Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
03/13/2012 BOS Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 4/3/2012 by a vote of   3-0                                                                                    
                                                
                                                 7:00 p.m. – March 13, 2012
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
             Chairman Kevin Geraghty, Vice-Chair Michael Chizy; Clerk John Hebert & Selectman Kenneth Stuart   (Selectman Richard Hersom absent)                                           
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.

Public Forum: James Dwyer 142 Ariel Circle Sutton is present to continue his discussion on Transparency in local government. Mr. Dwyer congratulates the BOS for corrections made to the web page but comments that the Charter Review Committee is still not listed. Also requested is a link to the Goal and Objective meeting for FY2012, the release of Executive Session minutes and information regarding holding a Public Hearing. Mr. Dwyer ends his statements with poetry from Yevgeny Yevtushenko
(Mr. Dwyers notes attached)  

Selectman   Chizy motions to approve meeting minutes from February 21, 2012, Selectman Stuart seconds with a correction noted, motion passes 3-0-1 (Selectman Geraghty abstains as he was not present at 2/21/2012 meeting) Selectman Geraghty informs public the correction in the minutes is his name was listed as calling the meeting to order when in fact it was Acting Chair  Chizy)
Selectman Chizy motions to approve the Executive Session Minutes from 2/21/2012, Selectman Hebert seconds, Chairman Geraghty wishes to amend to include “not to be released until subject taken care of”, Selectman Stuart seconds  passes 3-0-1 (Selec. Geraghty abstains/not present at 2/21/2012 meeting)    

604B Water Quality Study Grant Lake Singletary: Mark Briggs from the Lake Singletary Watershed Association is present to speak on this matter. TA Smith briefs the BOS that he was approached by Mark Briggs and Dick Norlin requesting the town to be the applicant for a grant. Mark Briggs informs the BOS this is a federal funded grant under the Clean Water Act in the amount of $38,000.but the applicant but be the Municipality. Mark goes on to say there would be no cost to the town; Lake Singletary Association would do the work. Mark states the Association likes to be as proactive as they can and this would help finish the Lake Management Plan. They already have letters of support from the Town of Millbury and MA Fish and Game. Selectman Chizy thanks Mark and the Pond Association for keeping the pond really nice and asks if they have gotten support of Sen. Moore and Rep Fattman, Mark replies no, just Millbury, Sutton and MA Fish & Game. Selectman Hebert thanks Mark and says this is an important program and mentions the importance of all abutters to the lake to fertilize their property correctly so as not to affect Singletary.  Selectman Stuart also offers thanks and says the Town has a vested interest in Lake Singletary and its importance in relation to Marions Camp. Hearing no further comments, Selectman Stuart motions to approve Chairman Kevin Geraghty to sign the letter of support for the 604 B grant for a water quality study of Lake Singletary, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 4-0

Sr. Center update by COA Director Michelle Edelstein: Michelle begins by thanking the BOS for allowing her to come before them. Michelle is here to discuss the increasing needs of Sutton’s seniors. In recent months, she has seen an increased need for fuel assistance, food stamps/food pantry as well as a rise in Elder abuse.  In addition to keeping seniors active, the sr. center offers a meal plan for $2.00 a day prepared by Tri-Valley out of Dudley MA. The Sr. Center runs on a lot of volunteer hours and for that Michelle offers thanks but mentions that the Governor is proposing a 24% cut in elder services. With the community aging (new 60+ monthly) more programs and funding are needed. There will be a fund raiser Wednesday, March 21st, all proceeds will go to Tri-Valley for the meal program. Any contributions may be sent to Tri Valley 10 Mill St. Dudley with “for Sutton” in the memo.  Other scheduled events at the COA is 3/31 a Health and Wellness fair and on April 24th, the 40th anniversary of the Sutton Sr. Center. Selectman Chizy asks the budget of the Sr. Center, Michelle replies $121,000.00, when asked number of volunteer hours Michelle says well over 10,000, she will have to get back to the BOS on that. Selectman Hebert thanks Michelle and says she is a pillar of our community. We are all grateful to her. Selectman Stuart says great job, a lot of effort is put forth by Michelle. Ken goes on to say with the economic times, we lose sight of the lost generation; the elders of our town, many who helped build the town. He asks if there are any certain services she is looking for, she replies at this time, anyone good with numbers and finances (tax assistance). Michelle offers special thanks to John Heberts and Ken Stuarts daughters for their volunteering at the COA. Chairman Geraghty offers a thank you and says the updates are always beneficial to the BOS and the town.

Adoption of the Comprehensive Red Flag Policy: TA smith says this complies with the MA Data Security laws and was handed to the BOS at the last meeting for their review. Hearing no comments, Selectman Hebert motions to adopt the Comprehensive Red Flag Policy into the Town of Suttons Policy and Procedures, Selectman Stuart seconds, passes 4-0
        
Quitclaim deeds for 56 & 4 Highland view Drive as approved at the Fall Town Meeting: Ta Smith informs the BOS this is to sign over ownership to Wilkinsonville Water District as they have maintained these sites. These properties were taken by tax title. Hearing no comments, Selectman Hebert motions to sign the quitclaim deeds for property located at 56 and 4 Highland View Drive as authorized by the Fall Town Meeting on October 17, 2011 article number 4, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 4-0

Mass Solarize Grant Application: TA Smith briefs the BOS this is a grant offered by Mass CEC and the Dept of Energy Resources (DOER) to increase the number of residents that have solar PV panels on their roofs. Jim reviews 6 points to this grant: Competitively bidding, tiered pricing which decreases as more people sign up (all participants end up with the same price), a committee offering presentations and events to educate, Solar Coach (Colin McCullough), simplify & lower cost of permitting and friendly competition with Millbury. Selectman Chizy and Hebert are all for this program, Selectman Stuart says this is a win win for residents, Chairman Geraghty says this provides another energy alternative and with this program it incentivizes residents. It adds to our green community.
Selectman Hebert motions to approve Chairman Kevin Geraghty to sign the Mass Solarize Grant request for the Town of Sutton, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0
Change Building Dept. fees for MA Solarize Grants: This is in relation to the previous agenda item: This is a request for the BOS to allow the Building dept to charge a flat fee for  pv panels up to 154 kWh for those participating in the solar panels. The fee would be $100.00 for the permit and the Electrical permit would remain at $50.00. The BOS all feel this makes sense, hearing o comments, Selectman Hebert motions to approve the change in Building Dept. fees for the installation of solar PV panels up to 15 kWh in support of the Mass Solarize grant to a flat fee of $100. for the building permit and  the Electrical permit to remain at $50.00, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0
        
TA Updates:
  • Chapter Land removal from 61A- the Board of Assessors is reviewing the process as well as rewriting the process including a statement of intent to sell or convert signed by all owners.
  • Cell Tower at Stone School Road-awarded to TriStar Investors but still needs Town Meeting approval.
  • Fire Chief Selection process-closes March 16th, currently 29 applicants, will narrow down to 5-7 applicants and interviews to be held in April.
Announcements:
  • Selectman Stuart congratulates the Girls Basket Ball team, Coach  and the Sutton Varsity Cheerleaders for making it to the New England Championship to be held this weekend.
Correspondence:
  • Selectman Hebert mentions the Police Dept./Public Information article that was in Sundays paper. Sutton was one of the few towns that received a satisfactory rating. He goes on to say Sutton PD is one of the finest in the area.
  • Selectman Geraghty mentions the letter from Steven and Karen Stinson and wishes to turn over to the Assessor’s office.
  • Letter received from Mr. James Dwyer, refer to Town Council and a certificate of achievement for Joyce Smith  from the Mass Assoc. of Conservation Commissions
Selectman  Chizy  motions to adjourn the meeting Selectman Stuart  seconds passes 4-0   7:55 pm
Meeting Adjourned