Selectmen's Meeting Canceled

The Selectmen's Meeting for Wed., February 2, 2011 has been canceled. There may be a working session on Thursday or Friday to address pending items.

RESULTS OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

RESULTS OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING

January 25, 2011

The warrant was returned to the Town Clerk at 6:30 PM .

With a quorum present, the Moderator Nancy Chew called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.

The warrant showed it had been properly served.

The motion was made and seconded to waive the reading of the warrant, and so voted.

The rules of the meeting were read.

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES

Article 1. The motion was made and seconded to transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from the Town Accountant Salary account to the Clerical Wages account for the purpose of paying Accounting Clerk and Administrative Assistant to the Police Department wages.

VOTE: UNANIMOUS

Article 2. The motion was made and seconded to transfer the sum of $170.00 from Free Cash to the Prior Year Bills account for the purpose of paying for a prior year Emergency Management Services bill.

VOTE: UNANIMOUS

Article 3. The motion was made and seconded that the Town of Ashby appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for a feasibility study for window and roof repairs at the Ashby Elementary School, located at 911 Main Street, Ashby, Massachusetts, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the sum of $50,000 shall be transferred from Free Cash; that the Town acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town.

The motion was made and seconded to amend Article 3 by inserting the words “by the Board of Selectmen” after the words “to be expended ”.

VOTE ON AMENDED ARTICLE: YES- 20 NO-42 DEFEATED

VOTE ON ORIGINAL ARTICLE: UNANIMOUS

The motion was made and seconded to dissolve the Special Town Meeting at 8:03 PM , and so voted.

Lorraine Pease, Ashby Town Clerk

Presentation About the Stretch Code, Thurs. Jan. 27th

The Stretch Code

On Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 7:00PM in the Ashby Free Public Library

The guest speaker is Carter Scott of Transformations. He is the owner of this successful construction company which specializes in energy efficient homes and home renovations.

Working with architects, engineers and Hers raters he has successfully built homes in
Townsend, MA and throughout the state, which have achieved nearly zero energy use status.

Carter will explain his successful use of the Stretch Code and the government funding available to offset the additional cost in building a more Energy Efficient Home.

Come join the Energy Efficiency Committee at the Library for this talk and a Q & A
Or Watch us Live on Comcast Local Channel 8

Reminder, Town Meeting this Tuesday, the 25th at 7:00pm

In the name of the Commonwealth, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Ashby, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Elementary School Auditorium in said Ashby, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. to act on the following articles:

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES

Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from the Town Accountant Salary account to the Clerical Wages account for the purpose of paying Accounting Clerk and Administrative Assistant to the Police Department wages, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: √ Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: There has been a staffing change in the accounting office resulting in fewer hours for the Town Accountant and a shared administrative position created in the Accounting Office and the Police Department.

Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $170.00 from Free Cash to the Prior Year Bills account for the purpose of paying for a prior year Emergency Management Services bill, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: √ Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: This article pays a bill dated before July 1, 2009.

Article 3. I move that the Town of Ashby appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for a feasibility study for window and roof repairs at the Ashby Elementary School, located at 911 Main Street, Ashby, Massachusetts, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the sum of $50,000 shall be transferred from Free Cash; that the Town acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: √ Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: As of December 6, 2010 Ashby Elementary School has been invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Green Repair Program for a potential project involving windows, roofs and/or boilers: The school needs new windows and a roof replacement as soon as possible.

Ashby Receives $500,000 Grant for Rindge Rd.

Ashby receives $500,000 MassWorks Infrastructure Grant for repairs to Rindge Rd.. Repairs include paving, guard rail installation, and gravel on the shoulders of the road.

Article in Worcester Telegram

Nomination Papers Available for Annual Town Election

Nomination Papers are Available from the Town Clerk for the Annual Town Election, April 25, 2011.

Schedule for returning Nomination Papers.

Positions Available:

SELECTMAN, 3 YEARS

ASSESSOR, 3 YEARS

ASSESSOR, 2 YEARS

BOARD OF HEALTH, 3 YEARS

BOARD OF HEALTH, 1 YEAR

PLANNING BOARD, 5 YEARS

CEMETARY COMMISSIONER, 3 YEARS

CEMETERY COMMISSIONER, 2 YEARS

PARK COMMISSIONER, 3 YEARS

PARK COMMISSIONER, 1 YEAR

LIBRARY TRUSTEES, 3 YEARS

3 positions

TREEWARDEN, 3 YEARS

AT-LARGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ,

3 YEARS

Selectmen's Agenda for January 19, 2011

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2. Selectmen Approve Minutes of January 5, 2011

3. Selectmen Approve and Sign Payroll Warrant W29P in the amount of

$_________, Vendor Warrant W30B in the amount of $____________ and

Vendor Warrant W30B1 in the amount of $___________

4. Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on CDBG FY09 Agreement for Housing

Rehab/Septic Program Participants Hubbardston Case #9 (MRPC)

5. Selectmen Discuss Historical Society Building (Old Engine House)

Caretaking Responsibilities (Dave Boutwell)

6. Request for Selectman’s Signature on Cultural Council FY2011 Grant

Contract

7. Request for Selectmen’s Acceptance of the Resignation of Gary Leonard from

the Council on Aging

8. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Linda Stacy as Council on Aging

Chair, effective Immediately

9. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Jan Miller as Council on Aging

Member, effective Immediately

10. Request for Selectmen’s Appointment of Faith Anttila as Council on Aging

Alternate Member, effective Immediately

11. Request for Selectmen’s Acceptance of the Resignation of Dennis Moore from

the Police/Communications Regionalization Study Committee

12. Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

13. Public Comments (if any)

14. Adjourn

Closures Wednesday January 12th

• The Board of Assessors meeting for January 12th is postponed until January 19th.
• The offices of the Town Clerk, Tax Collector and Building Inspector are closed January 12th.
• The Planning Board will meet January 12th at 7:30pm.

Site Plan for 873 Main Street

DLR Realty Trust has submitted an Site Plan Review application for the commercial development of 873 Main St. This is the old Charron Real Estate Building between Town Hall and the Wyman Tavern. The application is to construct 2 buildings on the site, a market and restaurant in one and a police station in the other. The link above is to the plans and documents submitted with the application.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the application. The date of the hearing has not been set as of this posting.

Special Town Meeting, Tuesday, Jan., 25 at 7:00pm

Note: Finance Committee has not met to vote approval of the articles as of this posting.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Special Town Meeting

Middlesex, ss:

To: Constable of the Town of Ashby in said County:

Greeting:

In the name of the Commonwealth, you are hereby directed to notify and warn the inhabitants of the Town of Ashby, qualified to vote in elections and town affairs, to meet at the Elementary School Auditorium in said Ashby, Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. to act on the following articles:

SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ARTICLES

Article 1. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $5,000.00 from the Town Accountant Salary account to the Clerical Wages account for the purpose of paying Accounting Clerk and Administrative Assistant to the Police Department wages, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: There has been a staffing change in the accounting office resulting in fewer hours for the Town Accountant and a shared administrative position created in the Accounting Office and the Police Department.

Article 2. To see if the Town will vote to transfer the sum of $170.00 from Free Cash to the Prior Year Bills account for the purpose of paying for a prior year Emergency Management Services bill, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: This article pays a bill dated before July 1, 2009.

Article 3. I move that the Town of Ashby appropriate the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) for a feasibility study for window and roof repairs at the Ashby Elementary School, located at 911 Main Street, Ashby, Massachusetts, said sum to be expended under the direction of the School Building Committee, and to meet said appropriation the sum of $50,000 shall be transferred from Free Cash; that the Town acknowledges that the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s (“MSBA”) grant program is a non-entitlement, discretionary program based on need, as determined by the MSBA, and any costs the Town incurs in excess of any grant approved by and received from the MSBA shall be the sole responsibility of the Town, or take any action thereon.

Finance Committee action: Approved Disapproved No Action

Brief Explanation: As of December 6, 2010 Ashby Elementary School has been invited into the Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Green Repair Program for a potential project involving windows, roofs and/or boilers: The school needs new windows and a roof replacement as soon as possible.

And you are hereby directed to serve this warrant by posting an attested copy in at least three (3) public places in said Ashby fourteen (14) days at least before holding of said meeting. Hereof, fail not, and make due return of this warrant with your doings thereon, to the Town Clerk at the time and place of meeting aforesaid.

Agenda for Selectmen's Meeting January 5, 2011

SELECTMEN’S MEETING AGENDA

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

1. 7:00 p.m. - Selectmen Open Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

2. Selectmen Approve Minutes of December 22 and 29, 2010

3. Selectmen Approve and Sign Payroll Warrant W27P in the amount of $48,523.92, Vendor Warrant W28B in the amount of $32,403.50 and Vendor Warrant W28B1 in the amount of $3,788.00

4. Request for Selectmen’s Approval and Signature on Request for Reserve Fund Transfer #11-15 in the amount of $442.50 to the Fire Department Expenses Account

5. Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Letters of Thanks for Town Hall Bulletin Board to:

Ø Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School

Ø Adams Construction

Ø MP Landscaping

6. Selectmen Discuss Massachusetts School Building Authority’s Green Repair Program and Invite Members to join Building Committee for Proposed Project at Ashby Elementary School

7. Request for Selectmen’s Vote to include Article 1 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant

8. Request for Selectmen’s Vote to include Article 2 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant

9. Selectmen Close Warrant

10. Request for Selectmen’s Signatures on Special Town Meeting Warrant Masters (5)

11. Assistant to the Board of Selectmen’s Report

12. Public Comments (if any)

13. Adjourn