Harold Nichols, Building Inspector, read his report to the Board (copy on file). He noted that the figures on renovations and alterations have stayed close to previous years. Several old dwellings have been demolished this year. He informed the Board that regarding the zoning issue relative to Sharon Moshier’s horses at 207 Podunk Road, there will be a hearing between the Town lawyers on January 2^nd in land court in Boston. Charles Blanchard asked for the year to date figures for 2006. H. Nichols said that he would get the information.

Greg Morse, DPW Director, read his report to the Board (copy on file). He said that the guardrail has been installed on the road at Old Sturbridge Village, and the road will be open on December 19^th. H. White asked about negotiating a change of hours so that the road would stay open later at night. G. Morse said that 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. are the extended hours. J. Malloy said that he would contact Old Sturbridge Village.

Shane Moody, Veolia Water North America, read his report to the Board (copy on file). He said that all of the water tanks were inspected and cleaned. G. Morse noted that the concrete tank at St. Anne’s needs work; it shows rust in the interior of the tank and should be painted. He said that there is no structural damage. J. Malloy said that the tank is full all of the time, and some areas are weeping, with spalding on the outside. He said that there needs to be an appropriation at town meeting to hire an engineer to do a report.

General Bylaws, Section 6.30 – Snowplowing of Private Ways

MOTION: To approve the list of private ways dated December 15, 2006 for snowplowing for the 2006-07 winter, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

A.Wilson suggested letting the public know that it is at the Board’s discretion. H. White suggested that a public notice be published on an annual basis regarding maintenance of the roads.

Water and Sewer Operations Contract

MOTION: To authorize the Town Administrator to notify Veolia Water North America of the Town’s intention to put the contract operations for the Sturbridge Water and Wastewater operations out to bid and to further authorize the Town Administrator to compile an RFP based on current services and to advertise for sealed bids for a five-year period as soon as practicable, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

Tim Bardsley, Federated Church – Sign Issue

Tim Bardsley submitted a letter to the Board (copy on file) outlining two proposals regarding the sign issue for the Federated Church. J. Malloy said that in July he met with Tim Bardsley to discuss a few ideas regarding signs. It was decided that the church could continue to put a sign out where it had been. J. Malloy said that Lynne Girouard obtained a quote for putting up a sign somewhere from the street corner in front of the Library.

T. Bardsley noted that no agreement had been reached. He has spoken with the sign committee members at the church, and sent J. Malloy a letter, which he read into the record. “Proposal #1: That the Town and the church continue the historic practice of cooperative use of the properties they are located upon. That the church be allowed to put out signs of a proper nature promoting programs, dinners, activities, rummage sales and the annual auction, while the church allow the Town to use their property for several purposes. Proposal #2: That the Town grant the church ownership of a 3’ X 6’ mutually agreed upon plot of land in front of the meetinghouse, on which they would erect a permanent church sign with the ability to list upcoming church events. In return, the church would grant the Town ownership of an approximate 2’ X 12’ plot of land on which the Town Hall handicapped ramp is located.”

A.Wilson expressed concern about the control of the use of municipal property. J. Malloy said that if one religious organization is allowed to put a sign on Town property, then the Town would have to allow any and all groups to do so, and he is uncomfortable with that. He made it clear that the signs on public property need to be removed.

T. Goodwin pointed out that the church is providing services to the community when it holds dances, and the goal is to allow these dances to be advertised for the church. H. White said that he did not think that the sign proposed at the Special Town Meeting was a solution. The use of the proposed sign by the church was the same as allowing the church to use signs on town property, so it does not resolve any alleged issue. He said that the sign would be used by the library, the town and the church. He suggested that there be an understanding that in exchange for the use of town property, there should be a mutually beneficial relationship between the town and its neighbor. A.Wilson commented that everyone recognizes that it should be proper and legal. It was the consensus of the Board to take the matter under advisement.

Bob Jackson, minister of the Federated Church, asked whether they could continue with current policies in the meantime. J. Malloy said that he would consider it and get back to him.

IOD Claim

MOTION: To approve the IOD Claim for Officer Hillary Murray under MGL Ch. 41, §111F for the injury sustained on December 7, 2006 as per the report, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

Citizen Leadership Academy

J. Malloy informed the Board that he is developing a Citizen Leadership Academy in order to establish a program to educate citizens about town government and to develop a talent pool of appointees for various boards and committees. Any resident of the town, including current members of boards and committees, are invited and encouraged to participate in the Citizen Leadership Academy. Information will be available on the Town’s website and will be advertised on the Community Access Channel. Applications will be available on the Town’s website and at Town Hall. The first program will begin in February, and he will accept applications through the end of January. The first session will be limited to 15 residents and is an 8-week long program (one day per week). Each session will run about 1 ½ hours per day. The following is a summary of the program:

Week 1 – General overview of Town government – Town Administrator

Week 2 – Legal issues, Bylaws and Regulations – Town Administrator

Week 3 – Public Safety – Fire Chief and Police Chief

Week 4 – Public Works – DPW Director

Week 5 – Community Services – Council on Aging Director, Recreation Coordinator and Library Director

Week 6 – Planning, Zoning and Conservation – Town Planner and Conservation Agent

Week 7 – Board of Selectmen – Chairman

Week 8 – Finance and Wrap-Up – Finance Director, Finance Committee Chairman and Town Administrator

Zoning Issues for April Annual Town Meeting

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a memo from Jean Bubon, Town Planner dated December 14, 2006 (copy on file) regarding a zoning amendment recommended by the Planning Board. He also submitted a copy of MGL Ch. 40A, §5 and a memo from Jean Bubon addressed to Arnold Wilson regarding zoning amendments proposed by the Zoning Study Committee (copy on file). The Board has 14 days to review and return to the Planning Board prior to the Planning Board setting a public hearing. H. White asked whether the Board was comfortable with what the Zoning Study Committee was asked to accomplish.

MOTION: To accept the zoning proposals and to return them to the Planning Board so that they can schedule public hearings, as per the letter dated December 14, 2006, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Seasonal Population

MOTION: To approve the seasonal population estimate at 20,000 and to submit the certification to the ABCC, by H. White.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: All in favor.

Hamilton Rod & Gun Club

MOTION: To approve the special event permit application of Richard O’Connor to operate Ice Races at the Hamilton Rod & Gun Club on Sundays beginning on January 7, 2007, weather permitting, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

Approval of Minutes

MOTION: To accept the minutes of November 6, 2006 as presented, by H. White.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

MOTION: To accept the executive session minutes of November 6, 2006 as submitted, to remain confidential, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

MOTION: To accept the continuation of the executive session minutes of November 6, 2006 as submitted, to remain confidential, by S. Halterman.

2^nd: T. Goodwin

Vote: Three in favor; H. White and W. Emrich abstained.

MOTION: To accept the minutes of November 20, 2006 as submitted, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: H. White

Vote: All in favor.

MOTION: To accept the executive session minutes of November 20, 2006 as submitted, to remain confidential, by W. Emrich.

2^nd: S. Halterman

Vote: All in favor.

MOTION: To accept the minutes of December 4, 2006 as presented, by H. White.

2^nd: W. Emrich

Vote: All in favor.

A.Wilson noted that there will be no minutes for December 11, 2006, because there was no Selectmen’s meeting that evening, as the Board had attended the Special Town Meeting.

Old Business

S. Halterman said that he had received an email from a resident asking about the status of the Rt. 20 Safety Study. J. Malloy said that it is too early to consider hiring an engineer. He said that there was a meeting with Mass. Highway Dept. in early 2006 regarding that, but the form has not been filled out yet. He said that any project on Rt. 20 will be several years down the road. He said that he will try to get the application in to the state sometime during the next few months.

H. White asked when the Board will be discussing the 40B application. J. Malloy said that the Board will discuss it on the first meeting in January. He said that it would be beneficial to invite the applicant to meet with the Board to make a presentation in January. The Board considered that to be a good idea.

T. Goodwin said that he had attended the orientation at the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Heritage Planning meeting, where he learned about heritage landscaping. He noted that in February they will have a local meeting orientation to talk about what type of heritage landscaping exists in Sturbridge.

A.Wilson requested that the Board submit their evaluation of the Town Administrator, with input on goals and objectives for next year.

New Business

S. Halterman asked about the Board’s meeting schedule for January. J. Malloy said that the Board will meet on January 2^nd, January 8^th (work session with Paul Hogan), January 16^th, January 22^nd and 29^th to review the budget and other things; Saturday, January 20^th at 8:30 a.m. for the Budget Meeting with the Finance Committee and Department Heads; and Saturday, January 27^th for the Selectmen’s retreat at 8:30 a.m. at the Publick House.

Ask the Selectmen

There were no calls.

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: W. Emrich

Roll call vote: All were in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

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BOS Clerk Date