Select Board Meeting Minutes
Meeting date:
Monday, August 7, 2017
All meetings of the Select Board are recorded
ATTENDANCE: | Chairman, Doug Moglin | X |
Vice-Chairman, Joseph J. Deedy | X | |
Clerk, Russell S. Fox | X | |
Chief Administrative Officer, Karl J. Stinehart | X | |
Administrative Assistant, Robin A. Solek | X |
The Public Body convened in Open Session according to M.G.L. c.30A, S21 (b) (1).
The scheduled meeting of the Select Board was called to order by Chairman, Doug Moglin, at 5:45 p.m.
5:45 p.m. Dog Hearing Continuance / Newton 20 Eagle Street:
Mr. Moglin, Chairman opened the Dog Hearing Continuance at 5:45 p.m. He reminded the parties were still under oath. Mr. Moglin recognized that the Newtons were not present at the opening of the Hearing. Mr. Moglin asked Brett Colson, Assistant ACO what the condition the fence gate was in. He replied it still was not adequate and there were areas of the fencing that the dogs could escape. Mr. Rutola confirmed the gate still needed improvements. The Select Board’s conditions are as follows:
A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by J. Deedy (Vote- Unanimous) to authorize Mr. Stinehart to contact Town Counsel for recommendations on how to proceed.
The hearing will be continued on August 21, 2017 time to be determined.
Mr. Moglin closed the Dog Hearing at 5:50 p.m.
5:50 p.m. Payroll/Payables Warrant and Acceptance of Minutes, Bills, Mail, Correspondence, Vendor and/or Personnel Contracts, Personnel Decisions, Policy Adoptions, Payroll Actions, Old Business, New Business, Etc., Possible Motions/Votes:
The below warrants were acknowledged by the Chairman.
- Payables Warrant 1804 B, dated July 31, 2017, in the amount of $201,896.28.
A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to sign and approve:
- The Open Session minutes of July 24, 2017 were approved.
- The Executive Session minutes of July 24, 2017 were approved.
- The Select Board voted to adopt EMS Basic / Paramedic Call Force pay system.
- The Select Board signed a proclamation for the Southwick Library’s 125th Birthday.
- The Select Board accepted the following Police Department donations:
$300.00 from Lakewood Village Apartments for the K-9 program.
$50.00 from Mr. & Mrs. Vincent for the K-9 program
$25.00 from Ms. Nickett for the K-9 program.
All of the donations are greatly appreciated by the Police Department and Select Board. Thank you for the generosity and support of the said programs.
- An invoice #9 in the amount of $11, 605.61 for Community Development Block Grant.
- The Select Board accepted the resignation from SEMA, Auxiliary, and C.E.R.T. member, Mr. Barton.
- A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to approve a one day liquor license for 8/30/2017 Southwick Rotary Club Free Concert on 8/30/2017 at Whalley Park.
- A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to authorize the Chief Administrative Officer to lock in a one year contract for electricity supply.
- A memo was received from DPW Director, R. Brown notifying the Select Board of an easement that will be necessary for sidewalk improvements at 42 Depot Street. The Board okayed access to Town Counsel to secure easement.
6:00 p.m. Select Board & S.T.G.R.S.D. School Committee Vacancy Interview:
The above parties held a joint interview and Roll Call Vote appointment selection for the vacancy on the School Committee.
The five candidates interviewed for the position:
- Chelsea Berry
- Colleen Moren
- Mike Ryan
- Amy Stack
- Sara Vocca
Each candidate was asked the same six questions.(See attached) After each candidate was interviewed the STGRSD & Select Board expressed what an excellent well qualified pool of candidates that were interviewed. It made for a difficult decision to make.
A MOTION was made by J. Houle, seconded by G. LeBlanc to appoint Sara Vocca. No roll call vote.
A MOTION was made by J. Boldyga, seconded by M. Seddon to appoint Amy Stack. No roll call vote.
A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by D. Moglin to appoint C. Berry. No roll call vote.
A lengthy discussion of qualifications of strong experience with education vs other types of experience in the various candidates was deliberated at the table.
A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by M. Seddon to appoint Amy Stack. Roll Call Vote: J. Houle: Yes; G. LeBlanc: Yes; M. Seddon; J. Boldyga: Yes; R. Fox: Yes; J. Deedy: Yes; D. Moglin: Yes.
Amy Stack was appointed to fill the remaining 2 year term on the S.T.G.R.S.D. School Committee through May of 2019. Ms. Stack was informed to contact the Town Clerk Office to be sworn in.
7:00 p.m. Public Comments:
There were no public comments.
Cont’d: Bills, Mail, Correspondence, Vendor and/or Personnel Contracts, Personnel Decisions, Policy Adoptions, Payroll Actions, Old Business, New Business, Etc., Possible Motions/Votes:
- A notification from DPW Director, R. Brown informing the Select Board additional compensation is requested by 55 Congamond Road, 61 Congamond Road and 51 Congamond Road. The Board went over the three locations in detail with the DPW Director.
- A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by J. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve $735.00 for 55 Congamond Road and $1,000.00 for 61 Congamond Road. A third request for 51 Congamond Road was not resolved due to the lack of correspondence from the homeowner.
- A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to sign and execute a lengthy list of Taking Orders prepared by Town Counsel for the MA DOT Route 168 Congamond Road Project.
- A letter was received from Bruce Mason concerning Lake Access on North Pond from Bungalow Heights. The Select Board will have Lake Management review with their input within 30 days.
- A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to vote that the maximum useful life of the departmental equipment in the amount of $238,000.00 with a useful life of 10 years for the DPW dump truck borrowing.
- A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to approve a sick bank leave request in the amount of 2 weeks for Mrs. Pendleton.
Old Business:
- The R.F. P. for the Wireless Tower has been sent out to the Central Register and Westfield Evening News.
- The R.F.P. for the Old Library has been sent out to the Central Register and Westfield Evening News.
- The underground tanks will be removed by fall. The new tanks are almost complete.
- A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by J. Deedy (Vote- Unanimous) to appoint Dave Hopkins to Community Preservation Committee.
- Two new appointment slips will need COA Director’s initials of recommendation before the Select Board will vote to appoint.
New Business:
- Police Chief will be retiring; the Select Board will review the job description and determine its process for recruitment.
- There was discussion of CPC % going down from the State. Copies of the article will be distributed to various boards, committees and commissions.
- The Select Board would like copies of Town Report past winners to review for ideas or thoughts.
- Mr. & Mrs. Goodchild, 55 Congamond Road discussed the water drainage issue on their property. During heavy rainfall certain areas of their back yard temporarily flood. It has been evaluated by a design consultant, Conservation Commission and Mass DEP. It was decided to seek consultation from Mass D.O.T. Environmental. The Select Board will revisit the Congamond Road issues in one month.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to go into Executive Session at 8:40 p.m. regarding M.G.L. Chap. 30A, S20 (b), S21 (2) (3) & (7), Ch. 214, Section 1B, not to reconvene to open session.
ROLL CALL VOTE: Mr. Deedy - Yes, Mr. Moglin - Yes, Mr. Fox - Yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Robin A. Solek
Administrative Assistant (Appointed)