Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
December 26, 2007

Present: Vice Chairman Robert Andrews and Clerk Richard Sheridan

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

Absent: Chairman Steven Adam, due to illness

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 8, 2007 and December 12, 2007. Motion was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor. There was one correction mentioned by Mr. Andrews; Robert Andrews made the motion to send Taylor Dahlstrom, the winner of the Starry, Starry Night Poster Contest, a congratulatory letter from the Board of Selectmen.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS – The emergency exits were read by Richard Sheridan, Clerk. Rick Kwiatkowski, Town Administrator, read the remaining announcements: 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 Recycling Center/Transfer Station will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2008, in observance of New Year’s Day. It will be open on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; 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; 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. The schedule for Starry, Starry Night was also read; the memo from Town Clerk, Nancy Blackmer about vacancies on Boards, Committees and Commissions was read along with a list of meeting times and places.

IV. PERMITS –none

V. ACTION –
6:35 p.m. – Presentation by the Athol-Orange Elks to the Veteran’s Honor Roll Design and Construction Committee –The Elks presented a check to the committee to help defray some of the expenses to be incurred once construction has begun. Presenters were Bill Berry, Jr., from the Athol-Orange Lodge of Elks, and Spider Smith, from the American Legion. Members of the Honor Committee in attendance were Robert Andrews, Janice Lanou and George Willard. Robert Andrews mentioned that the committee has been working closely with Leo Parent, the Veteran’s Agent and hopes that the Memorial will be ready by Memorial Day in the Bicentennial Year of 2010. The project involves a lot more than previously anticipated. Richard Sheridan moved to accept the donation from Elk’s Lodge #1837 and it was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.

6:45 p.m. – Orange Elementary Schools – Represented by Paul Burnim – Mr. Burnim stated that the Elementary Schools were awarded a Learning Center Grant for $80,000 per year for five years for after school activities. They are using Dexter Park and Fisher Hill Schools as activity sites. Many programs are offered dealing with the Library, science, and physical education activities. Even snacks are provided. The programs run until 5 p.m., but someone remains until 5:30 p.m. for those parents or guardians who work and must pick up their children a little later. There are 65-70 children that show up for each session. Bay State Reading Institute is also involved with a scientific approach for staff to gain professional development. Mr. Burnim thanked Rick Kwiatkowski for his help in solving some minor problems but there still seems to be concern about the Fisher Hill driveway where much eroding is taking place because of the increased traffic. He and Mr. Kwiatkowski both stated that there will be an article at the Special Town Meeting to transfer funds from the Stabilization account to help with this work. It is a twelve week job proposal that will take place during the summer when school is not in session.

7:00 p.m. – License owner name change for Al’s Recycled Auto Parts and Trinity Auto Sales –Michael Guimond requested to change the name on these licenses to his name and remove Allan Guimond. The names of the Businesses themselves will remain the same. There will also be no changes made to either of the establishments. Richard Sheridan moved to change the owner name on the license for Al’s Recycled Auto Parts to Michael Guimond. It was seconded by Robert Andrews. All in favor. Richard Sheridan then moved to change the owner name on Trinity Auto Sales to Michael Guimond. Robert Andrews seconded that motion as well. All were in favor.

VI. OLD BUSINESS –

VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Approve Class II licenses for Rum’s Auto, Patriot Auto and Fairman Auto- Richard Sheridan moved to approve and sign licenses for Patriot, Fairman and Rum’s Auto. The motion was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.

2. Memo regarding Special Town Meeting Warrant – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the Special Town Meeting will be held on February 21, 2008. There will be some internal transfers and several housekeeping issues to address at that time. It is anticipated that the Board of Selectmen will consider the draft and close the warrant on Wednesday, January 23, 2008; review and sign the warrant on February 6, 2008.

3. Letter and registration from the Massachusetts Municipal Association –Rick Kwiatkowski has registered for this convention which includes trade shows, seminars and other activities. He asked the Board if they would like him to represent the Town of Orange with voting capacity. Richard Sheridan moved that the Board designate Mr. Kwiatkowski as the Town’s representative and give him the authority to vote. It was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.

4. Request for Comment from the Planning Board on Jerome Currier, MACUR Enterprises, dba K & J Auto at 181 East Main Street - Rick Kwiatkowski stated that Mr. Currier had not previously gone through the planning board process, so is doing so now. Mr. Currier would like to amend his license to contain 43 vehicles from the previous 16 vehicles. Richard Sheridan and Robert Andrews both noted concerns about sightlines from the entrance and exit, and how the view of all those vehicles might disturb the closest residents. Robert Andrews also stated that the amount of spaces needs to be clarified because on the planning board application, 43 were requested; on the narrative, he requested 45. Richard Sheridan moved the comment to the Planning Board be that the views from the entrance and exit should not be obstructed, that the numbers of spaces requested be clarified, and what would be the action taken to diminish the view of the vehicles from the parcels behind the business. Robert Andrews seconded the motion and all were in favor.

5. The Rules of Necessity were invoked for signing payroll warrants, as Steven Adam was not present. The motion was made by Richard Sheridan and seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Tax bills were mailed today. Thanks to all who helped to get them out, specifically, the Town Collector, Jeri Deyo and the Town Clerk, Nancy Blackmer. Approval from the State was received on Friday, December 21st. Only the 3rd quarter was mailed; the 4th quarter will be mailed at a later date. The Tax Classification hearing was held on December 17th. The Board of Selectmen voted to go with the recommendation of the Assessors and use a single tax rate.
• Grants have been submitted through FRCOG/Brownfields and are waiting for approval.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR – The schedule for Selectmen’s meetings in 2008 is available on the Town’s website. There is a great deal of information to be found on the website pertaining to the Town that may be helpful to townspeople.

X. PROCESS –

XI. VISITORS – none

XII. MOVE TO ADJOURN – There was a motion to adjourn by Richard Sheridan; seconded by Robert Andrews. All in favor – none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 7:31 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – December 26, 2007

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator