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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 17, 2001
Present: Arnold Wilson, Chairman
George Dib
Hal White
Charles Blanchard
Doris Sosik
James Malloy, Town Administrator
The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. He called for a moment of silence to honor those who lost their lives during the terrorist attacks on September 11th.
A.Wilson welcomed Doris Sosik to the Board.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: To approve the minutes of September 10, 2001 as submitted, by C. Blanchard.
2nd: G. Dib
Vote: Four in favor; D. Sosik abstained.
Building Inspector
J. Malloy read Mark Lev
A.Wilson asked that M. Lev update the Board regarding the status of abandoned buildings
A.Wilson asked for an update regarding Sturbridge Hills. J. Malloy said that they have all of their financing in place. A bond will be signed by the Planning Board on Sept. 18th. Once money is released, they can begin construction.
H. White requested clarification as to whether or not M. Lev is able to attend evening meetings. C. Blanchard noted that M. Lev had a serious operation last year, and said that he is comfortable with the current situation. J. Malloy said that he had directed M. Lev to attend a ZBA meeting in August, since they were addressing a case that he was involved in. It was the consensus of the rest of the Board not to pursue the matter further.
Correspondence
Sept. 4 Senator Stephen Brewer
Sept. 6 Gretchen Walberg, guest at the Holiday Inn
J. Malloy will refer the matter to the Safety Committee. D. Sosik noted that the problem is due to drivers not stopping at the crosswalks.
Sept. 6 Rep. Reed Hillman
Sept. 7 Stephen McGrail, Mass. Emergency Management Agency
Sept. 10 Kathleen O
Sept. 10 Brian Riley, Kopelman & Paige
Sept. 12 William Newton, Executive Director, Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission
John Desmond
John Desmond of the French/Quinebaug Watershed and Howard Fife of Wells State Park appeared before the Board. J. Desmond noted that the Watershed Management Plan for Southbridge and Sturbridge was the result of a strong volunteer effort, and the key person was Daniel Szumilas. The report has been dedicated to him. The spirit of what he did continues to live. H. Fife expressed gratitude for all that Dan Szumilas accomplished. J. Malloy noted that the report was the basis for the 319 grant that has been awarded. With innovative programs, it will reduce pollution around the area of the Millyard Marketplace.
Paul Bengsten, UMass
C. Blanchard introduced the members of the Park Study Committee and Paul Bengsten to the Board. P. Bengsten said that one of the UMass students had chosen the Millyard site to demonstrate storm water management. The vacant lot is overgrown with brush. The design schematic incorporated a rip rap slope and a mill wheel design, with an area in the center for a sculpture as well as areas for interpretive plaques. There are two storm water units to slow down the water to prevent erosion of the swale. There will be a number of granite seating blocks, shade trees, flowering shrubs and perennials. C. Blanchard said that they are trying to design the work so that as much of it as possible will be done by the Town.
John Desmond said that Secretary Durand has declared that October 15th
D. Sosik thanked all of the people who contributed to the project.
Gate at Burgess Elementary School
J. Malloy spoke with Rosemary Joseph about the location of the gate at Burgess, and she explained that the School Committee will be moving the gate to a new location and then it will be permanently closed. Mr. Malloy will ask John Riley to let him know when the gate will be closed so that he can publish a legal notice.
Quinebaug Company Tavern
J. Malloy submitted to the Board a copy of the August 2, 2001 letter that he had sent to Mark Murphy regarding the Quinebaug Company Tavern, and Sgt. Curboy
MOTION: To hold a public hearing regarding the liquor license for the Quinebaug Company Tavern on October 1, 2001, by C. Blanchard.
2nd: G. Dib
Vote: All in favor.
Miscellaneous
New Well Source -- J. Malloy met with Suzanne Pisano of Tighe & Bond and Diane King, USDA Rural Development on Sept. 12th regarding a grant/loan program for the new well source. They will be working on the grant application over the next few months and will attempt to have the application submitted as soon as possible. The estimated additional cost per year would be $73.26 (or $18.31 per quarter) with traditional bond financing at 5.25% over 20 years. Should the Town obtain a grant/loan through the USDA, the increase would be estimated at $16.16 per year (or $4.04 per quarter).
Pledge of Allegiance
MOTION: To begin every meeting of the Board of Selectmen with the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States, by D. Sosik.
2nd: G. Dib
Vote: All in favor.
