BOARD OF SELECTMEN

APRIL 4, 2006

Present: James E. Pollard, Chairman; Richard W. Murray, Joseph P. Norton, Paul T. Reidy

Press: Patriot Ledger, Scituate Mariner

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.

2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA/ WALK-IN PERIOD

Mr. Reidy made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ACCEPT the Agenda for April 4, 2006. SECONDED by Mr. Norton. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

Walk-Ins – Mr. Patrick Bowes, 24 Woodland Road, stated that Mr. Reidy should be commended for doing a fine job and the recent dialogue in the press should be discounted. The Town has encountered great difficulties in dealing with the MBTA with items such as the long closure of Beaver Dam Road and the broken water pipes in that area. Scituate residents are looking to the Selectmen to present a strong, unified commitment regarding the MBTA and many other Town issues. He suggested that a civil engineer should be monitoring the MBTA’s work. He feels that the “personal attacks against Mr. Reidy are not warranted or constructive”. He asked that the Board move forward in a unified effort for the Town of Scituate.

3. DISCUSSION/ VOTE/ Pole Petitions #50007A and #50007B/ Hollett Street (continued from
1/3/06)
Mr. Petrocelli, 153 Hollett Street, and Mr. Robert Swift, National Grid, were present at tonight’s meeting. Mr. Reidy asked about the flooding problems in this area – have they been addressed? Mr. Pollard stated that one neighbor discussed flooding problems with Cashman Balfour Beatty(CBB) and they (neighbor) were comfortable with the explanation at that time. The work is ongoing and there may be some other problems south of Hollett Street in the future. Mr. Reidy still has concerns with a change in the water table in this area. Mr. Pollard assured the Hollett Street abutters that the poles will be placed exactly where CBB marked them on the recent site visit – nothing has changed.

Mr. Norton made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to GRANT Pole Petitions #50007A and #50007B on Hollett Street according to the revised “Hollett Street, Scituate Proposed Water Line Relocation” dated 3/17/06, the pole locations staked by Cashman Balfour Beatty and all conditions set forth by the Department of Public Works. SECONDED by Mr. Reidy. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

4. DISCUSSION/ VOTE/ Transfer Station/ Second Sticker Fee

Mr. Pollard explained that the Town Administrator has recommended increasing the Transfer Station’s second sticker fee from the current $3.00 per vehicle to $10.00 per vehicle. This increase needs to be decided this evening because the updated sticker application needs to be posted on the Town’s website right away. The first sticker fee will remain the same. He feels this is a small step
forward in remedying the overall shortfall at the Transfer Station.

Mr. Reidy made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to SUPPORT raising the Transfer Station’s second sticker price from $3.00 to $10.00 effective immediately. SECONDED by Mr. Norton. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

5. ACCEPT RESIGNATIONS/ Animal Control Board/ Streetscapes Project Team

Mr. Norton made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ACCEPT the resignation of Susan Phippen from the Animal Control Board and the Streetscapes Project Team and further that the Board thank Ms. Phippen for her many years of dedicated service to both groups and the Town of Scituate. SECONDED by Mr. Murray. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

6. OVERVIEW/ Ombudsman Position

Mr. Pollard stated that it is the Board’s intention to have someone in the Ombudsman’s position by April 18, 2006. Several people have expressed interest in the position and interviews have been set up for later this week and early next week. Two members of the Board will interview the candidates and then make a recommendation to the entire Board. If anyone has an interest in the position, they are encouraged to submit a letter of interest to the Selectmen’s office by early next week. In the meantime, if a resident has a MBTA related problem they can call the Selectmen’s office or e-mail the MBTA link on the Town’s website. Mr. Pollard stated that he would be “fielding” the questions.

Ms. Ann Burbine, 10 Pennycress Road, asked if the Board would be accepting Ms. Phippen’s resignation as Ombudsman? Mr. Pollard answered “no”. Ms. Phippen was a Town employee who resigned from her position. Ms. Burbine stated that there are “serious” traffic problems at the major North Scituate intersection in regard to the ongoing MBTA work there. She is very concerned that a new ombudsman will not be in place for two weeks. Mr. Pollard assured Ms. Burbine that the various Town departments will be helping out and traffic questions may be directed to the Chief of Police. Mr. Reidy understands that the timing of the traffic lights is being worked on right now. Ms. Burbine believes that lights are not the only problem. Vehicles speeding down Country Way in excess of 25 miles per hour are a real problem. She believes that enforcement is the real issue.

7. OTHER BUSINESS

Mr. Pollard welcomed Mr. Rick Murray to the Board of Selectmen. He congratulated him on being elected to the position and looks forward to working with Mr. Murray.

Mr. Norton thanked past Selectman Rich Lane for serving the Board and the Town so well for the past nine years. He stated that Mr. Lane was someone who carefully cast each vote and did what he felt was in the best interest of Scituate. Mr. Norton stated that Mr. Lane is a “good person” and he was happy to serve with him on the Board. Mr. Pollard concurred with Mr. Norton’s statement.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr. Reidy read a letter written by Chief Brian Stewart thanking Ms. Janet Trask, Scituate Health Service, for the generous gift of batteries for the Police Department’s fourteen defibrillator units.

9. MINUTES

Mr. Norton made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ACCEPT the Minutes of June 7, 2005 and March 21, 2006. SECONDED by Mr. Reidy. No discussion. Norton, Reidy and Pollard voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Murray abstained. Voted (3-0-1).

10. RE-ORGANZIATION/ Board of Selectmen

Mr. Norton NOMINATED Mr. Reidy for Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. SECONDED by Mr. Murray. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

Mr. Norton NOMINATED Mr. Murray for Clerk of the Board of Selectmen. SECONDED by Mr. Reidy. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

Mr. Norton thanked Mr. Pollard for a very successful year. It was a busy year with the MBTA and the sewer expansion, etc. He asked that Mr. Pollard accept a small gift from the Board, Rick Agnew, Sheila Maning and Kim Donovan thanking him for his work as the Chairman over the past year.

11. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Norton made a MOTION that the Board of Selectmen VOTE to ADJOURN the meeting at 6:50 PM. SECONDED by Mr. Reidy. No discussion. Unanimous vote. (4-0)

BOARD OF SELECTMEN

James E. Pollard, Chairman

Shawn Harris

Richard W. Murray

Joseph P. Norton

Paul T. Reidy

Respectfully submitted,

Kimberley A. Donovan Secretary