HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 7, 2008
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman James Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:40PM), Joseph G. Sullivan, David J. White
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Jumonville opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Holden Tomorrow: will meet on April 16th at 6:30PM in Memorial Hall. Consultant corrections have been completed.
Affordable Housing: Will meet April 10th at 6PM. Announced that an informational meeting will be held for 8, three bedroom affordable housing units located on Fisher Road. The meeting will start at 7PM on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Town Hall. The initial sales price of the 8 units will be $152,900. Applications are due by April 29, 2008 and a lottery will be conducted on May 5, 2008. Additional information may be obtained at www.townofholden.net and at the Town Hall.
Sel. Sullivan: EMS: Committee will report at tonight’s meeting.
Sel. White: PSBC: Met on April 2nd. Committee has begun schematic design process. The committee is appreciative of residents for passing the project at the ballot. Next meeting is April 16th.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day: Met April 3rd. Committee updates are being shown on Channel 11. A band will play at the Bandstand at the end of parade and the Boy Scouts will serve refreshments. Residents are encouraged to picnic. Next meetings are May 6th and May 20th.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: has not met.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Sel. Ferguson and Sullivan delivered meals-on-wheels on March 28th. She suggested that each Selectman try to annually participate in this worthy program.
2. Requested to have a discussion with a member of the administration regarding variances in town.
Sel. White: 1. Requested a status report on the Mountview Court rehabilitation.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Inquired on the status of the Manager’s evaluation and contract. Sel. White is currently preparing a summary of the evaluation. Chairman Jumonville and Sel. White will meet with the Manager to review the summary and the individual evaluations. Sel. Ferguson said she would not be in town to attend the April 22nd regular board meeting.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Sel. White will be the representative to the 4/8 meeting in Paxton.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Asked to place the maintenance of Town Hall, the Damon House and the Starbard Building on the April 22, 2008 agenda for discussion. Sel. Sullivan asked if this item could be placed on the agenda after the May Town Meeting.
2. Discussed fees for private fire protection connections that are assessed to local businesses. Sel. O’Brien said he had received calls from several businesses regarding an increase in these fees. He asked if any other communities in Central MA have adopted these fees. The Manager said that the Board held discussion and approved the fee increases. The fee is representative of the amount of work that is involved when inspecting these private connections. The Manager said he would conduct a survey of local communities to determine their fee schedules for providing this type of service. Sel. O’Brien said he was concerned about these charges and would like to have the fee rescinded. Sel. Sullivan said that if Sel. O’Brien supported the fee increases, why have the change of heart now? Sel. O’Brien said he felt some of the fees were extremely high. The fees punish business owners who install these sprinkler systems. He said that the Water/Sewer budget is becoming tied to rates.
Sel. O’Brien raised the question about a “lost” water/sewer payment. The Manager said that the payment was not lost and asked Sel. O’Brien to apologize at the next Selectmen’s meeting if the Manager could prove that the payment was not lost. Sel. Ferguson said she had received a letter from a business owner about the increase in these fees. She said she would schedule an appointment with the Manager to discuss the issue. She said that Sel. O’Brien was not the only Selectman who cared about residents and business owners in town.
The Chairman interrupted Selectmen Miscellaneous at 7:00PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Reggie Judson, Marlen Road, said he was the coordinator for the AARP Driver Safety Program. The program will be held on May 21st and 22nd at the Senior Center from 9AM-2PM on both days. The fee is $10.00. This course is available to those 50 years and older and is a refresher course for driving skills. Interested parties may contact Mr. Judson at 508-210-0044.
Ms. Amy Hardin, representing Rice School LLC, discussed the success of the condominium renovations at the Rice School. A sneak preview was held April 5th and 6th and over 350 people toured the old school. Ms. Hardin said that of the 25 units available, 10 are on deposit. She said that the Ingram family was thrilled with the town’s interest in the project.
