MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Tuesday, September 12, 2006, at 6:45 P.M.
Town Hall Hearing Room,
PRESENT:
James Driscoll, Chairman, Board of Selectmen (BOS); Joe Townshend , Clerk of the Board of Selectmen.
Absent: G. DeLisle, Chairman of the Board of Health (BOH).
Chairman Driscoll opened the meeting at 6:58 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. He noted that G. DeLisle was absent due to a previous commitment.
PUBLIC FORUM
There were no requests to address the BOS.
INTERVIEW: VACANCY RECREATION COMMISSION
7:00 p.m. Carolanne Elmendorf.
J. Driscoll asked C. Elmendorf to introduce herself and discuss her interest in being appointed to the Recreation Commission. C. Elmendorf said that her educational background is in Recreation; that she has worked for state parks; she has experience teaching students from working at Laughing Brook; she has experience working with small budgets and creating and implementing programs; that she has worked in the town to develop the girl’s field hockey program. J. Driscoll asked she anticipated any problem with the meeting schedule of the Commission and she replied, “No.”
J. Townshend indicated that he had read her letter of interest and did not have any questions.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS appoint Carolanne Elmendorf to the Recreation Commission.
J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0. J. Driscoll stated that he appreciates her being on board.
APPOINTMENTS:
7:10 p.m. Pat Pryor, Pryor Insurance.
Pat Pryor and Ed Ryan (of Plymouth Rock Insurance) met with the BOS to discuss their proposal for home and auto insurance for Town employees. Highlights of the proposal include discounts for employees; that there is no need for the Town to maintain any paperwork or payroll deductions; that the employees interested in the program have the payments made directly from their bank accounts; that they would not have to come up with large initial payments on their auto insurance, for example, as their premiums would mirror their pay cycle in even payments. The proposal would involve allowing Pryor Insurance to make a presentation to interested employees and then it would be up to the employees to schedule a time with her to discuss their specific needs.
J. Driscoll asked if this program is being offered in other
towns? E. Ryan said that discussions are
currently taking place in
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September 12, 2006
Appointments, continued
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site claims; rental cars; and that if a customer is unhappy they can contact the CEO directly and would even make a donation to a charity of their choice to satisfy them. It was stated again that there is no obligation to the town; that they would only want to speak with town employees. Discussion was held relative to provisions for employees that live in Connecticut that could be serviced as long as there would be at least twenty-five that lived there (by statute); that the discounts overall would be about 6-8%.
J. Driscoll indicated that he thought this could be a wonderful program for town employees; that the BOS would need to discuss it further as a full board; and that the BOS would get back to them.
8:00 p.m. Attorney Brian Fitzgerald, Special Legislation, Liquor License, Spoleto’s Restaurant.
Attorney Fitzgerald met with the BOS to request that it authorize a warrant at the next town meeting (special or otherwise) to petition the Commonwealth for an additional alcoholic beverage license; the Attorney listed a number of towns that have done this recently; he recapped the quota system of licenses per community whereby they are granted based on the population taken in the last federal census; that this request would have the BOS ask Town Meeting to allow the Town to petition the state legislature to grant an additional alcohol license; he explained that he had met with Robyn Macdonald, Planning Board Director, about the issue and understood that another way to put this on a warrant would be to submit a petition with 200 signatures; but that he was here to see if the BOS would support this type of Article.
J. Driscoll recognized Attorney James Donahue, Town Counsel (TC). TC advised that before the BOS take a position on the issue, it should consider the impact on current license holders because the value of the those licenses may increase as an asset to them as there could be an increase on the value of their price.
J. Driscoll clarified that the current quota of licenses for the Town is based on the federal census of 2000, but if the current state census of approximately 16,000 the quota might be increased; that he would hate to see the Town be held down by that. TC advised that if that is the case, then if the BOS would like to take advantage of what the projected federal census of 2010 would be it could craft language that would not allow additional licenses beyond what the quota will be in 2010.
J. Townshend said that he would want to wait for another business to come forward to ask for an additional license rather than asking for licenses beyond what is being requested. He acknowledged that Spoleto’s is an established business and that they are making a huge investment that will better the Town; that he wouldn’t want to wait for the 2010 census.
J. Driscoll indicated to Atty. Fitzgerald that if he is looking for a straw poll, that the BOS may be in favor of the request.
TOWN COUNSEL: All items discussed in executive session.
OLD BUSINESS:
Contract
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September 12, 2006
Town Counsel, New Business
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NEW BUSINESS:
Sick Time donation.
Compensatory time.
