Comprehensive Patriot Place Review

Committee Meeting

Minutes of November 21, 2006

Chairman Mark Sullivan opened the meeting at 7:04 p.m.

Members present: John Michelmore, Arthur Barrett, Neil Forster, Bert Delaney, Paul Feeney, Bill Buckley, Tony LaChapelle was excused.

Paul Feeney wanted to rephrase a statement contained in the Minutes of November 13, the change was made. Mark moved approval of corrected minutes, Bert Delaney seconded and the minutes, as corrected, were approved by all.

Neil Forster introduced a report supplied by Bill Casbarra to Tony LaChapelle (attached). Neil then introduced a report from the Water & Sewer Departments (attached).

Bill Buckley stated that the upgrade to piping on Route One should not be at the town’s expense. He believes that the plant should be taken over by the town and the W&S Department should put together a plan for this.

John Michelmore stated that the replacement of piping should be put on the community wish list. Neil Forster stated that Phil Henderson had already incorporated this as part of the W&S page distributed to the Committee.

Bert Delaney questioned the price to the town on the replacement piping. Bill Buckley stated he believed that it would be approximately $20.00 per foot, totaling about one million dollars. Neil Forster stated that it would probably cost the town this much if it undertook the work, however it would probably only cost the Kraft Organization $600,000 if they undertook it.

There was some agreement that there needed to be a five person negotiating; it should consist of different department chairs of the Board of Selectmen – James Thrasher; Water & Sewer – Phil Henderson; Planning Board – Kevin Weinfeld; CPPR Committee – John Michelmore; Town Financial Director – Randy Scollins and, as an alternate, Tony LaChapelle Ex Officio.

Paul Feeney submitted his report, see attached. Arthur Barrett submitted his report, see attached.

John Hannon was asked to give a brief summary of what he will present to the committee next week at the regular scheduled meeting. John has received statistics from other communities that have Bass Pro Shops within their town lines. Many calls are received ranging from retail theft, accidents, etc. John also has received information from North Attleboro Police regarding the Emerald Square Mall. In one years time there were 568 services sent to the Mall itself. There are a high volume of calls for alarms, 55 larceny, 59 shoplifing, 67 motor vehicle accidents, five with injuries.

John is requesting that a sub station be located on the property to temporarily house detainees, etc. He believes there should be at least one additional patrolman dedicated to the mall and it’s vicinity, he’d like to overstaff the facility and then back the staff number down if needed.

In reference to the liquor licenses, he suggested that the Board of Selectmen add special wording to the permit. John read from the Malden policy and will include this in the Police Department presentation next Monday evening.

John informed the committee that the Police Department is severely understaffed and that the police presently engage in triage - investigate personal injury taking precedent over property damage, whether from a break-in or not. Callers are generally informed that they need to speak with their insurance agency. John and his team do not have the manpower to conduct investigations. In conclusion he believes that the town police force is shortstaffed by at least seven or more before even looking to the future and Patriots Place.

Mark made a motion to adjourn, it was seconded by Arthur Barrett, all were in favor.

Adjournment at 9:15 p.m.

Lynda Walsh