BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MINUTES

MAY 4, 2009

Present:          Mary Blanchard, Chairman

Scott Garieri

Ted Goodwin

Tom Creamer

Hal White

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 accept the minutes of April 21, 2009 as corrected, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To accept the executive session minutes of April 21, 2009 as amended, to remain confidential, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

Burgess School Building Committee Interviews

Maura Ardis appeared before the Board.  She said that she has two children, ages five and two, and has always been interested in the Sturbridge public schools.  S. Garieri asked whether she would be interested in serving on any other committees, in the event that she is not chosen to serve on the Burgess School Building Committee.  M. Ardis said that she would be interested in other committees regarding the school system or recreation.  T. Creamer asked about her previous experience or involvement in the community.  M. Ardis said that this would be her first true experience working on a town committee, but her family has been very involved in the community where they live.  T. Creamer asked about her understanding of the responsibilities that the School Building Committee has in relation to the project.  M. Ardis said that she did not have a strong understanding, but surmised some things from the Town Meetings, from the design to assessing certain things.  She stressed the need to carefully assess each decision as a community in the building of the school.  T. Goodwin asked what would be her main focus and concerns in the building process.  M. Ardis said that it would be to create a school that is conducive to learning, comfortable and safe.  She expressed concern about the open classroom situation that currently exists at Burgess.

Gregory Gilson appeared before the Board.  He said that this would be his first experience in public service of any kind.  He expressed an interest in seeing anything built in Sturbridge prosper.  He said that his focus would be on the engineering and construction end, as he is a chemical engineer who does HVAC consulting and construction management.  He could offer technical assistance to the project.  S. Garieri asked whether he would be interested in serving on any other committees, in the event that he is not chosen to serve on the Burgess School Building Committee.  G. Gilson said that his knowledge would fit this committee best, but he would also be interested in serving on the Planning Board.  S. Garieri asked whether there would be any possibility that his company would be bidding on the project.  G. Gilson said that they would not, since his company is too far away.  T. Goodwin asked what he knew about building materials, and children’s sensitivity to them.  G. Gilson said that he was knowledgeable about lead, energy initiatives, carpeting, woodwork and paint, healthy and non-healthy materials.

Lisa Noonan appeared before the Board.  She said that she has three children and has lived in Sturbridge for five years.  She said that she has a marketing background, and could bring communication skills to the Committee.  She expressed surprise about the amount of misinformation in circulation, and said that she would be good at bringing information from the Committee out to the public.  S. Garieri asked whether she would be interested in serving on any other committees, in the event that she is not chosen to serve on the Burgess School Building Committee.  L. Noonan said that she would be interested in something regarding the school system, such as the PTO.  T. Creamer asked what approach she would use to address the lack of information issue.  L. Noonan said that she would communicate information regarding issues between residents and the Committee in a democratic way.  She would make a list of pros and cons regarding issues, and would follow the process.  S. Garieri asked what she would consider to be the best way to get the correct information out to the public.  L. Noonan said that she would send emails, newspaper articles, newsotronics and meetings with open forums.  She noted that there is no one vehicle that would cover everyone, so she would use a multi-pronged approach.

M. Blanchard asked whether Holly O’Neil Turley had to go through the same process.  J. Malloy said that he didn’t think that she needed to do so, and when her term expires, if the Board expands the Committee to 13 members and H. Turley stays on the Committee, there would be a 13-member Committee with the new person being appointed.

MOTION:       To nominate Dale Caldwell, based on his experience in building projects, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Creamer

T. Creamer said that it would weigh heavily regarding having someone who could offer construction guidance through the process; on the other hand, all of the candidates bring something to the table.  He said that there is also a need for communication.  M. Blanchard noted that this is not a new committee, and an architect has already been chosen.  She also stressed the need for good communication.

David Barnicle, Conservation Commission, suggested that the Board appoint a non-voting community communication liaison, which would be one less task for the members of the committee to handle.  M. Blanchard said that it would be the decision of the Building Committee to do that, and the Selectmen could forward that suggestion to them.

