Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

April 23, 2007

 

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Charles Ampagoomian at 6:30 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA.  Present:  Messrs. Audette, Davis, and Marzec. 

 

Also Present:  Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.

 

As part of a badge requirement, Cub Scouts [Den #3 of Pack 150] took a tour of Town Hall and joined the Selectmen’s meeting to lead The Pledge of Allegiance.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

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

 

Open Session Adjourned:  6:35 P.M.

 

Executive Session Convened:  6:40 P.M.

 

Executive Session Adjourned:  7:09 P.M.

 

Open Session Reconvened:  7:10 P.M.

 

Approval of Minutes. 

 

March 26, 2007.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the March 26, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.            

 

April 9, 2007 [Executive Session].  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve but not release the April 9, 2007 Executive Session Minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Walter Evans, 20 Marion Drive.  Mr. Evans asked the Board of Selectmen to clarify the amount of money the School would receive should the override pass.  Mr. Evans inquired whether $22,121,955 was the correct amount of money and the Town Manager responded yes that is what was being requested.

 

American Legion Post #343/1) Request to hold a carnival on Legion grounds from May 30, 2007-June 3, 2007/Vote to approve.  Present:  Andy Williamson, Philip Cyr, and Charles Lachapelle. 

Mr. Williamson announced that there was a change in the dates of the carnival and that the carnival [operated by Fiesta Shows] will now take place in Northbridge from June 11, 2007 through June 17, 2007.  He mentioned that the State Inspector will inspect all rides on June 11th and 12th and John Flynn, Owner of Fiesta Shows, will pull all the permits needed with the Town.  He also indicated that there would be 12 to 14 amusement rides, a list of which will be provided to the Legion shortly.  Selectman Audette asked if the Police Chief was aware of the carnival and Town Manager Kozak ensured him that he was and that Chief Warchol would perform CORI checks on all carnival employees.  Mr. Phil Cyr noted that there would be no display of fireworks during the carnival.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the American Legion’s request to hold a carnival on Legion grounds from June 11, 2007 to June 17, 2007, subject to the safety requirements of the Police Department and compliance with all Town procedures [licenses/permits] etc.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Unibank for Savings/Request to hang a banner across Church Street from May 14th to May 28th to advertise their “Community Appreciation Day” cookout to be held June 2nd.  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve Unibank for Savings request to hang a banner across Church Street from May 14, 2007 to May 28, 2007 to advertise their “Community Appreciation Day” cookout to be held June 2, 2007.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Whitin Community Center/Request to hang a banner across Church Street from May 29th to June 9th to advertise the 18th annual “Picnic in the Park” event to be held June 9th.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the Whitin Community Center’s request to hang a banner across Church Street from May 29, 2007 to June 9, 2007 to advertise the 18th Annual “Picnic in the Park” event to be held on June 9, 2007.   Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Relay for Life [ERA-Maureen Benoit]/Request to hold the Relay for Life Toll Booth Fundraiser on May 12, 2007, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M./Vote to approve.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to approve the Relay for Life Toll Booth Fundraiser on May 12, 2007, from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. subject to the safety requirements of the Police Department.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Butcher Block Deli & Catering Inc. /Application for Common Victualler’s License, 2233 Providence Road, Northbridge, MA [Christopher Langevin].  A motion/Mr. Audette, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the Butcher Block Deli & Catering Inc. application for Common Victualler’s License at 2233 Providence Road, Northbridge.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Northbridge Redevelopment Corporation/Soil Sample Analysis [Paul Mahoney].  Present:  Kip Foley, President of Northbridge Redevelopment Corporation [NRC], and Alan Benevides, Woodard and Curran, Professional Engineering firm.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned he invited the above individuals to come before the Board to discuss the progress of the landfill project.  He also asked NRC to provide the Board with an analysis of the soil at the site.  Mr. Benevides gave the Board of Selectmen an overview of the extensive application process required by the Department of Environmental Protection –before a project can move forward.  Once the process is in motion, a licensed professional engineer would provide a detailed evaluation of the site and determine by sampling the materials if it can be re-used {the goal is to keep as much material on-site as possible}.  When all the criteria has been met, the DEP will then send a package to NRC with the approval of the materials needed to proceed forward on the project.  Mr. Benevides informed the Selectmen that NRC is required to submit monthly the proper paperwork for the project to the Department of Environmental Protection for their review.  The Board of Selectmen then asked several questions and voiced some concerns to Mr. Foley and Mr. Benevides with respect to the landfill area.  Selectman Davis questioned 1) the depth of the soil [15ft.] if in fact it is inadequate; 2) Who the Licensed Site Professional works for.  Response:  The generator.; 3) Who protects the Town?   Response: The Licensed Site Professional.;  4) When does NRC’s responsibility end?  Response:  Never.

5) What if anything was going to be done for the Town?  Response:  Soccer field too high a location and too large and expense but will try something.  Selectman Audette asked about 1) entrance to site and the dust issues--what does it contain?  Is some of the soil from Fenway Park?  Response:  Yes, some of the soil is from Fenway, approved by DEP, and not harmful to anyone.  Selectman Marzec then inquired about the erosion control tubes and what they were they made of?  Response:  Filter fabric geo-textile tubes filled with woodchips;  they perform the same function as silt fences. 

 

Town Manager’s Report.  Town Manager Kozak 1) read a statement of support for the National Guard and Reserve;  2) Union Street Update – stated that Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, and he met with a Mass. Highway Representative concerning Union Street.  Mass. Highway felt the culvert could be fixed within a year or two but the other culvert [where the bridge is] is a bigger project and would take longer to repair.  Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, will be coordinating with EarthTech to see what can be done in the future;  3) Sutton Street Project – Mass Highway should be scheduling a public hearing shortly (within the next 6 weeks) so they can move forward on the project; 4) Plummer’s Corner – Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, expects a proposal from EarthTech for the 25% design within the next week.  Once finalized the project can begin;  5) Arthur Street Update –contractor will put a crown in;  6) Student Government Day went well and thought it was enjoyable; 7) Override Ballot Form - note from the Northbridge Citizen’s for the Override Committee inviting the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Department Heads and Public to attend an Informational Meeting on the Proposition 2½, Monday, April 30, 2007, at the Northbridge Middle School Auditorium, at 7 P.M.  8) Reviewed the effect of the override for the Town should the override not pass; 9) School Committee vacancy – The Board agreed to wait until after the May 15th election to fill the vacancy on the School Committee.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Audette 1) Sutton Street/Northbridge Roads – asked Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, to put some projections together on what it would cost to repair the Town roads;  2) Retention ponds – who is responsible for these ponds: Town, Developer, or Home Owner; Selectman Marzec stated that the Town needs to get the override information out there sooner rather than later. Selectman Davis asked to place the High School Field Litigation on the next Board of Selectmen’s agenda [May 7, 2007].  Should invite the Building, Planning and Construction Committee to come in and inform the residents in Town as to what transpired with this entire project.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to invite the Building, Planning and Construction Committee to the next Board of Selectmen’s Meeting on May 7, 2007, to discuss the entire process of the High School Field litigation issue.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Chairman Ampagoomian/1) Thanked Selectman Marzec, Superintendent Soojian, and Town Manager Kozak for attending the ceremony on April 22, 2007, commemorating the Armenian genocide. 2) thanked the Fire Department for removing a 30-gallon propane tank from the Blackstone River. 3) urged every resident in the Town of Northbridge to attend the Override Ballot Forum on April 30, 2007 at 7 P.M at the Northbridge Middle School Auditorium.

 

Future Agenda Item.   Representative George Peterson [June 4, 2007 @ 7:00 P.M.].

 

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

 

Meeting Adjourned:  10:20 PM

 

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            James Marzec, Clerk

 

 

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