Board of Selectmen

 July 27, 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, Marzec, Melia.  Selectman Nolan was not present and it is duly recorded.  Also Present: Theodore D. Kozak, Town Manager. 

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

 

Approval of Minutes.

June 22, 2009 - A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the June 22, 2009 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian and Marzec.

 

Public Hearing/7:05 P.M. Continued - Disciplinary Hearing re: Trading Post’s Liquor License – Chairman Montecalvo asked if anyone from the Trading Post was present for tonight’s discussion. There being no response, Chairman Montecalvo announced that since it wasn't quite 7:05 PM, he would move on to the next topic and then come back to the public hearing.

 

Appointments. By the Board of Selectmen:  Election Workers (Democrat, Republican, and Unenrolled)/Vote to appoint.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to appoint the Democrat, Republican and Unenrolled Election Officers as listed in the Selectmen’s agenda packets.   Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Ampagoomian, Marzec and Montecalvo.  Board of Registrars [1 vacancy]: Vincent Tynan [Democrat Designee]/Present: Dr. John Baker, Chairman, Board of Registrars.  Mr. Tynan, 3C Colonial Dive, Whitinsville, mentioned that he is a long time resident of Northbridge and previously served on the Finance Committee and currently serves on the Northbridge Housing Authority.  Dr. Baker advised the Selectmen that his committee strongly recommends Mr. Tynan be appointed as their Democrat Designee.  Mr. Baker also thanked Peter Andonian for serving on his committee for the past three years and wished him well.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to appoint Vincent Tynan to the Board of Registrars as the Democrat Designee.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Ampagoomian, Marzec and Montecalvo.    

 

Public Hearing/7:05 P.M. Continued - Disciplinary Hearing re: Trading Post’s Liquor License – Chairman Montecalvo again asked if anyone from the Trading Post was present.  There being no one present, a motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to close the public hearing.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Ampagoomian, Melia and Montecalvo.

 

Disability Commission [4 vacancies/3 applicants] Russell Conlon, Sheri Nolan, Gail Arnold.   Present:  Gail Arnold and Russell Conlon.  Chairman Montecalvo asked the applicants to come forward.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that Ms. Nolan could not be present for tonight’s meeting but would like to be considered for an appointment.   Selectman Ampagoomian suggested holding off on the appointment of Ms. Nolan because he would like to ask her some questions.  Selectman Melia suggested moving forward on appointing all three applicants.  Russell Conlon, 17 Douglas Road, Whitinsville, mentioned that he was Chairman of the Disability Commission several years ago and would like to become a member again to help the handicapped individuals in town.  Gail Arnold, 290 Providence Road, Linwood, mentioned that she too is a former member of the Disability Commission and has a great deal of interest in serving on the committee again.  After a brief question and answer session, a motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to appoint Russell Conlon, Gail Arnold & Sheri Nolan to the Disability Commission.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Marzec.  Vote no/Messrs. Montecalvo, and Ampagoomian.  There being a tie vote, motion doesn't carry.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to cast individual votes on the applicants for seats on the Disability Commission.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia and Ampagoomian.  Vote no/Messrs. Montecalvo, and Marzec. There being a tie vote, motion doesn't carry.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to appoint Russell Conlon to the Disability Commission.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Melia, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to appoint Gail Arnold to the Disability Commission.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Melia, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Marzec to appoint Sheri Nolan to the Disability Commission.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec and Melia.  Abstain/Mr. Ampagoomian.  Chairman Montecalvo did not vote on Ms. Nolan's appointment.  Green Committee:  Laura Hanny, April Jacobs, William J. Mello, Jr.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that two positions are at-large and one position is an appointment by the Building, Planning and Construction Committee. The Building, Planning and Construction Committee recommended William J. Mello, Jr. for the appointment.  April Jacobs, 2191 Providence Road, Northbridge, mentioned that she has lived in town for most of her life and now wants to help her community out by volunteering her time.  William J. Mello, Jr., 8 Sprague Street, Northbridge, mentioned that he is an architect and currently serves on the Building, Planning and Construction Committee.  He has also been involved in energy conservation for several years.  Mr. Mello feels that his knowledge and experience would be an asset to this committee. Laura Hanny, 19 Elm Place, Whitinsville, expressed her interest for wanting to be on the Green Committee.  She mentioned that she has a background in Biology and recently worked on a Green Energy Plan with the former Superintendent of Schools Henry O’Donnell.  She has attended many conferences and seminars on energy conservation and currently belongs to Earthwatch.  Selectman Marzec asked if the Building, Planning and Construction Committee designated Mr. William Mello as the representative for the Green Committee and Chairman Murray replied “yes”.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to appoint Laura Hanny and April Jacobs as the “At Large Candidates” for the Green Committee.  Vote yes/Messrs. Marzec, Melia, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo. 

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  Mr. Robert A. Parker, Jr.  20 Nolet Street, Linwood, reported that two handicapped parking spaces were removed on Park Street (near Unibank). He suggested that the Disability Commission look into this and find out why they were removed.  Mr. Parker expressed his concerns on the lack of preventive maintenance for the town’s sidewalks, guardrails and fences.  There are a lot of weeds in the sidewalks and poison ivy on the fences around the town.  He suggested the town view the following areas; Linwood Pond, Arcade Pond, Meadow Pond and take care of this issue/problem.

 

Trading Post Market Inc. d/b/a Trading Post Market/Vote to cancel Liquor License.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Marzec to cancel the Retail Store Wines and Malt Liquor License held by the Trading Post Market Inc. d/b/a Trading Post Market (John America, Manager) for failure to conduct the licensed business. Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Marzec, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.  Town Manager Kozak mentioned that a letter will be sent to Mr. Gurmit Pabla, Owner of the Trading Post and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission notifying them of tonight’s decision to cancel the liquor license of the Trading Post Market.  

 

Jacob Kupelian/Vote to accept in perpetuity a monetary gift in the amount of $5,000 for the care and maintenance of Riverdale Cemetery.   A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to accept in perpetuity a monetary gift in the amount of $5,000 for the care and maintenance of Riverdale Cemetery.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Marzec, Ampagoomian, and Montecalvo.  Chairman Montecalvo asked that a letter be sent thanking Mr. Kupelian for his donation.

 

Permit Fees/Present:  James Sheehan, Building Inspector.  Mr. Sheehan provided a Building Department fee schedule for the Board of Selectmen to review.  The document contained the proposed fee schedule as well as documentation supporting an increase in permit fees.  Chairman Montecalvo mentioned this item would be placed on the next Selectmen's agenda, August 10, 2009, for a vote. 

 

Update on town projects/ George Murray, Chairman-Building, Planning & Construction Committee and Committee Members: William Mello, Jr., Ronald White, Thomas Pilibosian, Donald Lange and William Ferguson.  Mr. Murray provided an update on the list of projects his committee is currently handling: 1) Fire Station – provided a report to the Selectmen along with recommendations and a site map of the property adjacent to the Police Station.  Mr. Murray mentioned that there isn’t enough space to put a fire station in that location.  2) DPW Facility – mentioned that EarthTech is still working on the study and will be coming to town this week to conduct a site walk and visit at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.  Committee member Mello and DPW Director Sasseville have put together a space needs report that encompasses about 30,000 square feet.  A report from EarthTech should be forthcoming on or around August 20, 2009.  3) High School Athletic Fields – Mr. Murray reported that he and Donald Lange met with a representative of the School Committee last week to discuss the fields.  He mentioned that the fields looked great and that by the end of August or beginning of September, the lower section of the fields would be turned over to the School Department.  The top section should be ready by the following spring.  He also mentioned that there are 15 handicapped parking spaces. 4) HVAC Rooftop Unit Replacement at the Northbridge Police Station – reported that his committee has received the project drawings and is waiting for the engineering company to provide them with the timetable for bids and installation. Selectman Marzec requested a copy of a study that was previously done on the windows and structure for the Town Hall.  Chairman Murray suggested contacting someone in Town Hall for that information as he doesn’t know anything about it.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) Whitinsville Water Company Rate Hearing/Tour – A public hearing will be held at the Town Hall on August 18th at 7 PM.  Selectmen Montecalvo and Nolan attended a tour with Town Manager Kozak to view the new water treatment facility in Sutton.  2) Department Head Meeting – Held a department head meeting to discuss issues such as the new classification plan, Green Committee, new security system, centralized purchasing area and FY 10 budgets.  3) Pavement Management Plan Update – Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission personnel have completed a survey of town roads and will be meeting next week with the DPW Director to discuss recommendations.  4) Regional Sewer Expansion Project – The Town of Sutton held a bid opening to expand sewer lines at the Northbridge/Sutton line to access commercial properties near Walmart.  Applications are being reviewed now and a decision will be forthcoming. 5) Fire at 2094 Quaker Street - unfortunately the house was severely damaged.  Selectman Ampagoomian asked if the Department Heads had any questions and/or concerns on the new classification plan and projections for the FY10 budgets.  Town Manager Kozak replied that the department heads had no problems with the proposed classification plan.  As for the FY10 budget, Town Manager Kozak mentioned that Department Heads were concerned with how much of a reduction the Town side will incur. Selectman Ampagoomian requested a copy of the Pavement Management Plan be forwarded to the Master Plan Committee.  Selectman Melia asked if Mr. Kozak was meeting on a daily, weekly or monthly basis with the Finance Committee, Accounting Office and School Department regarding the budget and future reductions.  Town Manager Kozak reported that the Accounting Office and School Department communicate with him quarterly on the revolving accounts.  He also stated that he speaks frequently with the Chairman of the Finance Committee and announced that a meeting with the Finance Committee is scheduled for sometime in late August.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Ampagoomian 1) Thanked Jacob Kupelian for the kind donation to the Town of Northbridge for the care and maintenance of Riverdale Cemetery.  He also inquired about the replacement of the Riverdale Cemetery sign.  Selectman Ampagoomian also recommended that a sign be placed at the entrance of the cemetery advising residents that no pets are allowed in. 2) Asked for an update on the various projects: Plummer’s Corner, Ross Rajotte and Douglas Road Bridges, and Sutton Street.  3) Thanked Peter Andonian for serving as a member of the Board of Registrars.  Selectman Marzec 1) Commented on how proud he was to attend the Cal Ripken Youth Baseball [Ten and under] Northbridge All Star’s “State Finals”.  This is quite an achievement and mentioned that the Town should be proud of them.  2) Congratulated the American Legion for their baseball tournament and then thanked John Berkowitz, Coach John Demagian and Bob Parker for orchestrating the American Legion baseball league almost 25 years ago. 3) Requested an update on the maintenance of the Town roads.  4) Inquired about the status of the 2010 Charter Review Process. Selectman Melia 1) Commented on the condition of Town Hall windows and requested that the Town look into fixing them.  Town Manager Kozak and Chairman Montecalvo both responded by stating there is lead paint upstairs and it is very expensive to have a company come in and remove the lead paint.  Town Manager Kozak also advised that he is hoping that the Green Committee can get a grant for the Town of Northbridge to repair the windows.

 

Executive Session.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Negotiations and Chapter 39, S. 23B#3 Litigation --not to reconvene in open session.  Roll Call Vote:  Mr. Marzec/ Yes; Mr. Melia/Yes; Mr. Ampagoomian/Yes; and Mr. Montecalvo/Yes. 

 

Meeting Adjourned: 8:20 P.M.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Charles Ampagoomian, Jr., Clerk

 

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