Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Charles Ampagoomian at
Executive Session. A motion was
made and seconded to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B
#3 (Litigation) and to reconvene in open session. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Marzec/Yes, Mr. Davis/Yes, and Mr.
Ampagoomian/Yes.
Open Session
Adjourned:
Executive Session
Convened:
Executive Session
Adjourned:
Open Session Reconvened:
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
Approval of Minutes.
A motion/Mr.
with the readings omitted. Vote yes/ Messrs.
A motion/Mr.
presented with the readings
omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Marzec
and Ampagoomian.
FY 2005:
a) Whitin Community Center
Outreach Scholarship Program: [100% complete]. This program provided 113 family
memberships to the WCC to income eligible persons.
b) Housing and Rehabilitation
Program: [4 open cases and 3 additional cases that are currently being
evaluated for eligibility]. This program provided funding in the form of
deferred payment loans to income eligible property owners.
c) Senior Center/ADA
Bathroom: 2nd Floor Bathroom
[100% complete].
FY 2006:
a) Village
Infrastructure Project [October/November 2007 Construction Completion]
Continuing, Ms. Dulmaine mentioned the FY 2007
Community Development Block Grant application is due
Ms. Dulmaine provided the Board of Selectmen with a
copy of the Community Development Strategy which outlines the plans and
documents that the town uses in order to prioritize projects that are put forth
to the town. Ms. Dulmaine suggested to
the Board of Selectmen that the Public Hearing be continued to the next Board
of Selectmen meeting scheduled for
Citizens Comments/Input. The Finance Committee: Chairman Mary Frances Powers, and Committee
Members: Mr. Sal D’Amato, Mr. Andy Todd, Mr. Plato Adams and Mr. James Barron
spoke briefly on the Town’s finances.
Mr. Barron mentioned that the Finance Committee had a brief meeting [
Paul McKeon, 500 Benson Road, stated he was speaking as a
private citizen tonight. Mr. McKeon made
a statement about the
Michael Coughlin, 175 Heritage Drive, spoke as a citizen and
voiced his support for Chairman Charles Ampagoomian. Mr. Coughlin feels that the request for Mr.
Ampagoomian’s resignation as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen is a reaction
and retaliation of his efforts to ensure open government.
Financial
Update. Selectman Davis suggested that a motion be
made to take money out of stabilization to support the Town’s deficit. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to
support taking $324,217.00 out of stabilization to balance the budget. Vote yes/Unanimous. Mr. Marzec noted that the town’s finances
have been an ongoing problem since 1999.
2007
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to
approve the 2007 Board of Selectmen’s meeting schedule. Vote yes/Unanimous.
2007 Holiday Calendar. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the 2007 Holiday Calendar. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Safety Committee Minutes
(November 15, 2006). A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to
accept the recommendations of the Safety Committee as outlined in the minutes
of November 15, 2006. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
Toll Booth Policy/Vote to
adopt. Selectman Davis suggested one change, in the
last sentence, change the word “any” to “a” {to suspend “a” drive in the
interest of public safety}. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to adopt the Toll Booth policy as recommended by
Chief Walter Warchol. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
Pan-Massachusetts
Challenge/Request to post signs along the Northbridge portion of the PMC
route. Chief Warchol mentioned the organization requested to
post signs in Northbridge and recommended allowing them to do so. The Board of Selectmen requested more
information. After Ms. Susienka receives
further clarification, a decision will be made at the next Board of Selectmen’s
meeting [December 18, 2006].
FY ’04 Community
Development Block Grant/Authorization to further encumber property located at
25-35C Street. Present:
Jennifer Dulmaine, Office of Community Development. Ms. Dulmaine mentioned that this was just
protocol and requires a Certificate Not to Encumber to be recorded at the
Worcester Registry of Deeds with the expressed written consent of the Board of
Selectmen of the Town of Northbridge.
She also mentioned that South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corporation
seeks to borrow $36,000 from the Twin Cities CDC for de-leading this property
and is requesting written consent of the Board of Selectmen. She further stated that Twin Cities CDC is
not requesting a subordination, which means that the lien on the property from
Twin Cities will be in secondary position to the Town of Northbridge. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to
authorize the further encumbrance of property located at 25-35C Street and to
send a letter of consent to SMOC. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
ADHOC
Committee/Streetscape. Selectman Davis agreed with Mr. Montecalvo
that a committee should be set up.
Chairman Ampagoomian asked that some guidelines be set. Mr. Joseph Montecalvo, 279 North
Main Street, Whitinsville, mentioned that the request for an ADHOC
Committee came from Mr. Ken Couture. Mr.
Montecalvo was in favor of this committee being formed. Selectman Davis recommended that this item
be placed on the next Board of Selectmen agenda [December 18, 2006], under
decisions.
Letter from Mr. Haringa –
Powerpoint Presentation. Chairman
Ampagoomian mentioned that this would be a great idea for Bob Thayer, IT
Director, to handle. Selectman Davis
would like to see more information on the Town’s website and asked that Mr.
Thayer review and develop. He also
suggested the Citizens in Town have the capability to email the Selectmen
directly.
Open Meeting Law
Violation/Letter re: Ruling from Assistant District Attorney Smith. Chairman
Ampagoomian mentioned that a seminar on the “Open Meeting Law” would take place
on December 19, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. in the Great Hall. Attorney Lauren Goldberg from Kopelman &
Paige will run the seminar. All Boards,
Committees and Department Heads are expected to attend. Selectman Davis suggested that a meeting take
place with Attorney Goldberg from Kopelman & Paige prior to the December 19th
seminar.
Vacancy-Board of Selectmen/Special Election. Due to the
resignation of Selectman Montecalvo, there is a vacancy on the Board of
Selectmen. Chairman Ampagoomian informed
the residents in Town of the expense and process for replacing Selectman
Montecalvo’s position. Selectman Davis
is not in favor of a Special Election.
Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Davis stated 1) that per the Selectmen’s Policies and Procedures
manual, Section 2D, Page 3, that he will be making a motion at the next Board
of Selectmen’s Meeting scheduled on December 18, 2006 to remove Charles
Ampagoomian as Chairman of the Board. 2)
asked when Mr. Powers would be back before the Board of Selectmen with a
financial report for Fiscal Year 2006.
Town Manager’s Report. Acting Town Manager Sharon Susienka reported
an incident that took place at the Town Hall on Friday evening. Ms. Susienka mentioned that an electrical
panel box alarm went off and the Fire Department didn’t have the appropriate
access needed to this area. Fire Chief
Nestor will order a new lock box and set of keys needed for any future
incidents.
A motion/Mr. Davis,
seconded/Mr. Marzec to adjourn the meeting.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned: 8:40 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
James
Marzec, Clerk
dg/