HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 23, 2007
6:30 PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman David J. White, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph G. Sullivan, Kimberly N. Ferguson
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert J. Martin, Town Counsel, Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White announced that the Board had been in Executive Session prior to the meeting and had recessed at 6:25PM. The Board moved into regular session at 6:30 PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Holden Tomorrow: Met on April 17th, but Sel. Ferguson was unable to attend.
Starbard Scholarship: Sel. Ferguson reported that she, Sel. O’Brien, and the Starbard family are currently reviewing applications.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Next meeting is April 24th.
Public Use of Town Spaces:
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital: Nothing to report.
Public Use of Town Spaces: A draft for private displays on public property has been forwarded to counsel for legal opinion.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle: Next meeting is scheduled for early May.
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Currently meeting to work out parade route, parade stops, and participants. Committee is meeting every week until the parade weekend.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: Met April 18th. Have been touring single and combined facilities. Next Meeting is May 2nd at 6:30 PM. Committee meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed a memo from Jean Berg, Treasurer/Collector, detailing some statistics about the town’s on-line payment system. In 2006, 3,148 tax payments and 5,868 utility payments were made via the town’s web site. In 2007 (January through March), 2,030 tax payments and 1,746 utility payments have been received. The town anticipates receiving 15,000 on-line payments for all types of bills in 2007. The Board congratulated Ms. Berg and her staff for the success of the on-line payment system.
The Manager reported that proposed work on the Quinapoxet River/Route 31 bridge is scheduled for 2010. The work will be completed over 18 to 24 months and one lane of the bridge will remain open at all times during construction.
The Board reviewed the Year-To-Date Revenue and Expenditure reports for the period ending March 2007.
The Manager provided the Board with information regarding real estate tax exemptions for FY2007. According to Beverly Kenniston, Principal Assessor, the Board of Assessors granted a total of 160 exemptions to property owners who are qualifying widows, disabled veterans, blind and the elderly. Last year, the income and asset requirements for seniors were increased and the eligible age was lowered from 70 to 65 years. As a result, there were 6 qualifying new seniors. As the same time, the town lost 5 seniors who had previously qualified for the exemption, thus leaving the town with a net gain of one clause 41C exemption.
The Manager informed the Board that Charter Communications paid the town its annual fee of $186,522.96, which is defined in the franchise license between the town and Charter. The contract with Charter expires in 2009.
The Manager announced the Spring Brush Chipping and Composting schedule. Collections will take place at the former landfill on River Street on Saturday April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 29 from 7AM-1:30PM.
The Manager announced that the Senior Center received a Service Incentive Grant in the amount of $3,745 from the Executive Office of Elder Affairs. The Grant money will be used to offset the cost of the Center’s new My Senior Center system/software.
The Board reviewed the Holden Summer Recreation Program brochure. Sign-ups for Holden residents start on Saturday, May 12th.
The Manager provided the Board with an update on non-resident recreation passes. Friday, March 23rd was the closing date to accept requests for the non-resident recreation pass lottery. Denise Morano, Recreation Director, reports that over 450 requests were received. The lottery was conducted and 380 total names were selected for passes. These winners have until May 10th to purchase their passes. The Department is still taking late requests for passes in the event that some of the initial winners choose not to participate. The Chairman asked why 20 passes had been held. The Manager said that it was a request of the Police Chief and that he would forward further information to the Board.
The Manager announced that Holden would host the April 26, 2007 Regional Selectmen’s Meeting. It will start at 7PM at the Senior Center. The Chairman said that he would be out of town and that Vice-Chair Jumonville would conduct the meeting.
The Manager said that he would like to schedule an initial discussion of Sewer Capacity at the May 7, 2007 Selectmen’s Meeting. He added that the Finance Committee has not reviewed the proposed Water/Sewer Fees and Rate increases (as requested by the Board) as of this date. It was agreed that this was an informational discussion and would be the first of many to discuss the short and long-term decisions the town needs to make.
The Manager said that the Police Department’s Annual 5K Road Race was a success. Additionally, congratulations are in order for the Department’s participation in the 13th Annual Thomas J. Giunta/Fall River Police Road Race that took place on Sunday, April 1st. Six members of the HPD ran as a team and placed 4th against much larger departments.
Assistant Town Manager Kelly thanked the town’s emergency response professionals for their work during the Nor’Easter on April 15-16, 2007.
