Holden Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
March 20, 2006
6:30 PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Joseph G. Sullivan, James M. Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth OBrien
Absent: David J. White
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Sullivan opened the meeting at 6:30PM.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT FOR A ROAD RACE TO DAVID ARMSTRONG ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDEN POLICE ASSOCIATION AND LIFESKILLS PROGRAM W.R.H.S ON SUNDAY, APRIL 9, 2006 FROM 10:30AM 11:30PM.
Reports of Selectmen Subcommittees
Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee: Met on March 7th and selected two co-chairs. The Committee will meet on March 21st at 7:00PM in Memorial Hall & March 23rd to interview a consultant. More volunteers are needed to serve on the sub-committees.
Sel. Jumonville: Open Space/Recreation: Nothing to report.
Phased Growth Bylaw: Nothing to report.
Starbard Scholarship: Nothing to report.
Sel. OBrien: Economic Development Commission: Committee has not met.
WRDS Collective Bargaining: Nothing to report.
Starbard Scholarship: Nothing to report.
Sel. Sullivan: Public Safety Building Committee: Continues to meet.
Holden Hospital/UMASS: Continues to work to bring closure to this issue.
Town Managers Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed the year-to-date Revenue and Expenditure reports for February 2006.
The Manager and the Board reviewed a letter from Mary MacInnes, Administrator of the WRTA. The letter provides the Board with an update on activities to promote use of fixed route bus service in Holden.
The Board thanked members of the First Congregational Church in Holden for the donation of $664 and members of the Chaffin Congregational Church for their donation of $1,339 to the Welcome Aldrich Fund. This fund helps neighbors who need assistance in heating their homes during the winter months. The Manager said his office would generate a letter of congratulations from the Board to the churches
The Manager announced that according to Fire Chief Stark, the Fire Department received a SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) Grant in the amount of $4,345. This grant will be used to continue the Departments successful program to educate students and seniors about fire safety.
The Board reviewed a Special Election Calendar that was prepared by Kathleen Peterson, Town Clerk. The political calendar outlines a special election that would need to occur on June 19, 2006. At least one of the ballot items would ask voters to exclude the debt for the Public Safety Building from the limits of Proposition 2½, should it be successful at Town Meeting in May.
The Board reviewed two sewer abatement requests.
Motion by Sel. OBrien, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DENY A SEWER BETTERMENT ABATEMENT TO JAMES S. DEMETRY, 296 CHAPEL STREET, MAP 177, PARCEL 4.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-1 TO DENY A SEWER BETTERMENT ABATEMENT TO DONNA M. RIPLEY, 40 ANDERSON AVENUE, MAP 174, PARCEL 32, MALDEN STREET. (Opposed: Sel. OBrien.)
The Manager announced the Spring Composting and Brush Chipping schedule. The Department of Public Works will only accept leaves, grass clippings and brush from Holden residents at the com-posting facility on River Street on: Saturday, April 22, Saturday, April 29, Saturday, May 6, Saturday May 13, and Saturday, May 20 from 7AM 1:30PM. Bulk street sweeping has begun in town. A residential schedule will be advertised later in the spring.
The Manager reported that the Holden Municipal Light Department has increased the fee to re-connect electric meters on weekends, holidays, and before/after business hours from $50.00 to $100.00 in order to cover costs. The Department pays personnel a 4½ hour minimum to respond to a service reconnection which can range from $92.93 to $133.97 depending on who is on duty. The fee increase of $100 will cover the cost of the average response. The HMLD only disconnects meters as a final resort and only when no response is received from the notices to the customer. Every effort is made to communicate to the customer prior to the disconnection. Electric meters are reconnected at no cost during normal working hours.
The Board reviewed comments from Peter Brennan, Chairman of the Historic District Commission, relative to the Rice School Draft RFP.
Paul Challenger, Chair, Finance Committee WRSD FY2007 Budget Request
Mr. Challenger provided the Board with an update on the towns FY2007 budget progress. He reported that it is anticipated that the District will return approximately $900K in modular reimbursement to the town. That combined with the financial prudence by the Town Manager, should help lower real estate taxes in town. Lottery aid from the State is expected to increase from last year. Mr. Challenger said that revenue is up nearly 1M from last years budget. This money will help the town restore items in its budget that have been cut in recent years. He said that a police cruiser would be replaced, the Fire Department is scheduled to replace a fire truck, and the DPW will replace two dump trucks. The Finance Committee continues to review the towns proposed FY07 budget. The Manager said that he will provide a report to Sel. OBrien and the Board
regarding Ch. 90 money and repairs to the Unionville Bridge that the DCR is responsible for. The Chairman requested that a department head be scheduled at each upcoming Board meeting to discuss their portion of the budget. Mr. Challenger reported that the WRSD is asking for an increase of 8.6% from last years budget which represents 1.5M to the town. Mr. Challenger commented that it would take every single one of the towns revenue dollars to support the Districts request. Increases in fuel, 18 new teachers, a new transportation contract, outstanding union negotiations, teacher retirements, and other items have increased the Districts budget. Aid from the State is unknown at this time. Sel. Ferguson said that she felt that the town should send a letter to the District stating the Boards concern with this number. Chairman Challenger said that School Superintendent Pandiscio welcomed input from the District towns. He noted that the Holden Finance Committee has already passed on its
comments to the Superintendent.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SEND A LETTER TO THE WACHUSETT REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT STATING THAT THEIR CURRENT FY07 BUDGET REQUEST OF 1.5M TO THE TOWN OF HOLDEN IS NOT WITHIN THE TOWNS FINANCIAL MEANS OF SUPPORT. (Opposed: Sel. OBrien.)
