Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
November 7, 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 17th meeting. Richard Sheridan
second. All in favor. None opposed. There was a motion from Robert
Andrews to rescind the motion made during the last meeting for Rick
Kwiatkowski to represent the Board at a meeting of the Mahar Regional
School District on Wednesday, December 20, 2007 because the date
was incorrect and it would not be necessary. It was seconded by
Richard Sheridan. All in favor. None opposed. Mr. Andrews also questioned
if the Boot Drive scheduled for November 3rd had been held because
there was no one in the center that day. He was informed it had
been held at Walmart instead.
III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – Richard Sheridan read emergency exit
information; The Town of Orange Recycling Center will be closed
in observance of Veteran’s Day on Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
They will be open on Wednesday, November 14, Thursday, November
15 and Saturday, November 17 from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.
IV. PERMITS –Last minute request for a permit from Steve
Rowe, Commander of American Legion Post #172 for a parade to be
held on November 10, 2007 in observance of Veteran’s Day.
It will start from the Orange Post Office and proceed north on South
Main Street to Memorial Park where the ceremony will be held. After
the ceremony, it will proceed south on South Main Street back to
the starting point and disband. Mr. Rowe is hoping that with the
shorter route, more Veteran’s will be able to participate
and the ceremony can be longer and a little more intense. Robert
Andrews moved to approve the permit and waive the fee. It was seconded
by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. None opposed.
V. ACTION – none
VI. OLD BUSINESS - none
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Fire – Rescue - EMS –Comstar Write-offs for September.
Chief Dennis Annear requested a write-off for $50 for the month
of September as recommended by Comstar, the ambulance billing agent.
Robert Andrews moved to approve. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All
in favor.
2. EMS Service Zone Plan Application – Chief Dennis Annear
stated that this is a filing required by the State on how they are
going to supply EMS services to the Town. It would be updated if
there are any changes, but it is a one-time report. Robert Andrews
questioned as to why we are listed in the Central Region instead
of the Western Region. Chief Annear stated that the State put us
in that region because of our affiliation with Athol Memorial Hospital.
If we wanted to be changed, Senator Brewer or Representative Donelan
would have to file a bill requesting that. It has to do with how
many calls we get and the requests to go to Athol or West. Richard
Sheridan stated that we are better funded this way. Chief Annear
stated that the Board of Health may get more funds, but not necessarily
EMS. But we do have access to more programs and equipment. Robert
Andrews moved that the Chair sign the application as presented.
Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. None opposed.
3. New Employee for the Fire Department – Kevin Kaczmarczyk
resigned from the Orange Fire Department and left a vacancy to be
filled. Seven applications were received, but only five were qualified.
All are currently working for the Fire Department. Chief Annear
said that all the candidates were so closely qualified; he was having
a difficult time with the process. An Assessment Company was hired
(for $3000 from Chief Annear’s other purchased services account)
for the purpose of determining the best of the applicants. After
an intensive six hour assessment program, including role playing
and other methods, it was determined that Rebecca Fisher was the
appropriate choice. She has been with the Department for eight years
and is attending paramedic school now. Her first full time shift
was Friday, November 2, 2007. Rebecca was joined this evening by
her children and her aunt. She is the first full time female and
the first to have been chosen using the Assessment Company process.
Steven Adam asked if we would have to use this process from here
on out. Town Administrator, Rick Kwiatkowski stated that because
all the applicants were so equally qualified, the company was utilized
to help make the decision more fair and impartial. Chief Annear
said that this new process had not been needed in the past because
there was always one candidate that stood out from the rest, but
this time was not that way and he wanted to make sure that those
who were not chosen still wanted to remain with the department.
The company had no resumes or length of service figures to use in
their selection process. This was done purposely to retain fairness
and impartiality in the process. Robert Andrews asked if this process
would have to be used each time now for promotions or new hires.
Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that it would be decided on a case by case
basis, depending on the applicants for each new position and their
qualifications. Chief Annear stated that this type of process is
becoming the standard for promotions and new hires. Steven Adam
was concerned that since this first time resulted in a female being
hired, would that mean it would be required to use this process
every time now to avoid discrimination. Richard Sheridan wanted
to know if we try to hire in-house first. Chief Annear stated that
we do. We always try to promote from within before hiring from outside.
4. Sewer Connection for Eugene Litchfield – Ed Billiel from
the Waste Water Treatment Facility requested this be approved. The
request was read by Richard Sheridan, Clerk of the Board. Mr. Litchfield
of 465 East River Street would like to connect to the Leisure Woods
sewer line and this must be approved by the Board of Selectmen on
an individual basis. Because of an agreement with the Town and Leisure
Woods, Robert Andrews moved to approve such connection as presented.
It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.
5. Sewer Connection for Lance Korich – Ed Billiel from the
Waste Water Treatment Facility requested this be approved. The request
was read by Richard Sheridan, Clerk of the Board. Mr. Korich of
Northeast Wood Design would also like to connect to Leisure Woods
sewer line for Lot A on East River Street and needs the Board’s
approval. A motion was made by Robert Andrews to approve the connection.
Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor. Steven Adam asked whether
there would come a time when we wouldn’t be able to do this
any longer. Ed Billiel stated that we have a limit of 38,500 gallons/day.
We are only at 12,000 now.
VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• We received the Sewer Line Agreement and the Declaration
of Restrictions from Town Council, Donna MacNicol. They have been
signed by Indian Ridge Development managers and notarized, respectively.
The Bond Agreement still needs to be done, but these other two pieces
had to be taken care of first. They now need to been signed by the
Board. Robert Andrews moved to have the Board sign the documents
as presented. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.
IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR - nothing discussed
X. PROCESS - Mr. Andrews attended the ceremony for the acquisition
of 41 acres to the Tully Mountain Wildlife Management Area. It was
a nice ceremony attended by about 100 people.
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 7:30 p. m.
NEXT MEETING – November 14, 2007
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator
