January 9, 2017
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:00 PM by Chairman Soter with all members in attendance.
Selectman Jerry Mayhew Recognition
Family and friends attended a remembrance ceremony for Selectman Jerry Mayhew. Speakers were Ann Odabashian, Lee Ambler, Dan Ranieri, Vice Chair Don Martinis and Chairman Mike Soter. Mr. Soter also unveiled a plaque and picture of Mr. Mayhew which will hang in the Arcand Meeting Room.
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to dedicate a bench in honor of Mr. Mayhew which will be placed in front of the Municipal Center.
On a Soter/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to move forward with the process of requesting the installation of a traffic light at the intersection of Lake Street and Pulaski Blvd.
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Common Victualler renewals for Dairy Queen and Joff’s Backyard Grill.
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the following abatements were approved: residential water, $336.06; residential sewer, $427.18; residential trash, $151.72; municipal water, $6394.64 and municipal sewer, $4490.90.
Paula Stuart, Community Opportunities Group
Ms. Stuart stated the Dept. of Housing & Community Development requires communities to prepare a Community Development Strategy to assess the Town’s overall community development needs and noted the Development Strategy, once approved, is valid for three years. The Town will have to update its Strategy to be eligible for the Community Development Block Grant.
Ms. Stuart informed the Selectmen that the State has changed its formula that determines which towns receive the grants. This year it is based on the percentage of low to moderate income earners within the municipalities with no target area requirement. This would open up the entire Town to the grant funds. In 2015, Bellingham, along with Franklin and Hopedale received an $894,000 grant. She suggested this year’s application only include Bellingham and Hopedale since Franklin has a larger population and lower percentage of low to moderate income earners.
Minutes of January 9, 2017
Page 2
Ms. Stuart stated she will be attending the Selectmen’s January 27th meeting for a Public Hearing regarding the Town’s proposed Community Development Block Grant application.
On a Martinis/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the December 19th minutes as submitted.
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to open the Annual Town Meeting warrant this evening and set the closing date for February 10th at 12 noon.
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to ratify Mr. Fraine’s appointment of Barry Ladarola as Assistant Gas & Plumbing Inspector.
On a Martinis/Spencer motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept a $4000 check from the Maple Street ANP plant with said funds to be dispersed as outlined in Mr. Laviolette’s memo (attached).
On a Spencer/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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