HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:42PM), Joseph Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO KATHERINE MILLS ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDEN CROP WALK FOR SUNDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2008 AT 1:30PM BEGINNING AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH AND ENDING AT ST. FRANCIS EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Manager informed the Board that the Town was in receipt of correspondence from the State to announce a new form of Keno called “Keno To Go.” The letter informed the Board that the Jefferson Convenience Store is a qualified agent for this type of Keno in the area.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Holden Tomorrow: Sel. Ferguson explained that the Committee would present the completed Master Plan to the Board under Agenda Item 5 at tonight’s meeting.
AHC: Has not met
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day: Announced that the Committee would meet on 9/18 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. Sel. Ferguson suggested that the Committee consider adding Police and Fire vehicles to the parade next year.
Sel. Sullivan: HEAT ON: Group is meeting every two weeks to put together a list of sources/agencies/aid to help those in need during the winter months. Financial need/aid forms are available at the Senior Center. Next meeting: 9/18 at 3PM.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Has not met.
Water/Sewer: Has not met.
Sel. White: PSBC: Continues to meet and finalize the design development phase and review of the project estimates. Next meeting: 9/17 at 6PM at HMLD.
Manager Evaluation Process: Chairman White and Sel. Ferguson will evaluate/review the evaluation process and report back to the Board with recommendations within the next month.
HATS OFF Award Presentation
The Board presented Fire Chief Chandler and his staff with a “Hats Off” Award for their dispatch and professionalism in suppressing a South Road house fire on August 4, 2008. Chief Chandler thanked the Board. He recognized the work of the town’s public safety employees of the fire and police departments for their work during a lightening storm in September 2007 and a recent ambulance call.
Chairman White commended the teamwork of the entire public safety staff that makes the Town of Holden a safe place to live.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed an updated Asian Longhorn Beetle Suppression Area map that includes the streets located within the restricted area. Sel. O’Brien offered to invite a USDA Rep to a meeting to provide an update/overview of efforts to remediate the ALB. Assistant Town Manager Kelly reported that USDA officials would not begin to conduct a survey of the Holden area until the end of September beginning of October. The Board agreed to hold a special meeting for the public when the USDA representative presents the update.
The Board reviewed and signed correspondence from James J. Dunbar, Treasurer of the Wachusett Regional School District. According to Treasurer Dunbar, the District recently borrowed a third bond for the high school construction/renovation project in the amount of $6,100,000. This General Obligation School Bond is in addition to two previous borrowings in the total amount of $23,758,000. District Bond Counsel Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge requested that Continuing Disclosure Certificates be executed by each Member Town, signed by the Town Treasurer and a majority of the Board of Selectmen. The Manager clarified that a change in financing of a bond payment by the High School Building Project will lower the amount of member town assessments to taxpayers. He cautioned that this was not found money, but rather a
delay in payment until 2010.
The Manager reported that the Town vs. the Chamber of Commerce softball challenge was won by the Chamber on September 8, 2008. Special thanks go out to Rosemary Johnson for organizing the event, Rich DeWitt the Town’s General Manager, Dave White, Umpire and all those who played and who came out to watch!
The Manager reported that paving along Bailey Road would continue for the next week.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Robert Carter, 9 Blossom Square, extended an invitation to the Board to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Rededication of the High School Renovation Project for Sunday, September 21st at 12PM.
Holden Tomorrow Master Plan Presentation
Holden Tomorrow Committee Co-Chairs Mike Wronski and Barbara Kohlstrom provided an overview of the finished Master Plan. The Master Plan is a guide for decision-making and managing growth within the Town. The Planning Board unanimously voted to approve and endorse the Master Plan.
Mr. Wronski introduced committee members that participated in the Plan’s 2+-year development process.
Sel. Sullivan commended the Committee for creating the Master Plan. He inquired if the Committee intended to bring the plan to Town Meeting for an endorsement vote. Mr. Wronski said that a number of regulations created by the Master Plan would need to be voted on at Town Meeting. Mr. Wronski said that the next step is to create an Implementation Committee to begin to implement the suggestions created by the Master Plan. The Planning Board will be responsible for participating in the creation of the implementation process and monitoring the Implementation Committee.
Sel. O’Brien said that one of the recommendations of the Master Plan is to create a full time Conservation Agent. This position will help to manage many of the ideas in the Master Plan. There is the possibility that grant money will help to fund this position.
A motion was made by Sel. Ferguson and seconded by Sel. O’Brien to discuss that the Holden Board of Selectmen accept with enthusiasm the Holden Tomorrow Master Plan.
Sel. Sullivan requested that the motion be amended to add the words “in principle” due to the fact that he might not approve of every line item in the Plan. The Manager commented that the motion was not to endorse the Plan but just to accept the plan from the Committee.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN ACCEPTS WITH ENTHUSIASM IN PRINCIPAL THE HOLDEN TOMORROW MASTER PLAN AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SEND OFFICIAL LETTERS OF APPRECIATION AND THANKS TO THE HOLDEN TOMORROW ELEMENT TEAMS AND STEERING COMMITTEE.
A motion was made by Sel. O’Brien to direct the Manager to establish a Master Plan Implementation Committee.
Sel. Ferguson and the Manager said that the creation of an Implementation Committee was one of the recommendations of the Master Plan.
The Chairman said that he would like to change the wording “direct” to “request.”
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REQUEST THAT THE MANAGER ESTABLISH A MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE.
Public Hearing – Restaurant All Alcoholic Beverage License – Playa del Carmen Restaurant
The Chairman read the notice of Public Hearing into record.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:56PM.
Attorney John David Ferrer, Framingham, MA said that he represented the applicant. He entered two documents into record: a notice of abutters and lease documents. Mr. Ferrer introduced Ms. Carmen Scaffidi, owner and manager of the restaurant to the Board. Ms. Scaffidi said that she intended to run a family restaurant. She said that she was CARE and TIPS trained in serving alcohol responsibly. There will be no gambling offered in the establishment. She said she was not applying for an entertainment/ music license at the present time. The Board informed Ms. Scaffidi that the Town takes alcohol consumption and the handling of liquor responsibly and seriously. Ms. Scaffidi said that an electronic id checking system would be used at the restaurant. The Chairman cautioned that the restaurant adhere
to the zoning and sign bylaws.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 8:08PM.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT THE APPLICATION OF PLAYA DEL CARMEN MEXICAN RESTAURANT FOR A NEW RESTAURANT ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LICENSE, CARMAN SCAFFIDI, MANAGER OF RECORD AT 700 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, MA AS PRESENTED.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Announced that the Holden Grange would acknowledge the work of the Memorial Day Parade Committee at the Grange meeting in November.
2. Announced Basketball league tryouts being held Sunday, September 23 at HS and Davis Hill on 10/2 www.SCMYBL.net.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Inquired if the Manager has received a response from Verizon regarding expanding its services into Holden. The Manager said he has not received a response from Verizon.
2. Introduced Jared Toll and Cameron Horton who are earning Boy Scout Citizenship of the Community badges. Sel. Sullivan offered his advice as an Eagle Scout Advisor.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Requested that the Board look into scheduling a Regional Selectboard Meeting. He said he was looking for feedback from Paxton, who have the regional representative regarding union negotiations at the High School.
2. Requested an update on the progress with CRA reps. The Chairman said that he would set up a meeting.
3. Inquired where Sel. O’Brien stands on getting his list of questions to the Town Manager for a response. Sel. O’Brien said that he did not think that the Town Manager was interested in answering the questions. Sel. O’Brien said that the vote taken at the last meeting has put the matter to rest and he has received closure and moved on. The Board is receiving timely water/sewer updates.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Inquired about road grading on Chapin Road.
2. Announced that Selectmen’s meetings are being downloaded and may be accessed through the www.townofholden.net website by clicking the HCTV link.
Sel. White: 1. Read a letter crafted by the Administration to Mike and Lauren Stacey, owners of the Blue Plate Farm Stand. The letter thanks the Stacey’s for taking pride in the appearance in the Town of Holden by planting and maintaining the urns along Main Street, and the garden/park area in front of the Blue Plate Farm Stand.
Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2, 2008 AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: Jumonville.)
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 MEETING AT 8:25PM.
Approved: October 6, 2008 as amended
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