HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 7, 2009
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Anthony Renzoni, David White, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:34PM)
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Ferguson opened the meeting at 6:00PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO CARLA MURPHY AND HELVERCIO PERPERTUO d/b/a HOLDEN SPA FOR 2009 AND 2010, SUNDAY – SATURDAY 6AM – 4PM PENDING THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE WHITE PAPER FOR ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWALS FOR 2010 AS PRESENTED.
Sel. O’Brien arrived at 6:34PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE ESTABLISHMENTS ON THE BLUE PAPER FOR ANNUAL LICENSE RENEWALS FOR 2010 PENDING THEIR COMPLIANCE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Selectmen Appointments
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S REAPPOINTMENT OF ANTHONY COSTELLO AND MATTHEW KENNEDY TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S REAPPOINTMENT OF LEE HILL, LOUISE HUGO, IDA NYSTROM, AND NANCY ROCHELEAU TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
The Board invited Charlotte Hanks who is up for reappointment with the Holden Historic District Commission, to an interview session with the Selectmen on December 21, 2009 at 6PM. Currently, there is one vacancy and 2 alternate positions open on the Historic District Commission. The Manager said the Administration would schedule any other candidates for interview to fill vacancies on Commissions/Committees during that time as well.
The Manager introduced Mr. James Robinson as the new General Manager of the Light Department. Mr. Robinson has over 30 years in the industry, the last 20 as a Vice President of Nuclear Power with National Grid. Some residents may remember Mr. Robinson for his work and calming influence at the Light Department during the Ice Storm of 2008. Mr. Robinson is also a 20-year resident of the Town. Mr. Robinson will start his new position with the Town on February 1, 2010. The Board congratulated and welcomed Mr. Robinson to his new career at the Light Department.
2009 AAA of Southern New England – Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Awards
Police Chief George Sherrill presented the Board with pedestrian and traffic safety awards the Town recently received from AAA of Southern New England. The Town has over 30-years without a pedestrian fatality. The Board congratulated Chief Sherrill and his staff for their continued excellent service to the Town.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
Fire Chief Chandler, announced that the Fire Department recently received two grants. A grant prepared by Dean Kochanowski was awarded from MIIA in the amount of $4,942. This money will be used to acquire specialized equipment for confined space rescues. Once the equipment is purchased, training will be conducted by the Fire Department for Light Department, Water-Sewer, and other public safety personnel. The second grant prepared by Dave Chapin and Lean Francese-Wood for $2,392 will be used to continue in-school and senior citizen fire safety programs.
The Board reviewed Year-To-Date Revenue and Expense Reports for October 2009. The Manager will forward the EMS first quarter report to the Board.
The Board reviewed the project timeline for the scope of work to be completed for the regional dispatch study.
The Manager suggested that the Selectmen allow for business offices to close at 12 Noon on the Day before Christmas, December 24, 2009 and all Town employees appreciate this traditional gesture at the Holidays. Additionally, the Manager asked the Board to consider closing Town offices that are open late on Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at 4PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE TOWN OFFICES AT 12PM ON DECEMBER 24, 2009 AND AT 4PM ON DECEMBER 22, 2009.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan/Implementation: Next Meeting 12/14.
Sel. O’Brien: Water/Sewer: Discussion regarding controlling pollution at the EMC site. Will be contacting the DEP to get pumps restarted to help remediate the toxic plume. He reported that repair of Worcester water meter on West Mountain Street will not be completed till spring. Chairman Ferguson said Worcester DPW personnel said the meter would be repaired by January 2010. Sel. O’Brien said that Holden DPW Director Shuris gave him the completion date. Chairman Ferguson will follow up.
EDC: Has not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Will begin double meetings in January 2010.
Civil Service: Will schedule one more meeting in January to finish the final report. Committee anticipates making a report to the Board in February.
Sel. White: PSBC: Concrete and drywall installation continue. Good weather through the fall has benefited the project.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Selectmen Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 30, 2009 AS PRESENTED WITH A CORRECTION TO THE AJOURNMENT TIME.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. White: 1. Power Advisory Board will meet to review the Light Department budget on 12/15 at 7PM at the Light Department. Sel. O’Brien said he planned to attend the meeting. Sel. White requested that the Board received a draft copy of the budget as soon as possible to begin the review process.
2. Mr. Gary Kaczmarek, Building Project Manager is preparing a report on the status of the municipal building repairs and total budget expenditures to date. The report will be forwarded to the Board as soon as it is available. Sel. O’Brien commented that the repairs to date have greatly improved the aesthetics and conditions of the buildings. Thanks to Gary Kaczmarek and DPW Director Shuris for their management of the repairs.
Selectmen Miscellaneous was interrupted for Citizens’ Address.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Employee Recognition
The Manager and the Board recognized those employees celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 35 years of service with the Town.
Selectmen Miscellaneous (reopened)
Sel. White: 3. Wind Turbine with the School District. The Manager reported that the District’s solar power initiative program with the Massachusetts Energy Collaborative has been put on hold while it is being reevaluated. A decision will be announced in the near future. The Town continues its participation in the Berkshire Wind Project in order to balance its energy portfolio. Sel. White said that the Board not only has an interest in buying green power, but becoming an “owner” in a green power production in order to save on costs associated with buying the power. The HMLD should be working in partnership with the District on this project.
4. The Flag was recently at half-staff at the Light Department – why? The Manager said it was a directive from the Commonwealth of MA in honor of those recently killed in the Iraq war.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Discussed the use of free cash and the possibility of allocating a percentage of free cash back into a stabilization account. He said he would like the Board to discuss this idea during the upcoming budget process. The Chairman requested Sel. O’Brien forward a copy of this policy from the Town of Westminster for the Board to review.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. The Board is posted for a joint meeting with the School District on December 17th at 7PM at Memorial Hall.
2. Congratulations to the undefeated Wachusett Football team on their winning season.
Executive Session
The Chairman requested the Selectmen vote to move into Executive Session to discuss non-union contract negotiations.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:31PM TO DISCUSS NON-UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL VOTE: Renzoni: yes; Jumonville: yes; O’Brien: yes; White: yes; Ferguson: yes.
11. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 7, 2009 MEETING AT 8:45PM.
APPROVED: December 21, 2009
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