HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 5, 2011
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne, Kenneth O’Brien, Anthony Renzoni,
James Jumonville, Kenneth Lipka
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Robert Martin, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Chairman Lavigne opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits
The Chairman announced that prior to the regular meeting the Board interviewed and reappointed Mr. Michael Antinerella to a three year term on the Agricultural Commission expiring 2014.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL LICENSES ON THE WHITE SHEETS THAT ARE IN COMPLIANCE AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
The Manager said that establishments on the blue sheets were not in compliance at this time. These businesses will be contacted and resubmitted for approval at the Board’s December 19, 2011 meeting.
Mr. Donald Williams presented his Eagle Scout project to the Board. Mr. Williams restored the White Oak Trail at Porcupine Hill located on Rt. 31 on the Paxton/Holden border.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager announced that the Town’s new electronic sign at the corner of Main and Shrewsbury Street is operational. The sign will allow the Town to post several announcements at one time. She added that the administration is in the process of determining the timing of the messages so that the vehicles travelling through the intersection have the opportunity to view all the messages. The Board reviewed draft regulations regarding the use of the sign and prioritization of messages. Sel. O’Brien said he would like the sign at the Bandstand publicize community events. Currently, the sign is under the control of the Bandstand Committee who does not allow other groups to advertise their events on the sign. The Manager said she would speak with the Bandstand
Committee about the request.
The Manager said the new telephone system at the Starbard Building has been installed. Installation of the new system in Town Hall, Senior Center, Public Works garage and Library will be completed by the end of December. The new numbers for the Starbard Building are available on the Town’s web site www.holdenma.gov. Once the entire system is up and running, there will be one central number where callers will have phone access to all town departments.
The Manager invited the public to attend the annual lighting of the Holden Menorah on the first night of Chanukah, 6:30PM, Tuesday, December 20th. The Menorah is located at the Bandstand in front of the Senior Center. Coffee, hot chocolate, and Chanukah jelly donuts will be provided. Non-perishable food donations will be collected. All donations will be contributed to the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester.
The Manager asked residents to consider giving to the Help at H.O.M.E. fund. Flyers were sent out in the last HMLD billing with an envelope for contributions. The program has raised over $60,000 and assisted over 90 families since its launch three years ago. Support come in many forms including help with fuel oil, utilities, rent, housing and other household emergencies. Any support residents can give is truly appreciated.
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Report for the period ending October 2011 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose.
The Manager introduced Mr. John Woodsmall III, the Town’s new Public Works Director. Mr. Woodsmall began his employment with the Town on November 28, 2011. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering and is a Registered Professional Engineer. Mr. Woodsmall previously worked in the Towns of Southborough and Concord Massachusetts engineering departments. The Board enthusiastically welcomed Mr. Woodsmall to the Town.
WRSD Request for Special Town Meeting – Partnership for the 21st Century Skills
The Manager said that the Town had not received a legal opinion from Bond Counsel regarding the use of the unexpended 20081M indebtedness for an environmental clean up project to purchase and install a WI-fi network and iPads for the students.
Chairman Lavigne said that the Selectmen attended a Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on December 1, 2011. However, he was unable to attend that meeting and was waiting to review a video of the meeting.
The Board discussed whether there was a sense of urgency to hold a special town meeting in January 2012 to approve the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills project. Sel. Renzoni said that he did not want to support the District’s request to set the Special Town Meeting because the District does not have a plan to implement what may or may not be a good idea with no information on its long-range impact on the Town. He said he would support taking the decision to the people once the District has a plan in place. It would certainly be a passionate but ill-informed Town Meeting. The Board and the Manager would have no way to inform the public prior to the Town Meeting. Sel. Jumonville said he was felt the Board should vote to approve or not approve the special town meeting.
A motion was made by Sel. Jumonville and seconded by Sel. Lipka to discuss not hold a special town meeting in January 2012 to approve the Partnership for the 21st Century Skills Project.
Sel. O’Brien said that he felt the Board should honor the request of the School District and set the Special Town Meeting. He said it was not the responsibility of the Selectmen to inform the general public of the information or to block the authority of the District to ask for additional resources. He said he did not think that the general public would support the District’s request at the meeting.
Discussion was interrupted at 7:03PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
WRSD Request for Special Town Meeting – Partnership for the 21st Century Skills (reopened)
Sel. Renzoni said the District had not made a case for the Special Town Meeting and could not answer the Board’s questions.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO NOT HOLD A SPECIAL TOWN MEETING AS REQUESTED BY THE WACHUSETT REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT IN JANUARY 2012 TO APPROVE THE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE 21ST CENTURY SKILLS PROJECT. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
Public Hearing for Conversion of Chapter 61 Classified Land – George Howatt, Chapin Rd.
The Town Manager informed the Board that Mr. George F. Howatt had withdrawn his Notice of Intent to Sell land on Chapin Road identified as Lot 3, consisting of 4 acres. Therefore the Board does not need to act on it’s right of first refusal to purchase the land.
HMLD Capital & Operating Budget
Mr. Jim Robinson, Light Department Manager presented the CY2012 Operating and Capital Budgets. He said the HMLD’s objectives for CY2012 included to continue to maintain reliable delivery and stable rates, continue to strengthen its electric system, and commence a program to obtain real-time system information. Actions being taken by the HMLD in 2012 include maintaining the permitting process at Stony Brook Unit 3 Project, reviewing the Customer Deposit Policy which hasn’t changed since 1984, gaining access to RGGI Funds to enhance the energy efficiency program, and conducting a street light rate review. Mr. Robinson said that the Power Advisory Board had approved the CY2012 Operating and Capital Budgets. Mr. Robinson said that all of the recommended vehicle replacements included in the budget presentation
were critical to the daily function of the department. Sel. O’Brien inquired about the need to create a succession plan at the HMLD. Mr. Robinson concurred, adding he would take the inquiry into consideration. Sel. O’Brien inquired about the possibility of the Town developing its own energy resources to help stabilize rates. Mr. Robinson said he was reluctant to start generating energy. He said that somebody else should take the financial risks associated with this type of venture. Sel. Renzoni said that giving Mr. Robinson and the Town Manager the ability to make immediate, day-to-day power purchases has paid off for the Town and its customers. He said he had faith, figures, and facts in Mr. Robinson and his budget that the HMLD had the best intentions for its customers. Sel. O’Brien said he had concerns about the money being spent on capital expenditures and referenced the concerns of the Board to support the
District’s plan to purchase iPads. He said the Town should be careful about spending its resources and would not support the HMLD Capital Budget. Sel. Lipka rebutted Sel. O’Brien’s comments stating that the Board was approving a 2012 budget and not a million-dollar expenditure with no budget plan.
The Board directed the Manager to issue a letter to Representative Ferguson to state the Board’s support for HMLD access to RGGI Funds.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT THE CY2012 HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT OPERATING BUDGET AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROPRIATE THE SUM OF $86,014 OF LIGHT DEPARTMENT FUNDS TO THE TOWN OF HOLDEN OPEB TRUST FUND IN 2012 ON A DATE TO BE DETERMINED BY THE TOWN MANAGER.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ACCEPT THE CY2012 HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT CAPITAL BUDGET AS PRESENTED. (Opposed: O’Brien.)
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: MSBC: The Committee did not meet November 29, 2011 as there was no new information to discuss. The Committee is scheduled to meet on December 14, 2011.
Open Space: Have not met.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Next Meeting is December 7, 2011.
EDC: Working on a meeting date.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park:
Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting December 14, 2011.
Sel. Renzoni: W/S Advisory: Will meet before the end of the year. Anyone interested in serving on the Committee should fill out a Do Something questionnaire at the Town Manager’s office.
Master Plan: Will meet December 13th to discuss land use.
Sel. Lipka: Power Advisory Committee: Met on November 29th and approve the HMLD Capital and Operating Budgets. He said he had reviewed Sel. O’Brien’s questions about proactive disaster improvements made by the HMLD since the 2008 Ice Storm with Mr. Robinson.
Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Selectmen’s Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: 1.Jed’s Hardware is offering a free Christmas tree or wreath with yellow ribbon to all families with deployed service members. Sel. Renzoni has graciously offered to deliver the items. Please contact any American Legion member or contact Sel. Renzoni via the Town’s website www.holdenma.gov or the Town Manager’s office. The Board asked the Manager to send a letter of thanks to Jed’s for their support of local Veteran’s.
2. American Legion is looking to sponsor any Veteran in need during the holiday season.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Habitat for Humanity project will be roofing a Veteran’s home in Marlboro.
2. Wee Aide collections can be dropped of at the First Baptist Church.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. MMA Conference will be held in January 2012. Selectmen are encouraged to submit their conference selections to the Chairman.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 2, 2011 MEETING MINUTES.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 3-0-2 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 7, 2011 INTERVIEW MEETING MINUTES. (Abstained: Jumonville, Lavigne.)
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 7, 2011 MEETING MINUTES AND CHANGE TO WWW.HOLDENMA.COM TO WWW.HOLDENMA.GOV.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE NOVEMBER 21, 2011 MEETING MINUTES.
Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:44PM UNDER MGL C30A, SECTION 21 FOR THE PURPOSE OF A STRATEGY SESSION IN PREPARATION FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL: LIPKA: YES; O’BRIEN: YES; RENZONI: YES; LAVIGNE: YES; JUMONVILLE: YES.
10. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 5, 2011 MEETING AT 9PM.
APPROVED: December 19, 2011, as amended
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