Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Agenda –March 7, 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.
February 22, 2016
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve the Public Session Minutes of February 22, 2016. Mr. Duplisea abstained.
The proposed Eversource powerline project was taken up by the Board. Mr. Parent noted that the manager of Hudson Light & Power, Brian Choquette, was in attendance and also that HLP has a position letter on their website and encourage citizens to read it. Mr. Lucy also noted that the chairman of the Municipal Light Board, Joseph Marinelli, was in attendance as well.
Mr. Lucy read some excerpts from a letter from the Barrett family on White Pond Road in Hudson. They thanked the Board for the position they took at their last meeting. Mr. Lucy explained where the right of way it beginning in Sudbury at Dutton Road and ending at Forest Ave. in Hudson.
The Eversource informational meeting for residents will be held on Tuesday March 15th from 5 – 7 PM. Senator Eldridge and Representative Hogan have been invited to attend.
Brian O’Neil, 31 Parmenter Road is an abutter to this project. He has studied the project and feels this will have a detrimental impact to all abutters. He noted that if this is approved by Energy Facilities Siting Board (the Board that would approve the project) their decision will trump any zoning and environmental laws. He stated that the environmental impact of this project is beyond comprehension and he spoke vehemently against the project. He cited his concern for these lines becoming a sort of “toll road” for utilities to sell electricity to Boston and southern New England with no advantage to the abutters. He also stated that this transmission line will cross through one of only four federal animal reserves in the state and one of seventy state
forests.
Mr. Lucy briefly explained that process by which a need for new transmission lines is identified and also noted that the project does not need approval from impacted municipalities. He then explained the process of becoming an intervenor.
Mr. Choquette assured Mr. O’Neil that the new transmission lines will not be used as toll roads.
The Selectmen will retain outside counsel to act as intervenor.
Steven Tipps and Don Garcia of 27 and 78 Parmenter Road respectively, both spoke out against the transmission lines being placed over head.
Dana Stenquist, 159 White Pond Road asked if the Board has the authority to stop the project. Atty. Cipriano explained that under the Town’s local by-laws there is not much that could be done to stop it however there may be some options under state statues. He then asked the Selectmen to do anything they possibly can to prevent this from happening.
Russ Gannon, 2 Cranberry Lane asked if there are any future plans to continue the railtrail east once the area is cleared for the transmission lines. Mr. Lucy stated that whether the lines go underground or overhead Eversource says that they will need a twelve foot wide gravel service road. While it may not be paved it will be extended.
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
- Licenses:
Selectmen to consider issuance of a One Day Out Doors Entertainment License to the Hudson Rotary Club for the Fireworks Sesquicentennial Celebration on March 19, 2016 at the Morgan Bowl.
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the One Day Outdoor Entertainment License to the Hudson Rotary Club for the Fireworks Sesquicentennial Celebration on March 19, 2016 at the Morgan Bowl.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Jillian A. Bennett as Children’s Librarian at Grade 11, Step 3, effective March 8, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Jillian A. Bennett as Children’s Librarian at Grade 11, Step 3, effective March 8, 2016.
Selectmen to consider amending a contract with Blue Bumble for an amount not to exceed $9,500 for the banners for the 150th celebration.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the amendment of the Contract with Blue Bumble for an amount not to exceed $9,500 for the banners for the 150th celebration.
Selectmen to consider authorizing the Chairman to sign a Capital Fund Program Amendment accepting a $106,656 grant for the Hudson Housing Authority for capital improvements to the Norma Oliver Village.
On a motion by Mr. Duplisea, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to authorizing the Chairman to sign a Capital Fund Program Amendment accepting a $106,656 grant for the Hudson Housing Authority for capital improvements to the Norma Oliver Village.
Selectmen to consider signing the May 2, 2016 Town Meeting Warrant.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to sign the May 2, 2016 Town Meeting Warrant.
Selectmen to consider signing a façade program agreement discharge for 169 Main Street.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to sign the façade program agreement discharge for 169 Main Street.
Selectmen to consider nomination of Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals pursuant to MGL Chapter 129 § 15 & 16 from May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017.
On a motion by Mr. Duplisea, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the nomination of Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals pursuant to MGL Chapter 129 § 15 & 16 from May 1, 2016 through April 30, 2017.
Mr. Quinn asked that ITC look into the fact that the crosswalk was recently removed from in front of Town Hall. He went on to say that he has been approached by residents who would like it restriped at that location. Another ITC request he had was that they discuss changing the lighting pattern of the lights at the intersection of Washington and Brigham Streets. He noted that these lights help to alleviate the High School traffic at the end of the day but may not be necessary during the other times of the day.
Mr. Durant requested that the Police be more vigilant in regards to making sure that people do not stay parked on Main Street longer than the allotted two hour period.
Selectmen to consider issuing a Citation for Zackery W. Carme for his attaining the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to issue the a Citation for Zackery W. Carme for his attaining the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America.
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to note the correspondence.
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Quinn the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn.
Document List – March 7, 2016
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes of 2/22/16 |
BOS Office |
One-Day Out Door Entertainment License for Fireworks for the 150th celebration |
BOS Office |
Blue Bumble amendment to contract email |
BOS Office |
Appointment memo for Jillian Bennet as Children’s Librarian |
BOS Office |
Capital Fund Program Amendment Grant for Hudson Housing Authority |
BOS Office |
May 2, 2016 Town Meeting Warrant |
BOS Office |
Façade program agreement discharge for 169 Main Street |
BOS Office |
Nomination documents for Jennifer Condon as Inspector of Animals |
BOS Office |
Citation for Zackery W. Carme |
BOS Office |
Notice from Eversource regarding their Open House to be held on March 15, 2016 from 5-7PM at Hudson Town Hall Auditorium |
BOS Office |
Attorney Cipriano’s report on the Zoning Articles for the May 2016 Town Meeting Warrant |
BOS Office |
Report from the Executive Assistant regarding Utility and fuel costs |
BOS Office |
Correspondence from MEMA regarding Potential Hazard Mitigation Grant |
BOS Office |
Email from Executive Assistant to Representative Hogan and Senator Eldridge inviting them to the open house Eversource meeting to be held on March 15, 2016 |
BOS Office |
Copy of the Hutter Construction Contract for the DPW/Police Facility Building previously approved by the Board |
BOS Office |
Correspondence from Francis and Marianne Barrett regarding the Eversource project |
BOS Office |
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