HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-04-23April 23, ~979 - Monday
Special Meeting
The PLANNING BOARD held a Special Meeting on Monday evening, April 23, ~979 at
7 P.M. in the Planning Board Office. The following members were present and voting:
William Chepulis, Chairman; Joyce A. DiTore; and Michael P. Roberts.
Also present were former Chairmen of the Planning Board, Paul R. Lamprey and William
N. Salemme and the following members of the Board of Selectmen: Joseph Guthrie;
Charles Salisbury; John Graham; and Ralph Joyce.
Discussion: Planner/Sanitary Engineer Situation - Mr. Guthrie began the discussion
by stating that he didn't know how %he Planning Board can continue the employment of
the Planner under the present conditions, such as Town Counsel's ruling. Further,
he would make a motion at Town Meeting requesting that the Planner be accepted and a
committee be used to screen applicants. You are subjecting the Town to a suit by
keeping her (Ms. St. Pierre) on the rolls, he said. The Advisory Board and Board of
Health kicked off this dispute, it was not by any action of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Chepulis interjected that this is essentially the same situation that had occurred
with the hiring of Len Phillips and read the letter from the Board of Healthdated
August ~2, ?977 regarding Phillips' qualifications.
Mr. Guthrie again stated that he did not know-what justification the Planning Board
has in continuing the person and, if the Board of Health had been able to come to
some kind cf mgreement we would not be in this situation. If you decide to keep her
then I don't know what happens and if you decide to let her go there will be some
methods for paying her. We want to pay her as much as you do and I think the Advisory
Board would seriously consider a transfer from reserve to your salary account; nobody
disputes ~he fact that she is entitled to pay, but not out of the Article; the ball is
in your court; the facts are before you.
John Graham added that in the face of Town Counsel's letter, the Selectmen don't really
have a choice.
The Board of Selectmen members exited to attend their own meeting.
PLANS NOT REQUIRING APPROVAL:
1 - E & F BUILDERS: Olympic Lane - Board signed corrected plan which was endorsed
pending receipt of legend being corrected at the last meeting.
2 - TOWNSHIP REALTY TRUST - Abbott St. - motion m~de by Mrs. DiTore to endorse as not
requiring approval a plan of land dated March 30, 1979 for T. R. T. Mr. Roberts seconded
and the vote was unanimous.
3 - GEORGE FARR: Salem St. -Mrs. DiTore made a motion to endorse the plan of land
for George Farr dated Dec. 29, 1978, revised April ~O~ ?979 as net requiring approval
under subdivision control law. Mr. Roberts seconded subject to the lot area of Lot
#45A being shown on the plan. The vote was unanimous.
~usan ~t. Pierre arrived and was present for the remainder of the meeting.
Planner/senitaryEngineer discussion continued. Mr. Lamprey stated that a job descrip-
tion was not accepted by the BOARD until after the article was passed at Town Meeting;
what went to the Advisory Boardwas a copy of the agreement between the two boards and
that agreement is not a job description.
April 23, ~979 - cont.
Mrs. DiTore felt %hat we either have to accept Town Counsel's ruling or contact
him again and apprise him of the job description.
Mr. Lamprey suggested that as a temporary measure Susan could work under Bill
Chepulis' supervision as he is a professional engineer. Mrs. DiTore stated that
we should go back to Town Counsel. Mike Roberts made a motion that the BOARD notify
Town Counsel in ~riting and establish a meeting with him as he was not aware of the
job description and the Town Meeting Article refers to this job description. Also,
that the Advisory Board never received the job description prior to endorsing the
Articles that Susan has written a letter to the Selectmen re non-payment and we
support her 100~; the Bd. of Selectmen acted Without authority in stopping her pay,
without advising the Planning Board, and without Town Counsel's advice for severa/
weeks. Request a quick response because we feel it is our duty and obllgmtion to let
Susan know how she stands and how the Town stands on thisposition. Also, make
reference to Town Counsel' ruling to the Bd. of Selectmen and note that what he
referred to was an agreement and not a job description. Mrs. DiTore seconded and the
vote was unanimous.
Susan ~t. Pierre stated that herposition is that it is not fair to terminate her
nor is it fair that she is not being paid and~intends to take it to court if she has
to.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 P.M.
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