HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 19, 2012
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne, Kenneth O’Brien (arrived 6:33PM), Anthony Renzoni,
Kenneth Lipka, James Jumonville
Others Present: Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager
Stephen Madaus, 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, Permits
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REAPPOINT ASIM RAWJI TO THE BOARD OF REGISTRARS OF VOTERS TO A TERM THAT EXPIRES MARCH 31, 2015.
- Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
- The Manager presented the Board with a list of approximate street sweeping dates. Residents can go to the town’s website www.holdenma.gov for more information.
- The Board reviewed the Summer 2012 Recreation program guide. Pool passes go on sale April 2, 2012 and may be purchased online but must be picked up at the Recreation office. Passes are required for enrollment in any instructional program. On-line registration for summer programs begins Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 9AM. The Holden Pool will be open the weekends of June 2nd and June 9th. The pool opens for the season at 1PM on the last day of school, June 15th.
- The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Report for the period ending January 2012 as prepared by Town Accountant, Lori Rose.
- Ballot Question Approval – Agricultural Request
Mr. Jim Dunn with the Holden Agricultural Commission requested that the Board of Selectmen endorse a ballot initiative by the Holden Agricultural Commission to waive collection of excise taxes on farm animals and equipment. In Holden, the waiver of the taxes will affect 5 people and will reduce excise revenue by approximately $1,186. Sel. O’Brien said he intended to support the request.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO PLACE THE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION’S BALLOT TO WAIVE THE COLLECTION OF EXCISE TAXES ON FARM ANIMALS AND EQUIPMENT ON THE MAY 14, 2012 BALLOT.
Jake Miller, 39 Brunnell Drive, representing Troop 182, requested permission from the Town beautify the War Memorial in front of Town Hall as part of his Eagle Scout project. Jake said he intends to landscape the memorial site and install two benches. Sel. Renzoni spoke favorably of Jake’s efforts to improve the aesthetic appeal of the area. He suggested that the $500.00 in the Town’s Veteran’s Improvement Budget should be earmarked towards Jake’s project to help offset costs associated with the granite benches he is proposing to install. Sel. Renzoni said that the town DPW and local Veterans would provide Jake with any help he needs.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT JAKE MILLER’S PROPOSED EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE WAR MEMORIAL.
- Legislative Update – Representative Kimberly Ferguson
State Representative Ferguson said that the House was currently reviewing the Governor’s budget. The budget will be out around April 11th. It will be another lean and difficult year for the budget. She said House 3896 (Municipal Light Department Bill) had not moved from the Ways and Means Committee. She said many people had expressed concern about the bill. Chapter 70 Funding is a continued concern for the Town and while there are many that want it moved forward, there are many that do not. It has not moved onto the House or Senate floor. A study to review whether the Chapter 70 formula works has not moved forward nor has the Ambulance Bill.
Senator Chandler spoke to the large budget gaps (1.2B-1.6B). The budget has not returned to FY08 level and the predicted slow recovery is happening. Projected tax revenues are 3M short of the 2009 level. She spoke to the State’s efforts to control health care costs. No taxes will be involved to help close the budget gap.
The Manager thanked Senator Chandler and Rep. Ferguson for the opportunity for the Town to participate in the Municipal Health Care Act.
Sel. Renzoni spoke to global and local budget gaps and the difference between wants and needs. He contended that school funding is a need and not a want. He encouraged both Senator Chandler and Rep. Ferguson to attend the April 3rd regional meeting between Selectboards, Fincoms, and School Representatives.
Sel. O’Brien encouraged the Senator and Representative to continue to control health care costs. He also asked them to continue to advocate for regional transportation money. Representative Ferguson said she continues to work on fighting for money for the District.
Sel. Jumonville left the meeting at 7:32PM. He returned at 7:34PM.
No one came forward to address the Board.
- WRSD Update – Discussion with Duncan Leith, WRSD Committee Chair
The School Committee will vote to adopt its budget on March 26th. However, the budget is approximately 4M short. He said that cutting the iPad program, the math coach, late buses, art, music & gym, and foreign language in the 7th and 8th grade will only close the gap by 1M. He spoke to the need to resolve regional transportation issues with the State. He said he appreciates that Holden has called the regional meeting on April 3rd to discuss budgetary issues. Sel. Renzoni cautioned that everyone attending needs to be there to work to close the gap. He said he would like to have a better understanding of the District’s budget. He requested a hard copy of the budget. Mr. Leith agreed to provide the budget. Sel. Lipka inquired how
the Superintendent arrives at what gets cut and what doesn’t get cut. He said he resents the District using the teacher’s against the schools. He said he doesn’t see how the District makes these hard decisions in its budget. Sel. Renzoni said that the District runs an efficient system where MCAS scores are rising and ranks in the top 10% in the State for college attendance rates. Sel. Jumonville suggested that the District should go for an override. He said it was his job to protect Holden taxpayers. Chairman Lavigne asked if the District has looked into a merit based increase system vs. the current across the board pay increases.
