Board of Selectmen Minutes
August 4, 2008
Chairman Collins convened the meeting at 7:00 p.m. and moved into the agenda. Present: Michael Collins, Chairman, Selectman Alan Ryan, Selectman Robert Burns, Town Coordinator Eugene Phillips, Executive Assistant Patricia Goodwin, Artie Maggiore and Nicole Kizielwicz, videographers.
MSDV to approve the executive session minutes of July 7, 2008. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
MSDV to table approval of the regular and executive session minutes of July 21, 2008, pending review by the Board. Chairman Michael Collins – Aye and Robert Burns – Aye.
As Chief Procurement Officer for the Town of Hopedale, Coordinator Phillips asked that Michael Collins, Chairman, approve the annual delegation appointment form for the Office of the Inspector General.
MSDV to appoint Coordinator Phillips as Chief Procurement Officer. Alan Ryan – Aye and Robert Burns – Aye. Appointment form signed by Chairman Collins.
Chairman Collins commented on the various committee openings and acknowledged that two residents have expressed interest in joining the Finance Committee, John Condon and Guy Crepeau. Mr. Collins expressed appreciation for their enthusiasm and asked that they speak with a member(s) of the Finance Committee. Karla Hopkins of the Finance Committee discussed the role of the committee. Mr. Condon and Mr. Crepeau each discussed his background and interest in joining the Finance Committee. Mr. Condon suggested that the Town issue parking permits for the Prospect Street area during the winter months to collect revenue, rather than residents paying Mr. Shwachman to park in the lot he owns there. Chairman Collins commented that this is a civil matter, but understood the concern and stated
that the Police and Highway departments should be contacted to discuss the possibility of having one side of the street delegated for residential parking during the winter months. Selectman Ryan commented on the importance of the Finance Committee, and the responsibility of making decisions regarding town expenditures. Chairman Collins acknowledged the difficult economic times being experienced.
MSDV to appoint John Condon and Guy Crepeau as members of the Finance Committee. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
The Board of Selectmen discussed the receipt of a letter from the town’s Martin Luther King Planning Team who are planning the addition of a new “Power of One” award to be presented during the annual community-wide MLK event in January. The Hopedale MLK Planning Team is seeking volunteers from the various community leaders to join their group, which will be soliciting and reviewing nominations for the award. Selectman Ryan volunteered to join the committee.
MSDV to appoint Selectman Alan Ryan as a member of the Hopedale Martin Luther King Planning Team. Chairman Collins – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) has requested that an alternate delegate be appointed by the Board of Selectmen to the Commission. Selectman Burns volunteered to become the alternate delegate.
MSDV to appoint Robert Burns as the alternate delegate to the Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission. Chairman Collins – Aye, and Alan Ryan – Aye.
A continuing discussion took place regarding the Draper complex. Draper Reuse Committee members, Ted Carman of Concord Square Development and Michael Ruane stated that Phil Shwachman, owner of the Draper complex, had presented a memo to the committee regarding development parameters. The highlighted issues are site limits; overall goals; the fiscal impact on the finances of the town; utilities and traffic; cost of studies; amenities; public facilities; mix of uses; zoning and site plan approval. Mr. Ruane commented that the memo is a significant step forward in the proposed re-development. Mr. Ruane stated that Mr. Shwachman is asking that the Board of Selectmen provide some indication of whether they and the Committee agree or disagree, or what their position is, so that he can
take the proposal to a prospective developer.
Selectman Ryan commented on his concern with zoning, lighting and signage, and stated that he would want the town to be able to control the appearance. Mr. Ruane also commented on the potential positive impact of a commuter rail in Hopedale and stated that funding would most likely be more generous if a commuter rail was nearby. Additionally, a commuter rail would have a dramatic impact on the possibility of commercial development. Selectman Ryan commented that at a previous year-long CMRPC traffic study group meeting a discussion took place regarding the connection of the commuter rail between Milford and Franklin. As the costs were so prohibitive, it was felt that this would not happen for quite some time and it was believed that the commuter rail in Franklin was close
enough for utilization by local residents. Selectman Burns commented that the community needs to look at all natural resources, and should look into the establishment of a railway service to Hopedale.
Fire Chief Garland announced that three Firefighters, James Vignone, Peter Ballou and Michael Ciaramicoli, have received certificates from State Representative John Fernandes in recognition of their graduation from the Massachusetts Fire District 7, Firefighters Recruitment Training Program. Congratulations were extended to all.
Fire Chief Garland recommended the promotion of Substitute Call Firefighter Gregory Gomes to the position of part-time Call Firefighter.
