Board of Selectmen Minutes
January 22, 2008
Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting at 7:01 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Selectman Alan Ryan, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin and Artie Maggiore, videographer. Chairman Arcudi commented that Selectman Michael Collins would not be in attendance at this meeting due to illness, and sent his well wishes.
Selectman Ryan discussed the receipt of correspondence from Representative Fernandes regarding the Annual Unsung Heroines of Massachusetts initiative. A nomination form was completed and forwarded to the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women for consideration. He received an acknowledgment from the MCSW of receipt of the nomination. The 2008 awardees will be contacted and invited to attend a ceremony in their honor at the State House on May 14, 2008.
Chairman Arcudi announced that there was a request for the appointment of Brandon Starkus as a full-time Police Officer for the Town of Hopedale, and asked Police Chief Eugene Costanza to comment on the appointment. Chief Costanza stated that as a result of the recent retirement of Lt. Gardner, a position has opened up for a full-time police officer. In anticipation of the impending retirement, the police department began the interview process with three academy-trained candidates applying for the position. Chief Costanza asked Brandon Starkus to address the Board. Brandon stated that he was born and raised in Charlton, is a self-sponsored recent graduate of the Boylston Police Academy and holds a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Fitchburg State College. He hopes to obtain his
Master’s degree in the future. Chief Costanza then recommended to the Board that Brandon be appointed as a full-time police officer. Chief Costanza also commented that because Brandon is already academy trained, he can begin work immediately, saving the town the expense of training and overtime. Selectman Ryan entered a motion to approve Brandon Starkus as a full-time member of the Hopedale Police Department.
MSDV to accept the appointment of Brandon Starkus as a full-time Police Officer for the Town of Hopedale. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye.
Chairman Arcudi moved to new business.
The 2008 Class II renewal license for Milford Auto Sales was reviewed with Coordinator Phillips commenting that all the paperwork had now been received and cleared with the Fire Department for renewal.
MSDV to accept the Class II license renewal for 2008 of Milford Auto Sales. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye.
The Hopedale Unitarian Parish has applied for a temporary wine and malt beverage club license for the annual Boar’s Head Feast & Festival to be held on February 1st and 2nd.
MSDV to accept the issuance of a temporary wine and malt beverage club license on Friday, February 1st during the hours of 6:00pm to 10:30pm and Saturday, February 2nd from 1:00pm to 10:30pm. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye.
Selectman Ryan extended congratulations to School Superintendent Patricia Ruane and the School department on their recent Martin Luther King Day program held at the Unitarian Parish. There was full attendance during the moving program, and all of the children did a great job.
Chairman Arcudi attended the Eagle Scout ceremony for Devon Fox on Sunday, January 13th and read the Proclamation naming January 18th as Devon Fox Day in Hopedale. Senator Moore attended the ceremony as well.
Chairman Arcudi moved to old business.
Coordinator Phillips gave an update on the Cell Tower. As of late this afternoon, the lease agreement with Unison has been signed. Everything that had been discussed with Town Counsel was incorporated into the contract. Chairman Arcudi expressed his gratitude to Coordinator Phillips and to Jim Carroll of the Finance Committee for all their work on this project over the past three years.
MSDV to accept the revised Lease and Assignment Agreement with Unison for the lease of the town’s cell tower and to allow Chairman Arcudi to sign the contract on behalf of the town. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye.
Selectman Ryan commented that the Board has had discussions concerning the idling of vehicles for extended periods of time, and have enacted a town-wide policy directing that no vehicle be allowed to idle for longer than 5 minutes, unless involved in an emergency situation. This policy was enacted due to the ever-increasing cost of fuel and global warming reports, which are in part due to excessive use of fossil fuels. This is also a policy under Massachusetts General Law C90, Section 16A. It is recommended that a copy of the policy be distributed to all department heads to request that they discourage the idling of vehicles by their departmental employees.
MSDV to forward the letter regarding the establishment of a policy on idling practices to be distributed to all department heads. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye.
Coordinator Phillips continued discussions on the Red Shop, Mill St. Bridge, and Harmony Estates.
· The Red Shop renovation is complete with the exception of some wiring and interior and exterior painting. Sheriff Glodis’ office will be contacted to inquire about the possibility of having the painting completed by inmates. The looms will be re-installed, most likely in the spring. Old electrical lighting/wiring will be replaced. The contractor for the renovation did an excellent job, being very timely and cleaning up after work was completed. Chairman Arcudi suggested that an open house be held with Selectman Ryan commenting that this is planned for the spring.
· The Mill Street Bridge has been physically removed. A secondary pipe has been installed to relieve the pressure from the river, as there was a significant flow of water flowing through the pipe. A pre-construction meeting regarding the boring machine is scheduled for the 29th. It’s anticipated that the boring should begin between the January 31st and February 4th. The machine could actually bore a 30” hole in 1.5 days. The work is somewhat behind schedule, but it’s anticipated that they will catch up. The footbridge should be installed next week.
Coordinator Phillips has received the deeds for the roads in Harmony Estates subdivision (Greene Mill Properties), but not for all the parcels and is awaiting the Phase I report for Parcel A. The attorneys are working on this. An invoice from the Board of Road Commissioners to cover the costs of plowing, sanding and salting had been sent to Eastland Partners last week. Another bill will be sent for the plowing, sanding and salting for the recent storms. It is hoped that the deeds will be received soon.
There will be a public hearing held during the next Board meeting, scheduled for February 4th, at which time fees will be set for the Zoning Board and Building department permits. It has been several years since the fees have been increased and the departments are not covering their costs. A legal notice will be placed in the Milford Daily News.
With no further business before them at 7:30 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Ryan and made unanimous by Chairman Arcudi to enter into executive session not to reconvene. RCV: Alan Ryan – Aye, and Lou Arcudi –Aye.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Louis J. Arcudi III, Chairman Michael E. Collins
_____________________________
Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
Moved, Seconded, Discussed and Voted **Roll Call Vote
| 
