Board of Selectmen
Minutes
March 31, 2009
Town Hall Meeting Room
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chair, Leo Blair in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Leo Blair, Peter Warren, Ronald Ricci and Lucy Wallace were all in attendance. Tim Clark entered at 7:10 P.M.
APPOINTMENT TO RECREATION COMMITTEE – On a Wallace/Ricci motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Bob O’Shea of 357 Old Littleton Road as Harbormaster term expiring June 30, 2010.
MINUTES – On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 3/10, as amended.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 3/17, as amended.
REVIEW SPENDING REDUCTIONS FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS – Town Administrator Tim Bragan presented a spreadsheet on the 9C cuts that have been made. Bragan explained the spreadsheet shows the target savings in each department totaling $350,000. Lucy Wallace stated there was a discrepancy comparing the spreadsheet presented and the projection indicated by Library Director Mary Wilson. Leo Blair suggested Wallace meet with Finance Director Lorraine Leonard and Library Director Mary Wilson to resolve the differences and report back to BOS.
NOISE EMINATING FROM EVERGREEN SOLAR - Tim Bragan spoke regarding the issue with noise disturbance from Evergreen Solar in Devens. Bragan explained in speaking with Building Inspector Gabe Vellante he learned that Devens Enterprise Commission hired someone to go out with a sound meter to test the levels and they were high. Bragan said Vellante requested all complaint letters be sent to him and Peter Lowitt (DEC). Vellante explained Evergreen Solar has a temporary occupancy permit which is up in June so if this issue is not resolved their occupancy could be in jeopardy. Residents affected were present to express their concerns: Susan Guswa 8 Old Meadow Lane, Kathleen Pullano 48 Old Mill Road, Laura McGovern 62 Old Mill Road, and Janice & Lisa Perry 42 Old Mill Road. Some of those present submitted complaint letters to the
Selectmen.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT/ELECTION – Town Administrator Tim Bragan presented the Board with the final Town Meeting Warrant. Discussion ensued on the following articles:
Article #6, Capital Planning Investment Committee and Capital Stabilization and Investment Fund. Lucy Wallace and Tim Clark questioned the parameters of an expenditure of $10,000 or greater and having a useful life of at least five/three years. Clark also asked for clarity on how funds would be administered.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to amend article to read three years.
Article #10, Harvard Elementary School Heating System. Leo Blair explained there is an in-ground oil storage take at HES that has been inspected by DEP. DEP indicated
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March 31, 2009 page 2
necessary upgrades costing somewhere between $20,000 and $30,000 would be required. Considering the recent extension of the gas lines by National Grid now may be the time
to switch to gas. Blair explained this article is essentially a $60,000 place holder with upgrades for removal of tank or removal of tank and conversion of heating system to gas so the town has the ability to move forward on this if necessary.
REVIEW & ACT ON THE INSURANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REGARDING RATE SAVER PLANS – Kathy Doherty and Chris Moeser were in attendance from the Insurance Advisory Committee. Leo Blair confirmed the BOS members received the recommendation from the Insurance Advisory Committee and a memorandum from Finance Director Lorraine Leonard. Blair explained the Committee consisted of a representative from each department, retired employee, and an employee at large. Blair said the main issue was to review the option of offering saver plans from the current providers. Blair stated the recommendation from the Committee was to offer the saver plans along with the existing plans and set up a healthcare reimbursement account to compensate the employees who opt for the saver plans. Kathy Doherty stated the vote was unanimous to offer both plans but
not unanimous for the healthcare reimbursement account. The Board agreed that more time was required to effectively review the options and communicate possible changes to employees. Blair said controlling insurance costs in the future is significant because it is 10% of the overall budget. On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to maintain current plans and commit to include consideration of other insurance options as part of contract negotiations with town employees next fall.
SHAKER HILLS GOLF CLUB
PUBLIC HEARING
8:30PM
Leo Blair began by reading the announcement that was run in the papers. Tim Bragan confirmed all abutters had been notified. Leo Blair opened the hearing. Tim Bragan informed the BOS that Town Counsel Mark Lanza would be unable to attend and the applicant was notified the hearing would be moved to Tuesday, April 7th.
On a Clark/Wallace, motion, the Board voted unanimously to continue hearing on Liquor License for Shaker Hills Golf Course to Tuesday, April 7th at 8:30pm in the Town Hall Meeting room.
CONTINUE REVIEW OF TOWN MEETING WARRANT -
The two articles that prompted the most discussion were articles #23 and # 24.
Article #23 Home Rule Petition – General Store Wine and Malt License
This article stated the licensing authority may grant up to five licenses. Lucy Wallace, Tim Clark, and Peter Warren were all unsure on this number stating it may be too high and could jeopardize the article entirely. Wallace suggested three. Leo Blair and Ron Ricci were in favor of five but after much discussion a motion was made.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted to amend the article to read three.
(Blair – Aye, Ricci – Aye, Warren – Aye, Wallace – Aye, Clark – Abstain)
Article #24 – Sewer District Home Rule Petition
In section 10, connections to the System, 10b addressed the timeframe of whom, when and why residents would be connecting to the system. Tim Clark offered an amendment
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March 31, 2009 page 3
to how this section was written. On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to amend section 10b as submitted by Leo Blair.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to close the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
On a Wallace/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept warrant as amended.
Leo Blair presented the Board with photos of changes he would like to make down at the former library. The changes were removal of the Harvard Public Library and Library Parking Only signs, additional parking spaces lined, move Memorial plaques in the Hapgood Room to the main meeting room upstairs and discard and/or bring shelving units to the Take it or Leave it area at the Transfer Station. The Board agreed to all but one of Blair’s requests, moving of Memorial plaques.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:30pm.
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