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Select Board Meeting Minutes

Meeting date: 
Monday, July 24, 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
 
 
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 6:00 p.m.

 

Public Comments:
There were no public comments.

 

6:05 p.m. Labor Counsel Dupere and Peter Savage re: Adoption MGL Ch. 32B Sec 21-23:

 

The Select Board met with Labor Counsel and Peter Savage to vote to adopt MGL Ch 32B Sec 21-23. Labor Counsel gave a brief overview of the Municipal Health Insurance Reform Law.
There was discussion of benefits, costs and time lines. A Time Table was presented. Please see attachment. Union Presidents that were present were DPW, Clerical, Police and Library.
A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by J. Deedy (Vote- Unanimous) the Town of Southwick Select Board elects to engage in the process to change health insurance benefits under MGL Ch. 32B Subsection 21 through 23.

 

6:15 p.m. Fire Chief / Town Counsel Covered Bridge:

 

Dana Cereone, Edward Carroll, and Paul Degray, 416 College  met with the Select Board to discuss concerns as to the structural stability for access by emergency vehicles unto the covered bridge located off College Highway. There are 4 parcels of land that the bridge serves access to. Town Counsel explained it is clear in the Declaration of Covenants and Easements that it is equally responsible by the property owners to share the expense and maintenance of the bridge. Town Counsel contacted Gill Engineering for a cost on a study and to inspect. The cost could range from $10k - $15k. It was decided that the Select Board would grant a two week continuance to give the property owners time to schedule an engineer to evaluate and inspect the bridge. They are to report to the Fire Chief when a date is scheduled so he can be on site at the time of inspection. The Select Board will schedule a continuance date of 8/7/2017 time to be determined. This will not be necessary if the Fire Chief is satisfied with the inspection and evaluation that the property owners schedule.

 

6:35 p.m. Dog Hearing Continuance / Newton 20 Eagle Street:

 

Mr. Moglin, Chairman opened the Dog Hearing Continuance at 6:35 p.m. He reminded the parties were still under oath. Mr. Moglin asked for ACO, Tracy Root’s findings. T. Root stated as of Friday the gate was still not secured. Cindy (female dog) still has not been vaccinated or licensed. The Newtons said that the fence was fixed on Saturday. They were not able to keep the vet appointment for July 24, 2017. The appointment is rescheduled for 7/28/2017 at 10:00 a.m. at Dakin. Mr. Rutola stated the fence is completely inadequate. The Select Board made it very clear to the Newtons that they were not in compliance with the terms of the July 10th Hearing and it is a very serious situation. The Select Board will pursue the fines and the next step would be court. The Select Board’s conditions are as follows:
Tracy Root, ACO and Art Lawler, Building Inspector will make a site visit to 20 Eagle Street to evaluate and recommend fencing. Cindy (female dog) will be vaccinated and licensed on or before July 31, 2017 before Town Hall closing. The hearing will be continued on August 7, 2017 time to be determined.
Mr. Moglin closed the Dog Hearing at 6:50 p.m.

 

6:50 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 1801, dated July 10, 2017, in the amount of $268,489.30.
A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to sign and approve:
  • The Open Session minutes of July 10, 2017 and July 18, 2017 were approved.
  • The Select Board voted to approve to surplus and dispose of 13 old fire helmets.
  • The Select Board received an invitation to the Southwick Library 125th Birthday Celebration on Friday August 4, 2017.
  • The Select Board accepted the following Police Department donations:
$8,000.00 from Mr. John Jeneral cost for purchasing K-9. The Select Board would like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Jeneral for their generous gift and will be inviting them to a future Select Board meeting.
$100.00 from Ms. Maher for the K-9 program.
$200.00 from Mr. Hart for the K-9 program
$50.00 from Mr. Rankin for the K-9 program
$25.00 from Mrs. Caroll for the K-9 program.
$25.00 from Mrs. Alberti for the Citizens Police Academy.
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.

 

  • Sean Stopa was appointed as an alternate Electrical Inspector for mutual aid.
  • An email notification regarding the Congamond Alum Treatment requesting the Select Board to draft a letter to the legislature to help fund the treatment.
  • A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to approve a one day liquor license for 8/5/2017 Southwick Inn Block Party.
  • A notification of Mass DOT reflective signs on state routes.
  • A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to authorize the Chairman to execute another Nexamp Net Metering Agreement.
  • A MOTION was made by J. Deedy, seconded by R. Fox (Vote- Unanimous) to authorize Town Counsel Taking Orders for MA DOT Congamond Road Project.
  • An update on the Feeding Hills Road Eastern Section Paving Review from Randy Brown, DPW Director. A MOTION was made by R. Fox, seconded by J. Deedy (Vote- Unanimous) to use Town funds to pave the section of Feeding Hills Road.
  • The Select Board signed a discharge of lien in the amount of $8,300.00 for 123 Fred Jackson Road.
Old Business:
  • Cat and Dog Adoption fees tabled until 8/21/2017
  • Remainder of Re-appointments for FY 18 tabled until 8/7/2017
New Business:

 

  • Police Chief will be retiring; the Select Board will have to start thinking of recruitment process.
  • The Select Board mentioned all of the events over the week-end, well attended, beautiful fireworks, One Call Away Parade successful. All the donations were greatly appreciated. There were thank you cards given out by the spectators showing appreciation to all that serve and have served. A great week-end for all that participated.
A MOTION was made by Mr. Moglin, seconded by Mr. Deedy (Vote – Unanimous) to go into Executive Session at 7:10 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)