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June 19, 2007
bert E. Eubank
William J. Marinelli
Randall W. Dean
Timothy A. Clark
Vice-Chair, Robert Eubank, called the meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION – WHIP GRANT – Charlie Gorss, of the Conservation Commission was in attendance seeking the Board’s approval of . On a Dean/Marinelli motion, the Board of Selectmen hereby authorize the chairperson of the Harvard Conservation Commission to apply for grants and to sign other documents that relate grant applications within the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission. The Chairperson shall only be able to sign documents which commit the expenditures of funds if those funds have been approved for expenditure by the Conservation Commission and the expenditure of funds has been approved by the Conservation Commission at a regularly scheduled meeting. This authorization is valid until April 30, 2008.
MODERATOR – APPOINTMENTS – FINANCE COMMITTEE STUDY COMMITTEE – Bob stated that at the Board’s 6/5 meeting, the Board made an affirmative motion to respectfully request that the Moderator reconsider his appointments to the Finance Committee Study Committee. The Board stated that their intent at the Annual Town Meeting, was to include one citizen-at-large to serve on this committee, and one signatory of the citizen’s petition, whereas the Moderator appointed two signatories of the petition to this committee. Moderator, Doc Westerling, was in attendance to present his timeline of events leading up to the appointment of the two signatories of the citizen’s petition. He explained how he sought individuals to serve on the committee. The Board discussed the appointments and their
understanding of the intent of this committee and the make up of this committee. Residents Stu Sklar of Scott Road, George McKenna of Old Littleton Road, Maria Kaufmann of South Shaker Road, Dan Justice of Woodside Road, Holly Rothkopf of Old Boston Turnpike and Deb Ricci of East Bare Hill Road were in attendance to discuss their opinions with regard to this committee. Doc stated that he will continue with his selected individuals as appointees on the committee, and will follow up with the Board in writing. Further, he stated that he has spoken with several residents who dealt with similar study undertaken in the early 1990’s, and are willing to work with the committee in an advisory capacity.
TOWN AUDITOR – DRAFT AUDIT & MANAGEMENT LETTER – George McKenna, the Town Auditor, was in attendance, and Finance Director, Lorraine Leonard, to go over with the Board the Draft audit and management letter. George went through and summarized the various items as they appear in the draft documents. George noted process and procedure and explained that he would be happy to return to the Board once they have reviewed the documents in detail, to answer any additional questions.
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June 19, 2007 – Page 2
Additionally, he noted that he is working with the town management on several of the mentioned items. The Board asked questions of George and Lorraine. On a Dean/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize Tim to look into a process for safeguarding fixed inventory, and to make a future recommendation to the Board. On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Management report, as presented.
DOG HEARING – ARNDT – GLENVIEW DRIVE – Dog Officer, Paul Willard was in attendance, to give the Board a status update of the dog situation at the Arndt property located on Glenview Drive. Paul reported that there were two incidents in the summer of 2006 with several of the Arndt dogs along Ayer Road. Additionally, he reported that he was contacted by neighbors, Cyndi Lawrence and Karen Johnson Taylor, on 5/17 and 5/26, respectively of sightings of several of the Arndt dogs on those dates. Ms. Arndt was in attendance and reported her recollection of events. Ms. Lawrence and Ms. Johnson Taylor also were in attendance and reported their version of the said dog events. The Board asked questions of the Dog Officer, the defendant, as well, as the complainants. On a Dean/Clark motion, the
Board voted unanimously to impose a fine of $135, which will be suspended for 90 days as long as the dog owners continue to obey the restraining order placed on the dogs, and make improvements to their property to ensure the dogs stay in compliance with the restraining order.
EVERGREEN SOLAR – BARNUM ROAD – DEVENS – Tim Clark informed the Board that on 6/26 there will be a hearing at Devens with regard to a proposed facility, Evergreen Solar. The project would be located on Barnum Road, on approximately 22 acres adjacent to Media News and abuts the Cold Spring Brook conservation area. Evergreen Solar develops, manufactures and markets solar power products using proprietary low cost technologies. The company currently has a facility in Marlboro, and this proposed facility would create up to 350 new jobs with employees working 24/7 in staggered, 12-hour shifts with an average salary of $44,380. If approved, the company would like to begin construction by this fall and be in production by June 2008. The Board asked questions of Tim. The Board suggested that any
interested individuals attend the 6/26 hearing.
