Town of Natick - Selectmen's Minutes 9/10/01

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Charles M. Hughes at 6:30 p.m.

PRESENT: Charles M. Hughes, Jay H. Ball, John Ciccariello: Jeffrey A. Stern arrived at 9:00 p.m., Absent: Paul R. McKinley

ALSO PRESENT: Frederick C. Conley, Town Administrator; Donna Challis, Secretary;

WARRANTS: Payroll warrants were signed by the Board of Selectmen on September 10, 2001 in the amount of $465,388.63. This figure was included in total warrants signed by the Board of Selectmen of $1,111,749.45.

Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, moved to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to litigation and real property. A roll call vote was unanimous and the Board so adjourned at 6:30 p.m. after announcing that the meeting would return to open session.

The open session was called to order at 7:10 p.m.

SWEARING IN OF POLICE OFFICER: VINCENT FORDE

Following a brief introduction by Police Chief Dennis Mannix, Vincent Forde was sworn in as a Natick Police Officer by Town Clerk Jane Hladick.

THE ELIOT CHURCH: ROAD RACE

On a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Eliot Church’s request to hold a foot race on Saturday, October 13, 2001 through Natick. The approval was subject to clarification of insurance certificate. The certificate presented indicated that the Board of Selectmen was a certificate holder, and the Board wanted to be sure that meant the Town was an additional insured.

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST: REQUEST TO OCCUPY SIDEWALK

On a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the First Church of Christ, Scientist Antic’s request to set a table and chair on the sidewalk in front of their building on Pond Street from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. during Natick Days on September 15, 2001.

BRIAN RILEY: BRAEMORE ROAD BLOCK PARTY

Mr. Ciccariello, seconded by Mr. Ball, moved approval of Brian Riley’s request to close Braemore Road on September 29, 2001 from 12:00 noon to 7:00 p.m. for a block party. Unanimously voted.

JESSIE RULE: PLAIN STREET BLOCK PARTY

The Board unanimously voted to approve Jessie Rule’s request to close Plain Street on September 15, 2001 (rain date September 16) from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. for a block party. The vote was taken on a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello.

PROCLAMATION: NATICK EDUCATION FOUNDATION MONTH

A proclamation declaring the month of September 2001 as Natick Education Foundation Month was presented to the NEF Co-chair Joshua Ostroff. Mr. Ostroff also recognized Rosemary Driscoll and Barbara Cosseboom who were in the audience.

BAKERY ON THE COMMON: TRANSFER OF COMMON VICTUALER’S LICENSE

Before the Board was an application from Ranz, Inc. d/b/a Bakery On The Common for a transfer of the common victualer’s license previously held by Steven Marcus for premises at 9 South Main Street.

Raymond Anzick, owner of Ranz, Inc., told the Board that he anticipated the transfer taking place between September 17 and September 20.

Asked if he intended to make any renovations, Mr. Anzick advised that he did not.

Mr. Ball inquired as what changes would be made, if any, and Mr. Anzick advised that at least initially he wanted to maintain the business exactly as is. He needed to learn the operations and see how the

BAKERY ON THE COMMON: TRANSFER OF COMMON VICTUALER’S LICENSE (contd)

business operates in the first couple of months. He had food experience, but not in that environment.

Mr. Ball moved approval of the transfer of the common victualer’s license for premises at 9 South Main Street from Steven Marcus d/b/a Bakery On The Common to Ranz, Inc. d/b/a Bakery On The Common. Seconded by Mr. Ciccariello and unanimously voted.

OLIMBOS PIZZA: TRANSFER OF COMMON VICTUALER’S LICENSE FROM TOWN PIZZA

Appearing before the Board was Fotios Mpouris the owner of Olimbos Pizza. Mr. Mpouris was seeking a transfer of the common victualer’s license held by Town Pizza for premises at 179 West Central Street to Olimbos Pizza.

Mr. Mpouris told the Board that he planned to operate everything the same as the previous owner.

A motion was made by Mr. Ciccariello to approve the transfer of the common victualer’s license held by Town Pizza for premises at 179 West Central Street to Olimbos Pizza. Seconded by Mr. Ball and unanimously voted.

TOWN/NATICK PEGASUS AGREEMENT

Mr. Ball noted that the agreement before the Board was the result of numerous interactions between the Town, Natick Pegasus, Inc. and Attorney Peter Epstein. He called attention to seven typo’s on pages 2,3,5,6,7,8,9 that although small, he felt should be corrected. Otherwise Mr. Ball thought this agreement fairly represents the agreement between the Town in which the Town states what it expects to get for the funds and Pegasus states what it expects to provide.

Jackie Ladd, President of Natick Pegasus pointed out one additional typo in Section 2. She then introduced the members of the Pegasus Board who were in the audience – David Phillipo, John MacGillivray, Stuart Pologe and Randy Brewer.

Mr. Hughes inquired about the paragraph that deals with who owns the copyright over the programs being produced. Ms. Ladd explained that that section had been eliminated. At the meeting last week with Deputy Town Administrator Paul Cohen, Pegasus and Attorney Epstein, Attorney Epstein opined that he had never seen that provision in any contract and would recommend that it not be in the contract.

Mr. Hughes commented that Pegasus could negotiate with whoever the producer was as to the copyright and for the number of hours it can be shown. Ms. Ladd responded she was sure Pegasus would do something and write in their procedures that Pegasus owns any copyright for any programs they produce and require every program that was produced that required any type of support from Pegasus to be aired.

Mr. Ball pointed out that a number of requirements in the prior draft had nothing to do with the Town and Pegasus and was between Pegasus and the people who would use their service. It was felt that those were inappropriate for this agreement (between the Town and Pegasus).

A motion was made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello to approve the agreement between the Town and Natick Pegasus, Inc. and to sign the agreement upon receipt of a clean copy. Unanimously voted.

Ms. Ladd indicated that she was interested in facilitating the signing as soon as possible. She had the document in her computer and would make the changes.

Senior Center Safety

Lucille Belmore a member of the Friends of the Senior Center, raised some safety concerns with the senior center. She reminded the Board that in early winter, the Board approved a safety traffic bump to be placed to slow down the traffic that cuts through the center. The cars come through very fast and some senior was going to get clipped. The safety bump has not been placed in the senior center lot, and it needed to be put in as soon as possible. She also suggested putting up 15-mph speed signs.

Ms. Belmore continued that there was a definite need for the painting of the parking lines at the Center. The lines have just about been

eliminated. The Senior Center shares the lot with the District Court and people are finding it tough to stay within the lines.

In addition, Ms. Belmore advised that there was a problem with sand. The sand from last winter was still in the walk. The DPW came once to clean it, but when they came the lot was already filled with people

CITIZENS CONCERNS (contd)

from the courts. The DPW promised to come back on Memorial Day weekend and she wanted to know what year.

Ms. Belmore continued that she would like the Board to put a strong arm on the state to repair the Marion Street bridge. It was in need of repair and winter was coming and it won’t get better.

The last concern was with people placing boulders in front of their property next to the road. Somebody will get seriously hurt or an automobile wrecked. Some of the boulders weren’t easy to see. There were also trees and shrubs at the corner of the street and at some streets you have to get out into the middle of the street to see if traffic was coming.

With regard to the speed bump, sand, and lines, Mr. Hughes asked that the DPW go down to the senior center and do the work. He agreed with the point about the boulders beside the road. He noticed it beginning to crop up all along Route 16 in what appears to be the right-of-way. With respect to the trees and shrubs, Mr. Hughes suggested that Ms. Belmore report the specific areas to the DPW or Town Administrator’s office. As far as the Marion Street bridge, Mr. Hughes pointed out the lack of success in strong arming the state to do Route 135, but felt a letter could be sent to the state.

Natick Education Foundation

Josh Ostroff, Co-Chair of the Natick Education Foundation invited everyone to attend the Foundation’s Evening of Shining Light award scheduled for October 16th.

Following a ten-minute recess the meeting was again called to order at 8:00 pm

HEARING: POWERS PACKAGE STORE ALCOHOL LICENSE

Representing Powers Package Store was Attorney Robert Capobianco. Also present were the manager of Powers Package Store, Mary Ann Powers and David Powers.

The hearing was scheduled on the allegation that an employee of Powers Package Store sold alcohol to a minor on June 1, 2001. The sale to a minor was part of a sting operation conducted by the Natick Police Department.

Attorney Capobianco stated that there was no denial as to what occurred and that his client apologized to the Board of Selectmen and the people of Natick. He noted that Powers Package Store has been in business since 1933 and that he has represented them since 1975 and never had a problem of that matter. This was a family owned business and the livelihood for Mrs. Powers and her son.

Attorney Capobianco continued that the employee (involved in this incident) has been an employee for 18 months. Powers Package installed a closed circuit TV camera. The employee asked for an ID but the individual was successful in talking around that saying he had been a customer longstanding.

Attorney Capobianco advised that over l/2 the staff has gone to TIPS and the other l/2 was signed up. Powers was also going to install a

scanner for age verification so that clerks no longer have to count if someone was 21 or not.

In conclusion Attorney Capobianco reiterated that this was the first offense in their history and he would ask that the Board treat them in fairness and if there is a cancellation of license that the Board would consider under Chapter 138, section 23 a payment of a fine in lieu of suspension.

Mr. Ball noted that Powers Package had no dispute as to what took place. Attorney Capobianco confirmed that as being correct, adding that it was on film.

Mr. Ball then asked if the employee (who sold the alcohol to a minor) was still an employee of Powers. Attorney Capobianco advised that the employee has been prosecuted.

Mr. Ball asked if Attorney Capobianco was aware that as part of the same sting operation another purveyor had their license suspended for two days. Attorney Capobianco advised that he had read that.

Mr. Ciccariello questioned if the clerk ran the store or if there was an onsite manager, and Attorney Capobianco responded that Mrs. Powers runs the store and her son is the assistant. If neither of them are there, they have another assistant but usually one or the other is there. Mary Ann Powers’ name is on the license.

HEARING: POWERS PACKAGE STORE ALCOHOL LICENSE (contd)

Mr. Ball stated that he was reluctant to do this because he recognized that it was a small business, but he had to be consistent when considering a disciplinary action for someone of the same offense. He felt there should be a two-day suspension and he suggested that those two days be whatever consecutive days would be least painful. He was sympathetic that it was a family business, but in all good conscience he couldn’t say ‘a’ deserves this response and ‘b’ deserves a different one for exactly the same infraction.

Mr. Ball moved that Powers Package Store’s liquor license be suspended for two days to be determined by the owner of the store. Mr. Ciccariello seconded for discussion. After some discussion, the motion passed on a 3-0-0 vote.

In discussion of the motion, Mr. Ciccariello stated that he had a concern with judging a small business vs a big corporation. It was the same violation and just because someone was a big corporation should they be whacked a little harder than a small business. He would like to see one of the two days be one of their most active.

Mr. Hughes stated that he agreed with Mr. Ball. In his opinion part of it was a recognition to how much pain a business can tolerate. By the same token it was the kind of activity that the Board can’t allow. He would leave it to the licenseholder to pick the two days. To him this was similar enough (to Sam’s Club discipline) that it was fair to both licenseholders.

Mr. Hughes noted that if he wanted, Mr. Capobianco could let the five-day appeal period run and then notify Ms. Challis of the two days decided on.

Mr. Capobianco inquired if the Board would consider the fine in lieu of suspension. Both Mr. Hughes and Mr. Ball indicated that they would not.

COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT NATICK: APPROVAL OF MANAGER

Before the Board was a petition from the Courtyard By Marriott Natick for approval of Andrew Wardwell as manager.

In response to questions from Mr. Ball, Mr. Wardwell advised that he would be on the premises 40 hours per week, but would not be TIPS certified by the opening of the hotel. However, there was a beverage manager on staff who is. The plan was to open the hotel in 8 days and if it was a matter of concern, he would research the question of TIPS training before the opening.

Mr. Ball told Mr. Wardwell that he was concerned about it and noted that there were several alcohol service training programs, some of

which run on a continuous basis. If it was at all possible, he would like to see Mr. Wardwell get that training prior to the opening.

Mr. Ball then asked about Mr. Wardwell’s background in the service of alcohol, and Mr. Wardwell responded that he had an innholder’s license in his name in 1984.

A motion was made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, to approve Andrew Wardwell as manager of the Courtyard By Marriott Natick. Seconded by Mr. Ciccariello and unanimously voted.

FINANCE DIRECTOR & COMPTROLLER: FINANCIAL UPDATE

Joining the Board was Comptroller Ruthann Cashman.

Mr. Hughes explained that he had asked Ms. Cashman and Finance Director Robert Palmer to be here to address the update of the financials. There was some concern of the financials getting done in time for free cash to be certified for Fall Town Meeting.

When asked if she thought Town Meeting would have certified free cash, Ms. Cashman indicated that she thought that would happen. She noted that she expected to complete the balance sheet for submittal to the Department of Revenue on Wednesday.

Mr. Hughes questioned if it was reasonable to expect the DOR to certify it by Town Meeting, and Ms. Cashman advised that it was and that she would contact the DOR and re-enforce the importance.