T. Goodwin said that it is important to have people who understand the process and the technical aspects of it, but communication is also important.  T. Creamer said that he had spoken with many people during his campaign, and discovered that many thought that the Burgess School project was finished.  He said that communication is critical, although having someone who has been through the process would be valuable.  He said that he did not know enough about the backgrounds of the people who are currently serving on the Committee.  J. Malloy informed the Board that the Committee is going to meet on May 6th.  It was the consensus of the Board to hold action; H. White withdrew his motion and T. Creamer withdrew the second.  S. Garieri volunteered to attend the meeting on the 6th.  T. Creamer suggested that S. Garieri and J. Malloy discuss the benefits of a communication liaison with the Committee and report back to the Board of Selectmen.  J. Malloy suggested that the Selectmen discuss the matter at their May 11th work session and take action on May 18th.

MOTION:       To confirm the appointment of Larry Morrison to the Burgess School Building Committee for an indefinite term, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

Mike Loin, Bertin Engineering – Request for Sewer Connection for 173 Main Street

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a letter from Bertin Engineering for a sewer connection permit at 173 Main Street, which is to be redeveloped (currently Rom’s parking lot) into a convenience store/car wash.  Mike Loin appeared before the Board.  He explained that there had been three original lots at the site.  The request was for the reallocation of 2,000 gallons of sewer capacity.  He estimated that the proposed redevelopment will use approximately 2,200 gallons per day, using Title V design guidelines and typical water usage specifications for a car wash with a reclaim unit.

M. Loin said that Rom’s Restaurant had been using 22,750 gallons/day when it was in operation, and it will not be reopened.  They have taken one-third of the parking lot away, so there is no longer parking for 650 people.

S. Garieri asked about the status of Rom’s liquor license.  Judy Knowles said that the license was not renewed for 2009.

J. Malloy expressed concern about leaving a building at the site with a capacity for a certain sewer flow.  He asked why the owners did not demolish the building.  He noted that the flow is based on the size of the building.  M. Loin said that it would take a lot of money to bring the restaurant back to being operational.  He said that it is a non-functioning building at this point, but someone could renovate it for another use.  S. Garieri asked whether there was anything in writing.  M. Loin said that he could obtain a letter from the Rosciolis.  M. Blanchard noted that reducing the allocation would reduce the value of the restaurant.

H. White said that M. Loin does not represent the owners of 179 Main Street.  He said that the Board should judge the matter based on its own merits, not whether the Town has the capacity by allocating the capacity from Rom’s.  S. Garieri noted that the property has 22,200 gallons/day and that property has been subdivided.  He said that there should be some consideration for the division of that property, and the Board should consider the actual impact it will have as far as the wastewater treatment plant is concerned.  H. White said that there is an issue regarding whom the capacity belongs to, and noted that the difference should revert to the Town.  He said that if the owners of 179 Main Street bought another piece of property which was served by sewer but had one stub, then there would be property owners brokering sewer, which is not the Town’s intent.  M. Blanchard said that there should be something in writing, and that Greg Morse, DPW Director, has expressed concern with the flows that are flowing into the system.  J. Malloy asked whether the Board would like a recommendation from the DPW Director; the Board said that they would.

T. Creamer noted that adequate space for parking is a Planning Board issue, not for discussion by the Board of Selectmen.  He said that this is not the first time that a request has been made to reallocate flow from one lot to an adjoining lot.  He did not see an issue with reallocating flow, provided that the owners provide something in writing so that the Town is not absorbing additional flow.  T. Goodwin said that the next use of the property must still be decided upon by the Board and must be able to stand on its own merits.  T. Creamer said that the determination should be based on what is allowed.  T. Goodwin noted that this is a finite resource, which the Board has an obligation to use carefully.  M. Loin said that he would provide further information to the Board on May 18th.

Resignations/Appointments

J. Malloy submitted to the Board a letter of resignation from Tom Creamer from the Planning Board and a letter of resignation from Frank Damiano from the Conservation Commission.

MOTION:       To accept the letter of resignation from Tom Creamer from the Planning Board, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     S. Garieri

Vote:  Four in favor; T. Creamer abstained.

MOTION:       To accept the letter of resignation from Frank Damiano from the Conservation Commission, by S. Garieri.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To appoint Chris Williams as a member of the Board of Registrars, by S. Garieri.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To accept the letter of resignation from James Malloy as the Town Administrator, by S. Garieri.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

M. Blanchard thanked J. Malloy for his years of service to the Town, and said that it would be difficult to fill his shoes.  T. Creamer said that J. Malloy has demonstrated his convictions with character and great courage, and wished him the best of luck.  T. Goodwin and S. Garieri thanked and congratulated J. Malloy.

J. Malloy provided a list of appointments to various Boards, Committees and Commissions that required the Selectmen’s confirmation, and noted that there were also reappointments for department heads whose terms were up.  T. Creamer requested that two of the appointments be put on hold:  Ed Goodwin to the Conservation Commission and Wendy Lilly-Hanson to the Conservation Commission.

MOTION:       To confirm the Town Administrator’s appointments as follows, except those place on hold:

Jennifer Morrison – Planning Board for a term to expire in 2014

Russell Chamberland – Planning Board for a term to expire in 2014

Blake Duzak – Historical Commission for a term to expire in 2012

Diane Trepasso – Historical Commission for a term to expire in 2012

Jeff Bonja – Conservation Commission for a term to expire in 2012

Mike Serio – Personnel Committee for a term to expire in 2012

Carol Mitchell – Cultural Council for a term to expire in 2012

Helen Beke – Cultural Council for a term to expire in 2012

Peter Morin – Cultural Council for a term to expire in 2012

Penny Dumas – Community Preservation Committee for a term to expire in 2012

Housing Partnership Committee – Mike Rylant for a term to expire in 2012

Agricultural Commission – Anne Geyer for a term to expire in 2012

Francis O’Connell – Design Review Committee for a term to expire in 2012

By T. Creamer

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

T. Creamer expressed concern about the level of activism on some boards, and said that they should be void of all political agendas and philosophies.  He said that during his campaign, while going door-to-door, he found that there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with the lack of professionalism and overreach by some members of the Conservation Commission as it relates to fulfillment of their duties.  He said that it is important to recognize that 2/3 of the voters at Town Election had voted for change.  He said that appointed members of boards should do their jobs with extreme objectivity.  After reviewing Conservation Commission meetings, he was alarmed by the level of activism and overreaching that has taken place.  He noted that at the last Conservation Commission meeting, a statement was made by Ed Goodwin that “the Planning Board could not do their job. . .”  He said that there is no board in this town that follows the letter of the law as well as the Planning Board.  He said that the Conservation Commission has an obligation and responsibility to enforce the Wetlands Protection Act; they should not be bringing personal issues to the table.  He said that another comment was made regarding a proposed project:  “We don’t need another gas station.”  He felt that it was irrelevant; what is relevant is whether the project meets the letter of the law.

T. Creamer noted that the Town of Sturbridge is under no obligation to reappoint individuals.  He said that he was not prepared to support the reappointment of an individual who has overstepped his authority and insulted the Planning Board, who are the utmost professionals.  E. Goodwin had stated that he would do the Planning Board’s job for them.

Regarding Wendy Lilly-Hansen, T. Creamer expressed concern about comments that she had made which were more to do with ideology.  H. White said that he did not want to disqualify her for expressing her opinion, which had no impact on any action of the Conservation Commission.  H. White said that Ed Goodwin has been a member of the Conservation Commission for 15 years.  He noted that T. Creamer has a personal history of animosity toward E. Goodwin.

T. Creamer said that he has an obligation to do things on principle, and everything he does is objective.  S. Garieri agreed with T. Creamer, and said that several people have complained to him about Mr. Goodwin.

T. Goodwin said that he would vote on this matter, after having contacted the State Ethics Commission about it.  He noted that the voters did not vote for change this year, as he was an incumbent and was re-elected.  He said that the Conservation Commission is for the environmental and public health of this town.  He noted that the Board is a political entity.

M. Blanchard said that Ed Goodwin has been a member of the Conservation Commission for 15 years, and has a strong personality and political views.  She said that in all of the years that E. Goodwin has served on the Commission, she did not recall any decision made by them that was based on how Mr. Goodwin felt on something, and the Town has not been sued for anything based on Mr. Goodwin.  She reminded the Selectmen that any vote taken by the Conservation Commission is still by majority vote of that Board.

MOTION:       To confirm the Town Administrator’s appointment of Ed Goodwin as a member of the Conservation Commission, for a term to expire in 2012, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  Three in favor; S. Garieri and T. Creamer opposed.

MOTION:       To confirm the Town Administrator’s appointment of Wendy Lilly-Hansen as a member of the Conservation Commission, for a term to expire in 2011, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

J. Malloy said that David Mitchell did not seek reappointment to the Conservation Commission, and Wendy Lilly-Hansen would bring technical skills to the table after the loss of D. Mitchell.  David Barnicle said that any statement could be made by a private citizen, but the Conservation Commission votes are based on the Wetlands Protection Act.

M. Blanchard said that any concerns regarding a board or commission member’s performance should be brought to the attention of the Chairman and the Town Administrator.

J. Malloy informed the Board that there are additional vacancies on the following Boards, Committees or Commissions: Planning Board (1); Council on Aging (1); Personnel Committee (1); Community Preservation Committee (1); and Housing Partnership Committee (1). These have been advertised, and in the case of the Planning Board, J. Malloy will interview two candidates next week and will be prepared to make an appointment at the next Selectmen’s meeting.

Interim Town Administrator & Town Administrator Search Committee

Connected with J. Malloy’s resignation, the Board will need to hire an Interim Town Administrator and create a Search Committee.  J. Malloy has already received several applications for both.  He said that for the Interim TA position, the Board may wish to advertise in case there is anyone local that may be qualified and interested.  He contacted MMA and they’ve provided a few names for the Town to contact.  He suggested that the Board select two members to sort through the applicants, and to select three for the full Board to interview on May 18th.  His intent as stated in his letter of resignation is to work through the end of June, but to take a week off during June.  He suggested that Greg Morse be the Acting Town Administrator as he normally has while he is on vacation, and that the Interim TA start on June 30th, so that he can work one day with him/her to go over current projects and issues and to introduce the Interim Administrator to the staff.

H. White and M. Blanchard expressed interest in reviewing applications and interviewing for the Interim Administrator.

For the Search Committee, J. Malloy suggested that the Board advertise for the three open seats and solicit volunteers from among the Board (1 seat) and Town department heads (1 seat) and that the Board make the selection for the Search Committee at the first meeting in June so that they can get started.  The Charter provides for a three month appointment for an Interim TA that can be extended once for an additional three months.

S. Garieri expressed interest in serving on the Search Committee, and noted that he is available during the day.  T. Creamer and H. White also volunteered.

H. White suggested advertising on the Town website and the MMA website.

J. Malloy asked the Board whether someone would be eligible for the permanent position who is serving as the Interim Town Administrator.  S. Garieri said that he did not see it as a problem.  M. Blanchard did consider it to be a problem, and stated that when there is an Interim, it becomes a political issue when the Board needs to vote for a full-time Town Administrator if the Interim Administrator is one of the finalists.  T. Creamer agreed, adding that it creates an unfair advantage (or disadvantage), and said that he would be more comfortable having an Interim not be eligible for the permanent position.  T. Goodwin agreed.  H. White said that in industry, where you have a consultant also competing for that full-time position, there are down sides, but there is the positive of the person having the experience of working with individuals.  M. Blanchard noted that business is different than municipalities.  It was the consensus of the Board to have the Interim serve just as an Interim.

MOTION:       That the Interim Town Administrator not be eligible as a candidate for the permanent Town Administrator position, by T. Creamer.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  Four in favor; H. White opposed.

Landfill Capping Project

J. Malloy noted that the Town Meeting appropriated funds to cap the landfill, and this was put out to bid prior to the Town Meeting so that it could move fairly quickly.  Bids were opened on April 21, 2009.  The Town Engineer has reviewed the bids and provided a recommendation to award the bid to the low bidder, Ciesla Construction of Sturbridge, at $107,900.

MOTION:       To award the landfill capping project to Ciesla Construction Corporation for $107,900 as per their bid; and further to authorize the Town Administrator to execute the contract between the Town and Ciesla Construction Corporation for this project, by S. Garieri.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

Surplus Equipment

Moving forward with the WWTF project, the DPW Director and Tighe & Bond have indicated that there are some pieces of equipment that will not be used in the new WWTF (and are not being used now).  The DPW Director has indicated a preference to sell these pieces of equipment, if possible.  These two pieces of equipment would be the lime stabilization equipment and belt filter press (both used for sludge handling, but now sludge is taken to a waste to energy plant). J. Malloy submitted to the Board a memo from the DPW Director seeking to have these two items declared surplus personal property.

MOTION:       To declare the lime stabilization equipment and belt filter press at the Wastewater Treatment Facility as surplus personal property and to authorize the Town Administrator to sell the equipment through sealed bids to the highest bidder, by T. Creamer.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

WWTF Update

J. Malloy submitted to the Board several memos and a proposed project (draft) schedule for the WWTF.  There were two important items that he brought to the Board’s attention.

First, the schedule shows that a contract is estimated to be awarded in December of 2009, with construction starting in March 2010 and concluding in May of 2011.  This is significant, because the project is on the Intended Use Plan developed by the MADEP and these dates are consistent with the requirements for funding through ARRA.

Second, the April 21, 2009 memorandum from Ian Catlow discusses a meeting held with the MADEP on April 9, 2009.  The important item from this particular meeting is that the MADEP is going to require a more detailed alternatives analysis by Tighe & Bond, and that the MADEP made it clear to the Town that any consideration of increasing the flow from 750,000 gpd to 1.3 mgd (or some other amount) will need to be done in conjunction with the renewal of the Town’s NPDES permit, which is set for November 2010 (for actual renewal; the work will start earlier in 2010).  Based upon the comments from MADEP, the Town will be designing and putting out to bid a plant capable of treating 1.3 mgd, but the permit at the time of putting this out to bid will be for the current permitted capacity of 750,000 gpd.  This has created some concern for the DPW Director (as per the April 22, 2009 memo from Greg Morse) in regard to whether or not the MADEP and USEPA will actually grant an increase in flow.  While there is some risk that the Town will undertake the expense of constructing a new wastewater treatment plant and the MADEP or USEPA not allowing an increase in flow, the Town is under an order to bring the current plant into compliance with the current NPDES permit requirements, whether the flow increases or not.  This is an issue that the Town will need to stay on top of and keep on the MADEP’s radar screen over the next 1½ years.  The new NPDES permit will be issued prior to the plant construction is completed (November 2010 vs. May 2011) so this review will be done concurrent with the construction of the new plant.

T. Creamer said that it is important that the Board work with G. Morse and provide him with support.

Town Meeting Issue

During the Town Meeting, a voter pointed out a discrepancy in the Outdoor Water Restriction Bylaw in that it refers to 0.50 cfsm (cubic feet per second per square mile) as being 47.2 cubic feet per second (cfs) in one section and 13.95 cfs in another section.  J. Malloy reviewed the Water Management Act (WMA) permit, and the bylaw that was approved by Town Meeting mirrors the permit (the error is in the permit).  The correct number is 47.2 cfs.  J. Malloy will contact the Town Moderator and recommended that this article be taken up for reconsideration to correct Article 19 and the reference at 4.02 (B) to reflect the correct number of 47.2 cfs.  He said that this clearly falls under the Town Moderator’s guideline of new information being presented.

MOTION:       To submit a motion to reconsider Article 19 to correct the reference in Section 4.02 (B) of the Water Bylaws to replace 13.95 cfs with 47.2 cfs., by T. Creamer.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

Miscellaneous

The Board had asked when the Finance Director was planning on holding an auction for Town-owned property.  Barbara Barry had indicated that while she has not set a date, she is planning on the first or second week of June and will be formalizing a date in the next week.

Updated IUP Plan – J. Malloy submitted to the Board an updated IUP plan issued by the State, dated April 27, 2009 which includes the Sturbridge WWTF.

32/34 Cedar Lake Drive – At the last Selectmen’s meeting there was discussion with regard to whether #32 Cedar Lake Drive had built their garage on the Town’s property located at #34 Cedar Lake Drive and whether the property at #32 had rights to use Cedar Lake Drive.  J. Malloy did the research and printed off the deeds on #32 dating back to the Leona Greene Estate and all of the deeds refer to the right to use the “existing roadway leading south (which is an error, it leads north) from Route 20 to Burgess Elementary School, formerly laid out as Greene Drive…” but also includes “together with the rights over the road off of Lakeside Drive” (this road doesn’t exist, but J. Malloy assumed that the reference was to Cedar Lake Drive).  Greg Morse and J. Malloy conducted a site visit and found the boundary pins and measured the distance to the garage, and it’s 15 feet from the Town’s boundary, which meets the setbacks for zoning.  J. Malloy has a complete package of material if any Board members wished to review, which included the building permit and plans from 2002 for the garage.

J. Malloy announced that the Board of Assessors appointed William Mitchell as the Principal Assessor, by unanimous vote.

J. Malloy contacted Kevin Smith regarding the FY10 budget and how to handle it.  The budget will be taken up at the June 8th continuation of the Annual Town Meeting.  He suggested that the Finance Committee meet with the Board of Selectmen on June 1st to discuss it, at which time both boards could come to a consensus.  The Board of Selectmen agreed.

Board of Health application – J. Malloy submitted to the Board a letter from John Degnan for the vacant Board of Health seat (joint appointment with the remaining members of the Board of Health and Board of Selectmen).  John Degnan appeared before the Board, along with the Board of Health.  Linda Cocalis stressed the need to appoint a third member immediately.  J. Degnan said that he had served in the Worcester public school system as a teacher, guidance counselor and administrator; as an emergency mental health clinician in the Emergency Dept. at Milford Hospital, as well as serving on the Red Cross.  He was named to the National Rapid Response Team.  He currently serves as the Public Health Emergency Response Coordinator/Bio-Terrorism Officer for the Eastern Highlands Health District in Northeast Connecticut and as Program Consultant to the Mass. DPH Region 2 Emergency Preparedness Coalition.

MOTION:       To nominate John Degnan as a member of the Board of Health, by H. White.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor: five Selectmen, two Board of Health.

Correspondence

S. Garieri asked about the status of the Charter bankruptcy.  J. Malloy said that he has asked Town Counsel to review it, and will have additional information for the Board by the next meeting.

T. Goodwin said that Jean Bubon had sent an email to the Board regarding solar.  M. Blanchard said that she had not seen it.  J. Malloy said that there is a property owner in town looking to rezone for a solar farm.  It is a residential piece of land.  J. Bubon will bring it to the Planning Board this week.  He said that a Special Town Meeting could be scheduled to deal with it.

Old Business

M. Blanchard asked about the status of the unclaimed licenses.  J. Malloy said that a notice went out that the Board will hold a public hearing on May 18th to address the matter.  He noted that one of the licensees picked up her license.

M. Blanchard asked about the status of alcohol compliance checks by the Police Department.  J. Malloy said that he has not yet received a request from the Police Chief for a disciplinary hearing.  He noted that the Board had adopted a penalty policy.

T. Creamer asked when recordings of meetings would be broadcast to the public.  J. Malloy said that it would be fairly soon.  He has been working with Jeff Bonja on a low cost solution for televised broadcasting.  He said that it may be possible to use the cameras that were used at Town Hall.

T. Creamer said that only five boards have their minutes posted on line, and he would like to see as many board meeting minutes on line as possible.  He noted that the Community Preservation Committee should have their minutes posted.

T. Creamer said that he had reached out to several communities regarding the Elderbus matter.  He noted that the Board had agreed to support funding for it.  M. Blanchard suggested taking another look at funding for it.  T. Goodwin offered to help.

New Business

T. Goodwin suggested that the Board consider forming an energy committee.  J. Malloy offered to post a notice on the Town’s website on the statement of purpose.

T. Creamer suggested having local groups come in for a “green” presentation to bring information to the community.  He stressed the importance of spreading a message regarding energy conservation.  M. Blanchard suggested scheduling it for one of the work sessions.

Citizens Forum

Lucy Kittel, a senior at Tantasqua High School, appeared before the Board to discuss zero waste as part of her Dynamics for Democracy class.  She provided information to the Board illustrating the negative effects of solid waste landfills on public health and the environment.  She discussed the benefits of product reuse, recycling-based manufacturers, materials recovery facilities and composting.  She noted that her teacher, Ms. Dunn, runs a Recycling Club at the High School.  L. Kittel said that she plans to run information on the cable access channel.  Her presentation was well received by the Board.

MOTION:       To adjourn, by S. Garieri.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

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BOS Clerk                             Date