SELECT BOARD MINUTES FOR MEETING
Tuesday February 16, 2016 7 pm
Holland Town Hall
27 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA
Present: Lawrence Mandell, Chair
Andrew Harhay, Member
Kelli Robbins, Executive Secretary
Absent - Elias Gillen, Member
Mr. Mandell called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm
Motion 021616-1, Mr. Mandell to waive the reading of the minutes of January 28th, February 2nd and February 11th and approve as written. 2nd Mr. Harhay. So voted.
Old Business
Ambulance Contract - The town has been availing itself of the services of Brimfield Ambulance Services (BAS) without a contract. Last year the Select Board sought a contract with BAS for services. There was language within the initial contract that was not agreed upon. That language has been agreed upon.
BAS will be holding a meeting on the 23rd of February, at which time the cost will be set and the contract finalized for signing. Mr. Mandell asked that Mr. Harhay read the proposed contract as neither was a board member during the negotiation period.
New Business
Fishing tournaments:
Motion 021616-2 Mr. Mandell – to approve the application for the following fishing tournaments
a) Connecticut State Prison Employee Union Local 391 ice fishing tournament for February 27, 2016, with the language “The Holland Board of Selectmen have the right to cancel this event if the ice is deemed unsafe up to 24 hours before”.
b) Bass Boat Central Summer Event permit for Sunday June 26, 2016.
2nd Mr. Harhay. So voted.
Mr. Harhay asked if there was any fee charged by the town for lake use. Discussion about Holland charging for tournament use. Ms. Robbins was asked to contact Sturbridge, Brookfield, Wales and other lake communities to see if any of them charge fees for events on their lakes.
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging has recommended that Linda Racine be appointed as alternate for the Council on Aging.
Motion 021616-3 Mr. Mandell, to appoint Linda Racine to the Council on Aging as alternate member. 2nd Mr. Harhay. So voted. Mr. Mandell on behalf of the Select Board, thanked Ms. Racine for volunteering for the position.
Brimfield Road improvement project
Mr. Harhay - Discussion of the Brimfield Road project that has been in process. The Town has expended approximately $65,000 for engineering costs pertaining to the repaving of 3 miles of Brimfield Road to qualify for State funding of the project. The State has since changed the rules for what must be included in the project under the “Complete Streets” criteria. The questions to be answered are;
1) If the town completes the newly required aspects, is the Town guaranteed the grant?
2) Can any of the “Complete Street” requirements be waived if they are not going to benefit Holland?
3) Is it possible to schedule a meeting with Highway, the State and the Select Board to get
these answers?
Cable Commission
Currently the cable commission has funds to upgrade the cable equipment. The Select Board asked Cable Commission members, Judy Livernois and Angela Cassavant if there has been any progress in getting the updated equipment. The Board also asked if there was any way they could assist to get the ball rolling. The money has been available for some time.
Ms. Livernois stated that Andrew Livernois has contacted people in reference to upgrading. Mr. Harhay asked whether Tantasqua’s technical may be willing to assist. Mr. Mandell will contact the principal of Tantasqua Regional High School.
Announcements
a) There is an opening for a Zoning Board of Appeals alternate.
b) Mr. Harhay explained that because the Select Board applied for Community Compact with the State, Holland is eligible to apply for an IT grant. Mr. Harhay said the Board received some very good ideas from the different board and departments. The grant application will submitted for an upgrade on the current online website for the town. Mr. Mandell asked if the upgrade would be more behind the scenes or user friendly. Mr. Harhay stated it would be both.
Signed warrants FY 16-35 $63,023.85, FY 16-34P $20,626.71
Public Access
Lt. Pat Swain – Gave the history of Police Department vs. All Star Rec, basketball game. The game will be held again this year on March 18th at the Jr. High School. Erin Carson will be making up flyers. All the proceeds will go to fund the kids. They are currently in the process of looking for gift cards and raffle items.
The PD is also hoping to repeat the PD vs. FD baseball game this summer. Lt. Swain stated the police department is working very hard to integrate into the community and that the town is very lucky to have Chief Haughey to spearhead this work.
Lt. Swain suggested that Ms. Robbins contact West Brookfield and Brookfield as a resource in reference to fees for lake usage.
Lt. Swain announced that the new boat will be shipped within 7 - 10 days then it will need to be fitted with lights and decals. The Police may be able to have EPO come out to train officers on the boat for the summer.
Motion 020216-3 Mr. Mandell to adjourn. 2nd Mr. Harhay. So voted.
Meeting Adjourned 7:26 PM
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