EMS Study Committee
Mr. Peter Lacy, Chairman of the EMS Study Committee presented a long-term plan for emergency medical services for the Town. The proposal includes offering 24/7 in-house Advanced Life Service (ALS) Ambulance Service to Town. The Ambulance Service would be housed in the existing Fire Station. The study proposes hiring 9 paramedics/firefighters, purchasing one new and one used ambulance, purchasing all necessary equipment and supplies, and applying for State approval and licenses. Advantages to bringing EMS in-house include the ability to control service and quality. The current ambulance contract with AMR ends 6/30/09. Projected start-up expenses for EMS Operations for the first year are $975,379. Projected revenue for EMS Operations for the first year is $747,138 plus current tax levy money of $214,269 for
a total of $961,379. There would be an operating deficit for the first year. Start-up costs for the period January 09-June 09 would be $192,802. Mr. Lacy asked for support of the proposal at the May Annual Town Meeting.
Sel. Ferguson asked how EMS billing would be conducted? Mr. Lacy said that in-house billing was not recommended. The service would be conducted by an outside collection service (Comstar Billing Inc.). It was discussed that the first year deficit could be overcome by seeking a higher collection rate than 92%. A Senior Paramedic will be hired to oversee the department. A medical doctor from St. Vincent’s will be hired for a small fee to consult as a Medical Director to conduct quality audits/case review. This is a requirement with the State.
Sel. White discussed annual operating costs vs. funding the depreciation. He said that money needs to be set aside for the maintenance of the building. The current business proposal does not address this maintenance issue and these costs should be recognized. Mr. Lacy said the Finance Committee was recommending including EMS Service in the Fire Department’s budget. This type of cost would be included in the Fire Department’s maintenance budget. Mr. Lacy said that the committee was not tasked with accounting mechanisms, but what will it take to get the service up and running. Sel. White said that the committee needs to account for all management time, and the costs associated with running a business. This proposal does not reflect the true costs of running the business. He said his
concerns had nothing to do with bringing the service in-house; the proposal just seems incomplete. Sel. O’Brien said that he had confidence in the project because Chief Chandler ran a similar program in West Boylston. The Chief said he anticipated that the program would be self-supporting in three or four years. Sel. Ferguson asked what the Committee would like from the Board? Sel. Sullivan said he was hoping for an endorsement of the project from the Board. This will secure the placement of a warrant article to create an enterprise account to start the financing process in order to create the department.
A motion was made by Sel. Ferguson and seconded by Sel. O’Brien and seconded for the purposes of discussion to support in principle the creation of a 24/7 in-house EMS service in town.
Sel. O’Brien said he would like to see this service run as a department of the Fire Department as opposed to an enterprise account. Sel. White said he would like to see the costs accurately reflected in the proforma. Mr. Lacy said that he would turn that charge over to the Manager. Sel. Sullivan said that this was the next generation of public service to residents.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT IN PRINCIPLE THE CREATION OF A 24/7 IN-HOUSE EMS SERVICE IN TOWN.
Selectmen Miscellaneous (reopened)
Sel. O’Brien (continued)
3. Discussed a proposal for developing a fuel efficiency policy for the purchase of new town vehicles and limiting private use of town vehicles by employees. Sel. O’Brien said that this would help curb fuel costs. He said that there were a number of employees who live outside of town who take town vehicles home. He said he would like a report of those employees. He said the town consistently has fuel overages. The Manager said that there is no personal vehicle use of town vehicles except in the Town Manager’s contract. Town Counsel said that this discussion exceeds the bounds of the Town Charter. The Manager manages the town and its employees. Sel. Ferguson said that given the economics of the day, she felt the Board should look at fuel efficiency and the purchase of more
fuel-efficient vehicles. Sel. White concurred and said that the Board’s responsibility is to set basic guidelines. He suggested that town vehicles should be hybrid/fuel efficient vehicles. It is not necessary to replace a 4-wheel drive SUV with similar vehicle. Sel. Sullivan suggested that the Board direct the administration to prepare a pro forma regarding alternative vehicles/fuel efficient vehicles.
4. Discussed the establishment of a stabilization fund. Town Counsel said that the town adopted a Stabilization Fund in 1963. The statutory fund is there; what Sel. O’Brien doesn’t have is an appropriation to put money into it. The IIF cannot fund a stabilization fund. Town Counsel said that he would speak at Town Meeting to Sel. O’Brien’s Citizen’s Petition and inform those present of these facts. The Manager said that any extra money should be returned to the taxpayers. Sel. O’Brien responded that he feels the town needs to put money away for the recession. Sel. Ferguson commented that the money should be returned to the taxpayers during tough economic times. Sel. Sullivan commented that the Board was spending too much time discussing lengthy miscellaneous
items that cannot be resolved in this forum because no votes are allowed to take place during Sel. Miscellaneous. He said this was not the way that Sel. Miscellaneous was supposed to be run and asked that the Board move onto the remainder of the agenda. Sel. White commented that this is the people’s business and should be discussed. Sel. Sullivan said that these discussions are not productive. It’s good information; it just makes the meetings long.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed a copy of the summer Recreation Department brochure. Passes went on sale April 1st and according to Denise Morano, Recreation Director, there was a steady stream of customers. Of the 400 non-resident passes, only 82 were left by the end of the day. Fees remained the same.
The Manager announced that on Saturday, May 10, 2008, the Light Department will partner with Percy’s of Worcester for a one-day air conditioner and dehumidifier sale to promote the Department of Energy’s Conservation Rebate Program. The Department offers rebates in the form of a credit to the energy bill of customers who purchase certain Energy Star appliances.
The Manager announced the spring composting and brush-chipping schedule. The Holden DPW will offer leaf composting and brush chipping services this spring on Saturday, April 19, April 26, May 3, May 10, and May 17 at the site of the former landfill on River Street.
The Manager reported that the Town received, for the second year in a row, recognition by Common Cause of Massachusetts for its Web site. Specifically, the award recognizes towns that provide Web site access to key government records such as Selectmen agendas and minutes, the budget, by-laws, and town meetings and proceedings.
The Board reviewed the Year-to-Date Revenues and Expenditure reports for the period ending February 2008.
The Manager said that the Finance Committee hearing on the Water-Sewer Budget will take place on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 7PM in Memorial Hall.
The Manager provided the Board with an update on the status of compliance at the Holden Landfill site. In the fall of 2007, the Town was issued a Notice of Noncompliance by the DEP. Subsequently, the Town staff provided an immediate response to the notice. The Board reviewed a letter from John J. Regan, of the DEP, confirming the Town’s compliance with the action requirements to the Notice of Noncompliance.
The Board reviewed a spreadsheet showing revised FY09 expenses related to education (both Montachusett Tech and Wachusett). The Manager stated that the information includes a proposed Environmental Contamination debt that will be addressed at an upcoming Special Town Meeting.
The Manager informed the Board that Monday, April 7, 2008 will be the last day for the Selectmen to place a debt exclusion question on the May 12, 2008 ballot. The question asks voters to exclude from the limits of Prop 2 ½, the Town’s portion of the debt service related to the pending and future borrowings that will be used to clean up and monitor the oil spill at the Jefferson School site. The Manager also said that the Board must vote the wording of the question exactly as it should appear on the ballot. Sel. Ferguson said it was a concern that future debt exclusions are unknown. The Manager said that this was the town’s only opportunity to take advantage of the special debt exclusion legislation that was passed at the State House for the Wachusett Region. Sel. O’Brien said that
while he supports the placement of this ballot question, it does not mean that he supports the use of the debt exclusion.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO PLACE A DEBT EXCLUSION QUESTION ON THE MAY 12, 2008 BALLOT TO ASK VOTERS TO EXCLUDE FROM THE LIMITS OF PROP 2 ½, THE TOWN’S PORTION OF THE DEBT SERVICE RELATED TO PENDING AND FUTURE BORROWINGS THAT WILL BE USED TO CLEAN UP AND MONITOR THE OIL SPILL AT THE JEFFERSON SCHOOL SITE.
