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03/03/2015 BOS Meeting Minutes
                                                   Meeting Minutes
  
                                           Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on   3/17/2015 by a vote of 4-0-1    
                                                                                       (Selectman Chizy abstains)
7:00 p.m. – March 3, 2015
                                       Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
       Chairman Kenneth Stuart, Vice Chair David Hall, Selectmen John Hebert and Paul Maynard         
                                                                (Selectman Mike Chizy absent)     
       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 presented minutes from the Feb. 17th, 2015 BOS meeting; Selectman Hebert 2nds passes 4-0
Vice-Chair Hall motions to accept as presented to be released at a later date Executive Session minutes from Feb. 17th, 2015, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0

Hampshire Govt. purchasing electricity supply for residents-presenter Kenneth Elstein has not yet arrived

Intention to lay out Hillside Drive: TA Smith explains to the BOS this has been maintained for the last 20-25 years but the steps have never been taken to accept as a public way.  Planning Director Jen Hager will be present at the next meeting to answer any questions as this is a 2 step process. Selectman Hebert has no issues; it is a Chapter 90 road. Vice-Chair Hall is curious about the easements on the road but will wait until the next meeting. Selectman Maynard has no questions, this is just a process. Selectman Hebert motions to vote the Sutton Board of Selectmen’s intentions to layout Hillside Drive as a public way, Vice-Chair Hall seconds passes 4-0

Common Vic for Sutton Center Store: TA Smith says the new owner Ganesh Bohra is not present but the BOS did meet with him when he came in for the Liquor License Transfer.  The Board of Health performed their inspection and he is all set. Vice-Chair Hall says as long as all the inspections are good he has no issues, Selectman Maynard reminds all that TIPS training should be required for all employees, Chairman Stuart agrees with educating regarding the TIPS training. Selectman Maynard  motions to approve the Common Victualler for the Sutton Center Store under the new ownership of Ganesh Bohra, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0

Request for change of hours-Black Stones Country Café: present are Richard Lacouture (general manager & owner) and Matt Schold: Mr. Lacouture explains they opened Nov. 1st but with the rough winter business has been hard. He would like to expand his hours of operation to include dinners on Wed, Thurs. Friday & Sat until 10pm. He also plans to submit a request for a liquor license. Selectman Hebert feels this is great news; we support you all the way. Vice-Chair Hall is happy to hear of later hours and offers good luck. Selectman Maynard stresses TIPS Training is a must.  Chairman Stuart is excited to have a new restaurant in town with later hours and agrees it has been a tough winter. Vice-Chair Hall motions to approve the request by Richard Lacouture, general manager & owner of Black Stones Country Café, for his business to expand hours of operation on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday of each week from the current 2 pm closing to 10 pm closing, Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0

Deed of Release for gravel rights on 25 Oakhurst Road: TA Smith informs the BOS this was voted on and approved at the May 2014 Town Meeting. Hearing no issues Selectman Hebert motions to sign the Deed of release regarding property located at 25 Oakhurst Road as voted and approved at the May 2014 Town Meeting, Selectman Maynard seconds passes 4-0
  
Hampshire Govt. purchasing electricity supply for residents-presenter Kenneth Elstein, Jennifer Sayers and Jessica Salls: TA Smith says Ken is here to discuss electricity supply aggregation. Mr. Elstein explains that his company, Hampshire Council of Governments purchases electricity in bulk for residents and businesses’ within the community. This does require a Town Meeting vote allowing the BOS to enter into a contract for municipal electricity aggregation. Mr. Elstein goes on to give a brief overview of the number of communities currently involved with this program. He states that if approved, there would be a bid process; letters would go out to every resident & business with pricing information allowing them to sign on or opt out.  Ngrid would continue to deliver the electricity but the supply would come from a different source. In addition to this program, Jennifer Sayers presents a joint program to save on boilers. It is a retro fit designed for boilers of 300,000 BTU or higher.  Selectman Hebert asks if they have solicited any other towns in the area. Mr. Elstein responds they have 8 towns in Worcester County; they met with Millbury last week and plan to meet with Oxford next week. Selectman Hebert then asks what dictates the price (referring to paper work with a list of towns already under this program with the rates they pay which is attached to minutes).  Some are .09 cents, some are .12 cents. Mr. Elstein replies there are several factors, the length of the contract, the size of the municipality, the day you go out to bid. He goes on to say the Hampshire Govt. is a non-profit; all revenues have to be returned to the communities.  Vice-Chair Hall mentions the number of communities currently using this program and the various stages they are at. He questions if the bidding process is done as a group or individual towns. Mr. Elstein replies that it can be done as group purchasing or individual, custom plans can also be done.  Selectman Maynard asks for more information on the boiler program. Jennifer forwards handouts. Chairman Stuart says everyone is sensitive to what has happened with NGrid. As stewards of the town looking out for the best interest of the residents the board will take this under advisement. We want to make sure we are getting the absolute best deal for the residents. TA Smith replies that there will be a space saver in the Town Warrant for this item. The Town Meeting vote does not require we have a company already chosen.   

Town Administrator update:
  • The Modular Units IFB: one proposal was received from Triumph Modular for $45,000. which includes removal. A notice of award was sent, they will be removed between 30-60 days. We will be taking ownership of the high school by 4/1/2015.
  • Vice-Chair Hall asks about any outstanding punch list issues. TA Smith as well as Chairman Stuart both comment that the new contractors (Brait Builders) are great; they have worked on the punch list. We will not take ownership of the building until it is 100% ready and the building is running at the peak of efficiency.  TA Smith goes on to say Brait is not done when the building is signed off, they will continue to be on site with outside field work. Chairman Stuart says that if one thing is true, everyone is sensitive to not rush forward to quickly. At every School Building meeting the punch list is reviewed. In fact we are oversensitive and Brait has been absolutely fantastic. Ken states that Superintendent Friend will be at the School Building meeting Wed. March 4th to discuss moving the kids into the high school.  TA Smith adds that there is a warranty on all the items should an issue arise. Selectman Maynard states he was in the high school last week with the Building Commissioner and it looks really nice.    
  • Net Metering IFB: Four companies submitted IFB’s; the best bid was from Next Sun Energy which shows a discount of 30% in years 1-10 and 35% years 11-20. This will require Town Meeting approval.
  • MIT Beanpot cycling race- Saturday, March 28th 8am-5pm. Postcards have gone out to residents along the route.
-       Chairman Stuart has received calls regarding this race, Ken reminds the organizers and racers that we are lending our town to them for the day, please appreciate our roads that will be 1 way traffic for this event.  
  • Sutton Plaza- TA Smith thanks Fire Chief Belsito, Building Commissioner John Couture and Police Chief Towle for their outstanding job in handling the roof collapse at the plaza.  In addition to the plaza issues, roofs at several businesses at Commerce Park as well as the ELC and High school needed snow removal. These employees are the unsung heroes of the town. They performed yeoman work.
  • Vice-Chair Hall offers his thank you to all involved with working through the snow issues, they deserve appreciation.
  • Chairman Stuart says to see our town on National News and see representatives of our town (John Couture and Matt Belsito) being interviewed, great job.
Announcements: N/A
Roundtable:     
  • Chairman Stuart acknowledges the BOS are in receipt of correspondence from James Dwyer as well as Lucy Lukason and September Thompson.
  
Vice-Chair Hall motions to adjourn. Selectman Hebert seconds passes 4-0

Meeting adjourned 8:01pm