A meeting of the Town Council was held for the Town of Scituate on Thursday, January 20, 2022. The meeting was held virtually, with internet and phone access, in accordance with the Governor’s most recent Executive Order. Councilors stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. The meeting was called to order at 6:36 PM.  Council President Groves presiding.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – present	Councilman Grande – present
Councilwoman Yeaw – present	Councilman McCormick – present
Council Vice-President Brady – present	Councilman Marcello – present
Councilman D’Agostino – absent

Motion made by Councilwoman Yeaw, seconded by Councilman McCormick to convene into Closed/Executive Session to discuss, take possible action, and/or vote pursuant to the relevant requirements of R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5(a) Subsection (2) Potential Litigation (Pine Hill Realty, Inc. – Notice of Claim dated Dec. 2, 2021). Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning Pine Hill Realty, Inc. – Notice of Claim dated Dec. 2, 2021. Karen Beattie, David Petrarca, Wyatt Brochu and Margaret Long were asked to attend.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Councilors rejoined the meeting. They stood for the pledge of allegiance. Council President Groves called the regular meeting to order at 7:01PM.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – present	Councilman Grande – present
Councilwoman Yeaw – present	Councilman McCormick – present
Council Vice-President Brady – present	Councilman Marcello – present
Councilman D’Agostino – absent

Council President Groves reported that there was a motion, a second and unanimous vote within the Closed/Executive session to close the Closed/Executive session and to seal the minutes. There was no action taken during the session.

Motion made by Councilwoman Yeaw, seconded by Councilman Grande to open the public hearing.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Motion made by Council Vice President Brady, seconded by Councilman Marcello, with the Council sitting as Licensing Board, to approve the firearms sales license application, subject to receipt of all required paperwork, all State and Local permits, and compliance with all stipulations, rules and regulations as previously required by the Town Council, to Christopher J. Calise.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Motion made by Councilman Grande, seconded by Council Vice President Brady to close the public hearing.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Next, under public comment for items not on the agenda, Ralph Groves, 7 Howard Ave., wanted to thank everyone at DPW, Hope Jackson FD, Hope Community Services and all who helped decorate Main St. in Hope. He said it looked so beautiful this year. He wanted to thank the Town Council for during their due diligence in getting Main St. revitalized.

Tom Galligan, Pine Hill Road, asked if we know how much Covid money the Town is receiving. Councilman McCormick replied that it is about $3.2 million. Mr. Galligan asked if any had been designated yet. One suggestion was to repave Main Street to Hope Elementary school. For full discussion, please refer to the video of this meeting.

Bob Dexter, Danielson Pike, wanted to thank the Scituate PD, the Police Chief, and specifically Officer Parenti, for helping a struggling veteran in town.

Frederick Merlan, said that he emailed the Council last month to consider a change to the zoning code, but he did not receive a response. He asked for guidance on how to have something heard before the Town Council. Councilman Marcello explained the process of a zone change.

Norman Munroe, Rockland Oaks, said that the Housing Authority had a meeting where someone from Department of Health was there, and she said that Rockland Oaks has poor water quality. She provided two suggestions: two new wells or connecting to the public water system at the school. The Board agreed that the best option would be tying into the water system. Mr. Munroe said this is now in the hands of the Town Council and the School Committee. He said there is no cost to the town, the school department or Rockland Oaks. For full discussion, please refer to the video of this meeting.

Chris Calise, wanted to thank the Council for the approval on his firearm sales license.

            Motion made by Councilman McCormick, seconded by Councilman Grande to approve the consent items.

            Councilman Marcello asked to remove items 9Ji and 9Jii.

            Councilman McCormick amended his motion to approve the Consent Items 9A-9I, seconded by Councilman Grande. Items include: Approval of Town Council meeting minutes from the regular meeting of December 9, 2021 and closed session meeting of December 9, 2021, Department Reports: Town Clerk, Public Works, Building Official/Zoning, Police, Treasurer, Senior Services, Human Services, EMA, Recreation. Abatements and Additions: see attached list, Joint pole location – Peck Hill Road, plat 42 lot 87, re-appointments: Town officers and Other assigned responsibilities (see attached list) and Town Constables (see attached list). Resignation – William K. Austin – Human Resource Committee. Authorization/Ratification to post for open positions: Human Resource Committee – term ending December 31, 2022. Peter Costello – Private Investigator License – expiring December 31, 2022, and approval of dates for Town Council Annual Calendar for 2022 (see attached).

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Councilman Grande and Councilman Marcello recused themselves from the next agenda items.

Motion made by Councilwoman Yeaw, seconded by Councilman McCormick to approve items 9J – Payment of Town Bills: Early Town expenses: $182,443.39, $280.00 and Regular Town Expenses: $834,101.04, $1,531.32.

Council Vice President Brady asked about the eye glass reimbursement for which Councilmen Marcello and Grande were recusing themselves. Town Clerk Long explained that in the Employee Handbook that any employee that is non-union, may receive eyeglass reimbursement up to $150.00 per year.

Alicia Kelley, 155 Danielson Pike, said that this is something the HR Committee is looking into. She said the only body able to add or remove benefits would be the Town Council.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – recused
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – recused

Motion passes.

Councilmen Grande and Marcello rejoined the meeting.

