Town of Hopedale, MA - Board of Selectmen Minutes 3/17/08

Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Louis Arcudi, III, Chairman, Selectman Alan Ryan, Selectman Michael Collins, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, and Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin.

The Hopedale High School PTO has requested approval to hold a 5K Road Race fundraiser on Saturday, May 17^th beginning at 9:00 a.m. for the purpose of supporting enrichment programs at the high school, such as the cost of field trips, academic teams and educational software. They are seeking major sponsors for this event with a suggested donation of $150.00.

Selectman Ryan commented that the recent MMA newsletter contained an article regarding the recycling incentive program being offered by RecycleBank, which was discussed at the February 4^th Board meeting. The City of Everett is now participating in the program and some families have received as much as $400 per year in redemption value.

Chairman Arcudi announced the resignation from the Police Department of John Tebeau as a full-time police dispatcher effective March 31, 2008. Appreciation was expressed by the Board for Mr. Tebeau’s service to the Town of Hopedale along with best wishes for success in his future endeavors.

Joseph Deliso, Executive Director of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce addressed the members of the Board regarding the progress of the Blackstone Valley Infrastructure Mapping and Development Project, which is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Initiative. The Chamber of Commerce and CMRPC (Central Mass. Regional Planning Commission) obtained state funding to begin work on the BV Infrastructure Map, which includes the 11 towns within the valley. This committee consists of residents of the valley who are trying to do something positive, and to help preserve the quality of life within the towns of the Blackstone Valley. The overall purpose of this map is to provide a regional overview of the existing infrastructure and to identify the needs of each of the towns. The results will be combined into a regional solution plan to be brought to the state for planning and assistance.

The Blackstone Valley represents a large area of the state. The CMRPC is very attentive to the project team’s creation of a regional model which may possibly be replicated in other areas of the state. The project team is working with most of the town planners to gather needed information and it is anticipated that all planners from each of the 11 towns will be invited to an informational meeting at a future date.

The Bureau of State Office Buildings began a project several years ago for the collection of town flags from all the Commonwealth’s communities to be displayed in their Great Hall at the State House. The Town of Hopedale has received a generous donation from the Hopedale Foundation for the purchase of the flag depicting the Town Seal for the State House Great Hall, and smaller flags to be displayed in the 3 Schools, Police and Fire departments, Library, Red Shop, Community House and Town Hall. It is anticipated that there will be a ceremony in Boston at the State House when the town flag is hoisted in the Great Hall.

MSDV to accept the donation from the Hopedale Foundation for the express purpose of purchasing the town flags. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.

Mr. Daniel Malloy of the Hopedale Historical Commission discussed the Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program as the Local Project Coordinator. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the two National Heritage Corridors collaborated to bring the program to the communities in south central Massachusetts with the goal of helping communities identify landscape resources, in particular those that are significant and unprotected, and to provide strategies for preserving heritage landscapes.

The Historical Commission was contacted by the DCR and a meeting was held with interested local individuals, at which time priority landscapes of each community were listed from which the 5 top were selected. Hopedale defined 7 priority landscapes as the Draper Factory; Grafton and Upton Railroad; Parklands; Little Red Shop; Town Park; Bancroft Library Grounds, and the Ledges. The project team identified the top 3 priorities for the town as the creation of a Mill Overlay District for Draper Factory; Development of Master Plans for the Parklands and Town Park that incorporate an integrated preservation approach to treatment of the sites, and consideration of a Local Historic District for Hopedale Village.

Coordinator Phillips discussed short-term disability insurance. Approximately one-year ago the Insurance Advisory Committee reviewed the school contract provision for short-term disability insurance for their employees. It was voted to offer the insurance to each employee at no cost to the town. The Boston Mutual Insurance Company was selected to provide this insurance coverage. Mr. Phillips commented that it was originally believed that the short-term disability insurance could not begin until all sick days were exhausted, but it is now believed that this is not so. He is awaiting further information for clarification. Chairman Arcudi commented that he believes the insurance provider stipulates the number of days required as a waiting period before an employee becomes eligible for short-term disability coverage.

A letter was received from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission announcing their new venture “KENO to go”. They propose selling tickets at all existing agents, which is identical to customers purchasing tickets for Megabuck and Mass Cash. The purchasers will be able to check their lottery numbers on-line. This new game would bring additional money into the State’s lottery fund and provides additional revenue to the Massachusetts cities and towns. All communities reserve the right to “opt out” of the program.

The Central Massachusetts Metropolitan Planning Organization (CMMPO) has invited a member from the Board of Selectmen to attend their upcoming CMMPO Information and Member Selection Meeting at the Northbridge Town Hall on Thursday, March 20^th at 6:30PM at which time a Selectman from among the group attending will be chosen to represent the Blackstone Valley communities.

The Draper Reuse Committee is looking for direction from the Board of Selectmen to move the development of the Draper Complex forward in accordance with the concept plan of November 1, 2007, as submitted to the Board of Selectmen. The Draper Reuse Committee believes their revised mission should be “to assist the Selectmen and other town boards and committees as coordinators on issues related to the Draper complex reuse. To assist the Selectmen and other town boards and committees in pursuing the action items of the November 2007 report, completing the process of the DHCD PDF effort, and identifying new issues and opportunities for planning funds or development efforts for the Draper site”.

Selectman Ryan suggested that a joint meeting be scheduled between the Draper Reuse Committee, Planning Board and Board of Selectmen. Coordinator Phillips commented that he has asked the Draper Reuse Committee to quantify the infrastructure issues. He will invite the members of the Committee and the Planning Board to attend the next Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for April 7^th.

Coordinator Phillips continued a discussion on the Mill Street Bridge. The work on the bridge has been shut down by the Office of Dam Safety, as Mass. Highway never sought a permit for the work from their office. Mr. Phillips has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 19^th, with Mass. Highway along with Senator Richard Moore and Representative John Fernandes to be held at the Mass. Highway office in Worcester to find solutions to this matter.

A continuing discussion of Parcel A in Harmony Estates took place. As previously discussed, an Environmental Site Assessment of Parcel A was received which showed MBTE’s (a gas additive which was discontinued in the 90’s) in the well water. A secondary study will be conducted prior to accepting the deed for this parcel. It is hoped that the results of the study/ report will be received prior to the next Board meeting.

Coordinator Phillips has received the reports and bid proposals from the Hopedale Pond RFP, which are being reviewed. The responding companies will be rated and pricing proposals reviewed, hopefully in time for discussion at the next Board meeting

The Draper Complex RFP deadline was March 7, 2008. Two companies have sent proposals in for review – Concord Square Development and Lisa Davis Associates. A group consisting of 5 individuals is reviewing the proposals. The results will be presented to the Board of Selectmen, which will hopefully be ready for the next Board meeting.

With no further business before them at 8:10 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Ryan and made unanimous by Chairman Arcudi and Selectman Collins to enter into executive session not to reconvene RCV: Louis Arcudi, Chm. – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.