Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

January 9, 2006

 

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Vice Chairman Charles Ampagoomian at 7:00 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA.  Present:  Messrs. Davis, Audette, and Montecalvo.  Chairman Collins was absent and it is duly recorded. 

 

Also present:  Michael J. Coughlin, Jr., Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Approval of Minutes.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the November 21, 2005 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette, Montecalvo, and Ampagoomian

 

Safety Committee Minutes (December 14, 2005).  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded Mr. Audette to accept the December 14, 2005 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette, Montecalvo, and Ampagoomian.

 

Application for Common Victualler’s License:  Daily Bread Bakery Café’, 76 Church Street, Whitinsville, [Christopher Sohigian].  Mr. Sohigian introduced himself to the board.  He indicated that he hoped to open the Café [with seating for 20 people] on or about February 1, 2006, offering breakfast, lunch and pastry items.  Mr. Sohigian further advised that the hours of operation would be from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day except Sunday-- hours would be from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The Selectmen wished him well with his business.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the Daily Bread Bakery Café’s Common Victualler’s License.  Vote Yes/ Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Audette and Ampagoomian.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Montecalvo informed the Town Manager, Michael Coughlin of the numerous phone calls he received regarding sidewalk plowing and recommended some ideas of handling this situation for next year.  Mr. Coughlin then informed Chairman Collins that the situation could be resolved this year.  The Town Manager further advised that he has ordered a complete review of the DPW, which will be rendered at the next Selectmen’s meeting.  With respect to that review, it was pointed out that compared to 20 other peer communities Northbridge has far less than what is needed.  He further remarked that our equipment is so old that the DPW Director has to lease a tractor to get the job done for the remainder of this year.  Continuing, Mr. Coughlin stated that a new program - “District Improvement Financing Project”- has been introduced that would designate specific areas of the town as District Improvement areas and seek funding for improvements to the targeted areas.  Selectman Audette/1) asked the Town Manager about the Moon Hill road situation [town plows turning around in private driveways].  The Town Manager responded that it has already been taken care of. 2) asked about the FEMA update.  The Town Manager responded that he will be meeting with FEMA on Wednesday, January 11th @ 9:30a.m.  Town Manager mentioned that FEMA should step up to the plate with respect to individuals and private businesses that have not been answered to.  Selectman Davis submitted his concerns to the Town Manager this morning because he was out of the office and will discuss them with the Town Manager later this week.  Selectman Ampagoomian inquired about Streetscape and the status of the Town Hall handicapped bathrooms.  The Town Manager replied that the bathrooms will be completed in 4 weeks.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Announced that the Rockdale Youth Center will be re-opening on January 17th. Congressman Neal was able to spearhead a $10,000 grant from Intel for the Youth Center.  2) Also noted that the Governor won’t introduce the House One Budget until the end of the month.  Town Manager will introduce the FY ’07 budget at the Selectmen’s meeting on February 27th.  3) On January 23rd all Town Departments will be present to submit their goals and objectives for 2007.  4) An in-depth review of the DPW will be presented on January 23rd.  5) On February 7th, benchmarking will take place.  Town Manager wants to keep Northbridge ahead of the curb on qualifying for the District Improvement Program.

 

Meeting adjourned:    7:47 PM

 

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                                                    John A. Davis, Clerk

 

 

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