Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –November 5, 2012
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Mr. Vereault, Yates, Durant, McGourty, Lucy and Mr. Blazar. Attorney Cipriano and Ms. Santos were also present
Public Session: October 15, 2012
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the minutes.
Executive Session: October 15, 2012
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to Passover until the Board meets in executive session.
Executive Session Two: October 15, 2012
This item was not addressed by the Board.
Marty Libby, 35 Worcester Avenue and 242 Washington Street (Tuck’s Service Center) expressed his frustration with the ongoing Route 85 project. He noted that there is a serious lack of communication between MassDOT and the surrounding business owners. Mr. Libby noted that the information on the Town’s website (Community Development) does not always coincide with the work that is being done on a particular day. Mr. Libby’s business relies heavily on the flow of traffic in and out of his gas station and he noted that one side of the entrance/exit was completely blocked all day. He did note that someone had spoken to him this morning, however it was the first time that someone has approached him to inform him as to what would be happening.
Mr. Libby also noted the hours of construction as a problem. He claimed that the website (Community Development) states that the hours of operation are 9 – 3 PM and workers are there as early as 7 AM and as late as 5PM.
Mr. Libby stated that due to the construction of Route 85 he will have to make some modifications to his site at his expense. The modifications will involve taking down two light poles on his property. He noted that with these two lights coming down and the lack of lighting on the rotary that this area will be poorly lit.
During pre-construction hearings MassDOT stated that they would be installing the roundabout and try it out and modify it as needed. However, Mr. Libby said they told him that all of the drainage has been installed and all the paving has been done and it will not be changed. Mr. Yates would like this addressed as he agrees that this was the plan.
Mr. Yates suggested that a light similar to the one on the Main Street rotary be installed on this roundabout. Jim Kennedy of Hudson Light and Power explained that utility poles will be installed on all sides of the roundabout and the Town can opt to add lights to them to help illuminate it.
Mr. Blazar said he would contact MassDOT to work out the issues regarding the permanence of the roundabout as well as the lighting. He also noted that he will have the Town’s website updated in order to accurately reflect the work hours.
Chief Stephens stated that communication has been a problem on his end as well. They were directed to communicate the location of the flaggers daily however this was only done twice.
Mr. Durant would like the Board to send a letter to the project manager, his supervisors, Rep. Hogan and Sen. Eldridge detailing the Board’s displeasure and citing specific examples of their lack of cooperation as well as communication. The letter should ask that the issues either be corrected or at the very least a meeting occur between the responsible parties to get this project back on track before the it gets worse. Mr. Lucy agrees that a letter should be sent.
Maria Reis, Richard Harrity and Mary Harrity (Washington St. residents) all noted that the safety of area residents has been an issue as well. Ms. Reis also explained how rude the workers are, Mr. & Mrs. Harrity reiterated this.
After a lengthy discussion among the Board members it was ultimately decided that Mr. Blazar will send a letter outlining the issues and request that someone attend the Boards meeting on December 3, 2012 to address some of the issues.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 4-1 to have Mr. Blazar send a letter. Mr. McGourty opposed.
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
Selectmen to continue from October 15, 2012 a public hearing on a proposed utility pole on Washington Street.
The Board continued this discussion regarding the utility pole on Washington Street from its last meeting in order to have James Kennedy from Hudson Light and Power present to help address the issue. Paul Schneider from Verizon was also present. Mr. Schneider explained that there was an error on the plans and a push brace was placed on Maria Reis property without her knowledge.
Richard Harrity, 103 Washington Street, showed photographs of the area in question and noted that Town plows would not be able to fit in the space between the stone wall and the pole. As he understands that these poles need to be secured he cautions that placing it in this location is simply trading one problem for another. Ms. Reis stated that she would not have a problem leaving the pole where it is if she can be guaranteed that the sidewalk across the street will be plowed. If the brace stays on Ms. Reis’ property it would eliminate the need for the placing a pole across the street.
Mr. Blazar has spoken with the Director of Public Works and he has assured him that the sidewalks will have to be cleared, either manually or they will acquire narrower plows to do the job.
Ms. Reis and Verizon will meet to discuss the options regarding leaving the pole in place.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to Passover the item.
Selectmen to consider approval of a license for William Carr to sell Christmas Trees & Wreaths at 31 Washington Street from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM beginning on November 24, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the license.
Selectmen to consider issuing a Taxi Driver’s License to Michael L. Benson driving for Sunshine Taxi.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant the Board voted by a margin of 4-1 to approve the license. Mr. Vereault opposed.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointments of Fall and Winter Seasonal Employees in the Recreation Department.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Vereault the Board voted by a margin of 3-0-2. Mr. Durant and Mr. Yates abstained.
Selectmen to consider appointment of Duane Searles to the Historical Commission.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the appointment.
Selectmen to note resignation of Marion Shea as a School Crossing Guard.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to note resignation.
Selectmen to consider approval of promotion of Douglas Ober from temporary Communications Dispatcher to Full-Time Communications Dispatcher effective November 5, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Vereault the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the promotion.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Sheila Attaway and Marie Daigneault as Part-Time Crossing Guards at Grade NU-B Step 1 effective November 12, 2012.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the appointments.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Brandon Miller as an Auxiliary Fire Fighter.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the appointment.
Selectmen to consider approval and authorization to sign contracts with various vendors for snow plowing and snow hauling for 2012- 2013 season.
On a motion by Mr. McGourty, seconded by Mr. Vereault the Board voted by a margin of 3-0-2 to approve the contracts. Mr. Durant and Mr. Yates abstained.
Selectmen to consider designating Tony Marques to receive energy usage data through the MassEnergy Insight Water & Wastewater Reporting System.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to approve the designation.
Selectmen to consider acceptance of donations in the amount of $1,750.00 received from various organizations for the pumpkin fest.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Vereault the Board voted by a margin of 4-0-1 to accept the donation. Mr. Yates abstained.
Selectmen to consider acceptance of a donation in the amount of $1,971.65 from the Sauta Family for a granite bench for the Sauta Cornfield Athletic Facility.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. Lucy the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to accept the donation.
Selectmen to authorize signing of Compliance Certificate issued in conjunction with the sale of Unit 118 located at 250 Main Street at Fair Market Value.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to issuance of the Compliance Certificate.
Mr. Yates requested that he receive any additional information related to the Washington Street Bridge prior to the next hearing. Mr. Yates also suggested that the Town review options for electronic voting machines, he stated that Hudson is the most populated community that still counts votes by hand.
Mr. McGourty asked that the trees around the rotary be trimmed; he stated that the trees are obstructing business signs.
Mr Vereault inquired about the Senior Tax Program and requested a report with details of the program.
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. McGourty the Board voted by a margin of 5-0 to note correspondence.
The Board voted unanimously by roll call to enter into executive session, not to return to public session, to discuss non union contract negotiations and the executive session minutes of October 15, 2012 , as the discussion of these matters in open session may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the town.
Document List – November 5, 2012
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes: 10/15/12 |
BOS Office |
Executive Session Minutes: 10/15/12 |
BOS Office |
Executive Session Two: 10/15/12 |
BOS Office |
Utility Pole Petition: Washington Street |
BOS Office |
Memo, list of Fall & Winter Seasonal employees for the Recreation Dept. |
BOS Office |
Memo re: appointment of Duane Searles to the Historical Commission |
BOS Office |
Letter acknowledging resignation of Marion Shea as School Crossing Guard |
BOS Office |
Memo re: promotion of Douglas Ober to Full Time Communications Dispatcher |
BOS Office |
Memo, bid sheet for various vendors for Snow Plowing and Snow hauling season of 2012-2013 |
BOS Office |
Memo: Designating Tony Marques to receive energy usage data through Mass Energy |
BOS Office |
Memo: Donations for the Pumpkin Fest |
BOS Office |
Notice from Special Counsel to Daniel Figueroa |
BOS Office |
Report of Various Legal Costs |
BOS Office |
Notice of MIIA Risk Management Grant Award to the Department of Public Works |
BOS Office |
Solicitation from MetroWest Regional Transit Authority |
BOS Office |
Notice of Channel Information from Xfinity |
BOS Office |
Christmas Tree Sales License application from William Carr |
BOS Office |
Taxi Cab Driver License application from Sunshine Taxi / Michael Benson |
BOS Office |
Certificate of Compliance for Unit 118 located at 250 main Street |
BOS Office |
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