| Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
January 9, 2008
Present: Vice Chairman Robert Andrews and Clerk Richard Sheridan;
Chairman Steven Adam arrived late.
Also Present: Town Administrator Rick Kwiatkowski and
Administrative Coordinator Nancy J. Lyman
I. CALL TO ORDER:
Vice Chairman Robert Andrews called the meeting to order at 6:37 PM,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Richard Sheridan moved to accept the
minutes of December 26, 2007. Motion was seconded by Robert Andrews.
All were in favor. There was one correction mentioned by Mr. Andrews;
Mr. Andrews stated that Bill Berry, Jr. was from the Lodge of Elks
and Spider Smith was representing the American Legion.
III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – The announcements were read by Richard
Sheridan, Clerk: Emergency exits; the winter parking ban began on
December 1, 2007. No on street parking allowed between the hours of
2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Those found parked will be ticketed and/or towed
for impeding snow removal; Section 175-8 of the Town of Orange General
Code was read, regarding removal of snow and ice by property owners;
The Town of Orange will issue one tax bill for the 3rd quarter instead
of the usual two tax bills for the 3rd and 4th quarters; the announcement
for the Photo Contest for the Annual Town Report Cover was repeated.
Entries must be in by January 28, 2008 and the winner will be chosen
by the Board of Selectmen.
IV. PERMITS –none
V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. – Mahar Regional School District was represented by
Paul Goodhind, Principal and Mike Balldassare, Director of Special
Education – There are new Deans of Students at Mahar and at
the Middle School. Mr. Goodhind stated that there may be new people
on the Administrative Team, but they are not new to education. This
new team is very supportive of the new district strategic plan and
working extremely well together. He is very excited about this and
impressed with the commitment and support received from the towns
in the district. He feels that there is quite a change of climate
in the school and it is for the better. There is much more personal
interaction with the students, overall attendance has improved and
there is less tardiness. Mr. Balldassare added that the MCAS scores
have improved as well because the students actually come in and want
to learn. The drop-out rate has decreased from 7.4% to 2.4%, which
is much lower than the State average. The difference is that the students
now know that there are people who care and give them support. Mr.
Goodhind recognizes that there are strengths and weaknesses but the
team has a plan to rectify many situations. The Success Center is
a program which reaches kids who would have been suspended for various
violations and keeps them in the education process. Mr. Balldassare
was pleasantly surprised that alternative programming that was suggested
only took 4 ½ months to get implemented. It includes an Integrated
Learning Center which is a smaller learning environment for those
students that may have family obligations and/or other reasons where
a normal daily education routine is not possible. There are 10 day
and 10 night students and some who had not been able to attend regularly
scheduled classes are now coming back. Robert Andrews stated that
he is a member in the strategic planning group and is impressed how
things get suggested and implemented, especially concerning drop-outs.
Mr. Balldassare mentioned that the Superintendent, Dr. Reza Namin
has taken the drop-out rate personally and has made a sustained effort
to address this. He is trying to make Mahar a place where parents
want to send their children. Mr. Andrews also mentioned that he feels
the students now have more respect at the school partly because they
have more support from the entire community. Paul Goodhind stated
that the students are being held accountable for the decisions they
make. Richard Sheridan added that the MCAS scores are going up because
the students are being given a place where they actually want to learn.
7:00 p.m. – Jose Carrasquillo – dba Grand Slam Auto @
312 East Main Street – Class II License request –This
is a new business for Mr. Carrasquillo. He was previously in construction.
It will not be his primary source of income as yet. Robert Andrews
stated that the first request was for 25 spaces, now it is for 48.
Richard Sheridan stated that the Planning Board issued a special permit
for the 48 spaces and that the permit complies with the bylaws. Hours
of operation will be from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays
and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Since this is not Mr. Carrasquillo’s
first occupation, the lot will be attended by his wife when he is
not available. Steven Adam asked whether repairs would be only on
vehicles for sale or general repair. Mr. Carrasquillo replied that
the Building Inspector, Brian Gale told him he should request general
repair to be covered. Robert Andrews stated that the Board of Selectmen
can set a limit on the number of vehicles on the license and should.
Richard Sheridan believes that setting limits is actually obstructing
trade. Robert Andrews then made a motion to grant the Class II license
for Jose Carrasquillo as presented. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan.
All were in favor.
7:15 p.m. – Jerome Currier, MACUR Enterprises – dba K
& J Auto @ 181 East Main Street – Class II License request
–Mr. Currier has revised the figures for the number of vehicles
requested for his license. Instead of 43 as previously stated, he
now only wants 17. There will no longer be any vehicles in the back
of the building, only in front, and none inside. There will also only
be one vehicle out by the street, but further back than previously
requested and it will only be a compact car. Signage will be in compliance.
The Special Permit was granted by the Planning Board, pending the
20 day appeal process. Robert Andrews moved to grant the license for
17 vehicles pending the 20 day Planning Board Appeal process. Richard
Sheridan seconded. All were in favor.
VI. OLD BUSINESS –
1. Class I, II, III - Discussion of policy/bylaw change – Richard
Sheridan stated that the current questionnaire used to renew these
licenses is not approved by the Registry of Motor Vehicles and should
be replaced by the application used for new licenses. Rick Kwiatkowski,
Town Administrator mentioned that the questionnaire was being used
because it was only one page, not four like the RMV application and
was just trying to help the licensees by making the renewal process
less time consuming. Mr. Andrews asked if the questionnaire had been
approved by Town Counsel. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he was really not
sure. Robert Andrews moved to replace the questionnaire with the RMV
application and continue to send all other required documents as usual.
Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.
VII. NEW BUSINESS
2. Agreement between the Town of Orange and the Dog Officer, Rosa
Calcari- The new hours were discussed. Because of the new health insurance
requirements, the Town had to cut the hours to 15/week not to exceed
64/month. Hours are to fall between 8 am and 4 pm, no weekends or
holidays. For any calls outside these hours, the Police would be called.
Robert Andrews moved to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between
the Town of Orange and the Dog Officer. It was seconded by Richard
Sheridan. All were in favor.
3. Emergency Snow Declaration from Highway Superintendent, David
Frye – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the Finance Committee approved
the request at their meeting on January 7, 2008. Sand and salt prices
have increased and overtime has been used because of all the recent
snow storms. Robert Andrews moved to approve the request. Richard
Sheridan seconded. All were in favor.
4. Ambulance Service Rate Increases –It was mentioned by Mr.
Kwiatkowski that because of the new State regulations regarding Health
Insurance, there should be many fewer residents that will be unable
to pay for this service when used. Steven Adam suggested that the
numbers be rounded to whole dollars. Robert Andrews moved to have
the numbers rounded up to the next dollar figure. Richard Sheridan
seconded. All were in favor. Mr. Andrews then moved to accept the
increases with the corrections from the Board. This was also seconded
by Richard Sheridan. Again, all were in favor.
5. Finance Committee Memo- Mr. Kwiatkowski wanted to know if the
Board wanted to give any figures. Mr. Adam said he saw no problem
with level funding. Mr. Andrews wanted to know what the MMA dues paid
for. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that they fight for causes that affect
the Town, supply Selectmen’s Handbooks and give the Board the
opportunity to take advantage of other training materials and seminars.
6. Hands Across North Quabbin – Notice was read by Richard
Sheridan. This network is looking for participation from the Board
of Selectmen or anyone else who may be interested. Those interested
are invited to a meeting at the Athol CCD Building on January 26,
2008 at 1 p.m.
7. Goddard Trust Scholarship Amount Designation – The amount
to be used for the scholarship is $2426.93 – the interest from
December 2006 to December of 2007. Robert Andrews recommended two
scholarships of $750.00 each to a graduating senior from Mahar and
from Franklin Technical School. He suggested returning the balance
of $926.93 to the Trust to gain interest. Richard Sheridan wanted
to give 3 scholarships of $750.00 each, or to give more to two students.
He also stated that the Trust was set up to help students and not
to build principal. Mr. Andrews stated that returning the balance
to the Trust would help earn more interest. Mr. Sheridan pointed out
that the criteria for awarding the scholarships states that the interest
earned shall be the amount designated for the awards. Steven Adam
agreed. It was also mentioned that each school would nominate the
designee for their respective schools. Richard Sheridan moved to grant
the Goddard Trust entire interest amount for the previous 12 months
to use for two scholarships for Mahar and Franklin Technical School
to be split evenly. It was seconded by Steven Adam. Two members were
in favor. One was opposed. Richard Sheridan also moved to return the
account balance of $9175.54 back into the Trust Fund. That motion
was seconded by Steven Adam. Two were in favor, one opposed.
VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that there will be a public hearing
on January 23, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. held at the Town Hall Board of Selectmen’s
meeting room to solicit a response from the public on the Town’s
FY2008 Massachusetts Community Development Block Grant application
to the Department of Housing and Community Development. He encourages
residents to attend.
• A reminder that anyone seeking employment may visit the Franklin
Hampshire Career Center at the old Tapioca Plant Building now called
the Orange Innovation Center.
IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –
X. PROCESS –
Robert Andrews asked if there had been any response from the change
of Town Meeting Date petition sent to the Legislature. Mr. Kwiatkowski
stated he had not yet received anything.
Richard Sheridan stated that he had received a complaint from a resident
of Battle Street regarding a sub-contracted plow operator. It seems
the vehicle he uses to plow does not have the power required for the
job and he speeds to overcome this deficiency.
Steven Adam gave a revised form for performance review of the Town
Administrator to each of the Board members. Mr. Kwiatkowski asked
if the Board wanted him to waive his right to a review by January
15th. Mr. Adam said yes. Mr. Kwiatkowski did waive his right to his
review by January 15th, and reminded the Board that they must discuss
their intent and inform him by January 31st.
Steven Adam also mentioned that one of the Orange Police Officers
received a Commendation from the Chief, Brian Spear.
XI. VISITORS – none
XII. MOVE TO ADJOURN – There was a motion to adjourn by Robert
Andrews; seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p. m.
NEXT MEETING – January 23, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator
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