G. Dib had asked why the flag at the Recycling Center is not flying at half mast, and was told that it is used to determine wind direction in case of emergencies, and that the ropes holding the flag are in disrepair.
Old Business
G. Dib expressed disappointment in the response from surrounding communities regarding the casino issue, and considered it to be due to lack of information. He suggested that information regarding the impacts of a casino on the area be provided to them. C. Blanchard said that the summit meeting in Southbridge will be devoted in part to the casino issue, and suggested asking Mike Coughlin and some of the other communities that have been invited if they would mind if it were expanded to include the surrounding communities. He suggested contacting Nick Mullane from North Stonington and ask him to come in to explain the situation in his town regarding the impact of a casino.
C. Blanchard said that he preferred having a grassroots group to address the casino issue instead of the ad hoc Casino Committee that was advertised. J. Malloy said that he would change the notice on the cable channel to reflect that.
G. Dib questioned the idea of inviting the other towns to the Tri-Community summit, since Southbridge had voted 7-4 against Sturbridge
J. Malloy will put together a fact sheet pointing out the impacts of a casino on the area. H. White suggested that the fact sheet be ready for the meeting on October 17th. It was the consensus of the Board to hold off sending out the fact sheet until after these other meetings have been held.
A.Wilson said that he would be willing to attend a Selectmen
A.Wilson asked whether the Board would support a moratorium on the recognition process of the tribe until the process itself has been reviewed so that one person at the top could overrule, without the vote of a committee.
MOTION: So moved, by G. Dib.
2nd: H. White
G. Dib noted that the vote is strictly on the process. C. Blanchard suggested that other entities in the state, such as the Attorney General and Congressmen, should make a clear statement to the federal level. H. White suggested that the Board address its concerns to state legislators. G. Dib withdrew his motion; H. White agreed. G. Dib suggested having another summit meeting in the town of Sturbridge to include residents and the other towns.
J. Malloy said that he will attend the Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 19th at 4:00 p.m. and will report back to the Board.
G. Dib asked whether J. Malloy had sent a letter to the Federated Church regarding use of the new parking area. Mr. Malloy said that he had sent a letter.
C. Blanchard asked about the status of flow data from Lucent Technologies. J. Malloy said that they were on line with their system, and flow was reduced by nearly 50%, from 215 gallons/minute to 125 gallons/minute.
C. Blanchard asked about the status of the alternate to CMRPC. A.Wilson said that he had contacted one person, but has received no response.
C. Blanchard asked about the status of the sills at the Senior Center. J. Malloy said that no one has applied to do that job, and suggested it as a project for assistance from the Senior Municipal Service Program.
New Business
G. Dib noted that some unscrupulous people are targeting senior citizens requesting donations to fictitious relief funds.
H. White said that the 5th grade students at Burgess ran a bake sale and raised $2,700 for the relief effort. He congratulated the students and their parents, and the teacher who assisted in their efforts. J. Malloy will send a letter to John Riley, Principal of Burgess.
D. Sosik said that she had been watching a lot of the Board meetings, and noted that it is easy for viewers at home to lose track of what is going on; she suggested that the members of the Board repeat questions asked by members of the audience.
D. Sosik said that according to the Conflict of Interest Law, Selectmen are considered to be Special Municipal Employees because the population of Sturbridge is less than 10,000. Since she is employed as a teacher, she requested the Board
MOTION That D. Sosik file a petition under MGL Chapter 268A and that the Board approve her exemption as a Special Municipal Employee, by H.White.
2nd: G. Dib
C. Blanchard said that Town Counsel had issued a detailed memo about the subject within the past year. G. Dib didn
A.Wilson announced that the Planning Board will meet on Sept. 18th and one of the items will be the gate at the Host Hotel.
A.Wilson announced Family Fun Day at the Woodstock Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. sponsored by the Quinebaug Shetucket Heritage Corridor.
A.Wilson announced that next week J. Malloy will attend the ICMA Conference; G. Morse will be Acting Town Administrator in his absence.
A.Wilson asked about the status of the Sprint agreement. C. Blanchard suggested that J. Malloy get more information from other communities.
C. Blanchard announced that there will be a candlelight service at the Sturbridge Common at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19th.
Ask the Selectmen
H. White took a call from a “medical professional” who did not wish to be identified, who did not think that the Board had taken the proper position regarding Mark Lev
MOTION: To adjourn, by G. Dib.
2nd: D. Sosik
Vote: All in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted
Judy Knowles
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BOS Clerk Date
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