HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 7, 2011
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present:
Chairman David White, Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne,
James Jumonville (arrived 6:53PM), 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.
Library Board of Trustees – One Year Appointment to Fill Vacancy Left by Resignation of Celeste Duffy
The Board interviewed Mr. Richard Maurer, 11 Baskin Parkway, to fill the Library Trustee vacancy that was created when current member Celeste Duffy moved from Town. Mr. Maurer said he has been a resident of Holden for 22 years. As a professional writer, Mr. Maurer said he was a frequent user of the library’s services. He said he has spent many years as a member of the Friends of the Gale Free Library, and served six years as its president. Mr. Maurer said he would take out papers to run for the elected position in May.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPOINT MR. RICHARD MAURER AS A LIBRARY TRUSTEE TO FILL THE VACANCY LEFT BY CELESTE DUFFY.
Sel. Ferguson announced an open house to wish retiring Library Director Jane Dutton a fond farewell would be held on February 8th from 4PM-6PM at the Gale Free Library.
WRSD Inter-Municipal Agreement – Mountview School Feasibility Study Borrowing
The Board reviewed a revised copy of the Inter-Municipal Agreement between the Town of Holden and the Wachusett Regional School District. The agreement is for Mountview Feasibility Study Borrowing only. She said a change in wording in the document could be found on Page 2, #4 “Term.” The term of the agreement was changed from 25 years to 10 years. The Manager said that once the Selectmen signed the agreement, it would be sent to the School Committee for signature.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Se. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE INTER-MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT FOR THE MOUNTVIEW FEASIBILITY STUDY BORROWING AS PRESENTED.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
The Manager reported the Town had received 79 inches of snow over 18 events as of February 7, 2011. The Town has expended $284,823 from the Snow and Ice Budget of $325,000 leaving a balance of $40,177. DPW staff has performed all sanding and plowing; the Town hires no outside contractors to perform these duties, which helps to keep costs associated with clean up efforts low. The Manager encouraged residents to clear fire hydrants in their neighborhoods. Sel. Lavigne requested that the Town’s LED information sign alert residents of the need to clear fire hydrants. The entire Board expressed their appreciation to the DPW staff for their tireless efforts during this difficult winter. Chairman White asked the Administration to send a letter to DPW staff declaring the
appreciation of the citizen’s of Holden.
The Manager reported that her Administration is still in the process of evaluating a regional dispatch center with Worcester and the surrounding communities. A proposed draft inter-municipal agreement with Worcester is being reviewed so that the needs and the requirements of the communities are better addressed. She added that Chief Sherrill is evaluating the Town’s participation in the regional dispatch center. There is a need to balance the Town’s new dispatch facility with ongoing cost savings and the increased services the Town would receive with a regional dispatch center. Sel. Ferguson asked if the Town just built a new dispatching center why join a regional dispatch center? The Manager said that there are many questions that need to have answers and it is
still too early in the process to make any decisions. Chairman White said there might be some benefit in joining a regional dispatch center for overnight hours’ coverage.
Sel. Jumonville arrived at 6:53PM.
The Board reviewed a political calendar for 2011. Offices that are open this year include the Moderator, two seats on the Board of Selectmen, two seats on the Trustees of the Damon Memorial, three seats on the School District Committee, and one seat on the Housing Authority. Nomination papers will be available in the Town Clerk’s office after February 15, 2011. All information is posted on www.townofholden.net.
The Manager announced that the FY2012 Budget would be available on February 15, 2011. She suggested scheduling a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee before or during the regular meeting on February 22nd. Sel. Ferguson said holding the meeting on February 22nd would work with her schedule.
The Manager informed the Board that the Water Sewer Rate study from Camp, Dresser & McKee was due in to her office on February 10, 2011. She suggested scheduling a joint meeting between the Board, the Water Sewer Advisory Board, and representatives from CDM on February 14th or 17th to review the report. Chairman White asked that members of the Finance Committee receive an invitation to the presentation. The Manager will call the Board when the report is available for pickup.
The Board reviewed the revenue and expense report as of December 31, 2010.
The Manager asked the Selectmen to send nominations for the dedication of the 2010 Annual Report to her office as soon as possible.
4. Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
5. Recreation Program Online Registration
The Manager explained how the MyRec online registration software program for the recreation department functions. The initial program start up costs will be 23K with an additional 22K expended in year two. All recreation programs would be increased by $3 to help offset costs and improve services to the citizen’s of Holden, whether participating in on-line or walk-in registration. Pool fees were raised in 2003. Ms. Morano could not remember when program fees were last increased.
Recreation Director Denise Morano said the MyRec program would register people in “real time.” She said she would also hold a registration process in person for those who do not have computer access. She said 25% of the enrollment would be allotted for walk-ins with 75% dedicated to those on-line. Residents who pay for pool passes on-line would still need to come into the Recreation office to pick up the passes.
Sel. Lavigne spoke to the benefits of participating in the on-line registration program including creation of email “blasts” (lists, updates and cancellation alerts), monitoring of enrollment increases and decreases, generating reports and management information, and the convenience of being able to register for programs from work or home. He said that it would upgrade the Town to the 21st Century and increase the efficiency of Recreation staff. This program will improve the lives of residents and employees.
The Manager said that the Town would have to go to the Finance Committee for funding of the program.
Chairman White commented that residents spend $3 for a cup of coffee while waiting in the walk-in registration line. He felt that residents would gladly pay the $3 program fee increase for the convenience of being able to register on line.
Sel. Renzoni commended the Administration for answering the registration concerns of residents and Selectmen.
The Manager said that she is currently involved in the budget process and has discovered that the Recreation Department is not charging enough for its programs to cover its costs. She said the Recreation Department would be starting a study to determine future rate increases to its programs.
Chairman White concurred with the Manager stating that the Recreation Revolving Account had been drained and no longer contained enough money to maintain the recreation facilities in town.
A motion by Sel. Renzoni to increase Recreation program fees by $3 was discussed.
Chairman White said that the expenditure for the MyRec program must be discussed and approved by the Finance Committee.
Town Counsel said Sel. Renzoni’s motion was to increase program fees.
The Manager said the Finance Committee must approve the expenditure for the program in addition to requesting money to pay for repairs made to the pool last summer. She recommended that the Board request 50K expenditure from the Finance Committee to pay for these items.
A motion was made by Sel. Renzoni and seconded by Sel. Lavigne for discussion to request that the Finance Committee authorize an expenditure of 50K to purchase the MyRec computer software and pay for repairs made to the pool.
Sel. Jumonville made a motion to amend the motion into two separate votes. He said he was not in favor of the MyRec program but was in favor of paying for the pool repairs. Sel. Ferguson said she would second the vote.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SEPARATE SEL. RENZONI’S MOTION INTO TWO VOTES.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO REQUEST THAT THE FINANCE COMMITTEE INCREASE EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIO OF $23,000 FOR ONLINE REGISTRATION AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT. (OPPOSED: JUMONVILLE.)
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO INCREASE EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATION BY $27,000 FOR REPAIRS TO THE HOLDEN POOL.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO RAISE RECREATION PROGRAM FEES BY $3 TO OFFSET COSTS TO THE MYREC ON-LINE REGISTRATION PROGRAM. (OPPOSED: JUMONVILLE.)
6. Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade Committee: Committee will meet on February 9th and 23rd.
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Skate Park: Committee will meet on February 8th and 15th.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Have not met.
Open Space Committee: Have not met.
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan: Will not meet until March.
Water/Sewer: Waiting for the CDM Water Sewer Rate Study.
Charter Review: Serving on the Committee with Sel. Lavigne. Will meet every Wednesday during February at 6:30PM in the Starbard Building.
Sel. White: Public Safety Building Committee: Last meeting was January 5th. Roof bids have been extended due to the poor weather. The Committee and Police Chief Sherrill are aware that driver’s are not respecting the stop line in front of the new public safety building. However, he reported that the light signals and the stop line in the road in front of new building are the responsibility of Mass Highway. Chief Sherrill is working with the Manager’s office to work on a solution before the Town seeks help from Mass Highway.
Mountview Building Committee Study Committee: Committee is scheduled to meet on 2/8 at the Light Department.
Sel. Ferguson: Affordable Housing: Have not met.
7. Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Reported that drivers are cutting around a telephone pole at a stop sign at the intersection of High Street and Princeton Street and several accidents have almost occurred.
Sel. Ferguson: 1. Addressed the Board in her capacity as the State Representative. She announced that her office in the State House is up and running. Boston office: 617-722-2263. District office: 508-210-0714. She provided an update on the budget. While early in the process, she reported that Chapter 70 and 90 monies are up and Local Aid has been cut. She said while revenues are up, these changes will not affect this year’s budget. Over 5000 pieces of legislation were filed at the State House within the last two weeks. She said while Holden’s snow removal budget is in good shape, many Cities and Towns whose snow removal budgets are in the red are petitioning the State for supplemental snow removal money. The Manager inquired about the status of Health Care Reform. Rep.
Ferguson said that Health Care Reform is a top priority for the legislature, but did not have an exact date when it would come to the House Floor for discussion.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Encouraged residents to dig out their fire hydrants. He asked that the DPW keep snow banks in right of ways and intersections low for visibility.
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Burning permits are currently being issued. $10/day and $20/season.
2. The Manager reported that recycling rates comparisons for January 2010 and January 2011 were very close. The Growth Management Director indicated that January 2011 numbers were lower due to heavy snow preventing residents from getting toters to the curb. Sel. Renzoni asked that Casella provide a report on which customers are not recycling. He requested a thorough update on the Town’s recycling efforts at the next meeting.
Reported that he took a tour of Monty Tech in December 2010. Further information can be found at www.montetech.net.
Sel. White: 1. Electronic sign bids are being evaluated. The sign will eventually be located on the green space at the Bank of America site. The sign will need to go before the ZBA for site approval. It is anticipated to arrive in late spring.
The Fire and Police departments are reviewing on-line R911 systems.
Discussed the Comprehensive Inter-Departmental Emergency Preparedness Plan update. The Manager said Department heads meet every two months to review the plan. The Manager said intended to budget 10K for a consultant to come in and run a table-top exercise with Department Heads.
8. Approval of Minutes
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE DECEMBER 20, 2010 MEETING MINUTES. (ABSTAINED: RENZONI.)
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 3, 2011 MEETING MINUTES. (ABSTAINED: RENZONI.)
9. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE FEBRUARY 7, 2011 MEETING AT 8:17PM.
APPROVED: February 22, 2011
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