Board of Selectmen

 November 10, 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, Nolan, Marzec and Melia.  Also Present: Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Chairman Montecalvo reminded everyone that Veteran’s Day is tomorrow, November 11, 2008.

 

Selectman Ampagoomian informed everyone that today is the anniversary of the United States Marine Corps and wished them a “Happy Birthday”.

 

Approval of Minutes. 

September 8, 2008

Selectman Ampagoomian asked Selectman Marzec if he was in agreement with the submitted minutes.  Selectman Marzec replied “yes”.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the September 8, 2008 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

September 15, 2008

A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the September 15, 2008 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

September 15, 2008 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve but not release the September 15, 2008 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

October 6, 2008 [Executive Session]

A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve but not release the October 6, 2008 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

October 20, 2008

Selectman Melia requested that the October 20, 2008 minutes be amended as follows: Under Cable Studio Location, the information should read as follows:  Under the heading Cable Studio Location, in Line 3- insert the following language after the word "building".  "All members were present and a vote was taken (5-1-1)".  Also, Line 4 should continue to read as follows:  "Committee Member Shelley Buma stated that she was the one dissenting vote as she felt that taxpayer’s dollars could be better spent on things other than paying $20,000.00 a year in rent."  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the October 20, 2008 minutes as amended with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/ Messrs. Melia, Ampagoomian and Nolan.  Abstain/Messrs. Marzec and Montecalvo.

 

October 28, 2008 [Fall Annual Town Meeting]

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

 

Public Hearing/7:05 P.M./Allocation of Local Tax Levy for FY ’09.  Present:  Robert Fitzgerald, Assessor.  Chairman Montecalvo read the public hearing notice aloud.  A motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Marzec to open the public hearing.  Vote yes/Unanimous. Mr. Fitzgerald announced that the DOR requires this hearing each year.   He then passed out a handout and mentioned that last year some of the Selectmen questioned whether they had to vote on the Allocation of Local Tax Levy if the Board was not going to shift the tax burden and the Department of Revenue responded “no”.  However, if the Selectmen do not vote, the town will keep a single tax rate as in the previous year.  A vote allows the Selectmen to decide whether to shift the tax allocation between classes of property, which does not increase the revenue, but just shifts the tax burden.  The question is does the Town want to shift some of the tax burden away from the residential and move it to the commercial, industrial and personal property classes.  That said, Mr. Fitzgerald indicated that there was a 7.5% decrease in single family homes as well as a slight decrease in the commercial and industrial classes.  He further stated that the Board of Assessors recommends maintaining a single rate for all properties.

 

Selection of a residential exemption distributes taxes among the residential class.  It is up to a 20% discount and is based on the average valuation of a home.  This year the average value of a single family home is $305,300.  Single family homes below that amount would get the discount but the difference would be made up by all properties over the average amount.  For the Board's benefit, Mr. Fitzgerald pointed out that the projected 2009 tax rate is $10.06.  The Board of Assessors reviewed this and felt that it is not worthwhile to do this in Northbridge at this time.

 

The small commercial exemption would allow a tax break of up to 10% of the valuation for small commercial properties.  To qualify, a business must have less than 10 employees and be valued at less than $1 million.  Around 100 businesses qualify for such an exemption.  If you give them a tax break, then it needs to be made up by the businesses that are over $1 million.  There are only a few communities in the Commonwealth that use this exemption.  The Board of Assessors does not recommend this exemption.

 

Chairman Montecalvo stated that the Board of Selectmen does not need to vote tonight because nothing is changing; they are not shifting the tax burden.  Therefore, the Town of Northbridge will continue with a single tax rate for all classes of property including residential, commercial and industrial.

There being no further comments, a motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to close the Public Hearing.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Representative George Peterson, Jr. was present to discuss what’s going on in the State House.  He mentioned that most communities are suffering because of the loss of new growth and decreasing property values.  The State has a 1.4 billion dollar shortfall and money was taken out of the rainy day fund to cover it.  He will have a better idea of the deficit when revenues come in January 2009, but then said it doesn’t look good especially because there is difficulty getting bonding right now.  Local Aid, Chapter 70 and Lottery funds could be cut.  He mentioned that next year there will be reductions in several communities; they don’t expect any level funding.

 

Chairman Montecalvo mentioned there have been several complaints regarding coyotes and therefore Dan Chauvin, Animal Control Officer, is present to discuss the problem.  Mr. Chauvin mentioned that Massachusetts holds the shortest coyote hunting season in the country and as a result, the population is high.  Coyotes are considered opportunistic and are very adaptable and efficient.  He said that the hunting season opened on October 14th for coyotes and he has killed two since then.  Bruce Caissie, 197 Benson Road, Northbridge, stated that he and his wife have lived in Northbridge for a long time and for the past 6 months they have listened to the coyotes getting louder and louder and that they are coming out at all hours of the day.  He stated his concern about the children in Town.  That said, Mr. Caissie would like to discuss this issue a month from now to hear an update.  Chairman Montecalvo asked Mr. Chauvin to discuss this issue with the Police Chief and then report back to the Selectmen at their meeting of December 8, 2008.  Bob Parker, 20 Nolet Street, Linwood, in response to a statement made by Chairman Montecalvo earlier this evening—Mr. Parker noted that landlords already do pay extra taxes to have rental property.  In addition, Mr. Parker brought up a point regarding postal delivery in Linwood.  He indicated that a letter should not have gone out until all the details were worked out regarding this issue as there were still a lot of unanswered questions.  Town Manager Kozak stated that further details will be worked out at a later date.  Mr. Parker also said that the residents in Linwood feel they should have a Whitinsville zip code and not an Uxbridge zip code.

 

Playground and Recreation/Request to hang a banner over Church Street from November 11th through November 24th to advertise a “Holiday Bazaar” to be held Sunday, December 7, 2008.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve Playground and Recreation's request to hang a banner over Church Street from November 11th through November 24th to advertise their Holiday Bazaar to be held on Sunday, December 7, 2008.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to move Item G “Middle School Roof Project/Request for SBAB Funding” from discussion to decisions.  Vote yes/Unanimous. 

 

Middle School Roof Project/Request for SBAB Funding.  Town Manager Kozak recommended that the Board of Selectmen vote to support this request.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan that the Northbridge Board of Selectmen in accordance with its charter, by-laws, and ordinances, has voted to authorized the Superintendent to submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority a Statement of Interest dated 11/14/08 for the Middle School located at 171 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville, MA, which describes and explains the following deficiencies and the priority category as a structural failure of the Middle School roofs.  The priority category is Priority 1.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Playground & Recreation Policy & Procedures Manual/Present:  Bruce Frieswick, Chairman, Playground & Recreation Commission [P&R] and Members: Alicia Cannon, Cari-Lynn Fisher and Louis Bernard.  Chairman Bruce Frieswick mentioned that P & R came before the Board of Selectmen some time ago to discuss their suggested changes to the policy and procedures manual and was present tonight to provide the Selectmen with an update of P & R's final recommended changes.  Chairman Frieswick stated that his board made changes with respect to fines in order to help alleviate some problems they were having with groups practicing on fields when they should not have been.  Selectman Marzec expressed his concerns about not being notified sooner about fines that were being imposed on leagues.  As an elected official of the Town, he said that the Board of Selectmen should have been made aware of these changes.  Chairman Montecalvo mentioned that he received some phone calls about these fines and had no idea what was going on.  He also pointed out that the Playground and Recreation Commission would need a vote of the Board of Selectmen prior to implementing any fines.  Regarding offenses for leagues who abuse use of the fields, Selectman Ampagoomian feels the fourth offense, permanent loss of field usage, is too harsh and the other Selectmen agreed.  Selectman Melia suggested that the Playground and Recreation Commission handle all minor offenses but that the serious offenders would need to come before the Board of Selectmen and Town Manager for review and determination.  There being no further comments, Chairman Montecalvo advised that the Selectmen will review the policy and procedures manual and provide their feedback to the Playground & Recreation Commission.  This item will be placed on a future Board of Selectmen's agenda for approval.

 

Cable Advisory Committee Policy Manual [Community Standards Review Board].  Present:  Anne Stefaniak and Carrie Maynard.   Town Manager Kozak provided a document from Attorney William Hewig, [Kopelman & Paige] for the Selectmen to review. The document contained proposed changes to the Cable Advisory Committee's Policy concerning duties related to the Community Standards Review Board.

 

Cable Studio Location Process.  Town Manager Kozak stated that the Board of Selectmen has not taken a vote on the location of the cable studio.  Continuing, he informed the Chairman of the Cable Committee that a decision on a location can not be made until it goes through the 30B process.  Thus, if the Town decides to relocate the studio at privately owned property then we have to go through the 30B process.  However, if the committee chooses to implement a non-profit cable access corporation, we do not have to go through the 30B process.

 

Community Standards Review Board/Present:  Anne Stefaniak and Carrie Maynard.  Ms. Stefaniak and Mrs. Maynard provided the Board of Selectmen with a progress report.  That said, Ms. Stefaniak reviewed what her Board has accomplished in their first month. 

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Skateboard Park Update – Mr. Kozak mentioned the skateboard park has been completed and thanked the DPW crew and students for all their help.   2) Blackstone Heritage Corridor Presentation on Reuse of Old Mills – some employees attended a workshop for reuse of old mill buildings.   3) Workshop on Green Community Act – Town Manager Kozak and DPW Director Richard Sasseville attended a workshop in Worcester regarding the Green Community Act and ways to save money.  4) Building, Planning & Construction Committee – field work has been completed at the High School and bids for the infiltration work have gone out.  DPW Facility – Earth Tech will do the study.  5) Personnel Board Update – the committee finalized their recommended changes to the personnel policy manual.  A draft will be submitted to the Board of Selectmen within a week or two for their review.  6)  Election went well, 84% voter turnout. 

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) Skateboard park concerns; a trash receptacle should be placed on the premises; signage and a mechanism for complaints.  2) Would like to be notified when the Town Manager and/or employees attend workshops so that if the Selectmen can’t attend, they can submit questions for you to take to the meeting. 3) Progress on High School Audit – Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he spoke to the SBAB a couple months ago and they are still working on the audit. 4) Has the Safety Committee looked at the traffic patterns on the off-street parking of Church Street.  Chairman Montecalvo mentioned that the committee has not met this month. 5) Revisit the traffic pattern at Memorial Square.  Selectman Melia requested that DPW Director Richard Sasseville come before the Board to discuss this issue as he felt he is the most qualified.  6) Acknowledgement of Kevin Plant [new Eagle Scout] completed a project on Lake Street (revitalized tables and park benches).  7) Saturday, Nov. 15th, St. Patrick’s Church @ 11 AM there will be a memorial service for Scott Metcalf, a soldier who was killed in Afghanistan.  Selectman Nolan 1) voting went very well.  2) Update on second water meters.  Town Manager Kozak responded that the process has begun.  Selectman Melia 1) ornamental streetlights from Memorial Square to Aubuchon’s are not working.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned they were turned off last year due to loss of funding.  2) Thanked everyone who worked at the polls. 3) Scott Mackintosh resigned from the Playground & Recreation Commission and would like a letter to be sent thanking him for his services.  Selectman Marzec 1) mentioned the polls went very smoothly and thanked everyone who worked that day.  2) He checked out the upper fields and thanked the Building, Planning and Construction Committee and the workers for doing such a great job. 3) Update on the Union Street Brook issue – would like to place it under discussions at a future meeting. Chairman Montecalvo recalled that it would be looked at in the spring.  4) Echoed what Selectman Ampagoomian stated about the Green Community Act workshop.  5) Any information on the handicap accessibility of Town Hall.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned the company had to delay the installment of the automatic door opener for another week but that it should be completed by next week. 6) Update on St. Patrick’s Lease-Town Manager Kozak mentioned that the attorney for the church has not contacted the town’s attorney.   

 

Items for Future Agenda.  Green Community Act.

 

Executive Session.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#5 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:  9:45 P.M.

 

                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

 

 

                                                                                Daniel Nolan, Clerk

/dg