HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 4, 2007
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Vice-Chair Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:37 PM)
Joseph G. Sullivan, David J. White
Absent: Chairman James Jumonville
Others Present: Brian J. Bullock, Town Manager
Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Liz Helder, Recording Secretary
Vice-Chair Ferguson opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Vice-Chair announced that Chairman Jumonville had a previous engagement and would not attend the meeting. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED 3-0 TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO KATHERINE MILLS ON BEHALF OF THE CROP WALK FROM IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH TO ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH STARTING AT 1:30PM ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2007.
Selectman O’Brien arrived at the meeting at 6:37 PM.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Will not meet until the fall.
Holden Tomorrow: Next meeting is 9/11.
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. White: Public Safety Committee: Stated that the Committee has been working for one year to find a solution for the Public Safety Building. He reported that construction costs and inflation have continued to rise adding approximately 7% or $700,000 in costs per year to the $10M project. He commented that in order to lower escalating costs on the project, the scope of the project has been reduced to 34,000 sq. ft. This means that the total building size and the defined circulation of the building will be smaller than the building that was proposed 2-years ago. Sel. Sullivan inquired if the committee intended to include money in the final plan to raze the current fire station once the project is completed? The Manager replied that the town can not borrow money for demolition purposes.
Sel. White commented that the committee believes that there is potential use for the old fire station once the new building is completed. He suggested that it could possibly service an in-house EMS service or the Recreation Department. Sel. O’Brien asked Sel. White if this was the least expensive building solution for the town and does Sel. White support it? Sel. White commented that he supported this project, just like he supported the first proposal.
Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager announced that the Town has two new employees. Mr. Stephen Gross has been hired as the Town’s IT Technician and began work on September 4, 2007. Ms. Andrea Crete has been hired as the Town’s Health Agent and will begin work on September 10, 2007.
The Board agreed to meet on September 10th at 6:30 PM for a Selectmen Budget Goal Setting Meeting.
The Manager announced that the Nashua River Watershed Association is working on a project to develop maps that prioritize properties in the Nashua River Watershed area, including a portion of Holden. The Manager informed the Board that a meeting has been scheduled with Mr. Rick Muehike, Land Programs Outreach Assistant of the NRWA for September 17th at 6:00PM, which is one-half hour earlier than the beginning of the Board’s regular meeting. The Manager added that all pertinent town boards and commissions have been notified of the mapping project.
The Board reviewed a report on the Holden Pool/Recreation Dept. highlighting Session 3 of the summer season and a report on the number of total Recreation Pass Revenue from 2007 compared with 2006. Sel. Ferguson asked what was the total Summer Revenue for the Recreation Department (including passes, programs, and snack shack)? Sel. White commented that next year, he would like to see a later close date for the pool. The Manager added that future reports would include a trend analysis. The Board agreed to send a letter to Recreation Director Morano and her staff congratulating them on another successful summer season.
The Manager updated the Board on work being conducted by the town on Newell Road in regards to Westminster Place. He said that the Planning Board had required that the developer, Fafard Realty, issue a check to the Town for $66,000 for the costs related to these improvements that Fafard is unable to complete. The Manager said that the Town DPW would be conducting the required improvements using the economies of their contract with Holden Trap Rock. The Manager recommended that the Board vote to expend the “gift” of up to $66,000 from Fafard Realty to make the required improvements on Newell Road.
A motion made by Sel. White to recommend that the Board vote to expend the “gift” from Fafard Realty up to $66,000 was seconded by Sel. Sullivan for the purposes of discussion.
Sel. White commented that while he is happy that the improvements are being made, he is not happy that the town is doing the work. He inquired if the town was setting a precedent with other developers that don’t want to do their own work. He commented that this developer has not met a single deadline set by the Planning Board.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous was suspended at 7:15PM in order to proceed with Citizens’ Address.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Karl Makela, 16 Newell Road commented that he is happy with the work being performed on Newell Road.
The Board of Selectmen presented a “HAT’S OFF!” Award to the dedicated volunteers of Holden’s Meals on Wheels Program. Senior Center Coordinator Louise Charbonneau introduced volunteers Ann Lundquist, Joan Swenson, and Terry and Bob Black to the Board. The Board congratulated the volunteers for their continued service to the town. Mrs. Lundquist commented that the program has been in use for 33 years. Drivers are needed to help deliver approximately 50-60 meals a day to the town’s senior citizens. For more information, call 829-0201 or 829-0270.
The Board continued with their discussion regarding work on Newell Road.
