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10/01/2012
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 1, 2012

6:30PM                                                                          Memorial Hall

Present:        Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne, James Jumonville, Mark Ferguson

Absent:         Kenneth Lipka

Others Present: Jacquie Kelly, Assistant Town Manager
                        Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary

Others Absent:  Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager

Chairman Renzoni opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.  

WRSD Update – Duncan Leith, Chairman, WRSD Committee Chairman

Mr. Leith said the WRSD School Committee was currently interviewing to fill the position of District Business Manager.  School Superintendent Dr. Pandiscio is expected to retire on December 15, 2012.  Mr. Leith announced that the Principal of the Glenwood School, Anthony Gaspero, had been appointed to the position of Interim Superintendent.  Mr. Gaspero is expected to retire from his employment with the District 8/31/2013.  The District Annual Report will be emailed in its draft form to the District Towns within the next several weeks.  He said the State Attorney General’s office has informed the District that the State will not proceed with an investigation into the District’s finances.

The Regional Select board meeting to discuss the District’s FY 13 and FY 14 budgets will be held October 3, 2012 at the Senior Center in Holden.

Sel. Lavigne thanked Mr. Leith and the School Committee for the new school buses.  He inquired about the old school buses; what happened to them?  Mr. Leith said the old buses were sent to a third party bus cleaning service.

Mr. Leith discussed the District Town’s gaining more authority over their budgets that service K-8 schools.  The School Committee is currently reviewing this option.  The Selectmen and Mr. Leith discussed the process of the review and renewal of the Regional Agreement.  Mr. Leith informed the Board that Rutland School Committee member Julie Kelly has a copy of the Regional Agreement and she would be willing to let the Town borrow information to duplicate if they want.

Sel. Ferguson inquired who was conducting the District’s financial audit of this “train wreck.”  Mr. Leith said that the firm of Powers and Sullivan was under contract with the District and he did not consider it a “train wreck.”  Sel. Ferguson said he was looking for recommendations from the District to ensure that these budgetary issues never happen again.  

Agreement with Municipal Police Training Committee – State Police Academy

Acting Town Manager Jacquie Kelly introduced Lt. Armstrong with the Holden Police Department.  Lt. Armstrong announced a training agreement between the Massachusetts State Police and the Holden Police Department.  The Mass State Police Academy in New Braintree requested the HPD’s assistance in supplying an officer in the training of 90 new State Police officers that have entered the academy for 21 weeks of training.  This request is a first in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and Lt. Armstrong conveyed how honored and humbled HPD Chief Sherrill is that the Holden PD has been asked to assist in this vital component of police training.  HPD Officer Michael Joslyn has been selected to serve in the training capacity and will be reassigned to the facility in New Braintree.  In return, the State Police will reimburse the HPD for the backfilling of his shifts with overtime.  An intergovernmental agreement has been verified by Town Counsel, Mass State Police Counsel, and the Massachusetts Police Training Council.  

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO ENTER INTO AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MUNICIPAL POLICE TRAINING COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE FOR THE TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT OF A HOLDEN POLICE OFFICER TO THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE POLICE ACADEMY, AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ACCOUNT TO DEPOSIT AND EXPEND GRANT FUNDS FROM THE TRAINING COMMITTEE FOR THE ABOVE SERVICES IN THE APPROXIMATE AMOUNT OF $33,600.

Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded  by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO HEATHER BOVAT ON BEHALF OF THE MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR THE FALL FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012 FROM 9:30AM – 3:30PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded  by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO HEATHER BOVAT ON BEHALF OF THE MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR THE FALL FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012 FROM 9:30AM – 3:30PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded  by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO JEAN E. DANIELSON ON BEHALF OF COLONY RETIREMENT HOMES FOR A FALL BAZAAR & BAKE SALE FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2012 FROM 9:00AM – 1PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO CHERYLANN GENGEL ON BEHALF OF BE LIKE BRIT PARADE ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012 FROM 7AM – 2PM WITH A POLICE DETAIL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE PARADE ROUTE FOR TRAFFIC AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded  by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO CHERYLANN GENGEL ON BEHALF OF BE LIKE BRIT EVENT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012 FROM 7AM – 2PM AT WACHUSETT HIGH SCHOOL WITH SECURED PROPANE TANKS AND FIRE EXTINGUISHER ON HAND AND PENDING APPROVAL OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH AND THE TOWN MANAGER AS PRESENTED.

Vote - Trick or Treat Hours

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE TRICK OR TREAT HOURS FOR OCTOBER 31, 2012 FROM 4PM – 8PM.

Town Manager Miscellaneous

  • Acting Town Manager Kelly reported that the Massachusetts Department of Transportation began milling and paving Main Street from Rt. 68 to the Rutland town-line on September 24th.  The work is expected to take approximately 2-weeks, weather depending.  Traffic detours have been established.  More information is available at www.holdenma.gov.  Sel. Ferguson encouraged the Town to forecast its paving plans in the future in order to give NSTAR a “heads-up” to coordinate the installation of natural gas in town.
The Board interrupted Town Manager’s Miscellaneous at 7:02PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.

Citizens’ Address

No one came forward to address the Board.

5. Town Manager Miscellaneous (reopened)

  • Acting Town Manager Kelly informed the Board that the national and state Election has been scheduled for Tuesday, November 6th.  New residents may register to vote during the regular Town Hall hours.  The last day to register to vote is Wednesday, October 17th.
  • Ms. Kelly announced that the Public Safety Building Open House will be held on Sunday, October 14th.  Demonstrations, training, emergency vehicle display and refreshments will help mark the event from 12-3PM.  The event is open and free to the public.  More information may be found at www.holdenma.gov.
  • According to Fire Chief Jack Chandler the Firefighters’ Union and the Firefighters’ Association are conducting a joint fundraiser.  These groups have hired a third party fundraising company to publish a calendar with advertising from sponsors.  Sel. Ferguson inquired what the proceeds were going towards.  The Manager said the money raised will be used by the Firefighters’ Union for charity/events.  The Board was in agreement that these types of announcements should be made by the Fire Department and not the Selectmen.
  • Ms. Kelly announced the DPW Composting Schedule.   Composting will be accepted at the former landfill site on Saturday, October 27, and November 3, 10, 17, and December 1 from 8AM-2:30PM.
  • Ms. Kelly informed residents that members from the USDA are currently conducting Asian Longhorned Beetle visual surveys for ALD infestation.  Work will continue into November.  Residents may call 806-702-9938 with questions and concerns.
  • The Holden Board of Selectmen will host a Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on Wednesday, October 3 at 7PM at the Senior Center.  Representatives from the School District will attend.  Sel. Jumonville said he would like to propose that the District Town’s should have the ability to open the Regional Agreement as necessary and that he would also like to propose that the District Town’s conduct a study to remove K-8 from the District and keep the High School regionalized.
  • The Board reviewed an email from Town Counsel with regard to the District’s charges for information from their MUNIS system.  The District is correct in its assertion that the requested MUNIS information is not required under Sections 9 & 10 of the Regional Agreement.  Neither is the District required to provide records in electronic format so as to avoid the Town paying copying and search/segregation fees at $3.00/page.  Ms. Kelly said the Town has 3 options if it is still interested in receiving the requested records:  1. Pay the requested charges; 2. Contact the District to request the $.30/page charge (a $2200.00 charge); or 3. Appeal to the State Supervisor of Public Records and argue that the proposed fee is unreasonable.  The deadline for the appeal is November 13th, which is 90-days from the date of the Town’s request.  The Board agreed to discuss the issue at the Regional Selectmen’s meeting on October 3rd.
  • Ms. Kelly announced that the week of October 3, 2012 is Public Power Week.  The HMLD will sponsor a lunch at Wednesday, October 10th at the Senior Center at no cost to senior citizens.  The Board is invited to attend.
  • The annual Holden Townees v.Chamber of Commerce will be held on Saturday, October 27th at 2PM at Davis Hill School.
  • The Selectmen signed the Warrant for the November 2012 Election as presented by Cheryl Jenkins, Town Clerk.
  • Ms. Kelly provided an update on the Upper Blackstone appeal.  Town Counsel will provide a legal analysis at the Board’s November 15th meeting.
  • Ms. Kelly informed the Board that documents regarding the School District’s Options Committee are available at the Town Manager’s office for review.
  • The Selectmen agreed to meet on Saturday, October 13th at 8AM to prioritize Selectmen Goals.
Vote - Open Space Plan

Ms. Kelly said that every Town must have an Open Space Plan.  It is a requirement of the State and allows the Town to apply for grant money.

Sel. Ferguson emphasized that when you take land and put it into conservation space you are removing money from the tax base.  There is a price to absorbing open space that has to be recognized.

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADOPT THE OPEN SPACE PLAN AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

8. Selectmen Subcommittees

Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan:  
Water/Sewer Advisory:
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade:  Nothing to report.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Electric Advisory:
Affordable Housing:
Sel. Ferguson: Open Space: Nothing to report.
Town Manager’s Contract Negotiation Committee: BOS needs to move deliberately and get Ms. Kelly signed to a Town Manager’s contract.  The Board will enter into Executive Session at the end of the meeting to proceed with contract negotiations.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Preparing to attend the Business Expo on November 1st.  Next meeting is 10/9 at 8AM.

9. Selectmen Miscellaneous

Sel. Lavigne: 1. Discussed going paperless for agenda delivery to save money and improve efficiency.  Town Counsel said that it was an acceptable legal option seeing as the materials are public documents.  Executive Session materials would still need to be paper.  The majority of the Board said they were not as “technology advanced” as Sel. Lavigne and preferred to continue to receive a hardcopy of meeting materials.
2. Asked for an update on the waiver policy for underground utilities from HMLD.   Ms. Kelly said the HMLD was still reviewing the policy and will report back.

Sel. Ferguson: 1. Announced that he would like to repeal the water/sewer monthly surcharges now that the Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund has reached its 400K goal.  He said he would like to authorize the administration to come up with a new formula for water/sewer rates and eliminate these “oppressive” monthly surcharges.  

Sel. Lavigne said the 400K was required by the DOR to meet a budget shortfall and it was a temporary increase to pay bills.  The Board then voted in the new rate structure to make sure that there were no more shortfalls in this account.

Chairman Renzoni concurred with both Selectmen.  There has got to be a better way to do business.  However, he does not want to go back to the days where the Town had to raid its free cash and other budgets to pay for water/sewer budget shortfalls.

Ms. Kelly said the Town’s free cash would be certified by the State at the end of October.  

2. Sel. Ferguson said he would like to adopt a more stringent method of determining the unaccounted for water in town.  He said he would like to set a goal to reduce unaccounted for water to 12%.  He said he would not raise rates until the Town is below 10%.  He said this was a high priority goal for him and that he was going to keep coming forward until a plan is in place.

A motion by Sel. Ferguson, was seconded by Sel. Jumonville to discuss adopting a plan to reduce unaccounted for water to 12% by September 1, 2013.

Sel. Lavigne said he would be interested in hearing a plan from Acting Town Manager Kelly, DPW Director Woodsmall and W/S Superintendent Elbag.  However, the Board needs to give them the time to develop the plan.  He said he disagreed with the forum; this issue should be discussed during Selectmen Goals discussion.  It is not fair to adopt a plan without determining if the goal is attainable.  You can’t set a goal without hearing from the experts first.

Ms. Kelly said she would like a little lee-way on the number.  Is this the correct number?  She requested time to discuss a plan with the DPW.  She said she would bring more information to the Goals meeting on 10/13.

Chairman Renzoni said he would like to discuss the issue further at the October 13th meeting.  He reminded the Selectmen that it is a five-person board and one person’s agenda should not dictate what happens. He said nobody was against Sel. Ferguson’s ideas; they just need some time to gather more information to prepare a long term plan.  

Sel. Ferguson withdrew his motion.

3. Would like to open up discussion on conducting a study to acquire the ECC Building on Princeton Street, determine the status of the property and state funds available for clean up, and explore future use as well site or DPW garage.  

Ms. Kelly said the property is in tax title.  The owner’s owe the town approximately $200,000.  The town has a lien on the property.  In 2009, a warrant failed at Town Meeting to fund a study to determine how extensive the contamination is.  The property has been vacant since approximately 2007.

Chairman Renzoni asked that the status of the property be added to the Selectmen’s Goals matrix for discussion on 10/13.

Sel. Renzoni: 1. Attended Lt. Alex Be lisle’s retirement party to celebrate his 46-years of service with the Town.
2. Announced a last call for applicants for the Monty Tech School Representative.  Jim Cournoyer, the current Representative is interested in continuing his service for the Town.
3. Discussed possible projects for Monty Tech students to perform for the Town.  Ms. Kelly suggested that the boiler at the Starbard Building is need of replacement and would be a good HVAC project.  Additionally, DPW Director John Woodsmall suggested that the students could build the Town a flag disposal box.

Sel. Jumonville: 1. Announced that the Regional Dispatch program is on track.
2. Asked that the Town prepare a “Hat’s Off” award for the Anna Maria college students who are volunteering their time at the school libraries to help keep them operating.

10. Approval of Previous Minutes

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 4, 2012 MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

The Chairman announced that the September 17, 2012 minutes would be held for correction purposes.

11. Executive Session

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:25PM TO CONDUCT STRATEGY SESSIONS IN PREPARATION FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL AND TO CONDUCT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL/TOWN MANAGER AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY.  ROLL CALL VOTE: FERGUSON: YES; RENZONI: YES; JUMONVILLE: YES; LAVIGNE: YES.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 1, 2012 MEETING AT 9:22PM.



APPROVED: November 5, 2012