Present: Edward Melanson, Chairman; Harvey Nasuti, Vice-Chairman; Jack Hathaway, Member
Ms. Donna Jones video-taped meeting.
Convened 6:05 p.m. in Room 214, Town Hall
Mr. Melanson opened the meeting by introducing the Board Members and Mr. Vito, Interim Director of Public Works.
Mr. Melanson began by deferring the Open Public Forum for later in the meeting.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes of March 30, 2005. Mr. Hathaway second. Votes in favor unanimous. So moved.
Mr. Vito updated the Board on Departmental issues. Mr. Vito discussed the bid/award he presented to the Board of Selectmen regarding 2 snow fighting DPW vehicles. Mr. Vito explained the process and the correlation of bid, award then purchase by lowest bidder. Mr. Vito stated this process is contingent on Town Meeting vote.
Mr. Vito discussed a meeting he attended at the Town of Millis with Mr. Charles Aspinwall, Millis Town Administrator; Mr. Garry McCarthy, Dufresne-Henry, Mr. Russell Tierney, WhiteWater, Inc.; and Mr. John Olivieri regarding proposed water purchase from the Town of Millis. Mr. Vito provided the Board with a summation memo drafted April 13, 2005, by Mr. McCarthy regarding the feasibility of connectivity, i.e. costs, booster pumping, concerns, etc. Mr. Vito informed the Board of the short and long term benefits of connecting with Millis. Mr. Vito discussed the Well #3 site and the need to set up a meeting with Franklin as soon as possible. Mr. Vito advised the Board that Franklin has the same interest to purchase water from Millis and also Norfolk’s Well #3.
Mr. Vito informed the Board that Mr. McCarthy is working on calculations of approved current connections of industrial parks, etc. and required water availability. Mr. Vito stated he’d met with the Planning Board to apprise them of the situation. Mr. Vito went on to say that D-H will be calculating consumption figurers on all sub-divisions. Mr. Vito stressed that commercial and industrial consumption would be less than residential. Mr. Vito also informed the Board that connectivity with Wrentham State School off Union Street is also being reviewed as an option.
Mr. Nasuti discussed solidifying short term solutions such as the State School well and connectivity with Millis to solve our immediate problems.
Mr. Hathaway discussed some analysis the Selectmen have done regarding build up of Town.
Mr. Vito discussed Capital money and projects. Mr. Vito informed the Board that in 1996 the Town did vote to approve the borrowing funds for Mill River. Mr. Hathaway stated the money had not been expended but is reflected in the rate structure. Mr. Hathaway stressed the ability to borrow the money is there.
Mr. Vito informed the Board he’s had to go back to the FY 06 Budget and do some more cutting, i.e. Road Program by $200,000. Mr. Vito stated there will be a layoff in the Highway Department. Mr. Vito met with the Recreation Commission and apprised them services would be reduced. Mr. Vito reiterated some other functions done for other Departments and any projected expansions will not happen due to staff shortages.
Mr. Melanson began the Open Public Forum by asking any of the 3 residents in attendance if they had anything to discuss with the Board. Mr. John Olivieri stated he is optimistic regarding Millis. Mr. Olivieri suggested obtaining some nice to know useful information on outstanding projects such as immediate consumption requirements.
Mr. Olivieri stated he’ll inquire at the Planning Board regarding steps a new developer takes. Ms. Jones inquired about the Freeman Centennial School dug outs which were torn down. Mr. Vito informed Ms. Jones they were a torn down because they were a safety hazard but the sports organizations are going to rebuild them not the Town.
Mr. Melanson began the General Discussion portion of the meeting by informing the other Board members he’d received the resignations of both former Water Commissioners, Ms. Donna Putt and Ms. Deborah Robbins. Both former Board of Public Works member stated personal reasons for resigning. Mr. Melanson reiterated the written Legislation doesn’t allow the filling of the vacancies without coming back to Town Meeting and making a modification to the Legislation. Mr. Melanson explained if approved at Town Meeting it would go back to Legislators and have an amendment to allow 2 members to be appointed. The replacement process would allow a joint approval/selection by the Boards of Selectmen and Public Works. Mr. Melanson explained the amount of members needed for a quorum is 2, based on input from the Town,
with 3 active members.
Mr. Vito explained each member was provided cover sheets for the bill warrants explaining what the charges were for by Division.
Mr. Nasuti requested Mr. Vito explain the filling of an Assistant Foreman position. Mr. Vito explained this was a fill of a vacancy with an in-house person for a 90 day probation period. Mr. Vito will provide the Board with his recommendation after the 90 day period for either a Truck Driver position or to advertise for the Assistant Foremen position.
Mr. Hathaway discussed the potential water shut-offs. Mr. Vito explained the status. Mr. Vito informed the Board too many man hours are expended with this process. Mr. Vito explained he’s trying to review all the water processes in order to streamline the system.
Mr. Nasuti discussed contact with one of the interested applicants for pumping station operator. Mr. Vito indicated he’d like to meet and discuss benefits, etc. with the applicant. Mr. Nasuti reiterated a need to get someone licensed on board. Mr. Melanson inquired if someone hired in this position would come on board as a union employee. Mr. Vito responded he’d talked to the union and this person would be hired as a union employee.
Mr. Melanson discussed e-mails from Mr. Lehan regarding paving issues. Mr. Vito stated Pennacook is on the Road Program to be paved in 06.
Mr. Vito discussed the easement to access to tank on Liberty Lane.
Mr. Vito discussed the 115 project, advantages in being ready with 100% PS & E complete design for funding, Chapter 90 and the Roads Program.
Mr. Melanson discussed Town Meeting preparation, e.g., discussion for Stabilization and Capital funds. Mr. Hathaway indicated the Capital Outlay Committee is planning on doing a presentation on the Stabilization Funds.
Mr. Melanson indicated he’ll set the Agenda for the next scheduled meeting of April 27, 2005 but will not be attending.
Mr. Nasuti requested Mr. Vito inform the Board when he schedules any meetings regarding additional wells or connections, e.g. Millis, Franklin, etc., to give an opportunity to any of the Board members to attend.
Mr. Nasuti made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Hathaway second. Vote in favor unanimous.
Meeting Adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
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