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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 10, 2001
Present: Arnold Wilson, Chairman
George Dib
Hal White
Charles Blanchard
James Malloy, Town Administrator
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
A.Wilson announced the Town Election on Sept. 10th and the Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, September 11, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at Burgess Elementary School.
Police Chief Thomas Button
Chief Button read his report to the Board (copy on file).
On October 9th there will be a meeting regarding the casino issue at St. Anne
H. White commended the Police Department for the successful Cops and Kids parties held during the summer. C. Blanchard asked what age group attended the parties. Chief Button said that the average age range was 13 to 17.
Fire Chief Leonard Senecal
Chief Senecal read his report to the Board. The G & F Industries fire was the most significant event in the month of August, which according to the joint investigation conducted by the Sturbridge Fire Department and State Police investigators from the Office of the State Fire Marshal, was caused by a spontaneous chemical reaction in discarded filters in the paint assembly room. There were no injuries. A shelter was opened for the people who had been evacuated from the area. Police officers closed the road, the Highway Dept. supplied sand, DEP was notified as well as the Red Cross, Salvation Army and Lester
A.Wilson asked about the status of inspections. Chief Senecal said that he had discussed the matter with Ron Woolhouse, who has been having difficulty keeping up with the workload. J. Malloy suggested meeting with Chief Senecal and Ron Woolhouse to review the inspection schedule to determine whether there are sufficient hours for the Fire Inspector.
Correspondence
Aug. 29 Andrea Nixon, Clerk of the Division, Dept. of Telecommunications and Energy
MOTION: To authorize J. Malloy to represent the Board at the cable TV public hearing, by C. Blanchard.
2nd: G. Dib
Vote: All in favor.
Sept. 5 Police Chief Thomas Button
Cedar Street Complaint
J. Malloy and Greg Morse have received complaints regarding the plantings on the southwest corner of the Cedar Street/Westwood Drive intersection. These plantings are within the Town right-of-way and the DPW will be removing them in the next few weeks if the property owner does not remove the plants himself. Mr. Malloy submitted to the Board a series of letters that explain the situation (copies on file).
Arnold Road Abandonment
J. Malloy submitted to the Board the abandonment article from the 1963 Special Town Meeting (copy on file). This information has been forwarded to the Town Planner to forward to Robert Moss.
Quinebaug Company Tavern
J. Malloy spoke with Jim Staples, Investigator at the ABCC on 9/5/01 regarding the change in ownership of the property. Mr. Staples indicated that as long as only the property has changed hands and not the business, that this would not affect the current license. Mr. Malloy asked Mr. Staples how the ABCC would approach the issue of whether the current licensee is still Authority could request that the ABCC conduct an investigation.
J. Malloy said that Sgt. Curboy will do the investigation and report back to the Board. C. Blanchard suggested checking with the Secretary of State
Zoning Determinations
J. Malloy submitted to the Board a zoning determination made by Mark Lev regarding Hebert
G. Dib noticed that the Federated Church has not been using the new Town Hall parking lot area. Mr. Malloy will send a memo to the Church. G. Dib noted that there is no lighting in the new area.
Tighe & Bond Response
J. Malloy submitted to the Board Tighe & Bond
Miscellaneous
J. Malloy contacted Jeff Nutting, Town Administrator in Franklin regarding setting up the strategic planning session with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Nutting indicated that he would be available on 10/20, 10/27 and 11/10. It was the consensus of the Board to hold the meeting on 11/10. Hal White will confirm on Tuesday at the Special Town Meeting.
J. Malloy sent a letter to the following towns asking for their support in opposing a casino in Sturbridge: Dudley, Oxford, Spencer, Webster, West Brookfield, East Brookfield, Brookfield, Warren, Wales, Holland, Brimfield, Charlton and Southbridge. H. White suggested contacting the Chamber of Commerce to ask for their support and to hold a joint meeting with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Malloy will contact Bob Chartier at the Chamber of Commerce and get back to the Board. H. White suggested that the Board consider appointing a subcommittee to get interested citizens involved in dealing with the casino issue. A.Wilson suggested getting the word out to the public by posting it on the bulletin board and advertising it. It was the consensus of the Board to hold a meeting on October 17th at 7:00 p.m.
at Town Hall for a brainstorming session regarding the casino issue.
Old Business
G. Dib said that it is the intent of the sewer service bylaw to protect existing lots. A resident is looking for something in writing to keep in his files stating that he is allowed to connect to the sewer system in the future. C. Blanchard suggested that the added capacity be factored in. J. Malloy said that a letter should go out stating that as per the Town
G. Dib received a call from Tony Celuzza on Saturday night at 6:00 p.m. regarding noise at the Host Hotel. G. Dib spoke with Dispatcher Stach, who indicated that they had sent an officer to the Host. A. Wilson suggested talking to the investigating officer about the incident.
G. Dib said that there have been discussions about using the Lions Club building for the proposed youth center. The Building Committee will meet with the Lions Club.
C. Blanchard noted that the new gate has been installed at Burgess. Rosemary Joseph felt that the gate was in the wrong location. He asked whether there had been any suggested placement of the gate. J. Malloy said that the Safety Committee had recommended a location, which is where the gate was placed. A.Wilson asked whether there had been any communication between the School Committee and the Safety Committee.
C. Blanchard stated that at the School Committee meeting a statement was made that 350 or more building permits have been applied for in the Town, which is untrue. Subdivision plans have been submitted that may have many homes over the next 5-10 years.
New Business
A.Wilson announced the First Annual Tantasqua Homecoming Golf Tournament to be held on Sunday, Sept. 30th with a 6:45 a.m. Registration/Check in and a 7:30 a.m. Start at the Heritage Country Club, Rt. 20, Charlton. Proceeds will benefit the Tantasqua Student Council.
A.Wilson announced that the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold their next meeting on Sept. 12th at 7:00 p.m.
A.Wilson announced that the Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Sept. 18th at 8:30 p.m. regarding the gate at the Host Hotel.
C. Blanchard asked whether there was any data regarding Lucent Technologies
Ask the Selectmen
H. White took a call from Nancy Gallant regarding the crosswalks on Rt. 20, saying that they should be better marked. He said that Rt. 20 is a state highway, so Mass. Highway should be notified. J. Malloy said that the Town had petitioned Mass. Highway, and they had agreed to allow the Town to paint the crosswalks.
H. White took a call from Kevin Smith, who informed the Board that the Finance Committee will meet at 6:30 p.m. before the Special Town Meeting to discuss the bath house. The Recreation Committee will submit a petition to the Finance Committee. The consensus of the Board was to continue its meeting to Sept. 11th at 6:30 p.m.
MOTION: To continue the Board of Selectmen 2nd: G. Dib
Vote: All in favor.
G. Dib took a call from a resident of Fiske Hill, who expressed concern as to why the Board is waiting to have an informational meeting regarding the casino. C. Blanchard said that it is a long process involving gathering information and forming a subcommittee.
G. Dib said that Tony Celuzza called to say that his phone call was around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday night regarding the noise at the Host. The music was coming from the tent, not the Oxhead Tavern.
Lorraine Murawski, Town Clerk, presented Doris Sosik to the Board as the new Selectman. She had been sworn in.
MOTION: To enter into executive session under MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, Paragraph 6: To consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease or value of real property, not to reconvene in open session, by H. White.
2nd: C. Blanchard
Roll call vote: All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Knowles
_______________________________
BOS Clerk Date
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