Board of Selectmen

January 25, 2010

 

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.

December 14, 2009 - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Nolan to approve the December 14, 2009 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

December 28, 2009 - A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to approve the December 28, 2009 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

January 11, 2010 [Executive Session] - A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve but not release the January 11, 2010 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous. 

 

January 19, 2010 - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve the January 19, 2010 minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

January 19, 2010 [Executive Session] - A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Melia to approve but not release the January 19, 2010 Executive Session minutes as presented with the readings omitted.  Vote yes/Unanimous. 

 

Resignations. 1) Cultural Council: Stacie Murray – A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Melia to accept the resignation of Stacie Murray from the Cultural Council and send a letter thanking her for serving and dedicating her time to the Town of Northbridge. Vote Yes/Unanimous.    

 2) Green Committee: April Jacobs - A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to accept the resignation of April Jacobs from the Green Committee and asked that a letter of appreciation be sent to her as well. Vote Yes/Unanimous.    

 

Citizens’ Comments/Input.  DPW Director Richard Sasseville mentioned that the ornamental lights from Prospect Street going towards Plummer’s Corner are being looked at for an electrical problem.  An electrician is looking at the problem and hopefully will correct the issue soon.

 

Prairie Street/Vote to execute and sign the Deed of Easements.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to execute and sign the Deed of Easements for Prairie Street.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Green Line Velo [Kyle Butler]/Request permission to conduct a bicycle road race through portions of Northbridge [approx. 4.6 miles] on Saturday, June 19, 2010.  A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Ampagoomian to grant permission to Green Line Velo [Kyle Butler] to conduct a bicycle road race through portions of Northbridge [approx. 4.6 miles] on Saturday, June 19, 2010 subject to the safety requirements of the Police, Fire and Highway Departments.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

American Cancer Society [Katie Hafner]/Request permission to conduct the “Bicycles Battling Cancer” cycling event through portions of Northbridge on Sunday, July 25, 2010.  A motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec to grant permission to the American Cancer Society [Katie Hafner] to conduct the “Bicycles Battling Cancer’ cycling event through portions of Northbridge on Sunday, July 25, 2010 subject to the safety requirements of the Police, Fire and Highway Departments.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Massachusetts School Building Authority/Vote to accept or not accept the Audit Report. Present:  George Murray, Chairman of the Building, Planning and Construction Committee [BPCC] and Neil Vaidya, Town Accountant.  Mr. Murray informed the Board that the Town received the latest report from the MSBA audit that was performed in 2008 and which resulted in over a million dollars being reconsidered for reimbursement, however, there were still some costs that the Town did not receive reimbursement for, which the BPCC is in favor of appealing and recommends that the Board of Selectmen not accept the audit report.  He also mentioned that the Town has 10 business days from the date it receives the report to accept or not accept the report.  Therefore, a motion/Mr. Ampagoomian, seconded/Mr. Marzec not to accept the Massachusetts School Building Authority's Audit Report.  Vote yes/Unanimous.

 

Building, Planning and Construction Committee-Update on Projects/Present: George Murray and Committee Member Robert Knapik.  Mr. Murray provided an update to the Board of Selectmen about getting land for a new Fire Station.  He mentioned that his committee has been talking with Leonard Jolles, owner of The Shop, and they are trying to work out a deal but are still in the talking stage.  Mr. Murray also said that other individuals in town have come forward to offer parcels of land but because of the “run time” for an apparatus to reach different places in town the locations weren’t feasible.  Selectman Marzec asked for a total cost on all the studies that have been conducted for the DPW and Fire Station projects.  Mr. Murray responded that he didn’t have that information.  Selectman Melia and Selectman Ampagoomian both voiced their support with moving forward on building a new Fire Station and Public Works facility.  Mr. Robert Knapik advised the Selectmen that last fall the BPCC sponsored an article that would have transferred funds necessary to conduct a feasibility and cost analysis study for a proposed Public Works facility at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, but unfortunately that article was defeated.  The committee was made aware that an already-constructed facility might be available to the Town and meet the Town’s needs.  The committee is in the process of doing an analysis to see if this facility meets the need of the town.  That said, his committee is planning on delivering some recommendations to the town prior to the next town meeting.  Selectman Marzec asked how many studies have been done for a DPW facility.  Mr. Knapik stated that during his tenure on the committee, he is only aware of one study.  Mr. Murray mentioned that there are two studies that he is aware of and AECOM is the name of the company who did the most recent study on the Linwood Business Park.  Selectman Melia asked if the traffic would exit and entrance onto Linwood Ave.  Mr. Knapik mentioned that his committee is suggesting use of Linwood Ave. to exit and entrance and not Route 122, which the property also abuts.  Selectman Nolan asked how much it would cost to acquire the facility.  Mr. Knapik mentioned that no discussion on a dollar amount with the land owner has taken place however the land owner has approached his committee with respect to selling the property.

 

Northbridge Housing Authority/1) Notice of vacancy          - Chairman Montecalvo read aloud a letter from Vincent Tynan, Chairman of the Northbridge Housing Authority notifying the Selectmen that Kevin Quinlan has resigned from the Northbridge Housing Authority.   2) Process to fill vacancy – In accordance with Article 3, Section 3-1(g) (1) of the Northbridge Town charter, a notice of the vacancy must be sent to the Board of Selectmen.  The notice of the vacancy has been placed on the town’s cable station and website.

