HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 4, 2010
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Anthony Renzoni, David White, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:50PM)
Others Present: Brian Bullock, Town Manager, Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Ferguson opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Introduction – Town Manager Designee Nancy Galkowski
Chairman Ferguson introduced Ms. Nancy Galkowski, the Town Manager designee for the Town of Holden. Ms. Galkowski will be appointed at the February 1, 2010 Selectmen’s meeting.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 PURSUANT TO MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL LAWS CHAPTER 41, SECTION 108N, TO AUTHORIZE AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT BETWEEN THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN ACTING ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN AND NANCY T. GALKOWSKI AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 ACCORDING TO SECTION 5 OF THE TOWN CHARTER THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN APPOINT MS. NANCY GALKOWSKI TO THE POSITON OF TOWN MANAGER TO A THREE YEAR TERM BEGINNING FEBRUARY 1, 2010 AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Ms. Galkowski thanked the Board and Mr. Bullock for their support during the transition process.
The Board signed Ms. Galkowski’s employment contract into record.
License Approval
Fire Chief Chandler said that the current burn permit policy is to charge $10 for a one-day burn permit. The Fire Department waived the burn permit fee during 2009 because of the ice storm damage. Residents who applied for the burn permit were then able to use the same permit over and over again as long as they informed the Fire Department of their intent to burn in advance. Chief Chandler requested the Board consider changing the current burn permit policy. The change would increase the burn permit fee to $20. The permit would then be “unlimited” in its use during the burn season. With the purchase of this “unlimited” permit, residents would still be required each time to inform the Fire Department of their intent to burn for safety reasons. The Fire Department will continue
to offer a $10 one-day permit for those who only want to burn one time.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO IMPLEMENT AND SET A BURN PERMIT FEE OF $20 FOR AN ANNUAL “UNLIMITED” BURN PERMIT AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Chief Chandler said that burning season begins January 15, 2010 and will run through May 1, 2010.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Holden DPW will provide Christmas Tree Chipping on Saturday, January 9th and Saturday, January 16th at the Adams Road DPW Facility from 8AM-3PM. Trees must be free of ornaments and tinsel in order to qualify for chipping services.
The Manager reminded the Board that the Holden Board of Health would hold a H1N1 Flu Clinic on January 9, 2010 at the Davis Hill Elementary School. The clinic is available to residents of Holden and will target: 1. Pregnant women, up to 2 weeks post-partum; 2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age; 3. Health care workers and emergency medical services personnel; 4. Children 6 months through 24 years of age; and 5. Persons 25-64 who have chronic medical conditions. Pre-registration for the clinic is required. Those qualified residents interested in receiving the vaccine must pre-register via the web at www.wrsd.net.
The Manager announced that the Central MA Municipal Recycling Council awarded the Town of Holden two certificates for its recycling program. The first award is in recognition of exceeding seven hundred pounds of recycling per household. Out of forty-seven communities, only six, including Holden have reached this level. The state wide average is approximately four hundred pounds per household. This is the second year in a row the Town received recognition for this accomplishment. The second award recognizes that Holden’s recycling rate exceeds the standard (40%) established by the MA Department of Environmental Protection. Holden’s actual recycling rate is 42%, a level of recycling that is twice the average rate for communities throughout Massachusetts. The Board extended its
congratulations to the staff at the Growth Management Department and Holden residents for their participation in the Town’s recycling efforts.
Sel. O’Brien arrived at 6:50PM.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan/Implementation: Next meeting is scheduled for February.
Sel. O’Brien: Water/Sewer: The Chairman said she was trying to schedule a joint meeting with the W/S Board for February 8th.
EDC: Has not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Meetings will be held on January 13th and 27th in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Civil Service: Next meeting is scheduled for January 26th at 7PM in the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Sel. White: PSBC: Concrete and drywall installation continue. Good weather through the fall has benefited the project.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Next meeting is scheduled for January 6th.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Praised the work of Assistant Town Manager Jacquie Kelly and asked if the Board could prepare a “Hat’s Off” award for Ms. Kelly.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Received an inquiry from a resident regarding the Holt Road/Main Street intersection by Walgreen’s. The Manager acknowledged that work needs to be completed at this intersection. Paving and striping of the intersection will be completed in the spring.
2. Announced that Governor Patrick restored the 1M in transportation money that he cut from the School District’s budget this fall. The School Committee will discuss the restoration at its next School Committee meeting. School Committee Chairman Margaret Watson will also provide the Board with information and feedback prior to the upcoming MMA meeting in Boston.
3. Chairman Ferguson announced that an open house reception for Town Manager Bullock would be held on January 28, 2010 from 4PM-7PM at Val’s restaurant.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
HMLD CY2010 Operating and Capital Budget
Mr. Jim Robinson, Assistant Manager, HMLD, provided an overview of the HMLD budget. He informed the Board that energy sales have declined since 2005 from a combination of a warmer climate, slowing of the economy, and energy conservation by customers. The HMLD anticipates a further loss in sales in 2010 due to the closing of the REXAM plant in the industrial park. 2010 is projected to be –17% below.
Total revenue is projected to be $14,578,851, and total expenses are projected to be $14,536,104.
Mr. Mike Flagg, Light Department Superintendent updated the Board on ongoing capital projects. He said that the HMLD anticipates completion of the rewiring and upgrading of the wiring in the industrial park to be completed in the summer of 2010 (postponed from 2009 due to the ice storm). Additionally, Mr. Flagg said that a security system would be implemented at the HMLD in 2010.
Assistant Town Manager Jacquie Kelly updated the Board on PCA collections.
Town Manager Bullock introduced Power Advisory Board members Scott Carlson, Peter Liddy, and John Shepard. Power Advisory Board Chairman Peter Liddy said that the PAB unanimously voted to support the budget as presented.
Sel. O’Brien asked the Manager to explain the implementation of the post employment benefits program. The Manager said that this program was being implemented at the recommendation of the auditing firm. The accounting rule has been adopted into the budget to fund future obligations. These funds will be segregated from the budget.
Sel. White challenged Mr. Robinson to evaluate how/why the HMLD has crept up the list of Municipal-owned Light Departments to being one of the more expensive municipal power providers. Mr. Robinson said he was fully committed to reversing the “creep” of the last several years. He said that he would study the Town of Peabody’s Light Department and how they provide service to their residents 25% cheaper than the HMLD.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT THE CY2010 HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARMENT OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 4, 2010 MEETING AT 8:03PM.
APPROVED: January 19, 2010
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