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June 5, 2007
cy B. Wallace
Robert E. Eubank
William J. Marinelli
Timothy A. Clark
Chair, Lucy Wallace, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
APPOINTMENT – FINANCE COMMITTEE STUDY – Bill Marinelli brought up the issue with regard to the appointments of individuals to the Finance Committee Study Committee. Recently, the Moderator, appointed two of the petitioners to the committee, however, at the annual town meeting it was voted that the committee would consist of the Moderator, 2 Finance Committee members, 2 School Committee members, 2 Selectmen and 1 petitioner. Stu Sklar, a signatory on the petition, has already been appointed to the Committee, as 1 of the 2 School Committee’s representatives, so there would be 3 signatories of the petition on the study committee. On a Marinelli/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to request that the Moderator reconsider his appointments to the Finance Committee Study Committee. Finance
Committee members George Mckenna, Deb Ricci, Cindy Russo and Steve Colwell were in attendance, and agreed with the Board’s motion to have the Moderator reconsider those particular appointments.
AYER ROAD PROJECT – CAMP DRESSER & MCKEE (CDM) – DPW Director, Rich Nota, was in attendance and presented Kevin Johnson, of Camp Dresser and Mckee to the Board. Mr. Johnson was in attendance to give the Board a presentation of the Ayer Road Corridor Study, which encompasses from the Route 2 off-ramp to the Ayer town line. Mr. Johnson began with the data collection and analysis results, such as traffic volumes, truck volumes and the posted speed limits. Additionally, he explained that they evaluated the intersections of Ayer Road with the Dunkin Donuts access drive, the post office access drive, Lancaster County Road, Poor Farm Road, South Shaker Road, Old Mill Road and Myrick Lane. Further, he updated the Board on various intersections and the number of collisions that have occurred over the
past 3 years. Mr. Johnson then gave the Board CDM’s recommendations for short term improvements which would be adding some signage for intersections and deer, vegetation trimming and re-grading along the intersection corners at Gebo Lane, Poor Farm Road, Lancaster County Road, South Shaker Road and Old Mill Road.. Additional short term improvements recommendations were to restrict Lancaster County Road to a one-way in from Ayer Road, change access to the post office, realign Gebo Lane and Poor Farm Road, reapaint Ayer Road a the Dunkin Donuts site for a left turn lane. Mr. Johnson estimated the short term improvements would cost approximately $70,000. He then addressed the future conditions and expected traffic growth, and that the Poor Farm Road intersection, may warrant for a traffic signal in the future. Further, he noted the Master Plan goals for Ayer Road, and the potential for control with regard to the zoning and potential land
use of future developments. He discussed various options and ways of controlling speed and
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June 5, 2007 – Page 2
safety along Ayer Road and other long term options. The Board asked Mr. Johnson questions with regard to his proposal, and the means used for some of the data presented. He will forward the draft study in it’s entirety to the Board, and a cd so that Valeska place the document on the town’s website.
Bill Marinelli left the meeting at this time.
POLICE DEPARTMENT – NEW SERGEANT’S POSITON – POLICE CHIEF – Police Chief, Ed Denmark, was in attendance to discuss with the Board his proposed process of selecting the department’s new sergeant position. Chief Denmark explained that he believes that there will most likely be at least 5 internal applicants, and in an attempt to hinder any discussions of impropriety within the department with regard to the selection of the individual, he has come up with a promotional process for the Board’s approval. He explained that the process would be two part. The first being a written test prepared by the International Public Management Association for Human Resources, which was designed to assess the qualifications of candidates for first line supervisors. He further explained that the
test has been validated for content validity and has withstood court challenges in other jurisdictions. The second part of the process, would require the candidate to have scored a minimum of 75% on this examination. The second phase would consist of an assessment center evaluation, which would in essence mimic a ‘day in the life’ of a sergeant, and would evaluate their ability to work through video based exercises to test their technical skills, communication skills, problem identification and solving skills, and their written communication skills. He would need to assemble an assessment team, all colleagues of Chief Denmark, with no ties to the town or the Department, and would like a member of the Board to sit on the team, as well. The Board asked questions of the Chief. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Chief Denmark to go forward with the process, as presented.
SPECIAL EDUCATION TASK FORCE – AUDIT COMMITTEE - PUBLIC MEETING – Bob reported on the Special Education Task Force Audit Committee public meeting which took place last night. The group heard suggestions and feedback for the audit. The committee is still seeking feedback, including suggestions for a competent auditor, which can be sent to Valeska at the town hall. Bob further reported that they have been working on a draft RFP and are hoping to have it complete by the end of June. Bob will report further at a future meeting.
PINE HILLS MEETING – Lucy reported on the recent meeting of the Pine Hill Village all boards meeting. The applicant was given the opportunity to explain the application and those in attendance were invited to comment on the application to MassHousing. Tim Clark asked questions on the process on how feedback is sent on to MassHousing, which Lucy clarified for him. Lucy presented the Board with a draft letter to send to
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MassHousing regarding the comments and concerns with regard to the proposed project. Tim Clark made several amendments to the proposed letter. On a Eubank/Clark motion,the Board voted unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign and send a letter to MassHousing, as amended.
BOARD RETREAT – Lucy reported on the Board retreat which took place on 5/29 (attached).
MINUTES – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 5/22, as amended.
APPOINTMENT – MONTACHUSETT JOINT TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE – On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dave ‘Doc’ Westerling to the Montachusett Joint Transportation Committee.
TOWN OF WALPOLE – SUPPORT SUSPENSION OF 40B – The Town of Walpole has contacted the Board in hopes of supporting their efforts to suspend Chapter 40B projects, by coming together to dissect Chapter 40B, identify the problems and permanently fix the various problems as they pertain to 40B projects. Walpole has contacted their state legislators, and are respectfully requesting the same. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to send a similar letter to Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge, and notify Walpole, as well.
PROCLAMATION – EZEKIEL FITZPATRICK FLATON – EAGLE SCOUT – On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to proclaim Tuesday, June 5th as Ezekiel Fitzpatrick Flaton Day in recognition of his achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout within the Boy Scouts organization. The Board was presented with a proclamation to sign, and Valeska will forward it on.
COMMON VICTUALLER’S LICENSE – PEACHES BAKERY & DELI – Tim presented the Board with a common victualler’s license for Peaches Bakery and Deli which will be located in the space formerly occupied by Lisa’s Café. Tim Clark inquired as to how requirements are established with regard to common victualler’s licenses, with regard to parking or hours of operation. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the Common Victualler’s license for Peaches Bakery and Deli to be located at 325 Ayer Road, as presented.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER – TANIA ARNDT – GLENVIEW DRIVE – Tim informed the Board that he has been contacted by the Animal Control Officer, Paul Willard, of activities in violation of the Board’s decision with regard to Tania Arndt’s dogs on Glenview Drive. The Board will hold a hearing at their meeting on 6/19 at 8:30 P.M. to address the matter.
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ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE – DRAFT – Tim informed the Board that as a result of the various discussions with regard to Fruitlands, it has come to attention that currently the Town of Harvard does not issue Entertainment licenses. Tim presented the Board with a draft of an entertainment license, and recommended that the fee be $25, which is what other communities charge. Further, he explained that the license would be valid for one year. The Board asked questions of Tim. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Entertainment License, as presented, and that the fee be $25 for said license.
GINNY THURSTON SCHOLARSHIP – Tim Clark reported that he and Randy had selected Lindsey Tonge of 8 White Lane as 2007’s recipient of the Ginny Thurston Civic Scholarship award. Tim reported on the commencement ceremony, which he attended, and that Ms. Tonge was very appreciative of the scholarship.
FALL FETE BANNER – HARVARD PTA – Tim presented the Board with a request from the Harvard PTA to hang a banner advertising the Fall Fete which is scheduled to be held on November 10th. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request from the Harvard PTA to hang a banner advertising the Fall Fete taking place on November 10th.
APPOINTMENT – COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – CONSERVATION COMMISSION – On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint George Watkins, as the Conservation Commission representative on the Community Preservation Committee.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:04 P.M.
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