HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 19, 2007
6:30 PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman James Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, David J. White, Joseph G. Sullivan, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:40PM)
Others Present: Brian J. 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.
Employee Appreciation Week
Chairman Jumonville read the proclamation to announce Holden Employee Appreciation Week into record.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED 4-0 TO PROCLAIM DECEMBER 3, 2007 TO DECEMBER 7, 2007 AS HOLDEN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION WEEK AND THAT HOLDEN EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION NIGHT WILL BE HELD ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2007.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Holden Tomorrow: Committee will meet on 11/20 at 6:30PM and continues to finalize documents. Committee will meet with the Planning Board in the near future.
Sel. Sullivan: Holden Hospital:
EMS: Reported that the EMS Committee has met twice and elected Peter Lacy of the Finance Committee as the Chair. The Committee voted to request that the Public Safety Building Committee include plans for EMS service in its building plans.
Sel. Jumonville: Trash/Recycle:
Open Space/Recreation:
Memorial Day Parade: Met on 11/15. Announced that the Spirit of America Band had been rebooked for the 2008 MDP. Next meeting will be on 12/13 at the Light Department at 7PM.
Sel. White: Public Safety Committee: Met with Finance Committee to present the plans for the Public Safety Building. The Finance Committee did not take an endorsement vote at the meeting. The PSBC will meet with the IIF within in the next month.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the period ending October 2007 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose.
The Board reviewed correspondence from Bruce McKinnon, Senior Project Manager of MMWEC regarding the appointment of town designated NYPA voting representatives.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED 4-0 TO DESIGNATE BRIAN J. BULLOCK, LIGHT MANAGER, AS THE REPRESENTATIVE AND JACQUELYN KELLY AS THE ALTERNATE AS THE NYPA VOTING REPRESENTATIVES.
The Board reviewed changes made by the Attorney General’s Office to the Town’s Water Use Restriction Bylaw in 2002. The Manager informed the Board that the Town had incorporated these changes to the Bylaw as required.
Sel. O’Brien joined the meeting at 6:40PM.
The Board reviewed a memo from Denise Morano, Recreation Director regarding the use of the Town’s recreation fields by the High School sports teams.
The Manager reported that the Town received a notice of non-compliance from the DEP for the landfill on River Street. The Manager said the DEP had cited the town for leakage at the landfill, unpermitted use of the area by the Quinapoxet Model Airplane Club, and woody plant growth on various areas of the site. Several Selectmen said they were surprised by the DEP’s request to stop the flying club from using the landfill. The Manager reported that the issue had been referred to the Town’s landfill consultant for review.
The Manager informed the Board that the Nashua River Watershed Association will hold a regional meeting on December 6, 2007 at Town Hall in Holden. Several Selectmen commented that the Town of Sterling would also host the Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on the same evening.
The Board reviewed a memo from Sheriff Glodis regarding the Central Regional Homeland Security Advisory Council Emergency 911 System. The Board requested that the Manager arrange a meeting regarding the coordination of Holden’s and Worcester’s Reverse 911 systems.
The Manager informed the Board that the Board of Certification of the Association of MA Collectors and Treasurers have renewed the Certification of Jean T. Berg, Holden’s Treasurer and Collector. The Board asked the Manager to forward a letter of congratulations from the Board to Mrs. Berg.
The Manager commented that this year the Town would not have the option to close Town Offices on the day after Thanksgiving as is traditionally done. He also added that each year, the Selectmen vote to close Town business offices at Noon on Christmas Eve. This year, Christmas falls on a Tuesday. As Town Offices will be open on the day after Thanksgiving, he asked if the Board would consider closing Town business offices for the whole day on Monday, December 24, 2007, rather than the half-day. Sel. White suggested that the Board vote to close Town business offices on both the day after Thanksgiving and the day before Christmas.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE TOWN BUSINESS OFFICES ON THE DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING AND THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
The Manager informed the Board that Mass Highway has responded to the Town’s traffic concerns along the Main Street corridor. Mass Highway has agreed to review the traffic issues and restripe and remark the turning lanes.
Certificate of Recognition – Lieutenant Mike Rosen, Firefighter of the Year
Fire Chief Chandler introduced Lt. Mike Rosen to the Board. Chief Chandler said that Lt. Rosen has served with distinction with the Holden Fire Department for almost thirty years. For the past seven years, Lt. Rosen has run the Explorer Post, a major fire-service recruiting tool for the department. On November 7, 2007, Lt. Rosen was the recipient of the Massachusetts Department of Public Safety 2007 “Firefighter of the Year” award for his work in community service.
Sel. Sullivan commented that he attended the ceremony with former Fire Chiefs Oberg and Stark. Massachusetts Governor Duval Patrick presented Lt. Rosen with the award at the ceremony in Boston. Representative Lew Evangelidis addressed the Selectmen to present Lt. Rosen with a Citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives for his accomplishments to the Town. Selectboard Chairman Jumonville read a proclamation into record and presented Lt. Rosen with a Certificate of Recognition for his dedication and service to the Town.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Inquired what initiatives Holden and other Towns are considering in terms of their use of Mass. Technology Collaborative technologies to study wind turbine potential?
2. Provided an update on YAHOO activities.
3. Announced he had attended a Transportation/Circulation Committee meeting regarding traffic at the proposed Walgreen’s site.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Lottery applications for affordable housing units at Holden Hills are due on 12/3.
2. Discussed Mass Highway Improvements to the Main Street Corridor.
Sel. White: 1. Provided a Power Point presentation on the current conditions of the Tennis and Basketball courts at Mountview Middle School. The school has requested aid in rehabbing/rebuilding the courts or demolishing them for green space. Sel. Sullivan suggested that the Town partner with the school in order to help with work and money for the rehabilitation. Is it possible to have the DPW become involved in the project? Sel. Sullivan also suggested that member of the Mountview Student Council attend a Board meeting in December for further discussion. Chairman Jumonville commented that the Town of West Boylston rehabbed their recreation area as a town wide fundraiser and suggested that the Town of West Boylston be contacted for further information. Sel. White
asked the Manager for a balance update on the Recreation Revolving Account. The Manager said that the balance is currently under $500,000 due to a planned reduction of $60,000 to offset loses at the Pool this summer.
2. The Board discussed the success of the new trash/recycling program. The Manager reported that from October 2006 to October 2007, the Town has reduced its trash tonnage by 822.65 tons or 29%. Recycling is averaging between 30%-35%. He said that the program is an outstanding success. Sel. O’Brien said that he would like to see any surplus from the program returned to the taxpayers. The Manager said that the 07’ budget ended with a deficit of $45,000 due to the costs associated with the start up of the program and that there was no surplus to return to the taxpayers. Sel. Ferguson suggested that the Town consider weekly recycling pickups.
3. Sel. White announced that Santa would visit Holden on December 1st at Town Hall at 5PM and that the Senior Breakfast would be held at the Manor in West Boylston on December 15th.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Addressed the increased heavy traffic on Rt. 31. He commented that Rt. 31 was not built for heavy commercial traffic and asked what was allowable by law? He inquired if it would be possible to quantify the problem and pass a bylaw(s) to place restrictions for this type of traffic.
2. Inquired what the Town and the HMLD might look like in future years? What long-range planning should the Town start to anticipate a changing municipality?
Acceptance of Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND HOLD THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2007.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 19, 2007 MEETING AT 8:05 PM.
Approved: December 17, 2007
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