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10/18/2011 BOS Meeting Minutes
Meeting Minutes--
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on  11/01/11 by a vote of 5-0
                                                
                                                 7:00 p.m. – October 18, 2011
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
             Chairman Kevin Geraghty; Vice-Chair Michael Chizy, Clerk John Hebert and Selectmen Richard Hersom & Kenneth Stuart   
                                                                                           
Also in Attendance:
        Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques Administrative Secretary  

Chairman Geraghty calls the meeting to order at 7:00 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. No Comments under Public Forum

Approval of Minutes:
Selectman Stuart motions to accept as presented October 4, 2011 meeting minutes, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0-1
                                                        (Selec. Hersom abstains as he was not present at 10/4/11 meeting)

Public Hearing notice for Sutton Wines & Liquors as posted in the Millbury Sutton Chronicle on September 22, 2011 read by Selectman John Hebert : Vincent Allard, 118 Eightlots Road Sutton, owner & manager of Sutton Wines & Liquors is present. Mr. Allard addresses the BOS informing them this hearing is due to a change in directors and other related items. Selectman Chizy has no questions and comments that he runs a good business. Selectman Hersom states all the necessary paper work is in order it seems to be a housekeeping issue. Selectman Stuart agrees it is housekeeping.  Selectman Hebert says Vincent has been in town over 5 years now, he recalls no issues just good management practice; Chairman Geraghty says the BOS appreciate him having a business in town. Hearing no further comments Selectman Hebert motions to approve the request by Sutton Wines & Liquors, Inc. for a change in the existing directors and other related items as presented for the All Alcohol Retail Package Store Liquor License, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0

High School/Middle School project update: present are Jon Winikur and Alan Minkus, project managers from Strategic Building Solutions and School Building Committee Chairperson Wendy Meade. Wendy Meade begins by saying this is an enormous project and they would like to review the time line of the project. Jon Winikur says that there have been some issues but that is expected when dealing with an older building. The design by Flansburgh is logical and compact.  The project was anticipated to cost $59.9 million dollars; the MSBA will reimburse the Town of Sutton $29.8 with the final cost to Sutton at $30 million dollars. The winning construction bid (TLT) came in $855,000. Under budget, this will be maintained in a reserve fund until completion of the project. The project currently is behind 8-10 weeks due to a bid protest, asbestos under the slab in the middle school and utility relocation. The phases for the school project are as follows: phase 1 is the temporary middle school which was completed for the beginning of the school year; phase 2, the new middle school has a target date for the end of 2012; phase 3, the core building, has a target date for the summer of 2013 and phase 4 the high school demolition (completion), has a target date for the fall of 2014. Selectman Chizy says it was a very good presentation, Mike asks if there was issues besides the asbestos, Jon Winikur responds there are always issues with these projects, Alan Minkus says that when you deal with 50-60 years of construction and not a lot of documentation you do find issues. Wendy Meade states that the asbestos issue was professionally abated and was signed off on by the state.  Selectman Hebert questioned if the driveway circle was going to stay the same size, Winikur responded it will be a little wider and the shape will be more elliptical, John also questioned the snow removal as that has created issues as well as damage to the sidewalk; Selectman Hersom says great presentation, he is going to sit back and watch as an important part of the future of Sutton unfolds.  Selectman Stuart publicly thanked Wendy Meade for her leadership and commitment to the School Building Committee as well as educating those with questions. Ken states the presentation shows we have a very professional group (SBS) and he agrees with Winikur saying that students and teachers need to keep their eyes on the prize. Chairman Geraghty reviews some of the phase dates presented and questions if the sports field shown is included in the budgeted cost, Winikur replied yes, Wendy Meade states that the furniture and fixtures shown are also included in the spending. Selectman Geraghty says the time frame for the next update late winter/early spring would be good. Kevin also commends Wendy Meade on  her tremendous leadership.   

