Town of Warwick Selectboard December 14, 2009 Approved Minutes Members present: Rick Abbott, Nick Arguimbau Absent: Patricia Lemon Others present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo Calcari, Norm Eggert (North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership), Open Space Committee member Mary Williamson, John Williamson, Clare Green, Pam Kimball, Matthew and Kathy Connelly, David Koester, David Shepardson, Anthony Curtis (National Grid), Assessors Clerk Beth Gilgun, Jon Calcari, Sally Sennott (Athol Daily News) Call to Order Chair Arguimbau called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Warwick Free Public Library. Patricia Lemon listened via telephone conference call. She intended only to listen and ask questions, and did not participate in any votes. Minutes Abbott MOVED to approve the minutes of November 30, 2009 as written. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Presentations/Discussions 1. Discussion of Acquisition of Moore's Pond property for a Public Beach -- Mary Williamson presented a map showing the exact location of the 60 feet of beach and the non-contiguous 4-acre parcel of land on Wilson Road. The sale of the beach is coupled with the camp on Wilson Road, and several people said that the property owner is unwilling to separate the two parcels. The current asking price stands at $135,000.00. Williamson noted the decades of history of public use of the beach, which the property owner wants to see continue. Young said that he thinks it is significant that all neighbors are in favor of the Town acquiring the properties. Norm Eggert of the North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership spoke about his organization and offered assistance with identifying and applying for grants and other funding sources. He said the NQRLP will work with the Town in any capacity necessary. Arguimbau wanted to know the value of each separate property, and asked if the Open Space/Recreation committee could report on the usefulness, if any, of the 4-acre site and its buildings, as (a) a public picnic area, (b) a place for swimmers to change clothes, (c) a senior or youth activities center. Moore's Pond neighbors who were present voiced no objections when asked about such uses. Ms. Williamson expressed skepticism about the practicality of such uses but said a report would address them. Young said the assessed value of both properties is $60,000.00, which is less than half the asking price. It was the consensus of the Board that the Open Space Committee should pursue the issue further with the assistance of the NQRLP. 2. Continuation of Richmond Road Pole Hearing-- Young said that National Grid's original petition was for six sole-owned poles on Richmond Road. The proposed location of pole 44-50, which would have been in Wayne and Tracy Kirley's line of sight, was withdrawn. The amended petition is for approval of five poles. Young noted that a subsequent petition will be forthcoming to relocate two jointly owned poles. National Grid representative Anthony Curtis concurred. Abbott MOVED to close the hearing. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Abbott MOVED to approve the location of five National Grid poles per the amended petition. Pole 44-50 of the six-pole petition is not approved. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 3. Council on Aging Pay Rate--Young said that the Council on Aging has decided to increase the compensation of those employed under the state grant from $10.00 per hour to $12.00 per hour. Grant funds are received annually by the COA, and the grant manager approved the change. Accountant Janice Barrett determined that an official vote by the Selectboard is necessary prior to the distribution of paychecks. Arguimbau MOVED to authorize hourly wages of twelve dollars per hour for the Council on Aging employee compensation paid from grant funds. Abbott SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 4. Renewal of Rodney Whipple Class II and Class III Licenses -- Young said that he has received Mr. Whipple's proof of insurance, application and fees for the licenses, for which he applies annually. The term of each license is the calendar year 2010. Abbott MOVED to approve issuance of Class II and Class III licenses to Rodney Whipple. Arguimabu SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 5. Selectboard Reports -- Abbott said that FRCOG employee raises were under consideration, and that no decision has yet been made. 6. Town Coordinator Report --Young said that a draft of the right to farm by-law has been distributed. Arguimbau noted that the issue has also been before the Planning Board, who should have something to bring before the Selectboard by its second meeting in January. Young spoke about broadband and some recent problems with radio interference, the source of which has yet to be identified. He noted that the Town received $11,000.00 in unanticipated ice storm reimbursement from the State. Arguimbau commended Young for helping to bring the Shaw matter to an amicable closing. 7. Tax Classification Hearing -- Assesors Clerk Beth Gilgun told the Board that it needs to vote on the tax rate for all classes of property. She said that there are only two commercial properties in Town, so it makes sense to keep the single tax class. Abbott closed the hearing for the purpose of taking a vote. Abbott MOVED that the Town of Warwick adopt a single tax-rate for all classes of property. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. 8. New and Other Business -- Young distributed two charts compiled by the Buildings and Energy Committee. One chart detailed the electricity use in KW hours for fiscal years 2005-2009; the other indicated the number of gallons of heating oil used each winter from 2005/06 - 2008/09. Both charts demonstrated an increase in energy efficiency and a decrease in consumption for most buildings. Young told the Board that the Warwick voter turnout in the primary election of December 8 was 23%. He broke it down to 111 Democratic ballots and 12 Republican ballots cast. He noted that in line with the overall percentages in the statewide vote, Martha Coakley received 62 votes, while Mike Capuano received 36. IV. Public Comment J. Calcari asked the age one is officially considered to be a senior citizen. The consensus was that there is no one set age. V. Adjournment Abbott MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 pm. Arguimbau SECONDED. Motion carried by a vote of 2-0-0. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari