HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 19, 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, Robert Martin, Town Counsel, Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Others Absent: Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
Chairman Ferguson opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. Voting polls are open until 8PM to vote in the Senatorial race. She noted that it is Town Manager Bullock’s last Selectmen’s meeting. An open-house reception will be held for Mr. Bullock on Thursday, January 28th at Val’s Restaurant. All are welcome.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan/Implementation: Next meeting is scheduled for February.
Sel. O’Brien: Water/Sewer: Will meet January 21st at 7PM. The Chairman said that the joint meeting tentatively scheduled for February 8th would not take place due to scheduling conflicts. A new meeting date has not been set.
EDC: Has not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: The next meeting will be held on January 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: The next meeting on January 20th will be held at the fire station. The Committee is currently reviewing FF&E and technology/communications options.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing:
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The last day to participate in the Holden DPW Christmas Tree Chipping program was Saturday, January 16th.
The Manager announced that the Holden Board of Health would hold a H1N1 Flu Clinic for Holden Residents on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 from 4PM-7PM at the Holden Senior Center. The clinic will be open to all Holden residents older than six months of age including persons over 64 years. The clinic will be held on a first-come first served basis. Additionally, there will be a Seasonal Flu Clinic held at the Senior Center on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 from 4PM-7PM. The clinic will be open to all Holden residents older than six months of age including persons over 64 years. The clinic will be held on a first-come first served basis. Further information may be found at www.townofholden.net.
According to Jim Robinson, Assistant Light Department Manager, there will be a quarterly adjustment in the Power Cost Adjustment factor at the Light Department effective January 1, 2010. December 2009 Billings will reflect a charge per KWH: PCA for Non-residential: $.02048; PASNY/NYPA (Hydro Credit): -$.00889; and PCA Residential: $.01159. January 2010 Billings will reflect a charge per KWH: PCA for Non-residential: $.02375; PASNY/NYPA (Hydro Credit): -$.01015; and PCA Residential: $.01360. Further information may be obtained on the HMLD’s website. These adjustments reflect recent increases in the power purchased by the HMLD. The Manager added that in the second quarter of 2010, a reduction to the PCA would be made.
The Board reviewed a memorandum from James Shuris, DPW Director regarding an official procedure for the proper handling and disposal of scrap metal materials and property encountered during the performance of all DPW operations. Sel. Jumonville inquired if residents can donate scrap metal to the Town. The Manager said he would have to inquire if the Town has a policy regarding residential scrap metal donations.
The Board reviewed the final FY 2011 Budget Calendar and Election Schedule.
The Manager announced that Judy Sikes, Administrative Assistant to Town Manager has been selected as the regional winner of the Thomas Green Award. Ms. Sikes will receive her award in a ceremony in March at Assumption College.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. White: 1. West Mountain Street vault/meter update. Chairman Ferguson said that in early December, a consultant for the Worcester DPW reported that the vault is faulty and will be replaced in the spring. In the meantime, the cover was leveled in order to lessen traffic noise. The vault will also be relocated out of the traffic lane.
2. Requested a list of the quantity of water customers and how many have been billed. Sel. White reported residential concerns that every customer is not being billed every month and the town is not collecting all revenue. The Manager said a report is currently being generated for the Board.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Thanked the Administration and the DPW for plowing the sidewalks along Salisbury Street to the Fox Hill neighborhood.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. The new Town Manager will be sworn in at 8AM on February 1st in Town Hall.
2. The Board reviewed a memo from Attorney Moschos regarding contract funding for the new Town Manager. The Finance Committee will meet on January 20th to discuss funding the position.
3. The Board discussed attending the MMA conference January 22nd and 23rd. Chairman Ferguson asked Board members to inform her of their conference selections in order to avoid Selectmen overlap. She also asked Board members to review several votes that will be taken on the MMA floor.
4.Board members reviewed a draft motion/resolution regarding regional school transportation funding for presentation at the MMA. The District crafted the motion as discussed at the joint Selectmen/School Representative meeting on December 17, 2009. Chairman Ferguson asked Selectmen for feedback on the proposed resolution. Sel. O’Brien said that Representative Evangelidis has filed legislation to prevent large amounts of transportation money being taken away from Regional School Districts and the draft motion may not be necessary. Sel. White said that part of the discussion at the December 17th meeting also included discussion regarding Circuit Breaker funding. He said he would provide feedback to the Chair. Discussion centered on whether the District rescinded their assessment
letter to the Town concerning the transportation money.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 16, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 30, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 7, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 3-2 WITH 2 ABSTENTIONS TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE JOINT MEETING WITH THE HOLDEN SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 17, 2009. (ABSTAINED: FERGUSON, JUMONVILLE.)
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2009.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE AND RELEASE THE INTERVIEW MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 21, 2009. (ABSTAINED: JUMONVILLE.)
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JANUARY 4, 2010.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Charter CATV License Renewal
The Manager informed the Board that he was pleased with the results of the recent contract renewal negotiations and recommended its approval by the Board. Town Counsel has vetted the contract and it is ready for signature.
Sel. O’Brien suggested the Town invite Verizon and its FIOS system in to town to offer cable TV, phone, and Internet services. He said when there is competition for service, prices drop by 25%.
The Manager commented that he has written three letters to Verizon inviting them to offer their services to residents. He said that currently, Verizon has no interest in entering the market in Holden. He suggested that the Board meet again with Alan Cummings the Verizon representative at the MMA this weekend to express the Town’s continued interest in their services.
Sel. White suggested that the contract should have a clause that gives the Town the right of first refusal to purchase equipment should Charter no longer offer its services to Holden residents.
Town Counsel suggested that the Board could amend their vote to include language that the town requests to continue discussions/negotiations regarding the right of first refusal.
Mr. Tom Cohan, Director, Government Relations Charter Communications introduced himself to the Board. Sel. White presented his suggestion that the Town be given the right of first refusal to purchase cable equipment should Charter no longer offer its services to Holden residents.
Mr. Cohan said it was a technically difficult request. If Charter were to sell, they would take bids for the equipment. The disadvantage the Town would encounter would be operating the billing system and the customer service portion of the services. He said it would be better to have another company purchase the regional operations and run it for the Town.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RENEW THE CHARTER CABLE TV LICENSE AS PRESENTED.
The Manager said the signed contract would be forwarded to Mr. Cohan.
Town Manager Report
The Manager summarized his service to the Town since July 2009. He was charged by the Board to complete the FY2011 budget, recruit a HMLD Manager, and settle outstanding union contracts. The Manager reported that the new Town Manager Nancy Galkowski would start her service with the Town on February 1st with a balanced budget. He reported the successful recruitment of Jim Robinson as the new Manager of the Light Department. Additionally, all five union contracts have been settled.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 19, 2010 MEETING AT 7:22PM.
APPROVED: February 1, 2010
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