SELECTBOARD MINUTES
Regular Meeting
January 16, 2007
Selectboard’s Office 6:00 p.m.

Present: Clint Shaw and Nancy Allen
Not present: Alf Berry

Others present: Joe Mitko (ADN), Athol Planner Phil Delorey, BOH Chair Fifi Scoufopoulos, Christine Modzeleski-Durgin, Administrative Coordinator Dale Bull, Police Chief Denis Legare

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

1. HOUSING REHAB HEARING 6:00 P.M.

Clint Shaw stated that the hearing for the FY07 Massachusetts CDBG Regional application with Athol, Petersham, Royalston, and Phillipston was open. Phil Delorey stated that the hearing had been advertised in the December Athol Daily News. He stated that the Community Development Strategy must be submitted for any Block grants and that it is becoming practice for Town’s to use the document as a planning tool. Clint Shaw expressed his concern with the Town being locked into the “Town Priorities” list, a timeframe, and its order. Phil Delorey stated that order and a timeframe were not taken into consideration by those reviewing the applications.

Phil Delorey explained the Mass Housing ‘Get the Lead Out Program’ and stated that his department is working on the Housing Rehab program as well as a Homebuyer’s Education program. The latter will educate individuals with regard to predatory lending practices and scams focused toward seniors. Phil Delorey was informed of the COA weekly luncheons at which information can be provided and the monthly COA newsletter that is mailed to residents over 60 years of age.

The Community Development Strategy will be reviewed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. The Grant application will be reviewed no later than the February 6 Board meeting.

Nancy Allen moved to authorize Selectboard Chair Clint Shaw to sign all grant application related documents, to include the Interlocal Agreement, the Community Development Strategy as presented, and the Grant application documents. Clint Shaw seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

2. MINUTES

Nancy Allen moved to accept for purposes of discussion the executive session minutes of January 5, 2007. Clint Shaw seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

3. MEETING WITH OFFICER DAVID WHITNEY (SHERIFF’S DEPT) RE: GRANTS

Office Whitney did not attend the meeting.

4. CREATION OF OPEN SPACE COMMITTEE

Nancy Allen submitted a draft of the charge and goals for the Petersham Open Space Committee. Clint Shaw suggested that the Committee be responsible for creating a Town map and a status of all parcels. It was discussed that working with the map, the public could be educated with regard to tax deductions, estate planning, and how conservations restrictions work. Reporting to the Selectboard, the Planning Board, and the Conservation Commission on a yearly or semi-annual basis was also discussed. The committee creation will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

5. CREATION OF BUILDING AND SITES/TOWN CENTER COMMITTEE

Nancy Allen submitted a draft of the charge and goals for a Petersham Buildings and Sites Study Committee. A discussion followed of possibly splitting the charge into two parts, being part 1 which would not require funding for such things as hearings, discussions with Town residents, collecting information for developing funding requests, and part 2 which would require funds. The committee creation will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

6. FY06 TOWN REPORT

The Board was reminded that the FY06 Annual Town Report is due to the Administrative Coordinator by January 25, 2007.

7. HARVARD HEARING

The Grant of Easement for Harvard University with regard to Prospect Hill Road was received from Kopelman and Paige with a request for signature. The matter was tabled until the next meeting with a full Board.

8. CORRESPONDENCE

The Board reviewed the following:

North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce letter informing the Board of a meeting on January 22 regarding creation of a non-commercial radio station that will reach all nine Mt. Grace towns. Clint Shaw asked that the Chamber be contacted to inform it that Petersham is very interested and wants to be kept updated on this project. He further asked what involvement the Chamber might expect of Petersham in this project. City and Town, January 2007
DCR letter informing the Town that timber will be cut in the Federated Women’s Club State Forest. It was noted that the plan states the earliest start date could be December 8, 2006, but the certified letter was mailed January 13, 2007. Clint Shaw stated that this seems to defeat the purpose of review and asked that DCR be notified.
Inspector General letter offering a quick reference guide on public procurement procedures

9. PERMITS

Nancy Allen moved to renew the following business permits:

-Marc and Sandy Page, Sputtermill Ranch Llamas, for the operation of a farm located at 205 Monson Turnpike

-Ronald Rockel, for the business located a 266 Hardwick Road of a self-employed welder, heavy equipment maintenance, CDL Driver, and Class A operator working out of truck and repairing at site

Clint Shaw seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

10. OTHER BUSINESS

BOH Chair Fifi Scoufopoulos stated that the BOH has abandoned the idea for a central sewer system for the Town, but after the work completed, holds an engineering plan from the Ermini property on North Main Street down to the East Street Fire Station. It was agreed by the Selectboard and Fifi Scoufopoulos that the perc data on a parcel previously considered for the central sewer system is a public document.

Fifi Scoufopoulos stated she was informing the Board that a citizen petition would soon be presented to the Selectboard to actively pursue acquisition of the Nichewaug Inn for the Town and that its only intent is to show that there is an interest in the concept.

The Board discussed its upcoming site visit to the Davenport property on Friday. Clint Shaw stated that the Town needs to know what Mt. Grace’s interest/intent is in the property.

Police Chief Denis Legare stated that the Police Building Committee met with Rinehardt Associates and has agreed to hire the firm to complete the plans for the Police Station. He asked that the Selectboard approve his contacting Town Counsel for review of the contract as soon as it is received from Rinehardt. Nancy Allen moved that the Police Building Committee be authorized to send the contact between the Town and Rinehardt Associates to Town Counsel for review prior to signing. Clint Shaw seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.

Alf Berry entered the meeting at 7:20 p.m.

11. EXECUTIVE SESSION – CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS WITH POLICE CHIEF

7:22 p.m.- Clint Shaw stated the Board would be going into executive session to discuss contract negotiations and that business would not resume in open session upon completion of executive session. Alf Berry verbally moved to go into executive session. Nancy Allen verbally seconded the motion and the Board verbally VOTED UNANIMOUSLY.


12. ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Nancy Allen moved to adjourn. Alf Berry seconded the motion and VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Nancy S. Allen, Clerk