Meeting Minutes--
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on_1/17/2012 by a vote of _4-0_
Selectman Hersom absent
7:00 p.m. – January 3, 2012
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Kevin Geraghty, Vice-Chair Michael Chizy; Clerk John Hebert & 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
Selectman Hersom motions to accept as presented the Board of Selectmen’s Minutes from December 20, 2011, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0-1 (Chairman Geraghty abstains/absent from 12/20/11 meeting)
Police Officer Appointments: TA Smith begins by saying these appointments are to replace vacancies left by Jeffrey Simukauskas and Jimmy Towle. Police Chief Dennis Towle also comments that they are not new positions, they were positions funded for the FY12 budget. Chief Towle said the positions were advertised and approx. 30 resumes were received. Out of the 30, 7-8 candidates were moved forward. Bryan Lefebvre and Lisa Bonney were chosen and are present tonight for the BOS to ratify. Selectman Chizy welcomes the 2 new officers and says they are joining a good Police force, one of the best in the valley. Selectman Hebert says there are none better than the Sutton Police force run by Chief Towle. Selectman Hersom echoes sentiments and says the police force is very special. He goes on to say the Sutton Police are a
wonderful force with great officers. Selectman Stuart welcomes both officers. He congratulates Bryan for working his way up through the rank as well as Lisa making history by being the 1st full time female police officer. He goes on to say they are working for a great Police Chief. Chairman Geraghty echoes all sentiments and says the BOS hold the Police force in high regards. Chief Towle has an uncanny way of mixing home grown with other officers. Welcome to both. Hearing no further comments, Selectman Hebert moves that the Board of Selectmen ratify the appointments made by the town administrator of Mr. Bryan Lefebvre of Worcester and Lisa Bonney of Worcester to the positions of Full Time police officers for the town of Sutton, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0. The Police Officers are sworn in by Town Clerk Laura Caruso
Special Town Meeting: Town Clerk Laura Caruso is present. TA Smith informs the BOS that a resident submitted the required signatures (200) to hold a special town meeting. The meeting must be held within 45 days after the paperwork is submitted and certified. Town Clerk Caruso says that any items wishing to be added to the meeting must be submitted to the Clerk’s office by January 12th, 2012. The proposed meeting date is Monday, February 27th @ 7:30pm at the Early Learning Center. Selectman Hersom voices that it is costly to hold special town meetings, the Town holds 2 meetings a year, it is a resident’s right to request a meeting but Rick would like the Charter Review Committee to review the verbiage and tweak to have a little more control on this type of request. Selectman Stuart
agrees with Ricks comments regarding the expense of a special meeting and asks TA Smith if there is anything else that may be added to the meeting. TA Smith responds that there is a few things being reviewed at this time. Chairman Geraghty says there are 2 Town Meetings a year, an added meeting is an expense, Kevin goes on to say it is hard to create consensus of a large portion of informed public especially on a narrow Zoning subject. Hearing no further comments, Selectman Hebert motions to approve a Special Town Meeting to be held on Monday, February 27, 2012
PUBLIC HEARING CONTINUANCE: 61A 169 Eightlots Road: Chairman Geraghty states this is the 4th meeting that this is before the BOS. Chairman Geraghty asks if there is anyone here to talk during the Public Hearing, hearing no comments/concerns, Selectman Chizy motions to close the Public Hearing, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0. Geraghty opens up for discussion with the BOS, Selectman Chizy says that if Mr.Cronin is before the BOS again, he is not to be placed on an agenda until all of his ducks are in a row. Selectman Stuart says he thought someone would be here to discuss. It is unfortunate now as the meeting is closed, he is not for or against he was just looking to be educated. Chairman Geraghty says that when a property is under 61A the Town has the 1st right of refusal when a bonafide offer is
received. Kevin goes on to say that the Town can assign this right to a 3rd party if they so choose. TA Smith says MA Wildlife has interest in this property as it abuts Merrill Pond. Worcester County Land Trust has offered to take possession at this time. Jim says that the seller would be paid what the market value of the property is. Hearing no further comments: Selectman Hebert moves to assign to the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Inc., a nonprofit conservation foundation, the Town’s right of first refusal under G.L. c. 61A, §14 to purchase approximately 58 acres of the land located at 169 Eight Lots Road and owned by William K.P. Cronin, as set forth in the notice of intent to sell sent by William K.P. Cronin’s attorney, dated September 23, 2011 and received by the Town on September 29, 2011, on the condition that if the Greater Worcester Land Trust, Inc. exercises said right of first refusal, no less than seventy percent of the land shall
be maintained for use as forest land under G.L. c. 61, horticultural or agricultural land under G.L. c. 61A, or recreation land under GL c. 61B Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0
Road Acceptance & Approval of Open Space for Jared & Jenna Lane: Planning Director Jen Hager is present. Jen states this was approved at Fall Town Meeting (10/17/11) under Article 11. Hearing no comments, Selectman Chizy motions pursuant to the vote under Article 11 of the October 17, 2011 Town Meeting, General Laws Chapter 82, Section 21, and Chapter 83, Section 4, and any other authority in any way appertaining, to accept from JLT Development, LLC, the foregoing deeds of Jenna Lane and Jared Drive and a grant of related drainage easements Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0
Planning Director Jen Hager goes on to discuss the acceptance through the Conservation Commission of open space at Lackey Dam Estates, Hearing no comments or concerns Selectman Hersom motions to approve the acquisition of the open space at Lackey Dam Estates by the Sutton Conservation Commission for conservation and passive recreation purposes Selectman Stuart seconds passes 5-0
Expenditure for Villas Phase 1 Bond Fund: Jen Hager presents a request to the BOS to approve payment out of the bond funds for the Villas. Hearing no comments, Selectman Stuart motions to allow payment of $274.50 from the bond funds for the Villas at Pleasant Valley Phase 1 to Graves Engineering for review of As Built Plans, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0
Approval of OPEB Trust: TA Smith reviews that Trustees will include the Accountant, Collector, 1 member of the BOS and 2 interested residents. The TA will be an ex officio member. This Board will meet quarterly. The 1st deposit of $50,000 will be from the FY11 free cash. Reimbursements from Medicare part D will also be used to fund this. At this time it is asked if any member from the BOS is interested, hearing no comments at this time Chairman Geraghty requests this to be tabled to next meeting. Selectman Hersom motions that the Board of Selectmen adopt the OPEB trust agreement and post two positions on the town website and cable TV Selectman Stuart seconds passes 5-0
TA Updates:
- Atlas Box sound issue- Jen Hager & Fire Chief Maynard met with DEP. on Friday, Dec. 23rd. Sound measures were taking and a report is to follow. TA Smith will report back to the BOS when this is received
Electricity supply renewal: contract up in June for Constellation New Energy. Meeting to negotiate a new 3 yr contract.
Replace Fire Engine 2- Sutton Fire is discussing replacing Engine 2 in Manchaug. It is going on 25 yrs of service. They are discussing possibly a 2 ½ override to fund this.
EBS Foran: Insurance Advisory service working with TA Smith to assist with Health Care Reform.
- Benefit for Mike Ellsessar: Polar Bear Plunge at Marions Camp held on Jan. 1st. Great turnout. Selectman Stuart participated and said a few hundred people were there. It was a great time. Ken goes on to praise Mike’s parents Luann and John for their support of defibrillators as well as the town rallying behind them.
Announcements: None
Round Table:
- The BOS offer all a healthy happy New Year
Selectman Hersom motions to adjourn the meeting Selectman Stuart seconds passes 5-0
Meeting Adjourned 7:40 pm
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