Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

August 21, 2006

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Charles Ampagoomian at 6:00 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Audette, Davis, Montecalvo, and Marzec.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

Executive Session. A motion made and seconded to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B #3 (Litigation) to reconvene in open session. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Audette/Yes, Mr. Marzec/Yes, Mr. Montecalvo/Yes, Mr. Davis/Yes, and Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes.

Open Session Adjourned: 6:02 P.M.

Executive Session Convened: 6:05 P.M.

Executive Session Adjourned: 7:12 P.M.

Open Session Reconvened: 7:16 P.M.

Approval of Minutes.

August 7, 2006

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the August 7, 2006 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

August 7, 2006 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve but not release the August 7, 2006 Executive

Session Minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Citizens’ Comments/Input. Neal Mitchell, 1041 Sutton Street. Mr. Mitchell mentioned that he is a volunteer member of a committee currently under investigation by the State Ethics Commission. He explained to the Board of Selectmen that he thought he should come in and address any issues or concerns that people may have because of all the rumors about him. He also stated that he was disappointed with whoever filed the complaint with the Ethics Commission because all he did was try to help the Town of Northbridge and his fellow neighbors by offering his services. Mr. Mitchell provided his services to Mr. Denis Latour, owner of the Pythian Building, and now feels that he is being attacked by individuals in Town because of that. Jeff Dufficy [Owner of the former Baker Building], spoke in support of his colleague, Neal Mitchell. He mentioned that he was upset that someone in the Town would try to hurt Mr. Mitchell as he was only trying to help the Town out by being a good citizen/neighbor. Shelley Buma, 40 Heritage Drive, brought up the following two issues: 1) with respect to the Citizen Comments/Input portion of the Selectmen’s meetings, and after researching that issue, she informed Chairman Ampagoomian that no vote was ever taken on the five-minute rule. 2) the purpose for being at tonight’s meeting was to discuss the Quaker Street landfill and challenge the Town Manager on his prior knowledge about this project.

Fall Annual Town Meeting [October 24, 2006]/Vote to place articles on warrant [Draft #1]. Selectman Davis requested clarification on who was sponsoring these articles and the Town Manager responded that the Board of Selectmen was. Ms. Powers, Chairman of the Finance Committee spoke briefly about meeting their deadlines and receiving requested information in a timely manner so they can produce the financial booklets for the Town Meeting on time. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette to place articles 1-10 on the Fall Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian. Vote no/Mr. Davis.

VFW Hall, 875 Hill Street/Approval of Lease between Town of Northbridge and Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans (Vote to be taken after Executive Session). Selectman Audette, member of the Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans, excused himself from the Board. Selectman Davis requested this issue be discussed now, in Open Session, not in Executive Session as originally planned and offered a motion to negotiate [in open session] the lease for the VFW Hall, 875 Hill Street, Whitinsville, with the Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans. A motion/ Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to *approve discuss the lease for the VFW Hall between the Town of Northbridge and Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/no, Mr. Ampagoomian/no, Mr. Davis/yes, Mr. Marzec/yes. Mr. Audette abstained from this vote. There being a tie vote, the motion does not stand.

South Grafton Water District [Guerriere & Halnon]/Request for access to the Northbridge Water System/ Vote to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement between the Town of Northbridge and the South Grafton Water District. Present: Normand J. Gamache, Jr. A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to authorize the Town Manager to enter into an agreement between the Town of Northbridge and the South Grafton Water District. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Pine Knoll. Present: Attorney Steve Rodolakis and Mary Frances Powers, Chairman of the Northbridge Housing Authority. Attorney Steve Rodolakis pointed out that Pine Knoll, located off Sutton and Gendron Streets, was one of the first projects built under the Town’s Senior Living Bylaw and that the development would contain one hundred and two (102) condominium units restricted for people over the age of 55. Attorney Rodolakis further advised that in order for the Town to get credit towards their affordable housing stock, 10% of the units are required to be kept affordable, thus, in this case, Pine Knoll would provide eleven (11) such units. Before closing, he mentioned that he would need the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen’s signature as well as the Chairman of the Housing Authority's signature on the Units -Only Application. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Audette to sign the Units-Only application to be submitted to the Department of Housing and Community Development. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Finance Team: Fiscal Year 2005 Audit Management Letter. Present: Neil Vaidya, Town Accountant, Deborah Kristoff, Treasurer/Collector, and Robert Fitzgerald, Principal Assessor. Mr. Vaidya reported that he received the Management Letter from the Town’s Auditors. He then reviewed the areas where improvements and/or partial improvements were made as well as pointing out issues that still need to be resolved. Ms. Kristoff and Mr. Fitzgerald both concurred with Mr. Vaidya on how well they interact with each other. The Selectmen commented by stating that once they have the opportunity to review the Management Letter in more detail, they could have some further questions and/or comments.

