Memo To: Board of Selectmen
Date: July 23, 2010
Subject: Town Manager’s Miscellaneous
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1. Brush fire – July 6
On July 6, 2010 through July 10, 2010 a brush fire located between Chapin Road and the Sycamore Road water tank was fought by our firefighters and approximately 28 area communities. The fire was spread over 30 acres of remote and difficult terrain. Temperatures over the four day period were in the 90’s with high humidity. A report from Chief Chandler is attached for your information. Our thanks go out to the Holden firefighters, the area firefighters who came to assist us, and the many groups which provided water, food, and support. A report from Chief Chandler is attached.
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2. Solar panel installations
Installation of the solar panels at the Senior Center will commence on August 2, 2010 and should be operational for Holden Days. Installation of the Light Department solar panels will commence in September.
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3. Library circulation
Fiscal Year 2010 proved to be a record setting year for the Gale Free Library with a circulation of 333,452 items; 3,003 items more than FY2009. On July 6th, during the heat wave, the library experienced visits of 800 patrons and double the normal circulation.
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4. West Mountain Street Meter Vault
The vault is taking longer than anticipated to fabricate and is now on the early to mid August 2010 delivery schedule. Once delivered to the site, the project will take approximately 5 - 7 days to install - complete with the compound meter/taps/etc.
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5. Cripps Dog – Misjif
The appeal of the Board’s decision of June 7, 2010 to put down the dog named Misjif, owned by the Cripps, was held before the Clerk-Magistrate on July 20, 2010. The Clerk heard testimony from the Animal Control Officer and the Police Chief on the events leading to the Board’s decision. According to testimony from the Cripps, the dog is scheduled for an evaluation at Tufts on July 22, 2010. The Clerk-Magistrate wants the opportunity to review the report prior to making a determination.
A copy of the report from the Tufts evaluation will be forwarded to the Town Animal Control Officer once complete. The Clerk Magistrate has given us two weeks to review the report prior to the next hearing date at which time we can challenge or support the recommendations of the evaluation. In the meantime, the Board of Selectmen’s order still stands.
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6. Alcohol Sales on Sundays
Recent changes in the law now allow the Board of Selectmen, as the awarding authority, permission to choose to allow any or all Section 12 license holders to start selling alcoholic beverages as early as 10 AM on Sundays.
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7. Wachusett Area Emergency Services Fund
The Town has received a check in the amount of $40,177 as our share of the Wachusett Area Emergency Services Fund. This is approximately 15.8% lower then prior years due to the sharp decline in the financial markets in calendar year 2008.
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8. Retirements/Personnel Changes
Jean Berg, Treasurer/Collector and an employee for 34 years will be retiring as of August 31, 2010. Her last work day will be August 20, 2010. I will inform the Board members of any receptions once scheduled.
Liz Arguin, Senior Clerk in the Town Manager’s office has accepted the position of Senior Clerk in the Town Clerk’s office effective August 2, 2010.
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