HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 13, 2007
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman James Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson,
Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:35PM), Joseph G. Sullivan, David J. White
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager
Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Jumonville opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO CAROL STRAIT ON BEHALF OF THE BONGO BAR AT THE BUBAR FIELD FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007 FROM 9AM-3PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO C. SKEELS THOMPSON ON BEHALF OF THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2007 FROM 11:30AM-3PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO GRANT THE TOWN MANAGER THE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE ALL LICENSES FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS.
The Manager informed the Board that Ms. Miriam C. Roeder resigned as a member of the Holden Housing Authority effective immediately. The Manager reviewed the criteria for serving on the Holden Housing Authority. The Board agreed to interview candidates for the vacancy at its second meeting in September. The Board agreed to send a letter to Ms. Roeder to thank her for her service to the Holden Housing Authority and to the town.
The Manager presented the Board with the application of Matthew Atanian, 9 Pond Road, Paxton, MA to serve as a Constable for the Town of Holden. The Manager added that the town is allowed to have three Constables serving the Town of Holden. Currently, there is one vacancy. The other two Constables are residents of Holden.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT MATTHEW ATANIAN, 9 POND ROAD, PAXTON, MA AS A CONSTABLE TO THE TOWN OF HOLDEN AS RECOMMENDED BY THE HOLDEN POLICE CHIEF.
Update – Mass Audubon/White Oak Land Acquisition
Mr. Charlie Wyman, Mass Audubon, updated the Board on the joint acquisition by Mass Audubon and White Oak of 157 acres of land on Kendall Road in Holden. Mr. Wyman said that, to date, the acquisition project had raised 120K of the 160K necessary to purchase the land from the Lundquist family. The Lundquist family has generously extended the fundraising deadline from August 31st to September 30th. Anyone interested in contributing to the acquisition may contact Fundraiser Liz Albert at 781-259-2104.
Sel. O’Brien asked if the town could contribute money if the acquisition falls short. Sel. White commented that it had been determined at the July meeting that the town could not take part in donating money toward the endeavor. The Manager reiterated that the town could not invest in the project without becoming an owner of the property.
Sel. O’Brien left the meeting at 6:45PM.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Will not meet until the fall.
Holden Tomorrow: Met on 7/31. Next meeting 8/21. Committee is working on rewriting the plan.
Sel. O’Brien returned to the meeting at 6:48PM.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Has not met.
Public Use of Town Spaces: See Selectmen Sullivan’s report.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital:
Public Use of Town Spaces: Committee will meet in the fall to review Town Counsel’s recommendations.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle:
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Will meet in the fall.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Reported that construction costs continue to rise. He commented that the Committee has struggled to lower escalating costs on the project. This has reduced the scope of the project, thus compromising the project. To date, the committee has reduced the size of the project by 5000 sq. ft. This however, has not reduced the cost due to inflation. The architect has informed the committee that it would cost approximately 1.5M less to build a joint facility, but the committee has struggled to find land that would accommodate this one building. Next meeting is 8/15.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that according to DPW Director, Larry Galkowski, the bridge on Princeton Street over the Quinapoxet Reservoir outlet is not an arch truss type of bridge. It is a corrugated metal bridge that is under design to be replaced by Mass Highway as funding becomes available.
The Board reviewed the revenue and expenditure summary reports for the period ending June 2007 as prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
The Board reviewed a report on the Holden Pool/Recreation programs during Session 2 of the summer season. Sel. Sullivan read an email he received from a resident praising the quality of the pool programs and its staff.
The Manager reported that restoration/repair work on the tennis courts at Rice School has been completed. He added that for the time being to protect the courts from vandalism, the fence around the courts would be locked and users will have to go the Recreation Department to pick up the key. Once the condominiums at Rice have been completed and occupied, the security measure at the tennis courts will be reevaluated.
The Board reviewed statistics from the Gale Free Library. According to Jane Dutton, Library Director, 19,200 visitors came to the library in July 2007 and 1,200 participated in library programs. Circulation figures show that patrons borrowed 29,313 items in July, 1,000 more than July 2006. Congratulations to the Library and their continued excellent service to our patrons.
The Board reviewed a letter from Stephen Madaus, Deputy Town Counsel, explaining the background on a lot of land located at 8 Putnam Road, formerly owned by the Town and sold to Ronald S. Parker. A 10-foot strip of land was not included in the survey plan prepared at the same time of the sale and not conveyed to Mr. Parker. A vote taken at a Special Town Meeting in 2003 is sufficient authorization for the Town to now convey the land. Sel. O’Brien said that he felt that the surveyor the town originally used made the mistake and should pay for the legal costs associated with the land. The Manager responded that the town acquired the land through tax issues and the paperwork/land survey information was inadequate.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO EXECUTE THE RELEASE DEED FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8 PUTMAN ROAD, HOLDEN PREPARED BY THE ATTORNEY FOR MR. PARKER. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
The Board reviewed a letter from Roland A. Marinello, Director of Financial Reporting, Umass Memorial Medical Center, explaining that his letter about the annual distribution to the Town of Holden from the Wachusett Area Emergency Services Fund contained a typographical error. The text erroneously reported $17,631; however, a check in the amount of $53,864 was sent and is the correct amount of the town’s 25.71 share of this year’s total distribution of $209,499 from the Fund.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous was interrupted at 7PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Karl Makela, 16 Newell Road inquired if the Board intended to act on a letter that they received from the Town of Walpole, MA. The letter requests municipal support for legislation to place a moratorium on the negative impacts of unfriendly 40B projects.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous cont.
The Manager announced that the Department of Agricultural Resources had contacted the town regarding a pending property acquisition. The Manager read a letter of intent from Ms. Carol A. Szocik, Legal Assistant, Department of Agricultural Resources into record. Interested parties may contact Ms. Szocik at 617-626-1718.
The Board reviewed two letters with feedback regarding Mr. Al Ferron’s proposal to provide tax relief to senior citizens. Both the letter from Beverly P. Kenniston, Principal Assessor and from Stephen Madaus, Deputy Town Counsel express reservations concerning the proposal. The Manager commented that if the Selectmen had an interest in continuing to pursue the proposal, the next step would be to request that the Department of Revenue review it and then file it as special legislation.
Sel. Ferguson expressed concerns about where the money would come from in order to implement this type of tax relief to the town’s senior citizens. Sel. White commented that while the proposal is with the best of intentions, he too had funding concerns. He added that senior tax relief remedies exist today. Senior Citizens can opt to defer their taxes until their death or until their house is sold and the estate is settled. The Board agreed to send a copy of Mr. Ferron’s proposal to the Mass Department of Revenue for their comment/opinion/clarification. If the DOR gives its approval, the Manager will then craft a proforma to outline the associated costs to the town for the Board to review.
The Board reviewed several letters of thanks from recipients of the Meals on Wheels Program. The letters thank the dedicated staff and volunteers who provide meals and support to participants of the program. The Board agreed to send a “HATS OFF” award to the Meals on Wheels staff.
The Chairman reminded the Board that its first meeting in September would be September 4th.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Announced that a team with the Holden Little League went to the Central Mass Little League Championships. The Board agreed to send a letter of congratulations to the team for their efforts.
2. Requested an update on the substation construction on Bullard Street.
3. The public hearing regarding the transfer of hazardous materials on Reservoir Street will be held in Sept.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Announced that the Board would have a table at Holden Days.
Sel. White: 1. Requested that the Board and the Administration review the Cable TV contract. The Manager reported that Larry Popple and the Manager’s office have met with several cable TV vendors. A report will be prepared by year-end.
2. Requested an update on the trash and recycling program. The Manager said that the update would occur at the end of a “normal month” i.e. the end of September or October.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. The town adopted Chapter 32B, Section 18 of the Retirement Health Insurance statute in 1999.
2. Discussed the town’s retirement vacation buyback plan. The Worcester Retirement Board does not allow/consider vacation buyback in their retirement calculations. The Board agreed to schedule this item on the September 4th agenda for discussion. Sel. Sullivan requested a copy of previous votes on this subject taken by the Board and a list of the number of department heads and their titles who are eligible.
3. The Board discussed the Town of Walpole’s and the Municipal Coalition for Affordable Housing’s requests for a suspension of parts of the law that allows for future unfriendly 40B projects. The Manager said that he would craft a letter to Senator Chandler and Representative Evangelidis stating the town’s support of the suspension of parts of the law. Sel. Ferguson said she would forward 40B status reports of 40B projects in town to Sel. Sullivan.
4. The Board discussed sewer capacity and ownership issues. The Manager will schedule a meeting to discuss whether the ownership of trunk lines should take place.
5. The Board discussed the Town of Princeton’s letter to the WRSDC regarding the May vote on downsizing its Committee. The Manager will send a letter to the WRSDC reiterating the support of 75% of voters at the May 2007 ballot to downsize the School Committee.
6. Sel. Sullivan commented on the increased number of car carriers using Main Street. He inquired if there was a way to enforce their use of Main Street?
7. The Board discussed scheduling a dinner on September 30th for the visiting Town Manager from New Zealand.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Thanked Dennis Griffin and the DPW employees for the rehabilitation efforts at Trout Brook. Reported that everyone had a good time at the Employee Appreciation BBQ on July 19th.
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE JULY 9, 2007 MEETING MINUTES.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE AUGUST 13, 2007 MEETING AT 7:50PM.
Approved: September 4, 2007
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