Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

July 9, 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, Montecalvo and Ampagoomian. 

 

Also present:  Theodore D. Kozak Town Manager.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Selectman Montecalvo sent happy birthday wishes to his mother-n-law who is 100 years old.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

June 18, 2007 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the June 18, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

June 26, 2007 [Joint Meeting w/School Committee]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the June 26, 2007 Joint Meeting with the School Committee minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

June 26, 2007 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to approve the June 26, 2007 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Public Hearing. 7:05 P.M./FY 2006 Community Development Block Grant [Village Improvements Project] Present: Jennifer Dulmaine.  The proposed amendment will expand the scope of the town’s previously approved Village Infrastructure Improvements Project, which includes the design and construction of Phase I Border Street from Main Street to D Street.  This discussion will expand the design to include, A Street, B Street, C Street, and D Street as part of this phase, pending funding availability.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to open the public hearing.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A requirement by DHCD to make any changes to an existing program, such as expanding and eliminating, a program amendment process needs to be conducted [public hearing] along with a vote by the Board of Selectmen approving the change.  On April 23, 2007, a bid opening for the construction portion of Phase 1 Border Street from Main Street to D Street took place.  The bid came under budget by $60,000. Mr. Richard Sasseville mentioned that he wholeheartedly supports this project.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to close the public hearing.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to expand the scope of the Community Block Grant Program.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Ms. Dulmaine provided a quick update on the removal of the utility poles on Church Street.

 

Appointments/By the Town Manager.  Sealer of Weights and Measures – Present:  Louis H. Sakin. 

The Town Manager introduced and recommended Louis H. Sakin for the Sealer of Weights and Measures appointment.  Mr. James Sheehan, Building Inspector spoke briefly about the candidates past experience and recommended him for the position.  Mr. Sakin informed the Board of Selectmen that he has been a certified Sealer of Weights and Measures since 1999.  He mentioned that he would be looking at the fee schedule and recommending a change.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to confirm the Town Manager’s appointment of Louis H. Sakin as the Sealer of Weights and Measures.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Appointments/By the Board of Selectmen. Cultural Council - Present:  Selena Livingston – 192 Shannon Drive, Stacie Murray – 43 Tipperary Drive, and Jill LeBallister-Dudka – 322 Samuel Drive.  All three candidates introduced themselves and provided the Board of Selectmen with a brief update on why they would like to serve on the Cultural Council.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Davis to appoint Selena Livingston, Stacie Murray and Jill LeBallister-Dudka to the cultural council.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Selectman Davis mentioned that he made a public disclosure by submitting a note to the Town Clerk mentioning that his brother Anthony Davis is on the cable committee.  He exercised his rights to vote on the next appointment, as he felt there is no conflict of interest in doing so.  Appointments/By the Board of Selectmen.  Cable Advisory Committee - Present:  Harry Berkowitz, David Miedema, III, Anthony Davis, Shelley Buma, Ronald Guillaume, and Steven Holm.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to reappoint Harry Berkowitz, David Miedema, III and Anthony Davis to the Cable Advisory Committee.    Selectman Ampagoomian made a motion to reappoint these three candidates to the Cable Advisory Committee. Selectman Davis indicated he would like all the candidates interviewed first before making a decision.  Chairman Audette mentioned there is a motion on the floor.  Vote yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian and Montecalvo.  Vote no/Messrs. Davis, Marzec and Audette.  Candidates introduced themself and spoke briefly, on why they were interested in serving on the Cable Advisory Committee.  Selectman Davis questioned the failure to file minutes with the Town Clerk’s office.  *Selectman Davis also questioned Mr. Berkowitz on his TV show “3 on 11” and not airing the tape developed by Sal D’Amato for the Election bid”. Selectman Ampagoomian called a point of order in reference to Selectman Davis’ questions and comments relative to filing Cable Committee minutes *and further stated that Selectman Davis should separate his issues in respect to the cable advisory committee versus the cable shows”.  He further commented that Mr. Berkowitz should not be punished for things that occur on his cable show at night.  Chairman Audette thanked all the candidates for coming forward and showing interest.  Sharron Ampagoomian spoke about all the purchases she has made while being on the Cable Advisory Committee.  She expressed her feelings of concern for the way Harry Berkowitz was mistreated this evening and felt that he was attacked personally.  There being no further comments, a motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to appoint Harry Berkowitz to the Cable Advisory Committee.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo and Ampagoomian.  Vote no/Messrs. Davis, Marzec and Audette.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to appoint Shelley Buma to a three-year position on the Cable Advisory Committee.  Selectman Ampagoomian called a point of order to address the order of business with respect to the reappointments and the vacancy position. *He mentioned that the Board of Selectmen should not have reappointed the Conservation Commission position, for they to had an applicant applying for a position.   Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Audette and Davis.  Vote no/Messrs. Montecalvo and Ampagoomian.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to reappoint David Miedema, III to a three-year term on the Cable Advisory Committee.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to appoint Ronald Guillaume to a three-year term on the Cable Advisory Committee.  Vote yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian, Montecalvo and Audette.  Vote no/Messrs. Marzec and Davis.   A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to appoint Steven Holm to the vacancy appointment on the Cable Advisory Committee.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Chairman Audette thanked all the candidates for applying.  With that said, he asked the candidates that were not appointed to try again in the future. 

