HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2006
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Joseph G. Sullivan, James M. Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth OBrien (arrived 6:45PM), David J. White
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Sullivan opened the meeting at 6:32PM.
Inter-municipal Agreement for Board of Health Services Region 2 Public Health Emergency Preparedness Coalition
Ms. Joyce Crouse, Health Agent, spoke to Warrant Article 29, a program to encourage mutual aid between communities/governmental units during a public health emergency. The agreement must be approved at Town Meeting. Members from the Region 2 Public Health Emergency Prepared-ness Coalition made a presentation to the Board to answer frequently asked questions about public health mutual aid.
Sel. OBrien arrived at the meeting at 6:45PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENDORSE WARRANT ARTICLE 29.
Warrant Article Motion Assignments
Sel. Ferguson agreed to speak to Articles 8, 9, 18, 20, 21, and 29. Sel. Jumonville agreed to speak to Articles 7-1 through 7-9, and 33. Sel. White agreed to speak to Articles 6, 16, 17, 21, 24, and 30. Sel. Sullivan agreed that the new Chairman would speak to Articles 13, 14, 15, 23, 28, and 32. Sel. OBrien agreed to speak to Articles 10, 11, 12, 19, 25, 26, and 27.
The Board agreed to discuss Warrant Article 24 (eminent domain taking) at the end of the meeting.
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 18, 2006 WITH AN AMENDMENT TO CORRECT THE THIRD ITEM UNDER SEL. WHITES MISCELLANEOUS ON PAGE THREE TO READ DISCUSSED AN OPTION OF FORMING A COMMITTEE WITH ON-CALL FIREFIGHTERS. (Abstained: Sel. Ferguson.)
Citizens Address
Mr. Frank Puffer, 13 Mark Circle, stated that alternatives to the Fox Hill land taking have been discussed among the abutters and a report has been forwarded to the Town Manager. Mr. Puffer inquired about the status of the report. The Manager commented that he had met with the concerned parties and that the land taking would be placed on the Town Warrant as planned.
Mr. Allen Paul Moreau, Main Street, spoke about the proposed Public Safety Building. He said that he felt $14M is too expensive for the proposed facility.
Mr. Karl Makela, inquired about the $800K in pool grant money that the State will reimburse to the town. Mr. Makela said he would like to see the money returned to the taxpayers and not applied to the Public Safety Building to offset its projected costs.
Mr. Jake Hagopian felt that the pool money should be returned to the taxpayers.
Mr. Ed Meyer, Fort Sumter Drive, spoke to the Finance Committees recent decision to take the pool reimbursement money and apply it to the Public Safety Building project. Mr. Meyer said that he felt that it is the taxpayers money and they should be able to decide where it goes.
Mr. Chris Lucchesi, Bailey Road, spoke to the Stand for Children rally and recent decisions by the State to increase educational aid to the towns. He said that this recent aid was just a one-year, temporary fix, and there are no long-term plans for educational reform.
Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, spoke to the success of the Stand for Children rally.
Ms. Jamie Phelan, 32 Kendall Road, expressed concerns regarding the closing of her establish-ment Apple Jax on Good Friday and the Saturday before Easter. She introduced Mr. Randall Phelps, a Food Safety Consultant hired by the owners of Apple Jax to conduct and investigate the recent temporary closing of the store. Mr. Phelps said he felt this closing was a drastic and unwarranted action by the town. He submitted a report of his investigation to the Board. Ms. Phelan said that the actions by the Health Agent were extreme and caused a large loss of customers and profit. Ms. Phelan said that she has not received a copy of the Health Agents report.
Managers Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that the Eagle Lake Bathhouse reconstruction was nearing completion and would be ready for the opening of swim season.
The Board reviewed an update on the repairs to the Unionville Pond Dam.
The Board reviewed the Selectmen Follow-Up through April 2006.
The Board reviewed information regarding planned improvements to the intersection of Phillips Road and Highland Street.
The Manager informed the Board that Papa Ginos has requested that the Board vote to declare May 24th as Papa Ginos Rustic Pizza Day. It was the consensus of the Board that before they take a vote, they would like the Manager to determine if the Board has ever endorsed a merchant in town.
