HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 6, 2010
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne,
James Jumonville, Kimberly Ferguson
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Robert Martin, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Appointments
The Board reviewed the list of annual license renewals. Licenses presented on the white paper are ready for Board approval. Licenses presented on the green paper are not in compliance with the Town at this time.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ALL ANNUAL TOWN LICENSES PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION ON THE WHITE PAPER.
The Board agreed to hold approval of those businesses not in compliance at the December 20th meeting.
Sel. Ferguson asked the Administration to keep the Board informed of the status of those businesses not in compliance.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Town Manager informed the Board that on December 1, 2010 the Bureau of Accounts, Department of Revenue approved the Town’s tax rate.
The Manager announced that on November 30, 2010, the Town completed the successful transfer from the old Police and Fire Stations to the new Public Safety Building.
The Manager reviewed Executive Action 10-05 to establish a Town Charter Advisory Committee. The Committee will consist of 2 members of the Board of Selectmen and 3 at-large members. Town Counsel, the Town Moderator, and the Town Manager will service as ex-officio members. The Committee will be charged with completing their work by the end of February 2011. The Manager requested that the Board choose their representatives by the December 20th meeting. Additionally, the Manager requested that the Board vote to designate the members of the Committee as Special Municipal Employees for the purposes of the Massachusetts Conflict of Interest Law.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DESIGNATE THE MEMBERS OF THE TOWN CHARTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE AS SPECIAL MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES AND THAT THE BOARD AGREES TO SUBMIT TWO SELECTMEN TO SERVE ON THE TOWN CHARTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE BY DECEMBER 20, 2010.
Sel. Ferguson said she would forward an item for the Committee to review to the Town Manager’s office.
The Manager reported that the Town would sponsor a free flu clinic on Tuesday, December 21, 2010 from 4:30PM-6:30PM at the Holden Senior Center. The vaccine available for all Holden residents 9 years and older. No appointment is necessary. Residents are asked to bring insurance cards. Questions may be addressed to the Board of Health at 508-829-0254.
The Manager informed the Board that she attended the AAA Traffic Safety Awards Luncheon with Police Chief Sherrill on December 2, 2010. The Town was recognized with a National Silver Award for its excellent traffic safety record. Only 5 municipalities in the Commonwealth received this award. Additionally, the Town was recognized for 29+ years without a pedestrian fatality.
3. Holden Municipal Light Department CY2011 Operating Budget and Interim Revenue Strategy
Mr. Jim Robinson, Manager Holden Light Department presented the CY2011 Operating Budget and Interim Revenue Strategy. He explained that a detailed forecast of revenues was still currently under development; therefore a full profit and loss budget for 2011 was unavailable. Projects anticipated by the HMLD in 2011 include paperless billing with enhanced online payment services and account information along with email notification/reminders and an enhanced energy efficiency rebate program involving Smart Strip surge protectors. Mr. Robinson reported a steady decline in energy sales since 2005. CY2009 sales were off due to the economy and mild weather. While CY2010 was budgeted to be lower than 2009 due to the loss of its largest customer, warm weather, modest growth and anticipated colder winter weather are likely to
result in sales levels similar to FY2009. CY2011 is projected to be stable. Power expense costs dropped, resulting in several reductions in rates in 2010. Mr. Robinson reported than increased sales of electricity and a lower cost of power in 2010 have resulted in a greater than budgeted profit. Therefore, he proposed two immediate adjustments: 1. The HMLD will increase the current 10% prompt payment discount to 25% for billings in December 2010 (General Service rate customers who normally receive a 2.5% prompt payment discount will receive a 6.5% discount). If all customers take advantage of the discount, the reduction in revenues will be around $180,000, on a one time basis; and 2. The HMLD will eliminate the storm surcharge that has been in the rate structure since October 2009. While originally anticipated to be in place for 24 months, higher sales and better than average anticipated financial performance will accommodate the surcharge being
eliminated effective January 1, 2011. The impact will be an ongoing annual revenue reduction of approximately $230,000.
Long term revenue strategies include the development of high probability revenue and expense projections for 2011-2015, identifying and quantifying major risks of lower revenues and higher costs, and exploring opportunities for additional rate reductions along with a rate stabilization plan. Mr. Robinson said he would return in the first quarter of 2011 to present further information as it develops.
