HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2013
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne, Anthony Renzoni, Mark Ferguson, Jeremy Kurtz
Absent: Kenneth Lipka
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 prior to the regular meeting, the Board had entered into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation, if an open meeting may have detrimental effect on the government’s bargaining or litigating position.
- Licenses – Appointments – Permits
There were no licenses, appointments or permits to approve.
- Code of Conduct Discussion
Chairman Lavigne reviewed the Holden Selectboard Code of Conduct with the Board. This Code was voted into record on August 15, 2005. He said that several slanderous accusations had been made by several Selectmen since the last meeting. No accusations without evidence will be tolerated and any further baseless accusations will be filed with the Attorney General’s office as an ethics violation. He said that any Selectman who slanders other members of the Board or those who are employed by the Town should step down from their position.
Sel. Ferguson asked if this was regarding a letter that was written by a certain Selectman and signed by that Selectman’s wife regarding Sel. Jumonville in The Landmark in May 2013.
Chairman Lavigne gaveled Sel. Ferguson several times adding that this was an example of the slanderous behavior he was talking about. Sel. Ferguson asked the Chairman if the Chair intended to hit him with the gavel, taunting him to do so. Sel. Ferguson went on to accuse his fellow Selectmen of summoning the Holden Police to attend meetings due to random balloon activity in Memorial Hall. He then inquired if the Chairman was “afraid of the dark.”
Sel. Renzoni said he also encountered similar trouble with Sel. Ferguson during his tenure as Chairman. He said he had written a letter to Sel. Ferguson dated September 24, 2012 regarding his poor decorum and conduct as a member of the Board. He handed the letter out to the rest of the Board.
Sel. Ferguson denied receiving the letter dated September 24, 2012 and when informed by Sel. Renzoni he did receive the letter Sel. Ferguson interrupted with, “Cuz say you and your other three rehearsed partners?”
Chairman Lavigne again attempted to gain control of the meeting by asking Sel. Ferguson to hold his comments to which Sel. Ferguson replied, “or what, what are you going to do, tell the voters not to vote for me?”
Sel. Ferguson then made comments as to the claim there is 39.44% missing water. And inquired again what Chairman Lavigne would do if his behavior continued.
Chairman Lavigne informed Sel. Ferguson his continued lack of civility and refusal to respect the authority of the Chairman could result in a censure.
Sel. Renzoni asked for a five-minute recess to allow the Selectboard member to gain their composure.
Chairman Lavigne said he did not think the recess was necessary and continued with the meeting.
- Halloween Trick or Treat Hours – 5-8PM – October 31, 2013
Chairman Lavigne said he had been inundated with emails from concerned parents that the Selectmen had “shortened” Trick or Treat hours by one hour this year. He said that the hours had actually been curtailed by Police Chief Sherrill. After hearing from members of the community,
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET HALLOWEEN HOURS FROM 5-8PM FOR OCTOBER 31, 2013.
- Vote to Hold Public Hearing on the Removal of Land from Chapter 61 – Bullard St.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE REMOVAL OF LAND FROM CHAPTER 61 FOR LOT 3 AND PARCEL 5, BULLARD STREET, HOLDEN MA AT 6:45PM.
Ms. Stephanie Goodwin, attorney for the Howard W. Carlson Revocable Trust spoke for the family. She explained that the family seeks to convert .62 acres of land from Ch. 61 Forest Land to residential in order to sell one buildable lot on Map 151, parcel 5. The remainder of the 12.5 acres is scheduled to be sold to the DCR and shall remain subject to forestry restrictions.
The Manager said the Town recommends that the Board release the land for sale.
No one came forward to address the Board regarding the release of the land.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE REMOVAL OF LAND FROM CHAPTER 61 FOR LOT 3 AND PARCEL 5, BULLARD STREET, HOLDEN MA AT 6:48PM.
Town Counsel recommended that the motion read that the Board “elect not to pursue or assign the right of first refusal” it the motion to release the land for sale.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ferguson, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE HOLDEN BOARD SELECTMEN APPROVE THE REMOVAL OF LAND FROM CHAPTER 61 FOR LOT 3 AND PARCEL 5, BULLARD STREET, HOLDEN MA AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATION AND THAT THE TOWN ELECTS NOT TO PURSUE OR ASSIGN THE RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL AS RECOMMENDED BY TOWN COUNSEL AS PRESENTED.
- Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
- The Manager presented the HMLD Monthly Report as prepared by James Robinson, HMLD Manager. Ms. Kelly reported that after the Board’s unanimously vote on October 7, 2013 to authorize the two MMWEC Special Projects, the Municipal Light Advisory Board also approved recommending the Special Projects. Ms. Kelly also informed the Board that National Grid just announced that effective November 1, 2013; it would raise its rates by 19% due to higher energy costs. This rate increase will make their energy costs almost three (3) cents per KWH. When these rates go into effect, the HMLD rates will be about 25% lower than National Grid.
- Ms. Kelly announced that the HPD’s Chief and Lieutenant have been selected to provide training and consultation to other police departments in the areas of law enforcement and employee development. Lieutenant Dave Armstrong, who successfully led the Police Department’s accreditation program, will serve on a state accreditation training panel this December. The panel will guide other law enforcement agencies through the state accreditation process and discuss what steps Holden used to achieve full accreditation. Chief George Sherrill will serve on three panels during the upcoming International Chiefs of Police (IACP) training/conference. Over 10,000 police chiefs from all over the world will attend the event. The panels will deal with physical fitness standards for police officers and the
benefits of implementing a police wellness program. Chief Sherrill will also lead a session on the link between wellness and officer safety. This is the 4th year in a row that the IACP has invited Chief Sherrill to participate to provide more information on the Holden Police Department’s groundbreaking physical fitness program. The innovative program was the first of its kind and has been in place since the 1980’s.
- Ms. Kelly reported that on Friday, October 11, the DPW placed a ’30 MPH’ speed limit sign on Highland Street, southbound, near the intersection of Pioneer Road. A temporary flashing beacon to alert drivers to the 30MPH zone has also been placed in the area. Permanent ‘Reduce Speed’ signs will be installed in the future. The area continues to be monitored for speed and traffic enforcement.
- National Drug Take Back Day will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2013 from 10AM-2PM at the Public Safety Building Facility. Special containers are available in the foyer of the building for deposit of unwanted/expired prescription drugs.
- The Board reviewed YTD Expenditure and Revenue Reports for the period ending June 2013, July 2013 and August 2013 as prepared by Town Accountant Lori Rose. The June 2013 reports reflect the end of Fiscal Year 2013.
- Ms. Kelly reported that the Town currently purchases its Property & Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Insurance through the Massachusetts Inter-local Insurance Association (MIIA). MIIA is a Massachusetts-based, member driven insurance organization. Holden has received a credit to its Property & Casualty program of $6,652 based on positive loss history and on our risk management program. We also qualified for a participated credit in the amount of $3,096 for the Workers’ Compensation program. The credits will be applied to future premium costs.
- The Board reviewed the Holden Agricultural Commission’s newsletter dated October 2013.
- The Manager reminded the Board that the MMA 2014 Annual Meeting and Trade Show has been scheduled for January 24 – 25, 2014 at the Hynes Convention Center. Selectmen are reminded to complete their registration forms for the trade show and accommodations.
The Fire Department has received a donation of an outdoor gas grill from a Holden resident. The grill will be used and stored by the Fire Department. The Manager recommended that the Selectmen vote to accept the donation. The donor wishes to remain anonymous.
Motion by Sel. Ferguson, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECMENTACCEPT WITH GRATITUDE A GIFT OF AN OUTDOOR GAS GRILL FROM A HOLDEN RESIDENT WITH A VALUE OF APPROXIMATELY $750, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AND USE BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.
- The Council on Aging will host the Best of Friends Harvest Fair at the Holden Senior Center on Saturday, November 2, 2013 from 9AM – 2PM. Admission is a donation of food for the Wachusett Food Pantry. Homemade soups, lunch, and dessert plus many fine crafts and a fabulous bake sale will be available. Proceeds benefit the Holden Senior Center.
- Ms. Kelly said that on Friday October 18th she along with Sel. Lipka and Town Clerk Cheryl Jenkins presented the Boston Post Cane to Walter Perry. Mr. Perry, a life-long resident of Holden received the Cane in celebration of his achievement as the oldest resident of Holden.
- Citizens’ Address
Ms. Nylander said she is responsible for maintaining the window boxes at Town Hall. She addressed the Board regarding the condition of the paint on the exterior of Town Hall. She said the paint is faded and chipped and the building needs a little TLC. At a minimum, she asked the town to consider sprucing up the black trim and paint on the front doors.
Mr. Mark Ferguson, Bailey Road, identified himself as a Holden Selectman and said he was assured that he could speak at Citizens’ Address unlike during Selectmen’s Miscellaneous. He spoke about the need to change gender discrepancies in the Town Charter to reflect a more neutral gender. He asked what the DCR was doing to maintain the waterways in Holden. He said the ponds in town are weed infested and asked the Board to communicate to the DCR that the issue needs to be addressed. He also addressed the fact that the town has 39.44% in unaccounted for water. He said he would be making his Selectmen’s Miscellaneous during Citizens’ Address from now on.
- Follow Up to Citizens’ Address
Chairman Lavigne assured Ms. Nylander that the Board had recently charged the Manager to inventory and create a maintenance schedule for all Town buildings.
Town Counsel said that Sel. Ferguson’s request regarding the gender designation in the Town Charter was a quick clean up that could be submitted at the next Annual Town Meeting for approval.
Fire Chief Chandler and CERT Rebecca Evanoff introduced the eight new members of the CERT Team. These volunteers help support the town and its residents in emergency situations. The Board thanked these volunteers for their commitment, dedication, and time to the town.
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 first Saturday in December from 1PM – 6PM. Facebook and Twitter feeds have been created. Vendors for the event are being solicited.
EDC: Met but did not have a quorum. Four individuals have expressed interest in joining the Committee.
Sel. Renzoni: Water/Sewer: Will meet in November.
Veteran’s Committee: Committee still has vacancies available.
Sel. Lipka: Municipal Light Department Advisory Board:
Sel. Ferguson: Not currently serving on a Committee.
Sel. Kurtz: EDC: Met but did not have a quorum.
Memorial Day Parade:
Sel. Renzoni: 1. Received some complaints from concerned citizens about the vegetation in some of the traffic islands in town. Drivers are experiencing a difficult time seeing around the overgrown evergreen shrubs particularly at the intersection of Doyle and Shrewsbury Street. Ms. Kelly said the DPW would clean up the areas in town.
Sel. Kurtz: 1. Attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at Oriol Health Care for their new rehabilitation facility. He commended the Oriol family for their continued commitment and investment to the town.
Sel. Lavigne: 1. Thanked the Chiefs for the Public Safety Open House.
2. Reported the retirement of Paul Majewski, an employee with the town for 41 years.
3. Held Sel. Lipka’s Miscellaneous until the next meeting.
There were no minutes to approve.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 21, 2013 MEETING AT 7:50PM.
Approved: __November 4, 2013 as amended_
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