MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2005, 7:00 P.M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
PRESENT:
ABSENT:
Chairman J. Claffey called the meeting to order at 7:12 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPOINTMENTS:
Interviews: Associate Member Vacancy, Zoning Board of Appeals
7:30pm - Michelle Dulchinos,
The BOS met with M. Dulchinos to discuss her interest in being appointed an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. She cited her commitment to the community and her experience in architectural design as reasons for wanting to be appointed. The BOS indicated that it would contact her in the near future.
7:40pm - Brian Hill,
The BOS met with B. Hill to discuss his interest in being appointed an Associate Member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. He cited his interest in the growth of the town and experience on large town activities as reasons for wanting to be appointed. There was discussion of whether his duties with the Fire Department would interfere with his availability, particularly in the evenings and he stated that he can be flexible in that regard. The BOS indicated that it would contact her in the near future.
The BOS tabled further discussion to next meeting.
ACTION: N. Breault to find out what evenings the ZBA typically meets.
7:45pm – Jason Falcone;
J. Falcone met with the BOS to seek permission to perform work on the parking lot area out in front of Rocky’s outside of normal business hours for two consecutive days; the work would be performed one day from approximately 8-10 p.m. and the next morning from 6-8 a.m.
Town Counsel (TC) was present and consulted with regards to the By-law restricting work hours and it was determined that the BOS would allow the work, with conditions, under the clause allowing for exemption for the health and welfare of the citizenry. The BOS gave permission with the conditions that the abutters be notified of the work in advance by leaflet drop.
J. Claffey then brought up a separate issue with J. Falcone regarding the status of work that still needs to be finished with regards to the Library project. The BOS advised J. Falcone that he will need to meet again with the Trustees and then the Planning Board to bring the project to completion.
Board of Selectmen,
September 27, 2005
(Board of Selectmen)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: September 13, 2005
Tabled to the next meeting.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Police Department Report/recommendations; Re: Safety concerns from Mr. St. Jock,
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS accept the Police Department recommendations. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
2. Letter from Diane Tiago, Library Trustee: Re: Communications
(Taken out of order.) So noted.
ACTION: N. Breault to pursue the matter with Sue Peterson.
3. Photo Contest
ACTION: N. Breault to put photos on display in Town Hall or in the Library; then send all to MMA for consideration; and to contact the entrants.
4. Approval Site
Plan/Definitive Plan;
Motion J.
Driscoll moved the BOS accept the recommendations of the Fire Department and
Police Departments of the Site Plan/Definitive Plan for Roosevelt Hill LLC,
Antonio & Linda Pietroniro for
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Donation of Toshiba telephone system from Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative
to Police and Fire Departments So noted.
2. Police Report: Re:
Request from Albert Efantis,
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS accept the recommendations of the Police Department. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
3. Request Can &
Bottle Drive,
2005, 10am-2pm, Heritage park parking lot.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approved the request. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
Board of Selectmen,
September 27, 2005
(New Business, continued.)
4. One Day Liquor License, St. Michael’s Council #9960, Friday, Sept. 30, 2005, from
3pm-9pm, St.
Michael’s Community Center,
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approved the request. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
5.
Park *
J. Claffey recapped the letter that stated the expense and manpower needed to implement security cameras renders their use impractical at this time. J. Driscoll suggested alternative means of policing the area be looked into; that the Friends of Heritage Park did a lot of work along with the people of the town.
6. Residents request
(
Item moved to TC agenda.
7. Request for
approval for re-financing mortgage at
Item moved to TC agenda.
7. Draft Letter: Re: Neighbor to Neighbor: So noted.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approve the letter as presented. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
8. Resignation letter from Anthony Moriarty, Management Information Systems
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS accept the resignation with regret. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity.
Discussion: J. Claffey noted that A. Moriarty has done a good job and that his expertise is well recognized. Motion approved 2-0.
BOARD OF HEALTH:
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Update from Martylee Caramante, Dog Officer: Re: Houghton-Smith’s order to relocate dog.
The BOS reviewed the letter from M. Caramante stating that the Houghton’s would not disclose the location of the dog.
Item tabled to TC agenda for discussion of the enforcement order.
2. Compliance letter
from Terry Strandberg-Guenther, Re: Continuing violations,
a. Note from Health Inspector Fred Kowal.*
ACTION: J. Driscoll suggested the BOS check with FK before the next meeting for a status report.
Board of Selectmen,
September 27, 2005
(Board of Health, New Business.)
NEW BUSINESS:
1. Discussion, SWAT
J. Driscoll gave a report of the second meeting of the SWAT: A review of the numbers indicated that sales
of town trash bags have fallen off; that people aren’t using them because with
careful recycling they aren’t needed; he reported that the group has formed
cohesively; that C. Christianson accepted his nomination as Recording Secretary
and has stated that he is looking forward to working together. J. Driscoll also reported that members of the
SWAT visited the
J. Claffey said that Dr. Costa has assured the BOS that the School Department will do everything it can to help.
2. Letter from Bolden
& Associates Attorneys at Law,
for animal control logs for incident on 1-6-05.
ACTION: N. Breault to ask M. Caramante and the Police Department to respond to the request.
3. Department of
Public Health Update regarding
ACTION: N. Breault to pass along to the health inspector and Sarah McColgan, Tobacco Compliance Officer.
4. Approval of
application to practice Massage Therapy, Lisa Snopek,
practicing at Heartsong Yoga,
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS approved the request. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved 2-0.
5. For signature, Tobacco Licenses (October 1, 2005 – September 30, 2006).* Items signed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
1. Notification from Representative Mary Rogeness, Re: Department of Housing & Community
Development Block Grant funds available for FY2006.
J. Claffey stated that the legislature needs to make a stronger effort to assist local cities and towns and suggested that the BOS should approach the local representatives to start making an issue of restoring state aid to the towns.
J. Driscoll suggested the BOS send correspondence to legislators and invite them to the next Regional BOS meeting and to encourage them to attend Town Meetings.
ACTION: N. Breault to draft a letter of appreciation to Rep. Rogeness and work with the Chair on the letter suggested by J. Driscoll.
2. Note from Priscilla & John Farquharson commending Selectmen’s efforts; Re: the 7 roads station project. So noted.
Board of Selectmen,
September 27, 2005
(Correspondence, continued.)
3. Letter from Fire Chief; Re: Update Utility Costs. So noted.
ACTION: N. Breault to send a memo to all Department Heads to have projections on energy costs due to increases figured into to their budgets.
4. Letter from Dr. Costa, Superintendent of Schools; Re: Potential factors in School Department
Budget * So noted.
5.
Notification of appointed Veterans Day Committee for 2005 *
So noted; read into the record.
6. Appreciation letter from East Longmeadow Chamber; Re: Tax rate * So noted.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS:
1. MMA 2006 Annual
Meeting & Trade Show, Jan. 13&14,
So noted.
2. Western Massachusetts Enterprise Fund, Inc., Annual Meeting, Fri., Nov 4, 2005,
8:15am-10:30am, Log Cabin
3. Open Space
Committee Meeting, Sept. 27, 2005, @ 6:30pm,
So noted.
4. Town Meeting Rules Committee Meeting, Oct. 5, 2005, @ 7pm, Town Hall Hearing Room
So noted.
5. Local Emergency Planning Meeting, Wed. Sept. 28 @ 7pm, Fire Station, 150 Somers Road *
So noted.
6.
So noted.
7. SWAT meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 18, @7pm, Fire Station, 150 Somers Road *
So noted.
Motion J. Driscoll moved the BOS adjourn. J. Claffey seconded out of necessity. Motion approved
2-0. The meeting adjourned at 9:35. p.m.
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING, MONDAY, OCTOBER
17, 2005.