Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

March 12, 2007

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Vice-Chairman William Audette at 7:35 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Davis, Audette, and Marzec. Also Present: Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

Approval of Minutes. 1) January 22, 2007 (Executive Session). A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the January 22, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous. 2) February 5, 2007. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the February 5, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous. 3) February 5, 2007 (Executive Session). A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the February 5, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous. 4) February 13, 2007. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the February 13, 2006 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous. 5) February 13, 2007 (Executive Session). A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the February 13, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

*Chairman Ampagoomian arrived at 7:45 P.M.

Presentation. Selectman Audette presented Officer George Hamm with a plaque wishing him well on his retirement from the Northbridge Police force after 35 years of dedicated service.

Chairman Ampagoomian presented Joseph Montecalvo with a plaque from the Board of Selectmen for a job well done as Interim Town Manager. His service and dedication to the Town was well recognized by all. Mr. Montecalvo thanked everyone for the honor as serving Interim Town Manager for the Town of Northbridge.

W/S Development/Vote to accept gift. Present: Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner, and Barbara Gaudette, Member, Planning Board. Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned that W/S Development donated a monetary gift in the amount of $40,000.00, which would be donated to the Department of Public Works to buy equipment. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to accept the monetary gift from W/S Development to be earmarked for the DPW Department. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Spring Annual Town Meeting [June 12, 2007]/Vote to place the articles on the warrant (Draft #2). Town Manager Kozak provided a brief review of the articles that would be placed on the warrant by the Selectmen. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to place the articles 1, 2, 4-17, 19, 20 & 23 on the warrant for the Spring Annual Town Meeting [June 12, 2007]. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Samuel Drive 1) Vote to accept roadway. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to accept Samuel Drive as a roadway. Selectman Marzec abstained from voting as he resides on Samuel Drive. Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Davis and Ampagoomian. Abstain/Mr. Marzec. 2) Vote to execute the Acceptance of Deed. Selectman Marzec abstained from voting as he resides on Samuel Drive. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to execute the Acceptance of Deed for Samuel Drive. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian and Audette. Abstain/Mr. Marzec.

Town Manager’s Contract/Vote to approve. A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the Town Manager’s Contract [Theodore D. Kozak]. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Livery License Policy and Procedures. Town Manager Kozak spoke briefly on this topic due to a request that came in to the Town Manager’s Office. Town Manager Kozak asked Chief Warchol to review the policy and procedures and make any necessary revisions. A further discussion will take place at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

Open Space and Master Plan Update. Present: Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner, and Barbara Gaudette, Member, Planning Board and Open Space Committee. Mr. Bechtholdt advised the Board of Selectmen that Open Space Plan was prepared July 2002 and will expire October 2007. In order for the Town to qualify for certain state grants and reimbursement programs, a valid Open Space & Recreation Plan must be filed with the state. He then mentioned that a Public Hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3, 2007, to ask participants to prepare a new survey questionnaire and begin assigning tasks for the Open Space Recreation Plan update. Ms. Gaudette suggested that the Committee take a look at what is left in Northbridge for Open Space as there are no playgrounds in Town that comply with the ADA requirements. The Master Plan has an Open Space Plan component and by doing the Open Space Plan they will also be accomplishing the Master Plan Update. The Open Space Committee is looking for volunteers [preferably 11] in Town to help assist in this process. The Master Plan will be conducting a workshop on Thursday, March 15, 2007 from 6-8 PM in the Board of Selectmen’s Room. The Master Plan has 9 elements within the plan and sub-committee be developed for each element. This would be a twelve to eighteen month process because it hasn’t been updated since 1994. The Master Plan is provided by the Planning Board and is under M.G.L. Chapter 41, Section 81D. This is a very important document that decision-making bodies should look to when they’re looking at future developments within the Town.

Town Manager’s Report. 1) Municipal Management Associates, Inc. – Laura Woeller. Town Manager Theodore Kozak presented Laura Woeller, Assistant Treasurer/Collector, with a certificate from the Municipal Management Associates, Inc. Ms. Woeller was recognized for being a top achiever in the collection of parking ticket revenues. The Town of Northbridge collected 92.3% of its parking tickets where collection percentages in the low to mid-70’s are the norm for most municipalities. In a letter from Municipal Management Associates, Inc., they congratulated Ms. Woeller and the Town of Northbridge for setting high standards of excellence. 2) United Presbyterian Church/Former Interim Town Manger, Joseph Montecalvo, 279 North Main Street, provided the Board of Selectmen with an update on his meeting with Joyce Feen from the United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Montecalvo informed Ms. Feen that he met with a Planning Board member who is in the process of putting together some policies and procedures. Ms. Feen agreed to hold off until the procedures are put in place; 3) Eagle Scout Bulletin Board Update – Mr. Montecalvo met with the Eagle Scout and he advised Mr. Montecalvo that they are in the process of getting ready to build the sign; 4) Wal-Mart Update. Town Manager Kozak provided a brief update on the Private Ceremony he attended at the Super Wal-Mart. He then mentioned the public Grand Opening is Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 7:30 A.M.; 5) FY ’08 Budget Update – Town Manager Kozak informed the Board and residents in Town of the town’s deficit. He mentioned that all departments have level funded their budgets for FY ’08 but he will continue to review them. There will be a joint meeting on March 29, 2007 with the Finance, BOS, and School Committee to discuss the budgets; 6) Surplus Property – Congratulated Mr. Sasseville for selling surplus property on the internet auction site “PublicSurplus.com” and raising over $14,954.54. Town Manager Kozak also mentioned that he does not intend to use the Town vehicle and if the Board didn’t mind, he would ask Mr. Sasseville to auction off the vehicle for revenue; 7) Union Street Drainage – A presentation by Earth Tech was conducted last week. With that said, the DPW Director, Richard Sasseville, took Town Manager Kozak and former Interim Town Manager Joseph Montecalvo for a tour to view the Union Street drainage. Town Manager Kozak contacted the Railroad and the engineering division will be coming out on Thursday, March 15, 2007 to discuss some of the issues that need addressing. He also mentioned that someone from the Town would contact the residents involved to advise them that the engineers could be stopping by their house to view the drainage area located on their property; 8) Rules and Regulations for the use of public sidewalks and ways – updated the Board of Selectmen on his discussion with the Building Inspector James Sheehan and his role as the administrator of this project. A mailing was sent out to all business owners located on Route 122 [Providence Road] and Church Street [Whitinsville] informing them of the rules and regulations. 9) Water Main Break, Church Street, and issues after the work had settled. The road was closed off for a while until repaired. 10) Update on Church Street regarding the telephone/utility poles. He received a letter from Jen Dulmaine advising of the various stages of pulling the conduits out and then mentioned that poles should be down by June 2007. 11) Arthur Drive – drainage issue. Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner has been in contact with the developer and will advise as more information becomes available. 12) Union Street – Wetland issue still being looked into.

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Audette – 1) advised that the Playground and Recreation Committee contacted him about the fields issue. The Linwood fields will be closed for two months due to reseeding. The Playground and Recreation Committee told him that they tried discussing the use of the School District fields, with the School Department, however they are not cooperating. Selectman Audette asked that Town Manager Kozak and DPW Director, Richard Sasseville, talk to the School Department to see if something can be worked out. 2) inquired about the computers that are piled up in a room at the School Department and if these are considered surplus. DPW Director, Richard Sasseville, responded that if it is Town property, and there is no further use of it, and under $500 [value] it could be sold. Selectman Marzec – conditions on the roads in Town. He would like the residents in Town to know that the DPW is doing everything they can to take care of the potholes. Chairman Ampagoomian – He would like the Assessor to work with the Planning Board and Open Space Committee to see what land is available or for sale. Former Interim Town Manager Montecalvo mentioned that he has a copy of what’s available and would provide the Board of Selectmen with a copy once completed.

Executive Session. A motion was made and seconded to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B #3 Negotiations and not to reconvene in open session. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Davis/Yes, Mr. Marzec/Yes, Mr. Audette/Yes, and Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes.

Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 PM

Respectfully submitted,

James Marzec, Clerk

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* At their meeting of March 26, 2007, Chairman Ampagoomian requested the minutes be amended to reflect his arrival prior to the presentation of the plaque to George Hamm.