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06/03/2014 BOS Meeting Minutes
        Meeting Minutes
  
                                           Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on  6/17/2014 by a vote of  5-0_                                                                           
7:00 p.m. – June 3, 2014            
                                        Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
              Chairman John Hebert, Vice Chair Kenneth Stuart, Selectmen Mike Chizy, David Hall and Paul Maynard     
                                                                                                        
              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 Hall motions to accept as submitted May 20, 2014 BOS minutes, Selectman Stuart seconds passes 4-0-1
                                                                        (newly elected Paul Maynard abstains)
Board of Selectmen Reorganization
Selectman Chizy motions to nominate Selectman Stuart to Chairman, Selectman Hall 2nds passes 4-0-1 (Stuart abstains)
Selectman Stuart motions to nominate Selectman Hall to Vice-Chairman, Selectman Chizy 2nds passes 4-0-1 (Hall abstains)
Selectman Hall motions to nominate Selectman Chizy to Clerk, Selectman Maynard 2nds passes 4-0-1 (Chizy abstains)

Selectman Hebert takes this time to address the BOS, John welcomes newly elected Paul Maynard to the Selectmen, he goes on to thank former member of the Board Rick Hersom as well as the other members of the BOS for a great year, the BOS stood strong on a lot of issues, we had some great ideas and kept up great communication. John thanks Town Administrator Jim Smith, the Financial Team, Dept. Heads but mostly the residents of town along with their concerns. We have one of the best bond ratings in the Blackstone Valley (AA Stable). We were presented with a balanced budget ahead of schedule and it is the 1st year in a long time with no school layoffs.  We addressed the issues with the School building project and after meeting with the Surety Company and Attorneys hired a new builder and the school project is now moving ahead of schedule. We stood strong as a board. This year is a good example of how the Capital Plan works; we have purchased a new Fire Truck for Station 2 ($750,000 that we will pay $150,000. a year out of the Capital Stabilization with no increase of tax dollars to the residents). We still need to move forward with the feasibility study for a new Police Station and Highway Barn. The 146 project at Boston Road will be finished in late fall early spring; I keep updated on this project by attending the CMRPC meeting monthly. This year has been a pleasure serving as Chairman, congratulations again to Paul Maynard it will be a pleasure having him on the board
Newly nominated as Chairman, Ken Stuart says this is one of the greatest honors bestowed upon him. Ken grew up in Sutton, has raised his family here, again this is one of his greatest honors. Ken offers his thanks to John Hebert for a great job as Chairman and keeping the board focused; to Mike Chizy Ken says he appreciates his guidance; to Dave Hall, it is nice to have a financial person on the board and to Paul Maynard, it is fantastic to have you join the BOS. Ken goes on to thank Rick Hersom for his years of service and keeping us in line. Lastly Ken thanks TA Jim Smith for guidance, we will work well together.

Marion’s Camp PowerPoint: Jen Hager is here to present along with TA Smith information put together by intern Stephen Forsberg. Listed as improvements are as follows: demolished structures no longer of use, new signs inside camp & at Tuttle & Singletary, new beach house, 2 tiered parking lot, new drainage with rain gardens, new roof on winter house with intentions of making into changing rooms and a new pavilion built by BVT students.  We have come to the end of grant money and the following are issues at the camp that would require tax payer dollars to make improvements.  This facility is only open 3 months out of the year; do we throw money into it? Goddard Lodge had a structural evaluation in Feb. which showed it is not sound, would take approx. $200,000. to make structurally sound.  A Water System would have to be designed as a Public Water Supply and would cost approx. $45,500 and a Septic System which we already have a design plan ($3,250.)  to construct would cost approx. $87,000.   Alternatives to this would be to tear down Goddard Lodge and purchase a large function tent (similar to the one at Blk Stone National) invest in high end porta potties and the water supply be for irrigation only (drinking water is held to a higher standard which is costlier). Jen Hager says if we do decide to tear down Goddard lodge, we will hang memorial signs to provide background as well as mementoes from the Campfire days (1940-1987).  Jen gives a brief background history of the Goddard family and the lodge which was moved from their farm in Auburn to Sutton. It is important to pay homage to the Goddard’s and the Campfire girls that visited the camp. If is decided that the Goddard lodge comes down, Jen would like to at least try and save the fireplace which includes a beehive oven.  Chairman Stuart thanks Jim and Jen for the presentation. Chairman Stuart informs them that Robert Goddard (part of the Goddard Family) was a professor at Clark University; they may be able to get more information from Clark. Selectman Chizy says he is dead set against a toilet facility for 3 months out of the year, the porta potty is the way to go but he is not sure on Goddard lodge, he suggests a workshop to discuss in more detail. Selectman Hebert agrees with Chizy and goes on to say look back at when we bought the camp, we took a lot of criticism. John agrees in holding a workshop for a more concrete judgment. Vice-Chair Hall says the workshop is a great suggestion; he goes on to say he is happy Stephen is doing a great job. It is clear that the expenses would be great; with the information out there we may be able to do this with private funds rather than public funds. Selectman Maynard asks about the structural integrity right now, TA Smith responds it is not structurally sound right now but it could be made safe. Selectman Maynard goes on to suggest if we take down the building and keep the fireplace, build a small building around the fireplace for a warming place in the winter. Chairman Stuart says sometimes it is easier to start new then to renovate old, he agrees with Selectman Chizy in regards to not going forward with septic, it does not make sense.  Chairman Stuart goes on to say great presentation, he agrees with a workshop and is interested in the possibility of doing the work with private funds, he loves the idea of a dedication to the Goddard family. Kudos to Stephen Forsberg for quality work on this project. Selectman Chizy asks TA Smith for a copy of this power point.   
         
Town Administrator Update:
  • Pot hole fund: Highway Superintendent Matt Stencel received $66,437. For pothole repairs.
  • HR/Payroll/Assist. Acct. Maureen Englund to start work on June 9th to fill position. Welcome
  • Selectman Hall asks if TA Smith was looking for a Sutton resident, TA Smith replied no, but she seems like she will be a good fit.
  • Transfer Station plastic: new policy for no plastic bags in plastic recycling suspended until we investigate if it is cost effective.
  • Selectman Hall congratulates TA Smith on suspending new policy until it is looked at further.
  • Selectman Maynard asks where these plastic bags go if new policy would in effect. TA Smith replied in the pay as you go bags.
  • Chairman Stuart commends Matt Stencel for looking outside the box but we need to fully understand the policy. Ken also thanks TA Smith for suspending the policy until it is fully understood.
  • Conservation Commission: Alyse Aubin resigned effective June 1st, thank you for your service
  • Selectman Hebert suggests contacting those that have shown an interest previously
  • Selectman Hall asks if those individuals should send another action form in, TA Smith replied “yes”
  • Chairman Stuart thanks Alyse for her service to the town.
  • Police Dept. Youth Academy: scheduled for 6, 7 & 8th graders July 7th – 11th  
  • Meeting on June 17th Jim will not be present
  • Paul Maynard disclosure for his position as Emergency Management in Sutton. Signature needed due to his recent election to the BOS (required per 268A). We can hold an agenda item next meeting or can be signed tonight.
  • All Selectmen are in agreement to sign tonight.
  • Greenline Velo Bike race: scheduled to take place this Sunday, June 8th.
  • Chairman Stuart is supportive of the bike race but asks that residents along the route be notified earlier.
  • TA Smith in the future will bring any bike races before the BOS as there is some inconvenience to residents.
Correspondence:
  • Selectman Chizy reads an article naming Mike Elster MIA Coach of the year (BOS all offer congrats.)
Selectman Hall thanks Sutton Historical for an invite to a potluck. Dave will be out of town.   
Selectman Maynard offers thanks to voters for electing him to BOS.
Chairman Stuart reads a letter of thanks to the Fire Dept. for responding to a fire at the Sutton Park Complex
Round Table:  
  • Selectman Chizy reminds residents the dire need of the Food Pantry/any donations are appreciated   
Hearing no further comments Selectman Chizy motions to adjourn, Selectman Hall seconds passes 5-0
Adjourned 8:10 pm