SELECT BOARD MINUTES FOR MEETING
Tuesday September 20, 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 7:02 pm.
Approval of Minutes
Motion 092016-1 Ms. Schmidt to waive the reading of the minutes of August 30th, and September 6, and approve as written. 2nd Mr. Mandell. So voted
Meetings with the Board:
Holland CDBG Performance Hearing
Christopher Dunphy of Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC)
Mr. Dunphy provided an agenda. (attached)
Mr. Dunphy thanked the Select Board for having him at the meeting, then proceeded to go through the items on the agenda, saving the first item for last.
Housing Rehabilitation
The Tri-Community Block Grant is a regional grant that assists with home repairs. The money is loaned to the qualified resident, gradually diminishing over the 15 years until it becomes an outright grant if the resident retains the property. If the property is sold within the 15 years the recovery amount is prorated.
Mr. Mandell asked who recovers the money. Mr. Dunphy stated that the money goes into an account managed by the PVPC. The money can be reallocated for like projects. Mr. Dunphy stated there is currently money available. If any residents would like to inquire they can contact Mr. Dunphy at PVPC or Shirley Stevens at 413-781-6035.
Tri-Town Food Pantry
Discussion about the Domestic Violence prevention, Wales food pantry. Mr. Dunphy stated the food pantry now has a Facebook page. Mr. Gillen asked if there was information on how to donate to the food pantry via the Facebook page. Mr. Dunphy stated the food pantry is working on a donation page also. The contact person for the pantry is Heather Ackerman.
Domestic Violence Services
Anyone is in need of these services, which are coordinated through the WYCA of Central Massachusetts they can contact PVPC.
Use of Recaptured CDBG Funds
Mr. Dunphy asked the Select Board for a motion to use the recaptured funds for emergencies, such as leaking roofs, failed heating systems, wells gone dry etc.
Mr. Mandell asked how people would be identified as qualifying or needing the funds. Mr. Dunphy stated home owners should contact PVPC, who will in turn provide a form to be signed by the Building Inspector or Board of Health demonstrating actual need.
Motion 092016-2, Mr. Mandell, Select Board to allow PVPC to use the recaptured funds to be redirected to fund emergency housing needs. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted
Over the Top Road
Mr.. Dunphy proceeded to discuss the Disaster Recovery Funds received by Holland for the Over the Top Road project. The project is more than 70% complete. This is a fast moving project. An access road was cleared for residents to be redirected during the construction. Mr. Dunphy explained there was a septic tank and ledge discovered at the beginning of the project causing an adjustment to the project based on the unforeseen impediments.
Marcia Beal, Chair of the Conservation Commission, expressed concern regarding the change and Conservation not being notified. (photos of the area were provided by Ms. Beal) Ms. Beal emphasized the need to keep in contact at all times with Conservation in order for that board to make necessary changes to the orders. Ms. Beal also stated that DEP would like to know if the riprap will collect the sediment and run off from the access road.
Mr. Dunphy was aware of the issues and will reemphasize to the contractor and engineer, the need to coordinate communication with the Town.
Mr. Gillen opened a question period for the audience.
Dennis Quinlan asked if the access road would remain open after the project. Mr. Dunphy explained that particular issue is outside the scope of the project. Residents should have that conversation with Highway and Select Board.
Mr. Quinlan expressed concern that it would hazardous to do so in winter.
Mr. Dunphy informed the Select Board that he met with Planning Board in regard to possibly getting funds for a study regarding Senior Housing. Mr. Dunphy explained that the entire program for this type of grant is changing. Mr. Dunphy provided a copy of the letter sent by PVPC to the proposed changes. (see attached). Meeting with Christopher Dunphy closed.
Old Business
Senior Abatement, Work-Off Program
At the prior Select Board meeting the Holland Guidelines for this program were adopted. At that time the Federal Poverty level chart was chosen to be the benchmark for this program but not the level of poverty based on this chart. After further investigation it was discovered that HUD Income Limits Documentation System was already adjusted for the individual town. Ms. Robbins provided the HUD information for Holland.
Mr. Mandell had prepared some adjusted language based on the new information and recommended the Very Low income be used as the measure but to allow medical expenses to be subtracted from the actual income if necessary, to ensure that the program does not exclude anyone who is in need.
Mr. Gillen felt that no income level should be used, per se, but that once all the applications are in the jobs available should be offered in an as needed priority.
Ms. Schmidt stated she recommends the HUD chart.
Motion 092016-3, Mr. Mandell to remove any reference to Federal Poverty chart from the adopted guidelines. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted.
Motion 092016-4,
Holland Guidelines
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The Town of Holland will use the Federal Poverty Level Chart to determine eligibility for the program.
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2016 Federal Poverty Level Chart*
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) issues poverty guidelines that are often referred to as the “federal poverty level” (FPL). Federally-facilitated Marketplaces will use the 2016 guidelines when making calculations for the insurance affordability programs starting November 1, 2015.
*Chart is for 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia; for Hawaii and Alaska please visit the website of the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE): http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/14poverty.cfm.
Motion 092016-5 Mr. Mandell to replace all removed reference to the Federal Poverty level with HUD INCOME LIMITS DOCUMENTATION SYSTEM, using the “Very Low (50%) Income”. 2nd, Ms. Schmidt. So voted
Discussion regarding when to begin the new rules. As the current participants have been working in good faith, the effective date of the new procedures will not be until July 1, 2017 to ensure there is plenty of advance notice for next year’s applicants.
Motion 092016-6, Mr. Mandell, The effective date of the new procedures for the Senior Abatement Work-Off program, to be July 1, 2017. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted.
New Business
Signed the partial payment Estimate for Over the Top Road contractor PIOPPI (4 original copies)
Signed Invoice #2 for services rendered to administer FY 2013 Holland – Disaster Recovery Grant
Letter from Conservation
Mr. Gillen read the letter sent by Conservation Commission. (see attached)
Mr. Gillen summed up the letter stating that the Conservation Commission is recommending the drawdown of Hamilton Reservoir be scheduled for October 11th at 2 inches a day until the maximum of 24 inches is achieved. The reservoir level is to remain at that level until one month of after a hard frost.
Ms. Beal confirmed the summation. There was brief discussion regarding the health of the Rodney Hunt gate. No written report has been received from the engineering company regarding the gate inspection. Ms. Robbins has been in touch with McClure Engineering regarding the inspection. The information received by Ms. Robbins is not the same as that of the Conservation Commission or Lake Oversight Commission. Ms. Robbins was told the gate appears to be structurally fine, but blocked by debris. The engineer and gate specialist propose to fully open the gate in an attempt to flush out any debris. If this does not work then a diver may be necessary to clear the gate manually.
Motion 092016-7, Mr. Mandell, to begin the drawdown as recommended on October 11th unless advised otherwise per the pending inspection report. 2nd Ms. Schmidt. So voted.
Legal activity update:
None
Announcements
State (Presidential) Election – Tues. Nov. 8th/Register to vote by Wed. Oct. 19th
School Committee is still in need of member(s)
COA vacancy – resignation of Lowell Nixon
Ribbon Cutting September 22, 2016 at the Community Center 6:30 PM
Opening for an All Boards Clerk.
Public Access
Dennis Quinlan sought information clarifying the Senior Abatement, Work-Off program. Mr. Quinlan suggested that the program be advertised better to let seniors know that if they don’t qualify for other abatements they may qualify for this program.
Motion 092016-8, Ms. Schmidt to adjourn. 2nd Mr. Mandell, So voted.
Meeting closed 8:02 PM
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