SELECTBOARD MINUTES

Regular meeting
January 9, 2007

Selectboard’s office 6:00 p.m.

Present: Clint Shaw, Alf Berry, Nancy Allen
Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull

Chair Clint Shaw called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

1. MINUTES

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the executive session minutes of December 12, 2006. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of December 15, 2006. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of January 2, 2007. Clint Shaw seconded the motion. As he was absent from that meeting, Alf Berry abstained. Nancy Allen and Clint Shaw VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the minutes of January 5, 2007. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. MEETING WITH GLENN GOODALE

After receiving an estimate from Glenn Goodale for Town on-line services, the Board asked that he be invited to the January 23, 2007, meeting.

3. DAVENPORT SITE VISIT

Dale stated that Bob Clark stated he may be unable to attend the Davenport site visit on January 19 at 1:30 p.m. The Board asked that he recommend another member of the Conservation Commission who could be available.

The Quabbin Corridor information which includes the Davenport property will be available for review by the Board at its January 16 meeting.

4. OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE AND CHARGE

Discussions of creating an Open Space Committee continued. Nancy Allen provided information on the methods used by six towns as to how they created the committees. After review of a number of documents and consulting with other towns, the Selectboard is of the opinion that this does not require a Town Meeting vote to create this committee. The Board was interested in Templeton’s method in that the Selectboard first created the committee and appointed members and then at the request of a citizen petition formed and defined the committee at a town meeting. It was noted that creation of this committee is a recommendation in the Open Space and Recreation Plan section of the Petersham Master Plan. Clint Shaw stated his hope is that people from specific committees will not be required to be on this committee as there are a number of individuals who are interested in the project, but not members of a committee. Nancy Allen stated that this would also relieve committees of an additional committee burden. Nancy Allen volunteered to draft a charge for the Open Space Committee and asked that the Board think about the number of members which should comprise this committee. The matter will be discussed at the January 16 meeting.

5. BUILDING SITES COMMITTEE/TOWN CENTER COMMITTEE

Creation of this type of committee was also recommended in the Master Plan. Discussion of a charge and the number of committee members followed. Alf Berry stated that he wants a real plan of how the Town wants to maintain Town buildings, not just a band-aid method, to include the Center School and buildings around the Common. The Committee should report to the Selectboard on a periodic basis and provide a timeline. It should plan to meeting with the Town on a period basis also, to find out where the Town wishes to go on some subjects. The Committee should work to the point where their plans start to need money. Clint Shaw asked about the status of the central septic system. It was to forward this request for information to BOH chair Fifi Scoufopoulos. This matter will be discussed at the January 16 meeting.

6. PLANNING BOARD/TOWN COUNSEL OPINION REGARDING AMIDON DRIVE

The Planning Board presented written background information to the Board regarding its January 18 meeting to discuss Amidon Drive. Clint Shaw stated it would be advantageous for Board members to attend, but agreed that it did not have to be posted as a meeting, as they would attend rather as citizens of the Town.

7. INTERDEPARTMENTAL MEETING AGENDA ITEMS

Clint Shaw reviewed minutes of the last interdepartmental meeting October 3, 2006. It was agreed that most of the concerns have been or are in the process of being addressed.

8. CPA REVIEW

Much discussion has taken place lately regarding the Town’s acceptance of the Community Preservation Act. Nancy Allen suggested that Jay Rasku from Mt. Grace meet with the Board and other related committees, ie., AFC, HDC, and Planning to describe the Act and answer any questions. The Board agreed that this would be in the Town’s best interest to find out more. Nancy Allen will talk with Jay Rasku about meeting on February 6 at 6:00 p.m.


9. CIPC REQUESTS

As funds are available to a limited degree for the dog pound, the Board asked that the $5,000 CIPC request be pulled. As the custodian will be painting the interior of the Town Hall this winter, that cost of $5,000 was also pulled. Nancy Allen presented a cost of $41,500 for structural stabilization to the Hearse House in the Center Cemetery. She asked that Jim Dowd be asked to present a phase I and phase II cost for this project. Also, Town Hall steeple/dome repair was discussed at a cost of approximately $42,000. Dale will submit work sheets for these projects.

10. PERMITS

Nancy Allen moved to renew the business permit of Mark Hager, Swift River Services, for the operation of a business located at 142 Nichewaug Road of providing mechanical design, computer and Internet services and small appliance prototype. Alf Berry seconded the motion and the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nancy Allen moved to renew the business permit of Laura Silva for a business located at 262 Tom Swamp Road of counseling, education, and psychotherapy. Alf Berry seconded the motion and the Board VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Nancy Allen moved to renew the business permit of Jill Berry, Petersham Craft Center, for the operation of a craft shop with classes located at 8 North Street, Petersham. Clint Shaw seconded the motion and with Alf Berry abstaining, Nancy Allen and Clint Shaw VOTED IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

11. HARVARD FOREST EASEMENT

A prepared survey plan for the Harvard Forest Easement on Prospect Hill Road was received in December, but had not been reviewed by the entire Board. After discussion, Alf Berry moved that the Town accept the Plan, that Harvard be responsible for filing the appropriate paperwork and that the Town receive a copy of the final recorded document. Nancy Allen seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.


12. CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following:

Connections newsletter, January 2007
Email from Dennis Rindone, STAR, (PILOT payments) regarding Senator Chandler’s co-sponsor of a bill amending MGL 58:17 to read: ‘Provided that in no event shall any city or town receive an amount less than the payment received from the treasurer in the prior fiscal year.’
The Trust for Public Land letter informing the Town of four meetings this month learn about better conservation of the area
Greenfield Recorder January 9, 2007, article regarding the Turner Falls Building Inspector’s decision to pursue what to do with the crumbling Railroad Salvage building
Kingston Selectboard letter requesting that Petersham support a letter to the State House requiring a liquor licensees pay current Massachusetts meals tax and compensate their employees according to state and federal law
Thank you note from the Franklin County Community Meals Program for the donation during the holidays of food to the Athol/Orange Food Pantry
Congratulatory letter from MEMA for Certification of the North Worcester County Regional Emergency Planning Committee Worcester Telegram January 5, 2007, article stating that PCS Superintendent Patricia Martin has been named interim Quabbin Regional superintendent
MRPC notification of a January 18 meeting regarding small towns DHCD monitor letter (with a copy to MRPC) that the Town’s FY05 CDBG grant was in non-compliance in two areas
Treasurer’s December receipts

13. OTHER BUSINESS

Dale stated that Leon Boudreau began the valuation of the Town Hall and Town Office Building on Monday, January 8, 2007. He plans to have the report completed by the week of January 15.

Dale asked about scheduling of Board meetings for the balance of January. The Board agreed to meet on January 23, but will wait to schedule a January 30 meeting.

The Board discussed holding a Candidate’s Night. As nomination papers will not be certified by the January 16 meeting, this discussion was tabled until the January 23 meeting.

The Board discussed and agreed that it would be more advantageous for members if folders for the Tuesday Board meetings were available by the close of business on the previous Friday. This procedure will go into effect as soon as possible.

Clint Shaw asked that the Bandstand lights remain until the days grow longer. Dale will contact the Bandstand Decoration Committee.

The Board reviewed a Chapter 90 Project Request submitted by the Highway Superintendent for alignment of the Rt. 122/Birch Drive intersection and reclaiming a 2000’ portion of Birch Drive. With regard to questions previously asked the Highway Superintendent of exactly what does ‘reclaiming’ mean and does this involve any paving, and if so, how much, Norman LaPointe responded in writing stating that to reclaim is to grind up the existing pavement, leave it in place and pave over the surface with hot top. The 2000’ of Birch Drive being paved was previously paved. He submitted survey plans for the work. Alf Berry stated that he felt these plans should contain an engineer’s stamp, not a surveyor’s stamp. Dale was asked to check with MassHighway regarding the plans. The Board tabled signing the Request.

The Board was notified by the Building Inspector that the Curling Club has fulfilled all obligations and has received its Certificate of Inspection to expire November 29, 2007, which is required for a liquor license. The liquor license renewal was signed on December 12, 2006, by the Selectboard with the proviso that the Club fulfill all obligations with the Building Inspector by January 11, 2007.

14. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Nancy Allen moved to adjourn. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy S. Allen, Clerk