Westport News

Members Present:        J. Duncan Albert, Chairman
                                  Steven J. Ouellette, Vice Chairman
                                  Robert P. Rebello
                                  Brian T. Valcourt
                                  Gary E. Mauk, Clerk

Also Present:            Michael Coughlin, Town Administrator
                                
Chairman Albert 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.

Gary Sherman, Shellfish Constable RE:  Super Raffle
Mr. Sherman was present and the following prizes were drawn for the Super Raffle, which benefits the Shellfish Propagation Fund.  The winner of the Balloon Ride for Two was “Joyce” a resident of Westport; the winner of the Limousine Ride and Dinner at Bittersweet Farms was George Smith of “B” Drive, Westport and the winner of the Essex Train Ride was Dave Simcoe of Westport.  Mr. Sherman stated the Shellfish Gift Fund netted $7,451.75 and in addition, the Mass Waterfowlers donated a check in the amount of $750.00.

Nuno Chitas d/b/a Venture Imports RE: Continued hearing on the application request for a Class II License for the sale of used motor vehicles to be located at 800-D American Legion Highway.
The public hearing was opened at 6:15 p.m. Mr. Nuno Chitas and Attorney Arthur Frank, representing the applicant was present.  Attorney Frank stated Mr. Chitas would be leasing 800-D American Legion Highway and would be dealing in high-end cars.  These cars will be stored inside at night.  Mr. Chitas owns another car lot on Route 6, which deals with economy-type cars.  It was noted that a lease was in place with Mr. Gilbert Souza, there is a bathroom facility, and any repair work will be performed by Mr. Samson of Samson’s Ent. Auto & Truck Repair also at this location.  At this time, Mr. Chitas would be employing only one person to run this location, with Mr. Chitas as an overseer.  The hours of operation requested would be Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday’s by appointment only.  During the day there will be 8 cars outside for display and during the night, 6 cars would be stored inside the building.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve the application for a Class II License to Nuno Chitas d/b/a Venture Imports, 800-D American Legion Highway for a total of 8 vehicles (6 being stored inside at night) and the hours of operation to be Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday’s by appointment only.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Discussion RE:  Town Accountant Assistant Position and Departmental Audits
Ms. Theresa Provencal, Town Accountant was present to seek support from the Selectmen regarding an assistant position for FY ‘10.  Discussion ensued regarding an increase of hours in her office, in order to be able to attend training classes.  Ms. Provencal also stated she would like to change her clerk’s title to Assistant Town Accountant.  Ms. Provencal said she understood this matter would need to go to the Personnel Board and then to Town Meeting for final approval, if approved by the Selectmen.  Mr. Coughlin stated the auditor also made this suggestion at their last meeting. Mr. Coughlin said this would not only allow the Town Accountant to attend training classes but would bring much needed help to handle the burden set by the State.  Mr. Albert stated a job description would be needed, the Personnel Board would have to be met with, a return to the Board of Selectmen for approval and the position that is created must be advertised and a warrant article would need to be created.  Mr. Mauk thought that the increased hours were needed but the report of how to fund this position needed to be listened to; the Town can't be adding anyone to the payroll.  Mr. Albert stated that Ms. Provencal had the backing of the Board. Mr. Mauk stated he supported what the Town Accountant was trying to do and he may even support the assistant position but the Board needed to look at the unfunded liability.  At this time, Mr. Coughlin stated that the public services section should be started with in regards to the departmental audits such as Highway, Landfill and Cemetery departments.  Mr. Albert stated he would like to add the Council on Aging.  Mr. Coughlin said the Council on Aging should be held until the next FY in order to see how the new Director handles the positions and the Council on Aging.  Mr. Mauk said the Highway, Landfill and Cemetery were in line with the reports from Roselli, Barrow and Benchmark, along with the Finance Committee.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk that initial audits, operational and managerial audits begin with the Highway, Landfill and Cemetery Departments for FY ‘09.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Question and Answer Period
1. Ann Chandanais asked about the Town Report.  Ms. Chandanais stated the Town Report always has reports from each committee, board and commission but there is never a report from the Personnel Board.  Ms. Chandanais asked if they were still doing any work or are they not meeting.  Mr. Albert stated that they have not sent in any reports but it would be looked into.
2. Brenda Burke asked if the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen would give an update on the Noquochoke Village project.  Ms. Burke noted that the Smart Growth Overlay did not make the warrant.  Mr. Albert said there was nothing at this time.
3. Brenda Burke asked if the affordable housing would be placed under the Housing Authority.  Mr. Albert stated the Housing Authority was looking at developing their own state property and the Housing Authority was a state agency nothing to do with the Town.
4. Gay Newcomer asked how Charter negotiations were coming; would the Democracy channel time slot be able to be changed to 5:00 p.m. and has Charter spoken about converter boxes to deal with analog.  Mr. Albert stated that negotiations were at a minimal, the Town had no control over the broadcast time slot and Charter has begun steps to convert analog boxes.

