Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

May 21, 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, Davis, Marzec and Montecalvo. 

 

Also present:  Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Chairman Ampagoomian welcomed back Selectman Montecalvo and thanked the Board of Selectmen for an interesting year.  He also thanked the citizens in Northbridge for coming out to vote regardless to the outcome. 

 

Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen:

Chairman Ampagoomian turned the gavel over to Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager, to proceed with the reorganization of the Board.  Mr. Kozak polled the Board of Selectmen for Nominations for Chairman:  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to nominate Joseph Montecalvo as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to nominate William Audette as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Selectmen Ampagoomian and Montecalvo expressed their opinions as to why Mr. Montecalvo should be elected Chairman.  After no further comments, Town Manager Kozak asked for Roll Call Votes for Joseph Montecalvo:  Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes, Mr. Montecalvo/Yes, Mr. Davis/No, Mr.Marzec/No, and Mr. Audette/No.  Continuing, Town Manager Kozak asked for Roll Call Votes for William Audette:  Mr. Davis/Yes, Mr. Marzec/Yes, Mr. Audette/Yes, Mr. Montecalvo/No and Mr. Ampagoomian/No.  As Selectman Audette received the majority of the votes, the Town Manager announced William Audette as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Chairman Audette assumed the Chair and called for Nominations for Vice-Chairman:  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to nominate James Marzec as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.  Hearing no further motions for the position of Vice-Chairman, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to close nominations.  Chairman Audette called for a vote on the main motion:  Vote yes [to elect James Marzec as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Selectmen]/Unanimous.  Chairman Audette called for Nominations for Clerk:  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Audette to nominate Joseph Montecalvo as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen.  Hearing no further motions for the position of Clerk, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to close nominations.  Chairman Audette called for a vote on the main motion:  Vote yes [to elect Joseph Montecalvo as Clerk of the Board of Selectmen]/Unanimous.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

April 23, 2007

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the April 23, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette, Marzec, and Ampagoomian.  Mr. Montecalvo/Abstain.

 

May 7, 2007 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the May 7, 2007 Executive Session as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette, Marzec and Ampagoomian.  Mr. Montecalvo/Abstain.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Karen Peterson Kittredge, Country Club Drive, came before the Board of Selectmen as a citizen to mention an error pertaining to the School that was in the Telegram & Gazette.  Linda Bock will rerun the article with the correct information on May 22, 2007. 

 

2007 Annual License Renewals:  Bowling, Billiards, and Sunday State Entertainment.   A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the above mentioned license renewals subject to the payment of all outstanding liens.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Safety Committee Minutes – Site Visit [April 3, 2007]/Vote to approve.  Selectmen Montecalvo provided a brief update on the North Main Street site visit.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to accept the recommendations of the Safety Committee as outlined in the minutes of April 3, 2007.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Safety Committee Minutes [May 9, 2007]/Vote to approve.  Selectmen Montecalvo provided a brief overview of the Safety Committee Meeting that took place on May 9, 2007.  Mr. Marzec will abstain due to living on Samuel Drive.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to accept the recommendations of the Safety Committee as outlined in the minutes of May 9, 2007.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Audette.  Abstain/Mr. Marzec.

 

Bond Anticipation Notes – the Selectmen deferred this item to the June 18th agenda.

 

Master Plan/Open Space – Update.  Present:  Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner and Barbara Gaudette, Vice Chairman of the Planning Board.   Mr. Bechtholdt provided the Board with the Master Plan and Open Space update.  Both plans were done in-house and a workshop was held back in March to discuss the Master Plan and Open Space update.  Mr. Bechtholdt then mentioned that a questionnaire and survey would be distributed to the residents in town at the Spring Annual Town meeting for them to review, complete and send back.

 

Talent Bank Applications – Planning Board and School Committee.  Town Manager Kozak provided an update that the appointments for the Planning Board and School Committee will take place on June 18, 2007.  If anyone is interested in either committee, they can come to the Town Manager’s Office and fill out a talent bank application.   A notice of the openings will be placed on the Towns cable/web site and in the Telegram and Gazette.  All applications must be submitted by June 12, 2007 in order to be considered for the vacancy.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  Town Manager Kozak  1) discussed a letter and phone call received from Gerard Perry at the Department of Revenue.  He mentioned that Mr. Perry is ready to assist the Town of Northbridge in any legal capacity resources allowed.  Mr. Perry asked that the town submit to his office a pro-forma recap sheet before July 1, 2007, for budget purposes only.  This request is being made in an effort to insure that the Town of Northbridge has a balanced budget and that it will meet the necessary standards for the setting of our tax rate later in the year.  Town Manager Kozak then mentioned that the library would be closed on May 26, 2007, and that the Senior Center hours have been reduced.  2) Church Street road repair by Whitinsville Water Company – per Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, the repairs to the road on Church Street are completed [due to the water main break].  3) The Boy Scouts have been working with the DPW Department on the bulletin board in front of the Town Hall and they plan to have the sign completed by the end of next week. 4) mentioned that a draft copy of his goals and objectives were in the Board of Selectmen’s packets for them to review and discuss at a future meeting. 5) MMA letter regarding Verizon’s Cable Legislation – spoke briefly about raising awareness to preserve local cable and video franchising authority.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to accept the MMA 3 Quick Action requests regarding emailing the MMA to sign our community onto the enclosed letter inviting Verizon to file a franchise in our town, email the MMA to sign up to attend and testify against the Verizon legislation at the June 5th public hearing at the State House and email to request an electronic copy of this Cable Franchising Campaign Kit.  Vote yes/Unanimous. 6) MORE Regional Purchasing Organization – great opportunity and met with several Town Managers locally to discuss purchasing.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) are the flags in Rockdale up for Memorial Day.  2) the School Article for the Town meeting – Town Manager Kozak mentioned the article itself should be put on the warrant and is legal and proper, however, Town Counsel has stated that it is inconsistent with the budget process within the Town Charter.  3) Volunteer program – library will be open 10 to 12 hours a week.  Selectman Marzec  1) rain events over the past few days, is there any new information regarding Union Street.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned there is no new information.  Selectman Davis 1) congratulated Mr. Ampagoomian and Mr. Montecalvo for being re-elected to the Board of Selectmen and then went on to congratulate all the other individuals who were elected to a Board at this past election.  He also sent his deep appreciation and thanks to Mr. Donald Lange for serving 36 years in the community;  2) status of the audit?  Neil Vaidya, Town Accountant provided a brief update and mentioned that the audit is 80% complete. 3) status on the removal of the utility poles for Church Street; Town Manager mentioned that the Community Development and Planning Office are working diligently with the utility company to get them removed.  Selectman Davis read aloud two statements: 1) urged everyone in Town including the School Department to attend town meeting unified by working together, and maintaining a positive attitude. 2) he will not be seeking re-election next May as he has served the Town of Northbridge for over 30 years and will retire from political activity upon completion of his term.

Selectman Montecalvo 1) utility poles; 2) condition of roads and sidewalks and suggested looking at this as a capital adventure.  Chairman Audette 1) Thursday, May 24, 2007 at the Northbridge High School there will be a Memorial Day Observance for all the Veterans in town. 2) Memorial Day will be celebrated on Monday, May 28, 2007.  The Whitinsville parade will begin at Pine Grove Cemetery at 10 A.M.  The Rockdale parade will also be on Monday, May 28, 2007 and begin at 10 A.M. 3) letter carriers @ Linwood Post Office – residents in Town are not receiving their mail in town. 4) would like for the Playground and Recreation to attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting to discuss their current status pertaining to the recent resignations of two board members.

 

 

Items for Future Agenda.       1) Powers and Sullivan [June 18, 2007]

                                                2) School Committee and Planning Board Appointments [June 18, 2007]

 

Chairman Audette made a brief statement and thanked the members of the Board for supporting his nomination as Chairman and mentioned that it is time to move forward and work together as a unified Board for the common good of the town. 

 

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

 

Meeting adjourned:  8:40 PM

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

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