Town of Hopedale, MA - Board of Selectmen Minutes 09/24/07

Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting at 7:00PM and moved into the agenda Present: Louis Arcudi III, Selectman Michael Collins, Town Coordinator, Eugene Phillips, Patricia Goodwin, Executive Assistant and Artie Maggiore, videographer.

Chairman Arcudi brought to the attention of the Board of Selectmen and those present that the Town of Hopedale has a young man, Devon Fox, who has just passed his Eagle Scout review and has been deemed worthy of becoming an Eagle Scout. He will be honored for his achievement on January 13, 2008. Congratulations are extended to Devon Fox.

Police Chief Eugene Costanza announced that due to the resignation of Officer John Moran the Police Department is short one person. Oral interviews were held last week and the Police Department requests the appointment of Marco Lima as a full-time student police officer and dispatcher. Marco has been with the Police Department as a reserve police officer for the past 6 months. After the full-time police academy, Chief Costanaza will request that Marco be appointed as a full-time police officer.

Mass. Highway has been working on the design and conducted a design review 4 years ago, this past July. Mass. Highway has awarded the bid to James A. Gross, Inc. from Lexington. The timetable for the bridge work is for the bridge to be removed on November 2^nd, and then reopened on November 11^th of 2008. Mr. Phillips stated that he has sent a letter to Mass. Highway asking that this project become an expedited project. He has also asked for a footbridge installation and requested a second public hearing.

A meeting was held at the bridge 3 weeks ago with Senator Moore and Representative Fernandes, Mass. Highway representatives, and approximately 20 local residents from Laurelwood Drive and Mill Street. The primary issue raised was public safety. Meetings had previously been held with the Mendon Police, Fire and DPW departments. Mendon has agreed to do whatever they can to help the Town of Hopedale’s residents located on that side of the bridge. A proposal is on the table whereby Hopedale will pay approximately $19K to Mendon, and Mendon will staff their ambulance 24/7.

Coordinator Phillips commented that it is his understanding, based upon the meetings with Mass. Highway up to and including last Thursday’s pre-construction meeting, should the Board of Selectmen choose to not move forward with this project as scheduled right now, we will lose our turn in the queue, lose all funding, and according to Senator Moore and backed up by Mass. Highway, it could take 8-10 years to get back into the queue.

Chairman Collins commented that a potential wash out is a real issue and that 5 years ago he saw photos from a storm and felt that it would only take 1 good storm to undermine the structure of the bridge. A discussion ensued regarding keeping the bridge open, which would result in a continued safety hazard with trucks and school buses crossing continually over the faulty structure.

Police Chief Gene Costanza commented that the Hopedale and Mendon Police departments come to each others aid and have a fantastic working relationship. Their mutual aid is great and they continually back up each other. Any calls from that side of the bridge will go through direct dispatch calls. They do not anticipate any delay in service by the police. Residents may see a Mendon officer first, followed by a Hopedale officer.

Fire Chief Scott Garland commented that the dispatcher is on the same system, 24 hours per day. The route is 3.7 miles going through the center of Mendon, and 1.6 miles going the standard route, so there is just over a 2 mile difference. In many communities it is not unusual for the departments to have to travel 5-6 miles from their stations. Even though the bridge is small, vehicles crossing over the bridge create a dangerous situation. He further commented that he visits the bridge during every storm and observes the water flowing around the sides and not through the middle.

Joe Sweet, Road Commissioner, stated that he attended the meeting held with the State and Coordinator Phillips and believes the most difficult part of the project will be the boring of the holes for the foundation of the bridge.

Chairman Arcudi asked for comments from any of the residents living in the area. Anne Roberti of 201 Laurelwood Drive responded that she grew up in the town of Hopedale and would like to thank Gene Phillips for his work on getting the information out. She also spoke with Fire Chief Garland, who provided her with a lot of information. Ms. Roberti also commented that it was difficult to get any information from the Board of Managers at Laurelwood after receiving their inflammatory letter.