Delinquent Tax Collection. Deborah Kristoff, Treasurer/Collector. Because of a recent transaction involving Northbridge Redevelopment Corporation and the old Quaker Street Landfill, Chairman Ampagoomian inquired about how an individual or company could buy a piece of property and not know there was a lien on the property for back taxes. Ms. Kristoff explained how the process works and informed the Board of Selectmen that land can still be purchased even when there is a lien on the property. She also confirmed that the lien was still in place and that the Treasurer could enter into a payment agreement for back taxes [25% be paid in installments] however, it doesn’t mean that the Town would have to issue any permits. The Board of Selectmen asked 1) how can this be prevented from happening again, and 2) in the future, to notify the Board of delinquent tax offenders. Ms. Kristoff offered to provide them with a list on an annual basis.

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Audette/1) praised Gail Anderson and Connie Dion for doing such a great job at the Senior Center. 2) citizen approached him and felt that the Town Manager should break away from the School Department. 3) suggested that the Financial Working Group set up some parameters. Selectman Marzec/1) 100% Disabled Veteran’s Tax Abatement – contact the Assessor's Office; 2) Ethics Commission Investigation on Mr. Latour and Mr. Mitchell. Selectman Davis/1) asked if the applications for the roofs had been submitted to the USDA? The Town Manager said they are due to go out tomorrow. 2) would the mitigation funds have to be appropriated at Town meeting? The Town Manager responded no. 3) is one of the Executive Sessions on the Weinberg Case? The Town Manager responded yes. 4) reported that Berkowitz Trucking applied for a tonnage increase and wanted to know if the Board of Selectmen would be involved in any way. The Town Manager said they would not but that the Board of Health would be handling that matter. 5) asked if Mrs. Thompson would like to speak in reference to a comment made by the Town Manager earlier in the evening. Mrs. Thompson spoke briefly to clarify her offer in helping the Town Accountant’s office. 6) requested a timeline and update from the Building, Planning and Construction on the charge we *got gave them on the West Street School. Chairman Ampagoomian mentioned that the Church Street lights were not working properly. Mr. Sasseville, DPW Director, will look into this.

Executive Session. A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B #3 (Litigation) and M.G.L. Chapter 39,S. 23B #6 (Lease Negotiations)-- to reconvene in open session. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Audette/Yes, Mr. Marzec/Yes, Mr. Montecalvo/Yes, Mr. Davis/Yes, and Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes.

Open Session Adjourned: 9:15 P.M.

Executive Session Convened: 9:25 P.M.

Executive Session Adjourned: 10:25 P.M.

Open Session Reconvened: 10:26 P.M.

VFW Hall, 875 Hill Street/Approval of Lease between Town of Northbridge and Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans (Vote to be taken after Executive Session). A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the lease between the Town of Northbridge and the Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Davis/yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/yes, Mr. Montecalvo/yes, and Mr. Marzec/yes. Abstain/Mr. Audette.

A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to authorize the Blackstone Valley Vietnam Veterans to make improvements at the 875 Hill Street address as presented in the plans shown. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Davis/yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/yes, Mr. Montecalvo/yes, and Mr. Marzec/yes. Abstain/Mr. Audette.

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to adjourn the meeting. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Open Session Adjourned: 10:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

James Marzec, Clerk

dg/

* At their meeting of September 11, 2006, the BOS voted to amend the August 21, 2006 minutes as follows. Under the section titled VFW Hall, Line 6, strike the word “approve” and insert the word “discuss”. Under the section titled Selectmen’s Concerns, Line 13, strike the word “got” and insert the word “gave them”.