Dudley BOS signs Oxford sewer line extension agreement

Janet Stoica
Patriot Correspondent

Dudley Selectmen moved quickly through a full agenda of Town business on Monday evening April 2, first reviewing the most urgent item, the inter-municipal wastewater transportation agreement between the towns of Oxford and Dudley, which the board had rejected at its last meeting.

Oxford Town Manager Joseph Zeneski said the revised, finalized sewer agreement explicitly states that the new sewer line to be installed from Oxford and through Dudley for connection to the Webster Waste Treatment Plant was an independent sewer line for IPG Photonics and property owners along the new line only. The new 8-inch gravity sewer line was to be as distinctive and separate from any other Dudley lines and would be administered by the Town of Oxford, including billings and connections for any other property owner abutting the line who chose to be connected.  “First come-first served,” Mr. Zeneski stated.

Discussion also included the fact that the Webster Sewer Plant was running well-below its capabilities and capacity. The agreement was signed off by the Dudley Board (minus Selectman Peter Fox who was absent) and delivered to Mr. Zeneski.

The next orders of business included five unanimous appointments: Anne Marie Gray to the Personnel Board for a term expiring 6/30/13; Michael Mayotte to the Capital Improvement Committee through 6/30/15; Barbara Zurawski to the Economic Development Committee to fill a term expiring 6/30/12; and Ryan Zablocki to the Conservation Commission with a term expiring 6/30/13. Richard Holewa was reappointed as Veteran’s Agent through 4/30/13.  The Board thanked all of the newly-appointed local citizens for stepping forward to support the betterment of Dudley.

The Board then reviewed and unanimously approved (with Chairman Steven Sullivan abstaining) a one-day wine-serving license and a one-day wine & malt license for Nichols College for events to be held on April 4^th and 24^th, respectively, as well as approved overflow parking permission on Center Road for Nichols commencement exercises on May 5.

Selectmen also reviewed the Annual Election Ballot of May 7, 2012, that included a question on debt exclusions for energy costs, which the members unanimously approved, as well as a question on the debt exclusion for the Bay Path High School’s renovation project. Selectmen Sullivan, Nancy Runkle, and Paul Joseph approved the Bay Path question to voters with Selectman Jonathan Ruda opposed due to finalized budget numbers being unavailable. Chairman Sullivan stated that “placing these questions on the ballot in no way grants approval by the Board. These two questions will go before the voters to decide.”

The Board tabled for later review Fire Chief Kochanowski’s ambulance collection fee policy as well as the special liquor license policy and the open government policy.

Mike Branniff, secretary of the Dudley Historical Commission, came before the Board to present/request the latest reapplication to the Mass. Historical Commission for the Stevens Mills LLC Reuse Project. The Stevens Mill Project was awarded $300,000 in tax credits in early March and Mr. Branniff was requesting the Board’s letter of support for the next funding cycle ending 4/30/12.

Selectmen Joseph moved to continue support but wanted to meet with the building owner(s) to obtain a tour of the facility and to become aware of progress and plans. The plan continues unchanged at 164 rental units. Selectman Runkle stated that the current owners have not come before the Planning Board yet for a site plan review.

Mr. Ed Bazinet then presented a replica of a cornerstone to the Board requesting that its wording “All was others – All will be others” become the new Town motto. The cornerstone’s wording was a paraphrase of a Scottish inscription and had once been a part of the Stevens’ Linen Mill’s wheelhouse in 1859 where it was prominently displayed for all employees to see. Chairman Sullivan made a motion to review and revisit this request at a later date.

Town Administrator Peter Jankowski, submitted his customary report which included a review of efficiencies pertaining to electronic document scanning for the Board members’ offsite review; an update on the Dudley fiscal budget which is ongoing with all Town departments; information regarding the removal of the old West Dudley bridge; and the fact that the Dudley Highway Dept. had taken a pro-active stance regarding brush-clearing on Perryville Road. Selectwoman Runkle reviewed with the Board an upcoming Citizen Planner Class scheduled for April 5.

Members in attendance: Chairman Steven Sullivan; Vice-Chairman Paul Joseph; Clerk Nancy Runkle; and Jonathan Ruda. Absent: Peter Fox and Student Rep, Katie Racicot. Also present: Michelle Jervis, Administrative Secretary, and Peter Jankowski, Town Administrator.