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Town of AmherstBoard of SelectmenJuly 31, 2006
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Chairman Bruce Bowler called the session to order at 6:08 p.m. Selectmen present: Thomas Grella, Reed Panasiti, George Infanti and Jay Dinkel. Also present Town Administrator Gary MacGuire and Executive Assistant Sharon Frydlo.
Mr. Bowler advised he had come up with five goals he would like to see accomplished: Department reviews, Group I Retirement, Fire Department / EMS merger, next Phase of the Community Septic System and funding for the Road Plan. He had just finished meeting with Fire Chief John DeSilva and he will be at their August 28th meeting to discuss the merger.
Mr. Dinkel would like to see the same ones, but instead of Group I Retirement, he would like to see a broader pension for all employees. Also do a Master Plan Review so that they know where they were starting from and know where they are. He would like to see a Sidewalk Plan and not just in the Village and it might tie in somewhat with their road plan. In the past, they had prioritized them as a group. He also would like to have a Telecommunications Technology Review. Looking at their phone bills for one thing. He commented that probably why the Capital Reserve didn’t pass was because they did not have a plan in place.
Mr. Grella would like to continue to work with the landfill folks and also bring back the Tree Committee. While it is not a huge committee, they should have something planned. Mr. Bowler reported that the big pine tree in front of Town Hall was struck by lighting Friday night. He asked if it had done any damage? Mrs. Frydlo reported that it had knocked out the elevator and Fred Salisbury had reset it that morning.
Mr. Infanti mentioned there were some previous goals they should keep on top of such as Recreation Field Development and Cemetery Fields. Obviously they have field problems and this is not going to go away. They were in the middle of cable negotiations and had a buy for a year, but should also stay on top of it. Regarding the Master Plan, the Planning Board is just beginning to form committees and they should keep an eye on this and they can go any way depending on the members of the committee. He, too, agreed that they should watch the Committee planning the Landfill Improvements because the warrant article failed by so few. Also he would like to have a way of keep attracting new people to become involved on the various Boards.
In reviewing previous goals, Mr. Bowler indicated that the Chamber presentation was a good start for business visitations. Mr. Dinkel thought this was more of a goal for Carl Weber and did not think it applicable to them and would recommend Mr. MacGuire to go. Mr. MacGuire remarked that the one presentation done at the Chamber was with him. Getting the Department Heads out visiting was a good idea.
Mr. Grella asked about the sign ordinance. Mr. Bowler advised this was for the Planning Board and Mr. Infanti had to bring it up to them. It would be nice to have a small committee included – perhaps a Realtor, perhaps Cal Wood. Mr. Infanti added perhaps some people on 101A. He spoke briefly about real estate “open house” signs and felt there was a need to have some flexibility. He will bring the matter to the Planning Board’s attention.
Mr. MacGuire added there was another goal on their sheet and it was Stormwater II.
Mr. Panasiti asked about the Boston Post Road Improvement Committee, suggested they keep it alive and meet every quarter. Mr. Bowler explained the status is that there is nothing etched in stone. It was part of the site plan for the High School addition and part of the intersection at Boston Post and Davis Witty Drive. Mr. MacGuire added that bits and pieces were done. Mr. Bowler commented that one of these days something was going to happen and the ambulances will not be able to get through. Mr. MacGuire told the Board that the new Superintendent of Schools, Mary Jennings, got his voice mail and he returned her call. She would like to get together with him before School starts. They have not talked about this intersection for the past few years and this may be a good time. Mr. Panasiti mentioned that several years ago he came in to talk to Mr. Weber about the road in general and at some point in time there would be some problems. Mr. Weber thought there might be some money available because of the low income housing at Amherst Gardens – funding for sidewalks and bicycle paths. Mr. Bowler advised this would be a huge expense because of the right-of-ways. He mentioned a plan from Cross Road down to Simeon Wilson that goes over the bridge.
Mr. Panasiti asked about Stormwater Implications (on the prior list of goals) and Drainage. Mr. Bowler advised these were two different things and they needed to make a determination on what they were going to do on this.
Mr. Bowler asked if the Board read the “Cabinet” last week about the ZBA meeting and it made him wonder about live TV rather than taped. There was someone who was watching TV at home, came in and was able to change the vote. Mr. MacGuire commented that his area of concern was directed to an irate person who shows up at a meeting. He spoke about a situation that had occurred and had the idea of expanding their alarm system if someone got out of control, they could have someone at the meeting within minutes. This was a new thing they should think about. Mr. Infanti explained he witnessed several incidents in Wilton and Milford when he was a Selectman. “People are out there and Amherst has been very lucky”, he said. Mr. Panasiti asked about the ZBA case and Mr. Infanti gave him a brief synopsis. Mr. MacGuire added that “allegedly Gary Straub was irate”, however, when he saw him downstairs that evening, asking where the meeting was, he didn’t seem that way. The Board briefly discussed whether they should continue broadcasting live or tape the meetings. Mr. Bowler suggested that when Mr. MacGuire got back from vacation, perhaps they could sit down with Doug McAllister and Steve Coughlan and discuss the matter. Mr. Infanti thought it was a “tough” thing to put on TV and then pull it. Many people were impressed with seeing the Planning Board and ZBA live. Mr. Panasiti talked about delayed broadcast and Mr. Dinkel spoke about the benefits of live TV. Mr. Bowler asked that they also investigate a wireless alarm system. Mr. Panasiti indicated they should not think about the expense and asked about having a patrolman present at each meeting. Mr. MacGuire explained that the liability they were measuring might be fairly small and to try and plan on every possibility was difficult.
Mr. Bowler mentioned that there was another article in the “Cabinet” about speeders. The comments that stuck out to him was Linda Kaiser and jersey barriers – he asked what this was about. Mr. MacGuire reported he had spoken to her that day and she was asking about the traffic plan that was committed to “stone” and suggested they put up jersey barriers so that people can try it before it happened.
The Board briefly discussed the next installment of the “Quarterly Newsletter”. Mr. Bowler spoke about the Selectmen’s portion of the Quarterly and suggested they may want to talk about the speeders and Sue Clark’s and Laurie Bigger’s role. Mr. Infanti suggested they may want to acknowledge the many volunteers who contributed to the 4th of July and Memorial Day parades. Mr. Bowler thought perhaps there should be a piece on the Zipper and whether or not they should go forward with Mr. Berry doing a presentation. Mr. Grella thought they should also do something about the landfill receiving more money from recycling. Mr. Infanti suggested they needed to hit this hard before the election. Mr. Panasiti spoke about the fact he didn’t realize they switched plastic cans and bottles and were now over in a separate area. They needed to push where to buy the recycling bins. Mr. Bowler explained this was actually in the “Quarterly” which was designed for having this type of information. This information will all be sent out to various departments and everyone will add their own thoughts. Mr. Dinkel added that Liz Overholt does a good job in this regard.
Mr. Panasiti commented several people asked him about the elderly exemptions and taxes. There were two forms of elderly exemptions without folks having to pay significant taxes, with certain parts if they meet certain income and assets levels. Mr. Dinkel advised this was done locally and done at the time they did the revaluation. Mr. Bowler added that when the new tax rate comes up in the November bill it will be the new rate – their limits were high and were probably in the “middle of the pack again”. Perhaps Mrs. Stout will have these numbers available for the region. With the new “Quarterly” coming up, maybe she also should write something about this. The Board will talk to the Tax Collector about elderly exemptions during her State of the Department.
Mr. Panasiti talked about receiving from Pennichuck Water a handout and it had good dialog in it. After reading it he was more inclined to think that having a municipality run a Water District is not a bad decision. Amherst sits in a very unique position, more so than anyone else. Mr. Bowler remarked that the aquifer sits in our Town, but someone else owns the land. There is a difference between privately owned and owned by the municipality.
Mr. Dinkel mentioned revisiting the old Emergency Services consolidation idea. There plan was to have a Study Committee meet and hopefully the next step is having them meet with the Selectmen. Mr. Bowler advised that was why they were coming to see the Board on the 28th. The Committee originally picked did not include volunteers and he, personally had a problem with this. There are now 15 firefighters that were EMT’s.
In response to Mr. Grella’s question, Mr. Bowler explained the goals will be printed out for their August 14th meeting and they can rank them then.
Other Business
Mr. Infanti reported he had a call from a 12 year old who was concerned about the maintenance of Cemetery Fields. He had checked the area out the next day and the fields had been mowed.
Mr. MacGuire reported he received an email about the Town’s recycling program and didn’t know where they were. Years ago the Departments did minimal recycling and then they stopped. He didn’t know the reason – perhaps it was because we had cleaners. He didn’t know where the disconnect was, but commented that “it is hard to sell, if we as a Town don’t do it ourselves”. Mr. Bowler thought this should be looked into. Mr. Panasiti suggested he may want to talk to the Superintendent because the schools don’t recycle at all. Mr. MacGuire will see where the problem is and will work towards this when Mr. Berry gets back. There will also be a need to have some place to store it.
Mr. Bowler mentioned that Mr. MacGuire will be on vacation next week and if any Departments had any issues to contact their Liaison.
Mr. Dinkel advised Steve Coughlan and he were working with Peter Epstein. They will be driving to Boston to layout what their options were and what to do next – he will report back.
Mr. Infanti moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m., second by Mr. Grella. Vote: Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Sharon L. Frydlo
Executive Assistant