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Board of Selectmen Minutes 03/27/2012
March 27, 2012                                                                  7:15 p.m.
____________________________________________________________________________
Present:        Board of Selectmen:  E. Bernard Plante, Francis King, Kenneth I. Schold, Brian Stowell, Brian Ashmankas; Brian Turbitt, Chief Mark Moore, Frank Irr, Steve Balestieri, Susan Spencer, Tom Reilly and other concerned citizens.
Absent: Bob Spain


Approval of Town Meeting Warrant:  Brian Turbitt went through each article and briefly explained the article.  Selectman Ashmankas asked if the capital improvements were the reason why the free cash was higher.  No, they appropriate it all then transfer it.  Chairman Plante asked if the street sweeper money was for one or two?  Only one.

Motion to approve the Warrant made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.

Rob McNeil:  Good News, we were awarded a CIC grant which we collaborated with 12 other communities to regionalize municipal storm water management.  Update on Barday, they have recovered a substantial amount of phenol in the ground water.  They drilled 2 monitoring wells at the DPW garage; initial results are extremely low levels and expect them to be undetectable soon.  The numbers should be provided tomorrow.  Going out to bid for the roof rehab for the DPW garage, bid opening April 12th.  We had to ask for more money at town meeting as the funds previously asked for are not enough.  It is a steel roof that has completely rusted through.  Have a change order request looking to execute this week at the old farmhouse on the DPW site to dispose of the lead paint and asbestos.   EPA storm water report is due in May.  Contract for removal of underground storage tanks will be going out soon and out to bid later this summer.  Time to update the emergency action plans for the 3 dams we are responsible for.  Moving forward with seasonal help, 2 have started this week and now accepting applications for seasonal help, we will hire an additional 6.  Received base map from the engineer for McCracken Rd and Greenwood Street.  Have filed with the Conservation Commission, so that we can start moving forward with the planning process.  Met with DOT and sitting down with CMRPC and engineers to conceptualize plans.  Winter planting has to be removed from the cemetery.  Putting announcement for annual spring cleanup; brush chipping at the highway garage on April 7, 21 and May 5 and 19 from 8:00 am -12:00 pm.  We are hoping to get a new sweeper at town meeting, looking to outsource or rental for this spring.  Submitting reimbursements for FEMA for the October storm.  Private road plowing, Millbury never voted to adopt MGL Ch. 6C section 40 to approve usage of town money for plowing private roads.  They are reviewing the 25% plan for West Main and Elmwood for replacement of bridge.  Meeting with WPI professor to get students involved in achieving records for old cemeteries.  Selectman Schold said that there are some important people from the civil war buried in Dwinell Cemetery; and asked when the Greenwood Street Bridge would be closed?  It is closing April 2nd.  Selectman King asked about the McCracken Road project and if there was any interest from the businesses for money for the design project?  They had meetings with Mall representatives early on and will be meeting with them shortly with more hard costs and more understanding of the project.  It is our intent to have the mall and other parties participate.  Designs for Round Pond dam are in the works.

Chief Moore introduced Jason Burdett who is interested in transferring from Oxford PD.  He is 31 years old, married with 2 daughters; he began his career in Hartford CT then went to the Oxford PD.  He has decided to come to Millbury because it is a growing community and holds a lot of potential for him.  Selectman Stowell said that his background was impressive, all of the Board agreed.  He has had a great career and appreciates the positive comments.  Selectman King asked what was the toughest situation he has been in and how did he deal with it?  Anything dealing with children, accidents, what not.  Chairman Plante asked how he feels about community policing.  He has nothing negative to say about Oxford, he is a big believer in community policing and getting out of your car.  Selectman Ashmankas asked about how he handles conflict between coworkers?  He stays out of that stuff.

Chief Moore recommends Jason Burdett as a lateral as his work experience is impression, his experience in big city and small town, military experience, firearms instructor, member of the swat team, and not one bad thing in his background.  With his experience Chief Moore recommends being hired at the senior patrolman salary.

