Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 9/24/2014 by a vote of 5-0_
7:00 p.m. – September 2, 2014
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman Kenneth Stuart, Vice Chair David Hall, Selectmen Mike Chizy, John Hebert and Paul Maynard
Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary
Chairman Stuart calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance
Public Forum: no comments
Vice Chair Hall motions to accept as submitted BOS minutes from August 19, 2014 Selectman Hebert seconds passes 5-0
Multiple Representation Disclosure: Kopelman and Paige is asking for the Board of Selectmen to allow them dual representation between Northbridge and Sutton for an IMA allowing the Town of Sutton to accept sewerage pumped into a manhole cover on Gilmore Drive from the Town of Northbridge. TA Smith says all the work (construction & pump station) will be done in Northbridge. This will help with the future economic growth around the LaSalle, Oakhurst and Lackey Dam Road area. Walmart is also a potential customer. If approved, an IMA will be drawn up. Selectman Chizy says these agreements have been done before and have worked out well. It is a win win situation. The Sewer Treatment Plant is not running to capacity, this may help lower the rates to the users. Vice-Chair Hall says this will be beneficial to both
sides; this is the most efficient use of legal services to the towns. Selectman Maynard says this may lower the cost for users, it will help all around. Hearing no other comments Selectman Hebert motions to approve the multiple representation disclosure allowing Kopelman & Paige to represent the Town of Sutton and Northbridge regarding a Sewer Connection/Intermunicipal Agreement, Selectman Hall seconds passes 5-0
Approve & Sign State Primary Election Warrant: TA Smith informs the BOS this is the warrant for the State Election which will be held on September 9th from 7am to 8pm for all major state office holders, hearing no comments Selectman Maynard motions to approve and sign the State Primary Election Warrant, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 5-0
Review Draft Town Meeting Warrant: The Fall Town Meeting will be held on Monday, October 20th at 7 pm. The actual Warrant will be before the BOS on September 23rd for their approval and a week later it will go to a Public Hearing with the Finance Committee to review and make their recommendations. TA Smith reviews the warrant, under Article 1 it calls for adjustments to the approved budget line items. TA Smith says these changes, some from this morning’s Dept. Head meeting, are due to a change in the Lottery Aid, recent repairs that will affect the Public Building Repair & Maintenance account as well as waiting for the approved new growth dollar amount. TA Smith will forward the exact numbers for Article 1 to the BOS prior to the next meeting. Article #10 is sponsored by the BOS; it is from
the Goals & Objectives meeting. It states any new municipal building constructed must use state of the art energy efficient systems. Selectman Chizy would like to add “as determined by the Building Commissioner” wording at the end of the article to have it be as up to date at the time of construction. Vice-Chair Hall has a certain degree of curiosity regarding Article 1 regarding the Lottery Aid and Free Cash. Town Accountant Tim Harrison joins the conversation to offer specifics to Dave. Vice-Chair Hall asks about Article 4 which is asking to take $37,000. Out of the Perpetual Care Acct. and purchase a new Cemetery truck, TA Smith explains that revenue from a cemetery plot is split 60/40 which goes in to a general care acct for the regular upkeep of the cemeteries and a perpetual care acct. which goes for the future expansion of cemeteries. Chairman Stuart says it is important to see the numbers for Article 1, it is usually housekeeping issues but we
need to see them.
BOS CMMPO Representative: TA Smith explains that Selectman Hebert has been the representative for almost 6 years (2-3 year appointments). Selectman Hebert continues to be interested in this appointment if the Sutton BOS wish him to be. There is a meeting to be held on Sept. 24th in Uxbridge for the member selection process. Selectman Chizy says John has been the representative for the area towns for almost 6 years and has done a great job, Selectman Chizy will attend meeting with John. Selectman Hebert feels the towns are very happy with his work on this 11 town/ sub region board, John brings a lot of important information back from these meetings such as the Worc-Prov Railroad decision that will be coming at the end of the month. Vice-Chair Hall says we have the benefit of those updates by having John sit on
this board, John’s willingness to continue is a benefit to us and the region as a whole. Chairman Stuart appreciates all of Johns work over the years; recently we had a tour with Congressman Jim McGovern and Senator Moore showing ongoing projects in town as well as areas of deficiencies. Chairman Stuart thanks John for willing to continue.
Town Administrator Update:
- RFQ Police Station/Highway Dept. feasibility study: received 10 bids, the Designer Selection Committee reviewed and reduced to 2 finalists. There will be interviews next week with these 2 very good companies.
- Manchaug Library: The Town is going out to bid this month, the current leaseholder is Puckihuddle, and they are going into the 6th year of the agreement. TA Smith has worked with Town Counsel to draft a 20 year lease with a 5 year extension. This will be a triple net lease which means the tenant will be responsible for all costs to maintain the building (including roof and boiler).
- Selectman Maynard asks who will oversee that the repairs are done when needed; TA Smith replies that it will be delineated in the final contract.
- Vice-Chair Hall has the same concerns and suggests an evaluation of the current financial health of the bidder.
- Chairman Stuart asks if there would be an advantage to selling the property versus leasing, TA Smith replied he would consider both options but the current lease holder is only interested in a lease.
- Energy Manager Position: Bob Spain and TA Smith held an interview with Doreen DeFazio and have offered her the position. She will attend a BOS meeting as well as a Dept. Head meeting once she is settled.
- Chairman Stuart says this position is split 50/50 with Millbury, what will her duties be? TA Smith replied that in Millbury they need her as a planner of grants and a liaison to the Energy Committee. In Sutton we would like her to implement our ideas such as the purchase of street lights and replacing the lights with LED’s.
- TA Evaluation: included in tonight’s meeting packets, please return to Debbie by September 16th, it will be an agenda item on Sept. 23rd.
Announcements/Correspondence: N/A
Round Table: N/A
Hearing no further comments Selectman Chizy motions to adjourn Selectman Maynard seconds passes 5-0
Adjourned 7:55pm
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