HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 3, 2012
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.
Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits
Chairman Lavigne announced the Town Manager’s appointment of James Brantl to the Historical Commission expiring 1/3/13.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED 4-0 TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF JAMES BRANTL TO THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION TO A TERM EXPIRING 1/3/13.
Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
The Manager announced the DPW Christmas Tree Chipping Program Schedule. Chipping will be held on Saturday, January 7th and Saturday, January 14th at the Adams Road facility from 8AM-2PM. This service, provided by the DPW, is for Holden residents only.
The Manager reported that a new telephone system had been installed at the Town Hall, Senior Center, and Public Works garage. A new phone system will be installed at the Gale Free Library in the next few months. All new municipal departmental phone numbers may be found on the Town’s website www.holdenma.gov or by calling the main number: 508-210-5500.
The Board reviewed an updated list of Selectmen and Manager open and pending items.
HMLD Power Contract Extension – Stony Brook 3
The Manager introduced Light Department Manager Jim Robinson who reviewed the history of the Stony Brook Unit 3 Project. In August 2006, the Board authorized the Town Manager/Light Manager the authority to enter in the agreement with MMWEC to complete Phase II of Special Project 2006A up to $140,000. Holden’s share under the PDA is 2.77% - 5.8MW. When the Special Project 2006A was initiated, commercial operation of Unit 3 was anticipated to be mid-2010. Mr. Robinson explained that while construction of Unit 3 is presently at a stand-still, most of the required permits and regulatory approvals have been obtained, and preliminary engineering requirements have been completed. The permits and regulatory approvals that have that have been obtained represent Project assets, but a number of these are valid only
for a limited time.
MMWEC has now requested supplemental funds to protect and preserve the Unit 3 assets, extend the expiring Massachusetts environmental permits, and complete an aggressive program to achieve full subscription. Holden’s share of these supplemental funds will range from between $8,047 and $10,059, depending how many of the Participants chose to participate. Mr. Robinson explained that over the past several years, there have been numerous meetings with the Participants to discuss the status of Unit 3, the most recent taking place in November 2011.
The discussions have focused on finding a non-MMWEC entity that would be a large joint owner of Unit 3, as well as the pros/cons of building a large electric generation facility in the current power market environment. Given the soft energy and capacity markets that currently exist in New England, it is not a good time to build a new power plant. If a joint owner is found, power contracts signed, and an engineer/contractor retained, Unit 3 could be operation in 2016. Postponing commercial operation to 2019 is among the options being discussed. With this supplemental request, MMWEC is looking to keep the existing permits valid and continue to search for a joint owner. If a Participant elects not to continue past the original authorization amount, the Participant will lose the ability to remain in the project
going forward. To date, of the $140,000 authorized by the Town in 2006, $138,405 has been expended.
Mr. Robinson said that while today is not a good time to build a power plant, it makes some sense to continue to participate in some degree. The Light Department and the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board both voted to recommend that the Board authorize the additional funds in order for the Town to maintain its participation in the Unit 3 Project at this time. Mr. Robinson added that authorization to proceed with the supplemental funding does not obligate Holden to continue in the project past this phase.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED 4-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE HMLD TO CONTINUE PARTICIPATION IN PHASE II OF SPECIAL PROJECT 2006A UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $10,059 AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.
Sel. Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien: MSBC: The Committee will meet in the New Year.
Open Space: Will meet in January 2012. He asked Selectmen to forward any questions to the Committee directly to him. He said he was interested in taxes paid by the City of Worcester for property they own in Town. The Manager said that the law set the tax rate.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Met December 21, 2011.
EDC: Working on a meeting date.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park:
Memorial Day Parade: Will meet in on January 11, 2012 at 7PM.
Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Will meet January 19th.
Master Plan: Looking to hold a joint meeting with several other committees in January.
Selectmen’s Miscellaneous
Sel. Jumonville: 1. The Manager confirmed that residential water/sewer customer’s own the water/sewer line from the meter on the house to the connection in the street.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Announced that members of the Board would attend the MMA conference in late January. There is the possibility that the Board will attain a quorum during the conference.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED 4-0 TO RECESS AT 6:54PM FOR SIX MINUTES.
Sel. O’Brien left the meeting at 6:58PM.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
7. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JANUARY 3, 2012 MEETING AT 7PM. APPROVED: January 17, 2012
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