By Nicholas Barao, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard finalized the Special Town Meeting warrant at its 9/27/22 meeting.
After meeting in executive session at the beginning of the meeting to discuss union contracts, the board announced they had reach an agreement with the Department of Puclic Works labor union.
Chairperson David Wojnar said he was “really pleased to learn that we’ve come to an agreement with our labor union 1429 which is essentially the department of public works.”
Selectboard member Kevin Gaspar was the board’s representative during negotiations.
Mr. Gaspar said he wanted to, “Thank the board and [Town Administrator James] Kelley for helping him get the people a small increase in their salaries…something small is better than nothing as I say to everybody.”
Mr. Gaspar expressed his gratitude towards the DPW union, and the board ratified the contract.
Mr. Kelley informed the board that town counsel sent some wording changes on the Special Town Meeting warrant. He said there were only a few spelling changes, nothing substantive.
Mr. Wojnar asked about the articles for the Community Preservation Committee, specifically the item for the Buzzards Bay Coalition that the Selectboard voted against at its last meeting.
“It has to be in the article because CPC voted it in the budget,” said Mr. Kelley, adding that the Selectboard can move the article without that item.
Mr. Gaspar said he thought it would be ideal to split the article.
Mr. Kelley said it was simpler to keep them together.
The board approved the warrant with the changes.
In another matter, the board approved the purchase of a re-seeder for the golf course. The $21,500 expenditure is 30% more than when they wanted it last year. The golf course grounds have suffered from the drought, so the re-seeder is needed to help restore the sod
The board also approved a request by Fire Chief Thomas Farland to accept a boat from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The 18’ Zodiac Hurricane Rigid hull inflatable craft will become EMS Marine 1, according to a Facebook post by Acushnet Fire & EMS. The acquisition is through DCR’s Federal Excess Property Program, so is at no cost to the town.
The Zodiac replaces a 1972 boat that has required a lot of service in recent years.
The board also held a public hearing for Verizon and Eversource to run cables and conduits under Park Drive for a nrew residential development. The board approved the request.
Mr. Wojnar announced the Zoning Board of Appeals needs members. Contact the Selectboard office if interested.
The board reconvened in executive session to discuss litigation strategy, and did not reconvene in open session.
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