Town of Millbury
Board of Selectmen Minutes
Municipal Office Building- Selectmen’s Meeting Room
_____________________________________________________________________________________
August 26, 2008 7:10 P.M.
Present: Board of Selectmen: E. Bernard Plante, Chairman; Joseph J. Coggans, Jr., Kenneth Schold, Francis B. King and Michael Moore.
Bob Spain, Town Manager; Paul Dicicco, Ellen Cummings, Donna Boynton, Worcester Telegram, Tom Riley, Millbury Sutton Chronicle and concerned citizens.
Chairman Plante opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
GUEST PRESENTATION
Cable TV Advisory Committee
Paul Dicicco spoke on behalf of the Cable TV Advisory Committee to explain the Verizon cable television license. There was a public hearing last night. Highlights of the agreement are state of the art fiber optics service called FIOS, pay channels, public access, education and government are part of the basic service. There will be a grant of $115,000 to support public access. Best thing we will get is competition. Annual grant to support public access of up to 4% + .50 per household. There will be eight drops for public access-for live feeds from the senior center, Asa Waters, the library, the school and town hall. 84% of the town is wired now. There will be quarterly statements to public access. They wanted to align the Verizon contract with the Charter contract. Also getting a
grant for the senior center for computers. Everything with FIOS is not a bed of roses-converter box required with each TV-$3.99/mth. Thanks to Mr. Spain for his services in negotiating contract-saved us a lot of money. Mr. Spain wanted to address why they are negotiating with Verizon. It is the law that Verizon has to have a license-cannot negotiate price. Can require a broad grouping of channels but not cannot specify specific channel. 10 year agreement-wanted to get it right. Bring to next meeting for approval. Committee voted to support the agreement. Competition will be helpful. Anyone with underground utilities may have to wait-only about 17% of the town will not have it yet. Buyer beware--look for hidden costs. Ellen Cummings from Verizon is here. It is in the best interest of the town.
Sign Election Warrant
Motion made by Selectman Coggans seconded by Selectman King to sign election warrant.
Motion carried unanimously.
ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES
Creedon & Company-Asa Waters- October 11, 2008.
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold, to approve a one day liquor license for Creedon & Company on October 11, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
VFW Ladies Auxiliary- September 13, 2008-Asa Waters
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Moore, to approve a one day liquor license for the Ladies Auxiliary on September 13, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
VFW Ladies Auxiliary- September 28, 2008-Asa Waters
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Moore, to approve a one day liquor license for the Ladies Auxiliary on September 28, 2008.
Motion carried unanimously.
PREVIOUS MINUTES
Minutes of the Meeting – August 12, 2008
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes as written; seconded by Selectman Moore.
Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Minutes of the Meeting – August 12, 2008
Motion made by Selectman Moore to approve the executive minutes as written; seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Minutes of the Meeting – October 25, 2005
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes as written; seconded by Selectman Moore.
Motion carried unanimously.
Evaluation of Town Manager
Chairman Plante opened the six month performance evaluation of Bob Spain. Mr. Plante explained that a public evaluation is required by law. Selectman review sheets are attached to these minutes. Mr. Spain got an overall average of 3.74.
Town Manager Report
Registered and insured a new Ford Taurus for detective, Mr. Spain got Chief’s old car, Chief got the detective old car. Mr. Spain’s old car is going to be for building inspector around town.
Mr. McGarry the new DPW director starts on Sept. 2
Sewer-hit bedrock and lost bit-lost a month’s worth of time- and had to start all over again. They are willing to work on Saturdays. Also asked for 12 hr days-but may not be able to fill details.
Snag on Ward Ave drain situation- have to go back up Ward Ave instead of the easier route. They will do a short term solution.
DPW will have fall brush chipping on September 20, October 4 and 18 and November 1 at the Highway Garage.
Proposed firing range-Chief has decided to kill that project.
IRS mileage rate has gone up to 58.5 cents per mile.
Alpine Street has been reclaimed, should be done in about a week. Still working on driveways and berms of other roads that may seem complete.
Selectman King asked for an update on Stowe Road? Will anything be done prior to winter? Trying to fill drainage ditches with bigger stone and hope to have done in a couple of weeks to fill large gullies in. Hopefully that road will be done with Ch. 90 money next year.
At the corner of High & Beach Streets-- they are going to try to install a mirror-cannot do anything about the wall.
Selectman Coggans wanted an update on street lights- it is in the hands of Mass Electric.
Chairman Plante wanted to thank Phil Genovese for his services here. Chairman Plante wanted to clarify what happened with Phil. He didn’t have the qualifications to stay on as DPW director per our by-laws.
Citizens Speak
Don Harrington-26 Braney Road spoke regarding the proposed sidewalk project. Last week they were advised that the Planning Board was having a Braney Road sidewalk revision meeting. He does not feel as if he has gotten any answers. They want the town to survey their lots to see who owns the land that the sidewalk will be on. A petition was given to Chairman Plante.
Paul Pictellis- 38 Braney Road- Issue going on for three years. Getting worse by the day.
Originally it was on the westerly side-but needed to change it. They approved asphalt sidewalk.
Helen Sheehan- 25 Braney Road- her understanding is that they cannot cut into a road when it is all done- no need for sidewalks. Nice neighborhood. She is against having sidewalks at all.
Linda Swenson- 40 Braney Road- Many have lived there for 40 years. Land was set aside on the westerly side. The town should not make the owners pay for surveyors. Development of Ray Bernard-They were never asked if they need a sidewalk. Look at original plan- milling and paving of road would be much more beneficial.
Beverly Handfield- 10 Braney Road- does not want sidewalks- since they built Coldbrook water goes into her driveway- if they put a sidewalk in she will get more water- people do not use sidewalks anyway.
Mr. Spain will meet with Planning Board and have the new DPW Director look at it.
Chairman Plante stated that the Board will leave Executive Session solely to adjourn; no other business will be conducted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to move into Executive Session at 8:00 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraph 3.
Selectman Moore -Yes
Selectman Coggans, Jr. - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman King - Yes
Chairman Plante - Yes
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes,
Secretary, Bd of Selectmen
E. Bernard Plante __________________________
Joseph F. Coggans, Jr. __________________________
Michael O. Moore __________________________
Kenneth I. Schold __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Its Board of Selectmen
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