HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 18, 2006
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David J. White, Kimberly N. Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph G. Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Chairman announced that Sel. Jumonville would arrive late to the meeting. The board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Appointments
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT ANTHONY COSTELLO TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT MATTHEW J. KENNEDY TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT LEE A. HILL TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT LOUISE L. HUGO TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT IDA J. NYSTROM TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT MICHAEL LUPIENSKI TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Announced that one vacancy exists on the Historical Commission.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT CHARLOTTE HANKS TO THE HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION TO A THREE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING 12/31/09.
Announced that three vacancies exist on the Historic District Commission.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Manager reminded residents that town business offices would close at 12:00 Noon on Friday, December 22, 2006 in observance of Christmas. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, December 26 at the regular time.
The Manager announced that the Holden Municipal Light Department received over 52 donations to the Welcome Aldrich Fund following the placement of a donation envelope in customer utility bills.
Thanks to all those citizens who have contributed. Donations are used to directly help town residents with payment of their heating and utility bills.
The board reviewed the monthly revenue and expenditure reports for the period ending November 30, 2006.
The board reviewed the results of the December 6, 2006 auction of town-owned land. Eight out of twenty parcels were sold and the Town netted $149,000, which will be deposited into the newer capital fund that is a subset of the IIF. The Manager commented that overall, the slower real estate market had an affect on the purchase prices of the buildable or near-buildable lots.
The Manager informed the board that despite an extended delay by the Department of Revenue, the Town’s tax bills have been prepared and will be sent to residents by the end of the year. Thanks to Bev Potvin, Principal Assessor and her staff, the Board of Assessors, Jean Berg, Treasurer/Collector and her staff, and Doug Nelson, Systems Administrator for their diligence and extra work to see this important process completed.
The Manager informed the board that at their most recent meeting, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to approve three variances for the Rice School property. The Planning Board will meet to discuss the Rice School development proposal at their January 23, 2007 meeting.
The Manager announced that the town’s web site had been redeveloped and redesigned by Mr. Doug Nelson, Systems Administrator, Ms. Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager and Ms. Liz Arguin, Secretary to the Town Manager. Changes were made to make it a more user-friendly, interactive web site. Mr. Nelson demonstrated the new web site. The board thanked Mr. Nelson, Ms. Kelly, and Ms. Arguin for their hard work and efforts to redesign the web site.
The Chairman asked the Manager to gauge the interest of residents to sign up for a town-wide email distribution list.
Sel. Jumonville joined the meeting at 6:55PM.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Karl Makela, 60 Newell Road, addressed the board regarding several complaints against the Planning Board and the development of the Trulson Sand Pit on Newell Road by Faford Construction. Mr. Makela raised concerns regarding tree cutting, tree replacement, utility pole relocation, and a lack of response from the Town Planner and the Planning Board.
Mr. David Cyganski, 94 Newell Road, supported the comments made by Mr. Makela. Mr. Cyganski said he feels that the Town Planner and the town are not monitoring the project properly. A large area of trees was significantly over-cut in error six months ago and several trees that are in need of removal still remain. The contractor, Faford Construction, has closed for the winter. He said that Faford Construction is not adhering to the tree removal and pole relocation timeline/schedule that was established by the Planning Board in October 2006. The area has remained an eyesore for over six months. Mr. Cyganski submitted photos of the damaged areas.
Mr. Walter Laptewicz, 90 Newell Road, addressed the status of the Faford Construction site on Newell Road. He asked that the town enforce the repair timeline/schedule set by the Planning Board in October 2006. He said that this area on Newell Road is unsafe.
Mr. John Dipietro, 70 Timber Lane, commended the Wachusett Regional Choral students who successfully and professionally performed with Kenny Rogers at Foxwoods this past weekend.
HMLD – Proposed Small Commercial Rate Decrease
The Manager presented a proposed rate change to small commercial customers of the Light Department.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED RATE DECREASE TO SMALL COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS OF THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE TOWN MANAGER.