Public Safety Facility Building Committee
Committee Chair Fred Misilo introduced members of the Public Safety Facility Building Committee. The Committee presented an overview of the current inadequate and unsafe Police and Fire facilities and the proposed 38,000 square foot combined facility to house both departments. The Committee said that it was in the process of firming up its final financial information and would return to the Board for an endorsement vote prior to Town Meeting.
Reports of Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee: Next meeting is May 16th at 6:30.
Sel. Jumonville: Open Space/Recreation:
Phased Growth Bylaw:
Starbard Scholarship: Extended the deadline for applications to May 1.
Sel. OBrien: EDC: Have not met.
WRSD Collective Bargaining: Have not met.
Starbard Scholarship: Have not met.
Sel. White: WRHS Building Committee: Have not met.
Affordable Housing: Have not met.
Trash/Recycling: Have not met.
Sel. Sullivan: Public Safety Building:
Holden Hospital/UMASS: Continues to participate in ongoing negotiations.
Education/Inequity: Reported that he, the Manager and Finance Committee Chair Paul Challenger met with Senator Antonioni on April 27th to discuss ongoing educational funding efforts and the inequity issue.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Wachusett Earthday Collection will be held at the High School on Saturday, May 13th from 8AM-1PM.
2. Asked that the Managers office help to facilitate with the situation at Apple Jax.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Will the Board vote to take a position on applying the 800K pool money to the Public Safety Building? The Board discussed taking a position prior to Town Meeting.
Sel. OBrien: 1. Inquired who approved town meeting warrants and their language. The Manager said that the articles are drafted as directed by the Board in as open a manner as legally possible.
2. Spoke about the Stand for Children Rally that occurred on April 26, 2006.
3. Asked for a copy of the Board of Health report regarding the violations at Apple Jax.
4. Discussed what financing package(s) the Board should consider for the Public Safety Building.
5. Katies Playground was created with the help of 400 volunteers.
6. Requested the placement of an Entering Holden sign on Doyle Road
Sel. White: 1. Inquired about the status of several unregistered automobiles on High Street. Owner will remove the vehicles over the next several weeks.
2. Inquired about parking restrictions in the Oakwood Condominium complex. The complex is a mix of public and private areas.
3. Inquired which shift(s) the three new firefighters have been working. The Manager said that this item must be discussed in Executive Session.
4. Inquired what thought has been given to a full master plan for the Fire Department. The Manager said that the development of a master plan for the Fire Department was being considered.
5. Inquired how many developers took a walk through of the Rice School and how many bid packets have been sent out to potential developers. Seven requested packets and one took a tour.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Reminded Board members that the Town Managers contract was available for signatures in the Town Managers office.
2. The School Committee is establishing a District-wide Audit Advisory Board. Any financially literate candidate should apply to the Town Managers office by May 20th.
3. Asked residents to clean up their yard sale signs from telephone and light poles.
Warrant Article Motion Assignments (reopened)
Sel. OBrien said that he had not received a copy of George Dressers opinion on the eminent domain land taking and would abstain from the vote. The Chairman read the letter into record. The Chairman explained that the eminent domain taking is the first step in a many-stepped process. The second step is for the project to go before the Planning Board for layout.
A motion made by Sel. OBrien to take no action on Warrant Article 24 was seconded by Sel. Jumonville for discussion. Sel. OBrien then withdrew his motion.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLES 7-1 THROUGH 7-9.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLES 8 AND 9.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT UPON THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE TOWN MANAGER TO AMEND WARRANT ARTICLE 10 ON TOWN MEETING FLOOR TO EXPEND 100K FROM WARRANT ARTICLE 10 FOR THE DPW FACILITY STUDY.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 11.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 12.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 13.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 14.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLES 16 & 17.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 18.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 19.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 20.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 21.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 22.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 23.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 25.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLES 26 AND 27 IF NO PROPOSALS ARE RETURNED AND TAKE NO ACTION On WARRANT ARTICLES 26 AND 27 IF 1 OR MORE PROPOSALS ARE RETURNED.
(Opposed: Sel. OBrien.)
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 28.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 30.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO NOT SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 31.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TAKE NO ACTION ON WARRANT ARTICLE 32.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING UPDATE AT 9:30PM. (OPPOSED: SEL. OBRIEN.) ROLL CALL: Sullivan; yes: White; yes: Jumonville; yes: Ferguson; yes: OBrien: no.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. OBrien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 1, 2006 MEETING AT 9:35PM.
Approved: June 5, 2006
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