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Chairman Audette asked that all Citizens’ address the Chair with their questions, not the Board of Selectmen.  Jill Redding, 1791 Providence Road, Vice-President of the Teacher’s Association discussed Health Insurance and made the Selectmen aware that the Teacher’s Union did not bargain the increase in their co-payments.  The Teacher’s Union only negotiated the increase in their contributions to their Health Insurance premium.  The other issue Ms. Redding addressed was COBRA.  The teacher’s laid off in June were told they owed COBRA payments, in which, Ms. Redding informed the Selectmen the teacher’s were paid through September and worked the allotted 185 days of school.  Mr. Lou Cornacchioli, Massachusetts Teacher’s Association spoke on behalf of the Northbridge Teacher’s Association.  He addressed M.G.L. Chapter 150E Collective Bargaining and 32B -Health Insurance Law and felt the Town of Northbridge is in clear violation.  With that said, a person who works in the School system has their Health Insurance taken out of their pay for 26 payments, which brings them through the summer, even if the person were to be laid off in the summer. Mr. Cornacchioli mentioned that the Teacher’s Association couldn’t bargain with the Town side, only the school committee with respect to their Health Insurance.  He mentioned the Town would lose this case if they continue to move forward with the increase in co-payments.  The School Committee is the only one the Teacher’s Union can bargain with, not the Town.  Dianne Mimmo, 30 Green Meadow Court, passed out a handout to each Selectman with respect to the Full Day Kindergarten program.  After reviewing all the information, Ms. Mimmo mentioned that once FY 2009 and FY 2010 arrive, the Town would actually face a deficit by cutting the Full Day Kindergarten program.  She briefly discussed the analysis that was done by Superintendent Soojian regarding the salaries for full day kindergarten vs. half-day kindergarten.  That said, she mentioned that she spoke with Mr. Soojian and the School Committee and asked them to hold an emergency meeting to discuss their budget line items.  Paul Cloutier, 150 Olivia Drive, briefly spoke on why he moved to the Town of Northbridge 2 years ago.  He and his wife Vickie researched alot of towns before choosing Northbridge as the town they wanted to reside in.  They have a daughter going to kindergarten this year and he and his wife are upset that this program was eliminated.  He tried contacting five members of the School Committee and the Superintendent of Schools to discuss his concerns but received no response from either party.  As a parent and taxpayer, he is troubled with their lack of response.  He asked the Board of Selectmen to pressure the School Committee into looking at the big picture.  Jeffrey Travers, 23 Devon Drive, suggested that the Board of Selectmen give some directive to the School Committee and Superintendent to hold a meeting to discuss the funding of the full day kindergarten program.

 

Northbridge Youth Soccer Association/Request to hang a banner across Church Street from August 10th through August 25th for their Annual Fall Kick-Off Festival to be held on August 25, 2007 at the Rockdale field from 11 AM to 4 PM.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the above banner request.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Safety Committee Minutes [June 20, 2007] /Vote to accept recommendations.  Selectmen Montecalvo provided a brief update; 1) decide upon a street name in Carpenter Estates.  The new street name would be Hannah Drive.  2) Increased traffic near the Northbridge Middle School was tabled to another meeting. 3) Non-Regulatory Signs – the Safety Committee recommends that the Board of Selectmen establish a policy for the installation of signs.  4) Town Beach “No Parking Signs” – Chief Warchol will instruct his officers to police the Town Beach more frequently to cut down on parking on both sides of the road.  5) Streetlight “Turn Off’s” – Mr. Sasseville provided a list of all the streetlights in town and requested the Police Department make recommendations as to which lights are turned off.  These recommendations would take into consideration the street light criteria adopted in 1995.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to accept the recommendations of the Safety Committee as outlined in the minutes of June 20, 2007.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Fusions Dance Centre [Maria Dick] /Vote to approve Dance permit.  Present: Maria Dick.  Ms. Dick informed the Board that she lives in Spencer and has taken over the Dance Centre located at 167 Church Street, Whitinsville.  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve Fusions Dance Centre permit.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Faith Fellowship [Pastor Gil Parmley]/Request permission to use the Balmer School parking lot and Vail Field on Sunday, August 19, 2007 for their 3rd annual End of the Summer Community Outreach.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the above request.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Anonymous Donation of Office Equipment/Vote to accept non-monetary gift.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that an anonymous donor would like to donate a plotter machine to the building department.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to accept the non-monetary gift with appreciation.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Fall Annual Town Meeting. Town Manager Kozak mentioned that per the town’s charter, the Board of Selectmen need to vote to close the warrant.  He asked that the Board start looking at dates to close the warrant.  Selectman Davis advised Town Manager Kozak to discuss this with the Town Moderator.

