicate that this property is private property with the taxes being paid over the years by the family living there.  Ms. Beaulieu stated that it was her understanding that it was proven to be private property and was in the minutes of the Historical Commission.  Even the question was being asked at Town Meeting why CPC funds were being invested in a building that is located on private property.  Ms. Beaulieu asked Ms. Connors if she had seen the minutes.
Ms. Connors stated that she has seen the minutes and the building itself is what is encompassed in the preservation agreement.
Ms. Connors stated that the Historical Commission was looking to get the property surveyed to determine if the building does sit on Town property.
Mr. Mauk stated that he agreed with the Chairman and Ms. Connors. Mr. Mauk then asked if the Historical Commission and Community Preservation Committee ever considered moving the 40’ x 60’ building to another piece of property such as the area where Drift Road meets Old County Road because the property that it sits on is not very big; and in moving it to another location, it would become more accessible, usable and more visible and would better fit into the overall program.
Ms. Connors stated that for historic preservation, it is preferred to leave the building where it is; in addition, it may be very hard to get the grantor to agree.
Ms. Beaulieu stated that her only problem was knowing the amount of negotiations that were done with the property owners in order to get to start with and doing something like this without the owners knowledge is like stirring a bees nest.
Ms. Connors stated that the owners would be made aware of this.
Mr. Mauk noted that if the building were moved, it would offer more frontage for the owners.  Mr. Mauk stated that he does support the Historical Commission’s offer to pay for the survey.  Mr. Mauk stated that in moving the building off the property, it becomes a strong negotiation point because once the building is moved, it will offer more frontage for the property owner and more frontage is a strong negotiating point.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to support the Historical Commission’s request to survey the property.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-opposed (Beaulieu).
Ms. Beaulieu asked Ms. Connors to check the Historical Commission minutes to see if this has already been accomplished before spending the money on the survey and perhaps find when this was done and that will satisfy some people as to when it changed.
8) Motion made by Mr. Mauk to send a letter to Albert Lees, Lees Market thanking him     
for the fireworks display and also commending him on his generosity and commitment to the community.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
10) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Douglas W. Sasse, III  as an “At-large”                
member to the Westport Economic Development Task Force.  Second by Mr. Albert. The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Town Administrator’s Report
Issues and Projects
1) Motion made by Mr. Albert to appoint Jack Baughan to the Westport Economic Development Task Force as an “At-large” member.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2) Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to approve the Subordination of Mortgage as presented and to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to sign for the Board.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3) Mr. Coughlin stated that this item was sent to him by the Alternative Energy
Committee.  This is an issue regarding climate protection.  Mr. Coughlin stated that the Alternative Energy Committee was present to answer any questions.
Mr. Mauk stated that the federal government and national negotiators have not signed onto the Kyoto protocols, and this is predicated on that so I will not vote for this.  The Town of Westport should not be setting national politics that is what we have legislators for.
Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to support the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and to authorize the Chairman to sign.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted 3 in favor, 2-opposed (Mauk/Beaulieu).
Mr. Coughlin stated that the other issue is the pending draft contract for the Wind Turbine between the Town of Westport and Alternative Energy, LLC.
Ms. Beaulieu noted that at last meeting it was voted to invite Mr. DiPippo to tonight’s meeting but he could not make it but Mr. DiPippo will be attending the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting on October 9, 2007.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to hold on any action in regards to the Wind Turbine contract until the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting on October 9, 2007.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-opposed (Ouellette).
Mr. David Dionne, Chairman of the Alternative Energy Committee was present and stated to the Board of Selectmen that certain things needed to be looked at, for example, that the construction season would not last all year, the grant program won’t last and this was a vote by Town Meeting.    
4) Mr. Coughlin referred to a copy of a letter received from Attorney Beauregard to the Conservation Commission.  Mr. Coughlin stated that previously Town Counsel’s opinion is that this matter is between the four individuals and this Board.
5) Mr. Coughlin stated that six months ago, he presented a presentation package with a sort of blueprint of ideas that he would like to implement for the Budgetary Planning Process, Goals and Objectives, Capital Planning and Benchmarking.  Mr. Coughlin stated that the benchmarking would show how Westport stacked up comparatively against ten peer communities.  The benchmark will be done by Mr. Kenneth Straham.
Ms. Jane Loos, Finance Committee Chairman stated that she was very happy to receive the information.  Ms. Loos said that this report should lead to something worthwhile.
The consensus of the Board was that it was a good idea and a good source of information that could be used to build better things.    

Consider / Reconsider
1) Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes of 08-28-07 and 09-10-07
A) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve the minutes of August 28, 2007.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
B) Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve with amendments the minutes of September 10, 2007.  Second by Mr. Albert.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
*Amendments:  Page 2 – change DEP to Buzzards Bay Estuary Project and
Page 3 – Insert:  Mr. Ouellette asked if there were any more episodes of harassment taking place.  Mr. Turner stated no.
2) Approval of Special Meeting Minutes of 06-25-07
A) Motion made by Mr. Albert to approve with amendments the minutes of             June 25, 2007.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
*Amendment:  Page 1 – insert Mr. Rebello's name for attendance whereas he did arrive late to the meeting.

Other Issues
1) Ms. Beaulieu asked about the progress of the handicap-access button for the elevator and would like an update for next meeting.
2) Ms. Beaulieu stated that on the next agenda, she would like to see the parking ticket fees for the beach area addressed.
3) Mr. Ouellette stated that the Westport Economic Development Task Force could really use the 20 SPREDD hours that the Board of Selectmen have in order to address APR farming issues, agricultural issues, Rte. 6 beautification and a hospitality issue.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to allow the Westport Economic Development Task Force to use the 20 SPREDD hours set aside for the Board of Selectmen.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-abstention (Ouellette).
4) Mr. Mauk stated that on September 20, 2007 there was a Task Force meeting and it looks good for the Rte. 6 / Sanford Road project as a go.  A project manager has been assigned.

Executive Session – 7:50 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 39, Section 23B to approve Executive Session Minutes of
August 28, 2007 and for negotiations with Non-Union Personnel.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

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

Ms. Beaulieu announced that the Board would resume back to Open Session in order to adjourn.

Open Session - 8:35 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting.  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