Finance Committee Minutes
Town of Bellingham – Municipal Center
Monday, September 8, 2008
1. FinCom Present: Raymond Szczepan, Gary Maynard, Joseph Collamati, Roland Lavallee, Carol Dill, Toni Picariello,
2. FinCom Absent: Henri Masson
3. Meeting called to order: 7:15 pm
4. ARTICLE 7 – PACKAGE STORE ALL ALCOHOL LICENSE (Antoine Khoury)
Antoine Khoury appeared. Antoine “Tony” Khoury appeared. He is requesting that the Board of Selectmen be authorized to petition the Legislature for an additional Package Store All Alcohol License. The FinCom heard this in April 2008 when the petitioner presented this Article at the May Town Meeting.
To reiterate - Mr. Khoury is making major renovations to the strip mall in the center of town on the corner of Rte. 140 and Rte. 126 across from the police station. He showed the committee his plans, which includes a package store. He has been before the Board of Selectmen and they know about his plans. The Planning Board has approved his plans for the renovation, which includes changing the parking lot.
He is not sure at this time whether he wants a separate package store or combine it with the variety store.
He feels competition in Town is good.
Toni Picariello stated that she did not feel that is was anyone’s right to tell a business how to run their business if they are within the law.
Toni Picariello/Raymond Szczepan motion to recommend authorizing the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature for a Package Store All Alcohol License. VOTE: 4/2 (Joseph Collamati, Carol Dill voted not to recommend)
5. ARTICLE 5 – STREET ACCEPTANCE – STONEHEDGE ROAD (Douglas & Doreen Porter)
Doug Porter and Michael Romanow, Esq. Appeared.
The FinCom heard this Article in April 2008 when it was on the May Town Meeting Warrant. They passed over the Article at that time because of many questions.
To reiterate: The residents are requesting that the Town accept the road, so they can receive services, such as repairs to the road, etc. Toni Picariello had emailed the letter from the DPW outlining the DPW concerns. The petitioner has not spoken to the DPW since last fall. The DPW did not have a cost for all the repairs.
Toni Picariello has a list of concerns she had while doing her research. Her concerns and answers are as follows:
- The residents mentioned that they own to the middle of the road. Town Counsel confirmed this in his email. In order for the Town to accept the road, will the Town need an easement or “taking” of the property owner’s portion of the road? How much would this cost?
Attorney Romanow said the property owners will deed their ownership of the road to the Town. He gave the FinCom a draft of the Quitclaim Deed.
- The road work was never completed and most of the bond that the Town was holding was released to the developer. Why was this done – it happened back in the late 1980’s and no one that I have asked seems to know the answer. In the present time, before the Planning Board recommends releasing bonds, do they, as a Board, check out the site to make sure the work is complete?
Attorney Romanow could not answer the question, but mention that they were working with Mr. Mayewski’s son in order for the road bond to be released to the Town.
- Does the Town of Bellingham plow the road in Franklin? Some residents said they do. Does Bellingham get reimbursed?
This is a question for the DPW.
- Is the road in Franklin a road that the residents of Bellingham and the School buses can travel? Residents mentioned that the developer of the road in Franklin want it to be a “private” road.
No answer could be given.
- What is the “real” cost to complete this road?
DPW would have to answer this, but the drainage problem has been fixed.
- Why didn’t the Town go after the Estate of Mr. Mayewski to get the money to complete the Road?
No one know the answer – this was done back in the 1980’s.
The DPW and ConCom recommend this Article.
Joseph Collamati/Raymond Szczepan motion to recommend this Article. VOTE: 6/0.
6. ARTICLE 6 – LAND ACCEPTANCE (Attorney Richard Cornetta)
Leo Dalpe appeared.
Raymond Szczepan recused himself because of a conflict with this Article.
The parcels are land locked and were promised to the town as open space when the Pine Acres Sub-Division was approved. Leo Dalpe showed the FinCom a plan indicating the 2 lots.
The DPW recommended this article. See footnote below.
The ConCom does not recommend this Article at this time. See footnote below.
The FinCom will reschedule this hearing to the night of Town Meeting. Toni Picariello will send a reminder letter to Attorney Cornetta.
7. GENERAL DISCUSSION
A. Has Planning Board contacted Roland Lavallee re: Steering Committee.
Roland Lavallee has not heard from the Planning Board as of this meeting. Toni Picariello will send a letter to the Planning Board.
B. School Department - Security System Proposal (what are the options?)
Committee members indicated that they thought the “options” are extra cameras.
C. Joseph Collamati and Roland Lavallee stated their concerns that the DPW start projects and do not finish them. Why isn’t the road work done? Also, the DPW did the repairs on the Bungay Brook culvert, so that project is on hold right now.
Adjourned: Roland Lavallee/Raymond Szczepan motion to adjourn. VOTE: 6/0; 7:58 pm.
(Accepted October 27, 2008)
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