HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 15, 2009
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, Kenneth O’Brien, Anthony Renzoni, David White
Absent: James Jumonville
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Ferguson opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO MARILYNN FOLEY ON BEHALF OF THE 250TH PERMANENT GIFT COMMITTEE FOR THE HOLDEN BANDSTAND BAND CONCERTS FROM JUNE 28TH - AUGUST 16, 2009 FROM 5PM TO 8:30PM AND LIGHT-A-LIGHT, DECEMBER 1, 2009 AT 4:30PM PENDING RECOMMENDED FINAL APPROVAL OF THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS AND THE WAIVER OF ALL FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THE LICENSE.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. Ferguson: AHC: Has not met.
Sel. O'Brien: EDC: Has not met.
Water/Sewer: Will meet on 6/24 at 7PM.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Committee: Will meet 6/16.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan Implementation Committee: No meeting scheduled.
Sel. White: PSBC: Groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 10AM on 6/20 at the construction site. Donated refreshments will be served.
Town Manager's Miscellaneous
a. The Manager informed the Board that for the past several months, staff at the Light Department and the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board, with the assistance of a rate design professional, have been conducting a Department-wide-cost-of-service study. The last cost-of-service study was conducted over ten years ago. By performing the study, the HMLD hopes to accomplish several objectives including 1. Balancing the costs collected from individual rate classes with changing wholesale market and local system characteristics, 2. Realigning the power cost adjustment factor which tends to grow too large over time, 3. Introducing modified and new rates (i.e. time-of-use rates) that are appropriate for Holden ratepayers, and 4. Addressing costs and circumstances, which have occured over the past ten years. The Manager requested the
Board set a public hearing on the results of the study at their meeting on July 13, 2009.
The Board discussed the results of the study. Sel. O'Brien said that he had some issues with the Red Flag Policy. He said the Board serving, as Light Commissioners, should be the ones to implement policies. Sel. O'Brien handed out copies of the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board's (MEPAB) January 21, 2009 meeting minutes to the Selectmen. He requested a copy of the presentation that was made to the MEPAB, copies of any other minutes pertaining to the study, and said he would like to have a joint meeting between the Board and the MEPAB to discuss the study. The Manager commented that the MEPAB does not have choice in implementing the Red Flag policy-it's just a matter how it's done. Sel. White inquired whether the Board had been made aware of the Red Flag policy. The Manager said that in the past, State statutes have just been
implemented by the Administration, but will make sure the policy is distributed to the Board. The Chairman requested that approved minutes from the MEPAB be distributed to the Board when they are posted on-line. Sel. O'Brien said that as Light Commissioners should be kept updated on PAB decisions.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR JULY 13, 2009 TO REVIEW THE HMLD COST ALLOCATION AND RATE DESIGN STUDY.
b. The Manager announced that the Municipal Pool opened on the first weekends in June. The Pool staff welcomed two hundred twenty-two visitors on June 6th and four hundred twenty-three visitors on June 7th. The Pool will remain open on weekends June 13th, 14th, 20th and 21st, and will also be open after school from 3PM to 7:15PM on June 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th. The Pool will open for the season on June 26th at 1PM.
c. The Board reviewed a memo from Denise Morano, Recreation Director regarding pool pass and summer program revenue for 2008/2009 to date.
d. The Board reviewed a re-draft of a study committee to study the Police Chief's position. Sel. White inquired if the Committee should review all Civil Service positions, not just the Chief's position. Chairman Ferguson said that the motion at Town Meeting was just for the Police Chief position and thinks the scope of the committee should focus on just studying the Chief's position. Chairman Ferguson suggested enlarging the scope of the committee to 7 people. The Manager said that the Administration was having difficulty filling vacancies on Town Committees and suggested that a 5-member Committee was more achievable. The Board agreed with the Manager's recommendation.
e. The Manager informed the Board that the details regarding the membership agreement between the Town and the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative - Renewable Energy Trust has been completed. The Town/Light Manager signed the Agreement pursuant to the Board's vote. Once officials of the MTC and the MA Renewable Energy Trust co-sign it, the town's membership will be official and residents will be eligible to participate in the MTC's grant programs. Finalization is expected by mid-summer. The Board reviewed their copy of the Agreement.
Discussion occurred regarding the HMLD budget. Sel. O'Brien read a statute regarding when the HMLD budget should be submitted to the Board stating that the Board should have the budget by December 1st of the fiscal year for implementation on January 1st of the new calendar year. Town Counsel said that it is difficult to prepare a budget for the New Year without having all of the fiscal information for the prior year. Sel. O'Brien said he disagreed and suggested moving the HMLD budget to coincide with the Town's budget of July 1st. The Manager said that when he started with the Town, the HMLD budget was submitted to the Board in March of the following year, and his administration has moved the completion date up 90-days. He said that the HMLD budget is a market driven budget needs current updated market conditions information to accurately
prepare the light budget. It is a market driven budget that is completly different than preparing the municipal budget. Sel. White suggested that the Board get a preliminary budget in early December to review and then receive a final "tweaked" budget in early January.
Chairman Ferguson interrupted Town Manager's Miscellaneous to proceed with Citizens' Address at 7PM.
Citizens' Address
No one came forward to address the Board during Citizens' Address.
