Board of Selectmen
August 10, 2009
A meeting of the Board of
Selectmen was called to order by Chairman Joseph Montecalvo at 7:00 PM,
The Pledge of Allegiance was
recited by those present.
Chairman Montecalvo announced
that Susan Gorky, Superintendent of Schools and Michael McGrath, School
Committee Chairman were present for tonight’s meeting and asked that they both come
forward for a brief introduction. Ms. Gorky thanked Chairman Montecalvo for
allowing her to come in and introduce herself and encouraged the Selectmen and
residents of Northbridge to contact her with any questions and/or concerns they
may have pertaining to the school budget and system. She mentioned she is available 24/7. Mr. McGrath suggested the lines of
communication remain open between the Town and School during these tough
financial times.
Approval of Minutes.
July 27, 2009 [Executive Session] - A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to
approve the July 27, 2009 Executive Session minutes as presented with the
readings omitted. Discussion on the
motion: Selectman Melia reminded the
Board of a question he asked during that Executive Session regarding the second
matter under Litigation and requested the minutes be amended to reflect the
asking of his question, it being-- "Is there going to be any
re-training/additional training for the person involved in
this situation”. No vote was taken on
the previous motion. There being no
further comments, a motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to amend the
July 27, 2009 Executive Session minutes as requested by Selectman Melia. Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Montecalvo, Ampagoomian, and Marzec. Abstain/Mr. Nolan.
Public Hearing/7:05 P.M. / Laurieann’s Restaurant
& Bar, Inc./ 1) Application for an All Alcoholic Common
Victualler’s License; 2) Application for
a non-alcohol Common Victualler’s License –
3) Application for an Entertainment License for Live
and Recorded Music. Present: Laurieann
Kayhart, Business Owner and Manager; and Paul McKeon, Chairman, Board of
Health. Chairman Montecalvo read the public hearing
notice aloud. A
motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to open the public hearing. Vote yes/Unanimous. Mr.
McKeon provided the Selectmen with a handout detailing outstanding items that
need to be completed prior to the restaurant's opening; however, the Board of
Health is recommending that the Selectmen move forward with the liquor license
application, as it is a lengthy process.
Selectman Ampagoomian had some questions and concerns regarding the
restaurant such as: seating capacity [seats 80-90], parking spaces [26 spaces],
how to handle overflow [if no place to park, customer will probably leave],
hours of operation [7 a.m. – closing, which has not yet been determined], Tips
certification for employees [most definitely], and number of employees [5].
Chairman Montecalvo asked if anyone had a problem with the Entertainment
License, which would include Karaoke.
Chief Warchol stated that his concern with issuing an entertainment
license is mainly due to parking and safety concerns. Chairman Montecalvo suggested that Ms. Kayhart
hold off on applying for the Entertainment License until the restaurant is open
and the hours of operation have been established and then come before the
Selectmen with her application. Chairman
Montecalvo asked if anyone had questions about the Common Victualler’s License
and there was no response.
A motion/Mr.
Marzec, seconded/Mr. Nolan to close the public hearing. Vote
yes/Unanimous. A motion/ Mr. Marzec,
seconded/Mr. Melia to grant local approval to Laurieann’s Restaurant & Bar,
Inc. for an All Alcoholic Common Victualler’s License. Vote yes/Unanimous. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian
to grant a non-alcoholic Common Victualler’s License to Laurieann’s Restaurant
& Bar, Inc. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Appointments. By the Board of Selectmen: 1)
2) Green Committee:
Melissa Martin, Town Employee Rep./Vote to appoint. A motion/Mr. Marzec,
seconded/Mr. Melia to appoint Melissa Martin as the Town Employee
Representative to the Green Committee. Vote yes/Unanimous.
3) Central
Citizens’ Comments/Input. Mr. Ken Williams,
Permit
Fees/Vote to approve. Town Manager Kozak announced that the
permit fees were advertised on the local cable channel, the Town’s web page and
the Town Hall bulletin board for the public to view. A motion/Mr. Melia,
seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve the permit fees. Vote yes/Unanimous. Town Manager Kozak recommended the motion be
amended to include an effective date of August 17, 2009. The Board agreed to revise the motion as
follows: A motion /Mr. Melia
seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve the permit fees with an effective date of August
17, 2009. Vote yes/Unanimous.