 

Whitinsville Water Company/Town of Northbridge Water Distribution Systems. Present: Richard Sasseville.  Mr. Sasseville provided an update on the previous study done in 1994 on whether the town should purchase the Whitinsville Water Company.  The bottom line had three proposals and none of them were recommended; 1) Town should attempt to acquire the assets of the Whitinsville Water Company and own the entire water system that serves the Town of Northbridge. 2) The converse which was that the Town should sell its assets in the Northbridge Water System, without specifying selling to whom, but at least offer it up for sale, with the thought of the Whitinsville Water Company would be the purchaser of the water system. 3) Do nothing.  The majority voted to do nothing to the water system back in 1995.  Selectman Davis suggested this topic be brought to the forefront to discuss the options of purchasing the system.  That said, the Board suggested that the Town Manager contact the Whitinsville Water Company to pursue further discussion of the chance to purchase the water distribution systems.

 

Formation of Sewer District. Present:  Richard Sasseville.  Town Manager Kozak received a letter from the former fire chief, Cornelius Madigan inquiring about sewer rates and forming a sewer district.  Mr. Sasseville mentioned that he researched information regarding forming a sewer district on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website and found that sewer districts are established by legislation of the State.  The formation of a sewer district would separate the operation of the Northbridge sewer system treatment plant and collection system from the Town Government. This would mean that the Board of Selectmen would no longer serve as the sewer commissioners but would have an elected Board. 

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Building, Planning, and Construction Committee Update.  Town Manager Kozak provided the Selectmen with an update on the Police Station and Middle School roofs.  The Police Station roof has been completed and paid for with the exception of a 10% retainer fee.  The Middle School is ahead of schedule and going well.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that the school department is in the process of trying to find equipment and time to start the renovation process of the fields.  Discussion of Town Hall - future work needed and the School Committee turning the Aldrich School Building over to the Town Hall.  Pro’s and Con’s on selling the Aldrich Building.  Fire Station and DPW projects would be reviewed this summer with representatives. Moving forward on the skateboard project.  2) M.O.R.E. Update – Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he attended the M.O.R.E. Regional Purchase Group meeting.  3) Whitinsville Water Company [Town Beach] – mentioned a discussion he had with Don Bunker about people using the Town Beach as long as signs were posted stating “No Lifeguard”.  The Board [with the exception of Selectman Montecalvo] agreed to residents using the town beach. Selectman Montecalvo feels this is a safety issue.  4) Gift Accounts - Town Manager provided the Board of Selectmen with a list of gift accounts. 5) Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he had a discussion with the Chairman of the Finance Committee with respect to this being the last week to transfer funds within line items.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that the Chairman of the Finance Committee has recommended the Board of Selectman vote tonight to authorize the Chairman and Town Manager Kozak to authorize the transfer of funds.  A motion/Mr. Davis seconded/Mr. Marzec to allow Town Manager Kozak and Chairman William Audette to authorize the transfer of funds if needed.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Marzec and Audette.  Vote no/Messrs. Montecalvo and Ampagoomian.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) congratulated Selectman Montecalvo for being chosen as the Acting Town Manager of Millbury. 2) Inquired about the Town Manager providing an overview to the residents about a previous held meeting.  Town Manager Kozak provided a brief update on the Health Insurance.  He mentioned that the Board of Selectmen voted to approve his proposal to all union bargaining units.  Selectman Audette 1) recent fire on Church Street; thanked the police chief, police department and Town of Uxbridge for their help 2) Ocean State Job Lot is Open; 3) Vail Fields scoreboard is gone; 4) on vacation until July 19, 2007 5) Concert on the Common “Summer Concert Series” – Admission is free and is held on the Town Common from 6 to 8 PM.  If it rains, it will be held at the Northbridge Middle School.  Selectman Ampagoomian mentioned that Guy Glodis would be holding his annual barbeque at the Singletary Rod and Gun Club, in Oxford, on July 28th from 12 to 4 PM.  Kids are free.  Please contact Selectman Ampagoomian at home, if you are interested in buying a ticket.

 

Items for Future Agenda.  7/19/2007 – [6:00 P.M.] Board of Selectmen & Town Manager’s Goals and Objectives Workshop.

 

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to adjourn the meeting.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Meeting adjourned: 9:35 PM

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

dg/

 

At their August 20, 2007 meeting, upon Selectmen Ampagoomian’s requests, the Board of Selectmen voted to amend the July 9, 2007 minutes as follows:  In the section titled Appointments/Cable Advisory Committee, Amendment #1 [Paragraph 3, Line 25], insert the following language: “Selectman Davis also questioned Mr. Berkowitz on his TV show “3 on 11” and not airing the tape developed by Sal D’Amato for the Election bid”.  Amendment #2 [Paragraph 3, Line 30], insert the following language: “and further stated that Selectman Davis should separate his issues in respect to the cable advisory committee versus the cable shows”.  Amendment #3 [Paragraph 3, Line 41], insert the following language: “He mentioned that the Board of Selectmen should not have reappointed the Conservation Commission position, for they to, had an applicant applying for a position.