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Board of Selectmen, October 19, 2015

Meeting date: 
Monday, October 19, 2015

HOLDEN BOARD OF SELECTMEN

MEETING MINUTES

OCTOBER 19, 2015

6:39PM                                                                                                           Memorial Hall

Present:  Chairman Jeremy Kurtz, Anthony Renzoni, Tim Ethier, Kenneth O’Brien, Robert Lavigne

 

Others Present:            Jacquelyn Kelly, Town Manager

             Peter Lukes, Assistant Town Manager

             Steven Madaus, Town Counsel

                                      Liz Fotos, Town Recorder

 

Chairman Kurtz called the meeting to order at 6:39 P.M.   The Board stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

  1. Appointments, Licenses, Permits

 

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE A PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE FOR STEPHEN R. GROSS ON BEHALF OF CENTRAL MASS ONSTAGE TO PERFORM A ONE ACT, 1 HR, 10 MIN PLAY ON NOVEMBER 13TH FROM 7:30PM TO 9:00PM, NOVEMBER 14TH FROM 7:30PM TO 9:00PM AND NOVEMBER 15TH FROM 2:00PM TO 3:30PM.

 

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2015 FOR KATHLEEN H. DIEL ON BEHALF OF SWEETS & JAVA LLC, 1207 MAIN STREET, FOR OPERATIONS MONDAY TO FRIDAY 6AM TO 2PM AND SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 8AM TO 2PM. 

 

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. O’Brien, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AN ANNUAL COMMON VICTUALER LICENSE TO EXPIRE ON DECEMBER 31, 2015 FOR KATHLEEN H. DIEL ON BEHALF OF SWEETS & JAVA LLC, 56 BOYDEN ROAD, COFFEE KIOSK, FOR HOURS OF MONDAY TO FRIDAY 7AM TO 12NOON. 

 

  1. Veterans Advisory Committee- Use of Hancock Common- Veterans Day Ceremony

 

Chairman Kurtz gave Sel. Renzoni the floor.

 

Sel. Renzoni stated that the Veterans Advisory Committee is having a ceremony on November 7, 2015 at 10:30AM to honoring all veterans.  He stated that the Committee is asking any Veterans that wished to participate to join them and that they are reaching out to surrounding communities as well.  Sel. Renzoni stated the ceremony will take place in front of Town Hall at Hancock Common.  He stated that the Committee worked with the tree warden and planted a Cherry Tree at the location.  Sel. Renzoni thanked Ms. Kelly for her assistance and asked the Board of Selectmen to grant the Veterans Advisory Committee permission to use the property.

 

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AUTHORIZE THE VETERANS ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO USE HANCOCK COMMON FOR THE VETERANS DAY TREE DEDICATION CEREMONY.

 

Sel. Lavigne asked if the event could be added to the billboards in Town.  Ms. Kelly replied that they could do that.

 

Sel. Renzoni stated that the Committee was still working out some of the details but that there would be at least one group of scouts coming in order to lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  He stated that this was the first of many events that the Committee would like to have and he again invited everyone out for the event.

 

  1. Commendations, Police Officer Jonathan Bourget

 

Chairman Kurtz welcomed Police Chief Armstrong to the meeting.

 

Chief Armstrong thanked the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager for allowing him the use of this platform to recognize outstanding officers. 

 

Chief Armstrong commended Officer Bourget for his actions on September 7, 2015 in regards to a recent incident.  He stated that Officer Bourget’s quick response and decisive actions were integral in saving a life.  Chief Armstrong stated that as police officers, split second decisions were made that not only save lives but put themselves in danger and his (Officer Bourget’s) response that day did indeed do that.  Chief Armstrong thanked Officer Bourget for going above and beyond the call of duty.

 

The Board stood to recognize Officer Bourget and presented him with a Certificate of Recognition from the Town as well.  The Board stood to shake hands with Officer Bourget and paused for a picture.

 

Sel. Ethier stated that he wanted to acknowledge all the people who were present to support Officer Bourget.  He stated that in addition to his parents, many of the Town’s Officers were present to recognize Officer Bourget as well.  Sel. Ethier mentioned Officer Bourget’s father who was also in the department.

 

  1. Town Manager’s Update

 

  1. Revenue and Expenditure Reports:  Ms. Kelly enclosed for the Selectmen’s review the monthly reports for the period ending September 2015 prepared by Lori Rose, Town Accountant.
  2. HMLD Monthly Report:  Ms. Kelly enclosed the monthly report for the Holden Municipal Light Department for the month of September 2015, prepared by Jim Robinson, General Manager.

 

  1. Fall 2015 Composting and Brush Chippings-  Ms. Kelly attached a schedule for Town Saturday composting and brush chipping activities:

Saturday,         October 24

Saturday,         October 31

Saturday,         November 7

Saturday          November 15

Saturday,         November 21

Saturday          December 5

            Ms. Kelly stated that hours of operation are from 8AM to 2:30PM, weather permitting.  Composting takes place at the site of the former landfill at 560 River Street. Brush should be brought to the Adams Road DPW Facility due to limitation of the Asian Longhorn Beetle (ALB) area.  Further information is available on the Town’ website and in the local media.

 

Chairman Kurtz asked if this information would be put on the Town Billboards.  Ms. Kelly replied that it is put up week by week.

 

  1. 2014 Water Fluoridation Quality Award: The Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the US Center for Disease Control (CDC) is given to approximately 2,300 public water systems in 33 stats, including 66 awards here in Massachusetts.  This award to Holden Department of Public Works, Water-Sewer Division, is a testament to the hard work and close attention paid by the Water Operators in completion of their daily tasks relation to drink water treatment and distribution.

 

Sel. Ethier left the meeting at 6:54PM.

 

  1. Best of Friends Harvest Fair:  The annual Best of Friends Fair will be held on Saturday, November 7, from 9AM to 2PM at the Holden Senior Center.  Lunch will include delicious homemade soups and desserts.  This year, there will be face painting and cookie decorating.  Admission is a donation for the Wachusett Food Pantry.  This event is coordinated by the Friday of the Council on Again and proceeds benefit the Senior Center and its programs. 
  2. Ms. Kelly stated that the Board should have received their registration packet for the MMA annual events.  She told the Selectmen to please contact her office and they can help the Selectmen with registration.
  3. Ms. Kelly stated that Paxton had approved the budget at a Special Town Meeting as it was amended.  With Paxton’s approve four towns had approved the budget and it was able to move forward.

 

5) Citizens Address

 

Chairman Kurtz called citizens address at 7:00PM; no citizens stepped forward.

 

Sel. Ethier returned to the meeting at 7:00PM.

 

6) FY 2017 Budget Goals

 

Chairman Kurtz stated that the Board had come up with five budget goals for FY 2017:

 

  1. Develop and implement a plan to dissolve the Infrastructure Investment Fund (IIF) and to reallocate the balance in the Fund.
    • Create and provide initial funds for an Open Space Acquisition Fund
    • Create and Provide initial funds for a Municipal Facility Infrastructure Fund
  2. Develop a 2017 Budget that requires less than a 2.25% increase in the tax rate.
  3. Develop a means to provide yearly capital and educational enhancements in the Holden Elementary schools outside of the required or voluntary annual assessment.
  4. RE-assess and update the Unaccounted for Water (UAW) remediation program.
  5. Conduct a police officer staffing analysis in conjunction with the Police Chief and make a recommendation.

 

Chairman Kurtz opened the discussion up to the Board if they wished to comment.

 

Sel. Lavigne stated that he wished to start with #3.  He stated that he believes this is a really good idea and he wants to help find a way to help the children get a better education.  Sel. Lavigne stated that there was an additional $400,000 that was cut and more funds coming back to the Town) but we are cutting services, teachers, counselors.  He stated that he wants to use this to help provide whatever is needed educationally to the students and help to provide a better experience for the kids. 

 

Sel. Lavigne stated that he thinks Ms. Kelly has lots of work to do with this one and Fin Com would need to be included in the discussion, in addition to working with the principals.  He stated that he believes this money was already supposed to be allocated towards education as the Town continually approves more money then we spend.

 

Sel. Ethier stated that he was not going to make a motion but he asked if the Town Manager could look at ways to go to have all or some of the surplus revenue be used for education.  Sel. Ethier stated that he agreed with Sel. Lavigne that the Town wanted to spend these funds on education and they should be able to do so. 

 

Sel. Lavigne replied that he was not sure if they could legally do what Sel. Ether suggested.  He stated the Town had allocated funds last year and it was in certified free cash.  He stated he was not going to tell Ms. Kelly how to go about it but he was looking forward to hearing about this sooner rather than later.

 

Sel. Renzoni stated that he believes this was a great goal but that he thinks the Board needs to give Ms. Kelly some time to do it right. He suggested allowing her to work this out how she thought best as there were a lot of moving parts.  Sel. Renzoni stated that the Board gave this to her as a goal and therefore she had a year to do something with it.  Sel. Renzoni stated that the short changing of education would be a different conversation outside the FY 2017 Budget Goal.  He stated that there is a significant difference between what the residents want to spend on education and what is being spent.  He suggested keeping these two conversations separate.

 

Sel. Ethier stated that he would like to have a proposal for voters by Town Meeting. 

 

Sel. Lavigne stated that this would be the 6th year in row for the taxes not to increase and this is a great example of how the Board works together.  He stated that he also thinks the goal pertaining to the Police staffing (goal #5) was a very smart one and that the goals that were set for this fiscal year were smart ones that started great conversations.

 

Chairman Kurtz agreed and stated that the goals the Board set forth will drive the town forward and make a great place to live.

 

Sel. Renzoni stated that he agreed and thought that the goal regarding police staffing was a long term goal in order to help anticipate changes and staffing down the line.  He stated that he wants these goals to be careful studies that can be implemented as needed.  Sel. Renzoni stated he also agreed about dissolving the IIF but that the goal of 15% into stabilization that was discussed in memo does not happen in a year either.  He stated that there is money in stabilization funds that is there to protect the Town and that if as a town we are going to save money and tax dollars we needed to let people do spending as they see fit. 

