Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
March 5, 2008

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 E. Adam called the meeting to order at 6:30 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Robert Andrews congratulated Steven Adam for his re-election to the Board.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN – Robert Andrews made a motion to reorganize the Board with Mr. Andrews as Chair, Richard Sheridan as Vice Chair and Steven Adam as Clerk. It was seconded by Richard Sheridan. All were in favor. The new slate is as follows: Robert F. Andrews, Chairman; Richard P. Sheridan, Vice Chairman; and Steven E. Adam, Clerk.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Richard Sheridan moved to accept the minutes of February 20, 2008. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –The emergency exit information and the following announcement was read by Steven Adam; River Rat Race information and contact numbers.

Robert Andrews mentioned the meeting schedule for the Board of Selectmen and whether it should be weekly or continue to be bi-weekly. It was decided that meetings would remain bi-weekly.

IV. PERMITS –Request for a general permit for the New England Equestrian Center of Athol to hold a Tack Show/Sale and Equine Expo at the Athol-Orange Elks #1837 on March 22, 2008. Richard Sheridan made a motion to approve the permit. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. –Town Accountant – Lori Blanchard - Due to a previous commitment, Ms. Blanchard was not able to attend. Her meeting with the Board of Selectmen will be rescheduled.

7:00 p.m. Signature on the Memorandum of Understanding for Worcester Regional Alerting System – Rick Kwiatkowski delivered some information regarding the Reverse 911 System. It is in association with the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office and is funded by Homeland Security until July 1, 2010, which is FY 2011 for the Town of Orange. Robert Andrews stated that the memorandum should be signed by the previous Chairman, Steven Adam, as his name appears on the form. Richard Sheridan moved to have the form signed with an amendment that Steven Adam should sign since he was the Chairman at the time. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

7:30 p.m. – Letter of Interest – Mary Hakkinen for the Cultural Council - Steven Adam read the Letter of Interest from Mary Hakkinen. Nina Wellen, currently on the Council stated that they are working on their second round of grants. The Council supports the Garlic and Arts Festival and Starry, Starry Night. In fact, at the Garlic and Arts Festival, they initiated a survey asking participants what interest they have and what type of events they would like to attend. This survey must be done every three years. They received an excellent response of about 200 replies. Nina introduced Mary Hakkinen, who is very interested in becoming a member of the Cultural Council. She has a studio where she holds classes and would like to do more. She is also in training to become a clown. Mr. Kwiatkowski asked if they would be interested in becoming involved with the Celebrate the Harvest event, and requested a copy of the survey. Nina agreed to email him a copy. Steven Adam asked when meetings for the Council are held. Ms. Wellen stated that the grant cycle usually starts in the fall, so they hold two meetings in October, one in November, then, one the end of January when news of the grant funds becomes available. Meetings are mostly held on a Monday at the Moore-Leland Library in North Orange. Mr. Kwiatkowski suggested having the Town’s website be linked to the Massachusetts Cultural Council website. He also has been thinking of having some sort of information board at the old Getty Lot where news of coming events could be displayed for residents and tourists alike. Steven Adam mentioned how the Garlic and Arts Festival is advertised on a large sign off Route 2 at Hunt’s Farm which generates a lot of traffic to the Festival. Richard Sheridan then moved to appoint Mary Hakkinen to the Orange Cultural Council. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

7:45 p.m. – Public Hearing - Sewer User Rate Increase - WWTP Superintendent, Ed Billiel - Mr. Kwiatkowski stated there would need to be two motions: one to raise the rate to $2.98, reflecting the FY09 budget for the short term loan, and then to $3.12 to reflect the FY10 budget when the USDA payment comes due. Mr. Andrews asked the audience if there was any discussion for or against the increase. There was none. Richard Sheridan moved to close the Public Hearing. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. Richard Sheridan moved to raise the sewer user rate to $2.98 effective July 1, 2008. Steven Adam seconded. All in favor. Mr. Sheridan then moved to raise the sewer user rate to $3.12 when the USDA loan becomes available. Steven Adam also seconded this motion. All were in favor.

VI. OLD BUSINESS –

VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Reappointments to Town Boards, Committees and Commissions – Steven Adam read the listing of those reappointments due in March. Richard Sheridan moved to reappoint all on the list. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor. Richard Sheridan reminded all those newly appointed must be sworn in by the Town Clerk, Nancy Blackmer.

2. Resignation of John Knechtel as Inspector of Animals – Steven Adam read resignation letter from John Knechtel. Richard Sheridan moved to accept the resignation, with an amendment to send a letter of thanks to Mr. Knechtel. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

3. Discussion of Riverfront Park Dinner –Rick Kwiatkowski stated that this would be similar to what Shelburne Falls has – The Bridge Dinner. He wanted to know if anyone would be interested in holding a similar event at the Riverfront Park here in Orange. There would be several items to organize, such as ticket sales, cooking, setting up and serving, among other things. There would be a need for Town businesses and the community at large to help out to make the event a success. The Board would need to approve the use of the park for the event. This might be something the Town would like to have during the Bicentennial year of 2010. Richard Sheridan stated that it sounded like a good idea and he was all for it. Steven Adam suggested that if it could not be held as a sit-down dinner like the one in Shelburne Falls, that maybe a barbeque would be suitable instead. Richard Sheridan moved to give permission to the Town Administrator to pursue further information on getting a Riverfront Park Dinner organized. The motion was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

 

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Rick Kwiatkowski received a call from Senator Brewer’s office regarding changing the Annual Town Meeting date to June 16, 2008. It is on the desk of the Governor ready to be signed. We should hear shortly if it was approved.
• There is a meeting on March 20th at noon in the auditorium with all the Department Heads to discuss all management agreements. Later on in the afternoon, each Department Head will meet separately with the Board. The Board will be receiving all the appropriate information before the meeting takes place.
• UMass Amherst Seniors in the Landscape Architecture Studio will present a program called “The Town of Orange – A Green Way Plan to Town Official and residents on March 31st. There will be invitations going out. The presentation should last about 1 ½ hours. Please attend to see what plans they have come up with for the Town of Orange. Steven Adam asked if there was a way the Forestry Department at UMass might be able to help David Frye with tree work here in town. Mr. Kwiatkowski will check into it.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –

X. PROCESS –
Steven Adam mentioned he had been at the Board of Health meeting the evening before and learned that there was a plan in the works to move the Planning Board and Conservation Commission down to the Armory. There is still much to work out before that can occur.

Steven Adam said that he would like a letter sent to the Assessors regarding the appellate tax regarding Verizon/phone and cable with the article attached that he read in the paper.

Robert Andrews asked Mr. Kwiatkowski if he had any requests for his new contract with the Town. He would like to address that at an executive session at the meeting on March 19, 2008.

Robert Andrews also mentioned a letter he had received from Chief Annear regarding items that needed to be addressed at the Water Street Fire Station. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he had gone over the items with the Finance Committee. Mr. Andrews requested plans from Chief Annear on how to address those items.

Mr. Andrews noted that there is now an Ad Hoc Committee for Energy for Town buildings. Rick Kwiatkowski and Steven Adam are on the Committee.

Mr. Andrews stated that he received a letter from a resident concerning parking in front of the 1880 House and that there had been a near-miss incident because of parking on both sides of the road there. He suggested parking on one side only – the restaurant side. Mr. Kwiatkowski informed him that there is a letter in process to go to business and property owners in the downtown area regarding parking and that he will discuss with David Frye and Chief Spear parking on the restaurant side only.

 

XI. VISITORS – none

XII. MOVE TO ADJOURN – There was a motion to adjourn by Richard Sheridan; seconded by Steven Adam. All in favor – none opposed. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p. m.

NEXT MEETING – March 19, 2008

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator