Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting

May 14, 2008

Present: Chairman, Robert Andrews, Vice Chairman, Richard P. 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 April 30, 2008 and the minutes of the Executive Session of March 20, 2008. The motion was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

III. ANNOUNCEMENTS –The emergency exit information and several other announcements were read by Steven Adam: A quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Manufactured Homes Commission will be held on Tuesday, May 20th from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium; Celebrate North Quabbin’s Volunteers will be held also on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium; the routes of the Veteran’s marches and services for the Memorial Day programs on May 25 and 26, 2008; the Orange Emergency Assistance Survey was sent out with the tax bills with informational contacts and phone numbers; coming attractions sponsored by the Library dealing with “On the Same Page” mass reading of “From Bagdad, with Love” – Saturday, May 17th in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium, a short film called “Chips: the War Dog” – Tuesday May 20th at the Moore –Leland Library in North Orange, local author Cathy Stanton will be discussing the May book choice – and Thursday May 29th in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium, a Middle Eastern Night will be held with Asst. Professor, Dr. Shakir Mustafa of Boston University; May 27, 2008 will be the last day to register to vote for the Annual Town Meeting to be held on June 16, 2008. The Town Clerk’s office will remain open until 8:00 p.m. to accommodate those who want to register; a Public Hearing to be held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 7:15 p.m. in the BOS meting room regarding the acceptance of Drew Boulevard and Oak Drive as Town roads; there will be an auction of 12 Town-owned properties on May 29, 2008 in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at 10 a.m.

IV. PERMITS –

V. ACTION –
Bid Award – Putnam Hall Asbestos and Hazardous Material Removal – Robert Andrews deferred to Rick Kwiatkowski for this information. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that the bids were opened on May 1, 2008 at 2 p.m. There were four bids received: RM Technologies at $165,061.45, Suburban Middlesex Insulation at $147,777.00, Baystate Contracting Services, Inc. at $144,352.00, and Air Quality Experts, Inc. at $130,000.00. Since two companies neglected to include their Certificate of Eligibility for DCAM or updated statements, which were requirements of the bid package, the bid is to be awarded to the lowest bidder with the correct documentation. The recommendation was Suburban Middlesex Insulation of 823 Pleasant Street, Norwood, MA 02062. Work is to begin the week of May 27th or the 1st week of June with grant funds from Brownfields and other sources. The project overseer is Tighe&Bond. Steven Adam asked if DCAM certification is required. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that because it was and also the updated statements were missing, the bid could not be awarded to any company without those documents. Richard Sheridan made a motion to award the bid to Suburban Middlesex Insulation since they were the lowest bidder with the correct paperwork. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor. Richard Sheridan also moved to allow Mr. Kwiatkowski sign the contract as Chief Procurement Officer. That motion was also seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

Memorandum from Franklin County Solid Waste Management District – Robert Andrews mentioned that that the prices have gone up due to fuel costs, just like everything else. Richard Sheridan wanted to verify that this was for bulky waste. Scrap metal is taken care of by another hauler. He made a motion to accept as presented, the bulky waste demo hauling and disposal with Waste Management. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

VI. OLD BUSINESS –

VII. NEW BUSINESS
1. Ballot questions for Town Meeting – Read by Steven Adam. He also read the request from the School side of the budget of $198,000. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that there will be a $200,000 deficit although the budget will be balanced on paper. We will be requesting this amount for the government side at Town Meeting. Health Insurance has been a large part of the increase, but heating fuel and gasoline are other items adding to the increase. Town Government may have some reductions in services, while the school side would lose some staff if the overrides do not pass. Mr. Andrews reiterated that everything is going up in price and hopes to retain all current services and staff. Mr. Sheridan stated that overrides have not had much previous success in the past, and residents are feeling the pinch, but that he is in favor of putting the questions on the ballot to let the Town residents have their say. Mr. Adam agreed. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that the State is not meeting all its obligations to cities and towns which is also causing the deficit, as well as higher prices. Anne Forcier of the Telegram & Gazette asked what was not being funded. Mr. Kwiatkowski answered that the Lottery funds were cut in 2002 and have not caught up. Chapter 70 has increased only $150,000 since 2003, and that small increase has been eaten up by health insurance costs. Also GASB 45, a federally mandated report that must be undertaken by the Town because of new accounting regulations is not funded by the Federal or State Government. The cost must be absorbed by the Town. If the ballot questions pass, this will mean a very minimal tax increase of 72 cents per thousand. Richard Sheridan moved to place the questions on the ballot as presented. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

2. Letter of Resignation – Ruth Shaw – Orange Cultural Council – Mr. Adam read the resignation letter from Ruth Shaw. Richard Sheridan made a motion to accept the resignation of Ruth Shaw from the Orange Cultural Council and to send a thank you letter for her service. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

3. Letter of Resignation – Pamela Oddy – Capital Improvement Planning Committee-Steven Adam read the letter which stated that although she has been on the Committee for twelve years, she has decided to step down. Her resignation goes into affect after the Town Meeting in June, which is Monday, June 16, 2008. Richard Sheridan moved to accept the letter of resignation from Pamela Oddy from the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, to be effective after the June 16th Town Meeting and to send a letter of thank you for her service. Seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.