Citizens’ Address
Ms. Karen Green, Walnut Street, read a letter from resident Ms. Susan Ceccacci. In her letter, Ms. Ceccacci urged the town to work with the developers of the proposed Walgreen’s to ensure that the overall appearance and character of the property work effectively and aesthetically with historic downtown Holden. She said that a “big box” store surrounded by parking lots would not work next to the Hendrick’s House, which the Walgreen’s will abut. She encouraged the proposed project to incorporate brick and wood siding, landscaping, dormer windows, a gabled or hip roof. Additionally, parking should be out of site behind the building and lighting should be defused. She encouraged extensive landscaping along Main Street and buffer zones along the residential areas. A multi-use parking lot should be built to encourage shoppers to park once and walk to different stores in the downtown area.
Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, spoke out against the proposed sex offender bylaw.
Mr. Abe Weathersby, 51 Laurelwood Road, said that in their Annual Report, the Walgreen’s Corporation states that it will work to meld their buildings with the local architecture.
The Richmond Company – Walgreen’s Pharmacy
The Manager said that the Richmond Company, developers of the Walgreen’s facility, has worked with the town to incorporate architectural changes to a typical Walgreen’s facility. The Chairman informed the public that since this was an informational meeting and not a public hearing; the Board would not take questions/comments from the public. He added that there would be opportunity for public comment at future permitting meetings.
Attorney Robert Longden, representing The Richmond Company, worked with the development company to bring a proposed Walgreen’s pharmacy to 1145 Main Street. Mr. Longden said that an informational meeting would be held with abutters to the project within the next several weeks. He introduced Mr. John Stewart, Project Manager, who addressed the Board with a Power Point presentation. Mr. Stewart said that he was there to listen as much as to present and that the proposal was not set in stone. He said that the proposed 14,500 sq.ft. Walgreen’s would include a drive-thru pharmacy with the main entrance along Main Street. He said that an 8-foot fence and landscaping along the abutting properties and landscaping along Main Street had been included in the site plan. The anticipated
proposed valuation of the completed site would be 3M, which is expected to double the tax assessment to the town. Mr. Bob Michaud, Traffic Engineer with MDM Engineering, compiled a comprehensive traffic study in order to provide the most efficient means of access to the property with the least amount of impact to its abutters. He said that Mass Highway has been consulted with the parking lot plan.
Sel. Ferguson inquired if there had been discussion about a traffic light at Holt Road to improve the ability to make a left hand turn on to Main Street. The Manager said that Mass Highway had declined the request to add a traffic light. The Manager recommended that the developer make before and after side-by-sides during future presentations to show how these proposed changes will affect Main Street. Sel. Jumonville commented that his three concerns are a buffer zone, lighting and traffic. Sel. Sullivan said that by right, the corporation has the ability to come in and buy and build whatever they want. However, he asked them to remember that the character of the town is not for sale. He asked that the development be aesthetically sensitive to the town and its historic center
neighborhood.
Sel. Sullivan said that he hoped when the project is over, Walgreen’s is able to meet its financial needs while not leaving a bad taste in the resident’s mouths. He added that while they can put a box store in Holden center, he hoped they would not. Sel. O’Brien asked questions about lighting and expressed concerns about traffic congestion in the center of town during rush hour or during a funeral. He asked that the concerns of the citizens of Holden be taken into consideration. The Chairman expressed his disappointment with the presentation. He said that he expected more and that he did not see this presentation as a move in the right direction.
Public Hearing – Expansion of Premises – Al Fresco Restaurant
The Manager read the notice of public hearing into record at 8:07PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:08PM.
Attorney Brian Forts, representing his client, The Viapiano Companies, addressed the Board. He said his client intended to expand the seating and bar area in his restaurant.
The Chairman asked for Public Comment. No one came forward to address the Board.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:11PM.
The owner, Nicola Viapiano said that the expansion of the bar and seating area was to accommodate growth and popularity of the restaurant.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION OF THE VIAPIANO COMPANIES, INC. d/b/a AL FRESCO TRATTORIA AND CAFÉ, MATTHEW A. SCIABARRASI, MANAGER TO ALTER THE LICENSED PREMISES ON THEIR ALL ALCOHOL RESTAURANT LICENSE TO INCLUDE 678-680 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, MA INCREASING THE COMBINED SEATING FOR THE TWO AREAS FROM 48 SEATS TO APPROXIMATELY 90 SEATS AND TO INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENTS AS DESIGNATED BY THE FIRE CHIEF.