Chairman Arcudi thanked Ms. Roberti for her comments and stated that the Town has tried several solutions and there is no work around. He further commented that if we do not go forward now, there is not much that we can do as residents to prevent the inconvenience.

Chairman Arcudi then asked if there were any other residents that would like to make a comment. Mr. Richard DePaolo, of 147 Laurelwood Drive, asked why we are spending all this money on a little bridge and wanted to look into less expensive alternatives. He also that it is a safety issue and that there are ambulances that go to the Laurelwood area almost daily. Mr. Arcudi responded that the Town is not paying for the repair, but that the State is funding the project.

Coordinator Phillips commented that Mass. Highway provided the most cost-effective and strongest design and that if the Board rejects the project and asks for another design, the chances are very good that the project will then become much more costly by doubling, tripling, or quadrupling. Mr. Phillips also commented as to the safety issue in the future, and that we should not discount Mendon as they are a Paramedic force, whereby the Hopedale force is an EMT force, meaning that Mendon may have greater abilities in some areas.

Chairman Arcudi asked for clarification that the residents of Hopedale would dial 911 and provide their address per usual and the change would be seamless. Fire Chief Harland commented that there is no re-training necessary, as the calls to 911 go through the paramedic service and in this case the town is Mendon.

Chairman Arcudi and Selectmen Collins expressed their thank you to the residents from Laurelwood and for their concern and patience while the Town goes through this effort, and commented that they should feel free to contact Coordinator Phillips.

Chairman Arcudi discussed the possibility of a Chambers family fee waiver in the wake of a paralyzing accident involving Kevin Chambers. The family will have to do reconstruction on their home for handicap accessibility and may have to come to the zoning board, or building department for permits.

A discussion was held on the Mendon Street signage for a blind person crossing. A request has been received for a “blind person crossing” sign on both sides of the street at Adin and Mendon streets. Chief Constanza presented her request to the Board and he also suggested she contact the Town of Milford and the State to see if they would install an audio signal, allowing her to cross at Rtes. 140 and 16. Selectmen Collins entered a Motion to erect 2 blind person crossing signs, one on each side of the street.

A discussion was held on holding a Special Town Meeting. Mr. Phillips commented that he is aware that the Road Commissioners have sent a letter to the Planning Board indicating that they are satisfied, and Mr. Phillips has sent a letter to Howie Maurer, Chairman of the Planning Board, asking what the status is, but has not received a reply. Another warrant article would involve a memorandum of agreement with the Dispatcher Union and lack of funding to support raises until we go forward with a town meeting to appropriate the money. There are also a couple of prior year bills that will need to be paid.

A discussion was held on the Cell Towers and the term of the contract. Coordinator Phillips stated that the 4 envelopes provided from Unison all appeared to be the same, and he believed they were copies of the proposal for each of the Selectmen. A few days after this meeting, Mr. Phillips discovered that the identically marked envelopes from Unison actually contained proposals for 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years. Chairman Arcudi commented that all the discussions have revolved around the 25 years and he and Selectman Collins are fine with the 25 years as it now stands.

A discussion took place on the 7 Cross Street land purchase of 236 Mendon Street. Coordinator Phillips visited the site and commented that the lot was cleaner than before. It was discovered that a neighbor hired a landscaper to go in and clean it up. The issue is that the Town does not have an interest in keeping the lot. It would make sense to return it to the tax rolls. Mr. Phillips asked if there is any interest on the part of the Board to offer to sell the land to the abutters. Chairman Arcudi responded that the Board will take this under advisement until Selectmen Alan Ryan returns from vacation for further discussion then.