HMLD – Proposed Private Lighting Rate Increase
The Manager presented a proposed rate increase to private lighting customers of the Light Department. There have been no rate increases to these private customers in 15 years and the cost of materials has increased. These customers rent lighting fixtures on a monthly basis. Sel. O’Brien said that he was opposed to the rate increase.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO APPROVE THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASE TO PRIVATE LIGHTING CUSTOMERS OF THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT AS PRESENTED BY THE TOWN MANAGER. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Nothing to report.
School Building Project: Attended the last meeting.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Next Meeting in January 2007.
Holden Tomorrow: Element teams are working on revisions of reports. Thanks to everyone who attended the Visioning Session on December 7th. Next public meeting will be scheduled for March 2007.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital: Nothing to report.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle: Next Meeting January 10th at 5PM. Committee has vacancies.
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Committee needs a Parade Director. Next Meeting January 25th at 7:30PM.
Committee needs to develop a charge in order to be sworn in.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Will retain Kastle-Bose architects.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Update on the steps taken to develop additional sewer capacity. The Manager said that inflow and infiltration efforts were ongoing.
2. Inquired about logging activity on Bullard Street. DCR property is being logged.
3. Inquired about the establishment of a Road Advisory Committee similar to the one in Princeton. Is there interest in Holden? The Manager and Sel. Sullivan responded that Princeton has this committee because they do not have a DPW Department that is as large or contains an engineering staff as skilled as the Holden DPW. The board will bring the issue to the next Regional Selectmen’s Meeting, which will be hosted by the Town of Princeton.
4. Use of Chapter 90 money as it pertains to the Unionville Dam. The Manager said that engineering work is progressing but that it does not mean that the project will end up on the TIPS list.
5. Grant program is ending for the Police Officer at Mountview School. Sel. O’Brien said that he spoke to School Committee members who would be willing to fund a portion of the salary to return the officer to the school. The Manager said that he would initiate a call to the District to inquire about their monetary commitment to returning the officer to the school.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Apple Jax property will remain vacant for the time being.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Thanked the Administration for fixing the storm drain blockage on Walnut Street.
2. Announced that the January Food Distribution at the Wachusett Food Pantry would take place for Senior Citizens on Friday, January 19th from 10:30-11:30AM and the Regular Distribution would take place on Saturday, January 20th from 9-11AM. The Food Pantry is seeking volunteers to serve on their Board of Directors.
3. Requested enforcement of temporary signs along Main Street.
4. Discussed school lease agreements with the District as a result of the Rutland renegotiation. The Manager said that he was in the process of requesting a copy of the new contract. The Manager will schedule this item on the agenda for the next Regional Selectmen’s Meeting.
5. Worcester County House of Corrections – Schedule a future Regional Selectmen’s Meeting at this facility in 2007.
6. Attended the Rotary Club Senior Citizen Holiday Breakfast at The Manor in West Boylston on Saturday the 16th.
Sel. White: 1. Discussed the development of a policy for displays on Town property. It was agreed that Sel. Sullivan and Sel. O’Brien would work with the Town Manager’s office to develop the policy. Sel. Sullivan asked that any residents who wish to be a part of the development of the policy to contact the Town Manager’s office.
2. Requested that the board schedule on a future agenda the purchase of town vehicles in regards to fuel/energy efficiency. The Manager said his staff would take a survey of other communities to see what they are doing.
Follow-Up to Citizens’ Address
The board discussed the issues raised during Citizens’ Address regarding the development on Newell Road sandpit. The Manager commented that while the Light Department can move the utility poles on Newell Road quickly, Verizon and Charter require months of advance notice to schedule the relocation of their wires. The developer, Faford Construction, has not contacted the Town to request such a move or put money down as a deposit. Sel. Sullivan requested that the Manager send a letter to the Chairman of the Planning Board to request a review/enforcement of the situation and the timeline set at their October 2006 meeting.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 18, 2006 MEETING AT 8:55PM.
Approved: January 2, 2007 as amended
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