Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

May 19, 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, Marzec and Ampagoomian.  Also Present:  Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.

 

Executive Session.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Montecalvo to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B #3 (Negotiations & Litigation) and to reconvene in open session.  Roll Call Vote:  Mr. Montecalvo/Yes, Mr. Davis/Yes, Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes, Mr. Marzec/Yes and Mr. Audette/Yes.

 

Open Session Adjourned:                   6:32 P.M.

 

Executive Session Convened:             6:33 P.M.

 

Executive Session Adjourned:            6:50 P.M.

 

Open Session Reconvened:                7:00 P.M.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Approval of Minutes.

 

April 28, 2008

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the April 28, 2008 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

April 28, 2008 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the April 28, 2008 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

May 6, 2008

A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the May 6, 2008 Spring Annual Town Meeting minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Brian Burke, 33 Keryn Court, Whitinsville mentioned that he is the Town Representative for the Northbridge Youth Soccer and read aloud a brief statement of appeal.  That said, Chairman Audette mentioned the Board of Selectmen will get back to him and thanked him for coming tonight.

 

Annual License Renewals [Pool Tables, Bowling, & Billiards].  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve the above mentioned license renewals subject to the payment of all outstanding liens.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Alternatives/ 1) Request permission to hang a banner across Church Street from May 20th through May 31st to advertise their 23rd Annual Valley Friendship Tour fundraiser.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to hang a banner across Church Street from May 20th through May 31st to advertise their 23rd Annual Valley Friendship Tour fundraiser. Vote yes/Unanimous.  2) Alternatives [23rd annual “Valley Friendship Tour, Saturday, May 31, 2008]/Request to close Douglas Road at the start of each race beginning at 8:00 A.M., 9:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., and 11:00 A.M.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve Alternatives’ request to close Douglas Road at the start of each race beginning at 8:00 A.M., 9:00 A.M., 10:00 A.M., and 11:00 A.M. subject to the Police Department’s approval.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Whitin Garden Club/Request permission to use Elsa Mason Conservation Trust Fund monies to help clean up the community gardens/Vote to approve.  Present:  Jeff Allard, President of the Whitin Garden Club.  Mr. Allard requests permission from the Board of Selectmen to use Elsa Mason Conservation Trust Fund to pay $475 for a 15-yard dumpster [cost of clean up].  After a brief discussion, the Board of Selectmen agreed to approve this request pending approval from the Conservation Commission.   A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to allow the Whitin Garden Club permission to use the Elsa Mason Conservation Trust Fund monies to help clean up the community gardens pending approval from the Conservation Commission.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  Selectman Ampagoomian requests that the Conservation Commission look into the Elsa Mason Conservation Trust Fund to make sure it’s being handled properly.  Town Manager Kozak will look into the Trust Fund and report back to the Board his findings at their next scheduled meeting.

 

FY ’09 Sewer Rates/Vote to approve.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that the Town should stop using retained earnings to cover the shortfall in sewer fee revenue because additional work will be needed on the sewer plant in the upcoming years and the Town will need the reserves.  With that in mind, Town Manager Kozak strongly recommended the Board of Selectmen to consider increasing the rates 21% to cover the potential shortfall for the next fiscal year.  DPW Director Richard Sasseville reiterated that the costs keep going up and the revenue keeps falling.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned the connection fees will remain the same.  There being no further discussion, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to raise the FY 2009 sewer utility rates 21%.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Audette and Marzec.  Vote no/Messrs. Ampagoomian and Montecalvo.  Selectman Montecalvo suggested an increase of 9% and stated that he will not vote for a 21% increase.  He feels that is too much of an increase.  Selectman Ampagoomian concurred with Selectman Montecalvo.

 

TOWN OF NORTHBRIDGE

SEWER SYSTEM

 

SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR SEWER SERVICES

QUARTERLY BILLING CYCLE

 

Effective Date: July 1, 2008

 

QUARTERLY RATES

The rates for sewer services that are billed quarterly will be:

 

For usage of 800 cubic feet or less per quarter                                                    $  60.50

For the first 900 to 2,000 cubic feet used or fraction thereof                             $  89.18

For each additional 100 cubic feet thereafter                                                            5.59

For residential customers only, the rate for each additional 100 cubic feet used in excess of 4,000 cubic feet shall be reduced by 25-percent to                                                                                           4.19

 

Each sewer service shall be billed in accordance with the above rate schedule.  Quarterly usage shall be determined using 100-percent of the quarterly metered water consumption figure to arrive at sewer usage.

 

CONNECTION FEES FOR NEW SERVICES

A connection fee for a new service connection to Residential, Commercial or Industrial premises will be charged by the Northbridge Sewer System at the time application is made for service, as follows:

 

            Type of Connection                                                                       Fee                    

            Existing single family residence                                              $    924.00

            Existing multi family residence (first unit)                                    924.00

            Each additional existing unit                                                         528.00

            New single family residence                                                       7,920.00

            New multi family residence (first unit)                                       7,920.00

            Each additional unit                                                                    6,600.00

            Commercial or Industrial (minimum)                                          9,240.00

            Commercial or Industrial (whichever is greater)                            462.00      per fixture

 

The term “fixture” as used above is defined as: water closets, urinals, lavatories, service sinks, laundry sinks, washing machines, dishwashers, garbage disposal units, etc.

           

The term “existing residence” as used above is defined as one that was occupied prior to July 1, 1997.

 

Whenever a commercial or industrial premise is served by more than one connection to the Town’s mains, the connection fee schedule above shall apply to each connection.  The total number of fixtures will not be added together to determine the connection fee.

 

The Grill [John A. Pardee]/) Application for Entertainment License with Recorded Music and Dancing by patrons.  Present:  John Pardee and Chief Walter Warchol.  Chief Warchol mentioned the Safety Committee had some concerns with having a ‘live band” because of limited parking and occupancy.   That said, Mr. Pardee agreed to remove the words “live band” from his application.  The Board agreed with Chief Warchol and the Safety Committee’s recommendation that there be no live music allowed at The Grill and further agreed to make this a condition on the license.  A motion/Mr. Montecalvo, seconded/Mr. Davis to approve The Grill’s Entertainment License including Dancing by patrons and Recorded Music only.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

166 Church Street – Handicap access ramp [Brad Pierce]/Vote to issue license agreement.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that there was still some discussion between Town Counsel and Mr. Pierce’s counsel on the language of the agreement.  However, he explained that they worked through the language and both attorneys have agreed to the license agreement.  Selectman Ampagoomian still has some concerns by granting this license as it might present more issues.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the license agreement between West Sutton Realty, LLC and the Town of Northbridge for the Handicap access ramp to be located at 166 Church Street, Whitinsville.  Vote yes/Messrs. Montecalvo, Davis, Audette and Marzec.  Vote no/Mr. Ampagoomian. 

 

Cable Studio.  Selectman Davis pointed out the many reasons for relocating the cable studio to the high school.  Each Selectman then voiced his opinion on where the studio should be located.  A motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Marzec to ask the Town Manager to negotiate and sign a minimum 5-year agreement with the Northbridge School Administration to place the Cable Studio in the High School.  Chairman Audette said this item has been on the agenda several times and, as such, he would like to see it resolved.  Continuing, he mentioned there was a motion on the floor and seconded.  There being no further discussion, a motion/Mr. Davis, seconded/Mr. Marzec to ask Town Manager Kozak to negotiate and sign a minimum 5-year agreement with the Northbridge School Administration to place the Northbridge Cable Studio in the High School.  Vote yes/Messrs. Davis, Marzec and Audette.  Vote no/Messrs. Montecalvo and Ampagoomian.

 

Town Manager's Contract Extension.  Chairman Audette reminded the Board that the Town Manager’s Contract was extended to June 30, 2011 and it just needs to be signed this evening.

*Selectman Ampagoomian wanted it known that he did not sign or approve Town Manager Kozak’s contract extension. 

 

Town Manager's Goals and Objectives/Vote to approve.  After a brief discussion, the Board of Selectmen agreed that the Town Manager's Goals and Objectives will be reviewed by the newly elected members of the Board of Selectmen.  No vote was taken.

 

High School Fields Access.  Town Manager Kozak met with the School Committee, Safety Committee, Building, Planning and Construction Committee, and Parks and Recreation to discuss access to the High School Fields.  It was noted that these fields were never intended to be playing fields, just practice fields.  The Building, Planning and Construction Committee mentioned they would have an engineer look into the access road when they get the bids to repair the athletic fields.  They hope to be in the construction phase within 6 to 8 weeks at which time the fields will be closed down during construction.  A motion/ Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Davis to direct Town Manager Kozak to contact the Building, Planning and Construction Committee with respect to allowing Town leagues to continue using the fields after the construction period ending around June 8, 2008 and with the provision that the gate will remain closed until such time.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Union Street Brook Update.  Present:  DPW Director Richard Sasseville.  Mr. Sasseville provided the Board of Selectmen with a copy of a test report he put together prior to tonight's meeting.  He asked if the Board had any questions regarding his report and then provided a brief overview.  He advised that the DPW conducted tests of the drainage system on Devon Drive and Louisa Drive in the Union Place Subdivision.  The purpose of the tests was to determine if stormwater collected by the on-street catch basins was being directed into the various drainage structures and detention areas as detailed on the approved drainage plans for the project.  The tests were conducted by DPW Director Richard Sasseville, Highway Division Working Foreman Richard Brooks and Highway Equipment Operator John Brosnahan.  Portions of the test were also observed by Mr. Robert Parker, a resident of Nolet Street.  Based on the tests and inspections that were conducted it appears that all components of the stormwater collection system in the Union Place subdivision are directing stormwater as intended.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Town Beach – received the lease from Whitinsville Water Company and will sign it pending there are no questions and/or concerns from the Board of Selectmen.  2) Senator Moore Office Hours at Town Hall on June 16, 2008 from 6-8 PM.

3) Alternatives Announcement – the grand opening of the Plaza is May 30th at 10:30 A.M. 

4) Mass. Municipal Management Association Regionalization Forum – mentioned he attended the forum in Worcester and discussed the regionalization of Schools.  5) Council on Aging meeting – he attended the meeting to see what they are proposing and the possibility of serving meals on Fridays to the seniors again.  6) Town Election – May 20, 2008.  Urged everyone to come out and vote.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Ampagoomian/1) Plummer’s Corner push.  2) Sutton Street Update 3) Funding for the Library – Town Manager Kozak will provide a report.  Selectman Marzec/1) publicly thanked Officer Matt Leonard for coming to his house under difficult circumstances to deliver the news of the passing of his mother.  He mentioned that Officer Leonard was very professional and empathetic.  Selectman Montecalvo/1) thanked Selectman Davis and Chairman Audette for serving as Selectmen for the Town of Northbridge and wished them well. Selectman Davis/1) mentioned he served in Town Government for almost 30 years and has enjoyed it. He thanked the Board of Selectmen and wished them well.  Chairman Audette/1) Memorial Day Parade at Pine Grove begins at 9 A.M., the Rockdale Parade starts at 11 A.M. at the Rockdale Legion.  2) Thanked everyone for their cards and phone calls while he was ill.  3) said he has enjoyed serving 3 years as Selectman for the Town of Northbridge and thanked everyone in the community, the Selectmen and the Town Manager.

 

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

 

Meeting Adjourned:  9:35 P.M.

 

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                            Joseph Montecalvo, Clerk

 

 

dg/

 

* At their regularly scheduled meeting of July 14, 2008, the Board voted to amend the May 19, 2008 minutes as follows:  Under Town Manager’s Contract Extension, Selectman Ampagoomian wanted it known that he did not sign or approve Town Manager Kozak’s contract extension.