Board of Selectmen 2/25/2025

(Episode Description is AI generated and may be errors in accuracy)

In our latest episode, we navigate the current landscape of Raynham's community and development efforts. As winter slows down construction activities, we discuss the crucial updates on ongoing projects like Broadway Crossings, where permits are moving forward despite the weather's obstacles. These conversations unearth the significance of community involvement and how residents can stay engaged in shaping Raynham's future.

We highlight various initiatives aimed at bolstering community spirit, including special events that bring residents together while addressing the proactive measures employed by our local government to manage finances during challenging times. Our commitment to transparency shines through as we cover everything from snow budgets to exciting renovations aimed at enhancing public services.

Listen in as we explore the resilience of our town, celebrate those dedicated volunteers participating in local events, and reflect on the heartbeat of Raynham—our residents. Join us in fostering a vibrant community by subscribing, sharing, and leaving reviews to spread the word about the incredible things happening around town!

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Meeting Overview and Updates

Speaker 1 0:04

All right , good evening everybody . Call the meeting to order at 7 pm . Inform the public that we are being both broadcast live and recorded by the Rainham Channel and I would ask those with us to join us in the pledge , please . I will entertain a motion to approve the minutes from February 18 .

Speaker 3 0:32

I make a motion to accept the minutes as printed .

Speaker 1 0:34

Second All in favor . Aye , that's approved . The department heads our bill in commission of Bob Iaffredi Bob .

Speaker 4 0:41

Good evening , good evening , how's everyone tonight ? Good GOOD . So WE'RE KIND OF IN THE WINTER DOLDRUMS IT'S BEEN AWFUL , cold . There's NOT A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITY . As YOU DRIVE AROUND TOWN , you PROBABLY NOTICE HOWEVER CALENDAR YEAR , which IS BASICALLY TWO MONTH , two months . We have 51 electrical permits , 45 plumbing , 46 building permits , 22 sheet metal and two trench permits , for a total of seventy one thousand two hundred and sixty seven permit dollars .

Speaker 4 1:17

As you drive around town , some of the activity , a couple of the 40 B projects Broadway crossings . On Broadway , across the street from Walmart , they have four permits , four foundation permits for four buildings . However , the cold has really slowed them down . They have a couple of foundations in . The material is not good enough to backfill , so they're waiting for better weather . And on the opposite side of town we have a different situation where Lockwood's pretty much in high gear . They're actually selling units . We've permitted 46 out of 138 units . Apparently there's a lot of activity . A lot of people like their units and they're selling them . So Lockwood's moving along pretty quickly . Broadway Crossing's probably going to need a little bit about better weather to get going over there ad use . A lot of activity , a lot of phone calls , a lot of people interested in getting an ad you on their property . We put some . We put the regulations on the website . We haven't issued any ad you permits yet , but I would imagine there's a bunch coming . But I would imagine there's a bunch coming in the future .

Speaker 4 2:30

The dog track their final as well plan has been submitted and this site work is all done . Their building is about 89 to 90 percent done . They're finishing some touches on the building . They're looking to occupy that building in the next several weeks . Posted on that . As far as the planning board goes , not a lot of activity , other than we have one site plan in front of us for the Greco group . They're going to be building a secondary building on Paramount Drive . They're going to be building commercial trucks in that facility , so they'll have two buildings in .

Speaker 4 3:03

In Rainham their dealership is under major renovations right now . If you can notice that they're spending a lot of money on that building there . Other than that , the subdivision's on Pine Street the Laylor Estate subdivision is being installed , the roadway's being installed . There's no building permits there yet . On the opposite side of the road 10 for me lots have two buildings going up . Other than that , just pretty quiet around town , people doing some small projects , small renovations , and that's all I have for you . Thank you , bob , no questions , just thank you , bob for your , your efforts mr Collins .

Speaker 1 3:42

Thank you sir . Thank you Bob , all right , thank you . Good night next up our highway superintendent ?

Speaker 5 3:47

no absurd event , no some updates from the highway department for the month of February snow and ice year . To date , we have 17 total events so far , 13 salt in for plow . We've also exceeded the snow budget which I had sent a letter to the board on this week . The good news is a solid shed is about three-quarters full and we anticipate , unless we get more events , we'll probably leave it right there . So then , buying salt for this year , maybe .

Speaker 5 4:20

Parking grounds division . They've completed the maintenance and equipment getting ready for the spring , which is fast approaching , completed some storm cleanups around the different locations and also assisted in snow equipment maintenance and repairs , which we've had quite a bit of this year . We had a project that they assisted the road crew with . That was nice to get to . We haven't been able to do it in about 12 or 13 years . The last time was with Bucky Glavin . I think he'd be proud of this .

