HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 25, 2003 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES AUGUST 25, 2003
CALL TO ORDER: Wendy D. Wakeman called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM at the Steven's Memorial
Library.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Wendy Wakeman, Chairman; Rosemary Smedile; James Xenakis;
Donald B. Stewart; Mark Rees, Town Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager. Mark Caggiano was
absent.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move into Executive Session to discuss
Negotiations with non-union employees. The Board would return to Open Session immediately following.
The Board of Selectmen was individually polled and each voted unanimously to move into Executive Session.
Donald Stewart yes, James Xenakis yes, Rosemary Smedile yes, and Wendy Wakeman yes. Vote approved 4-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
Fire Chief William Dolan informed the Board of an accident with Pump Fire Engine One, Firefighter David Ford
was injured and hospitalized.
Deputy Morgan informed the Board about a three story apartment fire on Waverly Road and his decision to go
from offensive mode to defensive mode because of a possible roof collapse. This decision was made to save
injuries and lives of firefighters.
Patriots Day/9-11 Commemoration.
Under the leadership of Veterans Services Edward Mitchell with the assistance of the Police and Fire
Departments and the Town's veteran's organizations, the Town is preparing a memorial service to commemorate
the second anniversary of the 9-11 terrorists attacks. The Board is requested to approve the ceremony protocol
and to issue a proclamation.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by James Xenakis, to issue a proclamation. Vote approved 4-0.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the ceremony protocol. Vote
approved 4-0.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Knights of Columbus "Toll Booth" Charity Collection.
The Knights of Columbus requested permission to hold their annual "Tootsie Roll Drive" and to place a "Toll
Booth" at the intersection of Great Pond Road and Massachusetts Avenue. The dates and times are Friday,
October 3rd from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday, October 4th and 5th, from 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the annual "Toll Booth" place,
date and times. Vote approved 4-0.
Donald Stewart mentioned that people have been soliciting for money without Town permission at Wilson's
Corner and asked the Town Manager to look into the matter.
OLD BUSINESS:
Objectives Workshop Meeting.
The Town Manager suggested Saturday morning September 13th or 27th for the Board to hold a workshop for
possible objectives for the Town Manager and his staff to achieve during FY04.
The Board agreed to hold the objectives workshop on Saturday, September 13, 2003 and agreed to have a
facilitator present.
Board of Selectmen Minutes August 25, 2003 2
NEW BUSINESS:
Procedures for the release of Executive Session Meeting Minutes.
The Town Manager informed the Board of the Essex County District Attorney's ruling that the public records "law
places the duty to release minutes on the (public body) at the time the need for secrecy ends, and not at the time
of a request for the minutes." The Town Manager and Chairman of the Board suggested the following process to
comply with this ruling:
1. An additional item is placed on the Board's regular agenda under Executive Session entitled "Review
of Executive Session Meeting Minutes".
2. The Clerk of the Board, working with the Town Manger's office, shall review all executive session
minutes on file and shall place in the agenda those minutes on file and shall place in the agenda those
minutes the clerk is of the opinion that the need for secrecy no longer exists.
3. The full Board will review the recommendations of the Clerk in executive session and vote whether or
not to release them.
4. Upon the conclusion of the executive session portion of the meeting agenda and under the "Approval
of Minutes" section of the agenda or"Communications, Announcements, and Public Comment Portion",
the Chair will announce what, if any, executive session minutes were voted to be released.
Easement for Massachusetts Electric, Sutton Hill Road.
The Board was requested to sign an easement for power lines that service the Sutton Hill Water Booster Pumping
Station.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve and sign the easement requested
by Massachusetts Electric for Sutton Hill Road. Vote approved 4-0.
TOWN MANAGER'S REPORT:
The Fire Department received a grant in the amount of$5,600 to train school personnel in hazardous chemical
recognition and CPR.
ADJOURNMENT:
James Xenakis made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to adjourn the meeting at 7:22 PM.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Clerk of the Board