HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 4, 2006
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David J. White, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Joseph G. Sullivan, James Jumonville (arrived 7:20PM), Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:32PM)
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chairman announced that Sel. Jumonville had informed him that he would be late to the meeting. The Chairman acknowledged the recent passing of Mr. Leo Bachant, an active member of the community. The board expressed their condolences to the Bachant family.
Sel. O’Brien arrived to the meeting at 6:32PM.
Selectmen License Renewals
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWALS ON THE WHITE PAPER AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWALS ON THE YELLOW PAPER UPON RESOLUTION OF THEIR OUTSTANDING CHARGES AS PRESENTED AND PENDING A CHANGE IN THE INFORMATION REGARDING ONE OF THE BUSINESSES. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Mr. Mike Wronski – Update on Holden Tomorrow
Ms. Barbara Kohlstrom and Mr. Mike Wronski, Co-Chair, Holden Tomorrow, provided the board with an update of the committees’ activities. They reminded the Holden community that the Committee would hold a Visioning Session on December 7th at 6:30PM at the Senior Center. All residents were encouraged to attend and express their vision for the future of Holden and work on problem solving solutions. The Manager’s office will look into converting the first visioning report into email to send to the Selectmen.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 20, 2006 PENDING A CHANGE FROM THE WORD “BOARD” TO “ADMINISTRATION” ON PAGE TWO OF SELECTMEN SULLIVAN’S SEL. MISCELLANEOUS.
Mr. Mike Rosen – Presentation on Fire Exploring
Firefighter Mike Rosen provided the board with an update on the 25 members of the Explorer Post, which is the Fire Department’s academy for kids. Mr. Rosen said that the Post is up from just 2- members in a four-year time period. He said that the kids run the program with adult supervision. Past members of the Explorer Post are now serving as Firemen in other communities. The academy offers the study of fire department operations, emergency medical services, and how to handle hazardous materials. The board requested a HATS OFF award to Mr. Rosen and the Explorer Post.
Employee Appreciation
The board acknowledged those employees with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of dedicated service to the town and its residents.
The board took a two-minute recess at 7:15PM.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the board.
Sel. Jumonville joined the meeting at 7:20PM.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Has not met.
Collective Bargaining: Provided an update on the recently concluded collective bargaining efforts of the School District. Sel. Ferguson inquired about the total impact of the collective bargaining changes to the school budget for the upcoming budget season. Sel. O’Brien said he did not know and would forward any information to the board.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Met on 11/30 to review a draft housing report. Over 55 housing was an item for discussion at the meeting. The committee is interested in the assisted living aspect of an over 55 housing community. Sel. Ferguson gave Sel. O’Brien information regarding inclusionary zoning.
Holden Tomorrow: Next visioning session is on December 7th at the Senior Center.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital: Will have further information to report after the New Year.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle: Next meeting: December 14th at the Starbard Building.
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting December 7th.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Conducted a site walk of the Police and Fire Departments.
Tax Classification Public Hearing
The Manager read the notice of public hearing into record at 7:31PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:32PM.
Ms. Beverly Potvin, Principal Assessor for the Town, introduced Mr. James Dillon one of the Town’s Assessors. Ms. Potvin presented information regarding the five classes of property in town in order for the selectmen to determine the percentages of the tax levy to be borne by each property class and set the tax rate. Holden has always selected a residential tax factor of “1.” The Manager presented a spreadsheet outlining a decrease in the average tax bill for FY07. This lower tax rate is due to retiring debt, the refinance of outstanding debt, monies returned from the School District due to the recent audit, and money from the sale of modular units at the High School.
Mr. Gordon MacPhee, Salisbury Street, representing the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce, asked that the board maintain a single residential tax rate.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:55PM.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET A SINGLE RESIDENTIAL TAX RATE OF $11.56 FOR FY07.
