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03/18/2014 BOS Meeting Minutes
                                                                                                                   Meeting Minutes
  
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 4/1/14 by a vote of  3-0-1    
                                        (Selectman Hersom absent, Selectman Chizy absent from 3/18/14 meeting)   

7:00 p.m. – March 18, 2014            
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
              Chairman John Hebert, Vice Chair Kenneth Stuart and Selectmen David Hall     
                                                                                Selectman Chizy & Hersom absent              
              Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary   

 
Chairman Hebert calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance

No comments under Public Forum

Selectman Stuart motions to accept as presented March 4, 2014 meeting minutes, Selectman Hall seconds passes 3-0
Appointment to Cultural Council: Marian King of 5 Whitins Road is here requesting appointment. Marian addresses the BOS saying she is happy to serve the community. She comes from a family with a long history in Sutton. Her father and grandfather had served on various boards and she is happy to volunteer her time. Selectman Stuart offers his thanks for serving the town, Ken acknowledges her families long history in town. Selectman Hall says he always likes to thank the volunteers in town. It is a good thing to do for the community; it is not always easy but welcome and have fun. Chairman Hebert agrees with the comments by the other members and adds Marian has a vast amount of knowledge about the town. Selectman Hall motions to appoint Marian King to the Cultural Council for a 3 year term, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 3-0

Request to increase Capital Stabilization fund by 2.5%: TA Smith says this would increase the FY14 override figure of $550,854. to $564,625. This fund was established to increase funds for capital purchase especially as the Shaw Farm debt decreases.  This allows us to purchase property under 1 million dollars without going for a debt exclusion override. Selectman Stuart comments that the purpose of this fund is brilliant. This allows us to purchase without putting added burden on the tax payer. Selectman Hall couldn’t agree more, the creation & mechanism for funding this was a stroke of genius. Chairman Hebert agrees this is very important; it is one way to save money.  Selectman Stuart motions to authorize the Assessor’s office to increase the Capital Stabilization Fund by an additional 2.5% increase to the FY2014 override figure of $550,854.00 to $564,625.00 Selectman Hall seconds passes 3-0
Town Administrator Update:
  • Veterans Field: in the process of negotiating a donation of Veterans field to the Town. It was owned by Mateychuck Post which is now defunct. The American Legion now holds the assets, Commander Merrill Atkins is working to offer to the Town at no cost but there may be a $25,000.00 lien on the property by DOR. Town Council is researching deed. If the town can take over, there are some improvements needed. This would expand the role of the Recreation Committee as it would involve scheduling use of the field for softball as well as other sports.
  • Selectman Stuart says this field was once a center piece of Manchaug. If we can acquire, we should work at revitalizing. Who would maintain field? TA Smith replies under the Highway Dept is the Cemetery dept which mows areas.
  • Selectman Hall says the general up keep of this field would not be overly expensive. We will have to spend money for improvements, there is a significant need to upgrade the equipment and revitalize for the community at a reasonable cost.
  • Chairman Hebert says it is important to look into parking for this field as it was an issue years ago.  
  • Green Communities grant: Jen Hager and TA Smith are currently working on a grant for exterior LED lights at the school as well as an energy management system. These grants are available as we reached our 20% goal of reducing energy over a 5 year period. (actually we saved 27%)
  • Selectman Stuart says kudos for reaching and exceeding goal.
  • Selectman Hall says 27% over 5 years is tremendous, Dave offers congratulations to TA Smith for championing this project. TA Smith would like to give a shout out to Mike Chizy, he was the one to start this by asking about solar panels on the school roof.  
  • Oakhurst Road PV system: discussions with a developer to install 2.6 MW solar panel array on the proposed former truck stop site. Half of the land is in Northbridge and half in Sutton. There are currently back taxes owed on this property ($25,000. In Sutton and the same in Northbridge). We are working on a PILOT program that would need approval from the BOS as well as the town. If this moves forward, there will be no Building permits issued until the back taxes are paid off.
  • Selectman Hall discusses the PILOT program as well as questions the value of the property if the project goes forward.
  • Chairman Hebert feels the PV system would be a great opportunity; it would be a clean operation on the site.
  • Library Trustees article: Library trustees are looking for a $25,000. Town meeting article to address the share of the planning & design grant for a potential new library. At the Fall Town Meeting it was said they had sources available now they are looking for town funds.
  • Selectman Stuart says it is up to the Library Trustees to do this let them put it before the town for the town to decide. Ken states he looks at other things such as the Police Station, the library can move up later. It is important to build on town owned land; we need to continue to think outside of the box.
  • Selectman Hall was supportive of the article with the concept to spend a little now to obtain a study to build a new library. The town may have other priorities that would encourage the town to spend elsewhere. Dave is troubled by the pattern of this article    
  •  Chairman Hebert agrees with Selectman Halls concerns. For years we have been talking about the needs of a new Police Station and Highway facility. We have to prioritize the library importance to the community. We have to stick to our commitments and prioritize; Police and Highway are top on John’s list.
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield award & $5,000.00 grant: TA Smith and Chairman Hebert accepted award from Bl Cross/Bl Shield for changes in the town’s health care & retiree benefits. TA Smith thanks all involved with a special thank you to Cathy VanDyne for her work with the IAC and making the changes in a fair manner.  The grant will be used to purchase exercise equipment for the Sr. Center and the exercise room at the Town Hall facility.
  • Selectman Stuart says this is the innovative nature of Jim’s team saving money for the tax payers. Many towns are not as fiscally responsible again it is thinking outside the box.
  • Selectman Hall is pretty impressed especially with the $5,000.00 grant. Congratulations.   
                
Announcements:  N/A
        
Round Table:  Selectman Hall, in keeping with Selectman Chizys requests reminds residents the need for food at the Food Pantry

Hearing no further comments Selectman Stuart motions to adjourn, Selectman Hall seconds passes 3-0      

Adjourned 7:35pm