MINUTES
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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
REGULAR SESSION
September 8, 2003
Call to Order
The Board of Selectmen convened at 7:30 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room of the Town Hall. All members were present.
Questions from Town Residents
Maureen Haley, a resident of the Town appeared before the Board to express concern about the police department’s handling of an incident involving a Middlesex County police officer and her son. The Board requested the Town Administrator work with her to ensure that a full account of the police department’s handling of the incident.
Mr. William Engstrom raised a number of issues, that the Board has asked be appropriately coordinated and scheduled with the Selectmen’s Office.
Action by Appointment
Proclamation Recognizing PFC Juan Alex Cheung’s Military Service in Iraq
The Board presented Private First Class Alex Cheung with a proclamation in honor of his exemplary courage and of his contribution to the United States Armed Forces.
State Representative Anne Paulsen presented a similar proclamation from the Massachusetts State Legislature.
The Board also recognized David Cranney for his military service in Iraq.
Introduction of Firefighters Promoted to Lieutenant
The Board recognized its newest firefighters who had been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. Chief Osterhaus also introduced two new firefighters in his department.
Recognition of Belmont Historic District Commission Volunteers
The Board recognized residents who have volunteered to assist the Belmont Historic District Commission in their activities.
Public Hearing—Keyspan Utility Petition Knox Street
The Board convened a public hearing regarding the request by Keyspan for a street opening permit to install a gas line in Knox Street.
A representative of Keyspan spoke in support of this request.
There were no other interested parties present.
The Board moved: to approve the street opening permit.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Discussion of Personnel Board
The Board met with Diane Jenkins, Human Resources Director, and Eloise McGaw, a former member of the Personnel Board regarding the future role of the Personnel Board.
Ms. McGaw recommended that the Personnel Board be structured in a way such that it can provide advice and support to the Human Resources Director.
Ms. Jenkins concurred and suggested that an ideal situation is an advisory Personnel Board that would meet on an as needed basis.
The Board agreed that the Human Resources Director would work with current and former members of the Personnel Board to cooperatively develop a charge and by-law for the Board’s review and eventual consideration by the Town Meeting.
Discussion of Police Chief Selection Process
The Town Administrator reviewed his recommendations relative to the process in which the Town should engage to select its next police chief.
The Board discussed the merits of utilizing an assessment center tool to evaluate the internal police chief candidates.
Mr. Brownsberger stated his support for the use of this tool.
Mrs. Mahoney expressed reservations about spending $5,000 for an uncertain return, but also noted the importance of public perception.
Dr. Solomon also expressed that the public might have an expectation that the Town utilize all tools available to it in selecting its next Police Chief.
The Board moved: accept the recommendation of the Town Administrator and to utilize an assessment center tool as one part of the evaluation process and to have the Board consider two or three finalists (with the final number to be determined by the Town Administrator and Human Resources Director).
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
The Board agreed to discuss further its public process to evaluate police chief finalists.
Action by Consent
The Board reviewed the items under the Action by Consent agenda.
The Board moved: to approve all motions as written in the Action by consent memo, dated September 4, 2003, with the exception of item F; and further that the individual motions for each of the items be reflected in the minutes.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Letter from Director of Public Safety re: Request to Fill Public Safety Dispatcher Vacancy
The Board moved: to approve the filling of the full-time public safety dispatcher vacancy.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Memorandum from Acting Police Chief re: Request to Fill Two Crossing Guard Vacancies
The Board moved: to approve the filling of two crossing guard vacancies.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Letter from Treasurer re: Approval of Letters to Taxpayers
The Board moved: to approve the inclusion of the attached letters from the Treasurer and the Assessors in the tax bills, with a minor, non-substantive correction noted by Dr. Solomon to be communicated to the Treasurer prior to transmission.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Mutual Aid Agreement re: Town Participation in North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement (NEMLEC) Council
The Board moved: to execute the mutual aid agreement that allows the Town participation in the North Eastern Massachusetts Law enforcement Council.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Correspondence from Director of Community Development re: Award of Contract for Sewer and Storm Drain Rehabilitation Design and Construction Services
The Board moved to: award and execute the contract for sewer and storm drain rehabilitation design and construction services to the firm of Fay, Spofford and Thorndike.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Memorandum from Assistant Town Administrator re: Clarification of Board of Selectmen Meeting Schedule
The Board moved: to approve the revised meeting schedule for the Board of Selectmen for September – December 2003, with the exception that the Board not begin its meeting on Monday, October 6 until 8:30 p.m.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Memorandum from Director of Community Development re: Request to Conduct 10-Hour Traffic Count at Intersection of Washington and School Streets
The Board moved: to approve the recommendation of the Director of Community Development to authorize the Police Department to conduct a ten-hour traffic count at the intersection of Washington and School Streets.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Wheelabrator Technologies Solid Waste Disposal Contract
The Board moved: to approve and execute the Wheelabrator solid waste disposal contract.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Action by Writing
Memorandum from Senior Planner re: Municipally-Owned Vacant Parcels
The Board reviewed a memorandum from Senior Planner Timothy Higgins.
Presentation from Belmont Housing Trust re: Use of HOME Funds for Development of Affordable Housing
The Board reviewed a presentation from the Belmont Housing Trust requesting the Town turn over the B Street and Brighton Street municipally owned lots for the potential development for affordable housing.
The Board moved: to authorize use of federal HOME Funds available within the Newton consortium to develop affordable housing proposals for the town-owned “B” Street and Brighton Street parcels.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Letter from Town Administrator to Secretary, EOEA re: MWRA WASM Project
The Board reviewed a draft letter from the Town Administrator to the Secretary, EOEA regarding the MWRA WASM project.
Representative Anne Paulsen suggested that the Town request a full Environmental Impact Report.
The Board moved: to approve this change to the letter.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
The Board discussed its approach to seeking a tunnel to be constructed under the railroad tracks between the High School and Channing Road.
The Board agreed to work with our state legislative delegation to set up a meeting with Mr. Lasky, Executive Director of the MWRA, to discuss the Town’s position relative to the MWRA WASM project.
Minutes (8/4, 8/12, 8/25)
The Board reviewed and approved the final minutes for the 8/4, 8/12 and 8/25 sessions.
The Board moved: to approve the regular session minutes of August 4, 12, and 25, 2003 with the amendment on the discussion of the appointments to the Cable Television Advisory Committee that reflects the fact that Dr. Solomon will contact Dick Norris, Chairman of the Cable Television Advisory Committee, to ask Mr. Norris to review the volunteer notebook and make recommendations for appointments.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Other
Tom Gatzunis, the Director of Community Development, presented to the Board a draft report that is to be submitted to the Secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety of the Task Force on Fire and Building Safety of a strategy for the Commonwealth for safeguarding the public from fire.
Mr. Brownsberger commended Mr. Gatzunis on his department’s efforts on the traffic improvements in the vicinity of the Butler School.
The Board moved: to execute the revised Conservation Agreement related to the McLean land that has been approved by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Action by Appointment (continued)
Discussion of Collective Bargaining (Executive Session)
Discussion of Litigation (Executive Session)
The Board moved: to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing strategy related to collective bargaining and litigation; and further that the Board shall not return to open session.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0), by roll call vote.
The regular session adjourned at approximately 9:20 p.m.
_______________________________________
Melvin A. Kleckner, Town Administrator
Clerk, Board of Selectmen
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