Motion to appoint Jason Burdett within a 30 day time period and passing a physical with a senior patrolman salary made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.

TGI Friday’s:  Change of Manager:
Gene Ryan became Manager of TGI Friday’s, Millbury in November and has held a liquor license before for Unos in Sturbridge.
Motion to approve change made by Selectman Schold, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas.
Motion carried unanimously.

2nd Reading of Transparency Policy:
Selectman Ashmankas explained the policy.  He would like an operations report each month, monthly financial expenditures report and a quarterly report on departmental relations given to the Board.  
Motion for the second reading to move it on the next step by Selectman Ashmankas, seconded for discussion by Selectman Stowell.
Selectman Stowell mentioned that the town manager does already do a lot of the reporting that is mentioned but there are certain amendments that reflect back on the Charter that ask for more information.  Selectman Ashmankas said that it is to benefit the board and the manager.  Selectman King asked how to go about doing this because it adds to the Charter.  Selectman Ashmankas stated it does not change the Charter, it is a policy outlining what the Board wants for information.  
Chairman Plante suggested that he meet with the manager and pass it by the attorney.
Motion carried unanimously.

Previous Minutes  
Motion to approve the minutes of the March 13, 2012 meeting made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas.
Motion carried unanimously.

Town Manager Report
Finance Director Brian Turbitt filled in for Mr. Spain as he had a death in the family:
As part of the green communities act we have received three solar trash compactors.  One is here, one is at the library and one is at the High school.
We are applying jointly with the Town of Sutton for a grant.  You must be designated a green community to apply.  Also all joint applicants must be contiguous and be green communities.
This will allow citizens to get cheaper rates to covert to Solar.
We plan on having a friendly competition between the Towns for bragging rights
Odor Complaint at property near Mall:  Cox Industries stores utility poles at the site.  We have received several complaints regarding the smell.  Our Board of Health is working with DEP on this issue. They met with representatives of the company and the property owner March 20th.  There is some concern with the potential effect on groundwater.
Beginning this month the manager will be providing copies of legal bills which list the subject and time spent by attorneys on matters referred to them.  If any member has questions on them just let him know and he will give a more in depth answer.  He will continue to update the Board on major issues when necessary.
Follow-up Items:
Town Hall Painting- Inmates have completed their work.  Our maintenance is completing things they couldn’t get to within the time allowed.  He believes this saved us over $10k in costs.  Sheriff Evangelidis stopped by and the manager was able to thank him personally for the Town.
Radius Health- Toured the building.  Needs some work but is a fairly large space.
Millbury Ave Street sign - The Millbury Ave Street sign reported by Selectmen King was fixed on 3/14/12.

Mail:
Letter from Chief Moore for the Millbury Police Department Motorcycle Patrol Unit.  Officer Guyan is interested in reinstituting the program and has approached businesses for donations.  The following businesses have donated:  MSB, Joel Rubbish, Direnzo, Goretti’s.   Selectman Stowell asked if the motorcycle would be made available to other officers/shifts. Chief Moore would like to keep it to the day shift for now.
Thank you for the continued support of these businesses.  
Motion to accept the donations by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Schold.
Motion carried unanimously.

Selectman Ashmankas said that the high school is in need of VCRs.

On A Good Note
The National Honor Society will be putting on the Senior Senior Prom March 30th at the senior center.  Please attend; it is always a good time.

Happy 50th Birthday to Mary Krumsiek!

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 1,4 and 5 .                            
                                                        Selectman King          - Yes
                                                        Selectman Schold                - Yes
                                                        Selectman Ashmankas      -Yes
                                                        Selectman Stowell        -Yes
                                                        Chairman Plante          -Yes

Chairman Plante announced the Board would return only to adjourn.

Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to adjourn at 9:30 p.m., seconded by Selectman King 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