Board of Selectmen
April 30, 2012
Community Hall Annex
6:00 pm
Present: Joseph R. Becker, Chairman; Michael Pantos, Vice-Chairman; Sheila H. Dibb, Peter Letsky, Clerk, Leroy Clark and Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Mr. Clark moved to sign Treasury warrant #22 and payroll. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from April 19, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Pantos abstaining.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from April 18, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Pantos abstaining.
Mr. Clark moved to accept the minutes from April 9, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
Mr. Letsky moved to accept the minutes from April 2, 2012 as presented. Ms. Dibb seconded. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Clark abstaining.
Ms. Dibb moved to accept the executive session minutes from April 2, 2012 as presented. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 4 to 1 with Mr. Clark abstaining.
DPW:
Bid opening for Community Hall siding – one received, reference check pending. Mr. Letsky moved to accept the bid as presented by the DPW Superintendent, pending positive reference check, from Capitol Siding for $23,980. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Furnace being moved from Primary Building to Town Hall this week.
Wall at town pool is complete, mulch & loam is needed. Some discussion on fencing.
Road construction and material bids being sent out – bid opening May 24th at 10 am.
Chapter 90 allotment is $364,000 – have not received official paperwork from MassDOT.
Connector road between Rutland Heights and CTMS – some discussion.
POLICE:
Chief Haapakoski informed the Board that a part-timer, Robert Lemire, is resigning to join the Coast Guard – will not backfill position. The Chief would like ‘No Trespassing – dusk to dawn’ signs placed at the RHH property as they’re finding people in thereduring the evening hours. Mr. Clark moved to send a letter to RDIC that the Board of Selectmen is in agreement with the Police Chief’s recommendation to place No Trespassing Dusk to Dawn signs at the RHH property. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
The Chief reported that there were a couple of very minor auto accidents during the town-wide yard sale.
FIRE:
Acting Fire Chief Knipe informed the Board that MEMA is reimbursing the Town for its response to the June 1, 2011 tornado in western Mass. which will all go into the general fund.
Two fire vehicles went out to bid – bids opened this morning. Ms. Dibb moved to award the bid per the Chief’s recommendation to: Dennis Martin ($500 for 1985 engine) and Thomas Ruchala ($1027 for the 1983 rescue truck). Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
OPEN SESSION:
Addison Redfield, RBA, invited all to ‘Meet the Candidates Night’ at the Library next Monday at 7 pm.
6:45 pm – Public hearing (Poonam Gupta for a Common Victualler’s License) at 529 East County Road. The Gupta family introduced themselves. Chairman Becker asked if there was anyone present to speak to the public hearing, none present, so hearing was closed after a short discussion. Mr. Pantos moved to grant the Common Victualler’s license to Poonam Gupta, Vasucon, Inc. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. The Board wished the Gupta family well.
7:00 pm – Public hearing (Poonam Gupta for a Wine/Malt License) at 529 East County Road. No issues from the police chief. No one present to speak at the hearing. Mr. Pantos moved to approve the wine/malt license to Poonam Gupta, Vasucon, Inc. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Alison Bushnell and Elise Milliken came before the Board seeking the Town’s support and authorization in holding a 5K road race on July 29th which is to start at the Community Center and finish at the Jefferson School in Holden to benefit BLB. Some of the items of discussion were: portable toilets, registration, parking & shuttle service, trash receptacles, etc. Mr. Pantos moved to authorize them to continue to work with various town departments on the event. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
Dispatch Agreement with Barre – Mr. Pantos moved to sign the agreement between Rutland and Barre, joint operations for public services. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Some discussion on appointing Fire Chief Search Committee. Each member to have one undisputed pick and then 2 professionals to be added. Ms. Dibb will provide the list of professional names. Will add to next agenda.
Discussion on holding an informational session next week on the override questions. May 8th has been suggested; Mr. Pantos would like to hold it May 10th. Four selectboard members in favor of holding the session; Mr. Clark against. Ms. Dibb will check on the school’s availability on the suggested dates. Mr. Pantos moved to hold an informational session with both WRSD and Bay Path invited. Mr. Letsky seconded. Vote 4 in favor of, Mr. Clark no.
OLD BUSINESS:
Ms. Dibb informed the Board that she recently sat down with Marcia Warrington to discuss the Rufus Putnam sister city proclamation with Marietta, Ohio. Some discussion – will check with the Moderator as to the placement at town meeting; will add to next agenda.
Total of four solar projects; Mr. Letsky updated the Board. Solar Committee is meeting Wednesday at 5:30 pm to discuss PILOT programs and deadlines. Will add the appointment of a solar negotiating team to next agenda.
Short discussion on FY 2013 budget. Chairman Becker questioned the fire chief and police chief on the possibility of sharing a clerical position. Acting Fire Chief Knipe stated that it was possible.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Memo from Health Insurance Advisory Committee recommending that the Town continue with MIIA medical and dental coverage. Mr. Pantos moved to approve the Health Insurance Advisory Board’s recommendation to stay with MIIA. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous.
Laura Pease, Animal Control Officer, presented her follow-up to the dangerous dog hearing on the Bell family dog, Buddy. The order was delivered in hand by a police officer. Police Chief to call Town Counsel to advise.
Intra-department transfer (Building Department $268 from 241-5800 to 240-5130 and Selectmen $795 from 122-5120 to 122-5130) for shortfalls in the clerical line items. Mr. Pantos moved the transfers as presented as of May 1st. Mr. Clark seconded. Vote unanimous. Will send to Finance Committee.
Announcement from the Department of Agricultural Resources regarding the possible inclusion of property on Ridge Road to the APR Program.
Mr. Pantos moved to enter into executive session for Reason #3: To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation if an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body and the chair so declares and to return to regular session for adjournment only. Mr. Clark seconded. Letsky aye, Dibb aye, Clark aye, Pantos aye, Becker aye.
ADJOURN:
Mr. Clark moved to adjourn. Mr. Pantos seconded. Vote unanimous. Meeting adjourned at 9:15 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Macaruso, Secretary
Board of Selectmen
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