SELECT BOARD MINUTES FOR MEETING
Tuesday August 16, 2016 - 7 pm
Holland Town Hall
27 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA
Present: Elias Gillen, Chair
Bettina Schmidt, Member
Lawrence Mandell, Member
Kelli A. Robbins, Esq., Executive Secretary
Call to Order:
Mr. Gillen called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion 081616-1 Ms. Schmidt to waive the reading of the minutes of July, 19th, and approve as written. 2nd Mr. Gillen. So voted Mr. Mandell abstention
Appointments to Address the Board:
Old Business
Boat Ramp update - The Select Board did some site reviews to identify potential sites for a boat ramp. Mr. Gillen explained the state definition of a public boat ramp includes parking. The sites currently being looked at would not be big enough for parking. The search continues.
Task List – (see attached) Lake Oversight Committee put together a potential task list for review.
Mr. Gillen read the list asking if either of the Select Board members wanted to place a hold on any item they would discuss the held items after reading the entire list.
Mr. Mandell stated that he would have liked to see the Police Department, Highway Department and Conservation Commission at this meeting to be part of the discussion.
Holds were placed on the following tasks:
- RFP for weed treatment
- NOI for treatments and lakefront cleanup renewal
- Maintain Lake Level
- Oversight of treatment vendors
- Ramp maintenance of South Boat Ramp
- Fisherman’s Landing (State Boat Ramp on North Basin)
- Survey results from Aquatic Mgmt
- Signs – purchasing and putting them in/out
- 1) BEWARE
- 2) Speed limit – 5 mph
- Grant writing – lake related
After discussion the list was altered to reflect the changes. (see updated list) The next step will be to discuss this task list with the boards/committees/departments involved to seek their support.
Dredging – Lynn Arnold discussed the need for dredging the lake. The Lake Oversight Committee is seeking the support of the Select Board for a feasibility study for the possibility of having Hamilton Reservoir dredged. Dredging the lake was reported to be part of the approved Hazard Mitigation Plan, with a completion date of within the next 20 years.
Mr. Gillen stated he was in support of the feasibility study proposed by the Lake Oversight Committee. Mr. Gillen called for a motion on supporting the research project.
Motion 081616-2, Ms. Schmidt- to support the Lake Oversight Committee conducting a feasibility study regarding the dredging of Hamilton Reservoir and reporting back to the Select Board. 2nd Mr. Mandell. So voted
New Business
Solitude Lake Management Report – Christine McCooe addressed the maps provided by Solitude Lake Management. The maps show a large amount of tape grass. After negotiations with Solitude, Ms. McCooe was able to get a better price than first presented by the week company. The Lake Oversight Committee is recommending that the Select Board approve treating 38.5 acres of tape grass at $373.00 per acres. The treatment will cover both the North and South basins. Ms. Robbins stated that she wanted to be sure the Committee is aware that if the tape grass is treated as suggested there would only be enough money left to treat the milfoil in the Spring. Lake Oversight Committee was already aware of this and stated that nothing else needs to be treated this year.
Motion 081616-3, Mr. Mandell to accept the Lake Oversight Committee’s recommendation and approve treatment of 38.5 acres of tape grass spanning both North and South basins as show on the treatment map provided by Lake Solitude Management, for the new agreed price of $375.00 per acre to be performed on August 31, 2016. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted.
Motion 081616-4, Mr. Mandell, to appoint Jennifer Gumlaw as Library Trustee to fill the remaining term of Janet Mullins. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted.
Ms. Mullins was never sworn in, nor has she attended any Library Trustee meetings, effectively refusing the position.
New Contract for further dam inspections: Ms. Robbins explained that the dam was inspected by McClure Engineering. The inspection found the gates that regulate the water flow are damaged and need a specialist to inspect them. McClure provided a proposal today to be signed by the Select Board, if they agree to the terms, in order to schedule the additional inspection. There are very few inspectors for this type of flood gate; therefore it is imperative the inspection be scheduled as soon as possible with the specialists.
Motion 081616-5, Ms. Schmidt, to approve and sign the proposal. 2nd Mr. Mandell. So voted.
Proposal signed.
Legal activity update:
None
Announcements
Letters read:
Resignation of Kimberly Desy. ACO (see letter)
Commendation Letter from Chief Bryan Haughey for Officer Jodoin for a fantastic job initiating the Tarrantino Strong fund raiser was read by Mr. Gillen. Mr. Gillen stated the Select Board applauds Officer Jodoin’s good work and Mr. Mandell stated that Holland and the Holland PD are lucky to have Officer Jodoin as part of the team. (see letter)
Public Access
Karen Horton – Stafford Road. Ms. Horton read a prepared statement regarding the gypsy moth infestation Holland experienced the past spring. She would like the town to look in to possible treatment so there is not a repeat next year. (see statement)
Mr. Mandell asked if Ms. Horton discovered the best time to treat for Gypsy Moths in her research. Ms. Horton stated it had to be done when the caterpillars are immature.
Motion Mr. Mandell, to adjourn. Ms. Schmidt 2nd. So voted.
Meeting closed 8:00 PM
Kelli A. Robbins, Esq.
Executive Secretary
Town of Holland
27 Sturbridge Road
Holland, MA 01521
Phone 413-245-7108 EXT. 101
Fax 413-245-7037
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