Minutes
Board of Selectmen Meeting
Tuesday, May 17, 2005, 7:00 p.m.
Community Room,
PRESENT:
Chairman
APPOINTMENTS
7:00 Attorneys from Schatz, Schwarz and Fentin, and others:
Attorneys from Schatz,
Schwarz and Fentin and from Eden and Evans presented a proposed development for
a retail store on property located behind the
A presentation of the proposal,
including maps, was given. Access to the
property is proposed to be gained by a new interchange at Harkness and
J. Driscoll asked who the retailer is. The retailer is under contract, but the developer could not name the retailer at this time.
G. DeLisle brought up issues of wetlands and resistance from residents; he talked about how there were many community meetings were held with regards to the new Walgreen’s and that the developer should be prepared to do the same.
J. Claffey talked about
rail trail; he noted that the developer is planning a development in the most
thickly settled area of town; that he expects the developer will hear a lot of
concern from people living in the area with traffic impact being the biggest
concern.
J. Claffey asked if any
changes would be made to the
J. Claffey asked about
visibility. How would the public know
the retailer is behind the current Plaza?
Attorney Fryman said the property is higher than the plaza so it could
be viewed from
(BOS Meeting, 05/17/05,
continued)
Appointments
7:30 Police Chief – Monthly Meeting
(1) Personnel: Chief Mellis and the BOS held a discussion relative to the filling of a vacant (due to retirement) full-time clerical position in the Chief’s Office and the possibility of filling the subsequent vacancy with a part-time employee.
Action: N. Breault to research whether or not the vacant position needs to be posted, internally and/or externally, and notify the BOS and the Chief.
b.) G. DeLisle brought up discussion about participation of Officers in Memorial Day observances and the Independence Day Parade. Chief Mellis stated he will be there for both and he will ask the officers for their participation, which is voluntary.
c) Chief Mellis notified the BOS that three officers are going to a bike school in June; that the Town currently benefits from a $38,000 k grant to fund the training; that the funding will probably go down.
d.) Chief Mellis notified the BOS that he personally conducted a walkthrough at the Dunkin’ Donuts, Chinese restaurant and the travel store to check on complaints of kids hanging around. He spoke with business owners and some of the kids. He advised the BOS that the Police Department will take appropriate action as necessary.
e.) Chief Mellis notified the BOS that Officer Daley has withdrawn his request for a Leave of Absence and a formal letter will be coming to the BOS.
f.) J. Claffey brought up discussion of the soon to be formed Public Safety Study Committee. He said that some of the issues relative to the Police Department to be studied include staffing, bike patrols, need for detectives. The Chief stated he wants to conduct a survey of public opinion. J. Claffey stated that having the Committee help could be a good way to get the survey off the ground.
g.) Chief Mellis notified the BOS that he is making a trip to MassMutual to pick out some office equipment from their used inventory; as he comes up with pieces of equipment he no longer uses he wants to migrate it out of the building.
Action: N. Breault to assist Chief Mellis in arranging to get rid of what he doesn’t want.
h.) Chief Mellis advised the BOS that there are some issues with ceiling tiles at the station that he has Facilities Manager R. Gale is working on.
Approval of Minutes: Tabled to next meeting.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS
1.
The BOS held a general discussion regarding the scheduling of a Special Town Meeting. The BOS discussed setting the date for June 13, but has since received correspondence from
Department
(BOS Meeting, 05/17/05,
continued)
Board of Selectmen, Old Business
Heads in opposition to that date. The BOS indicated that it does not agree with the Department Heads that the date is inappropriate, given the Special Election set for June 14th. The BOS did state
general agreement that the Town Clerks Office may have the most legitimate reason for wanting to schedule it for another date given the staffing needs for the Meeting.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS schedule the Special Town Meeting for Monday, June 20, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. in the High School auditorium. G. DeLisle seconded.
Discussion: G. DeLisle noted that moving the meeting to a date further off would risk having a poor turnout due to vacations, etc.
Motion approved unanimously.
Action: N. Breault to notify the Town Clerk to set a Special Town Meeting for June 20, and to notify the petitioner of the date of the Meeting.
2. Letter Mass Mutual, Re: Benefits Program: J. Driscoll received a phone call from them; they want to look at the Town’s current employee benefits package and see if they can improve them and make them more affordable for the employee and the Town. N. Breault and S. Choquette held a preliminary meeting with them on May 11.
Action: N. Breault to keep the BOS posted on their progress.
3. Memorial Day Program 2005: J. Claffey reviewed the program information.
4. “Caution Children” signs installed
5. LEPC correspondence from Brian Falk. Noted.
Action: N. Breault to remind B. Falk that the grant funding is especially not to be used for OT.
6. Notice Re: extension of Current Grant, Tobacco Control Consortium *:
Action: N. Breault to speak with S. McColgan about what funds are left.
7. Fire Department Budget Shortfall * Noted.
8. Chamber Energy *: Noted.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Ballot Question Language for Special
Election, June 14, 2005: jd suggests
sending it to the republican;
The BOS held a discussion of the ballot questions. The BOS did not like the wording of the questions. Question One had the larger amount first. Question Two did not include the amounts allocated for each project.
Action: N. Breault to discuss wording of the ballot with the Town Clerk and Town Counsel and try to adopt the changes the BOS would like to see. N. Breault to keep the BOS informed of progress.
2. Jay LeFebvre Re: Chapter 40B Application *
G. DeLisle summarized the action taken by J. Lefebvre. He advised the BOS that since J. Lefebvre’s proposed zone change was denied at the Annual Town Meeting he is going to the state to
(BOS Meeting, 05/17/05,
continued)
Board of Selectmen, New Business
get it approved. G. DeLisle outlined some of the changes to the original proposal including the increase in apartments from 40 to 50.
J. Driscoll asked who is the deciding body on the application; G. DeLisle said he believes this is J. Lefebvre’s appeal process and that the State and the Board of Appeals ultimately making the decision.
Action: N. Breault to give TC a copy of the application for comment.
3. Lions Club Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award , Wed. June 22 @ 6pm, Elmcrest CC
(Proclamation requested)
*: all three BOS members to attend.
Action: NB to have proclamation ready and notify the Lions all three will be there.
4. Draft, News Release Building Commissioner
Meet with public *: Noted.
TOWN COUNSEL
BOARD OF HEALTH
OLD BUSINESS
1. Trash Program: The BOS held a general discussion about the provisions of the new trash program; one container or bag per week, Town bags beyond that; who will sell the Town bags, etc.
Action: BOS directs
NEW BUSINESS
1.
Members for Housing Partnership Committee: Noted.
2. DEP
first quarterly report, Re: Fire Station 150 Somers Road
CORRESPONDENCE
1. Thank you letter from Meadow Brook
School Jim Driscoll :
Noted.
2. Regional Selectmen Meeting, Re: Invitation to
legislative delegation. Noted.
3. Draft/FYI letter, Dr. Costa Re: Emergency
Dispensing Site *: Noted.
4. Letter, Christopher Powell, Bay State 124
Kibbe Rd.
MEETINGS INVITATIONS & REMINDERS
1. Mass. Emergency Management, two Senior Official Workshops, Tue. 6/28/05, 8:30-3:30,
Northampton Clarion Hotel & Wed.
6/29/05, 8:30-3:30,
Noted
2. Retirement celebration, Mrs. Ginny Viens, 23 years, Mon., May 23, 2005, 2:30-5:00 pm,
Simone’s
(BOS Meeting, 05/17/05,
continued)
Meetings, Invitations, Reminders
3. Invitation to
Selectmen, 43rd graduation exercise,
Sunday June 5, 2005 at 2pm.: J. Claffey and J. Driscoll to attend.
4. Open Space Committee
Meeting, Thursday, May 26 @7pm,
5. Long Range Planning Committee Meeting, Wed., May 18 @ 6pm, Town Hall Hearing Room *Noted.
6. PVPC 43rd meeting, Thurs., June 9, Basketball Hall of Fame, Spfld. * Noted.
7. LEPC meeting, Wed. June
8 @ 7pm, Fire Station,
8. New Officials Forum,
June 3,
Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. from Executive Session with Town Counsel.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING, TUESDAY, JULY 12,
2005.