Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 5/07/13 by a vote of 4-0
Selectman Hersom Absent
7:00 p.m. – April 16, 2013
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Michael Chizy, Vice-Chair John Hebert, Selectmen Ken Stuart and David Hall
(Selectman Hersom absent)
Also in Attendance:
Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary
Chairman Chizy calls the meeting to order at 7:00 pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Chairman Chizy would like to take this time to say a few words about the incident (bombing) in Boston yesterday. Mike says it is awful that something like this happens so close to home, in our own back yard. He asks for a moment of silence.
No comments under Public Forum
Selectman Stuart motions to approve as presented meeting minutes from 4/02/13, Selectman Hebert 2nds passes 4-0 (Hersom absent)
Recognition of Eagle Scout Jason Rawinski as read by Selectman Hebert
Recognition of Eagle Scout William Hastings IV as read by Selectman Stuart (neither scout present)
Proclamation for Sutton Youth Baseball & Softball as read by Selectman Stuart
Proclamation for Arbor Day as read by Chairman Chizy
61A property/Beaton Waters Road: Selectman Stuart reads the notice as advertised in the Millbury Sutton Chronicle on March 21, 2013. TA Smith informs BOS that he has been working with the Manchaug Pond Foundation for a possible assignment but they were unable to come up with the resources to purchase this land. At this time, Atty. Robert Longden, representative for Holy Cross, approaches the BOS to present preliminary drawings. Present in the audience as representatives of Holy Cross are Father Paul Harmon, Michael Lochhead, Ed Augustus, Scott Merrill & Michael Pagano. Atty. Longden says under MGL 61A the town has 1st right of refusal to purchase this property. Holy Cross is proposing a Jesuit retreat center at this location. Only a small portion of the property will be used for a 50 room/60 bed
retreat facility, it is the college’s wishes to preserve the natural condition of the property for spiritual gatherings. Atty. Longden states that these sketches are preliminary, site details would be worked out with the Planning Board but the view of Manchaug Lake from Waters road would be preserved. The site would be developed as to blend in to the area as well as to be compatible with homes in the area. The use of this as a retreat center would be a very benign use of the property. Currently the college has 50 retreats planned, there are many days there will be no use of this property. When asked at a previous meeting with abutters about damage to Waters road with big equipment during the building process and traffic, Atty Longden states the largest piece of equipment would be a concrete truck for the foundation and in regards to traffic, students would be brought in vans and supervised by administration. Selectman Stuart says it is hard to keep the emotion out of
this; this is a significant piece of land to the BOS. This is a double edge sword. We think of this as our land, our view, the Beatons have taken great care of it. There are a dozen reasons why this pains me. Having a retreat for college students, I hope things do not get out of control and I hope the traffic does not impact the neighbors. Atty. Longden states these retreats are for specific religious reasons, they are tightly supervised, in addition to the student retreats; there would also be administration and alumni retreats. Selectman Hall states the view is stunning, for residents, the prospect
of having this stunning vista disturbed it is understandable they are upset. Dave goes on to say some areas of the road is only 1 car width wide, what about the commercial vehicles for food service, maintenance? Atty. Longden responds that the beauty and view are the reason Holy Cross wants to preserve this area, as far as the traffic, don’t expect any significant traffic, it would be odd hours and infrequent. Dave asks approximate size of the center, Atty Longden responds 30,000 square feet. Chairman Chizy has concerns that any entity that gets a piece of land, it starts out small then buildings are added. Waters Farm is the jewel of Sutton, there is no doubt in my mind this is going to expand. Mike says he is not going to ask the towns people for more money to purchase this property. Chairman Chizy asks if there
is anyone in the public wishing to comment. Tom Manahan says he has looked into the Jesuit retreat facility in Gloucester, it is booked over 80% of the year he also is concerned with the traffic. Atty Longden responds the project will get site plan review and the traffic concerns will be discussed. This property could be sold for more intense purposes. Phyllis Charpentier asks about potential use of the 875 feet of water front. She goes on to say there are a series of streams on this property with native brook trout that feed into Manchaug Pond. Manchaug Pond is tributary fed; it is fed by the watershed. Phyllis states Manchaug Pond gets a lot of use, there are 3 campgrounds along the shore line with a large area protected by the State. She goes on to say she is part of the Manchaug Pond Foundation and has worked closely with TA Smith the past few months. There was a donor interested but pulled out at the last meeting. Phyllis states she is happy to work with the Town of
Sutton and Holy Cross to insure the water quality for the pond is secured. She goes on to say if Holy Cross would like to donate priority areas to Manchaug Pond Foundation they would be happy to accept it. Resident Pam Beaton Graves asks how a 50 room/60 bed facility will be handled in regards to the water and sewerage. The whole area has had issues obtaining percs. It has been difficult to get a perc for a house, the quality of the lake and neighborhood if septic is not addressed early may be an issue. In regards to food service, she states trucks will be on road a few times a day making deliveries. The loss of farm land will affect the entire town, no matter what promises are made now; if the project expands we have lost. If we could have a little extra time to try and find financing, it would be appreciated. Paul Adams asks if Holy Cross purchases the property, could there be a permanent trail easement or deed. It would be easy to route a trail with no impact on the retreat
center. This would enable the public to continue to use it as well as retreat students. This would be an advantage for Waters Farm. It could be done to connect the MidState Trail that goes from RI into NH. Atty. Longden replies the College would be interested in discussing but it could be a liability issue. Paul Adams states if the trail had an easement it would relieve the college of liability. Janet Manahan says the town would purchase if we had the money. The town will experience tax loss as the college is non-profit. How will Holy Cross compensate the town? Atty. Longden states the college is interested in mutual beneficial partnership with the town. Janet says please be mindful this is a middleclass community. Educational benefits would be very positive. Wayne Whittier says they will be one of Holy Crosses biggest land abutters. The Beatons have been great neighbors. The BOS does have the right of 1st refusal. The Pond Foundation should have the time to try and come
up with financing. Selectman Hall motions to close the Public Hearing Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0. Selectman Hebert motions to not assign the first right of refusal under MGL 61A for property located on Waters Road, Assessors map 41, parcel 66; map 41, parcel 4 & map 41, parcel 5 to the Manchaug Pond Foundation, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0. Chairman Chizy at this time says it is not that we don’t want Holy Cross or anyone else to get it; we think of this property as our own that we have had for so long. We will give the Pond Foundation 90 days if they cannot come up with the money it is yours. Atty. Longden asks if it has been determined that the Pond Foundation qualifies as a recipient for right of 1st refusal; TA Smith replies “yes”. You have consulted with Town Council? TA Smith replies “yes we have”. Atty Longden then asks no consideration for assignment to the Pond Foundation? They are not paying
anything for assignment? Chairman Chizy replies “no”.
Approve & sign May Town Meeting Warrant & May Town Election Warrant. Selectman Hall motions to approve and sign as presented, the May 2013 Town Meeting Warrant and the May 2013 Town Election Warrant, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0
Town report dedication: TA Smith states that Town Clerk Laura Caruso has presented a request asking for the Town Report to be dedicated to Francis Gatto. Mr. Gatto sat on the BOS as well as Conservation. Selectman Hebert says this is a great tribute to Fran, Dave Hall offers thanks to Laura, this is well deserved. Chairman Chizy says he was a very good member; he was a heck of an asset to the town. Selectman Stuart motions to approve the dedication of the annual Town Report to Mr. Francis Gatto, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0.
Heat Recovery System: present is building inspector John Couture. John states about 5 years ago they looked into how they could reduce the overall energy cost for the Town Hall complex. They started by replacing the boiler to a high efficiency boiler and moved on to the heat recovery system. This project was paid for by a grant through the Green Community. MPC was awarded the bid and they did a great job. This will help to improve the air quality in the Town Hall as well as being an energy savings. When asked what the next project will be, John Couture responds the windows will be replaced 1 floor at a time. The BOS all thank John for his hard work.
Goals & Objectives power point presentation postponed to the next meeting
Town Administrators Update:
- Changes to the budget: decrease in sergeants position funds as well as an increase to the snow and ice FY13 for deficit
- Waters Farm meeting on April 8th discussed 10 year management plan. Forester Christian Kruger will update the plan and do the work.
- Car Show at St. Marks: to be held every Wednesday through the summer, Chief Towle ok with this.
- Kings Campground: will meet with the BOH on 4/22, if all permits in place they can open the campground but the store can not open until after the BOS meeting on May 7th.
Announcements: N/A
Round Table & Correspondence: N/A
Selectman Hebert motions to adjourn, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0 Meeting adjourned 8:20 pm
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