HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 8, 2009
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville (left 6:59PM), Anthony Renzoni, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 7:05PM), David White (arrived 6:58PM)
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, 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.
The Town Manager announced the passing of Ned Taft with Alden Research Labs on Saturday, September 5, 2009.
Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0 TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR A PARADE PERMIT LICENSE TO KATHERINE MILLS ON BEHALF OF THE ANNUAL CROPWALK FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2009, 1:30PM – 6PM PENDING APPROVAL OF POLICE DETAILS BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0 TO APPROVE AN APPLICATION FOR AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO CHRISTOPHER CHO ON BEHALF OF CHOBERT, INC. d/b/a SUBWAY #6869, SUNDAY – SATURDAY, 8AM-10PM TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2009.
Fire Department/Ambulance Service Update
Chief Jack Chandler provided an update on the Town’s new in-house ambulance service, which began July 1, 2009. A first quarter report will be prepared and distributed to the Board in early October.
Vote on Inter-Municipal Agreement
The Manager read the inter-municipal agreement into record. Fire Chief Chandler said that the Town also participates in a mid-state mutual aid program.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE FIRE CHIEF, PURSUANT TO SECTION 59A OF CHAPTER 48 OF THE GENERAL LAWS, TO ENTER A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT OR AGREEMENTS WITH THE FOLLOWING MUNICIPALITIES: TOWN OF BOYLSON, TOWN OF PAXTON, TOWN OF PRINCETON, TOWN OF OAKHAM, TOWN OF RUTLAND, TOWN OF STERLING, AND TOWN OF WEST BOYLSTON, SUCH AID TO BE EXTENDED BY THE TOWN OF HOLDEN BASED UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF EQUIPMENT AND PERSONNEL AS DETERMINED IN THE SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION OF THE HOLDEN FIRE CHIEF OR HIS DESIGNEE AS PRESENTED.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
a. The Manager reported that the Town of Holden received $36,733 back on its workers compensation and property casualty insurance costs. The town earned the credits through its MIIA membership and participation and loss prevention and risk management activities which are part of the Rewards program offered by the MA Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), Holden’s insurance provider. Thanks to Judy Sikes, of the Town Manager’s office for her successful efforts in garnering the credit.
b. The Manager reported that according to Louise Charbonneau, Senior Services Coordinator, the 2009 summary of Senior Center Activities, prepared for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, indicated that Holden’s volunteers contributed 15,946 hours of service last year to the Senior Center. This equates to a savings of about $245,409 for contributed work to the Town. Each year, the Senior Center provides a recognition event for the many that spend time volunteering. This year’s event will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 9AM.
c. The Board reviewed the year-end revenue and expenditure reports for the period July 2009.
d. The Board reviewed a summary of attendance and revenue statistics from summer Recreation Programs. The Board extended its congratulations to Recreation Director Denise Morano and her staff for another fun, successful and safe summer season. The Manager reported that he discussed a minimum age required for pool “drop-offs” with Ms. Morano. Ms. Morano said it was difficult to monitor but that the staff would look into the inquiry.
e. The Manager reported that the Town received the most recent bids for the rehabilitation for the three municipal buildings in the center of town: The Damon House, Town Hall and the Starbard Building. This second round of bids were disappointing and have subsequently been pulled. The painting portion has been broken into three separate bids for the three buildings and will be bid out again as well. Sel. White has suggested that Public Safety Building Clerk of the Works Gary Kaczmarek could serve as a supervisor to monitor the rehab work. DPW Director Jim Shuris has also said that he could help to supervise the work.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Holden Tomorrow Implementation: Has not met. Working on getting paperwork to establish the committee.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting will be on September 16th.
Civil Service Study Committee: Will meet September 15th at 7PM.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing Partnership: Has not met.
Town Manager Search:
Special Town Meeting
The Manager presented two possible dates to hold the Special Town Meeting.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0 TO OPEN, SET AND CLOSE THE TOWN MEETING WARRANT FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2009 AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Inquired about a $50 “fee” that has been assessed to 8 homeowners seeking to change their toter size. The Manager said that the “fee” was implemented by the Growth Management Department to cover delivery, clean up and repair of the swapped toter. The fee was implemented by Growth Management because it became clear that some residents were repeatedly changing their toter size when they left for winter relocation and sizing back up to a larger toter for the summer months when they returned to town. It was determined that there was not a policy to establish such a fee and that the fee had been discontinued.
Chairman Ferguson said that it was important for the Board to set a policy for changing up or down and the cost for the service of a swapped toter.
2. Inquired about implementing a “Community Bulletin” Board at Town Hall and an electronic bulletin board on line. Chairman Ferguson asked if there were any restrictions to creating this type of service i.e. would the town be legally responsible for those advertising services on the board. Sel. Renzoni said he would submit examples from other communities who operate this type of bulletin board.
Sel. White arrived at 6:58PM.
Sel. Jumonville left the meeting at 6:59PM.
The Selectmen interrupted Sel. Miscellaneous to proceed with Citizens’ Address at 7PM.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. Mike Braley, High Street, representing organized labor in the Town of Holden, spoke to seek the Board’s support and assistance to secure a fair and equitable contract. This responsibility falls not to the Board but to the Town Manager. Asked that the Selectmen intervene on their behalf. These employees operate the Town on a daily basis to keep the town safe and secure. They have been employed without a contract since June 2008 and no progress has been made to negotiate a new one. It is frustrating for those employees who continue to report to work without a raise for the past two years.
Sel. O’Brien arrived at 7:05PM.
Sel. Miscellaneous (reopened)
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Thanked staff of Senior Center for their hard work organizing and running the senior picnic at Troutbrook Recreation several weeks ago.
2. Received a letter of resignation from a member of the Civil Service Study Committee. A letter of thanks will be sent to the volunteer for their service to the Town.
Sel. White: 1. Status of Mountain Street water meter. City of Worcester has reported that meter is broken beyond repair. Town has sent a letter indicating that when meter is repaired, the Town will back bill the City of Worcester from the date of the letter. Sel. White added that the meter has been broken for several years with no end in site. He suggested that the Town could deduct the amount owed to the Town from its City of Worcester water bills. Chairman Ferguson said that the City of Worcester has been dragging their feet for too long to solve the broken meter issue. They would not tolerate a broken meter from the Town of Holden in a similar situation.
2. Asked that the Board conduct a presentation in October or November regarding how the City of Worcester is going to have to manage their water resources in the future.
3. Initiated discussion regarding the status of a large meter maintenance program. The Manager said that the DPW has completed an inventory and has applied for a grant request to help continue to manage and calibrate the large meters.
4. Continued problems with the noisy manholes in front of LCU. Multiple manholes sometimes have a “road noise” associated with them regardless of how well or properly they are installed. Unfortunately, there are four manholes in front of the McLoughlin residence and one of them may be creating this level of noise. The Town will continue to monitor the situation.
5. Sel. White commented that he would like to see one of the municipal buildings under rehab consideration done correctly (down to bare wood), rather than just scraping and painting, so that one building is done correctly.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Discussed the State shortfall in Quinn Bill funding; wants the Town to make a good faith effort to fully fund the pay of the impacted officers. Requested that the Manager develop a plan to cover these expenses. The Manager responded that all employees are valuable. Sel. White said that there have been shortfalls in the Quinn Bill for 08, 09 and 10. The shortfall comes from the Governor and municipalities cannot be expected to fund the state government’s unfunded mandates. Suggested sending letters to the Governor and Lt. Governor asking how dare they do this to our employees. The Town will make its 50% commitment to its employees; why can’t the state? Sel. O’Brien feels that it is incumbent upon the Town to make up the loss of pay. Good for Town
employee morale. Sel. Renzoni said that it is more protocol to send the letters but agreed the Board should do it. The Manager responded that this issue is a matter for union contract negotiations and belongs in the negotiating room and not on camera. While he may have a funding solution, he is not at liberty to discuss it in a public setting. Sel. Renzoni reiterated that taking care of the employees was important to him. Sel. White commented that operational expenses cannot be funded with capital dollars.
2. Support of green initiatives/alternatives. More discussion needs to occur prior to the town committing to a green power source i.e. a wind/solar project at the high school. Letter will ask to sit down and talk.
Summary of issues to be prepared and discussed by the Board at a future date.
3. A presentation of the proposed rehabilitation of the CRA complex will be held on October 6th at 6:30PM at the Light Department. Any information for the Recreation Department in regards to the presentation should be submitted through the Town Manager.
Sel. Subcommittees (reopened)
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: Has not met.
Water/Sewer Advisory Committee: Will meet September 24th.
Sel. White: PSBC: Will receive a $100,000 credit from the Contractor due to the low level of unsuitable soil found on the property. Additionally, other materials found on site that will be used in the construction process will also generate a credit to the project.
Town Charter Review
Sel. Renzoni said that a citizen had suggested the need for a recall provision to the Town Charter. Upon further study, Sel. Renzoni discovered that the Town Charter had not been reviewed in 10 years. He suggested that the Board consider a review of the Town Charter. A citizen’s petition to add a recall provision to the Town Charter was circulated and has been placed on the warrant for the Special Town Meeting on October 5th. He said he signed the petition to allow citizen’s to vote on the issue at town meeting.
Sel. White said that the Town is currently recruiting for a new Town Manager and felt that opening up the Town Charter for review during this process will be confusing for candidates. Chairman Ferguson said that there were two issues: 1. A Charter review 2. Recall petition. She said that the timing was very confusing and concerning in regards to the search for a new Town Manager. The citizen’s petition was only for the issue of the recall – not to review the entire town charter.
Sel. O’Brien said that Holden is an attractive community to work in and a review of the charter is appropriate at this time. He suggested that a Selectmen’s Committee be appointed by the Board.
Sel. Renzoni said that after tonight’s discussion, he doesn’t feel that now is the time for a charter review.
Attorney Moschos concurred that a review of the Town Charter should not be conducted at this time.
Follow-Up to Citizens’ Address
Chairman Ferguson replied that the Board of Selectmen does conduct union contract negotiations.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE AND HOLD THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 17, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 17, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 3-0-1 TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 19, 2009. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 3-0-1 TO APPROVE THE JOINT MEETING MINUTES WITH THE FINANCE COMMITTEE OF AUGUST 19, 2009. (Abstained: O’Brien)
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 26, 2009.
Vote to Move into Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS NON-UNION CONTRACTS AT 8:04PM. ROLL CALL: White: yes; Renzoni: yes; O’Brien: yes; Ferguson: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 MEETING AT 8:40PM.
APPROVED: as amended October 19, 2009
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