Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
October 17, 2007

Present: Chairman Steven Adam, Vice Chairman Robert Andrews,
and Clerk Richard Sheridan

Also Present: Town Administrator Rick Kwiatkowski and
Administrative Coordinator Nancy J. Lyman

I. CALL TO ORDER:
Chairman Steven Adam called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – Robert Andrews motioned to approve the minutes of the October 10th meeting. Richard Sheridan second. All in favor. None opposed.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – Richard Sheridan read emergency exit information; EDIC Board is looking for two (2) members-at-large; there is a Halloween Party @ the Orange Town Hall on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 from 6-8 p. m. for children 10 years old and under being put on by the Orange Lions Club; Run for Gary’s Life “Lock and Load” 5k walk/run on October 20th at the Airport from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Take Back Our Lives Rally on October 20th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. @ Butterfield Park.; Robert Andrews wanted to remind everyone that The Board of Selectmen will not meet on October 31st. Their next meeting will occur on November 14, 2007.

IV. PERMITS –

V. ACTION –
6:35 p.m. –James Basford, from 20 Fieldstone Drive has put in his request to become an alternate on the Planning Board. He is a new resident since May from Billerica, MA, has been in banking for 30 years and is looking forward to doing his part as a volunteer for the Town. Steven Adam mentioned that there is a new form for those interested in volunteering. Rick Kwiatkowski said that the form can be found on the website, which is where Mr. Basford acquired it. Robert Andrews stated that Mr. Basford was a great example for new residents and moved that he be appointed as an alternate to the Planning Board. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. None opposed. Mr. Kwiatkowski went over the new form briefly.

6:45 p.m. The Conservation Commission did not appear tonight.

VI. OLD BUSINESS
1. Waiving Permit Fees – Robert Andrews stated that we currently have a $25 fee, but more often than not, it gets waived, depending on who or what entity is requesting the permit. Steven Adam had a Proposal for Fee Structure that he put together and read. This would go into effect on January 1, 2008, if approved (see attached). Robert Andrews questioned whether Massachusetts General Laws were being followed and if Town Counsel, Donna MacNicol had been asked for her opinion. He said he had checked the Selectmen’s Handbook and found nothing there. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that at a previous Town Meeting, it was voted that the Selectmen could make those judgments including fee changes. Robert Andrews suggested that there should be a public hearing before January 1st. The November 14th meeting would give the Board time to come up with other proposals to be discussed that night with those on hand.


VII. NEW BUSINESS
2. Capital Improvement Planning Committee Meetings – Rick Kwiatkowski read memo sent on September 18, 2007. He asked the Board if there was anything they would want to see done or if they have any suggestions. He stated that for the Town Hall, painting the windows, a storage system for the back room, and a humidity-controlled safe to house town records were a priority on the list. Robert Andrews mentioned that we would need a complete design and engineering plan. Mr. Sheridan wondered if we could get along with only one safe instead of the five we had. Mr. Kwiatkowski said that he had checked for grants for having the windows done and found nothing and that the town clerk would be involved in the process. The various dates on the Capital Improvement needs for the Town Hall will be adjusted. Robert Andrews wondered if any could be included in maintenance for the Town Hall. Steve Adam mentioned the status of the boiler and Mr. Kwiatkowski said it had been serviced for this year... He also said that the higher side of the Town Hall needs more baseboards to distribute the heat more favorably.

3. High Street Project – Award Contract to Weston & Sampson - Seven package requests were sent out. The closing date was Thursday, October 11, 2007 @ 1:00 p. m. Only one proposal was received by the deadline. Weston and Sampson was the lone proposal and awarded the contract to oversee the project at $34, 000 after a motion from Robert Andrews as such. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed. It was mentioned that Bruce Hunter, the FGRHRA Assistant CD Director, is ill and that the Board would like to send him a card.

4. Resignations from Boards and Commissions – It was noted that there have been recent resignations: Debra Fifield and Bruce Gabrenas from the EDIC Board and Lucia Cavaliere form the Armory Commission. Robert Andrews moved to accept the resignations and send letters of appreciation to each. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed

5. Stantec- Jones Street Landfill services – Priscilla Curtis stated from the Stantec letter dated October 5, 2007 that there would be water quality and landfill gas monitoring this fall, along with the landfill cap inspection. The monitoring and testing had been done by two different companies, but will now all be done by Stantec for a combined price of $5200.00 Robert Andrews moved to have the board sign the agreement for the landfill. Richard Sheridan seconded. All in favor – none opposed. The agreement was signed by all three Selectmen. Priscilla Curtis said the landfill passed Franklin County Solid Waste testing with flying colors, as usual.

6. FY08 Payroll and Authorization Designees – Rick Kwiatkowki stated the purpose of this is when Department Heads are on vacation or out for other reasons, the designees would be able to sign payroll timesheets and bills during their absence. Robert Andrews moved to accept the names. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed. It was stated that since Lori Blanchard had no designee listed, Linda Kennedy would sign for her.

7. Ralph C. Mahar Regional School District – Negotiations with Mahar Teachers Assoc. and Mahar Non-Teaching Assoc. –Rick Kwiatkowski offered to sit in at the meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 20th, 2007 because Robert Andrews has other commitments with the Capital Improvement Planning Committee on that date. He will represent the Board but will not take part in any of the negotiations. Robert Andrews moved to allow Mr. Kwiatkowski to represent the Board. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• We are wrapping up with Blue Cross/Blue Shield. It was recommended there be a change from the 2-tier system we have now to a 3-tier system for office visits/prescriptions/emergency room visits. This will save the Town about 4 percent on costs.
• SEIU 888 contracts are still in negotiations.
• Capital Improvement Planning Committee meets November 13, 20, 27 and December 4, 2007.
• Scenic Byway has a meeting on Thursday, November 1, 2007.
• Nothing new to report on the Riverfront Park project. Waiting for the foundation which will be done by Franklin County Tech students once set up with John Carey.
• There is a Halloween Stroll for kids on October 31, 2007 from 10 a.m. until noon. Thirty businesses in Orange will post a Pumpkin sign on their door where youngsters are welcome for “Trick of Treat”. This is for pre-schoolers. The Chamber will be giving away a gift certificate for the best costume. There will be a Police Officer on duty in the center for safety reasons.
• Letter given to the Board to have them list what ideas and goals they might have for what they want to accomplish while they are in office or after. What would they like to be their legacy.

Robert Andrews mentioned the rising health and drug costs and thought we should change to the State Plan since open season has been extended for a year. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that this had been investigated, and would not be a benefit to the Town. The State plan is not trust funded like the plan we now have which means we would pay premiums to the Insurance Company and not have the money put aside in a trust to be used as needed. Robert Andrews still would like to hear from the GIC.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR – Budgeting has begun. Assessors recap is ongoing. DOR was in the 17th, so we should know results by next meeting.

X. PROCESS
• A memo was sent from Rick Kwiatkowski to David Frye regarding several items to be addressed. One was plowing of the sidewalks. Robert Andrews thought that only Town property was plowed. Richard Sheridan was told by a former employee that sidewalks had been done at least in the center, N/E/S/W Main Streets and E/W River Streets in the early 70s.
• Richard Sheridan wanted to set a time frame for discussion of the Class I, II, and III licenses. He suggested having a hearing so that those involved could be present. Steven Adam stated that he was looking for proposals to change the bylaw. Mr. Sheridan would like something that would explain them and possibly change a non-registered vehicle violation to a non-criminal or civil violation instead of criminal, which it is now. He would like something that defines the context better. Steven Adam asked Mr. Sheridan if he could have something written up regarding the questions to be asked of the license holders and to be discussed during the BOS meeting on November 14th. Mr. Sheridan said he would do that. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he would like a copy of that by November 9th to have enough time to get it into the Board folders. Richard Sheridan agreed.

XI. VISITORS – Harry Foster, representing the Call Firefighters Relief Association, asked the Board for a permit to hold a “Boot Drive” on Saturday, November 3, 2007 from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the center of Town. He said he had already spoken with Chief Spear and had his blessing. They will be in their safety gear. Rick Kwiatkowski looked up the BOS meeting from last year and found they had done it then and there had been no fee charged for the permit. Robert Andrews made a motion to approve the permit for the “Boot Drive”. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor – none opposed.

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 8:00 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – November 14, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator