HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 20, 2009
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville (arrived 7:05PM), Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:39PM), Joseph Sullivan
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. The Board extended its well wishes and congratulations to Barack Obama, the new President of the United States.
Licenses and Appointments
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 3-0 TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO PEDRO P. FRANCO d/b/a PIZZA 17, SUNDAY – SATURDAY, 9AM-11:30PM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2009 PENDING FINAL APPROVAL OF THE FIRE, POLICE AND BUILDING DEPARTMENTS.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 3-0 TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT LOWELL, 110 HIGHLAND STREET, KENNETH STROM, 22 WINDY RIDGE ROAD, AND MICHAEL SCOTT, 30 DUXBURY DRIVE TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Sullivan, it was VOTED 3-0 TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF DAN HAZEN, 30 MARLEN ROAD TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 3-0 TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF PAT LOVETT, 466 SALISBURY STREET TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
The Manager presented John Giordano and Steven D’Aquila to fill vacancies on the Historic District Commission. The Board said that they would like to interview Mr. Giordano and Mr. D’Aquila prior to approving their appointments to the Commission. The Manager said he would extend an invitation to each applicant to join the Board prior to its February 2, 2009 meeting at 6:15PM.
The Manager announced that there was a vacancy on the Historic District Commission. After reviewing the criteria for serving on the Commission, Sel. Sullivan urged residents to volunteer to fill vacancies on existing Town Commissions and Committees.
Sel. O’Brien arrived at the meeting at 6:39PM.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO REAPPOINT BARBARA STACY SMITH, 23 MARLEN ROAD TO THE POSITION OF CONSTABLE.
MMA Conference
The Board will attend the Massachusetts Municipal Association Conference in Boston, MA on Friday, January 23rd and Saturday, January 24th, 2009. The Board discussed their seminar selections. Sel. Ferguson said she would attend Crisis Communications: A Case Study and Crisis Communications: Skill Building; Sel. O’Brien said he would attend Evaluating Your Health Plan Options and The Rainy Day Fund: Past, Present and Future; Sel. Sullivan said he would attend Massachusetts Manufacturing: Challenges and Opportunities and New Horizons for Education Reform; and Sel. White said he would attend Sex Offender Residency Laws: The Changing Landscape, School Building Authority Update, and Effective Board/Manager Relations.
Sel. O’Brien said that due to a scheduling conflict, he would be unable to attend seminar sessions on Saturday afternoon.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ENDORSE MMA RESOLUTIONS AS PRESENTED BY THE MMA.
The Manager said he would email the Board with any MMA updates prior to the conference.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: AHC: Has not met.
Sel. Sullivan: Help at H.O.M.E.: A Help at H.O.M.E. emergency and safety booklet has been printed and is available to all residents. The booklets will be available for distribution at all municipal buildings.
CRA:
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Next meeting: January 2009.
Water/Sewer: Next meeting January 22nd.
Sel. White: PSBC: Construction documents are being prepared to go out to bid. Approximately 13 qualified General Contractors have been pre-approved for bidding purposes. Geothermal test drilling continues. New heating system for the existing station has been bid out and work is progressing. Traffic Consultant is currently working with engineers with Mass Highway regarding placement of traffic lights.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that Town Employees would like to have a second annual yard sale on Saturday, April 25, 2009. They requested the Boards’ permission to hold the yard sale on the Hancock Common in front of Town Hall. Carolyn Ringgard of the Accounting Office and Rosemary Johnson of the Assessors Office are coordinating the efforts. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Wachusett Food Pantry.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE TOWN EMPLOYEE SECOND ANNUAL YARD SALE FOR APRIL 25, 2009 ON THE HANCOCK COMMON AND WAIVE ALL FEES THAT MIGHT BE REQUIRED TO CONDUCT THE EVENT.
The Manager informed the Board that a flier explaining certain changes in utility bills due to the Ice Storm in December 2008 will be included in future billing cycles.
The Manager announced that residents Michelle Porter and Lois Johansen will generously host a luncheon to say thank you to town employees and volunteers who helped during the December Ice Storm. The lunch will take place on Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 12PM – 2PM in Memorial Hall.
The Manager informed the Board that staff attended a meeting with FEMA and MEMA representatives on January 14, 2009 relative to applications for relief funds due to the Ice Storm. The Town has been assigned a FEMA representative, Kathy Roberts, who will be in contact with Town Officials to set up a kick-off meeting for the application process. The Board discussed the
process to begin brush removal in Town. FEMA has informed the Board that they will only reimburse brush clean up if it is estimated in cubic yards. The Manager said that it will be very difficult to estimate/measure the amount of brush using this measurement standard. There will be two passes through Town for brush clean up.
Clean up in the ALB quarantined areas will be coordinated by the DCR, who will hire one contractor
to clean up the brush in the restricted areas. The town will be responsible for paying up to 25% of the costs (less any reimbursement by the State).
The remainder of the Town will be covered under the brush clean up by the winning bidder.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board during Citizens’ Address.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Good Neighbor Award Ceremony will be held on February 12, 2009. Nominations are being accepted through January 30th.
2. Encouraged residents to curb their dogs at Trout Brook. He requested that a station be erected at Trout Brook to dispense baggies for curbing purposes.
Sel. Sullivan: 1. Announced that the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) was conducting an informational meeting at 6PM on 1/22/09 at the West Boylston Department of Conservation and Recreation located at 180 Beaman Street, West Boylston. A CPR class will be offered after the meeting at 7PM for anyone who is interested in becoming certified in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.
Sel. White: 1. Nothing to report.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Nothing to report.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 22, 2008 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 5, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
Sel. Jumonville joined the meeting at 7:05PM.
Employee Recognition Ceremony
The Board thanked employees for their continued service and dedication to the residents of Holden. The Town Manager and the Board presented certificates and awards for those achieving 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years of employment service with the Town.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Sullivan, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 20, 2009 MEETING AT 7:25PM.
Approved: February 2, 2009
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