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04/01/2013

HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 1, 2013

6:30PM                                                                                  Memorial Hall

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

Others Present: 
Jacquie Kelly, Town Manager
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary
Stephen F. Madaus, Town Counsel

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

1. Appointments, Licenses, and Permits

Chairman Renzoni announced that prior to the regular meeting, the Board interviewed and appointed Mr. Stephen Kelley and Mr. Simon Gregory to the Cultural Council to three year appointments.

2. Vote Intention to Lay-Out Vista Circle

Town Manager Kelly presented the plans to lay-out Vista Circle at a Public Hearing at the April 16th Board meeting.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN INTEND ON APRIL 16, 2013 TO LAY OUT THE FOLLOWING:  VISTA CIRCLE FROM STATION 0+30.00 TO STATION 19+34.75 FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 1904.75 FEET AS SHOWN ON A PLAN OF LAND ENTITLED “ACCEPTANCE PLAN, VISTA CIRCLE, HOLDEN, MA OWNED AND DEVELOPED BY GENGEL-C&S BUILDERS, PO BOX 355, RUTLAND, MA” DATED DECEMBER 20, 2012 PREPARED BY FINLEY ENGINEERING SERVICES.

3. Town Manager’s Miscellaneous

  • The Selectmen reviewed a memo from Jim Robinson, Light Manager concerning the planned photovoltaic system at the proposed Mountview School.  Sel. Ferguson said this issue was a sticking point with him, but did not want to have it interfere with the school project.  He said that Mr. Robinson did not endorse or support the plan.  He asked how much would the Holden taxpayers be footing the bill for the project and was this plan viable.  He said he still wanted some type of agreement that the Town should receive a credit for the electricity generated by the PV and have that credit applied to Holden’s share of its RASA with the District.  Town Manager Kelly suggested that Sel. Ferguson address his questions to the Building Committee later in the meeting or attend the next Electric Light Advisory Board.  Sel. Lavigne said he interpreted the memo to mean that any credits earned by the PV would be sold by the Light Department and the credit would be applied to the school’s electric/energy usage at the Light Department and not directly to the District.  Ms. Kelly said that Sel. Lavigne’s interpretation was correct.  The Board asked Ms. Kelly to invite Mr. Robinson to the Board’s April 16th meeting to discuss the issue.
  • Ms. Kelly advised the Board that the CIC Stormwater Project that the Town is participating in to study and comply with stormwater control has received a 2013 grant in the amount of $115,000 to continue these efforts.  The study group met in March 2013 and agreed to request that each town enter into an Inter-Municipal Agreement (IMA) to receive and expend the grant money and to authorize each town’s contribution, with the Town of Spencer acting as coordinator.  The Manager recommended that the Board vote to enter into the IMA with the Town of Spencer for the purposes of administering the coalition’s CIC Stormwater Management Project.  Sel. Lipka asked how the agreement would be affected if some of the 17 towns choose not to participate.  Town Counsel said that it would not affect or cost the Town of Holden any additional money for 2013.  The Town will evaluate its participation in the CIC on an annual basis.
Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE TOWN OF HOLDEN ENTER INTO THE IMA WITH THE TOWN OF SPENCER FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADMINISTERING THE COALITION’S CIC STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROJECT.

  • The Town Manager announced that according to Police Chief George Sherrill April 27, 2013 is National Prescription Drug Turn-In Day.  Residents may, at any time, turn-in unused/unwanted prescription drugs to the dispenser located in the lobby of the Police Station.
  • The Town Manager announced that the Department of Public Works will hold Spring Compost- ing and Brush Chipping on the following dates:  Saturdays, April 20, 27, May 4, 11, and 18.  Brush chipping will take place at the DPW garage located at Adams Road.  Guidelines for composting and brush chipping may be found at www.holdenma.gov.  
  • Ms. Kelly announced the Street Sweeping schedule had been set.  The schedule will be advertised and may also be found on the town website.  Residents are reminded that the schedule is greatly influenced by weather conditions and mechanical breakdowns.  Residents with questions may call 508-210-5545 between the hours of 8AM-4PM.
  • The Board reviewed the Revenue and Expenditure Report for the period ending February 2013 as prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
  • The Board reviewed a reconciliation of the Lloyd Starbard Scholarship Fund as of December 31, 2012.  Ms. Kelly said that if the Selection were interested in providing a scholarship this year, a sub-committee of Selectmen would need to be established and advertisements would be posted in order to review applications and interview candidates.  The Selectmen agreed to post the Scholarship.  A sub-committee will be created to include a member of the Starbard family when the applications are received.  
  • Ms. Kelly announced that a rabies clinic will be held on Saturday, April 6 at the Holden Police Department Garage.  Cats will be vaccinated from 9AM-10AM and dogs from 10AM-11AM.  The cost is $12 per animal.
4. Acceptance of Minutes

Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES ON MARCH 18, 2013 AS PRESENTED.

5. Selectmen Miscellaneous

Sel. Ferguson: 1. Reminded residents of the upcoming Special Town Meeting on April 8th and the Ballot Election on April 11th for the Mountview School Building Project.  He said he was disappointed that the Office of Campaign Finance determined that an informational flyer for the project could not be included in the utility bills.  He asked if the Town could use the Code Red telephone alert system to inform residents and get the word out.

Sel. Miscellaneous was interrupted at 7PM to proceed with Citizens’ Address.

6. Citizens’ Address

Ms. Barbara Roberts of Reservoir Street addressed the Board regarding NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) paragraphs 1021 and 1022 passed by President Obama in December 2012.  These laws pertain to the detention of persons the government suspects of involvement in terrorism.  She said she was part of a grassroots effort to nullify these paragraphs that pertain to the loss of due process.  She asked the Board to take a position on this issue and pass their vote onto the State legislature.  Chairman Renzoni said he would address the issue under his Sel. Miscellaneous.

Mr. Ed Meyer, Fort Sumter Drive, reminded residents of the Ballot Election on April 11th for the Mountview School project.  He said that taxes will increase if this ballot vote funds the project.

Mr. Dave White, Wachusett Street, spoke to the grey-haired citizen who comes to Citizens’ Address from time to time to discuss how taxes will increase if the Mountview School Building Project passes.  He felt that statements made by this person were being made to confuse voters.  He said that residents should get all the facts and encouraged all residents to attend a Committee meeting and ask questions.

7. Public Hearing – Holden Discount Liquors –
Change of Manager/New Officer/Director/Transfer of Stock

Town Manager Kelly read the notice of Public Hearing into record.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:15 PM ON THE APPLICATION OF HOLDEN DISCOUNT LIQUORS, INC. FOR A CHANGE OF MANAGER, NEW OFFICER/DIRECTOR AND TRANSFER OF STOCK ON THEIR PACKAGE STORE ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LICENSE FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 673 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, AS PRESENTED.

Mr. Gerald Leonard, Owner, Holden Discount Liquors presented himself to the Board.

No one from the public came to the podium to address any issues with Holden Discount Liquors.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 7:16PM.

Motion by Sel. Jumonville, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE APPLICATION OF HOLDEN DISCOUNT LIQUORS, INC. FOR A CHANGE OF MANAGER, NEW OFFICER/DIRECTOR AND TRANSFER OF STOCK ON THEIR PACKAGE STORE ALL ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES LICENSE FOR THE PREMISES LOCATED AT 673 MAIN STREET, HOLDEN, AS PRESENTED.

8. Kids in the Kommunity – Pay It Forward Day

Mountview teachers Dave Fredette and Bob Champlin announced that the second annual Kids in the Kommunity Pay It Forward Day would be held in Holden on April 27th.  National Pay It Forward Day is April 25th.  Residents are encouraged to commit random acts of kindness and Pay It Forward to three
individuals who are asked to Pay It Forward in kind.  The entire town is encouraged to participate on Pay It Forward Day.  

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DECLARE APRIL 27, 2013 AS PAY IT FORWARD DAY IN HOLDEN.

Sel. Jumonville commented that the Kids in the Kommunity volunteer their services during the Memorial Day Parade every year.  The entire Board commended these kids for supporting such a great cause.  The Town will advertise the event on its electronic information boards.

9. Mountview School Building Committee

Mr. Paul Challenger explained the importance of voting on April 8th at the Special Town Meeting at 7PM and April 11th at the Ballot Election for the Mountview School Building Project.  He encouraged all attend and vote.  The PTO’s will provide babysitting services during the Special Town Meeting.  Mr. Challenger said that the Office of Campaign Finance did not have a problem with the information flyer created by the Committee; however, they did determine that the town could not spend any money to distribute it to residents, including sending it home through the utility bills.  Town Counsel concurred that it was not the content of the flyer but its unsolicited distribution by the town that prevented it from being sent home via light department bills.  Sel. Lavigne asked if Sel. Ferguson’s suggestion of using the Code Red system to method to fall under the category of “unsolicited distribution?”  Town Counsel will investigate the answer to the question.  The flyer may be found at www.wrsd.net or www.mountviewbuildingproject.net.

5. Selectmen Miscellaneous (reopened)

Sel. Lavigne: 1. Attended the Good Neighbor Award Ceremony.

2. Inquired if any research could be done to provide hearing devices to the hearing impaired during Town Meetings.  Ms. Kelly said that some type of assistance will be available for the Annual Town Meeting in May but not at the April 8th Special Town Meeting.  She will also speak to the Moderator to see if other hearing accommodations can be made to better serve the hearing impaired.

3. Attended the recent Good Neighbor Award Ceremony.
Sel. Jumonville: 1. Discussed an issue involving a local business owner that is being handled by the Administration.  Ms. Kelly reported that a meeting was held today between the Administration and the business owner and the issue has been resolved.

Sel. Lipka: 1. Admitted that he was one of the Selectmen who abstained from the vote on the Mountview School Building Project because he did not feel that there was enough information at the time of the vote.  However, he said after reviewing the subject, he would support the project because it is important to provide the best education for the children of Holden and move the country forward.

Sel. Ferguson: 1. Said he would like follow up from Town Counsel about the use of the Code Red system to alert residents to the Special Town Meeting and Ballot Election.  The Board requested the Town Manager to use this system if Town Counsel receives the go ahead from the State.

2. Natural gas expansion to Holden update.  He said he was dealing with hearsay that the gas line would only run as far as Mountview School.  He asked that the administration look into bringing the gas line all the way up Shrewsbury Street and down Doyle Road.  The Manager said that the Building Committee’s only concern was to bring the line to the new school.  Chairman Renzoni said he would support any further expansion of the gas line into town.  Ms. Kelly said she would mention the questions to NSTAR to have them gage interest from residents in the area.  There have to be enough residents willing to convert their homes to natural gas in order for NSTAR to run the line further than the school.

Sel. Renzoni: 1. Announced that Sel. Jumonville and Lavigne would attend the Open House at Oriol Health Care’s new facility on April 18th.

2.  Announced that he and Town Manager Kelly would attend a 90th anniversary celebration at Sunnyside Ford on April 16th.

3. Asked the Town Manager to schedule a discussion of the NDAA issue at the next Selectmen’s meeting.  Sel. Ferguson asked Town Counsel to inquire if the Massachusetts Lawyers Association has a position on the issue.

10. Selectmen Subcommittees

Sel. Lipka: Affordable Housing: Have not met.
Municipal Electric Advisory: Scheduled to meet in April.
Sel. Jumonville: Memorial Day Parade:  Met 3/27.  Next meetings are scheduled for 4/10 and 4/24 at 7PM in the Starbard Building.
Sel. Lavigne: EDC: Taped an installment of Hometown Holden on March 25th with Vice-Chairman Jeremy Kurtz.  Look for the program on Channel 11.
Sel. Ferguson: Not currently serving on a subcommittee.
Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer Advisory Board: Was unable to attend the most recent meeting.

11. Follow Up to Citizens’ Address

There was no follow up to Citizens’ Address.

12. Adjournment

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 1, 2013 MEETING AT 8:01PM.


APPROVED:   April 16, 2013 as amended