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06/04/2012
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 4, 2012


6:30PM                                                                          Senior Center

Present:        Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne (arrived 6:40PM),
James Jumonville, Kenneth Lipka, Mark Ferguson

Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
                        Robert Martin, Town Counsel
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary

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

Podium Presentation – Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical High School

Chairman Renzoni introduced Mr. Jim Conoyer, Holden Representative, Richard Nutt, School Administrator, Beth Martalotta, Communications Director, and Stephanie Dumbrowski and Hannah Williams, students who worked on building the podium in the cabinet making class.   The Selectmen thanked the school and the students for their hard work in creating the cabinet.

Sel. Lavigne arrived at 6:40PM.

Selectmen Appointments, Licenses and Permits

Chairman Renzoni announced that the Board had approved the appointment of Ms. Jane Becker to the Cultural Council to a term expiring 06/30/13.

Motion  by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO ELISE MILLIKEN ON BEHALF OF BE LIKE BRIT 5K FOR SUNDAY, JULY 29, 2012 AT 8:30AM.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO MELONY SYLVESTER ON BEHALF OF GIRL SCOUT BROWNIE TROOP 20242 FOR JUNE 12, 2012.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A SEASONAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO DENISE MORANO ON BEHALF OF THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT FOR A SNACK SHACK AT THE HOLDEN POOL FROM JUNE 15 – AUGUST 25, 2012 SUBJECT TO APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A ROAD RACE PERMIT TO JARED OTTE ON BEHALF OF THE INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK OF GREATER WORCESTER FOR A ROAD RACE ON SATURDAY JUNE 9, 2012 FROM 8:30AM-1PM.

Town Manager Miscellaneous

  • Ms. Galkowski announced that the Town is honored to host a Holden resident who is participating in the Warriors in Transition program.  Warriors in Transition is a federally funded program, which pays wounded veterans to work in a military facility or a local municipality.  The veteran will be working in the DPW over the next year to 18 months.  Chairman Renzoni spoke positively of supporting this program adding that he participated in Warriors in Transition when he returned from service.
  • The Manager announced that the Town will hold its annual Employee Appreciation Picnic on Tuesday, June 12th at Trout Brook from noon until 2PM.  The picnic serves as an opportunity to thank our dedicated employees and to recognize employees for their service.  Additionally, the Manager said a second Employee Appreciation Cookout will be held on June 26th at the Public Safety Building to thank the members of the volunteer fire department and those public safety employees who are unable to attend the picnic at Trout Brook.  The Manager asked the Selectmen to vote to close the Town offices, including the Library and the Senior Center during the picnic to allow all employees to participate.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE TOWN OFFICES, LIBRARY AND SENIOR CENTER ON JUNE 12, 2012 FROM NOON – 2PM TO ALLOW EMPLOYEES TO ATTEND THE EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION PICNIC.

A notice regarding the closing of the offices will be posted on the town website and electronic billboard.

  • The Manager announced that the DPW is completing its drainage work on Quinapoxet Street.  The phase of work should be finalized by June 15th, weather permitting.  The paving of the road is anticipated to take place later in June.  Paving will take place between Tannery Drive and Mill Street from 7AM-3PM and the street will be closed to through traffic.  Updates may be found at www.holdenma.gov.
  • The Manager informed the Board that the town will be flushing the entire water system during the month of June.  Ads will run in the paper one week prior to the flushing and the CodeRed system will send alerts two days prior to an area being flushed.  Residents should run their water prior to using it the first time after the flushing as debris is stirred up during the process.  Chairman Renzoni said that this was the first time the Water/Sewer department has conducted a measured study of this scale.
  • The Manager said that in response to a request from Sel. Ferguson, the town has begun to explore the conversion of its municipal buildings and schools to gas.  Gary Kaczmarek, Facilities Manager has contacted and is working with NSTAR to perform an analysis of the cost/benefit of the conversion.  The Board will receive an update when information becomes available.
  • The Wachusett Watershed Regional Recycling Center will hold a household hazardous product collection on Saturday, June 16th at its location in West Boylston from 8AM – noon.  Further information may be found at www.holdenma.gov.
  • The Manager said that the Holden Pool opened for weekends on June 2, 2012.  The pool will open full time on June 15th at 1PM.  Further information may be found at www.holdenma.gov.
  • The Holden Municipal Light Department was formed and provided electricity for the first time to residents 100 years ago in January 1912.  To honor the 100th anniversary of the HMLD, the Manager said she has formed a committee to plan a celebration to commemorate the occasion.  She said she would like to have an enthusiastic member of the Selectmen volunteer to serve on the Committee.  Sel. Lipka volunteered to serve.
  • The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Reports for the periods ending March 2012 and April 2012 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose.
  • The Manager asked members of the Board to let them know their summer schedules for meeting planning purposes by the end of the meeting.
Fire Department Recognitions – Forestry Truck

