Board of Selectmen  NOT YET APPROVED
Meeting Minutes
February 23, 2009

Present: Chairman Martell, Selectman Huber, Selectman Martin, Fred VanDerbeck, Dave Goldin,
Kristin DeBoer, K. Leahey

Meeting called to order at 6:01 p.m.

Approval of Minutes:  Selectman Martin motioned to accept the minutes of the meeting held on February 9, 2009; Selectman Huber seconded; motion passed unanimously.

Liaison Reports:

Fire Department: No report.

Police Department: Martin passed out a grant proposal which Lieutenant Thomann has been working on. The grant, from the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) would pay an entry-level salary for an officer for three years. Selectmen questioned the particulars of a requirement that the officer be retained after the grant has expired. They decided to pursue the question before endorsing the grant.

Library: No report.

Schools: No report.

Energy Committee: Huber informed the Board that he intends to attend a meeting the following day to be held at UMass regarding Wind Energy. Selectman Martin will also attend. The purpose of the meeting is to examine the potential for a wind turbine system on Mount Lincoln in Pelham. Huber reports that, at this time, Pelham’s involvement is “nominal”.

DPW:  Martell reported that the department is running well, and busy. He also reported that Superintendent Adamcek has received an estimate for re-gasketing the boiler and, at roughly $8,000, it is significantly more than expected.

Town Hall: Martell reports that the Hall is running smoothly.

New Business:

Blanket Insurance Bids were obtained from current carrier Massamont and former carrier MIIA. MIIA bid $44,308.00 and Massamont, $48,308.00. After discussion, Selectmen decided to accept the bid from Charles Winn and MIIA and, thereby, return business to that organization.

Ed Martin motioned to accept MIIA’s bid of $44,534, Huber seconded, motion passed unanimously.

Old Business:

Amherst Road: Admin Assist Leahey reported that she had spoken to Attorney Jeanne McKnight regarding the “next step” in the Amherst Road process. McKnight said that, by statute, a meeting must be held for which each property owner is notified by mail. McKnight also recommended including the “sign off” sheet so that the property owners have the opportunity to review it or consult with their attorneys regarding it. Leahey also mentioned that McKnight spoke of the need to notify owners and their mortgagees. Selectmen wanted more information regarding this; Leahey said that she would follow up with McKnight. Selectmen also wanted to know if the meeting must take place before Town Meeting and whether or not a vote is needed at Town Meeting. In anticipation of this, Selectmen tentatively set Thursday, April 2nd, at 7 p.m. at the Elementary School as the time/date/place for the meeting. Leahey said that she would get in touch with Principal Rena Moore to be sure that that date and time is available.

Kestrel Trust:
Kristin DeBoer of the Kestrel Trust informed Selectmen that the State had decided to split the Land Grants
into two rounds and, had asked Pelham to re-submit for the second round. DeBoer assured the Board that 
nothing in the application has changed and that the Trust’s fundraising is on target. Of the $300,000
purchase price, the Land Grant would provide $198,000 and the Trust would raise the remaining $102,000.
Of that $102,000, DeBoer reports that $72,000 has already been raised. Chairman Martell signed the ‘new’
application.

Energy Audit:
Selectman Martin noted that the audit of the Community Center and other municipal buildings had been completed and reports generated. He remarked upon the purported “payback” timeline for the installation of a new roof on the Community Center of twelve years and inquired of Mr. Huber if he knew why so long? Huber said that some of the improvements have a shorter time span and the longer timeframe is an average of all the projects. Huber reported that the real question is: are we going to spend money in fiscal year ‘09 to save money in fiscal year ‘10?

Mr. Martell reminded the Board that he is going away and will not be at the next meeting. Mr. Huber will also be away for a short while in the not-too-distant future.

Chairman Martell motioned to adjourn at 6:46 p.m.; Huber seconded; meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,
Kim Leahey
Administrative Aide