PRESENT:     Selectmen Joseph A. Sergi, Patrick J. McNabb, and Joseph Hallisey; Robert Hanson, Town Administrator; Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant

The meeting was called to order at 7:04 PM. 

EXECUTIVE SESSION #1: At 7:04 PM, Mr. McNabb moved that the Board of Selectmen enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing possible land acquisitions.  Mr. Hallisey seconded.  Mr. Sergi announced that the Board would return to open session following the executive session, and that Robert Hanson, Town Administrator, Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant, Frank Hartnett, Sr., and Frank Hartnett, Jr. would be included in the session.  A roll call vote was taken as follows:

            Joseph Sergi                             Aye

            Patrick McNabb                      Aye

            Joseph Hallisey             Aye

At 7:50 PM the Board voted to exit the executive session and return to open session as noted in the Executive Session #1 minutes of August 24, 2009. 

ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:  On a motion by Mr. McNabb and seconded by Mr. Hallisey, the minutes of the Joint FinCom/Board of Selectmen meeting of August 4, 2009, and the minutes of the meeting of August 10, 2009 regular and executive session were unanimously approved. 

APPROVE WARRANT/SIGN PURCHASE ORDERS: The Board signed the warrants. 

PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Sergi announced the Lawrence Library has three Kill A Watt EZ devices available to borrow, that lets you determine how much your electronic gadgets are costing you in utility bills.  The devices were purchased by the Friends of the Lawrence Library.

Mr. McNabb announced vacancies on the newly created Efficiency Committee, term to be determined.  The Board agreed to extend the deadline until September 10, 2009.

APPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS:

Item #1 –Appointments: Election Workers: On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. McNabb, it was unanimously voted to make the following Election Worker appointments, with terms to expire 8/31/09:

Adele B. Spoth Precinct 1 Clerk 

Jerrilyn Bozicas Precinct 1 Deputy Clerk

Michael J. Recco Precinct 1 Deputy Warden

Jenny S. Crisman Precinct 1 Inspector

Linda M. Hadley Precinct 1 Inspector

Carol J. Hasse Precinct 1 Inspector

Elaine M. Jefferson Precinct 1 Inspector

Mary Alise Manley Precinct 1 Inspector

Ellen G. Marcoux Precinct 1 Inspector

Theresa C. McPartlan Precinct 1 Inspector

Ann M. Nieva Precinct 1 Inspector

Lynda J. Pozerski Precinct 1 Inspector

Elizabeth Rossi Precinct 1 Inspector

Paul Spoth Precinct 1 Inspector

Jacquelyn L. West Precinct 1 Inspector

Mary L.Williams Precinct 1 Inspector

Craig R.Williams Precinct 1 Warden

BarbaraCronin Precinct 2 Clerk

Rose M.Landry Precinct 2 Deputy Clerk

David E.Theall Precinct 2 Deputy Warden

Alice M.Peck Precinct 2 Inspector

Martin R. Beck Precinct 2 Inspector 

Gertrude T. Dapcic Precinct 2 Inspector

Joan M. Katsines Precinct 2 Inspector

Joan P. Ladik Precinct 2 Inspector

Thomas R. Landry Precinct 2 Inspector

Lorna R. Levi Precinct 2 Inspector

Mary E. Lynch Precinct 2 Inspector

Suzanne C. Marchand Precinct 2 Inspector

Thomas J. McGrath Precinct 2 Inspector

Leann Phoenix Precinct 2 Inspector

Barbara Z. Stromsted Precinct 2 Inspector

Diane P. Temple Precinct 2 Inspector

Winifred M. Wheeler Precinct 2 Inspector

Mary J. Theall Precinct 2 Warden

Diane B. Karr Precinct 3 Clerk

Elizabeth B.Hunt Precinct 3 Deputy Clerk

Barbara A.Smith Precinct 3 Deputy Warden

Janet M.Cramb Precinct 3 Inspector

Patricia W.LeBlanc Precinct 3 Inspector

Doris E.Livadas Precinct 3 Inspector

Margaret L.Lowry Precinct 3 Inspector

Amos J. Mahony Precinct 3 Inspector 

Virginia I. Malouin Precinct 3 Inspector

Madge A. Meehan Precinct 3 Inspector

Ruth O. Moses Precinct 3 Inspector

Marjory V. Nickerson Precinct 3 Inspector

Judith A. Nolan Precinct 3 Inspector

Joan Paden Precinct 3 Inspector

Dorothy Prozeller Precinct 3 Inspector

Jennifer Putnam Precinct 3 Inspector

Suzanne C. Rowse Precinct 3 Inspector

George Ux Precinct 3 Inspector

Joan E. Ux Precinct 3 Inspector

Grace H. Williams Precinct 3 Inspector

Carole M. Babineau Precinct 3 Warden

Item #2 – Appointments: Mill Site Study Committee: The Board reviewed letters of interest from Joan Ladik and Sharon Santy, who are requesting appointment to the Mill Site Study Committee.  On a motion by Mr. McNabb and seconded by Mr. Hallisey, it was unanimously voted to appoint Ms. Ladik and Ms. Santy to the Mill Site Study Committee, term to expire at the completion of the project.

ACTION ITEMS:

Item #1 – Public Hearing – Pierce Street Pole Petition:  The hearing was opened at 8:02 PM.  Mr. McNabb read the notice of public hearing.  Ken Dobey from National Grid was present and explained this pole will provide power to new homes being constructed across the street; the power lines will be underground from the pole to the homes. 

There were no comments from other boards or from those in attendance.  The Board had no questions.

On a motion by Mr. Hallisey and seconded by Mr. McNabb, it was unanimously voted to close the hearing and approve the petition as presented.

Item #2 – Discussion: Cable TV Advisory Committee: Mr. Sergi stated that Richard Potts was present at the meeting, and is interested in getting this committee going again.  Mr. Potts is particularly interested in the Town’s cable contract, which expires in January.  Mr. Potts provided the board with the names of people interested in serving on the committee.  Mr. Sergi would like the board to determine if it is feasible to have a committee to help with the cable contract renewal.  Mr. Hanson remarked having a committee to review the contract would be a long process, whereas the Board of Selectmen could expedite the contract.  He stated he provided a copy of the proposed new contract to David Peabody, who was a member of the Cable TV Advisory Committee and has technical expertise in this area, and he didn’t see any issues with the document.

Mr. Sergi stated he sees the value with having a committee to review the contract, and to get input from citizens.  Mr. Hanson remarked that people on the committee would not be familiar with the process.  The Town can not regulate rates or broadcast content.  The Board could have input regarding use of the studio, equipment provided to the Town, providing educational channels, and where in the Town they will provide service.  Mr. Hanson stated the video set-up in Town Hall is not included in the current agreement.  Mr. Sergi stated he does not have a problem with delegating this to a committee of three.  Mr. Hanson stated the previous committee had been comprised of five members.  The Board agreed to solicit citizen activity forms to fill the vacancies on the committee.  Mr. Hanson suggested that, once the committee is appointed, they should have one meeting with Mr. Peabody.

OLD/NEW BUSINESS:

Item #1 – Peter Fitzpatrick School Closure: Mr. Hanson stated the school superintendent agreed to take on the closure/mothballing of the school, and a property walk-through was to be scheduled to include Town parties.  Early in July we received 24-hours’ notice on the walk-through; Mr. Hanson asked that it be rescheduled.  He heard nothing back until we received the report included in the Selectmen’s meeting packets.  The report addresses plumbing and heating only.  Building Inspector Harry Cullinan and Fire Chief Toby Tyler went through the building recently and found it to be in fine condition; Mr. Cullinan’s concerns are included in a memo in the Board’s meeting packets.  The Inspector’s opinion is that option #2 is the only viable way of shutting down the building.  Mr. Hanson told Business Manager Gerry Martin that the report doesn’t cover other questions, such as what will be left in the school (kitchen equipment, lockers, etc.), what the status of the security system is, and whether the portable classrooms will be removed.  A lot more thinking is required; if the Board wants to meet with district representatives, it would have to be scheduled for a night other than Monday.  Mr. Hanson will send a detailed memo with a list of outstanding issues.

Mr. McNabb stated he spoke with Building Superintendent Oscar Hills, and told him he would like to inspect the building.  Mr. Hills told Mr. McNabb that they will remove anything that is not physically attached to the walls.

Mr. Sergi asked if the chalkboards would be removed.  Mr. Hanson stated that removing the chalkboards could then require repairs to the walls.  It is unclear what renovations the Town would want to do.  If the building is used for Town purposes, it will require major renovation and need air conditioning installed.  We would need to hire our own consultant to determine suitable re-use.

Discussion ensued relative to whether it would be in the Town’s best interest to hire its own consultant to advise on the closure/mothballing of the building as well as potential re-use.

Mr. Sergi stated he would like to do a walkthrough; Mr. Hallisey agreed, and would like to schedule this on a Saturday morning.    Mr. Hanson remarked there is a provision in the lease that the school must be returned to the Town in the same condition that it was given to them.  He is still trying to determine how we can make them remove the portable classrooms.

Mr. McNabb stated he does not want to see this drag on.  Mr. Sergi asked if the Town must take the building on October 1st.  Mr. Hanson remarked he was not sure if they gave us written notice, which is a requirement of the lease.

Item #2 – Any other Old/New Business: Mr. Sergi stated that the Board has agreed on two finalists to be interviewed for the position of Town Accountant – Michael Guzzo from Boxborough and Bobbi Jo Colburn from Shirley.  Mr. Sergi stated he would like to schedule interviews for August 31st if possible.  Mr. McNabb asked who would generate the questions to be asked of the candidates.  Mr. Hanson suggested the Board not formulate their questions in an open meeting.  Mr. Sergi asked Mr. Hanson to come up with 10-15 questions.

Mr. Sergi acknowledged letters Mr. Hanson wrote to Nashoba Valley Technical High School and North Middlesex Regional School District relative to the Town’s five-year plan and the decision to 0-out budget increases.

EXECUTIVE SESSION #2: At 8:50 PM, Mr. McNabb moved that the Board of Selectmen enter into an Executive Session for the purpose of discussing contract negotiations.  Mr. Hallisey seconded.  Mr. Sergi announced that the Board would adjourn following the executive session, and that Kyle Keady would be included in the session.  A roll call vote was taken as follows:

            Joseph Sergi                             Aye

            Patrick McNabb                      Aye

            Joseph Hallisey             Aye

ADJOURNMENT: At 11:15 PM the Board voted to exit the executive session and adjourn as noted in the Executive Session #2 minutes of August 24, 2009

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Peggy Mazzola, Administrative Assistant

 

APPROVED:

 

 

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Joseph A. Sergi, Chairman

 

 

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Patrick J. McNabb, Clerk

 

 

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Joseph Hallisey