Board of Selectmen
September 8, 2009
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Leroy C. Clark – Chairman, Cherilyn A. Bulger – Vice Chairman, Joseph R. Becker – Clerk, Nancy Macaruso – Secretary. Sheila H. Dibb arrived at 7:05 pm.
Mr. Becker moved to sign Treasury Warrant #5 Police, Fire, DPW payrolls, etc. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the minutes from August 24, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker move to accept the minutes from August 27, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker moved to accept the Executive Session minutes from August 24, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker moved to accept the Executive Session minutes from August 27, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
6 pm – Daniel Haynes, Town Accountant introduced Pat Squillante from Melanson & Heath to the Board and she presented the management letter and explained the bulleted points for the fiscal year 2008 audit that was recently completed. She expressed very few corrections and no large adjustments were needed this year.
REPORT OF TOWN DEPARTMENTS
DPW:
1. Chapter 90 work beginning September 23 – 25, 2009.
2. Sassawanna Road issue has been resolved.
3. Vista Circle – Sinkhole problem; Superintendent is working with Cullinan Eng.
4. Richards Avenue, Brunelle Drive & Winifred’s Way – stumps have been removed and some final work needs to be done – an article may be needed for sidewalk repair.
5. The Superintendent had a meeting with DCR and MWRA – will be moving to a fiscal payment cycle rather than a calendar cycle. We will be credited for the 6 or 7 easements they have requested the DPW take care of.
6. Upper Blackstone meeting (sewer) is next Wednesday.
7. Grease trap inspections; Mr. Kellaher is working with Board of Health on the proper disposal of grease.
8. Winter season – new rates (fuel, trucks, etc.) will be published on the website. The builders will be billed for plowing / sanding unaccepted public ways; some may be grandfathered. Some discussion.
9. The Superintendent will be working with Sally Hayden regarding the Sewer Rate Relief Fund and will have it ready for the next Selectmen’s meeting.
POLICE: Absent / personal day.
FIRE:
Chief Ruchala handed out packets from a recent regionalization presentation at Holy Cross. He also presented invitations to Dave Root’s retirement party. A 9-1-1 Grant has been awarded ($50,000 – planning and development). The automobile inspection process through the DPW is working well. A 9-1-1 Remembrance Ceremony will be held at 9:30 am on Friday at the Fire Station.
OPEN SESSION:
7 pm – Peter Brennan from WRSD was present to explain the Statement of Interest pertaining to Naquag renovations (roof, windows, boiler). He would like the Board’s support which would allow it to be added to the MSBA list. The only commitment the Board is making is expressing interest. Once placed on the list, it could take 5-6 years before any action is taken. Lengthy discussion followed. Mrs. Bulger moved to support the WRSD in submitting a Statement of Interest to the MSBA concerning Naquag Elementary School renovations. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Discussion with Mr. Brennan regarding the street lights on the right side of Naquag Elementary School and the road between Naquag and Central Tree Middle School which the Board voted at a previous meeting to shut off. Mr. Brennan explained the district will look into one of the lights, which is a flood light and the possibility of gaining control within the school. Another suggestion was to have the town gain control of the lights and put them on a timer. Discussion on how the lights came to be because the road is not a town road and that they may have been part of the building project. Lengthy discussion. Mr. Brennan will contact National Grid to discuss further. Mrs. Dibb will draft a letter to National Grid to be approved by the Board.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Per Assessor’s memo, new growth was certified by the DOR on September 1, 2009. FY 2010 has a value of $15,623,000 or $187,320 which is down from FY 2009.
NEW BUSINESS:
Ms. Bulger moved to appoint Donald D’Auteuil to the RDIC. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to authorize the Chairman to sign the Application for Withdrawal of Accumulated Total Deductions (Worcester Regional Retirement Board paperwork) for Nancy Burbank, former COA director. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Per Sally Hayden, she was notified today that the state auditor has determined the primary state election is a state mandate and the cost will be reimbursable. Mr. Becker stated that we will be going into the Fall Special Town Meeting with an approximate $35,000 shortfall.
Conservation Restrictions – Norm Anderson explained the process to the Board. Pertaining to Mr. Soucy’s and Mr. Votruba’s applications, they will be retaining ownership of the open space protecting it from future development. Lengthy discussion ensued. Mr. Becker moved to sign the Conservation Restrictions for Moose Crossing, Fieldstone Estates and Hillcrest Acres. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous with Mrs. Dibb abstaining.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the 3rd Amendment to the School Lease Agreement pending Town Counsel review. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Kenwood Court – petition to lay public ways (Gary Liimatainen). Mr. Becker moved to introduce the petition. Cherilyn seconded. Vote unanimous. The process will begin.
Kerry Remington came before the Board to explain that she needs to apply for a waiver and that her state aid forms for certification were needed back from the Board as soon as possible. Some confusion as the Board thought it was represented differently at Town Meeting. She will check with Jackie O’Brien / Dan Haynes.
Mr. Becker moved to set a Special Town Meeting for October 26, 2009 at 7 pm in Naquag Elementary. Mrs. Dibb seconded for discussion. Vote unanimous.
Mrs. Hayden informed the Board that they could petition the legislature to pass an act to put a race (open Selectboard seat) on the state election ballot in January; and in order to do so it needed to be voted at town meeting. Discussion on time frames ensued. Mrs. Dibb moved to set a Special Town Meeting on September 23, 2009 at 7 pm at Naquag Elementary. Ms. Bulger seconded. Discussion. Mrs. Dibb amended her motion to set a Special Town Meeting for Tuesday, September 29, 2009. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous. Mrs. Dibb will work with Mrs. Hayden to move this forward.
A meeting will be scheduled for Friday, September 11, 2009 at 5 pm to vote the language for the Special Town Meeting for September 29th.
OLD BUSINESS:
Chairman Clark read an email informing all that the Governor had signed S2077 “An Act Relative to the Recreation Revolving Fund in the Town of Rutland” into law.
ADJOURN:
Ms. Bulger moved to adjourn. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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