Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 12, 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. Town Administrator noted here that there is a hearing at the Board of Selectmen’s Meeting on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. This hearing is in regards to the tax classification certification the Town of Orange received from the State.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES – Robert Andrews moved to accept the minutes of November 28, 2007. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. There were no corrections.

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; Section 175-8 of the Town of Orange General Code was read, regarding removal of snow and ice by property owners; The Recycling Center/Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, December 25, in observance of Christmas, and on Tuesday, January 1, in observance of New Year’s Day. It will be open those weeks on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Photo Contest for the Annual Town Report Cover was announced. Entries must be in by January 28, 2008 and the winner will be chosen by the Board of Selectmen; Power to the People – anyone with electrically operated apparatus who calls will be placed on a list at their request and will receive personal calls and visits during power outages to make certain their needs are met. Steve Adam mentioned that there are emergency generators at the Armory, Mahar and Fisher Hill. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that there is also one on the new ladder truck.

IV. PERMITS –none

V. ACTION –
6:35 p.m. – Starry, Starry Night – Rose Marie Thoms and Candy Ashenden – Candy read the letter sent to the Selectmen regarding all the performances and other local events being held for free on New Year’s Eve. There was also a schedule of events taking place that night. The poster contest was won by Taylor Dahlstrom, a Dexter Park 3rd grader. All the entries will be on display upstairs in the auditorium foyer. Rick Kwiatkowski stated there had been a meeting with the coordinators of the event and the Police and Fire Departments; lighting and other safety issues had been discussed and all of these issues were addressed. He reminded everyone, that since it is being held at night, to please bring a flashlight for your own safety. Ms. Thoms mentioned that Merrifield Bus Company is supplying a bus to pick up residents at the YMCA at 5:30 p.m. and will return to the YMCA after the fireworks. Members of the committee, in addition to Rose Marie Thoms and Candy Ashenden are: Nate Steinberg, Manuel King, Joanna Fisher, Murray and Fred Mock, Brian Eno, Walt Owens, and Patricia Smith. A special thanks to all those who helped was expressed by Richard Sheridan, Steven Adam and Robert Andrews. A motion was made by Robert Andrews to send a letter of congratulations to Taylor Dahlstrom for winning the poster contest. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.
6:45 p.m. – Council on Aging – Cliff Fournier – Mr. Fournier stated some of the items that had been accomplished since their last meeting. The Council entered a program this summer called “Seeds of Solidarity”. People signed up to receive a bag of fresh vegetables each week for ten weeks. There was no cost. He had met with Mr. Kwiatkowski and FRTA and discussed issues with them that have been resolved. There is a new program running for 20 weeks for Tai Chi classes which is going well. The formula grants have not yet arrived. They are supposed to cover July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. They are looking for a replacement for May Deane, who has resigned. Union procedures must be followed in seeking her replacement. Mr. Fournier has just received the application for the in-service grant which is supposed to cover the same dates as the formula grants. They are also looking for a part time person to do the Outreach work. They would need a place where they could do work in private and where they would have access to the internet.

7:00 p.m. – Tully Fire Station Design and Building Committee –Richard Hall and Dennis Annear - Mr. Hall stated that the committee met with 5 potential design companies on November 7th where each gave a presentation. Each committee member then filled out a questionnaire which cut the field to two. Of the two, Juster, Pope and Frazier was chosen. An agreement was sent to Town Counsel, and after many changes, was accepted by all parties involved at $102,000 - $18,000 less than the maximum allowed. Chief Annear stated that it was better to have a local company because they would give better service on such a long term project. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated the first billing would be in FY2010 and work would start in 2009. Chief Annear believes it would be best to put the bids out for the work in the fall because companies are looking to set up work for the following spring. Robert Andrews moved to approve and sign the agreement as presented. Richard Sheridan seconded. All were in favor.

VI. OLD BUSINESS –
1. Unregistered Motor Vehicle Bylaw/Policy –Rick Kwiatkowski researched the bylaw from the Town Meeting on May 11, 1988 which was approved by the Attorney General’s Office on August 30, 1988. Richard Sheridan stated that he has been working on this with that office and will attempt to get in touch with those who were Selectmen at that time to see what they can remember.

VII. NEW BUSINESS
2. Pat Larson and Janice Kurkoski – Clean Energy- There are several programs out there. Clean Energy Choice Matching Grants and New England Green Start are two that were presented. At the moment, the Town of Orange has $2186 in the clean Energy Fund. These funds come from residents who signed up for the grant. There are 16 households in Orange. There are more funds to be acquired if 76 more Orange households sign up. They pay 1-2 cents more per kilowatt hour and the balance goes into the fund. If they conserve energy, then the amount of their bill can remain similar, but they are helping the town and themselves in the process. National Grid also has a program where they will meet with Town officials to provided technical assistance and help improve efficiency. Robert Andrews stated there had been an energy audit done on all town building in 2003 and maybe an update could be done in 2008. There also is an application for an audit from the Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources available if the application is returned by February 1, 2008. Robert Andrews made a motion to fill out this application for all town buildings. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. An Ad Hoc committee was formed with Steve Adam and Pat Larson as two members of a five member committee.

