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Board of Selectmen
Minutes
January 27, 2009
Timothy A. Clark Peter E. Warren
Lucy B. Wallace Leo F. Blair Ronald V. Ricci
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chair, Leo Blair in the Town Hall Meeting Room.
Selectmen Blair, Clark and Ricci were in attendance, Selectman Warren joined at 9:22pm.
SELECTMEN REPORT
Tim Clark gave his liaison report to the Board; he first discussed the Park and Recreation Commission. Clark informed the Board that the Bolton Road reservoir is open for skating and thanked volunteers who have been keeping the ice open. The Commission is continuing to make improvements to the woodland trails which will be complete by spring. In the near future, Park and Rec will be requesting the appointment of Bob O’Shea as Harbor Master. The Commission is concerned with the rising price of fertilizer and warned that playing fields may suffer in quality; they have been trying to switch to organic fertilizer to limit cost. They are looking to Rich Nota for a strategy to deal with brush in town parks. Park and Rec are willing to marshal manpower to aid in the removal
and restoration of land damaged by the ice storm.
Clark next gave an update on the Cemetery Commission. They continue to care for the cemeteries, but plot and internment rates will be increasing this year from $450 to $650. Road repairs at Belleview are anticipated in the coming year and will be coordinated with DPW, all maintenance expenses are covered by Perpetual Care Account and annual appropriations. The Commission’s biggest challenge this year will be spring clean up of ice storm damage. The Zoning Board of Appeals has granted a permit to the Pine Hills 40B with a long list of conditions, however no other 40B applications are in process. Conservation Commission is in the process of updating the Open Space Recreation Plan; they continue to work on applications and enforcement orders for properties adjacent to Bare
Hill Pond. Beaver control and land management is a focus of the Commission. The Land Stewardship Committee continues to work to develop a plan for the management of conservation land. The Cultural Council is still making grants annually, usually by October; even with a limited budget, they support a range of activities. The Transfer Station Committee reported that the upgrades to the new equipment have been stalled due to the ice storm and snow removal; the new compactors are on-site, awaiting installation. Holiday activity was above normal causing maxed compactors and heavy use of the facility, this caused the Station to close early. Clark suggested the Board look into extending the hours of operation for the Transfer Station for future holiday seasons to minimize potential for issues. He also recommended the Board adjust the policy for Transfer Station sticker replacement. He explained that if the customer can provide evidence of the old sticker, the replacement fee should be
waived. Blair suggested this be brought up at the February 3, 2009 Board meeting.
Lastly, Clark discussed the Community Cable Access Committee. He touched upon their budget and membership as well as the functions of the Committee. He explained that a large number of subscribers are frustrated with Charter internet service and the Committee’s inability to address their concerns on the internet aspect. He suggested the Board hold a technology forum to address the medium and how it affects our community. Clark told the Board that the Cable Committee will be present at the February 3, 2009 meeting to give a report to the Board.
Ron Ricci expressed concern about emergency contact information, he reminded the Board of the need to initiate contact between the Board and its resident during the ice storm. He explained that Police Chief Ed Denmark has looked into Reverse-911 as well as Code Red. Ricci has identified five viable vendors offering service and had Fire Chief Bob Mignard contact the vendors and their customers. Ricci told the Board that it is his hope to report back to the Board in three weeks with an option so that next time a disaster occurs; the Town will be better prepared. Blair suggested asked Ricci report back to the Board with options at their February 24, 2009 Board meeting. Blair explained that the Town Clerk will have a spreadsheet for emergency contact information; this has also
been posted on the website.
Leo Blair updated the Board on several subjects. He announced Open Meeting Law training taking place on February 26, 2008 at 7pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room and is open to any town official, elected or appointed who wants to participate. The meeting will be conducted by Trisha Smith, Assistant District Attorney for Worcester County. He next explained that he has spoken with Finance Director, Lorraine Leonard, about the option of refinancing some of the Town’s debt. Leonard informed him that if $1.5 million is refinanced, the Town will save $92,000 over the course of the loan. He also told the Board that he and Tim Bragan met with Ellen Cummings from Verizon about bringing FiOs to Harvard. Although it is a lengthy process, Blair explained that in the future,
Verizon service will be an option for Harvard residents. He received communication from the DHCD informing him that the Town’s housing plan will expire in a year, he went further to explain that the Board will need to work on this. The good news is that the required level has been reduced which buys Harvard more time. Blair announced that the town caucus will take place on March 14, 2009 at 7pm in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Blair explained the goings on of the Joint Boards of Selectmen (JBOS). After much discussion, Blair ended his report by telling the residents that it is now time to start paying attention to what is going on in Devens.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Tim Bragan began his report by informing the Board that they must sign the caucus warrant no later then March 3 and anyone thinking of resigning must do so before this date. He met with the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) in regards to the reimbursement to the Town for the ice storm. The issue of debris did come up; the Town cannot be reimbursed for debris taken off private property. He did make it clear that residents are not encouraged to bring debris to the roadside. In accordance with Massachusetts General Law, there are now trench regulations, an inspector must be designated by each town. Bragan is working with Gabe Vellante, Building Inspector, and Rich Nota, Highway Superintendent to decide who is best suited for the position. Due to the spending
freeze instituted by the Board, Lorraine Leonard and Bragan have been developing a purchase order system which will be in place quickly and will be implemented for all omnibus spending for all departments. On a Ricci/Clark motion, the Board unanimously voted to authorize Tim Bragan and Lorraine Leonard to implement purchase order system. Bragan next brought up the replacement of Electrical Inspector, David Woodsum’s vehicle. Woodsum turned down the offer for the Fire Chief’s old vehicle. After discussing the issue, precedence and options, Blair requested Bragan find out the cost and possibility of insuring town volunteer vehicles. Lastly, he thanked Ashley Butler, Executive Assistant, for helping out while Julie Doucet was out on maternity leave. The Board wished her well in the future.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION
Keith Turner, 247 Littleton County Road, explained that in December he sent the Board an extensive report about cable in the town which was detailed and involved. He will present the report at the Board’s next meeting on February 3, 2009. He sent out the report again and encouraged the members to review it prior to the meeting so they understand the history, background and on going issues before a discussion can take place.
Tim Clark, 114 Bolton Road, announced the annual Volunteer Fair which will take place on Saturday, February 7 from 12-3pm in Volunteers Hall in the new Library. For registration, contact Marie Sobalvarro at marie@sobalvarro.com.
REVIEW PUBLIC BUILDING RENTAL RULES, REGULATIONS & FEE STRCTURE
After the Board discussed and deliberated the document, they decided to discuss it further at a future meeting.
REVIEW FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY REQUEST FOR USE OF HAPGOOD
After some discussion, on a Clark/Ricci motion, the Board unanimously voted to accept the Friends of the Library request to use the Hapgood room for their book sale from April 4, 2009 vacating no later than June 1, pending several conditions. These include, the restricted dates, the must be restricted to a designated area, their use must not inhibit the use of the library for other groups, the main floor room and Hapgood room will be used for public meetings and will not be available for sale activities, in the future, the group must find another venue as many town sponsored and non-profit groups use the library which causes difficulty in free space for the book sale.
ASSIGN TASKS FOR TOWN CENTER SEWER ACTION GROUP
Chris Ashley, Chair of the Town Center Sewer Action Group (TCSAG), came before the Board to discuss the next steps to be taken. Ashley told the Board that all members of the TCSAG are on-board with continuing the project. In terms of the next steps, he told the Board that the most important is to conduct a new survey to determine support and likely participation rates. Ashley next suggested that the Group look into more financing options and technical support. Clark requested the Group report information from the Water Commission on Bolton and Pond Road well-protection issues; Blair explained that district boundaries must be set in order to determine potential customers. Ashley will meet with the Board at their February 3, 2009 meeting and will keep in constant
communication with the Board to keep them updated.
SIGN FRUITLANDS COMMON VICTUALLER & LIQUOR LICENSES
Blair suggested that the Liquor and Common Victualler licenses be signed at the February 3, 2009 meeting.
**On a Blair motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote (Warren-AYE, Clark-AYE, Blair-AYE, Ricci-AYE) to enter into executive session at 10:15 pm, as authorized by Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, at a meeting for which 48 hours notice has been given, to discuss negotiation strategy, litigation issues and personnel issues.. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning.**
The Board reconvened into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning, at 10:45 pm
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