MSDV to appoint Gregory Gomes to the position of part-time Call Firefighter for the Hopedale Fire Department. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
Fire Chief Garland recommended the appointment of Robert Malnati to the position of Call Firefighter. Mr. Malnati’s brother Michael was recently promoted to the regular Call Fire Department and his father is an Honorary Hopedale Firefighter.
MSDV to appoint Robert Malnati to the position of Call Firefighter for the Hopedale Fire Department. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
Fire Chief Garland stated that he, along with Firefighter/EMT Thomas Daige, Deputy Chief Mark Poirier of the Mendon Fire Department, Deputy Chief Steven Garon of the Bellingham Fire Department, and Captain Thomas Dion of the Uxbridge Fire Department, conducted written examinations and oral interviews for three open Lieutenant positions, and one open Captain position. Out of the seven candidates, the four top scoring candidates were chosen for promotion.
Chief Garland recommended the appointment of Call Firefighter Mark Griffith to the position of Captain.
MSDV to appoint Mark Griffith to the position of Captain for the Hopedale Fire Department. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
Chief Garland recommended the appointments of Call Firefighters Mark Marcotte, Michael Ciaramicoli and Joseph Avellino to the position of Lieutenant.
MSDV to appoint Mark Marcotte, Michael Ciaramicoli and Joseph Avellino to the position of Lieutenant for the Hopedale Fire Department. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
Fire Chief Garland discussed the existing open Deputy Chief position. Chief Garland stated that the Deputy Chief is also the safety officer and would be able to take over many of the Fire Chief’s tasks by providing help with various projects. Chief Garland distributed paperwork for the Board and Coordinator Phillips to review. The Board of Selectmen will take the matter under advisement for review during the next few weeks.
Fire Chief Garland discussed the need for an Advanced Life Support (ALS) service for the town of Hopedale, due to the closing of the Milford Hospital Paramedic service on June 28th. ALS provides life saving intervention in the field of emergency medical services. The Hopedale Fire Department EMT’s are not licensed to perform this level of service. A private ambulance service would require a formal contract to perform these services. Chief Garland requested a review of the proposed plan for providing ALS service and the associated costs. The Board recommended a further review of the proposal and suggested the financial costs be reviewed by the Finance Committee. Coordinator Phillips will schedule a meeting between himself, Fire Chief Garland and the
Finance Committee.
Chairman Collins moved to Coordinator news.
Coordinator Phillips visited the Mill Street Bridge earlier this morning and was told that Selectman Burns had visited the work site during the previous week. The boring machine arrived and boring is taking place on the east side of the bridge. It is anticipated that columns will be poured this week and they will move to the west side next week. Selectman Burns commented that the good news is that they do not need to bore as deeply as had originally been anticipated, so they will be tying the columns into the bedrock and are moving along faster than anticipated. Coordinator Phillips stated that the new design has reduced the size of the columns that were needed.
Jack Farrar of the Road Commission discussed his concern with Verizon’s installation of columns and boxes as a being a public safety issue. Mr. Farrar asked who authorized the installation. He stated that some of the equipment is only 5 feet off the ground and he is concerned with the possibility of power equipment hitting the boxes. Chairman Collins also expressed his concern with the possibility of vandalism. Coordinator Phillips stated that the poles are owned by Verizon and he will contact Verizon to obtain further information.
Chairman Collins reviewed recent correspondence.
An invitation from Arc of Innovation, 495/Metrowest Corridor Partnership, was received regarding its upcoming Energy Forum to be held September 4th. Coordinator Phillips is a member of the organization and will plan to attend this meeting. Selectman Burns will also plan to attend.
Selectman Ryan commented on the receipt of a letter from the Massachusetts Slow Growth Initiative regarding a recent letter addressed to the Governor by the Norwell Board of Selectmen, on behalf of the residents of Norwell, requesting an overhaul of Chapter 40B by limiting unnecessary growth. All Massachusetts communities have been asked to join this campaign by writing a letter in support of actions of the Norwell Board of Selectmen.
MSDV to provide a letter in support of the initiative by the Norwell Board of Selectmen. Chairman Collins – Aye; Alan Ryan – Aye, and Robert Burns – Aye.
With no further business before them at 8:35 p.m. a motion was made by Selectman Ryan and seconded by Selectman Burns, and made unanimous by Chairman Collins to adjourn the meeting and not to reconvene. RCV: Chairman Collins – Aye; Selectman Alan Ryan – Aye, and Selectman Robert Burns – Aye.
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Michael E. Collins, Chairman Robert P. Burns
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Alan J. Ryan
Hopedale Board of Selectmen
Moved, Seconded, Discussed and Voted **Roll Call Vote
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