BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 20, 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.

A.Wilson announced that the Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Friday, December 1^st at 6:00 p.m. on the Town Common.

A.Wilson announced that there will be a Special Town Meeting on Monday, December 11^th at 7:00 p.m. at Tantasqua High School Auditorium.

A.Wilson thanked the person who flagged him down on November 19^th and stated that he witnessed an accident involving his vehicle, and gave him the license plate number of the other car. He complimented the citizen for being watchful and helpful.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION: To accept the minutes of November 6, 2006 as written, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Tom Chamberland, Veterans’ Agent and Lorraine Murawski, Town Clerk

Tom Chamberland and Lorraine Murawski appeared before the Board to discuss the plans for the memorial service for Lt. Joshua Booth, which will take place on Saturday, December 2^nd at 2:00 p.m. at the Tantasqua High School Field House. There has been an outpouring of support, and about 28 residents have volunteered to help with the event.

T. Chamberland said that the Town is collecting items to be sent to the Marines of Lt. Booth’s unit, which is still in Iraq. A list of needed items has been posted on the Town’s website. Collection boxes have been set up at Town Hall, the Senior Center, the Library, the Tri-Community Chamber of Commerce, ReMax Professional Real Estate office on Main St. in Sturbridge, Arland Tool & Die Manufacturing, the Sturbridge Curves and American Legion Post 109. Items may also be brought to the memorial service.

T. Chamberland said that the Town of Sturbridge has set up a Memorial Fund in Lt. Booth’s name. Contributions to this fund will be used to cover the cost of the memorial and the cost of shipping the collected items to Iraq. Any remaining contributions will be turned over to the trust fund that is being set up for Lt. Booth’s children.

T. Chamberland noted that November 24, 2006 is the 30^th day of mourning, and requested that flags that are presently at half staff be raised to full staff at sunrise on the 24^th. He requested that residents lower their flags to half staff for an eight hour period on December 2^nd, the day of the memorial service. He said that one of the groups that will be participating is the Patriot Riders, a motorcycle club of 60-80 members, who plan to provide a motorcycle procession at 1:00 p.m. from the Sturbridge Host Hotel to Tantasqua High School.

L. Murawski offered her sincere best wishes to T. Chamberland and his wife Diane, as they travel to Fort Campbell to greet their son Brian, who is returning from Iraq next week.

Common Victualler License – Karin’s Kitchen

Karin Schultz appeared before the Board to request a Common Victualler license for Karin’s Kitchen, 25 Brookfield Road, Fiskdale, formerly the site of Hoo Ya’s restaurant.

MOTION: To approve the Common Victualler license for Karin’s Kitchen at 25 Brookfield Road, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

SPL Development Request

J. Malloy submitted to the Board the request from SPL Devlopment (copy on file) which was discussed at the last work session.

MOTION: To approve the request for SPL Development to pay the remainder of the sewer connection fee in eight equal installments of $10,000 per month for the next eight months, by T. Goodwin.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Devine Dock Permit

Michael and Linda Devine resubmitted their dock permit application (copy on file) for 21 Valley Road and brought the proposal into compliance with the Town’s Harbormaster regulations.

MOTION: To approve the dock permit application of Michael and Linda Devine for the dock proposed at 21 Valley Road as per the revised plan dated 11-7-06, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

IOD Claim

MOTION: To approve the IOD Claim of Hillary Murray for the incident that occurred on September 25, 2006, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

HIPAA Agreement with MIIA

J. Malloy submitted an agreement to the Board (copy on file) between the Town and MIIA regarding the health insurance trust having the authority to receive confidential medical information. The agreement was reviewed by Town Counsel, and MIIA made the changes as requested by Town Counsel.

MOTION: To approve the agreement between the Town of Sturbridge and MIIA Health Benefits Trust, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Miscellaneous

J. Malloy informed the Board that the Town’s perc rate is 20 minutes per inch for residential (single family home) and 10 minutes per inch for multi-family, commercial or industrial dwellings. The state’s perc rate is 60 minutes per inch. H. White noted that the state changed their perc rate.

The Board had asked for a comparison of costs if the full-time employees at Town Hall had their hours adjusted from 35 hours per week to 40 hours per week. J. Malloy submitted to the Board a spreadsheet (copy on file) showing the additional costs to be $84,175. H. White noted that exempt employees did not show an increase.

Special Town Meeting Warrant

Article #36: Town Clerk Clerical Wages

MOTION: To place and support Article #36, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Article #37: GASB 43 & 45 – Post Employment Benefits Actuarial Expense

MOTION: To place and support Article #37, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #38: Town Administrator Purchase of Services

MOTION: To place and support Article #38, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Article #39: Insurance Blanket

MOTION: To place and support Article #39, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #40: Town Hall/Center School Renovation (requires 2/3 vote)

It was the consensus of the Board to remove this article from the Special Town Meeting warrant, and put it on the Annual Town Meeting warrant in April 2007.

Article #41: Sewer Department Testing

MOTION: To place and support Article #41, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #42: Public Safety Complex Repairs

MOTION: To place and support Article #42, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #43: Recreation Trail Grant Deficit

MOTION: To place and support Article #43, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #44: Sewer Budget Contract Operations

MOTION: To place and support Article #44, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Article #45: Assessors Records – Town Web Site

MOTION: To place and support Article #45, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #46: Prior Year Bills (9/10^th vote required)

MOTION: To place and support Article #46, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #47: Town Common Sign

MOTION: To place and support Article #47, by W. Emrich

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: Four in favor; H. White opposed.

H. White suggested that this come out of the hotel/motel tax at Town Meeting.

Article #48: Pool Inspector

MOTION: To place and support Article #48 in the amount of $2,000, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Article #49: Gasoline Account

MOTION: To place and support Article #49 in the amount of $30,000, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #50: Heating Oil

MOTION: To place and support Article #50, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #51: Town Engineer/Dam Inspections

MOTION: To place and support Article #51, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #52: Veolia Overrun – FY06 (requires a 9/10^th vote)

MOTION: To place and support Article #52, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #53: Veolia Overrun – FY06 (requires a 9/10^th vote)

MOTION: To place and support Article #53, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #54: Town Administrator Other Charges

MOTION: To place and support Article #54 in the amount of $660.00, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Article #55: Sturbridge Firefighters Labor Contract

MOTION: To place and support Article #55, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Article #56: Engineering Review for Field Study Committee

MOTION: To place and support Article #56, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Article #58: Acceptance of Brook Hill Road

MOTION: To place and support Article #58 with the appropriate language, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #59: Acceptance of MGL Ch. 41, §110A

MOTION: To place and support Article #59, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Article #60: Acceptance of MGL Ch. 39, §23D

MOTION: To place and support Article #60, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Article #61: Board of Health Mutual Aid

It was the consensus of the Board to remove this article from the warrant.

Article #62: Woodside Circle & Westwood Drive Sewer (requires 2/3 vote)

MOTION: To place and support Article #62, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Article #63: Industrial Zone Amendment

It was the consensus of the Board to withdraw this article from the Special Town Meeting warrant and put it on the Annual Town Meeting warrant in April.

MOTION: To close the Special Town Meeting Warrant, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Old Business

S. Halterman expressed an interest in attending the MMA Annual Conference in January. J. Malloy said that the registration forms are in the Beacon.

S. Halterman asked about the status of the flow to Southbridge in terms of the legal mediation. J. Malloy noted that it should be discussed in executive session.

S. Halterman said that he would email the information that he has on the wastewater treatment plant issues to the Board for their review.

S. Halterman asked about the appeal period for the NPDES permit. J. Malloy said that the appeal period has passed, so the permit is permanent.

H. White said that he received an email from Lynn Sarty indicating that she is interested in serving on the Public Lands Advisory Committee. J. Malloy said that he would contact her and let her know that she is welcome to participate in the committee.

W. Emrich informed the Board that he attended the retirement party for Ron Woolhouse, who will retire on December 30^th. He presented Ron Woolhouse with a plaque on behalf of the Board of Selectmen and the Town of Sturbridge, with congratulations.

A.Wilson said that there was a summit meeting in Holland, attended by J. Malloy, W. Emrich and T. Goodwin. There was additional discussion on the letter that was sent out, and discussion about strategies and what the MMA is doing. T. Goodwin added that Dan Durgin had provided an update on what he has been doing.

New Business

H. White noted that there are some signs on Route 131 at Sturbridge Hills that are falling apart. J. Malloy said that the Building Inspector has spoken to the developer about it, and he will ask the DPW Director to have them taken down.

H. White asked whether it was feasible to consider selling the Town owned building on the corner of Route 148 and Route 20. He suggested that if it were sold, the Town could apply the money toward the renovation of Town Hall and the Center School building. J. Malloy said that the building needs work, and there is a tenant occupying it at the present time who has made some changes to the building. The Mass Motion Dance Studio has a lease with the Town.

A.Wilson noted that the members of the Board received the performance evaluation forms for the Town Administrator, and requested that the Board have them filled out and returned for the second meeting in December.

A.Wilson asked when the Board would like to hold another work session devoted to the wastewater treatment plant. S. Halterman recommended inviting Paul Hogan of DEP.

Ask the Selectmen

S. Halterman received one call from a resident who asked whether the Special Town Meeting Warrant would be made available before the meeting. J. Malloy said that he will make the necessary changes to the warrant, and will post it on the Town’s website on November 21^st.

MOTION: To convene in executive session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B, Paragraph #3: To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or litigation; and Paragraph #6: To consider the purchase, exchange, taking, lease or value of real property, not to reconvene in open session, by T. Goodwin.

2^nd: H. White

Roll call vote: All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

_________________________

Date BOS Clerk