Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 04/15/2014 by a vote of 4-0_
(Selectman Hersom absent)
7:00 p.m. – April 1, 2014
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman John Hebert, Vice Chair Kenneth Stuart, Selectmen Mike Chizy & David Hall
Selectman 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 18, 2014 meeting minutes, Selectman Hall seconds passes 3-0-1
(Selectman Chizy abstains absent from 3/18 meeting)
Certificates of Recognition as read by Selectman Hall: Eagle Scout Jason P. Dimmick & Eagle Scout Eric W. Carkin
Selectman Chizy congratulates both scouts for their accomplishments; he says it is a great honor.
Selectman Stuart is amazed at the work these scouts put in to earning their Eagle Scout award; Ken commends them for their great achievement and dealing with the social aspect as well as excelling at sports.
Selectman Hall says this really represents the troop and the exceptional job of fostering these scouts. This builds character and leads to a great future.
Chairman Hebert extends congratulations to Troop 131, this is the 50 and 51st eagle scouts before the BOS, this is a tribute to Boy Scouts of America.
Eagle Scout Dimmick thanks the BOS for having him here; he also thanks the troop for nurturing him from 6th grade to an eagle scout
Eagle Scout Carkin thanks all that volunteered to help him meet his project completion.
PUBLIC HEARING-Pole Hearing Town Farm Road: NGrid Rep. Steven Soucy is present. Chairman Hebert requests that before the hearing is read and opened he reads an item in the TA update. Ngrid is charging the Town $14,000. to install the 3 phase electricity at the Manchaug Fire Station. Ostrow Electric has never heard of NGrid charging this fee. We currently pay $161,000. a year to NGrid for the distribution of electricity. Chairman Hebert goes on to say for the past 5-7 years, at Mike Chizy’s request, we have taken steps to become a green community. Sutton is recognized all over the state with a recent energy savings of 27%. We are disappointed that we are trying to do the right thing and NGrid is adding on fees. John asks the NGrid rep to bring this message back to NGrid. Steven Soucy replies that this is
due to this site becoming a Cogeneration power plant Company, meaning the electricity is being redirected to another facility which will use the electricity. Soucy goes on to say NGrid is audited and pays a tariff as well on these projects. Soucy says there are fees associated with the actual work such as Police Details and other costs incurred by NGrid. The BOS all urge Mr. Soucy to bring this issue back to NGrid. Selectman Hall reads the Public Hearing as advertised in the Millbury Sutton Chronicle. Selectman Chizy requests a written answer as to why we are being charged the $14,000. fee for the 3 phase connection. Selectman Stuart asks if this charge sets precedence now. This fee should have been considered for the cost of the project, we need answers now. Selectman Hall said we have never paid for this before; Dave would like clarification as to why we were charged now. In regards to the Pole Hearing, the BOS have no concerns, Selectman Stuart motions to authorize permission to
National Grid to install 1 JO pole #63-1 on Town Farm Road map 29 parcel 61 as shown on National Grid plan#15553020 Selectman Hall seconds passes 4-0 (in the request this was for a sole owned pole, Verizon will be included on this pole and they have already erected the pole)
PUBLIC HEARING-61A property Right of 1st Refusal read by Selectman Dave Hall as advertised in the Millbury Sutton Chronicle. TA Smith says this is regarding property listed on the Assessors map as Map 30 parcels 65, 66, 67 & 78 with a purchase & sale amount of $450,000.00. Planning Board and Conservation have recommended passing over the purchase of this land. Selectman Chizy and Stuart have no comments; Selectman Hall questions its planned use, TA Smith replies it is a private sale, possible for residential purposes. Chairman Hebert has no questions. Hearing no comments or questions from the audience, Selectman Chizy motions to close the Public Hearing, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0, Selectman Chizy motions to not exercise the town’s option under MGL Chapter 61A for property located
on Central Turnpike, Map #30 Parcels 65, 66 & 67 and Putnam Hill Road Map 30 Parcel 78, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0
FY15 Budget Update: TA Smith presents a power point presentation on the final FY15 budget. The final budgeted amount is $28,530,757, an increase of 1.9% over FY14. This budget shows no school layoffs and a reduction in debt exclusion of $100,000. As well as fully funding the library (no waiver requested). We could have a significant impact on FY16 budget if the BVT warrant article passes. This would allow BVT to borrow 3 million to add 3 programs and 200 seats to their school. If this passes Sutton would pay an additional $15,400. per year for twenty years and it would increase seats for Sutton children by 15. This would affect the operating budget with an increase in tuition payments. Reductions to the budget were $85,016. and additions were $85,000. And a total capital plan of $623,500.
Selectman Chizy has no questions; Selectman Stuart says Jim and Tim have done a great job going into the year with a balanced budget, Ken is happy to be purchasing a new fire truck with no burden to the tax payer: kudos to the whole group. Selectman Hall says it is really pleasant to talk about the budget; it is stable and consistently that way. Within reason it is stress free. Congratulations and thank you. Dave asks for clarification on the BVT warrant question. TA Smith replies there are 13 communities at BVT, if 5 or more reject the request, they cannot borrow the money. Town Accountant discusses use of free cash. Chairman Hebert applauds the finance team; a prime example of a positive strategy is purchasing a fire truck and paying $150,000. for 5 years out of the capital plan and not going to the
taxpayers for additional money.
Town Warrant Draft: TA Smith reviews the articles. Selectman Chizy would like to discuss #17 for the town to fund up to $25,000. for the library to fund a plan and design project. Mike states they currently have 3,000 square feet, they are looking for a 20,000 square foot building, the Town Hall is 17,000 square feet. In the past when dept. heads have wanted things they always spoke to the BOS and the Town Administrator, the BOS always set priorities. The Police Dept is a top priority and then a Highway facility. Selectman Chizy exits the meeting at this time but prior to leaving thanks the BOS as in his absence the Food Pantry has been mentioned. Mike also thanks all that sent him get well wishes (8:10 pm). Chairman Hebert discusses the library article, he said at 1st they did not need funding now they
are looking for $25,000. They are putting the cart before the horse. We have priorities Police and Highway. Selectman Stuart asks about article 15, Veterans Field being acquired by the Town. TA Smith discusses the $25,000 lien which would be a significant issue. TA Smith has been in discussion with Merrill Atkins, the commander of Dudley Gendron Post 414. Selectman Hall asks if Fin Com is ok with all the wording on the Warrant. Dave also asks for clarification on article #8.
Town Administrator Update:
- 3 phase Electricity @ Manchaug Fire previously discussed.
- New Highway employee: interviews were held, the job was awarded to Chris Mange
- Highway Department now has a facebook to increase communication with residents.
- Cycling Race-MIT had road race on March 30th, all went well.
Middle School/High School project time line: all going very well.
Announcements: N/A
Round Table: N/A
Hearing no further comments Selectman Stuart motions to adjourn, Selectman Hall seconds passes 3-0
Adjourned 8:30 pm
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