Board of Selectmen
Minutes
September 15, 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, Tim Clark and Peter Warren were all in attendance. Lucy Wallace was not present.
MINUTES – On a Warren/Clark motion, the Board voted unanimously to approve the minutes of 9/1, as amended.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT – Tim Bragan updated the board on the Kilpi property stating the clean up is ongoing.
Bragan reported that the Town was successful in obtaining the Green Community Grant for planning assistance and the Energy Advisory Committee has been notified.
On behalf of Selectmen Wallace, Bragan spoke on two items for her. Wallace asked to include the meal’s tax as a discussion item at an upcoming meeting and she asked if there would be more input on the upcoming year goals prior to the September 29th meeting.
Bragan informed the Board that Eric Stoltzfus’s appointment to the DEC is awaiting the Governor’s signature. Tim Clark indicated this will create an alternate position vacancy.
Bragan said the Finance Committee Survey has been completed and is on the Town website. He also stated hardcopies will be available at the Library, General Store, Town Hall and possibly other locations.
SELECTMEN REPORTS – Tim Clark said a free workshop will be held through the Green Community Grant in Lowell on September 30th from 9:00am to 11:00am. The workshop will provide information on how to qualify for new sources of state funding for municipal energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Clark reminded the Board that several months ago the Town requested technical assistance from MRPC for identification of alternative funding sources for the town center sewer project. He indicated a draft report has been received with the primary funding source being the state’s revolving fund. No interest loan options for septic repair are also available to income eligible residents. Clark informed the Board that the state revolving fund application for the town center sewer project is due September 18th.
Clark gave a status report on the two Home Rule Petitions:
· Sewer project was reported to the Environment Committee on August 31st and is now in the House Ways and Means Committee. Representative Jen Benson is following the progress and Senator Jamie Eldridge will be responsible to move petition through the Senate.
· Clark testified in Boston on house bill 1127, liquor license request for the wine and beer license. An executive vote was taken in favor of Harvard’s request expediting the process.
Clark stated International Walk to School Day will be held on October 7th and Harvard will participate. In relation to walk to school day, Clark will be encouraging the School Committee to participate in the Safe Routes to school program. He explained this program provides technical and engineering support to communities in identifying pathway improvements. Clark stated with the sewer project quickly approaching establishing a comprehensive plan to address building usage, parking, safe passage for emergency vehicles and pedestrian walkways makes sense.
Ron Ricci announced with the resignation of Leo Blair there is an open position on the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust and anyone who is interested should contact the Selectmen’s Office.
At the JBOS meeting on September 10th, Ricci said representatives from DEC were present to discuss Chapter 498, communication, and appointments. Ricci confirmed Ayer Selectmen Enrico Cappucci is the chairman through the end of 2009 and a rotating chairmanship is in place. Tim Clark added DEC would be improving bylaws by moving toward the Green Communities Act and the New England Forestry Foundation was selected to assist in establishing permanent conservation restrictions.
HEALING GARDEN PERENNIAL WALK – On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to permit the Healing Garden request subject to approval by the police chief for their perennial walk to be held on October 17, 2009. Tim Bragan said he spoke with the Police Chief and there are no issues.
HARVARD PRESERVATION COMMITTEE RESIGNATION – Tim Bragan informed the Board that Phil Crosby submitted his resignation. Bragan said the CPC has 30 days to notify the BOS of the opening at which time a majority vote of the two boards would make the appointment.
TOWN CENTER PARKING AND SAFETY ISSUES – Tim Bragan explained he and Tim Clark walked the no name street across from the General Store to determine the possibility of blocking off this area for parking. Due to the recent water main repairs a chance to pave this area was brought to the attention of the Board. Bragan and Clark agreed an overall plan for parking, road way improvements, and pedestrian ways is necessary especially to address problem areas. Clark said a plan would allow citizens to utilize the town center in a safe way. He indicated the town center action plan identifies some of these issues and provides recommendations. Clark stated the first step is to define the future uses of the former library and town hall building. Clark suggested the BOS form a group to address town pathway improvement from the town center area
to Pond Road. Peter Warren explained a Municipal Buildings Use Committee has been established and would be addressing the town building issues. Town Administrator Tim Bragan confirmed the roads where the water main project took place will be re-paved.
REVIEW AND SIGN ST. BENEDICT’S EASEMENT – Tim Bragan presented the Board with a Mylar document of the easement for their review. Bragan said the legal document was drafted by Town Counsel Mark Lanza and attorney for St. Benedicts. Peter Warren suggested the language include a condition to allow opening of the roadway only if they run into an obstruction and the DPW Director Rich Nota must be consulted if this occurs. Bragan assured the Board that the easement has specific instructions to be followed and if any modifications arise, approval is required by the Town.
On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to accept draft granted easement for St. Benedict’s installation of sub surface sewer line and water line described in plan dated March 24, 2009, 2969-E.
PLANNING BOARD APPOINTMENT - The Board of Selectmen and Planning Board voted unanimously by a roll call vote to appoint Wayne McFarland to fill vacancy left by Barbara Brady until the 2010 election . (Clark – Aye, Ricci – Aye, Warren – Aye,
Sudol – Aye, Bardenheuer - Aye, Fox – Aye)
TOWN CENTER SEWER BUILDING COMMITTEE – On a Clark/Warren motion, the Board voted unanimously to appoint Joseph Bibbo to the Town Center Sewer Building Committee.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – Jeff Harris, 69 Whitney Road, asked why the BOS did not respond to a letter he submitted on January 16th? Ron Ricci apologized if his letter was missed and assured him if it was resubmitted the BOS would address it.
Lana Heino-Roman representative for the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden was present to thank the BOS for their approval of the Perennial Walk.
FY10-FY11 GOALS – Ron Ricci asked members of the Board if they reviewed the list of actionable items for achieving goals FY10-FY11. Ricci indicated the next step will be providing the list to the chairman of the additional Town committees/boards for them to review and provide feedback at the September 29th all boards meeting. Warren and Clark agreed this was a good quality starting point. School Committee Chairman Keith Cheveralls was in the audience and indicated the 29th may not work for the School Committee as they have a packed agenda that night. The Board discussed Wednesday, September 30th as an alternate date but must check with Selectmen Wallace first.
DOLAN MASON CONSERVATION RESTRICTION– Victor Normand from the Harvard Conservation Trust was present to request the BOS signatures regarding the Dolan Mason conservation restriction. Normand explained the restriction has been accepted by the Conservation Commission and final approval comes from the BOS.
Motion as follows: Being majority of the select board of the town of Harvard Worcester county ma. Hereby certify that at a meeting dully held on September 15, 2009 the select board voted to approve the foregoing conservation restriction to the Harvard conservation trust pursuant to section 32 of chapter 184 of the general law of ma.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.
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