Citizens Address
Sel. Ferguson excused herself at 7:25 PM from participating in Citizens Address and Agenda Item 6, Sewer Connection Fees, due to a conflict of interest.
Mark S. Ferguson, Bailey Road, addressed concerns about a retroactive sewer connection fee that has been assessed to his properties on Putnam Lane and Putnam Road. Mr. Ferguson said that when he purchased the properties they were free of any liens and that he felt that he should not have to pay a sewer connection fee. He also commented on his disappointment regarding the management of the towns legal budget.
Rick Sampson, Doyle Road, expressed concerns about his property at 20 Putnam Lane. He said that when he bought the property it was free and clear of liens and that the Board recently voted to abate his sewer betterment fee. He said that it was unfair to be charged a $1700 fee to connect to the sewer. Mr. Sampson said that he had contacted a lawyer.
Sewer Connection Fees
The Board discussed sewer connection fees according to the Sewer Connection Fee Schedule.
Sel. OBrien said that since the sewer abatement had been waived, these property owners should pay some sort of fee to use the town sewer system.
Motion by Sel. OBrien, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 2-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ASSESS A SEWER CONNECTION FEE TO MAP 209, PARCEL 7 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,556.92. (Opposed: Sel. Jumonville.)
Motion by Sel. OBrien, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 2-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ASSESS A SEWER CONNECTION FEE TO MAP 209, PARCEL 14 IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,777.14. (Opposed: Sel. Jumonville.)
Motion by Sel. OBrien, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 2-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ASSESS A SEWER CONNECTION FEE TO MAP 209, PARCEL 14 IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,251.27 AS LONG AS THE SEWER BETTERMENT ABATEMENT IS NOT ATTACHED TO MAP 209, PARCEL 14. (Opposed: Sel. Jumonville.)
Sel. Ferguson returned to the meeting at 7:50PM.
Non-Resident Recreation Passes and Fees
The Board reviewed information from Recreation Director, Denise Morano, regarding Pool Pass Revenues and an option to increase the price of non-resident fees for 2006. The Manager said that Ms. Moranos proposal is to cap the number of non-resident pool passes sold to 400 and increase the cost per non-resident to $100. The Board reviewed a memo of costs associated with other recreation pool facilities.
Ms. Lucy Banks, a member of the Recreation Committee addressed the Board. She said that the Recreation Committee was unanimously opposed to capping the number and raising the price of non-resident pool passes.
Sel. Ferguson said that she was not interested in raising the fees or capping non-resident pool passes at this time. Sel. Jumonville said that Holden taxpayers paid for the pool and did not have a problem raising fees to non-residents in order to restrict non-resident access to the pool. He added that he would support the general consensus of the Board. Sel. OBrien was opposed to raising fees. Sel. Sullivan said it was important to maximize the value to Holden residents. He commented that the pool continues to grow in popularity and he asked the Recreation Committee to closely monitor the future growth of its use.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Announced that Wachusett Greenways would hold their annual meeting on April 6, 2006 at 6PM at the Chocksett School in Sterling.
2. Inquired about creative, cost saving ways to have the Damon House painted.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Inquired how many vehicles each town department operated. He asked how many employees take their town vehicle home and do any of the vehicles leave Holden when they are taken home? The Manager provided the Board with the statistical information.
2. Requested that the town inquire when the District would re-seed/rehabilitate the towns playing fields. The Chairman said that he would send a letter of inquiry to the District. The Town Manager said that he did not posses a schedule of the Districts future intentions to use the town playing fields.
Sel. OBrien: 1. Requested the total square footage of the proposed Public Safety Building compared to the current Public Safety Buildings. The Manager said he would email the information to the Board. He requested that Sel. OBrien raise the subject again at the next meeting.
2. Asked that correspondence regarding pesticide spraying along the rail trail be forwarded to Colleen Abrams.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Informed the Board that Mr. Don Lawton, Chairman of the Transportation Circulation Committee, has requested that the town place directional signs at the intersection of Malden/Bullard Streets.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 6, 2006. (Abstained: Sel. Sullivan.)
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. OBrien, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:26 PM TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING EFFORTS AND TO DISCUSS THE REPUTATION AND CHARACTER OF ONE OF THE SELECTMEN AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL VOTE: Sel. Sullivan: yes; Sel. Ferguson: yes; Sel. OBrien: yes; Sel. Jumonville: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 21, 2006 MEETING AT 8:46 PM.
Approved:___April 3, 2006 as amended______________
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