 

Sutton Street Reconstruction Project Update/Present:  DPW Director Richard Sasseville and Sewer Superintendent Mark Kuras.  Mr. Sasseville reported that a video inspection of the sewer line on Sutton Street between approximately 161 Sutton Street and the railroad crossing was completed during the early morning of January 14th.  A video was presented which showed the condition of the sewer line.  Numerous offset joints were seen but the pipe appeared to be structurally sound considering it is approximately 90 years old.  Mr. Sasseville indicated that it might be possible to install a fiberglass liner in the existing pipe rather than excavate it and install a new pipe.  He will consult with someone more knowledgeable in pipe rehabilitation and seek a recommendation.  He has drafted a warrant article for the spring Town Meeting requesting funding to repair or replace this section of the sewer line and asked that the Board sponsor the article.  The article will include the cost of full replacement of the section in question, or if feasible, to rehabilitate the existing line, it can be reduced to a lower amount. 

 

Composition of Green Committee.  Town Manager Kozak suggested that with the recent resignation of one of the 3 At-large members, he suggested changing the composition of the Green Committee to One member – Building, Planning and Construction Committee, One member – Department of Public Works Director, One Member – School Committee, One Member – Town Department, One Member – Board of Selectmen, and Two Members – At large.  Selectman Marzec requested the change in composition be made this evening.  Chairman Montecalvo advised that a four-fifths vote is needed. A motion/Mr. Marzec, seconded/Mr. Nolan to move this matter to a vote.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Marzec to change the Composition of the Green Committee by removing one at-large member, and adding a Selectmen’s Representative position.  Vote yes/Unanimous.  A motion/Mr. Melia, seconded/Mr. Nolan to appoint Selectman Marzec as the Selectman’s Representative for the Green Committee.  Vote yes/Messrs. Melia, Nolan, Ampagoomian and Montecalvo.  Abstain/Mr. Marzec.

 

Town Manager’s Report.  1) January 19th Special Election – There was a 65% of voter participation in the special election.  The Town Clerk indicated that the event went very well. He mentioned that the Town Clerk advised him that the cost for the special election and primary was $13,000 and they hope to recoup some of that money from the state. 2) Plummer’s Corner Update – Update on signal realignment at Plummer’s Corner intersection. He mentioned that Mr. Sasseville tried to get some information for him for tonight’s meeting but was unsuccessful.  He hopes to provide something at the next Selectmen’s meeting.  3) Clean Energy Choice Grant Award – The Town received $4,474.99 award for a solar light at the Aldrich School Parking Lot.  4) Municipal Affairs Coordinating Cabinet Committee Meeting – This event will be held on Thursday, January 28th from 10 AM to 11:30 AM in the Board of Selectmen’s Room.  The Lieutenant Governor will focus on the proposed state budget and other topics.  5)  MMA Conference Update - Attended the tradeshow and various workshops at the Annual Conference in Boston. The Governor discussed the proposed FY 11 budget and his plans to try and maintain level funding of our Local Aid for FY ‘10. Town Manager Kozak asked the Selectmen to vote at a future meeting to endorse the budget proposal and ask the legislature to support the Governor’s proposal at last year’s levels for FY ‘11 for our communities. Town Manager Kozak will put together a motion for a future meeting.  Selectman Melia mentioned that he and the other Northbridge Selectmen all attended the class on Town Manager’s Evaluations and mentioned that the panel that spoke didn’t offer anything better than what we’ve been doing here for the past several years.  Selectman Marzec mentioned that he attended a workshop on Telecommunications and spoke to a Verizon Representative who informed him that there was no date for Northbridge to receive Verizon FIOS.  6) FY ‘11 Budget Calendar – Reviewed the FY ‘11 budget calendar for submittal of the budget to the Town Manager’s Office.  7) Green Communities Act Seminar – Reminder that consultants from Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. will hold a workshop for members of the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Green Committee on February 1, 2010 at 6:30 PM in the Board of Selectmen’s Room.

 

Selectmen’s Concerns.  Selectman Nolan/ 1) Asked when the Selectmen evaluate the Town Manager. Chairman Montecalvo replied that they usually conduct the evaluation in the spring [May].  Selectman Ampagoomian/ 1) Asked if there was any news on the FEMA grant for the Fire Station?   Town Manager Kozak replied that the Town of Northbridge did not receive the grant for the Fire Station.  Selectman Melia/ 1) Congratulated Town Clerk Doreen Cedrone for being reappointed to a 3-year term as Town Clerk.  She has done a tremendous job and the Town of Northbridge is lucky to have her. 2) He thanked DPW Director Richard Sasseville and Sewer Superintendent Mark Kuras for their presentation on the Sutton Street Reconstruction Project, however, he was surprised to hear that the residents, who complained, weren’t notified of the inspection.  It would have been good customer service skills to advise the folks that are being affected by this problem to be notified.

 

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

 

 

Meeting Adjourned: 8:15 P.M.

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

                                                            Charles Ampagoomian, Jr., Clerk

 

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