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11/17/2015 BOS Meeting Minutes
                                                          Meeting Minutes
  
                                           Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on  12/01/2015 by a vote of   5-0   
                                                                                  
7:00 p.m. – November 17, 2015
                                       Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:                           
        Chairman David Hall, Vice Chair John Hebert, Selectmen Paul Maynard, Jesse Limanek & Michael Kenney  
        Town Administrator James Smith & Debbie Jacques, secretary   

Chairman Hall calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Forum:  Diane Labonte 114 Eight Lots Road is present to speak on the Sutton Wine & Liquors compliance check. Diane states Vinny Allard and his staff is at a Tip recertification class this evening but she is here to say the employee that sold to the minor has been terminated. Vinny Allard is increasing signage in the store for employee awareness and is looking into a 3rd party monthly audit bars program. Vinny also checked into an ID reader but there were some technical issues. Please take into consideration steps they are taking to eliminate this issue; they would rather a monetary fine instead of closing them for any period of time.
Chairman Hall said they will take this under advisement.

Selectman Maynard motions to accept as presented minutes from the 11/03/2015 BOS meeting; Selectman Hebert 2nds passes 5-0
                                                
COA Michelle Edelstein update: TA Smith states that the Dept. Head updates before the BOS are a result from the Goals & Objectives meeting held in July. Michelle begins by saying part of the mission statement for Council on Aging is to inform officials of the needs of the seniors. Michelle states that in recent months she has noticed elder abuse & neglect are on the rise in our community.  The 2 areas of elder abuse she has witnessed are Verbal & Financial abuse. When she sees these issues she is mandated to report the incident and files a report with Elder Services. Another area Michelle has seen a need for is assistance for caregivers of elderly parents. Vice-Chair Hebert thanks Michelle for her update and says she has opened up a world of questions for the community. Selectman Maynard spends a lot of time at the Sr. Center and says the blind help that goes out the door is so generous. Selectman Limanek appreciates the update; the Sr. center is a great place, there is friendship & support. This support network is great for the community. Selectman Kenney says the Sr. Center is a friendly, good-feeling place. Selectman Kenney asks about the outcome of reports Michelle has filed. She replies due to the HYPA laws she does not get word back on the reports. Selectman Kenney asks what the BOS can do, Michelle replies she will be holding an elder abuse training program; she would like some of the BOS to attend. Mike also asks her how people can get in touch with her, she states the Sr. Center is located at 19 Hough Road, 508-234-0703.  Chairman Hall says Michelle is the most upbeat person he knows and yet she brings such somber news. Dave asks Michelle about services that are provided to seniors, she replies meals on wheels, the Food Pantry, Clarke Alderman are just a few of what we offer.     
 
Black Stone’s Country Café: TA Smith says before the BOS tonight is a request to change the pouring hours from 11am to 10am. 7 days a week as well as to hold holiday parties, corporate events,  etc. on the days they are closed (Mondays & Tuesday). Present is manager Matt Schold. Vice-Chair Hebert has no issues with them opening Mon & Tues for events but does not agree with changing the hours to serve from 11am to 10am. Selectman Maynard agrees with John and would like it to stay at 11am. Selectman Limanek echoes John and Paul, he would not like to set precedent by going from 11am to 10am, and he has no issue with the Mon & Tues. hours. Selectman Kenney asks what State Law is, TA Smith says 11am but the local licensing authority can change. Selectman Kenney is okay with Mon & Tues. 11am to 10pm. Chairman Hall asks John Hebert if police would have an issue with a business closed and a function going on. John states the Police like to know what is going on in town but that should not be a problem. Selectman Maynard motions to expand the pouring hours for Black Stone’s Country Café  to include Mondays & Tuesdays from 11am to 10pm  for special events & Holiday parties Selectman Limanek seconds passes 5-0

Library Building needs committee: Betsy Rajotte Library Director, Casey Vallencourt, Chairman of the Library Building Committee, Liz Kane, Library trustee and Mary Braney Library consultant.  The BOS have all been given a bound Library Building program. Mary Braney gives a summary of what has been done as of this time and states they are proposing to expand from the current 3100 square foot library to a 17,000 square foot library as well as much needed additional parking. Public forums were held at the current library and were well attended. This building will include a 100 seat meeting room and the location is hoped to be at Shaw Farm. Mary reviewed the grant process as well as the deadlines. Vice Chair Hebert says he is up for reelection this coming year, but sees what the library is doing, he goes on to say it is people like you that make our town beautiful. Selectman Maynard asks for clarification on the grant process. Selectman Limanek says these details are extraordinary and shows due diligence. Selectman Kenney thanks those present for the work put into this, Mike says the library is more of a resource center then a library, the library is a major asset to the town. Chairman Hall asks Mary Braney, given her experience, if we are unique in the variety of activities offered and location of the library. Mary replies that when asked, people want the library to be centrally located and the current library offers a number of programs to people of all ages, the biggest disadvantage is there is no place to hold programs. Casey Vallencourt says the new library would hold a 100 seat meeting room, for the most part the library holds most of the programs for the residents in town. Chairman Hall asked about the grant process and the timeline, Mary replies that if Sutton is awarded the grant you would have 6 months to get the funding in place.

Indirect Cost Allocations: TA Smith says this allocation agreement is needed for the town to obtain the amount of net school funding that goes to the School Dept. The only difference with this from the agreements in the past is the SRO’s cost. Vice Chair Hebert says we fund 100% of the SRO position as preventative measures and it is an important part of the school. Selectman Limanek says it is a tragedy time we live in, hopefully we never have to use the SRO but it is a reassurance that position is there, a piece of mind.  Selectman Kenney asks about the cost of the training, TA Smith states the town would cover the training as it is important that all officers know the layout of the school. Chairman Hall says this is just a calculation that is needed at State level. Selectman Limanek    
motions to approve the Indirect Cost Allocation Agreement between the Sutton School Committee and the Sutton Board of Selectmen, Selectman Maynard 2nds passes 5-0
Alcohol Compliance checks:   TA Smith says the Police Dept conducted recent alcohol compliance checks and 3 businesses failed. Jim asks if the BOS would like a Public Hearing at the next meeting (Dec. 1) and the Police Chief will be invited to attend. The BOS all agree there should be a Public Hearing; Selectman Maynard would like to see all TIP certifications presented at that time.
TA Update:
  • LED Street Light project: the Town has purchased the streetlights from NGrid for $30,745. We have the signed contract with PRT for the installation in the amount of $15,461. We purchased the lights from Fred Davis Corp. for $50,141. At the May town meeting $109,000. Was appropriated for this project.
  • Sale of Surplus scheduled to begin 11/13/15 on muncicbid  
  • Liquor License availability
  • IMA with Northbridge allowing Walmart to tie in to our sewer. The BOS will be kept informed as this goes forward.
  • Chain of Light’s to be held on 12/5/15 from 10am-4pm   
Announcements/Round Table/ Correspondence/Business Topics:
  • Vice Chair Hebert thanks TA Smith for the letters recently sent concerning the Depot St. bridge
  • Selectman Maynard attended the Historic Village meeting at Manchaug Mills- it was well attended
  • Selectman Limanek also attended the Historic Village meeting and said concerns of those in attendance were answered. Jesse also attended the Veterans Day ceremony at the Middle School, it was a fantastic program.
  • Selectman Kenney wishes all Happy Thanksgiving and reminds all of the need at the Food Pantry.
  • Chairman Hall attended a Remembrance Vigil held on the common; Dave thanks Senator Fattman and State Rep. McKenna for this event.   
  
8:45 pm – Selectman Maynard motions to adjourn, Selectman Limanek 2nds passes 5-0