The Board reviewed a summary prepared by resident Mr. Al Ferron on property tax assistance available to qualifying elderly and other citizens. Also included in Mr. Ferron’s summary is a review of the State’s Circuit Breaker Tax Credit available to qualifying seniors on their state income tax. The Board directed the Manager to make the summary available on the Town’s website.
The Manager informed the Board that bids for the Mountview Tennis Court project are due in the Town Manager’s office by April 16, 2008 by 2PM at which time they will be opened and publicly read. The Manager said that the Town has been approached with an offer for a substantial donation of services to help in the rehabilitation of the courts. However, the bids had already been advertised. The Manager said that there might be a possibility to reject the bids that are received and re-bid the project minus the donated services.
The Manager reported that effective April 1, 2008, the Light Department implemented a planned increase in the PCA of one cent ($.01) per Kwh. This increase was budgeted in the 2008 HMLD Operating and Capital Plan. The Manager said that the adjustment was postponed to customers during the long winter months; however, he said it had become necessary to implement the increase due to the rising cost of fuel.
The Manager announced the Department of Public Works’ spring street sweeping schedule. The schedule can also be viewed at www.townofholden.net or in the 4/4/08 edition of the Landmark.
The Senior Center will show the Red Sox season opener at Fenway Park on 4/8/08.
Warrant for Annual Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting
The Manager suggested holding the Special Town Meeting for the oil spill clean-up at 6PM in the cafeteria at the high school prior to the Annual Town Meeting. Sel. Ferguson said she was concerned that the discussion and subsequent vote could not be contained to one hour.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan to set a 6PM May 21, 2008 Special Town Meeting, died for lack of a second.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE MAY 21, 2008 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AT 9:20PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 1-5.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 6-1 through 11.
A motion by Sel. Ferguson to set warrant article 12 was seconded by Sel. Sullivan for discussion.
The Manager commented that warrant article 12 was being presented as an enterprise account to make it easier to explain the accounting principals to the taxpayers.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 12.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 13-17.
The Manager said that money from this warrant article was being appropriated from an excess education payment in order to pay for the snow removal deficit.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 18.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 19.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 20-23.
The Board reviewed and approved the language regarding the ownership of the CRA property.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 24 and 25.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 26-31.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 32.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE MAY 21, 2008 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AT 9:30PM.
Proposal to Recommend Limiting WRSD FY2009 Operating Budget
Sel. Sullivan announced that on April 2, 2008, he and Finance Committee member Mr. Al Berg represented the Town of Holden at a meeting hosted by the Paxton Selectboard and attended by all Wachusett member towns except for Sterling. The meeting was to discuss the WRSDC budget for FY09. As a result of the discussion, each town was asked to present a request to their respective boards for a vote to support a maximum 4.0% increase in the WRSDC proposed operating budget for FY09 when compared with their current FY08 budget. Sel. Sullivan added that while not present at the meeting, the Sterling Selectboard has reputedly already sent a letter to the District with the same request. Sel. Sullivan shared a warrant article that the Town of Sterling has placed for their Town Meeting stating that the town does not support the
passage of the WRSDC budget but would support an amount which represented 4% of the entire WRSD budget consistent with the town’s operating budget. Sel. Sullivan said that he doesn’t feel that the Holden Board needs to place a similar article on their warrant. He suggested that the Holden Board send a letter to the WRSD instead.
Sel. Ferguson left the meeting at 9:35PM.
Sel. White commented that discussion should focus on the RASA number. Sel. O’Brien said that he would not support sending a letter to the District with this recommendation. He said supporting a 4% WRSD budget increase would mean that the District would have to make cuts to its staff. He said that Sterling and Rutland did not support Holden and its struggle in the past to pay its assessment.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SEND A LETTER TO THE DISTRICT THAT THE LOCAL ASSESSMENT FOR FY09 NOT EXCEED 4% FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR’S BUDGET. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 10, 2008 EXECUTIVE SESSION TOWN MEETING MINUTES.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 17, 2008 MEETING MINUTES.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 7, 2008 MEETING AT 9:45PM.
Approved: April 22, 2008
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