BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Natick Town Hall
October 5, 2001
4:30 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by the Chairman Charles M. Hughes at 4:30 p.m.
PRESENT: Charles M. Hughes, Paul R. McKinley, Jay H. Ball. Absent: Jeffrey A. Stern, John Ciccariello
ALSO PRESENT: Paul E. Cohen, Deputy Town Administrator; Donna Challis, Secretary;
TRANSIENT VENDOR LICENSE: WILLIAM H. HARRIS COMPANY
At the previous meeting the Board denied William H. Harris Company’s application for a transient vendor’s license to hold a fur sale at the Crowne Plaza on October 13-14, 2001. There were some questions concerning the application, and Mr. Hughes noted that the William H. Harris Company’s attorney provided some additional information which had been forwarded to the Board. The attorney had asked for the Board’s reconsideration because of the substantial investment by his client.
Representing the William H. Harris Company was the Comptroller Robert Habershaw. Mr. Habershaw apologized for the confusion with the application. He explained that the show would be set up in the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza. Racks would be set up like a store and there would be an onsite designer for coats to be remodeled.
Mr. Ball questioned if it was the Harris Company’s practice to engage in advertising before having a permit, and Mr. Habershaw explained that they had had a show here a year ago. They had called the Town Hall and were told that they didn’t need a license as long as they had a Massachusetts license. Mr. Hughes noted that last spring a transient vendor’s license wasn’t required, but that Police Chief Dennis Mannix had changed his mind and now felt that these types of activities required a license.
A motion was made by Mr. McKinley, seconded by Mr. Ball, to grant the William H. Harris Company a transient vendor license to hold a fur sale on October 13-14, 2001 at the Crowne Plaza. Unanimously voted.
FORMER FRAMINGHAM SEWER BEDS
The Board was informed that a meeting had been scheduled for October 10, 2001 in Framingham to talk about Natick’s possible acquisition of property in Natick that was owned by Framingham and previously the old Framingham sewer beds. The Board was unaware of these developments, but it had been reported in the newspaper that Natick officials had expressed an interest in obtaining the property.
Members of the Board expressed their concern with other boards negotiating on behalf of the Town for property and the Board not being
consulted or informed. It was suggested that the Board send out a memo advising the department heads and other boards, committees that there should be no negotiations for the purchase/sale of property without consulting with the Selectmen first. Mr. McKinley had no objection to sending out such a memo, but felt it should come from the Town Administrator. The other members of the Board agreed to ask Mr. Conley to issue such a memo and to cancel the October 10th meeting.
Mr. Hughes requested a list of any other things like this that anybody may be doing.
PEACE VIGIL – NATICK COMMON
The Board was in receipt of a fax concerning a proposed peace vigil to be held on the Natick Common on October 15, 2001. A resident had inquired of the office if a permit had been granted and Mr. Conley had sent a letter back advising that no permit had been granted because there had been no application for a permit.
PEACE VIGIL – NATICK COMMON (contd)
As Mr. Ball knew the organizers of the vigil, he offered to contact them and make them aware that a permit was required.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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Jeffrey A. Stern, Clerk
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