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BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
OCTOBER 15, 2001
Present: Arnold Wilson, Chairman
George Dib
Hal White
Charles Blanchard
Doris Sosik
James Malloy, Town Administrator
G. Dib, Vice-Chairman, called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. following the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Minutes
MOTION: To approve the minutes of October 9, 2001 as amended, by D. Sosik
2nd: C. Blanchard
Vote: All in favor.
Building Inspector
J. Malloy read Mark Lev
Greg Morse, DPW Director and Paul Donahue, U.S. Filter/EOS
G. Morse read his report to the Board (copy on file). He examined the Center School Building with regard to the sewer connection, and found that if the existing fixtures are utilized, the connection will come out through the floor. The building will need to be replumbed. The building has a stone foundation, backed up with concrete. C. Blanchard noted that it will be necessary to install new rest rooms with handicapped accessibility.
H. White asked whether Park Circle has been paved. G. Morse said that Park Circle is not a town road, so DPW is not responsible for paving it.
A. Wilson arrived at 6:50 p.m.
P. Donahue read his report to the Board (copy on file). D. Sosik asked about the drinking water exam. P. Donahue explained about the state licensing and certification for water and wastewater plant operators.
Roy Wood introduced John O
C. Blanchard asked whether Tighe & Bond had started their investigation of the wastewater operation. G. Morse said that he and J. Malloy had met with them last week, and they reviewed the Big Alum site. They are going to try to expedite getting the Big Alum project out to bid. J. Malloy said that they want to be able to go out to bid as soon as possible, and get the SRF and USDA applications done prior to working on the Wastewater Treatment Study.
Correspondence
Undated Jane Wallis Gumble, Director, Dept. of Housing & Community Development
Undated Steven Boudreau, Charlton Town Administrator
Sept. 25 Carol Curtin, Regionalization Study Committee Chair
Sept. 26 Judith Jacobi, Marblehead Board of Selectmen
The Board agreed to have D. Sosik contact Ms. Jacobi to explain the process the Town went through to get the Act passed.
Oct. 1 Jane Wallis Gumble, Director, Dept. of Housing & Community Development
C. Blanchard suggested that the special needs housing on Westwood Drive and Willard Road be added. J. Malloy will ask the Town Planner to review it and provide his comments.
Oct. 2 Michael Coughlin, Southbridge Town Manager
Oct. 2 John Kubiczki, Harding ESE
Sept. 26 Andrea Nixon, Clerk of the Division, Dept. of Telecommunications & Energy
Oct. 5 Stephen McGrail, Director, Mass. Emergency Management Agency
Oct. 8 John Argitis, G & F Industries
J. Malloy suggested that the Board support MMA
Sewer Service Area Bylaw
The Board had previously provided comments and was going to review the document further. J. Malloy has been working with Rep. Reed Hillman regarding the legislation that is involved with this bylaw and believes that it will be completed prior to the end of the legislative session. A written report will be submitted for the Board to consider.
Common Victualler
J. Malloy met with Bonita Porter to discuss the Common Victualler
MOTION: To approve the Common Victualler 2nd: D. Sosik
Vote: All in favor.
Executive Session Minutes
J. Malloy indicated that the executive session minutes for the meetings of July 5, 2000 and March 19, 2001 could be released. All other executive session minutes relate to ongoing confidential issues.
C. Blanchard suggested that the executive session minutes of March 19th remain confidential.
MOTION: To release the executive session minutes of July 5, 2000, by C. Blanchard.
2nd: G. Dib
Vote: Four in favor; D. Sosik abstained.
Open Space Committee Appointments
MOTION: To confirm the Town Administrator 2nd: D. Sosik
Vote: All in favor.
Tax Rate
J. Malloy informed the Board that the tax rate was approved and the tax bills have been mailed. The Dept. of Revenue did not allow the town to break out the tax rate and show it on the tax bill indicating the amounts required for the town and for the schools. The Town was allowed to insert a “stuffer” showing the breakdown in a chart and giving an example of an average household, which was included with the tax bill. Mr. Malloy gave the Board the approval from the Dept. of Revenue on the tax rate of $16.44 per thousand.
E. Osterman Inc. Gas Permit
J. Malloy read the legal ad for a gas permit for a propane tank at the new tavern at Old Sturbridge Village. Since Ken Bailey of E. Osterman Inc. was not present, the Board decided to continue the hearing until 8:00 p.m.
MOTION: To contine the public hearing for E. Osterman Inc. until 8:00 p.m., by D. Sosik.
2nd: H. White
Vote: All in favor.
Town Website
J. Malloy thanked Cynthia Leslie and Jim Douglas for their efforts as members of the E-Sturbridge Advisory Committee in setting up the town
G. Dib said that the E-Sturbridge Advisory Committee will hold one last meeting to wrap things up. J. Malloy formed an informal Sturbridge Website Users Group that will review what is offered on the website and make any necessary changes to make the site more user friendly. The group is made up of those individuals responsible for the content on the website for their respective departments and will meet monthly.
Sealer of Weights and Measures
About 10 years ago the Town purchased truck scales. The idea was to have a specific patrol target trucks that may be overweight and prohibit them from using weight restricted roads in town. These scales have not been used because a police officer needed to be trained and certified to use them, and the scales needed to be certified. Chief Button has had Officer Mark Saloio go through the process to be certified and has had the scales tested and certified. Officer Saloio would need to be appointed as a Sealer of Weights and Measures to give him the authority to ticket overweight trucks. He will not be certifying scales at stores or gas pumps. No expenses or stipends will come out of the Sealer of Weights and Measures account.
J. Malloy noted that it will cost the Town approximately $5,000 to have the state perform the responsibilities of the Sealer of Weights and Measures. C. Blanchard suggested that the stipend be increased, while keeping the budget less than $5,000 including equipment; for instance, pay a stipend of $3,000 with $1,000 worth of expenses and to hire someone do the work.
MOTION: To confirm the Town Administrator 2nd: H. White
Vote: All in favor.
Snow Plow Bids
MOTION: To approve the list of bidders for snow plowing for the 2001-2002 winter season as per the October 11, 2001 memorandum from Greg Morse, Sturbridge DPW Director, by D. Sosik.
2nd: C. Blanchard
Vote: All in favor.
E. Osterman Inc. Gas Permit
MOTION: To grant the license for underground fuel storage tanks for propane at the Old Sturbridge Village Tavern as approved by Chief Leonard Senecal on Sept. 14, 2001, and the actual location of the tanks should be submitted to the Planning Board prior to the as-built site plan, by C. Blanchard.
2nd: D. Sosik
Vote: All in favor.
Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
The Town received “start-up” certification for the Local Emergency Planning Committee in January 2001. During this year, it was the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator10, 2001 indicating that he had to make the following meeting or that Mr. Malloy would have to make other arrangements to complete these tasks. As per Section 6-3 of the Town Charter, Mr. Malloy suggested rescinding Dick Butterworth
Old Business
G. Dib encouraged residents to attend the casino meeting on Wednesday, October 17th at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall. H. White suggested sending a letter of thanks to Ted Nikolla and Jeff Benedict for their presentations at the October 9th meeting.
C. Blanchard asked about the response to J. Malloy
C. Blanchard requested a list of members on the Community Preservation Committee.
C. Blanchard asked whether the Town could spend money on fireworks in another town. J. Malloy will look into it.
D. Sosik said that a woman from another town had suggested that the meetings held concerning the casino be taped and run on the cable channel.
New Business
G. Dib said that some of the teachers at Burgess have been telling children that full-day kindergarten is coming. D. Sosik said that most of the teachers understand that it will be dependent upon receiving a state grant. A.Wilson said that the School Committee has not voted on it. C. Blanchard asked whether there would be an opportunity for the public to present their thoughts to the School Committee. D. Sosik said that a survey had been sent out. J. Malloy said that he would send a letter to the School Superintendent asking whether a decision has been made; if not, when will there be an opportunity to discuss the matter. C. Blanchard expressed concern about the projected enrollment of 90 children indicated in the letter. The statement about 361 new single family dwelling permits is incorrect; 48
single family dwelling permits have been issued. C. Blanchard encouraged everyone to take a look at the accurate available data in discussing the kindergarten issue.
C. Blanchard noted that there had been a dedication at Quinebaug Woods on Saturday, October 13th attended by Senator Brewer and Rep. Hillman.
C. Blanchard announced that on Thursday, October 18th there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Fiskdale Park, with state officials in attendance.
A.Wilson announced the ribbon cutting ceremony at Microtel on Friday, October 26th.
A.Wilson represented the Board of Selectmen at the Rotary Club meeting in Sturbridge to present the proclamation regarding Sturbridge/Stourbridge Rotary Friendship Day. He read the proclamation that was sent to Sturbridge from England.
Ask the Selectmen
G. Dib received a call from Laurel Buckley, who asked where her questions regarding the tax bill should be directed. G. Dib referred her to the Board of Assessors office at 347-2503. J. Malloy added that she could send an email to Bev Poirier at the Board of Assessors office through the Town
H. White received a call from Marge Cooney regarding the new tax bills. She said that the breakdown of land and buildings are on the bill on suffix L and suffix B.
H. White received a call from Bill Muir regarding the underground storage of propane at Old Sturbridge Village. He said that since there are wetlands at the site, the Conservation Commission should be notified.
H. White received a call from Ginger Peabody, who expressed enthusiasm about the new town website, and congratulated the E-Sturbridge Advisory Committee on their work.
MOTION: To enter into executive session under MGL Chapter 39, §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: G. Dib
Roll call vote: All were in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Judy Knowles
_____________________________
BOS Clerk Date
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