HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 6, 2008
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Kenneth O’Brien, Joseph Sullivan
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Employee Recognition – Lt. Don Ball – Retired
The Board presented Lieutenant Donald A. Ball with a Certificate of Recognition for his distinguished and respected 37-year career in law enforcement. Police Chief Sherrill commended Lt. Ball for his career contributions to the Holden Police Department. Lt. Ball retired from Town service in May 2008.
Representative Evangelidis presented Lt. Ball with a Citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for his service to the Town.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Hours
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET HALLOWEEN TRICK OR TREAT HOURS ON OCTOBER 31, 2008 FROM 5PM TO 8:30PM.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE WITH ADMISSION CHARGED TO JODI NETTINGER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2008 FROM 9AM-4PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE - BAKE SALE TO JODI NETTINGER ON BEHALF OF THE MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2008 FROM 9AM-4PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE – BAKE TABLE TO CARL SCHAVONE ON BEHALF OF COLONY RETIREMENT HOMES RESIDENT COUNCIL FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2008 FROM 9AM-1PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO VALEDA C. SCHMUCKI FOR A BAKE TABLE ON BEHALF OF THE FRIENDS OF HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING FOR SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2008 FROM 9AM-3PM.
Acceptance of Donations – Town of Holden Senior Van Program
Mr. Robert, David and Christine Oriol presented a check for $15,000 to assist the town in the purchase of a Senior Van. Mrs. Susan Sullivan and members of the Holden Council on Aging accepted the check for the Senior Van with gratitude. Additionally, the Oriol Family presented a check for $10,000 to Fire Chief Chandler to assist the town in the purchase of an ambulance.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT WITH GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN A GIFT OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000) FROM THE HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE TOWN IN THE PURCHASE OF A VAN TO SERVE THE TOWN’S SENIOR CENTER AND THE GIFT OF TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,000) TO ASSIST THE TOWN IN THE PURCHASE OF AN AMBULANCE TO SERVE THE TOWN’S FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THAT THIS ACCEPTANCE BEING SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT ANY VEHICLES PURCHASED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITH SUCH DONATED FUNDS SHALL INCLUDE AN APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION OF THE DONORS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT SAID FUNDS TO BE HELD IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN TREASURER AND MAY BE EXPENDED AS AFORESAID BY THE TOWN MANAGER WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION.
The Board thanked the Oriol family for their generous donations and for their continued care and concern of the elderly in the community.
The Holden Council on Aging presented the Town with a check for $15,000 to assist in the purchase of a Senior Van. Council on Aging Chairman Reverend Jerry Heslinga introduced Committee members Rick Mansfield, Susan Sullivan and Al Ferron.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT WITH GRATITUDE ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN A GIFT OF FIFTEEN THOUSAND DOLLARS ($15,000) FROM THE HOLDEN COUNCIL ON AGING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE TOWN IN THE PURCHASE OF A VAN TO SERVE THE TOWN’S SENIOR CENTER AND THAT THIS ACCEPTANCE BEING SUBJECT TO THE CONDITION THAT ANY VEHICLES PURCHASED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, WITH SUCH DONATED FUNDS SHALL INCLUDE AN APPROPRIATE RECOGNITION OF THE DONORS ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT SAID FUNDS TO BE HELD IN A SEPARATE ACCOUNT WITH THE TOWN TREASURER AND MAY BE EXPENDED AS AFORESAID BY THE TOWN MANAGER WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION.
Citizens’ Address
Sel. O’Brien introduced Eagle Scout Chris Hanson who built nature trails behind Mayo School. These trails serve to support the educational curriculum at the school.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: Holden Tomorrow: will meet October 21st.
AHC: Has not met
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day: Committee will meet October 14th.
Sel. Sullivan: Help At Home: Group is meeting every two weeks to put together a list of sources/agencies/aid to help those in need during the winter months. Committee has created a booklet on how people can help themselves during these difficult financial times. The booklet has been sent out to print. Financial need/aid forms are available at the Senior Center.
CRA: Group to meet November 11th in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room at 6:30PM.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Waiting to schedule a meeting with the Growth Management Department.
Water/Sewer:
Sel. White: PSBC: Will meet to discuss geothermal/green energy options for the building at a special meeting on 10/8 at the Senior Center.
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.
High School Building Committee: Attended the rededication event at the High School.
Asian Longhorn Beetle Update
The Manager introduced Tom Denholm, Federal Program Director with the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program. Mr. Denholm provided the Board with a history of the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) and details of the eradication program. The state of Massachusetts is the 4th state to have an ALB infestation. Tree removal includes all infested host trees with the right to cut down further trees on a case by case basis, treatment of trees in close proximity with a pesticide for three consecutive years, and a replanting program. The USDA is in the process of training local tree removal professionals and landscapers. Removal and treatment costs and replacement costs will be born by the program. No infested trees have been found in Holden. One ALB was been found on Brattle Street in Holden.
Residents may call 508-799-8327 or 508-799-8330 for questions. Mr. Denholm said that the USDA would contact the Town Manager’s Office when the ground inspection process begins in Holden. Sel. O’Brien suggested the use of the Reverse 911 system to notify residents when inspections begin.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager apprised the Board that the Light Department has engaged an independent consultant to explore and recommend possible long-term power contracts that would benefit the department and its customers and reduce overall exposure to the open market. This action could potentially reduce the short-term market exposure by as much as 50%. The current market exposure is about 40% of the total power portfolio and the contract has the potential of reducing that exposure to 20%. The Agreement would provide monthly blocks of energy during on-peak and off-peak hours. The term of the contract would be an initial three-month period with possible extensions of three months.
The Manager explained that the Board of Selectmen, acting as Light Commissioners has in the past authorized the Light Manager to execute power purchase agreements for base load and peaking power. The current authorization allows the Light Manager to purchase projects under 1.0MW with a term not to exceed 10 years and a 5.0MW project with a term not to exceed 1 year. In order to finalize the pending power contract, the Manager acting as the Light Manager recommends that the Selectmen renew their authorization pursuant to the previous arrangement and increase the term of 5.0MW projects to three (3) years.
Sel. O’Brien said that he opposed the authorization because he did not want to give one person the power to make power purchases. He said that as Light Department Commissioners, the Board should be appraised of each purchase before it is made. Additionally, Sel. O’Brien said he would like a succession plan developed for the light department.
The Chairman inquired that rather than broadening the authority of the purchaser, the Board acting as Light Commissioners could have just voted to approve the purchase of the power contract. He requested that the Board meet with the power consultants to better understand the power market and the purchases made by the Light Department. Chairman White said that he too would like to pursue a potential succession plan for the Light Department.
Town Counsel cautioned the Board against discussion of the succession plan, that could be perceived as a discussion regarding the Manager’s retirement. Chairman White said that he did not say the word retirement and in no way implied it by requesting the succession plan.
The Manager said that he always returns to the Board to explain a purchase when one is made.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO RENEW AUTHORIZATION FOR THE TOWN/LIGHT MANAGER TO EXECUTE POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS WITH MMWEC FOR BASE LOAD AND PEAKING POWER BASED ON THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS: 1. AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 1.0MW PER PROJECT WITH A TERM NOT TO EXCEED 10 YEARS; 2. AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 5.0 MW PER PROJECT WITH A TERM NOT TO EXCEED 3 YEARS; 3. AUTHORIZATION DURING RENEWABLE BY VOTE OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN (ACTING IN THEIR CAPACITY AS LIGHT COMMISSIONERS) EVERY TWO YEARS; AND 4. THE MANAGER WILL INFORM THE MUNICPAL ELECTRIC POWER ADVISORY BOARD AND THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN/LIGHT COMMISSIONERS OF THE DETAILS AND POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS OF EACH PURCHASE AND APPRISE THEM, WHEN FEASIBLE, OF POTENTIAL PROJECTS. (OPPOSED: O’BRIEN.)
The Manager informed the Board that the Town has a long-term purchase power agreement with the Power Authority of the State of New York Power (PASNY) that results in relatively low cost electric power due partly to a transmission credit that the Town of Holden passes along to our residential customers. As of July 1, 2008, our residential customers received what has come to be known as a “NYPA” credit of $.01500 per kilowatt-hour of usage. During the late spring and early summer months, transmission costs unexpectedly and sharply increased due to congestion and other factors. As a result, HMLD costs to purchase this hydropower have increased and the Town can no longer offer the same level of credit to its customers if it is to cover PASNY costs. Effective in the October billings, the HMLD will pass along a
reduction in the NYPA credit. The credit will be decreased by one-half cent ($.0500) per kilowatt-hour.
Last July 1, 2008, the HMLD implemented an increase in the PASNY credit while simultaneously increasing the PCA that was to be effective through the end of December 2008. However, the sharp increase in PASNY costs have necessitated this precipitous action. The Manager reported that while the Light Department is not adjusting the PCA at this time, it will be looking at the PCA and need to adjust it in November to adequately recover the costs before the close of the fiscal year. According to Craig Rovelli, Power Supply Analyst for the MA Municipal Wholesale Electric Company, it appears that subsequent actions taken by the New York ISO have effectively decreased the higher costs of NYPA transmission and congestion. The extend of the decrease will not be known for at least 60-days. For the purposes of planning,
MMWEC has projected that the high NYPA costs will continue in the foreseeable future, although at a somewhat lower level than the spring and summer months’ peak.
The Board suspended Town Manager’s Miscellaneous at 8PM to allow Senator Chandler and Representative Evangelidis to address the Board.
Senator Harriet Chandler and Representative Lew Evangelidis
Senator Chandler discussed Ballot Question 1, a binding referendum on the November ballot that would abolish the State Income Tax. She reported that the State Income Tax raises 12.5 billion dollars which equates to 40% of the State Budget. If Question 1 were to pass, this loss of revenue to the State Budget would require massive budget cuts. She said that the Massachusetts Municipal Association was opposed to Question 1. Senator Chandler urged residents to educate themselves on the issue by going to www.masstaxpayers.org to read a report on the enormous consequences of Question 1.
Representative Evangelidis reported that he had voted against this year’s State Budget because he felt it was unsupportable and unsustainable. He said that both the House and Senate are reducing their budgets by 10% and that the Governor was expected to cut his budget by 7%. Similar cuts will be made to State agencies as well. The passage of Question 1 would have a significant impact on local and educational support.
Sel. Sullivan said that the State has a history of taking local aid and implored upon Senator Chandler and Rep. Evangelidis to protect what little local money the Town receives. Rep. Evangelidis promised never to vote to take local aid or educational money.
End of the quarter figures will be forwarded to the Town Manager and the Finance Committee for budget planning purposes.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous (reopened)
The Manager informed the Board that as of September 30th, the Town’s extended business office hours trial had spanned twelve Tuesdays. Over time, the offices of Growth Management, Town Clerk, Assessors, Treasurer/Collector, Town Manager/IT, Accounting, DPW Administration, and Light Department kept track of the number of walk-ins and telephone calls that occurred after 4PM. All offices received a total of 242 walk-in customers and 176 phone calls. The data does not include the numerous outgoing business calls and appointments made by town staff during this time period. The Light Department had the most response with 73 visits and 84 incoming calls. The Town Clerk’s Office was next with 65 walk-ins and 20 calls. Various staff in the Assessors Office and Light Department reported that
they were able to schedule appointments and could more effectively make contact with customers after customers returned home from work. Also, the hours after 4PM were more quiet in the offices and work was accomplished more efficiently without interruption. The Manager added that while positive feedback was received from residents about the extended hours on Tuesday’s, a few customers complained about the offices being closed on Friday afternoons.
Among the thirty-five employees involved in the extended schedule, reaction was positive overall. However, there were a few employees who do not like extended hours. When polled, staff suggested that the Town consider closing all day on Friday during the winter months to save on the energy. The same number of hours would be spread across four days, with the extended day remaining on Tuesday. This concept would be addressed with the Selectmen at a future date when more data on the public’s response to the extended day and potential energy savings is available.
The Manager recommended that the Selectmen keep the existing schedule for a further 3-month trial period through the end of January 2009. Offices will continue to track the number of visits and calls that occur.
Sel. O’Brien said that he had received several complaints from employees regarding the extended schedule and would not support a motion to extend the trial period.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO KEEP THE EXISTING EXTENDED DAY SCHEDULE FOR A FURTHER 3-MONTH TRIAL PERIOD THROUGH THE END OF JANUARY 2009. (OPPOSED: O’BRIEN.)
The Board reviewed a memo from Denise Morano, Recreation Director regarding a pool closing update and information regarding a skate park.
Chairman White requested that the Manager’s Office continue to follow-up with keeping the Town Pool open through Labor Day. It was suggested that a financial reward/bonus could be paid to those lifeguards who stay on through the end of the summer season as an incentive.
The Board reviewed the Year-To-Date Revenue and Expenditure Reports for August 2008 as prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
The Board reviewed a summary of the Selectmen’s 2010 Budget Goals. Chairman White asked the Board to prioritize their first five goals and forward them to the Manager’s Office.
Sel. Ferguson left the meeting at 8:50PM
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Reported a pothole in front of high school.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. White: 1. Nothing to report
Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 AS PRESENTED AND CHANGE SELECTMEN FERGUSON’S SEL. MISCELLANEOUS ON PAGE FOUR TO READ “ Inquired about road grading on Chapin Rd.”
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. White, it was VOTED 2-0-2 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE JOINT MEETING MINUTES WITH THE IIF OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2008 AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: Sullivan, Jumonville.)
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2008 AS PRESENTED AND STRIKE THE SENTENCE REGARDING DISCUSSION OF THE 4-DAY WORKWEEK.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 6, 2008 MEETING AT 9:00PM.
Approved: October 20, 2008
| 