The board signed the tax classification authorization paperwork.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager explained that in the past year, the board voted to close town business offices at 12:00 Noon on the last working day before Christmas. As a gesture of good will, the Manager requested that the Selectmen consider closing the town business offices at Noon on Friday, December 22, 2006.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE TOWN BUSINESS OFFICES AT NOON, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2006 FOR CHRISTMAS.
The Manager reported that a flyer requesting donations to the Welcome Aldrich Fund would be included in the next utility bill. The Welcome Aldrich Fund is a fund established in 1935 to assist low-income Town residents in heating their homes. 100% of donations go directly to Holden families in need.
The Manager informed the board that according to Ms. Louise Charbonneau, Council on Aging Coordinator, 294 flu shots were provided free of charge at the Senior Center on November 27, 2006. Thirty-one shots were given to people less than sixty years of age and sixteen town employees received the flu vaccine. The board thanked Ms. Charbonneau, her staff, and Ms. Joyce Crouse, Town Health Agent for coordinating this program.
The board reviewed a letter from Ms. Carolyn Noah, Administrator of the Central Massachusetts Regional Library System thanking Jane Dutton, Director of the Gale Free Library for her service as a 2-year President of the CMRLS Executive Board. CMLRS serves over two hundred and fifty-five member libraries in the Central MA region, providing library services to the public. The board congratulated Ms. Dutton for her service, hard work, and commitment to the Gale Free Library and the wider library community. The Chairman said that he would send a letter of congratulations to Ms. Dutton from the board.
The Manager announced that he had been invited to join the LGWG that is advising Governor-elect Patrick on items of most immediate concern to municipalities. The goal of the group will be to produce a “White Paper” on the most pressing issue for the Governor’s review beginning in January. This group, predominantly made up of large city Mayors and the Governor-elect’s team, recognizes the need to bring medium sized Town’s into the mix. The Manager commented that this working group would be a short-term commitment. The Manager encouraged the board to send their comments, interests, and concerns for the Town to the Manager by Friday, December 8.
The Manager reminded the board that the Zekos Group would conduct a real estate auction of 21 town owned properties on Wednesday, December 6, 2006 at 11AM in Town Hall. Bidder registration begins at 10AM. Auctioneer will receive a $2,500 fee and a 10% buyer’s premium.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
The Chairman asked Sel. O’Brien to submit fewer Sel. Miscellaneous items. Selectmen were reminded that the Manager is available to discuss items in his office, via email, or over the phone prior to the meeting. Sel. Sullivan suggested that Sel. O’Brien and the Manager have a standing meeting date to discuss Sel. O’Brien’s concerns.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Expressed concerns that a member of the administration recently advocated against a Rt. 190 connector at a recent Central Mass Metro Planning Organization meeting. The Manager said that he was not aware of anyone from the administration that attended this meeting and suggested that perhaps it was a private citizen from Holden who chose to express this opinion. He added that he had always been an advocate for a Rt. 190 connector to the town.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Announced that after legal research, the town has determined that it will be able to place a menorah on town property during Hanukah. The Manager said that the menorah would need to be donated to the town. A volunteer effort would be required to maintain the lighting of the menorah. Sel. Sullivan expressed concerns and said he was not comfortable regarding the placement of religious items on town property before having a policy in place. He requested that the Manager craft a policy on exactly what is and what is not allowed in terms of the placement of religious items on town property. Sel. O’Brien inquired about the cost of the legal review. The Manager said he did not have an exact amount but added that the legal research on this topic was expensive.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Town of Rutland has negotiated a new rental and maintenance contract with the District and inquired how this would affect the Town of Holden. The Manager said he would keep the board informed.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. White: 1. The cable contract will be coming up for re-negotiation in 2009. The Chairman suggested that the Cable Advisory Committee and the Power Advisory Board consider entering into this area of communication and begin to meet prior to the contract re-negotiations.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE AND RECESS FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL: Jumonville: yes; White: yes; O’Brien: yes; Ferguson: yes; Sullivan: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 4, 2006 MEETING AT 9:36PM.
Approved: January 2, 2007
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