Board of Selectmen
November 24, 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.
Approval of Minutes.
October 6, 2008
Selectman
Melia recommended the October 6, 2008 minutes be amended as follows: Under the title, Sewer Service Policy, amend the
motion to read as follows: A motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Marzec to rescind
the prior vote of the Board made at their September 8, 2008 meeting. Vote yes/Messrs. Nolan, Marzec and
Montecalvo. Vote no/Messrs. Melia and
Ampagoomian. A motion/Mr. Marzec,
seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to amend the October 6, 2008 minutes as recommended
above. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Chairman
Montecalvo advised everyone that Mr. William Jorritsma’s appointment
would be postponed to a future meeting.
Resignation:
Playground & Recreation Commission/Scott Mackintosh. A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to accept the resignation of Mr.
Scott Mackintosh and send him a letter of appreciation. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Citizens’ Comments/Input. 1) Skateboard Park
[Sherri Travers and Former Students].
Present: Matt Perry and Justin
Varteresian. Mr. Perry read aloud a
speech he prepared thanking the Board of Selectmen, Town Manager, Playground
& Recreation, Finance Committee, Highway Department, Building, Planning
& Construction Committee, Engineers, Advisory Committee and residents for
all their help and support so that the Skateboard Park could become a
reality. Mr. Varteresian also read aloud
a speech he prepared thanking Mrs. Travers and others mentioned above for
making their dreams come true. He
mentioned the greatest lesson he learned was that contrary to popular belief,
change is not rapid. The amount of time
it takes to accomplish something is enumerable and through hard work and dedication
brings about a solution. 2)
Student Election Workers/Presentation of Certificates [Present: Doreen Cedrone,
Town Clerk and Mr. René Lafayette, Teacher]. Ms. Cedrone thanked the 14 High
School Students who worked the election on November 4, 2008, and noted she was
very proud of them. That said, she
extended her appreciation to the Department of Public Works, School Department,
School Committee, Election Workers, Wards and Clerks, Police Department and
last but not least Connie Hills, the Assistant Town Clerk. Mr. Lafayette read aloud a speech he prepared
thanking Town Clerk Doreen Cedrone and Assistant Town Clerk Connie Hills. He mentioned that his students learned
practical and valuable lessons about democracy and provided each of them with a
certificate of appreciation.
Community Standards Review Board Policy [Attorney
William Hewig, Kopelman & Paige]. Chairman
Montecalvo mentioned that Attorney Hewig is present for tonight’s meeting so
that the Board of Selectmen can amend the Community Standards Review Board
Policy. Attorney Hewig mentioned that because
of the American Civil Liberties Union some changes have to be made to the
policy. Selectman Nolan asked if a
decision needed to be made tonight and Attorney Hewig responded “no”. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Nolan to
place the final draft of the Community Standards Review Board policy under
discussions at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting. Selectman Melia mentioned that since the
attorney is present tonight it makes no sense to hold off on this. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Nolan to
rescind the previous motion made above. Vote
yes/Unanimous. After a brief question
and answer session, a motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to table this matter
until their
next meeting. Vote yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian
and Nolan. Vote no/Messrs. Marzec, Melia
and Montecalvo. A
motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the amended Cable Policy as presented
by Attorney Hewig. Vote
yes/Messrs. Marzec, Melia and Montecalvo.
Vote no/Messrs. Ampagoomian and Nolan.
2008 Holiday Schedule. Town
Manager Kozak suggested changing the 2008 ChristmasHoliday
Schedule on Wednesday and Friday. On
Wednesday, the employees would work until 1 o’clock and then close on Thursday
and Friday. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Nolan to amend the 2008 Holiday Schedule as follows: Wednesday,
December 24, 2008 & Wednesday, December 31, 2008, the Town Hall will close
a 1 P.M. The Town Hall will be closed
all day on: December 25, 2008, December
26, 2008, January 1, 2009 and January 2, 2009.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
2009 Holiday
Calendar/Vote to approve. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the 2009 Holiday Calendar. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
2009 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule/Vote to
approve. A motion/Mr. Marzec,
seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the 2009 Board of Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Winter Parking Ban [December 1, 2008 to April 1,
2009]/Vote to approve. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec
to approve the Winter Parking Ban from December 1, 2008 to April 1, 2009 as
recommended by the Chief of Police. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
Fees for Sanding and Plowing Unaccepted Subdivision
Roadways/Vote to approve rates. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to approve the rates as recommended by the Director of Department of Public
Works. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Knights of Columbus [Mr. Bob Jacques]/Request
permission to hang a banner across Church
Street from December 7th through
December 14th to advertise their Annual Children’s Christmas Party. A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to grant permission to the Knights
of Columbus to hang a banner across Church Street from December 7th
through December 14th to advertise their Annual Children’s Christmas
Party. Vote yes/Messrs. Nolan,
Ampagoomian, Melia and Montecalvo.
Abstain/Mr. Marzec.
Holiday
Events [Playground and Recreation Commission, Alternatives & Holiday Tree
Lighting Committee]. Chairman Montecalvo mentioned the following events all take place on December 7, 2008:
1) Holiday Bazaar runs from 9 AM to 5 PM @ the Northbridge High School. Call 508-234-5811 for information. Chairman
of the Playground and Recreation Commission Bruce Frieswick asked about placing
signs around town to advertise their Holiday Bazaar event. Town Manager Kozak mentioned
that the town has a policy for placing signs on Town property, public ways,
etc. and to contact Richard Sasseville at the Highway Department for the policy
guidelines. Playground and Recreation Committee Member Cari-Lynn Fisher
mentioned she would contact Sharon Susienka for assistance. Selectman Ampagoomian pointed out to each
committee that they should be aware of the significance of the December 7th
date [Pearl Harbor Day]. 2) The Holiday
Concert runs from 2 PM – 3:15 PM @ Alternatives Whitin Mill Complex. Call 508-266-6502 for information. Alternatives
Representative Donna Prior and Kathy Lyons, Chairman of the Holiday Tree
Lighting Committee were both present to discuss their events. Ms. Lyons thanked Fire Chief Gary Nestor and
the Fire Department for all their help and support. Mrs. Prior informed the
Selectmen and residents of the activities and events that will be taking place
at Alternatives. 3) The Holiday Tree
Lighting Ceremony runs from 4 PM – 5PM @ the Whitinsville Town Common. Call 508-234-6224 for information.
Blackstone Valley
Regional Economic Development Council. Chairman Montecalvo mentioned that he and other Board
members attended the Regional Selectmen’s Meeting on October 29, 2008 for a
discussion on Regional Economic Development.
Town Manager Kozak mentioned that due to the financial constraints of
the town, the Northbridge Board of Selectmen support the Blackstone Valley
Chamber of Commerce’s concept however would not be able to support them
financially. A letter will be sent from
Town Manager Kozak to Mr. Joseph Deliso, Chairman of the Economic Development
Committee advising him of the town’s position.
Town Manager’s Report. 1) Employee & volunteer recognition
program –provided an overview of the analysis prepared by Town Clerk and
Treasurer/Collector’s Office. At a
future meeting, bring in individuals who qualify for recognition. 2)
Building, Planning and Construction Committee Projects – work on the fields is
almost completed. Final
work to be done in the springtime.
The BPCC is currently working on a plan to address handi-cap access. The
Committee received bids on the infiltration basin work and will make
recommendations at their next meeting. The BPCC is working with consultants on
the scope of work for the DPW facility study. 3) Timber
Management of Town Owned Property – DPW Director and Town Manager are working
with Timber Management Consultant to prepare bids for a winter harvest. 4) Fire Truck Purchase – Fire Chief has
awarded the purchase of the fire truck to Pierce Manufacturing. 5) Chapter
43D Grant Award – Town Planner Gary
Bechtholdt notified the Town Manager of the grant award of $99,000.00 for
planning and development of land use in the Town. 6) attended a Cable Committee
Meeting – the committee is working with a consultant to start working on
providing new equipment in the Board of Selectmen’s room.
Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Marzec 1) extended his deepest condolences to Police Chief
Warchol and family for the recent loss of
his mother; 2) Handi-cap access
door has been installed at the Town Hall; 3)
update on Union Street; 4)
Whitinsville Water Company Filtration Plant; 5) updating Town Website; 6)
Green Committee [Alternative Energy Usage] – place on a future agenda. Selectman
Melia 1) any survey results on
the second water meter issue. DPW
Director Richard Sasseville informed the Selectmen that over 1,000 bills went
out to sewer customers and only 14 residents stressed their interest in having
a second meter. 2) any more issues or complaints on
coyotes? Selectman Ampagoomian 1)
School Audit, Town
Manager Kozak and Chairman Montecalvo replied, “not
completed”. 2) Rumor about an addition to Balmer School. 3)
Key card system? Will begin after the holidays per DPW
Director Richard Sasseville. 4) update on 2 articles [from the Fall
Town Meeting] regarding town-owned property. Town Manager Kozak replied they
are working on articles. 5) Cable
Studio Location. Selectman Nolan 1) attended a meeting at the CMRPC in Worcester.
Items for Future Agenda.
Executive Session. A motion/Mr.
Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to go into Executive Session under M.G.L.
Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Negotiations--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: 8:39 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Daniel
Nolan, Clerk
/dg