Ioard of Selectmen
Minutes
September 1, 2009
Town Hall Meeting Room
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Chair, Ron Ricci in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Ron Ricci, Lucy Wallace, and Peter Warren were all in attendance.
MINUTES – On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 8/18, as amended.
OPEN SELECTMEN POSITION – The Board members decided to hold a special election to fill the vacancy left by Selectmen Leo Blair with a term ending in 2011. Town Clerk Janet Vellante was in attendance and recommended the Special Town Election be held on the date of the Special State Election, December 8, 2009 and the a special Town Meeting could be held the first week of December. Tim Clark entered at 7:15pm.
On a Warren/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to hold caucus for the election of Leo Blair’s Selectmen position on September 21st at 7:00pm in the Town Hall meeting room and election to be held on December 8th for State Primary candidates for the senate seat. Board members signed the call to caucus. Vellante confirmed the deadline to include a ballot question would be November 5th.
EDAT APPOINTMENTS – Bill Johnson, 72 Warren Avenue, explained that he and Town Administrator Tim Bragan worked together to construct a team from applicants and recruited volunteers with specific skill sets. Along with that, resident Eric O’Brien who has 20 years of commercial development experience has agreed to be part of an arms length advisory group. He also stated involvement with other committees/boards and professional assistance will be essential to the team. Lucy Wallace wanted to make it clear EDAT should focus on Ayer Road and wondered if there should be a more specific charge established. Tim Clark emphasized the importance of Devens as a possible key piece regarding infrastructure development. Ron Ricci suggested EDAT come back to the BOS after their first meeting with a more specific framework but should work
off the EDAT warrant article for now. On a Wallace/ Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Bill Johnson, Rick Maiore, Carrie Fraser, Elaine Lazarus, Brian Smith and Michelle Catalina to the EDAT.
TOWN CENTER SEWER APPOINTMENTS – Chris Ashley explained Norfolk Ram in conjunction with Weston & Sampson is preparing a preliminary engineering report for submission to DEP with a deadline of September. The preliminary report addresses the issue involving the sewer district, intended means of constructing various improvements to collection, processing structure as well as providing rational and justification relating to local conditions and why it is necessary to proceed. Ashley said the report is submitted for ranking to establish priority for state revolving funds and that is why part of the effort is to provide documentation showing the importance of the sewer project to the town. Ashley thanked Tim Clark for his assistance with the process and said the final draft should be completed shortly. Once submitted, the report
will be in review for 60 to 90 days. The Building Committee will meet once a draft is completed. Tim Clark said the Commonwealth Capital Application draft has been reviewed with the Land Use Administrator Liz Allard. Ashley confirmed a possible start date for construction could be next summer. Ashley said part of the report requires a construction cost estimate. Consultants have recommended test borings to determine sub-surface conditions. Kenneth Harrod, 13 Fairbanks Street, was in attendance to be appointed to the committee.
On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Kenneth Harrod to the Town Center Sewer Building Committee.
PUBLIC HEARING
7:30pm
HARVARD LION’S CLUB ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
FALL FESTIVEAL TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 18-20
Bob Hazel and Terry Mead were in attendance representing the Harvard Lion’s Club. First, Ron Ricci asked Mead to give a brief description of the festivities to be held over the three day event. Mead said the festival started over 10 years ago and has always been held at 150 Ayer Road. She explained all proceeds from the festival are dispersed through donations. She said on Friday evening the Harvard and Bolton Police Departments will be co-sponsoring a battle of bands from 5:00pm – 10:00pm. Saturday and Sunday the days consists of craft fairs, craft demonstrations, community information booth, state barbecue competition, play area, specialty games, and of course food. On Saturday evening a family concert will be highlighted by Joshua tree and a spectacular fireworks display. Mead stated the Harvard Lions is a non-profit
organization and is proud to provide community service, support and provide donations locally. Lucy Wallace asked for the hours of operation which will be: Friday 5:00pm – 10:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-10:00pm and Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm. Mead confirmed there would be acoustic and amplified music on Sunday. She also stated the Fire Chief and Police Department have been involved in the preparations. Ron Ricci apologized to the Lion’s for requiring them to go through this process and said he would try next year to make this easier for them considering it is a one weekend event not something that is held thought out the year.
On a Wallace/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to grant license for Lion’s club for September 18, 19 and 20th. Tim Clark suggested hours of operation be indicated on license and reference to the approval from the Police Department and Fire Department. There was no public comment.
SELECTMEN REPORTS –
Peter Warren informed the Board that he spoke with Sean Doocey from the Ambulance Squad and from March to August they have collected $51,481.00 with roughly $12,000 outstanding. Warren said Doocey estimated 8 hours a week in paperwork.
Lucy Wallace said she has been in contact with DHCD and suggested developing a strategy to update the planned production plan which expires in January. She suggested perhaps the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and Planning Board may be able to work together on this. Nonetheless, completion of the update is the responsibility of the Board.
Wallace also reported that she had been contacted by DHCD regarding the sale of an affordable unit at Devens. DHCD recommended and has the funds to retain the services of the firm we used for the last sale of an affordable unity and she had agreed.
Wallace said at the JBOS meeting it was decided a rotating chairmanship would be reinstated and an Ayer assuming the chairmanship.
Tim Clark updated the board by informing them that he has spoken with Representative Jen Benson and the home rule petition for the wastewater district will be coming out of committee but the home rule petition for sale for wine and beer is currently in a slow process. He indicated both our senator and representative are in regular contact trying to encourage expedition on both.
Ron Ricci asked the Board if they would approve a request to place a Planet Aid clothing donation box at the Police Station. The Board approved the request but suggested it be placed at the Transfer Station instead. Another request presented by Ricci was from resident Joy Bahniuk. Her request is for use of the former library to hold a one day seminar by the Dressage Trainers Network. The Board approved her request but decided to revisit a room rental fee schedule and policy.
EVERGREEN SOLAR UPDATE – Harvard representatives on the Devens Enterprise Commission Jim DeZutter and Eric Stoltzfus were present to give an update to the Board.
DeZutter said all information regarding the Evergreen Solar noise issue is posted on the DEC website. He stated Evergreen Solar has demonstrated meeting daytime requirements but have been unable to prove nighttime requirements. New sound measure protocol may help to differentiate between ambient noise and noise coming from Evergreen Solar. DeZutter said the DEC would be holding a meeting on Thursday, September 3rd at 7:30am if anyone wanted to attend. The Board members and DEC representatives discussed how to improvement communication between the two. Both parties agreed the communication in the future is key to addressing issues in a more rapid and efficient way. Laura McGovern, 62 Old Mill Road, gave an update from the neighborhood perspective stating a few concerns: all three ground mounted pumps have not been installed as
instructed and increased noise level when and if the cooling towers go to 100% operational. Janice Perry, 42 Old Mill Road, agreed better communication is essential to avoiding issues such as this in the future and although noise is slightly better it is still a significant problem. Ron Ricci thanked Jim DeZutter and Eric Stoltzfus for attending the meeting and said he would talk with Peter Lowitt from DEC to establish a policy for communication moving forward.
U-PICK APPLE SIGNS – On a Warren/Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve draft procedures dated 9/1/2009. The new procedures include the following:
· A written request must be received indicating the number of signs to be posted & locations.
· A written authorization will be issued by the Town Administrator granting permission to post temporary signs. It will list all conditions for signs as specified below.
· Signs shall not be placed on utility poles or traffic signs.
· Signs must be removed by December 1 of each year.
· Signs must be no larger than 3 square feet.
· Signs will remain within the town right of way and not be placed to block the line of sight
· Signs placed in the right of way in front of a residence must be removed if the resident requests the removal.
· The Town of Harvard accepts no liability for any sign and may remove any sign that it feels does not comply with the conditions.
CONFIRM ALL BOARDS MEETING DATE/TIME – The Board confirmed the date of September 29th for the all boards meeting and location will be in the Town Hall Meeting room. Ron Ricci said the compiled goals for 2011 will be the foundation for the meeting.
**** On a Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote
(Clark – AYE, Wallace – AYE, Ricci – AYE, Warren - AYE) to enter into executive session at 9:00pm, 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 the purchase of real property. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning. ****
The meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.
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