Town of Hudson - Board of Selectmen
Minutes –September 12, 2016
78 Main Street 2nd Floor 7:00 PM
Present were Mr. Duplisea, Mr. Parent, Mr. Quinn, Mr. Lucy, Mr. Durant, and Mr. Moses. Also present were Attorney Cipriano and Ms. Santos
Public Session: August 22, 2016
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to approve public session minutes of August 22, 2016.
Executive Session: August 22, 2016
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the executive session minutes of August 22, 2016.
Brian O’Neill, 31 Parmenter Road made note of an opposition letter from OARS. In this letter this organization opposes the right of way for environmental reasons, specifically fish in the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers.
Mr. O’Neill asked if the Board has been actively working with Eversource to explore other options. Mr. Parent stated that he and Mr. Moses have met with Eversource and have made it clear that the Board is in favor of an underground route.
Catherine Kroeger, 47 Old North Road stated that she had recently attended a forum at the Hudson Senior Center regarding the downtown rotary. She noted that one of the major issues discussed was that of traffic. The transportation of trash via large BP Trucking dump trucks to the transfer station was one of the issues. Ms. Kroeger asked if there was any way that the Town could handle the trash on its own and not have other towns refuse coming in to the transfer station. Mr. Moses explained that the Board of Health recently extended the contract until the year 2022. However there are questions regarding the validity of the extension and there is ongoing analysis and discussion. Mr. Moses feels that it is in the Town’s best interest to pursue a
single municipal contract with a single hauler for on street pick up of trash and recycling for all Town residents.
- Meetings and Public Hearings - 7:00 PM:
- Licenses:
Selectmen to consider approval of a change of operating hours for Furniture and More, located at 312 Main Street from 10AM – 7PM Monday through Sunday to 10AM – 10PM Monday through Sunday.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the change of operation hours for Furniture and More to 10 AM – 10PM Monday through Sunday.
Selectmen to consider issuance of a One–Day Wine & Malt Pouring License to David Borden for a Bar Mitzvah to be held on October 15, 2016 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM at Roller Kingdom located at 5 Highland Park Avenue.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the One-Day Wine & Malt Pouring License to David Borden for October 15, 2016 between the hours of 7:00 PM and 11:00 PM for an event to be held at Roller Kingdom at 5 Highland Park Avenue.
Selectmen to consider approval of a One-Day Wine & Malt Pouring License to Rachael Hamer for Intel’s Employee Appreciation Event to be held on September 16, 2016 between the hours of 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM at 75 Reed Road.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a One-Day Wine & Walt Malt Pouring License to Rachael Hamer for Intel’s Employee Appreciation Event to be held September 16, 2016 between the hours of 4:00 PM and 7:00 PM.
Selectmen to consider approval of appointment of Alex Sleeper as full time Communications Dispatcher for the Hudson Police Department at Grade 10, Step 1 of the Clerical Union Contract effective September 16, 2016.
On a motion by Mr. Durant, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the appointment of Alex Sleeper as full time Communications Dispatcher for the Hudson Police Department at Grade 10, Step 1effective September 16, 2016.
Selectmen to consider award and authorization to sign a contract with BVH Integrated Services, P.C. for Building Systems Commissioning Services for the new Police Station / DPW Administration Building in the amount of $32,580.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to authorize the signing of a contract with BVH Integrated Services, P.C. for the Building Systems Commissioning Services for the new Police Station /DPW Administration Building in the amount of $32,580.
Selectmen to consider approval and authorization to sign Project Reimbursement Request and Final Report for Chapter 90 for the reconstruction and reclamation of a portion of Lincoln Street.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to approve and authorize the signing of the Project Reimbursement Request and Final Report for Chapter 90 funds for the reconstruction and reclamation of a portion of Lincoln Street.
Selectmen to authorize Executive Assistant to execute lease amendment documents with AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC for the cellular tower located at Highland Commons.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Durant, the Board voted 4-1 to authorize the Executive Assistant to execute lease amendment documents with AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC for the cellular tower located at Highland Commons.
Note: Additional information on EA communication memo.
Selectmen to authorize Executive Assistant to execute lease amendment documents with SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC for the cellular tower located on Saratoga Drive.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Lucy, the Board voted 5-0 to authorize the Executive Assistant to execute lease amendment documents with SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC for the cellular tower located at Saratoga Drive.
Note: Additional information on EA communication memo.
Selectmen to consider and approve a public statement regarding the Eversource Project.
Mr. Parent explained that the Board asked the Intervenor to help them to craft a statement that would properly state their position regarding the project (see statement below).
Mr. Lucy stated that he would like to strike the last sentence of the fourth paragraph as their current objective is to establish the route not to discuss activities after the transmission line is in place. He also stated he is not sure that 100% mechanical vegetative management is the best option for the rejuvenation of wildlife and the continued use of the corridor by wildlife. Mr. Durant stated that he would be abstaining as he does not want to commit this statement not knowing whether he may change his mind in the future.
Mr. Duplisea read the statement for the record as written.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 4-0-1 to strike the last sentence of the fourth paragraph from the Board’s statement regarding the Eversource Transmission Reliability Project. Mr. Durant abstained.
On a motion by Mr. Parent, seconded by Mr. Duplisea, the Board voted 4-0-1 to approve the statement entitled “Hudson Board of Selectmen Statement Regarding The Eversource Sudbury to Hudson Transmission Reliability Project” as amended. (See statement above – bold and italic sentence deleted). Mr. Durant abstained.
Selectmen to discuss temporary food truck regulations.
Mr. Lucy proposed the following verbiage for this agenda item:
Selectmen to consider and approve a temporary Food Truck Parking Ban on these streets: from the merge of River Street onto Central Street and from the merge of Lincoln Street onto Central Street all around Wood Square to the Assabet River Washington Street Bridge and for all of South Street to its intersection with Broad Street, Broad Street to its intersection with Main Street, and Main Street from that intersection west to Woos Square to include all cross streets between Main Street and South Street including but not limited to Market Street, Houghton Street all the way to Michaud Bridge, South Street Extension and Houghton Court; and on lower Church Street to the cross street to Pope Street and from that Pope Street intersection south on Pope Street to Main Street.
Mr. Durant asked how is the temporary ban going to last. Mr. Lucy stated that sufficient time will be necessary to allow Town Board and Commissions to meet and draft a warrant article that meets all legal specifications. Mr. Lucy added that he hopes it will be ready for the May 2017 Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Durant stated that he agrees but asked Town Counsel if this is the appropriate way to go about this.
Atty. Cipriano stated that the Selectmen have the authority to regulate all public ways in Town. However, ultimately the best resolution for this would be through the creation of a by-law which could be enforceable by law enforcement. The by-law will allow the Town to regulate things such as traffic and pedestrian safety issues, parking impact, sanitary conditions, public nuisance issues (noise, odor, disruption….), zoning compliance and fire safety. Therefore this ban is a segue into a by-law provision which is temporary in nature and Atty. Cipriano stated that it is the appropriate course of action.
Mr. Lucy stated that he feels it is unfair for a mobile vendor to take away from restaurants in Town paying local commercial taxes as well as their potential revenue. Mr. Duplisea was more concerned about the large trucks parking on Main Street and blocking access as well as the crowds that form outside them. Mr. Duplisea said he was not in favor of an immediate total ban from Main Street and all the streets that feed into Main Street. Atty. Cipriano informed that Board that they cannot outright ban food trucks from Town as this is a matter of free enterprise however they can regulate them.
Mr. Parent stated that these restrictions may be too broad. Mr. Quinn noted that the people waiting in line at the food truck obstruct the flow of pedestrians on the sidewalk which is an issue of public safety. He went on to say that he is not in favor of having them in Town.
Mr. Duplisea questioned if it fair to only protect the brick and mortar restaurants in the downtown area.
