February 23, 2010 6:00 p.m.
Present: Board of Selectmen: Chairman E. Bernard Plante, Joseph F. Coggans, Jr., Kenneth I. Schold, Francis B. King, Brian W. Stowell, Town Manager Spain.
School Committee: Chairman Jane Pojani, Art Corey, Tom Clawson, Bill Borowski, Superintendent Susan Hitchcock, Finance Director Brian Turbitt.
Absent: Leslie Vigneau
Executive Session
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King to move into Executive Session at 6:00 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraph 3 to discuss contract negotiations of union employees.
Selectman Coggans, Jr. - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman King - Yes
Selectman Stowell -Yes
Chairman Plante -Yes
Chairman Plante announced that business will be conducted after executive session.
The Board returned to open session at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Bill Borowski, Lou Masiello, Wine Nation representatives, Brian Turbitt, Edd Cote, Donna Boynton, Telegram & Gazette, Tom Reilly, The Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, Charlene Arsenault, Daily Millbury and concerned citizens
Chairman Plante opened with the Pledge of Allegiance
License to Operate Video Game- TGI Friday’s- Application for four machines.
Selectman Coggans noted that our by by-laws only allow three machines in one establishment. Motion by Selectman Coggans to allow the license for three machines at TGI Friday’s, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License- Cardoo’s Catering-March 7, 2010-Asa Waters
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the license, seconded by Selectman Coggans.
Motion carried unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License- Millbury Woman’s Club-March 27, 2010-Asa Waters
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the license for a wine tasting, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Vote and Sign Purchase & Sale Agreement- Mt. Ararat
Motion made by Selectman Coggans to sign the Purchase & Sale Agreement for Mt. Ararat open space, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
7:15 Public Hearing-Wine Nation Liquor License: Selectman Schold read hearing notice.
Attorney Gerald Caruso appeared for Wine Nation. They have applied for a beer & wine license with the hopes of obtaining an all alcohol license with the help of the legislature. It is considered a wine lifestyle store with 65-70% wine with gourmet foods. It will be a family owned business, Tom and Tyler Tron. They will be putting in many upgrades and looking to hire between 40-60 people.
Selectman Coggans inquired about opening date and how many stores they have. They are hoping to open in the summer and this is their first store in Mass.
Lou Masiello from WS Development spoke regarding new businesses at the mall. He is looking for more liquor licenses to get new businesses. The home rule petition starts at Town Meeting then our Senator and Rep. will help it through the Legislation.
Mr. Borowski cautioned regarding the proximately of school would urge the board to have a probationary terms with the police dept. Mr. Spain will address this with the chief.
Motion to close Public Hearing at 7:45 p.m. made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Coggans.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to grant Wine and Malt license to Wine Nation made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to petition Legislature for extra all alcohol licenses made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Jason Schiller-New Drainlayer-fairly new company 2 years ago. Over 20 years experience in construction. Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the drainlayer license, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Brian Turbitt-Finance Director
Mr. Turbitt is revising the 2007 Fraud Policy. He is going to sit down with each department head to discuss the fraud risk assessment; sit down with staff to understand how they do the functions; develop a program to monitor and review four times a year randomly.
OPEB Investment Policy-proactive-health insurance for retirees. We have a have an actuary study to know what the numbers and update every two years. Need to put an article on the warrant for M.G.L. 32B section 20 adopting this law.
Chairman Plante added that it is good to have the bonding company look at us favorably.
Previous Meeting Minutes
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Coggans to approve the minutes of the Tuesday February 9, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Coggans to Approve and Release the executive minutes of the Tuesday February 9, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Coggans to Release the executive minutes of the Tuesday January 26, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Report
Mr. Spain read a retirement letter effective March 31, 2010 for our Town Clerk, Deborah Plante. Mr. Spain said that he cannot think of a person who puts more of their heart into serving the people. He will certainly miss her. She has turned into a phenomenal Town Clerk and the Town is much better with her, he can’t thank her enough. He went on to announce that Judy Brink will be appointed as acting town clerk as April 1, 2010 until July 1.
The Board agreed that the town will be missing a dedicated employee.
FY09 FY10 attorney fees breakdown. Across the Board we are down and under budget for legal services. Selectman King wanted to know why the DPW went up. Grievances go to dept head, then manager-then arbitration. Selectman Coggans wants upper management to take a look at restructuring that department.
Selectman Stowell wanted to know where we stand in the planning board cases. Mostly all at a standstill for now.
Underground storage takes are tested yearly and our gas tank has a leak in the extensile space and we cannot refill at this time. Town of Sutton has agreed to let us use their gas tank. The tank was installed in 1991.
Mr. Spain will present the budget on March 3rd. Current state to budget is showing a $662,919 deficient. We are looking for a 60/40 division; Town side is $265,000.00. This is the leanest initial budget presented. Free cash is significantly down. It is a very difficult budget.
Mr. Spain would like the Board to approve putting the local meals tax on the warrant. The estimate is for $50,000 in additional revenue. He is not usually for raising taxes-but this will let the people decide.
We do need to spend money on computer servers about $50,000. There will also be an article for a revaluation of properties for $52,000. He has cut the senior work program slightly. It is not a pretty picture; the budget is much more difficult this year as it was already down to the bone from last year.
Chairman Plante wanted to point out that the school committee and manager have done a good job and still have not had to cut services.
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King to put on the warrant the meals tax. Chairman Plante stated that every town around us has adopted this tax and he doesn’t see why we should not save jobs.
Motion carried 4-1. Selectman Coggans opposed.
Senator Richard Moore suggested funding the 11 Town Blackstone Economic Development Council using funds from Worcester County Assessment. Mr. Spain might be asking the Board for a letter of support.
The traffic lights at Riverlin and Canal Streets have been fixed.
Mr. Spain does not have the information for the private roads yet. He is still working on it.
Selectman Schold mentioned the driveway to the Town Hall being in disrepair and the Reverse 911system. We got it through the sheriff’s department, the police made the decision to go with it.
Selectman King inquired about National Grid? We still have nothing from them; and West Main Street-Polito? Mr. McGarry is still in discussions with him. He sent a letter and the Board has a copy it.
Selectman Coggans stated that Worcester received homeland security money for a fire truck. The Captain in Worcester has offered his assistance to us.
Selectman King wanted the Board to know that the Charter Review Committee had its last meeting. He has a packet for the Board with nine articles to put on the warrant.
Selectman Coggans wanted to know if there was going to be a public hearing. They discussed it with the Manager and they were going to leave it up to the Board. It will be on the website for people to look at and people can voice their opinions to the Selectmen.
Chairman Plante wanted to thank Senator Moore for not forgetting his town.
Mail
Letter from the Millbury Bicentennial Committee. They have received donations of $250.00 from the Stellar Industries Corp. and $7500.00 from Millbury Savings Bank.
Motion to accept donations made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Spain mentioned that the donation from the Savings Bank was the first installment of four.
Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman Coggans, seconded by Selectman King to adjourn at 8:50 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 __________________________
Brian W. Stowell __________________________
Its Board of Selectmen
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