Town Manager's Miscellaneous (cont.)
f. The Manager provided the Board with an update on Brush and Debris removal. As of June 9, 2009, DPW Superintendent Rich DeWitt reports that 61,525 cubic yards of debris (6,845 tons) have been collected. Debris removal should be completed by June 26th. The Manager commented that Mr. DeWitt and his crews have played a pivotal role in the town-wide debris removal operation. The Manager and the Board extended their thanks to Jim Shuris, DPW Director, Mr. DeWitt and all the employees of the DPW for their problem solving skills and the coordination of the many workers on the streets. Chairman Ferguson said she forwarded emails and messages from residents expressing their gratitude for the debris pick up. The electronic message board will be updated with the final numbers. The Manager said that the two feet of snow that
remained on the ground for most of the winter caused the amount of debris that needed to be picked up to be seriously underestimated. He said the final clean-up cost would be closer to three million dollars and that the cost overrun factor is unknown at this time. He said that the Town's fiscal responsibility would probably be closer to 700K-800K. Sel. White commented that this was an unprecedented event and Town will need time to work out all the details. Sel. O'Brien commented that all the Communities FEMA estimates were low. The Manager added that brush removal along private roads was being included in the clean up. However, residents with long driveways will not be serviced by clean-up crews. Brush needs to be placed in a public way, 8-12 feet from pavement. A second clean-up pass through Town will be conducted at an additional cost. While DPW staff does not feel that a second pass through Town will be necessary, this was the plan that was communicated to residents.
g. The Board reviewed a memor from Jean Berg, Town Treasurer and Collector regarding recent upgrades to the online bill payment system, Uni-Pay. New features have been added for both the towns internal financial system and for the public. Multiple browsers are supported including Internet Explorer, Firefox/Mozilla, Opera, and Safari (Macs). Users will also receive automatic email notification of returned items and will have the ability to pay multiple bills with one transaction through the use of a "Shopping Cart" type of system. We hope the upgrades will make it easier and encourage more taxpayers to take advantage of the convenience of online payments.
Sel. White said that he would like to receive notice of changes to town systems in advance of their implementation by residents.
h. Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O'Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO SET THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN'S MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JULY 2009 THROUGH JUNE 2010 AS PRESENTED.
i. The Manager reminded residents that Town Offices would be closed on June 18, 2009 from 12PM-2PM to allow all employees to attend the Employee Appreciation Picnic. The Board agreed to hold a meeting after the Employee Picnic at 3PM at the Starbard Building in order to sign bond authorizations.
j. The Manager informed the Board that a Mobile Shooting Range is currently at the Holden Police Department so that police staff can participate in their annual training. Selectmen are encouraged to visit the mobile range through June 16, 2009.
k. The Board reviewed an update on Asian Longhorned Bettle remediation efforts by the USDA.
Non-Residential/Commercial Water-Sewer Rate Increase
Mr. Jim Shuris, DPW Director presented his recommendation that the Board consider adding block rate levels beyond the current "over 150 cubic feet" level for "Non-Residential Commercial" water and sewer users similar to those for "Residential" users. This reclassification would more accurately capture additional revenue and/or promote water conservation.
Sel. White and O'Brien expressed the need to remain business friendly with the Town's Non-Residential Commerical customers. Sel. White requested that a list of the top 2- Non-Residential Commerical customers be provided to the Board. A public hearing would be required in order to add the block rate to this customer base.
Berkshire Wind Project - Agreement Amendment
The Manager presented the Board with an amendment to the Berkshire Wind Power Purchase Agreement. The Amendment is a clause being added to the contract that each member of the Cooperative (approximately 14 Massachusetts municipal light departments) will purchase an additional percentage of the Cooperative's energy, in the event another member fails or defaults in its obligation to purchase its respective percentage of the energy. The Manager said that the Berkshire Wind Power Cooperative is oversubscribed and the possibility of a member defaulting on its purchase obligation is very remote. He said he believes in this power source and endorses the recommendation.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O'Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE BERKSHIRE WIND POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT: PROPOSED FIRST AMENDMENT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. O'Brien: 1. How much telecommunications monies are in the Town's overlay account? Manager will report balance to Board.
2. How much revenue has been shifted to Holden as a result of the changes to the wealth based formula?
3. Recommended sending a letter to legislators detailing and reminding them of the State's five-year plan and commitment to fund increases to our district. It was the consensus of the Board to send the letter.
4. Provided an update on the June 3rd MMA Regional Meeting.
5. Attended Boy Scout retirement party for Rod Callahan at Troop #180 and scoutmaster Hansen from Troop #182. Will work with the Administration to provide information for certificate purposes.
6. Met President Clinton at the DCU Center on Saturday night.
Sel. Renzoni: Nothing to report.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Thanks to DPW for repainting flagpole at Starbard Building.
2. Attended Regional Police Chief's meeting with Chief Sherrill and the Manager.
Sel. White: 1. Update on manhole covers on Main Street. The Manager said he contacted Charter who said that these manholes were repaired in 08. Charter to review the situation again. The Manager will also contact homeowners who filed complaint. Manager said that a high level of manhole chimneys failed along the Main Street corridor and this may be to blame.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2009 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O'Brien, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 1, 2009 WITH A CORRECTION TO THE VOTE TO READ: IT WAS VOSTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED (FERGUSON).
Manager's Contract
Chairman Ferguson announced that the Town Manager has been awarded a 1.5% increase. Town Counsel is reviewing the contract.
Vote to Enter Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:55PM TO DISCUSS THE DISPOSITION OF PROPERTY AND UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. ROLL CALL: White: yes; Ferguson: yes; O'Brien: yes; Renzoni: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. O'Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 15, 2009 MEETING AT 8:53PM.
Approved: July 13, 2009
| 
