|
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 7, 2008
Chairman Arcudi convened the meeting at 7:00 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.
MSDV to approve the regular session minutes of March 17, 2008. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Michael Collins – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
A review of recent correspondence took place.
The Hopedale Youth Baseball Association is requesting permission and authorization to hold its annual Opening Day Parade on Sunday, April 27th at noon. Approximately 350 boys and girls from the baseball and softball program are expected to participate.
MSDV to approve the Hopedale Youth Baseball Association annual Opening Day Parade to be held on Sunday, April 27, 2008. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.
The Bancroft Memorial Library received a letter from the office of the Attorney General in reference to a 2002 settlement of compact disc antitrust litigation against certain music companies and retailers. The library was selected to receive a cash distribution of residual funds collected. The Attorney General’s office is requesting approval of the release of the funds to be used specifically for supplementing existing funding for music-related programs or projects only.
MSDV to approve the acceptance of the residual funds in connection with the 2002 settlement of the antitrust case brought by the Attorney General’s office for the express purpose of furthering music-related programs or projects at the Bancroft Public Library. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.
The Hopedale Union Evangelical Church has applied for a temporary wine and malt beverage club license for its “Have-A-Heart-Dinner” fundraiser on Saturday, April 12, 2008, with the proceeds to benefit the Travis-Sawyer family. This dinner was rescheduled from February 16th, for which the Board had previously approved a temporary license.
MSDV to accept the issuance of a temporary wine and malt beverage club license to be issued to the Hopedale Union Evangelical Church on Saturday, April 12, 2008 for the purpose of holding a fundraising dinner between the hours of 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) Transportation Staff is planning to begin the 2008 Traffic Count Program, which is used in regional and statewide transportation planning. The staff will be conducting traffic counts at several intersections in Hopedale between now and the end of the year.
Coordinator Phillips reminded the Board of Selectmen of the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce annual meeting and government affairs luncheon, with keynote speaker Governor Patrick, scheduled for Wednesday, April 9th.
Chairman Arcudi moved to new appointments:
Police Chief Costanza has recommended that John Tebeau, who recently resigned as a full-time Public Safety Dispatcher, be re-installed as a part-time Public Safety Dispatcher for the Hopedale Police Department.
MSDV to accept the re-installation of John Tebeau as a part-time Public Safety Dispatcher for the Hopedale Police Department. Chairman Arcudi – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Michael Collins – Aye.
Police Chief Costanza has recommended that Stephen LaPorta be hired as a full-time Public Safety Dispatcher for the Hopedale Police Department. Mr. LaPorta most recently held the position of full-time Public Safety Dispatcher for the Town of Mendon for the past five years and comes highly recommended.
MSDV to accept the appointment of Stephen LaPorta as a full-time Public Safety Dispatcher for the Hopedale Police Department. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye. Congratulations were extended to Mr. Tebeau and Mr. LaPorta by the Board.
Fire Chief Garland recommended the appointment of three Substitute Call Firefighters to the position of Call Firefighter for the Hopedale Fire Department: Peter Ballou, Ted Wagner and Michael Malnati. Each candidate was interviewed for promotion and given recommendation for promotion through the Fire Department’s Training Division.
MSDV to accept the appointments of Peter Ballou, Ted Wagner and Michael Malnati to the position of Call Firefighter for the Hopedale Fire Department. Lou Arcudi, Chairman – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye. Congratulations were extended to Mr. Ballou, Mr. Wagner and Mr. Malnati by the Board.
Chairman Arcudi moved to new business.
A memo was received from the Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages and Control Commission (ABCC) regarding guidelines for the extension of premises to patio and outdoor seating areas. All new and future applications that wish to serve alcoholic beverages outside a licensed establishment will require an approved application to extend the licensed premises. Additionally, the extended area must be described in detail according to the ABCC guidelines. A copy of the guidelines will be provided to the two currently licensed establishments that were previously approved for serving alcoholic beverages on patio/deck areas, prior to the 2009 renewal application process.
Coordinator Phillips informed the Board of a new Blue Cross/Blue Shield benefit plan offering in addition to the three current BC/BS plan options, and another Fallon benefit plan in addition to the current Fallon benefit plan offered, for a total of five benefit plan options available to the Town employees.
A discussion took place regarding the Rte. 16 traffic lights at the Hopedale Street intersection. An upgrade to the lights will take place. The loops needed to dictate the lighting sequence were not working. The work will commence tomorrow morning after the commuter rush hour.
The Draper Complex request for proposal (RFP) deadline was March 7, 2008, with two companies sending proposals in for review. Concord Square Development was selected to continue on with the work.
Mr. Phillips reported that the reports and bid proposals from the Hopedale Pond RFP were reviewed. The contract award was made to ESS Group, Inc., with offices in Providence, RI and Wellesley, MA. One employee at ESS is Darrell Oakley, a Hopedale resident very familiar with the town. A meeting is scheduled for next Monday, April 14, 2008, at 3:00 p.m.