Speaker 5 4:45

We were able to do it in about 12 or 13 years . The last time was with bucky glavin , I think he'd be proud of this . We were able to clean the island and cut some underbrush over there , and for those of you that knew bucky , uh , we asked I'm not as brave as he was , so uh , we asked permission , not forgiveness , so that was good . And we did get a nice message from dog gordon , because he also helped us about 12 or 13 years ago with that project , so he was , he was pleased to see that also helped us about 12 or 13 years ago with that project .

Speaker 5 5:06

So he was he was pleased to see that solid waste . We're working on ordering a new shed that we received a grant for . That grant was for $5,000 and that's going to be for a battery and light bulb shed for recycling . So that was a nice . It's gonna be a nice add to that transfer station layout up there .

Speaker 5 5:22

We have an ongoing repair that I want to thank the sewer department for . They've been assisting us with their electrician . It's an ongoing repair , very normal for a 20 year old cap landfill . It has to do with a transducer for the knockout tank from methane gas system counts complicated . I think we're finally going to have it under control after throwing some parts at it and get that under control .

Speaker 5 5:42

And finally , the road crew . They were busy with maintenance and repairs to the snow equipment and trying to keep up with a lot of potholes with nature this winter this year we we haven't had a lot of snow but we've had a lot of different events turning to rain and ice and things like that kind of the worst type of storms we've had to deal with . Lastly , we're training some new employees that we have . We have two newer employees . A third employee . He's now been with us for about six months , so working on that as well . The current openings stand at three and that's good news because we were down six project updates .

Speaker 5 6:20

I'm meeting this week Thursday . I've contacted all of our search contractors to get the Mill Street phase two that would be from the cover to King Phillips Street hopefully underway . I hope we can hit the ground running April 1st and get that done because that portion of the road is in tough shape . Tmlp is going to be moving some wires and then removing those final poles . Have been in contact with them and then all the other contractors to follow mass drops been in town this week doing some covert inspections at different locations . I've been working with them on that and we're also working on the budget and that's all I got .

Speaker 3 6:53

I think you will you mention Island that's when Johnson's Pond Island ? Yes sorry , yes , johnson Pond , I went excellent good planning , certainly as far as the salt shed , because we heard on the news that certain communities were scrambling because they didn't have enough . So that was certainly good planning , thank you we did get some calls on that .

Speaker 5 7:13

People called and said you having trouble getting salt . We were fortunate , we have a good contract and they treat him good so thanks for all your good efforts while norms here .

Speaker 1 7:28

If there's no objection from the board , I'll take 9 a and B out of order . 9 a is to grant permission for the highway department and the administrator to enter in an interim agreement and expend funds for an FY25 mass DEP grant . That's the universal waste shed that Noam just briefed us on . What is the board's pleasure ?

Speaker 3 7:48

Make a motion to approve .

Speaker 1 7:50

All in favor , aye .

Speaker 3 7:51

That is approved .

Speaker 1 7:52

And 9B discussion and vote on revised transfer station fee schedule . The superintendent is recommending two changes . The first is two mattresses . Presently the town is losing $38 per unit and so the proposal is to bring it up to break even at $48 total per unit . And the other one is the disposal of tires . Again the town right now is losing money on the disposals . The proposal is to bring it up to six dollars for a car tire , eight dollars for a small truck tire and 22 for a large tire , again to make sure it's revenue neutral . What is it ? What's pleasure on ?

Speaker 1 8:32

that all in favor , as approved as well . Thank you okay , thank you appointments ? We have one , amy Trotman , from the cultural council , and we did receive the recommendation from the chair over there recommending that appointment . What is the board's pleasure ?

Speaker 3 8:48

there's a motion to approve all in favor , all approved .

Speaker 1 8:53

No hearings this evening . Old business , miss Riley . Mr .

Speaker 3 8:55

Collins , yes sir .

Speaker 1 8:59

All right , New business . We did A and B C . Tmlp has requested that we table this , so I will entertain a motion as such .

Speaker 3 9:08

Motion to table .

Speaker 1 9:09

Second All in favor . Aye that is approved to table 9D discussion and vote on a non-union employment agreement extension for Karen O'Brien , library Director .

Speaker 3 9:21

This is a one-year extension with a 2% increase , no other changes .

Speaker 1 9:23

Motion to approve . Second All in favor . Aye , that is approved . Discussion and vote . Non-union employment agreement extension for Sally Gordon , executive Assistant to the Fire Department . Again a one-year agreement , 2% increase . What is the Board's pleasure ?

