| Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
April 30, 2008
Present: Chairman, Robert Andrews, and Clerk, Steven Adam
Absent: Vice-Chairman, Richard P. Sheridan
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- Steven Adam moved to accept the minutes
of April 16, 2008 as presented. The motion was seconded by Robert
Andrews. All were in favor.
III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –The emergency exit information was read
by Steven Adam. Rick Kwiatkowski announced that there would be a quarterly
meeting of the Massachusetts Manufactured Homes Commission on Tuesday,
May 20th from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium.
The five commissioners meet at various locations around the state
and requested to meet in this region at this time.
PERMITS –
1. Literacy Volunteers of Orange/Athol Walk for Literacy – permit
to walk from Wheeler Memorial Library to Athol Public Library for
their 11th Annual Walkathon on May 4th. Barbara Jaillet is the Program
Coordinator. Steven Adam moved to approve and sign the permit. It
was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.
2. The Orange Unit of the American Legion Auxiliary requests a permit
for their annual Poppy Day Program being held at Walmart and Donelan’s
Package Store on May 9th and 10th. Steven Adam moved to approve and
sign the permit and waive the fee. Robert Andrews seconded. All were
in favor.
3. The Orange American Legion requests a permit for the annual Memorial
Day programs to be held on May 25th and May 26th, 2008. They will
be marching on May 25th at 9 a.m. in West Orange Cemetery; at 9:20
a.m., they will be at Holtshire Cemetery; and at South Cemetery at
9:40 a.m. then back to the Fire Station for a 10 a.m. River Service.
On May 26th, they will start at Jones Cemetery at 8 a.m.; then to
North Orange Cemetery at 8:20 a.m. and on to Tully for 9 a.m. At 11
a.m., the march will go from the Post Office up to Central Cemetery,
to the Honor Roll and back to the Post office. Steven Adam made a
motion to approve and sign the permit and waive the fee. It was seconded
by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.
Steven Adam asked about the status of the Honor Roll. Mr. Andrews
replied that names for Korea and WWII have been verified. The next
meeting of the committee will be on May 6, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the
Town Hall. If there is anyone who would like to donate to the cause,
all donations are accepted and appreciated.
V. ACTION –
6:45 p.m. –Priscilla Curtis –Recycling Center and Transfer
Station Superintendent - Ms. Curtis mentioned that one of her trucks
was involved in an accident during a snow storm. Our driver was not
hurt. The truck is being repaired in Chicopee. She asked if the public
could please be patient while the vehicle is being repaired because
their old truck is losing its floor, so they are only using it on
Saturdays. She stated there is a new ban on items containing mercury.
If you have anything that contains mercury, please bring it into the
office. Some items containing mercury are: thermometers, thermostats
and batteries (not alkaline). The batteries in this category would
be watch batteries, hearing aid batteries and any other “button
type” batteries.
Jan Ameen from the Franklin County Solid Waste Management District
was on hand to give a report on her evaluation conducted on the Landfill
in April. The review looked at services, equipment and sticker revenue,
among other items. She stated that the landfill is very well managed.
Trash tonnage is down, while recyclables are up. Steven Adam asked
about the equipment, stating that it is not all being used and not
as efficiently as it could. Ms. Curtis stated that there are some
items that could be declared as surplus and sold. One piece of equipment
that could be sold now is the baler, according to Ms. Curtis. Jan
Ameen mentioned that the sale of some of the equipment, even as scrap
metal could net the Town approximately $26,000, which could be used
to purchase one good vehicle. She recommends raising the sticker fee,
which is now only $10, the lowest of any landfill sticker fees in
the area. The fee has been the same amount for 17 years. She also
recommended looking at reconsidering private haulers as well. Steven
Adam stated that it was a great report and that the sticker fee increase
and sale of scrap metal are points well taken. Robert Andrews felt
that he could agree with maybe a $5 increase in the sticker fee, and
that the price of trash bags should stay the same as it is now. This
is because he feels it is presented as a service to the Town. He does
not want to compete with Athol regarding private haulers. He requested
that Ms. Curtis do some public relations programs for the residents
so that they know about the service. Steven Adam said that someone
from the Energy Committee would be speaking with Priscilla soon regarding
ink cartridges that can actually produce funds for the school. He
moved to proceed with the recommendations from Ms. Ameen as presented.
