March 1, 2018 Board of Selectmen

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Board of Selectmen
Community Notes
Thursday, March 1, 2018 @ 7pm
O’Brien Meeting Room, Town Hall

Board members in attendance: Dennis Teehan, Dennis Guilfoyle, Jim MacDonald, Brendan Keogh, Mike Butler

Agenda

• Public Comment
• Discussion Re: Ames Project Update
• Public Hearing – Request for Class II License from Mag Retail Holdings-DAM, LLC d/b/a Dedham Auto Mall, 909 Providence Highway, Dedham
• Discussion & Vote Re: Approval of Comcast Renewal License and I-Net Decommission Agreement
• Continued Discussion & Vote Re: Request from Mobilitie, LLC to Install Backhaul Transport Equipment (685 Providence Highway)      
• FY’19 Budget Message Presentation by Town Manager James Kern
• Discussion & Vote Re: Request for Change of Manager from Kim A. Howland to Alicia Rene Cataldo for National Amusements, Inc. d/b/a Showcase Cinema De Lux & Studio 3, 670 Legacy Place
• Discussion & Vote Re: Request from CLW Operating Partners, LLC d/b/a Horse Thieves’ Tavern, 585 High Street, for an Alteration of the Licensed Premises
• Discussion & Vote Re: Appointments to the Conservation Commission
• Town Manager Report
• Actions by the Board of Selectmen
• Approval of Minutes
• Old/New Business

Public Comment

• Russ Poole asked about the budget forecasting and state funding for something.  This conversation started before I got to the meeting.

Discussion Re: Ames Project Update

• The Project Manager reported that the project is moving along, progress is being made.
• Senior Center is about 65% complete
• Second floor is about 95% complete
• Third floor is about 95% complete
• All technology vendors are engaged and in planning to move equipment to the new building.  ETA is early April.
• 4th floor is about 95% complete.  Elevator is working but has not been inspected yet.
• Permitted power went on in the building last Saturday.
• Still some structural issues that are being completed by the contractor.
• There is a code issue with one of the staircases.  This will require 3-4 weeks to correct.
• Carpenter foreman is looking out for the town and will not install anything that is subpar quality.
• Availability of painters is an issue.
• General contractor is falling behind on the May completion target date.  Delays are due to cross beams in the senior center as well as necessary staircase corrections.

Public Hearing – Request for Class II License from Mag Retail Holdings-DAM, LLC d/b/a Dedham Auto Mall, 909 Providence Highway, Dedham

• Representative for Matt McGovern/MAD holdings spoke about the request to purchase the Dedham Auto Mall dealership from the current owner.
• Existing facility in Norwood will do some repairs for the dealership as well as Dedham Service shop.
• Dealership can display 46 vehicles and will have 15 parking spaces.  No change to current capacity.  Hours of operation will also be the same.
• No flags or banners will be displayed on vehicles or premises.
• A neighbor at 50 Washington street (Phil) asked if the parking spaces were for the employees as well.  The dealership is looking into offsite parking for the employees, so that they won’t park on the side streets.
• This same neighbor asked about access to the facility.  Currently Orchard Street is being used for access and this is undesirable.  New owner’s rep agreed to discuss this offline.
• The board voted to approve the license request unanimously.

Discussion & Vote Re: Approval of Comcast Renewal License and I-Net Decommission Agreement

• Mrs. Keogh spoke on behalf of the Cable Advisory Board.  Comcast negotiations have been extremely difficult.  The Cable Advisory Board feels that the Comcast license renewal is now in good order.  
• Mrs. Keogh was thanked for her hard work and the work of the advisory board.
• The RCN contract expires in Dec 2024.  Verizon expires in 2022.  Comcast expires in 2027.
• The board voted to approve the contract 4-0.  Brendan Keogh abstained due to conflict of interest since he is employed by a competitor.

Update on the Old Village Ave Cemetery restoration project

• Mrs. Keogh provided an update on this project.  Joe Flanagan has met with a candidate to do the landscaping plan.  ETA to begin the work is this spring.
• Events are being planned to inform the community about the project and solicit donations.  The project is being fully funded by donations.

Continued Discussion & Vote Re: Request from Mobilitie, LLC to Install Backhaul Transport Equipment (685 Providence Highway)      

• This is a continuation of a discussion that started at a previous meeting.
• There were some questions around the location of the site that have been answered.
• The board voted to approve the contract 4-0.  Brendan Keogh abstained due to conflict of interest since he is employed by a competitor.

