Westport News

Members Present:       Steven J. Ouellette, Chairman
                                 Craig J. Dutra
                                 Paul A. Schmid, III
                                 Richard M. Spirlet, Clerk
Also present:              Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator
Absent:                      Brian T. Valcourt, Vice Chairman
                
Chairman Ouellette 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.

Eric Belinkoff - RE:  Interview for Appointment to the Economic Development Task Force
Mr. Belinkoff was present and stated he has lived full-time in Westport since 2003, although he did grow up in Westport.  Previously he lived in Dartmouth, MA but has continually owned farmland in Westport.  While in Dartmouth, he was a Town Meeting member for many years and had served on several Town Boards such as Personnel, IDC, etc.  Presently, he is on the Board of Directors for the New Bedford Boys & Girls Club and the Southcoast Humane Society & Shelter.   Mr. Belinkoff stated his knowledge, experience and background would help to serve the Task Force attain its objectives and goals.
Motion made by Mr. Dutra to appoint Eric Belinkoff to the Economic Development Task Force.  Second by Mr. Spirlet.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.

Westell Norman, Cemetery Department - RE:  Appointment of Cemetery Laborer.
Mr. Norman was present.  Mr. Norman stated he reviewed all the applications and conducted interviews.  Mr. Norman is recommending Andrew Motta for the position.  Mr. Motta previously worked for the Cemetery Department full time for two years and is already trained for the position.  Mr. Motta is a dedicated worker and has worked for the past several years as a Seasonal Worker.
Motion made by Mr. Spirlet to accept the recommendation of Mr. Norman and appoint Andrew Motta as a Cemetery Laborer.  Second by Mr. Schmid. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.

Planning Board - RE: Appointment of Town Planner.
Mr. Jim Whitin and Ms. Sarah L. Raposa were present.  Mr. Whitin introduced Ms. Raposa as the new Town Planner.  Mr. Whitin stated that Ms. Raposa would be starting on November 1, 2010.   Ms. Raposa stated she is/was the Town Planner for Eastham, MA and has been the Natural Resource Planner for Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program.
The Board wished Ms. Raposa the best of luck in her new position.

Question and Answer Period
1. Quentin Lord asked: If we don’t have money to fix drainage pipes on Old Bedford Road that is a safety hazard, how can Banner, Milk, Velvet, Sunset East, Sunset West, Violet, Lakeshore, Lassonde and Old Bedford by White’s all going to get shim coating?
2. Quentin Lord asked: How come all the old trucks, grader and other equipment are being junked?  Isn’t it a violation of procurement law?  And all the junk being hauled on a trailer with no brakes.
Mr. Sisson was present and responded to the questions.  Mr. Sisson stated a project was taking place on Bower Avenue for drainage, but he had run out of money. This project was started before the request for line striping.  Mr. Sisson stated that he felt this project was a priority over the other roads due to three animals dying from encephalitis, mosquitoes on the property due to the water and the presence of children on the property.  
Mr. Lord asked why pipes were being installed on private property.  Mr. Sisson stated that he had to work with Rep. Rodrigues to get an easement over private property to put pipe out to Route 6.  Mr. Sisson stated that OSHA had told Mr. Sisson to clean up the back of the Highway Department area by getting rid of materials, so all the old metals behind the garage was being junked and brought to Mid City Steel.  The money will be presented to the Town in a check when it is over and that money can be used to finish the drainage work on Bower Avenue.  Mr. Sisson stated that in another week or by November 1st, there will be a check and it can be used to purchase more pipes for the project and radios for the employees because with bad weather coming there needs to be communication.  The pipes that are being purchased are expensive; they are 24 ft. wide and 20 ft. long.  This project is a priority.  Mr. Ouellette asked that Mr. Sisson makes sure that all drains have covers.  Mr. Schmid questioned whether disposition of town property needed to be done at auction.  Mr. Sisson stated that with an auction, it would take three guys and three days to haul the materials out and put up for auction and at auction, maybe you can get $50.00.  By taking the material to Mid City we are getting serious money for it.  Mr. Lord stated that it is dangerous during the winter with ice accumulating on the roads and people hitting poles on Old Bedford Road.  Mr. Sisson stated that it is like that all over town, Old Bedford is no different.
    
Correspondence Requiring Action and/or Reading
1. Motion made by Mr. Dutra to accept the recommendations of Safety Officer Majewski regarding a request for a multi-way stop sign at the intersection of Cherry & Webb Lane; and to forward a copy of the recommendations to the Highway Department; and for Officer Majewski to work with the Highway Department on these recommendations.  Second by Mr. Spirlet. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
2. No action was taken regarding a notice received from the Mass. State Lottery for a “Keno to Go” application of Westport Valero, 175 State Road.
3. Motion made by Mr. Spirlet to grant a 45-day extension of a repair license to Big Mark Enterprises, Mark Gelhardo as requested due to ongoing upgrades to the property. Extension expires: November 30, 2010.  Second by Mr. Schmid. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
4. Motion made by Mr. Spirlet to accept the recommendations of Safety Officer Majewski regarding a multi-way stop sign at the intersection of Horseneck, Pine Hill and Hix Bridge Roads; and to forward a copy of the recommendations to the Highway Department; and for Officer Majewski to work with the Highway Department on these recommendations.  Second by Mr. Dutra. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
5. No action was taken regarding a notice of public meeting from the Bristol County Mosquito Control Project for the Preliminary Proposed Budget for FY ’12.
6. No action was taken regarding an invitation received from Catherine Williams to a 40b Forum.
7. Mr. Spirlet, Mr. Schmid, Mr. Dutra, Mr. Ouellette and Mr. Coughlin will be attending, per invitation of Veteran’s Agent Ronald Costa, the Veteran’s Day Services on November 11, 2010.
        
Town Administrator’s Report
1. Mr. Coughlin stated the Town Accountant has been working with the Department of Revenue in getting the figures together and in getting free cash certified.  Mr. Coughlin stated that a Special Town Meeting is needed to close the deficit.  Mr. Coughlin recommends setting December 7th as the date, due to the meetings that will be needed.  Mr. Coughlin stated that hopefully by the end of this week, they would have a “Free Cash” figure.
Motion made by Mr. Dutra to set December 7, 2010 as Special Town Meeting.  Second by Mr. Spirlet. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
Motion made by Mr. Spirlet to close the warrant on November 23, 2010.  Second by Mr. Schmid. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
2. Mr. Coughlin stated that a meeting would need to be set up to start narrowing down the negotiations for the Cable Renewal/Cable Business Plan.

Consider / Reconsider
1. Motion made by Mr. Dutra to approve a request for extension of deadline for use of vacation time by Lucy Tabit, Principal Clerk of the Planning Board.  The deadline is set for December 31, 2010.  Second by Mr. Spirlet. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.   Mr. Spirlet asked if Ms. Tabit’s pay rate would revert back when the new Town Planner begins.  Mr. Whitin stated there will be some overlap but he would look into it.  Mr. Whitin stated this extension was necessary because the Planning Department is short-handed.
2. Beach Avenue Committee recommendations.  This item was held on due to Mr. Valcourt’s absence.  It will be taken up at the next meeting.
3. Mr. Ouellette stated he would like to see the ball keep rolling on the formation of a Water Resource Committee; he would like to see people who are interested to send a letter.  Mr. Spirlet stated that presently there are still three separate groups, Water & Sewer, Stormwater Management and the Ponds Committee.  Mr. Dutra stated for the next meeting, he would like to see what the Water & Sewer Committee was charged with, if they were ever charged with anything.  Mr. Spirlet stated the Committee needs a comprehensive plan.  

Other Issues
1. Mr. Harold Sisson, Highway Surveyor stated the Highway Department has no problems with taking down the house located on the Perry Property at 1163 American Legion Highway but the house was built prior to 1978 and lead paint will be present.  This matter should be looked into prior to his department beginning any work.  Also, any permits should be obtained.  A look at the linear footage has to be done also.  Mr. Coughlin stated he will look into this.

Executive Session – 6:49 PM
Motion made by Mr. Dutra to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30A, Section 21 for Approval of Executive Session Minutes of September 2, 2010 and to discuss Negotiations with Non-Union Personnel, Collective Bargaining, Personnel Matters Pending Litigation.  Second by Mr. Spirlet. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.

Roll Call Vote:  Mr. Dutra-aye. Mr. Spirlet-aye.  Mr. Schmid-aye.  Mr. Ouellette-aye.

Mr. Ouellette announced the Board would return to Open Session in order to adjourn.

Open Session – 9:28 PM
Motion made by Mr. Dutra to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting at 9:28 PM.  Second by Mr. Spirlet. The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-absent.
    
Adjournment.

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


APPROVED:  Richard M. Spirlet, Clerk