HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-07-25 Board of Selectmen Minutes BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES JULY 25, 2011
CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Daniel Lanen called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at Town Hall Meeting
Room.
ATTENDANCE: The following were present: Daniel Lanen, Chairman; William F. Gordon, Clerk; Tracy
Watson, Licensing Chairman; Rosemary Connelly Smedile, Donald Stewart, James Purcell, Interim Town
Manager; Ray Santilli, Assistant Town Manager.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move into Executive Session to
discuss Litigation. Roll Call vote: William Gordon yes, Donald Stewart yes, Rosemary Smedile yes,
Tracy Watson yes, and Daniel Lanen yes. Vote approved 5-0.
Chairman Daniel Lanen declared that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining
position of the Selectmen.
RECONVENE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Open Session Minutes of
June 2, 6, 7, 13, 16, 20, 22, 26, and July 11, 2011 as written. Vote approved 5-0.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to approve the Executive Session Minutes
of June 2, 6, 7, 13, 16, and 20, 2011. Vote approved 5-0.
COMMUNICATIONS,ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND PUBLIC COMMENT:
The Board will be holding public interviews for the three finalists for the position of Police Chief namely
Interim Police Chief Paul Gallagher, Sergeant Charles Gray and Sergeant Michael Davis.
CONSENT ITEMS:
Appointment of Water Treatment Plant Superintendent
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve the Town Manager's
appointment of Linda Hmurciak as Water Treatment Plant Superintendent. Vote approved 5-0.
Appointment of Facilities Management Director
The Town Manager and the School Superintendent have recommended appointing Stephen Foster as
the Facilities Management Director. The Board of Selectmen's subcommittee has also recommended Mr.
Foster for the position. The Board was asked to approve the appointment.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the appointment of Stephen
Foster as Facilities Management Director. Vote approved 5-0.
Permission to Fill Vacancies
The Board was asked to approve the filling of the following vacancies: Assistant Water Treatment Plant
Superintendent, Senior Foreman at the DPW, Tree Climber at the DPW and Communications Officer at
the Police Department. These are FY2012 budgeted positions.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to approve filling the above
vacancies of Assistant Water Treatment Plant Superintendent, Senior Foreman at the DPW, Tree Climber
at the DPW and Communications Officer at the Police Department. Vote approved 5-0.
Permission to use Town Property
Board of Selectmen Minutes July 25, 2011 2
St. Michael Parish and St. Gregory Armenian Church
St. Michael Parish and St. Gregory Armenian Church requests permission to have a block party on
September 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and close Main Street to Water Street to Merrimack
Street.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve an event permit to have a
block party on September 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and close Main Street to Water Street to
Merrimack Street. Vote approved 5-0.
Rev. Lee Bluemel of North Parish Church has requested the use of Town Common
The Rev. Lee Bluemel along with other ministers is requesting the use of Town Common to hold an
Interfaith 9/11 Vigil of Remembrance on Town Common from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to approve the request from Rev. Lee
Bluemel for the use of Town Common to hold an Interfaith 9/11 Vigil of Remembrance on Town Common
from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Vote approved 5-0.
Acceptance of Donation of$500 from Mr. & Mrs. Edmund Leland to Police Department
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to accept the Donation of$500 from Mr.&
Mrs. Edmund Leland to Police Department and to send a letter of thanks. Vote approved 4-0-1. Daniel
Lanen abstained.
Acceptance of Donation of$100 from Voices of Involved Citizens to Police Department
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to accept the Donation of$100 from
Voices of Involved Citizens Encouraging Safety, Inc. and to send a letter of thanks. Vote approved 4-0-1.
Daniel Lanen abstained.
Acceptance of Donation of Loam from Tom Zahoruiko for Ridgewood Cemetery.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Tracy Watson, to accept the donation of loam from Tom
Zahoruiko for the Ridgewood Cemetery. Vote approved 5-0.
LICENSING COMMISSIONERS:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to move into Licensing. Vote
approved 5-0.
Liquor License—Shama Grill at 1St and Main
Shahram Naghibi owner of the Shama Grill applied for an all alcohol license and entertainment license at
115 Main Street, Unit#1.
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to approve the all alcohol license and
entertainment license to Shahram Naghibi of Shama Grill at 115 Main Street subject to approval of the
Board of Health. Vote approved 5-0.
Rosemary Smedile made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to move out of Licensing. Vote
approved 5-0.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update on Police Assessment Center
Cathy Darby, Human Resources Director gave an update of the Assessment Center that was held on July
12-13, 2011. Seven candidates participated in various exercises and consultant recommended three
finalists based on their total scores. The finalists will be interviewed by the Board on July 26, 2011 at
7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room.
Update on Town Manager Search
Cathy Darby, Human Resources Director gave an update of the Town Manager Search. Consultant
Thomas Groux met with members of the Search Committee on July 11, 2011. On-line postings were
placed on the websites of the Massachusetts Municipal Association and the International City/County
Management Association.
Board of Selectmen Minutes July 25, 2011 3
NEW BUSINESS:
Board Reorganization
William Gordon made a MOTION, seconded by Rosemary Smedile, to appoint Tracy Watson as
Chairman. Vote approved 5-0.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to appoint Rosemary Smedile as
Licensing Chairman. Vote approved 5-0.
Tracy Watson made a MOTION, seconded by Donald Stewart, to appoint William Gordon as Clerk. Vote
approved 5-0.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Former Police Officer and resident David Rand of 280 Dale Street spoke about the principles of being a
police officer and referred to a rape and murder case that he was involved with many years ago.
ADJOURNMENT:
Donald Stewart made a MOTION, seconded by William Gordon, to adjourn the meeting at 7:30 p.m. Vote
approved 5-0.
Adele J. Johnson
Administrative Secretary
William Gordon, Clerk of the Board