Appeal, Police Department.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS enter into executive session for the purposes of discussion of
Personnel issues regarding strategy with respect to contract negotiations and collective bargaining, and possible administrative litigation; to return to open session. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. A roll call vote was taken, (Townshend, “Yes”; Driscoll, “Yes”). Motion carried 2-0.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
OLD BUSINESS:
Request, “Music Together Program” fall sessions.
The ES reported that the program would again like offer a
scholarship to an
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the request of Sondra Lewis to conduct the fall session of the Music Together Program. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
For discussion, Town Clerk Request, transfer of License duties.
The ES was directed to have another meeting with T. Florence regarding the issue.
Reports from Police Department & DPW, re:
The ES is to send correspondence to resident.
NEW BUSINESS:
Letter from Fire Chief, re: Federal Grant.
Item was tabled to a future meeting.
For approval, One Day Liquor License, all alcoholic beverages,
Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke, on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, October
27, 28 & 29, 2006. Fri., & Sat.,
11am –11pm, Sunday 11am – 5pm, at
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the one day liquor licenses for October 27, 28 and 29. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Discussion: The ES to make sure that all of the paperwork is in order. Motion carried 2-0.
For approval, One Day Liquor License, all alcoholic beverages, St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus, on Friday, September 29, 2006, from 2pm – 9pm, at St. Michael’s Parish Center, Somers Road, for their annual golf tournament event.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the request. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
Request from Superintendent of Public Works; re-location of Town Hall Tower bell.
J. Driscoll explained that the Superintendent was asking the BOS if it would consider relocating the bell in the tower in Town Hall to a location where the public could better enjoy it. A brief discussion of the idea was held, with consensus being that it seemed like a good idea. This item was brought up
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again as the last item discussed before adjournment, though, as the BOS would like to study the issue more closely as there could be concerns that moving the bell could open it up to vandalism.
Request from High School Swim Team to hold a Can & Bottle Drive on Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 9am – 2pm, at Heritage Park Parking Lot.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS approve the request. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
BOARD OF HEALTH
OLD BUSINESS:
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS set a hearing with the resident for the September 26, 2006 BOS meeting. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
NEW BUSINESS:
For approval, application to practice Massage Therapy,
Heather Stratton, 1 Circle Drive, Wilbraham, practicing at Ochoa, Inc.,
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOH approve the application of Heather Stratton to practice massage therapy. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0.
For signature, Tobacco License Renewals. Items signed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Notification from
Attorney General’s Office, re:
Letter from Mary Rogeness, Assistant Minority Leader, re: notification to apply for grant available through Housing Development Support Program.
J. Townshend said that it was nice of the Representative to bring this to the attention of the BOS; he noted the expiration date; and suggested the information be forwarded to the Housing Authority, COA Director, Brownstone Gardens and all concerned department heads right away; and that a letter of thanks be sent to the Representative. The ES to follow through on doing so.
Letter from Charter Communications notification of new Charter value packages.
The BOS members noted this item; they indicated that they had each gotten the service.
MEETINGS/INVITATIONS/REMINDERS:
Department Heads Meeting, Wed. Sept., 13, 2006 at Pine Knoll Recreation Area, guest speaker, Nathan Davis, representative from United Way. So noted.
J. Driscoll recognized Capt. Richard Brady to laud him and the entire Fire Department on the great honor of the candlelight vigil the night before in remembrance of 9/11.
State Primary Election, Tue., Sept., 19, 2006,
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September 12, 2006
Meetings, Invitations, Reminders, continued
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Forum with National Grid, Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at
7pm,
Community Preservation Committee Meeting, Thurs., Sept. 21, 2006 @ 7pm, Town Hall Hearing Room. So noted.
Invitation, Mass. Municipal Personnel Association’s 51st Annual Meeting, Friday, Sept. 22, 2006, from 9:30am – 3:30pm, at Merrimack College, North Andover.
The ES is to attend if possible. J. Townshend was going to check to see if he could attend.
Invitation from Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance, Legislator’s Breakfast for
Hampshire,
Invitation, Association of Town Finance Committee’s 2006 Annual Meeting, Saturday, October 28, 2006 from 9am – 3:15pm, at Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center, Westford, MA.
The ES to forward to the Finance Committee.
MIIA 2006 Risk Management Program, “Municipal Leadership Series” to be held from September 2006 through May 2007. So noted. The ES and department heads to attend as appropriate.
Motion J. Townshend moved the BOS adjourn the meeting. J. Driscoll seconded out of necessity. Motion carried 2-0. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
Minutes submitted by
APPROVED: BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING, TUESDAY,
SEPTEMBER 26, 2006.