The Board interrupted discussion regarding the HMLD CY2011 budget at 7:25PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.
4. Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
3. Holden Municipal Light Department CY2011 Operating Budget and Interim Revenue Strategy (reopened)
Sel. Ferguson and Sel. Lavigne both praised Mr. Robinson’s thorough and easy to understand presentation. Sel. Ferguson said she appreciated receiving the CY2011 Operating Budget in a timely manner.
Chairman White suggested switching the HMLD’s fiscal calendar to match the Town’s fiscal calendar from July to July. The Town Manager informed the Board that the DPU, which regulates the electric industry, requires all electric municipalities to conduct their fiscal calendar from January to January. Mr. Robinson said the HMLD could petition the DPU to change the fiscal reporting period. However, Holden might be the only municipality to do so.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT THE CY2011 HOLDEN MUNICIPAL OPERATING BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A ONE-TIME 25% (6.25%) PROMPT PAYMENT DISCOUNT FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE BILLINGS ISSUED IN DECEMBER 2010.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REMOVE THE STORM SURCHARGE FROM ELECTRIC SERVICE RATES EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2011 AS PRESENTED.
5. Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Committee will meet on December 8th.
Skate Park: Committee will meet December 14th.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: Have not met.
Water/Sewer: Have not met.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC:
Open Space Committee: No quorum at 11/29 meeting. Meeting has been rescheduled 12/9 at 1:30PM.
Chairman White discussed what type of reporting system should occur when a Committee meeting is cancelled due to lack of a quorum. He suggested that Committee Chairman should report to the Town Manager the day after a meeting is cancelled due to this frustrating issue.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: The Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony was held on 11/20. A letter of commendation was prepared to Thomas Nearborn and the Wachusett Choir singers for their performance at the Grand Opening. Next meeting is 12/15 at the new PSB.
Mountview Building Committee Study Committee: Thanked residents for passing the funding to conduct the study. Committee meets on 11/16.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing:
6. Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. White: 1. Requested an update on an interdepartmental emergency plan. The Manager said that this item has been moved to the top of the priority list for January 2011.
2. Requested the status of the new message board at Main and Shrewsbury Street. Two bids received late in the week of November 29th are being evaluated.
What is the status of a clean up in the front of Town Hall. Overgrown bushes are obscuring the building and the monument. The Manager said that the bushes would receive a good trimming.
Requested an update on the ongoing solid waste and recycling audit. Specifically, how many residents were receiving services and not paying for them? The Manager said although the number fluctuates on a day by day basis, the Growth Management Department has determined that so far, 54 residents have not been paying for solid waste services for 6-months or longer. A plan is being developed to collect back payment for services.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Reported a metal grate located in the road near the old Christo’s Market. Is it in Holden or Worcester?
2. Reported that the manhole covers in front of LCU are still loose.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Has the Town purchased a new ambulance? The Town Manager said that the specs are still being developed and bid shortly in calendar 2011.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Thanked the Girl Scouts and the Fire Department for welcoming Santa on December 4th.
7. Town Manager’s Evaluation
Chairman White reported that Sel. Renzoni had compiled information regarding a sixth month review of the Town Manager’s evaluation. Sel. Renzoni reported that he and the Chairman reviewed the information with the Town Manager on November 30th. Sel. Renzoni read the narrative portion of the evaluation into the record. The Board agreed to meet to review all of the compiled information. The Board discussed how it was necessary to include narrative comments on the evaluation rather than relying on a numerical rating system. It was agreed that more narrative feedback should be provided. Another evaluation will be conducted in June 2011. Selectman Ferguson said that some criteria on the evaluation were not rated due to the fact that Town Manager Galkowski had only been on the job six
months. Ms. Galkowski concurred that feedback is necessary for improved performance. She said she would like to work with the Board to improve the success of the process.
8. Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-2 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE WATER/SEWER MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 23, 2010. (Abstained: Ferguson and Renzoni.)
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE WATER/SEWER MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 29, 2010.
9. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 6, 2010 MEETING AT 8:05PM.
APPROVED: December 20, 2010 as amended
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