Georgetown Board of Selectmen
Monday February 12, 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.
APPOINTMENTS: Adam Elmore
During a public hearing, Adam Elmore was appointed as a full-time patrol officer for the town of Georgetown. Chief David Sedgwick of the Georgetown Police Department introduced Elmore, highlighting his law enforcement background that began in Middlesex in corrections, followed by a role as a patrol officer in Raleigh, before his move to Georgetown, his hometown. Sedgwick praised Elmore as a long-term asset for the department, anticipating over 30 years of service. Board of Selectmen member Douglas Dawes and Orlando Pacheco of the town of Georgetown expressed their support, noting the importance of strengthening the police force and public safety. Elmore, a resident of Taylor Street in Georgetown, was officially appointed to the role until June 30, 2024, with the motion unanimously approved by the board.
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NEW BUSINESS: State budget earmarks
Representative Kristen Kassner and Senator Tarr discussed the topic of budget earmarks and funding opportunities during the state budget season, emphasizing the importance of understanding community needs in Georgetown. They highlighted the significance of community input in identifying necessary projects and legislative questions. The discussion covered the state's current financial challenges, including lower projected revenues and the impact on budget requests. Additional funding opportunities like Chapter 90 additions and cybersecurity grants were mentioned as current aids for communities. The Senator elaborated on the budget process timeline, the differentiation between funding for capital projects versus operational needs, and the ongoing efforts to secure funding for public safety buildings. The conversation also touched on regional planning and economic development, the challenges with the Chapter 70 formula, and the importance of adjusting the formula for equitable community treatment. Other topics included potential impacts of an aging population on the state budget, the importance of workforce and affordable housing, and the state’s revenue challenges amidst economic shifts. The hearing concluded with a discussion on the state rock song initiative led by Senator Tarr.
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ON-GOING BUSINESS: Whittier building project
In a public hearing, Smith initiated a discussion with Kurt Slevoski from the Whittier School Committee and Michael Hinchcliffe from the Georgetown School Committee to address recent misunderstandings regarding information dissemination and to clarify the roles and responsibilities of the representatives on the Whittier School Committee. Slevoski, new to his role and focused on a subcommittee for building due to a potential conflict of interest with his son working at the school, emphasized his prioritization of Georgetown students while also considering the broader Whittier student population. Challenges concerning communication, especially regarding the school building project, were highlighted, with different approaches to improving information flow discussed. The conversation also touched on the need to address the regional school district agreement and enhance representation in decision-making processes to ensure that information is accurately communicated to support future projects effectively. Concerns were raised about the disconnect between the school committee's appointments and the town's involvement, suggesting a revision of processes to better serve both Georgetown and the broader school community.
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APPOINTMENTS: Dan Birarelli
The town's current alternate wiring inspector had to resign due to a new job, leading to a discussion about his replacement. A letter from Building Commissioner James Pike recommended the appointment of Daniel Birarelli as the new alternate wiring inspector, which was agreed upon with Carl Maglio. The motion was put forward to appoint Birarelli to the position for the town of Georgetown through June 30th of the current fiscal year. There was a clarifying question about whether "wire inspector" and "electrical inspector" referred to the same role, which was confirmed, albeit with some uncertainty about the specific terminology used.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS: Board and Commission Vacancies
The section covered a return to the announcements segment of the meeting where it was mentioned that there would be no school and the COA would be closed the following day. There was also a reminder about the possibility for staff to work remotely if weather conditions made travel dangerous. Additionally, the discussion included mentions of vacancies in various town boards and commissions, specifically citing an open position on the conservation commission and a potential vacancy on the ZBA. Individuals interested in volunteering were directed to consult the administrative assistant, Maureen, for application details. The announcements concluded with a tribute to public safety officials for their response to a recent severe car accident, extending thoughts to the affected family and those injured, and a caution against speeding.
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NEW BUSINESS: ATM
In a discussion focused on the preparation for the Annual Town Meeting (ATM), Pacheco clarified the current status of the meeting's warrant, emphasizing that departments, boards, and committees are already preparing for it despite the warrant not officially being opened yet. The discussion covered a range of topics, including regular items and new requests from various town officials and departments, such as the light department's operation continuation. The timeline for submitting and reviewing warrant articles was addressed, aiming for a mid-April deadline for submission to allow for legal review, particularly for zoning articles which might require early submission to the Attorney General's office. Dawes suggested opening the warrant in January and closing it in March, with Hoover and the others agreeing to a deadline of March 28th for closing the warrant. The meeting also touched on the finance committee's role, the need for clearer communication regarding acronyms, and the consideration of whether a proposed noise ordinance fell under zoning regulations.
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NEW BUSINESS: ARPA Request
The public hearing discussed the proposal to utilize up to $5,000 in ARPA funds for contracting with Muni Trac to transcribe meeting minutes more efficiently and accurately than current methods like Zoom transcripts. Pacheco highlighted the software's sophistication, its potential to ease staff burdens, and its ability to address compliance issues with open meeting laws. Initial costs include a $3,000 startup fee, with an additional $1,000 per board for implementation. Initially, the Select Board, Conservation Commission, and Zoning Board would use the software, with potential expansion to other boards, though some like the Board of Assessors wouldn't benefit due to their meeting locations not facilitating recordings. Concerns were raised about the software’s cost amidst financial considerations for the town and the preference for a consistent application across all boards. Pacheco argued that the software would improve efficiency and reduce the need for additional staff by handling meeting minute transcription automatically. Despite financial concerns, there seemed to be agreement on proceeding, emphasizing the need to communicate the benefits to the public effectively. A motion was made to allocate the ARPA funds toward the software, focusing on its promise to streamline administrative tasks and maintain clear audit trails for ARPA fund use.
