Town offices to cut hours during holiday weeks
The board voted unanimously to close town offices on the Fridays after the next three holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Day). This is primarily a cost-cutting move, avoiding re-heating buildings for a single day before again closing for the weekend. It was emphasized that these would not be additional paid holidays for employees; personnel would be expected to use paid time off (PTO) for these days. Selectwoman Lucy Wallace raised the question of what would be done in the case of an employee that had already utilized all PTO; Tim Bragan said something would be worked out.
Planning Board vacancies filled
As prescribed by law, the board met jointly with the Planning Board to make appointments to fill Planning Board vacancies. Replacing Mary Essary, who resigned recently, Craig Bardenheur was appointed by unanimous vote of the combined boards. Lisa Fox was appointed by unanimous vote (including Bardenheur’s vote) as associate member. Both appointments run until the town election in May. Both were asked if they intended to seek election. Bardenheur said yes; Fox said she would wait and see how it goes, before deciding if it’s something she wants to continue doing. Fox, a licensed realtor, was asked if there were potential conflicts of interest. She said she was aware of that possibility and would recuse herself if she had a financial interest in a property before the board.
Planning Board Chairman Joe Sudol said the board had discussed it and recognizes the potential issue, adding, “It’s easier for someone to recuse when there is a full board.” Selectman Peter Warren suggested that the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission be asked about a disqualifying conflict of interest.
More follow-up needed
During selectmen comments, Warren observed that the board should do a better job of following up on actions taken. He said the list of open actions is long, and growing. Others concurred that this should be addressed.
Selectman Tim Clark reported that, in fulfillment of one of his actions, he would be bringing a new form and procedure to be used to fill board vacancies. Prior discussion has focused on the need for more formality in this process so both the boards and the applicants know what to expect.
Vote on success criteria deferred
There was an agenda item to review and vote on Harvard’s Devens Success Criteria, but it was deferred. The board has received a lengthy report from the Montachusett Regional Planning Commission about the public session held Sept. 27, but it had not yet been processed into updates to the success criteria document. Tim Clark and Ron Ricci took the action to review the report and to make appropriate changes to the document for a vote at the next meeting. Chairman Blair said he wants “to have it finished, behind us, so we can move forward involving MassDevelopment in the process.” MassDevelopment has said it will come to the table with the Joint Boards of Selectmen when agreement on success criteria has been reached.
