October 23, 2012 7:00 p.m.
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Present: Board of Selectmen: E. Bernard Plante, Francis King, Brian W. Stowell
Brian Ashmankas, Sandy J. Cristo, Town Manager, Bob Spain, Edd Cote, Susan Spencer, Kevin Koczwara and concerned citizens.
Brian Podesta explained that he would like a proclamation signed by the Board of Selectmen for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Many people die from this awful cancer, his brother Brad passed away four years ago from this. He appreciates your support and leadership on behalf on the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Chairman Plante said that we are honored to do this as he has lost many friends from this disease-it is horrible.
Selectman Stowell read the proclamation for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month for November.
Motion made by Selectman King to approve the Proclamation, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas. Motion carried unanimously.
Selectman Cristo said that the Women’s Club sells pansies in the spring to raise money for pancreatic cancer research.
Len Mort spoke regarding the Redevelopment Authority’s State Appointment. The State has dropped the ball on three people trying to get appointed.
Motion to have the Chairman write a letter in support of Travis for the State Appointment made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chairman Plante asked to send a copy of the letter to the Lt. Governor and the Senator and to make phone calls. We do not want to lose another interested person-he would be a great addition to the redevelopment authority.
Steve Kosiba spoke regarding the Blackstone Valley Regional Emergency Planning-
Motion to approve the Millbury Emergency Management Agency’s involvement in the BVREP made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Cristo.
Motion carried 4-0-1 (Selectman King abstained).
Finance Director, Brian Turbitt spoke regarding the PILOT Agreement for the McGrath Road solar farm. This PILOT guarantees 20 years of revenue. The agreement runs from 2014-2034. He still has to pay the taxes for 2012. There is a clause if there is a proposition 2 ½ override or a debt exclusion that the percentage increase to a single family home would then be applied to this agreement. It is attributable for the life of the override or debt exclusion. This agreement does not give up any rights in terms of collection, be it liens, foreclosure or what we have to do if they do not fulfill their agreement. Anything for more than a 2 kilowatt increase we can change the agreement.
After we valuated this we settled on $12,000/per kilowatt. The first year we will get approximately $45,000.00. If he gets to the 6 megawatts permitted it will be approximately $70,000/year.
There is a portion of land that is unbuildable that abuts Butler Farm adjacent to this parcel and they will gift it to the town. There is a utility purchase agreement with this-we could potentially save $100,000 annually.
Mr. Spain that the reason there is a depreciation schedule is for the solar panels-not the land. Most of the value is in the equipment not the land.
Selectman King asked about training for the emergency personnel. He is required to do that per the decision of the Planning Board.
Chairman Plante wants to know if they have worked out any other agreements with any other towns. They have 6-7 towns in process.
Selectman King thought that the planning board approved a subdivision in that area last night. It was put on hold. There is a clause in the agreement that if he does not complete the first stages by June, 2013 then we can renege on the agreement. Mr. Turbitt thinks this is a very good, well written agreement.
Motion to enter into the PILOT Agreement made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas.
Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to appoint Robert Hennel to the Historical Commission, seconded by Selectman Cristo.
Motion carried unanimously.
One Day Liquor License-Special Occasion Servers at Asa Waters, October 26, 2012.
Motion to approve the license made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Cristo.
Motion carried unanimously.
‘Black Friday’ Opening Time:
Motion to open at 12:01 am on November 23, 2012 made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman King.
Motion carried unanimously.
Holiday Liquor License Hours
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to approve the holiday openings for pouring establishments only, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas. *see attached list*
Motion carried unanimously.
Previous Minutes
Motion to approve minutes of the meeting for October 9, 2012 made by Selectman King, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Town Manager Report:
Mr. Spain is appointing the Board of Fire Engineers as Deputy Forest Fire Wardens.
Motion to concur by with the appointments of Philip Day, Richard Hamilton, Raymond Hobin and Brian Gasco as Deputy Forest Fire Warden made by Selectman Stowell, seconded by Selectman Cristo.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Spain is appointing Tim Cluett, Ben Bichotte, Stacey Vangos, Carrie Prest, Pastor Cliff Davis, Jennifer Nielsen and Barbara King to the Youth Commission.
Motion to concur with the appointments made by Selectman Ashmankas, seconded by Selectman Stowell.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Spain went to the MMA Legislative Breakfast on October 19th. The big thing they mentioned was the level funding state aid is best that you can hope for. The State has fell short each month this year. Senator Brewer said that we probably will not need 9C cuts (for this year). Hopefully the revenue will rebound.
Follow up items: Verizon is working on the double poles-it is an ongoing battle. It is helpful to remind them.
Financial Planning and Safety committees are up and running. It is going to take them awhile to build the first plan. Hopefully in September next year they will be presenting with a plan.
We have gotten more than 30 applications for the Police Chief. Chief Sampson is going through them and will make his cuts. Selectman Stowell wants Chief Sampson to do this all himself and for him not to explain to us why he is making his cuts. He just wants him to make the final call and just meet with us to let us know who the finalists are. Selectman Ashmankas wants to give
Chief Sampson the leeway to make the decision of how many he wants to put forth. Selectman Stowell wants to set up a meeting with Chief Sampson regarding how many finalists.
Old/New Business
Selectman Cristo wanted know if National Grid is doing limb trimming. Yes, they have spoken to our tree warden, Ron Despres to set this up; he is on top of them.
Selectman Cristo said that the sewer bills and tax bills coming out at the same time are not a good idea for people who are on fixed incomes. This needs to be looked at. Mr. Spain explained that we went to quarterly tax bills to help people make lower payments. He is striving for August and February for sewer bills and trying to move that to quarterly billing. They are trying to space them and be timelier.
Is there a map or listing of streets with natural gas. We can contact NStar.
Selectman King asked about the email regarding Brierly Pond. It looks like the State owns one of the dams and Windle owns the other one. We have sent a letter to DCR saying that DOT is responsible for the Street Dam. With the other piece we have to move forward and take it by eminent domain so that the town can fix it. Is there any of the Windles surviving?
A citizen complained that there is a right of way between the rite-aid and the candy shop; cars are parked there and he can’t get through. We will let the police know.
Brush on Riverlin Street needs to be cleaned up.
On a Good Note:
Congratulations and thank you to the Revolutionary War Reenactment. It was a terrific time. Many thanks to the Pearson’s and others who let us use their land.
Chairman Plante got another $2500 from Granger/Lynch for the Bicentennial Committee from the Oktoberfest.
Selectman Ashmankas said that the Youth Camp on Herricks Lane had their Spooky Acres and it gets better each year.
Mail:
Letter read by Clerk Stowell from Officer Daly regarding k-9 unit donations.
Motion made by Selectman King to accept the money, seconded for discussion by Selectman Ashmankas.
After discussion Motion to deny the money at this point made by Selectman Stowell as the Board has discussed in the past that we should wait for the new chief to make those kinds of decisions, seconded by Selectman Ashmankas.
Motion carried unanimously.
Adjournment
Motion made by Selectman Stowell to adjourn at 8:25 p.m., seconded by Selectman King. Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Tish Hayes, Secretary
E. Bernard Plante __________________________
Francis B. King __________________________
Brian W. Stowell __________________________
Brian M. Ashmankas __________________________
Sandy J. Cristo __________________________
The Board of Selectmen
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