Board of Selectmen

April 13, 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, Marzec and Melia. Also Present: Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

Approval of Minutes.

March 9, 2009 - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the March 9, 2009 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Appointments/By the Town Manager:

1) Animal Control Officer. Daniel Chauvin, Linwood, MA. Police Chief Walter Warchol announced that he supports the Town Manager’s decision to reappoint Daniel Chauvin as the Animal Control Officer. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to affirm Town Manager Kozak’s appointment of Daniel Chauvin as the Animal Control Officer. Vote yes/Unanimous. Appointments/By the Board of Selectmen: 1) Conservation Commission – William Freer. Present: Wyatt Mills, Chairman of the Conservation Commission. Mr. Freer mentioned that he has been a resident in Northbridge for 10 years and would like to give back to the Community by serving on the Conservation Commission. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to appoint William Freer to the Conservation Commission. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Citizens’ Comments/Input. Representative George N. Peterson, Jr., announced that the State House budget would be out on Wednesday, April 15, 2009, however, he doesn’t know what it’s going to look like. He mentioned that revenues continue to downward spiral and that the State could be short another $500 million before the end of this Fiscal Year. Selectman Ampagoomian asked if the Commonwealth has received any money from the federal stimulus package and Representative Peterson replied that they have received several different parts of money but mostly on the educational side. That said, Rep. Peterson mentioned that the Northbridge School System received about $350,000 thus far. The capital money (shovel ready project money) has not been determined yet as to what projects will receive the funding. Selectman Ampagoomian requested Representative Peterson help push for the Ross Rajotte and Douglas Street Bridge to be repaired. Selectman Nolan asked about the rainy day funds, and Rep. Peterson mentioned they plan to take more out next year to balance the budget. Selectman Melia asked Rep. Peterson what it would mean to cut the state agencies 10%. Rep. Peterson responded by stating there are a lot of areas you can’t cut such as: debt services, statutory requirements under Medicaid, federal agreements, penny on the sales tax that goes to MBTA, School Building Assistance Commission and certain other programs. That said, cuts have been made to the following areas: Social Services, Department of Mental Health, Department of Mental Retardation, Blind, and Elderly Programs. Selectman Marzec inquired about the Mass Pike reorganization and the impact it may have on the State Police. Rep. Peterson responded that the State Troopers who patrol the turnpike are currently paid with revenues from the tolls, however, going forward he was uncertain whether it would remain that way as it is unclear if the new turnpike entity will continue to include public safety (state trooper patrols) in the contract. Town Manager Kozak thanked Rep. Peterson for showing interest in allowing communities to make plan design changes in Health Insurance. Chairman Montecalvo thanked Representative Peterson for coming in listening to the Selectmen’s comments and concerns.

Annual Town Election Warrant/Vote to sign. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to sign the Annual Town Election Warrant. Vote yes/ Unanimous.

Cable/Vote to transfer authority of the cable operation to the Board of Directors of the Non-Profit Organization. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan that the Board of Selectmen as Incorporators hereby turn over control of the access corporation “Northbridge Community Television, Inc.” to its duly convened Board of Directors. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Playground and Recreation Commission/Request to use the Whitinsville Town Common on July 9, July 16, July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27 [Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM] for the Summer Concert Series. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the Playground and Recreation Commission’s request to use the Whitinsville Town Common on July 9, July 16 July 23, July 30, August 6, August 13, August 20 and August 27 [Thursday evenings from 5 PM to 9 PM] for the Summer Concert Series. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Northbridge Fire Department/Request permission to hang a banner over Church Street from May 3, 2009 through May 17, 2009 to advertise their annual Spaghetti Supper to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to approve the Northbridge Fire Department's request to hang a banner over Church Street from May 3, 2009 through May 17, 2009 to advertise their annual Spaghetti Supper to be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Vote yes/Unanimous.

Recycling Center Programs/Present: Bill Walsh. Mr. Walsh mentioned that the Blackstone Valley Regional Recycling Center Association would be offering four $250.00 scholarships to graduating seniors within the Blackstone Valley Corridor. In order to participate senior students will need to submit a 1,000-word essay describing a program and/or idea to reduce the carbon footprint in their community. The scholarship money will come from the money raised in the eleven local towns. He also announced that a recycling event will take place on Saturday, May 2, 2009 and Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 9 AM to 2 PM in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The Recycling Center partnered with Wal-Mart to accept White Goods and CRT’s. for each item returned, a fee will be charged but then each customer will receive a $10 Wal-Mart Gift card. That said, Mr. Walsh mentioned that the John Eldridge Show would publicize the upcoming CRT/White Goods Event on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 7 P.M.

Church Street Landfill. Paul Mahoney, President of the Northbridge Redevelopment Corporation, was unable to attend tonight’s meeting. He will be coming to the next Selectmen’s meeting.

Trading Post Liquor License. Chairman Montecalvo suggested sending the owner of the Trading Post a letter asking for the status of the sale of the property. The town needs to know the status so that they can offer the liquor license to another interested business owner. The Selectmen all agreed that the Town Manager should send a letter.

Town Manager Performance Evaluation Process. Chairman Montecalvo asked that the Selectmen review the performance evaluation process and make their suggestions on whether or not to use the current evaluation process or a different one. The Selectmen will review and make their recommendations at the next Selectmen’s meeting.

Town Manager’s Report. 1) Announced Senator Kerry’s Office Hours at Town Hall on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. in the selectmen’s room. 2) Website e-Government Award – announced the award from Common Cause for providing public information to residents via the town website. 3) CMRPC Legislative Breakfast – provided an update on information received from Legislative Members at the Regional Planning Agency’s Breakfast Meeting. That said, a discussion took place on various budget issues such as the stimulus package, Municipal Partnership Act (regionalization issues), Quinn Bill, Ice Storm. 4) Mass Coalition for Water Resource Stewardship – mentioned that he attended organization meeting of joint municipal and private groups interested in receiving cost effective and fair policy decisions from EPA for Wastewater Treatment facilities. 5) Finance Committee Update – attended finance committee meeting to make recommendations for the town budget and articles for the Spring Annual Town Meeting. 6) High School Field Vandalism – provided a report and pictures of vandalism that occurred at the new high school fields.

Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Ampagoomian 1) attended a ceremony on Thursday at Alternatives for the dedication of the art gallery to Spaulding Aldrich and thanked both Paul Buma and Doug Carr for their speech about Mr. Aldrich. 2) Asked if there was a new Chairman of the Parks and Recreation? Town Manager replied that he would find this information out and provide the individuals name to him. Selectman Nolan 1) Asked what would it cost to have the library recertified? Town Manager Kozak mentioned that he would provide this figure to Selectman Nolan after further research. Selectman Melia 1) Congratulated Spaulding Aldrich on his award. 2) Asked if it would make sense to establish a capital building fund? Chairman Montecalvo mentioned they used to be able to do this but not in the past several years due to lack of money. 3) He has received some cable complaints and was wondering if Verizon has been in contact with the Town on how soon they will be coming to Northbridge. 4) Is there any chance the prisoners could work on painting the 3^rd floor of Town Hall? Chairman Montecalvo mentioned they couldn’t because of lead paint issues. 5) Can the Fire Chief or Town Manager provide a report on the red fire boxes? Is there a cost savings? Chairman Montecalvo mentioned he would invite the Fire Chief to come to the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss further. Selectman Marzec 1) Green Committee – mentioned that he received one talent bank application and would like to know if anyone else is interested in joining the committee. 2) Asked about the status of the new fire truck. Town Manager Kozak respondeded that it should be here within the next four months. 3) Linwood Mail Delivery – there is still no status. 4) Structures in Rockdale (White garages and condemned building across from Cumberland Farms), wondering if the town can do something to clean the area up?

Executive Session. A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Marzec to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Negotiations, M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Litigation and M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#5 Criminal Misconduct --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: 8:13 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Daniel Nolan, Clerk

/dg