PRESENT: Selectmen Patrick J. McNabb, Joseph Hallisey and Joseph A. Sergi, John F. Moak, Town Administrator; Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant
The meeting was called to order at 7:31 PM.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES: On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, the minutes of the meeting of May 10, 2010 were unanimously approved.
APPROVE WARRANT/SIGN PURCHASE ORDERS: The Board signed the warrants.
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. McNabb announced the parade schedule for Memorial Day. Mr. Sergi stated there will be a fly-over of two F-15 fighter jets.
Mr. Hallisey read the annual list of board/committee vacancies. Mr. Sergi asked if a review could be done of the current boards and committees to determine relevance.
APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS:
Item #1 – Appointments – Covered Bridge Committee: Mr. McNabb read a memo regarding appointments to the committee. Present were Diane Cronin and Maureen Desveaux; the other two people interested in being appointed were David Babin and Joy Henry. Mr. Moak stated the committee is to be comprised of up to seven members appointed to staggered three year terms; he suggested that two of the candidates be appointed to three year terms, and the other two candidates to two year terms; new candidates can be appointed to one year terms. Mr. Sergi thanked the candidates for volunteering to serve. Ms. Cronin stated they are targeting Labor Day weekend for the celebration. On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Cronin and Ms. Desveaux to the Covered Bridge Committee, term to expire 6/30/13. On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was unanimously voted to appoint Mr. Babin and Ms. Henry to the Covered Bridge Committee, term to expire 6/30/12.
Item #2 – Appointment – No. Middlesex Emergency Planning Committee Community Emergency Response Coordinator: Mr. Moak asked that this item be tabled, as there are several items to be addressed relative to this subject.
ACTION ITEMS:
Item #1 – Discussion – Mill and cooperative development: Mr. Sergi asked for this agenda item to gain support from the Board and building on the documents we have. Mr. McNabb asked if an information packet could be put together. Mr. Moak stated that in talking to Mass. Development, it doesn’t appear that they are aware of all the Town has done, and we need to pull all the information together. Mr. Moak will take on this task; Mr. Sergi commented it could take a couple of months to complete.
Item #2 – Transfer Requests – Town Administrator Budget: Mr. Moak explained the transfer request is necessary to reimburse Ms. Mazzola and him for parking and mileage for training that they both recently attended. In addition, Mr. Moak will be attending the MMMA conference in June; he is paying for the conference and hotel, but will ask for mileage reimbursement. On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was unanimously voted to recommend the transfer request as submitted.
Item #3 – Discussion – Letter of support for Wild & Scenic River Designation Study, with Al Futterman, Nashua River Watershed Association: Mr. Futterman explained that the NRWA is looking into starting a study on the Nashua, Nissitissit and Squannacook rivers encompassing 11 communities and would like a letter of support from the Board. Mr. Futterman outlined a presentation provided to the Board. A lengthy question and answer session followed, with the Board’s main concern being the area of the Mill property and restrictions that would be imposed relative to future development. Conservation Agent Ellen Fisher asked about the availability of federal funds, remarking that a two-year water chestnut project had been done but there was no funding to continue. Mr. Fudderman stated that approximately $170,000 per year could be available to all the towns involved in the designated areas. Ms. Fisher stated this would probably help us with state funding; the water chestnut project also affects the operation of the hydro plant. Following additional discussion, it was agreed that more information would be needed, and Mr. Moak would be the point of contact.
Item #4 – Discussion – CORI Policy: The Board reviewed the CORI policy prepared by Ms. Mazzola. Mr. Sergi suggested that language be added at the end of #2 stating that CORI reports will be destroyed, and that the date the policy was adopted be included. On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was unanimously voted to adopt the CORI policy as discussed.
Item #5 – Discussion – DPW Update on projects (water and sewer) and personnel: Mr. Sergi stated he would prefer to table this discussion. It was noted that Board of Public Works member Greg Rice was present. Mr. Rice stated that if the Board has questions or concerns, he suggested that a joint meeting be scheduled as this would be more productive for everyone. Mr. Sergi agreed, and commented that given the challenges in the DPW right now the Board should table further discussion. Mr. McNabb stated that he has a potential conflict of interest as he may be interested in the Town Engineer/DPW Director position, and stepped out of the meeting. A lengthy discussion ensued; Mr. Sergi stated that Mr. McNabb had originally asked for a review and he had concurred, but doesn’t believe a review can be done at this time with both the DPW Director/Town Engineer and Sewer/Water superintendent leaving. Mr. Moak suggested that the Board had asked for and received an update from Bob Lee, and tabling the discussion gives the perception that the Board doubts the content of this report. Mr. Sergi stated that Mr. McNabb asked questions and unfortunately was not participating in the discussion. Mr. Rice again suggested a meeting between the two boards. Mr. Sergi stated he would prefer to defer due to changes in personnel. Mr. Sergi stated the question of whether the Town is better off now than it was ten years ago was never answered. Mr. Rice stated the goals and general structure of the DPW will remain the same. We need to move forward and come to an understanding of where we’re trying to go. The DPW is working well, managing projects effectively and keeping rates as low as we can. Mr. Sergi and Mr. Hallisey both agreed that a joint meeting should be scheduled sooner rather than later if Mr. Rice believes this would be productive. Mr. Sergi asked Mr. Rice to relate this discussion to his board and let the Selectmen know if the Board of Public Works wants to schedule a joint meeting. Mr. Moak suggested that the Board vote to receive and file Mr. Lee’s report. On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was voted to receive and file the report from the DPW Director. Mr. Rice left the meeting, and Mr. McNabb returned.
OLD/NEW BUSINESS:
Item #1 – Discussion: Town Administrator Report: Mr. Moak reviewed his report with the board.
Item #2 – Any other Old/New Business: Pepperell Free Press reporter Nathan Lamb announced that he has accepted the position as editor of the Littleton News and this would be the last time he would be covering meetings in Pepperell. There was no other business before the Board.
ADJOURNMENT: On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. Sergi, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9:10 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant
APPROVED:
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Patrick J. McNabb, Chairman
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Joseph M. Hallisey III, Clerk
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Joseph A. Sergi