4. Orange Transfer Station Condition Assessment by Stantec – At the request of the Town, the Transfer Station was visited by Stantec on March 20, 2008 to make condition assessments of the building and site paving. The requests for repair will be sent through Capital Planning and Rick Kwiatkowski asked that copies of the assessment be sent to the members of the Capital Improvement Planning Committee. Steven Adam noted that #2 of the assessment dealt with the fire suppression system and that should be the priority.

5. Information regarding the North Quabbin Loan Fund – An email was received from Phil Delorey, the Athol Town Planner and Grant Administrator who noted that his office is very close to having funds available for local businesses. Athol is the lead town, and Orange and other surrounding towns are also taking part. Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the Franklin County CDC will soon have an office in the OIC building on West Main Street.

6. Drafts of Warrant Articles for ATM and STM – Rick Kwiatkowski stated that the warrants will be signed by the Board of Selectmen on May 28, 2008. The Board stated they had no comment on the STM articles, but none had finished reviewing the ATM articles at this time. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that Article 21regarding outside consultants will be scratched. He also announced that at the Town Meeting on June 16, 2008, the Bicentennial Logo, coffee mugs, travel mugs and Bicentennial Blends of coffee will be unveiled. On October 10, 2010, there will be a parade to celebrate the Bicentennial and possibly several other events during the Celebrate the Harvest which occurs that weekend, along with other events throughout the year.

Steven Adam was curious about the Airport Easements in the warrant – was airspace being purchased? Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that this dealt with monies being offered to amicable abutters for the easements, and although it must say eminent domain in the article, that is not what actually is happening. He also mentioned that letters to the abutters on the Point at Lake Mattawa will be going out to notify them that the Water Department would like to sell their land there and give first option to those who already occupy the point. On the Gale Hilltop Farm article, Jay Rasku of North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership stated that the $400,000 would be matched if the Town is successful in receiving the grant. Therefore, it will not cost the taxpayers anything. Alec MacLeod, Chair of the Orange Conservation Commission, will be writing the grant. Robert Andrews commented that 51% of Orange land is in conservation restriction and is worried that this will cut into tax revenues collected by the Town. Mr. Rasku assures Mr. Andrews that the new owners of the farm would still be on the tax rolls. Richard Sheridan remarked that if we continue to put land in conservation restriction at a lower tax rate, the taxpayers will end up shouldering the burden. Jay Rasku countered with the idea that if Gale Farm had gone into a 20-unit subdivision, as had been a possibility, it would have cost the Town more in services and schools. Mr. Andrews added that the Town must look at property with economic development in mind.

VIII. TOWN ADMINISTRATORS REPORT
• Mr. Kwiatkowski reminded the Board that they must vote the “Rules of Necessity” due to the fact that Robert Andrews will not be in Town next week to sign warrants. Richard Sheridan so moved. Seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.
• Mr. Kwiatkowski asked that the Board sign the warrant to pay for a shortfall of $738.67 in Veteran’s benefits that needs to be transferred to that line item. Richard Sheridan so moved. Steven Adam seconded. All were in favor. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that this would also have to be approved by the Finance Committee.
• On May 29, 2008, in the Ruth B. Smith Auditorium, there will be an auction of 12 Town properties at 10 a.m. For information, please call the Zekos Group at 508-842-9000. Richard Sheridan made a motion to appoint Rick Kwiatkowski the Tax Custodian with Treasurer, Leigh Deveneau as assistant. It was seconded by Steven Adam. All were in favor.
• The Permitting Board accepted the Town’s 43D application for $100,000. The first check should be coming soon. Rick took the time to thank the property owners, Robert Andrews, Peggy Sloan and her office at FRCOG and Nancy Lyman for the work they put into preparing and submitting the application. Steven Adam also thanked Rick Kwiatkowski for his part as well.

IX. MUNICIPAL CALENDAR –

X. PROCESS –
Richard Sheridan believes that the Board should take a stance and request lenders in the area to do whatever it takes to keep Orange residents in their homes and to prevent or halt foreclosure proceedings.

Mr. Sheridan also mentioned that he had received a couple of calls from residents commenting on the “performance standards” of the Zoning bylaw. This is in regards to routes, 202, 122 and 2A. He asked Mr. Kwiatkowski to look into the matter and get information from Brian Gale, the Building Inspector, who enforces the zoning bylaws.

Steven Adam wondered about the sweeping of the streets. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated that, at this time, there are no funds available for this, but he will check with David Frye, the Highway Superintendent as to the cost of sweeping the remaining streets in Town.

Mr. Adam also was asked by a resident about the lighting at the Tully Fire Station. Mr. Kwiatkowski stated he will check with Chief Annear on that issue.

At 7:45 p.m., Robert Andrews moved to go into Executive Session under Chapter 39, Section 23B, #2 and that the Board not reconvene. The session is for the purpose of dealing with a complaint against an Officer of the Town. Robert Andrews – aye. Richard Sheridan – aye. Steven Adam – aye.

NEXT MEETING – May 28, 2008
6:45 p.m. – Wastewater Treatment Facility – Ed Billiel

Respectfully submitted,

_____________________________
Nancy J. Lyman, Administrative Coordinator