HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 21, 2010
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville, Anthony Renzoni
Absent: Robert Lavigne
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager, Robert Martin, Town Counsel (arrived 7:55PM), Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman White announced the appointment of Mr. Robert Butler to the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Board interviewed Mr. Butler prior to the regular meeting.
Selectmen Licenses and Appointments
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A ROAD RACE LICENSE TO GORDON F. WARREN ON BEHALF OF THE CENTRAL MASS STRIDERS FOR A ROAD RACE ON JUNE 25, 2010 FROM 6:30PM – 8:30PM.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO MARILYNN FOLEY ON BEHALF OF THE 250TH PERMANENT GIFT COMMITTEE FOR CONCERTS AT THE BANDSTAND FROM JUNE 27TH – AUGUST 15TH FROM 4:30PM-8:30PM.
At the request of the Bandstand, the Board agreed to waive the application fee.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO WAIVE THE LICENSE FEE FOR CONCERTS AT THE BANDSTAND AS REQUESTED BY THE 250TH PERMANENT GIFT COMMITTEE.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REAPPOINT MATTHEW J. ATANIAN AS A CONSTABLE TO THE TOWN OF HOLDEN.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2010 TO ALEXI GANIAS d/b/a THE 122 DINER, SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY – 6AM-2PM.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2010 TO JEB’S RESTAURANT d/b/a LA BUSSOLA, SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY – 4PM-10PM.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE – MUSIC, RADIO, TV TO EXPIRE DECEMBER 31, 2010 TO JEB’S RESTAURANT d/b/a LA BUSSOLA, SUNDAY THROUGH SATURDAY – 4PM-10PM.
The Manager asked the Board to reappoint Ms. Lisa DeCiero to the Holden Cultural Council for one year to complete the remainder of Ms. DeCiero’s 6-year term. Volunteers to the Cultural Council are limited to serving two 3-year terms. The Manager added that two vacancies exist on the Cultural Council. Residents are encouraged to volunteer on this committee that meets twice during the fall months to give money away to local artists.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REAPPOINT LISA DECIERO FOR A ONE-YEAR TERM EXPIRING ON 6/30/11 ON THE HOLDEN CULTURAL COUNCIL TO COMPLETE THE REMAINDER OF HER 6-YEAR TERM.
HMLD Power Supply Analysis and Purchase
Mr. Jim Robinson, Light Department Manager reviewed the daily energy needs and the cost of power for the town for the next 18-months and through the next 5 years. Mr. Robinson recommended that the Board vote to support the utilization of MMWEC to purchase power on a tiered basis and authorize the Town Manager and the Light Department Manager to execute such purchases: 1. Power not to exceed 2 megawatts for a time period no longer than 5 years (through 12/31/15); 2. Power sufficient to meet up to 80% of the projected need for a time period not to exceed 18-months; and 3. Power sufficient to meet up to 90% of projected need for a time period not to exceed 12-months. Tier 2 and 3 purchases would commence January 1, 2011 and the purchase of windows would roll forward.
Mr. Robinson said that if current market conditions are sustained and the HMLD is able to lock in most of the next year’s needs soon, the Town should be able to reduce our rates by 5-7% from where they are predicted to be at the end of 2010. Additionally, the HMLD will adjust the PCA rate effective July 1, 2010 from its current rate of 1.6 cents/KWH/(0.6) cents/KWH for residential after federal hydro (NTPA) credit to a new rate of 0.5 cents/KWH/(0.5) cents for residential. A residential customer who uses 600 kWh per month will see a $3.00 credit on their bill, which is a $6.60 (6.6%) reduction from June. Since January 2010, residential rates will have been reduced by 10%. An increase in the customer base through new business and housing would allow the fixed costs of producing power to be spread out over more
customers allowing for the PCA to be lowered again.
The Chairman asked Mr. Robinson to update the Board on rate comparisons and power purchases periodically.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED TO USE MMWEC TO AUTHORIZE A THREE-TIER POWER PURCHASE AUTHORITY FOR THE TOWN MANAGER AND LIGHT MANAGER AS RECOMMENDED BY THE MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC POWER ADVISORY BOARD AS PRESENTED.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Police Department Recognition
Police Chief Sherrill recognized Detective Al Bourget and Officer Richard Horrigan for apprehending suspects involved in several house break-ins in May. The Board recognized both officers for their dedication to keeping the citizens of Holden safe.
Mr. Barrio, 75 Winfield Road thanked both officers for their work in apprehending the suspects involved in breaking into his home. His wife was in the home at the time of the break-in and barricaded herself in a room while the assailants ransacked the home.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Will not meet again until September. A video of the parade is being shown on Ch. 11 on Mondays at 9PM, Thursdays at 11AM and Sundays at 12:30PM.
Starbard Scholarship: Anthony Oberg is attending Westfield State as a Government/Political Science major, and was awarded a $600 scholarship. Mr. Oberg will be invited to the July/August meeting to meet the Board.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: The Committee recently met with the Recreation Director. The Recreation Department is currently meeting all of its Master Plan functions. The Master Plan Committee would like to meet with the Board in the late fall to provide an update on their activities. The Committee will resume meeting in September.
Sel. White: PSBC: FF&E bid came in under budget and the project is tracking approximately 2.3M under budget.
Sel. White appointed Sel. Lavigne to the Economic Development and Open Space Committees, and Sel. Ferguson to the Affordable Housing Committee and the Electric Advisory Board. Sel. Renzoni will continue to serve on the Water/Sewer Advisory Board and the Master Plan Committee. The Manager will make a board appointment to the Mountview Renovation Committee. Sel. Jumonville agreed to serve on the Skate Park Committee and Memorial Day Parade Committee.
Sel. Renzoni said that no one from the Master Planning Committee had come forward to serve on the Capital Planning Committee. Sel. Renzoni volunteered to serve on the committee. The Manager said that she would speak to Sel. Renzoni about this appointment.
Public Hearing – Solid Waste Fees
Chairman White read the notice of public hearing into record.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE SOLID WASTE FEES PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:34 PM.
The Town Manager reported that the FY2011 Solid Waste Enterprise Fund budget as originally presented and adopted by Town Meeting indicates a need to increase revenue by $52,000 in order to pay the increased costs of collection and disposal. The Town Manager reminded the Board that during the budget process, the budget was also increased by $21,000 to implement a new recycling effort and to reinstate the sticker program. It is believed that these two efforts will increase the Town’s recycling rate and reduce the cost of solid waste disposal in order to be revenue neutral.
As such, the Town Manager recommended that the Board consider increasing fees related to the solid- waste program effective July 1, 2010: Plan A. 65-gallon tote to $17/month ($16.25) and Plan B. 35-gallon tote to $12.50/month ($11.00) in order to balance the budget. There are currently 4,850 participants in Plan A and 450 participants in Plan B.
No one from the public approached the Board to speak to the proposed fee increases.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:44 PM.
Sel. Renzoni said he felt that the $1.50 increase for the small toter was too much. He recommended that each toter cost be increased by .75 cents. This will leave the Growth Management Department with a smaller buffer in the black, but felt that a smaller fee increase was more reasonable.
Sel. Ferguson said that she was intrigued by Sel. Renzoni’s proposal but deferred to the Manager. She suggested that the Board try raising the rate by the .75 cents and tracking the trash and recycling tonnage on a monthly basis to ensure that the budget stays in the black. She said that the small toter cost has not increased since its inception and needs to increase. She requested information from Casella about increasing recycling to a weekly basis. She said residents are asking for an increase in recycling pick-up because they say their recycling toters are full after one week.
The Manager said that Sel. Renzoni’s rate proposal would be cutting it tight and it would leave the department with no leeway for trash tonnage error. The lower fee increase would only allow for a 5-ton trash buffer.
Growth Management Director Dennis Lipka said there are approximately 1100 households in town that do not participate in the town’s waste program. 220 of these households are customers loyal to the town’s previous trash provider, Central Mass Disposal.
Chairman White asked how aggressive the town has been with households that are not using the town’s waste program. He suggested bringing some of these 220 customers back into the program to offset costs. He added that it is important to receive the data from Casella regarding who is not recycling. He said the drivers know which residents are not recycling.
Town Counsel joined the meeting at 7:55PM.
Ms. Galkowski said that the town has been running its trash program since 2004, offering the lowest trash and recycle rates around. If these 220 Central Mass Disposal customers have not joined the service provided by the town by now, she doubted that they would. She said she would have to conduct an analysis of the increase of customers vs. the increase in tonnage, to see if the collection costs would offset the costs to provide the town with a bigger buffer. The Manager said it was important to allow residents to participate in the recycling program.
Mr. Lipka said that trash and recycle tonnage collection peaks and flows and there is variation to the numbers. Summer months are slow months for trash and recycle and real numbers won’t be ready till the fall. History has shown that creating a large price difference between the large and small toter results in more households switching to the smaller (cheaper) toter. A recent audit conducted by the Growth Management Department shows that households that use small toters are less likely to recycle. He anticipates purchasing approximately 250 small toters this year. He said Sel. Renzoni’s proposal cuts it too close. The Manager runs a lean budget, but this is too lean.
A motion was made by Sel. Renzoni, and seconded for purposes of discussion by Sel. Ferguson to increase the large toter to $17/monthly and $11.75/monthly for small toter.
Sel. Ferguson said she was not happy with either scenario. She said something needs to be done with the small toter program and increase recycling education.
Sel. Jumonville said that he would prefer a smaller cost increase to the large toter and that the small toter customers bear the brunt of the cost increase.
Sel. Renzoni said he was proposing the minimum possible increase and we’ll “figure the rest out down the road. It doesn’t matter who we drive away, the rates are wrong.”
The Chairman said he was not interested in raising rates until he receives hard information and all the numbers.
Ms. Galkowski said that she was afraid that the Chairman was confusing recycling with the actual costs to run the program. Her cost proposals are to make the program run better.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO INCREASE THE LARGE TOTER COST TO $17/MONTHLY AND THE SMALL TOTER COST TO $11.75/MONTHLY. (OPPOSED: JUMONVILLE.)
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Board reviewed the year-to-date revenue and expenditure reports for the period ending May 2010 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose.
The Manager informed the Board that according to Bev Kenniston, Town Assessor, the FY2011 Preliminary Tax Bills have been completed. Eight thousand two hundred and forty seven bills totaling $14,760,898.75 will be mailed to residents on June 30th. Payments are due August 2nd and November 1st.
The Board reviewed a request from Janice and Roger Ouellette requesting to meet with the Selectmen regarding an endorsement of their proposed petition amendment to the 111th Congress that prevents foreclosure to homeowners in financial crises. The Board agreed that in the past they have not taken a public position on Federal issues. Town Counsel concurred. The Board declined to meet with the Ouellette’s.
The Board reviewed information on the Open Meeting Law regarding actions that the Town can take immediately to implement the new law. Due to the requirements of the law, meeting agenda’s and Sel. Packets will have to be prepared by 6PM on Thursdays. This will require Selectmen to turn in any information to the Town Manager’s office earlier. The Manager said she is still working out some issues regarding posting of meeting notices and public information. Minutes must include all documentation and exhibits used during a meeting, which will require an increase in space to file documents. Some of the new requirements are cumbersome. The Attorney General’s office will hold a training session on June 28th at 6PM at the Central Mass Education, 44 Front Street, Suite 300.
The Manager informed the Board that in accordance with the Town Charter, and subject to their approval, she has designated Ms. Jacquie Kelly to act as Town Manager in her absence.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE DESIGNATION OF MS. JACQUIE KELLY AS ACTING TOWN MANAGER IN THE ABSENCE OF THE TOWN MANAGER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TOWN CHARTER.
The Manager reported that an appeal hearing in Leominster District Court has been scheduled for the dog “Misjif” owned by Mr. & Mrs. Cripps, 605 Shrewsbury Street on July 1, 2010 at 11AM.
The Manager reported that a trail has been closed at Trout Brook due to a territorial hawk that is nesting.
The Board reviewed a request by seven Mountview students proposing an alternative energy project presentation to the Board at a future meeting.
The Manager announced that the Dawson Pool is open for business and very busy.
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Asked for an expected year end balance of the Water Sewer Revenue and Expense Report. The Manager said she still anticipates ending the year with a $30K-$40K positive balance.
Met a Holden Boy Scout who is working on his Eagle Scout project. He is interested in conducting an improvement to the Holden Veteran’s Memorial. Sel. Renzoni said he would like to invite the Boy Scout to a future meeting to explain his project on camera.
Would like to invite members of the Historic District Commission and Historical Commission to the August meeting to discuss an inventory of historic town assets.
Requested an update on the vault/meter on West Mountain Street. Vault is not anticipated to arrive until mid-July.
Does the DPW Director have a plan to begin a comprehensive billing and usage analysis to include CDM Consulting Services in some capacity? The Manager said that she expects to receive a proposal in early July.
Sel. White: 1. Reviewed a report by DPW Director Shuris regarding an update on all large water meter testing and the results/actions taken.
2. Discussion on a dog park and the closing of the T&G radio towers to the public. The Manager said that she would contact the operators of the radio towers to work cooperatively with them to open the property back up to the dog owners. The Board would like to find a possible solution to the situation.
Continuing drainage issues exist on Mason Road.
Toured the Bubar Fields with the DPW, and the Manager regarding outstanding maintenance repairs.
Mountview Middle School assessment; where do we go from here? Town has sent a letter to the State regarding pursuit of a feasibility study. A building committee must be formed and an architect must be hired in addition to a funding source/town meeting.
What water rate is being charged to residents at the condo’s at Holden Hills?
Recent Fire Department presence at Friendly’s was for ice cream day on June 5th. Great community spirit was had by all. DPW, Police and Fire equipment will be on hand at “Dig Day” at the Library on Wednesday, July 14th 10AM-11AM. Sel. White suggested that the Town invite Casella and a recycling truck to the event.
Expressed his disappointment/disgust with the City of Worcester and their unconscionable, pathetic efforts to repair the broken water meter on West Mountain Street. He asked the Manager to continue to push the issue with the City Manager for an explanation of their actions.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Moritorium extended on sewer expansion in Rutland. Wants assurance that this will not affect Holden’s sewer capacity. The Manager reported that she has asked the DPW to make a sewer capacity update and the availability of sewer expansion for the July agenda.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Check out the summer events at the Gale Free Library.
Approval of Previous Meetings
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE TOWN MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 17, 2010.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE DOG HEARING MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 7, 2010
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 7, 2010
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 21, 2010 MEETING AT 9:25PM.
APPROVED: July 26, 2010
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