Speaker 3 9:34

Motion to approve .

Speaker 1 9:36

Second increase what is the board's pleasure motion to approve all in favor as approved . And 9f discussion and voting on union employment agreement extension to have a Carrera executive assistant to the police department again one year , two percent motion to approve . All in favor . It's approved unanimously . Any other new business was Riley . Mr Collins , all Collins , I have none . All right . Town Administrator's Report Mr Barnes .

Speaker 2 9:59

Yes , two things . Under Mass General Law , as Town Administrator , chief Administrative Officer , I have authority to allow deficit spending in the snow and ice account . As was mentioned by the Highway Superintendent , we are exceeding our budget in snow and ice removal . We have budgeted this year $150,000 . As such , I am authorizing deficit spending that regard . Secondly , we have our new representative , chris Gallagher is going to have some town hall office hours . It'll be on Monday , march 10th , from 10 am to 12 pm and that will be right here in the town hall , mr Collins .

Speaker 1 10:57

Lucas all right , so I can't report miss Riley thank you .

Speaker 3 11:00

Just an update on our read across America effort , which kicks off on Friday . I'm very pleased to say that the community spirit within our town is alive and well . In addition to those that I mentioned last week who have volunteered to serve as celebrity readers , we have received a great response , especially from our police and fire departments . In addition to patrolman Nicholas Poulin at Merrill , we will have firefighters Mike McCrae and Scott Pillsbury , in addition to Police Chief David LaPlante and School Resource Officer Jen Lang . At La Liberty we will have Police Sergeant Josh O'Brien , fire Department Deputy Chief Barrett Johnson , lieutenant Jason Carnes , firefighters Sal and Presha , drew , alexander and Kayden Riley and , at RMS , lieutenant William Trotman and Firefighter Patrick Flanagan will be joining our guests . Our Town Administrator has also volunteered , so thank all everyone for their community spirit supporting our schools and our students . Special thanks to Jesse McKinney , our children's librarian , for helping with all of the books that we've recruited for that efforts . Also , we just want to mention for our seniors a special event coming up . On Monday , march 10th , at 2 30 in the afternoon there will be a special presentation by the Knock on Wood Duo . It's a high energy acoustic folk rock duo featuring singer-songwriter Howie Newman combining acoustic guitar with fiddle , mandolin and vocal harmonies . The duo performs oldies , soft rock covers and a little bit of country . Seating is limited , so , seniors , if you're interested , sign up by March 3rd .

Speaker 3 12:38

Lastly , just a bit of exciting news For any of you who are fans of the very popular show the Voice . There was a special surprise on last week's show when one of the performers was Bridgewater resident and Bridgewater Rainham graduate , connor James , and he was awesome . His mom and dad were there to cheer him on and for the blind auditions he received a four-chair turn . If you're not a fan of the show , that means all four of the judges turned for him and they all said they thought he did an awesome job and he could actually win the whole thing . He did an awesome job and he could actually win the whole thing . So , and Alisa Lisa white , the director of rainwater players at the high school , commented on Facebook of what a not only a great talent but a great person he is . So good luck to Connor and will you all be watching and cheering on .

Speaker 4 13:26

Thank you mr Collins , I'm gonna be hidden to the high school VR Thursday night . They have a doubleheader basketball game . They have a girls' basketball game and a men's basketball game right after . I think they're 5.30 and 7.30 at the start of the championship . So they're hoping for a big turnout . So if we get some people to go there , it would be great , awesome .

Speaker 1 13:46

Thank you , mr Collins . Just a quick update . We had talked in the past about both Pacasa and Pappas hospitals . The governor , late yesterday , announced that she is putting a pause on those closures , which , as I've mentioned before , in my opinion anyways , is good news for mental health services in Massachusetts . So I just wanted to make sure that the board had seen those updates . Correspondence we do not have any . No press time emergency business , ms Riley . I have none , mr Collins , no .

Speaker 3 14:16

Citizen and community . No press time emergency business , miss Riley . Mr Collins , no citizen or community input . Performance of administrative duties . Miss Riley , just a report that I've reviewed and signed off on the time of raining invoice and payroll loans dated today , february 25th you and at this time I'll entertain a motion to go into executive session .

Speaker 1 14:29

Returning to public session for the singular purpose of adjournment , and the executive session will be in the mass SESSION . Returning TO PUBLIC SESSION FOR THE SINGULAR PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT AND THE EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE IN THE MASTER GENERAL LAWS , chapter 38 , section 21A2 , to CONDUCT STRATEGY SESSIONS IN PREPARATION FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL OR TO CONDUCT COLLECTIVE BOGGAGING SESSIONS , or