Board of Selectmen, May 2, 2016
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 2, 2016
6:36PM Memorial Hall
Present: Chairman Jeremy Kurtz, Anthony Renzoni, Kenneth O’Brien
Not Present: Tim Ethier, Robert Lavigne
Others Present: Jacquelyn Kelly, Town Manager
Peter Lukes, Assistant Town Manager
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
Chairman Kurtz called the meeting to order at 6:36PM. The Board stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Appointments, License, Permits
None
- Town Manager’s Update
- Holden Days 2016: Ms. Kelly attached a letter from Rhonda Hamer, Coordinator for Holden Days 2016 which will be held on Saturday, August 27, 2016. Ms. Hamer will be coordinating the event along with Jennifer Stanovich, Executive Director of the Wachusett Area Chamber of Commerce.
- Town Election and Town Meeting: Our next meeting will take place prior to Town Meeting at 6PM on Monday, May 16, 2016 at the Wachusett Regional High School. Town Meeting will begin at 7PM in the Auditorium. This is our most important town event of the year and we encourage any and all registered voters to attend. The annual Town Election takes place on week prior to Town Meeting on Monday, May 9, 2016 and polls are open from 7AM to 8PM. Further information is available on the Town’s Website, Facebook or by contacting the Town Clerk’s Office at 508-210-5530.
We have scheduled a Special Selectmen’s Meeting for 5:30 PM on Tuesday, May 10, 2016 after the swearing-in ceremony at which time the Selectmen will re-organize.
Chairman Kurtz asked if it was all normal polling locations.
Ms. Kelly confirmed that it would be including a location at the new Mountview School.
- National Public Works Week: The Town has been a longstanding member of the American Public Works Association. This year, we are asking that the Selectmen vote to designate May 15 through May 21 as National Public Works Week to celebrate our Public Works employees and the tens of thousands of men and woman throughout the Unite Stats that maintain our infrastructures and services know as public works. A memo from John Woodsmall, DPW Director is enclosed.
John Woodsmall, DPW Director was present at the meeting. He stated that National Public Works week was something that was held for a number of years but this was Holden’s first year officially celebrating it. He stated that the DPW often works in the background and you do not see them unless there is something wrong. He stated that they try to do their jobs unobtrusively: clearing snow from roads, making sure traffic flows, water runs, fields are mowed, parks are maintained, trash is removed, and a variety of other things. He stated that he felt it was time to give the Public Works of Holden the recognition.
Chairman Kurtz asked if there were any events planned for the week.
J. Woodsmall stated that the DPW had the Open House this past Saturday (April 30, 2016) and it was well attended. He showed the posters to the Board and stated that they will make them visible in Town.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he cannot tell Mr. Woodsmall the amount of compliments that he receives about the Department from snow removal, to park maintenance. He stated that the DPW does a great job.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO DESIGNATE MAY 15, 2016 THROUGH MAY 21, 2016 AS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK.
Chairman Kurtz read the Certificate of Recognition into the record and presented it to Mr. Woodsmall.
- Ms. Kelly stated that each year there is an Employee Appreciation Picnic. She stated that they were tentatively looking at June 16, 2016 as the date of the picnic to be held at Troutbrook. She asked the Selectmen to check their calendars to see if that date worked for the Board.
- Selectmen Minutes
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE APRIL 11, 2016 BOARD OF SELECMEN MEETING MINUTES AS PRESENTED.
4) Selectmen Subcommittees
Sel. O’Brien stated that the Light and Power Committee would be meeting tomorrow, May 3, 2016.
Sel. Renzoni stated that the VA Committee would be meeting this Thursday, May 5, 2016 and the location would be posted on the Town Clerks Website tomorrow.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he had resigned from the Community Garden Committee but he had offered to help and to stay in the loop. He stated that they had put up the first fence near the garden at Davis Hill and they are doing a great job. He stated the group is still welcoming volunteers.
Chairman Kurtz stated that the 275th Committee was meeting Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at the Senior Center.
- Positions on Warrant Articles/Motion Assignments
Ms. Kelly passed out a copy of the Warrant Articles, the Selectmen positions, and the assignments thus far. She stated that if the Selectmen wanted to speak on an Article she would like to know which Selectmen so the Moderator had that information. She stated that if Fin Com was the motion maker they will assign someone and if the Selectmen are the motion makers they should assign someone.
Chairman Kurtz stated that he would like to pass taking a stance on any of the financial articles that the Board did not take a stance on last week; Articles 6.1-6.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 and have them taken up at the meeting prior to Town Meeting. He stated Fin Com is meeting Wednesday and they will have at least one Department Head to give a presentation. He stated it will also allow Selectboard members that were not present tonight, May 2, 2016, the opportunity to discuss the Articles.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he disagreed. He said that he felt that the Board should take position on everything with the exception of the Fire and Capital Budget items. He stated that he understood that Chief Chandler was coming back to the FinCom on Wednesday and that he felt that the Selectboard should start to move through the Warrant Articles. He understood that the Board only had three members present tonight but that they needed to get on with the work of the Board in case something else came up.
Ms. Kelly stated that she had provided the Board with copies of her notes from the Fin Com meeting and she could provide her input as well.
Sel. O’Brien stated he felt as though the Board should take positions as well.
A motion was made by Sel. Renzoni to support the remaining articles with the exception of 6.3, 11 and 14.
Sel. O’Brien asked if Sel. Renzoni would take out Warrant Article 6.5 as well.
Sel. Renzoni withdrew his motion.
A motion was made by Sel. O’Brien to support Warrant Articles, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.8, 6.9, 9, 10, 12, and 13. The motion was seconded by Sel. Renzoni.
Sel. O’Brien stated that he left out Warrant Article 6.5: Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund because he is not supporting it. He stated he had a few issues with that and Public Safety so he asked to keep those Articles out in order to have a final deliberation on those.
Motion by Sel. O’Brien, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUPPORT 2016 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLE NUMBERS 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7, 6.8, 6.9, 9, 10, 12, AND 13.
A motion was made by Sel. Renzoni to support Warrant Article 6.5: Water/ Sewer Enterprise Fund. The motion was seconded by Chairman Kurtz.
Sel. Renzoni stated that for the sake of discussion the Board should remove themselves from the increase in rate conversation. He stated that the budget had be presented and scrutinized and the recommendation came forward to support the Water/Sewer Enterprise Fund as presented. He stated that the matter of the rates was separate and he urged the Board to support this Warrant Article. Sel. Renzoni stated that the fund was doing amazing things and that he thinks that the Board should support it.
Chairman Kurtz agreed with Sel. Renzoni that the conversation about the rate increase was a separate matter. He stated that it is a healthy fund and that while he initially fought the Water/Sewer rate increase when it came out a few weeks ago it was the right thing to support in order to balance the budget.
Sel. O’Brien stated that he was very happy with the account but he was not going to support the Warrant Article because it contains an increase he is not in agreement with.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Chairman Kurtz, it was VOTED TO SUPPORT 2016 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT ARTICLE 6.5:WATER/SEWER ENTERPRISE FUND BY A VOTE OF 2-1(Renzoni: yes; Kurtz: yes; O’Brien: no.)
- Citizen’s Address
Dave White, 84 Wachusett Street, Fin Com Chair, was present at the meeting. He stated that he appreciated at the Board was reviewing the Warrant Articles and that one of the items left was Public Safety. He stated that Fin Com had taken a position relative to the operating budget so it was his guess that the recommendation from Fin Com was not going to change. He stated with the current budget, there is value in adding two additional Police Officers. He stated that there are times when only a single officer in on a shift so Fin Com felt it was an appropriate and necessary to add staff.
Mr. White stated that one area that they had made a change in was with the Fire Department. He stated that the budget was presented to Fin Com with an increase of 16% and that there was great thought that went into that discussion but that Fin Com felt that there were some items presented in that budget that the Town could forestall for a period of time. He stated that from the 16.7% increase that was presented to them, Fin Com came to a 3.8% increase.
Warrant Articles Cont.
Sel. O’Brien said that Chief Chandler stated that he believed the call fire fighters were going away and would not be there in the next ten years. He stated that the Town built the Public Safety building and tried to get more call firefighters in.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he was not going to move the motion but that he will support it as presented. He stated that he does not think the logic to not support it because of the call fire fighters is a good one and that there was a lot of positive stuff going on in Public Safety including additional Police Officers.
Ms. Kelly stated that $42,000 was added to the Public Safety budget to promote call fire fighters and other incentives.
- Continuation of Public Hearing- Street Acceptance Wagner Meadows: Preservation Lane
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTE TO HEAR THE CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE OF WAGNER MEADOWS: PRESERVATION LANE.
Chairman Kurtz stated that this was a Public Hearing and any citizens wishing to address the Board could do so.
Steven Venincasa, Casa Builders & Developers, Westborough Ma was present at the hearing. He stated that it was his understanding that there was confusion at the last meeting. He apologized for not being present at it and it was his understanding that there was a resident that had voiced some concerns. Mr. Venincasa stated that the resident that had voiced his concerns did not actually live in the neighborhood that was on the part of the street that was up for street acceptance so he did not feel as though it was accurate for him to be saying those things. . Mr. Venincasa stated that he believes he had satisfied all items that the DPW and the Town Planner had requested and he would like to move forward with street acceptance.
Sel. Renzoni asked Mr. Venincasa what was left on his punch list from DPW.
Mr. Venincasa replied nothing.
Ms. Kelly replied that only part of Preservation Lane was being proposed for street acceptance and the individual that came forward last week does live on Preservation Lane but does not live in the section that is up for street acceptance.
Mr. Venincasa stated that they are still working on the other side of Preservation Lane.
Sel. Renzoni thanked Mr. Venincasa for coming to the meeting. He stated it was good to have the builder on site to discuss with the Board things that come to light and to see where they are with the punch list items. He stated that when a resident comes out the Board does take that seriously and he thanked Mr. Venincasa for his time.
Mr. Venincasa stated that after the Board of Selectmen’s meeting he did receive a phone call from the Town Planner (P. Harding) to inform him what had happened at the meeting. He said that she had told him that no one was there to explain the real truth and he apologized that the Board was misinformed by the resident. He stated that was why he was present today and that he was hopeful that the letter they had received from the town staff had clarified any questions. He stated that he had worked with Holden Town Staff and they were very professional.
Sel. O’Brien thanked Mr. Venincasa for coming out. He stated that he was not aware that the resident in question did not live on the part of the street up for acceptance.
Ms. Kelly stated that Bullard Estates is still under the control of the Planning Board and they would be overseeing the detention pond and other issues.
Chairman Kurtz stated that the detention pond in question was outside the acceptance area.
Mr. Venincasa confirmed it was outside the acceptance area.
Chairman Kurtz stated that this was an issue between the builder and the resident and that the Board was there to discuss street acceptance. He encouraged the builder and the resident to work together to solve any issues but that he did not feel as though it was appropriate for the Board to be involved. Chairman Kurtz wanted to move forward with the discussion of street acceptance.
Peter Singly, 18 Preservation Lane, was present at the meeting. He stated that he was not going to address the pond. He said his concern was if the Town was accepting something that was not 100%.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR STREET ACCEPTANCE WAGENR MEADOWS: PRESERVATION LANE.
Sel. Renzoni thanked both parties for coming out; he stated he valued all the input they received. He stated that he believes they will be moving forward tonight with laying out the plan based on the professional staff recommendation they had received
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED THAT THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN OF THE TOWN OF HOLDEN LAY OUT THE FOLLOWING: PRESERVATION LANE FROM STATION 1+80 TO STATION 8+85 FOR A DISTANCE OF APPROXIMATELY 705 FEET ALONG THE CENTERLINE; AS SHOWN ON A PLAN OF LAND ENTITLED “WAGNER MEADOWS ROAD ACCEPTANCE PLAN IN HOLDEN, MASS.”, PREPARED FOR CASA BUILDERS & DEVELOPMENT CORP. PREPARED BY DAVID E. ROSS ASSOCIATS, INC., DATED APRIL 2-16 TO BE FILED TOGETHER WITH A COYP OF THIS VOTE IN THE OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO TAKE A SHORT RECESS AT 7:32PM. The meeting was called back to order at 7:34PM.
Warrant Articles Cont.
Chairman Kurtz stated that the remaining Articles were 6.3, 11, and 14.
Sel. O’Brien asked about Article 30: Amendment to Town By-Law Prohibiting Overnight School Bus Parking. He stated he felt as though the petitioner should make a case not the Selectboard.
Chairman Kurtz stated he believed the Board took a vote at the last meeting.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he does not believe the Board should assign a speaker.
Sel. Renzoni suggested that when discussion speaker assignment Selectmen 1 should be the Selectmen that receives the highest number of votes in the election and Selectmen 2 should be the one who receives the next highest votes.
Sel. O’Brien stated that he would speak to Articles 2 through 5.
Sel. Renzoni would speak to Articles 6.1 through 6.9.
Sel. Ethier was assigned to speak to Articles 7 and 8.
Sel. Renzoni would speak to Article 9.
Sel. Ethier was assigned to speak to Article 10.
Sel. O’Brien would speak to Article 11.
Selectman 1 was assigned to speak to Articles 12 through 15.
Sel. Renzoni would speak to Article 15.
Selectman 2 would speak to Articles 16 through 19.
Selectman 1 would speak to Article 20.
Sel. O’Brien would speak to Articles 21 and 22.
Selectman 1 would speak to Article 23.
Sel. Ethier would speak to Article 24.
Sel. Renzoni would speak to Article 25.
Sel. Ethier would speak to Article 26, 27, and 29.
- Follow-Up to Citizens Address
None
- Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. O’Brien stated it was opening day for the Little League and they were unable to get any big name players to the event but that he heard it was a great success.
Sel. Renzoni reminded everyone to vote next Monday, May 9, 2016 for the Annual Town Elections. He stated that May 16, 2016 was the Annual Town Meeting and that the Town was spending close to $50 Million in about 2 hours and only 1% of Town was needed to make a quorum. He stated it was a lot of money and a lot of interesting items and he encouraged people to come to the meeting. Sel. Renzoni stated that he would make himself available about an hour before the meeting in order to show anyone the process. He stated if anyone had any questions leading up to Town Meeting he was happy to talk about them as well.
Chairman Kurtz reminded everyone that the Kids in the Kommunity would celebrate Pay It Forward Day on Saturday, May 7, 2016 from 9AM to 1PM in Town. He stated their logo was: Create a Ripple Effect of Kindness. He encouraged everyone to go see the kids as they did a great job.
Sel. Renzoni thanked Chairman Kurtz for a wonderful year as Chair. He also recognized Sel. Lavigne for his time on the Board. He stated he was leaving the Town better than he found it.
Chairman Kurtz stated the election was Monday and poll open at 7AM. He stated there was a debate tomorrow night (May 3, 2016) at 7PM here in Memorial Hall and it would also be broadcast on Channel 191 for all those interested in meeting candidate running for the Board of Selectmen.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MAY 2, 2016 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 7:47PM.
APPROVED: _____June 6, 2016_____________