HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 3, 2007
6:30 PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman James Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, David J. White, Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph G. Sullivan
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Jumonville opened the meeting at 6:30 PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Police Chief Sherrill – HPD “Speed Trailer”
Police Chief Sherrill announced that the HPD made a “Speed Trailer.” A Speed Trailer is a solar powered trailer with a portable radar speed sign attached to it. This trailer can be brought to specific neighborhoods encountering speed-related problems. The trailer will be used to draw attention to speed limits within an area and will not be used as an enforcement tool. Similar systems cost $4,500; the HPD made theirs for $1,500. The Chief thanked Officer Derek Stiles who made the trailer. Officer Stiles is a P/T Dispatcher with the Holden PD. Sel. White commented on the recent vehicle break-ins in the Timber Lane/Brattle Street area and commended Officer Himmer for his efforts in solving the crimes.
Chief Sherrill thanked the Board on behalf of his department for the additional days off at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Selectmen Licenses
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO JENNIFER LISH ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDEN MENORAH GATHERING FOR TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2007 FROM 6:30PM-8PM AT THE HOLDEN BANDSTAND.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ALL ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWAL WHITE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 3, 2007.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ALL ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE BLUE LIST CONTINGENT UPON RESOLUTION OF OUTSTANDING ISSUES AS OF DECEMBER 3, 2007.
Senator Chandler – Office Hours
Senator Chandler urged the Board to notify her office regarding Town financial issues/concerns so she can include them in the Senate Budget. Sel. Sullivan inquired about the status of the Governor’s Municipal Partnership Act, a program that the Governor based his campaign upon. Senator Chandler responded that she had not seen any movement on this Act at the State level. She added that she does not see any movement regarding increased revenues either. Sel. Sullivan requested that Senator Chandler work to ensure that all lottery funding is returned to the municipalities. Sel. White said that changes need to continue to happen to educational reforms in order to correct the inequity issue. Senator Chandler expects to see a new Commissioner of Education appointed within the next several weeks. Sel. O’Brien spoke to the anticipated savings expected with the GIS Program.
Request for Extension of LIP Deadline – Winterberry Hollow
The Board discussed a request from the Planning Board that the Selectmen vote to extend the deadline for the Winterberry Hollow LIP for six months.
A motion made by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Sullivan to grant the Winterberry Hollow LIP an extension to August 1, 2008 as recommended by the Planning Board and to include the same conditions relative to the design of the final project and to procedural matters made by the Board on May 22, 2007 was discussed.
Sel. Sullivan commented that the Mass Housing Authority had struck down condition number four from the May 22, 2007 LIP extension conditions. He made an amendment to the motion that condition four be removed from the vote. Sel. White said he did not want to strike the condition because there are problems with Ch. 40B projects and the MA Housing Authority needs to know it. He said the Housing Authority could strike the condition again if they didn’t like it. Sel. Sullivan said that he would not support the motion if his amendment was not accepted and withdrew his support of the motion as presented. Sel. Ferguson said that she would second the motion as presented.
A motion made by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Ferguson to grant the Winterberry Hollow LIP an extension to August 1, 2008 as recommended by the Planning Board and to include the same conditions relative to the design of the final project and to procedural matters made by the Board on May 22, 2007 was discussed.
Sel. Ferguson inquired why this LIP review process was taking so long. The Manager said that the project is cumbersome and the review process takes a long time to occur. Sel. Ferguson said that one of the Boards’ conditions was a quarterly review by the developer to the Board. She commented that this review process has not happened. The Manager said that he would arrange for a review in the New Year.
Sel. O’Brien said that he was attended many of the Winterberry Hollow meetings. The Peer Review Consultants took along time to hire/establish and that may explain the delay. Sel. O’Brien said that the Peer Review Consultants were well qualified. Sel. Sullivan cautioned Board members that they walk a fine line as the appointing authority to the Planning Board. The public should not perceive the Board as a conflict of interest. Sel. O’Brien said that he would continue to attend the meetings and listen to dialogue.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO GRANT AN EXTENSION TO THE WINTERBERRY HOLLOW LIP TO AUGUST 1, 2008 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE PLANNING BOARD AND TO INCLUDE THE SAME CONDITIONS RELATIVE TO THE DESIGN OF THE FINAL PROJECT AND TO PROCEDUREAL MATTERS MADE BY THE BOARD ON MAY 22, 2007. (OPPOSED: SEL. SULLIVAN.)
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Marshall Horwitz, Lexington Circle, addressed the Board regarding the intersection of Main Street and Newell Road. Mr. Horwitz referenced a letter that he wrote to the Board outlining his concerns when changes to the intersection were installed in the fall of 2007. He said that his concerns during snow and ice conditions happened during the storm today. He said that the intersection was a disaster waiting to happen.
Mr. Otto Lies, Salisbury Street, concurred with Mr. Horwitz’s comments. The intersection is a dangerous situation waiting to happen. Mr. Lies said he felt the intersection needs to be rectangular. Mr. Lies also commented on the Town sign bylaw. He said that the bylaw is very specific regarding commercial and residential property and asked that the Selectmen demonstrate leadership in the enforcement of the bylaw.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that he has been asked to become a member to the Advisory Committee of the Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The Central MA MPO is the region’s policymaking body, responsible for prioritizing transportation initiatives and setting long-term transportation priorities. The Committee begins meeting in January 2008.
The Manager handed out a debt schedule as requested by Sel. White.
Selectmen Subcommittees – Vote to Designate PSBC Member as Special Municipal Employees
The Manager informed the Board that he had received a request from a member of the Public Safety Building Committee to have that Committee designated as Special Municipal Employees. The intent of the request is that the member would like to actively participate in a political effort to promote acceptance of the Public Safety Building by Holden residents. The Manager commented that it is common practice in most communities to designate committees as Special Municipal Employees.
A motion was made by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Sullivan to designate the members of the Public Safety Building Committee as special municipal employees for purposes of discussion.
Sel. White said that members of the Holden School Building Committee were designated as Special Municipal Employees. He explained that a contractor currently serves on the PSBC. This designation will offer him some protection if a conflict arises. Sel. Sullivan suggested that the Manager consider appointing the EMS Committee as Special Municipal Employees. He asked the Manager to review current Committees to see if there are other circumstances that might benefit from this designation.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DESIGNATE THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE AS SPECIAL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES.
The Board interrupted Sel. Subcommittees to proceed with the Employee Appreciation ceremony.
Employee Appreciation
The Manager handed out awards for 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years of service with the Town. The Board congratulated all employees for their time, service, and dedication to the Town.
Colleen Abrams – Earth Day
Ms. Abrams announced that the Town of Paxton has been awarded a FY08 Municipal Sustainability Grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. The Town of Paxton’s regional proposal for a technical assistant project entitled “Regional Household Hazardous Waste/Recycling Facility” will serve Boylston, Holden, Paxton, Princeton, Rutland, Sterling, and West Boylston. The grant is for $50,000. Funding for the project will be distributed over two fiscal years. Ms. Abrams said that the facility would handle those items not collected during curbside pickup i.e. appliances, TV’s, computers, paint, and household construction debris. This facility will provide a permanent collection site and take the place of the semi-annual Wachusett Earth Day collections. White user fees
will help offset some costs associated with running the facility, Ms. Abrams added that seven member towns will also contribute to the construction project through money and donated services. The DCR has donated the land for the site. Site preparation is anticipated to cost $300,000. Half the funding will be raised through private donations and foundation grants and the other towns will bear the other half. Holden’s 35% share will be $53,000.
