HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 15, 2010
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman David White, Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne, James Jumonville
Absent: Kimberly Ferguson
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Robert Martin, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman White announced that the Selectmen had entered into Executive Session prior to the meeting to discuss a legal matter. The Board reopened the meeting at 6:45PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. The Chairman announced that Sel. Ferguson would not attend the Selectmen’s meeting due to a prior commitment.
Selectmen Appointments
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CHANGE OF MANAGER FOR FLIP FLOPS BAR AND GRILL AT 6:49PM.
Attorney Brian Forts, representing Nicola Viapiano, owner of Flip Flops, addressed the Board. Mr. Forts said Mr. Viapiano had been acting as Manager of the establishment since the prior Manager resigned on September 18, 2010. The restaurant also employs a Bar Manager, an Assistant Manager and a Kitchen Manager. Mr. Forts said that there is always a manager present on site who is TIPS trained.
No one came forward to address the Board.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CHANGE OF MANAGER FOR FLIP FLOPS BAR AND GRILL AT 6:50PM.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE CHANGE IN MANAGER OF FLIP FLOPS BAR AND GRILL AS PRESENTED.
Tax Classification Public Hearing
Principal Assessor Beverly Kenniston presented a Tax Classification hearing for FY2011. Ms. Kenniston introduced Jim Dillon, a member of the Board of Assessors.
She explained that the Town’s high residential factor of 93.92% prevents the Town from shifting the tax burden to its commercial base. The 2010 real estate market was flat. The Town experienced a slight increase in new growth during the year. She recommended FY11 single tax rate of $15.65. This is an increase of $0.85 from the FY10 tax rate of $14.80.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO OPEN THE FY11 TAX CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:10PM.
The Chairman asked if anyone from the public wished to speak at the public hearing.
Mr. Brian Forts, Birchwood Drive, said he represented the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Forts urged the Board to continue to approve a single tax classification rate for the Town of Holden.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO CLOSE THE FY11 TAX CLASSIFICATION PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:12PM.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADOPT A RESIDENTIAL FACTOR OF ONE THAT RESULTS IN TAXING EACH CLASS OF PROPERTY AT THE SAME RATE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION
4. Citizens’ Address
Ms. Michele Wronski, addressed the Board to offer her help in the establishment of a dog park in Holden. She offered her volunteer services to research how to create a dog park in town. Ms. Wronski may be contacted at www.holdendogpark@charter.net or by searching Face Book for Holden Dog Park.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager informed the Board that all of the gas lines have been installed along Reservoir Street. The developer is required to repave the trench prior to the winter season. The year will be reassessed in a year or two once the street has settled for a final paving which the contractor will provide.
The Manager reviewed a report from Jim Shuris, Director, DPW regarding a review of the new compound meter readings at the Mountview School to date. The meter has been operational since September.
Sel. Lavigne asked why the meter at Mountview was allowed to function in a broken status and report incorrect information for four years. Chairman White said that prior to the Town Manager assuming her position in February 2010, the town had no commercial/large compound meter-testing program. The DPW did not discover the terrible condition of the meter until they went to test the meter and it literally fell apart in their hands.
The Manager reported that an analysis of the West Mountain Street meter readings and billings had been done. Based on the information obtained from the City of Worcester, it appears that the City was billed the appropriate amount and no adjustments are due.
The Manager reported that as part of the Town’s audit of its solid waste collection program, residents were sent stickers to be placed on their blue trash toters by the week of November 15th. Residents should be aware that Casella would not collect trash from toters that do not have the appropriate sticker. Residents should contact the Light Department at 508-820-0233 to obtain a sticker.
The Manager announced that on Saturday, November 20, 2010, an open house will be held at the new Public Safety building from 10AM-4PM. The program will start with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10AM followed by the opening of the building to the public. Residents are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items as a contribution to the Wachusett Food Pantry.
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the period ending October 2010 as prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
6. Holden Municipal Light Department CY2011 Capital Budget
Mr. Jim Robinson, Manager Holden Light Department presented the CY2011 Capital Budget and a CY2011-2015 Capital Program. Mr. Robinson said that following the direction of Town Manager Galkowski, who has prepared a similar five-year capital program for the Town, the Light Department prepared its own five-year capital program. The Board commended Mr. Robinson for managing the Light Department efficiently and effectively for the residents of Holden now and into the future. He added that the Board is very pleased with the work being performed by the staff at the Light Department.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ACCEPT THE CY2011 HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT CAPITAL BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
7. Solid Waste & Recycling Program
The Manager provided the Board with an update on the efforts made on behalf of the Town’s solid waste and recycling programs. She said that the Department of Growth Management has made a concerted effort to improve these programs. She reported that the Administration would not seek a fee increase at this time. The program is currently operating at a slight surplus.
