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11/19/2012
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
NOVEMBER 19, 2012

6:30PM                                                                          Memorial Hall

Present:        Chairman Anthony Renzoni, James Jumonville, Mark Ferguson, Kenneth Lipka

Others Present: Jacquie Kelly, Acting Town Manager
                        Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary

Others Absent:  Sel. Robert Lavigne
Nancy Galkowski, Town Manager

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

Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments

The Chairman announced that prior to the meeting the Board interviewed Ms. Judy Haran, Ms. Denise Cummings and Mr. Mierzejewski for reappointments to the Holden Agricultural Commission.

Motion by Sel., seconded by Sel., it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REAPPOINT MS. JUDY HARAN AND DENISE CUMMINGS AS REGULAR MEMBERS AND MR. ERICH MIERZEJEWSKI AS AN ALTERNATE MEMBER TO THE HOLDEN AGRICULTURAL COMMISSION TO A TERM EXPIRING 11/02/15.

Upper Blackstone Water Pollution Abatement District Update

Ms. Carla Sangri, Director of the Upper Blackstone Water District provided an update on the activities at the Upper Blackstone.  She explained that the wastewater treatment facility tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible when treating the nitrogen and phosphorus in the water and meeting the water quality goals at the plant.  The Upper Blackstone is the only treatment plant in Massachusetts being kept to such stringent environmental regulations.  It is a unique situation because the Upper Blackstone flows through river systems in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and also empties into the ocean.  The EPA mandated that the Upper Blackstone make improvements to its treatment facility at a cost of $200M.  Ms. Sangri discussed how the Upper Blackstone is currently appealing the EPA decision.  If the EPA mandate is upheld, Holden’s assessment to the Upper Blackstone would double to $1.4M.  This will represent a $200/year impact to the average household in Holden.  If the appeal is lost, it can be appealed at the Supreme Court level.  However, the EPA mandate would go into effect while the case waits its turn at the Supreme Court.

Sel. Ferguson asked how much time the Town would have to respond once the EPA order becomes official.  Ms. Sangri said that Holden should expect rate impacts related to the order in 2015.

Citizens’ Address

Ms. Maureen Floryan, Sterling Road, spoke to the Revenue Sharing Task Force discussion from the November 5th Select Board meeting.  While she does agree that there is not much hope for the success of the Revenue Sharing Task Force, Ms. Floryan said she disagreed with the Board’s discussion regarding overspending at the District level and the notion that the Town’s should take over K-8 education.

Prior to Agenda Item 4, Sel. Ferguson called for a point of order.  He said that a member of the WRSD should not have the opportunity to speak/podium time before the Board of Selectmen.  There is no goodwill or good intentions coming from the District.  He cited that the District is trying to charge the Town $2300 for copying services to produce a copy of its budget.  He said in good conscience he could not allow for this to happen and would leave the room if the discussion occurred. He said he was turning his chair and exiting the room in protest.

WRSD Committee Update – Duncan Leith, Chairman

Chairman Renzoni said he appreciated the time that Mr. Leith gave to the Board in his capacity as Wachusett Regional School District Committee Chairman.

Mr. Leith said he did not need to be treated like this and left the meeting.

Sel. Ferguson returned to the meeting and asked if the Chairman had received a copy of the budget from Mr. Leith.  The Chairman responded that Sel. Ferguson had recused himself from the discussion and did not have any authority to ask for the budget.

Sel. Lipka said he felt that both comments were unnecessary from both parties.  

Regulatory and Use Agreement – Local Initiative Program – Reserve on Salisbury (formerly Winterberry Hollow)

Ms. Kelly presented the Proposed Regulatory and Use Agreement to the Board.   The Agreement sets out the parameters for the development, marketing and sales of the affordable units in the Reserve on Salisbury.  The units are a condition of the Local Initiative Petition previously agreed to by the Town and a Comprehensive Permit issued by the Board of Appeals.  Ms. Kelly recommended that the Selectmen take a vote to ratify the Agreement.  The Affordable Housing Authority will determine the final cost of the units.  Sel. Ferguson commended the developer for working with the abutters regarding ongoing landscaping efforts.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN RATIFY AND CONFIRM THAT THE TOWN MANAGER IS AUTHORIZED TO ENTER ON BEHALF OF THE TOWN A REGULATORY AND USE AGREEMENT, PROMULGATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CONCERNING THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, CONCERNING THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT KNOWN AS THE ‘RESERVE ON SALISBURY’ LOCATED AT SALISBURY STREET AND NEWELL ROAD AND SUBJECT TO A COMPREHENSIVE PERMIT ISSUED BY THE BOARD OF APPEALS.

