HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 18, 2006
6:30 PM Memorial Hall
Present: James M. Jumonville, Kenneth OBrien (arrived 6:35PM), Joseph G. Sullivan, Kimberly N. Ferguson
Absent: Chairman David J. White
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Vice-Chairman Jumonville opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. He reported that Chairman White was unavailable to attend the meeting. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Sel. Sullivan announced that former Selectman David Eaton passed away on September 14, 2006. The Board expressed its condolences to the Eaton family and observed a moment of silence in his honor.
Selectmen Licenses
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO KATHERINE MILLS ON BEHALF OF THE CROP WALK FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2006 FROM 1:30 PM 5:30 PM.
Sewer Abatement Request
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. OBrien, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO APPROVE A SEWER ABATEMENT REQUEST TO ALFRED E. SCULTHORPE AND PATRICIA W. SCULTHORPE, 354 HIGHLAND STREET, MAP 117 PARCEL 25 AS PER THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION. (Opposed: Sel. Ferguson.)
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. OBrien: EDC: Did not attend the most recent meeting.
WRSD Collective Bargaining: Have not met.
Sel. OBrien inquired if the current Police Department site was expandable. Sel. Sullivan responded that the property was covered under the State Watershed Protection Act. Any expansion of the building would encroach upon protected land and the building could not be expanded.
Sel. Subcommittees was interrupted at 6:45 PM to proceed with Agenda Item 4.
Jen Stanovich, Director, Chamber of Commerce
The Board presented Jen Stanovich, Director, Holden Area Chamber of Commerce, with a proclamation to honor her continued success as the Director of the Chamber and the Chair of Holden Days.
Selectmen Subcommittees (cont.)
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle: Next meeting: 9/27 at 4PM in Memorial Hall. Sel. Sullivan reported that there is regional interest in a combined recycling program.
Phased Growth Bylaw: Nothing to report.
Open Space/Recreation: Nothing to report.
Memorial Day Committee: Next meeting 9/28 at 7PM in the Selectmens Room.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital/UMASS: Continues to participate in ongoing negotiations.
Sel. Ferguson: Holden Tomorrow: Next meeting: 9/19 to discuss the planning for the Visioning Meeting on 10/3 at 7PM at the Senior Center. The October 3rd meeting is being held to seek input from the public.
Affordable Housing Committee: Have not met recently.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. OBrien, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENSION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. (Abstained: Sel. Ferguson.)
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET GOALS MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 11, 2006 TO INCLUDE THE REMOVAL OF THE WORDS LEVEL FUNDED FROM SEL. FERGUSONS DISCUSSION AND CHANGING THE TERM FY07 TO FY08 THROUGHOUT THE DOCUMENT.
Town Managers Miscellaneous
1. The Manager reported that the Holden Fire and Police Departments will hold Public Safety Day on Sunday, October 1, 2006 from 12PM-4PM. K-9 demonstrations, law enforcement and fire department displays, fingerprinting and child ID kits, child car seat installations, refreshments and more will be offered to the public.
2. The Manager announced that Wachusett Greenways will hold a Family Fun Day on Saturday, September 30th from 10 AM-2 PM at the Oakdale entrance to the Central Mass Rail Trail. All are invited to participate in music, food and a bike parade.
3. The Manager announced that the DPW Fall Composting and Brush Chipping Schedule. The Composting Facility, located on River Street at the site of the former town Landfill, will be open: Saturday, October 21, Saturday, October 28, Saturday, November 4, Saturday, November 11, and Saturday, November 18.
4. The Manager informed the Board that Holden Tomorrow would hold a Community Visioning Meeting on Tuesday, October 3, 2006 at 7PM at the Senior Center. The public is encouraged to attend and help shape the future of Holden.
5. The Manager reported that the DPW has begun resurfacing the following streets in the towns repaving efforts: Shrewsbury Street (Doyle Road to Arizona Ave.), Homestead Road, Marlen Road, Chaffins Lane, Cumberland Circle, Mt. View Drive, Pine Haven Drive, and Lincoln Ave. The Manager said he would report back to the Board the amount of total mileage included in the paving project.
6. The Board reviewed a draft of the Selectmen FY08 Budget Goals that were discussed at their meeting on September 11, 2006.
Citizens Address
Mr. Ed Meyer, Fort Sumter Drive, addressed a member of the Board regarding a secret complaint against the HAT organization.
Duncan Leith, Chair, High School Building Project
Mr. Leith reported that the opening of the High School was the best in many years. Cafeteria is open and very beautiful. New construction and new furniture have improved everyones moods. Work continues to finish the auditorium. Top two floors of the media center will be occupied by the end of October. First floors of the media center will be ready for occupancy by early October. Field work and landscaping efforts continue. The fields will not be usable for the fall sports season. However, Mr. Leith was confident that the baseball field will be ready for the spring. Mr. Leith extended a tour invitation to the Board, the FinCom and the Town Manager for September 27th at 5:00 PM. Mr. Leith said that he anticipates the entire renovation project to be completed within one year. He reported that some of the new contingency money has been used. The
Board thanked Mr. Leith and his committee for their perseverance in seeing the project through to its successful completion.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Spoke to traffic concerns on Pleasant Street. The Manager said that new signage has been ordered, a speed monitor will be installed, and the town will be increasing enforcement in the area.
2. Spoke to a drainage issue on Lovell Road. The Manager said that the administration was in the process of meeting with the residents and evaluating the situation to make improvements.
3. Visits by Dennis Lipka to two properties regarding unregistered vehicles. The Manager said that the situations were being addressed.
4. Spoke to an issue regarding street lights on Bailey Road.
5. Monty Tech revised budget reduced the towns assessment by $4,100.
6. Policy/discussion about Board members serving in an ex-officio capacity. It was agreed to place this item on a future agenda for discussion.
Sel. OBrien: 1. Encouraged residents to vote in the September 19th Primary Election. The town does not provide transportation for residents to the polls.
2. The Manager reported that the curve on Newell Road will be straightened out with the expense being paid by Farfard Development.
3. Reported that he met with the new Fire Chief. Sel. OBrien expressed interest in bringing the ambulance service in-house.
4. Budget goals discussion was held on Sept. 11th. Discussion of these goals will be scheduled as a future agenda item.
5. Attended the Regional Selectmens Meeting. Prioritize town and regional needs for local Representative and Senator.
6. Holden Association of Firefighters Comedy Night will be held September 29th at the Worcester Holiday Inn at 7:30 PM.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Attended a meeting with Rep. Evangelidis regarding improvements to Checkerberry Village. While the town cannot provide aid to the building structures, the town will upgrade and repair the sidewalks serving the facility.
2. Attended the Regional Selectmens Meeting held on Sept. 7th in Rutland.
3. Discussed the results of a survey that was conducted by the Recreation Department during the summer months regarding the Holden Pool. Sel. Sullivan said that he felt that 117 respondents was a low response considering the number of passes that are sold. The Board questioned whether the survey was completed by both residents and non-residents. The Board was directed to send any questions/concerns regarding the pool facility to the Manager. The Board will meet at a future date with the Recreation Committee to discuss these concerns. Sel. Sullivan announced that vacancies exist on the Recreation Committee.
4. The WRSDC Ad Hoc Committee for Downsizing met on Sept. 13th. Those in attendance recommended that the School Committee look into downsizing itself.
5. Volunteers are needed at the Wachusett Food Pantry.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 18, 2006 MEETING AT 8:00 PM.
Approved: October 2, 2006
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