Board of Selectmen
Minutes
March 10, 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, Timothy Clark, Peter Warren and Ronald Ricci were all in attendance. Lucy Wallace was not present.
VIRTUAL TOWN HALL - President Millard Rose was in attendance to demonstrate their services in detail. He explained Virtual Town Hall has spent the last 11 years on only government websites and now has 250 clients in 13 states. He had a power point presentation to show how the websites work and demonstrate the numerous capabilities. He explained that a custom website using the Virtual Town Hall content management would be created to allow for quick and simple navigation. Services provided would include hosting website, nightly backup, offsite storage, post-able web folders with unlimited document storage, meeting & event calendars, statistical tool to manage website traffic metrics, Google search button, authorized five users and telephone customer support from 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Friday. The one time implementation
(physically builds, train on site, and implement in 10-12 weeks of design) cost is $3,595 and an annual fee of $2,400 for five users. The Board and public asked a few questions. Leo Blair thanked Mr. Rose and told him the town would be in touch.
REVIEW CODE RED EMERGENCY CONTACT SYSTEM – Fire Chief Bob Mignard attended the meeting to review his findings regarding an emergency notification system. Chief Mignard explained he received quotes from Swiftreach, Connect-CTY and CodeRED. Chief Mignard stated all three vendors provided very similar capabilities. Chief Mignard recommended Connect CTY. The Board asked some questions and thanked Chief Mignard for his research. Chief Mignard informed the Board that he was successful in receiving Firefighters grant in the amount of $62,921to replaces the radio system.
TOWN CENTER SEWER ACTION GROUP – Chris Ashley and Wade Holtzman were both in attendance to update the Board. First, Ashley informed the Board that at a meeting with DEP on February 23rd the status of the Bolton Road well was discussed. DEP is looking for a resolution. Second, they discussed any unforeseen issues that may change the overall scope of the sewer project. The only concern DEP did have was with the nitrogen processing aspects of the plant and wondered if addressing an upgrade to the plant may be included in the project. Tim Clark explained that if the sewer program is not accepted at Town Meeting these repairs are likely to be required from DEP.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
March 10, 2009 page 2
Blair clarified that this has been an ongoing problem because of the nature of flows. Clark suggests a back up article because of this necessary repair. Ashley knows this is beyond the scope of the TSCAG but important enough to do something. Ashley agrees a back up article should be included to fund engineering work for repairs. Engineering firm Norfolk and Ram is preparing a proposal. Clark stated that DEP is ready, willing, and able to support the town in developing a program regarding usage of the plant.
Ashley then directed the discussion to the Warrant Articles needed for Town Meeting. He stated that three articles would be necessary:
1. Special act to draft a Home Rule Petition which has been drafted by Town Counsel Mark Lanza. Lanza will attend the March 17th meeting for review.
2. Debt authorization to fund the sewer project
3. Back up article relating to the repair of the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
In a report submitted by Chair Chris Ashley he specifies that the TCSAG has developed a recommended plan for a low pressure sewer system to serve the town center along with upgrades to the Massachusetts Avenue wastewater treatment facility needed to manage peak flows in an expanded system and address some wastewater processing difficulties. Ashley explained about 30 residents attended the public information session. Ashley stated there was a great deal of interest, a variety of opinions, and questions. For community outreach, Ashley explained information regarding the project has been posted on the town website, a regular e-mail newsletter can be accessed, and DVD copies of informational meetings including question & answers sessions will be accessible at a number of locations around town and broadcast by the Cable Committee. Leo Blair
asked for a final plan at next week’s Selectmen’s meeting.
LIQUOR LICENSE FEE – Town Administrator Tim Bragan recommended a $5,000 annual fee. After some discussion, a motion was made:
On a Blair/Warren motion, the Board voted to set an all alcohol license fee of $5,000 for calendar year 2009 until amended by a future vote.
(Clark – Nay, Warren - Aye, Ricci - Aye, Blair – Aye, Wallace – Absent)
SELECTMEN’S ANNUAL REPORT – There was no action taken.
BUDGETS – Town Administrator Tim Bragan supplied the Board with a copy of the Omnibus budget. Bragan indicated he and Finance Director Loraine Leonard made adjustments based on discussions with the Board of Selectmen last week.
Bragan explained changes were as follows:
· Police budget increase of $27,000 for a new cruiser
· Library budget increase of $20,000 from the Public Buildings account
· Fire budget increase of $5,000 for training
· DPW increase of $4,000 for maintenance & equipment
· COA increase of $15,000
Bragan explained with a reduction of $75,000 in the school budget which was agreed upon by Superintendent Thomas Jefferson a balanced budget was achieved with a slight surplus of $1,151. Finance Committee Chair, Selectmen Chair and School Committee Chair were in agreement as well. Ron Ricci suggested leaving the $20,000 in the Public Buildings account and asking the library to file for a waiver. On a Warren/Blair, motion, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the town of Harvard omnibus budget year 2010 as presented dated march 12, 2009.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
March 10, 2009 page 3
TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES – Town Administrator Tim Bragan updated the Board on articles submitted so far. Bragan said there are 35 articles and he anticipates a possibility of 50. Bragan explained he is working on a final version which he is hopeful to have closed out next week. Leo Blair suggested addition articles for the new website and emergency contact system.
ST. BENEDICTS ROUTE 110 WATERLNE – Leo Blair read a letter sent by Brother Anthony Marie from St. Benedicts Center in the Still River district of Harvard. Brother Anthony explained they are doing research and collecting information on the possibility of connecting their school to a better water source on the opposite side of the road. This would require a trench or drilling under the road to make the connection. Brother Anthony would like to know if this is possible and what steps need to be taken. Peter Warren said he spoke with DPW Foreman Ron Gilbert and he stated it would require burrowing under the road. Tim Clark said an easement may be required and suggested inquiring about the legal requirements. Ron Ricci asked to consult with Town Counsel Mark Lanza at the Tuesday, March 17th
meeting.
NATURE’S CLASSROOM FUNDRAISER – On a Ricci/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the fifth grade’s request to hold a fundraiser at the Transfer Station on March 14th, 21st and 28th from 7:30am-2:00pm.
BUILDING RENTAL POLICY & FEES – Tim Clark presented the Board with an application accompanied by policies, and rules & regulations. The rules & regulations were adopted by the BOS on January 1, 2009. On a Warren/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to adopt the building use application, selectmen’s policy drafted March 10, 2009 and the reaffirmation of the rules, regulations and rental fees effective January 1, 2009 with the Town Administrator able to waive fees at his discretion. Leo Blair suggested the Board revisit the fee schedule at a future meeting.
ROOM REQUESTS –
Betsy Williams was in attendance from the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. They are inquiring regarding space in town that could accommodate them from September 2009-December 2009 (possibly January 2010). They would require space to accommodate 30 children from 9:00am-1:00pm on Sundays with 3 to 5 rooms within one building. Town Administrator approved the request with a cost of $100 per day.
Blasé Provitola, 38 Eldridge Road, requested use of the Hapgood Room for West African drumming class to be held on either Monday or Wednesday nights.
Joe Sudol, Lancaster County Road, requested use of the Hapgood Room for a Harvard Green Homeowners Association meeting on May 12, 2009 7:30pm-10:00pm.
It was decided that Town Administrator Tim Bragan will handle the above requests.
Board of Selectmen – Minutes
March 10, 2009 page 4
Town Administrator Tim Bragan informed the Board that the request from Robert Walker regarding the liquor license for Devens Hilton Garden Inn requires approval from the three Boards of Selectmen. On a Warren/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the Devens Hilton Garden Inn to file legislation for a full service, all alcohol license.
Town Administrator Tim Bragan informed that Board he received a request from Evelyn Horowitz regarding the General Store filing special legislation for a beer and wine license. Bragan explained the most expedient way to move forward is to add request to warrant, goes to Town Meeting once approved special legislation is passed specifically for the General Store can not be transferred. On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to include on the warrant a request on behalf of the General Store for a license to sell beer and wine.
Lastly, Bragan informed the Board that he received a request from Shaker Hills Golf Club for a liquor license. He explained to meet the 30 day requirement a hearing will need to be held on March 31st. The Board agreed to that date.
***On a Wallace motion, the Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote
(Clark – AYE, Blair - AYE, Warren – AYE, Ricci - AYE) to enter into executive session at 10:40 pm, as authorized by Chapter 39, Section 23B of the Massachusetts General Laws, at a meeting for which 48 hours notice has been given, for the purpose of discuss union and non-union contracts. Following the executive session, the Board will reconvene into open session, for the sole purpose of adjourning. ***
The Board reconvened into open session at 11:00 P.M.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 P.M.
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