Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting

March 19, 2008

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

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

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

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Richard Sheridan moved to accept the minutes of March 5, 2008. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –The emergency exit information and the following announcements were read by Steven Adam: Orange Lions Club will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt at Butterfield Park on March 22, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.; an invitation to a presentation by UMass students of “The Town of Orange – a Green Way Plan” in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium on March 31, 2008 at 6:30 p.m.; the Food-a-Thon will be held on April 8, 2008 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and River Rat Race information and contact numbers.

IV. PERMITS –Request for a general permit for Heavenly Hotdogs for Michael and Michele Goguen to have a trailer in the parking lot of the Armory and serve on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Mr. Goguen requested that he be able to sell hotdogs on Sundays as well. This was taken under advisement as there could be some zoning regulations to be discussed with Brian Gale and permission would need to be granted by Bill Ruby, the operator of the Armory for the Town. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that he would check further into it. Mr. Goguen presented a check to the Selectboard for the Orange Senior Center in the amount of $200.00 in memory of his father, Mr. Robert Goguen. He also presented a second check for $500.00 to the General Gift Fund. Richard Sheridan moved to accept the checks on behalf of the Senior Center and the Town of Orange. The motion was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. Richard Sheridan moved to approve the general permit for Heavenly Hotdogs for Saturdays, and for Sundays, as long as all goes well with Brian Gale and Bill Ruby. The Sunday hours would be the same as Saturday. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. –Town Treasurer – Leigh Deveneau – Ms. Deveneau stated that she now has a remote deposit capture machine that allows for electronic deposit of checks to the bank. This makes the deposit immediate and keeps a record of all checks deposited, including copies of the front and the back which aids in acquiring information on returned “bounced” checks. Cash still needs to be brought to the bank for deposit. Revenue reports are up to date. The GASB 45 report should be back by next week at the latest and this is way ahead of schedule. Ms. Deveneau sent out a memo in January requesting that revenue from all departments be turned in by the 25th of each month to be sure revenue figures will be accurate month to month. Mr. Andrews mentioned that he had looked at the monthly statements between Leigh and Lori Blanchard, the Town Accountant, and they looked good. He asked Ms. Deveneau if there was anything that the Treasurer’s office needed (besides money) and she replied there was not.

7:00 p.m. – The High Street Project Bid Award was moved up on the schedule. Steven Adam read the cover letter from Weston and Sampson, the engineers for the project. Bruce Hunter stated that the base bid and the alternate A covers all of the High Street area. The grant amount received was $528,000.00, so with the lowest bid received of $508,485.00, that would leave a 4% contingency amount, which is appropriate. There will be a preconstruction meeting at the end of March or the beginning of April, with work hopefully starting the 15th of April. There will be 90 days of construction. Gomes was the construction outfit that worked on the Shelter Street project and everyone involved was pleased with their work. Richard Sheridan moved to award the High Street Project to Gomes Construction Company, Inc. of Ludlow, Massachusetts. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. All five copies were signed by the Chair, Robert Andrews and then taken by Bruce Hunter to disburse to the appropriate parties.

7:15 p.m. – Hands Across North Quabbin Network – An invitation to the Hands Across North Quabbin Action Forum was read by Steven Adam. It is being held on May 3, 2008. Representing HANDS was Mark Shoul, the Coordinator and Executive Director, Reverend Andrea Hoslett, Minister of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Orange, and Peter Cross, from the Mahar School Committee. This is a civic educational program that challenges communities in the nine-town region to change their civic culture so that the vision of a more deliberative and collaborative local democracy can be achieved. Ms. Hoslett stated that they try to encourage involvement and foster communication among the communities. Peter Cross agreed with that and wants to get more people involved so the organization can expand outward. He said people can have disagreements but still talk with each other. Robert Andrews hoped, with all these new civic-minded people wanting to get involved, it would help fill some of the vacancies on the Town’s boards, commissions and committees. Mr. Cross stated that item could be part of the discussions at the Action Forum on May 3rd. Richard Sheridan remarked that this might hopefully relieve the apathetic views of some in the community.
Mr. Shoul passed out a listing of area organizations that have provided support for HANDS either monetarily or otherwise. He requested funds from the Orange Selectboard as a symbolic gesture of support. No vote was taken regarding the request at this time.

7:30 p.m. – Letter of Interest for Inspector of Animals – Rosa Calcari – Steven Adam read the letter of interest from Ms. Calcari. Mr. Andrews noted that she covered many items in her letter, but asked if she had anything to add. Ms. Calcari stated that having the Animal Inspector and the Dog Officer be one in the same is helpful because some of the tasks may overlap. She also mentioned she was thankful for the information she would receive from former Animal Inspector, John Knechtel, because she is not a resident of Orange. His listing of locations of animals and farms, etc. will be very helpful. Steven Adam questioned whether there would be a problem appointing Ms. Calcari since she is not a resident of Orange. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he found nothing in Town bylaws that prevents the Board from appointing a non-resident. Richard Sheridan moved to appoint Rosa Calcari as Inspector of Animals. The motion was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. Ms. Calcari noted that there will be a Rabies Clinic on March 29th at the Fire Station.

VI. OLD BUSINESS – Annual Town Meeting – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the date of June 16, 2008 has been officially approved by the State Legislature. Steven Adam asked if this means that the Annual Town Meeting will always be held on the third Monday of June from now on. Mr. Kwiatkowski answered in the affirmative. Mr. Andrews mentioned that the budgeting is now in progress with Mr. Kwiatkowski which will include the Department meeting on the 20th of March.

VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Bell ringing at First Universalist Church – Mr. Kwiatkowski informed everyone that the bell ringing would not happen as planned for 3 ½ hours for 4000 times representing each of the dead soldiers in Iraq. It was changed to 4000 seconds after the 10 a.m. services and would occur at 2 churches to cut the time down. Four churches are involved, but only 2 of them have bells. All the selectmen felt that there could be some kind of memorial for the dead, but that bell ringing was not the way to go about it. Richard Sheridan stated that he appreciated that they had at least asked. Mr. Andrews had reservations considering Town Bylaws; vibrations they might create and the decibel measurement could be too high. Richard Sheridan mentioned the division between church and state and that the Selectmen should not get involved. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that even if they did ring the bells, there would be no penalty and that there is no decision to be made by the Board here. Mr. Andrews made a final statement that he does not agree on being in Iraq in the first place.

2. Invitation for Bids for Putnam Hall Asbestos and Hazardous Materials Abatement – The Town of Orange will be accepting sealed bids for the abatement of all interior asbestos containing materials and hazardous materials at the Putnam Hall Building located at 7-9 West Main Street. Richard Sheridan moved to have the Chairman, Robert Andrews sign the invitation for bids once the street name has been corrected. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

3. Tighe&Bond – Consulting Engineers Contract for Consultation at Putnam Hall – After minimal discussion, Richard Sheridan moved to have Chairman Robert Andrews sign the acceptance page of the contract for Tighe&Bond. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Rick Kwiatkowski stated that there was no need for action to be taken regarding the special legislative alert. There is further discussion needed in the legislature first.
• The next round of tax bills will be going out and be payable May 1st.
• Excise tax bills were due on March 17th, demand notices will be going out and if they are not paid, will go on to Jeffery & Jeffery.
• On April 10, 2008, the Heritage Landscape Inventory will hold an informational meeting in the Town Hall Auditorium at 6:30 p.m.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –

X. PROCESS –
Steven Adam mentioned that there will be a Franklin County Selectmen’s meeting on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Mr. Andrews will be attending.

Robert Andrews asked if the list of repairs from Chief Annear had been addressed. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that there are no funds available at this time, but that the toilets had been repaired.

Robert Andrews stated the need for an executive session to discuss negotiations of the Town Administrator’s contract, quoting Chapter 39, Section 23B, Reason #3.

8:00 p.m. Motion by Richard Sheridan to go into Executive Session for Chapter 39, Section 23B, Reason #3 – to conduct contract negotiations and not reconvene in open session. Seconded by Steven Adam. Those in favor: Robert Andrews, Richard Sheridan and Steven Adam. None opposed.

NEXT MEETING – March 20, 2008

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator