Board of Selectmen Minutes
August 6, 2007
Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting and moved into the agenda. Present: Louis Arcudi III, Chairman, Selectman Alan Ryan, Selectman Michael Collins, Town Coordinator, Eugene Phillips, Joe Sweet Road Commissioner, Robert Burns and Artie Maggiore videographer.
Coordinator Phillips outlined the Common Victuallers License being requested by Mayelles Pizza and Grill of 156 Hartford Avenue in Hopedale. The lessee, Mr. Marwan K. Sassin, had previously come to Town Hall requesting a list of tasks to be accomplished prior to opening the Pizza business. He was sent to the Health Inspector but not informed of the requirement for obtaining a Common Victuallers license. Once informed, he immediately filed an application with the town and paid the $50.00 fee. A second issue involved the Fire Departments request for a master alarm for the building. The request however failed to be included with the Planning Boards requests, and not being required by the Building Code, the Building Inspector signed an Occupancy Permit. The board voted unanimously to grant
the Common Victuallers license, which expires in December 2007, with the proviso the Fire Department deals with the issue of the Master Alarm prior to any subsequent issuances of the license.
Selectman Ryan discussed a letter in which MassDep in conjunction with Mass Recycle are leading a campaign titled Mass Recycles Paper. Selectman Ryan talked about the need for more recycling both in the town, the state and the nation. On a motion by Selectmen Ryan seconded by Selectman Collins and made unanimous by Chairman Arcudi, it was agreed to support a Resolution in Support of the Mass Recycles Paper Campaign and send notice of that support to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Selectman Ryan further discussed the issue of the Town of Hopedale moving to the State Health Insurance with a deadline of October 1 for the towns to notify the state. Coordinator Phillips indicated he has communicated several times with the Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) and indicated this issue is of high priority. To date no response has been received from the IAC. Mr. Phillips will contact all unions with representation on the IAC, asking them to either delegate an individual to serve or reaffirm an individual. Mr. Phillips will report back to the board at their next meeting on August 20, 2007. Mr. Phillips also informed the board of a workshop he will attend, being hosted by Rep. Fernandes and Senator Moore at the Milford Town Hall on Friday August 24, 2007.
Responses from the Town’s RFP No. 2007-0720 have been received from Wireless Capital Partners and UNISON Site Management. Unison’s quote is $548,769 and WCP’s quote is $528,011. Both quotes are to lease the property atop the Hopedale Water Tank for a period of 25 years. While WCP also proposed a quote for 15, 20 and 40 years, those will be considered non-responsive, as they were no requested in the RFP. On a motion by Selectman Ryan and Seconded by Selectman Collins, it was unanimously voted to take the quotes under advisement and request input from Town Counsel.
Coordinator Phillips informed the Board that Mr. Roy Goodwin of Tri County Contractors would be in the office tomorrow, August 7, 2007, to review documents he has been requesting as a Freedom of Information Request. Since Mr. Goodwin has threatened litigation against the town’s Building Department and involved the Office of the Attorney General a member of the States Attorney General’s office will be on hand during the record inspection.
Mr. Phillips informed the Board of the receipt of the formal contract for the renovations of the Little Red Shop from the Architect, Chenot Associates. Once Town Counsel reviews the contract, the Town and Whipple Construction of Worcester will sign it.
Coordinator Phillips informed the Board of Correspondence received by the Town from Comcast informing the town the monthly charges for DVR box supplied by Comcast would be going to $12.95/month from $9.95/month effective September 3, 2007. This brought about a discussion concerning the current contract with Comcast, which is set to expire in January of 2009. The Board asked Artie Maggiore as to the status of the contract review and whether progress has been made. Mr. Maggiore indicated that while the board committee was aware of the contracts expiration date, he doesn’t believe they have moved forward at this time. Coordinator Phillips reminded the board that during the interview of Kopelman and Paige, Joyce Frank indicated they had an attorney who specializes in Cable Contracts. It was
agreed to ask K&P to assist the Cable Advisory Committee in moving the next contract forward. Selectman Ryan also inquired as to the current status of Verizon and their stated mission of providing cable for the entire State. Coordinator Phillips will provide more information at their next meeting.
Coordinator Phillips also informed the board that as late as last weekend, the Grafton & Upton Railroad had posted No Parking & No Trespassing signs along their property near the Highway Barn. Road Commissioner Joe Sweet stated the Road Commissioners had voted to close the throughway from the end of Depot Street to Fitzgerald Drive. He stated this was done as a safety issue as there have been several instances where Highway Employees have nearly been hit by traffic using Depot Street as a shortcut. Mr. Sweet stated the Police Chief and the Fire Chief had been contacted and agreed with the concept of the road closure. The Highway Department will be placing a removable gate at the end of Depot Street, which could be quickly removed by Public Safety personnel if necessary. By closing the
street, the town will then have the ability to park its vehicles along the sides of Depot Street eliminating the need to park on Railroad land.
With no further business before them at 7:52 PM a motion was made by Selectman Ryan, seconded by Selectman Collins and made unanimous by Chairman Arcudi to enter into executive session not to reconvene for the purpose of discussing Litigation, Police Sick Leave, Union Issues and Contracts. A Roll Call Vote resulted in. Alan Ryan–Aye, Michael Collins –Aye, Chairman Arcudi – Aye.
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Louis J. Arcudi III, Chairman Michael E. Collins
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Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
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