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08/07/2012 BOS Meeting Minutes
      Meeting Minutes
  
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on_8/21/2012 by a vote of    4-0                                                                                  
                                                          
                                                 7:00 p.m. – August 7, 2012
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
             Chairman Michael Chizy, Vice-Chair John Hebert, Clerk Kenneth Stuart & Member Richard Hersom  
                                                          
Also in Attendance:
        Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques Administrative Secretary  

Chairman Chizy calls the meeting to order at 7:00 followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Public Forum: Phyllis Charpentier of 20 Irma Jones Road, secretary of the Manchaug Pond Association offers a thank you in advance for agenda # 3 (Manchaug Dam acquisition). Phyllis states it has taken 7 years to get to this point since the Guilford of Maine mill announced their closing at which time the mill owners threatened to breach the dam and wash out Torrey Road. She goes on to thank TA Smith and the Conservation Commission for all of the hard work and effort put into this. She would like all to know the importance that this means to the community and all generations to come. Thank you in advance for the natural resources, wildlife, fishing & tourism. Included in the negotiations is a sizable amount of money to help keep the dam in good shape. (Dave Schmidt, Manchaug Pond President and Andrew Mosher, Manchaug Pond treasurer are also present)  

Selectman Stuart motions to approve  meeting minutes from July 24, 2012 as presented Selectman Hebert seconds, passes 3-0-1 (Selectman Hersom abstains, not present at 7/24/12 meeting)

Appointments as alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals: Brittanie Reinold of 11 Hutchinson Road and Richard Haskins of 9 Old Tavern Lane are present. Brittanie introduces herself as a recent graduate of UCONN with a degree in landscaping architecture; she is interested in volunteering and learning the zoning regulations. Richard Haskins has owned a business in Millbury the past 20 years and has experience reading contracts and law related items. He is interested in participating in local government. He feels there should be a balance between reasonable requests to the Zoning Board while maintaining the beauty of Sutton. Selectman Hersom thanks the 2 appointees for volunteering their time and knowledge to the town. Selectman Hebert says it is good to have a diversity of ages, young and old. Selectman Stuart offers his thanks to Brittanie; it is fantastic at her age she would like to become involved in local government. Selectman Stuart offers Richard much thanks for volunteering his time. Selectman Chizy offers his thanks to both candidates. Selectman Hersom  motions to appoint Richard Haskins and Brittanie Reinold as Alternates to the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term to expire June 30th 2015, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0

Manchaug Dam Acquisition:  TA Smith presents to the BOS for their signatures, the acceptance of the deed and the Manchaug Dam agreement with Interface, Inc. Along with buying the dam for $1.00, Interface is giving $350,000.00 to the Town of Sutton for maintenance of the dam. TA Smith would like to place the $350,000.00 in an escrow account to let it accrue interest. Jim will fund the biannual dam inspection in the operating budget. Currently, the dam is in great shape. There were significant repairs done in 2005/2006.  Selectman Hebert says this is very rewarding to sit here tonight and sign this agreement. This goes back for quite some time along with wild accusations. The BOS, Town Admin. and the Manchaug Pond Assoc. took a lot of heat but stuck it out. This was the right thing to do. Along with Jims insight for the possibility of hydro power is all positive. Selectmen Stuart says this is a no brainer. Manchaug Pond is a treasure in town and it should be protected. The funds that come along with it is an added benefit making this no tax burden to the tax payers. Ken thanks the Manchaug Pond Association for all their efforts. Selectman Hersom echoes all comments; Rick says there are times in ones career when decisions and discussions are not pleasant. This was not a popular decision but the deep roots and history as well as preserving the natural resources, this was the right thing to do. Accolades to TA Smith and all involved.  Generations to come will look back and say a job well done. Chairman Chizy agrees it has been a tough 7 years; he thanks the previous state Rep Callahan and Rep Kujowski for their support. Interface, Inc. threatened to breach the dam which would flood and destroy Torrey Road. Mike thanks TA Smith for standing up to them and calling their bluff. This is great for Sutton. Selectman Stuart motions to approve as presented the Transfer & Support Agreement by Manchaug Reservoir Corporation to the Town of Sutton for the Manchaug Pond Dam (National ID # MA 00955) for the cost of $1.00.  In addition, the town will receive $350,000.00 for the care and upkeep of the dam, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 4-0.  Selectman Stuart motions to approve and sign the Acceptance of Deed per vote taken under article 8 of the October 17, 2011 Fall Town Meeting for the Manchaug Pond Dam (National ID #MA00955) Selectman Hersom seconds passes 4-0

Transfer Station Annual update:  TA Smith gives a power point presentation on a 6 year review of the Transfer Station. FY12 shows a decrease in retained earnings of $3600.00. For FY11 there was a net gain of $9,500.00. TA Smith is suggesting raising the sticker fee next year from the $30.00 price to $40.00. TA Smith and Town Accountant Tim Harrison review the Transfer station reports monthly; there is a $12,000.00 dollar reduction in bag sales from FY11 to FY12. TA Smith is proposing for FY13 the following: establish a dead line for stickers to July 31st. Transfer Station operators will turn away individuals with expired sticker. On Saturdays, one of the operators will be stationed at the compactor to ensure the proper bags are being used. The Transfer Station will not succeed if users do not use the correct bags.  By raising the sticker fee from $30.00 to $40.00 it still makes the Transfer Station a very affordable option for residents with an annual cost of approximately $160.00 a year rather than contracting with a private hauler which cost around $530.00 a year.  Selectman Hebert asks if we could put the sign board at the transfer station next year when stickers are due, John feels an increase of $10.00 is minimal. Selectman Hersom asks how we can get the word out in regards to using the correct bags. TA Smith feels discussing at this meeting as well as newspaper articles are a good way. Rick suggests fining those that are caught using the wrong bags. Selectman Stuart says looking at the numbers, it comes down to the bag sales. Ken asks if any thought has been given to bring in outside haulers for curb side pickup. TA Smith replies no, but that is still an option. TA Smith says he has created a more effective product by reducing staff and adding lights for the added Tuesday night usage. Chairman Chizy states that years ago when there was discussion about curb side pickup, one of the issues that came in to play were the large hauler trucks on small streets may create a dangerous situation. Mike just feels things need to be tweaked a little to turn it around as well as watching the users to make sure they are adhering to the rules.

Town Administrators Update:
  • The Town has acquired the former Bluejay property for $110,000.00.  Goal is to make the property safe by removing the foundation and backfilling the lot.
  • Visit from Jim McGovern, he will be our new congressman in January due to redistricting. Previously it was Congressman Neal.
  • Marions Camp: foundation for the pavilion has been poured. BVT should be starting the beginning of September.
  • The Ethics test: all municipal employees as well as boards and committees must take by September 7th.
  • Reminder of Goals and Objectives meeting to be held August 15th at Blackstone National.     
Announcements:  Not at this time          
Round Table:     Selectman Hersom informs the BOS the 1st Charter & Bylaw Review Committee met on August 1st. It was an organizational meeting. Dave Suprenant is the Chairman. Thanks also to Town Clerk Laura Caruso for      
                volunteering  to be clerk and take minutes at the meetings.

                Chairman Chizy reminds all that the Food Pantry is in much need of donations.
        
Chairman Chizy entertains a motion to enter into Executive Session under MGL c30A, Sec. 21 #3 with the sole purpose of returning to open session for adjournment, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 4-0
        

Hearing no further discussion:

Selectman Hersom motions to adjourn the meeting, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0
Meeting adjourned 8:16 PM