Town of Scituate
Select Board Meeting Minutes
Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: 600 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Scituate, MA
Select Board Members in Attendance
- Andrew W. Goodrich, Chair
- Susan J. Harrison, Vice Chair
- James M. Gilmore, Clerk
- Karen B. Canfield
- Karen E. Connolly
Others in Attendance:
- Jim Boudreau, Town Administrator
- Nancy Holt, Finance Director
Meeting Details
Call to Order and Acceptance of Agenda
- Time: 6:32 PM
- Motion: Ms. Canfield moved to accept the agenda.
- Seconded by: Ms. Harrison
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
Welcome
Irish Student Delegation from Sister City West Cork
The Board welcomed 21 students and 2 chaperones from West Cork as part of the Sister City Exchange Program. Each Board member expressed their delight with the program and hopes that Scituate feels like a second home to the delegation.
Walk-Ins
No Walk-Ins
Report of the Town Administrator
1. Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Update:
- Site grubbing, debris removal, and installation of dewatering basin, roadways, and parking areas are underway.
2. Town Clerk Early Voting:
- Early voting is available until November 1, with mail-in ballots available. Election Day is November 5 at the Scituate High School gym, from 7 AM to 8 PM.
3. Police Training:
- Scituate Police Department is hosting a joint training program focused on active shooter response and high-risk situations at Old Gates School through October 25.
4. Woods Hole Antenna Installation:
- Equipment is being installed on Oceanside Drive for a study from 2024-2026 to measure ocean currents, waves, and winds.
5. Tax Reminder:
- Real estate and personal property taxes are due November 1.
6. Fire Department Open House:
- Scheduled for October 27 from 11 AM to 2 PM at 800 Chief Justice Cushing Highway.
7. Small Repair Grant Program:
- Deadline for applications is October 30, providing up to $3,500 for qualifying homeowners.
8. Roadwork:
- Celco is working on Jericho Road for water main connections.
9. Committee Openings:
- Openings on Advisory and Capital Planning Committees.
10. Scituate Food Pantry:
- The pantry is seeking donations of specific items to support increased client needs.
Scheduled Items
Discuss/Vote: Eagle Scout Project – Town Forest Campsite
Presenter: Jake Graziano, Eagle Scout Candidate
- Proposal includes creating a campsite with tent platforms, fire ring, trail improvements, and safety signage.
- The project has received feedback from both supporters and concerned neighbors.
Vote:
- Motion to Approve: Installation and use of a public campsite under the leadership of Eagle Scout Jake Graziano.
- Moved by: Mr. Gilmore
- Seconded by: Ms. Connolly
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
Public Hearing: Tax Classification
Presenter: John Danehey, Chair, Board of Assessors
- The Board approved maintaining the residential tax rate factor of 1, with no shift to commercial or industrial properties.
Vote:
- Motion to Approve: Residential Factor of 1.
- Moved by: Ms. Canfield
- Seconded by: Ms. Connolly
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
Discuss/Vote: Transfer Station Rates
- Proposed increases to sticker fees and mattress disposal fees.
Vote:
- Motion to Approve: Sticker fee increases to $140 (residential), $60 (additional), $75 (senior). Mattress fee increase to $75.
- Moved by: Ms. Canfield
- Seconded by: Ms. Connolly
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
New Business
Discuss/Vote: Drain Layers Renewal
- Renewal for E.L. Margetts & Sons, Inc. and Mankewich Contracting, Inc.
Vote:
- Motion to Approve: Renewal of Drain Layers Licenses.
- Moved by: Ms. Canfield
- Seconded by: Mr. Gilmore
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
Other Business
- Liaison Reports:
- Updates on DEI, shellfish, schools, and conservation projects.
- Approval of Minutes:
- Motion to Approve: October 8, 2024, minutes.
- Moved by: Ms. Canfield
- Seconded by: Ms. Connolly
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
- Adjournment:
- Time: 9:48 PM
- Motion: Ms. Canfield moved to adjourn.
- Seconded by: Ms. Connolly
- Vote: Unanimous (5-0)
List of Documents for October 22, 2024 Meeting
- Eagle Scout Proposal
- Tax Classification FY2025
- Transfer Station Rates
- Land Donation Details
- Special Town Meeting Documents
- Correspondence and Meeting Minutes
Respectfully Submitted: Shari Moak Young, Recorder
Approved: November 5, 2024