Robert Andrews seconded the motion. All were in favor.
7:00 p. m. – Pole Hearing – High Street –Mr. Adam
read the notice of the hearing placed in the Athol Daily News. Scott
Burns represented Verizon stating that the pole was being relocated
per the DEP. There were no comments from the audience regarding the
hearing. Anne Forcier, who was not able to attend, sent a letter stating
that she was not against the pole relocation, but that she would like
the vines growing on the poles in that area to be cut. Steven Adam
moved to grant permission to relocate the pole on High Street as requested
by Verizon. Robert Andrews seconded. All were in favor.
VI. OLD BUSINESS –
VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Comstar Write-off from the Fire Department–Chief Annear requests
the Board of Selectmen to approve the Comstar write-off for March
of $176.68. Robert Andrews stated that it was uncollectible. Steven
Adam moved to approve the write-off of $176.68 as requested. It was
seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.
2. Letter of Interest for Armory Commission – D. F. “Erik”
Hansen – Mr. Hansen has been doing outside maintenance at the
Armory for several years now, so Rick Kwiatkowski asked that Mr. Hansen
fill out a disclosure form to show that there is no conflict of interest
involved. Steven Adam moved to appoint Mr. Hansen to the Armory Commission.
It was seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor. Mr. Andrews
reminded everyone that there are still many vacancies on several boards,
committees and commissions and hopes that there will be more volunteers.
3. Letter of Resignation from Carol Mayer – Bicentennial Committee–
Steven Adam read the letter which stated that Ms. Mayer no longer
has the time to serve on the committee but was grateful for the opportunity.
Steven Adam moved to accept the resignation from Carol Mayer. Mr.
Andrews seconded the motion and requested a letter of regret be sent.
All were in favor.
4. Orange Transfer Station Evaluation – This was discussed
in conjunction with Priscilla Curtis’ presentation earlier in
the action items.
VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Mr. Kwiatkowski reminded the Board that they must vote the
“Rules of Necessity” due to the fact that Steven Adam
will not be in Town next week to sign warrants. Steven Adam so moved.
Seconded by Robert Andrews. All were in favor.
• Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that the Board would have to vote to
allow the Fire Department to overspend their budget, citing Chapter
44, Section 31 of the Massachusetts General Laws. This law states
that the Board must vote this in order to protect the public safety
of the residents of Orange. Steven Adam moved to accept Chapter 44,
Section 31 of the Mass. General Laws. It was seconded by Robert Andrews.
All were in favor.
• The Annual Chamber of Commerce dinner is Tuesday, May 13,
2008 at 6p.m.
• The Town received an FY08 Technical Assistance Grant of $7000
with work done by Wendy Johnson, Pat Smith and Donna Cote.
• The North Quabbin Action Forum will be held at Mahar on Saturday,
May 3, 2008 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Women’s Health Program will be held at Walmart on Saturday,
May 3, 2008 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.
• Eagle Peak Fitness Center in the OIC Building on West Main
Street will have a ribbon-cutting on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 1:15
p.m.
• Mr. Kwiatkowski took offense at a letter to the editor in
the Athol Daily News from David Shepardson, stating that Mr. Shepardson
was part of the problem and didn’t offer any solutions. He was
upset that the Daily News doesn’t seem to verify anything before
printing it, and if they had checked, they would have found that everything
in Mr. Shepardson’s letter had already been addressed. Robert
Andrews stated that he felt that Town business should not be in the
media. Mr. Adam agreed.
IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –
X. PROCESS –
Robert Andrews stated that he had reviewed the contract for the Town
Administrator and Steven Adam is working on the wording. Mr. Andrews
would like it to be on the agenda for the May 14th meeting.
Steven Adam moved to adjourn at 7:35 p.m. Robert Andrews seconded.
All were in favor.
NEXT MEETING – May 14, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator
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