Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

March 26, 2007

 

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, and Marzec.  Selectman Davis was absent and it is duly noted.

 

Also Present:  Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Chairman Ampagoomian reminded the Board of Selectmen to speak into the microphones when talking so that the citizens in Town can hear what is being discussed.

 

Chairman Ampagoomian announced that the Armenian Church cordially invites the Town Manager, Board of Selectmen and citizens to attend a ceremony on April 22, 2007 at Noon commemorating the Armenian genocide.

 

Approval of Minutes.  1) January 8, 2007 (Executive Session).  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the January 8, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.  2) February 26, 2007.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the February 26, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.  3) March 12, 2007.  Chairman Ampagoomian requested the minutes be amended to reflect his arrival prior to the presentation of the plaque to George Hamm.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the March 12, 2007 minutes as amended by Chairman Ampagoomian with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.  4) March 12, 2007 (Executive Session).  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the March 12, 2006 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian. 

 

Settlement Agreement for the High School Fields/Vote to accept.   Town Manager Kozak reviewed the settlement agreement and mentioned that the settlement amount was for $415,000.00, of which $50,000.00 was used for legal services and the net amount for the School fields will be $365,000.00. Chairman Ampagoomian mentioned that the Building, Planning and Construction Committee had already sent bids out for the reconstruction of the fields, so that it doesn’t affect the School’s accreditation process.  Town Manager Kozak provided an update on the Police and Middle School roofs.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Audette to accept the settlement agreement for the High School Fields.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Audette, and Ampagoomian.

 

Road Acceptances [Presidential Farms and Hills at Whitinsville Subdivisions]  1)Vote to accept roadways: Kennedy Circle, Lincoln Circle, Marston Road, Nathaniel Drive, Hillcrest Road, Morgan Road, and Prospect Street.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to accept the roadways: Kennedy Circle, Lincoln Circle, Marston Road, Nathaniel Drive, Hillcrest Road, Morgan Road, and Prospect Street. Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.  2) Vote to accept the Deeds of Easements:  Kennedy Circle, Lincoln Circle, Marston Road, Nathaniel Drive, Hillcrest Road, Morgan Road, and Prospect Street.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Audette to accept the Deeds of Easements:  Kennedy Circle, Lincoln Circle, Marston Road, Nathaniel Drive, Hillcrest Road, Morgan Road, and Prospect Street.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.

 

Safety Committee Minutes [February 17, 2007]/Vote to accept recommendations.  Joseph Montecalvo, 279 N. Main Street, gave the Board of Selectmen a brief overview of the Safety Committee Meeting that took place on February 17, 2007.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Audette to accept the recommendations of the Safety Committee as outlined in the minutes of February 17, 2007.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Audette, and Ampagoomian.

 

Coinstar Entertainment Services, Inc. 1) Application for Automatic Amusement Device License/Vote to approve.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the Coinstar Entertainment Services, Inc. application for Automatic Amusement Device License.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Audette, and Ampagoomian. 2) Application for Sunday State Entertainment License\Vote to approve.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the Coinstar Entertainment Services, Inc. application for a Sunday State Entertainment License.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Audette, and Ampagoomian.

 

Armenian Apostolic Church/Request to hang a banner over Church Street from April 9, 2007 to April 23, 2007.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to grant permission to the Armenian Apostolic Church to hang a banner over Church Street from April 9, 2007 to April 23, 2007 in honor of Martyr’s Day.  Vote yes/Messrs. Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian. 

 

Livery License Policy and Procedures.  The Town Manager provided the Board of Selectmen with a copy of the policy and procedures for their review.  He mentioned that the Chief of Police, Walter Warchol, reviewed the policy and procedures and made some recommendations.  He then suggested that the Selectmen review the proposed changes so that at their next Board of Selectmen’s meeting they could approve the Livery license policy and procedures.

 

Council on Aging/Budget Discussion.  Present: Gail Anderson, Senior Center Director, and Constance Dion, Chairman, Council on Aging.  Ms. Anderson spoke on behalf of the Council on Aging about the services they provide for the Town.  She mentioned the detrimental impact [no meals on wheels, no transportation to Doctor Appointments, grocery stores and jobs, health insurance seminars/issues, filing for fuel assistance & food stamps, housing assistance, etc.] it would have on the residents and elderly in the Town of Northbridge should the Council on Aging be closed.  The elderly depend on the senior center as a lifeline.  Ms. Dion mentioned that the seniors are people too and these services offered by the Council on Aging mean a lot to them.  She reiterated the services offered and how much fun the seniors have when they attend the Senior Center.  She then asked the Selectmen not to forget the seniors when it comes to money.

 

FY ’08 Budget Presentation.  Town Manager Theodore Kozak presented his recommendations for the FY ’08 Budget to the Board of Selectmen.  To that end, he was recommending the following budgets be reduced to zero for FY ’08:  Council on Aging [reduced just over 50%], Library, Playground & Recreation, Historical Commission, Building, Planning & Construction Committee, Civil Defense, Memorials, and Recycling Committee.  He also mentioned the cuts that would be made to the Departments in Town such as; Public Safety, Public Works, and the General Government.  Selectman Audette and Selectman Marzec mentioned how devastating the cuts would be to the entire community should the override not pass.  They suggested that the residents in town decide whether they want these services to remain in tact by passing the override.  Chairman Ampagoomian mentioned that the information presented tonight would be posted on the Cable Station so that residents can see the type of financial situation the town is facing.

 

Policy regarding the use of Town Counsel.  Town Manager Kozak reminded the Departments, Boards and Committees in Town about the policy regarding the use of Town Counsel.  Each Board, Committee and Department must contact the Town Manager’s Office to request permission to use Town Counsel so that the Town Manager’s Office can monitor and track the expenditures during this crucial time.

 

Union Street Brook/Update.  Town Manager Kozak and the DPW Director met with a Representative of the Railroad to review the plans and discuss the work that was done in the past on the culvert.  A meeting with Mass Highway will be set up to discuss further work in the near future.

 

Arthur Drive/Update.  Town Manager Kozak advised that a meeting took place with the developer [Jim Smith, Trees to Keys], DPW Director Richard Sasseville and Highway Superintendent Arthur Magowan concerning the Arthur Drive issues.  Mr. Sasseville will present a memo to the Planning Board describing what they are looking for Mr. Smith to handle with respect to the catchbasins and other concerns.  Mr. Smith mentioned that he is looking to his contractor and others to help address the areas suggested by the DPW and is hopeful to find someone this spring.

 

Reverse 911 Phone System – Town Manager Kozak mentioned that this is an emergency telephone system that allows departments to make telephone calls to homes informing them of an emergency.  The Worcester County Sheriff’s Office made a proposal that if Homeland Security funds paid for the hardware and software, then the Sheriff’s Department would pay the annual maintenance cost estimated at $40,000.00.  This equipment has been purchased and is now being installed.  Starting April 1st, there will be training classes offered, and thereafter, to the following Departments; DPW Directors, Fire, Police, Board of Health, Water Company, etc.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Audette suggested setting some dates to meet with the Finance and School Committee to discuss an override amount.  Selectman Marzec mentioned that the Board of Health will be conducting a Rabies Vaccination Clinic on April 14, 2007, and the cost is $10.00

 

Meeting Adjourned:  8:18 PM

 

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            James Marzec, Clerk

 

 

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