January 16, 2007
Randall W. Dean
Lucy B. Wallace
William J. Marinelli
R. Scott Kimball
Robert E. Eubank
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. in the town hall meeting room, by Chair Randy Dean.
HEATING – HILDRETH HOUSE – Scott reported that his company, Harvard Oil, went and inspected the heating system at the Hildreth House. He further reported that the system is functional and is anticipated to continue to function efficiently for several more years or at least until the use of the Hildreth House has been determined.
PROSPECT HILL VIEWSHED ADVISORY COMMITTEE – Bob reported that the Committee met on 1/8 to view the final coloration scheme. There were several other suggestions made, which were incremental changes. Further, he reported that on the site at Devens, some panels have been set up with the chosen colors. The panels can be seen from a distance so interested individuals can get a sense of what the colors will look like on the building. The committee is pleased with the progress being made there. Bob will report further at a future meeting.
SPECIAL EDUCATION ED TASK FORCE – Bob reported that the SPED Task Force has met and have begun to receive useful information with regard to the myriad of topics relating to special education. Some of the information provided to the group were the types of disabilities, and the number of students with disabilities to get a better understanding on the subject. Bob will report further at a future meeting.
MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE – Lucy reported that the Master Plan Implementation Committee has been meeting regularly and they have been going through the chapters in the master plan and identifying the items that pertain to town government, which the selectmen should eventually address, and by identifying the priority items. Lucy will report further at a future meeting.
SCHOOL BUILDING PROJECT – Bill has looked at school population projections in the past, and has now gone back and put the past couple years of data into it, and found that there has been an increase in the total number of schoolchildren. Additionally, he found that the choice and Devens students have also increased the enrollment. Bill will forward it on to the superintendent for his review.
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SHAKER HILLS 40B – Bill had offered to draft a letter to the developer, regarding the Board’s concerns with regard to the proposed 40B project for the Shaker Hills Golf Course. The Board offered some amendments to the letter. On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the amended letter on behalf of the Board. Lucy will draft a charge for the committee and present it to the Board for their approval.
POLICE UNION NEGOTIATIONS – Randy reported that he, Tim and Scott have met with the Police Union on contract negotiations, and they will be meeting again in the next several weeks. There will be a report on that meeting at a future date.
MINUTES – On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 12/19, as amended.
JBOS – Bob put together a document which talks about a Harvard position for the JBOS objectives, which he would like to be presented at the JBOS meeting scheduled for 1/24. The Board discussed the document and suggested various edits. Bob will incorporate the changes and circulate to the Board for their approval prior to the JBOS meeting on 1/24.
HEATING ASSISTANCE COMMITTEE – On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Tim Bragan and Ginger Quarles to the Heating Assistance Committee.
SHAKER HILLS ADHOC COMMITTEE – On a Marinelli/Kimball motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Hugh Silk to the Shaker Hills 40B Adhoc Committee.
CULTURAL COUNCIL – APPOINTMENT – On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Rachel Oglesby and Mary Vesenka Turner to the Cultural Council.
RESIGNATION – ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – On a Marinelli/Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Jim DeZutter from the Zoning Board of Appeals, with regret and that a letter of thanks be sent.
RESIGNATION – PLANNING BOARD – Tim informed the Board that Bill Ashe has tendered his resignation from the Planning Board. The change will be incorporated into the Caucus Warrant.
TOWN CAUCUS – SIGN - On a Wallace/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the town caucus warrant, as presented.
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SUBURBAN COALITION – Tim informed the Board that he was approached by a resident who suggested the town join the Suburban Coalition. Tim did some research and found out that the Suburban Coalition was founded in the mid 1980’s by local officials to provide input to the state about local services, state funding and state regulations. Membership has grown to include Boards of Selectmen, School Committees, some Finance Committees and other local officials in nearly 60 communities. By banding together, these communities can address mutual problems more effectively at the state level. The Coalition is bipartisan and does not support parties or individual candidates. Tim pointed out that there is a $250 membership fee, which the resident who suggested the town join, offered to pay. However, the Selectmen
did not feel comfortable with a resident paying their membership dues. On a Wallace/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to join the Suburban Coalition, and authorized Tim to submit the $250 membership dues and to appoint Stuart Sklar as the town’s representative.
COMMUNICATION OF ARC OF INNOVATION – Tim informed the Board that he has received correspondence from the Arc of Innovation with regard to their partnering with the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning on an initiative designed to provide municipalities with more resources on residential development and issues. The communication seeks interested communities to participate. The Board asked questions of Tim. It appears that is more designed for urban communities. The Board took no action on this item.
HILDRETH HOUSE – MISCELLANEOUS – Tim informed the Board that the DPW cleaned out the basement of the Hildreth House, with some items going to the Harvard Historical Society for safe keeping. A list of the items which were removed was created for inventory purposes.
NON-FINANCIAL WARRANT ARTICLES – DEADLINE – Tim notified the Board that he has set the deadline for non-financial warrant articles for Friday, January 26th. Valeska has sent out a notice to all boards, committees and departments to inform them accordingly.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS – MRPC – Tim informed the Board that he received notice from the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) that they can assist the Town if it is interested in designating targeted areas for economic development projects. Their assistance can be in the form of developing and expedited permitting process for commercial or industrial development, identifying sites appropriate for such development and the evaluation of the local permitting process.
DEC – 10 YEAR REVIEW – Tim informed the Board that the Devens Enterprise Commission (DEC) has distributed the Ten year Review dated December 2006. Tim instructed the Board that if they were interested in receiving a hard copy of the report, that they should contact him or Valeska.
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WATER COMMISSION – LITTLETON ROAD – Tim reported that he met with several of the Water Commissioners regarding their need for the replacement of a 6 inch water main with a 8 inch line down Littleton Road. As a result of that meeting, he further reported that he met with Mike Ivas and Gerry Welch of Massachusetts Housing Opportunities Corporation (MHOC) to see if they would be willing to assist since the line will be service their project. Apparently, Tim Clark had already contacted them regarding the possibility of running a septic line from their project to the school’s wastewater treatment plant. Tim wanted to get a sense of the Board of any items that the Board may want to negotiate with the LIP approval. The Board asked questions of Tim. The Board will discuss further at a
future meeting.
AMBULANCE – BILLING – Tim informed the Board that he has had some preliminary discussions with the Ambulance personnel, with regard to the billing issue. Currently, they are working on getting a billing company and notifying the squad to start collecting “face sheets” on out-of-town transports so they can begin billing. Tim further reported that he and Bob will be meeting with Ambulance personnel. They will report back at a future meeting.
BARE HILL POND DRAWDOWN REPORT – Bill Johnson, Bruce Leicher, and Chris Ashley were in attendance to update the Board on the status of the pond drawdown. Additionally, they discussed their budget for the fiscal year 2008, particularly the increase in electrical costs, due to the pump being in full operation. The Board asked questions of the present members, and thanked them for their hard work and diligence with regard to the project.
***On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Kimball – AYE, Eubank – AYE, Dean – AYE, Wallace – AYE, Marinelli – AYE) to enter into executive session, as authorized by Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, at a meeting for which 48 hours notice has been given for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session for the sole purpose of adjourning.***
The meeting was adjourned at 9:12 P.M.
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