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10/07/2013
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 7, 2013

6:30PM                                                                                  Memorial Hall

Present:                
Chairman Robert Lavigne, Kenneth Lipka, Anthony Renzoni, Mark Ferguson, Jeremy Kurtz
                        
Others Present: 
Jacquelyn Kelly, Town Manager
Peter Lukes, Assistant Town Manager
Elizabeth Helder, Recording Secretary

Chairman Lavigne opened the meeting at 6:35PM.  The Board participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Lavigne said the Board had recessed from meeting to set the Town Manager’s Goals.

  • Licenses – Appointments – Permits
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT TO MARTY HOLMAN ON BEHALF OF THE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH FOR A FIVE K ROAD RACE FOR THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2013 FROM 6:30AM – 9:30AM PROVIDED FOUR POLICE OFFICERS ARE SCHEDULED FOR TRAFFIC DETAIL AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO CONSTANCE J. HAMILTON ON BEHALF OF THE FRIENDS OF THE RED BARN FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013 FROM 12PM – 4PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO JEAN DANIELSON ON BEHALF OF COLONY RETIREMENT HOMES FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2013 FROM 9AM – 1PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE TO HEATHER BOVAT ON BEHALF OF MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013 FROM 9:30AM – 3:30PM AS PRESENTED.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO HEATHER BOVAT ON BEHALF OF MAYO SCHOOL PTA FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013 FROM 9:30PM – 3:30PM AS PRESENTED.

  • Halloween Trick or Treat Hours – 5-7PM – October 31, 2013
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET HALLOWEEN HOURS FROM 5-7PM FOR OCTOBER 31, 2013.

  • Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. Lavigne: Winter Festival Committee: Committee continues to look at timing and corporate sponsorship and meets every Friday at 9AM at the Starbard Building.  Committee membership is complete.  The Festival will be held on the first Saturday in December from 1PM – 6PM.  Facebook and Twitter feeds have been created.  Vendors for the event are being solicited.
EDC: Attended the Worcester Business Expo on October 2nd.  

Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Has not met.
Veteran’s Committee: Committee still has vacancies available.

Sel. Lipka: Municipal Light Department Advisory Board: Was not able to attend the last meeting.

Sel. Ferguson: Not currently serving on a Committee.

Sel. Kurtz: EDC: Attended the Worcester Business Expo on October 2nd.
 
  • Commercial Kennel License – Ryan Luddy - Public Hearing
The Town Manager read the notice of public hearing into record.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:45PM.

The Manager explained that Mr. Luddy’s application was for a variance to operate a commercial kennel license in a commercial space.  The ZBA held a hearing on October 3, 2013 and voted to continue the discussion until its November 14th meeting.  The Manager said the Board could 1. Vote to continue the decision until November 18th; or 2. Vote to grant the license subject to the approval of the variance by the ZBA.

Chairman Lavigne invited Mr. Luddy to address the Board.  Mr. Luddy stated that he started a dog daycare business (You Lucky Dog) in the commercial space he is currently occupying in January 2013.  The daycare business did not require a kennel license because it had no overnight hours.  However, many of his customers are interested in boarding their dogs overnight from 7PM-7AM and this will require the kennel license.  He said that the business would be staffed overnight.

Mr. Al Sculthorpe, 354 Highland Street spoke in support of the operation and urged the Board to approve the kennel license.  He said it would be a new source of tax revenue for the town.

Mr. Dave Gallagher, Lovell Road said his dog attended the daycare which is professional, clean, and well maintained.  He said he would like the ability to house his pets at Mr. Luddy’s establishment.  Granting the license will also allow the business to remain in Holden.

ACO Mike Sendrowski said he had made a surprise inspection of the You Lucky Dog daycare facility.  He spoke highly of the business that was being run during the day.  He voiced no objections to the kennel license.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AT 6:50PM.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE KENNEL LICENSE APPLICATION PENDING ZBA VARIANCE APPROVAL.

  • Selectmen Minutes
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 AS PRESENTED.  

  • WRSD Screening Committee
The Town Manager informed the Board that Mr. Lacy from Princeton had been selected to serve as the Selectman member of the WRSD Screening Committee.

  • Town Manager Miscellaneous
  • Ms. Kelly reported that on Wednesday, October 2, 2013, the Town of Holden participated in the Business Expo at the DCU Center.  Several members of the town staff represented the Town throughout the day.  She said that the Expo was well attended and felt it was a great networking investment for the town.  
  • The Board reviewed a Press Release from DPW Director John Woodsmall regarding work that started on October 7, 2013 to repair the Manning Street Bridge over Trout Brook.  One lane will remain open for traffic and a temporary traffic signal will control the flow of vehicles over the open lane.  Work is being done by town forces using a contractor for the membrane and paving.  Work is anticipated to be complete at the end of the paving season.
The Chairman interrupted Town Manager’s Miscellaneous to proceed with Citizens’ Address at 7PM.

  • Citizens’ Address
Mr. Dave Gallagher, Lovell Road said he was a member of the Memorial Day Parade Committee.  He expressed concern that the parade might not continue after 2014 due to a lack of funding from the Town.  He asked that the Board and the Town Administration continue its financial support of the parade.  He also asked that the Town also provide funding to the Bandstand Summer Concerts.

  • Vote to Hold Public Hearing on the Removal of Land from Chapter 61 – Bullard St.
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE REMOVAL OF LAND FROM CHAPTER 61 FOR LOT 3 AND PARCEL 4, BULLARD STREET, HOLDEN MA FOR OCTOBER 21, 2013 AS PRESENTED.

  • Purchase Power Opportunities – Jim Robinson, HMLD Manager
Mr. Jim Robinson, Manager, HMLD, presented two Special Projects as part of the Light Department’s ongoing efforts to explore various power supply opportunities for the Town.  He reported that the MMWEC Board of Directors had recently created Special Projects 2013B and 2013C.  Mr. Robinson recommended that the town participate in both projects and asked the Selectmen in their capacity as Light Commissioners to vote to participate and approve these power purchase opportunities.  

The Board and Mr. Robinson reviewed the MMWEC power purchase special projects and held a discussion on short and long term power purchase strategies.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN PARTICIPATE AND APPROVE SPECIAL PROJECT 2013B AS PRESENTED CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN PARTICIPATE AND APPROVE SPECIAL PROJECT 2013C AS PRESENTED CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL BY THE HOLDEN MUNICIPAL LIGHT BOARD.

Mr. Robinson updated the Board on the Light Department’s efforts to bring Charter Communications to the industrial park to upgrade cable service to the businesses in the park.  The Light Department will provide underground access to Charter in the park.  Currently there is not a time line or costs associated with the work.  However, Mr. Robinson acknowledged that the work will be costly.

  • Follow Up to Citizens’ Address
The Board and Town Manager both agreed that there had been no decision to stop funding the Memorial Day Parade.  The Manager said that Town Meeting had appropriated $5000 to continue funding the Parade; this is in addition to the $13,800 that is currently in the Parade’s account from public donations.  Chairman Lavigne also informed Mr. Gallagher that the Board had just directed the Manager to set a goal to consolidate all event funding.  Sel. Ferguson said he felt it was “clear as clear can be” that the town will fund the Parade Committee with $5000 each year plus public donations.  He said that $5000 was not a lot of money and that the Manager should go to the legal budget that is “out of control” to fund the parade.  He said it was in the Town Manager’s job description and the Town Charter to have a parade.  The Chairman agreed that while the Parade should receive all donations made to the event, the town is not required to give the Committee $5000 each year to fund the parade.  The Manager’s new goal will fairly fund all town events.  Sel. Renzoni concurred with the Chairman’s comments adding that money will always be available if necessary.  He encouraged Mr. Gallagher to email him directly with any further questions or concerns.  Sel. Kurtz informed the Chairman that he was interested in serving on the Parade Committee as the Selectboard representative.

  • Disposal of Surplus Property with a Net Value of <$10,000
Ms. Kelly asked that discussion on the disposal of surplus property with a net value of <$10,000 be postponed until a future date because the procedure for disposal was not attached in the Selectmen’s packet for review/discussion.

  • Town Manager’s Miscellaneous (reopened)
  • The Manager informed the Board that the Department of Transportation (DOT) will be replacing the bridge on Rt. 31 near the intersection of Manning Street.  The work is currently being bid out.  The work will create another situation where one lane of traffic will remain open during construction.  A temporary traffic signal will control the flow of traffic.  At this time, work is expected to begin in the spring of 2014.
  • Ms. Kelly updated the Board on the traffic complaints on Rt. 31.  DPW engineering staff and the Police Department have been reviewing the complaint about traffic on Rt. 31 near Davis Hill School.  This area has been studied repeatedly in the past for traffic and pedestrian safety concerns.  Speed limit signs reflecting the 30mph speed limit will be installed by the DPW along the portion of Highland Street from #78 to #157 in both directions.  Additionally, signs will be installed warning of a reduction in speed in this area.  Signs designating pedestrian crosswalks will be installed or replaced.  Representative Ferguson forwarded this issue to the MA Department of Transportation for their input.  According to the DOT, “flashing school zone speed limits signs (20mph) are to be installed according to Section 7E-2 of the Massachusetts Amendments to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.  One requirement to install a flashing signal is that the school abuts the public right-of-way within the limits of the school zone.”  Unfortunately, Davis Hill School abuts Jamieson Road, not Rt. 31.  Therefore, the section of Highland Street does not qualify for a flashing school zone signal.  The Manager said that pedestrian and traffic safety are a major concern of the town, especially in school areas.  The Administration will carefully monitor specific traffic requests and accommodate them where it is possible.  Ms. Kelly added that the Police Department has been actively conducting traffic control in this area along Rt. 31 and other school areas.  As manpower is limited, traffic control is assigned as efficiently as possible.  Ms. Kelly mentioned that there are two other ongoing traffic studies underway which include the Rt. 31 area near Davis Hill School.  The Towns of Holden, Paxton, and Spencer in conjunction with the Central MA Regional Planning Commission are studying traffic flow and safety for the entire Rt. 31 Corridor Study.  On August 27, 2013, DMRPC conducted the first joint Walkable Community and Neighborhood SAFE Project Workshop in Holden.  A number of town departments including the Town Manager took part in the meeting.  CMRPC will provide a Holden SAFE Neighborhood Report on the sidewalk network with the Davis Hill School, Highland Street, and Main Street areas of Holden.
  • Ms. Kelly said that the RFP for the sale of the former Police Station has been rewritten and updated and published in the Central Register on October 2, 2013.  The deadline for submission is November 20, 2013 at 2PM in the Town Manager’s office.  A walk through of interested parties is scheduled for November 7th at 2PM.  Additional advertising in the Boston Globe and Tradesman will take place over the next several weeks.  A legal advertisement will run in the Worcester Telegram on October 9 and October 16.  Copies of the RFP were also mailed to banks and other banking institutions.  With the help of the crew from Buildings and Grounds, the building was recently cleaned out.  Any salvageable shelving and file storage units were
relocated to the town records storage facility being established in the basement of the Fire Annex.