The Manager reported that over the course of the past year, members of the Fire Department have been working on the conversion of an Army surplus 5-ton vehicle into a Forestry truck for the department.  The vehicle was received from the Department of Defense for free.  Approximately 500 man hours and $25,000 were invested in rehabbing the truck.  Firefighters painted, rewired, added emergency lights, radios, sirens, mounted a 1,400 gallon tank and a 400 gallon per minute pump, and brush fire equipment and performed all of the necessary plumbing and electrical work for the conversion.  The value of the converted truck is approximately $100,000.    Firefighters who worked on the plan and devoted the greatest time and energy to the project were Lt. Sean Smith, Firefighter Josh Poznanski, Lt. David Chapin, Firefighter Nickerson, Firefighter Mouradian, Firefighter Himmer, Firefighter LaFlamme, Lt. Tupper, Firefighter Hirons, and Firefighter Pierce.  Additionally members of the DPW maintenance department provided help on repairs.  Sel. Ferguson suggested submitting the truck to the MMA for their annual Innovation Award at their annual conference in January.  Sel. Lavigne called it incredible “think outside the box” work.  Sel. Ferguson asked if the Fire Department had looked into cutting some roads into the Chapin Road area, the location of a recent fire that precipitated the purchase of the truck.

Citizens’ Address

No one came forward to address the Board.

Kids in the Kommunity – Pay It Forward Recognitions

The Manager said that the first annual Pay It Forward Day was successfully held in April 2012.  The Board presented the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders from Mountview School with a Certificate of Recognition for making a positive difference in their community.  Sel. Lavigne asked the Town to continue to support the annual event.  Almost 100 kids participated in the event.  Sel. Jumonville said that many of the Kids in the Kommunity help out at the Memorial Day Parade too.

WRSD Update – Duncan Leith, Chairman, WRSD Committee

Duncan Leith, WRSD Chairman addressed the Board and said the District was still trying to determine its budget.  Paxton will hold an override vote for $188,000 on June 26th for their portion of the school budget.  If the vote does not pass, the school committee will have to schedule a meeting to discuss what to do next.  There is also some concern that the vote taken in Rutland to pass its portion of the school budget was not legal.  He thanked the Town of Holden for its support of the school budget, commenting that the Town is in very good financial shape.  Sel. Ferguson commented that it was important to begin considering the District’s next fiscal budget and added that the school committee needs to be fiscally responsible and responsive to the towns.  It is important the school committee advocate for the children but also for the taxpayers and reign in its spending and budget.   The residents of the District cannot afford another 8% increase.  Mr. Leith said the school committee would be cognoscente of these concerns and the economy.  Sel. Ferguson said he would hold the school committee to that.  Mr. Leith thanked State Senator Brewer and Representative’s Ferguson and Callahan for their help in getting the District more financial aid.

Solid Waste Fee Proposal

The Manager informed the Board that in FY2013, the town’s contract with Casella for the collection of trash and recycling expires.  She said that after extensive negotiations, a new 5-year contract was reached with Casella.  The new contract will include a 3% increase annual, but does not have a fuel surcharge or inflation factor.  Additionally, the credit for recycling was changed to require even greater recycling prior to the company receiving a bonus.  As disposal costs have increased 7% over the over a two year period and the Wheelabrator tip fee will continue to increase, these costs have contributed toward in an increase in the Town’s expenses.  While the Town had taken numerous steps to decrease the cost of administering the solid waste program by consolidating the billing process at the HMLD, elimination of a part-time head count, and increased recycling efforts through grant funding, costs continue to rise.  The FY2013 budget includes an increase in the solid waste fee structure to accommodate the increased costs of operating the program.  Over the past two years, costs have been subsidized through the fund balance by approximately $20,000 annually.  The goal is to keep the fund balance around 5-10% ($60,000 to $115,000).  In FY2013, half of the fund ($30,000) will be used as a revenue source.

The Manager said that her recommended increase in the fee structure is $0.50 per month for both the Plan A (65-gallon) and Plan B (35-gallon) totes.  Plan A’s current fee is $17.00/month and Plan B’s current fee is $11.75/month.  An increase of $0.50 would bring Plan A to $17.50/month and Plan B to $12.25/month.

Sel. Lavigne asked if the Town intended to begin any new recycling programs.  The Manager said that the Town’s overall waste numbers have decreased due to people buying less, more people using more electronics, and less newspaper waste.  The next initiative will be to remove organic compost from the waste stream.  Additionally, bulk recycling is now available to residents at the DPW facility on Adams Road and bulk recycling, electronics recycling, and paper shredding is available at the Wachusett Watershed Recycling Center located in West Boylston.  Mr. Dennis Lipka, Growth Management Director said the residents have many opportunities to reduce their waste and increase their recycling efforts.  15%-20% of the Town’s waste is organic compost.  Sel. Lavigne asked for a 5-year rate analysis and suggested making one large increase that would last 5 years instead of smaller increases every year or two.  The Manager said she preferred to make smaller increases to the rate payer than one large collection.  Sel. Lavigne also asked Mr. Lipka if the Town could hold another paper shredding day for Holden residents only.  The Manager said that the effort to regionalize the recycling efforts were why the shredding day had been moved to the Wachusett Recycling Center.  It would cost the Town to hold another shredding day in Holden.  Mr. Lipka said that there was a very good likelihood that the town will be able to maintain this latest rate increase for another 2 or 3 years, especially with increased efforts to reduce tonnage and reduced administration costs.   

Sel. Ferguson said he was used to doing things the old ways where a public hearing would be held prior to making a rate increase.  He said it was good practice to conduct and that he would like setting a boiler plate policy to hold a public hearing prior to making any rate increase.  Town Counsel recommended against setting a policy for future Board.  

Sel. Lavigne said that while it is good practice to hold public hearings when increasing rates, he was opposed to setting it as a policy.  He asked that discussion on the subject be tabled until the next meeting since it had not been scheduled on the agenda for discussion.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville,  it was VOTED 4-1- WITH 1 OPPOSED TO HOLD  PUBLIC HEARING AT THE NEXT SELECTMEN’S MEETING REGARDING INCREASING RATES TO THE SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING COLLECTION PROGRAM.  (OPPOSED: LIPKA.)

Water/Sewer Discussion

DPW Director John Woodsmall provided a history and current situation evaluation of the town’s water availability and sewer transport rate.  The Manager presented a rate proposal and schedule.

Mark Elbag and members of the Water Sewer Advisory Board addressed the Board about the touring the Upper Blackstone with the Selectmen and the W/SAB.  A tour date and time will be planned through the Town Manager’s office.

The Board interrupted the discussion to proceed with Executive Session due to a conflict with one of the Selectmen’s work schedule

Executive Session

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 8:00PM IN ACCORDANCE WITH MGL C. 30A, SECTION 21, (A) (2): TO CONDUCT STRATEGY SESSION IN PREPARATION FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NONUNION PERSONNEL OR TO CONDUCT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING SESSIONS OR CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH NONUNION PERSONNEL – TOWN MANAGER’S CONTRACT AND RECONVENE TO COMPLETE THE PUBLISHED AGENDA.  ROLL CALL: JUMONVILLE: YES; RENZONI: YES; FERGUSON: YES; LAVIGNE: YES; LIPKA: YES.

The Board returned to regular session at 8:47PM.

Water/Sewer Discussion (reopened)

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING IN JULY REGARDING THE PROPOSED RATE INCREASES TO THE WATER/SEWER RATES.

Sel. Ferguson said that he feels that the sewer transportation rates are unjust and unfair and was surprised to hear the administrations position that the town should not pursue litigation to settle this rate.  He said that this was one of the reasons he had run for Selectmen again; he said he felt he had unfinished business regarding settling the sewer rate.  He passed out a water bill for a Worcester resident to show how the in-city rate differs from the rate being charged to Holden residents.  He requested that the Town reach out to former Town Manager Bullock to and use him as an information resource.  Mr. Bullock previously wanted to pursue litigation regarding the sewer transportation rate.  Sel. Lavigne said he would be interested in seeing a report and discussing the issue.

Mr. Woodsmall said the Town has no agreement with DCR.  Any dispute resolution would be through the court system.  The Town cannot achieve removal of the Stormwater & Credit Removal costs without litigation.  Mr. Woodsmall said that prior to researching the topic for his presentation, he too thought litigation was a good idea.  However, he said he changed his mind after reviewing the history and the contracts signed by the Town and the City of Worcester.  He said that pursuit of litigation would not be beneficial to the fiscal health of the Enterprise Fund.  He said it would be beneficial for the Town to reach an agreement to solidify its capacity and actively participate in the next water/sewer contract agreement with the City.  

Sel. Lipka said that Worcester Rates are cheaper because there are more people purchasing water in Worcester and it is all about economy of scale; more people = cheaper rates.  Sel. Ferguson said the Town needs to plan for the future.  

A motion by Sel. Ferguson, was seconded by Sel. Jumonville was discussed to direct the Town Manager to research the actual cost of transport of the R-H pipeline and research the potential to create a coalition to study the results for discussion.

The Manager said a mediator had determined the current rate and while the Town and the City of Worcester may not like it, it is what it is.  It was a mediated discussion with a mediated decision and this discussion may go no where.  Sel. Lavigne said he wondered if this vote would legally bind the town to pursue the rate study if it is determined down the road that the study is going to cost a lot of money.  Town Counsel said it was the Board’s call.

Sel. Lipka commented that the W/S fund used to hold 1M and the money had been used to buy down rates instead of making water/sewer infrastructure improvements.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, was seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DIRECT THE TOWN MANAGER TO RESEARCH THE ACTUAL COST OF TRANSPORT OF THE R-H PIPELINE AND RESEARCH THE POTENTIAL TO CREATE A COALITION TO STUDY THE RESULTS.

The Chairman handed out a summary of projected water and sewer increases prior to engaging in litigation with the City of Worcester. He cautioned there is risk to go forward with potential litigation.

11.Town Manager Evaluation

Sel. Lavigne reported that the report is complete.  However, Sel. Lavigne said he would like to meet to discuss the evaluation report with the Town Manager prior to making the report public.  The agenda item was tabled until the June 18th meeting.

Sel. Ferguson left the meeting at 9:32PM.

12.Selectmen Miscellaneous

Sel. Lavigne: 1. Thanked the Memorial Day Parade Committee for a great parade.
2. What does the Town do at Town Meeting to help hearing impaired residents follow the dialogue on the floor?  The Manager said that she has talked to the Cable Committee about obtaining some hearing devices to use at Town Meeting in the future.
3. Discussed the open meeting/executive session expectations of the Board.  Anything that is shared in Executive Session cannot be discussed outside of Executive Session.  He said he has been approached by residents who felt “empowered” by information they had from Executive Sessions.

Sel. Ferguson returned to the meeting at 9:34PM.

Sel. Renzoni: The Holden Police Department recently conducted scenario training.  

Due to the lateness of the meeting, Sel. Ferguson agreed to hold his Sel. Miscellaneous.

13.Selectmen Subcommittees

The Selectmen discussed Committee assignments.  It was agreed to hold discussion of Committee assignments until the next meeting.  The Manager will supply a list of

Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Met the last week of May to discuss the treatment analysis at the Spring Street well and the targeted water flushing program.
Master Plan:  Will meet later in June.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park: Nothing to report.
Memorial Day Parade:  Great Parade!
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Electric Advisory:
Affordable Housing: Not met.
Sel. Ferguson: Mountview School Building Committee: Will meet June 5th at 6PM.
Open Space:
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC:
EDC: Meeting at 8AM on 6/5 at the Starbard Building.

14.Acceptance of Previous Minutes

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 3-0-2 WITH 2 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE INTERVIEW MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2012. (Abstained: Jumonville, Ferguson.)

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 7, 2012. (Abstained: Ferguson.)

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-0-1 WITH 1 ABSTAINED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 12, 2012 AND CHANGE “PM to AM” ON THE FIRST PAGE AND STRIKE THE WORDS “REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD WITH A ROUGH DRAFT” AND INSERT THE WORD “PRODUCE” ON THE FIRST PAGE. (Abstained: Ferguson.)

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE REORGANIZATION MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 15, 2012.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE TOWN MEETING MEETING MINUTES OF MAY 21, 2012 AND REMOVE THE WORD “APPROVE” AND INSERT THE WORD SUPPORT ON THE MOTION ON THE BOTTOM OF PAGE TWO.

15.Adjournment

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE JUNE 4, 2012 MEETING AT 9:44PM.


APPROVED:  July 9, 2012