HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 6, 2006
Present: Chairman David J. White, Kimberly N. Ferguson, James Jumonville,
Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph G. Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assist 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 Chair reminded all residents to vote in the State elections on Tuesday, November 7, 2006.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A ROAD RACE LICENSE TO LINDA M. BURKE ON BEHALF OF WACHUSETT FITNESS FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2006 FROM 8AM-9:30AM PENDING THE HIRE OF ONE POLICE OFFICER WITH CRUISER TO LEAD THE RACE.
Nashua PlaceTypeRiver Watershed Association – Groundwater and Surface Water Resources Study
Mr. James DeNormandie, the GIS Consultant with the Nashua River Watershed Association provided the board with an overview of the Nashua River Watershed Association and a recently awarded USDA-FS Forestry Innovation Grant. The grant will help to identify important groundwater and surface water resources in 9 towns in placeStateMassachusetts. Holden is one of the 9 towns who will benefit from the study. Mr. DeNormandie said that the town would receive a copy of the study including GIS information when the work is completed. The board requested that the Manager invite members of the Planning and Conservation boards to the final report presentation.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 16, 2006.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 16, 2006 WITH AN AMENDMENT TO STRIKE THE SENTENCE ON PAGE THREE, ITEM ONE OF SEL. O’BRIEN’S SEL. MISCELLANEOUS “HE SAID THAT THIS MAKES THE STUDY RESULTS FAULTY.”
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 16, 2006. (ABSTAINED: FERGUSON)
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE RICE SCHOOL MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 30, 2006. (ABSTAINED: JUMONVILLE)
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the board.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Manager reviewed the polling locations for the election on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Polls will be open from 7AM – 8PM.
The board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the period ending September 2006.
The Manager reported that according to Town Clerk Kathy Peterson, the State Department of Public Safety has eliminated all separate categories for Sunday public entertainment licenses. Only one license will now be required. The Blue Plate and Papa Gino’s hold multiple Sunday public entertainment licenses such as jukebox, video games, dancing, and live music. Due to the change in the number of licenses required, the revenue to the Town will be reduced by approximately $1,000.
The board reviewed a list of the Selectmen’s FY08 Budget Goals rewritten based on previous discussion and vote. Sel. O’Brien questioned the budget goal to develop the FY08 Town Operating budget with a goal of taxing under the limits of Proposition 2 ½ and make an effort to maintain and stabilize the historic split between town and school. He said that he voted to develop the budget goal under the limits of Proposition 2 ½ but did not support the remainder of the goal. Sel. Sullivan spoke in support of the goal as it was written. The Chairman said that it was not a directive but a goal. Sel. O’Brien said he would like to either revote the goal or strike the remainder of the sentence.
The board reviewed the Selectmen’s Meeting Follow-up from October 2006. Sel. O’Brien requested that the town contact Charter Communications regarding their repair responsibilities on manhole covers on Main Street. Sel. Sullivan encouraged the board to let the Manager continue to work with Charter.
Sel. O’Brien made a motion to have the town send a letter to Charter Communications demanding that they repair their manhole covers along Main Street. He then withdrew the motion.
The board reviewed the Manager’s letter to appointment new members to the Public Safety Building Committee. The Manager informed the board that the new Committee would require funding to secure architectural services. This action will require a Special Town Meeting in early January 2007. Sel. Sullivan said that he had a problem with the way and the choice of the self-appointment of the Chairman to this Committee. Sel. Sullivan said he was disappointed that Sel. Jumonville, who was a vocal opponent of the project, had not stepped forward to serve on the Committee. Sel. Sullivan offered to take any of Sel. Jumonville’s current Committee appointments. He also said he was disappointed in the Chairman’s self-appointment to the Committee. Sel. Ferguson and Sel. Jumonville said that they
felt that Chairman White’s building background qualified him to serve on the Committee. Sel. O’Brien said he felt that if you serve in the minority you cannot serve on a committee of importance. The Chairman responded that his experience and expertise will benefit the Committee.
The Manager reported that he and Fire Chief Chandler have established a working group to develop a mid and longer range staffing plan for the Holden Fire Department. The group members include a full time and a call firefighter, Chief Chandler, former Fire Chief Oberg and two members from the public. The Manager said that the goal of the group is to develop a plan over the next 60-days that will be considered in conjunction with the FY08 budget deliberations.
