TOWN OF SPRINGFIELD
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
SELECTMEN’S HALL – 96 MAIN STREET – THIRD FLOOR
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2012
7:00 P.M.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MINUTES
A. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:
Chairman, Kristi Morris, called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Board Members Present: Chairman, Kristi Morris, Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, Stephanie Gibson, David Yesman, and Peter MacGillivray.
Also Present: Town Manager, Robert Forguites, Comptroller, Jeffrey Mobus, Personnel Director, Linda Rousse, and Town Attorney, Stephen Ankuda.
B. MINUTES:
1. Regular Board Meeting, Monday, November 12, 2012
Chairman Morris asked if there were any changes to the Regular Board Meeting of November 12, 2012. There was a correction to be made at the request of Stephanie Gibson. Ms. Gibson requested her first name be corrected on page 2, paragraph 5. The name should be Stephanie NOT Stephan.
MOTION: Stephanie Gibson motioned to accept the amended minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of
November 12, 2012. Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras seconded, passed unanimously.
C. ANY REQUESTED ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA:
Robert Forguites had two items to add to the agenda for the evening under section: J. NEW BUSINESS: 1. Rescheduling the second Board of Selection Meeting for the month of December 2012 and 2. Mr. Forguites request approval of a Resolution by the Board authorizing him to sign an Assumption Agreement concerning the transfer of the Red Maple Mobile Home Park.
K. LEGISLATIVE REPORTS:
As a courtesy to Windsor County Senator, Richard McCormack, the agenda for tonight was switched around a little. Senator McCormack thanked all the voters for his re-election and he promised to continue to do his best. He also congratulated the Town of Springfield for having 100 River Street lit up. He said, “The factory is so bright and beautiful.” Senator McCormack knows all the work it takes for a factory to be redone.
Senator McCormack stated the State is doing “Okay” economically. The State has a high bond rating. He also stated he had just been at the Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT for an event. The owner of the Harpoon Brewery told him that he liked doing business with the Vermont Government better than the Massachusetts Government. The Harpoon Brewery has another plant in Massachusetts. The Senator said a recent Vermont Cheese Company said the same thing. He also stated “Vermont Labels” also had a 15% increase.
Senator McCormack also feels the Connecticut Valley is slowing bouncing back. He admits there is still a long ways to go. He encouraged voters to stay in touch with him.
The Senator also touched base on Health Care Reform. He said Health Care Reform was an ongoing process. The Senate has health care where they want it. They want the Government to take responsibility to provide affordable health care for everyone. The Senate is waiting on work from the Health Care Commission to decide how to put it all together.
Senator McCormack spoke of existing issues with Tropical Storm Irene. He feels 85 to 95% of victims have been helped, but there are the other 5 to 15% who still need 100% help. These people have fallen through the cracks. The private fund has approximately 7 million dollars. The state is going to larger groups for funding of larger amounts of money.
Senator McCormick said Gangs are difficult all over the country. He felt drugs, violent crimes and shootings come along with Gangs. He stated this hurts the quality of life for everyone. He doesn’t claim to have a quick fix.
Senator McCormick said he will be trying to support the rights of people in the Early Educational Field by pushing for collective bargaining. Another issue he will be supporting, is “Death with Dignity.” Senator McCormick feels this is a personal freedom. He said, “The question is WHO’S decision, not how and not the Government.”
Senator McCormick referenced the Business Climate. He feels the Senate over regulates. He is hoping to be on the National Resource Reform Committee again. Senator McCormick doesn’t feel loosening up on national resources make a better economy.
Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, wanted to know what Senator McCormick thought about the social agencies allowing people to receive welfare benefits who have just come to the State. Mr. Knoras feels there is a lot of welfare abuse. Mr. Knoras wanted to know who is responsible to control welfare abuse.
Senator McCormick said Human Services and the Judicial Committee.
Chairman, Kristi Morris, mentioned the Drug Task Force, which will be reporting their findings in January 2013 to the Representatives. Mr. Morris wanted to know if Senator McCormick thought there might be legislation or funding coming out of the findings of the Drug Task Force. Mr. Morris mentioned maybe a School Resource Officer for educating the younger generation.
Senator McCormick stated again there is no quick fix. One of his beliefs is to arrest criminals of any crime no matter how small. It might not be long, but the criminal would not be out on the street. Another option is to rehabilitate drug users.
Senator McCormick thanked Mr. Forguites and the Board of Selectmen for their invitation to speak. Mr. Forguites and the Board thanked Senator McCormick for his time. Senator McCormick departed about 7:35 pm.
D. CITIZENS TO ADDRESS THE BOARD: - None
E. PRIORITY BUSINESS: - None
F. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: - None
G. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTAL MINUTES AND REPORTS:
1. Springfield Airport Commission – Agenda & Minutes, October 17, 2012
2. Springfield Fire Department – Combined Monthly Report - October & November 2012
3. Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes – November 19, 2012
Chairman Morris acknowledged the Springfield Airport Commission, Agenda & Minutes of October 17, 2012, Springfield Fire Department, Combined Monthly Report for October & November 2012, and the Budget Advisory Committee Minutes of November 19, 2012. Chairman Morris noted copies of these minutes and reports could be picked up at the Town Manager’s Office.
Robert Forguites also noted he had previous copied and placed on the Board of Selectmen’s table revised minutes of the Budget Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 19, 2012. The revision was dated November 22, 2012, in the section of Town Departments, the Police Department was listed twice.
H. ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS: - None
I. OLD BUSINESS:
1. Citizen Concerns – Update – a. Police Activity - Chairman Morris pointed out there was not that much to update. This was due mostly because of the Thanksgiving Holiday. The Police Department is continuing with their foot patrol and working with Stephanie Gibson and Peter MacGillivray on the Sub-Committee Report.
