October 2, 2007
Lucy B. Wallace
William J. Marinelli
Randall W. Dean
Robert E. Eubank
Timothy A. Clark
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chair, Lucy Wallace, in the Town Hall meeting room.
AMBULANCE DIRECTOR – Bob Eubank explained that he has been discussing the Director’s position with the Ambulance Squad, and they are recommending that Tom Phillipou be appointed as the Ambulance Squad’s new Director. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Tom Phillipou as the Ambulance Director.
TOWN AUDIT – SCHOOL OPERATIONS – Bill Marinelli reported that although he’s been traveling over the course of the last month, he has been disappointed with the lack of attention by the School Committee with regard to the discrepancies cited in the town’s audit.
PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION – TOWN CENTER EASEMENTS – Tim Clark reported that he met with the Park and Recreation Commission at their meeting last night, and they are concerned about the language and the implications with regard to the Town Center easements being granted to the General Store and the Church, as proposed for the Special Town Meeting. Tim Clark has asked that the Park and Recreation Commission post a meeting for the evening of the STM in the event that there is a vote that needs to take place prior to the articles showing up on the town meeting floor. Tim Clark asked for the current versions and or plans so that they can be circulated to the Park and Recreation Commission. Tim Bragan reported that he is awaiting for the plans and documents from Al Barbieri, and will forward them on
accordingly.
DEVENS ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA – FEEDBACK - Tim Clark was charged with collecting the feedback that was received relative to the Devens Acceptance Criteria hearing, which took place several weeks ago, and asked the Board for some direction, as to what form they would like to see it in. Tim Clark further reported that it has not been edited, or reviewed in detail, and suggested a follow up meeting to present the revised criteria documenting the input received, but made it clear that in no way would be a determination for suitability. The Board instructed Valeska to post it as a working draft on the website, and ask individuals to provide any additional comments that they would like to add so that it can be incorporated into the final draft. The Board asked that any and all feedback be received by the end of October.
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SPECIAL EDUCATION AUDIT COMMITTEE – Bob Eubank reported that only one response was received back for the SPED audit. The committee met and agreed that the single response was not adequate, on the basis of the response itself. The cost portion of the RFP was not even opened. The committee went back and reviewed what firms the RFP was sent to, and individual committee members contacted the various firms and individuals, and sought feedback as to why they did not submit an RFP. Additionally, they were asked if they had any suggestions to make the RFP more favorable, and perhaps to be able to receive more responses. The committee is going got meet again and resend the RFP to at least another 7 firms, and follow up with them to ensure that they received the documents. This puts the timetable
out of sync with their initial intention of being able to report back to town meeting, however, it’s been complicated by the SPED department’s annual audit at the state, which is generally done this time of year. They are anticipating the RFP will go out again in the next several weeks. Bob will report back to the Board on this issue at a future meeting.
JONATHAN BLINN – RECOGNITION – Bob Eubank explained that through the town’s new Veterans’ Services Officer, Dennis Lyddy, the Board became aware of a recognition of local Veterans who have recently returned from service in Iraq and Afghanistan, that were going to be honored in Leominster, at a regular meeting of an organization known as Family Link. Bob reported that he presented Sergeant Jonathan Blinn with an appreciation/recognition on behalf of the Board and the Town on Thursday, 9/27. Bob further reported that Sergeant Blinn spent 4 years in the Marine Corps of which 1 year was active duty in Afghanistan and 2 years in Iraq. Bob emphatically thanked Sergeant Blinn for his service to his country and the Town of Harvard, and made known how proud everyone is of him.
PUBLIC INFORMATION SESSION – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES – Lucy informed the public and the press that the Board will be holding a special public information session tomorrow evening at 7:00 P.M. in the Town Hall meeting to go over the warrant for the October 10th Special Town Meeting, and urged all interested individuals to attend.
DEVENS HOUSING – Lucy reported that on Thursday evening at 7:00 P.M. at the Community Center at Devens, a meeting will be hosted by Senator Resor and Representative Eldridge to have a dialogue to discuss the issue of additional housing at Devens. Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, Dan O’Connell and Undersecretary of Housing and Community Development, Tina Brooks, will lead the discussion. It is anticipated that representatives of MassDevelopment will be in attendance, as well.
MINUTES – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 9/11, as presented. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 9/18, as presented.
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MUNICIPAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING TRUST – On a Marinelli/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Chris Ready, Mort Miller and Steve Rowse to the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust for two year terms.
