Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
May 1, 2006
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Russell D. Collins at 7:00 PM,
Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Ampagoomian, Davis, Audette, and
Montecalvo.
Also present: Michael J. Coughlin, Jr., Town Manager.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
Amendments): Town Manager Coughlin reviewed a couple of requests
for transfers from the following departments: DPW- $28,300 Reserve Fund
to the DPW Streetlight Account and Playground and Recreation - transfer
from Playground and Recreation Personnel to Playground and Recreation Expenses. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette
to support Article 1. Vote
yes/Unanimous. Article 2 (FY 07
Omnibus Budget): The Town Manager
explained that there were three budget line items to be paid attention to: a)
Line Item 10B [Planning]: The Town
Manager recommended that approximately $40,000 be restored to Line Item 10B in
order for the Planning Board to move forward with their Master Plan including a
Storm Water Management Guide Book and additional staffing. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr.
Montecalvo to support the recommendation of the Town Manager with respect to
Line Item 10B. Vote yes/Messrs. Audette,
Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Collins.
Vote no/Mr. Davis. b) Line Item 20 [Education]: Mr. Coughlin suggested that Line Item 20
(Education Budget) be restored to the School Committee's recommendation of $21+
Million. Chairman Collins then pointed
out that during a recent get together with Senator Moore, there was a lot of
discussion about next year’s budget and that the Senator assured the Board Of
Selectmen that they were working diligently on the budget process for next
year. In addition, Chairman Collins
mentioned that there were several factors that will influence FY '08 such as
the recalculation of Local Aid, the addition of Wal-Mart's taxes, and new
growth. Selectman Audette mentioned that
he attended the last Finance Committee meeting and that some of them do recognize
the Town needs an override. Selectman
Davis stated that he intends to support the Finance Committee’s recommendations
on all budget line items. A motion/Mr.
Audette, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support the Education budget amendment as
recommended by the Town Manager. Vote
yes/ Messrs. Audette, Collins, Montecalvo, and Ampagoomian. Vote no/Mr. Davis. c) Line
Item 21A - DPW Expenses: Town Manager Coughlin requested that the 2
new positions [Working Foreman and Facilities Maintenance worker] be restored as
recommended by the Managerial Study. A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to support the recommendation
of the Town Manager with respect to Line Item 21A. Vote yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian, Montecalvo,
Collins and Audette. Vote no/Mr.
Davis. Article 3 (Sewer Enterprise - $2,292,752): A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr.
Montecalvo to support Article 3. Vote
yes/Unanimous. Article 4 (Water
Enterprise - $829,480): A motion/Mr.
Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to support Article 4. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 5 (Treasurer/Collector/Compensating
Balance Agreement(s)): A motion/Mr.
Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article 5. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 6 (Chapter 90): A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr.
Audette to support Article 6. Vote
yes/Unanimous. Article 7 (Recycling
Committee - revolving account): A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article 7. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 8 (Septic Management Loan
Program): A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to support Article 8.
Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 9
(Assessors – full list/measure $210,000):
Robert Fitzgerald, Principal Assessor, explained the purpose of this
article and mentioned that it is a requirement of the Department Of Revenue
that the Town conduct
a cyclical data collection inspection and analysis for all properties in the Town
of Northbridge
every 9 years. A motion/Mr. Audette,
seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support Article 9.
Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 10
(Accept Chapter 32, Section 7 (e) Disabled Retirees (Veterans) allowed same
benefits as non-disabled retirees):
A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article
10. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 11 (Board of Health –
Intermunicipal Agreement): A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article 11. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 12 (Bylaw Amend/Route 146 Overlay
District): Gary Bechtholdt, Town
Planner, and Attorney Henry Lane explained the details of this article and the
impact it would have on the Town were it to be passed at Town Meeting. A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo
not to support Article 12. Vote
yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian, Collins, Montecalvo, and Audette. Vote no/Mr. Davis. Article 13 (Bylaw Amend/Use Regulations - Aquifer
Protection District): A motion/Mr.
Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article 13. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 14 (Bylaw Amend/Delete – Limited
Redevelopment Overlay District provisions):
A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to pass over Article
14. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 15 (Playground & Recreation:
Create a revolving fund): The Town
Manager noted that he received a letter from Caryn Gagner that indicated the
members of the Playground and Recreation Commission wished to pass over Articles
15 & 16 at this time. A motion/Mr.
Audette, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to pass over Article 15. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 16 (Playground &
Recreation: Phase III Master Plan -
$75,000): A motion/Mr. Audette,
seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to pass over Article 16. Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 17 (Petition Article: Amend Zoning
Map / Heritage (H) to Business One (B-1) Off Cross St., Whitinsville): A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette
to support Article 17. Vote
yes/Unanimous. Article 18 (Petition
Article: Amend Zoning Map / Business Two (B-2) and Residential Three (R-3) to
Business One (B-1), Off Church Street, Whitinsville): A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to support Article 18. Vote
yes/Unanimous. Article 19 (Petition
Article: Bylaw Amend 173-12 Table of Area Regulations [Footnote #8 – setback
requirements]): A motion/Mr. Davis,
seconded/Mr. Audette to support Article 19.
Vote yes/Unanimous. Article 20
(Petition Article: Amend Zoning Map / Industrial One (I-1) to Residential One (R-1)
Off Church Street Ext. and Quaker Street along Blackstone River and Canal
Heritage State Park: A motion/Mr.
Audette, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to pass over Article 20. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Citizens
Comments/Input. Ken Taylor, 9 Central Ave.,
Northbridge, Chairman, Playground
and Recreation Commission. Mr.
Taylor explained the reasons why the
Commission decided to pass over Articles 15 and 16 was due to the fact that
they felt a revolving account [Article 15] was not needed at this time. In addition, the Commission also wanted to be
able to show actual progress with the funding they have already secured before
asking for additional funding [Article 16].
Selectmen’s
Concerns. Selectman Montecalvo inquired as to who would be
attending the Blue Mass. Chairman
Collins requested 2 issues
be referred to the Safety Committee: 1) Parking in front of Unibank – Mr.
Collins explained that some people are parking there all day and felt that time
limits should be established. 2) He also pointed out a safety concern
at the corner of Goldthwaite Road and Hill Street - bushes hanging out to far and
blocking view.
Town Manager’s Report. Town Manager,
Michael J. Coughlin, Jr. reminded everyone that the Town Meeting is tomorrow
[Tuesday, May 2, 2006]. He went on to
say “thank you” to all Department Heads for their tremendous efforts in
assisting in the budget process.
A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Audette to adjourn the meeting.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
Respectfully
submitted,
John
A. Davis, Clerk
dg/