Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Russell D. Collins at
Also present: Michael J. Coughlin, Jr., Town Manager.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
Approval of Minutes.
A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Audette to
approve the
2006 Annual License Renewals – Bowling, Billiards,
Pool Tables. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to
approve the above mentioned license renewals subject to the payment of all
outstanding liens. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Transfer of Common
Victualler License from Subway Sandwiches & Salads [Leonard Mills, Mgr.] to
Dimple A. Desai, Inc. d/b/a Subway of Whitinsville. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the transfer of common victualler
license from Subway Sandwiches & Salads [Leonard Mills, Mgr.] to Dimple A.
Desai, Inc. d/b/a Subway of Whitinsville.
Relay for Life [ERA-
Michele
Department of Public Works/Updated Listing of Private
Ways/Vote to approve.
FY 99 Community Development Black Grant Program/2
Subordination of Liens for property located at
Budget Report – Town Manager & Superintendent of
Schools. Town Manager, Michael J. Coughlin, Jr., spoke
briefly on the future of the municipal and school department budgets. Superintendent Soojian discussed the proposed
school budget and the cuts that would need to be made if they do not make up
the $839,158 shortfall. He mentioned
that the School Committee debated for a while [at a previously held meeting] on
an offer the Finance Committee made and the School Committee decided to stand
by their original proposed budget and bring it to the Town Meeting for the
residents to vote upon. Town Manager Coughlin explained that he and
Superintendent Soojian would remain united and would be attending the Town
Meeting with their original proposal to let the voters decide. School Committee Chairman, Carroll Paine,
concurred with the Town Manager and Superintendent on defending the proposed
budget and how he felt it was reasonable, fair and well thought out. Selectman 1.45 million][$1,045,000]
and whether the school choice money was included in that amount or not. Superintendent Soojian informed the Selectmen
that it was not in the grant money, and was, in fact, funds that were set aside
for potential increases for contracts that are currently in negotiation
[$350,000]. Selectman Audette indicated
that it would be nice to know what the recommendations were of the Finance
Committee before Town Meeting in the hopes they could have some form of
cooperation between the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee. He wished the Superintendent good luck.
In
closing, Mr. Cyr also mentioned that the Rockdale Memorial would be fixed and
ready for Memorial Day.
Blackstone
Valley Bike Trail. Chairman Russell D. Collins introduced Mark C.
Jewell, Outdoor Recreation Planner of the Blackstone River Valley National
Heritage Corridor. Mr. Jewell presented
the Board of Selectmen with an update of the Blackstone Valley Bike Trail. He also updated the Selectmen on the status
of where the project currently stands and provided them with a timeline for
completion of the bike trail.
Citizen’s Comments/Input. Mr. Paul Buma, 218 Hill Street, Whitinsville, questioned the transfer of
the $90,000 from free cash. Town Manager
Coughlin informed Mr. Buma that the transfer was made from free cash shortly
after the Town Meeting in June 2004. He
further stated that the question was answered in an opinion letter issued by
Powers & Sullivan, which was later reviewed by the Department of
Revenue. Neil Vaidya, Acting Town
Accountant, also confirmed that the transfer was made and the issue would be resolved
with a journal entry.
Mr. Leon Bousquet,
Selectmen’s Concerns.
Selectman Montecalvo suggested that a Pandemic task force be put together before it’s too
late. The Board concurred. Selectman Ampagoomian discussed the
following: 1) an article that was placed
in the Telegram and Gazette on Thursday, April 20, 2006, referencing the Board
of Selectmen being dishonest in the handling of an article at the March 14,
2006 Special Town Meeting. He found the
article to be misleading and offensive.
2) wanted to stress to the people of Northbridge “medical waste is
dead”. Selectman Davis inquired on the following: 1) the school and police roofs, 2) Building,
Planning and Construction Committee and when they will be coming back to
discuss the status of the fields at
Town Manager’s Report. Town Manager Coughlin briefly discussed Student
Government Day and thanked all those involved for doing a great job.
Items for Future Agenda. Selectman
Ampagoomian suggested forming a Community Preservation Act Committee Advisory
Panel.
A motion/Mr.
Respectfully
submitted,
dg/
* At their meeting of