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TOWN OF HOPEDALE 78 Hopedale Street - P.O. Box 7 Hopedale, Massachusetts 01747
Tel: 508-634-2203 Fax: 508-634-2200 |
Board of Selectmen Louis J. Arcudi III Chm. Michael E. Collins Alan J. Ryan
Town Coordinator Eugene N. Phillips |
Board of Selectmen Minutes
April 22, 2008
Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Louis Arcudi, III, Chairman; Selectman Alan Ryan, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, and Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin.
Town Clerk, Janet Jacaruso, has requested the signatures of the Board of Selectmen for the posting of the local election warrant at various locations across town prior to the Annual Town Election scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2008 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
MSDV to sign the local election warrant for the Annual Town Election to be held on May 13, 2008. Chairman Arcudi – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Chairman Arcudi acknowledged the receipt of a letter from Fire Chief Scott Garland, announcing the resignations of two Acting Call Firefighters, Lt. Harold Murphy, and Lt. Michael Tarella. Mr. Murphy is retiring after 17 years with the Fire Department, and Mr. Tarella has accepted a position as a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic with the Westwood Fire Department. Selectmen Ryan read the resignation letters aloud at the meeting, and the Board thanked each for his dedicated service to the town of Hopedale wishing Mr. Murphy a happy retirement, and Mr. Tarella much success in his new position with the Westwood Fire Department.
Chairman Arcudi moved to new business.
The deadline ended tonight for the receipt of articles to be placed onto the town meeting warrant. The Board of Selectmen will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, May 6th, at which time a review of each of the warrant articles will take place.
MSDV to close the Annual and Special Town Meeting Warrants. Chairman Arcudi – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
The Insurance Advisory Committee has approved the offering of short and long-term disability benefits through Boston Mutual. A health fair is scheduled for May 5th with representatives from Boston Mutual, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Fallon participating. The life insurance benefit of $2,000 is currently offered at $2.78 per thousand, and an increased benefit of $10,000 will be offered at a cost of $8.00 per month to the employees. Open enrollment will take place during the entire month of May. Chairman Arcudi commented that he believes the added benefits are good for the employees and are being offered at little or no cost to the town.
The FSA (Flexible Savings Account) limits are currently $2,500 per year for medical care and $5,000 for dependent care. It was recommended that these benefit limits be retained.
MSDV to retain the current Flexible Savings Account limits at $2,500 per year for medical care and $5,000 per year for dependent care. Chairman Arcudi – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
A discussion took place on a parcel of tax title land being held by the town and known as the McVitty parcel, which abuts Parcel A in Harmony Estates. At the last Board meeting Chris Tomaso of Harmony Estates requested guidance from the selectmen in order to move forward with what is deeded to the town for possible usage as a park and field. Legal counsel was contacted and Coordinator Phillips was told that it is possible to turn the parcel over for conservation and recreation purposes. It was further suggested that the Planning Board, Parks Department and Conservation Commission be contacted to determine what, if any, issues they may have. Coordinator Phillips noted that Carol Whyte of the Planning Board had expressed concern about the McVitty parcel and its potential to offer
access to a parcel of land zoned for over 55 housing behind it. In the interim, a Town Meeting Article will be prepared for the purpose of transferring the parcel of land for the purpose of conservation and passive recreational use, should the town be prepared to move forward.
A resident, Mr. Condon, had contacted the town regarding the use of an access road by another resident, David Pigeon, who is parking his camper on the back of his property. The area is considered to be an access road for part of Prospect Street. The camper blocks other residents’ use of the access road. Coordinator Phillips commented that when the Draper family began selling off parcels of their land independently, most of these access roads were not deeded as easements or rights-of-way. As a result, the town has no legal standing on this issue. If the residents decide to pursue the matter, it will have to be done through the court system.
Work has begun on the Hartford Avenue and Route 140 intersection. Mr. Phillips noted that the stakes that have been set define how far back the utility poles can be set and not necessarily the road.
Coordinator Phillips commented that where the Grafton & Upton Railroad crosses Route 140 in Grafton there are bundles of ties being off -loaded, so something is going on with the railroad. Chairman Arcudi stated that he believed the Town of Hopedale had given approval for someone to pave over the tracks that cross Rte. 16 near Hopedale Street. Mr. Phillips replied that approval was not given. He and the Chief of Police went to look at the location and said that once again, this would be a civil matter between the railroad and the state.
Chairman Arcudi moved to old business on the agenda.
A continuing discussion took place regarding the Rte. 16 traffic lights at the Hopedale Street intersection. – The planned upgrade to the lights has not been completed with reference to the loops needed to dictate the lighting sequence. Traffic Systems did the wiring, but they need to program the controller. They will be contacted to schedule this work.
Coordinator Phillips continued a discussion on the Mill Street Bridge. The work will not commence until the new design is complete and approved. It is hoped that the work can be resumed by July 1st or earlier.
With no further business before them at 7:40 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Ryan and made unanimous by Chairman to adjourn the meeting and not to reconvene RCV: Louis Arcudi, Chm. – 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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