BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 6, 2006

Present:          Arnold Wilson, Chairman

Hal White

Ted Goodwin

William Emrich

Steven Halterman

James Malloy, Town Administrator

The Chairman called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. following the Pledge of Allegiance.

American Legion Post 109 -- Change of Manager on Liquor License

Michael Hoenig appeared before the Board.  All of the paperwork was in order.

MOTION:       To approve the Change of Manager application naming Michael Hoenig as the Manager for the Champeau Vilandre American Legion Post 109, by S. Halterman.

2nd:     W. Emrich

Vote:  All in favor.

Tom Chamberland, Veterans’ Agent – Veterans’ Day Activities

Tom Chamberland, Veterans’ Agent, expressed appreciation for all of the work done by Lorraine Murawski, Town Clerk, in his absence, in the memory of Lt. Joshua Booth, who was the first Sturbridge resident to be killed in action since World War II.  A memorial service will be held for Lt. Booth on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Tantasqua High School Field House.  The Town has set up a memorial fund in the memory of Lt. Booth.  The Town is also collecting needed items to be sent to the Marines of the 2nd Battalion in Iraq.  The list has been posted on the Town’s website.  Collection boxes are at the Town Hall, Senior Center, Library, Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce, ReMax Professional Real Estate Office, Arland Tool & Die Manufacturing Company, Sturbridge Curves and American Legion Post 109.  Items may also be brought to the memorial service.  There will be a meeting of the volunteers who will participate in the memorial service on November 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion Hall.

T. Chamberland said that the Veterans Day activities will begin with a Proper Flag Disposal Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 109, with the assistance of Boy Scout Troop 161 in disposing of worn and unserviceable American flags.  A Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held on 4:30 p.m. of the flag that was presented to the Post by Spec. Brian Chamberland in honor of his grandfather, Rosario Chamberland, for whom the Legion Flag Pole was dedicated.  Open house will follow at the Legion from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Sturbridge Retirement Coop

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a request (copy on file) that the Planning Department had received from Mary Berry, Manager of the Sturbridge Retirement Coop, seeking to have the site plan fee waived by the Town for the on-site package treatment plant that the cooperative is seeking to build.  The Town sponsored a CDBG grant application for the cooperative, which was not awarded, increasing the local costs for the cooperative substantially.  The site plan fee was $2,250.

MOTION:       To approve a waiver of the site plan fee for the Sturbridge Retirement Cooperative for the on-site wastewater treatment plant that they are constructing for their use, with the condition that if it is designed to allow other properties to connect (i.e. Kelly Farm) that the full site plan fee would be due, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     W. Emrich

Vote:  All in favor.

Cultural Council Allocation and Distribution

J. Malloy submitted to the Board the contract with the Commonwealth (copy on file) for the distribution for the Cultural Council.  He requested that the Board consider not only authorizing him to sign the contract, but to consider authorizing the Town Administrator to be the authorized signatory on all agreements between the Town and the Commonwealth to expedite the turnaround on these types of agreements.

MOTION:       To authorize the Town Administrator to be the authorized signatory on all contracts between the Town of Sturbridge and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for all future Cultural Council contracts, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

Chapter 90 Reimbursement Request

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a Chapter 90 reimbursement request (copy on file) from DPW for work on Commonwealth Avenue, Summit Avenue, Picker Road, Ladd Road Ext., and Bushnell Road for $72,888.32.

MOTION:       To approve the Chapter 90 reimbursement request and to authorize the Selectmen to execute the form, by H. White.

2nd:     S. Halterman

Vote:  All in favor.