Green
Committee Grant Program – Planning Assistance Application/Vote to submit. Present: Gary Bechtholdt, Town Planner. Mr. Bechtholdt provided
the Selectmen with a memo that summarized the Planning Assistance Grant for
the Green Communities Program. This
Planning Assistance Grant will help Northbridge in meeting the five criteria to
becoming a “Green Community”. The five
criteria include:
1. Provide
for the as-of-right siting of renewable or alternative energy generating facilities,
renewable or alternative energy research and development (R&D) facilities,
or renewable or alternative energy manufacturing facilities in designated
locations.
2. Adopt an expedited application and permitting
process under which these energy facilities may be sited within the
municipality and which shall not exceed 1 year from the date of initial
application to the date of final approval.
3. Establish an energy use baseline inventory for
municipal buildings, vehicles, street and traffic lighting, and put in place a
comprehensive program designed to reduce this baseline by 20 percent within 5
years of initial participation in the program.
4. Purchase only fuel-efficient vehicles for
municipal use whenever such vehicles are commercially available and practicable.
5. Require all new residential construction over
3,000 square feet and all new commercial and industrial real estate
construction to minimize, to the extent feasible, the life-cycle cost of the
facility by utilizing energy efficiency, water conservation and other renewable
or alternative energy technologies.
Mr. Bechtholdt explained that in order for
Northbridge to be eligible for the grant they shall have to establish an Energy
Committee and must commit to meeting all five criteria within one-year of the
award. That said, Mr. Bechtholdt
mentioned that the Town of
Kimberly Yargeau, Treasurer/Collector / Departmental
Update – Present: Kimberly Yargeau and
Neil Vaidya, Town Accountant. Ms.
Yargeau provided an update on the Treasurer/Collector's Department. She said her department is working diligently
trying to balance and close FY'09 books and then noted that she has received a
great deal of support from the Town Accountant’s Office. Ms. Yargeau reported that her office staff has
been tremendous in helping her research problems and finding answers to them. That said, Mr. Vaidya stated that
communication between both offices has been running smoothly during Ms.
Yargeau’s transition. Chairman
Montecalvo requested that the Treasurer/Collector compile a list of individuals
who owe taxes. Ms. Yargeau remarked that
her office already has that information and will provide a copy to the Board of
Selectmen tomorrow. Selectman Marzec
asked when the books for FY 2009 will be closed. Mr. Vaidya responded that the timeline for
closing the books is before the Fall Annual Town Meeting. Selectman Melia asked Ms. Yargeau if she has
considered having the Treasurer/Collector’s office “go green” with respect to
payroll. Ms. Yargeau responded that because
payroll is done in-house on the Munis system, she does not know if Munis has
the capability.
Town Manager’s Report. 1) Board of Health Volunteer
Orientation Meeting – announced there will be a meeting in September for
assistance in case of a public health emergency. 2)
Whitinsville Water Company Public Hearing – will be held on August 18, 2009, at
7 P.M., in the Board of Selectmen's Room to discuss the proposed rate
increase. 3) Congressman Richard Neal Letter – received a letter of support for
various grant opportunities for the Fire Department. 4) Sheriff’s Department Presentation – received a new sign for the
Chairman Montecalvo informed
the Selectmen that the brother of Robert Rolandelli – Manager of Walmart, has
passed away. Chairman Montecalvo stated
that Mr. Rolandelli has done a lot for the Town of
Selectmen’s Concerns. Selectman Marzec 1) Inquired about the road conditions report and when
will it be ready. 2) Used the key card system for the first
time and suggested that a sign-in/out sheet be posted downstairs. Selectman Melia 1) Advised
he received a phone call from a resident concerning the noise at the
A
motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Nolan to adjourn the August 10, 2009 meeting. Vote yes/ Unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned: 7:58 P.M.
Respectfully
submitted,
Charles
Ampagoomian, Jr., Clerk
/dg