May 22, 2007
Lucy B. Wallace
Robert E. Eubank
William J. Marinelli
Randall W. Dean
Timothy A. Clark
Chair, Lucy Wallace, called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
***On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board vote unanimously by a roll call vote (Marinelli – AYE, Eubank – AYE, Wallace – AYE, Clark – AYE, Dean – 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 collective bargaining. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session.***
The Board reconvened into open session at 7:38 P.M.
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION – OLD LITTLETON ROAD – Victor Normand Dennis Delaney, and Larry Finnegan of the Harvard Conservation Trust (HCT) were in attendance to present the Board with a Conservation Restriction for a 3 parcels of land, being donated to the town by James Dunlap. The total acreage of the 3 parcels on Old Littleton Road is approximately 40 acres, and abuts conservation land. The Board asked questions of those in attendance. The Conservation Commission has already approved the conservation restriction. On a Eubank/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the conservation restriction, as presented.
MINUTES – On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 5/8, as amended.
SPED AUDIT – Bob reported that the committee met on Monday night. Further, Bob felt that the town audit, as authorized by the Annual Town Meeting in March, and any investigation conducted by the District Attorney are separate and independent activities. The town’s audit will not be investigating the specific allegations of wrongdoing that may be currently under investigation by the District Attorney, and such activities are separate and independent, and that the town’s audit need not be complete before any other investigation either begins or is concluded. Bill echoed this sentiment. Bob further reported that there will be a public meeting on the SPED audit on 6/4 at 7:30 P.M. in the Bromfield School Library.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
May 22, 2007 – Page 2
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS INVENTORY ASSESSMENT – Tim reported that he has spoken with the architect who has been working on the municipal buildings inventory assessment and his hoping to present the Board with the draft report at one of the Board’s June meetings. Additionally, Tim reported that the woman working on the report is currently working on her architectural license, and will take on this project as credit towards her license, in lieu of payment.
JOINT BOARDS OF SELECTMEN (JBOS) – Bob Eubank reported on that at recent JBOS meetings the issue has been a lack of clarity on exactly on what the town wants with the disposition of Devens. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted 3 to 2 (Marinelli – NAY, Dean – NAY) the following two motions:
That the Board of Selectmen seek retention of Harvard’s historic lands, pending the result of a comprehensive, professional study of the effect of resumption of jurisdiction on Harvard and the surrounding towns in the north central Massachusetts region.
Harvard’s Board of Selectmen do not at this time support creation of a new municipality on Devens.
Additionally, on a Clark/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously the following as a background statement, which is to include the previous two motions to be placed at the beginning:
The Harvard Board of Selectmen hereby informs all interested parties including our elected state legislators, the office of the Governor, Mass Development and their agents that, at this point in time, this is Harvard’s official position on disposition.
In the coming weeks, the Harvard Board of Selectmen will request the full cooperation of Mass Development and all state agencies involved with Devens. The Harvard Board of Selectmen will seek the full disclosure of the practical and financial implications of what the restoration of jurisdiction of Harvard land within Devens will mean for the future of Harvard and all of the citizens that reside within its boundaries.
We would expect that this cooperative approach would include a direct and on-going dialogue with Mass Development and the Governor’s office as well as the use of professional consultants and analysts to collect and evaluate all necessary data related to this single goal: To offer a disposition scenario for the future of Harvard land at Devens that achieves agreement and support within our community and provides for the economic revitalization of the region that was envisioned in the Re-use plan for Ft. Devens and in the manner proscribed by the guiding legislation of Chapter 498 of the Acts of 1993 .
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
May 22, 2007 – Page 3
LIAISION ASSIGNMENTS – Tim presented the Board with the draft list of liaison assignments. The Board made changes to the list.
APPOINTMENT – FINANCE COMMITTEE STUDY COMMITTEE – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Lucy and Bill to the Finance Committee Study Committee.
STATEMENT OF INTEREST – MASSACHUSETTS SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY – Tim presented the Board with a Statement of Interest for the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which the School Committee is requesting the Board sign. Willie Wickman, Chair of the School Committee was in attendance and explained that the purpose of the document, and that it is required for any future potential school building projects. Specifically, if there are any current deficiencies with any of the existing school buildings. This particular statement of interest has to do with the Elementary School. The Board asked questions of Willie, particularly in regard to the enrollment projections. The Board inquired where the numbers came from which appeared in the enrollment projections, as they seemed inaccurate. The
Board did not feel comfortable with the numbers shown, and asked that the School Committee amend the documents with more realistic enrollment projections. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the document on behalf of the Board, with the stipulation that the additional enrollment projections be included. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously the following resolution: Having convened in an open meeting on May 22, 2007, the Selectmen of the Town of Harvard, in accordance with its charter, bylaws and ordinances, has voted to authorize the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority the Statement of Interest dated April 23, 2007 for the Harvard Elementary School located at 25 Massachusetts Avenue which described and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category(s) for which Harvard may be invited to apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority in the
priority one, four, five, six and seven categories for a new Elementary School; and hereby further specifically acknowledges that by submitting this Statement of Interest, the Massachusetts School Building Authority in no way guarantees the acceptance or the approval of an application, the awarding of a grant or any other funding commitment from the Massachusetts School Building Authority, or commits the Town of Harvard to filing an application for funding with the Massachusetts School Building Authority.
GINNY THURSTON SCHOLARSHIP – Valeska presented the Board with 7 applications for this year’s Ginny Thurston scholarship. The Board designated Randy and Tim to review the applications, and make a selection. The Board will award $1000, as they have historically, and will most likely choose 2 applicants. Tim will attend the commencement ceremony, on behalf of the Board, to award the applicant with the scholarship.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
May 22, 2007 – Page 4
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to make the following appointments:
Mary Jo Boynton, Elderly & Disabled Taxation Aid Committee
Rhonda Sprague, Historical Commission
Lucy Wallace, Housing Partnership
Bruce Nickerson, MART Advisory Board
Lucy Wallace, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee, HHP rep.
Meg Bagdonas, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Robert Capobianco, ZBA
CHAPTER 90 – Tim presented the Board with DPW Director, Rich Nota’s, revised program for the funds that have to be spent by June 30, 2008. Further, he is looking to put the leveler course on Old Littleton and Pinnacle with the stone sealer just on Pinnacle from Littleton to Old Littleton. The Board asked questions of Tim. Tim presented the Board with the corresponding Chapter 90 documents. On a Clark/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign the Chapter 90 documents, as presented, on behalf of the Board.
SPECIAL ELECTION – Governor Patrick has set the Special Election for the Fifth District with the Primary to be Tuesday, September 4, 2007 and the Election on October 16, 2007. The legislature has authorized additional funds to help defray the cost of the primary given the issues that arise from the date on which it is held. The funds will not cover all of the costs but I will work with the Town Clerk on this issue.
FIRE DEPARTMENT – COMMUNICATION – Tim informed the Board that the last electrical storm we had knocked out our Fire Department’s communication system. The Fire Chief and his men handled the situation very well and the system was operating within 24hrs.
MEMORIAL DAY EXERCISES – Memorial Day Exercises will be held on Monday, May 28, 2007. The parade will start at Town Hall at 9:45AM.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DAY – Tim reminded the Board that Harvard’s Household Hazardous Waste Day is scheduled Saturday, June 9th from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. at the Transfer Station. Additional information can be found on the town’s website.
SENATOR RESOR – SPECIAL LEGISLATION – Tim informed the Board that the Senator Resor has filed the special legislation regarding property tax exemptions for registered affordable accessory apartments, as voted on at the annual town meeting and election. The Board asked questions of Tim with regard to this matter. Tim will report further at a future meeting when there is action on this item at the State level.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
May 22, 2007 – Page 5
BIKE’S NOT BOMBS - Tim informed the Board that on Saturday, June 9th,at the DPW, the Boy Scouts will be collecting bicycles as part of their “Bikes not Bombs” program.
RESIGNATION – FINANCE COMMITTEE – Tim informed the Board that Paul Donovan submitted his resignation from the Finance Committee, today.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 P.M.
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