Board of Selectmen February 4, 2019
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
February 4, 2019
6:30PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Geri Herlihy, Tyler Gibbs, Jeremy Kurtz, Robert Lavigne, Anthony Renzoni
Others Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager
Stephanie Bacon, Assistant Town Manager
Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
Chairman Herlihy called the meeting to order at 6:30. The Board stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Appointments, Licenses, and Permits
none
- Town Manager Update
Nomination Papers: The Town Clerk’s Office would like to remind everyone that nomination papers for election town offices became available on Monday, February 11, 2019 for the May 13th town elections. Offices on the ballot will be Town Moderator for one year term, two seats on the Board of Selectmen for three year terms, two seats on the Trustee for Damon Memorial for three years, three seta on the Wachusett Regional School District Committee for three year terms with on additional 1 year seat to fill a vacancy, and one seat on the Holden Housing Authority for a five year term. A sheet of relevant dates is enclosed in your packet.
Snow and Ice Balance Sheet: Attached is an analysis of the Town’s Snow and Ice Removal budget as of 1/31/2019. We have had a total of 15 snow/ice events this fiscal year. We have expended about 40% or $207,000 of the $500,000 Snow and Ice Budget.
FY 2020 Municipal Budget: Our FY 2020 Municipal Budget should be available in my office by this Friday, February 8. We will uploading electronic versions to Fin Com and BOS tables by mid-week. My Resource Profile and Budget Message will probably be released on Friday with the printed budgets, and I plan to deliver it officially to the Finance Committee on Wednesday, February 13th at the Holden Senior Center beginning at 7:00PM.
Census Forms: The Town Clerk’s Office would like residents to know that the annual census has been mailed to each household. Please completed and return the census form to the Town Clerk’s Office, which is located in Town Hall, 1196 Main Street as soon as possible. Residents may return the form by mail or drop off the form at the Town Hall Starbard Building, or Senior Center.
Brush Burning Permit: Brush burning permits will be available until May 1. Apply for your permit at the Holden Fire Department or online. For more information http://holdenma.gov/fire-department/pages/open-burning-information.
Retirement: Donna Cross, Administrative Assistant in my office who has worked for the Town of Holden for over twenty three years in various offices and capacities, along with years of work for the Holden schools prior to joining us, will retire at the end of February. Donna has been a cherished part of our team and we will miss her dearly. I want to thank her for her loyalty and dedicates service. I and the res of our team in the Town Managers office wish her the very best for a long and enjoyable retirement.
Chief Armstrong: Chief Armstrong was present and wanted to thank everyone for their assistance in honoring Chief Robert Mortell 25th anniversary. He stated that there were a great many people involved including dispatchers, high school students, officers, DPW, Anna Maria College and more. He thanked the Mass State Police for their assistance and for the fly over and the Paxton Community for their help as well. He stated it was a great group effort and way to honor Chief Mortell.
Chairman Herlihy stated that it was beautiful ceremony and she thanked the Chief.
- Potential SOI from School District Discussion
Chairman Herlihy suggested that hey pick up where the discussion left of last meeting.
Sel. Lavigne stated that the discussion was to formalize the Board’s opinion and to send the district a letter with their (BOS) opinion on it. He stated that it was important to let the School District know that the Town has to worry about the bigger picture not just the schools. He stated that they should formalize their discussion and if everyone agrees they should send a letter to the School Committee and the District.
Sel. Renzoni stated that there didn’t seem to be any indication with the Town’s data that there was a boom coming up that would make us expand our schools. He asked the Town Manager his opinion as to whether there was an immediate need for this.
Mr. Lukes stated that he has asked for the population in the Holden Schools for the last ten years. He stated that it indicated that there was minimum growth in 10 years but there had been a boom in housing supply. He stated that we are expecting less growth and less building combined with local and national trends that would change the Towns perspective. He stated it was his personal analysis that he did not expect a population explosion but he is not sure if it will ultimately impact the space that is needed.
Sel. Lavigne asked when the finalized Population Study would be done. He asked if they had completed a redistricting activity within that.
Mr. Lukes stated that it could be broken down geographically.
Chairman Herlihy stated that she was not sure if redistricting would help as all the elementary schools were at capacity and Mountview was over capacity.
Sel. Lavigne stated that he felt like they were putting the cart before the horse at this point.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he thought that they should send a letter stating that there was no indication that the elementary schools needed to expand. He stated that they had asked before the Special Town Meeting and the School Districts stated that there were no big projects on the horizon. He stated that it was unfair to the tax payers weeks after an $18 million dollar project was approved that the district was asking for another school. He stated that would be upwards of $40-50 million dollar project. He stated that he thinks we should let the District know that this is not how the government worked and that if there was a project on the horizon the town wanted to know.
Sel. Lavigne stated that it is one thing to say that we need a new school however if we say it now it is 5-6 years away. He stated that if it is said though, it would be $500,000 needed now for studies.
Mr. Lukes stated that from a financial standpoint; in capital assets the Town was anticipating $1 million in current buildings, roofs, HVAC equipment and more that would be on top of any additions.
Chairman Herlihy stated that they were all anxious to get the Population Study so that they would know the numbers. She stated that once they know that they can discuss if it is something that needs a short term fix or if a new school should be discussed.
Mr. Lukes stated that there were other factors in play as well. He stated that there were still school choice students in the schools as well as St. John’s which will open a middle school that could impact 5% of the population. He stated that there is a lot more going on than just saying we need a new school.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he thinks that they should form a Committee. He stated that he thinks that people are putting this together on a gut feeling and that is not how this Town works. He stated now is the time to gather data and next year once all the information is gathered they can discuss options.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he agreed with Sel. Renzoni and that a letter should be sent indicating that the Board does not endorse or support this at this time.
Sel. Renzoni stated that we are chasing the data right now and that they were unable to make a decision without the numbers and data in front of them. He stated in addition to the building of the new school they would also be speaking about staffing it. He stated that we are unable to get librarians back in the schools but now we are speaking about staffing a 40+ person school. He stated that this all sounds like a great idea but that’s what it was; an idea. He stated more discussion needed to be had with data.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO DRAFT A LETTER WITH THE TOWN MANAGER TO THE DISTRICT OUTLINING THE BOARDS DISCUSSION ON SCHOOLS.
- Full Day Kindergarten Discussion
Sel. Lavigne stated that this was similar to the last conversation.
Mr. Lukes stated that the cost would be about $1.2 million for the first year.
Sel. Lavigne stated this was a big number and a big impact considering in the district we can not get a librarian funded. He stated if we had that money to spend we should be discussing AP classes and better resources. He stated that we should do better with what we have and then worry about kindergarten. He asked if the extra three hours is more important than better tech, teachers, and classes. He stated that he didn’t think it was.
Chairman Herlihy stated that she has said this before. She has a daughter in the High School and there are over 30 kids in her English and Math class. She stated there is not enough guidance counselors or crisis counselors and she cannot fathom spending this amount of money for full day.
Sel. Lavigne stated if there is access to $1.2 million then we should make a real difference for the kids in middle and high school that need it.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was less concerned with how they were spending the funds and more concerned with our ability to absorb this. He stated that the District has a plan but he wanted to know what it was. He asked if the District had presented anything physically to the Town at this point.
Mr. Lukes replied they had not received anything in great detail. He stated that the Superintendent did not think it was a big issue in any of the schools.
Sel. Lavigne asked if we were still losing a library or was there another classroom space available.
Mr. Lukes stated that at the last conversation he had with the Superintendent, he had stated that there was space at Mayo and that it is a space off the library so it was not actually cutting into the library.
Sel. Lavigne stated that it is important to note that the School Committee act autonomously so they can do what they would like but that the Board of Selectmen represents the people and tacking on the $1.6 million earmarked for kindergarten does not make sense fiscally.
Sel. Gibbs asked what the formal plan was to fit the kids in the school. He stated that the School Committee could hypostasized but the Board was not in the schools daily.
Chairman Herlihy stated that the principal at Mayo stated that she would make it work.
Sel. Renzoni stated that for years now Holden has been blamed for the reason that full day kindergarten wouldn’t work in the Region. He stated that it has been very handy blame the lack of space on Holden and to now say there is actually space. He stated that it is a budget issue. He stated that the District should not place blame on Holden if we have had space all these years.
Sel. Lavigne stated that the finances of it worries him. He stated that when he joined the Board, the school budget was 45% of the budget. Last year it was 64% of the budget. He stated that this was ridiculous growth rate and if we are going to continue to grow in this manner we are going to have to cut elsewhere. He stated that the Town is understaffed for Fire, Police, DPW, and elsewhere and we will lose resources if this continues to grow in this manner.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he thinks that we need a plan because his fear is that this will pass and then the Town will be forced to correct things when they start to receive phone calls from parents asking if the Town knew where their kids were learning. He stated that they need a 5/10 year plan and they need to systematically look at it. He stated that now is the time to be prudent.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he agrees with Sel. Gibbs; request the Districts plans and then have the Town Manager analyze it.
Sel. Lavigne asked if the Board could invite the Superintendent and Ken Mills in.
Chairman Herlihy stated that they were supposed to be coming in.
Mr. Lukes stated that they will come in but they had a conflict at the meeting tonight.
Sel. Lavigne suggested holding off on sending a letter on this matter until they have more information. He stated that the information they have now is from the School Committee not the School District.
- Citizen Address
None
- Selectmen Minutes
None
- Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Renzoni: none
Sel. Lavigne stated that the DPW did a great job this year so far and he was pleasantly surprised with the numbers. He stated that they are out there all the time pretreating and taking care of the roads so he expected the numbers to be higher.
Sel. Gibbs: none
Chairman Herlihy asked if they could have Director Woodsmall in to talk about the plans for Shrewsbury Street Project and asked if there were any changes that could be shared.
Mr. Lukes stated that he would get an update on the project but that it was a long process.
Sel. Kurtz: none.
- Selectmen Subcommittee
Sel. Renzoni stated that there would be a Fin Com on the 13th for the Resource Profile. He stated that budget season was here and that he would be at those meetings.
Sel. Renzoni stated that the VA Committee was getting ready for Memorial Day. He stated that they had a verbal agreement with the band from the previous year and that they were always looking for volunteers of anyone that wanted to get involved. He stated that they would have a meeting posted soon and would start to plan for this event.
Chairman Herlihy asked about the young man and his Eagle Project.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was waiting to hear more on that and that he had reviewed this project. He stated that it would change the stones from unreadable to brand new looking. He stated that some of the scouts had interest in the historic cemeteries in the back right corner. He stated that he had also spoken with the Town Manager about the chains in front of the cemeteries and how they can get rid of the rusty ones there currently. He stated it is a center piece in Town and that the thinks it would be a good project that would make a big improvement in Town.
Sel. Lavigne stated that Eagle Lake Committee was meeting February 26th in order to get up to speed and speak about adult recreation areas.
Sel. Gibbs stated that he attended an Ad Hoc Meeting with Rutland Ag Com and Holden Ag Com and about 70 people were in attendance to discuss fruit tree pruning. He stated that this was well received.
Chairman Herlihy stated that the DPW Building Committee would be meeting February 25th at the Light Dept at 7PM.
Sel. Kurtz: none.
Sel. Renzoni asked Chairman Herlihy to pass along to the DPW Building Committee that the site was incredible and clean and flat and looked very desirable for bidding. He thanked the Committee and Site Manager for their work and stated that it looked great.
Chairman Herlihy called a recess at 7:09PM.
Chairman Herlihy called the meeting back to order at 7:15PM.
- Public Hearing- Liquor License T & B Food Inc, d/b/a Siam 9
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Gibbs, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO OPEN THE PUBILC HEARING FOR LIQUOR LICENSE T&B FOODS INC. D/B/A SIAM 9.
The Applicant was present at the meeting.
Mr. Lukes stated that there were no issues from the Chief.
Sel. Lavigne asked if this was for beer and wine for now.
The applicant confirmed it was.
Sel. Kurtz stated that last time they applicant was in there was a question of back taxes, he asked if those had been taken care of.
Mr. Lukes confirmed that they had been.
Chairman Herlihy opened it up for public comment; no members of the public stepped forward.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Lavigne, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR LIQUOR LICENSE T & B FOOD INC, D/B/A SIAM 9.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Gibbs, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE WINE AND MALT LICENSE FOR T & B FOOD INC, DBA SIAM 9 AS PRESENTED.
Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION- SECTION 30A, §21(a)3. TO DISCUSS STRATEGY WITH RESPECT TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OR LITIGATION, IF AN OPEN MEETING MAY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE GOVERNMENT’S BARGAINING OR LITIGATING POSITION, AND THE CHAIR SO DECLARES, I.E HOLDEN V DCR AND CITY OF WORCESTER, SEWER TRANSPORT CASE- ROLL CALL VOTE AND TO RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT.. (Renzoni: yes; Lavigne: yes; Gibbs: yes; Herlihy: yes; Kurtz: yes.)
The Board adjourned Executive Session by a unanimous roll call vote.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Gibbs, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE FEBRUARY 4, 2019 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 8:57PM.
APPROVED: _____3/4/19 AS AMMENDED____________