Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 28, 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 moved to accept the minutes of November 14, 2007. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. There was one correction on page two; remove the word “not”, as Mr. Andrews did have a problem with the grant writer portion of the Community Development Strategy.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – Read by Richard Sheridan, Clerk. Emergency exits; the winter parking ban begins 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; The Orange Community Band will hold its annual “Christmas Gift to the Community” concert on Friday, December 7, 2007 at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium. Admission is free, but all donations will be accepted. Funds collected go to the Town Hall Restoration Fund.

IV. PERMITS –none

V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. – The Armory Commission did not appear tonight.
7:00 p.m. – Pole Hearing – Warwick Road – The hearing notice was read by Richard Sheridan. Scott Burns, the representative from Verizon stated that the footage figure in the original petition was inaccurate. It was not 1050 feet as stated, but 1998 feet, as was brought to his attention by Mr. Shovan, one of the abutters. With this correction, Robert Andrews moved that one J-O pole be allowed to be erected. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.
7:15 p.m. – Sewer Abatement for Peter and Candace Cross of $80.96 –Mr. Sheridan read letter from Ed Billiel, Superintendent of WWTP, stating that due to the fact that not one of the four criteria for an abatement listed in the Town of Orange Sewer Ordinance had been met, he recommended that it not be approved. Mr. Cross stated that his normal bill is usually around $30, but for some unknown reason, his bill for June through September was $80.96. He has no broken pipes, did not fill a pool and has done nothing to “correct” anything. The next bill returned to normal. Richard Sheridan asked whether the meter could have been faulty. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that, the way the ordinance stands, the board has no choice but to deny the abatement. It was decided to table the issue and check with Bruce Merriam about the meter and with Town Counsel on whether and/or how the sewer ordinance can be changed to account for this type of occurrence.

Purple Heart Ceremony for Holger E. Heglin – father of Nancy Lyman, Administrative Coordinator – The ceremony took place with help of the Board of Selectmen, Steven E. Adam, Robert Andrews and Richard Sheridan; Richard Kwiatkowski, Town Administrator; Leo Parent, Veteran’s Agent; and Senator Steven M. Brewer, who all gave recognition to her father for his service to his Country. Senator Brewer personally gave Mrs. Lyman a citation from The Senate. She also received citations from The House of Representatives and Rep. John Olver, and a Purple Heart ceremonial plaque and tile. It was a beautiful ceremony and reminded us all about how lucky we are to reside in the United States of America. Her husband, Stephen W. Lyman, was also present to show his support.

VI. OLD BUSINESS –
1. Unregistered Motor Vehicle Bylaw/Policy –The General Code of the Town of Orange was read by Steven Adam. Richard Sheridan stated that the code was originally written in 1988 and was updated and approved in August of 2005. He believes that inadvertently, two words were left out of Section 187-1 which changes the meaning and interpretation of the bylaw. As it stands, all garages and junkyards would be in violation. The words “or one” should be returned to the section after the words “commercial garage” to return the intended meaning. Mr. Sheridan also believed that Section 187-3 should be changed to not be a criminal violation. Mr. Andrews suggested that this should all be on paper so that a comparison can be made. Steven Adam asked Chief Spear if violations always lead to criminal offenses. Chief Spear said it can go either way. But he tries to work with residents to try to keep it from going that far. The only time it does is if a resident has made a complaint. Mr. Sheridan would like the board to come up with definitions for commercial junkyard and commercial garage. Steven Adam asked Mr. Sheridan to “slice and dice” the bylaw as written and propose, on paper, changes he would like to see so that it can be compared to the current bylaw. Then it would have to go to Town Meeting for discussion.

VII. NEW BUSINESS
2. Request for Comment – Jose Carrasquillo –312 East Main Street Special Permit- Rick Kwiatkowski stated that since it is a new owner, then a new permit is needed. The Planning Board goes by owner, not property site, even though this property was previously used for the same type of business. Mr. Andrews asked if we get information from other departments and was told they do. But the decision is the Planning Board’s, not the Board of Selectmen. Robert Andrews moved the Selectmen state “no comment” on the request. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.

3. Letter from Pat Allen regarding a Study of Franklin County Schools – Receipt of this letter was late as there had been an error and one had not been mailed in a timely manner. Robert Andrews stated that this is a very important study because it could possibly change school districts bus routes and the purchase of books and paper in quantity. A motion was made by Robert Andrews that Jane Peirce be appointed on the government side for Orange schools. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. Mr. Andrews volunteered for the government side for Mahar. Richard Sheridan moved to appoint him as such. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All in favor.

4. Letter of resignation from Pat Smith from the Regional Brownfields Committee –Letter was read by Richard Sheridan. After noting that Ms. Smith had done a great job as the representative from Orange, Mr. Andrews moved to accept her letter of resignation. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. Rick Kwiatkowski asked to be appointed in her place because he has had such close involvement with the committee in the past. Robert Andrews made a motion to appoint Mr. Kwiatkowski, effective immediately. Richard Sheridan seconded the motion. All in favor. Letter of appreciation to be sent to Pat Smith.

5. Letter of resignation from the Planning Board from Michaele Wright – Letter read by Richard Sheridan. Robert Andrews moved to accept the resignation and send a letter of appreciation for service to the Town. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.

6. Request from Town Clerk, Nancy Blackmer, to change annual election date back to March 3, 2008 – There were no concerns from the Board members. Robert Andrews made the motion that based on the recommendation of the Town Clerk, to rescind the motion of the previous date and hold the Annual Town Elections on March 3, 2008. Richard Sheridan seconded the motion. All in favor.

7. 2008 Alcohol License Renewals – Rick Kwiatkowski explained that the chart showed all establishments in grayed area had returned all forms requested and were ready to be signed by the Board since they are the Licensing Authority. Three were not complete and cannot be signed. Robert Andrews moved to have the Board sign those forms that are complete. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• The Town has received preliminary tax certification. There will be an advertisement in the Athol Daily News notifying residents that they may come into the assessor’s office to check their valuation for a 5 day period. After this time, adjustments will be considered and then the rates will be sent to the State for final approval. Tax bills may still be mailed before the end of the year if all goes well.
• Several of the Town’s Boards, Committees and Commissions have lost members recently and there could come a time when quorums become difficult to reach. Mr. Kwiatkowski asked for Town residents to please submit letters of interest (which can be found and printed from the Town’s website). He will request a list from the Town Clerk of all vacancies to be ready for the next Board meeting on December 12, 2007.
• Mr. Kwiatkowski wanted to thank all those who were involved in the Santa in the Park on November 23, 2007. They include, but are not limited to: The Cornwell family, Bob Muise, WJDF, Pamela and Pennie Smith, Mahar Key Club, Boy Scout Troop #1837, the Orange Business Association, Orange Community Band, Crimson Acres, Demil Kovacevic and the Orange Fire Department.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR - nothing discussed

X. PROCESS – Robert Andrews also wanted to thank all those involved on Santa in the Park and wanted to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Kovacevic for donating the tree and putting it up in Butterfield Park.

Mr. Kwiatkowski stated there would letters going out to all who helped organizing the Santa in the Park.

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 8:10 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – December 12, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator