August 7, 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.
MINUTES – On a Marinelli/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 7/10, as presented.
FINANCE COMMITTEE STUDY COMMITTEE – Lucy reported that the committee met once. They are going to contact other comparable communities to get a sense of how other communities handle the make up of their Finance Committee. The committee is meeting again tomorrow night at 7:30 P.M. in the Town Hall meeting room.
BARE HILL POND COMMITTEE – APPOINTMENT – On a Marinelli/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Ron Ricci to the Bare Hill Pond Committee.
SCHOOL COMMITTEE – APPOINTMENT – School Committee members, Willie Wickman, Jeff Shaw, Stu Sklar and Will Verbits were in attendance to interview interested individuals in serving on the School Committee. The interested individuals were Patty Wenger of Westcott Road, Virginia Marston Justicz of Woodside Road, and Tom Phillipou of Stow Road. The Board asked the individuals to give a brief summary of their relevant experience and why they are interested in serving on the School Committee. The Board and the School Committee members asked questions of the individuals. On a Wickman/Sklar motion, the Board and the School Committee voted 5 to 3 (Wickman – AYE, Sklar – AYE, Verbits – AYE, Wallace – AYE, Eubank – AYE, Shaw – NAY, Marinelli – NAY, Clark – NAY) to
appoint Virginia Marston Justicz to the School Committee until the next town election.
BARE HILL POND – BID AWARD – Tim Bragan informed the Board that there was a bid opening on Monday 8/6 for the Bare Hill Pond seeking bids for performing a set of specific measurements on aquatic weed coverage, water quality and sediment composition in Bare Hill Pond. Only one bid was received from ENSR in the amount of $19,000. The Board asked questions of Tim Bragan relative to the bid and the appropriation for the scope of work that was put out to bid. On a Marinelli/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid to ENSR in the amount of $19,000.
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AMBULANCE BID – AWARD – Tim Bragan informed the Board that three companies were sent the bid specifications for a new ambulance. One bid was received from Specialty Vehicles in the amount of $164,962. The amount appropriated was $200,000. Members of the Ambulance squad have been in contact with the company with regard to some of the specifics. On a Marinelli/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to award the bid for a new ambulance to Specialty Vehicles in the amount of $164,962.
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION COMMITTEE – VACANCY – Tim Bragan informed the Board that Matt Ebert has submitted his resignation from the Community Preservation Committee. Interested individuals should contact the Selectmen’s office in the hopes of making an appointment at the Board’s 8/28 meeting.
ELECTION WARRANT – SIGN – Tim Bragan presented the Board with the election warrant for the congressional primary to be held on September 4, 2007, at the Bromfield School. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to sign the election warrant for the congressional primary for September 4, 2007, as presented.
ELECTION OFFICIALS – APPOINTMENT – On a Marinelli/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint the following individuals as election officials:
DEMOCRATIC ELECTION OFFICIALS
Dennis Bradley, Warden Elizabeth Ashe, Dep. Warden
Audrey Ball, Inspector Marie Finnegan, Inspector
George Schaffer, Inspector Paul A. Green, II, Dep. Inspector
Jane Venditti, Dep. Inspector Nancy Reifenstein, Dep. Inspector
Martha Green, Ballot Box Abbe Alpert
REPUBLICAN ELECTION OFFICIALS
Janet Wilhelm, Election Clerk Mary Kimball, Dep. Election Clerk
Nancy Cronin, Inspector Joan Dillard, Inspector
Frances Maiore, Inspector Rhonda Sprague, Inspector
Gail Conlin, Dep. Inspector Polly Leahy, Dep. Inspector
Becky Gordon, Dep. Inspector Peter E. Warren, Dep. Inspector
UNENROLLED ELECTION OFFICIALS
Lisa Dagdigian Sandra Lefkovits
Elizabeth Stone Dorothy Solbrig
Deborah Ricci
MAKA – CHAPTER 61A – STOW ROAD – Tim Bragan informed the Board that he sent notice to the Planning Board, Conservation Commission and the Conservation Trust of Stephen Maka’s intent to sell his property on Stow Road, currently classified under Chapter 61A. Tim Bragan has heard from all notified parties, and no one has expressed
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interest in this particular parcel. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously not to exercise their right of first refusal on the Maka property identified as lot #1 on the southeasterly side of Stow Road, in the amount of 4.1 acres, and authorized Tim Bragan to notify Stephen Maka.
