Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

June 4, 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, Marzec and Montecalvo.  Selectman Ampagoomian was absent and it is duly noted.

 

Also present:  Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Chairman Audette asked that everyone remain standing after the Pledge of Allegiance to recognize the passing of Angela Zanchetti.  Ms. Zanchetti passed away on Monday, May 28, 2007, after an illness.  Chairman Audette mentioned that she was the first woman elected to the Northbridge Board of Selectmen in 1977, and served two terms along with working in the Assessor’s Office for 15 years.  Our condolences go out to her family and friends.  Chairman Audette then asked for a moment of silence in her honor.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

May 7, 2007

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

 

May 21, 2007

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the May 21, 2007 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette, Marzec and Montecalvo.

 

May 21, 2007 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the May 21, 2007 Executive Session minutes as present with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Marzec, Audette, and Montecalvo. 

 

Appointments/By the Board of Selectmen.  Theodore Haringa, Council on Aging.  Mr. Haringa, 713 Fowler Road, Northbridge, MA, told the Board of Selectmen a little about himself and his past service on Town committees.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to appoint Theodore Haringa to the Council on Aging.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Marzec, Montecalvo and Audette.

 

Chairman Audette announced that Selectman Ampagoomian recently had knee surgery and wished him a speedy recovery.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  None.

 

China Pacific Alcohol Violation Hearing/Vote to postpone two weeks.   Chief Warchol mentioned that he would not be able to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting, June 18, 2007 due to family obligations; however, he will provide Lieutenant Labrie with his recommendations concerning the alcohol violation that occurred at the China Pacific on May 12, 2007.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to postpone the China Pacific Alcohol Violation Hearing until Monday, June 18, 2007.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Marzec and Audette.

 

Fire Department/Request permission to hang a banner over Church Street from June 24th – July 7th to advertise the Fireworks to be held July 6, 2007 @ Northbridge Middle School.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to grant permission to the Northbridge Fire Department to hang a banner over Church Street from June 24, 2007 to July 7, 2007 in order to advertise the annual Fireworks to be held July 6, 2007, at Lasalle Field [Northbridge Middle School].  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Montecalvo, Marzec and Ampagoomian.

 

Library Budget Update. Present:  John “Jack” Rauth, Library Trustee.  Selectman Davis explained that he requested Mr. Rauth to attend tonight’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting to provide an update on the Library budget.  Mr. Davis explained that at a previously held Whitinsville Library Board of Trustee’s meeting, Mr. Rauth gave an override presentation and discussed certain grants (one grant in particular totaling 2.1 million).  That said, Selectman Davis asked if those funds could be used to help offset some of the costs for the library to maintain the minimum standards of the State’s guidelines.  He then suggested that Mr. Rauth give the Town an update as to where those funds come from and what they can be used for.  Continuing, Mr. Rauth provided the Board with some informational history of the Library beginning when it was founded in 1844.  At the time, people had to pay $.50 to join the library and $1.00- a-year dues to use the library.  In 1858, the library was incorporated and became the Whitinsville Social Library Corporation.  The Corporation voted to become a free public library in 1878.  In 1917, the library building was given to the Town Of Northbridge for $1.00.  At the annual town meeting in 1917, it was voted to accept the library building with certain provisions established by the Whitin brothers as follows:

1) that the Town maintains the building and the grounds, and 2) the Whitinsville Social Library Corporation operates the library and has permanent access and residence in the library.  As a result, the corporation owns everything inside the Whitinsville Social Library.  Over the years, the Corporation has accumulated funds through people passing on and leaving money to the Corporation.  The endowment today for the Corporation now has 2.2 million dollars due to the very astute investment committee.  The library funds are restricted and they cannot touch the trust money of the Library Corporation.  Mr. Rauth mentioned that the Trust has hired three of the current library employees who will work 6 hours a day, two days per week [Wednesdays 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. & Thursdays 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.].  They also hired a janitor for 4 hours a week.  At the conclusion of Mr. Rauth’s update, the Board of Selectmen thanked him for coming in and for the information presented.

 

Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project. Present:  Timothy Deschamps.  Mr. Deschamps provided the Board with a handout regarding what the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project provides for the Town of Northbridge.  He indicated that the Department of Revenue sets the amount to be spent for each Town.  The amount of money to be spent by the Town of Northbridge for the Mosquito Control Project is $37,000 for FY ’08.

 

Riverdale Mills/Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Update [MEPA].  Present:  James Knott, Owner, and Richard Sasseville, DPW Director.  Mr. Knott came before the Board tonight to discuss his plans for a Riverdale Water Supply.  He mentioned that this water supply well would serve the Riverdale Mills Corporation along with the 22 apartments located on Quaker Street in Northbridge.  A public hearing has been scheduled for Friday, June 8, 2007 @ 10 A.M. at Riverdale Mills, 130 Riverdale Street, Northbridge, MA, should anyone want more details.  Mr. Sasseville, DPW Director, mentioned that the MEPA process is one of the hoops that Mr. Knott has to go through to enable him to start his own water system. 

 

Parks and Recreation Update.  Present:  Scott Mackintosh, Chairman, and John Phelan, Vice Chairman.  Chairman Audette mentioned he was concerned with two recent Playground and Recreation member’s resignations and that he would like assurance that everything is going well.  Mr. Mackintosh reassured the Board that everything is okay and despite the loss of their recent chair, Craig Bachman, they are still moving forward.  He further mentioned that on November 17, 2007, his committee would be holding a bazaar at the Northbridge High School Field House.

 

Spring Annual Town Meeting [June 12, 2007]/Vote positions on warrant articles.  Present:  Mary Frances Powers, Finance Committee Chairman and member Andrew Todd.  Also present:  Richard Sasseville, Director of Public Works.  Chairman Audette read each warrant article aloud and the Board voted their positions as follows:  Article 1 (FY ’07 Bills of a prior year):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 1.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.  The Finance Committee voted to support Article 1.  Article 2 (FY 07 Budget Adjustments): A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 2.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec, and Audette.  The Finance Committee voted to support Article 2.  Article 3 (FY ’08 Omnibus Budget):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 3.  Vote yes/ Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 3.  Article 4 (FY ’08 Override):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to pass over Article 4.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 4.  Article 5 (Reimbursement of direct/indirect costs from Sewer Division):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 5.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 5.  Article 6 (Amendment to reduce the amount needed to operate the Sewer Division for FY ‘07):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 6.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 6.  Article 7 (FY ’08 Sewer Enterprise Operation):  A motion/

Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 7.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.    The Finance Committee voted to support Article 7.  Article 8 (Design /Installation of upgrades for aeration equipment at WWTP):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 8.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 8.  Article 9 (Project to upgrade/modernize sludge management equipment at WWTP):  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to pass over Article 9.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 9.  Article 10 (Preparation of a comprehensive wastewater management plan):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to pass over Article 10.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 10.  Article 11 (Reimbursement of direct/indirect costs from Water Division):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 11.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 11.  Article 12 (            Amendment to increase the amount needed to operate the Water Division for FY ‘07):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to support Article 12.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.    The Finance Committee voted to support Article 12.

Article 13 (FY ’08 Water Enterprise Operation):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 13.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 13.  Article 14 (Design/Installation of Repair/Replacement of water main beneath Route 122 “Ross Rajotte Bridge"):  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 14.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 14.  Article 15 (Design of a project to extend water mains on portions of Union Street, Quaker Street, and Church Street):  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to pass over Article 15.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 15.  Article 16 (School Comm. FY’08 budget article):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to pass over Article 16.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 16.  Article 17 (Transfer funds from Medicaid Reimbursement to School Dept. to replace generator at Middle School):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo not to support Article 17.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted not to support Article 17.  Article 18 (Use of surplus funds from sale of vehicles to purchase of mechanic’s tools for DPW):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to pass over Article 18.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to pass over Article 18.  Article 19 (Use of Chapter 90 Funds to repair Town roads):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to support Article 19.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 19.  Article 20 (FY ’08 Authorization for Treas/Coll. to enter into compensating balance agreement(s)):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 20.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 20.  Article 21(FY’08 Reauthorization of revolving account for Recycling Comm.):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 21.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.  The Finance Committee voted to support Article 21.  Article 22 (           FY ’08 transfer from Receipts reserved to Debt Principal):  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 22.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 22.  Article 23 (Acceptance of Chapter 260, Section 12 of the Acts of 2006 – deferment of taxes for active duty Veterans):  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to support Article 23.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 23.  Article 24 (Funding to comply with DEP’s post closure and monitoring requirements of Quaker St. landfill):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 24.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.   The Finance Committee voted to support Article 24.  Article 25 (Roof repair at Fire Station):  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to support Article 25 for the Town to borrow $250,000.00 instead of $3,400,000.00.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Marzec and Audette.  The Finance Committee voted to support Article 25.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) School Committee Meeting – mentioned that the last payment from the state was $237,000 and was inadvertently closed to free cash and not kept in a separate account for school choice.  Town Manager Kozak asked Kathy Reed from the Department of Revenue if a transfer could be made to the School Department and she responded, no.  She recommended that an article be placed on the Fall Annual Town Meeting warrant to transfer funds to the School Department.  Selectman Davis noted that all certified free cash went to the School Department and that the Town should research this before transferring any additional money to the School Department.  2) Electrical Inspector Position – This position is vacant and if anyone would like to apply they may contact the Building Inspector, James Sheehan.  3) Linwood Post Office – Town Manager Kozak spoke to the Postmaster at the Linwood Post Office to see if residents in Town could pick up their mail in the afternoon, however, since there is no personnel they have to close the office.  4) Site Visit [Town Fields] - Town Manager Kozak went for a site visit to view all the conditions of the fields in Town with the Building, Planning and Construction Committee and Playground and Recreation Commission.  He will be looking into whether employees of the School Department [employees who take care of the grounds] can work overtime and help with the fields such as mowing the lawns, trimming trees, etc.   5) The Recycling Committee would like to come before the Board of Selectmen on June 18, 2007 to discuss fees for the recycling operation.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Montecalvo/1) asked why the flower buckets are not out in front of Memorial Square.  DPW Director Sasseville responded that the woman who takes care of this called and said the buckets were not yet ready but will call the DPW once they are ready.  Selectman Davis/1) Joint appointments of the School Committee and Planning Board – make sure that all the individuals are notified and present at the June 18th meeting.  2) Requested a separate list of people that may be interested in the seats that are up for reappointment as of June 30th [to be kept separate from the master list] so that the BOS can evaluate all applications.  3) Progress with the Northbridge Teacher’s Association? 

4) Thanked the folks who sent along their thoughts and prayers to the Davis family due to the recent passing of his mother.  Selectman Marzec/1) Updates on the telephone poles? Three poles will be down in the next 2 to 3 weeks.  2) Information regarding school budget issues and asked residents to make sure they get the facts first before forming an opinion.  Chairman Audette 1) mentioned that the Unibank Picnic was a big success.  2) Stated that he would be sitting as a member of the Trustees of Soldiers’ Memorials when they start their meetings this year.

 

Items for Future Agenda.  1) Powers and Sullivan [June 18, 2007];  2) School Committee and Planning Board Appointments [June 18, 2007];  3) Representative George Peterson, Jr. [June 18, 2007];

4) China Pacific Restaurant Alcohol Violation Hearing [June 18, 2007];  5) Hearing to review the rates and sewer enterprise funds.

 

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

 

Meeting adjourned:  9:20 PM

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

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