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05/21/2012
Holden Board of Selectmen
Town Meeting Minutes
May 21, 2012

6PM                                                                     Wachusett Regional High School

Present:        Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne, James Jumonville,
Ken Lipka (arrived 6:05PM), Mark Ferguson

Others Present: Town Manager Nancy Galkowski
                        Assistant Town Manager Jacquie Kelly
                        Town Counsel Robert Martin
                        Recording Secretary Elizabeth Helder

Chairman Renzoni opened the meeting at 6PM.

  • Licenses, Appointments, and Permits
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSES TO MELISSA HART ON BEHALF OF CUB SCOUT PACK 46 FOR A SNACK SHACK AT THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH FOR MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012 AT THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPROVE ALL OTHER PERMITS AND LICENSES PERTAINING TO THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.

  • Preparation for Annual Town Meeting
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE BLAIR DRIVE IN THE ALDEN WOODS II SUBDIVISION AND BIRCH HILL ROAD IN WINGSPAN ESTATES FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

Sel. Lipka arrived at the meeting at 6:05PM.

The Board reviewed Warrant Article 35 – Citizen’s Petition Zone Change.   The petitioner, Mr. Roy Fraser, is requesting a zoning change to his parcel of land on the corner of Shrewsbury and Chapel Streets from an R-2 to a Commercial lot.  The Town Manager said that while she personally approved the zoning change, she would not participate in the vote on the Town Meeting floor.  Sel. Lavigne expressed concern about the potential use of the land if it were commercially zoned.  Chairman Renzoni said he had received calls from abutters and neighbors concerned about a possible change in the zoning.  Sel. Jumonville said that there are limited uses to the parcel because of parking limitations.  He added that Mr. Fraser just wants to maximize the use of the land.  Sel. Ferguson recommended that the decision be made by the voters on the Town Meeting floor.  Sel. Lipka said he would abstain from the vote because he is a client of the veterinarian currently conducting business on the land.

A discussion regarding zoning and a history of “grandfathered” use took place.  Sel. Ferguson said the Selectmen should not take a position contrary to that of the Planning Board.  The Manager said the Planning Board vote to support the zoning change was not unanimous.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TAKE NO ACTION ON WARRANT ARTICLE 35.

The Manager presented several budget adjustments that the Finance Committee recently made to the Town budget as a result of the State Senate’s recent increase in Chapter 70 aid to the School District.  As a result, the School Committee voted on May 17, 2012 to reduce the assessments to the towns.  Holden’s share of the reduced assessment was $196,540.  The Holden Finance Committee voted to add a thermal image camera to the capital budget for $12,500, increase the reserve fund appropriation by $43,040, and increase the stabilization fund appropriation by $141,000.  The Manager said that future budget forecasts are not favorable and the Finance Committee expressed concern about next years’ school assessment.  The Finance Committee felt that it should “put as much money away as possible.”
Town Manager suggested Selectmen might want to confirm its position on these proposed changes to the budget.

Sel. Lavigne said he worried that the town should support adding an additional headcount to the Police Department.  Sel. Jumonville said he was concerned that the District did not have the cash in hand from the State.  The Manager said the reduced assessment was a done deal with the School District.
Sel. Ferguson said he was astounded by the amount of the Town’s legal budget.  The Manager said that the Town had collective bargaining and lawsuits against the Town.  Sel. Ferguson suggested the Town should hire its own in-house counsel.  The Manager said that a law firm like Mirick O’Connell provides expertise in all aspects of law.  Generally, in-house counsel only specializes in one type of law expertise.  Assistant Town Manager Kelly is handling all the collective bargaining this year to help decrease legal costs.  The Manager said that she hopes to decrease the legal budget in the future.  Sel. Ferguson suggested funding the legal budget with $100,000 and placing the other $100,000 in a reserve fund that the Finance Committee could manage for legal purposes on an as-needed basis.  Sel. Ferguson also expressed concerns regarding costs associated with the public safety building and street lighting.  He expects budgets to be lean and tight.  Chairman Renzoni said the Board would be conducting goal setting meetings during the summer months and that these ideas would be appropriate for those discussions.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded bvy Sel. Lipka it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT A DECREASE TO THE SCHOOL BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $196,540.

Sel. Ferguson asked why the Wachusett Fund was not being used to purchase the thermal imaging equipment.  The Manager said the money went towards the ambulance service.  The Chairman asked for a breakdown of monies spent from the Wachusett Fund in the Selectmen’s packet.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT THE PURCHASE OF A THERMAL IMAGE CAMERA FOR $12,500 AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

Finance Committee Paul Challenger reported that the Finance Committee had voted unanimously to support the proposed changes to the budget.

A motion by Sel. Lipka, was seconded by Sel. Lavigne it was voted to support an increase to the reserve fund appropriation $43,040 for discussion.

Sel. Lavigne said he wanted to take the reserve fund money to add a headcount at the police department for a new officer on third shift.  Sel. Jumonville said he did not want to hire a police officer this year and then have to lay that officer off next year because the town could not fund the position.  Sel. Lipka agreed with Sel. Jumonville.  Sel. Ferguson said he would like to see the money returned to the tax payers for rate relief.  Every nickel should go back to the tax payers.  Only tax what we need to tax.  The Manager cautioned that there will be less money next year.  By putting the money there for next year, the Town will be able to afford what it will be asked to spend.   Chairman Renzoni said it was prudent to save money now for next year and that he supported the Manager’s recommendation.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Lavigne it was VOTED 3-2 WITH 2 OPPOSED TO SUPPORT AN INCREASE TO THE RESERVE FUND APPROPRIATION FOR $43,040. AS PRESENTED BY ADMINISTRATION.  (OPPOSED: FERGUSON, LAVIGNE)

The Manager said that an increase to the Stabilization Fund now will mean the Town has to put less money in next year.  Sel. Lavigne said he intended to hold the Manager to her word.

A motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, to increase to Stabilization Fund $141,000 was discussed.

Sel. Ferguson said he felt that the money was over-taxation and that it should be returned to the taxpayers and that he would not support the motion.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO SUPPORT AN INCREASE TO THE STABILIZATION FUND APPROPRIATION FOR $141,000 AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION. (OPPOSED: FERGUSON)

The Board reviewed technical revisions to the Warrant Articles.

  • Recess to Town Meeting
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO RECESS TO TOWN MEETING AT 6:55PM AND RECONVENE TO REGULAR SESSION AT THE END OF TOWN MEETING FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY.


APPROVED: June 4, 2012 as amended