HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 5, 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 J. Martin, Town Counsel (arrived 7PM)
Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Jumonville opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses and Appointments
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO PAUL F. LATINO II ON BEHALF OF WACHUSETT FITNESS FOR A ROAD RACE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2007 FROM 8AM TO 9:30AM PENDING THE HIRING OF A POLICE OFFICER FOR TRAFFIC.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO DUNCAN G. LEITH ON BEHALF OF THE BRIAN WALLACE WACHUSETT ALUMNI ROAD RACE ON NOVEMBER 24, 2007 FROM 8AM TO 12:00PM PENDING THE HIRING OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS FOR TRAFFIC.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Announced that a lottery will be held for affordable housing units in the Holden Hills condominium complex. There are 5 affordable housing units available. An informational meeting will be held on November 6, 2007 at 6:30PM in the meeting room at Holden Hills. Applications for the lottery are due by December 3, 2007. The lottery will be conducted on December 19, 2007. Additional information is available on the Town of Holden, Affordable Housing Committee web site link or at the Town Planner’s office at Town Hall. The Manager confirmed that the Planning Board removed the age restriction at the condominium complex. Sel. O’Brien asked that the Town seek a “passive recreation” exemption on the golf course property for
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Manager said that the Recreation Department inquired about permission from the owner Mr. Kane, who denied the Town the right to use the property in this manner. Sel. Sullivan said that use of the private property by the general public was a liability issue.
Holden Tomorrow: Waiting for final edits from consultant.
District Member Collective Bargaining: Nothing to report.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Has not met. Members of the Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals recently attended a seminar involving the upcoming 40R proposal. The Manager said the Administration would be glad to schedule time on the Board’s Agenda for discussion and encouraged the developer of the 40R project to send an information packet to the Manager’s office.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital: Nothing to report.
Public Use of Town Spaces: Committee met to review Town Counsel’s opinion. The Committee studied what other communities in the United States have done regarding private displays on public property. Town Counsel, after review, determined that the policy “has the potential to unnecessarily invite legal disputes or challenges upon the Town”, and therefore, recommended against the adoption of the policy. The Committee has unanimously decided not to present the policy to the Board for consideration and has disbanded. Sel. Sullivan thanked those who served on the Committee. Sel. O’Brien suggested that the Town adopt the general guidelines as crafted by the Committee and leave out the words “limited public forum.” He said he had several questions for Town Counsel. It was recommended that Sel. O’Brien submit his questions for Town Counsel to the Manager. Sel. Sullivan said that these questions/comments would have been better served if presented to the Committee prior to their final
vote. Sel. Ferguson said that she was not comfortable having Town Counsel spend more time on a subject that has been discussed and finalized by the Committee. Sel. White said that he did not think that the effort by the Committee was in vain. The Manager will be able to refer back to the research on the proposed policy in the future.
Ambulance Study: Will meet on 11/8 at 4PM in the Training Room at the Fire Station.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Will meet 11/5/07 to work toward a Special Town Meeting date in early 2008. .
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting: 11/14 at Town Hall at 7PM. Encouraged Cub Scout Packs to become involved with the parade.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Manager’s Miscellaneous
Sel. White said that he and the Town Manager recently attended the American Automobile Association (AAA) Safety Awards Ceremony. Sel. White announced that the Holden Police Department was awarded a Pedestrian Safety Award and a Silver Award at the ceremony. These awards recognized the HPD and the Town for over twenty-five years without a pedestrian fatality and continued outstanding achievements in traffic safety and education. The Board congratulated Police Chief Sherrill and the members of the Department on these accomplishments.
The Manager announced the Fall Composting and Brush Chipping Schedule. According to Rich DeWitt, DPW Superintendent, the composting site on River Street will be open on: Saturday, Nov. 10th and 17th from 7AM-1:30PM, depending on weather and capacity at the site.
The Manager announced that there would be a free flu shot clinic for senior citizens on Monday, November 19, 2007 from 1PM-4PM at the Senior Center. Depending on the amount of serum available, not only will shots be administered to police and fire personnel, but other town employees as well.
The Manager reviewed a memo from Town Planner Pam Harding regarding an update on the review process for Winterberry Hollow. Due to significant issues that need to be addressed with the plan, the LIP extension granted by the Board will need to be extended in early 2008. Sel. O’Brien suggested that the Board meet with the developer prior to the expiration of the LIP extension for an update on the status of the LIP and the project. The Manager said that he would inform the developer of the Board’s interest, but could not make him come forward to address the Board.
Town Counsel arrived at the meeting at 7PM.
The Board reviewed Article XXII regarding the Water Use Restriction Bylaw. Sel. White recalled that the Board could not legally give away its authority regarding water use restrictions. The Manager said his office would investigate this decision.
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for September 2007 prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant. The Board discussed the reconciliation of Ch. 90 aid. The Manager will ask the DPW Director to reconcile this account to date.
The Manager informed residents who wish to dispose of a used American flag should bring the flag to the Police Station in Worcester, the Grove Street Fire Station in Worcester or the VA Clinic located at 605 Lincoln Street in Worcester. Personnel at these collection sites see that the flags are “retired” properly.
Regional Selectmen’s Meeting has been scheduled for December 6, 2007 in Sterling. An item for discussion is the continued pursuit of WRSD modular debt reimbursements.
The Manager asked that the Board recess into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter at the end of the meeting.
Tax Classification Hearing
The Manager read the notice of Public Hearing into record.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE TAX CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:20PM.
Ms. Beverly Potvin Kenniston, Principal Assessor for the Town of Holden, presented the tax classification information for FY2008. Ms. Kenniston proposed at single tax rate of $12.62.
The Chairman invited members of the public to address the Board.
Mr. Gordon McPhee, Salisbury Street, speaking for the Holden Area Chamber of Commerce, spoke in favor the setting a single tax rate for the Town of Holden for 2008.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:39PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE TOWN OF HOLDEN CONTINUE TO TAX ALL CLASSES OF PROPERTY AT A SINGLE TAX RATE.
The Manager reviewed the proposed FY08 tax rate of $12.62 with the Board. The Manager said that the tax rate had increased from FY07 ($11.56) due to debt impacts and a reduction in town wide housing values.
Sel. White asked the Manager to prepare a schedule of the Town’s debt and retirement dates.
Conservation Restriction – Price Property, Malden Street/White Oak Land Conservation Society
The Manager announced that Holden residents Robert and Ruth B. Price, 11 Malden Street, were granting a conservation restriction to the White Oak Land Conservation Society. The conservation restriction is for 5.65 acres of land located on Malden Street.
Mr. George Dresser, Counsel for White Oak, addressed the Board to explain the proposed restriction.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE CONSERVATION RESTRICTION FOR THE 5.65 ACRES OF PROPERTY OF RUTH B. PRICE ON MALDEN STREET TO THE WHITE OAK LAND CONSERVATION SOCIETY PURSUANT TO M.G.L. CHAPTER 184, SECTION 32 AS PRESENTED.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Requested additional recycling pick-ups during the holiday season. Sel. Sullivan suggested that the Board revisit the Recycling By-law to mandate recycling in the Town. The Manager said that his office would look into other communities that require its residents to recycle. Sel. White said that he would not support a change in the by-law to enforce recycling. The Board requested an update on the Town’s trash/recycling program.
2. Attended the Senior Center Craft Fair on 11/3.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Received a status report on the Department Head Vacation Buy-Back program from Town Counsel.
2. Requested sign enforcement along Main Street on the weekends.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Manhole Covers in front of Leominster Credit Union.
2. Requested the amount of revenue generated from forestry work in the Town Forest.
3. Inquired if High School sports teams who use the Town Tennis and Basketball Courts can help in the courts’ rehabilitation efforts.
4. Budget Goals were summarized accurately. Sel. O’Brien asked that his budget goals include an increase in the staffing resources at the Police Department perhaps through the creation of a revolving account.
Sel. Ferguson and Sel. White expressed concerns funding a revolving account with the number of tickets issued to residents. Sel. White said that a revolving account depends on one-time monies and is not a good way to fund staffing needs. Sel. Sullivan said that while he did not want to discourage increasing the staffing at the HPD, he would like to see the need reflected in Chief Sherrill’s budget during budget review.
Sel. White: 1. Inquired about streetlights along Main Street specifically their type, hour rating, and burn out rate.
2. Expressed hope that the World Series Trophy might make a stop in Holden on its grand tour through the Commonwealth.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. High school uses fields at the Mayo School and has an obligation to maintain and repair the fields. The Manager will update regarding the status of the repairs.
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 9, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 15, 2007 NASHUA RIVER WATERSHED SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 15, 2007 MEETING MINUTES.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:29PM TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER. ROLL CALL VOTE: Ferguson: yes; Jumonville: yes; White: yes; O’Brien: yes; Sullivan: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 5, 2007 MEETING AT 8:35PM.
Approved: November 19, 2007
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