Board of Selectmen
June 28, 2010
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Sheila H. Dibb, Chairman - Joseph R. Becker, Vice-Chairman, Michael Pantos – Clerk, Leroy C. Clark and Cherilyn A. Bulger
Treasury Warrant #26 – Mr. Pantos moved to sign Treasury Warrant #26. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from May 17, 2010. Ms. Bulger seconded. Three yeas – Mr. Pantos and Mr. Becker abstained.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the minutes from June 15, 2010. Mr. Clark seconded. Four yeas – Ms. Bulger abstained.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the executive session minutes from May 17, 2010. Mr. Clark seconded. Three yeas – Mr. Becker and Mr. Pantos abstained.
DPW:
Gary Kellaher, DPW Superintendent, is on vacation.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the reserve fund transfer for $3,499 to 421-5130 Highway wages and forward to the Finance Committee. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the interdepartmental transfers of $3,000 from 422-5530 to 421 5130, $700 from 422 -5532 to 421-5130, $150 from 422-5536 to 421-5130, $900 422-5542 to 421-5130, $1,500 from 429-5200 to 421-5130 and $2,500 from 430-5400 to 421-5130 and forward to the Finance Committee. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to sign the interdepartmental transfer of $2,200 from 440-5400 to 440-5200 and forward to the Finance Committee. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the DPW Superintendent’s bid recommendation for process chemicals as presented (see attached). Ms. Bulger seconded. Mr. Becker read each material and the awarded company. Vote unanimous.
Trees at 45 Prescott Street – A concerned resident at this address requested Gary Kellaher, the tree warden, review the trees marked for removal in front of her property by National Grid. Mr. Becker relayed that Mr. Kellaher recommended two be removed and two can be saved by pruning (pictures provided). Mr. Becker moved the tree warden’s recommendation be supported by the Board. Mr. Clark seconded. Four yeas – Mrs. Dibb nay.
POLICE:
Chief Baril was absent. Letter from EOPSS was read concerning zero tolerance policy on seat belt violation. Chief Baril stated earlier in the day that the policy had already been implemented.
FIRE:
Regional Dispatch meeting last week had great attendance per Chief Ruchala. Mr. Becker thanked the Chief and stated that now we hopefully can move forward. Mr. Clark questioned the Chief on the cell tower to which he stated that he has been in contact but has no new information at this point.
OPEN SESSION:
Tom Dufault, Chairman of the Primary Building Committee submitted a copy of Article #5 of the December, 2004 Special Town Meeting. They are contacting tradespeople, real estate brokers, architects, etc. regarding possible building use the town could pursue. Mr. Dufault is inquiring about the availability of the remaining money in the article. Mr. Becker stated he would like to see a “cap” on the expendable funds (not on demolition). Mr. Becker made a motion that the Board approve spending up to $3,000 from Article #5 of the December, 2004 Special Town Meeting for professional services related only to remodeling. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Colleen Abrams (Wachusett Greenways – Rail Trail) Update - Discussion on closing down Pommogussett Road for approximately one month this summer in order to work on an underpass for the rail trail. Costs should range from $100,000 - $120,000. Lengthy discussion – Rutland to handle traffic management, water line would need to be relocated and discussed the paving work being contracted out by the Town. Mr. Clark questioned the liability to the town if conservation / contamination problems arise. Dick Williams said he does not foresee any problems and would place hay bales on site. Initially 10 x 10 culvert was discussed, now an 8 x 10 would suffice. Mr. Pantos is concerned with the road not opening back up in time for school bus runs with redistricting taking place. Ms.
Abrams stated that the road would be closed from August 2 – 27 and school begins on September 1 so it should not interfere. The Fire Chief also stated that the road closure would add 5 to 6 minutes to response time to folks living beyond the closed off area. Mr. Becker would like to wait until the DPW Superintendent can be present before making any decisions; he is also concerned with the funding / budgeting and the timeline as well as engineering issues. He stated that waiting until next year may be best as it seems to be rushed at this point. Several residents spoke to the topic. Addison Redfield has concerns with the town spending money that has not been budgeted; Paul Dinsdale has concerns over damage to vehicles with having to use alternate routes. Mr. Dufault stated that a traffic report was completed approximately three years ago and should be on file in the Planning Board office. Mrs. Dibb spoke in favor of the project. A meeting
will be posted for July 6, 2010 to discuss further (DCR & liability, engineering, timelines).
7:30 p.m. – Barbara Van Renterghem of Nick Alan Circle and Jerry Galvin of Carly Circle came before the Board regarding the letter from Blair Builders they received concerning the road acceptance at Central Tree Estates. Louis Cornacchioli was also present for the same reason. Mrs. Dibb recapped the events leading up to the non-acceptance vote at town meeting. Mr. Cornacchioli wanted to know if the roads will be placed on the special town meeting in the fall; because if not, he will collect the required number of signatures and force a special town meeting. Mrs. Dibb explained that if the residents of the development had gone to town meeting, the vote probably would have been different. Mr. Becker stated that he feels the roads should have been layed out. The fire chief stated
that the hydrants were shown on an original plan and are not there now. Mr. Becker would like to set a meeting for July 8, 2010 at 6:30 with everyone involved: Blair Builders, Planning Board, Town Counsel, DPW Superintendent, Fire Chief and Selectmen to resolve this problem. Residents may attend.
Mr. Cornacchioli questioned the Board on the criteria used in selecting the Police Chief Search Committee. Board members stated their own personal criteria.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Interdepartmental Transfer of Funds for the Selectmen clerical wages $164 from Account 122-5700 to 122-5130 and $74 from Account 241-5200 to 241-5130. Mr. Pantos moved to approve the transfer. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Invitation to the July 4th parade – The Selectmen will meet at Naquag to march in the parade.
Bike & doll carriage parade – Mr. Becker and Mr. Clark will serve as judges and Mrs. Dibb will step in if needed.
Pancake breakfast at the Council on Aging – Mr. Becker, Mrs. Dibb and Mr. Pantos will attend.
DPW reports that everything is ready for the July 4th festivities.
Invitation to Wachusett Earthday’s annual meeting in Holden – Mrs. Dibb and Mr. Pantos will attend.
Letter was read regarding increased benefit payments for veterans. Mr. Becker suggested sending to Finance Committee and placing it in the folder for the special town meeting in October.
Letter from resident about parties being held at the town pool. Mr. Becker would like to check liability issues with MIIA. No action will be taken this summer – will revisit when pool closes.
WRSDC – Sick leave buyback for two teachers; will be placed in folder for October special town meeting.
Devereux annual town appreciation breakfast July 15, 2010 at 8 am – Mr. Pantos will attend.
NEW BUSINESS:
Mr. Becker moved to appoint Kevin McCarthy to the Health Insurance Advisory Committee. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to appoint Richard Salls, Mark Moisio and Ralph Anderson as constables. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ms. Bulger moved to accept the resignation of Michele Van Reet from the Council on Aging. Mr. Becker seconded. Vote unanimous. Mr. Becker thanked her for her work – will add the opening to the website and cable.
Conservation Restrictions for Hillcrest Acres, Moose Crossing and Fieldstone Estates will be tabled due to no response from Town Counsel. Will be added to next meeting.
Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission is holding a hearing in Princeton at 6:30 p.m. Dick Williams and Mike Pantos will attend and report back on July 26th meeting.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the fiscal year 2011 payroll certification as presented and as budgeted. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Becker moved to accept the Recreation fiscal year 2011 employee wage certification as presented by the Director and Committee. Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussed objectives and timelines for police chief search committee. Mr. Becker would like to review in order to convey them to the committee. Full consideration until June 25, 2010, but will be a rolling acceptance of applications. Some discussion.
Memorial Field conversion from a Babe Ruth Field to a Little League Field. Mr. Becker moved to approve the request of the Rutland Little League to convert the section of Memorial Field into a Little League Field from a Babe Ruth Field at their expense after August 22, 2010 (Chowder Challenge). Ms. Bulger seconded. Vote unanimous.
Open Meeting Law – Mrs. Dibb explained that there is no extension on implementation per Senator Brewer and stated that it will begin on July 1. 2010. Short discussion.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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