Orange Board of Selectmen Meeting
July 11, 2007
Present: Chairman Steven Adam, Vice Chairman Robert Andrews, and
Clerk
Richard Sheridan
Also Present: Town Administrator Richard Kwiatkowski and Town Clerk
Nancy M.
Blackmer
I. Call to Order - Chairman Steven Adam called the meeting to order
at 6:30 p.m. following the public forum on updating the Open Space
and Recreation Plan.
II. Approval of the Minutes – Robert Andrews motioned to
approve the minutes of the June 27, 2007 meeting as presented. Richard
Sheridan second, all in favor.
III. Announcements – Richard Sheridan read the emergency
exit information; vacancies on various town boards; Massachusetts
Animal Control has awarded Orange Animal control a $3,500.00 grant
to establish a spay/neuter program; Friends of Bicentennial and
Bicentennial Committee information; announcement for the Collector
that 1st and 2nd quarter tax bills have been mailed; and Brown Bag
concert information.
IV. Permits - None
V. Action -
6:45 p.m. – Police Department – Chief Brian Spear –
Chief Spear announced that the new lease cruisers were delivered
in January and seem to be working well. Officer Mike LaPointe has
completed the Boylston Police Academy. Officer Robert Fisher’s
retirement was completed in May. Officer Ben Kovacevic has passed
all his testing and will be attending a shortened academy due to
his law enforcement background. The Department is working with the
District Attorney’s office and others on the Juvenile Diversion
Program. There is a possibility that a grant may be available to
replace the toilets in the other two cells and they are planning
on applying for this grant. Chief Spear advised residents to lock
their cars at night; there have been many break-ins lately. Officer
Rushford has agreed to take on care and training of a new police
dog and the Pioneer Junior Women’s Club will be raising money
for this new dog. The bike patrols are back. National Night Out
planning is continuing; no date has been set yet.
7:00 p.m. – Recycling Center/Transfer Station – Priscilla
Curtis – Priscilla was out of town and unable to attend the
meeting tonight.
7:15 p.m. – Liquor License Premises Change – Rif Rafts,
81 East River St. – James Hause appeared before the Board
to request a change of premises for his business. A question arose
about how far back his property line actually goes. Rhonda Bartlett
reported that the property line runs to the middle of the river.
Butch Cloukey spoke asking the Board to grant this change. He organizes
a memorial ride every year and the money raised from this is donated
to various organizations within the town. By increasing the size
of the premises, more people will be able to attend the events.
A letter from Chief Spear was read. This outlined his concerns with
the change. It was clarified that this license would change the
premises, not the patio. The new license could carry a requirement
that a security person would need to be outside any time there are
people outside, even if it is only one person. Robert Andrews stated
he is willing to allow the alteration of premises providing the
ABCC approves it. If this change does not work out, another hearing
would have to be held to make changes prior to the new licensing
year. Rhonda Bartlett stated that she has a problem with selective
enforcement. Other establishments are allowed to violate the laws
and Mr. Hause is being required to do something others are not.
Robert Andrews made a motion to grant James and Serena Hause, DBA
Rif Rafts and alteration of premise to include an outside fenced
area to the river, contingent on ABCC approval. Richard Sheridan
seconded. Richard Sheridan made an amendment to include that adequate
security outside, off the patio. Robert Andrews seconded, all in
favor. Motion as amended passed, all in favor.
7:30 p.m. – Franklin County Home Care MOU – Roseann
Martoccia, Executive Director of Franklin County Home Care Corp.
explained the MOU. This covers the renovation and expansion to the
space for Meals on Wheels to be delivered to towns in the North
Quabbin area. They expect to deliver approximately 200 meals per
day. The congregate dining will continue as it has been. Ms. Martoccia
thanked all those who have made this project possible. Robert Andrews
made a motion that the chair sign the MOU outlining the responsibilities
of the Armory Commission/Committee, the Orange Council on Aging,
and the Franklin County Home Care Corp. Richard Sheridan seconded,
all in favor. Richard Sheridan read a letter of appreciation from
the Board of Health for the donation of $3,500 from Franklin County
Home Care Corp. towards the cost of the generator recently installed
at the Armory.
VII. New Business
1. Fire-Rescue-EMS – Comstar Write-off, April and May 2007
– Robert Andrews made a motion to write-off $1,081.06 as recommended
by Chief Annear and Comstar. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
Robert Andrews made a motion to write-off $2,554.20 as recommended
by Chief Annear and Comstar. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
2. Resignation from Town Hall Restoration Committee – Jean
Chase – Robert Andrews made a motion to accept the resignation
and that a thank you note be sent with Steve Adam to provide the
postage. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
3. Orange Council on Aging – Demand Response Contract FY
2008 – This contract is for the FRTA transportation for the
elderly and handicapped. Robert Andrews made a motion to sign the
contract. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
Robert Andrews motioned to appoint Agnes Maynard to the Council
on Aging. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
4. Application for Sewer Abatement – Kimberly Richards –
Robert Andrews voted to approve the sewer abatement in the amount
of $717.60. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
5. Letter from Austin Desreuisseau – Dirt Bike Park –
The letter requesting the Town look in to building a dirt bike track.
Robert Andrews questioned who would set up and maintain the trails.
Richard Sheridan stated it would be a good idea for a private business.
Robert Andrews made a motion that no action be taken on this letter
and that a letter be sent to Austin. Richard Sheridan seconded,
all in favor.
6. Discussion on Performance Evaluation in Open Session –
It is the opinion of Cindy Pepyne from the District Attorney’s
office that job evaluations should be done in open session; however
Town Counsel does not agree. Richard Sheridan feels that the Board
should follow Cindy’s recommendation and hold job performance
evaluations in open session. Steven Adam feels that if one is being
done in open session, then all should be in open session during
a Board of Selectmen meeting. He suggests a compromise – each
Board member would complete their individual evaluations, then the
chairman only would meet with the Town Administrator to review all
evaluations. Robert Andrews read a letter he sent to Cindy Pepyne
and her response that evaluations should be done in open session.
He feels that all department head evaluations should be done in
public in the future and that the evaluation should be the only
item on the agenda. Any comments would have to be directed to the
chairman prior to the meeting. Complaints would have to be addressed
in executive session. Robert Andrews will clarify with Cindy Pepyne
if others than the Town Administrator can still be done by the Town
Administrator and not at a Board of Selectmen meeting.
VII. Town Administrator’s Report
• July 16 there will be a K-12 Regionalization meeting at
Mahar.
• The Town just received notification that DHCD has awarded
$968,541.00 for the High Street stabilization project, housing rehab,
and social services.
• The FY ’07 budgets have been closed out. The Finance
Committee voted to allow transfers of up to $22,000.00. The actual
amount needed is $17,782.91. Robert Andrews made a motion to do
the transfer of $17,782.91 to cover various budget shortfalls.
X. Process
• Robert Andrews asked if the Town checks the town bounds.
This used to be required and he wondered if this requirement has
changed. Rick will look into this and see if it is still required.
• Steven Adam received a comment from a resident in the High
Street area regarding Wendy Johnson. The resident stated that Wendy
has been extremely helpful throughout the recent project and that
she does a remarkable job. The Board will send her a letter to thank
her for her day-to-day work on these grants.
Motion to Adjourn – Robert Andrews motioned to adjourn at
8:49 p.m. Richard Sheridan seconded, all in favor.
Next meeting – July 25, 2007
Respectfully submitted,
Nancy M. Blackmer, CMC/CMMC
Town Clerk
