Select Board Meeting Minutes
Meeting date:
Monday, August 8, 2016
All meetings of the Select Board are recorded
The Board reserves the right to move parts of the agenda out of order and take up posted items either earlier/later.
ATTENDANCE: | Chairman, Russell S. Fox |
Vice-Chairman, Doug Moglin | |
Clerk, Joseph J. Deedy | |
Chief Administrative Officer, Karl J. Stinehart | |
Administrative Assistant, Sondra S. Pendleton | |
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: | See Attachment “A” - 1 Page(s) |
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, Russell S. Fox, at 6:00 p.m.
Work Session
RE: Medical Marijuana Facility
Everyone in attendance identified themselves.
James McMahon
Christopher Acosta
Chairperson of Planning Board, Roz Terry
Town Planner, Alan Slessler
Town Counsel, Benjamin Coyle and Thomas Reidy
Southwick Police Department, Sergeant Sanders
Southwick Police Department, Sergeant Landis
Board of Health Agent, Tom Fitzgerald
Building Inspector, Art Lawyer
Along with the 3 Select Board Members, Chief Administrative Officer and Administrative Asst.
The Select Board held a work session before their regular meeting. The work session was on behalf of a proposal from HealthWise Foundation Inc. A non-profit collective from Pittsfield, Mass. represented by James McMahon and Christopher Acosta. McMahon and Acosta were present to discuss a proposal to have a medical marijuana retail store at 185 College Highway. Mr. McMahon explained that the last business to operate on 185 College Highway was Berkshire Bank. Knowing that the bank already had the proper safety and security precautions in place, it is an important aspect towards the site plan for HealthWise. They also have a very strong security plan of their own. The business would be retail only and no product would be created on the site and no on site usage. The property is zoned business so retail is allowed by right. The business would be operating under very strict State and Federal Regulations. Key issues discussed: no chemicals in the medical marijuana that causes euphoria. They only want to sell it for medical purposes-not recreational. They are willing to discuss and enter into a Host Agreement with the Town. The Board will discuss in further detail at a future meeting. HealthWise is looking for signatures on a Letter of Non–Opposition, if the Board doesn’t support the proposal then the project would not be allowed in Town. See Attachment “B” - 12 Page(s).
The Board then discussed the Master Plan with the Planning Board. The Planning Board is looking for support to revise it, however, it is going to be expensive. For now they are looking for approval to revise the Business Restricted Zone. Mr. Moglin suggested they look into entering into a Community Compact Agreement with State to help defray the costs. Mrs. Terry stated the Planning Board will be petitioning to hold a hearing for the Business Zone.
6:50 p.m. Public Comments:
None.
Payroll/Payables Warrant
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to sign Payroll Warrant #1703, in the amount of $202,633.19, dated 8/8/16.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to Reaffirm Payables Warrant #1703B in the amount of $589,162.11, dated 8/1/16.
- Acceptance of Minutes
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve the Minutes of 7/25/16 as amended.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve the Executive Session Minutes of 7/25/16.
Bills, Mail, Correspondence, Vendor and/or Personnel Contracts, Personnel Decisions, Policy Adoptions, Payroll Actions, Old Business, New Business, Etc, Possible Motions/Votes:
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to appoint the following to LEPC:
Charles H. Dunlap | Director, Southwick Emergency Management Agency |
Thomas FitzGerald | Health Officer, Southwick Board of Health |
Karl J. Stinehart | Chief Administrative Officer, Town of Southwick |
Roy Benson | Southwick Council on Aging |
Doug Moglin | Board of Selectmen |
Dennis Clark | Southwick Cable TV Channel 15/ConCom |
Jennifer Willard | Superintendent, STRSD |
Stephen J. Presnal | Business Manager, STRSD |
Karen Wzorek | Supervisor, STRSD Transportation |
Brian Houlihan | Plant Director, American Inn |
Russ Anderson | Chief, Southwick Fire Department |
Bruce Bussiere | Emergency Coordinator, Noble Hospital |
Randy Brown | DPW Director |
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve and post the Town Accountant Job Posting.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve the updated/revised Town Accountant Job Description.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve 2 – Southwick Police Department MOU’s with IBPO for shifts/assignments.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Deedy, seconded by Mr. Moglin (Vote – Unanimous) to accept a Southwick Police Department R.A.D. donation from the Republican Town Committee in the amount of $500.00. The Board disclosed their membership with the Republican Party.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve to join MCWRS Appeal of EPA MS4 General Permit and to pay the initial fee to join ($500.00) out of the Selectmen Gift Account.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to authorize an Agreement with Tighe & Bond Engineers for the School Sewer Connection Project for design, permit, bid out and construction oversight services.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to sign the Warrant 2016 State Primary Election.
- The Board received the Secretary of State Primary Voter Requirements time change.
- The Board received a thank you from the Rotary Club for the $2,000.00 donation from the Selectmen Gift Account to help in supporting “Southwick Days”.
- Legal Counsel will be asked how to handle infractions (i.e. invited in for discussion vs. hearing) regarding the Class II Car Dealership License for Complete Auto Inc. The Board received a list of infractions from the Southwick Police Department Car Licensing Agent Officer Miles.
- The Board signed a Certification of Appreciation for Kathy Lynch who retired as the Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools.
- A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to approve an amended Tighe & Bond Agreement for the DPW A.S.T. Project at 661 College Highway Garage.
Discussions
Old Business:
- Ongoing review of Special Municipal Employee designations and approval of disclosure will be discussed at the next meeting.
- The Board stated that the Library Fire Sprinkler Projects pipes have arrived and the project is moving forward.
- Master Plan and Town Overlay District discussion: done earlier in the meeting.
- Request for opinion on Medical Marijuana Facility: Board will act on at future meeting.
- War Memorial Project Update: Mr. Deedy and Mr. Stinehart will be in charge of a sub-committee. Financially everything is in good order. The monument needs to be over sprayed and the backside is deteriorating, which will need to be taken care of.
- Mr. Stinehart gave an update on the Net Meter Credit Assignment.
- Mr. Stinehart stated the CDBG/CDF Grant Contract from DHCD is coming soon. The draft contract from PVPC is coming and Veteran Street will have a fall bid and spring start schedule to repair the street.
- Mr. Stinehart stated the Whalley Park CPA Phase II bid specifications are being developed with Park and Rec. and RLA Associates.
- The Wick338 will be in to the next meeting to discuss how Motocross went.
New Business:
None.
No Executive Session was held.
Respectfully submitted,
- Sondra S. Pendleton
- Administrative Assistant