Georgetown Board of Selectmen
Monday January 22, 2024
Clickable Transcript Printable Transcript Agenda
The order of items in transcripts appear in the chronological order in which they were taken up. Some Agenda items may have been skipped.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Whittier Election
Smith highlighted the upcoming election for the Whittier's building project, reminding the community about the voting hours, 11 AM to 7 PM at the Pembroke School, and noted the availability of information sheets at various local facilities to help voters make informed decisions. Carrie McPhyllis, representing the Town of Georgetown, emphasized that the deadline for absentee ballot applications had passed and stressed the importance of all absentee ballots being received at the town clerk's office by the close of polls at 7 PM, mentioning a ballot drop box available at the town hall. Smith acknowledged McPhyllis's key role in managing the election process and expressed gratitude for her update to the community.
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NEW BUSINESS: Public Records Enforcement-Town Clerk
The Georgetown public hearing discussed challenges and proposed solutions regarding the handling of public records requests, compliance with open meeting laws, and facilitation of responses by town clerks and boards. McPhyllis, the town clerk and records access officer, highlighted difficulties in obtaining records from various boards and compliance issues, which could potentially result in legal sanctions for the town. Suggestions included state-provided training for board members on public records law and the introduction of Munitrack, an AI transcription tool to aid in meeting documentation. Discussions also revolved around the enforcement of records law compliance, with the Board of Selectmen considering direct intervention for non-compliant boards. Additionally, there was a consensus on the need for cooperativeness and understanding among town employees and board members about the importance of public records and the law. Plans to utilize free training sessions on public records and open meeting laws provided by KP Law were also discussed, aiming to improve compliance and prevent legal issues for the town.
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APPOINTMENTS: Applicants Elizabeth Williams for the Zoning Board of Appeals
At a public hearing, Elizabeth Williams was considered for an alternate position on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Williams, who has lived in Georgetown for about a year, is the Director of Data and Policy in the Office of Transportation Planning at MasDOT. With a PhD in social science, she has a keen interest in land use, transportation, and zoning issues, influenced by her work on statewide transportation planning. Her extensive academic background includes peer-reviewed publications and contributions to transportation equity. Members of the hearing committee were impressed by her resume and commitment to public service. Williams expressed her eagerness to learn and contribute to the community through zoning and planning. After a brief discussion about her interests and qualifications, Williams was unanimously appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals, with her term set to expire on June 30, 2024.
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NEW BUSINESS: Fire Chief Matt McKay-Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Fire Chief Matt McKay, serving as the emergency management director in Georgetown, presented the town's updated Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which has been revised under a new template adopted by MEMA in 2019. The plan, streamlined from its previous version, outlines how the town will respond to a variety of widespread emergency situations beyond typical fire or police events. It includes detailed sections on evacuation routes and procedures for setting up shelters and coordinating with state and federal resources. The implementation of the plan also involves annual reviews, training exercises in collaboration with MEMA, and roles for the town's board members in policy decisions during emergencies. The plan does not specifically cover Seabrook nuclear plant escape routes since Georgetown falls outside that region but addresses general evacuation strategies. Discussions during the meeting also touched on mutual aid agreements, community resiliency, volunteer opportunities for emergency response, and potential federal and state funding for mitigation and recovery efforts. The necessity for community awareness and self-reporting in emergencies was emphasized, along with the importance of grants in enhancing town resources for emergency preparedness. The board motioned to approve the plan, signifying a step forward in Georgetown’s readiness for emergency situations.
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NEW BUSINESS: Authorization to deficit spend (Snow & Ice)
In a discussion regarding the challenges of managing snow removal, Peter Durkee, a resident, detailed the difficulties encountered during recent snowstorms, including mechanical issues with snowplow trucks and keeping up with the necessary repairs and maintenance. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to maintain operations, albeit with concerns about budget constraints for snow and ice management. Durkee outlined the expenses incurred thus far and predicted that, without additional funding, they might soon face a budget deficit. The conversation then shifted towards the procedural aspect of authorizing deficit spending for snow and ice removal, a necessity given the unpredictable nature and financial demands of managing severe weather. The officials debated past practices and considered setting a limit to the authorized deficit spending, acknowledging the importance of maintaining a balance between prepared spending and the need to ensure public safety during snowstorms. Eventually, a motion to approve deficit spending up to a maximum of $250,000 for snow and ice management was entertained, highlighting the ongoing challenge of budgeting for unpredictable weather-related expenses while aiming to avoid overextending financial resources.
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NEW BUSINESS: Chief Dave Sedgwick, Georgetown Police Department’s Re-Accreditation Process
Chief Dave Sedgwick of the Georgetown Police Department discussed the upcoming reaccreditation process with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation Association, which involves a three-day assessment starting February 6th to examine the department's policies, operations, and facilities. The process aims for the department to meet 274 mandatory and 60% of 125 optional standards, with Georgetown opting for 72. The accreditation, which the department seeks every three years, is recognized as a mark of professional excellence in law enforcement. Sedgwick also highlighted that the department has prepared extensively for this seventh assessment, expecting success. He mentioned that accreditation standards differ by department size, affecting the number of optional standards applicable. Additionally, Sedgwick referenced other accreditation types, like the national CALEA, but noted its challenges and lesser relevance to Massachusetts departments. He also touched on waivers, particularly for facilities not meeting standards, and explained these could include the lack of specific programs like K9 or SWAT units. The discussion concluded with planning for an after-action review post-assessment, inviting interested parties to attend.
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NEW BUSINESS: American Legion Park update
During a detailed public hearing discussion, participants from the Georgetown Park and Recreation Department, including Jim DiMento, engaged with other officials and stakeholders about improving operations at American Legion Park. Key points included catching up on coordination with the new police chief, addressing funding and staffing for upcoming projects such as new lighting for the bandstand, and enhancing park facilities with a focus on events. Concerns were raised about being behind schedule, and there was interest in implementing a fee-based system for park amenities like pavilions and tennis courts to boost revenue. Other topics included the importance of clearly establishing park bylaws, improving signage, and the potential to introduce a reservation system for park facilities. Additionally, ideas for future improvements were discussed, along with the challenges of ensuring safety, managing parking, and possibly adjusting parking fees. The meeting underlined the need for comprehensive planning and communication to ensure the successful operation, maintenance, and enhancement of the park's facilities and services.
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NEW BUSINESS: Determination and Consent Pursuant to Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct
The discussion focused on historical and legal disputes regarding Rowley Landing, a shared property between Georgetown and Rowley, Massachusetts, dating back to its mutual ownership since 1838. The authorities deliberated on the town of Georgetown's rights to the landing, with past attempts to resolve the issue through legal means in 2012 and considering hiring KP Law for legal research and title work. The firm, already representing Rowley, required consent from both towns to avoid conflict of interest. The conversation included concerns over public access, historical claims, potential legal actions by individuals feeling deprived of access, and the need to substantiate Georgetown's claims through further research and legal validation. The discussion concluded with a motion to consent to KP Law’s representation of Georgetown in researching the Rowley Landing issue, focusing on establishing a solid informational basis for any potential future actions.
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NEW BUSINESS: Solid Waste Committee Bylaw update
In a public hearing, the discussion centered around the reformation and redefinition of the town's solid waste advisory committee, which, despite being established in the 1970s to deal with landfill issues, appeared outdated in its mission and structure. Smith, leading the discussion, apologized for the missing information in the current packets but shared research on solid waste management practices in other towns and proposed a new mission for the committee. This mission would align with the state's solid waste plan for 2030 and include dealing with various recycling initiatives, such as textile and mattress recycling, industrial composting for food waste, and managing solid waste more effectively. The proposed committee would have five voting members from various town boards and citizen representatives, with additional non-voting members. There was also a consideration of the committee helping with household hazardous waste day management and transfer station reporting. Questions were raised about the feasibility and method of updating the bylaw to reform the committee, with suggestions leaning towards replacing the old framework entirely rather than amending it. Comparisons were made to European waste management practices, and there was a consensus on the need for improved, accessible disposal solutions for items like LED bulbs and hazardous materials to encourage better compliance from the public. The discussion concluded with plans to review Smith's recommendations for further development.
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NEW BUSINESS: Meeting Dates for the Board of Selectman for February & March 2024
During a discussion on setting meeting dates, the group navigated through February and March's calendar to select appropriate dates, taking into account holidays such as Presidents' Day, personal commitments, and significant events like the start of daylight saving and Ramadan. After some back-and-forth, consensus was reached on holding meetings on February 12th and 26th, avoiding Presidents' Day on the 19th. For March, the 11th and 25th were chosen, despite the 11th being both the start of daylight saving and a personal special day for one of the participants.
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ON-GOING BUSINESS: Whittier Building Project
The conversation revolves around the financial and operational implications of approving the Whittier Building Project. Pacheco explains that there will be a two to two and a half-year delay before the town feels the financial impact of the project, estimating a yearly burden of around $1 million for the town. There's a discussion on debt exclusion and how payments will increase before declining. Concerns are raised about escalating costs, the operational impact of possible new hires, and enrollment figures, with an acknowledgment that more students than before are attending, thus increasing the town's financial burden. The dialogue shifts to the vocational school's role and its evolving function, noting the tension between the original purpose of vocational schools and their current direction which increasingly sees graduates pursuing college. There's critique on the fixed enrollment cap despite new buildings and concerns over funding mechanisms, particularly how local taxes and assessments will support the project's costs and the broader implications for the town's financial health. Attention is drawn towards the need for the finance committee to project long-term financial plans and the lack of public awareness about the project's details. The discussion briefly touches on the legal and operational nuances of school district agreements and ends with a critique of the current state of local journalism and its role in public information dissemination.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
In the wake of Officer Derrick Jones's resignation, the town is currently without an official animal control officer, prompting discussions between Pacheco and Chief Sedgwick on joining a regional animal control group on the 25th, believing it to offer a professional and stable solution. Pacheco also addresses the impact of the governor's budget cuts, including a reduction in earmarks affecting local projects like dispatch upgrades and town hall camera improvements, noting the possibility of insurance funding to offset some costs. Efforts to update the town's code and bylaws for better accessibility and compliance with the Freedom of Information Act are ongoing, with discussions on making these documents more readily available to the public. Additionally, the session covered the introduction of a new minute-taking solution aimed at improving efficiency and accuracy for board and committee meetings, potentially reducing the need for dedicated minute-takers and minimizing human error.
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