Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –August 4, 2014
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Mr. Lucy, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Vereault, and Mr. Moses. Attorney Cipriano and Ms. Santos were also present. Mr. Durant and Mr. Duplisea were not present.
Public Session: July 21, 2014
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 2-1 to approve the minutes. Mr. Vereault opposed.
- Citizens’ Issues:
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
Selectmen to hold a joint meeting with the Hudson School Committee to consider appointing a School Committee member to a term to expire on May 11, 2015.
School Committee members Ms. Lynne Valcourt, Ms. Jennifer O’Brien, Mr. George Luoto, Ms. Michele Tousignant-Dufour and Ms. Allyson Hay joined the meeting. Mr. Brian Davis was not present.
The applicants in attendance briefly introduced themselves.
Mr. Lucy asked each candidate if they were to be appointed would they run for election next year. Each candidate answered in the affirmative.
By a unanimous vote of the eight participants Mr. Glenn Maston was appointed to the School Committee to a term to expire on 05/11/15.
Selectmen to meet with representatives from Melanson Heath to discuss Financial Reports for year end June 30, 2013.
Karen Snow and Zachary Fentross from Melanson Heath presented the year end financial reports. Ms. Snow briefly went through the year end financial statements for June 30, 2013. She noted that these reports do not include the financials for Hudson Light and Power. Ms. Snow stated that the revenues came in over budget for the year and the expenses were under budget.
Ms. Snow noted that the management letter included a list of recommendations that if put in place could help to strengthen internal controls. She began by making it clear that in this year’s management letter, as in last years, there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies. One of the issues noted was the deficit in the School Lunch Revolving Fund. The deficit in 2012 was $120,720 and in 2013 increased to $163,117. The school department is working on this issue but has noted that it will take a couple of years to resolve. Another thing that they encourage the Town to do is have a more formal and uniform risk assessment process. A third recommendation is to improve receivable reconciliations and documentation in
order to help ensure a clear and approved audit trail of all in house reconciliations.
There is a deficit in the CHAPS fund which the auditors recommend be addressed. As of June 30, 2013 the fund had a deficit balance of $24,819 and the recommendation is to research how this happened and resolve the issue. Another suggestion was to improve internal controls over departmental receipts by stamping “For Deposit Only” on checks received by the Senior Center and for checks collected for police details.
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education recently issued audit guidelines for student activity funds. The auditors recommend that the Town and the School Committee review the guidelines and prepare for this audit.
Also included in the financial reports was a compliance audit of the schools end of year report. There were some findings, however these were due to accounts not being classified correctly.
Selectmen to consider approval of amending the hours of operation for Dominos Pizza at 234 Washington Street, to Sun-Thurs 10:00 am -11:00 pm, Fri - Sat 10:00am-12:00pm.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 3-0 to approve the amendment to the hours of operation as requested.
Selectmen to consider approval of promotion of Justin Veo to the position of Assistant Wastewater Mechanic at W-4, Step 2, effective August 5, 2014.
Selectmen to consider approval of promotion of Jerry Laviano to the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator at W-6, Step 1, effective August 5, 2014.
Mr. Lucy granted Mr. Vereault’s request that both promotions be taken together, and moved the promotion of Justin Veo to the position of Assistant Wastewater Mechanic at W-4, Step 2, effective August 5, 2014 and the promotion of Jerry Laviano to the position of Water Treatment Plant Operator at W-6, Step 1, also effective August 5, 2014 that was seconded by Mr. Quinn. The Board voted 2-0-1 to approve both promotions. Mr. Vereault abstained.
Selectmen to consider award and authorization to sign contract with Wright-Pierce in the amount not to exceed $30,900 for Construction Administration of the Wastewater Pumping Station Alarms.
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 2-0-1 to award the contract to Wright-Pierce in the amount not to exceed $30,900 for Construction Administration of the Wastewater Pumping Station Alarms. Mr. Vereault abstained.
Selectmen to consider authorize the signing all related and required forms for the Clean Energy Project Grant.
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Vereault, the Board voted 3-0 to sign all related forms for the Clean Energy Project Grant.