The Manager reviewed an email from DPW Director Larry Galkowski in regards to the 2005 Cullinan Engineering Study of the Doyle/Brattle Street Intersection and the planned evaluation of possible further traffic control measures. The 35-mile an hour sign will be relocated along addressStreetDoyle Road.
Liquor License Hearing – Expansion of Premises – McKinlay’s Package Store
The Manager read the notice into record.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:55PM ON THE APPLICATION OF MCKINLAY’S INC., D/B/A MCKINLAY’S LIQUORS, IAIN A. MCKINLAY, MANAGER TO EXPAND THE LICENSED PREMISES ON THEIR ALL ALCOHOL PACKAGE STORE LICENSE BY LEASING 2,200 ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET IN THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 624 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, MA. EXISTING LICENSED PREMISES CONSISTS OF A MAIN RETAIL AREA (1,800 SQ. FT. AND AN 8’X6’ OFFICE). ROLL CALL: Jumonville: yes, White: yes; O’Brien: yes; Ferguson: yes; Sullivan: yes.
Mr. Thomas Dufault, Treasurer, McKinlay’s Inc. addressed the board. He submitted the Affidavit of Notice Received receipts for the certified mailing sent to the abutters. The store has been open for four years and has no reported liquor violations.
No one from the public came forward to address the board.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:05PM. ROLL CALL: Jumonville: yes, White: yes; O’Brien: yes; Ferguson: yes; Sullivan: yes.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION OF MCKINLAY’S INC., D/B/A MCKINLAY’S LIQUORS, IAIN A. MCKINLAY, MANAGER TO EXPAND THE LICENSED PREMISES ON THEIR ALL ALCOHOL PACKAGE STORE LICENSE BY LEASING 2,200 ADDITIONAL SQUARE FEET IN THE BUILDING LOCATED AT 624 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, MA AS PRESENTED.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Nothing to report.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing:
Holden Tomorrow: Met with consultants who are encouraged by the level of participation of residents. Next meeting Nov 21st and next round table discussion is on December 7th at the Senior Center.
Sel. Sullivan: Not currently serving on a committee.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle: Next meeting: December 7th at the Starbard Building.
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Continues to meet and plan.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee:
Discussion of Ex-Officio Committee Memberships
Sel. Ferguson discussed potential conflicts of interest and duality that might occur when a Selectboard member serves on a town Committee in an ex-officio status. The Manager said that he would forward information to the board regarding this subject as it becomes available.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Provided feedback on Halloween hours. She said that several residents had commented that hours should be switched from 4PM-8PM to 5PM-8PM.
2. Thanked Sheriff Glodis’ Community Service Program for providing painting/maintenance work at Checkerberry Village. The Chairman said he would send a letter of thanks to the Sheriff’s office.
3. Commented that several units at the Rice Condominium project are considered to be affordable.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Discussed the enforcement of temporary signs along Main Street. The Manager said that the administration is aware of sign violations and is working with the Chamber of Commerce to help in the enforcement.
2. Wachusett Food Pantry is seeking Thanksgiving items, tissues and volunteers.
3. Brush along the sidewalk of Flager Drive has been addressed and work will continue in the spring.
4. Provided an update on the proposed development of a Walgreen’s in the center of town. He asked that since some of the property abuts land in the Holden Historic District (Hendrick’s House), that the developer be required to submit plans for historic review? The Manager has requested that the developer provide a picture of the property with the proposed building placed in the picture.
Sel. Jumonville: Inquired if the residence that abuts the Fire Station still available for sale?
Sel. White: 1. Asked for an update on Doyle Road/Brattle Street traffic study.
2. Inquired about potential upgrades to town land at Rice School. The Manager said that his staff was working on fine-tuning the towns’ request. The developer has agreed to commit some money and landscaping efforts to upgrade the playground but not the ball field. The Manager said that the Recreation Department is expected to discuss committing capital during the FY08 budget process to upgrade the ball field. The Manager said he was focused on assisting Mr. Ingram through the regulatory process by the end of the year.
3. The Manager’s evaluation process is scheduled to begin in January 07’. The evaluation will be distributed in December via email. In previous years, the Chair and Vice-Chair compiled the information and wrote the final report.
4. Attended the AAA Safety Award luncheon. The town was acknowledged for its 25+ years with no pedestrian fatalities.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 6, 2006 MEETING AT 9:05PM.
Approved: November 20, 2006 as amended
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