GENERAL STORE – REQUESTS - Mr. Horowitz representing the General Store of 1 Still River Road, was in attendance to request the Board consider deeding a small strip of land, due to the vestibule and fire escape being located on town land. They have realized during renovations that there needs to be a handicap access ramp constructed and updates to the fire escape are needed due to updates in the Building Code. The Board asked questions of Mr. Horowitz. Additionally, Mr. Horowitz discussed the need for an easement to the usage of the septic system, which is located on town property, as well. Mr. Horowitz’s final request was also an easement for parking for use of the general store. The Board asked questions of Mr. Horowitz. The Board was in general support of his requests, and felt that
with the fast approaching Special Town Meeting in October, that he should work swiftly with his attorneys to get the appropriate paperwork in order, so that it can be forwarded on to Town Counsel for his review.
EVERGREEN SOLAR – BARNUM ROAD – Tim Clark reported extensively at the Board’s 7/10 meeting of a pre-meeting he attended with regard to the proposed Evergreen Solar facility to be located on Barnum Road. Tim Clark noted that the major concerns he had heard from individuals were with regard to noise impact on abutting Ayer Road and Old Mill Road neighborhoods; traffic; the proximity of the proposed facility to the Cold Spring Brook and additional adjacent wetlands; environmental considerations; Area of Concern (AOC) 57; and the issue of lighting and light pollution. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to support the project and send a letter to the DEC indicating the Board’s support and also to note the concerns noted above.
TRANSFER STATION STICKERS – ELDERLY – Bill Poitras a resident of Shirley, however, his mother is an elderly Harvard resident, who he helps with her trash removal. He came to the town hall to purchase a sticker for his vehicle for the purpose of disposing his mother’s trash, however, was unable to do so due to the regulations currently in place, which state the vehicle needs to be registered to an address in town. He suggested that a waiver of some sort be instituted to deal with these types of situations. The Board acknowledged the dilemma, and felt that some sort of system does need to be implemented to deal with these types of exceptions. The Board will discuss at a future meeting and come up with some form of a solution.
TRANSFER STATION OPERATIONS – Tim Clark reported that he is meeting with Rich Nota, DPW Director and Chris Ryan, chair of the Transfer Station Committee, tomorrow morning, to discuss Transfer Station Operations. He will report further at a future meeting.
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MUNICIPAL BUILDING & FACILITY ASSESSMENT – Tim Clark notified the Board that he is in receipt of the first draft of the Municipal Building and Facility assessment and will make it available. He will be presenting it to the Municipal Buildings task force, a sub-committee of the Town Center Planning Committee. The Board has asked for the draft of the report to be circulated to them via email.
HISTORICAL COMMISSION – PROCESS – Bob reported that he recently met with the Historical Commission to discuss process on how work is conducted on various town buildings in the historic district. Bob has offered to work with the Historical Commission on those issues. Bob will update the Board at a future meeting.
LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE – Bob asked that nominations for the Long Range Planning Committee be placed on the agenda for the Board’s 8/28 meeting.
JBOS – VOTE ON DEVENS – SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - Lucy reported of the recent JBOS meeting. She stated that there has been a proposal floated to the towns asking for the approval of ‘conceptually’ the town of Devens and that it be placed on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting. At that meeting, Lucy and Bob reiterated to the JBOS, Harvard’s current position, and that, at this time, the Harvard Board of Selectmen does not think it’s advisable or necessary to put this on the special town meeting warrant, due to the fact that it has been voted on within the past year and there has been no new information put out. Bill Marinelli suggested that a timetable be set to keep the process moving. Bob reported that currently the JBOS has set a 2 year window to work out the
issues out further. The Board discussed the acceptance criteria, and the need for a public hearing to make any changes to the acceptance criteria. Tim explained that today was the deadline for feedback from the various town boards, and that he hadn’t received any. The Board discussed potential dates for a public hearing for public feedback on the acceptance criteria. The Board will discuss further at their next meeting.
DEVENS HOUSING – Lucy reported that it appears that MassDevelopment is holding off on the initially proposed development of 176 housing units. There is a belief that they are holding off due to the uncertainty of Devens disposition.
FINANCING OPTIONS – UNION & NON-UNION EMPLOYEES – Lucy reported that she, the Chair of the Finance Committee, School Committee, Tim Bragan Lorraine and Tom Jefferson have frequently been meeting to start to figure out how to fund the various contracts. The issue is still in the conceptual state, as there are still several union contracts that are currently being negotiated. Tim Bragan reported that a deadline of August 31st has been set to settle the outstanding contracts. Tim Bragan summarized some of the discussions that have taken place with regard to these funding sources, and potential funding sources that could be used for these contracts, for example should the town use free cash or stabilization for the one-time expense to fund portions of these contracts. The Board discussed the
options, and the consensus of the Board was that
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stabilization and free cash funds should not be used to fund these contracts. The Board will discuss further at their next meeting.
ANNUAL APPOINTMENTS – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint the following individuals:
Wendell Willard, Agricultural Advisory Commission
J. Doe, Agricultural Advisory Commission, Alternate
Bill Barrett, Agricultural Advisory Commission, Alternate
Al Combs, Agricultural Advisory Commission, Alternate
Mark Cooper, Ayer Road Adhoc Committee, Housing Authority Representative
Barbara Kemp, Ayer Road Adhoc Committee
Lucy Wallace, Ayer Road Adhoc Committee
Jonathan Feist, Community Preservation Committee, Hist. Commission rep.
George Watkins, Community Preservation Committee, ConCom rep.
Mark Cooper, Community Preservation Committee, Housing Authority rep.
Donald Ashe, Community Preservation Committee, Park & Recreation rep.
Ray Dunn, Community Cable Access Committee
Richard Steele, Community Cable Access Committee, alternate
Donald Ritchie, Conservation Commission
Sharon Briggs, Council on Aging
Christian Bilodeau, Elm Commission
Pamela Brown, Housing Partnership
Ginger Quarles, Housing Partnership
David Hopper, Housing Partnership
Ruth Miller, Registrar of Voters
Ron Ricci, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Jonathan Feist, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Keith Cheveralls, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Mark Mikitarian, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Hugh Silk, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
David Hopper, Shaker Hills Golf Course 40B Adhoc Committee
Chris Ryan, Transfer Station Committee
Judith Joslin, Transfer Station Committee
PINE HILLS VILLAGE – SITE ELIGIBILITY – Tim Bragan reported that the town is in receipt of the site eligibility approval from MassHousing with regard to the proposed development known as Pine Hills Village to be located off of Stow Road. Further, he reported that a standing 40B Adhoc committee should be formed to deal with this developer and any future 40B projects presented to the town.
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FIRE RADIO SYSTEM – INSURANCE CLAIM – Tim Bragan reported that he and the Fire Chief are working with the town’s insurance carrier regarding a claim that needed to be filed due to the Fire radio system, located at town hall, being struck by lightning. The base radio and antennae were damaged. The radio system is currently up and running and Tim Bragan thanked the Chief and the other Fire Department members for their hard work of getting the system back up as quickly as possible.
MASSHIGHWAY – NONCONFORMITY SPEED SIGNS – STOW ROAD – Tim Bragan notified the Board that he received a notice from MassHighway regarding nonconforming speed signs on Stow Road. He further reported that he is working with the Police Chief and the DPW Director to ensure the proper placement of speedsigns.
DPW ROAD PROGRAM – STONE SEALING & MISCELLANEOUS IMPROVEMENTS – Tim Bragan asked the Board for their feedback with regard to the DPW’s stonesealing and miscellaneous improvements. The Board reported that they had received some complaints to the stonesealing, which Tim Bragan said he would relay to Rich.
GROUP INSURANCE COMMISSION – Tim Bragan presented the Board with some information relative to the recently approved legislation that allows communities to join the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). Tim Bragan is recommending that we forgo joining at this point in time, due to the timeline needed to make a decision, and to negotiate with the various employees, as well as some other issues. However, Tim Bragan reported that it will remain an option to review when further exploring health care benefits to determine the most effective and economical means for the town. The Board suggested that the Finance Committee investigate healthcare options.
CLOSING ARTICLES – SUNSET DATES – Tim Brgan informed the Board that due to sunset dates on various financial articles, the accounting department had to close out various budgets. The Board asked questions of Tim Bragan relative to the articles.
IMPOUNDING – ARTICLES – Tim Bragan reported that recently there was an incident where property was removed from the beach, and taken to the DPW, where it was subsequently stolen. The Board suggest that Tim Bragan work with department heads on coming up with a procedure on handling impounded items from town property. Tim Bragan will report to the Board relative to this issue at a future meeting.
***On a Marinelli/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Marinelli – AYE, Clark – AYE, Wallace – AYE, Eubank – 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 negotiations, as well as, non-union personnel issues. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session for the sole purpose of adjourning.*** The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M.
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