Mr. Hughes then requested an update on Mr. Palmer’s attempt to reconcile old records. Mr. Conley reported that between the work of the Comptroller and the Treasurer there were now 10 years of real estate bills in which reconciliation between the Comptroller’s and Treasurer’s books was within $10,000. That was as close as it will ever get.

Mr. Ball asked about the water meter replacement program and the Board taking a position on the article, and Mr. Hughes suggested that discussion be put

FINANCE DIRECTOR & COMPTROLLER: FINANCIAL UPDATE (contd)

off until September 24. Mr. Conley advised that the Finance Committee was recommending the article. Mr. Hughes noted Frank Foss Chairman of the Finance Committee will be before the Board on September 24 and the Board can make whatever recommendations it wants at that time.

Mr. Hughes questioned if the Board could expect Powers & Sullivan to finish their work, and Mr. Conley responded that they were scheduled for the next meeting.

When asked about Tofias, Fleishman & Shapiro’s examination of the books and audit, Ms. Cashman advised that they (Tofias) were coming in the next day to review all the preparation documents they need. The audit would begin on Monday.

Mr. Hughes congratulated Ms. Cashman on getting to this point, noting that it was a lot of work.

EAST CENTRAL STREET DONUTS D/B/A DUNKIN DONUTS: APPLICATION FOR COMMON VICTUALER’S LICENSE

The Board was in receipt of an application from East Central Street Donuts d/b/a Dunkin Donuts for a common victualer’s license at 50-52 East Central Street. Representing East Central Street Donuts was the owner, Virginio Sardinbo.

Mr. Hughes inquired as to why an application had not been filed previously. (Dunkin Donuts opened for business prior to filing an application). Mr. Sardinbo noted that he had been on vacation and out of the country for a month. Mr. Hughes pointed out that the applicant was supposed to have transferred the common victualer’s license before opening at a new location. Mr. Sardinbo apologized.

A motion was made by Mr. Ball to grant a common victualer’s license to East Central Street Donuts d/b/a Dunkin Donuts for premises at 50-52 East Central Street. Unanimously voted.

FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT

Mr. Conley distributed a memo on outstanding issues for Fall Town Meeting.

Mr. Hughes suggested that the warrant be discussed at the meeting of September 24th. He did, however, call attention to Article 27 which would amend the zoning by-laws. There was a Planning Board hearing last week and there were a number of people in attendance. Mr. Hughes suggested that the Board send a letter to Richard Glaser, the attorney for the proponents, and have him make a presentation to the Board on September 24th before the Selectmen make any recommendations.

Mr. Hughes also raised Articles 17 and 18. He noted that Article 17 had been proposed by the Board of Selectmen to change the manner in which the Town Administrator was chosen. Article 18 was filed by the Charter and By-Law Review Committee, and did not change the manner in which a Town Administrator was chosen. The current charter provides for a nine person screening committee, one of which was chosen by the Board of Selectmen. That screening committee has certain timeframes in which to act and present the Board of Selectmen with 2-5 candidates. The Board of Selectmen then has 30 days in which to pick one of those candidates as Town Administrator and if the Board of Selectmen does not act, the screening committee picks. Mr. Hughes noted that that provision (selection of a Town Administrator) was envisioned as provisional and subject to change.

Mr. Hughes continued that it was his guess that that provision never changed because Mr. Conley has been here for a number of years and nobody ever thought about changing it. He noted that he (Mr. Hughes) gave the Finance Committee the Board’s reasons for proposing Article 17; namely, l) The choice of a new town administrator should be the Board of Selectmen’s

appointment and not some other committee by default. That would place the Board of Selectmen in a position of accepting someone they didn’t want. 2) Since it is the Selectmen’s choice, the screening committee should be a committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen and not one appointed by other boards, some of which don’t have much interaction with the town administrator the way the Board of Selectmen does.

Mr. Hughes noted that the By-Law Review Committee proposed two amendments to address one of the concerns. The amendment would eliminate the default appointment by the screening committee. If the Board of Selectmen doesn’t like the applicants, the Board could say to the screening committee go back and do it again. However, there was no proposal to address the other concern and that would leave the screening committee as is. He (Mr. Hughes) believed last Tuesday (at FinCom hearing) that the By-Law Review Committee was unwilling to

FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT (contd)

change, and the Finance Committee asked that the Board get together with the By-Law Committee and see if the two articles can be resolved and go to Town Meeting together.

Mr. Ball stated that he concurred with Article 17 for the reasons Mr. Hughes articulated. It was the Board of Selectmen who primarily works with the actions of the Town Administrator and the default choice was totally unacceptable to him. That provision was written 20 years ago and he could understand it at that point since the Town had never had a town administrator. At this point, however, the Town was somewhat enlightened. As stated by Mr. Hughes the town administrator was an individual who reports to the Board of Selectmen and the idea that that pivotal office might be chosen by another group was unacceptable.

As far as the screening committee, Mr. Ball felt less strongly about that, but he still believed that if this (town administrator) was an individual who the Board has to hire, the Board should be the ones who choose him or her and find the selection committee that the Board thinks will come up with a candidate that will be acceptable. The School Committee and Moderator may have different perspectives of what a good town administrator candidate would be, but it is the choice of the Board of Selectmen and he would urge the Charter Committee to join the Board.

Mr. Ciccariello stated that he too felt the Board of Selectmen should be the appointing authority of the town administrator. The Board of Selectmen will be the individuals who have to work with the town administrator more so than someone from the Planning Board. In the 2-l/2 years he (Mr. Ciccariello) was on the Planning Board, he didn’t

think he worked with the town administrator on more than 1-2 occasions.

He would like to see an agreement reached on an amendment. Raphael Herz, Chairman of the By-Law & Charter Review Committee, was in the audience and Mr. Ball asked Mr. Herz why the committee feels the way it does about the selection of who appoints the screening committee.

Mr. Herz responded that his committee was not in 100% agreement with this, but they didn’t have the time to discuss an amendment to change the screening committee. On the screening committee, some of the feeling was that the screening committee would do its business and bring forth a set of candidates from which the Board of Selectmen could find a suitable candidate with whom the Selectmen could work. It would be a diverse group bringing forth the set of candidates. It wasn’t particularly the diverse setup (of the provisional section of the charter) that the By-Law Committee was fond of but it represented something already in place and didn’t warrant discussion of how to setup another diverse group. The leaning of the committee was not to provide the Board of Selectmen with 100% of the selection and appointment of the screening committee.

Mr. Ball noted that the By-Law Committee didn’t want to give the Board of Selectmen complete control over the pool of candidates because there was some concern with the Board of Selectmen having 100% control over the committee and appointment. There must be some concern that there would be some downside, and Mr. Ball inquired as to what was the downside.

Mr. Herz explained that the goal was to have balance. On a personal level, Mr. Herz said he understood the Board’s position and concern with the fact that the town administrator was working for the Board and the Board would like to make certain it had the best person as part of its team.

Mr. Hughes stated that he thought the position of the Board at the moment was to support Article 17 as written.

Mr. Hughes then raised Article 24 which would change the qualifications of a town administrator. He noted that at the FinCom hearing he was speaking not as a Selectman but as a resident. Currently the requirement is for someone to have been a town administrator for five years. This article would change it to include a BS degree and five years experience. It would lower the qualifications, and Mr. Hughes stated that he was opposed to that.

Mr. Ball asked Mr. Herz to explain why the committee feels it was appropriate to lower the bar. Mr. Herz agreed that this article would lower the bar. This was a very contentious topic and the committee was able to come to agreement on this lower standard. He didn’t think his committee was particularly excited about it, but this was where common ground was found. The question the committee asked itself and he would put before the Selectmen now, was it now possible to hire a deputy town administrator with the current regulations. As the By-Law Committee wrestled with this, they found the one thing they could agree to was this

FALL TOWN MEETING WARRANT (contd)

new standard and he thought the committee would be eager to figure out if there was something else that could be put into the qualifications that would open it up to folks who had experience but didn't hold the title of chief administrative officer of a town.

Mr. Ciccariello noted that as he read it this article, the BS degree could be in anything and does not have to be in municipal government. Mr. Herz concurred.

Town Moderator and a member of the Charter & By-Law Review Committee Paul Connolly pointed out that the language in the charter that was provisional does not specify anything more than a BS from an accredited university.

Another member of the Charter & By-Law Review Committee, Jeffrey Phillips stressed that he wanted to have it made clear that this language was minimal and doesn’t prevent the Board from adding their own qualifications. Ultimately the Board of Selectmen has as much control over the hiring of the person and qualifications as they want. There might be a screening committee that is made up more democratically to screen applicants. It was a question of how the people who do that process are chosen, and he believed it was in the

best interest of any Board of Selectmen to have a process that was as open as it can be without being anarchic so the community feels the interest of all the community has taken place. He suggested if the Board and the By-Law Review Committee can’t come together on this article and article 17 & 18, that one result could be referral from Town Meeting and have more time to work it out.

