BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

DECEMBER 4, 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 there will be a Special Town Meeting on December 11, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Tantasqua High School Auditorium.

Sewer Flow

J. Malloy reviewed the reserve flows generated by Tighe & Bond in comparison to the previous reports that he had generated in regard to the Town’s Sewer Service Area Bylaw. He submitted to the Board a summary spreadsheet (copy on file) and a spreadsheet that contains the backup data comparing the properties with reserves (copy on file). The following is a summary of this data:

• The current 12 month moving average flow at the wastewater treatment facility is 612,000 or 81.6% of the plant’s capacity. The moving average during 2006 has ranged from 76.3% to 82.1% and fluctuates with the seasons.
• The total reserves that J. Malloy had estimated in May 2006 was 142,122 gpd (which includes the additional flows from all of the extensions approved by the Board of Selectmen). Tighe & Bond’s revised reserve flow estimate is 96,880 gpd. J. Malloy compared each property and researched each property on both his May 2006 list and Tighe & Bond’s most recent list. In conducting the comparison, his calculations were side-by-side with Tighe & Bond’s, with two additional columns. The first additional column showed the correct amount as per the Town’s bylaw, that should be held in reserve for each property. The second additional column provides a comment on those properties that Tighe & Bond identified that differed from his May 2006 estimates. There were few properties that Tighe & Bond picked up that he had missed, and were mostly vacant lots that are part of the Big Alum Sewer project. The corrected estimated flow for the reserve calculation is 132,000.
• Using the October 2006 12-month moving average of 612,000, the range of total flow, including reserves is 683,490 (91.1% of WWTF capacity), which assumes sending 100% of the Hobbs Brook Pump Station flow to Southbridge to 758,290 (101.1% of the WWTF capacity).

A.Wilson asked how many hours of effort had gone into the making of the chart. J. Malloy said that it had taken approximately 25-30 hours.

Retirement

MOTION: To accept the letter of retirement from Edward Bourassa as a full-time firefighter (Captain) with congratulations and regret, with an effective date of January 17, 2007, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Eagle Environmental Contract

MOTION: To authorize the Town Administrator to sign the proposal submitted by Eagle Environmental for $9,450.00 for the purpose of conducting a hazardous material review for the RFP for demolition of structures at the former Camp Robinson Crusoe, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

CPA Committee Appointment

MOTION: To confirm the Town Administrator’s appointment of Paula Raposa to the Community Preservation Committee for a term to expire in 2009, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Chapter 90 Supplemental Appropriation

MOTION: To authorize the Town Administrator to execute the Chapter 90 contract and to be the authorized signatory on all future Chapter 90 contracts, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Miscellaneous

• J. Malloy submitted to the Board a corrected spreadsheet (copy on file) showing the total cost of moving town employees to a 40-hour work week to be $99,225. A.Wilson noted that it was not the idea to make part-time employees into full-time employees; the part-timers would maintain their current status until they become full-time employees. H. White said that the reason there are part-time employees is because that is what their department needed and justified.
• J. Malloy said that he had sent a draft report to the Personnel Committee, and they are including a 3% adjustment for non-union salaries.
• J. Malloy contacted Jeff Nutting and scheduled an off-site retreat for the Board and himself for January 27^th. He will make final arrangements within the next few weeks.
• J. Malloy informed the Board that he tracks Town Counsel costs by month/topic, and the tracking indicates approximately $75,500 (the budget is $70,000). This includes special counsel (Mirick O’Connell and Louison & Costello). Costs involving litigation vs. non-litigation are approximately 2:1.
• J. Malloy said that the approved Firefighters’ contract for FY07-09 was ready for the Board’s signatures.

MOTION: To approve the Firefighters’ contract for FY07-09, subject to Town Meeting appropriation, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

• J. Malloy informed the Board that he met with Terry Gordon of Mass Motion Dance Studio to discuss whether she would be interested in buying the building at 8 Brookfield Road. She was not quite sure that she would be able to compete in the bidding process. He noted that other entities share the use of the building, which should be included in the drafting of the RFP. H. White suggested that J. Malloy check to see whether the building could be sold while under a current lease. H. White noted that the Town has a critical issue with the condition of the Town Hall and Center School buildings, and suggested that the Board present a strong package for Town Meeting to spend whatever amount of money is necessary to repair the buildings at that time. He asked why the Town has to maintain 8 Brookfield Road, and suggested consulting the Community Preservation Committee to see what they could do about it. A.Wilson asked when the Lion sign would be coming down. J. Malloy informed the Board that the Lions said that they would put it to good public use. He noted that the only sign he has seen on it was for a charity event in Southbridge, so it could probably be taken down.
• J. Malloy said that he had spoken with Bob Williams about the sign at Sturbridge Hills, and it will be coming down in the next week or so.

Old Business

S. Halterman asked when the next meeting of the ad hoc committee regarding Camp Robinson Crusoe will be held. J. Malloy said that he would try to set something up before the holidays.

A.Wilson recognized the effort put forth by Tom Chamberland, Veterans’ Agent and Lorraine Murawski, Town Clerk on the outstanding memorial service that they had put together for Lt. Joshua Booth. He commended them, as well as the numerous other people who had contributed to it.

H. White asked when the Old Sturbridge Village Road would be reopened. J. Malloy said that there is a problem with the guardrail for the bridge; Greg Morse, DPW Director, had rejected it, and contacted J.H. Lynch about it before Thanksgiving. It is on the site now and will be installed by the end of this week, and afterward the road will be reopened.

H. White noted that there are trucks parked at the recycling center. J. Malloy said that he would have the Chief of Police or the Building Inspector deal with it, since the trucks are parked in a no-parking area on Town property.

W. Emrich said that the Booth family appreciated the memorial ceremony, and noted that J. Malloy’s letter was excellent.

T. Goodwin informed the Board that Sturbridge was chosen by the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation’s Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, and thanked Penny Dumas for putting that together. He noted that there will be an orientation on the 15^th.

H. White noted that there was an article by petition on the Special Town Meeting warrant regarding rezoning that was dropped. J. Malloy said that it was not possible to hold the public hearing on it on time to put it on the Special Town Meeting warrant.

New Business

H. White said that there were two items in error on the 40B application: “The use of water and sewer was available;” and “No application was submitted to the Town for this property previously.” J. Malloy said that when they contact the Town for comment, he will inform them of the errors at that time.

A.Wilson said that the Finance Committee had voted 5-3 against the sign on the Common, saying that it should come out of betterment. A.Wilson discussed the matter with Lynne Girouard, Recreation Coordinator, and J. Malloy, and they determined that it should be done as soon as possible. A.Wilson recommended that the Board speak to Town Meeting to get it passed and get it done. J. Malloy said that the church was given permission to put their sign out there until this is resolved.

A.Wilson noted that regarding sewer operations, the Board has received correspondence from other operating companies who are offering their services to the Town. He asked whether the Board would like to hold a special meeting on sewer issues. J. Malloy said that S. Halterman had suggested getting Paul Hogan of DEP to meet with the Board, and suggested that it be during the January work session.

A.Wilson suggested that the Board have an alternate motion ready on Woodside Circle, in the event that the motion on the warrant is defeated. The alternate motion would be to do Woodside Circle only.

Ask the Selectmen

H. White received a call from a resident who informed him that this is Ted Goodwin’s birthday. The Board wished him a happy birthday.

MOTION: To adjourn, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

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BOS Clerk Date