Dudley selectmen name Ruda chairman; Fire Department's building obsolete

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

Selectmen gathered at their first May meeting to welcome John Marsi, newly-elected board member, and then to vote in Jonathan Ruda as their new Chairman, Steven Sullivan as Vice Chairman, and Peter Fox as Clerk.

The board also approved the appointment of Richard Carmignani, Jr. as interim Town Collector with his term to expire on 5/4/2013.

A public hearing was held for Shields Packaging Co. located on Oxford Avenue with Richard Androwlewicz as the company’s representative reviewing their permit application for soil and loam removal. The soil removal’s purpose was to bring the area to the same grade level as the nearby railroad tracks. The procedure would occur over a three-year period in order to prep for a warehouse. The board granted the request.

Drafter’s Sports Café was then reviewed at a public hearing with Richard Androlewicz as its representative as well. The establishment had come before the Board on 4/23 seeking to alter its premises by building an outdoor addition, but was asked to provide additional information regarding exterior emergency egress as well as information on the addition’s foundation. Mr. Androlewicz provided blueprints to the board members and explained that the existing asphalt of the outside lot was to be cut away and pavers installed, which would not entail any grading changes. He further explained that there would be an emergency exit on the outdoor addition.

A local resident near the Café came before the board to ask if there would be outdoor music allowed in the addition’s area and Mr. Joseph explained that this would be a code violation and there would be no outside music permitted.

The last public hearing on the agenda was the Chapter 61A right of first refusal continuation regarding Wayne and Marie Rozenas’ sale of property known as Lot #1 on Baker Pond Road. Chapter 61A pertains to the change of tax status of the property and the Town’s right to purchase once the status changes. Selectmen Fox and Sullivan had personally viewed the well-kept site, commended the Rozenas, and noted that the Town did not have funding to make the purchase. The Board passed on the right of refusal releasing the Rozenas to sell the property privately.

New public business included a request by Sarah White of H.A.N.D.S. to hold a bucket brigade fundraiser on Saturday, May 26^th, from 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Webster/Dudley town line. The organization provides fuel assistance for Dudley’s senior population and Ms. White stated that since the local organization’s inception they had assisted approximately 45 seniors with fuel/heating assistance.

Matt Hall, Dudley’s Library Director, then presented video surveillance bid results for the Town library. The lowest bid was provided by Eyewitness Systems of Broad Brook CT in the amount of $27,799.80. Selectman Marsi asked Mr. Hall if the bid solicitations were from local vendors. Mr. Hall advised him that a 60-mile radius of Dudley was included in the bid advertising. The funding would come from the library’s state aid account and installation would be completed in less than a week. The board granted the library trustees’ request to award the bid to Eyewitness Systems.

Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski gave a status report on the Fire Department Building Committee and introduced Steve Mita, a fire department building consultant. A slide presentation was made by Mr. Mita with numerous photos taken of the Dudley Fire Department’s engine and personnel building on West Main Street. Mr. Mita stated that “Dudley’s existing fire dept building was beyond obsolete.” He supported his claim with facts demonstrating the need for additional space for fire apparatus, most notably the height restrictions imposed by the low overhead doors as well as bay area vehicle conflicts, lack of personnel areas including bunk areas, lack of office space, poor restroom facilities, no ventilation, causing mold habitation, as well as the facility’s overcrowding not being ADA-compliant as it is considered publicly accessible.

Mr. Mita showed a new floor plan which would include a 9,500 sq. ft. addition to the right side of the West Main-facing building, bringing the number of bays up to five as well as moving all administrative areas and offices to the right side of the building. It was suggested by Chairman Ruda that Town Administrator Peter Jankowski and the Building Committee meet to suggest the next course of action.

The board then approved new oil burner permit fees and also approved giving the Fire Department oil burner inspection and permitting authority.

It was additionally noted that the 2012 Memorial Day Parade will step off at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 28^th with James Brinker as Grand Marshall.

A discussion was held regarding two by-law proposals. The first proposal was to make the Town Treasurer/Collector a single position. Chairman Ruda requested that Town Administrator Jankowski work with the current Treasurer to determine the feasibility of a singular position and to return with an update to the Board within 60 days.

The second proposal entailed having a “one-stop customer service desk” for residents/commercial entities at the Town Hall. The desk personnel would provide assistance with town permits/bylaws/registrations, etc. conceivably making it easier for residents/entities to conduct their town business. Mr. Sullivan expressed his reservations about such an undertaking as he felt the knowledge base would have to be extensive for the individual manning the desk. Further research would be done by the town administrator.

A town resident came forward to request if out-of-town residential transfer station stickers were available. Selectman Joseph asked Highway Superintendent Dan Gion if this type of sticker was available. Mr. Gion advised that this type of request had not been made previously and he would survey area towns to determine the possibility and would report back at the next Selectmens’ Meeting. Mr. Gion also briefed the selectmen on the recovery of eight stolen catch-basin drain covers. Local thieves had removed the 150-200 lb covers and tried to sell them to metal buyers. With the assistance of the Worcester Police Dept the eight covers had been returned to Dudley. Metal stamping of Dudley’s name to the covers will be looked into.

A brief discussion was then held regarding Selectman Fox’s query regarding the Intermunicipal Sewer Agreement with Oxford and Webster and the redirection of funds due to bid cost savings. Student Representative Katie Racicot then gave a brief report on Shepherd Hill High School’s athletic team game records, spoke briefly about the upcoming high school graduation
scheduled for June 3^rd, and thanked the fire and police chiefs for their assistance during her tenure with the board. All board members thanked Katie for her past few years’ service as student representative and wished her well in her future endeavors.