Coordinator Phillips continued a discussion on the Mill Street Bridge. The Massachusetts Office of Dam Safety reviewed the bridge design and determined that there is insufficient water flow width beneath the bridge to allow for sufficient quantities of water to protect the surrounding area in the event of a 100-year flood. They have, therefore, instructed Mass. Highway, the department responsible for the project, to redesign the bridge to new standards. In addition, rebuilding of the weir/spillway, not originally part of the project, must now be completed as part of the updated scope of the work. The scope of the design work was sent to Parson Design on Friday. Once the design is completed, Mass. Highway will go to the Army Corp of Engineers, who control the waterways in
this area, and the Mass. DEP for permits. It is anticipated that the work could resume before July 1st.
Chairman Arcudi asked what alternative options may be available, such as the installation of a temporary Bailey bridge. Mr. Phillips commented that the installation of a Bailey bridge would interfere with work being done on the existing bridge. If the work hasn’t resumed by July 1st and a decision is made to install a Bailey bridge (a process that would take about two weeks), the bridge would need to run behind M.C. Machine Company. This would require going before a Town Meeting and the town would need to obtain funding. Mr. Arcudi asked about the option of opening up a connector from Laurelwood Drive to Harrington Road, a process Mr. Phillips noted could cost the town $150K, and also noting that the road would have to cross private property. The installation
of a pontoon bridge was discussed with the Army, but it was decided that because vehicles crossing a pontoon bridge feel vibrations, it might frighten residents. Mr. Phillips also said Mass. Highway believes that the bridge reconstruction could be completed by December 1st.
Selectman Ryan commented that it should be possible to complete an assessment of the situation by early June.
Chairman Arcudi moved to old business on the agenda.
A continuing discussion of Parcel A in Harmony Estates took place, with several residents in attendance. Chris Tomaso of Harmony Estates requested guidance from the selectmen on Parcel A. Mr. Tomaso wants to better understand what needs to be done to move forward with what is deeded to the town for possible use as recreation property. Selectman Ryan commented that the town is awaiting formal results of tests for possible ground water contamination caused by MBTE’s, a gas additive long out of use, and for further testing on disturbed soil areas on the site. The testing needs to be completed to be sure there is no contamination affecting the land to be used for parks and recreation, and the town is awaiting a secondary report. Coordinator Phillips commented that a
detention pond near Parcel A is being tested as well, which is a recent issue. The cost of the detention pond study is $1,800 and was suggested by the testing company because the pond water was an unusual green color. Chairman Arcudi commented that he had stated at the special town meeting held in November that the town would not accept a parcel of land that is contaminated. It is anticipated that the results of the report will be received before the upcoming town meeting in May. Chairman Arcudi believes the cost of the study to be a small amount to pay to ensure that the children can use the field. Mr. Phillips noted that the Board of Selectmen may make the decision to control the land as town owned property, or could choose instead to turn the land over to the Parks Department. There is another larger parcel of land, currently held by the town as a result of tax taking, of approximately 11 acres. Mr. Tomaso indicated the residents would be
interested in combing both parcels to enlarge the parcel for recreational use. Coordinator Phillips commented that the land is tax title property, which has a different set of rules than gifted property. Once the report comes back and if Parcel A is free and clear of contamination, a decision can be reached as to usage of the tax title property, known as the McVitty parcel.
The Draper Reuse Committee reviewed the two responses to the RFP for additional planning for reuse of the Draper Complex. Concord Square Development was awarded the contract to continue with the work it started through an earlier grant.
The committee will follow through with the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) priority fund proposal. With consultants on board they will be able to help the town and its Planning and Zoning boards determine whether zoning needs to be changed on the site. Selectman Collins suggested that they investigate the possibility of industrial zoning, as it appears the railroad has an interest in re-opening for operation. Chairman Arcudi commented that they will need to figure out how all will work together and to be prepared to go forward in bringing the information to the town whether residential or industrial zoning. They also need to understand the impact on the town and whether the town is capable of supporting the infrastructure.
Planning Board Chairman Howard Maurer commented that he believes the work on the project is futile without a developer on board. Ken Piercesaw of the ZBA commented that he believes Concord Square Development and the Committee will need direction from the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board, as these boards have the authority to make decisions. A water study cannot be undertaken until spring time. Draper Reuse Committee member Bob Burns commented that the committee is waiting for a response from all the boards regarding the impact to the town so a presentation can be made to the Planning Board. Mike Ruane, Chairman of the Draper Reuse Committee stated that it would be inappropriate to look into strictly industrial zoning with the DHCD funding.
Chairman Arcudi questioned what would be needed from the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Maurer indicated they should look at zoning and Chapter 40R zoning options. Mr. Piercesaw commented that the CMRPC has offered some of its time and that the CMRPC has models developed to help communities understand zoning impacts. Carol Whyte of the Planning Board said 40A can accomplish the same objectives as 40R, and would afford greater control locally without the State becoming involved. Mr. Ruane asked for the cooperation of the boards in order to move forward with the development of proposed zoning by-laws, design standards, and key impact issues. The daylighting of the Mill River in areas where it is now covered will need to be investigated. It was also suggested that any developer’s agreement be negotiated with the owner, Mr. Shwachman. Mr. Ruane suggested that the Board of Selectmen draft a letter to all boards to ask for their cooperation.
With no further business before them at 8:40 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.
_____________________________ _____________________________
Louis J. Arcudi III, Chairman Michael E. Collins
_____________________________
Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
Moved, Seconded, Discussed and Voted **Roll Call Vote
| 
