Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

February 11, 2008

 

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

 

As part of a badge requirement, Cub Scouts [Pack 150] took a tour of Town Hall and then 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. Montecalvo/Yes, Mr. Davis/Yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes, and Mr. Marzec/Yes.

 

Open Session Adjourned:        6:35 P.M.

 

Executive Session Convened:  6:36 P.M.

 

Executive Session Adjourned: 7:00 P.M.

 

Open Session Reconvened:     7:05 P.M.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

January 14, 2008

A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the January 14, 2008 minutes as amended.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Public Hearing.  1) 7:05 P.M./Cont. – To consider the application for a Class II License by Claude Elias d/b/a Elias Auto Sales to be located at 53-55 Providence Road, Linwood, MA 01525.  Present: Claude Elias and Mohamed Bayou.  Chairman Audette mentioned this is a continuance from a previous public hearing.  Chairman Audette read aloud a notice from Chief Warchol recommending that Mr. Elias be issued a Class II Dealers License with the stipulation “Wholesale Motor Vehicle Sales Only”.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to close the public hearing.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to accept the application for a Class II License by Claude Elias d/b/a Elias Auto Sales to be located at 53-55 Providence Road, Linwood, MA 01525 with the stipulation it’s for Wholesale Motor Vehicle Sales Only.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Representative George N. Peterson, Jr. provided the Board of Selectmen with a packet on the Governor’s budget.  He mentioned that Chapter 70 for the Town of Northbridge increased $142,000.  The lottery was level funded providing that they sell three casino licenses and generate $300 million dollars to be able to make up some $124 million lottery revenues.  He discussed local aid, Chapter 70, additional assistance [$3,000], and lottery [level funded].  Rep. Peterson mentioned that should the local aid be adopted, the Town of Northbridge would receive $420,000, so he asked the Board of Selectmen to support this bill. Selectman Davis mentioned that a letter was sent to Senator Moore by the Northbridge Board of Selectmen stating the complete opposite of Senator Moore’s position on the bill. Selectman Montecalvo inquired about the MBTA and the troubles they are having and asked Representative Peterson if this would have an affect on the Town’s.  Representative Peterson replied, “He hopes not”.  The Board of Selectmen thanked Representative Peterson for coming in to update them on the Governor’s Budget. 

 

Ultramart Convenience Stores, LLC (Tariq Khalil)/ a) Application to transfer the Underground Storage Tank License [1-10,000 gal. tank, 2-4,000 gal. tanks].  Present: Tariq Khalil.  Chairman Audette asked if anyone had any questions and Ms. Mitkonis, Owner of Jumbo Donuts came before the Selectmen to state her case on why she feels this transfer should not be approved.  Ms. Mitkonis mentioned there was an oil leak, it ran onto her property, and she wants Drake Petroleum to make sure her property is safe.  The Selectmen advised Ms. Mitkonis that DEP is handling and she should contact them.  That said, Ms. Mitkonis mentioned a sign she had put up on the entrance/exit way to Church Street [agreed upon by the Safety Committee]. After discussing back and forth, Chairman Ampagoomian called “Point of Order” this has nothing to do with the storage tank license.  He asked that Ms. Mitkonis attend a Safety Committee meeting to discuss this matter further.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the transfer of the Underground Storage Tank License from Drake Petroleum to Ultramart Convenience Stores, LLC.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  b) Application to transfer the Common Victualler License from Drake Petroleum [Xtra Mart] to Ultramart Convenience Stores, LLC [Tariq Khalil].  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the transfer of the Common Victualler License from Drake Petroleum [Xtra Mart] to Ultramart Convenience Stores, LLC [Tariq Khalil].  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Northbridge Education Foundation/Request to use the Town Common for a Spring Door-to-Door Campaign on March 29, 2008 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  Present:  Fred Beauregard.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to grant permission for the NEF to use the Town Common for a Spring Door-to-Door Campaign on March 29, 2008 from 9:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  

 

Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program/Vote to approve program guidelines/criteria. Selectman Davis made a suggestion, “No application will be accepted after the deadline” add “unless there isn’t enough applicants” to the end of that sentence.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the Senior Citizen Property Tax Work-Off Program guidelines/criteria.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Road Acceptances:  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve and sign the acceptance of Deed of Easement for Forsythe Farm Road, approve and sign the acceptance of Quitclaim Deed for a parcel of land within Quaker Ridge Estates, approve and sign the acceptance of Deed of Public Way Easement for Brookway Drive, and approve and sign the acceptance of Quitclaim Deed for a parcel of land off Beech Street.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Town Manager Kozak apologized for placing this item on tonight’s agenda, but after speaking with Town Counsel, they recommended doing so because of time constraints.

 

Economic Opportunity Area Designation [Linwood Mill].  Present:  Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner, Claire O’Neill, Regional Director for Massachusetts Office of Business Development, William Giannopoulos, Owner of Linwood Mill Property & Mark Anderson, Heritage Design.  Ms. O’Neill provided the Board of Selectmen with an overview of an Economic Opportunity Area.  An EOA is comprised of one or more tax parcels, have durations of between five and twenty years, and comply with one or more of five criteria’s.  She mentioned the owner could receive a 10% Abandoned Building Tax Deduction if the building is: 1) located with an EACC approved EOA; 2) at least 75% vacant for the previous two years.  Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned should the owner request a Tax Increment Finance agreement designation; this would require Town Meeting approval.  That said, tonight is just to introduce the EOA concept/process and look for a possible site that may be suitable for that designation.  Mr. Anderson displayed pictures of the Mill and mentioned the tremendous amount of opportunity.  The building could be used for retail and/or residential.  To date, there are about 69 vendors working on this 10,000 square foot and Mr. Anderson mentioned that the mill would be able to accommodate up to 170 parking spaces.  Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned that once he receives the application he would come before the Board of Selectmen to get their approval on moving forward.

 

Critique Primary Election Set-Up.  Present: Doreen Cedrone, Town Clerk.  Ms. Cedrone provided the Board of Selectmen with feedback on conducting the Primary Election in one location [High School].  She mentioned that she received a lot of wonderful feedback from residents in Town on their first experience with the election being located at the High School.  She did reference that signage was a concern she felt that this was minor and would work on making it better for future elections.  The Board of Selectmen provided their feedback and then commended Ms. Cedrone and her staff for doing such a great job.

 

Aldrich School Report.  Present:  James Sheehan, Building Inspector.  Town Manager Kozak informed the Board that he asked Mr. Sheehan and his inspectors to go through the Aldrich Building to inspect the building to see if their were any major code issues.  Mr. Sheehan provided an update to his findings when inspecting the building.  He mentioned that handicap signage, exterior lighting, door hardware, painting, and bathroom dimensions and fixtures need updating.  After reviewing Mr. Sheehan’s report, each Selectman provided some feedback especially on asking for assistance [Worcester Sherriff’s Department - Inmates, volunteerism] with lowering the cost to repair the building.

 

Cable Studio Location.  Present: Cable Advisory Committee.  Mr. Guilluame provided the Board of Selectmen with his concerns and questions about the possibility of moving the cable studio to the High School.  He requested clarification on whether or not the cable advisory committee would have unlimited access to the studio and then asked if the unlimited access could be placed in writing when and if a contract is drawn with the High School.  Chairman Audette asked the Cable Advisory Committee to inform the Board of Selectmen with their choice of location.  Mr. Guilluame responded that if he had to choose a location, he would pick the Aldrich School Building.  Ms. Buma replied that after thoroughly reviewing the pros and cons, she would elect the High School.  Mr. Holm’s mentioned that he would have to defer to his colleagues on where the location should be, however he indicated that the High School seems like a good place.  Selectman Montecalvo suggested the Cable Advisory Committee do a comparison amongst the two locations so that the Selectmen can make a collaborative decision.  Mr. Bagdasarian feels the studio should be located at the High School because of one reason only, “learning”.  The children would benefit from having the studio located in the High School.  Selectman Ampagoomian mentioned he is opposed of the studio moving to the high school location because of several reasons, most importantly safety and security reasons.  Selectman Davis suggested the discussion of the Cable Studio Location be placed on the next agenda under “decisions”. 

 

Blackstone Valley Infrastructure Mapping and Development Project.  Present: Joseph Deliso, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce & Bill Stark, Owner & President of Express Personnel.    

Mr. Deliso provided the Selectmen with an update to the progress of the Blackstone Valley Infrastructure Mapping and Development Project sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Initiative.  He mentioned with the support of the Chamber, Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission and written requests by the town, they were able to obtain state funding to begin work on the development of the Blackstone Valley Regional Infrastructure Map including all eleven towns within the valley.  With that said, the grant money came from the Commonwealth and the CMRPC will do the work. The overall purpose of the map is to provide a regional overview of existing infrastructure, identify specific infrastructure needs of each town, and combine the results into a regional solution plan that could be brought to the state for planning and assistance.  The mapping of infrastructure is well underway and they hope for this phase to be completed sometime this summer.  The CMRPC will be inviting 11 Town Planner’s to an informational meeting at Tufts University to update them on the progress of the project.  That said, Mr. Deliso mentioned that Economic Development in towns are extremely important. 

 

Trinity Episcopal Church/Request to turn on streetlight located on MECO Pole #60 [Linwood Ave.].  Present:  Fire Chief Gary Nestor recommended that MECO Pole #60 be turned back on because of all the activity in this area.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to turn the streetlight located on MECO Pole #60 [Linwood Avenue] back on.  Selectman Ampagoomian asked if the poles should be turned on where the other churches are located.  Chief Nestor mentioned that if more requests come in, Police Chief Walter Warchol and him will review the area and determine whether or not the poles be turned back on.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Chapter 70 – updated the Selectmen on the workshop that Representative Peterson held at Nipmuc Regional.  He mentioned the Chapter 70 money for Northbridge dropped because of the student population.  2) Finance Committee Meeting – he mentioned the Finance Committee met with the School Committee and Superintendent Soojian to discuss the FY ’09 budget. Town Manager Kozak mentioned he thought the meeting went well.  3) Sutton Street/Plummer’s Corner Reconstruction Projects – mentioned that an EarthTech representative came out and showed him the process and mentioned a public hearing will be held in the next several months to discuss the finalization of the project.  If all goes well, by spring ’09, this project will go out to bid.  As for the Plummer’s Corner design, the engineer said there are no new initiatives in the area, so the project will go forward with only 25%.  4) Memorial Day – suggested that a meeting take place between the commander’s before a decision can be made regarding the parades.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Montecalvo 1) Traffic Light at Memorial Square needs to be looked at.  Town Manager Kozak suggested that this be brought to the attention of the Safety Committee.  Chairman Audette 1) needs Town Manager evaluations.  2) On behalf of an individual on Pollard Road, Chairman Audetter thanked the Northbridge Fire Department and Firefighter’s White and Noel.  On Superbowl Sunday, her husband had a heart attack and it took the Fire Department less than 7 minutes to arrive at her house.  She was very grateful for their quick response and the care her husband received from them.

 

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to adjourn the February 11, 2008 Board of Selectmen meeting.  Vote yes/Unanimous.            

 

Meeting Adjourned:  10:40 P.M.

 

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

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