HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 3, 2011
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present:
Chairman Robert Lavigne, Kenneth O’Brien, Anthony Renzoni, James Jumonville
Absent:
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. Chairman Lavigne announced that Sel. Lipka would not attend the meeting due to illness.
Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits
Motion by Sel., Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO DIMPLE DESAI ON BEHALF OF SUBWAY FROM MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 7AM-10PM AND SATURDAY 8AM-10PM AND SUNDAY 9AM-9PM FOR A TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP EXPIRING DECEMBER 31, 2011 AS RECOMMENDED. (Abstained: O’Brien.)
Motion by Sel., Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO EXPIRE OCTOBER 16, 2011 TO CARL SCHAVONE ON BEHALF OF COLONY RETIREMENT HOMES FOR OCTOBER 15, 2011 FROM 9AM-1PM FOR A BAKE SALE AND FALL BAAZAR AS RECOMMENDED.
Introduction of Mark A. Elbag Jr., Water/Sewer Superintendent
Town Manager Galkowski introduced the new Water/Sewer Superintendent Mark Elbag to the Board. Mr. Elbag holds a BS in Civil Engineering and a MS in Environmental Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and is also certified as a Professional Engineer. He had previously been employed with Tighe & Bond, Inc, a full service civil engineering firm as a Project Engineer since 2006. The Selectmen congratulated and welcomed Mr. Elbag to the Town. The Manager said she would be happy to provide the Board with a list of on going and projected W/S projects.
Senator Harriet Chandler/Representative Kimberly Ferguson
Senator Chandler and Representative Ferguson addressed the Board. Senator Chandler said they were in attendance to listen to issues concerning the Board. There are approximately 8 weeks remaining on the State’s calendar. They praised the high level of communication efforts from the Town. The Supplemental Budget will be discussed in the House this week; however, the Governor has requested that $300 million of that money be applied toward the State’s rainy day fund. The State intends to return its outstanding December 2008 Ice Storm damages payment to the Town. Reversion money will also be returned to the Town as unrestricted aid (approx. 7%). Senator Chandler and Rep. Ferguson commented that they were aware of the Town’s desire to remain in its Congressional District. A
decision will be forthcoming in November. Sel. O’Brien requested an update on regional transportation, pilot programs, and how the casino decision will affect local aid. Sel. Ferguson said that regional transportation received a $3M increase in its budget, but acknowledged that the participating Town’s are not receiving a 100% reimbursement.
The current reimbursement is approximately 58%. The pilot program will not start until the economy improves. Senator Chandler said that while she was not a fan of the proposed casino bill, she was a fan of creating jobs. She said the Senate would continue to tighten up the language of the bill. Rep. Ferguson said she did not vote to support the bill based on the projected profits, proposed casinos, and plans for slot machines. She said it would be several years before jobs and revenue was created from the bill. Chairman Lavigne asked for an update on several changes the Town made to its Town Charter in May 2011. Senator Chandler said the amendments had passed through the Senate smoothly and did not anticipate any problems.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager notified the Board that the Town had been awarded a $25,000 grant to study the feasibility of regionalizing the Town’s dispatch center with the Town of Princeton. Ms. Galkowski said two previous efforts to regionalize a dispatch center failed. The study with the Town of Rutland as the primary town would have meant that Holden’s new dispatch center at the Public Safety Building would not have been utilized to its fullest extent. The study with the City of Worcester proved that not only would the Town’s dispatch center have been underutilized, but would have also created issues with the dispatching of the town’s ancillary functions of light and public works, which are dispatched separately in the City. The possibility of creating a regional dispatch
center with the Town of Princeton has tremendous advantages for both communities and should prove feasible. She added that Police Chief Sherrill had already begun to study the issue. The feasibility study will take approximately one year to complete.
Ms. Galkowski reported that the Holden Police Department would host a Department of Justice class on “Crisis Management for School-based Incidents – Partnering Rural Law Enforcement and the Local School Systems” on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at the Public Safety Building. She said the training program has been well received, with the regional school system sending most, if not all, of the school principals. Additionally, public safety representatives and employees from the Town and Light Department will attend the class. The Manager commented that the new Public Safety Building provides the Town with the opportunity to host high level training opportunities and allows town employees to attend without the cost and time traveling to another site. The Department of
Justice is responsible for paying for the cost of the seminar.
The Manager provided a review of the Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) and their request of Holden in their efforts to obtain a $5 million grant from the federal Housing and Urban Development for deployment of sustainable planning and development in the Worcester and 39 surrounding communities. The grant would develop a regional vision similar to a master plan but with broader regional policy objectives being addressed. The focus of the grant is on planning and building sustainable communities. This focus ties in with the Town’s goal of economic development and could address other issues such as traffic, location of housing, local agricultural preservation, storm water management, and energy conservation. The proposal does request the Town devote
in-kind services of approximately one hour per week. These services could come in any form and include working on GIS information, demographics, and discussion of policy objectives for Holden, etc. It is not specific to a certain number of hours per week but is a commitment to the equivalent of approximately one hour per week. The Manager requested the Board vote to support the grant proposal.
Sel. O’Brien said he initially had reservations about participating in the project because he did not think the Town had the personnel resources to support the in-kind work requested by the grant. However, he said that if the Manager felt strongly about participating in the study, he would support the request. Sel. Renzoni asked if the Town had an obligation to participate in the study if the HUD grant wasn’t obtained? The Manager said that the Town was not bound or obligated in anyway to the CRMPC if the grant fails. Chairman Lavigne said he was encouraged at the plan’s objective to review economic development within the region.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN ENDORSES THE HUD GRANT APPLICATION FOR SUSTAINABILITY PLANNING AND WILL PARTICIPATE IN THE CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VISION AND PLANNING PROCESS THROUGH THE CMRPC AND THE CONSORTIUM ESTABLISHED TO DEVELOP THE PLAN THROUGH THE HUD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES FUNDING PROGRAM.
The Manager announced that the drainage problems on Quinapoxet Street from Windsor Circle to Bull Run have proved more extensive than anticipated, causing the DPW to keep the roadway closed for another week. It is expected that the work will be completed by October 7, 2011, weather permitting. Quinapoxet Street will be closed to through traffic and school buses, but will remain open for local traffic. All efforts are being made to open the street at night if it is safe to do so. The Town appreciates the patience of the residents during the repair work.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET HALLOWEEN TRICK-OR-TREAT HOURS FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011 FROM 4PM UNTIL 7:30PM AS RECOMMENDED BY POLICE CHIEF SHERRILL.
The Board reviewed the draft re-stated goals. The Manager requested the Board finalize and prioritize the goals. The Board requested to wait to approve the goals until it could meet with a full Board. Sel. Renzoni encouraged Selectmen to finish the process at the October 17, 2011 meeting.
The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the periods ending June, July, and August 2011 as prepared by Town Accountant, Lori Rose. Sel. O’Brien inquired why the payment in lieu of taxes from the City of Worcester had decreased each year? He commented that the City owns a considerable amount of land in Holden and felt that the Town should seek a new assessment of the land. The Manager said that she would research the request with the Town Assessor; however, she said that the town’s land assessments have decreased over the past several years and this could be the reason for the lesser amount in lieu of tax payments to the Town.
Health Insurance – Acceptance of MGL c32B, 21-23
The Manager informed the Board that the process for changing health insurance benefits MGL c32B, 21-23 notifications to union representatives should have been sent via certified mail. Since they were not, she requested that the Board wait to vote on these changes until their October 17, 2011 meeting. The Town Manager provided highlights on the Governor’s new municipal health care reform legislation to the Board and the process the Town must undertake to implement these changes. Section 22 allows the town to make changes to the co-payments, deductibles, tiered provider network co-payments, and other cost sharing plan design features up to the dollar amounts of the same or similar features in the Group Insurance Commissions (GIC) most subscribed non-Medicare plan. Any changes to health insurance, which involves
contribution changes or consolidation of plans, etc., must be handled through the existing collective bargaining process. She said the goal in all the proposed changes was to provide quality health care to employees and retirees at a reasonable cost to the town and the employees.
The Town Manager said she anticipated the conclusion of the review process and making a decision to move forward with either Section 22 or 23 by March 1, 2012. Chairman Lavigne said he would like to have information regarding the impact on the employees and how much the Town would save depending on which Section the Manager chooses. The Manager said she would not have the time to prepare this amount of information prior to the Board's endorsement of the MGL in two weeks. Once the Board votes to give the Manager the authority to move forward, the Selectmen cannot change their vote. The Manager said either direction would save the Town money. She added that the final decision was hers to make as Town Manager. The Town Manager said if she does not have the support of the Board, she could not move
forward and would have to conduct health insurance negotiations separately with each union. Ms. Galkowski said that she felt that the proposed changes had been received positively from the members of the Health Insurance Advisory Committee. Sel. Renzoni said he felt the Town Manager had the best intentions for both the Town and its employees, making it a win-win situation for everyone. He said he would support the vote when it was presented at the October 17th meeting and encouraged the rest of the Board to do so as well. Chairman Lavigne asked Selectmen to forward any questions regarding the proposed changes to the Manager prior October 17th.
Power Supply Update
The Board reviewed a recommendation from Mr. Jim Robinson, Light Department Manager, regarding the current and future status of the Town’s electric power supply contracts. Mr. Robinson addressed the Board to recommend the Town revise its authorization for future power purchases by extending the authorization until 2016 and by increasing its megawatt purchases from 2 megawatts to 3 megawatts. He said the current market presents an opportunity for HMLD to lock into future power contracts at very favorable rates. Mr. Robinson also informed the Board the 2 new 20-megawatt transformers for the Bullard Street substation are anticipated to arrive the week of October 17-24. The substation will be out of service for 3-4 weeks. The existing 50-year old transformers will be sold reducing the project cost by
approximately $19,000. The projected cost of the project is $850,000 ($925,000 authorized). The main switches at the Chaffins substation would be installed spring 2012. He said the delivery of the forestry truck had been delayed until March 2012 due to delays with a subcontractor. The Power Advisory Board will meet on November 21st to review the HMLD 2012 Capital Budget and December 5th to review the HMLD 2012 Operating Budget.
Sel. Renzoni thanked Mr. Robinson for the “happy news” of rate reductions and stable power for the next five years.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AUTHORIZES THE TOWN MANAGER AND THE LIGHT MANAGER TO PROCURE, AS DEEMED APPROPRIATE, THE FOLLOWING: 1. POWER NOT TO EXCEED 3 MEGAWATTS FOR A TIME PERIOD NO LONGER THAN 5 YEARS THROUGH 12/31/2016; AND 2. POWER SUFFICIENT TO MEET UP TO 80% OF PROJECTED NEED FOR A TIME PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 18 MONTHS; AND 3. POWER SUFFICIENT T MEET UP TO 90% OF PROJECTED NEED FOR A TIME PERIOD NOT TO EXCEED 12 MONTHS. TIER 2 AND 3 PURCHASE WINDOWS WOULD CONTINUE TO ROLL FORWARD AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: MSBC: Meeting on Sept 27th was cancelled. Waiting for State approval for the Design Enrollment plan. The Committee can not seek an architect until State approvals have been met.
Open Space: Have not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park: Next meeting October 11th at 5:30PM. Sel. Renzoni said he was pro skateboard park and encouraged kids and adults to become involved in the process. The Manager said it was more than a matter of showing up to meetings but rather residents making a commitment to the entire process. She said she was going to be hard-pressed to continue dedicating town time to a project that no one shows any interest in.
Memorial Day Parade: Next meeting Dec 2011 or Jan. 2012.
Sel. Renzoni: W/S Advisory: October 20th or 30th at 7PM.
Master Plan: Will meet in the Fall.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Next meeting is October 5th. Renovations to existing building continue.
Help at H.O.M.E: Have not met.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Follow-up on cigarette sales to minors in Town. Who enforces this law? The Manager said she would send email regarding the issue to the Selectmen.
2. Requested an update on the dog park. The Manager said that WTAG was interested in working with the Town and members of the Dog Park Committee in a collaborative effort to create a dog park. When a solid plan is in place, more information will be shared with the Board.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Attended Public Safety Day on October 2, 2011. Thanks to all the public safety employees who participated in the event.
2. Reminded Selectmen that Sel. Miscellaneous items need to be sent to Robin at the Town Manager’s office by the Wednesday prior to the next meeting. He said it was not fair to discuss miscellaneous items without allowing the Manager time to prepare an answer prior to the meeting.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was VOTED 3-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 19, 2011 WITH AN AMENDMENT BY SEL. O’BRIEN TO SEL. MISCELLANEOUS ON PAGE 3 AND CHANGE THE DISTRICT TO DISTRICT 3 AND AN AMENDMENT BY SEL. LAVIGNE TO REMOVE HIS SUBCOMMITTEES FROM THE MINUTES. (ABSTAINED: Lavigne.)
11. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN OCTOBER 3, 2011 MEETING AT 8:24PM.
APPROVED: October 17, 2011
| 