The Manager said that he has already put aside a portion of the Town’s share in the FY08 budget and will make a commitment toward the electrical portion. Ms. Abrams said that in addition to construction costs, the operating costs would be borne by the seven towns. Basic maintenance costs to run these types of facilities average $6,000 per year; Holden’s share would be approximately $2,000. Ms. Abrams said that she would return in January 2008 with further information. The facility will hopefully be open 2-3 days a week on a volunteer basis. Ms. Abrams will forward a list of the recycling facilities that the committee visited to the Manager. Sel. White suggested involving Casella, the Town’s trash hauler, in the project. Ms. Abrams said that per DEP regulations, the site could not be used
as a transfer station.
Selectmen Subcommittees cont.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Holden Tomorrow: Committee met on 11/20 and continues to have spirited discussions in order to finalize documents. Committee will meet with the Planning Board in the near future.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital:
EMS: Meets weekly in the Training Room at the Fire Station. Currently reviewing costs associated with running the department.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle:
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting will be on 12/13 at the Light Department at 7PM.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Met and are discussing Special Town Meeting and Ballot Election dates with the Town Manager. Delays cost money and the community will need to compromise and find common ground on the desperately needed project. Sel. Sullivan inquired if the Committee would give the voters a choice: a smaller building (5,000 sq. ft less than the previously proposed building) at the same price as two years ago or a larger full-service building (at a greater cost). Sel. White said that Town Meeting was not the stumbling block; the project failed at the ballot in previous elections. The Committee struggles to present a project that will be supported not only at Town Meeting but at the ballot as well. Sel. White said that the existing Fire Station will be saved and that potentially,
contract EMS service could operate out of that building. The architect has been charged costing out these considerations into the existing building plans. Sel. White said that he was waiting for a tax rate impact of the project from the Town Manager.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: has not met.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Requested a “Hats Off Award” to Officer Stiles for his work on the Speed Trailer.
2. Discussed outflow issues with one of the 40B projects; concerns from abutters. The Manager said that the DPW had been acting as a mediator between the abutters and the contractor. The Manager said he thought the issue had been settled but it has not yet been resolved. Manager will keep the Board informed.
Sel. White: 1. The Manager provided a list of debt retirement of past projects specifically the project and the date the debt will be retired. Tax rate impact will follow.
2. Requested an update on the cable study by the HMLD. Draft report has arrived and meeting with contractor is scheduled for 1st week of December.
3. Status on the basketball and tennis court rehab at Mountview Middle School. Will go through the budget process as an expense to the Recreation Revolving Account. Sel. Ferguson added that the 8th Grade would like to be a part of the project. The Manager commented that the FY ‘09 budget would not begin until July 1, 2008. This project will have a lengthy timeline. Rehab will not occur until after graduation in June. The Board agreed that Sel. Ferguson would call Ms. Lorraine Neilan, Student Council Advisor, to update her. A letter will also be forwarded by the Town Manager’s office to explain the Town’s budget timeline.
4. Power outage on Quinapoxet Street was handled professionally by HMLD.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Attended the High School production of “Scrooge and Marley.”
2. Announced that resident Gwen Callahan is looking for help with “Wee Aide” Boxes. Donations of gloves, hats, scarves, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s gift cards can be made at the Senior Center, 232 Bullard Street or The First Baptist Church. Gwen Callahan may be contacted at 508-829-0565
3. Dawson School PTA selling Christmas Trees next to Mobil Station.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Cleaning street drains - who is responsible? The Manager said that the Town does clean the drains, but residents should clean leaves from drains in front of their homes.
Follow-up to Citizens’ Address
Sel. White inquired if the Town intended to review the traffic situation at the Newell Road/Main Street intersection. Sel. O’Brien commented that he has had many calls regarding this intersection.
Executive Session
The Manager requested that the Board move into Executive Session at the end of the meeting to discuss a personnel issue.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECESS INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:22PM TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL ISSUE AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL VOTE: SULLIVAN: YES; O’BRIEN: YES; WHITE: YES; JUMONVILLE: YES; FERGUSON: YES.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 3, 2007 MEETING AT 8:28PM.
Approved: December 17, 2007
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