Board of Selectmen
June 8, 2009
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Joseph Montecalvo at 6:30 PM,
The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited by those present.
Open Session Adjourned: 6:31 P.M.
Executive Session Convened: 6:32 P.M.
Executive Session Adjourned: 6:58 P.M.
Open Session Reconvened: 7:00 P.M.
Reorganization of the Board of Selectmen:
Town
Manager Kozak announced that he would proceed with the reorganization of the
Board. Town Manager Kozak polled the
Board of Selectmen for Nominations for Chairman: A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to nominate Joseph Montecalvo as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
A
motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Marzec to nominate
Presentation of
Commendation to Mrs. Elizabeth Gauthier in honor of her 108th
birthday. Chairman Montecalvo presented Mrs. Elizabeth
Gauthier with a commendation in honor of her 108th birthday and then
she thanked everyone.
Eagle Scout Awards
Presentation: 1) Matthew Haas; 2) Kevin
Plant; 3) Casey Bliss. Chairman Montecalvo presented Casey Bliss,
Kevin Plant and Matthew Haas with a certificate of special recognition for
their completion of an Eagle Scout Project.
Approval of Minutes.
April 27, 2009 - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve the April 27,
2009 minutes as presented with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.
May 18, 2009 - A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the May 18, 2009 minutes
as presented with the readings omitted.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
May 18, 2009 [Executive Session] - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to
approve but not release the May 18, 2009 Executive Session minutes as presented
with the readings omitted. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Public Hearing/7:10 P.M. – Edward Byrne Memorial
Justice Assistance Grant. Present: Police Chief Walter Warchol. A motion was made and seconded to open the
public hearing. Vote yes/ Unanimous. Chief Warchol advised that on March 16, 2009,
Senator Kerry’s Office notified him that the Northbridge Police Department
would be eligible to receive the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant
in the amount of $14,306.00. He explained
that in order for the Northbridge Police Department to receive the grant, two requirements
needed to be met: 1) the grant application had to be made available for review
by the local governing body; and 2) hold a Public Hearing so the grant
application be made public and that an opportunity to comment was provided to
citizens of the community. With that
said, Chief Warchol suggested that the grant money be used to purchase a new
“Green” detective’s cruiser. Selectman
Melia thanked Chief Warchol for the information. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan
to close the public hearing. Vote yes/Unanimous. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to
accept the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. Vote yes/Unanimous.
7:15 P.M./Trading Post Market,
Inc. [Liquor License Disciplinary Hearing]. A
motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Marzec to open the disciplinary hearing for the
Trading Post Liquor License. Vote yes/ Unanimous. Chairman Montecalvo read aloud a letter that
was mailed to owner Gurmit Pabla, on May 20, 2009, advising him that the Board
of Selectmen would be conducting a show cause hearing regarding the
cancellation of the Trading Post's Retail Package Goods Store Wines & Malt
License. Chairman Montecalvo then stated
that Mr. Pabla's Attorney, William Goldberg, contacted the Selectmen's Office
to request the disciplinary hearing be held off for 45 days to enable Mr. Pabla
to sell the store and its license. In
turn, Town Manager Kozak spoke with Town Counsel, who recommended that the Board
of Selectmen hold off on taking any action and continue the disciplinary
hearing on July 27, 2009. There being no
further comments, a motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to continue the
Trading Post Market's Liquor License disciplinary hearing until July 27, 2009 @
7:05 P.M., per the recommendation
of
Town Counsel. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Appointments/By the Board
of Selectmen: Council on Aging [2
vacancies]/Present: Burnham Miller, Chairman, Council on Aging [COA]. Mr. Miller informed the Board of Selectmen that there
are presently two vacancies on the Council and two candidates, Phyllis A.
DiPalma and Elaine Sughrue have expressed an interest in and applied for the
two vacant positions. He stated
that the COA feels the two candidates are very qualified and recommends both of
them for appointment. A motion/Mr.
