To: Board of Selectmen
From: Brian J. Bullock
Town Manager
Date: March 17, 2006
Subject: Miscellaneous
1. Revenue and Expenditure Reports - The Year-to-Date Revenue and Expenditure reports for February 2006 are enclosed for your information.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
2. WRTA Update - Mary MacInnes, Administrator of the WRTA, has forwarded the enclosed letter which provides an update on activities to promote use of fixed route bus service in Holden.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
3. Donations to Welcome Aldrich Fund - Our appreciation goes to members of the First Congregational Church for donating $662.00 to the Welcome Aldrich Fund, as well as to members of the Chaffin Congregational Church for their donation of $1,339. These funds help our neighbors in need heat their homes in the winter.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
4. SAFE Grant - According to Chief Edward Stark, the Fire Department has been awarded a SAFE (Student Awareness of Fire Education) Grant in the amount of $4,345, the maximum amount we can qualify for under this program. The grant will be used to continue the Department's successful program to educate students and seniors about fire safety.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
5. Special Election Calendar - Kathleen Peterson, Town Clerk has provided the attached political calendar for a special election on June 19, 2006, that would include at least one ballot item asking voters to exclude the debt for the Public Safety Building from the limits of Proposition 2 ½ , should it be successful at town meeting.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
6. Sewer Abatements - Attached are two sewer abatement requests that require your action:
· Applicant: James S. Demetry
296 Chapel Street
Map 177, Parcel 4
Mr. Demetry's request was among the previous abatements addressed at the January 17th Selectmen's meeting. Mr. Demetry was invited to return to the Selectmen to discuss his request but subsequently declined, in the spirit of having supported the sewer project when he was a Selectmen and as a show of his continued support of this valuable community asset. We are recommending that the Selectmen vote to deny his abatement request.
· Applicant: Donna M. Ripley
40 Anderson Avenue
Location: Map 174, Parcel 32, Malden Street
Ms. Ripley's lot on Malden Street has sufficient frontage and area to be subdivided into two lots. According to Larry Galkowski, there is evidence of an intermittent brook traversing the property but the Conservation Commission would be required to determine what impact if any this brook would have on whether both lots could be developed. Staff is recommending that the Selectmen vote to deny the abatement.
Information Only [ ] Vote [X] Signature [ ]
7. Spring Composting and Brush Chipping - The Department of Public Works will accept from HOLDEN RESIDENTS ONLY leaves, grass clippings and brush at its composting facility on River Street (former Landfill site) on the following Saturdays:
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Saturday April 29
Saturday May 6
Saturday May 13
Saturday May 20
Hours of operation will be from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and may be cancelled due to weather or capacity. Only loose leaves, grass clippings and small amounts of brush will be accepted; material brought to the site in bags or other containers must be removed from the bags or containers by the resident and the containers must be removed from the site. Brush will be limited to branches with a diameter greater than 1 inch and less than 6 inches. NO ROOTS, STUMPS, BUSHES OR BRIARS WILL BE ACCEPTED. Brush must be separated from leaves and grass clippings. Any items which are determined by DPW personnel to be unacceptable, will be removed from the site by the resident who delivers them.
A notice will be posted in the newspaper and the town Web site.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
8. Electric Meter Reconnection Fee - We have increased the fee to reconnect electric meters on weekends, holidays, and before/after business hours from $50.00 to $100.00 to cover our costs. The Department pays personnel a 4 ½ hour minimum to respond to a service re-connection; that ranges from $92.93 to $133.97 depending on who is on duty. The increased fee of $100 would cover the average cost to respond.
The Department only disconnects meters as a final resort and only when no response is received from the notices to the customer. We make every effort to communicate with the customer before the service is disconnected. If electric meters are reconnected during normal working hours, there is no fee to the customer.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
9. Comments on Rice RFP - Enclosed is a copy of comments received from Peter Brennan, Chair of the HDC relative to the Rice School Draft RFP. The RFP was sent to the HDC, Historical Commission, Planning Board, ZBA, and Center Neighborhood Association. We will forward other comments as they are received.
Information Only [X] Vote [ ] Signature [ ]
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions concerning these matters.
_________________________________ _
Brian J. Bullock
Town Manager
BJB:la
cc: Department Heads
| 
