Board of Selectmen
Minutes
June 3, 2008
Leo F. Blair
Timothy A. Clark
Peter E. Warren
Lucy B. Wallace
Ronald V. Ricci
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Chair, Leo Blair in the Town Hall meeting room.
PUBLIC HEARING
COMMON VICTULLER LICENSE
Owners of the Harvard General Store Adam and Evelyn Horowitz were in attendance to field any questions from the Board or the public regarding their request. Tim Bragan confirmed the Horowitz’s complied with all requirements in applying for the Common Victualler License.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to close the hearing.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the application for the Common Victualler License for the Harvard General Store.
MINUTES – On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept minutes of 5/20, as amended.
GINNY THURSTON SCHOLARSHIP – Tim Clark and Peter Warren provided the Board with their recommendation for the recipient of the scholarship. Tim Clark informed the Board due to lessening interest accrual the account only has $478.00 of available funds.
On a Clark/ Warren motion, the Board voted to recommend $400.00 this year for Ginny Thurston Scholarship.
Leo Blair requested amending the motion to increase amount to $500.00 with remaining balance to come from the Rantoul account.
On a Wallace/ Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve awarding $500.00 for the Ginny Thurston Scholarship to nominee to be presented by Tim Clark at graduation.
APPROVE 2008 POSITIVE SPIN FOR ALS BIKE RIDE – The Positive Spin of ALS bike ride is an event to raise money for research and patient care for those afflicted with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Tim Bragan informed the Board this is an annual bike ride that occurs throughout numerous towns. The request was reviewed and approved by Chief Denmark.
On a Clark/Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request.
NEWSLETTER – Tim Bragan explained that Paul Green of 288 Littleton Road sent a letter to the Board of Selectmen with a potential way to communicate with town residents. His letter included a copy of a newsletter Mr. Green receives with his tax bill in Waterville, NH. The Board agreed it was a great suggestion and will keep it in mind.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
June 3, 2008 Page 2
TRANSFER STATION RULES AND REGULATION CHANGES –
Tim Bragan presented the Board with a few changes to the current Rules and Regulations. Tim Bragan explained there have been problems with the disposal of punch cards in the past so decreasing the cost from $25 to $10 may help, along with assigning an expiration date. Other changes presented include Truck Tire cost of $20, Cathode Ray Tubes (computers, televisions) from $25 to $15, Sofas/Loveseats from $5 to $10, Residential bulky waste for a full pick up $85 and a half load pick up $20-50.
Tim Clark and Peter Warren suggested offering punch card purchase at the Transfer Station. Tim Bragan explained this was taken away from the Transfer Station years ago and Leo Blair also expressed some concern with the collection of funds at the Transfer Station. After some discussion, the Board agreed to take no action at this time and have Peter Warren the liaison to the DPW, speak with Director Richard Nota.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION –
Marie Solbavarro, St. John Lane, commended the selectmen for putting Devens on the agenda and requested possibility of posting additional Devens information on the website.
Ann Taylor from the Community Garden spoke on the great progress of the garden located on Littleton Road at the foot of Orchard Hill and encouraged residents to come and enjoy.
Joe Hutchinson, Westcott Road, inquired about the legal limit for website storage and the importance of purchasing more space for the site.
Deborah Skauen-Hinchcliff, Still River Rd, asked the Board to require more detail to the public with regards to all employee contracts. Her concern stems from the allegation of free child care provided to a principal in the Harvard school system.
Wade Holtzman, Bolton Road, asked for the status of the Special Education audit. The Board did not have the information and decided to have the liaison to the School Committee follow up on the status.
FINANCIAL DATA FROM MASS DEVELOPMENT REGARDING DEVENS –
Tim Clark explained the town received updated information from the Town Administrator of Ayer with regards to a presentation made by Mass Development in response to our request in January 2008. The letter of request was about obtaining a size and picture of the current development and build out currently at Devens in the entire Enterprise zone. He explained it is a fairly detailed report that can be accessed electronically. Mass Development made a presentation to the JBOS given by Victor Normand. The documents are on our website labeled as Devens Parcel Analysis 4/23/08 and 2008 Street List with Value by Town 4/23/08 which includes every parcel acreage, current valuation and ownership. Tim Clark explained Rich Montouri and Victor Normand have offered their services to offer an overview of the data and asked the Board to set a date and time
for this presentation to take place in Harvard.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
June 3, 2008 Page 3
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to send the letter as drafted to the office of Mass Development attention Rich Montouri for further clarification on some unanswered questions.
Lucy Wallace suggested the letter also be sent to the Town Administrators in Ayer and Shirley.
Leo Blair expressed concern in not presenting the expense side along with the revenue side. Leo requests the Board to set a goal to come to a reasonable approach to recommend to the voters by next year’s town meeting.
The Board agreed to hold a presentation on June 16th, at 7:30 pm possibly in Volunteers Hall. Once the date and time are finalized the information will be posted on the Harvard website.
NOTICE OF PROJECT CHANGE REDEVELOPMENT OF FORT DEVENS –
Tim Bragan informed the Board of a memo received from Peter Lowitt of the DEC making notice of project change in the redevelopment of Fort Devens. The comment period deadline is June 10th. The Board agreed to draft a letter requesting an extension of the comment period until the end of June 30th.
On a Wallace/Blair motion, the Board voted unanimously to send a letter to Epsilon Associates requesting an extension on the comment period. Lucy will draft letter.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT –
Tim Bragan asked if the Board would be signing the letter in support of 40T.
On a Wallace/ Clark motion, the Board voted to strike strongly on the last page and endorse letter.
(Ricci - Nay, Blair – Abstained, Warren – Aye, Clark- Aye, Wallace -Aye)
Tim Bragan informed the Board an exit interview/review with the auditor will be held at the June 17th meeting. One item to be covered is coming up with a new procedure for signing warrants.
Tim Bragan informed the Board of two requests from Jonathan Fiest Chair of the Historical Commission. The first is for the use of the Herb Drying Shed property approximately 12x12 for a shaker herb garden and the other is to have the old (historical) basement door of the Hildreth House restored.
On a Clark/ Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve installation of a shaker herb garden on Herb Drying Shed property subject to Conservation Commission approval.
On a Warren/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the restoration of the historic basement door of the Hildreth House.
Tim Bragan also informed the Board that the Planning Board is scheduled to hold hearings on the renewal of three telecommunications special permits, Omnipoint Holdings(60 Old Shirley Road), STC Five LLC (47 Poor Farm Road) and MCI Telecommunications (North end of Depot Road and West side of B&M railroad Tracks). Tim Bragan suggested the Board send the Planning Board a generic request that any owners of telecommunication poles be requested to provide space and possible equipment for municipal Emergency Communications if space does not currently exist on the pole. The Board agreed to have the Town Administrator draft a letter to planning.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
June 3, 2008 Page 4
The Board made a couple changes to their summer schedule as follows:
July 1st meeting moved to July 15th.
August 19 meeting moved to August 26th.
Tim Bragan informed the Board that Jim Breslauer resigned from the Historical Commission as the Conservation Commission representative and that Roy Moffa’s memorial service will be held on Saturday June 7th at 2 pm.
SELECTMEN REPORTS -
Lucy Wallace informed the Board that the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund will meet Thursday to decide if they will proceed with the Ayer Road project.
She also reported that Brian Smith was nominated as Chair of the Energy Advisory Committee and they will be meeting with the School Committee in the near future.
Tim Clark reported that the Town Center Sewer Action Committee is meeting Friday, June 6th in the Hapgood Room.
Peter Warren said he spoke with Fire Chief Robert Mignard with regards to the potential Ayer Road project and suggested working on a bylaw to protect the town with regards to sprinkler systems in developments of that size.
Ron Ricci reported that he spoke with Dan Justicz with regards to the Grant Committee and that he would be attending the June 17th meeting.
Leo Blair informed the Board all liaison assignments were completed and asked Lucy Wallace if she would be liaison for the Energy Advisory Committee. She accepted.
On a Clark/Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to amend construction of the Town Center Sewer Action Committee to remove including a Board of Selectmen member to including a Board of Selectmen liaison.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 P.M.
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