The Board took a 10 minute recess at 8:12PM and returned to regular session at 8:23PM
- Pay It Forward Presentation – Robert Champlin – Mountview’s Kids in the Kommunity
Robert Champlin, a sixth grade history teacher at the Mountview Middle School and David Fredette, a sixth grade language arts teacher at the Mountview School presented a power point presentation regarding International Pay It Forward Day. They said their goal was to create and promote a day in Holden to celebrate the Pay It Forward concept and its goal of perpetuating the idea of committing acts of generosity. They said they would like the day to become an annual event. Mountview’s Kids in the Kommunity will help promote the event, held on April 28, 2012, by inviting local businesses and residents to pay it forward and help show people the power of committing random acts of kindness.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT APRIL 28, 2012 AS HOLDEN PAY IT FORWARD DAY.
- Discussion of Chaffins Recreational Area
Sel. Jumonville asked that the Board consider creating a placeholder for a warrant article at Town Meeting for discussion to authorize the acquisition by gift, purchase, or eminent domain, under the provision of MA General Law, Ch. 79, for Town recreation purposes, the fee or some lesser interest in some or all of the parcels of land located at or near 459 Main Street, Holden, supposed to be owned by Chaffins Recreation Association or take no action. It is owned by the Swenson family and has operated as non-profit entity. The building does not have a current occupancy permit.
The Manager said that the Town could not take the property by eminent domain without an appropriation attached to it. It could only be voted on as a gift. The Town has not had any luck contacting the family. Sel. O’Brien suggested contacting Bill Long the President of the Chaffins Recreation. He also added that it does not operate legally as a non-profit organization any more. He said direct contact with the 3 members of the CRA Board of Directors was necessary. He said they needed to be pushed towards non profit compliance. He said the little league organization was interested in the property but are unwilling to invest money in it without a resolution to the disposition of the land. He said several years ago, a group of interested individuals tried to rehabilitate the facility but
received no help from the CRA family. He suggested that the little league organization should contact the Secretary of State or State Attorney’s office regarding the non-profit status of the CRA.
Sel. Jumonville said he had been contacted by the Secretary and Treasurer of the CRA regarding taking the property by eminent domain. He said the building is run down and an eyesore. He felt that the Recreation Department should take it over. Dennis Lipka, Growth Management Director has not had any luck contacting a CRA representative.
Attorney Madaus said that it could only be obtained by the Town through a gift as it legally stands. An appraisal must be conducted on the property. The Manager said the Town would need to evaluate a use for the land before pursuing ownership. She said the building would have to be raised.
Sel. Renzoni said he would like to know the costs associated with assuming the property. He said he needed a lot more information before taking the land. It is also important to determine the occupancy issue for the safety of residents. All the ideas sound great. However, great ideas cost money. Chairman Lavigne said he would never support taking anything by eminent domain.
The Board directed the Manager to investigate the status of the CRA property. The Manager said she would check the occupancy status and make contact with Mr. Long.
Sel. O’Brien: The MSBA Design Panel will meet with Committee representatives on March 27th to rank the top three design proposal architectural firms and then the Committee will negotiate with those selections.
Open Space: Have not met.
Sel. Jumonville: Skate Park:
Memorial Day Parade: Met March 14th.. Next meeting 3/28.
Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Have not met.
Master Plan: Have not met.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Electric Advisory: April 9th 6PM
Affordable Housing: Have not met.
Sel. Lavigne: PSBC: Met on March 14, 2012. The Committee anticipates closing out the renovation at the Fire Station in late April/early May. The Committee is anticipated to disband in June.
- Selectmen’s Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Announced that Ben Heeney, another Boy Scout pursuing his Eagle Scout award will be working on his project (in-ground dugouts at the Senior Center baseball field) over the next two weekends. Anyone looking to donate materials or their time may contact Sel. O’Brien.
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Town Manager performance evaluations are due to the Chairman.
Sel. O’Brien: 1. Spoke to the excellent customer efforts of the Light Department for their work to restore power on Heather Circle.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Asked the Selectmen to review its open and pending items.
12. Executive Session
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO MOVE INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 9:30PM TO CONSIDER A PROPOSAL CONCERNING THE POTENTIAL OF REAL PROPERTY AND TO DISCUSS STRATEGY AS IT PERTAINS TO NON UNION TOWN MANAGER CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY. Roll Call: Renzoni; yes: O’Brien: yes; Lipka: yes; Jumonville: yes; Lavigne: yes.
13. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MARCH 19, 2012 MEETING AT 10:28PM.
APPROVED: April 2, 2012 as amended
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