MINUTES – On a Clark/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 6/5, as amended.
LETTER TO LEGISLATORS - CHAPTER 40B – LETTER OF SUPPORT – WALPOLE – Tim presented the Board with a draft of a letter of support to be sent to Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge, to join the Town of Walpole’s efforts to place a moratorium on ‘unfriendly’ Chapter 40B applications. On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the letter, as presented.
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BIKES NOT BOMBS – Tim reported that Ryan Williams will be holding his Bikes not Bombs bicycle collection at the DPW on June 30th. It was originally scheduled for June 9th, however due to scheduling conflicts, that date was not the best.
DEVENS CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE – SUPPORT REQUEST – CENTRAL MASS MOSQUITO CONTROL – Tim presented the Board with a request from the Devens Citizens Advisory Committee for the Boards approval for them to become a member of the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control. The Board asked questions of Tim with regard to this request. On a Dean/Marinelli motion, the Board failed to vote 1 to 2 to 0 (Dean – AYE, Eubank – NAY, Clark – NAY, Marinelli – ABSTAIN) the motion to support the Devens Citizens Advisory Committee for their membership in the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. The Board discussed the issue further, and felt that more information would be needed to be able to make a decision one way or the other, and suggested that Tim invite Phil Crosby of
Devens, to the Board’s next meeting to discuss the issue further. On a Clark/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to take no definite action on this item, until further information has been gleaned.
CITIZENS TO PROTECT RESIDENTIAL HARVARD (CPRH) – HERBICIDE SPRAYING – ROUTE 2 & 495 – CPRH sent the Board a letter requesting their support in the disapproval of MassHighway’s plans to spray toxic herbicides on Routes 2 and Route 495 in Harvard. In past years, the Board joined efforts with CPRH to ensure that the spraying did not go forward. On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to send a letter to MassHighway requesting that they don’t spray the herbicides.
EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE AWARDS – NASHOBA PUBLISHING – Tim informed the Board that Nashoba Publishing is hosting their 7th annual Extraordinary Service Awards on Thursday, 6/21. Harvard Firefighter, Oona Aldrich, will be the recipient of this year’s award for Harvard. On a Dean/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to send Oona a congratulatory letter.
STONE SEAL – PINNACLE ROAD – Tim informed the Board that the DPW will be putting down a layer of stone seal Pinnacle Road, as a test. They will not be out there longer than six hours. The Board asked questions of Tim with regard to this matter. Tim will report further at a future meeting.
AMBULANCE DIRECTOR – RESIGNATION – Tim informed the Board that Ambulance Director, Alison Lierhaus, just submitter her resignation earlier in the afternoon. On a Dean/Eubank moiton, the Board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Alison Lierhaus, as Ambulance Director, with regret, and that a letter of thanks be sent.
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ELDERLY & DISABLED TAXATION FUND – RANTOUL – Tim reported that he was contacted by Rick Maiore to revote a motion they had made prior to the Special Town Meeting in the fall, to give the Elderly & Disabled Taxation Aid Committee $5000 from the Rantoul Fund. On a Dean/Marinellit motion, the Board voted unanimously to give the Elderly & Disabled Taxation Aid Committee $5000 from the Rantoul fund.
PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE – Tim presented the Board with the entertainment license that Fruitlands Museum applied for. On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the Public Entertainment License, for Fruitlands Museum of 102 Prospect Hill Road, as presented.
AFFORDABLE ACCESSORY APARTMENTS – HEARING - HOME RULE PETITION – Tim reported on the that he and the Chair of the Planning Board, Mary Essary, recently attended the hearing at the State House for the Home Rule Petition, with regard affordable accessory apartments. He explained the process and that it is moving along. The Board asked questions of Tim. He will report further at a future meeting.
***On a Dean/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Marinelli – AYE, Clark – AYE, Eubank – 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 regard to collective bargaining agreements. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session for the sole purpose of adjourning. ***
The meeting was adjourned at 10:23 P.M.
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