APPOINTMENT – BOARD OF REGISTRARS – On a Clark/Dean motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Michelle Catalina of 15 Myrick Lane to the Board of Registrars until April 30, 2009.
ZBA APPLICATION – ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL – NIGZUS – Tim Bragan presented the Board with an administrative appeal from Steve Nigzus, of 26 Madigan Lane, to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mr. Nigzus applied for a building permit to construct a wind turbine on his farm, however, was denied by the Building Inspector as his determination was that a wind turbine is not currently an allowed use, and is not an exempt agricultural use, under the protective bylaw. The ZBA is seeking the Board’s feedback with regard to this appeal prior to October 15th. The Board discussed the matter and had questions with regard to the surplus energy that would be generated and the storage of energy. The Board was not able to come to a consensus on the matter, so Tim Bragan recommended that the Board members
should respond directly to the ZBA with their individual comments.
VACANCY – PARK AND RECREATION COMMSSION – Tim Bragan informed the Board that Eric Peterson has submitted his resignation from the Park and Recreation Commission. The Park and Recreation Commission already has an individual in mind, and it is anticipated that a joint appointment will be made within the next several weeks.
Randy arrived at the meeting at this point.
HOUSING COMMITTEES – 40B – The Board held a discussion with regard to the various Housing Committees in town, and 40B Adhoc committees. It was noted that many of the members that serve on the Housing committees, are then asked to serve on the 40B Adhoc committees, and there is concern that those individuals are getting burned out. The suggestion was made that one committee be formed to deal with the array of housing issues, and that the make up of that committee consist of former Selectmen and Planning Board members. Valeska will provide Randy with a list of those individuals and forward them on to Randy so he can approach them and see if they would be interested in serving on such a committee.
PERSONNEL BOARD – PROPOSED CHANGES – BYLAW & POLICIES & PROCEDURES – Randy reported that the Personnel Board recently met and voted unanimously to recommend to the Board to amend the Town of Harvard’s Personnel Policies and Procedures by increasing the Town’s contribution to the premium for Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans to 75%, to change the Town Bylaw with respect to replacing Vacation and Sick leave with a Paid Time Off (PTO) system, also change the
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Policies and Procedures Sections 16A, 17 and 18 so that they reflect the Bylaw changes and increasing the FY2008 COLA from 2% to 3%. Additionally, the Personnel Board is also recommending making one-time payments to employees that worked for the Town and were on the Town’s insurance prior to July 1, 2004 as an insurance offset for those years. The payments would be $1,800 for those on a single plan and $4,500 for those on the family plan with accommodations for those that were on the insurance but switched from a family to single or single to family plan within the subsequent years. The Board asked questions of Randy and Tim with regard to the Personnel Board’s recommendations. On a Eubank/Marinelli motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and ratify the Personnel Board’s recommendations
as outlined above.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT - DPW – Tim Bragan presented the Board with the final version of the DPW’s collective bargaining agreement. On a Dean/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the collective bargaining agreement with the DPW, as presented.
PLANNING BOARD – BYLAW AMENDMENTS – Tim Bragan informed the Board that the Planning Board is seeking input regarding any amendments to the Protective Bylaw to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting in the spring. Any issues or suggestions should be forwarded to the Administrative Assistant, Liz Allard.
FISCAL YEAR 2009 – BUDGET – Tim Bragan informed the Board that the Finance Committee is beginning the FY’09 budget process, and presented the Board with the Finance Committee’s timeline for the upcoming months. Additionally, Tim Bragan reminded the Board that the Capital Committee will begin their annual process shortly, as well.
FRUITLANDS – GRANT – MASTER PLANNING – Fruitlands Museum has secured $37,500 from the Mass Cultural Facilities Fund Technical and Feasibility Grant for assistance with the creation of a master plan of their facilities. Fruitlands sent along their thanks to the Board for the support and assistance in seeking this grant.
WALPOLE SELECTMEN – 40B MORATORIUM – SUPPORT – Tim Bragan informed the Board that he has received a letter from the Walpole Board of Selectmen thanking them for Harvard’s support regarding a moratorium on MGL 40B. Additionally, they wanted to inform the Board of a new organization called the Municipal Coalition for Affordable Housing, and that they will be seeking new members for this group. There will be a conference on affordable housing on Friday, October 26th in Westborough and interested Selectmen should contact Tim Bragan.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 P.M.
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