Board of Selectmen

 January 12, 2009

 

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 and Melia.  Also Present: Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.  Selectman James Marzec was absent and it is duly recorded.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Chairman Montecalvo announced that Selectman James Marzec would not be in attendance for tonight’s meeting because he is at a meeting with the School Superintendent’s Search Committee.

 

Employee and Volunteer Appreciation Awards for 25+ Years of Service.  Chairman Montecalvo presented plaques to the following volunteer for their many years of service to the town: Varkis Arakelian, Kenneth Warchol, Constance Dion, and Paula McCowan.  Town Manager Kozak presented awards to Town employees for their years of service to the Town:  Sheila Brennan, Mark Kuras, and Edna John.  Lorraine Bell and Clarence LaChapelle received recognition but were not present at the meeting.  Their plaques will be mailed to their home address. Town Manager Kozak announced that others will be receiving recognition at their next scheduled meeting on January 26, 2009 at 7 PM.

 

Public Hearing/7:05 P.M. FY 2009 Community Development Block Grant.  Present:  Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner, and Tim Hansen, Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission.  Chairman Montecalvo read the public hearing notice aloud.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to open the public hearing for the FY 2009 Community Development Block Grant.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Nolan, Ampagoomian and Montecalvo.  Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned that a public workshop will be held next week at the planning office to receive public input for the application.  Mr. Hansen provided the Board of Selectmen with a PowerPoint presentation regarding the process, procedures and the requirements of the grant application.  He mentioned the town has applied for the application the past couple years but missed because of scoring criteria.  The FY ‘09 application is due February 13th and must meet the following criteria:  Must meet National Objectives; Project Eligibility, and Must be consistent with Community Development Strategy Plan.  The National Objectives are: 1) Benefit to low and moderate income persons, 2) Prevention or elimination of slums and blight, 3) Urgent Need.  Possible Activities in Northbridge are:  North Main Street, Upper Border Street, Crescent Street, C Street, and D Street.  Mr. Hansen stated that every community must now have a target area and the town has decided it to be the New Village Area.  He further mentioned that Mr. Bechtholdt submitted an RFP for Public Social Services. Continuing, he said there are two Community Development Funds: CDF1 and CDF2.  Northbridge has always chosen the Community Development Fund 1 because there is more money and felt they had a greater chance of receiving the grant.  Mr. Hansen then mentioned the need score is 26 for the Town of Northbridge and is factored into the CDF1.  The higher the need score the better off your town is.  DHCD has reduced the threshold that towns can apply for and Mr. Hansen is recommending that Northbridge choose CDF2, which is a maximum of $700,000.  Mr. Bechtholdt recommended that the Selectmen continue the Public Hearing until their next scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting so that he can conduct the Public Workshop on Tuesday, January 20th, 6:30 PM, at the Planning Board Office. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to continue the public hearing until the next scheduled Board of Selectmen’s meeting, January 26, 2009.  Vote yes/Messrs. Ampagoomian, Melia, Nolan and Montecalvo. 

 

Appointments. By the Town Manager:  Acting Treasurer/Collector: Laura Woeller.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that due to the former Treasurer/Collector’s departure, he is recommending that Laura Woeller be Acting Treasurer/Collector until a replacement is found.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to affirm the appointment of Laura Woeller as the Acting Treasurer/Collector.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Nolan, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.  By the Board of Selectmen/ Retirement Board: Sharon Susienka [3-YearTerm]. Chairman Montecalvo suggested the appointment be held off until their next meeting because another individual has expressed interest in serving on that Board.  The Board of Selectmen agreed.

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  None.

 

Town Manager’s Contract/Vote to increase Deferred Compensation for calendar year 2009.  Selectman Ampagoomian suggested that before moving forward with this Town Manager Kozak wait until he has more information regarding the financial situation of the town.  Town Manager Kozak explained the reason for this request was the fact that his contract was extended until February 2011, however, his deferred compensation wouldn’t be addressed in his contract after 2009.  He wanted both to be in the same timeline.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve the Town Manager’s increase in Deferred Compensation in the amount of $120 for calendar year 2009.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Nolan and Montecalvo.  Vote no/Mr. Ampagoomian.

 

 

 

Road Opening Permit Rules and Regulations/Vote to approve revisions.  Present:  Richard Sasseville, DPW Director.  A motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the revisions to the Road Opening Permit Rules and Regulations.  Vote yes/Messrs. Nolan, Melia, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.

 

Town-Owned Property Map 24 Lot 130/Appraisal.  Town Manager Kozak advised that there were two properties in town that were approved by Town Meeting to be placed “for sale”.  The Assessor’s Office has appraised the property on Driscoll Lane for around $2600.00.  One of the abutters to the Town’s  landlocked parcel would like to purchase the land.   Town Manager Kozak is recommending that the Town ask the abutter (homeowner) if he would like to purchase the property for $2600.00.  He advised that if the, homeowner wishes to purchase the property, it would need final approval at a future Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

 

Blackstone River Bikeway Project Update [Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner, and Diane Keefe, John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission]. Ms. Keefe provided an overview on the timeline and status of the Blackstone River Bikeway project.  Once the bikeway is built, it will be 48 miles long and 28.5 miles of it will be in Massachusetts with 5.5 miles in Northbridge, and 19.5 miles will be in Rhode Island.  The bikeway will serve as both an alternative means of transportation and a major recreational amenity for the Valley.  They have a taskforce that will be meeting again on January 27, 2009, to bring everyone together so they can discuss the status of each segment.  Currently, Mass Highway is working with Department of Conservation and Recreation to work out a maintenance strategy and agreement once the bikeway is completed.   That said, there are several sources of funding for the bikeway project and the cost for the Massachusetts’ portion will be around $30 million dollars.  Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned that the Board of Selectmen were provided a copy [in their Selectmen’s packets] of the map showing the bikeway in Northbridge.  After a brief answer and question session, the Board of Selectmen mentioned they would endorse a letter to the State in support of the bikeway project and Northbridge’s interest in moving the project forward.

 

Planning Workshop.  Present:  Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner.  Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned the Planning Board and Master Plan Update Committee would be holding their next public workshop on Tuesday, January 27th, at 7 PM, in the Board of Selectmen’s Room.  The presentation will be given by the State’s Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and the Department of Housing and Community Development on Transfer Development Rights and Smart Growth Planning.

 

National Grid, Verizon, and Charter Communications/Removal of old poles.  Present:  Richard Sasseville, DPW Director, Michael Peterson, National Grids Account Representative, Dave Poplawski, Charter Communications Construction Manager, and Paul Schneider, Verizon Representative.   Mr. Peterson passed out a document referencing a database that national grid has put together for tonight’s meeting.  The database provided the name of the street and what telephone remediation party national Grid was waiting for [Electric, Telephone, Street Light, Fire Alarm, Private, Fiber, Cable Television].  Mr. Peterson informed the Selectmen that as of right now, National Grid has 3 utility poles to address, Charter Communications has 3, Northbridge Fire Department has 34, and Verizon has 24 utility poles.  Within the next few weeks each party will begin their process again so that all the old poles will be removed by springtime.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Aldrich School Update – the lead paint stabilization project has been completed but they haven’t received the results yet and the work on the bathrooms will begin the week of January 12, 2009. As for an elevator, Town Manager Kozak mentioned he is looking into this and may be able to get a lift for a reasonable price; however, it may need to go to the Access Board in Boston for approval.  2) Economic Stimulus Package – Lt. Governor Murray’s Office contacted cities and towns for a list of projects that could be funded through federal government stimulus package.  A list was prepared by Town Manager Kozak, Richard Sasseville, and the School Department and submitted to the Lt. Governor’s Office.  3) Emergency Plan in Preparation for Weather Disaster – contacted Richard West, Northbridge Emergency Management, and Paul Halacy, School Department.  Both men have a plan in place if the school is needed for emergency housing (can hold up to 2500 people).  4) Personnel Policy – a draft personnel policy will be discussed at a Personnel Board Meeting on January 14, 2009, followed by a public meeting on January 26, 2009.  Your input is welcomed.  5) Cable Studio/Church Street – work to repair heating system and water in the basement has been completed. Town Manager Kozak mentioned that Attorney Hewig is working on the completion of the Non-Profit Bylaws and Articles of Organization. He should have something for the Board by their next meeting, January 26, 2009.  6) SBAB Update – (audit of High School) review of project is almost completed and should have information in a few weeks.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) sent his condolences to the Mellor family for the recent passing of Bob Mellor, former Selectman for the Town of Northbridge.  2) Flag pole located on Douglas Road (was due to the efforts of Bob Mellor).  He has requested that the bronze plaque that was to be placed in front of the flagpole be installed as soon as the weather permits.  Selectman Nolan 1) Is there a status of the preliminary 2010 budget?  Town Manager Kozak replied that he has asked all departments to submit a level funded expense budget and 3% COLA increase.  He is also waiting until he receives the governor’s budget before providing a preliminary budget.  2) He is concerned about not having the Free Cash Certification numbers.  Town Manager Kozak advised that Town Accountant Neil Vaidya is working on it and plans to submit all the paperwork this week.  That said, he mentioned that he is hoping to receive 1.2 million dollars or more.  3) What is the status on the snow removal and salt budget? DPW Director Richard Sasseville mentioned that they are $65,000+ in the hole as of right now. As for salt, they don’t have anywhere to store it and are still having trouble getting deliveries.  Selectman Melia 1) offered his condolences to the Mellor family.  2) he congratulated and thanked the elected officials and town employees who received recognition awards for their years of service to the town. 3) Interested to know the free cash certification numbers and mentioned that the Town Manager informed everyone a couple weeks ago that the paperwork was being submitted.  4) He received a phone call from a businessman on Church Street regarding the posting of signs, which indicated not to shovel or push snow onto town property.  Mr. Sasseville mentioned the signs are for designated areas and will be placed out there this week.  5)  He asked Town Manager Kozak if he had a plan for FY2010 and the remaining FY09 budget should state aid be taken away.  Town Manager Kozak said he set aside money for FY09 and then he would have to look at FY2010.

 

Items for Future Agenda. 

 

Correspondence. 

 

Executive Session.  A motion was made and seconded 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. Melia/Yes; Mr. Nolan/Yes; Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes; *Mr. Marzec/Yes and Mr. Montecalvo/Yes.

 

Meeting Adjourned:  9:14 P.M.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Daniel Nolan, Clerk

 

/dg

 

*At their regularly scheduled meeting of February 9, 2009, the Board voted to amend the January 12, 2009 minutes as follows:  Under the heading Executive Session, Roll Call Vote, delete Mr. Marzec/Yes, as he was absent from this meeting.