FY’19 Budget Message Presentation by Town Manager James Kern

• There are 4 things that are helping the FY19 budget:
  • State Aid increasing due to full credit for full implementation of full day kindergarten
  • Extra payments into the pension system
  • Favorable health insurance
  • Lower debt number
• State Aid is up about $500k
• Additions and changes to this year’s budget include:
  • Added 3 library positions, but total still less than library staff in comparable towns.
  • Added one clerical position in the Veteran’s Office
  • Upgrade to four Captain positions in Fire Department (expense neutral)
  • Dissolve the Endicott Enterprise Fund
  • Increase GIS intern to F/T GIS position
  • Evaluating Council on Aging position
• Government Segment dollar changes
  • General Government +4%
  • Education +4%
  • Facilities -1.9%
  • Employee Benefits -25%
  • Debt Service not covered by Robin Reyes fun -11.3%
• Pension contribution savings to annual budget going forward will be reduced by ~$3.5M because of good investment performance and the fact that the fund is fully funded as of the spring.
• Benefits cost is level this year but will probably climb again next year.
• Debt service is favorable because of some debt rolling off and other debt not yet rolling on
• Capital improvement plan is slightly smaller compared to previous years.
• $700k will be transferred from the budget to the Robin Reyes fund to fund future building projects.
• Budget includes a $725k placeholder for a Master Plan for Dedham schools, traffic mitigation for the ECEC, and a rail trail study or design.
• Tax Levy/Rate actual levy will not be known until the fall.
  • FY19 estimated residential tax rate = $14.48
  • FY19 property value estimated to increase by 5%
  • Estimated % tax increase of 3.7% (based on average home value)
• Alternate option would be to fund outside financial articles ($725k) out of free cash
  • FY19 estimated residential tax rate = $14.36
  • FY19 property value estimated to increase by 5%
  • Estimated % tax increase of 2.9% (based on average home value)
• FY19 levy is predicted to be higher than the previous 5 years
• State average residential property tax increase is about 4.5%
• Mr. Kern thanked all of the staff people who contributed to the budget presentation.
• Town meeting members can hear more about the budget at a meeting with the finance committee this Saturday at 8:00 a.m.
• Selectmen MacDonald explained that the sources of state revenue are not meeting expectations. He suggested that our state reps and senators need to work toward moving lottery products/sales online as that is the only way that the lottery system can get the revenues that they need to get to support the programs they fund.  Editor’s note:  Selectman MacDonald works as First Deputy Treasurer for Massachusetts State Treasurer Deb Goldberg. The Treasurer’s Office oversees the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Discussion & Vote Re: Request for Change of Manager from Kim A. Howland to Alicia Rene Cataldo for National Amusements, Inc. d/b/a Showcase Cinema De Lux & Studio 3, 670 Legacy Place

• Alicia Cataldo is Managing Director at National Amusements at Legacy Place, is hoping to take over as Manager at Legacy Place theater.
• Ms. Cataldo has been the Manager at North Attleboro for the past 10 years and has had no liquor license violations.
• The Board asked that Ms. Cataldo sit with the Dedham Police to review the policies of the town.  They also offered their congratulations to Ms. Cataldo.
• The Board voted unanimously to transfer the management to Ms. Cataldo.

Discussion & Vote Re: Request from CLW Operating Partners, LLC d/b/a Horse Thieves’ Tavern, 585 High Street, for an Alteration of the Licensed Premises

• The owners and architect for the project introduced themselves.
• Entry is being moved to create a complete enclosed vestibule.
• Seating is being modified to decrease # of seats provided from 85 to 79
• Tentative dates are end of May for construction completion, middle of June for grand opening.
• The Board voted unanimously to approve the request to alter the licensed premises.

Discussion & Vote Re: Appointments to the Conservation Commission

• There were 5 candidates for 1 three year position and 2 alternate spots
• All names were unanimously placed into nominations.
• The Board unanimously nominated Michelle Cazman for the 3 year seat and Sean Hanley and Nathan Guthier for the alternate spots
• Selectman MacDonald suggested that the 16 year old candidate that volunteered for the Conservation Commission be invited to sit in on an upcoming Board of Selectmen meeting.

Town Manager Report

• Joe Flanagan took part in the MEMA call regarding the impending storm.  Primary concern is wind damage.
• Building Planning Construction Committee is meeting on Wednesday to discuss the site of the planned Public Safety building.
• NWRA construction moves to Walnut Street on Wednesdays.  Detours will be required.

Actions by the Board of Selectmen

• 1 day liquor license for Mother Brook Arts Community Center approved unanimously.
• Drain layer licenses approved unanimously.
• 1 day liquor license for the Church of St. John of Damascus approved unanimously.

Approval of Minutes

• Minutes from January 18, 2018 were unanimously approved with no discussion

New Business

• There was a resident complaint about a restaurant in Dedham Square.  Department of Health is following up.
• The Manor neighborhood meeting raised concerns about an abandoned house issue.  The town has contacted the Attorney General for assistance.
• A resident notified the board that there was a street opening in front of their driveway due to utility company work and the resident was not notified ahead of time and could not get out of their driveway.  The Board agreed to talk to the utilities about their notification process.
• Selectman MacDonald recently attended an emergency response conference.  One of the topics was controlling bleeding in mass casualty situations.  Recent experience has found that civilians often assist with controlling bleeding in mass casualty events.  A mock event was staged at Foxboro stadium with stadium workers. The exercise proved that with minimal training, civilians can be very effective at controlling bleeding and thereby saving lives.  Selectman MacDonald suggested that this type of training should be offered to our schools and he will be following up with Fallon to see if they can assist.
• Selectman Guilfoyle announced the VFW and American Legion corned beef dinners.
• Upcoming town meetings were announced.
• Selectman Teehan made a statement about the proposed article to fund a design study for the rail trail.  He stated that the town routinely funds these types of studies and this does not necessarily mean that the project will be funded.  Selectman Teehan explained that his idea of leadership on the Rail Trail issue is to represent both sides of the issue and not take a stance to drive the decision one way or another.  He feels that this decision is not black and white and should be decided by Town Meeting.  Guidance he offered was a call for civility and respect for one another, particularly on social media, a call to let the process happen and to present information in a way that is considerate of those who disagree with you.

MEETING ADJOURNED at 9:00 p.m.

Notes taken by  Heather Springer
Notes reviewed by Sarah MacDonald

​Keywords:  Rail Trail, FY19 Budget, Showcase Cinemas, Property Taxes

Community Notes are not official minutes or transcriptions of a meeting. They are intended to provide summaries of discussion and actions taken at meetings. For official meeting minutes, visit the Town of Dedham’s website or contact the Town Clerk.

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