HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 5, 2010
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Anthony Renzoni, David White, Kenneth O’Brien
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, 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.
Selectmen Appointments
A motion was made by Sel. White and seconded by Sel. Jumonville for the purposes of discussion to appoint Michael Krikonis, 10 Shady Lane, as a member of the Conservation Commission to a term expiring December 31, 2010.
Sel. White observed it has been past practice of the Board to interview candidates prior to voting for their appointment.
Sel. White and Jumonville agreed to withdraw their motion until an interview can be arranged.
The Manager will schedule an interview with the applicant prior to the next meeting.
Chairman Ferguson announced that Mr. Jim Dunn a member of the Agricultural Commission has informed the Town that he is unable to continue serving on the Commission. The Chairman said that any resident who is interested in serving on the Agricultural Commission should contact the Town Manager’s office to fill out a “Do Something” questionnaire.
Sale of Bonds
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TAKE ACTION REGARDING THE SALE OF $5.2MILLION IN MUNICIPAL PURPOSE BONDS, $5 MILLION FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING PROJECT AND $200,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF A FIRE TRUCK) BY ADOPTING IN THEIR ENTIRITY THE SEVERAL VOTES DESCRIBED IN THE DOCUMENT DATED APRIL 5, 2010 AND SIGNED BY THE CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN BEGINNING WITH THE WORDS “VOTED” THAT THE SALE OF THE $5,200,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION MUNICIPALPURPOSE LOAN OF 2010 BONDS OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN DATED APRIL 15, 2010 ON PAGE 1 OF SAID DOCUMENT AND ENDING ON PAGE 2 WITH THE WORDS “CARRY INTO EFFECT THE PROVISIONS OF THE FOREGOING VOTES.”
Employee Recognition
Police Chief Sherrill recognized Officer Jason Consiglio, a new hire to the HPD. Officer Consiglio was hired on January 1, 2010 from the Worcester Police layoff list.
Chief Sherrill recognized Robert Murray, an officer with the HPD, who recently graduated from the State Police Academy in December 2009.
Chief Sherrill recognized HPD Officer Michael Joslyn, who recently completed an assignment at the State Police Academy during the last training class.
Chief Sherrill introduced Major Sean Baxter, Mass State Police who was recently promoted and is now in charge of the Holden barracks and the nine substations that are under his jurisdiction.
Chief Sherrill introduced HPD Officers Jon Bourget and Anthony Gribbons who rescued Holden resident Don MacKay and his wife from their burning home on January 11, 2010. Chief Sherrill has nominated both officers to the FBI Wall of Honor for their heroic actions that saved the lives of these two residents.
Mr. MacKay offered his sincere thanks to Officer’s Bourget and Gribbons and the Holden Fire Department for their dedicated service.
The Selectmen presented Officer’s Bourget and Gribbons with Certificates of Accommodation and acknowledged their actions were without regard for their own personal safety.
The Town Manager reported that new Town Clerk, Cheryl Jenkins was sworn in on April 1, 2010. Ms. Jenkins has served as the Assistant Town Clerk in Holden for 27.
The Town Manager announced that Mrs. Judy Sikes, Assistant to the Town Manager, has been recognized by the Greater Worcester Research Bureau for her work in public service. She was awarded a key to the City of Worcester at a ceremony held March 31, 2010.
The Chairman said Mrs. Sikes had also been awarded a “Hats Off” Award from the Selectmen for her dedicated service to the residents of Holden.
The Town Manager announced the appointment of Dale Hickey in the Town Clerk’s Office to the position of Assistant Town Clerk.
Citizens’ Address
Mr. John Grigas, 275 Fisher Road, relayed the poor condition and maintenance of Fisher Road. The road has not been maintained for eight years and expressed interest in receiving definitive information regarding a plan from the Town.
Dr. Thomas Pandiscio, Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent Pandiscio presented a feasibility plan to construct a wind turbine on the campus of Wachusett Regional High School. He said that the School District received a grant one year ago from the Mass Technology Collaborative to conduct a preliminary site feasibility study. This preliminary study determined the quality of wind at the site, the connectivity to the power grid, and interaction with the Holden Light Department. No fatal flaws were discovered during this preliminary evaluation process. Dr. Pandiscio said the District would proceed with a secondary data gathering process. The secondary evaluation will involve installation of a “met” tower at the potential site to collect data for wind speed, duration, and direction for a period of one year. The potential site is located at the
western end of the high school track. The tower is situated more than 1000 feet from any abutter’s property. Bids for the construction of the “met” tower are currently being solicited and will be awarded soon. The “met” tower is 60 meters high and does not make noise. The size of the final tower will be dependent on what information is gathered at the “met” tower. Chairman Ferguson encouraged Dr. Pandiscio to keep an open door policy on information sharing with the Selectmen, abutters, and residents.
Dr. Pandiscio informed the Board that the District has been invited to collaborate with the Massachusetts School Building Authority to conduct a feasibility study for the rehabilitation/replacement of Mountview School. An estimate to hire a Project Manager and solicit bids for architectural services to conduct a feasibility study is projected to be $625,000. The final cost of the project would be dependent on the recommendation of the study. While unable to quote an exact reimbursement rate from the MSBA, Dr. Pandiscio said that The Town of Rutland was reimbursed 62% for its collaborative study with MSBA. Classroom spaces at Mountview School are substandard to today’s academic requirements. He said the building needs comprehensive educational improvements and the MSBA will not reimburse for
general maintenance to the building without having an educational improvement plan filed.
Sel. Jumonville said he would be interested in conducting the feasibility study.
Sel. White commented that the high school building project received periodic reimbursements from the State while financed by the district towns. He said the Town of Princeton was currently struggling with low class enrollment and was educating their students in an academically inappropriate environment. He asked if the District would be interested in a collaborative middle school effort between Holden and the Town of Princeton? Dr. Pandiscio said he would discuss the proposition with the Town of Princeton.
Chairman Ferguson said discussions needed to happen between the Administration, Finance Committee and the Selectmen regarding financing of the feasibility study. Ms. Kelly suggested financing the process with the IIF in order to start the process. When reimbursements are received from the State, they can reimburse the IIF. This would eliminate the need to seek out a debt exclusion.
Sel. Renzoni said he would like to meet to discuss the financing of the study sooner rather than later. He suggested creating a study committee to evaluate the process. Sel. White said a building committee would form once a funding source had been achieved.
Sel. O’Brien suggested including representatives from Princeton in any discussions.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ASK THE ADMINISTRATION TO ASSIMILATE THE NECESSARY INFORMATION TO PREPARE A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR THE REHABILITATION/REPLACEMENT OF THE MOUNTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR PRESENTATION AT FALL 2010 TOWN MEETING.
Voting Delegates – MA Municipal Wholesale Electric Corporation
The Town Manager explained that due to the retirement of Town Manager Brian Bullock, who served as the voting representative to MMWEC and NYPA, the Board is required to name a new voting representative and alternative representatives to the two entities. Town Manager Galkowski recommended that the Board, acting as Holden Light Commissioners, vote to appoint Jim Robinson, Light Department Manager, as the voting representative, with the Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager as the alternates.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT JIM ROBINSON, LIGHT DEPARTMENT MANAGER, TO SERVE AS THE DESIGNATED VOTING REPRESENTATIVE, AND JACQUIE KELLY AND NANCY GALKOWSKI AS ALTERNATE DESIGNATED VOTING REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT FOR THE NEW YORK POWER AUTHORITY (NYPA) AND FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL WHOLESALE ELECTRIC COMPANY (MMWEC) AS PRESENTED.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
Town Manager Galkowski announced that prior to bidding the sale of the $5M bond issuance for the Fire Station, the Town sought the rating opinion from Standard and Poor’s Rating Services. She reported that Standard and Poor’s affirmed the Town’s current long-term rate of AA-. The Board reviewed a copy of the agency’s rating summary.
The Town Manager announced that Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) rates would decrease on April 1, 2010. For residential customers who use 600 kWh a month, this will result in a $4.56 (4.4%) reduction in the monthly bill.
The Manager informed the Board that State officials inspected the Princeton Street Bridge on April 3, 2010, was deemed unsafe, and immediately closed. The bridge is currently under repair and is anticipated to reopen in May 2010.
The Manager reported that the DPW determined that the portion of road beyond the paved portion of Fisher Road is not town property. As such, Ms. Galkowski said that the town could not maintain the road beyond the pavement, which is not a public way. She said the Town would do some grading to smooth the road.
Sel. O’Brien asked if it was possible for the town to minimally resurface/repave the road?
Sel. White asked what residents would have to do to have the private portion of the road accepted by the Town as a public way?
Attorney Martin responded that residents of Fisher Road need to determine who has the legal right of way of the unpaved road by conducting a title examination at the Registry of Deeds. He commented that just because houses were built on the unpaved road does not mean that the town has a responsibility to maintain that portion of the road. Once a title examination has been conducted, citizens may bring a petition to the Town.
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports through February 2010 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose.
Sel. O’Brien commented that expenditures were outpacing revenues by 100K in the W/S account. He said he would like to receive a follow up from DPW Director Shuris.
The Chairman reminded Selectmen that specific questions about budgetary line items should be presented to the Town Manager’s office prior to the meeting to allow for response preparation.
Set Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE MAY 17, 2010 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AT 8:15PM.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 1-5 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 6-1 – 12 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 13 AS A PLACEHOLDER ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 14 – 19 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 20 – 25 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 26 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLES 27 AND 28 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET WARRANT ARTICLE 29 ON THE MAY 17, 2010 FY 2011 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
The Town Manager said the Planning Board would schedule a public hearing for Warrant Article 29.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE MAY 17, 2010 TOWN MEETING WARRANT AT 8:23PM.
Street Layouts
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 20, 2010 TO LAY OUT ERINS WAY FROM STATION 0+82+/- TO STATION 4+91.53 FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 409.53FEET AS SHOWN ON A PLAN OF LAND ENTITLED DEFINATIVE SUBDIVISION PLAN SURREY LANE EXT. DATED 3/7/05, PREPARED BY FINLAY ENGINEERING SERVICES, RECORDED WITH THE WORCESTER DISTRICT DEEDS, PLAN BOOK 826, PLAN 79.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON APRIL 20, 2010 TO LAY OUT SHEFFIELD WAY EXTENSION FROM STATION 8+60.40 TO STATION 10+66.07 FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 205.67FEET AS SHOWN ON A PLAN OF LAND ENTITLED DEFINATIVE SUBDIVISION PLAN SHEFFIELD WAY EXTENSION DATED 12/10/05, PREPARED BY FINLAY ENGINEERING SERVICES, RECORDED WITH THE WORCESTER DISTRICT DEEDS, PLAN BOOK 847 PLAN 15.
Selectmen Subcommittees/Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Next meetings: April 14th and April 28th at 7PM in the Selectmen’s Room. Color guard and mounted contingent from Monty Tech ROTC will participate in the parade this year.
Civil Service: Will present to the Board later in the meeting.
Sel. O’Brien: EDC: has not met.
Water/Sewer: Conducted a joint meeting with the Selectmen on March 29th.
Sel. White: PSBC: Will meet 4/7 at 6PM at the Light Department.
1. Town’s Uni-Bank payment system does not take VISA. The Manager said that VISA does not have an agreement with Uni-Bank to accept VISA payments. The Manager said that her office would review the systems payment vendor choices this summer.
2. Encouraged residents to increase their recycling efforts at home.
3. Requested an update regarding the Town’s Message Boards. The Manager reported that a final site at the Shrewsbury intersection was chosen to place an electronic message board. Final design plans are being created for the location.
4. Reminded the Board that they had discussed in the Fall of 2009 forming a committee to determine if it is time to review the Town Charter. The Manager will review the appropriate charge to establish a review committee. Sel. Ferguson requested placement of the discussion on a future Board agenda.
5. Discussed intersections along Main Street re: the abuse of turning lanes at Industrial Drive and Salisbury Street. Many drivers use these turning lanes as passing lanes, in the hopes of “cutting” ahead through long lines of traffic. This “cutting in line” method of driving just creates frustration on behalf of those in the right hand lanes. Additionally, this driving method is also causing accidents along Main Street, especially at the Malden Street intersection. He said Mass Highway was supposed to review these turning lanes. The Town Manager said Mass Highway reviewed this request in 2008 and determined that it was not something that they wanted to change. The Administration will look at traffic accident information to justify the Town’s position to have these
turning lanes restructured. Sel. White asked that the Administration send a letter to Mass Highway restating the Town’s objections to these lanes remaining as they are.
6. Board of Selectmen met jointly with the Water/Sewer Advisory Board and the Town’s engineering firm Camp, Dresser & McKee on March 29, 2010 to plan out the town’s water and sewer resources, rate structures and plans for the next 10 years. CDM will report back in several months with a feasibility study. No votes were taken to increase water/sewer rates.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: Committee will meet on April 12th.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Expressed the many thanks from residents to the DPW during the recent rain events during the month of March.
2. Board continues to meet to review the budget.
3. Has noticed an increase in dumping of trash on properties and vacant lots in town. She reminded residents that dumping of furniture, trash, and household items is illegal in town and a fine will be assessed to anyone caught dumping their trash in town.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0-2 WITH 2 ABSTENTIONS TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 1, 2010. (Abstained: White, O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTENTION TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2010. (Abstained: Renzoni.)
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. White, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND HOLD THE EXECUTIVE SESSION MEETING MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 2010.
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE JOINT MEETING MINUTES WITH THE WATER/SEWER ADVISORY BOARD OF MARCH 29, 2010.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. White, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 5, 2010 MEETING AT 8:55PM.
APPROVED: April 20, 2010
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