 

Sel. O’Brien echoed Sel. Renzoni’s sentiments regarding the IIF as well.  He stated that he thinks the Town’s finances should be simple and that when they go to Town Meeting, people should know where money is coming from and where it is going to.  He stated that he believes the IIF has outlived its usefulness and that he is hopeful that they can work with Fin Com to support this as a goal in Town Meeting.

 

Sel. Renzoni asked Ms. Kelly if she had anything she wanted to add with regards to the goals as they were shared goals between the Town Manager and the Selectmen. 

 

Ms. Kelly replied that she felt as though the goals that were set were achievable but they are going to require work and consensus and it is something that herself and the Board will need to work together to do.  She stated that she is looking forward to working as a team to accomplish the goals that were set.  Ms. Kelly stated that she did want to mention that three are budget goals for FY 17 and others are ongoing projects that will continue on until the completion of them.

 

  1. Selectmen Subcommittees

 

Sel. O’Brien stated that the Municipal Light Committee met tonight in Executive Session and the Board heard what they had to say.  He stated that there will be a meeting in the near future.

 

Sel. Ethier had no updates on his committees.

 

Sel. Renzoni stated that the Veterans Advisory Committee will be having an event on November 7, 2015 and everyone is welcome.

 

Sel. Lavigne stated that the Winter Festival Committee is meeting every Friday morning to prepare for the festival which is the first Saturday in December.  He stated that this year will be bigger and better than ever and that if anyone wanted to donate or volunteer they could reach out online or directly to him (Sel. Lavigne).

 

Sel. Kurtz stated the 275th meeting will be meeting tomorrow night (October 20, 2015).

 

  1. Follow- Up on Citizens Address

 

No citizens spoke at Citizens Address so there was no follow up.

 

  1. Selectmen Minutes

 

Motion by Sel. Lavigne, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE SEPTEMBER 21, 2015 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES BY A VOTE OF 4-0-1. (Sel. Ethier: abstain).

 

Motion by Sel. Ethier, seconded by Sel. Renzoni, it was VOTED TO APPROVE THE OCTOBER 5, 2015 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES BY A VOTE OF 3-0-2.  (O’Brien: abstain; Lavigne: abstain). 

 

  1.  Selectmen Miscellaneous

 

Sel. O’Brien stated that he had the good fortune of taking the tour of Mountview Middle School.  He stated that it is a beautiful new school.   Sel. O’Brien also stated that the officer who was commended this evening, Jonathan Bourget, has a sister who is also on the police force, Janet Bourget.  Sel. O’Brien stated that he was at Emmanuel Lutheran on Sunday night and an elderly man had a medical event and that Officer Janet Bourget was there and was among the officers that helped diffuse the situation.  He stated that the officers all used great restraint and were all concerned with the well being of the man.  Sel. O’Brien stated that the officers were all well trained and he was very impressed. 

 

Sel. O’Brien stated that with regards to Officer Jonathan Bourget he was impressed that almost half the officers on the force showed up to support Officer Bourget and that it shows how they support one another and take pride in their work and the Town is lucky to have them. 

 

Sel. Ethier:  nothing

 

Sel. Renzoni:  nothing.

 

Sel. Lavigne stated that he wanted to echo Sel. O’Brien regarding Mountview Middle School and he thought it looked amazing and is a thoughtful building.  He thanked the Committee for their work on the project.

 

Sel. O’Brien added that he went to the Senior Center on Friday (October 16, 2015) to their café.  He stated that it is good food and good company and if you are in Town on Friday Mornings you should check out the Morning Glory Café

 

Ms. Kelly stated that it is open to anyone on Fridays at 8:30AM.

 

Chairman Kurtz stated that he agreed about eh Middle School and the Building Committee.

 

Chairman Kurtz asked about the paving on Shrewsbury Street. 

 

Ms. Kelly replied that the berm work was finished and now the sidewalks and then the road paving will be done.

 

Sel. Ethier added that he did the Jason Bradshaw road race and that there was great participation and that the proceeds benefited a scholarship.

 

Next Meeting:  November 2, 2015; 6:30PM, Memorial Hall

 

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, it was seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ENTER INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO MGL CHAPTER 30A, SECTION 21 (a), 6, TO CONSIDER THE PURCHASE, EXCHANGE, LEASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY, IF THE CHAIR DECLARDS THAT AN OPEN SESSION MAY HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON THE NEGOTIATING POSTION OF THE PUBLIC BODY (WRSD/ HOLDEN SCHOOL LEASE AGREEMENT). AND RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF ADJOURNMENT. (Lavigne: yes; Renzoni: yes; Ethier: yes; Kurtz: yes; O’Brien: yes).

 

Motion by Sel. Renzoni, seconded by Sel. Ethier, it was UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE OCTOBER 19, 2015 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING AT 8:06PM.

 

 

APPROVED: __November 2, 2015________________