BOARD OF SELECTMEN

WORK SESSION MINUTES

APRIL 13, 2010

Present:          Ted Goodwin

Thomas Creamer

Mary Blanchard

Scott Garieri

Mary Dowling

Michael Racicot

Shaun Suhoski, Town Administrator

Town Hall/Center Office Construction Committee

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

Philip O’Brien of Johnson Roberts Associates Inc. and Thomas Kondel of Netco Construction appeared before the Board.

T. Kondel gave the Board an update on the project through March 2010.  T. Creamer asked about the status of insulation in the buildings.  P. O’Brien described the solid wall masonry, and explained that if the walls were sealed they would rot.  He said that the addition, end walls and roof are insulated.

M. Blanchard asked about the memorial plaques at Town Hall.  K. Smith said that the plaques are being refurbished and will be installed on the walls in Veterans’ Memorial Hall.  Tom Chamberland, Veterans’ Agent, agreed to their installation.  P. O’Brien said that the granite block Medal of Honor remains on site.

S. Garieri asked about the status of the meeting table.  P. O’Brien said that it would be constructed by Tantasqua High School students, and painted to match the trim.  T. Goodwin asked whether there would be wifi access at the table.  P. O’Brien said that wireless would work.

S. Garieri asked about the status of the cable wiring in the buildings.  M. Racicot said that S. Suhoski would work out the details with Charter Communications.  K. Smith said that there would be fiber optics and a new server.  Greg Morse, DPW Director, indicated that installation of an underground conduit would cost approximately $30,000+ and, as such, plans are to go overhead across Route 131.  Completion of the project is estimated for June 29, 2010.

Town Administrator’s Update

Financial:

M. Racicot reviewed the Auditor’s report and fiscal examination for FY 2009.  R.E. Brown & Company, Certified Public Accountants, found that the financial statements of the Town present fairly, in all material respects, the respective financial position of the governmental activities.  Good work by Finance Director Barbara Barry, Town Accountant Jean Joel and their respective staff: Deb Morse, Sandy Sears and Jean Campbell.

M. Racicot reviewed proposals from Tighe & Bond for changes to their fees related to the Wastewater Treatment Facility.  He said that they have identified changes in the project scope and he and G. Morse and are going over them.

Personnel:

After Jean Bubon resigned from the Cable TV Committee, M. Racicot had a conversation with an interested party about an appointment to the committee.

MOTION:       To confirm the appointment by the Town Administrator of Donald Fairbrother to a term on the Cable Advisory Committee for the Town of Sturbridge, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     S. Garieri

Vote:  All in favor.

The Police Chief submitted a claim from one of the Police Officers who sustained an injury while on duty.  She was bitten by a dog while entering a room to investigate a claim.

MOTION:       To approve the IOD claim of Pamela Desplaines for her injury sustained on April 8, 2010, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     S. Garieri

Vote:  Four in favor; M. Dowling abstained.

M. Racicot held another session of SEIU negotiations for successor contract.  He noted that he would provide all of his materials to Mr. Suhoski and brief him on the status of the negotiations and date for the next meeting.

M. Racicot attended the second session of the Burgess Support Staff negotiations.  He Will also brief Mr. Suhoski on the status of these negotiations, giving him the notes of the meeting and letting him know when the next meeting is scheduled to take place.

M. Racicot met with Selectman Garieri and reviewed Section 10.  Policies, specifically 10.1 Sexual Harassment as the Board had voted.  Mr. Garieri expressed his remorse in a most sincere manner, and was attentive to the policy.  M. Racicot submitted a memo to the Board regarding the review.

Legal:

M. Racicot worked with the Assistant Town Clerk to make sure that all preparations were complete for the Town Election.

M. Racicot worked with the Habitat for Humanity personnel to ensure that the final legal steps were completed for the Fairview Park Road project.

M. Racicot worked with Town Counsel on numerous issues: Cable renewal contract; upcoming labor arbitration case; Burgess Contracts…

General Government:

M. Racicot fielded various queries from the public on multiple subjects: election information; several expressions of dismay over the TASC incidents; cable TV service outage complaints (which he immediately referred to Charter).

M. Racicot checked with the Fire Chief and crew after the small fire near Room 55, at the fence behind the Friendly’s Restaurant dumpster.  The Chief said that it was caused by a thermal reaction with mulch.

M. Racicot attended the Burgess School Building Committee meeting as they went over the design progress.  The project is moving along on schedule, and the pre-qualification process is underway.

M. Racicot attended the Town Hall Building construction meeting.  He met with subcontractors on site to go over the computer/fiber optic connection requirements.   He enjoyed working on this project very much, and hoped to be able to come back for the dedication when it takes place.

M. Racicot was able to finalize the Cable TV renewal contract with Charter.  Town Counsel finished a final review and it is done for the next five years.

M. Racicot attended a meeting of the Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts held in Ayer related to the changes within the new Open Meeting Law.  He used the opportunity to visit and talk with the Town Administrator there.

With the recent poor weather, the event, “Maple Madness” (originally approved for March 13th)did not take place.  The organizers requested permission to hold it on Saturday, April 24th instead.

MOTION:       To grant a Special Event permit/Live Entertainment license to the renamed “Spring Magic Celebration” (formerly Maple Madness) to be held on the Town Common on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live music from 1 to 3 p.m., providing a rain date of May 1, 2010, by T. Goodwin.

2nd:     T. Creamer

Vote:  All in favor.

M. Racicot thanked the Board for the unforgettable memories.

Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen

MOTION:       To nominate Mary Blanchard as Chairman, by S. Garieri.  After general discussion relative to a motion by T. Creamer in terms of his desire to nominate T. Goodwin,             Mary Blanchard respectfully declined the nomination.

MOTION:       To nominate Ted Goodwin as Chairman, by T. Creamer.

2nd:     M. Blanchard

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To nominate Mary Dowling as Vice-Chairman, by T. Creamer.

Mary Dowling respectfully declined the nomination.

MOTION:       To nominate Thomas Creamer as Vice-Chairman, by M. Dowling.

2nd:     T. Goodwin

Vote:  Three in favor; M. Blanchard and S. Garieri opposed.

The motion carried.

MOTION:       To nominate Mary Blanchard as Clerk, by T. Creamer.

2nd:     M. Dowling

Vote:  All in favor.

MOTION:       To adjourn by S. Garieri

2nd:     M. Blanchard

Vote:  All in favor.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Judy Knowles

_____________________________

BOS Clerk                 Date