Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –April 7, 2014
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Mr. Lucy, Mr. Durant, Mr. Yates, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Vereault, and Mr. Moses. Attorney Cipriano and Ms. Santos were also present.
Public Session: March 24, 2014
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 4-1 to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Vereault opposed.
- Citizens’ Issues:
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
- Licenses:
Selectmen to consider approval of a change of location of a Common Victualler License for Dunkin Donuts from 422 Main Street to 350 Main Street.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the license change of location.
Selectmen to note the resignation of Brian Antonioli from the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator effective April 11, 2014.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to note the resignation of Mr. Antonioli.
Selectmen to note the resignation of James Smith from the Zoning Board of Appeals effective immediately.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted by 5-0 to note the resignation and to send a letter of appreciation for his 20 years of service.
Selectmen to consider approval and authorization to sign a contract with Infilco Degremont in the amount of $11,086 for the purchase and delivery of Filter Media.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted by 5-0 to approve the contract.
Selectmen to award and authorize the signing of a contract in the amount of $68,820 with Metropolitan Area Planning Council for consultant services as part of the Community Innovation Challenge Grant.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 4-1 to approve the contract. Mr. Vereault opposed.
Selectmen to consider approval of Cable Funds Transfer in the amount of $121,552 for Institutional Network Server Project in accordance with Article 7 of the May 6, 2013 Annual Town Meeting.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the transfer in the amount of $121,552 for the Institutional Network Server Project.
Selectmen to discuss the Blight Bylaw Committee’s Interim Report, Blight Survey Responses and comments with the Blight Bylaw Committee members.
Mr. Sam Calandra, Chairperson of the Blight By-Law Committee and Ms. Linda Shea presented their report. Mr. Calandra indicated that after reviewing the responses from the community, the committee does not recommend drafting a new stand-alone blight bylaw, however, the committee is willing to continue working to assist in the drafting of potential amendments to existing bylaws. The committee feels revisions to current bylaws could strengthen them. One of the biggest concerns that was brought up in the survey feedback was regarding health and safety. Mr. Calandra noted that abandoned buildings as well as rodent infestation were commonly cited by Committee members as well.
Enforcement of the existing by-laws is also an issue. The goal of the Committee is to be able to make recommendations at the Special Town Meeting in November. The Committee will continue to work with the Police Chief, Building Inspector and Board of Health Agent.
Mr. Vereault suggested that the Board meet with the three Department Heads and discuss which direction they should pursue in this matter, he also suggested that Chief Blood be included in the discussion.
Selectmen to consider nomination of Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals pursuant to MGL Chapter 129 § 15 & 16.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to nominate Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals for the Town of Hudson.
Selectmen to discuss scheduling a joint meeting with Hudson School Committee.
Mr. Durant noted that Ms. Dunnell the Chairman of the School Committee has not yet spoken to the Committee relative to scheduling a joint meeting. Mr. Durant suggested that the meeting be scheduled for May 19, 2014.
There was a discussion regarding the timeline in which the resignation letter of Lorraine Nelson reached the Board. Mr. Vereault questioned whether the Board should have made the extra effort for the resignation to be accepted which would have allowed the vacant seat to be added to the ballot.
Selectmen to consider approval of Snow & Ice Overdraft authority in the amount of $37,266 Expense and $6,626 Salary.
On a motion by Mr. Yates, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 approve the Snow & Ice Overdraft in the amount of $27,266 for expenses and $6,626 for Salary.
Selectmen to consider accepting a donation of a 19 foot Sea Nymph aluminum bowrider boat from Mr. Conray Wharff.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 4-0-1 to accept the donation. Mr. Vereault abstained.
Selectmen to consider implementing Water Conservation Restrictions for 2014.
The Board is in receipt of a memo from Tony Marques dated April 2, 2014 in which he recommends that the Board approve the minimum mandatory conservation restrictions for the period between May 1 through September 30, 2014. The minimum restriction is for no nonessential outdoor watering is to be allowed between 9:00AM and 5:00 PM. Mr. Yates noted that since the cranberry well is still off line that the Town has a 25% deficiency in its current water supply and that the Town is still receiving water from the MWRA. Mr. Yates believes the Town needs to be conserving as much water as it possibly can while it continues to purchase water from the MWRA.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 3-2 to implement the water use restrictions for the period of May 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. Restrictions to include alternate day use for non-essential outdoor activities between 9:00AM and 5:00PM. Mr. Vereault and Mr. Yates opposed.
Selectmen to discuss Opt-Out provision for health insurance.
Mr. Lucy believes that this would only cost the Town more money in the future than it will save now. Mr. Moses noted that this is a mechanism in which to give employees with other health care option an incentive to explore those options. Mr. Moses suggested that he go back and make some changes to help mitigate some of the risks that Mr. Lucy spoke about.
The Board took no action and agreed to discuss this again at it’s meeting of May 19, 2014.
Mr. Vereault noted that Mr. Moses had given the Board a copy of the Town’s investment policy. He asked Mr. Moses who wrote it and whether its been revised. Mr. Moses explained that this policy came from the treasurer and was in place before he came to Hudson. He noted that it is in standard language set up by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA).
Mr. Yates, referencing the perpetual care fund account, noted that from 1996-2008 money there was approximately $330,000 in transfers made. He asked into which account were these transfers made. Mr. Moses explained that all transactions occurred via Town Meeting articles and approval. It stopped in 2008 as the balance had been drawn down to zero. Mr. Yates noted that there is a substantial fluctuation in the amount of the transfers in some years. Mr. Moses offered to look into this and report back to the Board.
Mr. Lucy asked if the Town could look into lighting the sides of the yield signs (similar to the stop signs at Cox and Lincoln) at the roundabout on Washington Street. Kerin Shea explained that until the road is turned over to the Town nothing can be done. Once it is turned over she can have DPW look into doing this.
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
Mr. Lucy requested the memo the Board received by email from Mr. Moses, regarding the resignation of Ms. Lorraine Nelson be added to the correspondence list.
Mr. Quinn noted correspondence.
Lee Murphy, 416 Main Street, member of the Blight By-Law Committee wanted it noted for the record that he strongly believes that the Town does need a blight by-law. He went on to say that according to the survey 52% of the respondents believe there is a blight problem in Town. He cited the effect the blight has on the economic development of Hudson.
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
Document List – April 7, 20-14
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes of March 24, 2014 |
BOS Office |
Common Vitualler License application for Dunkin Donuts change of location |
BOS Office |
Resignation memo for Brian Antonioli |
BOS Office |
Resignation memo from James Smith |
BOS Office |
Procurement, bid sheet for Contract with Infilco Degremont for filter media |
BOS Office |
Contract documents for MAPC consulting services as part of the Community Innovation challenge Grant |
BOS Office |
Memo, invoice for Cable Funds transfer for Institutional Network Server |
BOS Office |
Blight Bylaw Committee’s interim report, blight survey responses and comments |
BOS Office |
Nomination documents for Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals |
BOS Office |
Snow & Ice overdraft memo |
BOS Office |
Pictures, email from Mr. Wharff relating to donation of boat. |
BOS Office |
Water Conservation Restriction |
BOS Office |
Memo from EA regarding Opt-Out provision for health insurance |
BOS Office |
Correspondence from FEMA regarding floodplain management measures for the Town |
BOS Office |
Invitation to attend the 34th Annual Senior Conference to be held at the Hudson High School on April 24, 2014 from 9:00am until 2:00pm |
BOS Office |
Notice of Chapter 90 apportionment for Fiscal Year 2015 |
BOS Office |
Request for letters of support for the Complete Streets Certification Program |
BOS Office |
Notice from Yakov Levin regarding Power Adjustment Charge (PAC) increase |
BOS Office |
Memo to Board regarding Lorraine Nelson Resignation Follow-up from the EA |
BOS Office |
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