Date of Meeting: Monday, April 6, 2009
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:50 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Tony Sahagian, Chief of Police; Joe Flanagan, Fire Chief; Mark Bertonassi, Building Inspector; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
· FEMA – we applied for a $245K reimbursement for the ice storm; continuing to meet with them.
· Nancy met with Representative Naughton last Friday. He promised to assist with the stimulus submittals.
· Charter Communications: we received notice they are filing for bankruptcy.
· We have applied for the State energy audit program. Rose put together all of the information.
· Ken Goodwin is working with Sylvania to do a light bulb audit. They will give a cost estimate for energy efficient bulb replacement.
· Conservation Committee agreed to participate in map grant program and access GIS mapping information.
Report of the Chief of Police to the Board of Selectmen (7:00 PM):
· There is a continued spike in building checks.
· We have a full time and a part-time dispatcher on board. Don Spencer (full time) and Melissa (part time).
· A $10K 911 dispatch grant was submitted for dispatch-related equipment and training.
· Various court dates.
· Met with Clinton Bank manager regarding recent area robberies and updated the response plan accordingly.
· Chief is working an Easter Sunday day shift.
· Embezzlement cases have been continued to the end of April.
· An underage drinking party was held; the hosts were charged.
· Breaking and entering at a School Street apartment; suspects were friends of the individual; case is continued.
· Federal Census workers to be in the area door-to-door in the next few months.
· Ken Sydow asked if there is a process to put signs on telephone poles and trees (to advertise businesses). Tony said with regard to telephone poles, you need to contact the phone company. With regard to trees, signs within a right-of-way we have the right to take them down.
Report of the Fire Chief to the Board of Selectmen (7:10 pm):
· Joe reported he is applying for two grants this year with a combined value of $800K:
o A communications grant, which is in progress; and
o A truck grant ($700K), which we have a good shot at.
· Jim Stanton inquired as to the status of the Northborough engine to be purchased. Joe said Northborough is having trouble getting their new truck from the company that is building it. That company might file Chapter 11 and we might not get the Northborough truck.
· The Chief and Deputy Chief Ronn will be attending the FDIC Conference in two weeks to meet with ambulance and fire truck vendors to gather information to help with putting specs together for new vehicle purchases.
· Joe supplied a summary of federal and state grants since 2002 (obtained versus denied).
· A high school senior is in the EMT training class; he will join the call department and will be available for weekend shifts.
· We will be recruiting EMT/call firefighters.
· With regard to the FY’10 budget – warrant articles have been submitted. The Chief needs to replace Car 1 ($20K article for a used vehicle). The car has 120,000 miles; it is a 2000 model; the check-engine light comes on daily; the transmission slips; it is breaking down mechanically.
· Ambulance billing can be done by full-time firefighter at the station. $5K for the clerk’s salary was taken from the ambulance revolving account transfer amount.
Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen (7:30 PM):
· Mark reported we are “holding our own” for a little town, with plenty of building and permits. Ken said that seems to be contrary to everything we’re reading in the newspaper and what’s going on in the economy. Mark said the permit count is up due to many permits that used to slip under the radar in the past. The permit fee is elevated due to a large Tower Hill addition ($5.3M) with a permit fee of $37K. Without that fee the total would be at $8K YTD versus $27K YTD last year.
· Compass Pointe should be building soon, but Mark is not sure when.
· Anytime Fitness at 81 Shrewsbury Street should be opening very soon.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant draft reviewed by the Board.
HEARING: Mount Pleasant Country Club (present: Attorney Marshall Gould, Board of Directors, Secretary/Clerk of Mt. Pleasant Country Club, and Mitch Marron, the General Manager):
Application for Change of Manager and Alteration of Premises to existing Alcoholic Beverage License.
· Mr. Gould stated he was the previous owner of Pine Ridge Country Club in Oxford and when he came to Mount Pleasant he enforced no drinking on the course, due to it not being allowed by law. Now that legislation has been passed allowing it, Mount Pleasant would like to apply for a change.
· Members would like to take a beer on the course and asked the Mount Pleasant Board to consider it.
o The club started as a Jewish club; it is now open membership;
o They have been “good neighbors” and would like the Board to grant approval.
· Change of Manager: Request for Mitchell Marron to be Manager on Record.
o Mitch Marron said he came to Boston a year and a half ago and came to Mount Pleasant last year. He has a degree in hospitality management
o Jim asked if there were any questions or concerns. Roger said No and Ken said he would approve, based on the CORI check and the Police Chief’s input.
o Motion to approve was made and seconded and voted All in Favor.
· Alter Premises:
o Jim asked what their intention for serving on the course is. Mr. Gould said Saturday and Sunday are their busiest days. The Mount Pleasant Board has not made a decision yet, but they are asking, in accordance with the statute, to be granted the liberty to sell anywhere on the grounds. Then they would make the decision as warranted. Either “Seventh Hole snack shack;” in back of the pool area; a beverage cart, etc. Also, they may possibly sell on-course only on weekends, but still undecided. They have no intention to sell it everywhere. Currently, no alcoholic beverage sales are planned on the other side of Green Street. On warm days, or for an outing, a beverage cart might work best.
o Jim Stanton said he would be more comfortable acting on a change request after those decisions are made, rather than give a blanket approval. He has had concerns from neighbors in the area and would like to see written policies/intentions so that the Board can incorporate them into the license.
o Ken Sydow said he agrees with postponing a decision to a later date. Some complaints surround potential drinking and driving. We would want something in writing that the Police Chief is comfortable enforcing.
[Ken Sydow left the meeting at 8:30]
o Mr. Gould said they don’t see this as a means to increase alcohol/drink sales. It is just a way for golfers to take a beer outside on the course or have a beer during the 19 holes versus drinking after a game. This is not a typical public facility; this is members only.
o Jim said he would also like to know if their intention is to limit sales to beer/wine; how to handle the Green Street crossing (open container on a public way), etc.
o Mr. Gould said a beverage cart would likely get the biggest use.
o Roger said his only concern is an open-ended request. He would like to see some quantified suggestions. He would be more comfortable approving something more specific in writing.
o Mr. Gould said they don’t want to limit themselves; are there any “guidelines” the Board would like them to follow?
o Roger said we would also be flexible. Feel free to communicate with the Board of Selectmen Chair, the Police Chief, the Town Administrator, etc.
Motion was made to continue the hearing to April 21st at a time to be designated by the Administrative Assistant. Motion seconded; voted All in Favor.
Upon motion made and seconded, and voted All in Favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
| 
