HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 2, 2008
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, James Jumonville, Kimberly N. Ferguson, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:41PM), Joseph G. Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Absent: Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman White commended Sel. Jumonville for providing the Board with excellent direction as Chairman for 2007/2008. Chairman White said that he had been elected to serve as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for 2008/2009.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO LOUISE JORDON ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDEN GRANGE FOR THE SALE OF STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE AT THE RED BARN FARM DAY ON SUNDAY, JUNE 15, 2008 FROM 1PM-4PM PENDING FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO DENISE MORANO ON BEHALF OF HOLDEN RECREATION FOR THE SALE OF SNACKS JUNE 24, 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 25, 2008 PENDING FINAL APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO MARILYNN FOLEY ON BEHALF OF THE 250TH PERMANENT GIFT COMMITTEE FOR THE SUMMER CONCERT AND LIGHT-A-LIGHT FROM JUNE 24, 2008 THROUGH AUGUST 17, 2008 AND ON NOVEMBER 30, 2008 OR DECEMBER 7, 2008 AT THE BANDSTAND AND WAIVE ANY PERMIT FEES.
Sel. O’Brien arrived at the meeting at 6:41PM.
The Manager announced that three members of the Zoning Board of Appeals were up for reappointment.
Sel. Ferguson inquired if the Board has ever interviewed members of the Zoning Board of Appeals prior to reappointment. She said she would like to touch base with committee volunteers. The Manager said that in the past, some residents have been reluctant to appear on camera. He added that previous interview sessions of residents by the Selectmen have dampened enthusiasm for serving on town boards and committees. Sel. Ferguson said she would be willing to conduct the interviews prior to a posted meeting. Sel. Sullivan said he did not have a problem with talking to volunteers as long as it is made clear that failure to appear is not a condition of reappointment. The Manager will contact committee members to arrange an interview time.
Chairman White asked the administration to provide a list of residents who have volunteered to serve on a Town Committee (whether appointed or not) within the last year. Sel. O’Brien said he would like a list of the residents who have applied to the Planning Board in the last year.
A motion by Sel. Sullivan and seconded by Sel. O’Brien to appoint Beckley Schowalter to the Cultural Council was discussed.
The Board discussed the Cultural Council appointment. Sel. Ferguson said that she would like to meet the candidate.
The motion makers withdrew their motion.
Police Department Recognition
Police Chief Sherrill introduced Det. Bourget, Officer Santimore and Officer Gribbons, the three officers that successfully investigated and apprehended those involved in the recent fight at the high school. Chief Sherrill said that the School Committee recently recognized the officers for their work in solving the crime.
Chairman White and the Board presented a Hat’s Off Award to recognize the officers for their professional control of the situation and their exemplary service to the Town of Holden.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Sullivan: EMS: Waiting for implementation process to begin.
Sel. White: PSBC: Will meet on June 4th at 6PM at the Light Department. Schematic Design process has finished and the Design Development process has begun. Sel. O’Brien commented that he had met with the Lt. Governor to request the State’s assistance in obtaining grant money for the project.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day: Will discuss during Agenda Item 5.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Not met.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Have not met.
Holden Tomorrow: Met the end of May. Committee will be making a presentation of the Master Plan to the Planning Board soon, with discussion of the Plan scheduled for two-weeks later.
Memorial Day Parade Committee Recognition
The Chairman commended the Committee for bringing back the tradition of a Memorial Day Parade to the residents of Holden.
The Board presented the Committee with a Certificate of Recognition for their dedication in conducting a successful Memorial Day Parade with respect and decorum that honors town veterans past and present.
Citizens’ Address
Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, spoke to the Board’s response to take no action to amendments to the WRSD Agreement at the May Town Meeting. She said that while a recent ballot vote taken by Holden residents showed that 85% of voters wanted the School Committee to downsize, it is not a mandate that the Committee must downsize. Ms. Floryan said she felt that these types of actions by the Selectmen do a disservice to those who served on the Ad-Hoc Committee to review changes to the Regional Agreement.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that a draft policy for vehicle fuel efficiency had been included in their packets for review. Comments, additions or changes should be forwarded to the Town Manager’s office. Discussion was held about the draft policy. The Manager informed the Board that the policy, when complete, would be added to the Town Charter. The Manager reminded the Board that it only advises on policies, it does not make them.
The Manager proved the Board with a summary of the town’s trash and recycling program. The current recycling rate for the last eleven months averages out to be 33.4%. The Manager said that this is among the highest recycling rates in the Commonwealth. Overall, because of the new program, the town has reduced residential trash by 1,900 tons. This reduction has resulted in the town’s avoidance of paying about $103,500 in trash disposal costs at Wheelabrator. He said because of this savings, trash/recycle rates to taxpayers would remain stable for another year. The Manager said that three components would be added to the program in the coming months. 1. An electronics recycling effort will take place in the fall with no disposal costs to residents; 2. The Town will begin a process to
increase paper recycling at the schools; and 3. The Town will develop a target list of residents who are not recycling in order to educate them.
Chairman White asked if the $103,500 the town saved in trash disposal costs was net or gross? The Manager said he would report that information back to the Board. The Chairman also said that he did not see much effort by the Town or Casella at providing recycling/conservation education in the school system. The Manager said that some programs had been run regarding water conservation in the elementary schools. Recycling education has been harder to start-up than previously planned. Sel. Ferguson encouraged the town to add plastic/glass recycling service to the local ball/recreation fields. The Manager added that recycling efforts at recreational areas would begin this summer at the Town Pool.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED INCREASES TO WATER/SEWER RATES ON MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2008 AT 7:30PM AT THE SENIOR CENTER.
The Board encouraged residents to pay attention to their water usage in order to control costs.
The Board reviewed a draft Executive Action to create a Chaffins Recreation Area Study Committee.
The Chairman said he spoke with members of the CRA regarding the status of the property. The Board discussed the make-up of the Committee. While the Board was in agreement that seven members should serve on the Committee, it was much input on where these members should come from. The Manager said that he thought that three members of the CRA, with three members from the Town and one at large member should be able to find common ground for mutual benefit. The Chairman said that he had asked Sel. Jumonville and Sel. Sullivan to serve on the Committee. Additionally, he would also like a member from the Finance Committee to serve. Sel. Ferguson said she thought that a member of the Recreation Committee and a member from Holden Youth Baseball should also be appointed along with members of the Board, Finance
Committee and CRA. The Chairman said he would move forward and a final decision would be announced.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO PROCEED WITH THE EXECUTIVE ACTION TO CREATE THE CHAFFINS RECREATION AREA STUDY COMMITTEE.
The Manager announced that according the Holden Bandstand Committee, all local business are being asked to support the Committee’s summer concert series by making a donation (of any amount) or by sponsoring one of the bands. Eight concerts are scheduled for the summer season and the average band costs approximately $700. Any interested business should contact a member of the Bandstand Committee or the Town Manager’s office for a 2008 Concert Series Sponsorship form.
Sel. Sullivan commented that the concert series is being taken for granted. There are less and less people participating in the concert events. What efforts could the administration make to advertise the series? The Chairman raised an issue regarding electricity used during concert series. What efforts could be made to alleviate citizen volunteer money paying the bill? The Manager said he would make an appropriation in the next budget to cover this bill.
The Board reviewed the Year-To-Date Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the month of April.
The Manager asked the Board to consider setting “summer hours” for Town business offices. He said, traditionally, the Board has voted to open one-half hour earlier and close one-half hour earlier during school summer vacation weeks. He said that this has not negatively affected service to the public and gives employees a welcome change.
Sel. Ferguson inquired about adjusting office hours during the week in order to provide evening hours one-day a week. The Manager said that the Board had raised discussion about this subject before. Collective Bargaining issues need to be worked out. There is interest among employees to offer this type of service. He said that perhaps the town could offer this type of service on a trial basis to gauge interest among residents. One of the suggestions mentioned was closing town offices at noon on Friday in order to stay open late on another day.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DIRECT THE MANAGER TO DRAFT A POLICY TO CLOSE TOWN OFFICES FOR ½ DAY AND STAY OPEN LATE ON ONE EVENING.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET SUMMER HOURS FOR TOWN OFFICES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
The Board reviewed the Selectmen Summer/Fall Meeting Schedule.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE SELECTMEN SUMMER/FALL MEETING SCHEDULE AS PRESENTED.
The Manager announced that the Employee Appreciation Lunch has been scheduled for Friday, June 27th. It will be held at the Trout Brook Recreation area. Sel. O’Brien said he would be unable to attend and inquired if the date could be moved. After a review of the Board’s schedule, it was determined that the date could not be changed.
The Manager reported that paving at the Mount View Tennis Courts would begin this week.
The Board reviewed sewer information.
The Board reviewed a draft version of a “Save The Date” flyer.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Asked the Administration to repair clanking manhole cover at the LCU intersection. The Manager said that the manhole belongs to Charter and they will have to initiate the repair. The Manager commented that the manhole is below the grade and makes a sound anyway; the cover may not in fact be loose.
2. Discussion regarding issuing special passes for visitors to Holden residents. Is there a policy that allows for a temporary pass to be issued? The Manager said that the pool sells a day pass or a season pass can be purchased for $25.00. He said that opening this type of door was dangerous.
3. Discussion of improvement of board relations. Sel. Sullivan said that he had had a discussion with the Chairman about the need to improve relations among board members. Sel. Sullivan announced that he was serving his last year of his last term on the board. Asked that members make a concerted effort to improve the working harmony among members.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Attended the Central Mass Police Chiefs Association luncheon on May 14th at Val’s.
2. Announced the summer events being held at the Gale Free Library.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Commented that the new playground at the Rice School Condominiums is a success. Sel. Sullivan reported that Mrs. Maryann Brockelman is currently coordinating an effort to form a dedication committee for a dedication ceremony to be held during Holden Days.
Sel. White: 1. Follow-up to Water Sewer conservation efforts in town. The Manager said that water conservation efforts were being made within the school system. Town is considering employing the services of Energy New England Water Audit Services. The Town Water Superintendent reports that residents are using approximately 60-65 gallons per person per day, which is the gallon amount that the DEP would like to mandate local communities to. The Chairman inquired if the Administration has considered sending out a water conservation pamphlet to residents to remind them that water is a commodity that costs twice – once to purchase and once to dispose. Sel. O’Brien said he would like to follow-up with the top water usage residential customers to educate them on conservation issues. Sel.
Sullivan said that there was a presentation at the most recent MMA conference regarding water conservation efforts. Sel. Ferguson asked about running a “Wait till Eight” program to encourage residents to use water and electricity after peak purchase hours. The Manager said that it might be necessary to hire a Communications Consultant in order to make some of these requests happen.
2.Inquired about cleaning up the greenspace at the intersection of Shrewsbury and Main Streets. The Manager said that the Sheriff’s office would be contacted to inquire about labor services.
3.Inquired about maintenance efforts at keeping crabgrass at bay along Holden Street. The Manager said that DPW Superintendent Rich DeWitt has a chemical treatment plan in process.
4.Asked if there was an update on the purchase and installation of message boards in town? The Manager said that only one message board had made it through the budget process and that the project was going out for a specification bid.
5.The Manager reported and amicable solution was reached in regards to the incident involving the Dog Officer and the Cournoyer family.
6.The Board held discussion regarding the skateboard issues in Town. Is there a need to revisit a skateboard park in town? The Manager said that the previous Skateboard Park at the Dawson Recreation Area did not work; kids still continued to skateboard in public areas. The Board discussed referring the issue to the Recreation Department and placing the item on a future Regional Selectmen’s Agenda. The Chairman said that the Town of Northboro had success with their skateboard park and suggested that the Administration call them to discuss those details.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Requested a review of Town Committees and their vacancies.
2. Thanked members of the Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troops, and members of the Committee for their efforts to make the Memorial Day Parade a success.
Follow-up to Citizens’ Address
Sel. Sullivan said that every effort was made to communicate to the School District that the citizens of Holden feel that the size of the School Committee is too large. The Chairman said that citizens can not make a change to the agreement unless the School Committee deems that a change is necessary. There is an outcry of citizens who want a change and yet nothing can be done. The perception is that Board can change Regional Agreement, but that is not true. The Board communicated that by ballot vote the majority of residents wanted a change to the size of the School Committee and the School Committee chose to ignore the request.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MAY 13, 2008 REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES AND ADD THE SENTENCE THAT “SEL. SULLIVAN DECLINED THE POSITION OF CLERK.” (ABSTAINED: O’BRIEN.)
The Chairman requested that the Recording Secretary email the May 13, 2008 Executive Session Minutes to him for distribution to the Board.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MAY 19, 2008 TOWN MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FOLLOWING CHANGES: CHANGE THE WORD “REPLACEMENT” IN THE SECOND PARAGRAPH ON PAGE TWO TO “FRONT LINE RESPONSE”; REMOVE THE WORDS “AND SEL. O’BRIEN” FROM THE FOURTH AND FIFTH PARAGRAPHS.
After some discussion, the Board agreed to hold the Meeting Minutes of May 5, 2008 for content review.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:45PM TO DISCUSS THE NON-UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL: Ferguson: yes; Sullivan: yes; White: yes; O’Brien: yes; Jumonville: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 2, 2008 MEETING AT 9:50PM.
Approved: June 16, 2008
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