Town of Sturbridge Minutes & Agendas Archive

Minutes 10/22/01


	BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES OCTOBER 22, 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. following the Pledge of Allegiance. Approval of Minutes MOTION: To approve the minutes of October 15, 2001 as amended, by G. Dib. 2^nd: C. Blanchard Vote: All in favor. Police Chief Thomas Button Chief Button read his report to the Board (copy on file). The Police Department was recently awarded $15,000 from the Governor MOTION: To approve the use of $1,500 from the Town Administrator 2^nd: C. Blanchard Vote: All in favor. H. White arrived at 6:50 p.m. Chief Button also submitted information regarding the COPS MORE grant for 2001, which would require funding through a town meeting for the local match. This is a major grant that would fund mobile data systems in the police cruisers. MOTION: To place an article on the next Special Town Meeting warrant to raise the $9,024 required by the grant, by C. Blanchard. 2^nd: D. Sosik Vote: All in favor. Fire Chief Leonard Senecal Chief Senecal read his report to the Board (copy on file). He said that the Ford truck has had transmission trouble, which necessitated sending the transmission out to Allison Transmissions in Minnesota to be rebuilt, at a total cost of about $6,000. J. Malloy suggested that Chief Senecal present a warrant article for the Special Town Meeting to put money into their maintenance account. Chief Senecal said that the Fire Dept. has been focusing on Haz Mat safety protocols, and four gas masks have been ordered, as well as 25 class C Tyvex suits with double gloves and boots. He has talked to the state Central Mass. EMS office regarding contamination issues and ambulance service response, and to the State Fire Marshall D. Sosik commended Chief Senecal and the members of the Fire Department for the wonderful job they did in controlling the G & F Industries fire. Chief Senecal noted that the Police Department did an excellent job in controlling traffic and people at the site. Correspondence Oct. 4 Bob Durand, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs Oct. 8 Peter Confrey, Selectmen, Town of Mendon Oct. 8 Ron Davis, Executive Vice President and General Manager, U.S. Filter EOS Oct. 9 Peter Webber, Commissioner, Dept. of Environmental Management Oct. 12 Rep. Reed Hillman Oct. 15 Stephen Wallace, CMRPC Senior Planner D. Sosik requested that a copy be sent to the Open Space Committee indicating that the Board is pleased that the Committee was able to help CMRPC with this. The Board agreed. Oct. 16 Mary-Jo Griffin, Acting Executive Secretary, ABCC Oct. 18 Frank Danna, 109 Paradise Lane G. Dib disagreed with the second point in Mr. DannaBlanchard suggested that copies of the October 17^th casino meeting tape be made available to other communities. A.Wilson suggested that J. Malloy prepare a fact sheet. H. White suggested finding out what North Stoningtonthat it would be a good idea for Massachusetts to stop the legislation that allows casino night activities. C. Blanchard said that Rep. Reed Hillman C. Blanchard noted that there had been an article in the Southbridge Evening News stating that Rosemary Joseph had informed the Tantasqua Regional School Committee that the school district could be facing a financial crisis because Sturbridge and Holland have not paid their assessment to the Regional School District. The Board expressed concern that R. Joseph Senior Municipal Service Program J. Malloy received two applications from seniors who are interested in working for the senior center. Mrs. Rita Choquet expressed interest in providing clerical assistance at the Senior Center, and Barbara Search will be contacting her to discuss opportunities there. Walter Polakowski indicated that he could repair the ropes/weights on the windows and do some landscaping around the building. Mr. Malloy noted that the same task needs to be done at Town Hall, so if Mr. Polakowski is interested in continuing with the Senior Municipal Service Program, his services could be used the following year to perform that task at Town Hall. MOTION: To approve the work program for Walter Polakowski for repairing the windows and to do additional landscaping at the Senior Center, by C. Blanchard. 2^nd: D. Sosik Vote: All in favor. Resignation Michael Leck, a reserve police officer, submitted his letter of resignation since he is retiring and will be relocating. MOTION: To accept Officer Leck 2^nd: C. Blanchard Vote: All in favor. Common Victualler License Cowabunga at the Millyard Marketplace has been an ongoing restaurant operation for years, and will now be known as “Melinda MOTION: To approve the Common Victualler License for Melinda 2^nd: G. Dib Vote: All in favor. Council on Aging Appointment MOTION: To confirm the Town Administrator 2^nd: C. Blanchard Vote: All in favor. Sewer Extension Applications Three applications from Bill Swiacki for sewer extensions have been approved by the Board for Brook Hill, Long Pond Woods and Whittemore Woods, and require the