Sel. Sullivan said that everyone is frustrated by the lack of work being performed by Fafard Realty and that the Planning Board was handling the situation accordingly. Sel. O’Brien commented that he observed DPW employees working on Newell Road today. He inquired why the work started before the matter was brought before the Board? He commented that the decision had been made and the Board was rubberstamping the actions of the Town Manager and the DPW. He said that he would not support the motion. Sel. Sullivan said that he did not rubberstamp votes. He asked Sel. O’Brien if he thought the town should return the money to the developer? Sel. O’Brien said that the town should just do the work, charge Fafard a premium for the work, send them the bill, and pull their performance bond. Sel. White commented that while he is frustrated with the situation, he feels that pulling the performance bond will cost the town money for legal services. He said that the current solution,
resolved by the Planning Board, is the best for the town. Sel. O’Brien said that the vote was for actions already taken and that the town was just rewarding the bad behavior of the developer. He added that the developer was getting a deal through the town’s connections. The Manager commented that the town has only completed work for a developer one other time and that the town is not obligated to complete anyone’s work. He said that the DPW just happened to be doing the same type of work in that area of town and that is why the work had already started.
Mr. Larry Galkowski, DPW Director, addressed the Board. He commented that if the town pulled the performance bond through legal recourse, work on Newell Road would not start until next spring. He said that now the work would be completed correctly and before winter. He said that Holden Trap Rock was also doing milling and repaving work on Cedar Road and these two projects dovetailed together. He said that the Planning Board was getting ready to pull the bond and that the DPW came up with the current plan to do the work. He said that this way, there were no legal costs to the town. He added that DPW work on site was being tracked and billed as part of the $66,000. Sel. Sullivan asked that the question be moved.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE BOARD VOTE TO EXPEND THE “GIFT” FROM FAFARD REALTY UP TO $66,000. (Opposed: Sel. O’Brien.)
The Manager reviewed Health Care Reform Section 125 Plan to allow town employees access to the Commonwealth Choice Coverage. The Manager asked that the Board vote to adopt a 2nd Section 125 Plan.
Sel. O’Brien requested that the Board place this item on a future agenda for discussion. Sel. Sullivan said that this was a perfunctory vote that follows the guidelines of state laws that the town must approve.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ADOPT THE HEALTH CARE REFORM SECTION 125 PLAN AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. (Opposed: Sel. O’Brien.)
The Board reviewed the opinion of Kathleen Colleary, Chief, Bureau of Municipal Finance Law, with the Department of Revenue in regards to the town’s inquiry to the expansion of senior real estate tax abatements. Sel. White commented that tax relief options currently exist for senior citizens in town. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the Town Assessor’s office for more information.
The Board reviewed the HMLD SAS 112 Internal Control Report issued by the independent auditor for the Holden Municipal Light Department.
Amendment to Traffic Rules and Regulations – Transportation of Hazardous Materials
The Town Manager read the notice of Public Hearing into record.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:55PM.
Mr. Larry Galkowski, DPW Director, said that in negotiations with the City of Worcester for the second water interconnection, it was agreed by both parties to restrict the transportation of hazardous materials and sewer septage along certain roadways near the City of Worcester reservoirs as a measure of protecting the water supply and associated watershed. This agreement includes South Road from Paxton Road south to Reservoir Street and Reservoir Street from the easterly end of South Road to Stonehouse Hill Road.
Vice-Chair Ferguson asked if there was anyone from the public who wished to address the Board. No one came forward.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:00PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT OT TRAFFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESTRICTIONS AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Buy Back of Earned Vacation Time
The Board agreed to reschedule discussion of the buy back of earned vacation time after review by Town Counsel. It was agreed to reschedule discussion for the first meeting in October. Questions for Town Counsel may be forwarded to the Town Manager.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Announced that he would hold a fundraiser for the Mass Audubon/Lundquist land acquisition at his home on Sunday, September 23rd from 6PM-8PM.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Discussed a sidewalk concern regarding a paving project on Flagler Drive.
2. Received letters of thanks from residents regarding the level of professionalism by the Fire Department and DPW Water/Sewer Division at the recent Sandstrom Farm fire.
Sel. White: 1. 5th Annual Steve Drawbridge Golf Memorial will be help on 9/7.
2. Stated that the landscaping at the Main Street/Shrewsbury Street “jug handle” is overgrown and a nuisance. He suggested that a local landscape contractor or Boy Scout Troop re-landscape the island as a community service project. He also thanked the Stacy Family at the Blue Plate Farm Stand for maintaining the planters at that intersection.
3. Acknowledged the success of Holden Day’s by its vendors and clean up crew.
Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 13, 2007 MEETING MINUTES.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2007 MEETING AT 8:20PM.
Approved: September 17, 2007 as amended
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