Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

November 5, 2007

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by Chairman William Audette at 7:00 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Marzec and Ampagoomian. Also present: Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

Representative George Peterson was present to discuss local aid. He distributed a document to the Board of Selectmen containing information about an amendment change to the Massachusetts Municipal Finance Relief Act of 2007. The amendment is to transfer $450,000,000 from the Commonwealth Stabilization Fund to the General Fund. However, the amendment was defeated and now has to be filed as a piece of legislation (House Docket #4651). That said, to have this amendment pass, it is going to take a lot of time and effort, which he is willing to invest his time, by discussing at MMA meetings, Selectmen Associations and anywhere he can to get the message out. If passed, Northbridge would receive a one-time fund of around 1.2 million dollars. Each of the Selectmen discussed their frustrations with the House of Representatives when it comes to voting and mentioned how the state mandates everything, however, they do not provide the funding for the programs to the Town’s.

Public Hearing – 7:05 PM: FY 2008 CDBG Application. Present: Jennifer Dulmaine, Community Development Program Director. Chairman Audette read the public hearing notice aloud. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to open the public hearing. Vote yes/Unanimous. Ms. Dulmaine mentioned the Community Development Strategy has to be evaluated on a yearly basis. The four criteria that must be met: 1) CDS must describe the manner in which a community has identified and will accomplish projects and activities which include, but are not limited to, the subject CDBG application; 2) CDS must conclude with a list of projects and activities in order of the priority in which the community intends to undertake them; 3) CDS must identify the geographic target areas; 4) CDBG applications must document that a CDS and its priority list were discussed at a separate public forum, meeting or hearing at least two months prior to submission of a CDBG application in order to allow for timely community input. Compliance with this requirement must be documented by copies of meeting announcements, attendance lists and minutes. Minutes must reflect that the CDS and priority list have been presented and the discussion has occurred.

The Office of Community Development is starting the process to apply for FY 2008 Community Development Funds. The application is due by February 15, 2008. The first public hearing is scheduled for November 19, 2007 at 7:05 p.m. in the Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Ms. Dulmaine mentioned that the multi-phase New Village Infrastructure Project is still on-going; however, the Town was not funded for 2007. All projects and programs need to meet one of the following national objectives: 1) benefit a majority of low to moderate-incoming persons (51%); 2) aid in the prevention or elimination of slums and blight; 3) meet an urgent condition posing a serious threat to the health and welfare of the community and where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs. That said Ms. Dulmaine briefly discussed the remainder of the projects for FY 2005 and FY 2006. She is requesting that the Board of Selectmen hold a public hearing to reallocate funds ($20,000) for additional survey work. If these funds are not reallocated the State can take the money. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to close the public hearing. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Approval of Minutes.

October 15, 2007

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the October 15, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

October 15, 2007 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the October 15, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

October 23, 2007 [Fall Annual Town Meeting]

Selectman Ampagoomian requested that the October 23, 2007 minutes be amended as follows: Under the heading entitled School Committee Vacancies, he would like the following comments added: Selectman Ampagoomian voiced his disagreement with Selectman Davis’ recommendation on how to conduct the interviews with the School Committee applicants. He stated that he would like to ask his own questions and any follow-up questions he felt were appropriate. [Selectman Davis had recommended the following process--Candidates would be seated at the Selectmen's desks; The two chairmen would do the questioning from the table in front of the candidates; Allow each candidate a one-minute opening statement; To have five main questions (Chairs would solicit board members for a list of questions); In no particular order, ask each candidate one of the questions and allow all others to respond if they so choose; Limit the initial answer to approx. two minutes and each response to one minute. Allow each candidate a one-minute closing statement; Accept nominations from the two boards with each vacancy to be voted on separately.] There being no further amendments, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the October 23, 2007 minutes as amended by Selectman Ampagoomian. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Middle School Lockdown [November 2, 2007]. Present: Fire Chief Gary Nestor, Police Chief Walter Warchol, School Superintendent Paul Soojian. Chief Nestor mentioned that on Friday, November 2, 2007, the Northbridge Fire Department received a call at 12:53 P.M. from the School Maintenance Department regarding an odor in the Middle School. Due to a house fire, the Rockdale Fire Department was dispatched and the Uxbridge Fire Department. Upon arriving, Mr. Paul Halacy informed the Fire Department that Freon was leaking in a maintenance area. The School Personnel and First Responding Officers decided to evacuate that one area and the rest of the School would remain in place. All students that were affected or feeling ill were brought to the Auditorium to see the school nurse and EMT’s. After further evaluation, some students were transferred to a hospital so they could be treated. There were 121 students that were evaluated and only 29 were transported to a hospital. The Division of Environmental Protection showed up later (after the fire department ventilated the building) and found no problem and then the Board of Health declared the building safe to be occupied. Chief Warchol spoke briefly and thanked the Fire Department and School Department for handling the situation appropriately. Superintendent Soojian thanked Chief Nestor and Chief Warchol for handling the situation so professionally. The Board of Selectmen thanked Chief Nestor, Chief Warchol and the School Department for handling the situation so well. Selectmen Ampagoomian thanked Dispatcher Bill Davis, from the Fire Station for informing him of the incident.

Citizens’ Comments/Input. Middle School Students [Ms. Sherri Travers] – Invite Board of Selectmen to Veterans’ Day Celebration. Present: Sherri Travers, Elizabeth Belanger, Amber Brock, The students cordially invite the Board of Selectmen to their 3^rd Annual Veteran’s Day Breakfast. The breakfast will be held on Saturday, November 10, 2007, in the Middle School Cafeteria from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and everyone is welcomed.

Appointments/Board of Selectmen and School Committee [Joint Meeting]. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to open the Joint Meeting. Vote yes/Unanimous. Selectman Ampagoomian asked when did the format of the appointments change and when was the vote taken. Chairman Audette mentioned that at the last School Committee appointment, the meeting lasted quite late because 14 people asked several questions of the candidates. That said, he thought this process would be quicker and the School Committee members agreed. Selectman Ampagoomian stated that next time there is a change in the process, a discussion amongst the other Board members would be appreciated. Chairman Mary Contino called the School Committee meeting to order. School Committee Candidates: Richard DeLuca, 119 Alana Drive, Diane Mimmo, 30 Green Meadow Court, Julie Gawlak, 211 Jessica Way, Jay Athanas, 21 Jefferson Ave., and Michael McGrath, 302 Samuel Drive. The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen William Audette and the Chairman of the School Committee Mary Contino asked the five candidates to introduce themselves and then asked each of them the same number of questions before voting. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to open the nominations for the school committee vacancies. Vote yes/Unanimous. Vacancy #1 NOMINATIONS: A motion/Ms. Morrison, seconded/Mr. Davis to nominate Diane Mimmo. A motion/Ms. Kittredge, seconded/Ms. Hansson to nominate Jay Athanas. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/no, Mr. Davis/no, Mr. Marzec/no, Mr. Ampagoomian/no, Mr. Audette/no, Mr. Lebrasseur/no, Ms. Morrison/no, Ms. Brouwer/no, and Ms. Contino/no. Ms. Kittredge/yes, Ms. Hansson/yes. A motion/Ms. Hansson, seconded/Ms. Kittredge to nominate Julie Gawlak. A motion/Mr. Lebrasseur, seconded/Ms. Morrison to nominate Michael McGrath. A motion/Ms. Brouwer, seconded/Ms. Morrison to nominate Richard DeLuca. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/yes, Mr. Davis/yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/yes, Mr. Marzec/yes, Mr. Audette/yes, Ms. Kittredge/no, Ms. Hansson/no, Ms. Contino/no, Mr. Lebrasseur/yes, Ms. Morrison/yes, Ms. Brouwer/yes. Mr. DeLuca, an engineer, received eight votes to fill Ms. Grabowski’s unexpired term. Selectmen Davis, Montecalvo, Marzec, Ampagoomian, Chairman Audette, and School Committee members Michael Lebrasseur, Kimberly Morrison and Susan Brouwer, voted yes. School Committee members Karen Kittredge, Leann Hansson and Chairman Contino, voted no. School Committee member Andrew Myers did not attend the meeting.

Vacancy #2

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to open the nomination for the School Committee position with the remaining four applicants. Vote yes/Unanimous. Jay Athanas - Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/no, Mr. Davis/no, Mr. Marzec/no, Mr. Ampagoomian/no, Mr. Audette/no, Ms. Kittredge/no, Ms. Hansson/no, Ms. Contino/no, Mr. Lebrasseur/no, Ms. Morrison/no, and Ms. Brouwer/no. Julie Gawlak - Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/no, Mr. Davis/no, Mr. Ampagoomian/no, Mr. Marzec/no, Mr. Audette/no, Ms. Kittredge/yes, Ms. Hansson/yes, Ms. Contino/yes, Mr. Lebrasseur/no, Ms. Morrison/no, Ms. Brouwer/no. Michael McGrath – Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/yes, Mr. Davis/no, Mr. Ampagoomian/no, Mr. Marzec/no, Mr. Audette/no, Ms. Kittredge/no, Ms. Hansson/no, Ms. Contino/no, Mr. Lebrasseur/no, Ms. Morrison/no, Ms. Brouwer/no. Diane Mimmo – Roll Call Vote: Mr. Montecalvo/no, Mr. Davis/yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/yes, Mr. Marzec/yes, Mr.Audette/yes, Ms. Kittredge/no, Ms. Hansson/no, Ms. Contino/no, Mr. Lebrasseur/yes, Ms. Morrison/yes, Ms. Brouwer/yes. Ms. Mimmo, Director of state taxes at a Boston firm, received seven votes to fill Ms. Burns’ unexpired term. Selectmen Davis, Marzec, Ampagoomian, Chairman Audette and School Committee members Michael Lebrasseur, Kimberly Morrison, and Susan Brouwer, voted yes. Selectman Montecalvo, School Committee members Karen Kittredge, Leeann Hansson and Chairman Contino, voted no. Ms. Mimmo also serves as Chairman of a parent advocacy group, Northbridge Parents Supporting Quality Education, formerly known as Northbridge Parents for Full-Day Kindergarten. The group was successful in spearheading efforts this year to reinstate the popular program after the winter break.

