Board of Selectmen, October 16, 2017
HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MEETING MINUTES
October 16, 2017
6:35PM Senior Center
Present: Chairman Robert Lavigne, Geri Herlihy, Tim Ethier, Jeremy Kurtz, Anthony Renzoni
Others Present: Peter Lukes, Town Manager
Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel
Liz Fotos, Town Recorder
Chairman Lavigne called the meeting to order at 6:35PM. The Board stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
- Appointments, Licenses, Permits
Wayne Matthews, Territory Manager, was present at the meeting.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE GLOBAL MONITLLO CORP, DBA HONEY FARM #3818 FOR A COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE FOR THE YEARLY LICENSE FOR CONVENIENCE STORE.
- Chief Armstrong
Chief Armstrong stated that 23 years ago we lost Chief Robert Mortell in the line of duty. He stated that last Thursday was the parole hearing of one of the killers and he wanted to thank all those that came down to support the Department in the parole hearing. He stated that the determination will be complete in six months.
Sel. Ethier stated that he remembered that day as a scary one. He stated that Chief Armstrong was involved in the schools, as well. He stated that having the police close made a huge difference that day and he thanked the Chief for his service.
- Chapter 268A Waiver for Town Manager
Chairman Lavigne stated that Mr. Lukes could give the Board the background but the total impact of this was under $6,000.
Mr. Lukes stated that it came to their attention that there was a miscalculation for non-union employees that needed to be adjusted to about $150-$200 / employee. He stated that because he was a non-union employee he has interest in this matter so he is required to have approval from the Board in order to remedy this miscalculation.
Sel. Ethier asked if the non union wages were the same as the union.
Mr. Lukes stated that all union workers received 2% and non-union workers also received 2%; however, the way in which is was calculated was different. He stated that non-union employees are salaried so it is calculated biweekly or annually.
Sel. Ethier asked if the 2% was the agreement for the Town or the state.
Mr. Lukes replied it was the Town Manager’s discretion; however, it is the same as the unions.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AND AUTHORIZE THE CHAIR TO SIGN THE DETERMINATION FORM ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD WHEREAS THE TOWN MANAGER IS REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE IN A TOWN MATTER THAT REQUIRES HIM TO REVIEW INFORMATION AND RENDER A DETERMINATION ON THE METHOD OF CALCULATION OF SALARIES FOR ALL EXEMPT EMPLOYEES OF THE TOWN, AND WHEREAS THE TOWN MANAGER HAS A PERSONAL FINANCIAL INTEREST IN THE MATTER WHICH HE HAS DISCLOSED TO THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN
THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, AS APPOINTING OFFICIAL, AS REQUIRED BY G.L.c 268A SEC. 19, HEREBY AGREE THAT THE FINANCIAL INTEREST IS NOT SO SUBSTNTIAL THAT IT WILL LIKELY AFFECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE SERVICE WHICH THE TOWN MAY EXPECT FROM THE TOWN MANAGER. WE FURTHER FIND THAT THE TOWN MANAGER CANNOT DELEGATE THIS TASK TO ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEAD BECAUSE THEY WOULD BE SIMILARY IMPCATED BY THIS ISSUE, AND THAT THE DETERMINATION THAT WILL NEED TO BE MADE ARE ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS UNDER THE JURISDICTIONS OF THE TOWN MANAGER BY CHARTER
- Transfer of Funds from Wachusett Fund
Mr. Lukes stated that there had previously been an issue with CO in other town’s police cruisers and this issue had led Chief Armstrong to asking for CO detectors. He stated that they were hoping to have funds transferred from the Wachusett Fund in order to fund this purchase.
Sel. Ethier stated that the Wachusett Fund was a fund created when the old Holden Hospital closed down. He stated that they wanted to confiscate the trust fund and there was a movement by Holden residents to keep the money and place it in a fund in order to give grants and supplies for the community.
Sel. Kurtz stated that the officers spend a lot of time in their cruisers as do EMT’s in ambulances, he asked if ambulances were outfitted with similar detectors.
Chief Armstrong stated that they had worked with Fire/ EMT, Russ Hall to mimic what they carried. He stated that there had been an incident where officers went into a home with high CO so they bought the same things that were used in the other departments and carry them on their med bags. He stated this covers that situation and because the medical bags are carried in the cruisers it covers that as well.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TRANSFER $1,368 FROM THE WACHUSETT FUND WITH THE PURPOSE OF PURCHASING CO DETECTORS FOR POLICE CARS.
