Dudley Board of Selectmen-Jan. 9, 2012

Dudley BOS reviews sewer plans, awards highway materials contracts, appoint fire station committee

By Janet Stoica

Dudley Board of Selectmen began their first meeting of the new year Monday night by welcoming its newest member, Peter Fox, who was voted in to replace the late Anthony DiDonato in December. Fox stated that “he was looking forward to working hard, honestly, and in the best interests of the citizens of the Town of Dudley.”

First on the agenda was Town Clerk Ora Finn, who submitted an approval list of offices that are up for re-election at the next annual town election scheduled for May 7th. Three-year terms include: Selectman, 2 positions; Town Treasurer; Assessor; Dudley-Charlton Reg’l School Committee; Board of Health; Sewer Commissioner; Water Commissioner; and Library Trustee, 2 positions. Five-year terms open will be for the Housing Authority and Planning Board. The Board voted unanimously to accept the town clerk’s re-election list.

Ms. Finn also stated that the town is in dire need of election workers and she urged citizens to come forward to assist in the next scheduled election to be held on March 6 for the Presidential Primary.

Joseph Zeneski, Oxford Town Manager, and Jennie L. Caissie, Oxford Selectwoman, then presented to the Board the IPG Photonics Corporation Sewer Project Report, which included an aerial mapping of the roadways along which the new sewer lines were to be run through Dudley and on to Webster’s Wastewater Treatment Facility. Mr. Zeneski further described the pumping system to be used for the 10-12,000 gallon daily flow from IPG.

Selectman Paul Joseph expressed the possibility of connecting all other businesses and residences from the Webster-Dudley Girls & Boys Club to the sewer main connection in Webster. Further discussion ensued regarding feasibility of future sewer connections to the new conduits.

Mr. Zeneski said that the shovel-ready grant monies allocated and awarded for the project requires construction to begin this Spring 2012 with a completion date in Fall 2012. Selectman Joseph then spoke about the win/win situation for all three towns with Oxford obtaining the necessary tie-in, infrastructure to Dudley, and increased revenue for Webster.

Following the Oxford presentation, Dan Gion, Highway Superintendent, reviewed the highway material bid awards for asphalt, sand & gravel, and metal structures (manholes, frames, and grates). Selectmen noted that there was a 2-11% price increase on asphalt, sand & gravel, while the metal structure pricing was down substantially due to the price decrease of steel. Mr. Gion recommended that the asphalt bid be awarded to the A.F. Amorello Co. based on cost-effectiveness of town truck material transport. Hylka Construction Co. was recommended for the sand & gravel award, also based on town vehicle mileage transport. Lastly, it was recommended that the metal structure award go to Auburn Winwater Works for their lower cost as well as the fact that their steel was all American-made. Selectmen unanimously approved Mr. Gion’s recommendations.

Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski then updated the Board on the Fire Station Renovation Committee. Five town residents were recommended to serve on the committee: David Karalas, Worcester Fire Dept. captain; Cynthia Iwanski, Southbridge police officer; Nancy Runkle, Dudley town planner and selectwoman; Mike Spahl; and Doug Bushman, Dudley FAA board member. The Board accepted Fire Chief Kochanowski’s recommendations (with Nancy Runkle abstaining).

The Board also accepted and authorized a Letter of Support for the proposed rehabilitation of the Stevens Linen Mill located at 8-10 Mill Street. The Board joined the Dudley Historical Commission in requesting that the current Stevens Mill owners be awarded State Historic Rehab Tax credits to assist in renovations. Information provided by Mike Branniff indicated that the last funding cycle obtained $400,000 in tax credits and the two prior cycles garnered $500,000 on each.

In old business, the board made a motion to consider a possible change to the town by-law for election dates; accepted the policy on court-ordered community service previously discussed; and approved the business development fee moratorium for 2012 on a 4-1 vote with Ms. Runkle opposed.

Additional agenda items included a discussion of dirt-bike and 4-wheel ATV damage to the Dudley landfill area. It was noted that the landfill grass covering is extremely fragile and easily susceptible to vehicle damage as the top of the landfill is a thin layer of grass covering the landfill liner. The grass must be continuously mown to prevent the weight of the grass from damaging the liner. According to Dan Gion, Highway Superintendent, care is also taken to prevent shrubs or trees from developing on the top grass layer as well due to their weight potentially destroying the landfill liner. Dirt bikers and 4-wheelers have been seen riding over and using the landfill cover as a recreational area and have dug up and destroyed many parts of the grass covering. Selectman Joseph requested a notice be placed on the local TV channel indicating that violators would be prosecuted for the destruction of the landfill area and asked Police Chief Wojnar to look into placing security cameras at the site. He also asked Town citizens to report this activity to the police dept.

One of the Board’s last considerations was a request by Police Chief Wojnar to allow an officer to be sent to the police academy in anticipation of Sgt. Daniels’ retirement in August 2012. The Chief was recommending Officer Phil Megas. The Board endorsed the Chief’s request to send an officer to the academy and would vote specifically at their next meeting on the agenda item. Following this activity, Selectmen Ruda and Fox requested explicit breakdowns of individual costs involved in replacing personnel.

The Board’s next meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 23.