Correspondence Requiring Action and or Reading
1. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to approve, on the recommendation of Sergeant Majewski, a request from the Westport Fisherman’s Association for their Annual Road Race for May 10, 2008.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to initiate fines regarding unregistered vehicles at 28 Osborn Street and to send a letter to the Police Department to begin the proper proceedings.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to appoint Ryan W. Carreiro, 38 Junior Street, New Bedford, MA as a Reserve Police Officer with the Westport Police Department.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-opposed (Mauk).
4.  Mr. Ouellette asked that the letter regarding FY ’09 DCS Annual Grant Round from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs be forwarded to the Recreation Commission.
5. Motion made by Mr. Mauk that letters received from Hydric Solutions and Whaling City Transit, Inc. commending Leone Farias, Clerk of the Conservation Commission be placed in her personnel file.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
6. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to forward a copy of a letter received from Kimberley Fernandes seeking appointment to either the Zoning Board of Appeals or to the Town Building Committee, to the respective boards for review and recommendation. Second by Mr. Valcourt.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
7. It was noted resignations from Susan Costa and Robert Stynes of the Council on Aging Board were received and the vacant positions needed to be posted.

Town Administrator Report
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Mary Ellen Gomes as SRTA Representative.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Mr. Coughlin stated the bids were unresponsive in respect to the Harbor Dredging and will be set out for rebid.  There will be a pre-bid conference on May 7th.
3. Mr. Coughlin stated Mr. Mauk and himself met with the Chair and Vice Chair of the School Committee regarding Total Town Spending towards the Westport School Department.  The next meeting will be April 28th at 3:00 p.m. in the Town Hall and hopefully an agreement will be reached before Town Meeting.
4. Mr. Coughlin stated that out of respect for the Kowalczyk Family, he would contact the School Committee in the future to schedule a joint meeting to discuss filling the vacant seat.
5. Mr. Coughlin stated the Finance Committee met to reconsider the addition of hours to the Town Accountant position, restoration of $16,000.00 to the Council on Aging budget, a cut in the legal budget reducing it to $55,000.00 with the caveat of being revisited and the disposition of $202,000.00 from the Capital Improvements.


Consider / Reconsider
1. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to appoint Mr. Albert to the River Dredging Committee as the BOS Representative.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
2. Motion made by Mr. Rebello to appoint Mr. Mauk to the Fire Station Building Committee as the BOS Representative.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.
3. Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to approve the Special Joint Meeting Minutes of March 20, 2008.  Second by Mr. Mauk.  The Board voted 3 in favor, 2-abstentions (Valcourt, Rebello).
4. Motion made by Mr. Rebello to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of March 24, 2008.  Second by Mr. Ouellette.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-abstention (Valcourt).
5. Motion made by Mr. Mauk to approve an Official Proclamation for National Arson Awareness Week 2008.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Other Issues
1. Mr. Albert stated he attended the BBAC (Buzzard’s Bay Action Committee) meeting with Mr. Valcourt regarding Storm Water.  Mr. Albert requested that copies of the upcoming StormSmart Coasts Workshop on May 15, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. be sent to all boards and committees.  Hopefully, there will be some attendance from the Town.
2. Mr. Ouellette noted the Town of Dartmouth’s Economic Development person has passed away and they will feel the loss; also, Mr. Ouellette mentioned that a committee should be formed after Town Meeting to begin negotiations with Charter Communications.
3. Mr. Valcourt stated the Wind Turbine contract with Mr. Pitney has been received.  Mr. Valcourt asked for a vote on this matter at the next Board of Selectmen meeting.  Mr. Valcourt said that in signing this contract within the timeframe there will be a significant savings to the Town.  Mr. Coughlin stated this is a public document but it is subject to change; there have been several email proposals back and forth; a meeting is needed to hammer out the points.  Mr. Mauk stated the Board members needed to read the contract and perhaps get input from Legal Counsel.  Mr. Coughlin suggested appointing 1 or 2 Board members to hammer out the points with Mr. Pitney.

Executive Session – 7:35 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Mauk to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 39, Section 23B to approve Executive Session Minutes, discuss a personnel matter and to discuss a proposed contract. Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Roll Call Vote:  Mr. Mauk-aye.  Mr. Rebello-aye.  Mr. Ouellette-aye  Mr. Valcourt-aye.  Mr. Albert-aye.

Mr. Albert announced that the Board would return to Open Session.
Open Session – 7:55 P.M.
Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to appoint Mr. Albert and Mr. Valcourt to handle negotiations with Alternate Energy, along with the Town Administrator in regards to the Wind Turbine Contract.  Second by Mr. Valcourt.  The Board voted 4 in favor, 1-opposed (Mauk).

Motion made by Mr. Ouellette to adjourn the Board of Selectmen’s meeting at 8:00 P.M.  Second by Mr. Rebello.  The Board voted unanimously in favor.

Adjournment.

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

APPROVED:  Gary E. Mauk, Clerk