Mr. Conley requested that this issue be tabled until the discussion of goals & objectives.

DEPUTY TOWN ADMINISTRATOR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

Deputy Town Administrator Paul Cohen was unable to attend the meeting, and the Board, therefore, agreed to table to the next meeting.

Mr. Conley referred to a memo he had sent to the Board as a way to deal with the vehicle policy issue. In the memo he proposed the creation of a task force. Mr. Conley acknowledged that he owed the Board a considerable amount of information based on the questions submitted by Mr. Ball and explained that he considered his (Mr. Conley’s) memo not as a substitute but as an addition to that information. Mr. Conley also noted that he chosen two members of the Board of Selectmen for the task force who previously showed an interest in the matter.

As one of the members designated to serve on the task force, Mr. Ball responded that he had no objection to working on this but he would like to see the information he previously requested before deciding that a

subcommittee was needed. He was not sure a task force was necessary. It may be constructive, but he was at a loss because he had asked repeatedly for how much mileage and what it was costing to provide the 17 vehicles along with a statement from individuals as to how often they respond. So far there was only one response. He thanked Mr. Conley for volunteering him, but he would prefer not to volunteer for it until he saw the data.

Mr. Conley proposed tabling discussion until he provided the information at the next meeting. Mr. Hughes agreed to table, but said

he agreed with Mr. Ball and would not like to see this get lost. Mr. Ciccariello concurred.

FIRE CHIEF APPOINTMENT

Mr. Hughes noted that the Board had received the list certified by the Department of Personnel Administration with the names of two people who passed the test. Both individuals signed the list saying they would accept the appointment if offered to them. The Board now needs to discuss and figure out what process to go through. Mr. Hughes suggested discussing the process on September 24 with a full board present. As part of that process, he felt the Board should get the personnel file of both individuals to get started.

Mr. Conley advised that he had calls into civil service for a detailed description of the test itself and would get that to the Board.

ALCOHOL LICENSE RENEWAL POLICY

Mr. Hughes recalled that at the Dah Mee license hearing, it was suggested that rules be changed to require TIPS or other education to be part of the

renewal process. If the Board wishes to change the rules, a hearing would have to be held either September 24th or the first meeting in October. This was necessary because of the timing of the renewals.

A motion was made by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, to hold a public hearing on September 24th to discuss a modification to the licensing policy. Unanimously voted.

On a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, the Board unanimously voted to exempt firefighter Glynnis Lee from the provisions of Article 41, Section 4 of the Town of Natick By-Laws in order that she may work as a nurse for the Recreation Department’s Camp Arrowhead program in addition to her full-time primary employment with the Town Fire Department.

STREET ACCEPTANCE: SCHEDULE PUBLIC HEARING

Mr. Hughes recused himself from this discussion of this matter.

A motion was made by Mr. Ciccariello, seconded by Mr. Ball, to schedule a street acceptance public hearing for September 24, 2001. The motion passed on a 2-0-1 vote. Mr. Ball and Mr. Ciccariello voted in favor of the motion. Mr. Hughes abstained.

SELECTMEN’S CONCERNS

Mr. Ball reminded everyone of Natick Days to be held on September 15th.

b. Miccile Complaint

The Board was in receipt of a letter from Joseph Miccile alleging non-compliance of the electrical inspector’s order to correct violations. Mr. Miccile felt that the Board of Selectmen and the electrical inspector had let him down. Mr. Ciccariello asked that this matter be pursued.

The Sassamon Trace Golf Course opened on September 1, 2001, and Mr. Hughes commended Mr. Conley for all his work on the golf course. Mr. Hughes described it as a jewel for the Town.

On a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Hughes, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the July 9, 2001 meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Ciccariello, seconded by Mr. Ball, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the July 23, 2001 meeting.

On a motion by Mr. Ball, seconded by Mr. Ciccariello, the Board unanimously voted to approve the minutes of the July 30, 2001 meeting.

Paula Rooney presented the Board with a petition for the Town to erect a barrier of trees or hedges at the end of Travis Road. Travis Road is a dead end street that intersects with Speen Street. She explained that there was a small parcel of land that sits next to the fire station and increasingly the noise has become a big problem and a safety issue.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

_____________________________

Jeffrey A. Stern, Clerk