Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
June 5, 2006
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Charles Ampagoomian at 7:00 PM,
Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Audette, Davis, Marzec, and
Montecalvo.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
Approval of Minutes.
A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve
the May 22, 2006 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
May 22, 2006 [Executive Session]
A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to
approve the May 22, 2006 Executive Session minutes as presented with the
readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.
July 25, 2005 [Executive Session]
Selectman Davis requested that the July 25, 2005
minutes be amended as follows: Under the
footnote, “delete the entire number 2 statement.”
September 26, 2005 [Executive Session]
Selectman Davis requested that the September 26, 2005 amended minutes be amended as follows: “Mr. Davis was not present for any of the discussion on St. Patrick’s Church.”
FY
2003 Community Development Block Grant/Request for partial release of lien on
property located at 538 Cooper Road, Northbridge, MA. Ms. Jennifer Dulmaine, Program Director,
advised the Board of Selectmen that the owners hardly owe anything on their
property and would like to transfer a small portion of land to their son. She recommended that the Board of Selectmen
approve a partial release of the lien on this small portion of land. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to
approve the partial release of lien on property located at 538 Cooper Road,
Northbridge, MA. Vote yes/ Unanimous.
FY 1996 Community
Development Block Grant/2 Subordination of Liens for property located at 69
Plantation Street, Northbridge, MA. Ms. Jennifer Dulmaine, Program Director, mentioned that the
Board of Selectmen had previously approved these subordinations; however, due
to the fact that the lender had changed as well as Board members, they had to
be re-approved. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the two subordinations of liens for property
located at 69 Plantation Street, Northbridge, MA. Vote yes/Unanimous.
DPW Building
Needs – Mr.
Richard Sasseville, Director of Public Works gave a presentation on the current
conditions of the Department of Public Works facilities. Mr. Sasseville mentioned that the original
presentation was given to the Board of Selectmen back in the Year 2000;
however, he has since updated some of the information for tonight’s
meeting. He proceeded to inform the
Board of Selectmen on each of the facilities and how they’ve deteriorated over
the years. He stressed that the new DPW
facilities must meet the operational needs and the environmental requirements
that apply to the DPW. Selectman Audette
inquired about the wetlands located on town owned property at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant and whether or not the DPW would have enough space for a new facility. Mr. Sasseville mentioned that a site
assessment would have to be done on both the town owned parcel and the adjacent
privately owned property. Peter
Barbadora of the Building, Planning, & Construction Committee mentioned
that a partial survey had already been done some time ago by Guerriere &
Halnon. Selectman Montecalvo and
Selectman Davis asked how many acres were actually buildable on this
property. Mr. Barbardora responded,
roughly 3 to 5 acres. Mr. Sasseville
explained to the Board that he needs at least three buildings. The Selectmen all concurred that the DPW
department needs to change location and get off the river. Selectman Montecalvo asked what the priority
was, the Fire Station or the Department of Public Works. Selectman Davis mentioned that Mr. Neal Mitchell
had prepared a proposal for construction of a metal building for a new DPW
facility. Selectmen Davis, Marzec, and
Audette felt that the DPW should be moved first since the Town already has a
site. Mr. Barbadora asked if both the
DPW and Fire Station projects could be moved forward. Chairman Ampagoomian asked about the metal
building proposed by Mr. Mitchell and whether it would last 50 years. Mr. Barbadora said that most DPW facilities
in the state have metal buildings. He
also mentioned that a feasibility study could be done before the next Town
Meeting, however, funding could be a problem.
DPW Director Sasseville pointed out that there was leftover money from
the sale of gravel that could be used towards the study [around $100,000].
Fire Station Roof – Selectman Davis
suggested that Mr. Peter Barbadora of the Building, Planning, Construction
Committee find out the cost of replacing the fire station roof. Selectman Audette asked if the Town was
planning to keep the Fire Station building.
Chief Nestor mentioned that he received an estimate 2 to 3 years ago for
around $100,000, however, it didn’t include architectural fees, roof decking,
or asbestos removal. Selectman Audette
asked that the Fire Station building be placed on the next agenda under
discussions. Chairman Ampagoomian
mentioned that when Mr. Barbadora receives a cost to repair and patch the roof,
that he contact the Town Manager’s Office so that this matter can be placed on
the next Board of Selectmen’s agenda.
Community
Preservation Act Study Committee – Chairman Ampagoomian recommended forming a 5-member
Community Preservation Act Committee and suggested that interested individuals currently
not serve on any other boards so that they would have a non-biased approach. Chairman Ampagoomian announced that anyone who
would like to participate could contact the Town Hall to get a copy of the
Preservation Act for review and consideration.
Citizen’s Forum – Chairman Ampagoomian
presented the Board with a copy of the Selectmen’s policies and procedures
manual pertaining to Citizen’s Forum. A
conversation ensued as where to place Citizen’s Forum on the agenda and whether
there should be a time limit. The
Selectmen agreed that citizen's questions and concerns be sent to the Chairman
or Town Manager prior to the Selectmen’s meeting so that they could have time
to review and prepare an appropriate response, which would help alleviate some
of the lengthy discussions that take place.
It was further agreed that the Citizen’s Forum discussion would be placed
under “Decisions” [for a vote] at the next Selectmen’s meeting. Continuing, Chairman Ampagoomian also
mentioned that the "Selectmen’s Concerns" category needs to be
addressed as well, however, there was nothing in the Selectmen’s policies and
procedures manual that addressed that topic.
Selectman Davis again stated that an “Old Business Category” should be
developed and placed on the agenda so that old business items could be
addressed and not forgotten about.
Selectman Ampagoomian advised that this item be placed on the next
agenda under “Discussions.”
Selectmen’s
Concerns. Selectman Marzec/1) thanked the folks
that sent him condolences on the recent passing of his father. 2) mentioned the Union Street flooding
issue and requested that this issue be put on a future agenda. Chairman Ampagoomian announced that the
dedication for the Charles C. Mantel Memorial would take place on Saturday,
June 10th at 11 A.M. at the intersection at Country Club Drive and Fletcher
Street; everyone was invited to attend.
Items For Future
Agenda. Selectman Davis asked for an update from the Town
Manager/Chairman on the Four Town Group and where they stand on it.
A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Audette to adjourn the meeting.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
Respectfully
submitted,
James
Marzec, Clerk
dg/