A Capital Projects priority list discussion took place. Chairman Arcudi had made a recommendation that the Board ask the Finance Committee to come to the next Board meeting, or alternatively the Board could attend their next meeting. All are invited to attend this open forum. Mr. Larkin, a resident and member of the Draper Complex Reuse Committee, had suggested that the list be placed onto a monthly or quarterly agenda so that the list stays up to date and the Town placed onto a priority capital list with the State. Chairman Arcudi will make a request that the Board be entered onto the next Finance Committee meetings agenda.

Coordinator Phillips noted that the Legislature begins their budget meetings at this time of the year, and that it would be beneficial for the Town to have the capital projects list ready. Preparing the list with details/facts for the Ways and Means Committee is no guaranty that the Town will get funding, but at least the Town will be on their list for consideration.

Chairman Arcudi addressed John Larkin regarding the Draper Complex Reuse Committee. Mr. Larkin informed the Board that there will be a Draper Complex Reuse meeting to be held on Saturday, September 29^th from 9:00AM-12:00 PM in the Hopedale High School Cafeteria to discuss design issues related to the Draper complex. A developer was chosen who will attend, along with the architect and committee members, to lead the discussions with the public. The next Draper Reuse meeting is scheduled for September 24^th, in which they will discuss the agenda for the upcoming design meeting scheduled for the 29^th. Coordinator Phillips commented that the public is strongly invited to attend the meeting, and to that end postcards were sent out to all the residents of Hopedale.

Chairman Arcudi commented that the work on the Little Red Shop is underway. Mr. Arcudi also thanked the Cultural Council for their work on the Hopedale Day in the Park. Although it was not a good day with rain in the morning, a lot of people attended this nice event.

Chairman Arcudi moved on to the Coordinator News portion of meeting. First on the agenda was a discussion on Nextel. Coordinator Phillips stated that conversations took place with Nextel regarding lighting up some of the Town’s buildings, including his office in the Town Hall, the school Principal’s office and Superintendent’s office, and the EOC room in the Fire Station. Representatives of Nextel reviewed the buildings. They came back with a quote last Friday of approximately $30K to make these additions. They also stated that in lieu of the $30K if we would place and additional 30 phones under contract, they would do this for free. Mr. Phillips commented that the interest for the Police and the School is the concern of an incident occurring. The Finance Committee wanted guidelines put in place for cell usage. The guidelines have not been drafted. Elizabeth Callahan and Mr. Phillips are to get together next week to identify whether this is a priority. Chairman Arcudi suggested that this issue be kept open and that Mr. Phillips continue his discussion with the Finance Committee.

A continuing discussion took place regarding the Charlesgate Road issue. As parents are driving their children to the top of the road to catch the school bus, they are parking on the side of the road with their motors running. This activity has upset one of the residents on the street who feels the parents are blocking the street. The Police Department will send a cruiser over a few times to request the parents to move over to the side and to not block the street in the hopes that this will resolve the issue.

A discussion was held on the land at B West Street. Coordinator Phillips stated that it’s a 7.88 acre parcel owned by Dick Rizzoli which is in tax title foreclosure. The Town owns the rear lot. If something happens to the front lot, the rear lot may be important. The entire parcel was once owned by Mr. Rizzoli and has since been taken for taxes by the Town of Milford. Mr. Rizzoli has come forward and rather than going through that whole process, he is willing to turn the lot over to the Town of Hopedale. Mr. Phillips suggested making sure there is no liability to the Town, and that additionally an appraisal be made of the lot prior to taking over the deed.

Coordinator Phillips discussed the website for the Town of Hopedale. A student will be aiding the Town on the updating of the website for an hour daily, 5 days per week, through the end of the school year. He is looking at other town websites and will be interviewing the various town departments regarding their needs and suggested requirements. Mr. Phillips commented that the hope is to improve the Virtual Town Hall website making it more interesting for the residents of Hopedale.

With no further business before them at 8:15 PM a motion was made by Selectman Collins and made unanimous by Chairman Arcudi to enter into executive session not to reconvene. A Roll Call Vote resulted in: Michael Collins –Aye, Chairman Arcudi – Aye.