Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting

April 2, 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 6:35 PM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

II. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES- Richard Sheridan moved to accept the minutes of March 19, 2008. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –The emergency exit information and the following announcements were read by Steven Adam: the Food-a-Thon will be held on April 8, 2008 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; an invitation from the Orange Conservation Commission to attend a public meeting regarding the Heritage Landscape Inventory Program at 6:30 p.m. on April 10 in the Town Hall Auditorium; the River Rat Race information and contact numbers; and a Free Training seminar sponsored by the Safe Neighborhood Initiative on April 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium.

IV. PERMITS –Request for a general permit for the Orange Little League to hold a parade on April 19th at 9 a.m. beginning at the Town Hall, down South Main Street, left onto East Myrtle Street, right onto Hayden Street to the Little League field. Richard Sheridan moved to grant the permit and it was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

Another request for a Common Victualler’s Permit for Pop’s Novelty Ice Cream – Martin Tessier, Sr. for his ice cream truck. Richard Sheridan moved to grant the permit. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor.

V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. –Town Tax Collector – Jerilynn Deyo – Ms. Deyo stated that the 4th quarter tax bills had just been mailed out and that there had been a better response with the separate mailings of the 3rd and 4th quarter tax bills than when they had been combined, although, the elderly seem to like to pay yearly. Her office had a training session on their check scanner for electronic deposit of payments taken by check. This allows for quicker access to the funds. Robert Andrews asked how far back delinquent taxes have been found. Ms. Deyo stated that some go back to 1987. He then asked if they have been foreclosed on. She replied that foreclosure is in process with 15 parcels just about ready to take, but that we want to make sure we have all the facts before doing so. Some are too old to go before the commissioners and could have happened when address changes take place for mapping purposes. It can be difficult to follow the paper trail because of this. There have been a few of these changes to add to the difficulty. It is up to the taxpayer, not the Town to show proof of payment. Rick Kwiatkowski mentioned that in the 4th quarter mailing there was a survey regarding emergency assistance information which when returned, will be forwarded to the Council on Aging and any other department that would be in need of such information should there be an emergency in the Town. (Such as the Fire Department or the Police Department)

Memorandum of Understanding – Brian Spear – Chief of Police- The MOU had been reviewed with the Chief earlier and he had no reservations. Richard Sheridan moved to sign the MOU that runs from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2011. The motion was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated there had been a rash of break-ins recently and warned residents to lock doors and windows and watch out for anything suspicious. Chief Spear mentioned that the vehicle suspected was a black step side pick-up truck.

Memorandum of Understanding - Priscilla Curtis –Superintendent of the Transfer Station/Landfill – The MOU had been previously reviewed with Ms. Curtis and she found it agreeable. Richard Sheridan moved to sign the MOU which would run from July 1, 2008 until June 30, 2011. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Orange Cemetery Commission – Steven Adam read the letter from Josh Knechtel, the Cemetery Superintendent, on behalf of the Cemetery Commissioners requesting the land on Assessor’s Map 250, Lot 12 be gifted to the Cemetery Department for future expansion. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that this parcel is back up for auction for a second time; the Cemetery Department had been looking at it for a couple of years and is still interested. The last time this piece of property was up for auction, only the Cemetery Department and EDIC had shown any interest. The initial appraisal was approximately $100,000 for the 40 acres. There are easements on the property that might prove difficult for a regular owner. Steven Adam suggested breaking up the property, leaving the front portion for residential purposes and the back portion for the Cemetery. Mr. Kwiatkowski reminded the Board that it would have to be surveyed in order to do that. Mr. George Willard, Chairman of the Cemetery Commissioners stated the Cemetery Department would be satisfied with the back portion. Robert Andrews wondered if there had been any consideration of using that parcel for a safety complex. Richard Sheridan moved to recommend that at a future Town Meeting, the Town transfer the back section of Lot 12 on Assessor’s Map 250 to the Cemetery Department. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

Lease of the Orange Armory to Niall Entertainment – Peter and Diana Niall – Mr. Niall stated that he had thought about hanging it up, but decided to stick it out. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that was the reason a new lease was decided upon. The Armory Commission Chairman, William Ruby stated that he was fine with the new lease and was pleased with the funds received by Mr. Niall for rental. Robert Andrews questioned what the effect would be on the Armory since it is an emergency evacuation staging area. Mr. Kwiatkowski mentioned that Mr. Niall uses the Armory usually only once a week and that if problems did arise, the lease can be reviewed each year on its anniversary date. He also mentioned that the upstairs floor will probably need to be replaced at some point. He also stated that insurance wise, the Town is covered by the insurance purchased by Mr. Niall because it takes precedent and defends the Town as well as Mr. Niall. Robert Andrews asked if the amount received for rent covers the fuel costs arising from use of the Armory. Mr. Niall responded by saying that they only put the heat on for maybe one hour just before use and then turn it off because it gets warm up there with all the kids skating and working up a sweat. Richard Sheridan made a motion to sign the lease with Mr. Niall. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Appointment of Veteran’s Burial Agent – George Willard – Steven Adam read the request by the Town to the American Legion Post 172 to recommend a Veteran’s burial agent who was a resident and a veteran. Ed Bezio, Adjutant for the Legion sent a responding letter stating that George Willard had been elected for that position by the Post. Richard Sheridan moved that the Town appoint George Willard as Veteran’s Burial Agent as recommended by the American Legion. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

