Board of Selectmen
March 19, 2012
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Joseph R. Becker, Chairman; Michael Pantos, Vice-Chairman; Sheila H. Dibb, Leroy C. Clark, Peter Letsky, Clerk and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary.
Mr. Clark moved to sign Treasury warrant #19 and payroll. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from March 12, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Becker abstaining.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from March 5, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the executive session minutes from March 5, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
DPW:
Superintendent Kellaher notified the Board that we are presently maintaining two unaccepted roadways (Edith Lane and Karen Way). No local aid can be applied to these roads. Mr. Becker would like to start the process of road acceptance. Mr. Kellaher further explained that all roads that have been accepted since 2008/09 need to be filed.
Bid openings for the wall reconstruction at the town pool: Comeau Excavating was lowest bidder and recommended by Mr. Kellaher pending favorable references as well as an insurance binder. Recreation needs to authorize the spending of funds. Mr. Pantos moved the Superintendent’s recommendation subject to the authorization of Recreation for funding. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Putnam Park – Wires have been taken down, brush has been piled and will be cleaned out once the ground dries up so equipment can be brought in per Mr. Kellaher.
Primary Building – Dismantling boiler for town hall. Other departments have been asking for surplus material. Mr. Kellaher is suggesting a 40-foot storage unit to store the material to auction or bid at a later date. Discussion on process of demolition and article process. Mr. Kellaher will contact the state for municipal sale of goods.
Library maintenance letter from Trustees – Mr. Kellaher and Mr. Clark viewed the areas in question. Mr. Clark suggested if the Town does the maintenance work then other town departments should have access to the storage area in the basement of the library for meetings, etc. The Superintendent stated that two DPW workers would take a good month to complete the repair; and it can be handled with the current DPW staff. A space needs discussion will be added to a future agenda. Ms. Dibb moved to have the repair work at the Library done by the DPW. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Debt service for the water tank needs to be added to the water bills. Lengthy discussion. Mr. Pantos moved to adjust the water billing to include $21.09 quarterly per billed user for water tank construction and related engineering and also to include a descriptive insert. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Discussion on sewer rate structure will be added to next agenda.
POLICE:
Inspector of Animals: Laura Pease filled out paperwork to be added as an Inspector of Animals. Leroy Clark is the primary and Ms. Pease will be an additional inspector. Mr. Pantos moved to appoint Laura Pease as an additional Inspector of Animals. Mr. Letsky seconded for discussion. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Clark abstaining.
Chief Haapakoski brought forward and introduced the three new part-time police officers appointed at the last meeting: Sean Cooney, John Songy and Mai Grover. The Board welcomed them to town. Barre dispatch meeting at 3:15 pm in the Public Safety Building tomorrow at 3:15. Ms. Dibb will attend.
FIRE:
Keying system project in town has been completed. Each person has an individual code. Acting Chief Knipe brought forth the legal description/ad for the disposal of two surplus vehicles. Sealed bids opened on April 30th at 11 am.
Chairman Becker read a thank you letter from a resident praising the action of the police, fire and dispatch during a recent call to her house.
Reviewed the draft job description / ad for the fire chief position. With a couple of minor changes, all accept the draft for publication.
OPEN SESSION:
7 pm – Dangerous Dog Hearing: “Buddy” a bull mastiff owned by Trenton & Heather Bell attacked and killed “Lily” a bishon frise owned by Richard & Judy Wood. Animal Control Officer, Laura Pease, read a detailed summary of the incident as well as a list of recommendations for aggressive dog behavior. Anthony Sidoti was present as his dog “Mattie” was attacked by Buddy as well. After hearing from both parties, the Board reviewed the recommendations from Laura Pease. The following was moved by Mr. Pantos, seconded by Mr. Letsky, voted unanimously and ordered by the Board:
1. Buddy be enrolled in an ongoing behavioral training administered by a qualified trainer specializing in training dogs with aggression problem behaviors within two weeks. Simple obedience or socialization classes do not qualify as adequate training.
2. Buddy be neutered immediately and documentation from the vet be filed with the selectmen’s office.
3. Buddy to be micro-chipped immediately and the chip number filed with the selectmen’s office.
4. Effective immediately, Buddy must never be allowed loose or running at large within the Town of Rutland.
5. Buddy must wear a correctly fitted metal basket muzzle whenever he is outside the house and not contained in a locked kennel or fence approved by the Animal Control Officer adequate to contain him. To be completed in two weeks.
6. Effective immediately, when outside the house and not in an enclosure, Buddy must be walked on an adequately strong lead no longer than 6 feet in length and only be walked by an adult capable of controlling a dog weighing over 100 pounds.
7. The owners of Buddy contact the Police Dispatch immediately if Buddy should get loose so the ACO can go right out looking for him.
8. If Buddy is found to be running at large in town, once located he will immediately be picked up by the ACO and held in a secure facility at the owners’ expense until a selectmen’s hearing can be held to determine what further measures are required to assure public safety.
9. If the Bells choose not to keep Buddy, they must notify the Police Dispatch and Selectboard that the dog is being sold, given away or moving out of town and furnish the location where the dog is going with a name, phone number and location of the new owner.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Invitation to regional meeting in Holden to discuss WRSD budget issue. All but Mr. Clark will attend – will rsvp tomorrow.
NEW BUSINESS:
Request for the permit fee for electrical work at the library to be waived. Mr. Pantos moved to grant the fee waiver. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Ballot questions for Annual Town Meeting warrant have an April 9th deadline. Lengthy discussion – ballot questions will be added to the Thursday, March 22nd agenda. Some discussion on the Bay Path renovation project.
OLD BUSINESS:
Discussion on the adoption of remote participation (940 CMR 29.00) at meetings. Some discussion on the key points. Mr. Pantos moved to allow the adoption of remote participation at meetings (all appointed and elected departments). Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Memo and information to be sent informing all departments (appointed and elected).
Appointment to the WRSD Task Force – Mr. Clark moved to appoint Mr. Pantos as the point person with Ms. Dibb as the back up. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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