Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

September 10, 2007

 

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Vice Chairman James Marzec at 7:00 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA.  Present:  Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo and Ampagoomian.  Absent:  Chairman Audette was absent and is duly noted.

 

Also present:  Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Vice Chairman Marzec mentioned that Tuesday, September 11, 2007, marks the 6th Anniversary on the attack at the World Trade Center.  The flag will be hung at half mass to show our support for the individuals who lost their lives because of this attack.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

August 6, 2007

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the August 6, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec. 

 

August 20, 2007 [Executive Session #1]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the August 20, 2007 Executive Session #1 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec. 

 

August 20, 2007 [Executive Session #2]

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the August 20, 2007 Executive Session #2 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec. 

 

Appointments/By the Town Manager: Plumbing and Gas Inspector [Larry P. Wiersma] and Asst. Plumbing and Gas Inspector [Peter B. Harper].  Present: James Sheehan, Building Inspector.  

Each candidate introduced themselves and then provided the Board of Selectmen with their qualifications. After a brief question and answer period, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to affirm the appointment of the Town Manger to appoint Larry P. Wiersma as the Plumbing and Gas Inspector.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to affirm the appointment of the Town Manager to appoint Peter B. Harper as the Assistant Plumbing and Gas Inspector.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Peter Cavalieri, 118 Goldthwaite Road, asked if funds were available to repair traffic lights in front of the Fire Station due to safety reasons.  The Board of Selectmen and/or Town Manager will follow-up with the Director of Public Works to see about getting it fixed.  Selectman Davis mentioned that at their next meeting he would like an update on this situation.

 

1) Ash Street [Alteration and Extension]/Vote intent to lay out road as a public way.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to vote to intent to lay out road as a public way.  Vote yes/Messrs.  Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.  2) A portion of Brookway Drive (From Allyn Road to the end of the cul-de-sac)/Vote intent to lay out road as a public way.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to vote to intent to lay out road as a public way.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Town Manager Kozak informed the Board of Selectmen that Item D has been removed off the agenda.

 

St. Camillus Health Center/ Request for one-day Beer & Wine License for a fundraising event to be held Friday, October 26, 2007 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.  Selectman Davis asked if the Board of Selectmen should start thinking about putting together a policy for these types of licenses.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the one-day beer & wine license request.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.    

 

Playground & Recreation/Request to hang a banner over Church Street from November 5th through November 17th to advertise a “Holiday Bazaar” to be held Saturday, November 17, 2007.   A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the above request as presented.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Northbridge Association of Churches/Request to hold the annual Blackstone Valley Cropwalk, Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 9 AM.   A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the above request as presented.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Walmart (Donation of money to DPW)/ Vote to accept gift in the amount of $750.  Town Manager Kozak and DPW Director Richard Sasseville attended a brief ceremony at Walmart to accept the donation in the amount of $750.00 from Walmart to use towards the purchasing of tools.  Selectman Ampagoomian asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Walmart for their generous donation.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to accept the gift for the DPW in the amount of $750.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he received an email from Chairman Audette who was unable to attend tonight’s meeting because of a physical condition. 1) National Grid Update – Town Manager Kozak met with Mike Peterson, Representative from National Grid to discuss the upcoming project (transition lines) they will be pursuing in Northbridge.  2) Grant Application (Sewer Relief Fund and Recycling) – Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, has applied this week for these funds to help cover the funds for the Sewer Department.  The Recycling committee would like to expand the recycling center in Northbridge (at the Fire Station) and open it up to Sutton and Uxbridge residents as a regional facility.  The grant application will help with the technical assistance and funds to implement this project going forward.  3) Facilities projects – met with the Building, Planning and Construction Committee to discuss the land for the new Fire Station and the possibility of using money to test the soil.  He then mentioned that the DPW Director, Richard Sasseville attended a meeting a couple weeks ago with the Building, Planning and Construction Committee to discuss the site for a new DPW facility.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that after a discussion with the BPCC they thought it would be better to handle the lower fields now and then work on the upper fields and drainage at a later date.  The Linwood fields are looking great and the grass is growing well. 

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Montecalvo 1) suggested that the Selectmen get a debt exclusion going for the DPW facility.  Selectman Davis 1) concerned about the petition submitted by the school department [$237,036] and asked that the Town Manager talk to the School Superintendent and the Chairman of the School Committee to see; a) where they think the money is going to come from?; and b) what are they going to do with it?   2) would like to know if the Building, Planning and Construction Committee could inform the Board of Selectmen on how much money they need to fix the fields before the town meeting. 3) place the Aldrich School on the next agenda for discussion?  Should it be used as an annex building? Selectman Ampagoomian 1) Mass Highway – parking in front of Brian’s Restaurant.  2) Project Update from Mass Highway on Plummer’s corner.  3) mentioned that he read in the Beacon that the governor released 12 billion dollars worth of funding for various capital projects and thought maybe, we should contact our representatives to see if the town can receive any funds for their projects. 4) mentioned on Saturday, at the Uxbridge Fair Grounds, there was a benefit for the businesses that burnt down due to the fire at Bernat Mills.  With that said, there was a “Firefighter’s Chili Cook-off” and the Northbridge Firefighter’s took first place.  Vice-Chairman Marzec 1) would like an update to the poles on Church Street; 2) he noticed that the Riverside Restaurant and American Legion had graffiti sprayed on their buildings.  3) Board of Health would like for residents in town to be aware that their have been a couple cases of rabid skunks and animals. 4) Chairman Audette asked the he read this statement aloud: September 21, 2007 will be proclaimed by President George W. Bush as National POW MIA Recognition Day.  Chairman Audette would like everyone to remember there are 74,384 missing from World War 2, there are 6,043 that were buried at sea, there were 8,178 missing from the Korean War, 1,773 missing from the Vietnam War, 40 from Massachusetts, 1 missing from the Persian Gulf War, and 4 missing from the Operation Iraq Freedom.  On Saturday, September 15, 2007, the Blackstone Valley Nam Vets will be holding a 24-hour vigil to remember all POW MIA’s and especially those 40 missing from Vietnam.  A flag burning ceremony will be held at 6 PM.  The public is welcomed to attend and tour the Veteran Hall’s to view the newly renovated building.

 

Selectman Ampagoomian mentioned that Officer Stephen Buma has resigned from the Northbridge Police Department.  He further stated that he has accepted a position at the Framingham Police Department and wished Officer Buma well in his new position.  A letter of appreciation from the Town of Northbridge will be sent to Officer Buma thanking him for his years of service. 

 

Items for Future Agenda.  1) Use of the Town Fields;  2) Discussion about naming the new high school fields.

 

Town Manager Kozak mentioned that Sharon Susienka provided the Board of Selectmen with a tentative schedule for their September and October Board of Selectmen’s meetings.  After a brief discussion, the Board of Selectmen agreed to meet on 9/24, 10/1, 10/15 and 10/29.

 

Correspondence.  Vice-Chairman Marzec read aloud a letter from the District School Committee of the Blackstone Valley Vocational Regional School District.  With the letter came a check in the amount of $19,040.79 that represents Northbridge’s share of the remaining projects stabilization funds.

 

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

 

Meeting adjourned:  8:00 PM

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

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