Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
October 15, 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. Also
present: Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager. Absent:
Chairman Audette was absent and is duly noted.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.
Vice-Chairman James
Marzec announced that Chairman William Audette had back
surgery and is recuperating. That said,
the Board of Selectmen sent their wishes to Bill for a speedy recovery.
Approval of Minutes.
March 29, 2007 [Joint Meeting]
A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the March 29, 2007
minutes with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec.
September 10, 2007 [Executive Session]
A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the September 10,
2007 Executive Session minutes with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
September 24, 2007 [Executive Session]
A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the September 24,
2007 Executive Session minutes with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
October 1, 2007
A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the October 1,
2007 minutes with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec.
Public Hearing – 7:05 PM: Steve Tran d/b/a North Main Variety. Selectman
Davis asked for an explanation as to why this topic was on
the agenda again. Town Manager Kozak
explained that the public hearing notice was never advertised in the newspaper
so this is why the Board of Selectmen needed to take up this matter again. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to open the public hearing. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and
Marzec. Attorney Quinlan was present
in case the Board of Selectmen had any questions. There being no further questions
and/or comments, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to close the
public hearing. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. 1)
Application for Change of Location from 205 North
Main Street, Whitinsville, to 206 North
Main Street, Whitinsville. A
motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the change of
location from 205 North Main Street, Whitinsville, to 206 North Main Street,
Whitinsville. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis,
Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. 2) Application for Change of DBA from North Main Variety to
1Quikstop. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to
approve the application for change of DBA from North Main Variety to 1 Quikstop. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo
and Marzec.
Appointments/Resignations. Neal
Mitchell, Building, Planning & Construction Committee/Vote
to accept resignation. Vice-Chairman Marzec asked that a letter be sent to
Mr. Mitchell thanking him for his years of service that he dedicated to the Town
of Northbridge. A motion/Mr.
Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to accept the resignation of Neal Mitchell. Vote
yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec.
Vote no/Mr. Davis.
Citizens’ Comments/Input. None.
Oliver Ashton Post #343 (American Legion)/Application
for Entertainment License. Present: Andy Williamson, Commander, Harry Berkowitz,
Jr. Vice Commander. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to grant the entertainment license for the Oliver Ashton Post #343 (American
Legion) on the condition that all events cease at 1 A.M. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec.
Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce/Application
for one-day Beer & Wine license for Friday, October 19, 2007, 7PM – 10PM. Present: Sandra
Haagsma, Director of Member Services and Events for the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.
A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the one-day beer
and wine license for the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce fundraising event
to be held on October 19, 2007, from 7 PM to 10 PM. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec.
William R. Roy d/b/a The Valley Café’/Application for
Common Victualler’s License. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis
to table this to the next Board of Selectmen meeting since Mr. William Roy was
not present to answer questions. Vote
yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Fall Annual Town Meeting/Vote positions on articles. Present: Chairman of the Finance Committee,
Mary Frances Powers. Article
1 [Funding for High School Fields and Detention Pond Restoration Projects]. A motion/Mr.
Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support Article 1 pending free cash
certification. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis,
Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted no position pending free cash
certification. Article 2 [Acceptance of MGL, c.59, §5K (Tax break for Seniors 60+)]. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to support Article 2. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to support Article 2. Article
3 [$15,000 transfer from Line 40 Health Ins. to new Line 40A Life Ins.]. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to
support Article 3. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to support Article 3. Article
4 [Budget decrease to offset any unexpected deficit in FY 07 Health Ins.]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis
to pass over Article 4. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 4. Article
5 [Transfer from Line 40 Health Ins. to Line 43 Stabilization Fund]. Town Manager recommends that if there is
additional funds, that amount of money [$150,000] we put into stabilization be
held for the health insurance account for FY 2009. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis
to support Article 5. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to support Article 5. Article
6 [$10,000 transfer from free cash or proceeds from the sale of surplus
property account to purchase tools for the DPW]. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to support Article 6 (raise and appropriate).
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted to support Article 6
(raise and appropriate). Article 7 [Town Hall security system and/or
funding for ADA doors at
main entrance]. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr.
Montecalvo to pass over Article 7. Town
Manager Kozak recommends to raise and appropriate $25,000. Vote yes (to pass over)/Messrs. Montecalvo
and Ampagoomian. Vote no/Messrs. Marzec
and Davis. There being a tied vote,
Selectman Davis suggested that the Selectmen take no position on Article 7 and
let the town meeting voters decide. Therefore,
this issue will be re-voted prior to the Town Meeting on October 23, 2007. Finance Committee voted to support Article 7
(raise and appropriate). Article 8 - Board of Health [Acceptance of
MGL. C. 129 §15 changing appointing authority of Animal Insp. from Town Manager
to Board of Health]. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 8. After a brief discussion, Selectmen Davis and
Marzec withdrew their motion to support Article 8. The Selectmen agreed to take no
position. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to take no position on Article 8. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted not to support Article 8. Article
9 – Board of Health [Update Town bylaw in
accordance with Article 9]. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to take no position on Article 9. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted not to support Article 9. Article 10 – Planning Board [Amend Zoning
Bylaw 173-23 (Signs permitted in any business district) and 183-2B (Terms
defined).] A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 10.
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted to support Article
10. Article
11 – Planning Board [Amend Zoning Bylaws 173-2B (Terms defined) by clarifying
the definition of Lot Width. A motion/Mr.
Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to pass over Article 11. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted to pass over Article 11. Article 12 – Planning Board [Amend Zoning
Bylaws 173-12 (Table of Use Regulations) by adding permitted use provisions in
I-1 and I-2 Zoning Districts]. A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support Article 12. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted to support Article 12. Article 13 – Planning Board [Amend Zoning
Bylaws 173-16 (Permitted uses in Limited Industrial District I-2) to include
I-1 Zoning District]. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support Article 13. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted to support Article 13. Article 14 – Planning Board [Amend Zoning
Bylaws 173-47B (2) (Planned Business Development) by adding provisions for I-1
Zoning District. A motion/Mr.
Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 14. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted to support Article 14. Article 15 – Conservation Commission [Amend
4-307 and 7-700 (Wetlands Protection Bylaw)]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr.
Ampagoomian to pass over Article 15.
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted to pass over Article
15. Article
16 – Petition [Transfer $237,036 from available funds, free cash, or
Stabilization to School Choice]. A
motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian voted not to support
Article 16. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis,
Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted not to support Article 16. Article
17 – Petition [Transfer $53,200 from available funds, free cash, or
stabilization to reimburse the School District for
replacement of generator at NMS]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
voted not to support Article 17. Vote
yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted not to support
Article 17. Article 18 – Petition [Street Acceptance – Forsythe
Farm Road]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 18.
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted to support Article
18. Article
19 – Petition [Street Acceptance – Ash Street (alteration
and extension)]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to
support Article 19. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to support Article 19. Article
20 – Petition [Street Acceptance – portion of Brookway
Drive]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 20.
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee voted to support Article
20. Article
21 – [Acceptance of Open Space in Graystone at Northbridge]. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to support Article 21. Vote yes/Messrs.
Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Finance Committee voted to support Article 21. Article
22 – [Acquisition of Sewer Pump stations located off Marston
Road]. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian not to support Article 22. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Selectman Davis suggested that a letter be sent to the petitioner for
more information and ask that they come before the Board of Selectmen before
the Spring Annual Town Meeting. Finance
Committee voted not to support Article 22.
Article 23 – [Rezone parcel of
land between Prov. Rd. and Upton
Street from R-2 and R-3 to B-1]. A motion/Mr.
Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to support Article 23. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian,
Montecalvo and Marzec. Finance Committee
voted no position on Article 23.
School Committee Vacancy/Vote to set deadline for
Talent Bank Applications. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to
set the deadline [2 vacancies] for submittal of talent bank applications at the
close of business, Wednesday, October 24, 2007.
Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis
to set the joint appointment for the School Committee vacancies on November 5,
2007. Vote yes/Messrs. Davis,
Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Alternatives/Request permission to hang a banner over
Church Street from October 22, 2007 through November 5, 2007 to promote the
“Help Pave the Way” campaign. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis
to approve the above request to hang a banner over Church Street from October 22, 2007 through November 5, 2007. Vote yes/ Messrs. Davis, Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Marzec.
Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager Kozak 1/a) mentioned that businesses on Church Street are
violating the sign policy and our Building Inspector, Jim Sheehan will be
contacting the businesses to remind them of the bylaw. 1/b)
no parking signs have been placed on Route 122, Brian’s Restaurant, however
they are on the wrong side of the street. 2)
Oakhurst Farm Plaza Update – service facility in Sutton [truck stop]. A technical meeting took place on October 11,
2007 to meet with the developer, engineers and department heads to review the
site for environmental, traffic, drainage, diesel fuel and noise issues. A
public hearing at the Northbridge Town Hall will be held on November 13, 2007. 3)
Streetlight Policy – receiving complaints/inquiries from individuals who have
used streetlights as a security reason.
Town Manager Kozak mentioned that the streetlights in town have been
reviewed by the safety committee and the ones that remain on are because of
safety reasons. 4) Email Policy – received a phone call from Lauren Goldberg [Kopelman & Paige] asking that he address the email policy again with public
officials and remind them to adhere to this policy. 5)
Linwood Mill [water draw down] – a company called American National Power in
Milford is in need of water so they asked the owner of Linwood Mill if they could
draw water from the pond. Town Manager Kozak wanted the residents in town to
know that the owners of Linwood Mill gave American National Power permission to
draw water from the pond. 6) Skateboard Park – Richard Sasseville and Arthur Magowan are working
with Matt Perry and other members of the Skateboard Park on finding a company to donate asphalt for the paving
of Plummers Park field.
Selectmen’s Concerns.
Selectman Davis 1) liability of the town for any programming on the cable
channels. Town Manager will send a letter to all active and inactive producers;
2) follow-up on letters sent to
other committee members regarding the West End site; 3) Review of all appointed Boards and
Commissions to see where they stand. Selectman Ampagoomian 1) received a phone call from Mr.
Glennon stating that the fence viewer has not shown up. 2)
asked that the Town Manager follow-up with the school department to find out
why the High School student hasn’t received their Scholarship award. 3)
Pre-School tuition needs to be returned back to the parents. Vice-Chairman
Marzec 1) citizen approached him
regarding the truck stop issue bordering Sutton and Northbridge. 2) letter from Ms. Contino inviting the
Board of Selectmen to attend a meeting on October 16, 2007, at the Northbridge
High School Auditorium for 7 P.M. She mentioned that Mr. Roger Hatch, Associate
Commissioner of Finance, from the Department of Education, will be speaking
about Chapter 70 funding.
Executive Session. A motion/Mr. Montecalvo,
seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian 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: 8:07 PM
Respectfully
submitted,
Joseph
Montecalvo, Clerk
dg/