March 4, 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.
DEVENS OPEN SPACE & RECREATION PLAN
2008-2013 HEARING
Al Futterman from Nashua River Watershed Association explained in 2003 Mass Development contracted with Nashua Watershed Association to assist in writing this update. The plan was prepared as a guide for the preservation of critical environmental purposes and management of open space and recreational resources within the area of the former Fort Devens. He explained there was extensive public participation including a representative from surrounding towns serving on the DOSRAC (Devens Open Space Recreation Advisory Committee). Larry Finnegan of 12 Tahanto Trail was the representative from Harvard. This final public presentation was held in Devens and will be held in Shirley and Ayer. Neil Angus from Mass Development was also in attendance.
Al Futterman along with Neil Angus fielded questions from the Board and the public. The Board asked that any letters of support be sent to the Selectmen’s Office by March 20th, 2008.
FINANCE COMMITTEE SELECTION COMMITTEE REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION – Lucy Wallace explained the committee was formed due to a town meeting vote on March 31, 2007 to establish a 9 member study committee to review the process of selection and appointment of members to the Town of Harvard Finance Committee. The committee consisted of the Town Moderator Dave Westerling; two members from the Board of Selectmen: Lucy Wallace and Bill Marinelli (Marinelli resigned in November 2007); two members from the School Committee Stu Sklar and Virginia Justicz; two members from the Finance Committee: Debbie Ricci and George McKenna; and two at large members from the general public: Laura Martineau and Maria Kaufman. Town Administrator Tim Bragan also assisted the group. The committee held several meetings looking at other
communities of equal size, demographics and budget as a comparison. They also held a public meeting in December. Lucy Wallace stated the committee would have a recommendation in the Finance Committee Handbook which will also be a town bylaw amendment on the Finance Committee selection at Town Meeting. The committee recommended that the town moderator continue to appoint Finance Committee members but agreed that the current method needs to be refined as to transparency by communicating to the general public how members are selected along with public access to the qualifications and each candidate’s understanding of Town affairs. They are also recommending a public process whereby if there is a vacancy on the committee or a term is up candidates would submit a letter of interest to the town in the town clerk’s office making it public record. The Selectmen would host a public meeting at their regular meeting at which time the candidate would present their qualifications
and interests. The committee will also recommend 2 associate members of the Finance Committee. This would be helpful to the moderator in having a pool from
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
March 4, 2008 – Page 2
which to draw from when you have a vacancy in the middle of a term. Another reason for associate members is this allows for a good training ground. The associate member will hold a 1 year term. Debbie Ricci added the moderator would have 60 days to appoint. Lucy also clarified that even if an existing committee member would like reappointment after their term is up they must submit a letter to the town clerk just as a new candidate would. Stu Sklar, Debbie Ricci, Virginia Justicz, Maria Kaufmann and Laura Martineau were in attendance. Lucy Wallace encouraged members of the community to consider volunteering.
PUBLIC REVIEW OF POLICY AND PROCEDURES ON COMMON VICTUALLER, ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE AND LIQUOR LICENSE - Lucy Wallace explained that the town voted several years ago to issue a Liquor license to a certain type of facility that seats 100 people in a restaurant type style. This is a limited Liquor license that can be issued to a permanent facility or a one time/one event use. In order for a town to issue Liquor licenses there must be a vote at town meeting authorizing the Board of Selectmen that power. She also explained under state law there has to be three subsequent votes at state elections for endorsement. Once town meeting authorized this the Board agreed there should be policy and procedures in place. Entertainment and Common Victualler licenses have been issued in the past but again no policy and procedures were in
place. Tim Clark expressed concern in approving unless all parties have agreed on policy and procedures set forth. Robert Eubank assured Tim Clark all parties are in agreement. The Board fielded some questions from the public. On a Eubank/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve all policy and procedures as presented.
FRUITLANDS – Tim Clark extended a request for a summary from Town Counsel of all cost related to litigation with Fruitlands.
LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS – Lucy Wallace stated the League would be holding two forums at Volunteer’s Hall at 7pm:
- Thursday March 6th on special education
- Monday March 10th on municipal finances
BUDGET FORUM - Lucy Wallace stated on March 11th at 7pm at the elementary school cafeteria the Finance Committee, Board of Selectmen and School Committee will be presenting the budget.
Municipal affordable housing trust fund - lucy Wallace expressed the need to fill a vacant seat. If someone is interested please contact Victor Normand or submit a letter of interest to the Selectmen’s Office.
JBOS – Lucy Wallace informed the Board that a letter has been sent to Tina Brooks under Secretary of Housing asking her to attend their next meeting on March 27th to address the questions that were raised at the public forum in October.
SIGN WARRANT FOR THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING MARCH 29, 2008 –
On a Eubank/Clark motion, the board voted unanimously to sign the warrant as presented.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Minutes
March 4, 2008 – Page 3
REVIEW REQUEST FORM WINDWARD TRADING GROUP FOR AMERICAN RED CROSS - On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the request for a donation bin at the transfer station.
APPOINTMENT – On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Andrew Perry of 50 Lancaster County Road to the Ambulance Service.
REVIEW AND DISCUSS THE STRUCTURAL DEFICIT MEMO FROM TIM BRAGAN - Town Administrator, Tim Bragan presented the Board with a request to establish a team of citizens to do the work necessary to provide a path to progress on reducing Harvard’s structural deficit. The challenge to the community is to re-define our fiscal future by addressing the foundation of the structural deficit. On a Clark/Eubank motion, the Board voted unanimously to allow the Town Administrator, Tim Bragan to establish a Fiscal Impact Analysis Team as described in memo from Tim Bragan dated March 4, 2008.
STUDENT RECORDS LAW - Tim Bragan informed the Board of a letter sent from
Dr. Jefferson regarding a training seminar on records law to be held on Monday March 24th at 6:30 pm in the town hall meeting room.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.
| 
