Board of Selectmen, April 3, 2017 6:34 p.m.
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
April 3, 2017
6:34PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Geri Herlihy, Tim Ethier, Jeremy Kurtz, Erik Scheinfeldt
Others Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
- Appointments, Licenses, Permits
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE FOR KEN FENSIN ON BEHALF OF HOLDEN BASEBALL FOR A SEASONAL SNACK BAR FROM APRIL 15TH-NOVEMBER 1, 2017, THURSDAY 5PM-9PM, FRIDAY 5PM – 9PM AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 9AM-9PM.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PARADE PERMIT -5K FUNDRAISER FOR WACHUSETT SCHOLARHIP FOR CATHLEEN BRADSHAW-WHITE ON BEHALF OF JASON BRADSHAW MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2017 FROM 7:00AM TO 11:00AM.
- Town Manager Update
Update on Memorial Day Parade: Memorial Day will take place this year on Monday, May 29, 2017. The Veterans Committee has been hard at work planning for the event. A Memorial Day Flyer will be mailed out to Holden residents in the Light Department billings starting this month. We will also be mailing out individual letters to the business community seeking donations for the parade and celebration. This year I also intend to record a video for social media promoting the parade and inviting everyone to join us.
Chapter 90 Funding: For your information, enclosed is an e mail from Emma Schlitzer, Legislative Director to State Rep Kim Ferguson regarding the Chapter 90 bon authorization recently passed by the Mass House of Representatives. The FY 18 Chapter 90 apportionment for the Town of Holden is $613, 423, pending passage by the Senate and signing by the Governor.
State 911, Grant, Regional Dispatch: Thanks to the diligent work of Chief Armstrong, our IT team and several others who have worked on the Regional Dispatch project, the Town of West Boylston will officially come on-line and join our the Wachusett Regional Emergency Communications Center, headquartered in the Holden Public Safety Building, tomorrow, April 4. The Town of Holden was awarded a grant from the State 911 program for Regional Dispatch in the amount of $1,045,628. State-wide, there was approximately $8.0 million available in this grant round and Holden was awarded one-eighth of the total available.
Street Sweeping Schedule: The Department of Public Works has published its Spring street sweeping schedule which will take place between April 18 and June9. It will be published in The Landmark and also on the Towns website. The schedule is approximate and is greatly influenced by changing weather conditions and equipment. If there are any questions, resident may call 508-210-5550 during regular business hours
Annual License Franchise Fee: Enclosed is a letter from Thomas Cohan, Director of Government Affairs for Charter Communications, conveying g the annual Public Access Grant required under the Licenses agreement in the amount of $248,407.87. These funds are used to offset the costs of our Holden Community Television operations. The amount is based on 4.5% of Charters Gross Revenue
Fire Dept. Tower Truck Service: The Fire Department tower truck will be undergoing refurbishing work that started Monday March 27. It will be out of service for at least a month. The Town of Rutland will be providing Holden with a ladder truck for automatic aid on structure fires, smoke and chimney fires.
Compositing and Brush Chipping: The DPW has scheduled dates for spring composting and brush chipping. Composting takes place at the former landfill site on River Street; the brush chipping is done at the Adams Road DPW Facility, due to the Longhorn Beetle Quarantine area. The hours are 8AM to 2:30PM, weather permitting.
Saturday, April 22, April 29, May 6, May 13 an d May 20
Hazard Mitigation Plan: The Town of Holden’s Hazard Mitigation Plan received formal approval fro FMA Region 1. The plan approval now enables the Town to be eligible to apply for FEMA Hazard mitigation Assistance Grant Programs. Our plan is good for a period of five years from the date of the approval letter.
Clean Energy Standard/ Municipal Light Dept. Regulations: Enclosed in your packet is a letter to Marin Suuberg, Commissioner of Mass DEP signed by Representative Ferguson and Senator Chandler addressing the concerns that Municipal Light Department have with the implementation of DEP Regulation that would impose an undue burden on MLPs subject to the Clean Energy standards. These regulations pose a serious impediment to the work of MLPs such as the Holden Municipal Light Department and will cause a negative impact on ratepayers if they are imposed. Our HMLD General Manger Jim Robinson has been out front on this issue and continues to advocate on behalf of HMLD and its customers
Last Day to Register to Vote: the last day to register to vote in the May 8, 2017 Town Election is Tuesday, April 18. The Town Clerks’ office will be open until 8pm.
