HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 16, 2013
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present:
Chairman Robert Lavigne, Kenneth Lipka, Anthony Renzoni, Mark Ferguson, Jeremy Kurtz
Others Present:
Jacquie Kelly, 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.
- Licenses – Appointments – Permits
Chairman Lavigne announced that the Board approved the reappointment of Susan Kowalczyk, Lance Lazar and Michelle Leveillee to the Historic District Commission to three year terms.
The Town Manager announced that she had reappointed Robert Lowell and Michael Krikonis to the Holden Conservation Commission. This Commission is a Town Manager appointed committee. She asked the Board to vote to confirm her appointments.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF ROBERT LOWELL AND MICHAEL KRIKONIS TO THREE YEAR TERMS ON THE HOLDEN CONSERVATION COMMISSION.
The Town Manager announced that she had reappointed Charles Skillings to the Holden Historical Commission. This Commission is a Town Manager appointed committee. She asked the Board to vote to confirm her appointment.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONFIRM THE TOWN MANAGER’S APPOINTMENT OF CHARLES SKILLINGS TO A THREE YEAR TERM ON THE HOLDEN HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lipka, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTERVIEW MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 25, 2013 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED 4-1 WITH 1 OPPOSED WITH AN AMENDMENT BY CHAIRMAN LAVIGNE TO REMOVE THE THIRD SENTENCE IN AGENDA ITEM FOUR AND REPLACE IT WITH “THE POLICE CHIEF FELT THAT THIS WAS THE BEST USE OF HIS STAFF AND THE DECISION WAS AT HIS DISCRETION.” TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 25, 2013 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES OF DECEMBER 2, 2013 WITH AN AMENDMENT BY SEL. LAVIGNE TO REMOVE THE WORDS “CALLS TO THE POLICE CHIEF WENT UNRETURNED.” IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH UNDER AGENDA ITEM THREE AND REPLACE THEM WITH “THE POLICE CHIEF DID NOT CALL HIM.”
- Town Manager Miscellaneous
- Ms. Kelly and the Board reviewed a letter that was sent by the Town to all constables to remind them that they are required to pay a portion of their fees to the Town per M.G.L. Ch. 41, Section 95. The Chairman said he would be curious how many of the constables pay. He said he would have difficulty reappointing those constables that do not pay. Sel. Renzoni said the Board would reassess its policy on constables in the spring of 2014. Town Counsel cautioned the Board that they could not rescind a constable appointment as it would take away a business right. However, the Board can reappoint constables as they deem necessary. Sel. Renzoni inquired what the exact authority of the Board is when it comes to this issue. Chairman Lavigne asked the Manager to schedule discussion of the issue for the
Agenda in January 2014.
- Town Manager Kelly informed the Board that on November 20, 2013, after duly noticing the RFP for the sale of the former Police Station and proactively advertising the pending sale to many potential buyers, the Town received one bid in the amount $225,000 from DiVerdi Builders of Paxton Ma. Ms. Kelly said that the original minimum price for the parcel and building was $700,000 in 2008; the minimum price was removed from the recent bid documents pursuant to a Town Meeting vote taken in 2011. An appraisal by an outside consultant set the value at $460,000 in May 2012. After Due consideration of the proposal, Ms. Kelly said that disposing of a valuable piece of property on Main Street for less than half the appraised value was not in the best interest of the Town. She informed the Board that she rejected the bid. Ms. Kelly said that while disappointed in the offer she could not in good conscience sell the property at that price. Sel. Ferguson concurred with Ms. Kelly and suggested
that the Town try to lease the building through a realtor. Ms. Kelly said that leasing the building was not an option; Town Meeting only authorized the sale of the building. She said she was in the process of developing a plan to fix up the building and relocate the Recreation Department headquarters in to the space. She explained that the Creamer property, the current location of the Recreation Department, was in poor shape and was not suitable to house the Recreation Department any longer. She said it was her long term goal to sell the Creamer property. She added that her proposal would have to be approved at Town Meeting in May 2014. Sel. Ferguson added that the town has dealt with this type of problem before and it just goes with the territory. As the town grows “white elephant” buildings must be dealt with.
- Ms. Kelly informed the Board that the Town received reimbursement from the Division of Local Mandates for the special primary on April 30, 2013 and special election held on June 25, 2013 in the total amount of $9,976.00. The money will be deposited into the General Fund and then to Free Cash.
- The Town received notice from MIIA that a second credit of $2.5M will be returned to all participating MIIA members. Participation credits recognize the long-term loyalty and commitment of the MIIA membership. Holden’s additional credits include $6,604 for Property & Casualty and $2,741 for Workers’ Compensation. The credits will be applied to future premium invoices.
- The Board reviewed a Strategic Plan for 2013-2017 from the Central MA Regional Public Health Alliance.
- The Manager thanked the Selectmen for allowing time off at the Holidays for Town Employees. Accordingly, town business offices will close on Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 12PM and 4PM on Tuesday, December 30, 2013.
- Ms. Kelly informed the Board that according to Joe Scanlon, WRSD Business Manager, the District will refinance a $20M bond for the High School Project. Savings associated with the refinance will result in a $1M savings. Holden’s second assessment payment will result in $117,169 savings for this fiscal year. Sel. Ferguson asked if the Town keeps up with its refinancing. Ms. Kelly said yes, in fact the Mountview Middle School Project is using short term notes for right now. Longer term financing will be sought till the project is over. She added that Standard and Poor’s was currently conducting an evaluation of the towns’ bond rating.
- Citizens’ Address
Mark S. Ferguson, Bailey Road, addressed the Board to protest the continued presence of a police officer at Selectmen’s meetings (with no offense to the police officer who is trying to forge out a living.) He said no violence or threats have been made that warrant an officers’ presence at Board meetings. He said it was wrong, wrong, wrong, to use a police officer in a hall of democracy, which should be free from an atmosphere of intimidation. He said that the ZBA and Planning Board do not have an officer during their meetings and he said it was a colossal waste of tax payer money that could be used for police training.
- Follow Up to Citizens’ Address
Chairman Lavigne stated that no one should expect the Police Chief to call and explain decisions that they make. Sel. Ferguson replied that there “were no kings or queens, only accountability. Decisions cannot be made in a vacuum and not explained.” Chairman Lavigne stated that the Police Chief answers to the Town Manager. The Board has discussed the decision to have a police presence at previous Selectmen meetings and four members of the Board agreed to let the Town Manager manage the Police Chief. Sel. Ferguson said that $200/night was wasteful taxpayer spending. Sel. Ferguson directed a question to the Town Manager through the Chairman asking if the Manager agreed with the Police Chief’s decision. Ms. Kelly said she agreed with the Chief’s decision. Sel. Ferguson
asked what else in the conversation he was missing? Ms. Kelly responded that he was not missing anything.
Sel. Lavigne: Winter Festival Committee: Snow was served at the Winter Festival and a good time was had by all. He thanked all the merchants who participated in the festival and all the volunteers who made it possible.
EDC: Met 11/27 with three new members in attendance.
Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Met on 11/7.
Veteran’s Committee: Will meet on 12/12 or 12/18. The Committee is still looking to fill positions on the Committee.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Light Department Advisory Board:
Affordable Housing: Has not met.
Sel. Ferguson: Not currently serving on a Committee.
Sel. Kurtz: EDC:
Memorial Day Parade: Met on December 11th.
None of the Selectmen submitted items for Sel. Miscellaneous.
Motion by Sel. Lipka, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE DECEMBER 16, 2013 MEETING AT 8:18PM.
Approved: January 27, 2014
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