Town Manager Miscellaneous

  • The Board of Selectmen and Ms. Kelly reviewed the response from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) concerning issues related to the Sewer Transport Rate for the Town of Holden.  Ms. Kelly reported that Town staff has analyzed the letter and flagged several issues where town staff, in their opinion, see deficiencies in DCR’s response rationale.  Ms. Kelly said that she was in the process of developing a response outlining the town’s analysis and will convey it to the DCR along with a request for a meeting with staff as suggested in the response for further discussion.  Ms. Kelly declined to comment further saying that she did not want to disclose possible strategy.  Sel. Ferguson commented that in their response, the DCR never admits that the arguments raised by the Town are wrong.  
  • Ms. Kelly reported that on Wednesday, November 14, 2012, the Massachusetts School Building Authority voted their approval of the Preferred Schematic Report (PSR) submitted by the Mountview School Building Committee.  The PSR recommends building a new school building on the existing site. This is a major milestone in the project approval process and will allow the Committee to move forward in preparing the schematic plans and with planning for Town Meeting vote.  The final vote by the MSBA Board on the project including the actual reimbursement rate is scheduled for the spring 2013.
  • There will be a public information meeting on the Mountview School Building Project on Tuesday, November 27th at 7PM at the Mountview School.  Although open to the general public, the meeting is targeted to hear concerns from neighbors of the school.
  • Ms. Kelly announced that the Town will sign on to apply for a second round of grants available for Storm Water Management in the amount of $200,000.  The Selectmen previously approved the Town’s participation in a regional storm water management grant program.
  • The Board reviewed the October Monthly Report for the Holden Municipal Light Department as prepared by Jim Robinson, Manager.  The preliminary HMLD 2013 Budget will be discussed with the Municipal Electric Power Advisory Board on December 4, 2012.  Mr. Robinson will then present the HMLD budget to the Selectmen at their meeting on December 17, 2012.
  • The Board reviewed a proposed meeting schedule for the Selectmen from January 2013 through June 2013 for consideration and approval.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE SELECTMEN’S MEETING SCHEDULE FROM JANUARY 2013 THROUGH JUNE 2013 AS PRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATION.

  • Ms. Kelly reported that Hopkinton Drug and Massachusetts Animal Coalition donated a pet finder microchip scanner to the Holden Animal Control Officer.
Selectmen Subcommittees

Sel. Lipka: Affordable Housing: Have not met.
Municipal Electric Advisory: Meeting in December to approve the budget.

Sel. Ferguson: Town Manager Contract Negotiations: Reported that they were getting close to signing a contract.

Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Met on November 14th.  Next meeting: January 2013.

Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer Advisory Board:

Selectmen Miscellaneous

Sel. Ferguson: 1. Submitted a copy of his water/sewer bill for review.

Sel. Jumonville: 1. Thanked Town Clerk’s office for a smooth and successful voting process.  Over 82% of residents voted in the election process.

Sel. Lipka: 1. Reported that cars continue to run red lights at the Holden/Chapel streets intersection.  He said he would like to see a camera installed to catch violators.

Sel. Ferguson said he was against installing a camera anywhere in town.  Chairman Renzoni said that the Selectmen do not have the authority to install cameras in town and that Sel. Lipka was just making a suggestion to help curb the ongoing problem.  Increased police presence will be requested from Chief Sherrill.

Acceptance of Minutes

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2012 AS PRESENTED.  

10. Follow Up to Citizens’ Address

Chairman Renzoni encouraged all residents to speak with members of the Board directly.  Citizens’ Address should not become a platform for residents to announce their personal agendas that involve the school district.

11. Executive Session

Chairman Renzoni said he did not feel that it was necessary to meet in Executive Session.

Sel. Ferguson disagreed, adding that as a member of the Town Manager’s contract negotiating subcommittee, he felt there was a need to enter into Executive Session to update the Board.

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:40PM 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; LIPKA: YES.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE NOVEMBER 19, 2012 MEETING AT 8:33 PM.


APPROVED__12/3/2012_______________