Holden Board of Selectmen
Meeting Minutes
January 3, 2006
6:30 PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Joseph G. Sullivan, James M. Jumonville, David J. White, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth OBrien (arrived 6:40PM)
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Sullivan opened the meeting at 6:35PM. He announced that Sel. OBrien would be arriving to the meeting late.
Representative Lew Evangelidis
Rep. Evangelidis reported that the State House and Senate would begin the New Year with a busy legislative agenda. Sel. White asked about the status of an excise tax credit for hybrid vehicles and a gas tax relief for municipal vehicles. Rep. Evangelidis said that a bill that would have provided an excise tax credit for hybrid vehicles did not make it through the legislature in 2005. Rep. Evangelidis did not feel that this particular credit was the best incentive, and that other, more appropriate ones might be revisited in a Bill in 2006. He added that the 9M Bill for a gas tax relief for municipal vehicles had died for lack of support and funding.
Sel. OBrien joined the meeting at 6:40PM.
Rep. Evangelidis reported that he continues to speak with Chairwoman Haddad regarding educational budgeting reforms. He added that the legislative body in Boston was unaware of the educational reform policy in Ch. 70 aid that was recently presented to the District by Roger Hatch of the Department of Education. Sel. OBrien urged Rep. Evangelidis to encourage the District to take advantage of the Pothole program for unanticipated educational expenses. He said that perhaps individual Towns should apply instead of the District in order to maximize the programs financing. Rep. Evangelidis reported that it was the Districts responsibility to apply for the program and was confident that an application had already been submitted. Chairman Sullivan referenced a recent letter from the Town to Education Commissioner Driscoll to request clarity on the
FY06 net school spending require-ments and Ch. 70 aid. He requested that Rep. Evangelidis continue to aid the town in this request. Chairman Sullivan suggested that he, the Town Manager and the Chairman of the Finance Committee could meet again with Chairwoman Haddad in order to reiterate the Towns position on net school spending requirements.
The Board thanked Rep. Evangelidis for his continued efforts and support to the Town.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 2005.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 19, 2005.
Citizens Address
Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, read a statement that the legal battle over the Towns inequity lawsuit was over and the Town of Holden lost. She suggested that the Town of Holden apologize to the Town of Rutland.
Mr. Glenn Gaudette, Jennifer Drive, said that he represented the Holden for Children organization. He said the group was working with the Stand for Children organization. A meeting will be held on January 19, 2006 at the Holden Senior Center to work on increasing State aid for schools. He said that the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center and the Massachusetts State Director of Stand for Children will speak at the meeting.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. OBrien: 1. Stated that he would like the Town to fully fund the cost of school transportation. He said that a great financial burden was being placed on some families who live less than 1.5 miles from their childrens school and pay to bus their children. He asked the Board to send a letter to the District and request the release of financial information to fully fund the transportation costs in Holden. Sel. Ferguson questioned where the Town would find the money to fully fund this request? She said that she would support requesting the financial information from the District and ask the Finance Committee to evaluate the information and request. Sel. White concurred with Sel. Fergusons suggestion. The Manager said that the Town placed a request two years ago at a Town Meeting to fully fund the additional transportation costs that the
school district was no longer funding. The $260,000 Warrant Article failed at Town Meeting. He suggested that the Board ask the District to put these transportation costs back in their budget instead of passing this cost on to residents as a user fee. Chairman Sullivan said that he would email Dr. Pandiscio with a request for the transportation numbers.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Asked the Manager for an update on the conclusion of the inequity lawsuit. The Manager said that he was currently waiting for an analysis from Town Counsel on the final decision and would forward the response to the Board.
2. Requested an update on the sewer transportation rate. The Manager said he would prepare an update for the January 17, 2006 meeting.
Sel. White: 1. Requested that resident parking at Dawson Recreation/Pool be placed on the next agenda for discussion.
2. Commented that the DPW worked very hard plowing and sanding streets to make the town safe for its residents.
3. Commented on Ms. Floryans comments that she made during Citizens Address regarding the inequity issue. He said he felt that her comments on how poorly the Town of Holden treated the Town of Rutland during the lawsuit were disingenuous. He said that the Board of Selectmen did not discuss the lawsuit in public and were not the sole reason for the pursuit of the lawsuit. He reminded residents that Town Meeting voters voted to pursue the inequity lawsuit and change the funding formula.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Announced that the Board will attend the 27th Annual MMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show January 13 14, 2006. He asked Board members to email him with their workshop choices for the upcoming MMA Conference.
2. Reviewed a letter to the Department of Education from the Board and the Finance Committee. The letter requests clarification on the FY06 EQV Standard of Effort.
3. Reminded residents with dogs that a leash law exists in Town. The Manager said that the Town Clerks office could hand out a courtesy flyer reminding residents of the law with the 2006 dog license renewals.
4. Suggested that a Save the Date notice reminding residents of important upcoming town events (elections, Town Meeting, etc.) be inserted in the HMLD bills.
5. Reminded Board members to email their Town Manager evaluation forms to him.
6. Discussed High School Financing options. He said that the Finance Committee had sent a letter to the District, requesting that the District return the Town of Holdens share of the modular reimbursement money from the State.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO HAVE THE BOARD SEND A LETTER TO THE WRSDC CHAIR REQUESTING THE FULL AND LEGAL RETURN OF MODULAR REIMBURSEMENT MONEY TO THE REGION TOWNS AS WAS ORIGINALLY ASSESSED TO EACH TOWN BASED ON THE DOR REIMBURSEMENT TIMELINE. (Opposed: Sel. OBrien.)
HMLD FY2006 Budget Presentation
The Manager introduced HMLD staff members Margaret Donaldson, Diane Mero, and Gary Harrington. The Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, and HMLD staff presented the FY06 HMLD proposed Budget.
Mr. Robert Hamer, Chairman of the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board reported that they had endorsed the HMLD FY06 budget.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE HMLD FY2006 BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Manager said that according to Library Director Jane Dutton, the Gale Free Library continues to break library usage records. In November 2005, library patrons borrowed 28,718 items. This is 3,819 more items than were borrowed in November 2004.
The Manager announced that the DPW will offer Christmas tree chipping services for Holden residents at the Adams Road garage between 8AM-3PM on Saturday, January 7, and Saturday, January 14, 2006.
The Manager confirmed the Boards reservations to attend the MMA Annual Meeting and Trade Show in Boston on January 13-14, 2006.
The Manager said that according to Police Chief Sherrill, the Holden Police Department has received a FY2006 Community Policing Grant in the amount of $18,024. These funds will enable the department to continue providing the community with programs that address community needs, specifically crime, fear of crime, and the issues that detract from overall quality of life.
The Board reviewed the Selectmen Follow-up and Pending Items from December 2005.
The Manager said that the WoodMeister Corporation of Worcester has announced its relocation to the Holden Industrial Park. WoodMeister Corporation is a custom cabinetry and woodwork company. The relocation is expected to be complete in the fall of 2006.
Reports of Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Nothing to report.
Sel. Jumonville: Open Space/Recreation: Nothing to report.
Phased Growth Bylaw: Nothing to report.
Sel. OBrien: Economic Development: Committee has not met.
WRSD Municipal Representative: Nothing to report.
Sel. White: Affordable Housing: Nothing to report.
High School Building Committee: Continues to participate as a citizen non-voting member.
Sel. Sullivan: Public Safety Building: Committee will meet 1/5 at 6:30 in the Starbard Building.
Holden Hospital: Negotiations with UMASS continue.
Master Plan Study Committee:
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 6, 2006 MEETING AT 8:50PM.
Approved: January 17, 2006 as amended
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