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ON-GOING BUSINESS: Solid Waste Committee
In the discussed segment of the public hearing, Smith proposes amending a bylaw from 1971 to restructure the Solid Waste Committee, aiming to align it with the Massachusetts DEP Solid Waste Plan for 2030. This includes managing various types of solid waste, from textiles to hazardous materials, and possibly introducing municipal composting. The committee would consist of five voting members from different town boards and two nonvoting members. Concerns are raised about expanding government and the need for this committee when services like mattress recycling already exist. Others question the involvement of the health agent and suggest the abolition of redundant committees, particularly if the new committee adds to government bloat. The discussion also touches on the importance of properly managing solid waste and the potential to streamline town government by eliminating less functional committees.
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ON-GOING BUSINESS: Mello Host Agreement
During the discussion about the Mello host agreement, concerns were raised about the lack of public information and clarity regarding its current status. Hoover expressed frustration over the agreement seeming to have disappeared without updates, stressing the need for transparency. Pacheco attributed the confusion partly to misinformation spread through social media and emphasized that the fundamental details of the agreement, including financial contributions for waste removal and the inclusion of no-cost services for schools, had not changed. He also mentioned efforts to include air monitoring for diesel particulate matter. The conversation revealed a desire for an updated written version of the agreement to review at a future meeting. It also highlighted a debate over the timing and necessity of the host agreement, with Hoover advocating for securing the best possible agreement sooner rather than later to maintain leverage, while Pacheco reflected on earlier hesitations to proceed with an agreement to avoid signaling premature approval of the project.
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MINUTES & WARRANTS: Approval of meeting minutes
The discussion focused on the approval of meeting minutes for November 27, 2023, and January 22 of the same year. Pacheco mentioned having an old version of the minutes that might need updating to include the most recent discussions and changes. Hoover emphasized the importance of ensuring the minutes are up to date. Smith asked if there were any changes or revisions to the meeting minutes for both dates mentioned. Following no proposed amendments, Hoover moved to accept the minutes, and Dawes seconded the motion. Consequently, the meeting minutes for both November 27th and January 22nd were approved.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT: Select Board project status
In a select board meeting, Hoover presented a progress document outlining the priority projects under the board's oversight, detailing responsible parties and providing comments or schedules for each. Emphasizing the need for a long-term strategic plan, Hoover highlighted its focus on financial planning, the 2010 economic development plan, funding for a master plan, town communications, zoning, bylaws, and a town government study. Volunteering to spearhead these efforts based on his campaign promises, Hoover raised concerns about the lack of a central resource for future town developments and financial projections. He urged the board to review and comment on the document for further discussion. The discussion also touched upon updating the town personnel policy with HR consultants and the oversight on the Whittier project, emphasizing the need for clear communication assignment to prevent past miscommunications. Hoover encouraged feedback on the document to keep the process moving and highlighted the importance of tracking and recognizing the board's accomplishments.
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SELECTMEN'S REPORT: Newsletter Status
During the discussion, there was a focus on redefining the Georgetown newsletter into more of a bulletin board format to avoid the complexities and potential biases associated with news content. It was proposed to be a simple black and white document, accessible for non-computer savvy residents, listing essential information about town happenings and a single contact number for further inquiries. The idea of distributing these bulletins at local hubs like the library was suggested, although there were considerations about which locations would allow this. Further, there was an acknowledgment of the challenges residents face in finding information, even when computer savvy, illustrated by difficulty in accessing details about local projects. The conversation also touched upon the concept of a centralized information center similar to a 311 service to field various community questions, including those on seemingly obscure topics like wildlife in homes. The dialogue reflected a shared enthusiasm for improving communication and information accessibility for all residents, highlighting the nuances and complexities involved in municipal information distribution.
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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR'S REPORT:
During a detailed discussion, Pacheco highlighted the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission's MV Vision 0 initiative, aimed at using federal funds to minimize vehicle injuries and fatalities, showing comparative data of regional and local accident statistics and emphasizing high-accident areas in Georgetown. Discussions also covered partnerships for healthy workplace initiatives, including a new partnership with Pleasant Valley Farm for community-supported agriculture shares, and dialogues with state officials aimed at addressing concerns regarding housing and community development. Efforts to improve ADA compliance were shared, including successful grant applications for ADA improvement projects. A significant portion of the conversation revolved around enhancing communication and transparency within the community, detailing a new approach for updating the public and various departments on ongoing projects, regulatory processes, and developments within the town, including housing projects, ADA initiatives, and roadway improvements, aiming to foster better informed and more engaged community involvement.
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PUBLIC COMMENT:
Kevin Wood, a resident of Pine Plain Road in Georgetown, voiced concerns regarding the ongoing issues between the Board of Selectmen and the Conservation Commission. He highlighted the board's failure to appoint a moderator and develop a list of grievances to address the controversy. Wood drew attention to the Conservation Commission's nine open meeting law violation complaints since October, including a scathing indictment from the Attorney General. He criticized the Conservation Commission for its handling of a request to remove three trees from a lakefront property, citing violations of open meeting laws and the Wetlands Act due to the absence of an application, plan, identification, removal conditions, and permit. Furthermore, Wood accused the commission of selective enforcement and corruption, pointing out its failure to comply with a land court's order to issue an order of conditions to Mello. He concluded by urging the board to address the complaints regarding the commission's conduct.
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