Mr. Dennis Lipka, Director of Growth Management reported that 5.25 tons of recycled paper was collected at the town’s first personal document shredding service on November 13, 2011. Casella will offer this service again to residents on April 9, 2011. He reported that the town’s recycling tonnage is running flat, most likely due to the decrease in newspaper readership. In a recent audit of the new sticker program for trash toters, 14 residents were identified as participating in the program but not receiving bills. The Town does not currently pick up solid waste/recycling at condo and apartment buildings because of the issues regarding private property. Sel. White suggested revisiting the subject of including these facilities in the town program. Mr. Lipka said he was unsure if the large Casella
trucks could navigate some of the narrow streets and tight turns on these properties. Sel. Renzoni inquired if residents caught participating in the solid waste program were back charged for using town services and not paying. Mr. Lipka said that residents were added to the program the day they were caught and no resident was back charged for this service. Chairman White said that any resident caught using their trash toters and not paying for the service should be back charged. Sel. Renzoni said he thought it was not the fault of these residents. The fault lies with the Town who lost oversight and control of its solid waste program. Town Counsel said there would be a large burden of proof effort for the Town to collect money from these residents.
Mr. Lipka said that a new policy had been established where residents who are no longer using the town’s trash service would continue to be charged a monthly fee until the town is in possession of the toters. He said there are many ways that residents illegally obtain toters. He said that at the end of November 2010 the Growth Management Department would have completed the audit and would have a good handle on the system. This will allow the system to begin in January 2011 on track.
The Manager asked if the Board would like to develop a policy to back charge these residents who were receiving “free” trash/recycling services. If the Town can document when residents became customers of the light department, they can also determine the date residents should be back charged for trash services.
Sel. Jumonville asked the Manager to report back before the end of the year on these unregistered users of the solid waste program and a course of action, if any, the town should take to pursue recouping its losses.
Town Counsel reminded the Board that they are not the Trash Commissioners. Chairman White said that the Board sets the fees in Town.
Sel. Renzoni said he while he may not be a Commissioner of this program, he was a Selectmen concerned about the Solid Waste Program who feels his questions regarding the account are being delayed every month.
The Manager commended the Department of Growth Management and Manager of the Light Department who worked very hard since April 2010 audit the entire program. She said that she sees the program working in the right direction but it will take time. Mr. Lipka reminded the Board that Holden’s solid waste program is the most effective program in the Commonwealth that operates on 2½% overhead.
8. Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Committee will meet on December 9th.
Skate Park: Met on November 9th and selected the Hardcore Co. to build the park. Next meeting is scheduled for January 11th at 5:30PM in the Selectmen’s Room.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: Committee met with the Planning Board on November 9th.
Water/Sewer: Next meeting is November 16th at 7PM in Memorial Hall.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC:
Open Space Committee: Has not met.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: He announced the Grand Opening Dedication Ceremony would be held on 11/20 from 10AM-2PM. Police and Fire will give guided tours. Police and Fire Departments expect to take occupancy of the building on December 1, 2010.
Mountview Building Committee Study Committee: Thanked residents for passing the funding to conduct the study. Committee meets on 11/16.
9. Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Inquired when the Town expects to receive the Comprehensive Rate Study from DCM? The Manager reported that the report is expected later in the week.
2. Inquired if the DPW Director has any year-end projections for the water/sewer enterprise fund? The Manager reported that the Board receives the Director’s monthly reports. The Town is in a lesser deficit than November 2009. Unexpected expenses include Upper Blackstone costs for transportation, CDM study, and the MRWA December Ice Storm bills.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Invited Sel. Renzoni to speak to his daughter’s First Grade class about what it means to be a Veteran.
10. Acceptance of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 1, 2010. (Abstained: Jumonville.)
Motion by Sel., seconded by Sel., it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL TOWN MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 8, 2010. (Abstained: Jumonville.)
11. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE
NOVEMBER 15, 2010 MEETING AT 9:30PM.
APPROVED: December 20, 2010
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