Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes — January
24, 2008—7:00
p.m. — Memorial
Hall
Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Chairman Joe Judd.
Other members present: John Payne. Bob Manners was absent due to a family
emergency.
Acceptance of Minutes: A motion was made by Joe to accept the minutes
of January 10, 2008 as presented. The motion was seconded by John. Motion
carried unanimously.
Noteworthy News:
The Public Officials Training session had to be cancelled for a second
time due to severe weather conditions. John suggested that we try and
schedule a new session for either Monday March 3rd or Monday, March
10th. Terry will contact Shawn Williams and Bob Ritchie to see if either
date is convenient.
The Planning Board will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, January
31st to consider a proposed change relative to the zoning by-laws. John
explained that if the proposed change is approved, it would allow buildings
above 35' in height to have human habitation providing a special permit
is granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Following the public hearing,
the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in joint
session to continue their work on the revision of the town's zoning by-laws.
There is a special town meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 21,
2008 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall. The special town meeting will address
several mid-year housekeeping articles as well as bring forth the proposed
zoning by-law change.
There will be a public hearing with Comcast to discuss community needs
relative to cable service and high speed internet access. John stressed
that this is a very important opportunity for people to be heard. The
meeting will be held on February 27, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Buckland-Shelburne
Community Center.
John reported that the Fire Recovery Committee met earlier this week.
At that meeting the group renamed themselves as the Shelburne Falls Economic
Development Committee and began brainstorming on ways to develop and
energize the entire area. The Committee meets again next week.
On Monday, February 4, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall; Joe Judd
and Mike McCusker will be meeting with representatives of the Shelburne
Falls Military Band to discuss the logistics of their building on Memorial
Drive.
John reported that the new Commissioner of Agriculture, Doug Peterson
will be in South Deerfield on February 2, 2008 from 10:00 a.m. until
noon to hear issues and concerns of people in the community.
Department Liaison Reports:
Police Department - Joe has been working with the Chief on a preliminary
budget for fiscal year 2009 and discussing plans for future departmental
needs.
Town Office - John had nothing to report.
OLD BUSINESS:
Draft Guidelines for Recording of Meeting Minutes
and Fulfilling Requests for Public Records - despite the fact that the public officials training
session has been cancelled twice, Joe would still like to wait until
after the training before adopting this policy. Given the importance
of the policy, John suggested that if the training is not held in March,
then the Board should adopt it and distribute it to all town boards
and committees. In the event it becomes necessary to make revisions
following the training, the board can do so.
Update Policy for Grant-Related Payments - John has not had an opportunity
to review policy with either the Treasurer or the Fiscal Officer. Joe
suggested removing the item from the agenda until more information can
be brought forward.
Apex Orchard Lease Renewal - Bob has been in discussion with lessee;
the Board will wait until he returns before making any decisions.
Arms Library Letter of Response - John suggested postponing the Board's
response to the Arms Library Trustees until the full Board has had an
opportunity to discuss. After reading the trustees letter, John believes
that they would like some assurances from the town before deciding whether
or not to relinquish control of the overall operations. John noted that
this is a very important long-term decision and before responding; he
would like to make sure that the Board maintains some flexibility and
has had an opportunity to think of all of the alternatives.
Senior Center Lease - Joe received a copy of the lease today. Terry Mosher
will forward copies to the Senior Center Director as well as to member
towns. Once everyone has had an opportunity to review, a meeting with
the Masons will be scheduled.
7:30 p.m. Public Hearing RE: Proposed 2008 Community
Development Block Grant Application - Chairman, Joe Judd called the public hearing to order
and read the hearing notice aloud. The purpose of the hearing was to
discuss the proposed "joint" application with the Town of Buckland.
Joe turned the meeting over to John Ryan of Breezeway Farm Consulting.
John gave an overview of the proposed activities in the 2008 application.
If funded both towns would continue the housing rehabilitation program;
a program administered by the Franklin Regional Housing Authority that
is intended to award money to income eligible families to correct housing
code violations. The 2008 application is requesting $273,880 to benefit
two housing units in Shelburne and three in Buckland. The proposed application
also includes two infrastructure components. In Shelburne, the reconstruction
of Main Street would continue from Grove Street to approximately 80 and
81 Main Street. Repairs would include replacement of an inadequate storm
drainage system, replacement of water main, replace existing sidewalks,
reconstruct roadway and install granite curbs. Estimated cost: $312,039.
In Buckland, the proposed Conway Street reconstruction would include
replacement of an inadequate storm drain system, sanitary sewer system,
water mains, and sidewalks, reconstruction of roadway and installation
of curbs. Estimated cost: $356,730.
John explained that the application must be filed by February 15th with
the hopes of an award in July. John Payne who had attended a portion
of the Main Street meeting held earlier in the evening commented that
he had heard a desire for more green, less parking and more trees. John
Ryan indicated that all comments are taken into consideration. Cost implications
are determined as well as whether or not the requests conflict with what
the town's needs are. John Payne asked how drainage problems would be
corrected and whether or not the construction deadline can be met. John
Ryan stated that the installation of an improved drainage system, catch
basins and granite curbing will eliminate any drainage problems. John
Ryan also stated that the construction deadline (December, 2009) is realistic
and will be met.
Suzanne Tromara of 109 Main Street attended last year's hearing and was
under the impression that the entire length of the street from Grove
to Hope would be reconstructed. She was extremely disappointed to learn
that next year's project if funded will end at 80 and 81 Main and wondered
why. Both John Ryan and John Payne explained the competitive nature of
this year's grant and the need for a strong application. By filing with
the Town of Buckland, Shelburne receives additional bonus points however
the overall scope of each individual town's projects had to be downsized
to meet the $1 million dollar funding cap. Dan Lawrence of Weston & Sampson
Engineering spoke briefly about the preliminary design for the second
phase of Main Street. He stated that the sidewalks, the green belts and
road width will all remain the same. As for phase one of Main Street,
Dan indicated that if residents want grass in front of their house in
lieu of parking, they will be accommodated. After hearing no further
public comment, the hearing was closed at 8:00 p.m. Following the public
hearing, two votes were taken. A motion was made by John to adopt the
revised Community Development Strategy Document to include the most recent
downtown fire. Joe seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
A second motion was made by John to authorize the submission of the joint
CDBG application, authorizing Joe Judd as Chairman to sign on behalf
of the town. Joe seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
Appointment of Historical Commission Members - a motion was made and
amended by John to appoint the following individuals to the Historical
Commission. The amendment was made to reflect the assignment of staggered
three year terms. Joe seconded the original motion and the amended
motion. Motion and amendment carried unanimously.
James Gamache, Mohawk
Trail, Shelburne - 1 year term
Pamela Goodwin, Mechanic Street, Shelburne - 2 year term
Beverly Phillips, Water Street, Shelburne - 3 year term
Once appointments have been accepted and members have been sworn in,
Joe will meet with members to discuss their powers and duties as described
in Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40, section 8D.
Wandering Moon RE: Food Pantry Fundraising Event - on Saturday, February
23 from 4:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., Mocha Maya's and Wandering Moon will
be hosting a Renaissance themed event to benefit the West County Food
Pantry which will include performances by a vocal ensemble and a theater
company. In addition there will be a one hour sword fighting demonstration
which will require the temporary closing of a portion of Bridge Street
(directly between Charlemont TV and Wandering Moon). The event has been
discussed with neighboring business owners as well as with Chief Walker.
A motion was made by John to approve the request for the temporary street
closing on February 23rd. Joe seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
Special Town Meeting Articles RE: Use
of Surplus M.T.R.H.S. Budget rather than Free Cash - when the town voted the operating budget for the M.T.R.H.S.
at the annual town meeting it voted a total assessment of $1,861,287.
When the school district's budget failed in other towns, the district
was forced to reduce their operating budget substantially. As a result,
Shelburne's assessment was reduced by $79,747. Rather than fund the special
town meeting articles using free cash, it was suggested that approximately
$24,943 of the M.T.R.H.S.D. surplus money be used; placing the entire
free cash amount ($125,927) into Stabilization. Following a brief discussion,
a three-part motion was made by John allocating $24,943 from the M.T.R.H.S.D.
budget to fund special town meeting articles; transfer $25,000 from the
M.T.R.H.S.D. budget to the Stabilization account and transfer all of
the town's certified free cash to the Stabilization account. Joe seconded
the motion. Motion carried unanimously.
FY'09 Tentative Budget Schedule - the Board reviewed the tentative schedule.
To date no one had made an appointment to present their budget before
the Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee.
Long Range Capital Planning - Joe indicated that it was time for the
Board to begin thinking about all of the town's capital needs and the
manner in which the town will use to fund these projects. Joe listed
the following town-owned buildings that are in need of roof replacements:
Arms Library, Cowell Gymnasium, Memorial Hall and the Highway Garage.
In addition, The Board must decide whether or not they have exhausted
all possibilities for the police department (i.e. merging with the town
of Buckland as well as potential sites for a new police station in Shelburne).
Also on the docket is the need for more space at the Senior Center. Joe
has asked department heads to investigate the costs associated with the
town roof replacements and he will continue to work with the Chief on
the proposed police station relocation. Joe is hopeful that if the Board
has enough information, that a presentation can be made at annual town
meeting.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Kenneth Downes RE: Visionary Discussions - Mr. Downes has had conversations
with other concerned citizens about the need to have visionary discussions
about the future capital building needs of our community. He would
like to restate his interest in joining other citizens and town leaders
in discussion about the future building needs of our community. He
believes that there are some innovative opportunities for the town
and wish there was a larger forum to bring together interested participants
like him.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
ADOURNMENT: A motion was made by John to adjourn the meeting at 8:25
p.m. Joe seconded the motion. Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Mosher
Executive Secretary
|