Request for MGL Ch91§10A permit: TA Smith updates BOS as this was originally on the Oct 4th meeting; it was postponed as we did not give the applicant sufficient time to attend. TA Smith spoke to the applicant on Oct 3rd stating it would be postponed until Oct. 18, there was an email on Oct. 17 stating he did not have adequate notice to attend, TA Smith has requested the BOS go forward with the agenda item. Chairman Geraghty says the request is for a permit to put a structure in Lake Singletary (a buoy system) 150’ off shore, Conservation has already denied the request.  Selectman Geraghty says we have given the applicant adequate time to attend.  Selectman Chizy states that you would lose a good amount of the lake if every lake front homeowner put buoys out 150’, Mike would deny the request, Selectman Hebert states that he does not agree that a resident should put out the buoys and then send a letter written in the tone it was, John would deny the request. Selectman Hersom feels the request was more of a demand then a request, Rick shares safety concerns but he states all boats are registered with the state, if there is a boat that you feel is endangering you get the registration number. We cannot set precedence by allowing the buoys to be in the lake as a good portion of the lake would be blocked.  Selectman Stuart states he can sympathize with Mr. Parker wanting to protect his family but questions their approach to the issue. Ken goes on to say it would be like putting speed bumps in front of your house if you feel cars drive too fast or adding a stop sign at an intersection. The applicant took the matter into his own hands; he shot first and then asked questions. The decision to put up the structure without permission was against regulations. Ken states he has reviewed the law pertaining to Chapter 91 and the intention is to protect the public’s right to grant access to waterways; Mr. DeFlourimonte used this for his own private rights. Ken said that access to great ponds is regulated by the state; Ken does not feel Sutton should set precedence that would affect the State.  Also mentioned was the tone of the letter addressed to Chairman Geraghty as being nothing short of intimidation and of a threatening nature.  Chairman Geraghty says by placing buoys 150’ out in a great pond in Massachusetts is not only dangerous but also irresponsible. Denying access to a great pond is aggressive in the extreme. Kevin goes on to say we do not decide on a request by the tone of the request we look at the law and in that being said Kevin would deny the request. Selectman Chizy motions to deny Mr. David Parker, owner of property located at 360 Boston Road, a Section 10A Permit for swimming buoys in Lake Singletary, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0

Approval of Fraud Prevention & Detection Policy: TA Smith states this was brought before the BOS in August as well as the Dept Heads and Fin Com. Hearing no questions Selectman Hersom motions to adopt the Fraud Prevention & Detection Policy to be included in the Town of Sutton Financial Policies & Procedures Manual, Selectman Stuart second’s passes 5-0
 
Town Administrator Update:
  • Marions Camp-Kevin Lyons/Turf links will be seeding the field, along with Dauphanis on Thursday
  • TA Smith has appointed Cheryl Rawinski as a Burial Agent for the Town of Sutton
  • Annual Halloween Parade Oct 31st @ 6pm on the common with a party after at Station 1
  • Annual Golf Tournament raised $1250. For the Food Pantry. Special thanks to Laura Caruso for organizing. Winners for the 3rd year Dave Lavallee, Glenn Coulter, Carl Licopoli and Bob Recore.with Mark Brigham 1 stroke back.
  • Master Plan Charette- Sat Oct 22nd @ the high school gym 9-1, public welcome
  • SRECS- notified 2nd check coming for $27,000.00, 1st check was in the amount of, 1st check was in the amount of $21,262.00. SREC’s are sold quarterly (every 4 months).
Announcements: None
  • Selectman Stuart mentioned the Festival of Trees gala to be held on December 2nd at Pleasant Valley (6:30pm). Tickets are $30.00 per person
Round Table:
  • Selectman Chizy would like to check into having  high school students run a Selectmen’s Meeting
  • Selectman Hebert informs viewers that he was nominated to serve another 3 years representing the Blackstone Valley on the CMRPC
  • Selectman Geraghty gratefully acknowledged John Hebert being re elected to the CMRPC. John has fought very hard to get the projects approved for the Town of Sutton as well as the Blackstone Valley.            .
Hearing no further discussion Selectman Chizy motions to adjourn the meeting, Selectman Geraghty 2nds passes 5-0
Meeting Adjourned 8:04pm