May 11, 2010 7:00 p.m.
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Present: Board of Selectmen: Chairman E. Bernard Plante, Kenneth I. Schold, Francis B. King, Brian W. Stowell, Brian M. Ashmankas. Town Manager Bob Spain, Freeman Guiou, Tom Riley, Charlene Arsenault, Frank Irr, Edd Cote.
The Manager asked for nominations for Reorganization of the Board.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to appoint E. Bernard Plante as Chairman, seconded by Selectman King. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to appoint Francis King for Vice Chairman seconded by Selectman Schold. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman King to appoint Kenneth Schold for clerk seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion made by Selectman Ashmankas for clerk by Selectman Ashmankas, no second.
Motion carried unanimously for Selectman Schold for clerk.
Chairman Plante mentioned that things are getting worse. The budget is not good and will probably be reduced again next year. Revenues are just not there. We will try to increase revenues, but we don’t want to increase taxes. All the projections are telling us that it is going to be worse next year.
Thanks to Marc Auclair for many years of service on the Board of Fire Engineers.
Thank you to Joe Coggans for always being there and many many years of service. Thank you also for being Vice Chairman, he was always willing to step in when needed.
Welcome Brian Ashmankas, we all get along well -welcome aboard.
New Drainlayer-A&G Construction- Did not show.
New Drainlayer-Highfield Developer Corp-Being asked to do connections in Millbury.
Motion to allow the new drainlayer made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
DPW Update by Director John McGarry, P.E.
*See attached list.
Selectman Schold mentioned that the boy scouts are putting up flags on Saturday-Mr. McGarry will have the fertilization moved to beginning of week.
Selectman King asked about sink hole at boat ramp; West Main Street bump; can we get base coat for West Main instead of keeping the patch for a year. Mr. McGarry explained that it is standard practiced to have it settle over the winter. Selectman King would like a base coat before winter. He will talk to them about curb to curb.
Mr. McGarry is sending NStar a reminder of the promises made last year.
Selectman Stowell wanted a timeframe for widening Ward Ave. Mr. McGarry thought it would be done in July.
Chairman Plante said that last Wednesday the lawn was not mowed-he knows that it was taken care of on Friday. The wooden enclosures make the cemetery look nicer.
Town Manager Report
Mr. Spain has appointed Todd Army to the Emergency Management Agency.
Motion to concur with the appointment by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Spain has appointed Claire Forgues to the Millbury Cultural Council.
Motion to concur with the appointment made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Wheelabrator tonnage-up about 94 tons for the year but we are still within allotted amount.
Selectman Ashmankas wondered about how many people were recycling. Most people do recycle.
The tank has a couple more tests-but he thinks they will be ok. The DEP has to sign off of that-so far no product was found.
Mr. Spain read a letter to Kevin Krassopoulos from RSVP naming him as Worcester Area Volunteers Community Partner of the Year!
Town Meeting went fairly smooth. There will be a definite effect on the operations of the Town because of the cuts. We will be posting the DPW position, Fire Engineer position and Town Clerk position.
Chairman Plante reiterated that nobody sitting on this Board that wants to lay people off. He wants to thank everybody for working together at the town meeting.
The bids for the fire trucks were opened. We will not get the truck for about a year. The borrowing will not happen until 2012.
Overall the state of the town is pretty good. The DPW is coming along with the help of the Board closing the transfer station on Tuesdays. Working together with the school committee was a big help. The Roadway Advisory Committee mentioned that Ch. 90 money will not help everything--we need to start planning for future fixes. We do not see the recovery yet, but would like to hope that one is coming. The Town is doing well with the books and with the roads we have made great strides. Mr. Spain is confident that the workers will get the cemetery looking good, working on other cemeteries too. He is overall pleased with the progress they are making-the department heads in this town are phenomenal.
Selectman King asked about the Finance Capital Committee-Chairman Plante said that we suspended it until times were a little better. Finance Director has mentioned that they should start thinking about it soon. Mr. Spain thinks maybe they should put together a bylaw to make it a permanent board combining the Finance and Capital Planning Committees. This year’s budget was cut by several hundred thousands of dollars about a 1.1% cut of last year’s budget.
On A Good Note: Selectman Stowell wanted to mention the senior senior prom was a great night! This is a great collaboration between the High School and the Senior Center.
Chairman Plante mentioned the Arbor Day celebration at the newly planted European Copper Beach tree. It looks terrific! Many thanks to Warren Gardner for putting this together!
There was also a thank you party for Mt. Ararat-another great purchase for the Town. Anytime you can get a nice piece of land it works out better for the town.
Old Business
Selectman Schold asked about the Providence Street Bridge. They are waiting for the tenants to leave the house. Just went out to bid. Takes about 120 days-they expect to start in July.
Mr. Spain said that they are making progress with National Grid on the common issues and Brian Circle.
Previous Minutes:
Motion made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes of the Tuesday April 13, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Selectman Ashmankas abstained).
Motion made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes of the Tuesday April 20, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Selectman Ashmankas abstained).
Motion made by Selectman Ashmankas, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes of the Tuesday May 4, 2010 meeting.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mail:
Letter for National Police Week May 9 - May 15 and National Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor and remembrance of fallen police officers Saturday May 15, 2010 which flags should be displayed half mast. A Proclamation was read.
A letter from John McGarry regarding a commendation for the Sewer Dept from for their around the clock work due to the torrential rains on March 30th, with their work there was no sewerage backup.
Executive Session
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Schold to move into Executive Session at 8:15 p.m. under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraph 3 to discuss collective bargaining and Paragraph 6 to consider the purchase of real property.
Selectman King - Yes
Selectman Schold - Yes
Selectman Stowell - Yes
Selectman Ashmankas -Yes
Chairman Plante -Yes
Chairman Plante stated that the Board will leave Executive Session solely to adjourn.
The Board returned to open session as 9:45 p.m.
Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Stowell to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes, Secretary, Bd of Selectmen
E. Bernard Plante, __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Kenneth I. Schold __________________________
Brian W. Stowell __________________________
Brian M. Ashmankas __________________________
Its Board of Selectmen
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