Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –September 26, 2011
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Messieurs Durant, Vereault, McGourty, Yates, Blazar, and Cipriano. Ms. Santos was also present
Public Session: September 12, 2011
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Yates, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to approve the minutes of September 12, 2011.
- Citizen’s Issues:
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
- Licenses:
Selectmen to consider approval of Live Entertainment, Transient Vendor and One Day Wine & Malt Pouring Licenses for the Town of Hudson Park Commission in conjunction with the 14th annual Pumpkin Fest at Morgan Bowl on Saturday October 15, 2011 from 3:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Yates, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to approve the Live Entertainment, Transient Vendor and One Day Wine & Malt Pouring License for the Town Park Commission for the 14th Annual Pumpkin Fest.
Selectmen to consider approval of promotion of Susan Ramsbottom to Part-Time Assistant Circulation Librarian Grade NUD Step 1.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 3-0-1 to approve the promotion of Susan Ramsbottom as P/T Assistant Circulation Librarian. Mr. Durant abstained.
Selectmen to consider approval of promotion of Thomas Rouse to Part-Time Assistant Circulation Librarian Grade NUD Step 1.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 3-0-1 to approve the promotion of Thomas Rouse as P/T Assistant Circulation Librarian. Mr. Durant Abstained.
Selectmen to consider approval of the reappointment of Dianne Cush as Treasurer/Collector.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to reappoint Dianne Cush as Treasurer/Collector.
Selectmen to consider approval and authorization to sign Change Order No. 1 with P.J. Albert, Inc. in the amount of $55,116.24 for additional reconstruction work at Cottage and Wilson Streets.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to approve Change Order No. 1 with P.J. Albert, Inc. in the amount of $55,116.24 for additional reconstruction work at Cottage and Wilson Streets.
Selectmen to consider approval and authorization to sign contract with Laliberty Construction Inc. in the amount of $15,860 for the removal of seven chimneys and roof repairs at Hudson Town Hall.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to approve the contract with Laliberty Construction Inc. in the amount of $15,860 for the removal of seven chimneys and roof repairs at Hudson Town Hall.
Selectmen to consider signing the Certification of Betterments Assessment to the Board of Assessors for the Water Betterments on Murphy and White Pond Roads and Parmenter and Hosmer Streets as well as Sewer Betterments on Forest Avenue, Woodrow Street, and Birchwood Drive.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Vereault, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to sign the Certification of Betterment to the Board of Assessors for the Water Betterments on Murphy and White Pond Road and Hosmer Street.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 3-0-1 to sign the Certification of Betterment to the Board of Assessors for Parmenter Road. Mr. Vereault abstained.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to sign the Certification of Betterment to the Board of Assessors for the Sewer Betterments on Forest Avenue, Woodrow Street, and Birchwood Drive.
Selectmen to consider signing the November 2011 Special Town Meeting Warrant.
Mr. Blazar briefed the board on the warrant articles for the November 2011 Town Meeting. The Board agreed to sponsor Article 1 Chapter 90 Roadway Funds, Article 2 Supplemental Appropriation – Pensions, Article 3 School Budget Adjustment, Article 4 Downtown Parking & Traffic Infrastructure Study, Article 5 Acceptance of Deed of Land, Middle Road, Article 6 Removal & Placement of Snow from Private Property and Article 7 Amend Zoning By-Laws: Uses Prohibited in All Districts.
Board members discussed the Nuisances & Vacant Properties/ Anti Blight By-Law and would like to meet with the Police, Fire and the Department of Public Works for their recommendations and to schedule a public hearing for input from the general public.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to remove the Nuisances & Vacant Properties/ Anti Blight By-Law article from the November 2011 Town Meeting Warrant.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Yates, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to sign the warrant as amended.
Selectmen to discuss the Personnel Board.
Mr. Vereault noted that the lack of a personnel board was brought up at prior meetings and felt it should be discussed in public session. Mr. Yates said that it came up during a meeting regarding changes in a town contract. He went on to say that the Town Charter calls for a personnel board and he would like to discuss why the Town does not have one. Mr. Blazar explained that the last board member resigned in 1992 and the board ceased to exist and has never been re-established. The Personnel regulations of the Town state that in the absence of a personnel board their functions are to be carried out by the personnel officer and in the absence of a personnel officer the duty lies with the executive assistant. Mr. Blazar also stated that the personnel board is
an advisory board to the Board of Selectmen and the Executive Assistant.
Mr. Durant stated that a personnel classification study was conducted in the past by a professional organization and the data was used to create a salary schedule for town employees. At the time the personnel board dissolved, their main function was that of tuition reimbursement, he went on to say that there was little for the board to do and it became a much more professional process, especially with the introduction of programs such as FMLA and affirmative action issues.
Mr. Yates feels the town should have a personnel board as it is stated in the charter. He noted that many surrounding towns have active personnel boards and he feels that this could be a productive board. Mr. Yates cited citizen participation as one of the major reasons the board should be re-established. Mr. Durant finds it much more complicated as the volunteer board should be made up of professional people with a working knowledge of the laws regarding personnel. The board has not existed in 19 years and Mr. Durant feels that the Town has been fine without one.
Mr. Parent, 27 Causeway Street, suggested that maybe it is time that the town charter be amended. He listed reasons why he is against the re-establishment of such a Board. His major reasons were that the members of the Board would be involved in contract negotiations as well as employees grievances, which Mr. Parent finds to be inappropriate.
Mr. McGourty stated that the Town has been in violation of the charter for the past 19 years and must re-establish said board. Mr. Durant said that this is not the only board referenced in the charter that is not active.
Mr. Vereault suggested that Town Counsel research the procedure to change or amend the charter, he would also like to revisit this issue at a later date.
Mr. Yates requested copies of the wage classification study and also the job descriptions.
Mr. McGourty thanked all the Department Heads and their staff as well as Light & Power on the great job on the planning for the storm Irene. Mr. Yates was impressed with the operation at the Fire Department and thanked everyone involved as well.
Mr. Yates inquired what type of material will be used for the construction of the sidewalks by the Farley School. Mr. Blazar will obtain the answer for Mr. Yates.
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
Mr. Yates requested that a copy of the letter from Martha Goldsmith, Director, Office of Leasing and State Office Planning regarding the search for lease space be sent to Economic Development Commission and the Hudson Business Association.
Mr. Vereault requested nominations for the Master Plan Steering Committee per Mr. Bob D’Amelio’s request.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. McGourty, the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to nominate Mr. Yates.
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
Mr. Vereault motioned and the Board voted by a margin of 4-0 to adjourn.
Document List – September 26, 2011
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes Sept 12, 2011 |
BOS Office |
Memo re: promotion of Susan Ramsbottom to PT Assistant Circulation Librarian. |
BOS Office |
Memo re: promotion of Thomas Rouse to PT Assistant Circulation Librarian. |
BOS Office |
Memo, Change Order #1 for P.J. Albert re: the reconstruction of Cottage and Wilson Street |
BOS Office |
Procurement/bid results for Laliberty Construction Inc. for the removal of 7 chimneys and roof repairs at Town Hall |
BOS Office |
Certification of Betterments Assessment for Water Betterments on Murphy and White Pond Roads and Parmenter and Hosmer Streets as well as Sewer Betterments on Forest Avenue, Woodrow Street, and Birchwood Drive |
BOS Office |
November 2011 Special Town Meeting Warrant |
BOS Office |
Letter from Preservation of Affordable Housing, Inc. re: exemption from M.G.L. Chapter 40T for the Machado House at Peter’s Grove |
BOS Office |
Letter to Boston MPO re: Washington and Cox Street bridges |
BOS Office |
Letter from DEP re: 2010 MassDEP Annual Sttatistical Report review of Performance Standards |
BOS Office |
Letter of appreciation to Chief Blood and Chief Braga re: September 11 Dedication Ceremony |
BOS Office |
October 1, 2011 Public Auction Notice |
BOS Office |
Letter from Martha Goldsmith, Director, Office of Leasing and State Office Planning re: Search for Lease Space |
BOS Office |
Memo from Bob D’Amelio, Planning Board Chairman requesting a representative to serve on the Master Plan Steering Committee |
BOS Office |
Memo from Town Clerk re: reappointment of Dianne Cush Treasurer/Collector |
BOS Office |
Memo from Fin Dir. requesting reappointment of Dianne Cush as Treasurer/Collector |
BOS Office |
Pumpkin Fest License applications for Transient Vendor, Entertainment and Beer & Wine |
BOS Office |
| 
