March 6, 2024

“Selectman Hull motioned, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED to take Public Input out of order. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Public Input Melissa St Laurent, 2366 School Lane, thanked the board for their time this week for helping her to get the word out. she requested the meeting be held at the high school. She also asked for public input to be at the beginning of the meeting. Melissa said she also wanted the board to doa deep dive into the process. Ms. St. Laurent said she learned that George Nichols is no longer covered by the union. George left his protection of being covered by the union, but did not have a contract. He was not able to take the advantage of tuition reimbursement that the chief normally gets. She asked if the board could discuss reimbursement of tuition for the college courses. She thought that an active department head could be afforded that benefit. Mr. Rosa, said in attending the meeting, he noticed that outsiders appeared. He said in Berkely they do not allow it. He thought that should be considered. Selectman Hull said when he served on the School Committee, he said the residents had to vote to allow out of town people to speak. He said there is a policy. Nancy Goulart, 631 Gray Terrace said she believes that the moderator pointed to the designated seating area and if they raised their hand to speak, the assembly would be asked for permission for that person to speak. Paul Reynolds, Main Street said the guidance states that it is at the discretion of the chair, but is strongly recommended. The person must have their request to speak seconded by a resident. 2.” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned to return to order of business, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Appointments to the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund Mr. Mullen read the law pertaining to an Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund and its establishment. He said we have two of the five members already here. Selectman Hull asked if the board was prepared to interview. Nancy Goulart said this has not been brought to the Board of Assessors..” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned to table, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED to allow the Board of Assessor's to discuss and to draft interview questions so they can fairly determine the members. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Selectman Mello said she hated to keep putting this off. Kevin Smith Chairman Caron asked Mr. Kevin Smith why he wanted to be on the committee. Mr. Smith said some situations came up where we were asked to help certain residents. During the course of research, we stumbled upon this committee. Mr. Smith said he asked council on Aging Program Manager Trista Tate and Office Manager Laura Medeiros to be involved. He said even people who have not been appointed have the ability to attend and give input. Chairman Caron asked Mr. Smith why he wanted to do it. Kevin said he always likes to help out when he sees an opportunity. Selectman Mello asked what expertise Mr. Smith could bring to this committee. Mr. Smith said that he and Mr. Reynolds have a great way of sifting through Mass General Laws. He thought that maybe it could result in referrals to other programs. Selectman Hull asked if he saw any other groups that were being missed in terms of help. Mr. Smith said disabled residents are also eligible. He thought engaging members of the public to establish the application process would be helpful. Chairman Caron asked what make him qualified. Mr. Smith said my eagerness to serve. He said he spent a lot of time researching various different programs, he was a team player and can work with anyone. 3 Trista Tate Chairman Caron asked why she wanted to serve. Trista Tate said her entire career has been serving the elderly. She said she has gained some experience in her time here with regard to their needs and has been involved in researching different avenues for some residents. Ms. Tate said she wants to be able to help them and was willing to do any research to help the committee. Mr. Smith asked to withdraw his application to make it easier for the board to make appointments. He said he was still willing to help. Jonathan Gale said he has worked with the Mass department of Disability. He said he thought we would see more people.” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED to appoint Trista Tate, Laura Medeiros and Jonathan Gale to the Elderly and Disabled Tax Fund. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Mr. Rosa, asked if the committee would be redirecting funds. Chairman Caron said no. He hoped that there is some understanding of structure and staff in place to come up with solutions. Town Treasurer/Collector Paul Reynolds said this fund is 100% based on voluntary contributions. He said the present balance in the account is $3,213.00 and is expressly only allowable for real estate taxes for elderly and disabled..” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned, Selectman Mello seconded and the it was VOTED that the letter be sent to the MMA and authorize Mr. Mullen to follow up with a discussion as to appointing Mrs. Goulart to the MMA. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Fiber Contract Mr. Mullen said this has been a long time coming. He said we have had to do a lot of legwork. Mr. Mullen said we did put the project out to bid in the amount of $116,862.83. He said this fiber line will 7 run from Main Street Fire Station to the new library all the way down Somerset Avenue to Town Hall and all the way to the South Fire Station..” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED to approve the Fiber Contract between the Town of Dighton and RW Bryant. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Warrants.” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“Selectman Hull motioned, Selectman Mello seconded and it was VOTED to approve Warrant #37A-24 in the amount of $114,805.14 and Warrant #37B-24 in the amount of $105,976.91, both dated March 7, 2024. Roll Call: Selectman Hull, aye. Selectman Mello, aye. Chairman Caron, aye. Minutes.” (Motion: Hull, second: Mello)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)