Board of Selectmen

 September 15, 2008

 

 

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

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Approval of Minutes. 

August 11, 2008

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the August 11, 2008 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Appointments/By the Town Manager. 1) Permanent Intermittent Police Officers:  a) Brian Collins

b) Randy Lloyd   c) Jarrod Woeller.  Also Present: Lt. Timothy Labrie.  Lt. Labrie introduced the three candidates and provided the Board with a brief overview of their qualifications.  He also noted the fact that all three candidates were born and raised in Northbridge and attended Northbridge High School.   Chairman Montecalvo then asked each candidate to tell the Board a little about themselves.  Each Selectman welcomed and congratulated the three candidates.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to affirm the appointments of Brian Collins, Randy Lloyd and Jarrod Woeller as Permanent Intermittent Police Officers as recommended by Town Manager Kozak.  Vote yes/Unanimous.   

 

Appointments/By the Board of Selectmen.  2) Industrial Development Finance Authority & Committee. 2) William E. McGowan.  Mr. McGowan introduced himself and provided some information about himself to the Selectmen.  The Board of Selectmen then asked Mr. McGowan a few questions and welcomed him aboard.  There being no further discussion, a motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to appoint William E. McGowan to the Industrial Development Finance Authority & Committee. Vote yes/Unanimous

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  None.

 

Northbridge Association of Churches/Request to hold the annual Blackstone Valley Cropwalk, Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 9 A.M.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the above request subject to the safety requirements of the Police Department.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Policy/Vote to approve.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to adopt the following Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Policy as recommended by Town Manager Kozak.

 

Annually, on a fiscal year basis, employees and volunteers will be recognized for their years of service as follows:

  • Employees with 10, 15, and 20 years of service will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Town Manager.
  • Employees with 25+ years of service [in five year increments] will receive a Plaque from the Town Manager at a Board of Selectmen's meeting.
  • Volunteers with 10, 15, and 20 years of service will receive a Certificate of Appreciation from the Board of Selectmen.
  • Volunteers with 25+ years of service [in five year increments] will receive a Plaque from the Board of Selectmen.

 

Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Superintendent’s Search Committee/Vote to appoint a Selectmen’s Representative.  Chairman Montecalvo asked for nominations.  A motion/Mr.  Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to nominate Chairman Montecalvo as the Selectmen’s Representative to the Superintendent’s Search Committee.  A motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded Mr. Marzec to nominate James Marzec as the Selectmen’s Representative to the Superintendent’s Search Committee.  All those in favor of Chairman Montecalvo: Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Ampagoomian, Marzec and Montecalvo.  Vote no/Mr. Nolan.  All those in favor of Selectman Marzec:  Vote yes/Mr. Nolan.  Vote no/Messrs. Melia, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec.  As the result of a 4 to 1 majority vote in the affirmative, Chairman Montecalvo has been duly  appointed to the Superintendent’s Search Committee as the Board of Selectmen’s Representative.

 

Master Plan Update Committee-Public Workshop September 30th (6PM to 8PM).  Present: Town Planner Gary Bechtholdt and Committee Members:  Cindy Key, Brian Houlihan and Barbara Gaudette.  Selectman Ampagoomian informed everyone that he and Selectman Marzec both serve on the Master Plan Committee.  Town Planner Gary Bechtholdt advised that there will be a Public Workshop on September 30, 2008, from 6 PM to 8 PM at the Alternative's Mill Complex.  He explained that the Committee is tasked with updating the Town's Master Plan, which has not been updated since 1994.  It is a dynamic process with a number of elements and components including Open Space, Housing, Transportation, Municipal Buildings and Infrastructure.  The Committee will be posting the workshop on the website and cable so that they can get the message out to the public to have a well-attended session.  Immediately following the Public Workshop another workshop will be scheduled for sometime next year. 

 

Fall Annual Town Meeting (October 28, 2008)/Vote to sign warrant.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to sign the October 28, 2008 Fall Annual Town Meeting Warrant upon completion and final review by Town Counsel.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Verizon Update [Ellen Cummings, Regional Director].  Ms. Cummings provided an update regarding the future availability of FIOS in Northbridge.  She stated that Town Manager Kozak had expressed interest in starting negotiations with Verizon but advised him that as of this time, the Town was not scheduled to receive FIOS in 2009.  Though she indicated that Northbridge wasn't included in her company's 2009 budget, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be added in 2009. 

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) MMA Legislative Breakfast – will be attending the MMA Breakfast on October 10, 2008 in Milford.  If any of you would like to attend, please contact the Town Manager’s Office so that Sharon Susienka can register you. 2) Grand Opening of Recycling Center will take place this weekend.  Everyone is welcome and there will be a special tribute for Marilyn Baker. 3) Patriot’s Day Observance –a ceremony took place outside Town Hall to honor the memory of 9/11. 4) Tomorrow, September 16, 2008 is the State Primary – please vote at the Northbridge High School.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) Asked about the Community Development Block Grant.  Town Manager Kozak responded that he sent a letter to DHCD asking for a meeting to sit down and discuss why the Town of Northbridge lost the grant two years in a row but hasn’t heard back from them.  2) ICMA Conference – would like Town Manager Kozak to find out more information about receiving grants for the Town while he is attending his conference in Virginia. 3) Shaw’s Supermarket will not be closing their doors.  4) Letter from Attorney Triplett – is this a public document and is it a judgment against our insurance company?  Selectman Melia 1) Asked if there was any word from the Cable Advisory Committee regarding a new site.  Town Manager Kozak responded that the Committee is meeting this week to discuss that very issue.  Selectman Marzec 1) Inquired about the status of the handicapped accessibility of the main entrance doors.  2) Update on sewer issue and costs. 3) received two letters in his mailbox from residents concerned about the decision the Board of Selectmen made regarding the sewer pipe issue.  A suggestion by Selectman Melia is to revisit this subject and their decision.  This will be placed on the next Board of Selectmen's agenda.  Selectman Nolan 1) St. Patrick’s Lease – any update? Town Manager Kozak replied that Town Counsel has it. 

 

Executive Session.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#2 Disciplinary Issue & M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Litigation--not to reconvene in open session.  Roll Call Vote:  Mr. Marzec/Yes; Mr. Melia/Yes; Mr. Nolan/Yes; Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes; and Mr. Montecalvo/Yes.

 

Meeting Adjourned:  8:02 P.M.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Daniel Nolan, Clerk

 

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