Westport News

Members Present:        J. Duncan Albert, Chairman
                                  Steven J. Ouellette, Vice Chairman
                                  Robert P. Rebello
                                  Brian T. Valcourt
                                  Gary E. Mauk, Clerk

Also Present:            Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator
                                
Mr. Albert 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.

Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Mr. Albert as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted 3 in favor, 2-opposed (Ouellette, Valcourt).
2. Motion made by Mr. Valcourt to appoint Mr. Ouellette as Vice Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted 3 in favor, 2-opposed (Mauk, Rebello).
3. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to appoint Mr. Valcourt as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen.  No second was received.
4. Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Mr. Mauk as Clerk to the Board of Selectmen.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted 3 in favor, 2-opposed (Ouellette, Valcourt).

Theresa Provencal, Town Accountant RE: Other Post Employment Benefits
Ms. Provencal and Mr. Dan Sherman were present to speak on “Other Post Employment Benefits”.  Mr. Sherman stated that this report fell under the GASB 43 and 45, in recognizing a promise made to retirees and future retirees.  Mr. Sherman stated that page 2 of the report was most important.  Mr. Sherman recommended “pre-funding” and “setting up a trust fund”.  Mr. Sherman said that setting up a trust fund is a good idea but at this time, no one has the $1 million to start the fund.  To set up a trust fund would require time and legislation.  Mr. Sherman recommended using the Wellesley Legislation if the Town intends to file such; filing would take place with the State after Town Meeting approval. This would cover anything that the Town pays for after retirement except for pensions.

Road Layout Hearing RE: Jordan’s Way, Bentley Lane and a portion of Main Road from Kirby Road to Hix Bridge Road
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to accept the road layout of Jordan’s Way subject to approval at Town Meeting.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Motion made by Mr. Rebello to accept the road layout of Bentley Lane subject to approval at Town Meeting.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to accept the portion of the road layout of Main Road (from Kirby Road to Hix Bridge Road) subject to approval at Town Meeting.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Keith Novo RE: Data Processing Budget
Mr. Novo was present to explain and answer any questions presented by the Board in regards to the Data Processing Budget.  Mr. Novo also gave an update of the newly installed phone system.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the Data Processing Budget # 155 in the amount of $ 81,269.00.  Second by Mr. Rebello. The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Nuno Chitas d/b/a Venture Imports RE: Application request for a Class II License for the sale of used motor vehicles to be located at 800-D American Legion Highway
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to continue this hearing to April 22, 2008 at 6:15 P.M.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Theresa Provencal and Roselli & Clark Auditors RE: Existing Conference
Ms. Provencal and Mr. Tony Roselli, Auditor from Roselli & Clark were present to discuss the audit, which was conducted in October, finished in December and the issue being reported in January.  Mr. Roselli noted that the audit went very smoothly.  Mr. Roselli congratulated the Town of Westport for doing a very good job at staying afloat.  Mr. Roselli stated the Town Accountant needs to be able to use the accounting system to it’s full potential.  Mr. Roselli stated the Town Accountant would be attending meetings to learn to use all the capabilities of the accounting system.  Mr. Roselli said it would be a good idea to fund the GASB 45 but the Town probably can’t at this time, but it is something that should be addressed in the future and the Town should be on the pro-active end of it.  Mr. Roselli referred back to the suggestion of Departmental Audits, with 2 or 3 being performed per year.  A committee should be put together to oversee the audits and the auditor, in turn, would have a committee in order to report to. A consensus of the board was that the Town Accountant and Town Administrator meet with the Fire Department regarding Ambulance Receipts.

John & Corinne Hoey RE: Application request for a six-month trailer permit for recreational purposes at 238 East Beach Road known on Assessor’s Map 76A, Lot 129
The public hearing was opened at 8:01 P.M. with Mr. Albert reading aloud the meeting notice and the abutter’s list.  John & Corinne Hoey were present.  No abutters were present.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve a six-month trailer permit for recreational purposes at 238 East Beach Road – Lot # 129 for John & Corinne Hoey.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
The hearing is closed at 8:10 p.m.

Arthur & Braunda Butt RE: Application request for a six-month trailer permit for recreational purposes at 242 East Beach Road known on Assessor’s Map 76A, Lot 130
This application was withdrawn.

Question & Answer Period
1.  Wayne Sunderland commented on the recent regulations pertaining to trailer permits at East Beach.  Mr. Sunderland suggested that pumpout contracts be provided to the Board of Health.  * It was noted that is a common practice already.

Correspondence Requiring Action and/or Reading
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to postpone the Job Description Changes from the Council on Aging until Mary Ellen Gomes has a chance to discuss the changes with Ted E. Lang, Interim Director of the COA. Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to nominate Susan Peterson, chairperson from Rochester, for Commissioner of the Year Award through SRPEDD and Al Borges of Fairhaven for Distinguished Service Award.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to remove Article #35 from the Warrant and replace it with the Cornell Road easement article being sponsored by the Planning Board.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Coughlin welcomed Mr. Brian Valcourt to the Board of Selectmen and commended Ms. Veronica Beaulieu for her service as a Selectmen.
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Mary Ellen Gomes as the Council on Aging Director.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to post a meeting for Monday, April 14, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. to meet with the Town Moderator and to sign the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to have Mr. Mauk and Mr. Coughlin meet with the School Department to begin initial review and discussion regarding the FY ’09 Budget.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
4. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to not open the Annual Town Meeting Warrant in regards to inserting a Citizen’s Petition for Beach Avenue and to table the matter at this time due to the petition being received after the deadline.  Second by Mr. Valcourt.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
5. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the application from Mass Highway for the Bank of America, 610 State Road for permission to access the state highway for the installation of a new 1” water service from the center island of Route 6 to the bank and to allow the Chairperson to sign the permit.  Second by Mr. Mr. Ouellette.  
The Board voted unanimously in favor.  

Consider / Reconsider
1. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to appoint J. Duncan Albert as BOS Representative and Brian T. Valcourt as Alternate BOS Representative to the Buzzards Bay Action Committee.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
*All other vacancies on boards, committees and commissions held by a Board of Selectmen Representative will be held on and not voted at this time.
2. Approval of all minutes will be addressed at next Board of Selectmen’s meeting on April 14, 2008.
3. A memo received from the Town Accountant regarding “unexpected retirement of Police Officer Thatcher will be addressed at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting on April 14, 2008.

Other Issues
None.

Motion made by Mr. Mauk to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 9:05 P.M.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Adjournment.

Respectfully submitted,
Diane Pelland, Confidential Clerk
to the Board of Selectmen

APPROVED: Gary E. Mauk, Clerk