PALMER TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY, March 9, 2009 @ 7:00 PM
Town Council Meeting Room, Palmer Town Building
Minutes
1. Called to order at 1902
2. Roll call: all councilors present
3. Pledge of Allegiance
4. Consent of the Agenda Order-strike item 7g to be taken up on the 23rd of March; add item 6c to update the council on the status of the Treasurer-Collector’s Office
5. Visitors’ comments for items not on the agenda: Palmer Events Planning Committee Community Ball and Banquet is this Saturday March 14; proceeds will benefit Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force. Reservations can be made through Thursday; for more info check the Community calendar on the town website or call Bob Havelas at 283-3054 or Kathy Less at 283-8021.
6. Minutes of preceding Town Council Meeting Feb 9:
7. p. 4 IV add possible to Mr. Backus’s comment about Veterans’ Services cuts
a. Mr. Backus moved to accept minutes as amended
b. Seconded by Mr. Whitney
c. Mr. Burns abstained
d. Motion to accept minutes as amended carried 8/0/1
8. Old business:
a. Second reading Ordinance 2009-03—Zone change—Breckenridge St.
b. Read and moved by Mr. Whitney
c. Mr. Marciniec spoke for planning board about 5-0 vote against change
i. Most people at hearing were against change
ii. Nothing in change has benefit to town
iii. Would harm abutters
iv. More people spoke against than for change at the hearing.
d. Council discussed residential vs. business zoning and uses, types of businesses allowed, and the concerns of abutters
e. The floor was opened for discussion:
i. 3 people spoke against change; 8 people spoke for change.
ii. Business owner Mr. Sibley discussed his interest in property
iii. Mr. Burns discussed residential nuisance issues involved in leaving property as residential use
iv. Mr. Remillard asked about present nonconforming uses of lots
f. Motion seconded by Mr. Hebert
g. Discussion: Mr. Hebert spoke for zoning change
h. Vote – Ordinance 2009-03—Zone change—Breckenridge St.
i. 3 for zone change: Mr. Burns, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Duguay
ii. 5 against zone change: Mr. Magiera, Mr. Whitney, Mr. Backus, Mr. Dinuovo, Ms. Barry
iii. Mr. Remillard abstained
iv. Motion to change zoning failed
9. Mr. Magiera called a 5 minute recess at 2010 to allow room to clear
10. Ms. Barry spoke concerning issuess in the treasurer/collector’s office, and her actions and involvement in assisting the new treasurer-collector.
11. New business:
a. Transportation/Water Study Presentation by Vanasse-Hangen-Brustlin, Inc.:
a. Water study
i. Discussed methodology of water study and testing methods done on 5 Priority Development sites in town
ii. Discussed foundations of recommendations for each site
iii. Presented findings in report for future planning use
1. Cross connections are required to improve water flow between districts; report discusses legal and physical barriers to this
2. Consolidation studies were done in 1995 and again a year and a half ago
iv. Casino water draw is not supported by town’s present infrastructure
b. Traffic study
i. Did extensive study focused on main traffic corridor
ii. Discovered numerous existing and possible future deficiencies
iii. Studied each site independently, then projected future development along a baseline developed through on site research
iv. Made recommendations for future development and to resolve current problems discovered
v. Study didn’t directly address casino issue impact
vi. Study didn’t study impacts on surrounding towns; only areas around Priority Development sites
c. This study helps planning board to work with developers to implement improvements, improve the permitting process and encourage development, noting that these sites are privately owned and not shovel ready yet
d. Made assumptions that current uses would grow 10% over 10 years
b. First reading Ordinance 2009-04 – Loan authorization to borrow funds to cover the cost of engineering and design services associated with Phase IV of the combined sewer overflow project, read by Mr. Whitney. Mr. Streeter asked that the second reading and hearing take place at the next special council meeting on March 23rd.
