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04/15/2014 BOS Meeting Minutes
        Meeting Minutes
  
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 5/6/2014 by a vote of 4-0     
                                                                  (Selectman Hersom absent)    

7:00 p.m. – April 15, 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

Public Forum: Rachel Tufts and Elizabeth Fritz Keyes, 2 of the 3 Library Trustees are here to inform the BOS they are removing the article off the Town Warrant. They plan to research the libraries trust funds and see what they may be used for. In this process they are hoping to clear up some confusion as well as know if they were awarded the grant. They do plan to move forward with this at the Fall Town Meeting and hope to have more defined answers.
Selectman Chizy feels they are doing the right thing and says he has priorities; he thanks Liz and Rachel for coming before the BOS. Selectman Stuart agrees with Selectman Chizy, the BOS are not against a library but they do have priorities. Selectman Hall appreciates them coming before the BOS, the history of this article was up and down, back and forth, and it was hard to know what to support: clarity is good. Chairman Hebert agrees with his colleagues comments and reiterates it is putting the cart before the horse, as board priorities are set and currently it is the Police and Highway.   

Selectman Stuart motions to approve as presented April 1, 2014 BOS minutes, Selectman Chizy seconds passes 4-0

Proclamations as read by Clerk Dave Hall: Arbor Day and Sutton Youth Baseball.

Town Meeting Warrant: TA Smith reviewed at the last meeting, the Library Trustees have removed their article as well as the Charter & Bylaw review Committee has removed the Bylaw part of the article which will be at the Fall Town Meeting. TA Smith says it will be easier to pass the Charter changes now and then follow with the Bylaw changes as many charter changes will affect the Bylaw changes.  Selectman Hall motions to approve and sign as presented, the May 2014 Town Meeting Warrant, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0

Town Election Warrant: TA Smith says there is one question on the ballot for a debt exclusion override for a renovation to BVT. This must pass by a majority vote (more than 50%) at Town Meeting, if it goes to the ballots and is defeated the town does not fund expansion, if 2/3’s of communities approve the town will be obligated to fund. Selectman Stuart motions to approve and sign as presented the May 2014 Town Election Warrant Selectman Chizy seconds passes 4-0



Flansburgh request: IRS Tax Deduction for Designer of Middle School/High School: TA Smith informs BOS this was a request from Flansburgh for the design of a green building. The IRS has a tax deduction provision known as 179D that allows the designer of a town owned building take the tax deduction if it meets green design. The town cannot take the deduction as we do not file taxes as well as being a nonprofit organization. Prior to issuing this deduction Flansburgh would have to hire an engineer to determine the building meets the criteria of a green building. Selectman Chizy would like to see if we could negotiate with Flansburgh to take something off their cost to the Town. Selectman Stuart says Flansburgh is a wonderful partner, they are the real motivators for us going green, if this benefits us later it is an added bonus. Selectman Hall says this is no value to us, it is only a value to Flansburgh, I don’t know why we wouldn’t do it. Chairman Hebert agrees with colleagues, we have a good partnership with Flansburgh. Selectman Chizy  motions to authorize the Town Administrator to sign IRS Program 179D allowing Flansburg, as designer of the school project, take the tax deductions for meeting the green design for energy savings, Selectman Hall seconds passes 4-0

Town Administrator Update:
  • 3 phase electricity at Manchaug Fire Station: Interconnection agreement was signed as NGrid gave a deadline date of April 18th and then the application would be withdrawn. NGrid claims they have to follow MA DG Interconnection Tariff which does not force people who do not support renewable energy to pick up the cost. Ostrow agreed to pay $3000. towards the $15,000.  fee, the town will pay the remaining $12,000.  The first year will show a savings of $11,000.  
        Selectman Hall agrees that this agreement had to be signed, with the benefits the Town will receive; it makes sense to  move forward.
  • Arbor Day to be held on Monday, April 28th at the elementary school, there is a rain date of April 29th.
Sutton Lions Club sign has been removed from 146 until after the project is completed. It is stored at the Highway facility.
Sutton middle/high school progress: Brait Builders continues to meet and exceed deadline dates; unfortunately they have not been able to salvage the Sutton High School sign as it was made of sand stone and crumbled upon their attempt to remove.
        Selectman Chizy asks where the Veterans Plaque is that was in the Old High School, TA Smith says it is being stored     on site.
        Selectman Stuart is extremely happy with the rate Brait Builders is going, it is sad to see the old school come down    but it is a great beginning. It will be absolutely awesome when it is done.
  • Time Sensitive: received yesterday a request from K&P to allow Dual Representation regarding the Oakhurst Solar project. It sits between Sutton and Northbridge and K&P represents both towns.  
        Selectman Hall says we have signed a lot of these agreements; Dave has no hesitation to sign.
                
Announcements:   
  • Selectman Stuart will be at Waters Farm on Saturday, April 19th for the Callahan Egg hunt. Thanks to the Callahan’s for this yearly event.
Chairman Hebert speaks about today being the 1yr anniversary date of the Marathon bombing, the Sutton Police Dept. has 6 individuals going out to Watertown this Saturday to take part in a 5K run in memory of Officer Collier.
        
Round Table:   
  • Selectman Chizy reports that the Food pantry fed more families this year than any other year. Mike thanks the people of Sutton for their generosity. The Food Pantry is worth every cent.
  • Selectman Stuart says no one speaks more eloquently of the Food Pantry than Mike Chizy.
  • Selectman Hall attended an informational breakfast at the Sr. Center on Friday which had representatives from MIIA and Blue Cross there to discuss benefits; healths hints and answer any questions. It was a worthwhile meeting very well attended.  
Hearing no further comments Selectman Hall motions to adjourn, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0      

Adjourned 7:40 pm