Minutes
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
ATTENDANCE: Present:
Chairman G. DeLisle called meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
APPOINTMENTS
6:30 P.M., Tom Florence, Town Clerk 1) Bond Signing
1) The BoS signed bond documents presented by Town Clerk, T. Florence.
2) Correspondence, Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission.
The BoS and the Town Clerk discussed the Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) Letter from the Hampden County Retirement Board. T. Florence said the Retirement Board will levy an assessment of $13,000 to the Town; that the Town expected the assessment be a little lower but had budgeted for some increase.
Action: The BoS advised the Clerk to work with the Town Accountant to control retirement costs.
3) T. Florence brought up the vacancy in the Clerk’s Office. The Clerk advised the BoS that the “drop-dead date” to hire is the last week in April because the quarterly property and excise is due out at that time. T. Florence said he had candidates in mind with good experience. There was general discussion of some if the candidates.
T. Florence was asked to give copies of resumes to the BoS and the BoS will help set up interviews as needed. Interviews were tentatively scheduled for 4/26/05.
ACTION: N. Breault to email résumé’s to BoS.
4) T. Florence and the BoS had a general discussion regarding improvement in employee skills in the Town Clerk’s Office.
7:00 P.M., Xiao Ting Dong, new owner of Jack Chen’s
Restaurant,
Mr. Bill Price, Mr. Peter Boucher, Xiao Ting Dong and an employee of the restaurant met with the BoS. The BoS welcomed the new business owners to Town. The BoS noted that the Town
(Minutes, BoS
Meeting, 03/29/05)
Health Agent has signed approval for the restaurant. There was general discussion of keeping things clean on site. The BoS noted that the restaurant is slated to open on April 1.
APPOINTMENTS,
continued
7:15 P.M., Christopher Carr, Property Manager,
A presentation of the proposed development plan for Brownstone Gardens Phase 3 was made by
C. Carr.
Eight acres of the site are not being used. Problem number one is the mortgage is with the Massachusetts Housing Finance, but it has only given “maybe” for approval of development, contingent upon obtaining access without going over Brownstone Phase One. (C. Carr and BoS referred to a map.) The proposal calls for the developer to purchase from the town approximately four acres and build a road for access and cul-de-sac. Dwellings would be priced above moderate and would be marketed to people over 62.
The BoS advised C. Carr that his group will have to talk to Town Counsel, the Conservation Commission, the Planning Board, Board of Public Works, etc.
G. DeLisle said the BoS is willing to work with them; perhaps by setting a joint meeting with all those departments.
J. Driscoll asked if there are environmental concerns. C. Carr said the state doesn’t want a cut through over Brownstone Phase One and that’s why they have to build a road.
The BoS thanked C. Carr and his group for coming in to meet with them.
Action: N. Breault to get all boards together for a working session.
Approval of Minutes
The BoS next reviewed minutes from previous meetings for approval: 2-15-05 & 3-1-05
Motion J. Driscoll moved to accept the minutes from the BoS meeting of 2/15/05. Seconded by J. Claffey. Motion approved by unanimous roll call vote following discussion.
Discussion:
G. DeLisle questions item under Draft of Minutes from 2/15/05 titled “New Business for Mr. Falk”. He wants clarification from Mr. Falk at a future meeting regarding grant sources, allowable expenses, etc.
Action: N. Breault to send a letter to Mr. Falk asking for financial information regarding his activities on the Local Emergency Planning Committee.
Motion J. Claffey moved to accept the minutes from the BoS meeting of 3/1/05. G. Delisle seconded out of necessity. Motion approved by unanimous roll call vote by J. Claffey and G. DeLisle.
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Meeting, 03/29/05)
TOWN COUNSEL
OLD BUSINESS
1. Request from East Longmeadow Public Library Teen Advisory Board, Re: Hotdog/bake sale, Tuesday, April 19, 2005, (rain date April 22), from 10:30a.m. – 2:00pm.
Motion J. Claffey moved the BoS approve the Library Teen Advisory Board Hot Dog/Bake Sale. J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
2. New Form 43 for Fusion Café request for approval; letter from Attorney Peter Shrair.
Action: Moved to Town Counsel Agenda.
3.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion, New Police Chief morning Meet & Greet with Town employees and Evening Public Swearing-In Ceremony on Wednesday, March 30, 2005.
The BoS had a general discussion about preparing a public
swearing-in ceremony for new Chief
Action: J. Claffey, N. Breault and W. Niznick to work on a draft of program, etc.
2. Rotary Club, shrub & tree sale, also request for a sign or banner, Saturday, April 30, 2005, from
7:00 a.m.– 3:30 p.m.
Motion J. Claffey moved the BoS approve the Rotary Club shrub & tree sale. J. Driscoll seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
3. Correspondence, Massachusetts Producer Take Back Campaign, disposal of (CRT’s).
The BoS discussed the option to participate in the program. The consensus of the BoS was that the Town currently works with Goodwill Industries and will continue to do so.
4. Correspondence, Sean Kelly DPW,
5. Walk-a-Thon, Sunday, April 3, 2005 from 1:30pm-4:pm, Holly Snyder, ELHS Key Club.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BoS approve the ELHS Key Club Walk-a-Thon. J. Claffey seconded. Motion approved unanimously.
6. Correspondence, Massachusetts Municipal Association Re: property tax burden. Noted
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Meeting, 03/29/05)
New Business, continued
7. Correspondence, Department of Telecommunications & Energy, Re: Hearing Wednesday,
April 27, 2005, basic service and rates, Charter Communications. Noted.
Action: N. Breault to distribute copies of Letters to Cable Advisory Committee.
HEALTH
1. Flu shot update: N.
Breault gave an update on the progress of the 2005 Town employee Flu Shot
program. Mary Lou Donahue, School Nurse
Supervisor, is helping coordinate the program.
Action:
2. Correspondence, Anthony Casella; Casella Waste Systems. Noted.
MEETINGS, INVITATIONS
& REMINDERS
1. Invitation, Richard Cohen, Mayor Town of Agawam 150th Anniversary, Sunday, June 19, 2005. Action: N. Breault to put on a future BoS for RSVP.
2. Invitation, Forum on Zoning Reform from Massachusetts Senate, Wednesday, April 6, 2005, 10am-noon.
Action: N. Breault to forward to Planning.
3. Invitation, Seminar, Bacon & Wilson, Tuesday, April
19, 2005,
4. Meeting,
5. Reminder, BPW letter for summer transfer. Noted.
6. Meeting, IT Committee meeting April 5, 2005 at 5:00 p.m., Town Hall Hearing Room. Noted.
Meeting adjourned from Town Counsel at 8:44 p.m.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING, THURSDAY, MAY 26, 2005.