HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 17, 2008
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:41PM), Joseph 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.
Licenses
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO OLGA KWASNIEWSKI d/b/a THAI ISLAND LLC TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2008, MONDAY-SUNDAY 11:30AM – 9:30PM PENDING FINAL APPROVAL FROM VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS.
CERT (Community Emergency Response Team)
Fire Chief Jack Chandler introduced members of the CERT. Members of CERT are trained to provide emergency/disaster response/relief when needed. He said that Sterling Police Chief Chamberlain recently recognized CERT for their help this fall at the Sterling Fair. Team Coordinator Rebecca Evanoff explained that CERT is looking to expand its membership. Interested parties should contact CERT at Holden.CERT@gmail.com for more information. Members meet one Thursday a month for training and are called upon for service as needed.
Selectmen’s Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Holden Tomorrow: Met at the end of October. Voted to send a letter to the Manager regarding the Implementation Committee.
AHC: Announced that a lottery will be held for several AH units at Wachusett Woods. Units are $166,600. December 9th informational meeting. January 5, 2009 application deadline. The lottery will be held on January 20, 2009.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day: Did not meet this month. Committee anticipates meeting in December.
Sel. Sullivan: Help at H.O.M.E.: Financial need/aid forms are available at the Senior Center.
CRA:
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Next Meeting is 11/18.
Water/Sewer: Met on 11/6. Reported on a discussion regarding the sewer trunk line and the tie in by Anna Maria College. Money to pay for repairs will be made available for repairs once W/S use from the college increases. The Manager will investigate repairs to potential bottleneck situation at Bancroft Road. Questions should be routed through DPW Director Jim Shuris for answers. Committee is looking for a possible Special Town Meeting date. Sel. Ferguson said that the Board is looking for feedback from the Water/Sewer Committee prior to proceeding with a Special Town Meeting. She suggested that the W/S Committee Chair contact Chairman White for further discussion.
Sel. White: PSBC: Prequalification of approximately 13 General Contractors and 90 subcontractors continues. Must be approved during the prequalification process in order to bid on the project. Committee anticipates the project going out to bid on January 15, 2009. Next meeting is November 19th at 6PM at HMLD.
Manager Evaluation Process: The Board will discuss during Agenda Item 6.
Explorer Post Program Update
Fire Chief Chandler introduced Holden Firefighter Mike Rosen who coordinates the Holden Explorer Post Program. Chief Chandler announced that Mr. Rosen has been appointed to the State Fire Task Force Board and also serves at the Explorer Post State Junior Coordinator. Mr. Rosen announced that the Holden explorer Post Program would serve as a model for the Statewide program. He is currently in the process of establishing a new Post in Clarksburg, MA. Members of Explorer Post’s are now eligible for college scholarships. Mr. Rosen said he anticipates holding training for Post members at the Massachusetts Fire Fighting Academy in Stow, MA in the spring of 2009. Board members congratulated Mr. Rosen for his continued success with the expansion of the Explorer Post Program.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Robert Carter, 9 Blossom Square, representing the School Committee, addressed the Board. He informed the Board that the District hired an Energy Management consulting firm to provide an energy savings audit to District schools. These efforts anticipate providing the District Schools with almost 1.1M in energy savings. The Program will be implemented at the high school next year. Mr. Carter said that the energy consultant cost $138,000 per year for 5 years. If the District does not save at least the consultant’s fee annually, the consultant is required to pay the difference.
Sel. Sullivan said that while in its early stages, he expressed concerns that parking lots be lit adequately to ensure nighttime safety.
Sel. Ferguson inquired why Central Tree cost avoidance of 200K. Why such a huge savings at a new school? Mr. Carter said he would follow up with an answer to Sel. Ferguson’s question.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager announced the culmination of several years’ of discussions with the Commonwealth of MA, Department of Conservation and Recreation concerning a mutual interest in the town acquiring a parcel of DCR owned land located in the middle of the Dawson Recreation Area. Parcel “D” consisting of approximately 7.25 acres has been under a long-term lease with the DCR for 40-plus years. The DCR has agreed to trade the Dawson parcel for another parcel of equal value that is currently not under watershed protection. The Town owns an 11.6-acre parcel of land-locked land adjacent to Unionville Pond that meets the DCR’s requirements. The process will require special legislation be filed by our legislative representatives, Senator Chandler and Representative Evangelidis. John Scannell, Regional
Director with the DCR will provide sample legislation to be filed in January 2009. An appraisal of both properties will be completed by the DCR and presented to the MA Water Resource Board for a vote. The transaction will become final upon authorization by a Holden Town Meeting vote next spring, approval of the Ways and Means Committee, and a vote of the Legislature.
The Chairman inquired about the possibility of the Town acquiring a parcel of DCR-owned land north of Dawson school. The Manager said that the DCR excluded this parcel from discussion. DCR has no interest in releasing this land from its inventory. The Manager informed the Board that the DCR placed a building restriction/condition on the acquisition where no buildings will be allowed to be constructed on the property in question.
The Manager informed the Board that one final Fall Leaf Composting and Brush Chipping collection will be held on November 22 from 8AM-2:30PM. Leaf composting collection will be held at the River Street site and brush chipping will be held at the Adams Road facility.
According to Growth Management Director Dennis Lipka, the Electronics Recycling event held at the Senior Center on November 8th was a success. The Town partnered with Metech Corporation, an electronics recycling firm located in Worcester. A fee charged to each vehicle covered the cost of the event. In the first hour, over 40 vehicles were counted. By the end of the event, over 200 vehicles passed through the recycling line, leaving behind 30,000-35,000 pounds of materials for recycling. Based on the success of the electronics collection, the Chairman inquired about the possibility of holding a hazardous materials collection in town in the future. The Manager said he would report back to the Board.
The Manager informed the Board that the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board will hold a meeting on Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 7PM at the Light Department Community Room. Chairman White requested that the Board receive the Light Department Budget in mid-December.
The Manager reminded residents that Town offices would be closed Thursday, November 27th and Friday, November 28th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Town Manager Performance Evaluation Draft Document Review
The Board reviewed comments made by the Town Manager regarding the proposed draft of the Town Manager’s Performance Evaluation. The Board held discussion regarding these comments.
Sel. O’Brien asked that when the Manager does his year-end summary, if he could write about how he motivates the employees.
The Manager expressed concern about dropping a portion of the evaluation regarding the management of town departments. Residents judge the town by the service of its departments. The Manager should have some tangible evaluation of the performance of the services that these departments deliver. Sel. O’Brien and Sel. Sullivan concurred and said that the Board sets goals for the Manager and there needs to be a way to measure the goals and services that the town provides. Sel. Ferguson said that the Board would consider the Manager’s suggestion to add a section to have one category to evaluate all town services.
Sel. Sullivan suggested that there were some duplications/overlap in Overall Leadership from 10-16. Sel. Sullivan handed in some items from the previous evaluation that he would like to see included in the new format. He also suggested that a HR professional review the new evaluation for legal comment. Town Counsel will have document reviewed by the Labor Department.
Chairman said that this new evaluation will list the Board’s goals for the Manager and he will be evaluated on the success/failure of those goals.
The Board agreed that they were happy with the improved evaluation format.
Chairman White and Sel. Ferguson are to review comments and suggestions and will return at the first meeting in December with another draft document for comment/approval. Changes made to the document will be highlighted/identifiable.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Reported that a large tree fell on his father’s house and Town response from the Police and Light Department was excellent and efficient.
2. Maintenance of municipal buildings update. The Manager reported that the DPW Director is developing a plan. Lamoreaux Pagano is currently developing a priority plan. Improvements have been made to improve security at Town Hall and the Starbard Building, and temporary repairs have been made to the Damon House for the winter. Repairs scheduled for the spring include scrape and paint of the buildings. Historic District Commission does not want to side the buildings. The Manager commented that it is cheaper and more energy efficient to side. The Manager is to share LP final report when it is available. Extensive amount of repair work required to Town Hall/Damon House/Starbard Building. The Manager said that when the repairs have been made, a maintenance plan would be established.
Sel. Sullivan requested a matrix of repair options and their costs for review. Town Counsel said that old, historic homes require maintenance/repair every 3-5 years.
3. Commented that the DPW Director does not have W/S financial information available at his office and has to go to the Light Department. The Manager said that this access is available to the DPW Director, Water Supervisor and the DPW administrator. Sel. O’Brien requested a list of current IT projects.
4. Reported that recently, there were no lights at Big Y Plaza during the night. Concerned about shopper safety and that flag is currently not illuminated. This is a property management issue and Manager suggested that Sel. O’Brien take his concerns to the Big Y Management. The Manager said he would also call the management at Big Y.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. White: 1. Orbit Pizza reopened on November 10th. He said that the owners were appreciative of support from the Administration and the community.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Nothing to report.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 3, 2008 MINUTES WITH AN AMENDMENT BY SEL. FERGUSON TO ADD THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE TO “H” UNDER TOWN MANAGER’S MISCELLANEOUS: TAXPAYERS ARE FEELING THE FINANCIAL HIT AND HOPES THIS IS A FEW YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 17, 2008 MEETING AT 8:20PM.
Approved: December 1, 2008
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