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Town Of Sutton Board of Selectmen |
Meeting Minutes
Minutes Accepted and filed with the Town Clerk on 6/27/2017 by a vote of 5-0
7:00p.m. – June 6, 2017
Sutton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room
Members in Attendance:
Chairman John Hebert, Clerk Jesse Limanek and Selectmen David Hall, Michael Kenney & Raymond Plante
Town Administrator James Smith & Deb Jacques, secretary
Chairman Hebert calls the meeting to order at 7:00pm followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Forum: N/A
Selectman Hall motions to approve the May 16, 2017 meeting minutes as presented, Selectman Limanek seconds passes 3-0-2
(Selectman Kenney absent from 5/16/17 meeting, Paul Maynard no longer on the board, Ray Plante new to board)
Board of Selectmen reorganization: TA Smith says this is the time for the BOS to reorganize. Chairman John Hebert nominates Selectman Jesse Limanek to Chairman, Selectman Hall seconds passes 5-0; Chairman Jesse Limanek nominates Selectman John Hebert to Vice Chair, Selectman David Hall seconds passes 5-0; Vice Chair John Hebert nominates Selectman David Hall to Clerk, Chairman Jesse Limanek seconds passes 5-0
At this time, Vice Chair Hebert says he is privileged to serve the residents of Sutton alongside his colleagues. Jim Smith as the Town Administrator makes this job easy, he is thorough and professional. Our town is ahead of the curve and our Dept. heads do a good job.
At this time the BOS take new seats, Chairman Limanek would like to take Agenda # 4 before #3.
Ratification of Police Sergeant: TA Smith says he has appointed Officer Lisa Sullivan to Sergeant. It is contingent on the BOS ratifying the appointment. Lisa has gone through a thorough and extensive process with an assessment center and interview process which included the final interview with two residents from town (Pat Morris and Maureen Vereque), TA Smith and Chief Towle. Present tonight is Police Chief Dennis Towle and Lisa Sullivan. Chief Towle states the company hired was Public Safety Consultants out of Wareham. There were 4 candidates and they all did very well. They were all within a few points of each other. The candidates were Officer Lisa Sullivan, Officer Chris Avey, Officer Bill Jacques and Officer Joe Fortunato. Chief Towle states they are all great cops. Officer Sullivan has been with the Sutton Police
Dept. for 6 years, prior to that she was a Sergeant in Littleton for 13 years. She has done a lot in the Dept. such as organizing the Civilian Jr Police Academy and has been very active at the Sr. center. Currently Lisa is the Resource Officer at the Sutton Schools. Vice Chair Hebert thanks Chief Towle for explaining the process, John says he has a lot of respect for the other applicants and offers his congratulations to Lisa but says she will be missed at the school. Selectman Hall also thanks Chief Towle for explaining the process, it was done very professional. Dave asks Chief Towle what drove him to fill the position now, Chief Towle says it is for his succession plan as some individuals are towards the end of their careers. Selectman Kenney agrees they are all great candidates and offers congratulations to Lisa. He has seen Lisa at a lot of town events. It was a great decision. Selectman Plante says it is an honor for this to be his first night as a Selectman. He has gotten to
know Lisa as a citizen, she is a good person with a big heart. She shows kindness and cares about others. She gets down to the kids level and develops amazing relationships. Chairman Limanek has these words to describe Lisa; tough, fair, kind, compassionate and community oriented. Selectman Hall motions to ratify the appointment of Sergeant Lisa Sullivan, Selectman Kenney seconds passes 5-0
One day beer & Wine for Pleasant Valley Dentistry: Present is Dr. Theresa Susienka to request a one day license for Thursday June 8 for her new practice at 22 Galaxy Pass. This was a late item on the agenda but the BOS like to offer their support to local businesses. The BOS all welcome Dr. Susienka to town. Selectman Kenney asks approx. how many people she thinks will attend, she replies 25-50. Chairman Limanek says the BOS try to accommodate business requests. Vice Chair Hebert motions to approve the one day Beer & Wine license for Pleasant Valley Dentistry located at 22 Galaxy Pass Unit A on Thursday, June 8th between the hours of 5:30pm-7:00pm, Selectman Kenney seconds passes 5-0
Sutton Wine Liquor license: (Vinnie Allard, owner of Sutton Wine & Liquors was invited but unable to attend, he provided a letter which will be attached to the filed minutes). TA Smith had requested Mr. Allard here to discuss his intentions with the Beer & Wine license he holds in town. In January of this year, Market 32 and Sutton Wine & Liquors swapped licenses. This took place around the 15th of January and Sutton Wine & Liquor has not reopened. There is a sign on the door saying this location is for lease. It appears the business has closed. This business was supposed to serve a one day suspension for serving a minor but it never took place as the business has been closed. TA Smith says this could be considered a pocket license, there are no other Beer & Wine licenses
available in town. Vice Chair Hebert says he has strong feelings and mixed emotions and this business has had many violations. This store has been closed since January, it is empty if this license is important to Mr. Allard he should be here to discuss it. John would like to have a hearing with the license holder in front of us to discuss, if he is not going to open give the license back so it goes in to the pool should anyone be interested. Selectman Hall agrees with Vice Chair Hebert’s comments, they should not have a license if they are not using it as it is intended to be used. It should be rescinded if not used. Selectman Kenney says it is the BOS duties to control and hand out licenses as well as revoke if necessary, not only should we hold a meeting, we need to as soon as possible. Selectman Plante says he has limited knowledge of this area but is on board with a hearing, it will be best for all parties involved. Chairman Limanek says all parties deserve
their due process. Inactivity is a violation of MGL Selectman Hall motions to hold a public hearing to consider cancellation of Sutton Wines & Liquors as soon as the calendar allows for a public hearing, Selectman Plante seconds passes 5-0
Net Metering Agreement: Energy Manager Doreen DeFazio is present. TA Smith explains this was before the BOS at the last meeting but we have the actual agreement tonight for the BOS to sign. TA Smith and Doreen DeFazio will present again for our new Selectman (Ray Plante). This is a contract for a 30% reduction in our electric bills. This is a facility already built in Spencer. In 2015 at a town meeting, the voters authorized entering into a net metering agreement. This will cover the WCMA area (Schools, WWTP at the school, Town Hall, Wilks Fire Station and some pump houses). The current usage of all these sites is 2.25 MW, it is important to not overbuy so we are buying 1.9 MW. At the school site alone, over a one year period it has cost $365,371.91; with 30% reduction due to net metering it would cost $255,757.82.
A savings of $109,614.09. This will be a 20 year contract with ECOS. Selectman Hebert takes this time to acknowledge Energy Manager Doreen DeFazio for her hard work and professionalism. Saving 30% shows good planning. Selectman Hall questions what happens if the output varies, TA Smith replies that is why we have budgeted conservatively for this. Selectman Kenney reviews what the usage is with the school and savings they will see. Mike also asks if we do not use it all can we sell back what we do not use. TA Smith replies no that is against the law in Massachusetts. Selectman Plante thanks Doreen and Jim for the hard work as well as reviewing the presentation. Ray asks what scenario would result in the town breaching the contract, Doreen Defazio responds the only way we would breach would be if a better deal came down the road which is highly unlikly. TA Smith responds we will not see a better deal. Selectman Plante says he is in full support; to be able to save money
and be green, great. Chairman Limanek states if for some reason there is a catastrophic event and the town breaches the contract it is not a criminal offense. The breach of contract is there for both parties, it is showing good faith. Selectman Hall motions to sign the Purchase & Sale Agreement for Net Metering Credits between the Town of Sutton and Spencer Meadows LLC as authorized at the spring 2015 Town Meeting, Selectman Kenney seconds passes 5-0
TA Update:
- Relocation of Precinct 3 went very well according to Laura Caruso. Future elections will be held at the school.
- Marions Camp Beach: opening from June 17-August 20 and then weekends Aug 26 and Sept. 2. Noon -6pm
- Town Hall cookout this Friday at Station 1. TA Smith requests to close town Hall from 11am -1pm The BOS are invited to attend.
- BOS Goals and objectives meeting Options for dates are July 18, August 8 or another date the BOS can agree on.
- Green Line Velo to be held on Sun. June 11 from 7am-6pm
- The next BOS meeting is scheduled for June 10th, are we able to move to June 27th
The BOS all agree on August 8th for the goals meeting and move the June 20th meeting to June 27th.
Selectman announcements/Correspondence/Round table
- Selectman Hall says he appreciated the Veterans in town for allowing the Board members to travel around with them on Memorial Day and read the names. It is truly an honor. Dave goes on to thank John Hebert for his service to the Board as Chairman and offers congratulations to Jesse named as Chairman. The town is in great hands. Dave also welcomes Ray Plante to the Board
- Selectman Kenney thanks John for his role as Chairman, congratulates Jesse for appointment as Chairman and welcomes Ray as Selectman. Mike goes on to say this job is not thankless to us, this is giving back to the community, and it is an honor to be here.
- Selectman Plante congratulates Jesse as Chairman, Ray goes on to thank John for his service as Chairman, Ray worked under John as a part time Police Officer and looks forward to working alongside him again. Ray says it was an honor to march in the Memorial Day parade, it was a spiritual amazing event. Ray takes this time to ask the status of the cell tower in town. TA Smith replies he received an email from Jon Arthur with Wireless Edge earlier today. All permits have been pulled. They should be breaking ground shortly.
- Chairman Limanek thanks all for the kind words and offers congratulations to Dave for his re-election and Ray for being elected. Jesse says it was an honor reading the honor roll at the Memorial Day services. Jesse thanks Dave Karacius and the Dudley Gendron for the work they do for the Memorial day Parade as well as Samantha Hicks for the second year in a row singing the national anthem as there was no band. Jesse reads the 5 items needed for the Food Pantry.
Vice Chair Hebert motions to adjourn the meeting, Selectman Hall seconds passes 5-0
Meeting adjourned 9:02pm
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