Melia, seconded/Mr. Nolan to appoint Phyllis A. DiPalma and Elaine Sughrue to
the Council on Aging. Vote
yes/Unanimous.
Municipal Hearings Officer:
Zoning Board of Appeals
[Associate Member]: Brett Simas. Present: Thomas Hansson, ZBA Chairman. Mr. Hansson stated that Mr. Simas attended
the May 14, 2009 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, and showed interest by taking
notes and being very attentive to the discussions taking place. He also reported that Mr. Simas had a very
impressive resume and would be a great addition to the Board and as such recommended
that Mr. Brett Simas be appointed as an Associate Member to the Zoning Board of
Appeals. A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Melia to appoint Brett Simas as an Associate Member to the Zoning
Board of Appeals. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Citizens’ Comments/Input. None
Trading Post Liquor
License/Vote to cancel. This item will be placed on the
July 27, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s Agenda.
Dog Warrant/Vote to approve and authorize Chairman to
sign. Present: Police Chief Walter Warchol. Chief
Warchol respectfully requested that the Board of Selectmen approve and authorize
the Chairman Montecalvo to sign the dog warrant thereby giving the Animal Control
Officer statutory powers for the upcoming year.
A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to authorize Chairman
Montecalvo to sign the dog warrant as requested by Chief Warchol. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Junk Dealer’s License/Frederick Brooks d/b/a
Northbridge Antique Flea Market/Vote to approve.
Present:
Frederick Brooks. Selectman Ampagoomian asked if Mr. Brooks
needed a permit to display his merchandise on a public way. Mr. Brooks advised that he received a permit
from Building Inspector James Sheehan. A
motion/Mr. Nolan, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve and issue a Junk Dealer’s
License to Frederick Brooks d/b/a Northbridge Antique Flea Market located at
Whitin Community Center [Gary Wood, Exec. Dir.]/Request
for an entertainment license for an outdoor dance on Saturday, June 20, 2009
from 6 PM to Midnight. Event cancelled per Mr. Gary Wood.
Northbridge Fire Department/Request to hang a banner
over
Whitin Garden Club [Jeff Allard]/Request permission to
use Elsa Mason Conservation Trust Fund monies to help clean up the community
gardens. This item removed from agenda per Jeff Allard.
American Cancer Society [Kristen Frazee]/Request
permission to conduct a “Bicycles Battling Cancer” biking event through
portions of Northbridge on Sunday, July 26, 2009. A
motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to grant permission to the American
Cancer Society to conduct a Bicycles Battling Cancer biking event through
portions of Northbridge on Sunday, July 26, 2009 subject to the safety
requirements of the Northbridge Police Department. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Trinity Episcopal Church [Rev. Charles F. Sutton,
Jr.]/Request to use the town-owned “Tot
A motion/Mr. Marzec,
seconded/Mr. Melia to grant permission to the Trinity Episcopal Church to use
the town-owned “Tot Lot” from June 21st through June 25th, from 6:30
P.M. to 8:30 P.M. to conduct an outreach program with final approval by the
Playground and Recreation Commission. Vote yes/ Unanimous.
FY 2010 Water and Sewer Rates/Vote to approve.
Present: Richard Sasseville, DPW
Director.
Mr. Sasseville noted that at
their previous meeting the Board voted to approve the concept of the “winter
quarter billing” so he went ahead and set up the FY 2010 utility rate schedules
using the winter quarter billing method.
He recommended that the Board of
Selectmen implement the FY 2010 Water and Sewer utility rates effective July 1,
2009. He explained that under this new rate
structure, sewer customers would receive four quarterly bills based on metered “winter
quarter water consumption". The
winter quarter billing system eliminates the need for seasonal abatements and
the installation of second meters. In
addition, customers who use 2,000 cubic feet or less per quarter will see no
change in their annual cost. Mr. Sasseville further stated that these FY
2010 rates are revenue neutral, meaning they will generate approximately the
same amount of revenue as under the previous rate structure. A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to approve the FY 2010 Water and Sewer Rates as presented by DPW Director
Richard Sasseville. Vote yes/Unanimous.
