HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 6, 2009
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Joseph Sullivan, Kenneth O’Brien
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.
Board Committees and Vacancies
The Manager announced the following vacancies on Town Boards and Committees: 250th Bandstand (2), Affordable Housing Partnership Committee (1), Board of Assessors (1), Cable Advisory Committee (2), Conservation Commission (1), Council on Aging (4), Cultural Council (2), Economic Development Commission (1), Historic District Commission (1 + 2 alternates), Infrastructure Investment Fund (1), Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board (1), Water Sewer Advisory Board (1), Holden Tomorrow Monitoring Committee (2+).
Selectmen Licenses
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE FOR LIVE ENTERTAINMENT ON SUNDAYS 1PM-12AM TO JORGE C. GUZMAN FOR PLAYA DEL CARMEN MEXICAN FAMILY RESTAURANT PENDING FINAL APPROVAL FROM POLICE, FIRE, BUILDING/ZONING AND HEALTH DEPARTMENTS.
Democratic Town Committee – Good Neighbor Award
Ms. Jane Arntz, a member of the Democratic Town Committee introduced the 2009 winners of the Democratic Town Committee’s Good Neighbor Award. This is the 14th year the DTC has awarded the honor to those residents who give back to their community. The Board presented a Certificate of Recognition to Eric and Lois Johansen and Larry and Lori Altobeli for their volunteer efforts in Town. Mr. Johansen introduced his life long friend Jim Ascyante, who presented a gift to the Holden Light Department employees for their work and dedication during the December 2008 Ice Storm. The gift will be on display at the HMLD.
Oriol Property
Mr. Bob and Dave Oriol announced that they recently purchased the 22-acres of the former Holden Hospital property. They announced that while they intend to begin renovations to their long-term care facility located on the property, they did not have any immediate expanded plans for the property.
The Board thanked the Oriol family for their continued interest in the community of Holden. They encouraged the Oriol family to keep the Town updated on their plans for the property.
Holden Hills Conservation Restriction
The Manager announced that the Holden Planning Board recently unanimously voted to lift the 55 and over age restriction on the Holden Hills development in exchange for the placement of a Conservation Restriction on the 100-acre Holden Hills Golf Course. The Manager said that both the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission felt that the benefits of the Conservation Restriction far outweigh any negative impacts of lifting the age restriction from the one and two bedroom condominium units.
Ms. Pam Harding, Senior Planner, addressed the Board. She informed the Selectmen that the conservation agreement includes an owner’s agreement to allow passive recreation on the property.
Additionally, the restriction allows the owner 2 acres along Mt. Pleasant Drive for the construction of two house lots.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE HOLDEN HILLS GOLF COURSE CONSERVATION RESTRICTION AS PRESENTED.
CMDART – Central Mass Disaster Animal Response Team
Ms. JoAnn Griffin with CMDART, and Rebecca Evanoff with CERT, introduced the concept of the Central Massachusetts Disaster Animal Relief Team, a charitable, non-profit organization that provides information, training, support, supplies and personnel to help plan, prepare and respond to aid animals affected by man-made or natural disasters. Ms. Griffin asked the Town to consider signing a Memorandum of Understanding between Holden and CMDART. CMDART will then maintain a list of trained volunteers who would assist the town with animal preparedness efforts and crisis situations. Applications to volunteer with CMDART may be obtained at www.cmdart.org. A link through the town web site can be made through Emergency Management/CERT. CMDART information will also be available at the Town Clerk’s office. Ms. Griffin encouraged the town to seek a storage facility for animals and supplies during an emergency.
Sel. O’Brien commended Ms. Evanoff and the CERT Team for their efforts during the December 2008 Ice Storm.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT AN AGREEMENT IN PRINCIPLE WITH CMDART THROUGH CERT.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed the Year-To-Date Revenue and Expenditure reports for the period ending February 28, 2009 as prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
The Manager announced that the Towns web site has received an E-Government Award from Common Cause of Massachusetts. The award was upgraded to be among the 50 communities who received “added distinction” for posting document archive of agendas and minutes, including school committee documents, a community calendar, and zoning by-laws.
The Board reviewed the confirmation of the dedication page for the 2008 Town Report.
The Board reviewed the Holden Recreation Summer 2009 program brochure. Passes went on sale April 1, 2009. As last year, non-resident pool passes will be sold on a first come, first served basis.
The Manager announced that the Town received a letter from the Office of the Governor certifying that the Town of Holden’s Chapter 90 apportionment for Fiscal 2010 will be $440,595.
The Manager announced that composting will be accepted at the River Street location on Saturday, April 18, April 25, May 2, May 9, and May 16. In an effort to reduce the spread of the Asian Long horned Beetle, a State order prohibits drop-off of any wood or tree limbs greater than .5”. Due to the town wide brush collection program being conducted by the DCR, the town will not provide chipping services at the Adams Road DPW Garage location this spring.
The Manager informed the Board that the Gale Free Library will accept donations to the Wachusett Food Pantry in lieu of library fines during the month of April.