Ms. Santos explained that the Town regulations are that if one has a hawker peddler license issued from the State of Massachusetts than all that they need to do to be able to operate in Hudson is to fill out a license form and complete and pass a CORI.
Mr. Durant stated that he would like to wait a couple of weeks as this is the first time he has seen this. He noted that he would agree that the trucks should be banned from Main Street but he went on to say that perhaps not South Street and others around Main Street. He suggested that this be put on the agenda for the Boards next meeting in order to give all members ample time to think about this.
Charles Randall, 76 Park Street explained that he owns commercial property on Main Street and is a resident of Hudson. He stated that the real issue here is one of public safety. Chief Burks noted that one of the trucks does stick out more than the parking lines allow and does constitute a safety issue.
Mr. Durant stated he would support a temporary ban on Main Street only. Mr. Parent and Mr. Duplisea agreed and stated that they could take up the issue again in two weeks. Mr. Lucy agreed to amend the motion on the table.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Quinn, the Board voted 5-0 to approve a temporary parking ban for a food trucks for public safety reasons from the confluence of Lincoln and Central Street; by the Fire Station, around both sides of Wood Square continuing down Main Street all the way to the intersection of Vila de Porto Boulevard and Tower Street.
Mr. Lucy reminded everyone that the Sesquicentennial Parade is being held on Sunday September 18th at noon.
Mr. Lucy had some questions / comments regarding the warrant for November Town Meeting. The first was in reference to Article 7. He noted that he would prefer to include “to authorize the Board of Selectmen in conjunction with the Board of Assessors”. The next is Article 9 which allows for the purchase of two DPW vehicles through monies from previous Town Meeting articles that was not fully expended. He feels that this is getting away from what the Special Town Meeting is for which is to deal with any unexpected Town business that cannot wait until May. He stated that the purchase of the vehicles should be done through the Capital Plan. He therefore requests that the portion of the vehicle purchase of the article be removed from the
warrant and be made part of the Capital Plan for May. The Board, under the advice of Atty. Cipriano agreed to wait to the next meeting to review the Warrant.
Mr. Duplisea made note of a memo from the Internal Traffic Committee regarding road closures during the parade. They recommend banning parking along the parade route from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in order to allow set up and clean-up. Mr. Duplisea read the memo into the record.
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the parking ban along the parade route on September 18, 2016 from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
- Correspondence to be Noted by Clerk:
On a motion by Mr. Quinn, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to note correspondence.
- Executive Session:
- Adjourn:
On a motion by Mr. Lucy, seconded by Mr. Parent, the Board voted 5-0 to adjourn its meeting of September 12, 2016 at 8:50PM.
Document List – September 12, 2016
Document |
Location |
Public Session Minutes 08/22/16 |
BOS Office |
Change of operation hours Furniture and More |
BOS Office |
All Alcohol Pouring License – David Borden – Roller Kingdom |
BOS Office |
One Day Wine & Malt Pouring License – Rachael Hamer – Intel Corp. |
BOS Office |
Appointment memo – Alex Sleeper – Full Time Communications Dispatcher |
BOS Office |
Procurement and Contract with BVH Integrated Services |
BOS Office |
Chapter 90 Final Report & Reimbursement Request – Portion of Lincoln St. |
BOS Office |
Lease amendment documents for cell tower at Highland Commons |
BOS Office |
Lease amendment documents for cell tower on Saratoga Drive |
BOS Office |
Memo from EA regarding Eversource statement |
BOS Office |
Memo from EA regarding Food Truck Regulations |
BOS Office |
Memo from Sam Wong regarding Mental Health Screening Kiosk |
BOS Office |
Comment Letter from OARS regarding Sudbury-Hudson Transmission Line Project |
BOS Office |
Notice of hearing from ABCC regarding Chubby’s Liquors |
BOS Office |
Letter from Thomas Moses regarding Hudson Pilot Shuttle Program |
BOS Office |
Draft of the November 21, 2016 Special Town Meeting Warrant |
BOS Office |
Mr. Lucy’s list of temporary food truck parking ban areas in Town |
BOS Office |
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