Mr. Forguites took this opportunity to remind everyone of the Landlord Seminar sponsored by the Springfield Chamber of Commerce. Ethan McNaughton will be leading the Seminar. The Seminar will take place on Wednesday, November 28, 2012 from 8:00 to 10:00 am at the Congregational Church. Mr. Forguites shared there are about 20 to 25 participants already signed up.
Mr. Peter MacGillivray also passed this Landlord Seminar information to a friend, (Thomas McPhee), of his in Bellows Falls. As a result, some of the already signed up participants are from Bellow Falls too.
1. Citizen Concerns – Update - b. Ordinance Review – Chairman Morris asked if there was an update from the Ordinance Review Committee. Vice Chairman Knoras shared with the group he was waiting for Bill Kearns to schedule a Public Hearing to discuss and share the information with the Ordinance Review Committee. The Ordinance Review Committee has been working on Chapters 5, (Buildings and Building Regulations), and Chapter 6, (Fire Prevention and Protection). In addition, the Ordinance Review Committee has been working on Rental Codes.
1. Citizen Concerns – Update - c. Sub-Committee Report – Stephanie Gibson stated the Sub-Committee has been working with the Police Department. The Sub-Committee has received a large list of Police Codes. The codes cover certain areas and crimes. Ms. Gibson stated the Sub-Committee doesn’t want to rehash everything that has been discussed. The Sub-Committee is reviewing the data and numbers. Peter MacGillivray shared that Laura Cody MacNaughton feels she can work with the data and put it into a pie chart showing percentages of crimes committed. Mr. MacGillivray feels the pie chart will be clearer to understand. Mr. MacGillivray also stated there is a meeting scheduled this week to work on the Police Codes.
2. Budget Advisory Committee – Robert Forguites shared with the Board of Selectmen Mr. Al Tessier has indicated he is interested in serving on the Budget Advisory Committee for this year. Mr. Forguites said he recommends appointing Mr. Tessier.
MOTION: Peter MacGillivray moved to appoint Al Tessier to the Budget Advisory Committee. Stephanie
Gibson seconded, passed unanimously.
J. NEW BUSINESS:
1. Possible Reschedule of Monday, December 24th, Board of Selectmen Meeting - Robert Forguites pointed out the second required Board of Selectmen meeting for December 2012 falls on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012. Mr. Forguites suggested the Board of Selectmen schedule another date. Wednesday, December 26, 2012 was suggested. Vice Chairman Knoras did not want to reschedule the second December Board of Selectmen meeting until after the Wednesday, November 28Th meeting with the Budget Advisory Committee. After a little bit more discussion, Wednesday, December 26, 2012 was decided for the second December Board of Selectmen meeting.
MOTION: David Yesman moved to change the second Board of Selectmen Meeting of Monday, December 24, 2012 to
Wednesday, December 26, 2012. Seconded by Peter MacGillivray, Vote: (4) Yes, (1) Abstain
(Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras)
2. Mr. Forguites requested the approval of a Resolution by the Board authorizing him to sign an Assumption Agreement concerning the transfer of the Red Maple Mobile Home Park at 54 South Street in Springfield from Rockingham Area Community Land Trust, (RACLT), to Windham and Windsor Housing Trust, Inc., (W&WHT). The Town of Springfield was given a Vermont community Development Program in the amount of $98,674.00 on June 9, 1998 to loan RACLT to fund the purchase and rehab of the property at 54 South Street. In the dissolution of RACLT, most of the assets, including Red Maple Mobile Home Park, were taken over by W&WHT. The agreement is necessary to transfer responsibility for the loan to W&WHT.
MOTION: Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, moved to authorize Town Manager, Robert Forguites, to sign an
Assumption Agreement to transfer the responsibility of the loan for the Red Maple Mobile Home
Park located at 54 South Street to Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. Seconded by Stephanie
Gibson, passed unanimously.
L. CITIZENS COMMENTS: - None
M. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS:
Chairman, Kristi Morris, asked if anyone had future agenda items. David Yesman said none. Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, indicated there should be information coming from the Ordinance Review Committee, Chairman, Kristi Morris, said none. Stephanie Gibson said she did not have anything and Peter MacGillivray said nothing from him either.
David Yesman changed his mind. Mr. Yesman would like the Board of Selectmen to put on the agenda for Monday, December 10, 2012 to have a discussion about Park Street and East Schools. He would like to discuss the feasibility of the Town taking over these two schools.
Chairman, Kristi Morris, stated he had already spoken with the School Board Director, Scott Adnams. The plan is to form a second committee with two representatives from the School Board, two representatives from the Board of Selectmen and one Community Member.
Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, did not want to entertain this discussion at this time. Mr. Knoras felt the Board of Selectmen had enough on their plate.
Robert Forguites said there is already a question as to who owns the land that Park Street School is built on.
Personnel Director, Linda Rousse, said according to her knowledge the East School and Land are clearly owned by the School District.
David Yesman said the School District has already spent two years or more deciding what to do with these schools. He wants the Town to gain possession and then decide what to do with the two schools.
Peter MacGillivray said he thought the School Board and Board of Selectmen have worked well together recently and he didn’t think we should be rushing the Time Table.
MOTION: Vice Chairman, Michael Knoras, moved to have a meeting of the Chairmen from the School Board
and the Board of Selectmen. There was no second. The motion failed.
Linda Rousse pointed out someone with a legal capacity needs to review the land issue at Park Street School.
EXECUTIVE SESSION: - Contracts
N. ADJOURNMENT:
MOTION: David Yesman moved to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting. Stephanie Gibson seconded,
passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM
Respectfully Submitted By
Donna M. Hall
Recording Secretary
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