September 13, 2010
Present was Robert J. Garrity, James M. Tomaszewski, James C. Lehan, Jack Hathaway, Town Administrator and Marian Harrington, Executive Assistant.
Rob Garrity called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Rob announced this meeting is video and audio taped. Jack Hathaway read the agenda.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Present were EDC members Bob Nicodemus, Walter Byron, Greg Mirliss, and Chris Watson along with Butch Vito, DPW Director.
Bob Nicodemus said the EDC will present two articles for the fall town meeting.
He said we should adopt infrastructure to help build the town center, which he explained on his first map. The second map shows potential new construction if there is infrastructure to support it. Norfolk Commons has its own infrastructure without stormwater capability.
Bob said they have done a feasibility study and found it is feasible. At the lowest assessment, we could bring in revenue of $490,000. They found three sources of grants. One to set up a wastewater utility, one to set up a stormwater utility, and they have applied for a PWED and a PDF grant.
Jim L. said he and his committee have done yeoman’s work and he thanked them. Jim is very supportive of both of these conceptually. Jim was focusing on the cost. He said the next few years are going to be bad and he is very sensitive to our operational budget. We can’t incur any debt in the short term. He supports the business partner concept and encourages EDC to go forward with that. He is concerned about the cost. It’s how we get there.
The Board questioned financing and Bob said there are grants available. There is a growth incentive program.
Jim L. is all for the articles. He feels they are the first step. But he is very cautious about steps 2 and 3. He worries about it. He said he was reacting to the 300-500, which terrifies him.
Rob asked if there will be language and home rule petition by the end of the week. Bob said yes. Bob will provide the Board with the backup financial information.
The Board approved these articles for the fall town meeting.
CHIEF BUSHNELL, FLAMMABLE STORAGE LICENSES
Fire Chief Cole Bushnell was present. He told the Board that after the explosion at The Village at Rivers Edge, the Fire Marshal asked about licensure.
The Board heard three license applications for flammable storage licenses at The Village at Rivers Edge, Pin Oaks and Norfolk Commons. Cole said the explosion was a construction accident and other issues have become a national incident regarding the odor in the propane. The State Fire Marshal is going to issue a memo to all Fire Chiefs’ that condos should be licensed.
Jim Lehan moved to grant a license to The Village at Rivers Edge for storage of propane; 42,000 gallons. Jim Tomaszewski seconded. Jim Lehan said gas has been notable in the news lately. Jim Lehan said that this would not have become as national as it is if it had not been for Chief Bushnell’s initiatives. Attorney General Martha Coakley has traced it all the way back to Illinois. Energy USA has been stellar and cooperative. They are the middle man. Chief Bushnell had no concerns, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to grant a license to Pin Oaks for storage of propane; 11,500 gallons. Jim Tomaszewski seconded. Chief Bushnell had no concerns, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to grant a license to Norfolk Commons for storage of propane; 16,000 gallons. Jim Tomaszewski seconded. Chief Bushnell had no concerns, and it was so voted.
ROAD LAYOUTS
Jack mentioned five roads that need to be laid out for acceptance at the fall town meeting. The five roads are: Kilpatrick Way, Lee Ann Drive, Berry Lane, Sherwood Drive and David Road.
Jim Lehan moved to layout Kilpatrick Way and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to layout Lee Ann Drive and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to layout Berry Lane and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to layout Sherwood Drive and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to layout David Road and refer the layout to the Planning Board. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Action Items
Jim Lehan moved to allow Pack 125 Cub Scouts permission to sell popcorn at the Transfer Station on October 9, 16 and 23rd from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to allow the Norfolk Lions Club permission to sell raffle tickets at the Transfer Station on September 11th and September 18th from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Jim Tomaszewski recused himself as he is in the Lions Club. Rob Garrity seconded, and it was so voted.
Jim Lehan moved to allow David Kennedy, on behalf of Adam’s ARMY Run, permission to install a banner on town hill advertising the race. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
Old Business
Jack said he attended a meeting in Boston on the PWED grant. We have good support from Barney Frank, Sen. Brown and Sen. Ross. We also have the support of SWAP. We should find out in October.
Rob announced the retirement of Butch Vito on December 31, 2010. Rob said he always had a vision and passion for the Town of Norfolk.
Jack said the Southwood deal may materialize this week. They are talking of a residential plan. The buyers are still interested in the property.
Jack said the School Building Committee has met a couple times. They voted changes to get the cost under budget.
Jim Tomaszewski said the School Committee approved the access road. No decision was made on what would happen to the road after the project is completed.
Jim L. announced a Norfolk baseball team went to Cooperstown, and congratulated them.
Jack mentioned meeting with Art Roberts from Mass Development on Sept. 30th. He will invite EDC as well.
Rob mentioned the primary and told everyone to go and vote. Jack mentioned town meeting technology committee and that they would be signing people up at the primary.
At 8:21 p.m., being no further business, Jim Lehan moved to adjourn the meeting. Jim Tomaszewski seconded, and it was so voted.
This is a true and accurate report of the Selectmen’s Meeting of September 13, 2010.
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James C. Lehan, Clerk
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