Storm Response Update – FEMA Application
The Manager informed the Board that dates for the start of brush pick-up by the DCR have not been determined. He added that when work does commence, the DCR anticipates a quick turn around in town and residents are encouraged to complete their storm debris clean up soon. The Manager will attend a FEMA/MEMA reimbursement update meeting in Holyoke on April 8th.
The Chairman inquired about Certificates of Recognition for those who provided assistance during the storm. The Manager said a packet had been prepared and would see that it is prepared again.
Annual Town Warrant
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE ANNUAL TOWN WARRANT AT 7:15PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 1-22 AS PRESENTED.
A motion was made by Sel. Jumonville and seconded for the purposes of discussion by Sel. Ferguson to place Warrant Article 23.
Sel. Sullivan said that the Selectmen had asked him to meet with the CRA representatives regarding the possibility of the Town acquiring the CRA facility. He said that CRA representatives requested that they be allowed one more internal fund raising effort to raise money that would allow them to upgrade and maintain ownership of the facility. The fundraising effort was to take place from October ‘08 to October ’09. Sel. Sullivan said members of the CRA had their feelings hurt at the May ‘08 Town Meeting when the Town placed the CRA as a Warrant Article without consulting them first. Sel. Sullivan said that he did not think that placing the acquisition of the facility on the ‘09 Town Meeting Warrant would help the situation. A recent attempt to hold a meeting with Bill Long with the CRA
did not happen.
Sel. O’Brien said that the CRA is attempting to fundraise and move the project forward. He said the next CRA planning meeting would be held April 7, 2009. He asked that the Board hold off on placing the acquisition on the Warrant.
Sel. Jumonville said that he would still like to place the Warrant. He expressed frustrations that there seem to be a lot of last minute last-ditch efforts to save the facility and then nothing happens. He, Sel. Sullivan, and Rick Bates with the Finance Committee were supposed to be kept up to speed regarding developments, and they have not been kept in the loop. Chairman White shared Sel. Jumonville’s concerns. He would like, under the right conditions, to have the Town acquire the property. However, there seems to be a gentlemen’s agreement to allow those involved with the CRA the ability to save their facility.
Sel. Ferguson said that she was withdrawing her second to the motion until further information becomes available.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 24-29 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 30 AS PRESENTED. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 31-33 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE TOWN WARRANT AT 7:32PM.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: AHC: Has not met
Starbard Scholarship: Sel. Jumonville and one other Selectmen will serve on this Committee. The Town is currently advertising the availability of the scholarship, which will be awarded in May.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Announced that there have been 40 new home construction starts since January 09. Committee will meet quarterly.
Water/Sewer: Nothing currently scheduled.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Committee: Next meeting: April 14th at 7PM at the Senior Center.
Sel. Sullivan: Not currently serving on any Committees.
Sel. White: PSBC: General Contractor bids were opened on April 1st. The bids came in approximately 3M under the estimate. The Committee voted on April 1, 2009 to authorize to award the contract to the lowest bidding contractor. All contractors went through a pre-qualification process that checked each contractor’s business and financial references. Sel. White added that the Committee has a well-qualified architect in Kaestle Boos, hired Lamoreux Pagano as the project’s OPM, and hired a knowledgeable Clerk of the Works. Additionally, 4 add alternates were included in the project. The scope of the project is anticipated to cost 9.258M. A new Communication Tower has been installed and tree clearing of the site is complete. A new boiler was installed in the current
Fire Station. A new Communications Room is currently being built in the basement of the current Fire Station. All of these projects have been managed by the OPM and the Clerk of the Works and were completed outside the scope of the General Contractor’s bid in order to save the project money. Sel. Ferguson encouraged the Committee, in these economic times, to stay under budget and hopefully return money from the project to the taxpayers.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Work on the water tank is anticipated to be completed by June or sooner.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Inquired about the status of the Town Manager’s contract negotiations. The Chairman said that a meeting time needs to be established to meet with the Manager.
Sel. White: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. The Manager will follow up with the DCR regarding the establishment of a doggie bag dispenser/signage at Trout Brook.
2. The Manager informed the Board that there was not a request for the purchase of a 3rd ambulance included in the budget.
3. Requested the completion of the sidewalk on Salisbury Street from Old Salisbury to the junction of 122A. The Manager said that no sidewalk funding has been included in the budget.
4. Requested that the Board set a future agenda item to discuss a free cash policy and funding of a general stabilization account. The Chairman said that this request is within the purview of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is currently completing its budget review. Sel. Sullivan said that the Commonwealth is 2 billion short on its current revenues. The Manager commented that if some type of hotel tax is not implemented, less free cash will be available in FY10, and therefore there will be less money for the municipalities. The Chairman commented that it was important for the Town to under spend its budget and respect people’s ability to pay.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by. Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 16, 2009 AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 16, 2009 AS PRESENTED. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:07PM TO DISCUSS UNION AND NON-UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND RETURN TO THE MEETING FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL: Sullivan: yes; Ferguson: yes; Jumonville: yes; White: yes; O’Brien: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 6, 2009 MEETING AT 8:28PM.
Approved: May 4, 2009
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