HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 2012
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Robert Lavigne, James Jumonville,
Kenneth Lipka, Mark Ferguson
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. Chairman Renzoni reported that on Friday, September 14, 2012 Town Manager Galkowski notified him of a medical issue that will place her on an extended medical leave of absence. In her place, Ms. Galkowski has appointed Assistant Town Manager Kelly as Acting Town Manager until further notice.
Selectmen Licenses, Permits and Appointments
There were no licenses, permits or appointments presented for approval.
Presentation of the State Certification of Compliance – Massachusetts Police Accreditation Commission – Northboro Police Chief Mark Leahy
Police Chief Leahy addressed the Board to present Police Chief Sherrill with the Massachusetts Police Accreditation State Certificate of Compliance. There are only three police departments in central Massachusetts that have achieved this accomplishment. Chief Sherrill thanked his staff for achieving the Compliance.
Chief Sherrill introduced Mr. Ralph Poland with Safety Net by LoJack to the Board. Mr. Poland explained the Safety Net program, which provides technology to find and rescue individuals with cognitive disorders (autism, Alzheimer’s and other conditions) who tend to wander and become lost. Safety Net technology is given to the police department at no cost. Two officers have been trained how to use the equipment. Residents interested in taking part in this type of safety program can contact the Holden Police Department or contact LoJack directly at 1-877-434-6384 or www.safetynetbylojack.com.
Town Manager Miscellaneous
- Acting Town Manager Kelly reported that due to the threat of mosquito-borne illnesses, the Town has closed all town-owned fields for evening sporting practices, games, and outings, as well as non-sporting events. Effective immediately, fields will close after 6PM daily until further notice. More information may be found at www.holdenma.gov.
- ATM Kelly distributed a copy of the Open Space Plan to the Selectmen. Discussion on the plan has been scheduled on the Board’s October 1st meeting agenda.
- ATM Kelly reminded the Board that they have been posted to host a Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on Wednesday, October 3, 2012 at the Senior Center. Representatives from the School District will attend.
- The Board read a memo from Mark Elbag, Water-Sewer Superintendent regarding the scheduling of the town-wide hydrant flushing program. Sel. Ferguson commented that in the future, he would like the flushing program to occur when the Town does not have to purchase water from the City of Worcester (i.e. not in peak summer months).
- The Board recognized Recreation Director Denise Morano and her staff for another highly successful and safe summer season. The Board reviewed the Director’s seasonal statistics for summer program attendants and revenue generated report. Sel. Lavigne asked ATM Kelly to follow up with Ms. Morano to inquire why the sale of pool passes has decreased over the past several years.
- ATM Kelly reported that according to Bev Kenniston, Principal Assessor, the FY 2012 Supplemental Tax Bills were mailed on Monday, September 10th. Towns are required to make a pro rata tax assessment on the value of improvements to real estate made after the June 30th assessment date. Twenty-one bills were sent out totaling $14,704.13.
- The Board reviewed a response from Duncan Leith, Chair of the WRSD School Committee, regarding the Selectmen’s concerns about the presence of mold on school buses. Sel. Lavigne said he had several questions for Mr. Leith. ATM Kelly will invite Mr. Leith to attend the October 1, 2012 meeting.
- Mr. David Gallagher, a Holden resident, presented a proclamation from the State of Massachusetts to honor Captain Ira J. Kelton, who died of his wounds during the Civil War on September 24, 1862.
Citizens’ Address
No one came forward to address the Board.
Mountview School Building Committee
Mr. Paul Challenger, Chair, Mountview School Building Committee addressed the Board. He introduced Committee members David White, Chris Lucchesi and Margaret Watson. Acting Town Manager Jacquie Kelly also serves on the Committee. The Committee was formed in 2010 at the request of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which determined that the school is in need of operational replacement and educational upgrades. After studying the building for two years, and reviewing six different building renovation and replacement options, the Committee unanimously voted on September 11, 2012 to endorse a plan to build a new middle school at the existing school site. This building option will provide the Town with a new, 50-year school with modern educational space and the least amount of educational disruption to
students and staff. The estimated cost for the project is 56M and will receive a 53% reimbursement from the State for an estimated cost of 26M for the Town. This will mean an annual impact to taxpayers of $19. The Committee’s decision will be submitted to the MSBA in a Preferred Schematic Report at the end of September for review. The project architect, Lamoureux-Pagano, is currently completing the schematic design process. The project will come before Town Meeting and a ballot vote to fund the project in May 2014 and is a one shot deal; if the funding mechanism fails at Town Meeting, the Town is removed from the MSBA’s short list and the feasibility study process must begin again.
Selectmen FY14 Goals
Sel. Lavigne reported that Library Director Susan Scott has indicated that she would like to conduct an impact study prior to committing funds to extending library hours on Wednesday evenings.
The Board discussed meeting on a Saturday in early October to finalize their FY14 Selectmen’s Goals.
. Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Renzoni: Master Plan:
Water/Sewer Advisory:
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade: Nothing to report.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Electric Advisory: Will circulate a report.
Affordable Housing: Not met.
Sel. Ferguson: Open Space: Nothing to report.
Town Manager’s Contract Negotiation Committee: The Board will review a contract proposal from Assistant Town Manager Jacquie Kelly to assume the position of Town Manager.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Will meet the second Tuesday at 7AM.
8. Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Lavigne: Would like a status update on a town-wide shredding day. ATM Kelly said that Dennis Lipka, Growth Management Director feels that since the Town supports the Wachusett Recycling Center, it would compete with their efforts to provide this service to residents. Additionally, there would be a cost ($1500) to run this program in Town. Chairman Renzoni asked any residents who have an interest in participating in a town-wide shredding day to contact members of the Board or the Administration to gage enough interest to off-set the cost.
Sel. Ferguson: Inquired on the status of water/sewer enterprise fund? He said he would like to find a way to reduce the cover charge for monthly rates and would like to see more action from staff to solve the town’s ongoing I&I problems. He requested monthly reports on W/S activities in town. Chairman Renzoni said the Board would place these items for discussion on future agendas.
Sel. Lipka: Requested an update on increasing police patrols at the intersection of Chapel/Shrewsbury Street in the AM.
Sel. Jumonville: Requested an email on the progress being made with the Regional Dispatch grant.
9. Executive Session
Sel. Lavigne made a motion to enter into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the government’s litigating position, and the chair so declares, and to conduct strategy sessions in preparation for negotiations with non-union personnel and to conduct contract negotiations with non-union personnel.
Sel. Ferguson said that he did not see any litigation or a need to enter into executive session to discuss litigation. He said the Board holds too many executive sessions and has many sets of executive session minutes that have not been released to the public. He wants a transparent government.
Mr. Madaus said the executive session meeting is necessary to protect the town’s litigation strategy.
Chairman Renzoni said that the Board had charged Town Counsel to investigate this potential litigation issue and report back to the Board. Also, the Contract Negotiating Subcommittee will report back regarding the ongoing non-union contract negotiations with Ms. Kelly. He said he respects the legal opinion of Town Counsel and moved the question.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 7:38PM TO DISCUSS STRATEGY WITH RESPECT TO LITIGATION, IF AN OPEN MEETING MAY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S LITIGATING POSITION, AND THE CHAIR SO DECLARES, AND TO CONDUCT STRATEGY SESSIONS IN PREPARATION FOR NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL AND TO CONDUCT CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH NON-UNION PERSONNEL. ROLL CALL VOTE: FERGUSON: NO; RENZONI: YES; JUMONVILLE: YES; LIPKA: YES; LAVIGNE: YES.
10. Agenda Addition
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUSPEND THE RULES OF PROCEDURE TO ALLOW FOR THE ADDITION OF AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA FOR THE VOTE ON THE DESIGNATION OF THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPROVE THE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER AS ACTING TOWN MANAGER EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 17, 2012. ROLL CALL: LIPKA: YES; JUMONVILLE: YES; LAVIGNE: YES; RENZONI: YES.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Jumonville, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE DESIGNATION BY THE TOWN MANAGER TO APPROVE THE ASSISTANT TOWN MANAGER AS ACTING TOWN MANAGER EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 17, 2012. ROLL CALL: JUMONVILLE: YES; LAVIGNE: YES; RENZONI: YES: LIPKA: YES.
Ms. Kelly said she would file Ms. Galkowski’s letter announcing her immediate family leave of absence from work and appointing Ms. Kelly as Acting Town Manager with the Town Clerk on September 18, 2012.
11. Adjournment
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE SEPTEMBER 17, 2012 MEETING AT 9:45PM.
APPROVED: October 15, 2012
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