October 26, 2010 7:25 p.m.
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Present: Board of Selectmen: Chairman E. Bernard Plante, Francis B. King, Kenneth I. Schold, Brian W. Stowell, Brian M. Ashmankas; Town Manager Spain, Matt Belsito, Bob Blackman, Joe and Jane Cormier, Donna Boynton, Tom Riley, Edd Cote, Tara Johnson and concerned citizens.
Chairman Plante presented Mr. Vincent “Joe” Cormier with a clock for his many years of service to the town as the Wire Inspector. It is a loss for the Town. Mr. Cormier was appointed in 1979 and has done a marvelous job. Mr. Spain wishes Joe and Jane the best. Thank you for everything you have done.
Public Hearing: Tax Classification- Selectman Schold read public hearing notice at 7:32 pm into record.
Dennis Piel spoke for the Board of Assessors. They are proposing a single tax rate for the Town.
Selectman Ashmankas asked for a split tax rate and give a small business exemption. When the mall came to town it was promised that there would be tax relief for the citizens. He would like it to still be competitive but not as high as Worcester. He contacted 8 out of the 10 towns that assess this split rate and they felt they did not lose any business.
Chairman Plante also did some research and he relies on the Board of Assessors for their opinion. Jude Cristo said that the Assessors look at this every year. The last thing we want to do is to deter businesses from coming to this town. We need businesses in this community.
Selectman Ashmankas asked for a slight raise to the commercial rate, not a huge one.
Mr. Spain noted that we would also be competing with the surrounding towns that have a single tax rate if we went to a split rate. The mall pays 1.4 million in taxes.
Motion made by Selectman King to use single tax rate, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried 4-1 (Selectman Ashmankas opposed)
Motion to close Public Hearing at 7:45 pm by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Matt Belsito-Director of EMA- Bob Beausoleil paved the way for the EMA and Mr. Belsito is building on it. There are now 13 members, they have monthly meetings and are trying to be more visible. They have been helping at Butler Farm; they assisted the Board of Health with the flu clinics and they also have a 5 ton army truck-Mr. Belsito would like to thank Tommy O’Connell who donated his time to fix this truck. They have 2 military trucks stocks and ready to go. They are doing some training with the Federal Government and military at the VFW at 11 am on November 7th and it should be a great day. The donations and fund raisers have raised $2,939.65. The Emergency Management Agency is here to serve the town.
The emergency shelter would be the high school for a longer period of time; the senior center for short stays. Selectman Stowell wanted to mention that they are saving a lot of money by purchasing surplus items. Chairman Plante and Mr. Spain wanted to thank them all.
Public Hearing- Verizon Pole Petition-Selectman Schold read public hearing notice at 7:55 pm
Paul Schnieder spoke for Verizon; they are moving the pole on Brightside Ave over 12 feet. Doug Cadell from Brightside spoke saying that this has been for going on for years and this needs to be done now. Poles should not be anchored in the trees as this is unsafe.
Motion to approve pole petition by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion to close public hearing made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King at 8:00 pm.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mary Krumsiek spoke to let everyone know that the Chain of Lights will be held Sunday, December 5, 2010.
DPW Director John McGarry Update- *See attached list
Selectman Stowell wanted to know where we stand on Elmwood Street paving; Aggregate got behind-but will come back next week and it will be completed.
Mr. McGarry is asking the Board to allow road closure for finish work.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King to close Elmwood Street on November 1-5. Motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Schold asked why all the boards were not put back at Dorothy Pond. Mr. McGarry goes by the emergency spillway, but will take notice next year.
The Transfer Station will be closed Thursday November 11 Veterans Day, November 25th Thanksgiving, and November 26th.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to approve the closures, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.
Selectman King wanted to know why West Main Street took so long to get the sidewalk fixed.
Selectman Ashmankas wanted an update on the snow and ice expo. Mr. McGarry did go and he got some information that he is looking into. He will be attending another seminar on November 17th. He will be looking for alternative deicing methods. Chairman Plante mentioned that New Hampshire ordered the new deicing material and he will find out how that worked out for them last year.
Finance Director Brian Turbitt- Fraud Protection Policy. The auditors suggested one change; they did not want the finance director be the person that suspicions of fraud are reported to they thought it should be the Town Manager and we are making that change.
Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the change, Selectman Ashmankas wanted the word City changed to Town.
Motion with the changes made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Investment Policy- The FDIC made changes to insure accounts up to $250,000 which used to be $100,000 and this is the only change.
Motion made by Selectman Ashmankas to approve change, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License - Boston’s Best Bartending - Asa Waters - October 29, 2010
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas to approve the license.
Motion carried unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License - Marie’s Catering - Asa Waters - November 6, 2010
Motion made by Selectman Ashmankas, seconded by Selectman Schold to approve the license.
Motion carried unanimously.
One-Day Liquor License - Banks Catering - Asa Waters - November 13, 2010
Motion made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas to approve the license.
Motion carried unanimously.
Previous Minutes
October 12, 2010- Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Executive Session September 28, 2010- Motion made by Selectman Schold to approve the minutes, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas.
Motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Report *see attached list.
The Selectmen need to call for a list to fill a vacancy at the Police Department.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to call for the list, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
The Board would like a lateral officer or layoff list.
The Chief has asked for no parking on Sycamore Street.
Selectman Schold wanted to know if there is parking for the citizens who live there. The Manager has suggested no parking one side of the street and see how that works out.
Motion made by Selectman Schold for parking on one side of Sycamore Street, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Recently redid Electric and Gas contracts. We try to get a fixed rate for budgeting reasons and this year both Gas and Electric are down and should save us some money.
Mr. Spain wants to thank Rick Bedard from the school for helping with the contracts.
Old/New Business
Selectman Stowell asked when the Operations Manager will be posted. None of the positions will be posted until after the election.
Selectman Stowell also wants to thank Rick Bedard and the School committee for accepting the Fuel Efficiency Policy.
Selectman King asked the Boards support in reinstating the Personnel Board. He would like this to assist the manager in contract talks and have another alternative for employees if they have an issue.
Mr. Spain asked the Board to take it under advisement and bring it up next meeting so they can discuss it further.
Mail
Proclamation read for Susan Miles who is retiring from the school.
Motion made by Selectman King to sign the proclamation, seconded by Selectman Schold. Motion carried unanimously.
Letter from the Bicentennial Committee regarding donations totaling $16,670.00.
Motion made by Selectman Schold to accept the donations, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas. Motion carried unanimously.
On a Good Note
Thanks to Selectman King for the crock pot cook-off and donating approximately $1,000 to Bicentennial Committee. Melissa King, Mary Clark and Karen Gagliardi won prizes.
Asa Waters Task Force held a Sam Adams Dinner to help fund the replacement of the widows walk. It was a good time and a great success. They are looking to do it again in the spring.
Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Schold to adjourn at 8:45 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes, Secretary
E. Bernard Plante __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Kenneth I. Schold __________________________
Brian W. Stowell __________________________
Brian M. Ashmankas __________________________
Board of Selectmen
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