- Vote on Eagle Lake Committee Members
Chairman Lavigne stated that the Board had met earlier with residents that had filled out the ‘Do Something” Questionnaire. He stated that the Board appointed 7 members and 2 alternatives to the Eagle Lake Committee to review potential plans and resources for Eagle Lake.
- Town Manager Update
District Budget Roundtable: Enclosed is a copy of a notice from Darryll McCall, Superintendent of Schools, announcing the District’s annual Budget Roundtable which will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 6:30PM in the Holden Senior Center. Town Selectboard Chairs, Finance Committee Chairs, and Town Administrators are invited to attend.
HPD Announcements: The Holden Police Department has recently installed an upgraded fingerprinting system that connects directly to the FBI Criminal database electronically. I personally witnessed the system in action through a demonstration last week. This system modernizes our law enforcement capabilities and prevents dangerous criminals from leaving police custody when they may have outstanding warrants elsewhere. Chief Armstrong and I are also happy to announce that Holden’s two recruits have finished their training at the police academy and were sworn in last week. They both did exceptionally well at the academy and Chief Armstrong will be announcing just how well they did with their introduction to the Select Board at your next meeting.
Sel. Renzoni stated that he knew that they had spoken about this during budget season but that it was something that did not fit in. He asked about the finances.
Mr. Lukes replied there was left over capital and Chief Armstrong was able to accomplish this.
Best of Friends Harvest Fair: The Council on Aging will hold its annual Best Of Friends Harvest Fair on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 9AM to 2PM at the Holden Senior Center. There will be professional crafters, senior crafters, and coffee and luncheon fare including homemade soups, desserts, and other treats. A donation of non-perishable items for the Wachusett Food Pantry is appreciated.
Assistant Town Manager Search: The position of Assistant Town Manager has been vacant since the sudden departure of the former Assistant Town Manager. The Town has posted the classified advertisement seeking to fill the job in The Beacon and online through the Mass Municipal Associate website. The posting remains open until November 10. I hope to have the position filled by mid-December.
Public Safety Day: Public Safety Day will be held at the Holden Public Safety Facility on October 21, from 12:00PM to 3:00PM. The community is welcome and encouraged to attend this annual open house of public safety personnel and equipment. There will be demonstrations and displays by our Police and Fire departments along with other useful public safety information, and fun for the family.
Holden Municipal Light Department Monthly Report: Enclosed is the HMLD’s September 2017 Monthly Report prepared by Jim Robinson, General Manager.
Mr. Lukes stated that there were HMLD workers who went to help with the devastation from the hurricanes and they said it was unbelievable the magnitude of it. He stated they will be there for about 2-3 weeks.
Sel. Ethier stated that he was hopeful to have a report at some point.
- Selectmen Subcommittee
Sel. Ethier stated that Ag Com was meeting tomorrow, October 17, 2017 and that a representative from the Board of Health was supposed to go in and speak about fees and changes.
Sel. Kurtz: none
Sel. Renzoni stated that the VA posted a meeting for Monday, October 23, 2017 at Memorial Hall. He stated they were working on Veterans Day. He stated that they were working closely with the America Legion and that any interested parties could contact him.
Sel. Renzoni stated that Fin Com had a reorganization meeting and voted Dave White as the Chair and Paul Challenger as the Vice Chair. He stated that there was also discussion of a joint meeting on November 8 with the DPW Building Committee to discuss findings.
Sel. Herlihy stated that the DPW Building Committee was meeting tomorrow, October 17, 2017 at the Light Department.
- Selectmen Miscellaneous
Sel. Ethier stated that the Josh Thiboudeau Tournament was incredible and it was great to see such support. He congratulated them on a successful day.
Sel. Kurtz stated that the linemen who went to assist with the hurricanes was Nathan Campaniello and Michael Griffin. He congratulated them for this willingness to volunteer.
Sel. Kurtz congratulated the public safety group that responded to the high school a few days back. He stated that it was a tough day but a great response.
Chairman Lavigne stated that the Mayo Craft Fair was scheduled for this weekend and that it supported Mayo School.
Chairman Lavigne stated that there were some issues with one or more vandals at Davis Hill School. He stated that there is someone vandalizing the gardens and it is becoming more of an issue and more flagrant. He stated that steps were being taken in the Davis Hill Community and if you see something you can reach out to the police, himself, or the police.
Chairman Lavigne called a 5 minute recess at 6:55PM.
Chairman Lavigne called the meeting back to session at 7:00PM.
- Citizens Address
No members of the public stepped forward.
Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Kurtz, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 16, 2017 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 7:00PM.
APPROVED: _____November 6, 2017_______________