===OCR macOS Vision===
===PAGE 1===
Members present: Tom Alonzo, Chair; Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Vice Chairman; Katey Adams,
Clerk; Todd Dwyer, Jim Marino
Also Present: Heather Lemieux, Town Manager; Karen Brochu, Finance Director; Lorraine
Rudd
Chairman Alonzo called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and announced in accordance with
the requirements of the Open Meeting Law, please be advised that this meeting is being
recorded and broadcast over the Lunenburg public access channel. In accordance with the
Governor's Order Suspending Certain Provisions of the Open Meeting Law, G. L. c. 30A, §
20, all public meetings are being conducted remotely. Mr. Alonzo read the remote meeting
information for anyone who would like to join the meeting. He asked if everyone was present
by roll call.
The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance that was recited by Ms. Adams.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Ethen Rossi, Northfield Road, thanked everyone who has supported his black belt community
service project, Karing4Kids to provide care bags for in the hospital. He received so many
donations he is running out of room. His drive continues for two more weeks and welcomed
more donations. They can be dropped off at the Lunenburg Boys and Girls Club on Memorial
Drive during their open hours. His Facebook link is
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1MB16U159NRWW?ref_=wl_share
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mr. Alonzo announced the Annual Town Meeting will be this Saturday at 9:00 a.m. at the
Middle/High School. He encouraged people to attend.
APPOINTMENTS
FY21 3rd Quarter Financial Report
Karen Brochu, Finance Director, presented her report. On the Revenue side, total collections to
date are $34,340,102.63, or 79% of FY21 estimates through March 31, 2021. The local
receipt estimate for FY21 is $3,065,990.50. We have collected $2,788,925.18 or 91% of that
estimate through 3/31/2021.
She reviewed the following chart of revenues with the Select Board:
===PAGE 2===
49 DEPT REV CEMETERIES
50 MOTOR VEHICLE EXCISE
70 SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS
71 PENALTIES & INTEREST
99 MISC NON RECURRING
Total Local Receipts
4,100.00
1,671,640.00
11,844.00
154,670.00
212,698.50
3,065,990.50
$
3,700.00
$ 1,530,467.15
$
11,568.00
196,281.59
209,132,64
$ 2,788,925.18
$
$
$
$
$
(400.00)
(141,172.85)
(276.00)
41,611.59
(3,565.85)
(277,065.32).
90.24%
91.55%
97.67%
126.90%
98.32%
90.96%
Taxes:
The total tax levy for FY21, net of the overlay, is $28,776,249.82. At this time we have
collected $21,927,667.16 (76%) of the levy. We have also received $186,180.73 in tax
lien revenue.
Budget
40 TAX LIENS
42 TAX LEVY
Total Taxes
Actual
186,180.73
28,776,249.82
$ 21,927,667.16
28,776,249.82 $ 22,113,847.89
Variance
$
186,180.73
(6,848,582.66)
(6,662,401.93)
% Collected
#DIV/01
76.20%
76.85%
slate Aid: The total state aid estimate per the FY2021 Cherry Sheet is $9,109,747.00, net o!
estimate.
Expenditures
The total budgeted expenditures for FY21 are $43,316,403.41. We have
expended/encumbered $30,252,404.35 (70%) of budgeted expenditures as of 3/31/21. Of
note on the expenditure side is the following:
Reserve Fund - To date there has been no draw on the Reserve Fund. The budgeted
amount is $75,000.
Injury Leave - As of 3/31/21 there is a deficit of $6,256.02 in this account due to injuries
of two on call firefighters. We are receiving partial reimbursement from our insurance
company and any remaining deficit can be eliminated prior to year-end via approved
transfers under MGL Chapter 44, Section 33B.
Snow Removal - The current deficit in snow removal based on actual expenditures to date
is $40,083.90. This deficit can be eliminated via approved transfers under MGL Chapter
44, Section 33B.
Health Insurance - There will be a surplus of roughly $275k in this account at year end.
This surplus can be used to offset deficits in other areas of the omnibus budget. Any
remaining balance will fall to free cash at the close of the fiscal year.
All other expenditures are at or near where they should be at this point in the fiscal year.
There are several appropriations that show percentages used of higher than 75%, but that
is largely due to the fact that many departments open blanket purchase orders at the
beginning of the fiscal year and use that PO throughout the year.
===PAGE 3===
Republican Party Nominees (1 position)
• Carol Kelly, 129 Rolling Hills Road
• Lorraine Rudd, 340 Highland Street
• Ruth Anderson, 31 The Lane
Ms. Rudd was the only nominee present this evening as Ms. Kelly was running late at another
appointment. Mrs. Anderson, current registrar, did not attend the Zoom meeting but submitted
her request in writing to the Board.
Ms. Rudd expressed interest in supporting the election process. She has a background in data and
office support. She has not worked any elections but was happy to learn. The Board thanked her
for coming forward and they will interview the other person next week.
reappointment.
Karen Kemp- 225 Burrage Street, has served as registrar (D) for several years, and is up for
2n°: M. Jeffreys
Motion: J., Marino
To appoint Karen Kemp to the Board of Registrars
Vote: Mr. Marino-aye, Ms. Adams-aye, Mr. Dwyer-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye
CURRENT BUSINESS
1. Approval of Minutes: March 16, March 30, April 1, April 6, April 13, 2021
Mr. Alonzo expressed thanks to Executive Assistant Elaine Peterson for keeping up with the
Board's minutes and presenting an accurate portrayal of the meetings. Mr. Jeffreys echoed those
thanks stating he had phoned her last week and said the same.
Motion: K. Adams
2n:M. Jeffreys
To approve the minutes of March 16, March 30, April 1, April 6 and April 13, 2021
Vote: Ms. Adams-aye, Mr. Marino-aye, Mr. Dwyer-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye, Mr. Alonzo-aye
2. Warrants: Mr. Alonzo reported he had signed the following warrants last week:
Accounts Payable Warrant #47 21, dated 4/13/2021, in the amount of $1,131,778.51 Accounts
Payable Warrant #49 21, dated 4/13/2021, in the amount of $2,540.97; Payroll Deduction
Warrant #48 21, dated 4/14/2021, in the amount of $567,545.31 Payroll Warrant #21P21, dated
4/14/2021, in the amount of $831,881.46
3. Action Items: Ms. Adams reported a citizen had requested a right turn arrow (westbound)
be painted at the intersection of Electric Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue (Rte. 2A). She also
reported some residents had asked if the town could go to a sticker (rather than a pay as you
throw trash bag) program for trash pick-up in town.
Ms. Lemieux reported the Police Chief had reached out to MassDOT last week regarding the
arrow as well as signage. She added with a sticker program that would take a significant amount
===PAGE 4===
clean them up recently. He thanked everyone involved for participating in the clean-up.
4. Committee Reports
Mr. Jeffreys reported planning for a Memorial Day observance is ongoing. There is another
planning meeting tomorrow evening. Many members of the community have stepped up to
assist.
The Library Trustees continue to meet and strive to improve on process as a board. They
are working on a long-term vision.
The TCP Building Design Committee met and discussed strategy for their presentation at
annual town meeting. They did get a cost estimate of $54,000 for the design of a new
building instead of renovations. He will attend the Finance Committee meeting to present
that number to them.
Ms. Adams reported the Conservation Commission held their public hearing on the issue
of hunting on town property. She has also been following the Water District regarding the
Issue of expanding water to Howard Street. They voted to not expand to there.
I. OLD BUSINESS
1. Discussion on Fiscal Year 2022 Budget, Capital Plan, Financial Forecast and
Annual Town Meeting Warrant articles
Ms. Lemieux presented adjustments from the preliminary budget to the recommended budget.
Today she was informed that there was an additional prior year bill of $500, bring the total to
$645.00 for Article 3. This will be taken from free cash. Articles 18 and 19 will be passed over
as negotiations continue for both the Fire and clerical bargaining units.
There will also be a change to the omnibus budget due to the bid we received for the
solid waste and recycling program, requiring an additional $105,100. She is
recommending to adjust the capital plan funding sources by increasing the free cash
amount and reducing the raise and appropriate amount. As noted previously the cost
estimate for the TCP building additional design services will be $54,000, to be taken
from free cash and the old Primary School landscape design will be $30,000.
Ms. Lemieux has learned that the petitioner for Article 30 is withdrawing their request
for extension of the sewer district. The petitioner will have to do that at town meeting so
it will not be included in the Consent Calendar.
Motion: M. Jeffreys
2n: T. Dwyer
To recommend approval of Article 3 amended to $645
Vote: Ms. Adams-aye, Mr. Marino-aye, Mr. Dwyer-aye, Mr. Jeffreys-aye, Mr.
Alonzo-aye
Motion: M. Jeffreys
2°°: T. Dwyer
===PAGE 5===
$39, 864,898.81
Alonzo-aye
Vote: Ms. Adams-aye, Mr. Marino-aye, Mr. Dwyer-aye, Mir. Jeffreys-aye, Mr.
Motion: M. Jeffreys
To approve Article 26 with $54,000 coming from Free Cash
There was no second.
Much discussion ensued on Article 26 and whether this was an appropriate option for the
committee. It was decided to defer any recommendation until the presentation by the
TCP Building Design Committee at town meeting.
2. Discussion on Consent Calendar for Annual Town Meeting warrant articles
Ms. Lemieux reported that Articles 18 and 19 have been added to the Consent Calendar
because they will be passed over.
TOWN MANAGER REPORT AND COVID-19 UPDATE
Announcement on Existing Vacancies:
The following is a list of vacancies on the following committees:
• ArchitecturalPreservation District Commission(1 vacancy)
• Bylaw Review Committee (4 vacancies)
• Finance Committee (2 vacancieson July Ist)
• Historical Commission (1 vacancy)
• Housing Authority (2 vacant positions)
• TCPBuilding Design Committee(1 vacancyappointed bythe SelectBoardand Town Moderator
for member at large)
• Senior Work Off Program Committee (1 vacancy)
• Zoning Board of Appeals (1 Associate vacancy)
Interested persons can find application forms on the Town Website and completed forms can be sent to
the Select Board's Office.
Facilities Management and Maintenance Software (TM Goal #2, ii):
The DPW Director chosea new Facilities Management and Maintenancesoftware calledeMaintthat we
will be transitioning to over the next couple of months. This software will be utilized for work
orders, scheduling preventative maintenance, and overall asset management that will inform the
capital planning process for town facilities. The first year's annual fee is being paid for through a grant
through our insurance carrier.
===PAGE 6===
Pleasant Street Bridge over Pearl Brook:
The DPW Director received the baseline schedule from the contractor and the preparatory work of
putting up signage and preparing to close the bridge will start on May 25th. The schedule includes closing
the bridge to traffic beginning on June 1st. Prior to closing, the DP W Director will put out a message on
the DPW Facebook page as well. This project is expected to be complete by mid-August.
Update on Body Worn Cameras:
The Police Chief has reported that the Body Worn Cameras have been configured and the next step is to get
the officers trained on using them and deploy them. The Chief is hoping for deployment sometime in May.
Once they are ready to be actively used the Chief will issue a message on their Facebook page to let
everyone know that the department will be using them.
Home Rule Petitions for Jaxx Country Variety and Library Trust Funds:
I reached out to our legislatorsto check on the status oftwo Home Rule Petitions that have not been
signed into law yet, the Act to authorize the town to grant an additional license for the sale of all
alcoholic beverages for Jaxx Country Variety and the Act to authorize the investment oflibrary trust
funds by the Board of Trustees. These were refiled this session and have been assigned new bill numbers,
HD244 and HD 246 respectively, but they have not assigned to a committee yet.
Meetings Events and Other Announcements:
•
The Finance Committee has a meeting on Thursday, April 29th at 7 p.m. through Zoom.
• Spring 2021 Yard Waste Days are the following Saturdays from 8 am to 4 pm: May 1st, 8th, 15th
and 22nd. For information is found on the DPW page on the website.
• The Annual Town Meeting is Saturday, May 1st. Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the meeting will
start at 9 a.m.
COVID-19 Update
Covid-19 in Lunenburg
The Board of Health issued their weekly update and the cumulative laboratory confirmed number of
COVID-19 cases reported to the Town as of April 23rd was 767. The state report showed 728 cases as
of April 20th. There has been one death in town since the pandemic began. This is an increase of 13
cases since April 16th.
COVID-19 in Massachusetts (as of 4/22):
As of April 22nd there were 636,476 COVID-19 cases and 17,168 deaths and 20,701,850 patients
have been tested to date by the MA State Public Health Laboratory, hospitals, and commercial
laboratories.
Baker-Polito Administration Announces Plans for Continued Reopening
Today, the Baker-Polito Administration announced that Massachusetts will reopen some outdoor Phase 4,
Step 2 industries effective May 10"h and put plans in place for further reopening on May 29t* and August
1st. The Administration continues to take steps to reopen the Commonwealth's economy with public
===PAGE 7===
levels recorded since last summer.
Effective Monday, May 10':
Large venues such as indoor and outdoor stadiums, arenas and ballparks currently open as part of Phase 4,
Step 1 at 12% will be permitted to increase capacity to 25%.
The Commonwealth will reopen some outdoor Phase 4, Step 2 industries including amusement parks,
theme parks and outdoor water parks that will be permitted to operate at a 50% capacity after submitting
safety plans to the Department of Public Health.
Road races and other large, outdoor organized amateur or professional group athletic events will be
permitted to take place with staggered starts after submitting safety plans to a local board of health or the
DPH.
Youth and adult amateur sports tournaments will be allowed for moderate and high risk sports.
Singing will also be permitted indoors with strict distancing requirements at performance venues,
restaurants, event venues and other businesses.
Effective May 29th:
Subject to public health and vaccination data, gathering limits will increase to 200 people indoors and 250
people outdoors for event venues, public settings and private settings.
Subject to public health and vaccination data, additional Phase 4, Step 2 industries will be permitted to
open including:
Street festivals, parades and agricultural festivals, at 50% of their previous capacity and after
submitting safety plans to the local board of health.
• Bars, beer gardens, breweries, wineries and distilleries, will be subject to restaurant rules with
seated service only, a 90 minute limit and no dance floors.
• Subject to public health and vaccination data, the restaurant guidance will be updated to eliminate
the requirement that food be served with alcohol and to increase the maximum table size to 10.
Effective August 1$:
Subject to public health and vaccination data, remaining industries will be permitted to open including:
• Dance clubs, and nightclubs
• Saunas, hot-tubs, steam rooms at fitness centers, health clubs and other facilities
• Indoor water parks
• Ball pits
All industry restrictions will be lifted at that time, and capacity will increase to 100% for all industries,
with businesses encouraged to continue following best practices. The gathering limit will be rescinded.
Depending on vaccine distribution and public health data, the Administration may consider re-
evaluating the August 1 date.
The Department of Public Health will also continue to issue guidance as needed, including guidance
to still require masks indoors.
===PAGE 8===
fine as an enforcement mechanism will be eliminated.
All Individuals 16+ Now Eligible for Vaccine:
As of Monday, April 19th
, individuals 16 and older became eligible to receive vaccine at any of the
Commonwealth's over 300 public vaccination locations. With this group, 1.7 million additional
residents are now eligible for vaccine in the Commonwealth. Individuals seeking appointments at mass
vaccination sites are able to preregister for vaccine appointments at mass.gov/COVIDVaccine. Several
regional collaboratives are also on the preregistration system. An individual who preregisters can still
seek appointments at other sites including pharmacies, community health centers, or their healthcare
provider.
Due to limited supply of vaccines from the federal government, individuals seeking appointments
should anticipate that it may take several weeks to get an appointment.
As of April 18th the Commonwealth hit the milestone of having over 2 million residents fully
vaccinated. Over 3.2 million first doses have been administered to date.
MA Dose Allocation Update:
Last week, the Commonwealth received 348,220 first and second doses as part of the state allocation.
These figures do not include doses provided directly from the federal government to the Federal Retail
Pharmacy Program, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) or Community Vaccination
Center (CVC).
This week, first dose and second dose state allocations (total doses), were distributed among providers as
follows:
Health systems and health care providers (excluding community health centers): 122,040
•
•
Regional Collaboratives and Local Boards of Health: 76,360
Mass vaccination locations: 122,040
• Community Health Centers state allocation only: 21,180
• Retail pharmacies (non-CVS) state allocation only: 4,500
Mobile Clinics supporting long-term care facilities, congregate care, affordable/low-
income senior housing, and homebound individuals: 1,900
Weekly allocations are subject to change based on federal availability, demand from providers,
and obligations to meet second doses. Providers have 10 days to use their doses and must meet
specific performance thresholds.
Federal Doses: In addition to the state allocation, the federal government has increased its distribution of
vaccines to CVS Health sites as part of the Federal Retail Pharmacy Partnership as well as to certain
Massachusetts federally qualified community health centers. These quantities fluctuate on a weekly basis
and are not counted as part of the state's weekly allocation but represent an increasing allocation to
selected locations.
===PAGE 9===
Mr. Alonzo announced the Annual Town Meeting is this Saturday. May 1. This board meets
again on May 4'
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Chris Menard, 672 Page St., Finance Committee member but speaking as a citizen, believed
the article awarding $54,000 had been added late and failure to provide public comment could
be contrary to the Finance Committee's charge, although the Finance Committee is meeting
this Thursday. He believed it set a bad precedent. He suggested the article be pulled on the
town meeting floor and postponed until Special Town Meeting in November.
Mr. Jeffreys speaking to the public stated being a Selectmen is not an easy job. There was a lot
of discussion over the weekend that attacked, in his opinion, a member of this Board. You don't
have to agree with our views, but urged a higher level of respect for the fact that these people are
volunteering. Let the candidates explain to the community what it is they want. He added he
would not go to social media and tear down a person who voluntarily steps up and serve our
community. Ms. Adams concurred with Mr. Jeffreys. Mr. Alonzo urged voters to show up at
town meeting and voice their opinion on the direction the town should go in.
Mr. Alonzo noted the Board would be entering Executive Session
Motion: K. Adams
2°°: T. Dwyer
To enter into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining if
an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the public
body and the chair so declares and to adjourn after exiting Executive Session (Municipal
Employees Union, DPW Union, Fire Union)
Vote: Mr. Jeffreys-aye, Mr. Marino-aye, Mr. Dwyer-aye, Ms. Adams-aye, Mr.
Alonzo-aye
**************EXECUTIVE SESSIONMINUTES ARE SEPARATE***********
The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Elaire m. Peterson
Elaine M. Peterson
Executive Assistant to the Town Manager