August 28, 2007
Lucy B. Wallace
Randall W. Dean
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 – VETERANS’ SERVICES OFFICER – Dennis Lyddy, of Leominster, was in attendance to introduce himself to the Board and to explain why he’s interested in serving the town as the Veterans’ Services Officer. The Board asked questions of Mr. Lyddy. On a Eubank/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Dennis Lyddy as the Veterans’ Services Officer.
TRANSFER STATION OPERATIONS – Tim Clark reported that he recently met with Rich Nota, DPW Director, and Chris Ryan, Chair of the Transfer Station Committee, to discuss various operations at the Transfer Station and potential ways to cut costs. Tim Clark further reported that the meeting was effective, and that they have come up with some alternative ways to improve operations and cut costs. Additionally, he reported that they discussed some of the safety concerns dealing with the Transfer Station, and that it is anticipated that they will be able to address those concerns and be cost neutral.
MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE – DPW WORK – Tim Clark reported that the DPW has been working on Massachusetts Avenue in front of the new library. They have been working on the grading on the shoulder. Additionally, he reported that the DPW has been working with the Elm Commission regarding the tree protection areas around this site. The Board asked questions of Tim Clark, and he will report further at a future meeting.
MUNCIPAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST – Randy reported that the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust recently held a public meeting, and it was decided that they would send out a letter to any and all potential 40B developers that may be wanting to build a 40B in town, indicating that they will be willing to spend up to $25,000 per unit to add additional affordable units. It is anticipated that those letters will go out shortly.
HOUSING PARTNERSHIP – RECOMMENDATION – AFFORDABLITLY APPLICATION – ASSET LIMIT – Lucy reported that the Housing Partnership met last night with Mark O’Hagan of Trail Ridge to get an update on the 40B project located on Littleton County Road. This particular project will be 52 units split between family and age-restricted units. Lucy explained that initially when the financing was sought and granted for this project, the regulations regarding determination of eligibility for affordable units in an age-restricted project allowed for the monitoring agent to take into account the local market of the of the community in which the project is located when
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determining the asset limit for local preference applicants. Further, she explained that the Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) has adjusted the recommended combined asset limit (home equity plus other assets) at the request of the town. Given that many applicants for an age-restricted unit may already own a home in the community in which the project is located, to downsize, the equity in their existing home may have a significant impact on eligibility, and therefore, may disqualify them under CHAPA’s assumption of 5% of annual interest rate on liquid assets. CHAPA has allowed the asset level in similar communities to Harvard to be between $300,000 - $400,000. Lucy reported that the Housing Partnership voted unanimously to recommend that the Selectmen request to CHAPA an allowance of a
maximum combined asset level of $400,000 for the age-restricted affordable units on the Trail Ridge projects. The Board asked questions of Lucy and wanted statistics of area communities lotteries for affordable housing. The Board felt that until they could see some statistics, they did not want to make such a request to CHAPA. Lucy stated that she would tentatively invite Mark O’Hagan to the Board’s 9/11 meeting.
TOWN CENTER EASEMENTS – UPDATE – Lucy reported that he has been working with Paul Green on clearing up the easement issues as they relate to the Congregational Church and the General Store. It is anticipated that they will be on the October Special Town Meeting warrant, however, Town Counsel is still awaiting the necessary easement documents from David Ross and Associates. The Board will discuss further at their 9/11 meeting, and hope that they necessary documents will be provided to Town Counsel.
MINUTES – On a Marinelli/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of 8/7, as amended.
DEVENS ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA – PUBLIC HEARING - Lucy reminded the Board and the public that there will be a public hearing on Thursday, September 20th at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall meeting room to hear feedback relative to the Devens Acceptance Criteria. The Board asked questions of Lucy with regard to which version of the acceptance criteria was being used, and asked that Valeska put the version up on the town’s website for interested individuals to review. Further, Lucy reported that Ayer held a similar type of hearing, however, was not able to address their acceptance criteria, as the attendees asked questions regarding the various clean-up issues at Devens, such as Shepley’s Hill, and that there are new ideas on the disposition of the Devens land. Lucy will report further at
a future meeting.
JBOS – Lucy gave the Board a brief summary of the JBOS meeting which took place on Thursday 8/23.
BID AWARD – BITUMUNIOUS CONCRETE – Tim Bragan reported that there was a bid opening for Bitumunious Concrete on 8/22. DPW Director, Rich Nota, is recommending that the bid be awarded to the lowest bidder, E.H, Perkins of Wayland
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Massachusetts. The Board asked questions of what the three bid items were. On a Marinelli/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid for bitumunious concrete to the lowest bidder, E. H. Perkins of Wayland in the amount of $366,270.
SIGN CONTRACT – NEW AMBULANCE – Tim Bragan reminded the Board that at their meeting on 8/7, they voted unanimously to award the bid for a new ambulance to Specialty Vehicles, Inc. in the amount of $164,962.00. Tim Bragan presented the Board with the contract for their signatures. On a Marinelli/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to sign the contract with Specialty Vehicles Inc. for the new ambulance in the amount of $164,962.00, as presented.
***On a Marinelli/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Marinelli – AYE, Clark – AYE, Wallace – 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 respect to union and non-union negotiations. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning.***
The meeting was adjourned at 9:03 P.M.
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