DPU Report Signature Page: Each year, the Light Department fields an Annual Report with the MA Department of Pubic Utilities. It includes the enclosed page that is signed by the HMLD General Manger, myself and the Selectmen/ Light Commissioners. It is due by the end of April. I recommend that the Selectmen sigh the page. When we will finalize the report I will provide a copy of the submittal.
Annual Statistical Report: The Water Sewer Division 2016 Annual Statistical Repot was submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection last week, a copy of which is in your packet. Our calculations result in Unaccounted for Water at 19.8%, up from 15.7% in the prior year. However, we expect that this number will be adjusted by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as they lack, in our opinion, a clear an consistent methodology to compute UAW and exhibit inconsistency in the reviewing public rate suppliers’ calculations.
Sel. Ethier asked for clarification on the water numbers. He asked if it was merely a statistical issue and not leaks in the system.
Mr. Lukes replied that it was something that the DPW advised him on stating that there has been slightly less water sold due to the water restrictions so UAW remain the same and less water is sold then by that denominate the percentage would go up. He stated that he could not otherwise speak to the increase but he could refer the Board to the 12 point plan that DPW has been working with and that they have planned round 2 of leak detection and source meter calibration. He stated that FY 18 has budged a large meter replacement but as of right now, they continue to move forward to lower this number.
Sel. Ethier asked how old the fire truck was that was being serviced.
Chief Chandler was present and stated the truck was from 1999.
Sel. Ethier asked if he could ask Chief Chandler about the petition that was bought before the Board
Sel. Kurtz called to order the point that this was not an agenda time. He stated that he did not think it was fair to call Chief Chandler to take about this and he suggested that the Board move this to a future agenda item.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board could talk about it because it was a warrant article however if the Board wanted Chief Chandlers thoughts on the matter it would be on a future agenda. He stated that right now the Board was not taking any positions on items.
Sel. Ethier stated that he thought that the Board needed to vote to put the petition on the agenda.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board did have the ability to not place something on for a Warrant Article. He stated that if the Board did that they could override the Board with additional signatures.
Sel. Ethier stated that he would like the chiefs position on the matter. He asked how many meetings the Board had prior to Town Meeting.
Chairman Renzoni replied that there were two regular meetings and if for some reason they were not set for Town Meeting they could set a special meeting to take positions or make amendments.
Sel. Ethier replied that he thought the Board should begin this work.
Chairman Renzoni replied that they were still waiting on the budget and Fin Com. He stated that traditionally Fin Com considers a budget and makes recommendation to the Town Manager.
Sel. Ethier stated that he thinks the Board needs number earlier than a week before Town Meeting.
Chairman Renzoni replied that as a liaison to Fin Com, he can say that they are working very hard and are deliberately going down the list and making recommendations. He stated that it is a working budget and they will have some numbers as they move along but that Fin Com has asked the Town Manager to review his budget and cut $500,000 so the number are still moving. He stated that FY 18 had a large known increase in school and if it passed today it would be about a 9.1% increase. He stated that is not something that everyone wants so they asked Mr. Lukes to review and make cuts.
Mr. Lukes stated that he had been consulting with Department heads as to what to prioritize and they are in the process of looking for things that they can cut. He stated he has come up with $150,000 so far.
Sel. Ethier asked what the proper method was to presenting cuts.
Mr. Lukes replied that Fin Com asked him to present the cuts to him.
Sel. Ethier asked if he was able to do it.
Mr. Lukes replied that Fin Com votes on the budget and that he appreciates that they came to him and asked him to do it rather than taking it upon themselves.
Sel. Ethier stated that he was concerned with the timing
Chairman Renzoni stated that they meeting every week and that he thinks this year has been an especially tough budget but that the timing is typical. He stated that it is Fin Com responsibility to consider all matters financial and that they have been looking thoroughly at the budget. He stated that he wishes that they had the numbers already but they don’t.
Sel. Ethier stated that Holden taxes are up this year but that Holden is a top community in the state and that while taxes may be going up, property prices are also rising. He stated that the schools help the properties keep value.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board will take positions on these items. He stated that they are right on time and expect to be listening to presentation from School District in the coming week and their will be an update at the meeting on the 24th.
Starbard Scholarship: Chairman Renzoni stated that they had initially stated that the fund had only $200 in it to award so the Board had decided to hold off. He stated after reviewing the account, there was $714 in the account so Sel. Kurtz asked to put this back on for the Board to discuss.
Sel. Kurtz stated that with this information and the fact that there is over $700 in the account he wanted suggest awarding a scholarship.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OFFER A STARBARD SCHOLARHIP IN THE AMOUNT OF UP TO $400 TO BE DETERMINED BY A TWO PERSON COMMITTEED TO INTERVIEW AND RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD.
Chairman Renzoni asked Sel. Kurtz to spearhead the Committee. He asked Mr. Lukes if they were able to advertise the scholarship.
Mr. Lukes stated they were.
- Citizens Address
None
- Holden Education Stabilization Fund
Sue Sullivan and Kristen Turner were present at the meeting.
Sel. Ethier stated that that one of the first recommendations that the Education Options Review Committee agreed on unanimously was to establish an Education Stabilization Fund with the purpose being to have a place to put money for Holden education. He stated whatever money in the budget that was not spent could be put in this fund so it could be accessed for improvements, technology, or anything else. He stated last year there would have been $500,000 added which was in excess after the budget was voted. Sel. Ethier stated that he was comfortable placing extra funds there and then it could ensure that those funds that were allocated by tax payers were put back into schools.
Ms. Sullivan stated that the Committee felt as though they explored several options and found that in many ways, the towns hands were tied with the Regional Agreement. She stated that they felt that one way they may be able to do something was to have the money that was allocated at the Annual Town Meeting for education placed in a fund that was used for education. She stated the people fully expected that amount of money would be spent and invariably for the last several years, the School Committee had to reduce that amount. She stated that the Committee thought that if there was a mechanism that if the budget was lowered, funds could go into a stabilization/ reserve account and then those funds could be used for anything that had to do with education. Ms. Sullivan stated that the Committee would have a full report but not until after Town Meeting but they felt that it was something that could possibly be acted on for this Town Meeting and set into place for the future.
Chairman Renzoni replied that he appreciated the work of the Committee and how they have been meeting frequently. He stated that he wished to caution the Board about trying to establish this for the upcoming Town Meeting because it is something that would need to be worked through the budget process and built into the town that way. He asked Mr. Lukes his thoughts.
Mr. Lukes stated it was a little bit of a gray area. He stated that he thinks it may take a little more time that they had for this Town Meeting. He stated that when the Town allocated the funds for the wifi, it took some legal work. He stated that Mr. Madaus could elaborate on the issue but that they needed to be careful to not step on School Committee Authority and that while it was good intentions, it was outside the jurisdiction of the town and the town was limited in what it could do.
Mr. Madaus stated that it would take some artful drafting if this proposal moved forward. He stated it is more than just a special project, funds for education are within the jurisdiction of the School Committee and that is a long standing MA State Law so they would need to ensure that some Board other than the School Committee was not controlling funds for the schools. Mr. Madaus stated that last years wifi project was unprecedented but it was set as a gift for a specific purpose and the School Committee accepted it but they could have declined it as well. He stated because it was out of the jurisdiction it would require some additional study and could be difficult to navigate.
Ms. Sullivan stated that the Committee met with the Superintendent and the EORC was well aware that the School Committee would need to accept any gifts. She stated that the Superintendent discouraged the EORC from considering staffing but thought this idea was a good one. She stated that they were not looking to take the School Committee out of decision making at all.
Ms. Sullivan stated that she understands and is well aware that the budget process is underway but that the EORC had sent a request in February to discuss this matter. She stated that the Committee took a vote before they were even ready to in order to get this to the Board of Selectmen early enough.
Chairman Renzoni stated that he felt that this was a good time to bring this forward for next year.
Sel. Kurtz commended the group for their work. He stated his concern was the way the funds would be allocated. He stated that he thought they may be blurring the line by setting aside the difference from what was approved and what was passed. He stated that to say the Town voted to approve X dollars and then have those funds used for infrastructure is a slippery slope and it could end up taking away from education and those people that support it. He stated people may ask do they want to have the budget approved and then have the money used for a different purpose and that may cause people to vote against the budget. Sel. Kurtz stated he would like to see a little more study done on this matter and see what is legally possible regarding the wording.