Request from Southbridge Sheet Metal Works

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a request from Southbridge Sheet Metal Works (copy on file) to amend the General Industrial Zone to include two new uses:  (1) office, bank, newspaper or job printing establishment; and (2) restaurant, including bakery and confectionary.  Southbridge Sheet Metal, the former CPC building and Arland Tool are three industrial businesses in a general industrial zone surrounded by the commercial-tourist zone in Town.  Southbridge Sheet Metal owns the former CPC building, which fronts on Main Street, and they are seeking to add these two additional uses which are permitted uses in the commercial zone to make the former CPC building more marketable.  Any change of use from the past use would require a full site plan review before the Planning Board.  A copy of the request has been forwarded to the Planning Board; the property owner is seeking to add this to the Special Town Meeting warrant in December.  J. Malloy also submitted to the Board a minor zoning change request for Old Stagecoach Road for the 2007 Annual Town Meeting (copy on file) to rezone a small part of a parcel from commercial to suburban residential.

A.Wilson noted that traditionally, zoning articles have been discussed at the Annual Town Meeting, not the Special Town Meeting.  He said that with this particular parcel owned by Southbridge Sheet Metal, the office building on the west side is empty.  W. Emrich asked whether anything like this had been done in the past.  J. Malloy said that it had, with micro breweries.  He said that the Board has added uses to different zones in the past.  A.Wilson noted that it would take a public hearing.  H. White suggested getting a recommendation from the Zoning Study Committee.  He said that the principal charge of the Zoning Study Committee was to have a consistent review of all of the Town’s zoning and to report back to the Board of Selectmen.

Woodside Circle Sewer Project

The residents were invited to meet with the Board to discuss the changes if Westwood Drive were included in the sewer project.  Tighe & Bond submitted a cost estimate (copy on file) of $400,000 to include Westwood Drive as part of the project.  The original cost was $25,000.  The project will get underway in spring of 2007.  The grant application will be amended to include Westwood Drive.

Ray Desautels, owner of land on Westwood Drive, said that he has five percs and septic designs and wants to fill his eight lots.  J. Malloy said that it includes only one connection for his property.  R. Desautels said that he would contribute an extra $100,000 to cover the costs.  A.Wilson said that it would take a separate vote of the Board of Selectmen.

Charles Roncaioli, 14 Woodside Circle, said that there is a reasonable probability that funding will be available for the project, and there is a certain subsidy being created for Woodside Circle.  He said that he was in favor of the project.

Another resident of Woodside Circle said that if the lower cost were not available, then he would not be in favor of the project.

Michael Gionfriddo, 30 Woodside Circle, said that he and his wife would be willing to subsidize the cost in order to tie in Woodside Circle.

A resident of Westwood Drive said that he would have to spend another $20,000 for the project, and was not in favor of it.

Francisco Moniz, 45 Westwood Drive, said that the Town was being carved up into smaller and more expensive projects, and that the Town sewerage should have been completed as a whole.  He noted that as time passes, the rates go up.  He said that he was in favor of the sewer project, if the project would clean up Cedar Lake.  He asked why Westwood Drive was being considered part of the project, with a handful of people being left out.  J. Malloy said that at the request of the Cedar Lake Association around 1996, the Town hired Earth Tech to do a report on the watershed of Cedar Lake.

Tom Savage, 38 Westwood Drive, felt that the project should be done.

John Lynch, 15 Woodside Circle, said that he was in favor of the project, including Westwood Drive.

J. Malloy said that there will be a warrant article on the Special Town Meeting on December 11th at 7:00 p.m. at Tantasqua High School Auditorium.  H. White noted that in the May 2005 sewer study, the cover letter states that there are 34 homes on Woodside Circle plus on each corner, and 70 homes on Westwood Drive.  J. Malloy said that the rest of Westwood Drive down to Cedar Lake have been sewered, and that the proposed project will complete the sewerage.

Keith Turley, 29 Woodside Circle, said that if the houses are going to be built anyway, it would make sense to add them to the sewer project.

MOTION:       To place on the Town Meeting warrant an article regarding the Woodside Circle and Westwood Drive sewer project, by A.Wilson.

2nd:     S. Halterman

Vote:  All in favor.

A.Wilson suggested that all interested parties attend the Special Town Meeting.  J. Malloy said that under the Sewer Service Bylaw, vacant lots are only allocated one sewer connection; the rest would be at the discretion of the Board of Selectmen.  He noted that if the article does not pass at the Special Town Meeting, then the Town will go with the original project.

Dock Permit Application

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a dock permit application for Michael and Linda Devine, 21 Valley Road (copy on file).  This application had been reviewed by the Conservation Commission and approved with conditions, which included obtaining a dock permit from the Harbormasters (Selectmen).  The proposed dock did not meet the requirements of the Town’s harbormaster regulations (the length exceeded maximum length by nine feet).

MOTION:       To disapprove the dock permit application as submitted for 21 Valley Road by Michael and Linda Devine, by W. Emrich.

2nd:     S. Halterman

Vote:  All in favor.

Michael Devine indicated that they would be willing to reduce the length to 25 feet, and will submit a different design plan to the Board.

Reinhardt Associates

MOTION:       To approve the change order number 1 submitted by Pinnacle Roofing and approved by Reinhardt Associates for $1,400, by W. Emrich.

2nd:     H. White

Vote:  All in favor.

Executive Session Minutes

MOTION:       To release the executive session minutes of 3/6/06, 2/13/06, 1/17/06, 11/21/05, 6/2/03 and 5/20/02, by W. Emrich.

2nd:     S. Halterman

Vote:  All in favor.

Appointments

MOTION:       To confirm the Town Administrator’s appointment of Richard LaFranchise, Bill Muir, Chris Tieri, Carol Childress, Tom Chamberland, Dale Favreau and Ward Palmer to the Public Lands Advisory Committee, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

J. Malloy said that he would set up an initial meeting within the next few weeks, including the Conservation Commission, regarding duties and expectations.

W. Emrich requested that the Board see copies of all letters of interest from prospective committee members in the future.  J. Malloy agreed to put all letters of interest in the Board’s “In” box.  S. Halterman suggested allowing people who are interested but not chosen to serve, to attend the meetings.

Miscellaneous

J. Malloy was contacted by the developer of the small plaza being built at 135 Main Street regarding some of the businesses that have been interested in locating at their plaza, but cannot, due to the vote on the sewer connection.  These businesses include Starbucks, Quiznos and Papa Gino’s, all of which fall under the “restaurant” category in the Town’s Zoning Bylaws.  The vote to allow the sewer connection excluded any restaurants from locating at this plaza.  J. Malloy suggested letting the developer know that the Board may consider such businesses on a case-by-case basis.

H. White noted that the Board did not vote to exclude the restaurants; the Board did not want to grant more than the allocated flow.  J. Malloy said that he would discuss it with the developer.

A.Wilson asked for an update on the meeting with Old Sturbridge Village.  J. Malloy said that OSV is the recipient of an appropriation of $300,000 from the Sturbridge Heritage Partnership to design a consistent marketing theme and tourism for the Village.

A.Wilson asked about the status of the GIS system.  J. Malloy said that the Town’s data base is now on line and contains zoning, easements, property lines and an ortho image layer.  He noted that Jean Bubon, Town Planner, has put a great deal of work into it, and it will be a very useful tool.

Heritage Landscape Inventory Program

Penny Dumas appeared before the Board to discuss the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Heritage Landscape Inventory Program and National Heritage Corridors Reconnaissance Survey.  They will gather information from the towns and point out important areas that people may not be aware of.  It will be a free planning tool available to the Town.  She requested a letter of interest signed by a chief officer of the Town, and noted the need for a project coordinator.  She suggested Bob Briere for the position.  It was the consensus of the Board to sign and send a letter to the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation expressing interest in the program.  T. Goodwin offered to serve as the default contact for the Town in order to get the letter submitted.

