TOWN OF MILLBURY
Board of Selectmen Minutes
Town Hall – Selectmen’s Meeting Room
JANUARY 13, 2009 7:05 p.m.
Present: Board of Selectmen: E. Bernard Plante, Chairman; Joseph F. Coggans, Jr., Kenneth I. Schold, Francis B. King
Robert Spain, Town Manager; Library Board of Trustees, Town Planner, Laurie Connors, Tim O’Leary, National Grid, Officer Richard O’Brien & Family, Rick Barrett, Chief Belsito, Brian Stowell, Concerned citizens, Donna Boynton, Telegram & Gazette, Tom Reilly, The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle
Chairman Plante opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Liz Valero from the Library wanted to invite everyone to the Legislative Day Breakfast being held at the library on Feb. 6 at 8a.m.
NB-1- Ann Thurlow, Chairman Board of Trustees, spoke regarding the need of filling a vacant seat. The Board of Trustees voted unanimously for Chris Sinacola, as well as the Board of Selectmen. Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to appoint Chris Sinacola to the unexpired seat on the Library Board of Trustees.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Board of Selectmen would like to recognize and publicly thank Sergeant Richard O’Brien who just retired. A plaque was presented to Sgt. O’Brien on behalf of the Board of Selectmen for his many years of dedicated service to the Millbury Police Department.
Guest Presentations
National Grid: Tim O’Leary-Discussed December 11, 2008 Ice Storm
Mr. O’Leary came to explain National Grid’s operation plan during a storm. Mr. Coggans wanted to know what took so long and why National Grid did not give anyone any answers. Mr. O’Leary responded that this was a historical weather event by all accounts. The company prepared for normal ice storm. There was widespread damage throughout NE. The final customers had their power restored on Dec. 19. Mr. Coggans wanted to thank the guys in the trucks that did a great job. Mr. Coggans also expressed that the communications were awful. What is national grid going to do to minimize the response time. Mr. O’Leary said there is a storm plan to reach out to communities which should have worked within 24 hrs. He will check into why we were not notified. Mr.
King wanted to know where the trucks were; they could have been anywhere in Worc. County. Mr. Schold reiterated that they need to boost us their communication. Mr. O’Leary admitted that we deserve answers and he will take that back to the company.
Chairman Plante expressed the need to keep at least the manager informed so he can let the Chairman know.
Mr. O’Leary said that is was good working in Millbury with the DPW, Fire & Police, and Verizon all worked well together.
Laurie Connors, Town Planner-Wind Turbine Application- She is presenting an application for examination of a Wind Turbine on municipal parcel. There are four sites that she is interested in; Butler Farm, Davidson Sanctuary, Stowe Acres and Greenwood Street.
Motion to sign the application made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Community Development Strategy. Housing rehab funds. CMRPC-Tim Hansen is assisting. They are applying again for funding, hoping that this time they will be accepted. Mr. Plante said they should keep applying. Any comments or suggestions please let Laurie or Tim know. *Strategy attached for reference.
NB-2 Direnzo Class II License Joel Carlson appeared for Mr. Direnzo requesting a Class II license. Primarily needs the license to transport cars from Salvage yard. Already got approval from the Board of Appeals.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King. Motion carried unanimously.
NB-3- Charles F. Minney Change of Manager-Rick Barrett-Commander. They need a change of manager to take care of day to day operations. They are taking steps to reopen as the Patriot Lounge with a grand reopening on January 23.
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King to approve the change of manager.
Motion carried 3-0-1. Selectman Schold abstained as he is a member of the VFW.
NB-4- Cinema De-Lux Change of Manager-Bill Hurston, District Operations Manager and Josh Besette. Mr. Besette will be taking over as manager.
Motion made by Selectman Coggans to approve the change of manager, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
NB-5-Drainlayers Renewals
-Fed. Corp.
-Ricciardi Bros. Inc.
-NHB Construction
-J.E. Amorello, Inc.
-Mid State Sewerage, Inc.
-Mitchell Associates Construction, Inc.
-A.F. Amorello & Sons, Inc.
-Guaranteed Builders, Inc.
-F&D Truck Company, Inc.
-Loring Paquette d/b/a Site Prep
-Valente Backhoe Service
-Seaver Brothers Construction
-FA Kelleher & Sons
-RJ Merusi Company, Inc.
-G.N. Prunier & Sons, Inc.
-Wall Construction, Inc.
-Team Shovel Excavation
-Bob Bernard Excavating
-Gil Norbert Trucking Inc.
-R.H. White Construction
Motion by Selectman Coggans to approve the above listed drainlayer renewals, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes of the Tuesday December 9, 2008 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Coggans to approve the minutes of the December 9, 2008 Executive Session.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes of the Tuesday December 17, 2008 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to approve the minutes of the December 17, 2008 Executive Session.
Motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Report
Deb Plante-Mr. Spain wanted to publicly state that this reappointment was very easy to do. Mrs. Plante and her office do a great job and this year’s election went very smoothly because of her planning. She deserves this job for at least 3 more years. Mr. Spain applauds her and her staff for doing such a great job and serving the town as Town Clerk.
Mr. Spain is asking the Board to concur with his appointment of Deborah Dymek to the Disability Commission. Motion made by Selectman Coggans to concur with the appointment, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Spain has a meeting with Alert Ambulance on Friday. They have been forthcoming with information and he has asked for financials from them. We have the option to renew their contract.
Police hiring: We have asked for an extension because we are waiting for the budget results and waiting for the test results.
Chief Belsito requested from the State for open burning because of the storm. You can get a permit from the fire station.
Mr. Spain is asking the Board to concur with his appointment of Armand White to the Bicentennial Committee. Motion made by Selectman Coggans to concur with the appointment, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Boat Excise Tax Disbursement (Waterways Improvement Fund): Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to disburse the $2,429.01 in Boat Excise Tax collected in 2008 as follows: Lake Singletary - $809.67; Dorothy Pond - $809.67; and Ramshorn Pond - $809.67.
Motion carried unanimously.
We have had a couple of rough storms-there was a lot of events. Getting ready to declare snow and ice emergency. Our guys are working very hard and now we have a good plan in place-we have learned from the past and will do better in the future. Have reports from DPW director with estimates of what the storm cost us in salt, sand and labor-so far cost of $140,000; we budget $160,000. Bought 2000 tons, need to buy another ton. The cost of sand when up. We went back to using more salt. There have been 26 weather incidents already. Selectman Coggans would like to see the police log; Mr. Spain gave it to him. Mr. Coggans said that he does not want Mr. Spain to run the DPW, he wants the director to run the DPW-he gives kudos to Mr.
Spain for taking the grief and doing something about it. Chairman Plante noticed a marked improvement in this last storm. Mr. McGarry now knows what he has to do and Mr. Spain thinks that they have it under control now. They do need to get out earlier and he is addressing the issues of the Board. Mr. Schold said that these have not been easy storms to fight. Mr. Spain does urge the citizens to call our office with any problems and we will try to help.
Update for Selectman King-McCracken Rd. Talked to MA Hwy today-but they are very busy-so it will be put forth in May. We are looking at cheaper alternatives.
The number of tickets from last year to this year on McCracken Rd. was equal if you took out the tickets for people going the wrong way.
Old Business
Approve Investment Policy- Motion made by Selectman King to approve the Investment Policy, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Marie’s Catering-Asa Waters- January 23, 2009.
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King, to approve a one day liquor license for Marie’s Catering on January 23, 2009.
Motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Coggans asked the Board to look at raising the fees for the false alarms; it is only $100 now. Our FD is a call department and the risk of someone getting hurt bothers him. He was thinking two free rides; the third would be $500, fourth $1000, and fifth $2,500 for commercial businesses. Chief Belsito said there were seven incidents at one store over Christmas.
Mail
Donations to the Fire Department received from Thomas & Maureen Boyd in the amount of $50.00, Sharon Morin in the amount of $100.00 and Mariclare Magerowski in the amount of $50.00.
Motion made by Selectman Schold to accept the donations, seconded by Selectman Coggans.
Motion carried 3-0-1. Selectman King abstained.
Chairman Plante wanted to thank everyone for making the donations.
Letter from Chief Belsito informing the Board that the Board of Fire Engineers received two state grants; one for Firefighting Equipment for $5,296 and a S.A.F.E. grant for $3,664.62.
Selectman Schold read ice safety tips from MEMA.
22nd annual Ice Fishing Derby-January 25, 2009
Annual Pancake Breakfast-6 a.m.-10 a.m. Engine Company 2
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold to move into Executive Session at 8:55 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraphs 3 and 6 to discuss collective bargaining or potential litigation and to consider the purchase or taking of real property.
Selectman Coggans, Jr. - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman King - Yes
Chairman Plante - Yes
Chairman Plante stated that the Board will leave Executive Session solely to adjourn; no other business will be conducted.
The Board returned to open session as 9:55 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes,
Secretary, Bd of Selectmen
E. Bernard Plante __________________________
Joseph F. Coggans, Jr. __________________________
Kenneth I. Schold __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Its Board of Selectmen
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