A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Melia to move Item S, Linwood Mill/Vote recommendation on special
permit from discussions to decisions. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Linwood Mill/Vote recommendation on special permit. A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to support the issuance of a special
permit for the Linwood Mill located at
Flood Insurance Rate Map & Flood Insurance Study
Report. Present: Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner and James
Sheehan, Building Inspector. Mr. Bechtholdt mentioned they are coming before the Board to provide a brief overview
of the State’s Flood Maps Modernization Initiative. Mr. Sheehan advised the Board that the Town
received a preliminary copy of the map at the end of April, which was the start
of the 30-day review period. The next
phase is a 90-day appeal period. FEMA
will notify the town and advertise for two weeks in the paper prior to the start
of the 90-day appeal period. The object
is to provide an opportunity for property owners whose property wasn’t
previously located in the flood plain to object to their property now being
placed in the flood plain. This would
allow them time to provide engineering documentation and technical data to
support their case. Mr. Bechtholdt
advised the Selectmen that a discussion is scheduled to take place at their
July 13, 2009 Board of Selectmen’s meeting, so that Chris Markesich, Flood
Hazard Mapping Coordinator for Department of Conservation and Recreation [DCR]
can address any questions or concerns from the Board. He further mentioned that a notice has been
posted with the Town Clerk and Local Access Channel, along with a link to the Town's
website where residents and interested parties can view the
proposed/preliminary flood maps. Once
FEMA approves the flood maps, the Zoning bylaw will need to be modified [Spring
2010]. Mr. Bechtholdt stressed the fact
that property owners will not be
notified if their property is now considered to be located in a flood plain so he
is urging anyone near a flood plain to review the preliminary maps.
National Grid/Present: Mike Peterson & Fouad Dagher. A Powerpoint
presentation was provided to the Board of Selectmen on National Grid’s Solar
Energy in support of the Green Communities Act.
The Act sets ambitious goals for reducing consumption of fossil fuels
through conservation, energy-efficiency, and adoption of renewable energy
sources, including solar power. Solar
power reduces greenhouse gas emissions, diversifies customers’ energy supply,
and supports local jobs and economic growth.
Mr. Dagher mentioned that National Grid is focusing on the installation
of Solar Panels in 5 sites: 1) Dorchester; 2)
Whitinsville Water Company [WWC] Rate Case
Filing/Present: Mr. Leonard White,
President; David White, Vice President; and Randy Swigor, Manager. Mr.
Swigor provided a statement detailing the construction of a new $5.6 million water
treatment facility located on
Town Manager’s Report. 1) Smart
Growth – Smart Energy Workshop – The Planning Board will hold a public
workshop on June 30, 2009, from 7 PM to 9 PM at Alternatives. As part of the Master Plan, this workshop is
for the public to learn more about saving money for energy on residences and
businesses as part of the Green Community Program. 2) 11-Town Board of
Selectmen/Administrators Meeting - A meeting will be held June 18, 2009, 7
PM at the
Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Nolan 1) Congratulated Dennis Rice of Alternatives for
receiving the Renaissance Award. He also
congratulated the graduating classes of 2009 at Blackstone Valley Tech, Northbridge
High and the
Selectman Ampagoomian announced that on Saturday, June 13, 2009, 10 AM at
the Charlestown Naval Shipyard aboard the USS Constitution, there will be a
formal deployment ceremony of the 101st Engineering Battalion,
Chairman Montecalvo suggested scheduling the Selectmen's meetings to a later time or
letting Town employees leave 10 minutes earlier on Mondays due to parking
problems on meeting nights. There have
been some concerns with limited parking on the nights of the Board of
Selectmen’s meetings. When other Boards
and Committees have meetings on the same night, there is no place for anyone to
park.
A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian,
seconded/Mr. Nolan to adjourn the open meeting.
Vote yes/Unanimous.
Open Session Adjourned: 8:38
P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Daniel
Nolan, Clerk
/dg