3. Finance Committee Memo and Meeting Schedule – It was noted that this is for the Board to discuss. Steve Adam pointed out that it looks like level funding.

4. Letter from Steve Raymond, North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce –The letter was read by Richard Sheridan. Mr. Raymond is asking that each town consider participating in a nine town event next fall on the Columbus Day weekend. He would like each town to sponsor a fishing derby in their town along with an accompanying activity and one person from the Town to become part of the planning process. Mr. Andrews wondered if the NQCC would coordinate the event since Orange has so much going on that weekend already. Should the Quabbin Anglers or the Orange Gun Club and other similar organizations be contacted? He also stated that these concerns be forwarded to Steve Raymond.

5. Memo from Town Clerk, Nancy Blackmer – Vancancies on Boards, Committees and Commissions in Orange – Rick Kwiatkowski is becoming concerned that there are so many vacancies on town boards, commission and committees. According to the list from the Town Clerk, there are 22 vacancies. Robert Andrews suggested they be posted on the Town’s website. Steve Adam would like a list compiled of all the vacancies, when and where they meet, and what being such a member would entail.
6. Letter of interest from James Basford for Planning Board– There was a letter of interest from James Basford from 20 Fieldstone Drive, who had just been appointed an alternate on the Planning Board, but now would like to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Michaele Wright. Robert Andrews moved to appoint Mr. Basford to the Planning Board. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. It was noted that there are now vacancies for two alternates on the Planning Board.

7. Fire-Rescue-EMS Comstar Write-off – Memo from Chief Annear requesting a write –off of $50 from Comstar. Robert Andrews moved to approve the write –off of $50.00. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.

8. 2008 Class I, II, and III License Renewals – A motion was made by Robert Andrews to approve the license renewals as presented by the report by the Administrative Coordinator. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.

9. 2008 Other License Renewals – Robert Andrews moved to approve the other 2008 license renewals as presented with the addition of the Orange Laundry Mat which was received earlier in the day. Richard Sheridan seconded. All were in favor.

10. Schedule Special Town Meeting – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that he felt one was not needed this past fall, but that one should be scheduled for February 21, 2008. The last day to register to vote will be February 12, 2008 and the last day to post the warrant will be February 7, 2008. Also mentioned was that Town Counsel would be present at the meeting. Robert Andrews moved to set the Special Town Meeting date for February21, 2008 at 7 p.m.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• From FRCOG, $75,000 was approved for the Scenic Byway Grant for Route 122, in Orange.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR – The Board of Selectmen will meet with the Board of Assessors on Monday, December 17, 2007 in the BOS meeting Room at the Town Hall @ 6:30 p.m. This meeting is to set the tax rate. The recap is to be signed then and sent to DOR for a 48-72 hour turnaround so 3rd quarter tax bills can be mailed.

X. PROCESS – Robert Andrews noticed that the Christmas lights were not on in Memorial Park. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he is working on it. There is either a short and/or the timer may not be set properly.

Mr. Andrews mentioned the Selectmen’s training held at the Franklin County Jail on November 29th was very well attended. It seemed that there was much interest. The next one will be on January 10, 2008 at 6:30 p.m., again at the Franklin County Jail.

Mr. Andrews made a motion to rescind the motion made at the June 13, 2007 Selectmen’s meeting regarding the five member and two alternates for the Honor Roll Design and Construction Committee and change it to seven members with no alternates. That way a quorum would be four members. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All in favor.

Steven Adam read a memo from the Water Department stating that regarding the sewer abatement for Peter and Candace Cross, they received abatements for water of $46.55 and
sewer of $48.07.

Steven Adam mentioned a letter he received from the Massachusetts House Republican Caucus stating the there were funds available to cities and towns from the Lottery from Docket #4651 only if the bill passes. It recommended that Town Officials send letters of support to Salvatore DiMasi, Speaker of the House, and to Angelo Scaccia, Chairman of the House Committee on Rules. Robert Andrews moved to write such a letter. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor.

Rick Kwiatkowski stated the there was a Board of Selectmen’s meeting on Saturday, December 8th because of a borrowing in lieu of anticipated revenues. It will be paid back in two installments; one in February 2008 and one in April 2008. Interest on this borrowing will be $18,000. The borrowing was necessary because the 3rd and 4th quarter tax revenues have not arrived as yet.

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 8:30 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – December 26, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator