HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 16, 2010
6:30PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman David White, Kimberly Ferguson, James Jumonville,
Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:35PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Licenses and Appointments
Chairman White announced that prior to the meeting, the Board met to interview Ms. Mary Shepherd for reappointment to the Holden Cultural Council and Mr. Michael Elmes for appointment to the Holden Historic District Commission.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO DONALD LAING ON BEHALF OF FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOR A BBQ AT HOLDEN DAYS ON SATURDAY AUGUST 28, 2010 FROM 11AM – 3PM.
Warrant for September 14, 2010 State Primary
Sel. Ferguson excused herself from the discussion due to a conflict of interest.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO SET THE STATE PRIMARY WARRANT FOR SEPTEMBER 14, 2010 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Sel. Ferguson returned to the meeting.
Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Will meet again in September.
Skate Park: Met August 10th to review the RFP. Next Meetings are September 8th and September 14th. Additional information can be found on the Town web site.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: Committee will meet on September 21st at 7PM in the Starbard Building.
Water/Sewer: Met August 12th. Waiting for comprehensive billing analysis.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Committee has not met.
Open Space Committee: Committee has not met.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing Committee:
Electric Advisory Board: Next Meeting August 26th.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: FF&E arrives mid-September. Board was able to view the Town’s two new fire trucks prior to the meeting.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board of her recommendation to fill a vacancy on the Conservation Commission. She said she recently interviewed Mr. Mark Helfrick, a mechanical engineer and resident of Holden who expressed an interest in contributing to the community. The Manager asked the Board to confirm her appointment.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF MR. MARK HELFRICK TO THE CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
The Town Manager reported that the Street Meter on West Mountain Street has been installed and is operational. Town Engineers will read the new data and request customer information from the City of Worcester so the Town can determine the amount of undercharging that occurred during the period the meter was not working.
The Manager informed the Board that the island at the intersection of Main Street and Shrewsbury Street is owned by Mass DOT. Through cooperation with Mass DOT, the island has been cleared of the dead shrubs/trees. The State will deliver cobblestones so that the Town can create a wide four-foot border around the interior of the island. Low growth plants that will tolerate this heavily trafficked area will then be planted inside the cobblestone border. As part of an agreement with the State, the Town will maintain the island area.
Town Manager Galkowski told the Board that the Town has received specifications for an Electronic Message Board, which will be located at the Main Street/Shrewsbury Street intersection. The sign will have two sides in order to make it visible from all four corners of the intersection. The Town is in the process of going out to bid to purchase the message board.
The Manager informed the Board of the need to schedule a Special Town Meeting in late October or early November subject to the availability of the Town Moderator. Articles expected for the meeting include and Mountview School Feasibility Study appropriation, a MWRA Ice Storm appropriation, Zoning By Law changes for Wind Turbines, and Street Acceptances. Chairman White said he would like to see the meeting occur in November. The Manager cautioned that holding the meeting later in November would make it difficult to set the tax rate. She said she would keep the Board updated.
The Manager updated the Board on the status of the ongoing Fire Hydrant Painting Project. As part of the National Fire Protection Agency guidelines, the DPW is in the process of painting the town’s 887 hydrants to indicate the subdivisions. As of July 29, 2010, 84 hydrants have been painted. The Manager added that painting of the hydrants has been dependent upon personnel resources.
The Manager updated the Board on the status of the Town’s research into the creation of a dog park. Denise Morano, Recreation Director identified the parking lot at Trout Brook as a site to place the dog park. Due to the small size of the parking lot, it will more of a dog run than a dog park. According to a definition by the American Kennel Club, “a dog park is a public park, typically fenced, where people and dogs can play together. Similarly, a dog run is a smaller fenced area, created for the same use, that is often located within an existing park.” She has contacted the Town’s Conservation Commission and the DCR to identify restrictions to the plan. The DCR reported that the dog run cannot be located within Trout Brook and must be built in
the parking lot. The park will need to be surrounded by a 4-6 foot high chain link fence, preferably equipped with a double gated entry to keep dogs from escaping and to allow for wheelchair access. Signs will be posted and waste bags and pooper-scooper stations will be installed. The Town is in the process of determining the costs to erect the facility. Changes in the current by-law restricting dogs off-lease will also have to be explored and will possibly become an article on the Special Town Meeting this fall. The Recreation Department will oversee the site and the project.
The Manager announced the appointment of Ms. Sharon Lowder as Treasurer/Collector effective September 1, 2010. Ms. Lowder has worked in the Treasurer/Collector’s office for the past 19 years and has attained all of the required certifications and training for the position. The Manager also informed the Board that she has appointed Robin Harned-Burke as the Senior Clerk-Communications to replace Ms. Liz Arguin who was appointed to the Town Clerk’s office in July. Ms. Burke has a bachelor’s degree in communications and will be assisting with improvements to the town’s web site.
The Manager informed the Board that the Town Pool would close on August 29th. Approximately 1,393 children participated in recreations programs in town this summer.
Citizens’ Address
Mrs. Karen Halley, 125 Mason Road, representing the Wachusett Food Pantry, informed the Board that the First Baptist Church has asked the Food Pantry to vacate the premises as soon as possible to allow the Church to have extra program room. Mrs. Halley announced that the Food Pantry is looking for new space/location for its food distributions.
Mr. Tom Runstrom, 29 High Ridge Road commented on new trash rates. He said residents who participated in the small trash program are also provided with a small recycle toter. He said that his family recycled more than the small trash toter can hold and that this configuration does not work in his household. Some customers with small trash toters need the larger recycle toter.
The Chairman said the Board would discuss items brought to their attention during Citizens’ Address at the end of the meeting under Agenda Item “Follow Up to Citizens’ Address.”
Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Will hold office hours on Thursday, September 9th from 4PM-6PM in the Selectmen’s Room in the Starbard Building.
Requested an update on the Growth Management recycling program. The Manager said that summertime is a difficult time to start projects. She said she would report back with more information in September.
Sel. Ferguson: Nothing to report.
Sel. Jumonville: Nothing to report.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Inquired about vacancies on the Open Space Committee. The Manager reported that she is in the process of making appointments to the Committee. Growth Manager Director Dennis Lipka will organize the first meeting.
Sel. White: 1. Inquired about crab grass removal along streets in Holden. Is it reasonable to ask DPW to due a pre-emergence treatment in the spring? The Manager encouraged local businesses and residents to maintain curb space in front of their houses/businesses. Spraying chemicals requires a license to spray. The Town is looking into having the Sheriff’s Department perform work. In the meantime, the DPW is working on a plan for next spring.
2. Reported that the Board of Selectmen will have a table at Holden Days in Miles Funeral Home parking lot.
Approval of Previous Meetings
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE MEETING MINUTES OF JULY 26, 2010 WITH A CHANGE ON PAGE 6 TO REFLECT A CHANGE FROM "2M” TO “200M.”
The Manager requested that the Board hold approval of the Executive Session Minutes of July 26, 2010 until the Board is in an Executive Session in case changes to the minutes need to be made.
Follow Up to Citizens’ Address
The Board discussed the space requirement dilemma facing the Wachusett Food Pantry. Sel. Jumonville suggested advertising for space on the Town web site. Perhaps a local business will step forward. The Chairman asked the Administration and Growth Management to work with Food Pantry volunteers to assist in a relocation plan/locating a new distribution space.
Mrs. Galkowski said it was not good public policy to put a non-profit in a municipal building. Space within the new Public Safety Building space will not be available in time. The Food Pantry needs space now. Additionally, the Town is squeezed for space for its own use. The Chairman concurred that once the space in the basement of the old fire station is rehabilitated and used for town record keeping storage, there will be very little space left for the Food Pantry to operate out of.
Sel. Ferguson said she had spoken with the Town Manager regarding the trash and recycling policy issues. Residents with small toters want a large toter to recycle in. Growth Management said that they would evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis. The Manager said that the policy was established because it was determined that people who do not generate a lot of trash generally do not generate a lot of recycled material. Residents can also put out recycle materials in other types of bins/totes/or boxes. The Town does not want residents to downsize to a small trash toter because they are trying to cut costs. The Chairman said he did not understand why the Town would not give out larger recycling toters to encourage recycling. Sel. Renzoni said that the Town tells residents to increase their recycling
and then won’t help them out. He said he would like input from the Department of Growth Management. The Manager said that it costs the town to recycle. Discussion was held regarding revamping the
trash/recycle program. Maybe it would be beneficial to provide all residents with large recycling bins.
Sel. Ferguson asked to see the cost breakdowns for both large and small toters to providing all residents with a large recycling bin.
Public Hearing - Ch. 61 Land, Reservoir Street – E. Drawbridge – Notice of Intent to Sell and Convert to Residential Use
Town Manager Galkowski entered into record the notice of public hearing. The Town received notice of intent to sell and convert to residential use a portion of Chapter 61 Forest Land, Map 183, Part of Parcels 15 and 5 on Reservoir Street owned by Elaine Drawbridge.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:31PM.
Attorney Stephanie Goodwin, representing Elaine Drawbridge, addressed the Board. She reported that currently there is an offer to purchase two lots on Parcel 15, identified as lots 3 and 4 in the amount of $146,000. Lot 1, which is located on part of Parcel 5 does not currently have an offer to purchase and would require an impartial appraisal.
No one on the Board had any questions for Attorney Goodwin. No one from the public came forward to speak.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:35PM.
Town Manager said the Conservation Commission is not interested, nor is the City of Worcester in purchasing the property. It is the Administration’s recommendation to not pursue the property at this time.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RELEASE CHAPTER 61 FOREST LAND, MAP 183, PART OF PARCELS 15 AND 5 ON RESERVOIR STREET OWNED BY ELAINE DRAWBRIDGE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
General Discussion with Historic District Commission and Historical Commission
The Board held a discussion with Dr. Steve D’Aquila, Chairman of the Historic District Commission and Mr. Chuck Skillings, Chairman of the Holden Historical Commission. Mr. Skillings said the purpose of Historical Commission is to inventory historical sites in town and facilitate buildings into the National Historical Register. The Historical Commission recently completed a self-guided bicycle tour brochure of historical mill sites in Holden.
Chairman White said he was interested in being proactive on the long-term maintenance and care of its historical buildings in town.
Dr. D’Aquila said the Historic District Commission was responsible for reviewing changes within the two Historic Districts in Town to ensure that the historic nature, care and keeping of the buildings are preserved. The HDC does not schedule the maintenance schedules of these buildings. They could however, be used as a resource and make recommendations how the buildings should be maintained.
Both Chairmen said their committees would like to help the Town create a long-term maintenance plan for its historic buildings.
The Manager said that she understood the need to maintain the historic buildings in Town; it just comes down to resources.
Mr. D’Aquila said it would benefit both the Town and the Committees to provide a report to the Board on camera once a year.
Sel. Ferguson encouraged the Chairmen to request a joint meeting with the Board through the Chairman or the Town Manager.
Dr. Lance Lazar a member of the Historic District Commission addressed the Board. He said that it would be helpful to erect signs to alert people that they are entering the Holden Historic District. He added that Mr. Jim Shuris, DPW Director, suggested creating a “town campus” encompassing the main centerpiece of the Town buildings and the First Congregational Church to create more open green space by removing some of the asphalt and replacing areas with mulch and plants around Town Hall.
11. Town Manager’s Performance Evaluation Process
The Board agreed to perform an evaluation of the first 6 months of the Town Manager’s performance with the Town. The Board reviewed the current evaluation form. Sel. Ferguson said that this evaluation form is constantly evolving.
The Chairman said he has asked the Manager to prepare a self-evaluation/summary of her performance to date. The Manager said that she would have her self-evaluation to the Board by the end of September. The Board will then conduct its performance evaluation in early October. The Chairman said he had asked Sel. Renzoni to compile the evaluation results and write a final report.
The Manager said that the Board had not set goals for the Manager to achieve in her first six months. It was agreed that during the evaluation process, goals would be set for the next six-month evaluation, which will take place in 2011.
Selectmen will prepare their goals for the Town Manager for the first meeting in September.
Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN
THE AUGUST 16, 2010 MEETING AT 8:20PM.
APPROVED: September 7, 2010
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