c. Resolution 2009-20 – to set compensation of town council
a. Read and moved by Mr. Burns to set council compensation for all elected town officials at $100 per month, not payable if there are layoffs anywhere among town employees or school department employees during the year due to budget constraints, amended to apply to town council only; seconded by Mr. Dinuovo
b. Discussion: affects members in office for FY 2010; position takes a lot of work; may generate interest in positions; monthly stipend is easier to administer. Layoffs in town would cut purse strings. Mr. Streeter said resolution would be impossible to administer as written. Discussion to amend to read that Town Council compensation would be cut upon and during any layoffs of town employees including school department employees
c. Mr. Whitney moved to amend motion to take affect Jan 1, 2010; Seconded by Mr. Burns
d. Discussion on rewording of original motion to correct grammar to reflect original intent; Reworded motion: that we set the compensation of all members of the town council at $100.00 per month. Should a layoff of town employees, including school department employees, occur any time during the year, the town council would immediately cease to receive compensation for the remainder of that fiscal year.
e. Vote on amendment:
i. 4 in favor: Mr. Magiera, Mr. Whitney, Mr. Burns, Mr. Dinuovo
ii. 5 against amendment Mr. Remillard, Mr. Backus, Ms. Barry, Mr. Duguay, Mr. Hebert
iii. Amendment failed to pass
f. Discussion on motion:
i. Mr. Hebert: I took the position knowing that it was just to try to help
ii. Mr. Burns: We have to admit that there is value in these positions; originally came into office without expectation of compensation; still there are expenses associated with position
iii. Mr. Burns: Councilors have the option not to take payment
iv. Mr. Duguay asked to find out what surrounding towns do to compensate their officials
g. Mr. Duguay tabled motion
d. Resolution 2009-21—To set compensation of School committee tabled by Ms. Barry
e. Resolution 2009-22—To set compensation of Planning board tabled by Ms. Barry
f. Resolution 2009-23—To set compensation of Town Clerk tabled by Ms. Barry
12. Sub-committee Reports
a. Economic Development Advisory Committee exploring possibility of working with Monson concerning the MDC closing and what the impact may be in Palmer
b. Regional Casino task force met last week; discussion has changed greatly in last few weeks with introduction of discussion of slot parlors and their possible impact on the town; Mr. Chudy is scheduled to meet with the council in April
13. Town Manager’s Report: FY 2010 budget will be presented next special meeting; working to dispel rumors surrounding revenues and collection rates; currently collections are at deficit but should catch up in May quarterly payments. We should be prepared in case there is shortfall. Situation is not dire and is monitored closely; layoffs are not imminent in town this FY. Please pay taxes. Pathfinder has budget presentation scheduled March 18th and that assessment is a major component of our budget; please see me to attend. Budget process started late due to lack of treasurer/collector.
14. Councilor’s Roundtable
a. Mr. Remillard: nothing to report
b. Mr. Hebert: Offer Sen. Brewer our best wishes for a speedy recovery
c. Mr. Duguay: People’s voices were heard tonight
d. Mr. Backus: Congratulate Nancy Bauer on her retirement and welcome the new librarian, Nancy Menard
e. Ms. Barry: Congratulate boys and girls basketball teams on making it to the semifinals; girls team was undefeated in the regular season and the boys also had a great season; yesterday Mike, Phil, Matt and I attended the NEA S&C reception
f. Mr. Dinuovo: Nancy Bauer has done an incredible job for the Town of Palmer, as did Mark; we’ll miss her and look forward to the new librarian; boys and girls basketball teams should be recognized for their great sacrifices in addition to their regular studies, and commended for their success; the present treasurer-collector has given us a great effort, along with Ms. Barry; as a town commend you.
g. Mr. Whitney: Echo congratulations to the basketball teams; and to Nancy Bauer. Although the vote tonight did not appear to be pro-business, Palmer welcomes business, and we will do whatever we can to attract and encourage it, but it’s not business at any cost; it’s business in the best interests of the citizens of Palmer.
h. Mr. Burns: Congratulate Nancy Bauer and thank her for her many years of service to the town; welcome the new library Director, Mrs. Menard, who will be a great asset as well. Also congratulations to the boys and girls basketball teams for successful seasons, and to mention one more time the community Ball and Banquet this Saturday; please order your tickets. The money from this benefit goes to the Palmer Domestic Violence Task Force.
i. Mr. Magiera: I encourage all councilors to attend the Pathfinder budget presentation; we could be dramatically affected this fiscal year.
15. Mr. Burns moved to adjourn; Mr. Dinuovo seconded; Vote was unanimous to adjourn at 2252
Respectfully submitted by:
Ramon Dole
Recording Secretary
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