Town Hall/Center School Building

J. Malloy said that the project failed at the debt exclusion vote.  He expressed concern about the condition of the buildings, and suggested building a new Town Hall.  He has not yet received an updated cost breakdown from the Town Engineer, but the cost has gone up over $300,000 - $400,000 from last year; he should have the final estimates within a few days.  He recommended that it go back on the next Special Town Meeting, and suggested that the historic preservation aspects be funded by CPA funds.  He noted that the plan is to keep the designs the same for both buildings.  He has asked McKay Roofing Co. to provide an estimate for the slate roofs.  A.Wilson suggested using some of the stabilization funds to reduce the impact on debt exclusion.

J. Malloy noted that the Town Hall building has structural issues, and problems with the elevator.  He said that it will be necessary to install a steel beam across the building to fortify it, which is included on the Town Hall plan.  Penny Dumas said that the CPC will review it, vote on it and get back to the Board of Selectmen.  C. Blanchard suggested re-using the slate on the roof.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION:       To accept the minutes of October 2, 2006 as amended, by S. Halterman.

2nd:     W. Emrich

Vote:  Four in favor; H. White abstained.

MOTION:       To accept the minutes of October 16, 2006 as submitted, by W. Emrich.

2nd:     H. White

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To accept the executive session minutes of October 16, 2006 as submitted, to remain confidential, by W. Emrich.

2nd:     S. Halterman

Vote:  All in favor.

Old Business

S. Halterman noted that the Board had taken a tour of the wastewater treatment plant, which was very informative.

H. White asked about the status of reconciling the numbers with Tighe & Bond.  J. Malloy said that he met with Tighe & Bond and together they reviewed each property to reconcile the numbers, and they used the GIS system.

W. Emrich asked about the status of the Field Development Committee.  J. Malloy said that he and Lynne Girouard, Recreation Coordinator, have been hearing from different sports leagues, and L. Girouard will set up the first meeting.

T. Goodwin suggested bringing in the Conservation Commission to point out the most environmentally sensitive areas.

T. Goodwin said that he had attended the meeting regarding the school budget; he said that they are proposing 4.8% increases, and have hired a new technical director.  Dan Durgin, Superintendent, is hiring an Assistant Superintendent.  He said that he had asked them to put together their job descriptions.  J. Malloy said that he would draft a general policy statement.  He said that there should be a dedicated amount of money for the school and for the Town, and he will make sure that the Town departments are well funded.  He noted that things are moving in a positive direction, and he considers it a pleasure working with Dr. Durgin.

A.Wilson said that there was discussion relative to having J. Malloy meet with the management of Basketville, to see if it would be possible to keep them in Sturbridge.

New Business

H. White asked about the timing of tax appraisals and revaluation.  J. Malloy said that some of the work is being done by Barbara Barry, Finance Director and Bev Poirier, Board of Assessors.  It will be done for the next tax bill in FY08.

H. White asked whether J. Malloy had responded to the Oct. 19th letter from Melissa Baker.  J. Malloy said that he has spoken to her about it, and will send her a spreadsheet showing what property taxes have done from FY01 – 07, along with an analysis of the tax rate.  It shows a significant increase to residential and decrease to commercial/industrial.  He noted that it is important that the revaluation is being done.  H. White suggested that the Board meet with the members of the Chamber of Commerce regarding the tax rate.

A.Wilson suggested a Saturday morning meeting to be held on January 20th or 27th as an alternative, and suggested asking Jeff Nutting to attend.

H. White suggested that the Board meet on the fourth Monday in January, February and possibly March to review the budget and the Annual Town Meeting warrant.

Ask the Selectmen

T. Goodwin received a call from a resident who came to Town Hall to pay his taxes, but could not do so because the offices were closed during the lunch hour.  The resident suggested that there be a staggered lunch hour for the Tax office on the last day that taxes are due.

MOTION:       To convene in executive session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B, Paragraph 3:  To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation, not to reconvene in open session, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     W. Emrich

Roll call vote:  All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

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BOS Clerk                             Date