VI. OLD BUSINESS – Parking on East Main Street – Steven Adam read the memo from Chief Spear and Highway Superintendent David Frye. He also stated that he didn’t think that no parking would be an appropriate way to go and that the solution by the Chief and Mr. Frye seemed like the best idea. Richard Sheridan agreed with Mr. Adam and added that it would be in the best interest of the businesses in the area to allow parking. He also mentioned that when the crosswalk is painted, it should be done in such a way to account for better visibility for those coming out of the drive-up area of TDBankNorth. Mr. Sheridan made a motion to follow the recommendation of Chief Spear and David Frye. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

VII. NEW BUSINESS
2. Annual Town Meeting Memo – Steven Adam read the memo from Rick Kwiatkowski, the Town Administrator. The Annual and Special Town meetings will be held on June 16, 2008. Any requests for warrant articles must be to the Administrator’s office no later than April 25, 2008. It is anticipated the Board of Selectmen will consider the draft of the warrants on Wednesday, May 14 and review and sign them on May 28, 2008. Mr. Andrews asked if any requests for warrant articles had been turned in yet. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated there had not at this time.

3. Town of Orange awarded American Institute of Architects Sustainable Design grant – The media Advisory was read by Steven Adam. Robert Andrews recognized Wendy Johnson, the CDO Administrative Assistant, Rick Kwiatkowski, Town Administrator, Alec MacLeod, Conservation Commission Chairman and Jonathan Schwartz, Orange Innovation Center Environmental Officer, for their involvement in putting the grant together and following through until acceptance. Steven Adam concurred. It is a $30,000 grant. The Town’s portion will be $15,000 in in-kind services. Robert Andrews requested letters of recognition go out to Wendy, Rick, Alec and Jonathan. He also mentioned that the information in this grant could be very useful when it comes to writing subsequent grants.

4. Wachusett Medical Reserve Corps – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the Board of Health believes that becoming involved with this Corps would not be in the Town’s best interest. The Town is already affiliated with Worcester Reserve Medical Corps. It is really a Board of Health issue and there is no decision required from the Selectboard. Richard Sheridan moved to forward the request to the Board of Health for further action. Steven Adam seconded the motion. All were in favor.

5. Request from Town Administrator – The letter of request was read by Steven Adam. Mr. Kwiatkowski is looking to purchase around 100 chairs for the Armory from the General Gift Fund which contains approximately $1600 with the inclusion of the gift from Michael Goguen and some funds that William Ruby, the Armory Commission Chairman has to add. Chairs that were there previously belonged to the Knights of Columbus and have since been removed. Mr. Ruby stated that 52 chairs can be purchased with a shipping charge of $236.60. Richard Sheridan moved to release monies from the General Gift Fund to the Town Administrator to purchase chairs for the Armory. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

6. KENO to go – Letter from Massachusetts State Lottery Commission – Steven Adam read the letter from the State. The proposal is to sell Keno tickets at all existing agents and the purchaser can check their numbers on their home computer instead of waiting around for the games to come up, because there will be no additional Keno screens added to any establishments. Richard Sheridan voiced no objections. Richard Sheridan moved to allow KENO to go as presented by the State. Robert Andrews seconded. Two were in favor, one opposed.
7. Request for Abatement – Edward Billiel/Chief Operator of the WWTP – Mr. Billiel requested that there be an abatement of bills totaling $660.59 that are uncollectible because of a bankruptcy. They have been on the books since 1997. Richard Sheridan mentioned that there probably should have been municipal liens placed on the property and it was the Town’s fault for not doing so. Richard Sheridan made a motion to abate the bills for a total of $660.59. It was seconded by Steven Adam. The vote was two for and one opposed.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• There is a request for a disabled commuter from this area to serve on the FRTA Advisory Board. They would like this filled by May 2, 2008.
• The National Guard was giving away pre-filled sandbags to area municipalities. The Town of Orange acquired 6600 bags that are now being stored in the Highway barn.
• Heavenly Hotdogs was notified that their request for opening on Sundays was denied.
• Franklin County Career Center is still doing well. They have served 107 customers, 12 of whom acquired employment with an average wage of $10.23 per hour.
• Reliable Temps has light industrial positions available. Call Dave at 800-457-2604 x 109.
• Plowing information package should be ready by next meeting.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –

X. PROCESS –
Robert Andrews offered an invitation to attend the School Building Assistance where the case will be presented for construction of a new school.

Robert Andrews mentioned the Mahar Budget Public Hearing had been held the previous night. There could be quite a financial impact to the Town. He had been hoping for more dialog from Wendell and New Salem.

Robert Andrews stated the need for an executive session and not to reconvene.

8:15 p.m. Steven Adam motioned that the Board would go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, Section 23B, Reason #3 - to conduct contract negotiations with Edward Billiel, Chief Operator of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Seconded by Richard Sheridan. Robert Andrews – Aye, Richard Sheridan – Aye, Steven Adam – Aye.

NEXT MEETING – April 16, 2008

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator