January 29, 2008
Lucy B. Wallace
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.
CDBG HOUSING REHABILITATION PROJECT GRANT APPLICATION – HEARING – Shelly Hatch from Montachusett Regional Planning Commission attended the meeting to inform the Board and the citizens of Harvard on the process, status, documentation still required and to present Harvard’s Community Development Strategy. The final due date for the grant application is February 15, 2008.
On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to sign the Joint Authorization Form.
On Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to sign the Inter-Local Agreement for multi town participation in Massachusetts Community Development Block grant program for FY08.
On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Community Development Strategy as scripted on January 29th with any amendments recommended by the office of the MRPC.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to close the hearing.
DPW – Franklyn Carlson, of 41 Bowers Road, came in to express his deep concern regarding the numerous accidents that have occurred involving the DPW Department. The lifelong resident explained that in all his years in Harvard he has never seen so many accidents and so much destruction of equipment. Mr. Carlson feels it is an embarrassment to our community and is clearly out of control. The December 31, 2007 incident which involved two DPW vehicles filled with DPW employees is of great concern because the DPW employees were coming from out of town where they had lunch. He expressed frustration as a taxpayer paying for this type of travel that is not work related but town vehicles are used. Mr. Carlson suggested the idea of hiring a private company to maintain the roads in the winter. The Board and Tim Bragan assured Mr. Carlson that they are as concerned as he is and are taking steps to prevent these types of accidents from happening in the future. Tim Bragan said there will be a
Driver Snow Plow Training provided by our insurance company at no cost to the town. The Board thanked Mr. Carlson for taking the time to come and present his concerns directly to the Board and they also asked him to provide a written statement.
SPECIAL EDUCATION AUDIT COMMITTEE – Robert Eubank reported to the Board that the committee has almost completed their work. They have received responses to their most recent RFP submission and have selected an auditor. The School Committee has the auditor’s proposal for their review which should be concluded by Monday, February 4th. Mr. Eubank regretfully explained the auditor’s report would not be completed by the Annual Town Meeting but should be shortly there after. The committee looks forward to a comprehensive and interesting report once completed.
Board of Selectmen - Minutes
January 9, 2008 page 2
TOWN CENTER SEPTIC TASK FORCE - Tim Clark informed the Board that he and Tim Bragan met with Wayne Perry at the offices of the DEP on Wednesday, January 23rd to discuss the possibility of utilizing the excess capacity at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. The DEP was very receptive to this initial proposal. Tim Clark felt it was an extremely productive meeting. He also reported the committee met on Monday, January 28th and discussed the need to approach the project from two avenues. The first being the critical need for the Municipal buildings and the second being the whole town center need. The committee will pursue both paths with regards to cost, servicing and critical need to confirm the best scenario for the town. The committee will also be approaching the Board of Health with regards to this
project.
FINANCE COMMITTEE SELECTION SUB COMMITTEE - Lucy Wallace informed the Board they are close to a recommendation that will be submitted to the Board for Annual Town Meeting. Lucy reported there would be 1 maybe 2 warrant articles relating to the town bylaw with regards to appointment or election of Finance Committee members in the future.
MONTACHUSETT REGIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION (MRPC) – Lucy Wallace reported to the Board that the MRPC is hosting a Renewable Energy Forum Thursday, February 7th at 5:30 pm. The forum will be held at their offices located at R1427 Water Street, Fitchburg, MA. The meeting is open to the public. Lucy asked residents to contact the Selectmen’s Office for information on how to RSVP if they are interested in attending.
MINUTES – On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of 1/9, as presented.
MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND FACILITY ASSESSMENT - On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the executive summary as presented.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE HARVARD BOARD OF SELECTMEN -DEVENS – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to reconfirm that the Statement that was drafted and voted on May 22, 2007 continues to be the position of the Board.
MASS DEVELOPMENT – DEVENS - Lucy Wallace and Tim Clark spoke about the necessity to have a solid foundation of facts for the town so making an educated and very important decision can be successful as the town moves forward. Tim Clark along with Marie Sobalvarrlo drafted an extensive list of questions to be submitted to Richard Montouri of Mass Development, Governor Deval Patrick, Secretary Daniel O’Connell, Executive Office Housing and Economic Development, Robert Culver, President of Mass Development, Senator Pamela Resor, Representative James Eldridge and Representative Robert Hargraves. The Questions will be presented to them at the all Boards meeting Thursday, January 31, 2008. Tim Clark stressed the importance of establishing a working relationship with Mass Development in the future with regards to Devens.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept the questions for Mass Development.
Board of Selectmen - Minutes
January 9, 2008 page 3
GENERAL STORE EASEMENT - Lucy Wallace confirmed the town vote at town meeting to enter into easement agreements with the owners of the general store and the Congregational Church for use of town land regarding already installed leach fields. The agreements are basically to correct and move lines that have been in place for many years. Attorney Al Barberi is representing the store and church and Attorney Mark Lanza is representing the town. Al Barberi presented the plan which has been signed by the Planning Board.
On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to grant approval on easements that are pursuant to the vote taken at special town meeting, October 10, 2007, the Board recommends that the septic system easement for the Congregational Church and the septic system easement for the general store, Mera07 LLC, parking easement to Mera07 LLC and the deed to Mera07 LLC for parcel 1 and parcel 2 all easements as shown on plan prepared for Mera07 LLC by Ross Associates in November of 2007 be granted.
RESIGNATIONS - On a Eubank/Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept resignations from Jackie Normand, Harvard Community Cable Access Committee, Paul Johnston, Devens Enterprise Commission, and Otto Solbrig, Historical Commission.
APPOINTMENTS - On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Jim Breslaur and Mary Essary (Planning Board Rep) to the Historical Commission.
On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint the following EMT’s to the Harvard Ambulance Service:
Ramae Philippou Jamie Kendall
Keeon Tabrizi Jonathan Mead
Sarah Cochrane Harry Powell
Casey Silver Derrin Jarvis
Jesse Wolff Anni Lierhaus
JP Messina
FREEDOMS WAY HERITAGE ASSOCIATION – On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to authorize $50.00 membership fee to continue as members of the association.
***On a Wallace/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Eubank – AYE, Clark – AYE, Wallace – 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 personnel issues. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning. ***
The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 p.m.
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