Next, EMA Director Robinson gave an update on the Covid-19 Pandemic. He said the schools are being hit hard. He is continuing to run vaccine clinics and rapid test sites. He also said they are developing a plan to handout at home kits to residents.

Motion made by Councilwoman Yeaw, seconded by Council Vice President Brady to appoint Cindy Gianfrancesco and Wendy Knowlton to the Recycling Committee, with term ending dates of December 31, 2022.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Council President Groves recused herself from the next agenda item.

Motion made by Council Vice President Brady to appoint Jessica Olney to the Housing Authority, term ending December 31, 2026. There was no second.

Motion made by Councilman Marcello, seconded by Councilwoman Yeaw to appoint Jeannie Vachon to the Housing Authority, Term ending December 31, 2026.

Councilman McCormick said that he feels like Deborah Garneau needs to be recognized for the experience she would bring to the table. She would be his choice. Councilman Grande agreed with Councilman McCormick.

Councilman McCormick made a motion to appoint Deborah Garneau, seconded by Councilman Grande to the Housing Authority, term ending December 31, 2026.

The Council referred to Solicitor Brochu as how to proceed with two motions/nominations on the floor. He said that you could do a roll call vote and state the person’s name - or have two separate votes.

Council Vice President asked Town Clerk Long to do a roll call vote, and for each Councilor to state the name of the person they choose to be appointed.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – recused	Councilman Grande – Garneau
Councilwoman Yeaw – Vachon	Councilman McCormick – Garneau
Council Vice-President Brady – Garneau	Councilman Marcello – Vachon

Motion passes in favor of Deborah Garneau being appointed to the Housing Authority, term ending December 31, 2026.

Council President Groves returned to the meeting.

Motion made by Council Vice President Brady to appoint Erin Pannone and John Rubiano to the Recreation Committee, term ending December 31, 2022.

Councilman Grande voiced a concern with the next agenda item. He said he was concerned with there being a possible ethics violation as the Recreation is David Pannone and an applicant, Erin Pannone, is his wife. Councilman McCormick agreed. Lengthy discussion took place on this item; for full discussion, please refer to the video of this meeting.

Council Vice President Brady withdrew his motion.

Motion made by Councilman Marcello, seconded by Councilman McCormick to appoint John Rubiano and Erin Pannone to Recreation Committee, term ending date December 31, 2022, with the strong encouragement that Mrs. Pannone, upon appointment, seek an advisory opinion from the Ethics Commission because of her relationship to the Recreation Director.

Ray Grigelevich, Woodland Road, explained that the Recreation Committee is an advisory board, with no decision-making power. He didn’t see a situation where there would be an ethics violation.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Councilman Marcello nominated Terrell Parker for the vacancy on the Human Resource Committee; term ending December 31, 2022.  There was no second.

Councilwoman Yeaw nominated Salvatore Lombardi for the vacancy on the Human Resource Committee; term ending December 31, 2022. The nomination was seconded by Councilman McCormick.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Council President Groves asked Town Clerk Long to send letters to all applicants who have been appointed.

Next, Treasurer Przybyla explained the next agenda item, which was an update on the status of the Other Post-Employment Benefits (“OPEB”) actuarial study. For full discussion, please refer to the video of this meeting.

Motion made by Councilman McCormick, seconded by Councilwoman Yeaw to approve the Third-Party Administration Agreement between Beacon Mutual Insurance Company and the Town of Scituate; Authorization for the Town Council President and Town Treasurer, each, to take any further action and execute any and all documents necessary.

Councilman Marcello asked for clarification on this agreement; Finance Director Karen Beattie explained that this is for workers compensation, and this is just for the Town side, not the school department.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Motion made by Councilwoman Yeaw, seconded by Council President Groves to appoint the EMA Director, in consultation wit the Town’s Fire Marshals, as day-to-day liaison for all Town-owned and/or operated telecommunications towers and equipment.

Discussion took place on this topic, please refer to the video of this meeting for full details.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Motion made by Councilman McCormick, seconded by Councilwoman Yeaw to approve the appointment of EMA Director, in consultation with the Town Council President, to negotiate with SIA Communications, LLC (on behalf of Verizon Wireless) regarding possible expansion of coverage on the Town’s telecommunications tower located at Route 116/Main Street.

Roll call by Town Clerk Long.

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

Council President Groves announced there will be zoom meeting at 7:00pm on 1/27/2022 for the public to discuss the distribution of the ARPA money.

Councilwoman Yeaw asked that the meeting be closed in the honor of Thomas R. Yeaw and a page be reserved for him in the official minute book. He served on the Town Council, as Town Council President 1976-1984.

Motion made by Councilman Marcello, seconded by Councilwoman Yeaw to adjourn the meeting at 8:26PM and to keep the minutes of the meeting previously closed to the public; closed pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 and allow the Town Clerk 14 days to prepare the minutes of the meeting.

Roll call vote as follows:

Council President Groves – aye	Councilman Grande – aye
Councilwoman Yeaw – aye	Councilman McCormick – aye
Council Vice-President Brady – aye	Councilman Marcello – aye

Motion passes.

 

For full discussion of this meeting, please refer to the video. 

 

Attest: Margaret M. Long, Town Clerk, CMC