By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard reviewed draft proposals for the 54 articles slated for the Town Meeting warrant. Among the articles are a snow and ice deficit article, an article by the housing authority for siding and an alarm, and an article to make the Town Clerk position appointed versus elected.
Chairperson Kevin Gaspar asked who submitted the warrant for the Town Clerk and Mr. Noble replied, “Selectman [Roger] Cabral.”
“Interesting,” was Mr. Gaspar’s response.
Mr. Noble continued that a lot of communities are now taking that approach. He then continued with reviewing the articles and stated for now they are rough draft numbers and the Board does not have to be married to the numbers.
Mr. Gaspar said he would like to see department heads condense their articles with real numbers so the Board can review a more solid number at a future meeting.
The Planning Director, Henry Young, was also in attendance to be heard on a letter he sent on behalf of the Planning Board to ask for Town Counsel in an appeal situation that the Board is in.
Mr. Gaspar started by saying because they were in litigation he did not want to divulge much about the planning board issue; however he did say that the Planning Board approved a subdivision that included Town Water and Sewer, which is really up to the Selectboard to decide.
“An appeal was filed,” Mr. Gaspar said, “And that’s the situation we are in now.”
Mr. Gaspar said it was not the intention of the Selectboard to sue Planning Board members individually.
“That’s never happened while I’ve been here, and if that’s what you’re worried about, I don’t see that happening,” he said.
Mr. Gaspar also said that he believed the Selectboard should get their town attorney to review the letter before they make the decision to give the Planning Board right to seek legal counsel.
Mr. Cabral asked that Mr. Gaspar allow Mr. Young to comment.
“Absolutely,” Mr. Gaspar said, “when I’m finished.”
Mr. Young stated that he was speaking on behalf of the Planning Board and that were asking for legal representation to defend their actions. Mr. Young did state they had to reply to the appeal by March 25, 2018.
Mr. Cabral said it was very unfortunate where the two boards are at this time and he felt that the Selectboard needed to seek their own Town Counsel and make a decision to resolve or allow counsel to the Planning Board at their request.
Mr. Gaspar said it was a lesson for all department heads and that no department head has a right to act on behalf of the Selectboard as they are the Water and Sewer Commissioners of the Town.
“Do you understand?” Mr. Gaspar asked of Mr. Young.
“Yes, sir,” Mr. Young said.
Mr. Gaspar said he felt it was a communication problem that got them all in the situation they were in.
Mr. Cabral interrupted to say that he felt that Mr. Gaspar started off by saying he did not want to discuss the situation too much because of litigation, and he felt they were discussing too much detail. Mr. Cabral said he felt that it was inappropriate that the Planning Board could not get counsel’s advice and he would hope the Boards could resolve the situation without attorneys.
“Too late,” Mr. Gaspar said.
In other business, the Selectboard heard from Heather Sylvia on her FY19 budget for the Council on Aging.
Ms. Sylvia said it was basically housekeeping needs. She explained their janitor was hired at 35 hours, but the budget never reflected the total amount needed to fund those 35 hours. She said the van driver, who was hired for 19 1/2 hours, was also not properly funded.
Town Administrator Brian Noble stated that they have always worked those hours, the budget just reflected less because they were hired mid-year.
The Selectboard also heard from EMA Director Jerry Bergeron who explained the COA’s warrant article request for $125,000. He stated that the COA was looking to bring the building up to compliance to become a full shelter versus a warming center as it is presently.
Mr. Bergeron explained it would require adding showers compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and a generator that can handle the whole building.
Mr. Cabral asked for more detail on what the specific costs would be for the bathrooms versus the generator.
Lastly, Town Clerk Pamela Labonte advised the Selectboard that ALL Acushnet Voting Polls have been moved to Acushnet Elementary School in the gymnasium, in the back. Ms. LaBonte also asked for a one-day permit to allow the use of “feather flags” on voting day to help with drawing attention to the polls. She explained that “feather flags” were a violation of the Town’s Zoning Bylaws.
The Selectboard approved the request.
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