Board of Selectmen Minutes
January 7, 2008
MSDV to appoint Selectman Michael Collins as Acting Chairman in the absence of Chairman Arcudi.
Acting Chairman Collins convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Selectman Alan Ryan, Selectman Michael Collins, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin and Artie Maggiore, videographer.
MSDV to approve the regular and executive session minutes of December 17, 2007.
Coordinator Phillips informed the Board of a Proclamation officially declaring January 18, 2008 as Eagle Scout Devon Thomas Roy Fox Day in Hopedale and requested the signature of the Board of Selectmen. An Eagle Court of Honor ceremony is scheduled for January 13, 2008. The Proclamation was signed by the board members, and congratulations extended to Devon. No motion necessary.
On behalf of the Town Clerk, Coordinator Phillips requested the signature of the board members on the Presidential Primary Warrant. The warrant was signed. No motion necessary.
Coordinator Phillips presented a letter received from Nick Alexander volunteering his time to act as a Zoning Board of Appeals alternate. Selectman Ryan expressed his appreciation to Mr. Alexander for his interest.
MSDV to approve the appointment of Mr. Alexander as an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. RCV: Michael Collins, Acting Chm. –Aye; Alan Ryan –Aye.
Coordinator Phillips informed the Board of the receipt of an invoice from the Board of Road Commissioners to cover the costs of plowing, sanding and salting in the Harmony Estates subdivision (Greene Mill Properties). Mr. Phillips has not heard anything further from the developer or the developer’s attorney regarding the recording of the deeds. The invoice was forwarded via certified mail today to Eastland Partners.
Acting Chairman Collins moved to appointments. Police Chief Eugene Costanza requested the appointments of David Sanches and Christine Pingeton as part-time Public Safety Dispatchers. Both have participated in the Dispatcher Training Program for four months, and have been E-911, C.P.R., and First-Aid certified. Additionally they have passed the Suicide Prevention course and have devoted over fifty hours of their own time in training for the position.
MSDV to approve the appointment of Mr. Sanches and Ms. Pingeton at part-time Public Safety Dispatchers. RCV: Michael Collins, Acting Chm. –Aye; Alan Ryan –Aye.
Acting Chairman Collins moved to new business. Attorney Joe Antonellis discussed the Regulatory Agreement between the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and David Gorby, President and Treasurer of Dav-Gorb Associates, Inc., dba DLG Associates (project sponsor) for a proposed 16-unit housing development known as Oak Knoll Estates on Hopedale Street. Four (4) of these units are to be sold as 40B units (low to moderate income units). Attorney Antonellis has made changes to the language contained in the agreement according to the recommendations of Town Counsel. Restrictive language that the buyer is subject to will need to be added to these four deeds, which is similar to an easement or life estate. Any re-sale will be governed by the deed restrictions. Hopedale residents will
be given preference for purchasing three out of the four units. The other unit will go into a pool. The DHCD follows an advertising/marketing process. David Gorby hopes to begin the project development in the spring.
MSDV to sign the Regulatory Agreement and Declaration of Restrictive Covenants for the Ownership Project known as Oak Knoll Estates, contingent upon acceptance by the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development and subject to the deed restrictions being entered. RCV: Michael Collins, Acting Chm. –Aye; Alan Ryan –Aye.
A discussion was held regarding the recent Draper Mill complex redevelopment charette from which a request was made by Patricia Ruane, School Superintendent, Merrily Sparling, Library Director and Carol Mullen, Council on Aging Director to form a Facilities/Building Committee. Joe Sweet of the Highway department commented that he believed there many be too many committees formed currently, and suggested that the Capital Planning and Finance Committees meet with the Board of Selectmen to prioritize what repairs are needed and to look carefully at the cost to the town and state. Selectman Ryan commented that he would be reluctant to turn away volunteers and is in agreement with holding a meeting. Coordinator Phillips will contact the Finance and Capital Planning Committees to schedule a meeting for January
17th.
A Travis-Sawyer Foundation has been created to gather donations for the family of seven who recently lost their possessions in the fire at their home two days after Christmas. Donation information can be obtained from the website www.hopedalefire.org. The five children’s ages range from 4 years to 18 years. Coordinator Phillips asked Artie Maggiore, Cable Access Videographer, to list the website on the town’s cable station and Selectman Ryan suggested that it also be added to the town’s website.
The Zoning Board of Appeals has requested an increase in their application rates from $100 to $200 for 2008. The current fees do not cover their advertising rates and expenses. Many of the official postings in the Milford Daily News range from $140 to $175, with the remaining balance being paid by the town. The Building department has also requested an increase in their fees. Coordinator Phillips will have a legal notice inserted in the Milford Daily News to notify the public that a hearing will take place during the next Board meeting scheduled for January 22nd.
Acting Chairman Collins moved to old business.
Coordinator Phillips reminded the Board of the upcoming MMA Meeting and Trade Show on January 11th. He suggested that they all meet and travel to Boston together.
An extension of time for the agreement with Unison had been previously granted to December 31st. The attorneys for the town and Unison have continued their discussions and the agreement should be ready for review by the next Board meeting scheduled for January 22nd. Coordinator Phillips requested an extension of the time for signing the agreement to February 4th or sooner.
MSDV to extend the time for the signing of the agreement with Unison to February 4th. RCV: Michael Collins, Acting Chm. –Aye; Alan Ryan –Aye.
The Finance Committee is working on the town budget. The FinCom will need to find some creative ways of reducing the budget or the town will be looking at a 2 ½ override within the next few years. Selectman Collins commented that regionalization may help. Selectman Ryan commented that other surrounding towns are having the same issues. Coordinator Phillips felt it would be worth discussing with the neighboring towns.
A continuing discussion took place regarding the Mill Street Bridge. The bridge has physically been removed. The pond level has risen higher than anticipated. The sandbags will be removed to reduce the level. As a result, the boring has been delayed by a week. The installation of the footbridge was to begin today, which will rest across the piece of land which has a town easement. Coordinator Phillips will review the design of the footbridge.
The Little Red Shop renovation is essentially complete. The windows and heat are installed; the handicap bathroom is complete, and the building will be painted red when the weather breaks. Selectman Ryan suggested contacting the sheriff’s office to inquire about a prisoner professional painting group to undertake the painting project, as it would be nice to give the regular group of volunteers a break from working on the project.
With no further business before them at 7:40 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Ryan and made unanimous by acting Chairman Collins to enter into executive session not to reconvene. RCV: Michael Collins – Aye and Alan Ryan –Aye.
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Louis J. Arcudi III, Chairman Michael E. Collins
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Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
Moved, Seconded, Discussed and Voted **Roll Call Vote
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