Selectmen to consider award and authorization to sign contract with E.J. Prescott Inc. in the amount $487,220 for installation & training of water meters and base station.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 3-0 to award the Contract to E.J. Prescott Inc. in the amount of $487,220 for installation & training of water meters and base station.
Selectmen to acknowledge receipt of the Letter of Intent from Hudson Lock and to vote to endorse the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Agreement in principal and send it to Town meeting for its approval.
Motioned by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Quinn discussion commenced.
Mr. Lucy read from a memo from Mr. Moses. It stated that Hudson Lock’s choice was to close the Hudson facility and consolidate it with a Chicago location or to move the Chicago operation to Hudson. The Board supports Hudson Lock’s decision to move their Chicago location to Hudson. The TIF will provide a monetary benefit of approximately $46K to Hudson Lock and $49K to Hudson in additional property taxes over a twenty year period.
Ms. Ciccolo noted that the Town currently has TIF agreements with three other businesses in Town. Mr. Garcia stated how pleased he is that Hudson Lock chose to stay in Hudson and move its employees here.
The Board voted 3-0 to acknowledge receipt of the Letter of Intent from Hudson Lock and to vote to endorse the Tax Increment Financing Agreement in principal and send it to Town Meeting for its approval.
Selectmen to consider signing MassDOT Project Request forms for the reconstruction of a portion of Houghton Street from Main Street to Houghton Street Bridge.
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Vereault, the Board voted 3-0 to sign the MassDOT Project Request forms for the reconstruction of a portion of Houghton Street from Main Street to Houghton Street Bridge.
Selectmen to consider amending the Traffic Rules & Regulations and install Stop Signs at:
Everett Street at Park Street
Rutland Street at Park Street
Motioned by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Lucy discussion commenced.
Charles Randall, 76 Park Street spoke against installing these signs. He believes that adding stop signs at these intersections will not solve the problems in these locations.
After some discussion the Board ultimately decided to request that ITC look into this matter again to determine if there are other alternatives. Mr. Lucy requested that a member of the ITC be present at any future meeting in which the Board will discuss this. The motion was rescinded by Mr. Quinn and Mr. Lucy.
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 3-0 to have the Internal Traffic Committee revisit this issue at one of its meetings and report back to the Board.
- Town Issues:
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Vereault, the Board voted 3-0 to note correspondence and add Scott Darlington’s email (regarding video/audio issues) to the correspondence list.
Mr. Vereault made the motion to request Mr. Tony Marques attend the next meeting to discuss the bridge reports. Mr. Vereault agreed with Mr. Lucy’s amendment that the Board also be updated on the Houghton Street and Washington Street bridges. Mr. Lucy seconded the motion as amended. The Board voted 3-0.
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
On a motion by Mr. Vereault, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 3-0 to adjourn.
Document List – August 4, 2014
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes: July 21, 2014 |
BOS Office |
School Committee Interest cards |
BOS Office |
Melanson Heath Financial Reports for year end June 30, 2013 |
BOS Office |
Amend hours of operation for Dominos Common Victualler License |
BOS Office |
Promotion Memo for Justin Veo, Assistant Wastewater Mechanic |
BOS Office |
Promotion Memo for Jerry Laviano for Water Treatment Plant Operator |
BOS Office |
Contract documents for Wright-Pierce for Construction Administration of the WW Pumping Station Alarms |
BOS Office |
Clean Energy Project Grant documents |
BOS Office |
Contract documents for EJ Prescott for installation & training of water meters and base station |
BOS Office |
TIF Agreements documents for Hudson Lock and Letter of Intent |
BOS Office |
MassDOT Project Request forms for reconstruction of portion of Houghton Street |
BOS Office |
Memo, Map for installation of 2 stop signs at Everett at Park and Rutland at Park |
BOS Office |
Invitation from the Cardinal’s Office to attend Mass for Public Safety personnel and Families to be held on September 21, 21014 at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston |
BOS Office |
Bridge Reports for Cox Street Bridge and Forest Avenue Bridge |
BOS Office |
Copy of correspondence sent to Senator Eldridge regarding the elimination of local input of wireless facility siting. |
BOS Office |
Email from Scott Darlington (7/30/14) regarding Video & Audio issues with meeting broadcasting |
BOS Office |
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