DPW Facility Committee, December 8, 2016
Holden Department of Public Works Facility Committee
Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2016
Call to order
Daniel Nason called to order the regular meeting of the Holden Department of Public Works Facility Committee (DPW FC) at 7:04pm on December 8, 2016 at Holden Senior Center, 1130 Main Street, Holden, MA.
Roll call
Daniel Nason conducted a roll call.
Committee Members present:
Chair Daniel Nason
Mark Johnson
Dawn Michanowicz
Eugene Stirchak
Jim Kempton
Jack Cross
Bill Randell Arrived at 7:23
Others present:
Geri Herlihy, Board of Selectmen Liaison
Timothy Ethier, Board of Selectmen
David White, Finance Committee Liaison
John Woodsmall, Director of Public Works
Ryan Mouradian, Water & Sewer Superintendent
Isabel McCauley, Senior Civil Engineer
JP Parnas, Weston & Sampson Engineer
Jeff Alberti, Weston & Sampson Engineer
Review and Approval of minutes from last meeting
Mr. Kempton made a motion to approve the minutes from October 25, 2016 with change.
Ms. Johnson seconded the motion. Vote approved by majority vote.
Overview of Discussions with Owners of 18 Industrial Drive
Mr. Woodsmall passed out Overview of Draft “Agreement for Donation and Acceptance of Real Property”. It includes the most relevant highlights of the standard commercial Purchase and Sale Agreement that Town Council amended into a donor agreement.
Discussion regarding #6 on the overview. This allows the town to get in to do due diligence. It does not allow for testing for further contamination. There was a general discussion regarding a general walkthrough will/can assist to identify possible contaminants without formal testing. Assessing the roof will be done.
Discussion regarding #7 of the agreement in reference to the Town’s right to terminate the agreement. Essentially it gives the Town Manager full authority to NOT enter into the agreement.
Mr. Nason asked to be sure to revise the term “purchase” to “donate” on all agreements/contracts.
Mr. Either asked for clarification on the soil currently being removed on site.
Mr. Woodsmall explained there is about a 320 cubic yard of soil that had been excavated. The LSP was originally to aerate it. The state flagged it for removal and is in the process of being removed and shipped out to an appropriate landfill. This was one of the 3 identified contaminated spots, removing it cost $35,000 to the current owners.
There was a lengthy discussion regarding “Phase 2” testing.
Review Joint Meeting of Finance Committee and Discussion of Possible Recommendations for Moving Forward With the Project
Mr. Nason thanked the Finance Committee for the joint meeting that took place on November 16th. He thought there were good questions asked. Unfortunately, at that time it was not known that the project was going to happen in two phases.
Mr. Eithier reminded the board of the discussion that took place regarding having answers at town meeting as to the tax implications and any other potential town projects on the horizon.
Mr. Nason asked if there had been any discussion regarding the space and providing space for other offices/departments.
Mr. Woodsmall stated that when the design process begins, there will be discussion on bringing departments such as the Growth Department or Town Cable TV into the new building and possibly using land for bus storage.
Vote, as needed, on New Recommendations for Site Acquisition and Town Meeting Schedule
Mr. Woodsmall recapped the timeline of actions that have taken place up until the present regarding potential acquisition of 18 Industrial Drive.
Mr. Nason reiterated that if the board does make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen, more information is gathered and testing is done, the committee can still “pull the plug” based on seeing the Purchase and Sale agreement.
Tabled.
Review of Town Counsel’s Review of Environmental Liability Insurance Policy Quote
Mr. Randall stated that the policy isn’t finalized as it came in “backward” and needs to be redone. All are in agreement that the policy in its final state should and will be included as a part of the final decision making process.
Review of Brownfields Discussions with Various State Agencies
Mr. Woodsmall stated that while the property technically qualifies, there is not a lot of money to go around and seems to be allocating to larger gateway cities in need of economic development. There is a “Covenant not to sue” that is being applied for that eliminates the right to sue by neighbor properties based on any releases from the site. There are also EPA cleanup and assessment grants available. CMRPC notified Holden of potential assistance may be offered to towns looking for a new DPW.
Vote, as needed, on New Recommendations for Site Acquisition and Town Meeting Schedule
Ms. Michanowicz made a motion to recommend to the Town Manager that the site acquisition process begin for 18 Industrial Drive and recommend that the Board of Selectmen schedule a town meeting accordingly. Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. Vote approved by majority vote.
Set Future meeting schedule
December 19, 2016 6:00pm. Before the Board of Selectmen meeting.
Adjournment
Mr. Kempton made a motion to adjourn. Mr. White seconded the motion. Vote approved by majority vote. Meeting adjourned at 9:10pm.
Minutes submitted by: Maureen Burke
Minutes approved by: DPW FC on January 19, 2016