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09/17/2013 BOS Meeting Minutes
       Meeting Minutes
  
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on  10/1/2013  by a vote of    5-0                                                                                
                                                                
                                                 7:00 p.m. – September 17, 2013
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
             Chairman John Hebert, Vice-Chair Kenneth Stuart, Selectmen Michael Chizy, Richard Hersom & David Hall    
             Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary   

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

Selectman Stuart motions to accept as presented September 3, 2013 BOS minutes as written, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0
Selectman Hersom motions to accept but not to be released at this time Executive Session minutes from September 3, 2013, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0

Access TCA TIF Agreement: Present is Michael Yag, Chief Executive Officer, Amy Yag VP of the company, Linda & Jack Davis, Ken Konicky,  Mr. Yag’s fiancé Janey, a representative of Lila Domey  and Rod Jane. TA Smith informs the BOS what is before them tonight is a draft for a 15 year TIF similar to Atlas Box. Town Planner Jen Hager (present) along with consultant Rod Jane has submitted a grant request to MA Works, to run natural gas from the center of Northbridge to Gilmore Drive (1.6 miles) at a cost of $787,000.00. Mr. Yag offers a special thank you to TA Smith and Jen Hager. Mr. Yag gives a brief power point with background history of his company that started in 1985 in Northbridge. Access TCA builds displays for trade shows. Currently the business has 111 employees with sites in Atlanta and Las Vegas as well. The site in Northbridge is only 9,000 sq. ft; he is looking for a much larger building. The lease will be up in June of 2014 and he is proposing to build a $15 million dollar beautiful, high tech. building and is interested in the Commerce Park location. Mr. Yag is looking for a 15 year TIF similar to the TIF given to Atlas Box. He is projecting revenue this year of $65 million dollars. The new building would help minimize operating costs as well as be more environmentally responsible. The location of Gilmore Drive to route 146 provides great access to Worcester and Rhode Island. Mr. Yag goes on to say Sutton is their most expensive option, but their only option in Massachusetts. Sutton would be a good fit for us and we will be able to maintain most of our employee base.  Key considerations would be sufficient incentives, gas line from Nstar (which Jen Hager & Rod Jane worked together to meet a tight deadline to submit for a grant) and being welcomed by the Town of Sutton.  Selectman Chizy said that was quite a presentation, you will be welcome in Sutton. Mike goes on to say he is a big supporter of TIF’s and he will do everything to make it happen. Selectman Hersom says the presentation was very informative. Rick goes on to say he is totally for it, Sutton is a good home for you, the community and the BOS will support you. Selectman Stuart welcomes Access TCA; this is a perfect business that fits into all we are trying to accomplish in Sutton. We offer nothing but support for your business. Selectman Hall says this is a good, impressive project for that location; he is excited to welcome them here. Dave asks about the impact on neighbors (noise, chemicals) Mr. Yag responds all chemicals are water based/water soluble as well as non toxic. It is a relatively clean operation. Amy Yag responds that the noise is minimal. The cnc’s and table saws make the majority of noise and trucks are in and out 5-6 times a day, the foot print of noise is minimal. Chairman Hebert says the location is ideal for them; he went on to say some of the components used are from Atlas Box (Sutton business). We welcome you to town and let us know if there is anything we can do for you. Hearing no further comments Selectman Hersom motions to approve Access TCA TIF Agreement as presented, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0 (This will be on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant)
        
MRA Multisport update: Alex Rogolinski present. Alex reviews with the BOS details about the triathlon that took place at Marions Camp. There were a total of 183 participants (5.00 per person/$875.00 was given to the town) in addition $2000.00 of revenue went to local businesses and public services. Alex would like to move forward and start planning another event for next spring. Some of Alex’s concerns were the lack of lighting on Singletary Ave and Marion’s Camp as well as asking if the beach could be closed the day of the event to allow for early setup. Alex would like to change the time to half an hour earlier to allow for the race to finish before it becomes too dark. He expects to cap the event to 300 participants next year. Selectman Chizy questions closing the beach, Selectman Hersom questions the fee structure and what Sutton receives from these events. The fee to register for this race was $70.00/ the town received $5.00 per registration. In Rick’s opinion the town has not charged enough for this event.  This is a for profit business you need to work out a more equitable agreement with the Town of Sutton. Rick goes on to say he still has issues with the risks involved and not sure if it is a sound thing for the town to be allowing. He has reviewed MRA’s website, there is already a date advertising for next year’s triathlon. The only way Rick will support another event is if the TA works out a more equitable agreement. Alex replies that people plan and register ahead of time which is why he has advertised a date for next year. Alex will have to come back before the BOS to ask for use of the lake. Selectman Stuart heard very good things about the event. Ken asks if this will come before the BOS yearly, TA Smith replies yes. Selectman Hall was at the event and felt it ran very well, Dave is not in favor of closing the beach for the day of the race, maybe an early closing but not for the whole day. Chairman Hebert thanks Alex for leaving the beach clean and meticulous. He goes on to say it was a well organized event. Selectman Hersom asks if the beach pass sales has increased since MRA Sport has been using Marions Camp. TA Smith said actually this year’s sales are down. Rick says it is being said this event is good for exposure to the beach but you can‘t quantify that with the reduced number of passes sold. TA Smith replies the reduced passes sold could be in part to the rainy June

State/DCR private party land acquisition: TA Smith reviews with the BOS this parcel which is 66.2 acres of land owned by Robert Goodman, the DCR is interested in acquiring 46 acres for open space purposes. Hearing no issues Selectman Stuart motions to approve Chairman John Hebert to sign the Certificate of Announcement regarding DCR’s interest in acquiring land from a private party in the Town of Sutton, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 5-0
     
TA Update:
  • Middle School/High School update: school building committee is planning an update session with the public on Wednesday, Sept. 25 @ 7pm at the ELC.
  • Middle School/ High School: the BOS voted in Exec. Session last week to place a claim on the performance bond for TLT, the gen contractor for the school project. A meeting was held on Friday, Sept. 13th with the Surety comp., TLT, SBS, Town Counsel, Chairman to the BOS John Hebert and TA Smith. We are hoping for a temporary occupancy permit this week, our goal is to get into the middle school we have pushed the follow-up meeting off to Oct. 2nd to see if TLT is motivated to get the job done, we have lost confidence in TLT, they have been on the site for 26 months. The state has pulled their DCAM certification for 1 year, not sure if that is adequate. We need to get the students out of the church and into the school.
Chairman Hebert feels the meeting went very well, the surety company gave an honest assessment, they hold a big stick.
Selectman Hersom says he is happy to see actions taken but who is driving the delay of the next meeting, Town Council took a clear position that notifying the surety company was the same as putting a claim in on the performance bond. The written response received from Western Surety says different. You have to make sure the next steps of the process are being followed. Through you as the Town Admin, our contractual agent with TLT, your signature is on documents, you need to take the necessary steps and not wait too long. If no temporary occupancy is issued and TLT continues to do what TLT has done for months then what, what is plan B? I do not want any short cuts, the Fire Chief, Building Commissioner and the Commonwealth of MA (Elevator Inspector) will issue the occupancy when they feel confident the building is safe to house students.   
Selectman Chizy feels involving the surety company was the right way to handle the situation. Mike feels TLT will perform knowing the Surety Company is involved. The Building Inspec. and Fire Chief will not pass something that should not be passed with a clear conscience.
Selectman Hall concurs with most of Selectman Hersoms statements getting in the building is our top priority. Dave states he knows firsthand (daughter in school at church) that inside the church is not the proper educational environment. No one should suggest any shortcuts be taken.
Selectman Stuart reads a prepared letter which is attached to the minutes.

TA Update continues:
  • ICMA annual conference: to be held in Boston Sept. 21-25th. TA smith will be attending but will be able to drive back to Sutton for any emergencies.
Fall Town Meeting Warrant: enclosed and will be reviewed tonight. Will be on next agenda for approval.
  • Open Meeting Law presentation scheduled for October 8th @ 7pm
Blue Jay property: Currently being cleaned up. Hired Marty Linder to break up cement foundation, highway filling in



Selectman Hall takes this time to comment on a story in the T&G regarding last week’s request from the Library to move ahead with process for a new library. Dave says he took their request very seriously but we have priorities. Selectman Hersom says he clearly stated let it go to the town to see if they support this. We are very supportive but have to live within our means. Selectman Stuart took offense to the comments and was disappointed to read the article. Chairman Hebert said the BOS did not shut them out they were told to let it go to the town for a vote. TA Smith apologized to the BOS; he did speak to Betsy (library director) and was told she was taken out of context.

Announcements: N/A
        
Round Table/Correspondence: N/A
        
   
Hearing no further comments Selectman Chizy motions to adjourn, Selectman Hersom seconds passes 5-0

Meeting adjourned 8:50 pm