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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 Michael E. Collins, Chm. Alan J. Ryan Robert P. Burns
Town Coordinator Eugene N. Phillips |
Board of Selectmen Minutes
June 16, 2008
Chairman Collins convened the meeting at 7:06 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Michael Collins, Chairman, Selectman Alan Ryan, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, Town Treasurer Barbara Walls, and Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin.
MSDV to approve the executive session minutes of May 6, 2008, and executive session minutes of May 20, 2008. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Coordinator Phillips commented that at the last Board of Selectmen meeting the renewal contract with VADAR® Systems had been approved by the board members, however, one copy out of the two copies presented for signature was missing a signature of one of the selectmen. Selectman Ryan signed the contract.
Town Treasurer, Barbara Walls, discussed the bond rating for the town by Moody’s, which was kept at an A2 rating. This rating is very favorable to the town, as it will keep the interest rates low. Tonight’s bonding is a series of 2 bonds, Series A and Series B, which total $3,260,000. This total includes $1,700,000 for the sewer upgrade, which was voted at the last town meeting and $580K for the fire truck. The 2 series of bonds are Series A in the amount of $980K for water and sewer ($630K for the water department; and $200K and $150K for sewer) and Series B in the amount of $2,280,000 ($580K for the fire truck and $1.7M for the sewer). Fidelity Investments won the bid out of the 10 bidders who responded. Ms. Walls stated that it would be necessary to read a
vote into the minutes of this evening’s meeting.
Selectmen Ryan moved to award the $980,000 Town of Hopedale, Massachusetts General Obligation Bonds, Series A dated June 15, 2008 and maturing June 15, 2009 to 2018 to Fidelity Capital Markets Services at a true interest cost of 3.531238% and to award the $2,280,000 Town of Hopedale, Massachusetts General Obligation Bonds, Series B dated July 1, 2008 and maturing July 1, 2009 to 2028 to Stifel Nicolaus & Company, Inc. at a true interest cost of 3.981587% as set forth in a document prepared by Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge LLP, Bond Counsel to the town to be inserted into the minutes of this meeting. MSDV Chairman Michael Collins – Aye and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Chairman Collins is in receipt of a letter addressed to the Board from a local resident expressing interest in becoming a member of the Board of Assessors. Mr. Collins will schedule a meeting with the Assessors and a working session. He will respond back to the interested party at the next scheduled Board meeting on July 7th. Regarding vacancies, there are no changes from the last meeting, with vacancies remaining as follows:
Cable Advisory Committee – 2; Capital Planning Committee – 2; Cemetery Committee – 2; Commission on Disabilities – 3; Conservation Commission – 1; Financial Committee – 4. Please contact Chairman Collins, Selectman Ryan, Selectman Burns, or Town Coordinator, Eugene Phillips to discuss any interest in filling a position and for a description of the duties and responsibilities.
Chairman Collins moved to new business.
A new Common Victualler license for Joe’s Coffee House, Inc. was reviewed by the Board. Owners, Mr. Charles Curtiss and Mr. Richard Curtiss were in attendance to discuss their business, which is being relocated from Milford with the expectation of opening at their new location on Hartford Avenue on July 1st.
MSDV to approve the Common Victualler license for Joe’s Coffee House, Inc., 150 Hartford Avenue, Unit A. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye; and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Coordinator Phillips discussed the acceptance of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 32B, Section 19. M.G.L. Ch.32B controls health insurance for all entities in the State of Massachusetts. §19 allows towns to form a Public Employees Committee (PEC) to address the issue of the Massachusetts Insurance Division, Group Insurance Committee (GIC). The Board of Selectmen has the authority to accept this provision of the GIC contingent upon a positive vote of the PEC. The town will remain with its current insurance coverage until such time as there is an agreement to move forward with the GIC plan.
MSDV to accept the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 32B, Section 19 contingent upon a positive vote of the Public Employees Committee, or “PEC”. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye; and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Coordinator Phillips discussed a property donation offer that has been made to the town. Mr. Ken Dallamora contacted Mr. Phillips regarding a parcel of land in tax title that he wished to donate to the town in lieu of payment of taxes in the amount of $1,188.75. The land has an assessed value of $44K and consists of 20.99 acres of mostly swamp area. Selectman Ryan commented that this would be favorable as it would be a protected watershed area. Chairman Collins wondered whether there may be a possibility of providing water to the town and will speak with the Water Commissioner. Coordinator Phillips is not sure of access to the land, as there is no frontage, and will speak with the town of Upton to inquire as to accessibility from Upton with
regard to an easement.
MSDV to accept the donated parcel of land at 363 West Street, Hopedale, contingent upon all proper paperwork being completed and certification that the land is clean. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye; and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Chairman Collins moved to old business on the agenda.
A continuing discussion took place regarding the acceptance of Parcel A, Harmony Estates. Town Counsel, Kopelman and Paige, has sent a memo to Eastland Partners to produce a deed for recreational and general municipal purposes.
MSDV to accept Parcel A, Harmony Estates for recreational and general municipal purposes. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye; and Alan Ryan – Aye.
Chairman Collins moved to Coordinator news on the agenda.
A continuing discussion took place regarding the Mill Street Bridge. Coordinator Phillips has attempted to reach Mass. Highway again this morning regarding an update on the status, however the contact was not available. Mr. Phillips commented that it is his understanding that they were to begin work this week and are cleared to begin the boring on the east side of the bridge. Therefore, it is anticipated that the work should resume later this week and that the boring machine will be in place the following week.
With no further business before them at 7:40 p.m. a motion was made by Chairman Collins and made unanimous by Selectman Ryan to adjourn the meeting and not to reconvene RCV: Michael Collins, Chm. – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
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Michael E. Collins, Chairman Robert P. Burns
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Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
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