  • Fall Composting and Brush Chipping will be help on October 26th, November 2, November 9, November 16, November 23, and December 7.  More information is available at www.holdenma.gov.  Sel. Lipka inquired if any of the compost was available for residential use?  Ms. Kelly said the compost was used on town projects.
  • National Drug Take Back Day will be held on October 26th from 10AM-2PM at the Public Safety Building.  A special container is available in the foyer of the Police Station for deposit of unwanted prescriptions.
  • The Board and the Town Manager discussed setting 2013 holiday hours for town employees.  Ms. Kelly said that in the past, the Selectmen had allowed town business offices to close the day after Thanksgiving and at 12PM on the day before Christmas.  These closings have not had a negative impact on the public as these are typically quiet days for customer traffic.  It is a gesture of good will by the Selectmen that is greatly appreciated by the employees and has a positive influence on morale.  This year, New Year’s Eve is a Tuesday when business offices are usually open until 7PM.  Ms. Kelly asked the Board, that in addition to the closings at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Board also consider closing town offices at 4PM on December 31, 2013.  She reminded the Board that this time-off is expressly for non-essential personnel only.  
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED AS A GESTURE OF GOOD WILL AT THE HOLIDAY SEASON THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN VOTE TO CLOSE TOWN BUSINESS OFFICES FOR ONLY NON-ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2013 AT 12PM, AND TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013 AT 4PM AS PRESENTED.  ONLY ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SAFETY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SCHEDULED TO WORK OR WHO ACTUALLY WORK ON THESE DAYS WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE UP TO EIGHT (8) HOURS OF COMPENSATORY TIME OFF AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TOWN MANAGER.

  • Adjournment
A motion to recess the meeting back to the Goal’s Discussion was discussed.

Sel. Ferguson noted that an item under Town Manager’s Miscellaneous had been skipped over and he wanted to discuss the item.

  • Town Manager’s Miscellaneous (reopened)
  • The Board reviewed the DPW Monthly Report prepared by DPW Director John Woodsmall.  Sel. Ferguson raised some concerns regarding unaccounted for water in the report, calling it “convoluted.”  He asked for the authority to sit down with the DPW Director, the Town Manager, and members of the Selectmen to work on a report that will track the month to month purchase and delivery of water in town.  Additionally, he said he would like to have a separate report for Water/Sewer from the DPW.
Chairman Lavigne said he was unsure if the calculations were accurate.  However, he reminded Sel. Ferguson that the Board had just set a goal for the Town Manager to address unaccounted for water over the next year and come up with a more measurable plan.

        Sel. Ferguson commented that he just did feel that this work was happening.  

Chairman Lavigne reminded Sel. Ferguson that the goal had just been set 2 hours prior.  He said he would not take Water/Sewer away from the DPW.  This department falls under the authority of the Town Manager, not the Selectmen.  Chairman Lavigne asked the Manager if there was a way that the town could gauge how much water is lost when a water main breaks.  The town experienced two water main breaks in August 2013.  The Town Manager said she was unsure how the DPW calculates the loss.

Sel. Ferguson restated that he wanted to go over the report with Mr. Woodsmall.

Sel. Renzoni called for a point of order.

  • Recess to Goals Discussion
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO RECESS TO GOALS DISCISSION AT 8:25PM AND RETURN TO REGULAR MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2013 FOR ADJOURNMENT PURPOSES ONLY.  (OPPOSED: FERGUSON.)

  • ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING OF OCTOBER 7, 2013 AT 8:45PM.  (OPPOSED: FERGUSON.)


Approved: __ November 4, 2013_____