To: Board of Selectmen
From: Jacquelyn M. Kelly
Assistant Town Manager
Date: August 14, 2009
Subject: Miscellaneous
Pool Update – We are pleased to inform you that the Dawson Pool will remain open until Sunday, August 30 at 7:15 p.m. Thanks go to Denise Morano, Recreation Director, for securing sufficient trained staff to keep the pool open until the end of August. In other news from the pool, Session 2 recreation programs concluded Friday, July 30. Forty-six classes were offered and 458 children were registered in these classes. Twenty-two out of 37 classes reached maximum capacity. Also, the All Day Program for weeks three and four were registered to maximum capacity with sixty-five children enrolled each week. To date, the highest daily attendance at the pool was 1,551, which occurred on Monday, July 6.
The revenue from recreation pass sales, compared to last year, is down approximately $10,300. The daily pass revenue is also down by $3,400; that is directly related to the weather.
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State Owned Land Valuation – Last month, the State-owned land valuation was announced. According to the enclosed email, Beverly Kenniston, Principal Assessor, contested the announced value and requested a formal review, despite the very short window of opportunity to contest and substantiate the review request. As a result of Ms. Kenniston’s request, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Local Assessment revised the fair cash valuation of the Division of Conservation and Recreation’s Water Supply Protection Land from $26,258,500 to $28,975,700 or an increase of $2,717,200. More importantly, the number of prime lots was increased from 344 to 407. Thank you to Ms. Kenniston and her staff for their professionalism, unwavering attention to the valuation process and for securing a significant increase
in state-owned land valuation and future in-lieu tax payments due the town.
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Holden Days, August 22 – The 30th Anniversary of Holden Days will be celebrated on Saturday, August 22 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Main Street. This event has become a summer tradition and draws more attention and crowds each year. Thanks to Jennifer Stanovich, Executive Director, and other members of the Holden Area Chamber of Commerce for their work to put on this annual community event.
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Year-to-Date Revenue and Expenditures – Enclosed are the year-end revenue and expenditure reports for the period June 2009.
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Restoration of Three Town Building Exteriors – The bids for this project were significantly higher than our original estimate of $300,000. As a result, the specification was revised, and re-advertised with a new bid-opening date of September 2, 2009. The Finance Committee has scheduled a meeting on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at which time this project will be discussed. The Selectmen have been “posted” for that date as well. Mr. Michael Pagano and Mr. William Senecal from Lamoureux-Pagano Associates will be present at the Finance Committee to answer questions. We are moving forward as quickly as possible in hopes of getting this project underway in the current construction season.
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Agricultural Commission – The Agricultural Commission By-law was approved by the Attorney General on June 24, 2009. There is a ninety-day posting period where the by-law is posted in each town precinct. Once the ninety-day expires on September 24, the by-law becomes effective and members to the Commission can be appointed.
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Dawson Pond – Last week, we received complaints from area residents that the level of Dawson Pond was unusually high. According to James Shuris, DPW Director, personnel from the Buildings and Grounds Division were dispatched to inspect the site and determined that the dam had been obstructed by debris. DPW and Fire Department staff removed debris, limbs, and brush from the dam, located near the pool. This allowed the build-up of water to flow into the drain pipe which runs under the pool. As of last Friday, August 7, after cleaning the dam, the water level of the pond is going down towards the original level.
The water draining out of the pond carries with it a distinct odor, which is harmless, but nonetheless, a nuisance to those using the pool and especially the playground in back of the pool which is closest to the drain outfall. We will continue to monitor it.
Thanks to Mr. Shuris, and Jim Zingarelli, Town Engineer, and the Buildings and Grounds crew, especially Dennis Griffin and Jim Ringgard and thanks to Chief Chandler and Fire Department personnel for assisting with a boat, tools and needed labor.
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Fee Increase for Certificates of Municipal Liens (CML’s) – A memorandum from Jean T. Berg, Treasurer/Collector is enclosed recommending that the Selectmen vote to increase the amount the Town charges for the preparation of a Certificate of Municipal Lien (CML) from the current $25 per CML to $50 per CML, effective January 1, 2010. Ms. Berg explains the recommendation in detail and has also provided an email concerning potential revenue from the increase, should it be approved. As has been customary, the Board may want to further consider this recommendation and schedule a hearing and vote on it at a meeting in September. Your September meetings will occur on Tuesday, September 8 and Monday, September 21.
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Library Circulation – According to Jane Dutton, Library Director, July was the highest month ever for circulation of books and materials. During that month, 33,694 items were borrowed from the Gale Free Library and there were over 16,000 visitors who walked into the building. Thanks to Ms. Dutton and her staff for their management of record-breaking library attendance.
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_________________________________
Jacquelyn M. Kelly
Assistant Town Manager
cc: Department Heads
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