Sel. Ethier stated that the precedent was set last year. He stated that it may be an extra effort to look at it but that the EORC was created and they bought something before the Board of Selectmen and he thinks it needs to be put on as a Warrant Article to let the Town decide how to move forward. He stated that he thinks they owe it to the Committee to put it on.
Sel. Ethier stated that he thinks there is a good chance that the school budget would be voted down and it could be a significant amount of money that could be put into this account if you direct how the fund goes. He stated that it should be a Warrant Article this Town Meeting.
Sel. Herlihy asked who would control the fund.
Ms. Sullivan stated that she would hate to have this go to Town Meeting if the Board does not agree on it. She stated she would rather have Town Counsel look into it and see the proper way to do it rather than take it to Town Meeting and then Town Counsel gets up and says that it should have been done through channels and therefore they can’t do it. Ms. Sullivan stated that the EORC is not an ongoing Committee so someone else would have to be established to control the funds. She stated that was not in their purview as a Committee; they were established to come up with ideas and they could help determine how it would work but that they would not be in control of it. Ms. Sullivan stated that she would not want to just throw it on the Warrant Article, they want the Board to think it is a great idea with everything in line.
Sel. Scheinfeldt stated that he is a big proponent of schools and he is hesitant to jump on board tonight as it is worded. He stated that in theory he supported the concept 100% but it is unchartered and needed to be worked out. He stated that he would hate for it to be defeated and thinks it needs to be vetted through legal counsel.
Chairman Renzoni stated that going forward this could be something that was set as a goal for next year. He stated it could be a budget goal and then town professionals could work with legal counsel to see how to carry this forward.
Sel. Scheinfeldt asked what happens to the funds the town approves a budget and then it is cut by School Committee.
Mr. Lukes replied the funds go into the General Fund.
Sel. Ethier stated that he senses that he does not have the support for this currently but he does see support for the idea. He asked if Town Counsel could come up with additional information.
Chairman Renzoni stated that he thinks this would be part of goal setting for FY 19. He stated much like what was done for Open Space and Technology. He stated it was set in the budget and then it went to Town Meeting and was passed. He stated it was about an 18 months process and that is standard practice. He stated it would originate as a goal from the Board of Selectmen and then they could move it forward.
Sel. Ethier stated he thought it would make sense to have the language that was needed from Town Counsel so they could know what the goal would be. He stated he did not know what the harm would be in that. He stated he is asking for Town Counsel to provide some guidance to the Committee so they could productively bring it forward.
Sel. Kurtz stated he disagreed with Sel. Ethier. He stated this would be unprecedented for the Board and that in the previous year, the Board took a vote to fund a project they did not take excess funds voted at Town Meeting. He stated that “Stabilization Fund” is also inaccurate. He stated stabilization funds help maintain funding levels to help prevent an increase which would mean anything left over would go to help prevent an increase not go to a project. He stated that possibly they were looking at a different fund but that words are important and they need to be careful in wording things and what is done.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he valued Town Counsels time but that he thinks the Committee needs to continue to bring this forward as a group. He stated that the EORC is doing great work and giving the town ammunition but that to have Town Counsel look into it at this point could get very costly.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board could entertain a place holder for a Warrant Article or they can move forward with an FY 19 Goal. He stated that he understands that a goal may not be as fast as some would like but that those are the options.
Sel. Ethier stated that Sel. Kurtz pointed out that “Stabilization” may not be the right wording but that is just the assistance the Committee may need. He stated there is a big need in Town and that as why this Committee was created. He stated it is a radical approach but maybe that is what is needed. Sel. Ethier stated that he thinks the Board should have Town Counsel assist with wording.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board of Selectmen is working with a Citizen Committee and they want to establish this fund with this purpose. He stated it is in the early stage and he does not think Town Counsel was prepared to discuss it yet.
Mr. Madaus stated that the question on the wifi gift was an extensive process. He stated that it was rather complex to have Fin Com and the Superintendent and the School Committee work to have that occur. Mr. Madaus stated that he knows they made mention of if the assessment is over the district appropriation then the delta get sent to a fund to sit and grow. He stated that he does not believe that is permissible under the Regional Agreement. He stated that he is not sure how that would work but he would be happy to work with anyone to find a way through the Town Managers office. He stated that the previous year, the wifi was a lot of effort.
Mr. Lukes stated that was a specific gift that appropriated the amount. This would be an unspecified amount and then an automatic appropriation into an account. He stated anything with an automatic appropriation may go against the charter.
Mr. Madaus stated that they would need to review the Regional Agreement as well. He stated that it would be a question of how to manage funds within the Regional Agreement for education but not for the Wachusett District only for Holden.
Sel. Ethier stated that the Town owned the buildings so they could do something like that.
Mr. Madaus replied that then it got into the Regional Agreement and you have to look at revision and definition of capital projects as well.
Ms. Sullivan stated that the EORC all assumed that the money would have to go through Town Meeting for final approval. She stated that they also felt that it was their task to come up with possible ideas as to how to do things and pass the ideas along to the Board of Selectmen and if the Board felt there was merit they could move forward. She stated that they recognized that the School Committee needed to accept and approve anything so they are acknowledging a lot of what is being said. She stated that she understands the School Committee and their responsibilities as she was the Chair for that committee for many years. They were simply putting something out there and if it worked great, and if it needed vetting, then please vet it. She stated their idea was the towns people voted money for education but other towns voted less so is there a way to use at lease some of those funds for education.
Sel. Kurtz made a motion to table this discussion until after this years Town Meeting. He stated that he thinks everyone on the Board is a strong supporter of education but that this was too close to put it on as a warrant article and have it fully and properly vetted. He stated he thinks this should be tabled until after Town Meeting and then brought back up.
Chairman Renzoni reminded the Board that there was no motion to table.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was BY A VOTE OF 1-4, THE MOTION TO SET A PLACE HOLDER AT ANNUAL TOWN MEETING FOR A WARRANT ARTICLE TO ESTABLISH A FUND THAT WILL USE MONEY THAT CAME FROM THE EDUCATION BUDGET FAILED (Ethier: yes; Scheinfeldt; no; Kurtz: no; Renzoni: no; Herlihy: no).
Chairman Renzoni thanked Ms. Sullivan and Ms. Turner for coming to the meetings.
- Elimination of the Infrastructure Investment Fund
Chairman Renzoni stated that this topic of discussion had been brought up about three years ago; the Board of Selectmen wanted to move forward to eliminate the IIF and Fin Com wanted to move forward and continue to fund the IIF. He stated about a year ago a Working Group was set up to have discussion and gain a better understanding of each others point of view.
Sel. Ethier stated that he believes it is time to bring this matter to Town Meeting floor in order to go to the legislature and have the IIF abolished. He stated that he wanted to have this done before the DPW Building came up in order to free up money held in that account. He stated that it is his assumption that the funds that were in the IIF would be put into the General Account and those funds could help offset the cost of the DPW Building.
Sel. Ethier stated that it has been a goal of the Board for some time to abolish the IIF and that there is no longer a full IIF. He stated that the Chair had resigned and the Committee does not meet. Sel. Ethier stated the Working Group had not met in some time and that he feels that they owe it to the Town to allow them to hear both sides at Town Meeting and make a decision.
Sel. Ethier stated that the fund was created to help the infrastructure in Town and that DPW is the last large project. He stated they should dissolve the fund and use the money for the project.
A motion was made by Sel. Ethier to authorize the Board of Selectmen to petition the Legislature to rescind or amend the special legislation surround the IIF and to transfer the remaining balance to the general fund. The motion was seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt.
Sel. Ethier stated that he thinks Town Meeting should decide this. He stated that he understands Fin Com members are against it but that he thinks the people should hear it and made a decision. He stated if it could offset the DPW cost it may make more sense to people as well.
Sel. Scheinfeldt stated he didn’t see the harm in hearing this on Town Meeting floor.
Sel. Herlihy stated that there was a reason the fund was created and that in the previous year a commitment had been made to Fin Com that they would work together and come to a decision. She stated that it would go against that commitment if they abolished it without looking into the merits of it.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he has looked at this from both sides and that if you look at the history one of the reasons that it was created was to allow a savings solution that the school system could not touch. He stated that Town has been in a period of good financial health with excess funds and this year there is going to be a huge increase in the school budget and health care increases were also huge. He stated there will come a time that the Town will need to tighten up and be more fiscally responsible and they need to understand how to use the fund properly. He stated that if it is determined that the town can not use the fund the way it anticipated then they can figure out how to get the funds out but leave the IIF in tack so that in ten years, if the tables were turned they would already have the fund established. He stated that just doing away with the account before knowing more about it was not doing their due diligence.
Sel. Ethier stated that he does not think that looking at this for 2.5 years is dilly dallying. He stated that the Board had supporting this as a goal and that he thinks the Town should have the funds that were held in the account. He stated that they had looked at it with Mountview and it was created to make more money on investments for the town because it allowed the town to make more risky investments. He stated that they found out that the IRS said that the town could not do that so they had to stop. He stated that he was asking the Board to put this on as a warrant article and let the people decide.
Chairman Renzoni stated that it was more than what Sel. Ethier suggested. He stated that it was majority of the Board so 4 people in control of the funds and he felt that you put that much more government between the people with this fund. He stated that is where he began his discussion on the IIF a few years ago. He stated that Fin Com presented their argument as to why is was not bad but he at that time opposed it. Chairman Renzoni stated that he stands by his commitment to work with Fin Com and he does not know where he stands on the fund because they don’t know enough about it. He stated that they had given Fin Com their word that the Board of Selectmen would not move to abolish IIF and Fin Com would not make a move to fund it. He stated they held up their end of the bargain and that he feels that the Board should hold up theirs. He urged the Board to defeat the motion on the floor.
Sel. Scheinfeldt stated that he agreed with Sel. Ethier that they should get it in front of the people.
Chairman Renzoni stated that it is not a goal, it is a Working Group and they are waiting for a few reports. He stated that they asked for $2,500 for a study about the fund. He asked the Board to defeat the motion to allow for them to get the feedback. He stated that it would be poor form to do this after giving their word.
Sel. Ethier stated that he does not think they should spend the $2,500 on the study. He asked how much money they needed to spend to determine that the IRS stated that you cannot spend the fund on capital projects. He stated it is clear and time to abolish the fund.
Chairman Renzoni stated that one of the reasons that they have not met is that there was no business to meet on. He stated that they made a gentleman’s agreement to not move on this at this point in time.
Sel. Ethier asked why they were not at the meeting tonight.
Chairman Renzoni stated that they trusted himself and Sel. Herlihy as both were in the working group. Chairman Renzoni moved the question.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz to table the current motion until the Board open and sets the warrant for Special Town Meeting. Sel. Ethier seconded the motion for discussion.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he understood the discussion and the passion for using the funds for DPW. He stated that if they take the vote right now and it moves forward they are taking the funds and putting the into the General Fund and it could be used for any purpose. He stated it would not be earmarked. Sel. Kurtz stated if it is Sel. Ethier’s true ambition to have these funds help with the DPW Building they funds should stay in the IIF until they can appropriate funds from there.
Sel. Ethier stated that he appreciated what Sel. Kurtz was saying; to have these monies directly go to the big infrastructure project but if the fund is not abolished and the money went to the General Fund it is not as though it could be spent on anything. It would have to go back to Town Meeting and be appropriated by the people. He stated it is the peoples right to do that, not 4 people on a Board.
Sel. Scheinfeldt stated that the motion is to put it on as a Warrant Article for upcoming Town Meeting but the motion to table is for a different timeline. He stated that he hated to bring up the semantics but he did want to point out that the timeline did not work.
Chairman Renzoni agreed.
Sel. Herlihy stated that before a decision could be made they still needed the information from the study.
Sel. Kurtz withdrew his motion to table.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, THE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN TO PETITION THE LEGISLATURE TO RESCIND OR AMEND THE SPECIAL LEGISLATION SURROUNDING THE IIF AND TO TRANSFER THE REMAINING BALACE TO THE GENEARL FUND FAILED BY MOTION OF 2-3 (Ethier: yes; Scheinfeldt: yes; Kurtz: no; Herlihy: no; Renzoni: no).
- Vote to layout Streets for Acceptance
Motion by Sel. Kurtz to layout Joel Scott Road.
Mr. Madaus stated that the Board needed to vote the intention to layout the streets before laying out the streets.
Sel. Kurtz withdrew his motion.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT JOEL SCOTT DRIVE AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT COLLEEN’S WAY AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Herlihy, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPORVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT TERESA DRIVE AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT CANDLEWOOD DRIVE AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT PRESERVATION LANE AS PREESNTED.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE INTENTION TO LAYOUT ST. MARY’S DRIVE EXTENSION AS PRESENTED.
- Warrant Articles
Mr. Lukes stated that the Board would open, set, and close the Warrant Articles tonight and revisit them when they had all the information.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE 2017 ANNAUL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES.
Sel. Ethier asked about the budget. He stated that he did not recall anyone directing the Town Manager to make cuts to the budget. He stated that he would like to see the numbers if they were talking about a 9 % increase.
Mr. Lukes replied that the budget was fluid.
Chairman Renzoni stated that to clarify the process, the Board does not direct the Town Manager to establish a budget, they hire the Town Manager to run the Town and it is within his/ her authority to build a budget. He stated that the Board and the Manager agree on goals and the Town Manager works in that capacity. He stated the Fin Com and the Town Manager work through the budget process together.
Chairman Renzoni asked if anyone had questions on any of the Warrant Articles.
Chairman Renzoni asked about Article 25; the Moratorium for the Sale of Recreational Marijuana.
Mr. Lukes replied this was set.
Chairman Renzoni asked if it was similar to the Westborough position
Mr. Luks replied it was not, Westborough was doing a full ban
Mr. Madaus stated that Holden was doing a moratorium on the sale of recreational marijuana. He stated that the legislature is working on legislation and the moratorium gives the Town time to see what the legislation ends up being.
Chairman Renzoni asked about Articles 28/29. He stated that they may receive the information that they need in the next three weeks and these articles will allow the town to put it on the agenda. He stated that as of right now they were just place holders and they would be kept or moved on April 24.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SET THE 2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANAIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE 2017 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLES.
Sel. Kurtz stated that to make a note, in the next few weeks, the Board would be taking a stance on many of the Warrant Articles. He stated there are some items they are missing literature on and he would like to request that literature.
Chairman Renzoni replied they would get the information to the Board.
- Selectmen Minutes
Motion by Sel. Herlihy, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE FEBRUARY 27, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES BY A VOTE OF 4-0-1 AS PRESENTED (Scheinfeldt: abstain).
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE MARCH 6, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES BY A VOTE OF 4-0-1 AS PRESENTED (Ethier: abstain).
- Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Scheinfeldt asked when the other Towns’ had their Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Lukes replied that he believed Holden was last and we would have more information on the schools when we had the Town Meeting.
Sel. Kurtz congratulated DPW on their last job with the snow removal. He asked for an update on the budget.
Mr. Lukes replied that the Town was over the snow removal budget.
Sel. Herlihy stated that Wachusett Regional High School did the play Hello Dolly and they did a wonderful job.
Sel. Ethier congratulated the winners of the 2017 Holden Good Neighbor Award.
- Selectmen Subcommittee
Sel. Ethier stated that he had attended the Fin Com hearings for the School Budget and listed to the presentation.
Sel. Herlihy: none
Sel. Kurtz: none
Sel. Scheinfeldt: none
Chairman Renzoni stated that the VA Committee was going to meet soon. He stated the parade would be on May 29th. He stated that last week the Committee found out that the Spirit of America Band had a scheduling conflict and they were not looking for other bands.
Mr. Madaus told the Board that they needed to follow proper statutory procedures for the street layouts. He stated the first process was to vote intention and give notice to abutters. He stated after that they need to refer the matter to the Planning Board for street layouts.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO REFER TO THE PLANNING BOARD THE LAYOUT FOR STONEY BROOK ESTATES: JOEL SCOTT DRIVE, COLLEEN’S WAY, TERESA DRIVE, AND CANDLEWOOD DRIVE; ST. MARY’S DRIVE EXTENSION; AND BULLARD ESTATES: PRESERVATION LANE.
Mr. Madaus stated that DPW would do an inspection and make a punch list for the streets so they knew what work needed to still be completed prior to street acceptance.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Scheinfeldt, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE APRIL 3, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 8:41PM.
APPROVED: _______May 1, 2017____________