HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 21, 2009
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Anthony Renzoni, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:36PM), David White
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.
Wachusett Earthday Committee Recognition
Fire Chief Jack Chandler introduced members of the Wachusett Earthday Team and commended their efforts to build a permanent regional Earthday collection facility. Chief Chandler also thanked Senator Harriet Chandler, Representative Lew Evangelidis and the Department of Conservation and Recreation for their support during the planning and building process for the new facility. He announced that the first collection at the facility would take place in November 2009. The Selectmen presented the members of the Team with a “Hats Off” award in appreciation of their hardwork and dedication to build the permanent regional Earthday collection facility.
Chief Chandler announced that the Wachusett Greenways would hold a Rail Trail Restoration dedication ceremony on September 26th at 11AM at the Rail Trail. The ceremony is to reopen the Rail Trail after completing repairs to sections damaged by the December 2008 Ice Storm and beaver dam washout. A special thanks was extended to the Holden DPW for their tireless work in helping with the repairs. Wachusett Greenways is currently accepting donations to help off set ongoing Rail Trail maintenance. Approximately seven thousand dollars is needed to complete repairs.
Chairman Ferguson said that she would present a separate “Hats Off” Award to Colleen Abrams for her dedication and commitment in facilitating the permanent regional Earthday collection facility project at the Rail Trail dedication ceremony.
Police Department Recognition
Police Chief Sherrill recognized Mr. & Mrs. Ed Plumley and their generous donation of a defibrillator to the Holden Police Department. The defibrillator will be carried in one of the police cruisers to help save lives.
Chief Sherrill recognized Police Officers Foy, Sherblom, Sherbourne, and Ventres for their successful efforts to apprehend an emotionally disturbed person with a gun on August 4, 2009 in Holden. The Board thanked the officers for their calm professionalism in responding to the situation.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager announced that starting in September 2009, the Town’s membership fee for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) would be included on each customer’s electric bill. The charge will be $0.0005 per kilowatt hours used. The MTC’s web site can be accessed at www.masstech.org.
The Manager provided some exiting new Web technology information to the Board. The Town web site www.townofholden.net has been updated to allow users to subscribe to online alerts to their particular needs and technologies. Currently, a user can sign up for Web news alerts via traditional email. However, other technologies such as Twitter, blogs, text messaging etc. have come into play at the local government level as well. An easy method of disseminating information is RSS or Really Simple Syndication which will give
web site visitors the power to pull news alerts into their RSS feed reader and into their preferred technology. To locate this new feature, the user should click on “Holden News” and then click on the RSS link and follow the prompts. Users may still sign up for email alerts using the “Subscribe to News” bar on the web site. The Manager said that another planned feature will be web cameras installed outside various municipal buildings to provide “live” web casting capabilities. Currently, there is a camera mounted atop the existing Fire headquarters building that broadcasts building activity at the Public Safety Building Construction site. Visitors to the web can link to the web camera and check on the progress of the construction. A second camera will be located in the cupola of the Starbard Building, which will broadcast a view of the street in front of the building including the driveway entrance and the
historic cemetery across the street. A third new Web based capability the Town will offer is a Town blog. Efforts are underway to launch a Town blog that will contain notices of coming events along with information that is more in-depth and current than what is currently contained within the various department and committee links. The content of the blog will include contributions by other departments and divisions depending on the topic. Watch for the Town blog coming soon!
The Manager announced that the Annual Chamber of Commerce vs. Town Employee softball game was held on September 14, 2009. In a dramatic upset, the town employees won.
Positions on Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles
The Manager explained the proposed method to fund Warrant Article 2. The town participated in an environmental class action suit regarding the chemical MTE. Money received in the settlement would be used to fund the environmental site assessments and other public water source analyses at various locations on or near Princeton Street including the former site of the Electronic Controls Corporation (ECC) in Jefferson. He said that the Finance Committee would meet on September 30th to discuss their position and a potential funding source.
The Board discussed a motion made by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Jumonville to support Warrant Article 2.
Sel. White said that the Town needs to find its own water source to lessen its need to buy water from Worcester. While the soil is contaminated, further assessment of the site is necessary to determine how far down to the water table the contamination extends.
The Manager explained that there will be benchmark checks along the way in exploring the site. Depending upon the results, the assessments and analyses the exploration of the site can stop at anytime if bad results are achieved. The project will proceed in a systematic manner. Additionally environmental and engineering information will be useful to help control the current contamination on site as it affects the Spring Street well fields. At the Board’s request, the Manager will present a slideshow of the property at the Town Meeting.
Sel. O’Brien said that while he was in support of the town taking the property by eminent domain and running the existing pumps at the two well sites to contain the current contamination, he did not support spending money to explore the site for drinking water purposes.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 2. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
The Board discussed Warrant Article 3: Citizen petition to adopt an act relative to recall elections in the Town of Holden.
The Board discussed a motion by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Renzoni to not support Warrant Article 3.
Sel. White commented that there may be a point in time to have a charter review committee. However, to be asked to change the Town Charter without any study of the issue was inappropriate. Additionally, the Special Town Meeting on October 5th will probably have a low citizen turnout. Sel. Renzoni concurred with Sel. White and added that the Board is currently recruiting for a new Town Manager and now is not the time to open the Town Charter and make a permanent change to it based on rumors and opinions.
Sel. O’Brien said that he felt that he has been disappointed by certain individuals over the last several months with things that have transpired and feels that this article is based on an act of revenge. He said he has faith in the current Board.
Sel. Jumonville said that while he does not support the warrant article at this time, he said that the article is not about a charter review just adding this one article. He suggested conducting another charter review in the future.
Sel. Ferguson said decisions regarding selectmen should be made at the ballot box. This warrant article would allow citizens’ to recall elected officials at a moments notice, putting the Board of Selectmen in constant turmoil. She said she would not support the article.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO NOT SUPPORT WARRANT ARTICLE 3.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Motion Assignments
Sel. White volunteered to speak to Warrant Article 2.
Sel. Ferguson volunteered to speak to Warrant Article 3.
The Board will be posted for 6:30PM for the conference room at the high school on October 5, 2009.
Hats Off Certificate – Beverly Kenniston, Principal Assessor
The Selectmen presented a “Hats Off” award to Principal Assessor Beverly Kenniston for her continued success in maximizing Town tax revenue by effecting a significant increase in state-owned land valuation. The Manager said that in his career and as a former assessor, he has never encountered an Assessors Office that runs as smoothly and professionally as the office run by Ms. Kenniston and her staff. Sel. O’Brien commented on the courteousness of the employees at the Assessors Office. The Board congratulated Ms. Kenniston on her professional and dedicated service to the Town of Holden.
Fee Increases – Certificate of Municipal Lien
Town Treasurer/Collector Jean Berg addressed the Board to request a fee increase for the preparation of a Certificate of Municipal Lien (CML) from $25 to $50 per certificate effective January 1, 2010. Ms. Berg explained that a CML is the single most important legal document produced by the Office of the Treasurer/Collector. A CML is used primarily by banks and mortgage lenders and their agents so that those institutions can protect themselves against lending money on a property, which has liens or delinquent taxes against it. Once a CML has been signed by the Collector, it is then recorded at the Registry of Deeds and becomes a legal record of what was outstanding on a particular parcel of land at the time of its execution. Because of the legal and financial implications, the Town must diligently protect its interest
by subjecting to intense scrutiny every piece of information that is listed on the CML. There is no room for correction at a later date. Ms. Berg said that to the best of her knowledge, the Town of Holden has never had to write off delinquent taxes because they were erroneously omitted from a CML. Ms. Berg added that from fiscal 2004 through fiscal 2009, her office produced 4778 CML’s – all completely accurate. Ms. Berg noted that she requested a CML fee increase in 2004 and was turned down by the Board. The Town does not benefit from a CML and Ms. Berg said that the cost of the service should be passed along to the end user.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT THE CERTIFICATE OF MUNICIPAL LIEN FEE INCREASE TO $50.00 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2010.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Holden Tomorrow Implementation: Has not met. Working to establish a mutually convenient time to meet.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting: TBD. Spirit of America Band will march in the 2010 parade. Sel. White challenged the Committee to organize activities along Main Street during the Color Guard presentations in the cemeteries to help hold and keep the attention of those attending the parade. Sel. Jumonville said the committee is aware of the downtime during the cemetery presentations and are working on respectful “fillers” during this time spot. An essay and art contest will be held in schools for use during the parade. Comments and concerns are welcome. Follow the link at www.townofholden.net
Civil Service Study Committee: Will meet September 29 7PM at Town Hall. Police Chief provided costs analysis of hiring within Civil Service or outside.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing Partnership: Has not met.
Town Manager Search:
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: EDC does not meet and does not serve much of a purpose. The Chairman asked the Administration to follow up on the status of the EDC.
Water/Sewer Advisory Committee: 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. Steel will be erected in mid-October.
Sel. White asked that a member of the Water/Sewer be prepared to take a position and be prepared to speak at the Town Meeting regarding Warrant Article 2.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Will hold office hours September 25th from 4-6PM at the Starbard Building.
Sel. White: 1. Sidewalks along Dawson School embankment will require a retaining wall. The Manager reported that it was a work in progress.
2. Reported that new plantings at Walgreen’s obstruct the northbound view at Main Street and Holt Rd. The Manager said that after the pole is moved, paving will be finished, the road will be re-striped and the stop bar will be relocated closer to Main Street to allow for better visibility.
3. Reported plow damage at 858 Main Street. The Manager said he is pursuing a settlement with the vendor responsible for the damage.
4. The Board discussed letters to the City of Worcester regarding the status of the repairs to the Mountain Street water meter. Sel. Ferguson requested to attend whatever meeting is eventually established with the City of Worcester. The Manager said that he could not predict when that meeting would occur. Chairman Ferguson said that, working with the Administration, she would pursue accountability with the City Council and the Mayor’s office.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Missed the ambulance service presentation at the 9/8 meeting. Said he would like to receive budget updates for this service. The Manager said that it is a very conservative program.
2. Discussed the letter to the District in support of the clean energy alternatives and policy issues related to purchasing power from sources within our jurisdiction. The Manager said he would like Sel. O’Brien to provide him with a legal statue/cite regarding the federal law that requires the purchase of power from sources in the area.
3. Attended the White Oak/Audubon dedication ceremony for the Lindquist property. He requested that the Administration send a letter to Mr. Lindquist and White Oak to thank them for their efforts in procuring the land.
4. Discussed the treatment of trees for ALB. Sel. O’Brien expressed continued concerns for beetles living in host trees in town and asked that the Town request that the USDA chemically treat the trees in the Shrewsbury Street neighborhood. He also requested a breakdown of the money to replant trees.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Will forward a letter to the Board from a non-resident thanking the Town for the use of the town pool this summer.
2. Double poles on Newell and Bailey road need repair.
3. Town Manager Search: Consultant will be in town 9/24. Process will pick up after October 7th. When candidates are narrowed down, comments or participation with the public and town boards will be available through the Board. Questions from Department heads will also be used during the recruitment process.
Vote to Move into Executive Session
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS UNION AND NON-UNION CONTRACTS AT 7:55PM. ROLL CALL: White: yes; Renzoni: yes; O’Brien: yes; Ferguson: yes; Jumonville: yes.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 MEETING 8:48AT PM.
APPROVED: October 19, 2009
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