Board of Selectmen Minutes
March 3, 2008
Selectman Michael Collins entered a motion to appoint Selectman Alan Ryan as acting Chairman due to the absence of Chairman Arcudi.
MSDV to appoint Selectman Alan Ryan as acting Chairman. Michael Collins – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Acting Chairman Ryan convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Selectman Michael Collins, Selectman Alan Ryan, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, and Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin.
MSDV to approve the regular session minutes of February 19, 2008. Michael Collins – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
A review of recent correspondence took place.
An Environmental Site Assessment of Parcel A was received from Guerriere & Halnon. The study showed MBTE’s in the well water. The decision was reached to go forward with a second study to define the source of the plume and the extent, as well as to conduct soil sampling on other areas of the property that had not been checked.
Massachusetts Highway submitted an underwater inspection report on the Freedom Street, Mill River Bridge. Selectman Ryan would like Coordinator Phillips to contact the district office for further clarification on the concrete floor and rusty rebar’s exposure.
New business was next on the agenda.
The future of the Draper Reuse Committee was discussed. Coordinator Phillips commented that the committee is looking for some direction from the Board of Selectmen. Selectman Collins would like Mr. Ruane to discuss what was covered at their last meeting. Mr. Phillips will contact Mike Ruane, the Chairman of the committee, and invite him to attend the next meeting of the Board. The committee has done a great job and the Selectmen would like to see the momentum continue on the project. Selectman Ryan commented that he does not believe that a separate committee should be appointed to help with potential zoning changes needed if this project goes through; he feels the Planning Board members and current DRC members are most familiar with how
changes need to be made and with the site itself. Selectman Ryan also noted that when the DRC was first formed it was believed that their involvement would last for one year. However, it became apparent that the project was more involved than initially anticipated. The committee has been meeting every two weeks and the Selectmen are appreciative of their commitment.
The Central Mass. Metropolitan Planning Organization has invited one or more of the Board of Selectmen to attend their meeting to be held at the Northbridge Town Hall. They wish to appoint a member of the CMMPO to fill a seat that has recently been vacated. They would like a member from the Board to attend for the purpose of electing an individual from the district. Selectman Ryan will speak with Chairman Arcudi to inquire as to his availability and if he is not available, either Selectman Ryan or Selectman Collins will try to attend the meeting.
Next on the agenda was a review of old business.
Coordinator Phillips continued a discussion regarding the Harmony Estates road acceptance. The Board of Selectmen were granted permission at the Special Town Meeting held November 6, 2007 to accept/acquire the roads as public ways along with other associated easements on behalf of the town. The 120-days for acceptance will expire on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. The discussion noted that the Hopedale Highway Department has invoiced Eastland Partners for the street sanding and snow plowing in the amount of $14K, for which they believe they should receive payment prior to the acceptance of the roads. If the payment is not received and acceptance of the roads does not take place, then the matter would have to go before town meeting again. Selectman Ryan commented that the deeds
should have been provided to the town more quickly, which would have negated the need to bill the developer for snow plowing. However, as the deeds were not received in a timely manner and the roads do not legally belong to the town, the board members felt the developer should pay for the plowing service. Jim Carroll of the Finance Department stated that he felt acceptance of the roads without payment for the sanding and snow plowing would be a mistake. Mr. Phillips stated that the town had never agreed to be responsible for plowing Mr. Huffman’s private roads at Harmony. He also noted that Mr. Huffman of Eastland Partners had promised to have the deeds turned over prior to the start of winter.
A motion was put forth to move to accept the roads and easements in Harmony Estates, and Lots 29, 36 and 92, with the exception of Parcel A, contingent upon the receipt of payment of monies due for plowing.
MSDV to accept, pursuant to Articles 9 through 18 of the Special Town Meeting held November 6, 2007, the following roads, along with any sewer, utility and/or drainage easements:
Rockridge Road, Harmony Trail, Country Club Lane, Gannett Way, Heron Lane, Forest Path, Larkin Lane, Haven Way, Liberty Circle, and further move to accept sewer, utility and drainage easements as follows: Drainage and easement located on portions of Lot 1A and Parcel A; drainage easement located on portions of Lot 29 and Lots 36B, 73 and 74; utility easement located on portions of Lots 141, 148 and 149; sewer easement located on portions of Lots 37, 38 and 39; drainage easement located on a portion of Lot 62A; drainage easement located on portions of Lots 109A, 110B, 111A and 158; utility easement located on portions of Lots 137A and 138A; drainage easement located on portions of Lots 86, 87 and 28A; drainage and utility easement on portions of Lots 129A and 155; utility easement located on a portion of Lot 155;
drainage easement on portions of Lots 92 and 98; sewer easement located on Lot 97; drainage easement located on portions of Lots 40, 41, 51, 52, 70 and 151; drainage easement located on a portion of Lot 20, and sewer easement located on portions of Lots 18 and 19. RCV: Alan Ryan, Acting Chm. – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.
A discussion continued regarding the Mill Street Bridge. The contractor will be attempting to install the new 5 ft. diameter pipe tomorrow, in the hopes that this will reduce the level of the river. Phil Shwachman of First American Realty has lowered the spillway in his dam at Freedom to restrict the flow of water for as long as he can to help with the work downriver. The contractor believes it will be able to install the pipe, although the weather forecast is predicting more rain tomorrow and overnight.
With no further business before them at 7:40 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Collins and made unanimous by Acting Chairman Ryan to enter into executive session not to reconvene RCV: Alan Ryan, Acting Chm. – Aye, and Michael Collins – 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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