August 24, 2017
The regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Soter at 7:00 PM with all members in attendance except Mr. Spencer.
The meeting was held at the Bellingham Public Library.
Good Chemistry, Williams Way – Request for Letter of Non-opposition
Present from Good Chemistry: Meg Collins, V.P. of Public Affairs and Attorney Jay Youmans. Also, present: Matt Clark, owner of the Williams Way property.
Ms. Collins stated Good Chemistry is an established operator with more than 17 years of experience and is excited about the opportunity to site a nursery in Bellingham noting the Town is ideal for cultivation operations as the area is a good mix of light industrial and agriculture. She stated, however, Good Chemistry does not view Bellingham as a positive location for a dispensary.
Ms. Collins stated Good Chemistry’s Massachusetts provisional RMD license is for medical marijuana with a dispensary location in Worcester which they have held for over 4 years and added that Bellingham would be a good location for cultivation to send the product to Worcester.
Mr. Martinis asked if this would be just a nursery or if the company would look into producing edible products. Ms. Collins stated an edible company is unlikely and noted Good Chemistry is concentrating on the nursery and Worcester dispensary.
Mr. Martinis asked about the size and security for the building. Mr. Clark stated the building size is 9,000 sq. ft. with expansion to 50,000 sq. ft. Mr. Clark also noted that this business will have a low traffic impact.
Ms. Collins stated there will be security cameras in almost every sq. ft. of the building. Employees will be on camera. The vaults are reinforced and the doors have alarms.
The product will be transported in unmarked vans which are secured and locked. The product is delivered at different times reducing scheduling predictability.
Mr. Martinis asked if there have been any issues with their other locations. Ms. Collins stated that to the best of her knowledge, there has never been a break in or other issues.
Mrs. McNulty asked if Good Chemistry would be taking the product from Bellingham to any other locations other than Worcester. Ms. Collins stated the product would just be going to Worcester. Mrs. McNulty asked if there was any possibility of Good Chemistry requesting a dispensary in Bellingham. Ms. Collins stated Good Chemistry will not be looking at Bellingham as a dispensary location.
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Mr. Connor asked if the facility will be looking to transition to recreational marijuana in addition to medical. Ms. Collins stated right now, the focus is on medical marijuana. At some point they may want to include recreational marijuana, but will speak with the Selectmen before.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to grant Good Chemistry a letter of non-opposition from the Town for a grow facility.
Capital Requests
- Chief Daigle stated he is requesting two new vehicles – 1 Ford Taurus (unmarked) and 1 Ford Utility (marked) for a grand total of $82,550.95.
Lt. Russell stated these vehicles will replace cruiser 421 (unmarked – 2011 Ford Crown Vic with 101,478 miles) and cruiser 407 (marked - 2013 Ford Interceptor Sedan with 99,928 miles).
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to appropriate $82,550.95 for two Police vehicles as listed.
Mr. Soter requested that Chief Daigle go out to bid for police vehicle maintenance.
On a Martinis/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to appropriate $10,341 for nine US Armor Level IIIA Patrol Vests and Carriers.
- Chief Gentile stated he is requesting a second set of turnout gear for a total of $111,832.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to appropriate $111,832 for a second set of turnout gear.
Deputy Chief Poirier stated he has received a quote in the amount of $179,500 to refurbish Engine 5. A new truck would cost approximately $600,000.
Board members asked Deputy Chief Poirier to request bids now to refurbish Engine 5 to be ready for the May, 2018 Annual Town Meeting.
Chief Gentile stated he is requesting $80,000 to finish upgrading Station 1, with funding from ambulance receipts.
On a Connor/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve up to $80,000 to finish the Station 1 project with funding from ambulance receipts.
Wethersfield Sewer Update
Mr. DiMartino gave an update on the August 1st meeting where residents of the Wethersfield Road area (Wethersfield Rd., homes on Hartford Ave. between Wethersfield and Nason St. and north of Nason St.); and the Monique Drive area (Monique Dr. & Kathy Dr.) were invited. Mr. DiMartino noted that Monique Drive area residents were included in the meeting due to the significant cost which would be
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incurred with this area due to the need for a sewer station. He also noted the homes have larger house lots making septic system rebuilds less intrusive.
Mr. DiMartino submitted a list of properties proposed to receive sewer collector system stubs if approved by Town Meeting vote which excluded Wethersfield Rd., Monique Dr., Kathy Dr., Sunset Ct., Arbend Cr. and Horseshoe Dr.
A resident of Monique Drive presented information that noted that 13 of the 24 homes on this street are in favor of sewer and requested it be added to the list.
On a Connor/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to include Monique Drive on the Wethersfield West Sewer Plan. (A copy of the list is attached to these minutes).
A follow-up Wethersfield Sewer Meeting will be held on September 13th at 7:00 PM in the High School Auditorium.
On a Connor/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the plow & salt truck in the amount of $150,000.
On a Martinis/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve (2) Parks Dept. trucks for a total of $64,000.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the DPW building renovations in the amount of $153,500.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve a mechanic generator in the amount of $130,000.
On a Martinis/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve $60,000 for the Wrentham Road SPS Grinder.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to add $150,000 to the Cross Street project.
On a Connor/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to add $145,000 to the Wrentham Road project.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve Well 7 Replacement Engineering Permitting in the amount of $152,000.
The Meter Reading Upgrade for $365,000 was passed over.
On a Martinis/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Arthur Street AC Main Replacement in the amount of $138,000.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Scott Hill Blvd. AC Main Replacement (Lake Shore Dr. to So. Main St.) in the amount of $435,000.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the Facility Foreman’s Vehicle – pick-up with plow in the amount of $40,000.
On a Martinis/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the DPW Project Manager Vehicle – SUV in the amount of $31,000.
On a McNulty/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $300,000 (the “Bonds”) pursuant to Chapters 29C and 111 of the General Laws and a vote of the Town passed May 23, 2012
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(Article 21), which authorized a total borrowing of $300,000 for a community septic management loan program, as outlined in #’s 1-6 of the attached document entitled “Vote of the Board of Selectmen”.
On a McNulty/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the following abatements: residential water, $696.69; residential sewer, $678.21; residential trash, $760.17; municipal water, $9587.44 and municipal sewer, $648.18.
On a Connor/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change of manager for Douglas Wine & Spirits from Brian Plante to Phillip Berg.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the change of Officers/Directors for Uno Restaurant.
On a Martinis/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to appoint Tsune Roberts to the Council on Aging for a three year term.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to approve the July 10th minutes as submitted.
On a McNulty/Connor motion, the Board unanimously voted to award the Cross Street Replacement Well 1R Project to the low bidder Dennis L. Maher, Co., LLC of Ayer, MA in the amount of $78,057.00.
On a Connor/Martinis motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the proposed changes to Article III, Section 14 – Estimated Bills of the Water Use Regulations (copy attached).
On a Connor/McNulty motion, the Board unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Jacqueline A. Bokoski
Administrative Assistant
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