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04/17/2012
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 17, 2012


6:30PM                                                                          Memorial Hall

Present:        Vice Chairman Kenneth O’Brien, Anthony Renzoni, James Jumonville,
Kenneth Lipka

Absent:         Chairman Robert Lavigne

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

Others Absent:  Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager

Vice Chairman O’Brien opened the meeting at 6:30PM. The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO JAMES JUMONVILLE ON BEHALF OF THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE COMMITTEE FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE ON MONDAY, MAY 28, 2012 FROM 11AM TO 1PM PENDING A MEETING WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT REGARDING TRAFFIC CONTROL AND ISSUES.

Town Manager Miscellaneous

  • Assistant Manager Kelly informed the Board that the Town’s Composting Schedule has been posted at www.holdenma.gov.  Leaves and grass clippings will be accepted at the former landfill site located on River Street on Saturday April 21, 28, and May 5, 12, and 19 from 8AM to 2:30PM.  Brush chipping will be conducted at the DPW site on Adams Road and is limited to branches with diameters greater than 1 inch and less than 6 inches.
  • Assistant Manager Kelly announced that the Town had successfully renegotiated a 5-year contract with Casella Waste Systems for the Town’s Solid Waste Collection.  The contract includes a 3% increase in each of the 5 years but has no fuel adjustment and the bonus given to Casella for recycling efforts has been reduced to reflect the town’s increased recycling rate.
  • The Rabies Clinic held by the Town on April 7, 2012 was a success with 95 animals being vaccinated.
  • The Assistant Manager announced that National Drug Take Back Day would be held on Saturday, April 28th.  Since the Holden Police Department experienced tremendous success during last year’s drug collection, they have permanently purchased a kiosk for residents to drop off expired/unused prescription drugs on a 24/7 basis.  The Town has partnered with the new Central Mass Regional Health Alliance to make this service available region wide.  A press conference will be held on April 20th at the Public Safety Building to promote National Drug Take Back Day and this new service.  Further information may be found at www.holdenma.gov.  The Administration will email the Board with a time for the press conference.
  • Ms. Kelly announced that under the Town’s Water Management Act Permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Town will institute the water ban for non-essential outdoor water usage from May 1 through September 30th between the hours of 9am-5pm.  A notice will be sent to all residents notifying them of the water ban in their Light Department bills.  Further information may be found a www.holdenma.gov.
Holden Board of Selectmen                                                               April 17, 2012
Town Manager Miscellaneous cont.

  • Ms. Kelly informed the Board that the Holden Recreation Department, in conjunction with the Skateboard Park Committee, would hold a Skateboard Jam on Friday, April 20th from 11am-3pm at the Dawson Recreation area parking lot.
  • The Assistant Manager announced that the last day to register to vote for the Annual Town Election and Town Meeting is Tuesday, April 24, 2012.  The Town Clerk’s office will be open on that day from 8am-8pm.
  • The Board signed the Warrant presented by the Administration.
Local Production Scale Photovoltaic Project – Jim Robinson Holden Light Dept.

Mr. Robinson informed the Board that the Light Department had recently received a specific project plan for a local production-scale renewable energy source (1+MW).  Over the past year, numerous developers have inquired about building a system in Holden and selling the power to the Light Department.  However, to date, no one has submitted specific information that could be evaluated by the Light Department.  He said that a project had been submitted that warranted serious review and said the Town needed to decide a course of action.  The proposed project power would be generated and used in Town.  The proposed site, approximately 12-16 acres, is located off Quinapoxet Street.  The developer still has to go before the appropriate Boards/Commissions for approval.  As the “host”, the Light Department must consider several factors: local support (pros and cons to the community), technical impact on the HMLD electric distribution system, and economics of the power supply arrangement.  None can work without the other.  He said that there was a Ground Mounted Solar Array Bylaw on the Town Meeting warrant.  The current opportunity is photovoltaic with an annual output of 4.8-5.3 million KWH, with a 20-year contract, at 6-7 cents/KWH escalating to 8-9 cents/KWH in year 20.  He said the Power Advisory Board had voted to recommend pursuit of the project.  Mr. Robinson said the Board needed to determine whether the Town was interested in exploring the potential for hosting a large renewable energy generation project in Holden.  If so, Mr. Robinson recommended that the Town conduct a solicitation of interest from other potential developers.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN AUTHORIZE THE LIGHT DEPARTMENT TO CONDUCT A SOLICITATION FOR A LARGE PHOTOVOLTAIC ENERGY GENERATION PROJECT TO BE LOCATED IN THE TOWN, THE OUTPUT OF WHICH WOULD BE SOLD TO THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT DEPARTMENT, THE SIZE WOULD BE NOT BE LESS THAN 2 MEGAWATTS AND NOT GREATER THAN 4 MEGAWATTS.
Electric System Data Acquisition Project – Jim Robinson Holden Light Dept.

Mr. Robinson informed the Board that the Light Department needed a real-time data acquisition system.  He said that this would allow the HMLD quick notification of system outages or other events that required timely corrective action, understand how its system needs are changing, enable the HMLD to manage growth on a controlled basis, and prepare for eventual smart grid/smart meter applications that result in more efficient power usage that will enable more information-driven power purchasing practices.  He said that the plan was three-phased.  Phase 1 to develop the scope and budget ($25,000 budget approved for CY12), Phase 2 Substations ($75,000 placeholder in CY12), Phase 3 Major Circuits/loads, Phase 4 Smaller Circuits, Phase 5 Individual Customers (CY12-16 has a $500,000 placeholder for Phases 1-4 at $100,000/year).  Mr. Robinson said that he intended to have a portion of the project in place by July 2012.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni,  seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 TO PROCEED WITH PHASE 2 OF THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM DATA ACQUISITION PROJECT AS PROPOSED INCLUDING INSTALLATION OF A FIBER OPTIC NETWORK IF APPROPRIATE AT A COST NOT TO EXCEED $200,000.

Citizens’ Address

No one came forward to address the Board.

Set Public Hearing Date for Layout of Birch Hill Road Street Acceptances

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:24PM.

The Board determined that they will hold a public hearing for public discussion on the street layout of Birch Hill Road on May 7, 2012.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:26PM.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN INTEND ON MAY 7, 2012 TO LAY OUT BIRCH HILL ROAD FROM STATION 0+
31.81 TO STATION 5+91.81 FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 560.00 FEET AS SHOWN ON A PLAN OF LAND ENTITLED “AMENDED DEFININTIVE SUBDIVISION PLAN, WINGSPAN ESTATES, 65 AND 71 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN MA PREPARED BY WINGSPAN PROPERTIES LLC-OWNER, 2 EXPLORERS WAY, HOLDEN, MA DATED AUGUST 19, 2010 BY B&R SURVEY INC. WHICH PLAN IS RECORDED WITH WORCESTER DISTRICT REGISTRY OF DEEDS IN PLAN BOOK 885, PLAN 42.

Discussion of Illicit Discharge Control Bylaw

Mr. John Woodsmall, Director of Public Works discussed the Illicit Discharge Control Bylaw for inclusion on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.  The bylaw is a requirement of the EPA to prevent the discharge of sewage and other types of pollutants into the Town’s drainage system.  It will create a mechanism for the Town to enforce the bylaw.

Discussion of FY 2013 Tax Levy

Vice Chairman O’Brien said that the Manager had placed this item on the agenda for discussion.  The Board of Selectmen asked the Manager, as one of her goals this year, to budget to 2¼ under the levy limit.  However, there is the possibility that the Town may have to make cuts to its budget in light of the School District’s budget request.  The Manager requested that the Board consider taxing to the
2½ levy limit which will increase the Town budget by $80,000.  This will increase the average homeowner’s tax bill by $9.  Sel. Renzoni said he said the 1.2M shortfall in the school budget had not fully been addressed and felt it was too early to make the decision to tax to the levy limit.  However, he said that if necessary, he would approve of taxing to the levy limit if it meant saving municipal services and jobs.  Sel. Jumonville and Sel. Lipka concurred with Sel. Renzoni’s comments agreeing that it was too early to make this decision.  Sel. O’Brien said he could not see the justification to not tax to the levy limit.  It is the right thing to do for the residents and the schools.

A motion by Sel. O’Brien to raise the taxes to the levy limit failed for lack of a second.

Discussion of Building Use Policy & Fee Schedule

Town Counsel recommended that the Board postpone discussion until the Manager is able to participate in the discussion.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-0 TO TABLE DISCUSSION OF THE BUILDING USE POLICY UNTIL THE MANAGER IS ABLE TO RETURN TO WORK.

The Board will send its comments on the policy to the Manager.

Selectmen Subcommittees

Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: TBD.
Master Plan:  Chairman waiting for information from Town Manager.  Next meeting: TBD.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park: Skate Board Jamboree at Dawson Rec. Fields 4/20.
Memorial Day Parade:  Next meeting 4/25 at 7PM at the Selectmen’s Room.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Electric Advisory: Met on 4/9.
Affordable Housing: Not met.
Sel. O’Brien: Mountview School Building Committee: Met April 10th.  The Manager is currently negotiating a contract with Lamoureux-Pagano Architects to conduct a feasibility and schematic design study.  LPA was the Committee’s number one choice for an architectural firm.
Open Space: Have not met.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Next meeting is April 18th.

Selectmen Miscellaneous

Sel. Jumonville: 1. Requested the Town place a notice about National Drug Take Back Day at the Senior Center and the Library.
2. Reminded Board members that when submitting letters to the newspaper on a particular issue, the letter should be submitted under the Selectman’s name and address and not under their title as a Select board member.  This has always been an unwritten policy among Board members.  Sel. O’Brien said that Board members should be able to use their title as a Board member as long as they state that the letter is a reflection of their own opinion.  He suggested that Sel. Jumonville might want to place this as an agenda item for discussion.  Sel. Renzoni agreed with Sel. O’Brien and said the discussion should be revisited when Chairman Lavigne was present. Town Counsel said that Sel. Jumonville was correct that if had been a long standing unwritten policy among Board members, it should be honored.

Sel. Lipka: 1. Received a letter from the State Ethics Board confirming Town Counsel’s decision that Sel. Lipka should not attend Executive Session discussions regarding the Town Manager’s contract negotiations due to a conflict of interest.

Sel. O’Brien: 1. As a follow up to the room use policy discussion at the 4/2/12 Board meeting, Sel. O’Brien said that he had spoke with the Town Manager.  He said that in the future, he will do a better job informing the Manager of his concerns prior to Board Meetings.
2. He said that the Town charged a $10 fee for fundraising events advertised on the Town’s new electronic sign.

3. Announced that he continued to find a middle ground with the school district’s budget and the town’s budget.  The Board is posted for budget meetings on 4/18 and 4/19.  Sel. O’Brien discussed ways that he would make budget cuts.  Sel. Renzoni and Lipka said that the Selectmen were policy makers were not charged with making cuts to the budget.  It is premature to have this discussion.  Ms. Kelly said that the Finance Committee had charged the Town Manager with making potential budget cuts as a result of the school budget.  Sel. Jumonville said it was important to let the Manager and the Finance Committee do their due diligence.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 3-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO TABLE DISCUSSION OF THE TOWN BUDGET UNTIL THE FINANCE COMMITTEE BUDGET MEETING ON APRIL 18, 2012. (Opposed: O’Brien.)

Acceptance of Previous Minutes

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF APRIL 2, 2012 AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 TO APPROVE THE REGIONAL MEETING WITH THE WACHUSETT SCHOOL DISTRICT MINUTES OF APRIL 3, 2012 AS PRESENTED.

Adjournment

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0 TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 17, 2012 MEETING AT 8:12PM.  



APPROVED:       May 7, 2012  as amended