Board Sewer Service Area Report J. Malloy submitted the report to the Board, which included their revisions. It shows that the estimated flow available to be allocated at the Sturbridge Wastewater Treatment Facility is 69,386, using 200 gpd per property. MOTION: To accept the findings of the report and set the available flow at the Sturbridge Wastewater Treatment Facility at 69,386 gpd, by G. Dib. 2^nd: C. Blanchard C. Blanchard suggested that there be a way to ensure the flexibility to be able to redirect the flows in the future, if necessary. There should be a built-in decision-making capability. J. Malloy said that the Board of Selectmen has the power as acting sewer commissioners to make changes. The Board decided to hold off on the motion. G. Dib withdrew his motion; C. Blanchard withdrew his second. Resignation MOTION: To accept Richard Butterworth 2^nd: H. White Vote: All in favor. Old Business G. Dib asked about the status of the camera that was sent out for repair. J. Malloy said that HB Communications had sent it back to the manufacturer. G. Dib asked about the status of the Burgess gate. J. Malloy said that it was not up yet; he will ask John Riley for an update. G. Dib said that he had discussed the full-day kindergarten issue with Rosemary Joseph, and she said that the Burgess School Committee has approved it, to begin next year. She commented that a few parents had suggested having the “meat” of the program in the morning, since some of the children will only be present half a day. G. Dib suggested that it be a practice to have new police officers, fire fighters and department heads come in to meet the Board when they are appointed. H. White asked when Mashapaug Road would be relined. J. Malloy said that it would be done before winter. C. Blanchard asked about the Smart Growth booklets from ICMA. J. Malloy said that he would make copies for the Board. C. Blanchard asked about the status of the Senior Assistance Program. J. Malloy said that he would have an update for the next meeting. D. Sosik said that it would be beneficial to have Bill Toomey from the Nature Conservancy make a presentation to the Board. They have been working actively to protect the Quinebaug Highlands property. New Business G. Dib said that the Community Reading Day at Burgess was a tremendous success. The PTO provided a coffee and continental breakfast for participants. G. Dib said that the Harvest Festival was well organized and attended. Sgt. Ford met a few police officers from other communities who were in Sturbridge on vacation who complimented him on how well run the event was, and the positive police interaction with the public. H. White read the petition that was submitted by Frank Danna on September 25^th, expressing concern about the growth in residential homes in Sturbridge, requesting that a cap be set on building permits issued per year. J. Malloy said that he did not think that the Board of Selectmen had the authority to do that. A. Wilson added that the Town would have to vote on it. G. Dib noted that Larry Adams has done a good job as Town Planner, and the issues raised in the petition could be discussed at the next Planning Board meeting. H. White suggested that L. Adams and members of the Planning Board be given a copy of the petition. C. Blanchard said that considering the site plan review process and all that is involved, the statement about “uncontrolled growth” was unfair. He said that statements should be based on fact. C. Blanchard asked about the Fiskdale Park dedication. J. Malloy said that it went well, and there was a large turnout of people, including state officials, DEP, Larry Adams, Nancy Ryder from the Conservation Commission, Bob Briere and Wayne Morse of the Park Study Committee. C. Blanchard announced that the public is invited on a tour of the Robert Crowd archeological site at the Tantasqua reservation on October 27^th at 2:00 p.m. D. Sosik complimented everyone who had worked on the Harvest Festival. She took some photographs to be added to the website. A.Wilson said that at the Tri-Community Summit meeting, the Chamber of Commerce said that they were trying to organize a fireworks celebration to be scheduled on July 5, 2002 at the Southbridge airport, and requested financial assistance and a liaison from Sturbridge. MOTION: To appoint G. Dib as liaison to the Tri-Community Celebration Committee, by D. Sosik. 2^nd: C. Blanchard Vote: All in favor. Regarding the request for a contribution, C. Blanchard suggested referring it to the Betterment Committee, to possibly use SATA funds. Ask the Selectmen H. White took a call from Mary Blanchard, who informed him that meetings were held at the Hitchcock Academy in Brimfield regarding the full-day kindergarten. G. Dib took a call from Henry Farms who asked how the Lucent TIF was monitored. J. Malloy said that they would submit a report. 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. 2^nd: G. Dib Roll call vote: All were in favor. Respectfully submitted, Judy Knowles _______________________________ BOS Clerk Date