Economic Development. Present: Brian Houlihan, 191 Olivia Drive. Mr. Houlihan passed out a SWOT analysis [Strength’s, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats] on the Town of Northbridge for the Board of Selectmen to review. Town Manager Kozak mentioned that Mr. Houlihan is working on a project towards his Masters Degree in Economic Development. Mr. Houlihan stated that in any community, change is inevitable. You can either seek to guide change, or you can just sit back and let it happen. Choices must be made. He suggested that a successful economic committee would help to promote sustainable economic development by focusing on the recruitment of business operations to the region, assisting in the expansion or retention of business operations within the region or assisting in the start-up of new businesses within a region. That said, he highlighted some strength’s, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the Town of Northbridge. He thanked the Board of Selectmen for allowing him the time to present his findings and asked if they had any questions or comments. Selectman Montecalvo asked how he arrived at the information he presented. Mr. Houlihan mentioned that he met with several different people in town and out of town to gather his information. He mentioned, Gary Bechtholdt, Northbridge Town Planner, Realtors, Grafton Town Planner, and the Millbury Town Planner. He would like to see Northbridge develop an Economic Development Committee. Selectman Ampagoomian advised Mr. Houlihan that Northbridge currently has a TIF Program [Tax Increment Financing], which 3 businesses participate in, they are: Old Colony, PolyFoam, and Riverdale Mills. Selectman Marzec thanked Mr. Houlihan for coming in and mentioned he would be interested in sitting in on an Economic Development Committee.

Plowing Rates/Winter 2007. Present: Arthur Magowan. Under the provisions of § 2-203 of the Northbridge Town Code, “the Board of Selectmen shall establish and set the fees or charges for all services provided by the Department of Public works”. Under the provisions of § 222-34 of the Code, developers of subdivisions are responsible for maintenance of their unaccepted subdivision roadways. The term maintenance as defined in the Code includes plowing and sanding. “If the town has to do maintenance work on said roadways, the applicant and/or his successor shall reimburse the town for the expense.” The Board of Selectmen need to establish and set the following fees for providing plowing and sanding services on unaccepted subdivision roadways in the event the subdivision developer fails to provide the services or if public safety necessitated the performance of these services by the town. Plowing: $38.00 per 1/10 mile per event, with a minimum charge of ½ mile. Sanding: $28.00 per 1/10 mile per event, with a minimum charge of 1/2 mile. Each time a roadway is sanded or plowed shall constitute a separate event. With the approval of the Board of Selectmen, these rates shall remain in effect until amended or rescinded. A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to accept the rates as submitted for plowing and sanding services on unaccepted subdivision roadways in the event that the subdivision developer fails to provide the services or if public safety necessitated the performance of these services by the town. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Mass. Highway Project [Richard Sasseville] – Deferred to next meeting.

Town Manager’s Report – Town Manager Kozak 1) Budget Process – Town Manager Kozak provided the Selectmen with a spreadsheet showing them his 3-year projection for Northbridge. He then mentioned that he has met with all the Boards and Committees and all the major departments have submitted their budgets [with the exception of the School Department, as they will be submitting in two weeks]. That said, Town Manager Kozak would like to put together a capital plan even though there is no money. 2) Congressman Neal Update – a letter inviting Congressman Neal to Northbridge was sent and he is trying to coordinate a date [possibly the end of November] however, he does not attend Board of Selectmen meetings. 3) M.O.R.E. Meeting – Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he attended the meeting and the following discussions took place on FY 09 Procurement package for office supplies and energy, and innovative energy contracts to try and help communities reduce the costs of energy, new building assessment programs, and energy catastrophe planning. 4) Committee Vacancies – a list has been provided to each Selectman for their review. The list is on cable and the website. Town Manager Kozak recommended that the Board/Committee vacancy list be enclosed with the Town Census. He has spoken to the Town Clerk and she has agreed to enclose the list with this year’s census. 5) Cable Committee – he attended the last few meetings and mentioned the continuous discussions about the cable contract. A discussion took place on whether or not to move the cable studio to the Aldrich Building.

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Montecalvo 1) discuss where the town money should go and put in a place a priority list. Selectman Davis 1) put together a charter review commission. Selectman Ampagoomian 1) asked if the Town Manager Goals and Objectives completed; 2) has the Senior Work Program started? Town Manager Kozak informed him that the program would not go into effect until next year. Selectman Marzec 1) Holiday Bazaar will be on November 17^th at the Northbridge High School, from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M., and is being sponsored by the Northbridge Playground and Recreation Commission. Chairman Audette 1) thanked everyone for their support during his recovery process. 2) Bob Parker from Linwood called regarding the progress on the brook at Union Street.

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

Meeting adjourned: 10:05 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

dg/