Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –January 25, 2016
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Mr. Lucy, Mr. Parent, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Durant, Mr. Duplisea, and Mr. Moses. Also present were Attorney Cipriano and Ms. Santos.
January 11, 2016
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to approve public session minutes of January 11, 2016.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Deborah Backman as Library Director at M7, Step 1 effective February 9, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to appoint Deborah Backman as Library Director at M7, Step 1 effective February 9, 2016.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Pam Helinek as Planner/ Conservation Agent at M5, Step 4 effective February 9, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to appoint Pam Helinek as Planner/ Conservation Agent at M5, Step 4 effective February 9, 2016.
Selectmen to consider appointment of Patricia Fay as Town Accountant to a three year term to expire on January 25, 2019.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 5-0 to appoint Patricia Fay as Town Accountant to a three year term to expire on January 25, 2019.
Assabet Valley Regional Voc. FY2017 Budget.
Superintendent Ernest Houle, Director of Business Operations Chris Luoto and Hudson’s AVRVHS Representative William Charboneau presented the budget. Superintendent Houle gave a brief overview of student performance. There are currently 171 Hudson students enrolled at Assabet. There has been in increase in english and biology MCAS scores and scores have improved overall in the past two years.
Mr. Luoto explained that he will be presenting a level services funded budget with an increase of 2.97% for FY 17. The governor’s budget has not yet been released therefore the numbers being presented are estimates. However he expects that these numbers will only decrease once the governor’s numbers are released. The net assessment to member communities has been set at 8.9% which is 3.7% overall increase. An increase in Chapter 70A funding may help to lower town assessments. Enrollment has continued to increase and with this increase comes an increase in the special education population. Approximately 30% of the students receive special services. The per pupil expenditure is $18,380, the state average is $19,500. Mr. Lucy asked Mr.
Luoto to confirm that all vocational schools add capital spending to the per pupil assessment as well as health insurance benefits and retirement benefits. Mr. Luoto said yes. Mr. Lucy noted that these numbers are not added to the public school per pupil assessment as they are added to the Town wide budget.
On a motion by Mr. Duplisea, seconded by Mr. Parent the Board voted 5-0 to approve $2,567,235 for Assabet Valley Regional FY17 Budget.
Selectmen to consider award and authorization to sign contract with Blue Bumble Creative, contract not to exceed $8,000 for Street Light Pole Banners.
Note: Funded by the Sesquicentennial Donations.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to award and authorize signing a contract with Blue Bumble Creative, contract not to exceed $8,000 for Street Light Pole Banners.
Selectmen to consider award and authorization to sign contract with Hutter Construction in the amount of $9,944,000.00 for the construction of the DPW / Police Facility Building.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 5-0 to accept and authorize the Executive Assistant to sign a contract with Hutter Construction in the amount of $9,944,000.00 for the construction of the DPW / Police Facility Building.
Selectmen to consider acceptance and authorization to sign a grant in the amount of $8,000 from Mass Dept. of Public Health to integrate Health and Planning Activities.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to accept and authorize signing a grant in the amount of $8,000 from Mass Dept. of Public Health to integrate Health and Planning Activities.
Selectmen to consider adopting the Complete Street Policy
Note: Policy Approved by Planning Board on 1/19/2016.
Mr. Jack Hunter, Director of Planning and Kristina Johnson, Assistant Director of Planning gave a brief presentation on the merits of the Complete Street Policy, citing that the Policy received approval by the Hudson Board of Health and the Hudson Planning Board, and asked for the Board to adopt the policy.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to adopt the Complete Street Policy.
Selectmen to consider Executing a Deed any other documents necessary to convey the real property located at 173 Washington Street to HTO, LLC, the successful proponent in response to an Request for Proposals issued by the Town.
Note: Ask Attorney if the Board needs to designate an individual.
Attorney Todd Helwig from Mirick O’Connell requested the Board sign the Deed and the Owner’s Affidavit to finalize the sale of the property located at 173 Washington Street.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 5-0 to Execute the Deed and Owners Affidavit necessary to convey the real property located at 173 Washington Street to HTO, LLC, the successful proponent in response to a Request for Proposals issued by the Town.
- Town Issues:
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
Jim Quinn held up a photograph of the rotary as it appeared when the plantings first went in. He stated that he received many emails and phone calls regarding the removal of the trees. He felt it was important to illustrate how nice it looked when the trees were not so tall. By showing this photo he thought it could precipitate a dialogue about what residents would like.
On a motion by Mr. Duplisea , seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to note correspondence.
Selectmen to conduct FY2017 Budget & Capital Plan Hearings:
Department |
Dept.# |
Tab # |
Amount Requested |
Motion |
Seconded |
Vote |
Recreation & Park Commission |
6300 |
25 |
$344,836.00 |
Parent |
Quinn |
4-0-1 Durant Abstained |
Recreation Capital Plan |
|
4 |
$67,500.00 |
Lucy |
Parent |
5-0 |
Department |
Dept. # |
Tab # |
Amount Requested |
Motion |
Seconded |
Vote |
Hudson Public Schools |
--- |
30 |
$36,433,311.00 |
Durant |
Parent |
5-0 |
School Capital Plan |
--- |
4 |
$105,000.00 |
Parent |
Durant |
5-0 |
Superintendent Dr. Fortuna, Finance Director Patricia Lange and School Committee Chair Jenn O’Brien presented the FY17 budget. Dr. Fortuna stated that the School Committee adopted a strategic plan for improvement last year, she notes this because every budget decision has been made with this strategy in mind. This is based on four core beliefs which are learning and growth, high expectations, accountability and consistency. This is a three year plan based on three strategic objectives which she and her team hope to accomplish during FY17.
The average per pupil expenditure is $14,281. The student/teacher ratio is at the states average. Dr. Fortuna noted that they are proposing five new positions district wide. The first two are due to increase enrollment in the number of English Language Learning (ELL) students. A decrease in the number of kindergarten students will help to offset the cost. Another position being proposed is an ELL Coach. This coach will work with classroom teachers at the middle school as this is where the greatest need is.
The data regarding emotional and mental health needs of the students has become a concern. This disability category has grown dramatically over the past years. Due to the data two positions are being requested. One is a clinical psychologist with experience in cognitive behavior therapy. The other position is a licensed clinical social worker for the high school.
The final position is for an assistant director of student services. This position was reduced to a part time position two years ago and it has proven to be insufficient.
Ms. Lange explained the financial implications of the budget to the district and to the Town.
Mr. Lucy questioned why the school department never spends the school choice money they request yet at the end of the year all the money is that was appropriated has been spent. He went on to say that the request for school choice funding continues to increase. He noted that the amount being requested has doubled since last year.
Ms. O’Brien stated that she would welcome the opportunity to sit with Mr. Lucy and discuss/explain the budget further.
Department |
Dept. # |
Tab # |
Amount Request |
Motion |
Seconded |
Vote |
Public Works: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Administration |
4210 |
16 |
$784,723.00 |
|
|
|
Parks/Cemetery |
4212 |
16 |
$562,975.00 |
|
|
|
Street |
4215 |
16 |
$833,260.00 |
|
|
|
Vehicle |
4219 |
16 |
$334,950.00 |
|
|
|
Highway Snow & Ice |
4230 |
16 |
$326,965.00 |
|
|
|
Sewer |
4400 |
16 |
$1,949,615.00 |
|
|
|
Water |
4500 |
16 |
$1,453,370.00 |
|
|
|
DPW Total: |
|
|
$6,245,858.00 |
Lucy |
Durant |
5-0 |
DPW Capital Plan |
--- |
4 |
$835,700.00 |
Durant |
Duplisea |
5-0 |
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
Document List – January 25, 2016
Document |
Location |
Appointment memo for Deborah Backman as Library Director |
BOS Office |
Appointment memo for Pam Helinek as Planner/Conservation Agent |
BOS Office |
Contract documents for Blue Bumble Creative for Banners |
BOS Office |
Bid results sheet for Hutter Construction |
BOS Office |
Mass Dept. of Public Health award documents |
BOS Office |
Complete Street Policy |
BOS Office |
Documents related to the sale of 173 Washington Street Property |
BOS Office |
Notice from Chief Burks regarding Casimiro Costa continuing as Part-Time Communication Dispatcher for the Hudson Police Department |
BOS Office |
Various Emails and responses from the Executive Assistant regarding Rotary Plantings |
BOS Office |
Xfinity Notice of Change of Address Notification |
BOS Office |
Notice from Mosquito Control Project regarding pesticide exclusions process |
BOS Office |
Deed & Owners Affidavit for the Sale of 173 Washington Street |
BOS Office |
Assabet Valley Budget Documents |
BOS Office |
| 