Public Safety Building Committee
Mr. Chris Lucchesi, Chairman of the Public Safety Building Committee, presented an update on the committee’s recent activities. Mr. Lucchesi commented that the future of the Fire Department is through substations in the northern and southern areas of town. One of the options that the Committee is considering is the renovation or rebuilding the Fire Department on its current site. Mr. Lucchesi encouraged public input to the project and encouraged residents to attend a meeting on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month or email comments to psbc@townofholden.net. Sel. Ferguson asked the Manager for clarification of the situation when the Police radio went down. The Manager indicated that the town continued to seek temporary housing for the
ambulance service.
Town Meeting Warrant Articles – Proposed Sex Offender Residency Bylaw
Finance Committee Chairman Paul Challenger updated the Board on the Finance Committee’s efforts on the FY08 budget. Holden has received a 17% increase in State Aid over last year. He reported that the School Superintendent had cut over 1M from the school budget and that the School Committee was currently taking a vote whether to support these cuts. The Finance Committee has approved a 1.8% increase in the town budget, which represents an increase of $331,000. This will help fund a new fire truck, aid to the library, and a sidewalk program. The Town’s contribution to the school budget reflects an increase of 9.6%. Chairman Challenger explained the Finance Committee’s placement of Warrant Article 11 (Fire Department Stabilization Fund). Sel. O’Brien
commented that he felt that the town should fully fund the School Budget and did not agree to the proposed cuts.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ENDORSE THE FY08 BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE.
(Opposed: Sel. O’Brien.)
The Manager reviewed the legal changes to the proposed Sex Offender Bylaw. The Board agreed to discuss endorsement of the warrant articles at the May 7th meeting.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Stand for Children Rally is Wednesday, April 25th.
2. Inquired if the parking lot at Checkerberry Village could be swept. The Manager said that the town had tried in the past but discovered that it was impossible to clear the parking lot of vehicles in order to allow the street sweeping machine access.
3. Inquired about non-motorized boat access at Chaffin’s Pond. Manager will report at next meeting.
4. Will the Finance Committee schedule a public hearing to discuss the FY08 budget? Chairman Challenger commented that the meetings were poorly attended and required a lot of work and preparation for Committee members. Therefore, the committee would no longer hold these public meetings.
5. Said that several citizens had expressed their disappointment that the Board has not been posted for Finance Committee meetings. The Manager said that in general, the Board is not posted for Finance Committee meetings because the administration does not know how many Board members will attend a meeting. He recommended that, by chance, should 3 or more Board members (a quorum) attend a Finance Committee meeting, the members not speak or sit with each other. Mr. Martin commented that the meetings have to be posted 48 hours in advance. He concurred with the Manager and recommended that should 3 or more Selectmen attend a meeting together they should not speak to each other.
6. An announcement regarding the situation with the Veteran’s Agent will be made at a future meeting.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Would like an update on the cable budget.
2. Inquired about “Entering Holden” signs at the Brattle and Holden Street intersections.
3. Opening Day of Holden Baseball was April 21st.
Sel. White: 1. Asked the Manager to look into a complaint about people turning out of Mountview School onto Shrewsbury Street.
2. Spoke about Dennis Irish and the City of Worcester’s desire to have casino gambling come to the area.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Expressed concern regarding the sunken manhole covers on Main Street. The Manager will send a letter to Verizon/Charter expressing the safety concerns of drivers. It was discussed that if a proper response is not met, the Board will contact Mass Highway.
2. Congratulated Boy Scout Troop 182 for their 50th Anniversary at 1st Baptist Church.
3. No Parking opposite Holden Spa per Mass Highway.
4. The WRSDC Downsizing question will be on the ballot.
5. Will not be able to attend the Regional Selectboard Meeting on April 26th. He asked that a Board representative discuss the opportunity for the Regional Selectboard to visit the jail facility as a guest of Sheriff Glodis.
6. Status of R.E. Brown is pending.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Thanked residents for their contributions to the Memorial Day Parade Fund.
2. Thanked Paul Challenger for his dedication to the Finance Committee.
Follow-up to Citizens’ Address
Nothing to discuss.
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 2007.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED TO APPROVE AND HOLD THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 2007.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 10:02PM TO DISCUSS ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF REAL ESTATE AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL VOTE: Sullivan: yes; Ferguson: yes; O’Brien: no; White: yes; Jumonville: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 23, 2007 MEETING AT 10:20PM.
Approved:
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