By Pattie Pacella, Neighb News Correspondent
The Acushnet Selectboard reviewed their six month goals for the New Year at their first meeting of the new year on January 9. Chairperson Kevin Gaspar outlined a number of goals that they will be reviewing until the end of the fiscal year on June 30. Among them are five union contracts that need to be negotiated, he said, a Human Resource initiative, forty plus Selectboard policies that would need to be reviewed, a review of the marijuana regulations, and the cable contract expires in June.
Town Administrator Brian Noble reported that there was a new phone system up and running in the Town Hall. He said it went live the day after the most recent snow storm. The main phone number is the #0200 number that will route resident calls to where they want to end up.
Mr. Noble also stated that there was a direct connection to the school department, which for him is just dialing an extension, versus making a phone call.
“We are all learning the new system,” he said.
Mr. Noble also told the Selectboard that they are actively pursuing collecting all monies due on open ambulance invoices. He said it has never been done before, and although he did not have the dollar amount owed to date, he did say that it is probably “astronomical.”
In another matter, the Selectboard accepted resignation letters from Louann Jenkinson, the Council on Aging Outreach Specialist, and COA board member Diana Defrias. The Board also approved the appointment of Gerard Bergeron as a full Board COA board member to replace Ms. Defrias. Mr. Bergeron had been an associate member and was voted a full member by the COA.
The Board also discussed how to make the Senior Center a “full compliance” shelter during storms. Mr. Noble stated that he will make it part of the Capital Plan.
In order for the building to be fully compliant, the building will need bathing facilities, Mr. Noble said in a follow-up interview.
He also said the aging generator has “experienced some reliability issues.” It is also not large enough to run the whole building, including air conditioning and refrigeration.
As it is now, the buiding is compliant as a warming center, but not for overnight.
Mr. Noble said the town and the center have everything else they need to be compliant, such as cots and kitchen facilities. The building already allows pets, which is now required by law.
Selectboard member Roger Cabral stated if they want to do that, they need to do it right.
COA Director Heather Sylvia was present to thank Mr. Noble for assisting with the Council on Aging Building Use Policy. The Board discussed the policy in its first reading and stated they would put it on the agenda in future meetings to discuss it with the public and receive comment.
The idea is to expand the use of the building, said Mr. Noble. Ideally, organizations would be able to use it for meetings and functions, and individuals would be able to rent it for functions.
In other business, Mr. Gaspar stated there was a memorandum from the Assessors office regarding two parcels that had been charged sewer betterment fees over the years, but have never received sewer.
“It was a mistake,” Mr. Noble said. The residents paid the tax bill with the betterment fee but then realized over the years that they never got connected to sewer so they stopped paying the fee. The town is working to correct the error.
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