Town of Warwick Selectboard September 8, 2009 Minutes Call to Order Members present: Rick Abbott, Nick Arguimbau, Patricia Lemon Staff present: Town Coordinator David Young, Town Secretary Rosa Fratangelo Calcari, Others present: Broadband Committee members Reva Reck, Les Goodman and Miryam Williamson, Scott Burns (Verizon), Richard Nelewski (National Grid), Jack Cadwell, Lois Provost, Sandy and Suzanne Renna, Richard Sachs, Jean Louis Arsenden , Maria and Steve Ruggiero, Anthony Miner, Dawn Magi, Wendy Wirth, Jon Calcari, Paula Robinson (Athol Daily News) Chairman Arguimbau called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and reviewed the agenda. Minutes Lemon MOVED to delay acting on approval of the minutes of the August 24, 2009 meeting until the next meeting. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Presentations/Discussions 1. WiValley Memo Of Agreement-- Abbott MOVED the agreement as written. Lemon SECONDED. Arguimbau offered a friendly amendment to change "and to those" to "or" in paragraph 3; to change "with" to "to" , follow "severed" with "to the extent required by such agency" and replace "DCR" with "agency" in the first paragraph of the second page. Abbott and Lemon agreed to the friendly amendment. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Lemon MOVED that Nicholas Arguimbau be authorized to sign the WiValley MOA just voted. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 2. Broadband Committee-- The committee perceives that the $500 up-front cost is a barrier to adoption of broadband for some residents. It recommends that the Town finance a limited number of new installations. The $100 installation fee would remain due at installation and the purchase of equipment would be financed at $35 monthly. The discussion focused on not placing an undue burden on the enterprise fund cash flow, having funding for additional build-out and maintaining the ability to pay back the borrowed funds. Lemon MOVED to announce to the Town the creation of a waiting list for people who would be interested in broadband services with time payments for subscriber equipment, and that David Young be directed to look into the financial and legal aspects of putting such a plan into practice and report back to the Board at the next meeting if possible. Arguimbau offered the friendly amendment that during the next two weeks Young and the Broadband Committee confer to consider if two is the appropriate number for time payments. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. At this time, the meeting was recessed to hold the first of two Pole Hearings. 1. Athol Road Pole Hearing was convened at 7 pm. Arguimbau recused himself from this hearing due to his personal financial relationship with Steve and Maria Ruggiero. Verizon and National Grid have petitioned for the placement of two new poles on Athol Road to provide service to the Ruggieros. Tony Miner noted a tree which might need to be removed. Abbott closed the hearing at 7:09 pm. The meeting was called back in session for a vote of the Board. The meeting was recessed for the purpose of conducting the second Pole Hearing. 2. Hastings Pond Road Pole Hearing was convened at 7:11 pm. This petition called for 16 new jointly owned poles on the east and west sides of Hastings Pond Road. Scott Burns from Verizon and Richard Nelewski from National Grid spoke about shortening the spans between poles, upgrading to a new conductor which would provide increased public safety and more reliable power. Nelweski noted that this process would result in the removal of hazardous failed equipment, while Burns said that Highway Superintendent Kilhart had previously been shown all proposed pole locations, and currently had no issues with the petition. Cadwell questioned the process of selecting trees for removal, Provost had concerns about an old oak tree and a stone wall. Sandy Renna distributed several photographs of a large tree on his property which he feared would be removed, which he did not want to see happen. While he described himself as being onboard with the overall goal, he remained concerned with the fate of the very large tree right in front of his house. Most were apprehensive about the white "X'' painted on a huge old oak tree. Nelweski explained that the final determination of whether or not part or all of a tree must be removed cannot be made until the poles have been set. Burns offered the alternative of setting a pole on the opposite side of the road to avoid the large tree on Renna's property. Discussion continued without resolution, at which time Arguimbau suggested a daytime meeting and walk through of the affected area with the National Grid's engineer and arborist, Warwick Tree Warden, the Selectboard and concerned residents. It was determined that Thursday or Friday of either next week or the following week would be the most desirable time. Cadwell reiterated that all understand the need to resolve a serious safety issue presented by the electrical wires as they exist now. The hearing was adjourned and will reconvene on Thursday or Friday of next week or the following week. The meeting was called back into session at 8:16 pm. 3. Continuation of Broadband Committee-- Arguimbau said that he wanted the management of broadband out of the hands of the Town Coordinator by date certain. He wished Young to provide an evaluation of where things stand now by the end of September if possible. Goodman felt the system was not large enough to hand over its management to a third party. Compensation of installers was discussed. The current rate in Warwick is $100.00, while the going rate elsewhere is $150.00. The Broadband Committee proposed raising our rate of compensation to $125.00, with the increase to be absorbed by the Enterprise Fund. Lemon MOVED to set the compensation for Broadband installers at $125.00 per installation; and that installations be authorized by David Young. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 4. Town Hall Culvert --Young described the Town Hall drainage project, a town construction job assisted by an owner operated excavator. Two catch basins will be created along the run. This will eliminate the sump pump. Building and Energy Committee members agree that this is a priority. The Accountant has certified the availability of funds. Lemon MOVED to authorize the Town Hall Culvert Project from available funds. Abbott SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. 5. Selectboard Reports ---Lemon noted the hearing tomorrow at 11 am at the State House regarding the temporary appointment of a senator following the death of Senator Edward Kennedy. Arguimbau said he had been told about a gentleman who is not a resident of Town who sits in chair alongside Athol Road with a shotgun in his lap. Young said this is a licensed beaver remover hired because of threats to the road. 6. Town Coordinator Report--- Young's report was submitted in writing. He said he will publicize openings on the Finance Committee, ZBA, and CDBG advisory committee and also make personal contacts to recruit new members. IV. Public Comment Wirth inquired about an item in the Town Coordinator report. It turned out she was missing the second page of the report. V. Adjournment Lemon MOVED to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 pm. Arguimbau SECONDED. VOTED UNANIMOUSLY. Minutes taken by Rosa Fratangelo Calcari