HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 6, 2011
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne (arrived 6:39PM), Kenneth O’Brien, Kenneth Lipka,
Anthony Renzoni, James Jumonville
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Vice Chairman O’Brien opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice Chairman O’Brien reported that Chairman Lavigne was delayed and would join the meeting shortly.
Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits
Vice Chairman O’Brien reported that prior to the regular meeting the Board met and unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Kathleen Welsh to the Holden Cultural Council.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT MS. KATHLEEN WELSH TO THE CULTURAL COUNCIL TO A TERM EXPIRING 6/30/13.
Vice Chairman O’Brien inquired if the Board would like to appoint Ms. Maria Berrios to the Cultural Council even though she was unable to attend the interview prior to the meeting. Sel. Renzoni said it is generally the policy of the Board to interview candidates for appointment or reappointment to Town boards and committees prior to reappointment. However, since there is an issue of this committee being able to attain a quorum without appointing Ms. Berrios to the Council?
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPOINT MS. MARIA BERRIOS TO THE CULTURAL COUNCIL TO A TERM EXPIRING 6/30/14.
Motion by Sel., Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A
PARADE PERMIT TO DREW WEYMOUTH ON BEHALF OF THE WRHS STUDENT COUNCIL FOR A WALK FOR CHARITY TO BENEFIT MELANOMA RESEARCH ON OCTOBER 23, 2011 FROM 8AM-12PM AS PRESENTED.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager presented fire mutual aid agreements for the Board’s approval. She reported that the Town of Holden is a member of the Massachusetts Fire District 8, comprised of 28 communities north and east of Holden. Some of the communities include West Boylston, Boylston, Gardner, Harvard and Littleton. The first agreement provides mutual aid within these communities. The Manager explained that this type of aid acts like a domino with communities closest to the town in need providing service and the surrounding communities providing backup accordingly. The second agreement is for the Town to provide and receive mutual aid from the communities in District 7, which include Worcester and Paxton. The Town has been a participant in these agreements at least since 1984. The Manager added that since she could not find a previous formal vote to accept these agreements, she requested the Board reaffirm its participation. She said it was her recommendation that the Board vote to
participate in each of the agreements presented. The final option the Manager said she was presenting to the Board is a local option for the Town to join the statewide, comprehensive, multi-discipline mutual aid system to provide mutual aid to and from participating communities during times of disaster or an overwhelming public safety incident.
The Town Manager has the authority to enter into this type of agreement by notification to the
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). The Manager informed the Board that she intended to notify MEMA of the Town’s intention to participate in this agreement.
Chairman Lavigne joined the meeting at 6:39PM.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO MUTUAL AID AGREEMENTS FOR FIRE SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH M.G.L. CHAPTER 48, SECTION 59A. (ABSTAINED: Lavigne.)
The Manager reported that she has hired Mr. Mark Elbag as the Water Sewer Superintendent for the Town. Mr. Elbag has a Bachelor in Civil Engineering, a Master in Environmental Engineering, and is a licensed Professional Civil Engineer. He brings five years of experience working on water and sewer issues for a private consulting firm. Mr. Elbag will begin his employment with the Town on October 3, 2011 and will be introduced to the Board at that time.
The Manager informed the Board that the Town has entered into an agreement with a new vendor for reverse 911 emergency communications to residents. The new service is called CodeRed. The technology has changed considerably since the Town first implemented reverse 911 notifications and the new agreement takes full advantage of these improvements. Residents will be able to log onto the CodeRed System and provide alternate numbers for notifications. These notifications can be received on cell phones, work phones, as text messages or emails. This new technology acknowledges that not everyone is home to answer a landline phone when an emergency occurs and will allow the town to provide for improved communications to its citizens. Additionally, the system will allow the Town
to isolate areas in Town for notification of such emergency events as breaks in the water system, street closures, or electrical outages of extended duration. The Town will not use the system for routine events or conditions with a limited duration. All residents are urged to visit www.holdenma.gov and opt into the service by clicking on the CodeRed icon at the top of the page. The Selectboard encouraged all citizens to sign up to the CodeRed System.
The Board reviewed a summary of the Town’s response to Hurricane Irene, which occurred on August 28, 2011. The Manager thanked members of the Town’s emergency team who left their homes and families to ensure that the residents of Holden were safe during the major storm event. The new Emergency Operations Center at the Public Safety building was deployed and worked well. The Manager also thanked the Big Y for generously providing food for the emergency respondents during the storm. The Manager said she found it heartening to know that during an emergency that the businesses, residents, and town can all pull together to ensure that Holden remains safe and secure. The Manager said that Fire Chief Chandler was heading up a desktop emergency awareness training for
all town department heads. Sel. O’Brien spoke to the expeditious actions of all town departments during the storm to restore power and order to the town.
The Manager reported that during Hurricane Irene, many residents experienced downed tree limbs and branches in their yards. Residents in the ALB restricted area are reminded that they cannot take this debris outside of the area. The Town will hold a brush chipping and composting event on September 17, 2011 from 8AM-2:30PM. Residents are encouraged to register for weekly news and announcements at www.holdenma.gov.
The Manager provided an update on changing the rates for the water sewer customers as voted by the Board at its August 15, 2011 meeting. The Holden Municipal Light Department reports that all invoices in September will be at the new rate structure. Additionally, customers who are due a credit for the months of July and August have received notification as of September 2, 2011. The Manager commended the staff at the Light Department for their efforts to make the necessary changes so professionally and quickly.
Hohe Manager reminded the Board that a commemorative ceremony honoring the 10th anniversary of the tragic events on September 11, 2001 will be held this Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Institute Park. The Manager said she would attend the ceremony with members of the Holden Police Department Honor Guard. Board members who wish to attend should contact the Town Manager.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: MSBC: Next meeting is Sept 13th.
Open Space: Have not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park: Have not met.
Memorial Day Parade: Have not met.
Sel. Renzoni: W/S Advisory: Met 8/30 but was out of town and unable to attend. Sewerage capacity is on the agenda for discussion.
Master Plan: Have not met since July. Will meet in the Fall.
Sel. Lipka: Electric Power Advisory: Anticipate to meet Sept. 12th, 13th, or 14th
Affordable Housing Authority: Have not met.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Next meeting is Sept. 7th.
Help at H.O.M.E: Have not met.
Approval of Previous Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 15, 2011 AS PRESENTED.
Sel. Miscellaneous
Sel. Lipka: 1. The Manager reported that progress was being made in the recruitment of a DPW Director.
2. Requested an accounting of costs associated with Hurricane Irene.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Reported about citizen efforts to create a dog park in town. What is the progress on behalf of the town to create this space? Ms. Galkowski reported that she contacted the owners of the WTAG radio towers on Shrewsbury Street to try to negotiate some type of town/WTAG partnership on the property and is hopeful to hold discussions on the subject with them. Creating dog park space on school property is not feasible. Sel. Renzoni said the decision where to put the dog park should not be rushed and not debated during a Selectmen’s meeting. Sel. Lavigne encouraged members of the citizen-based committee to build a dog park to meet with Selectmen to provide them with an update on their efforts.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Inquired if the Town has a formal wellness check in place for the elderly/housebound in the event of a hurricane, long term power outage, etc. The Manager replied that the Senior Center does have a system where these individuals are contacted on a daily basis. Additionally, the HMLD does contact these individuals during critical events. Residents opt in to this program. Residents interested in being placed on the call list should contact the Outreach Worker at the Senior Center.
2. Inquired when town email addresses for Selectboard members would be available? The Manager reported that the town would switch over to a new web address at the end of September from www.townofholden.net to www.holdenma.gov and said that
this request would be available after October 1st.
l. Jumonville: 1. Reported that the Fire Department is currently training their staff to drive the fire equipment for certification purposes. If you see a fire/emergency vehicle in your neighborhood, it is probably for this reason. The Manager also reported that the new ambulance is being custom made and delivery is expected in early October.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Oriol Health Care Presentation
Mr. Bob Oriol, Oriol Health Care, presented the facilities plan to expand its services. Not only will the building project revitalize its skilled nursing center; it will also offer post acute care and a new health care campus initiative. The new campus will merge the Holden Nursing Home and Oriol Wachusett Extended Care, offer a new long-term care unit, and a sub-acute rehabilitation center (non-geriatric), to create a state of art facility under one roof. Mr. Oriol said that his future plans include additions to the building as alternative services in order to provide expanded services to the elderly expand.
Mr. John Boyce, Construction Manager, presented the proposed construction plans.
Sel. Renzoni said he was encouraged to have a local architect working on the project. Mr. Boyce commented that he expects work to begin on site by early November. The construction process is anticipated to be complete within 16 to 18 months.
7. Recess to Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:25PM TO APPROVE MINUTES AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. ROLL CALL: Lipka: yes; O’Brien: yes; Lavigne: yes; Jumonville: yes; Renzoni: yes.
8. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN SEPTEMBER 6, 2011 MEETING AT 7:30PM.
APPROVED: September 19, 2011 as amended
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