Board of Selectmen, May 16, 2016
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 16, 2016
6:05PM Wachusett Regional High School
Present: Chairman Anthony Renzoni, Jeremy Kurtz, Tim Ethier, Geri Herlihy,
Others Present: Jacquelyn Kelly, Town Manager
Peter Lukes, Assistant Town Manager
Brian Falk, Town Counsel
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
The Meeting was called to order at 6:05PM by Chairman Renzoni. Chairman Renzoni waived the Pledge of Allegiance in order to do it in Town Meeting.
- Appointments, Licenses, Permits
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ASHELY LEBLANC ON BEHALF OF MOUNTVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT COUNCIL FOR A PARADE PERMIT FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 4TH FROM 8:00AM TO 12:00PM.
Sel. Ethier stated that this was a great cause and he is hopeful that many people will participate.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO GRANT THE TOWN MANAGER AUTHORIZATION TO APPROVE ANY PERMITS OR LICENSES THAT COME BEFORE HER FOR THE MEMORIAL DAY PARADE.
Chairman Renzoni stated that he had heard from the Cub Scout Leader and they should be in contact soon so that would be one permit that would be coming before the Town Manager.
- Review and Discussion of Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
Ms. Kelly stated that the Board had a memo from P. Harding, Planning and Development Director, in their packets. She stated that it is recommended that the Board move ‘no action’ to be taken on Joel Scott Drive at Town Meeting. She stated that as per the memo, there is work that remains incomplete and the street should not be accepted.
Mr. Falk, Town Counsel, stated that they should take no action on the item because it is not ready to be accepted.
Chairman Renzoni asked if there were any other changes to the warrant articles.
Ms. Kelly replied there were not.
Chairman Renzoni asked if everyone was all set on their talking points. The Board confirmed that they were.
- Discussion of Selectman Resignation
Ms. Kelly stated that when a Selectman resigns or their seat is vacated, the Board has a few options as to how to move forward. She stated that they could do nothing and operate with a Board of four, having one empty seat until the next election. The second option is to call a Special Election and fill the seat. That person would get to serve until the 2017 Annual Local Elections. She stated with this option, there needs to be a 65 day notice given for papers to be filed and ballots to be written. Ms. Kelly stated that the Town does have two scheduled elections in the fall, one for September 8, 2016 and the November Presidential election. Ms. Kelly stated that the special election could be piggy backed on one of those elections or there could be a special election date called. She stated having a special, stand alone, election to fill a Selectmen seat would be costly, about $10,000.
Ms. Kelly stated that if the Board of Selectmen does not call for a Special Election, a citizen can circulate a petition with 200 signatures. She stated if that happens, a citizen petition could force a Special Election.
Chairman Renzoni asked the Board’s preferences.
Sel. Ethier stated that he wished to comment for the press that in the previous meeting there was a vote of 3-2 to appoint Mr. Renzoni to the Chair. He stated that Sel. Ethier and Mr. O’Brien both opposed it. Sel. Ethier stated that as far as the Special Election goes, he did not know if it made sense to have a Special Election because they had to wait the 65 days and incur the cost and the Selectman would only be in office for six months. He stated he thought they should leave it vacant and if a citizen felt strongly enough, they could push for a Special Election by petition.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he thinks that they owe it to the voters to fill the seat. He stated that it is unfortunate that Mr. O’Brien stepped down. He said that no one wants to see that happen. Sel. Kurtz stated that Mr. O’Brien was a good representative for the people. Mr. Kurtz just didn’t feel as though he was right in the leadership role.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he spoke to a number of people and that 65 days from today was about July 25, 2016 if they made that decision to move forward with a Special Election.
Sel. Kurtz said that traditionally the elections were held on Mondays. He stated that his problem with holding the election in the summer was that it is heavy vacation time and that they had just over 1,000 people show up in the last election. He said to hold one a short time later and in the summer was very costly to the Town. He stated that he would make the motion to have a Special Election for September 8, 2016 to elect Mr. O’Brien’s replacement.
Chairman Renzoni asked if there was a second; he seconded it himself for discussion.
Sel. Herlihy stated that she had come to the meeting hoping to do a Special Election. She stated that to find out that the cost of it was $10,000, that option comes off the table for her. She stated that she does think the seat should be filled though.
Ms. Kelly stated that if they piggy back the Election with the September or November elections the cost would be a lot less.
Chairman Renzoni stated that in the past they had a Board with four members and they could not accomplish anything. He stated that there very often were 2-2 votes and it is very difficult because there is no majority. He stated that the Board has work to be done and they may be talking about the Town Manager’s contract in the spring and it may require a full board to discuss. Chairman Renzoni stated that $10,000 was too much for a Special Election but he would support a September 8, 2016 election because it is cost effective and it would fill the seat. He stated that maybe someone that runs would want to be elected again and it can be a period of time they use to get up and running.
Sel. Kurtz stated that he agreed with Chairman Renzoni, and that he thinks that they owe it to the citizens to fill the seat.
Chairman Renzoni asked if anyone on the Board had interest in a Special Election in the summer; no members of the Boards expressed interest in this.
Chairman Renzoni stated that the Board could take no action because there is plenty of time prior to the fall elections to think about it and discuss it further. He stated the Board could table the motion or vote on it.
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Herlihy, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE THE DISCUSSION OF THE RESIGNATION OF SELECTMEN AND A SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE SEAT TO THE JUNE 6, 2016 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING.
Sel. Kurtz asked if the Town Manager could have a tentative schedule from when papers are drawn through election at that meeting so the Board could have a better idea of the timeline. Ms. Kelly confirmed she could.
Ms. Kelly reminded the Board to meet briefly after Town Meeting to adjourn the Board of Selectmen meeting.
- Recess to Annual Town Meeting
Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO RECESS THE MAY 16, 2016 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING TO TOWN MEETING AT 6:22PM AND RECONVENE AFTER TOWN MEETING FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES AND ADJOURNMENT.
The Board reconvened after the close of Town Meeting at approximately 8:55 p.m.
- Board of Selectmen Meeting Minutes
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE MAY 10, 2016 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES AS AMENDED BY A VOTE OF 4-0.
Motion by Sel. Kurtz, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 16, 2016 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 9:00PM.
APPROVED: June 6, 2016__________________