===PAGE 1=== Page 1 of 5 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Town of Lunenburg Select Board Meeting Minutes Town Hall, 17 Main Street and via Zoom Tuesday, April 9, 2024 Members Present: Chair Michael-Ray Jeffreys, Vice-Chair Lou Franco, Clerk Caesar Nuzzolo, Member Tom Alonzo, and Member Renee Emkey Members Absent: None Also Present: Heather Lemeiux, Town Manager Public Comment Participants are listed in the minutes CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Chair Michael-Ray Jeffreys called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Chair Jeffreys informed attendees that the meeting was being recorded and broadcast live and would be uploaded to YouTube after the meeting. He explained that the agenda listed topics that may be discussed, but not all items may be addressed and other items not listed could be brought up as permitted by open meeting law. PUBLIC COMMENT Board Comment Vice Chair Lou Franco announced that eclipse glasses are being collected at the library, to be reused in South America to enable children there to see the October eclipse. Member Tom Alonzo mentioned he was able to see the total eclipse and it was incredible. Public Comment Mr. George Burden, 39 Cortland Circle: Mr. Burden described some issues he has experienced with legal matters regarding his HOA. He is seeking certain video clips and also shared some personal observations about members of the Selectboard. Chair Jeffreys assured Mr. Burden that there is no connection between the law firm Mr. Burden mentioned and himself. Mr. John Bowen, 162 Highland St., via Zoom: Mr. Bowen discussed information he has collected about the cost of maintaining the cemeteries and pointed out some anomalies in the rules and regulations regarding maintenance responsibilities. ANNOUNCEMENTS Town Manager Heather Lemeiux announced that tax bill proofs have been sent for printing after the errors were worked through and should be mailed by May 16. COMMUNICATIONS FROM OTHER BOARDS Mr. Matthew Allison, representing the Agricultural Commission, briefed the Board. He reported that there may not be a Farmers Market this year due to personnel matters. The lack of a meeting quorum has delayed the release of the rules and regulations. In addition, participation by local ===PAGE 2=== Page 2 of 5 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 farmers actually costs them more than running their own markets. It would also be helpful if the Town could assist with permanent space. Chair Jeffreys offered to schedule an appointment with the Commission at the next meeting. Mr. Allison feels that the Town could be more supportive of the agriculture community, and in particular mentioned there might be State funding that could be pursued. Chair Jeffreys indicated that the April 23 meeting was a possible date. Mr. Mark Burch, Chair of the Water District Commission, gave an update. Hydrant flushing is underway. Additionally, public meetings on the PFAS master plan will be held on April 11 (noon) and April 25 (6:30) at the high school. Any resident is welcome to attend. On May 16 (6:30) there will be a meeting to vote to appropriate funding for the remediation of PFAS. Water District Commission meetings are also open to the public. The EPA is expected to announce soon that the maximum contaminant PFAS level is 4 parts per trillion, reduced from 25 parts per trillion. APPOINTMENTS 7:15 PM Presentation of “Black Excellence On The Hill” Citation from State Delegation to Chairman Jeffreys Senator John Cronin, Representative Margaret Scarsdale, and Representative Michael Kushmerek presented Chairman Jeffreys with the 2024 “Black Excellence On the Hill” citation to acknowledge his service as a combat veteran, and to recognize his work on the Select Board and as Vice President with Mass Development. His leadership lifts up communities of color and is an inspiration for the future. The delegation extended their congratulations and thanks to Chairman Jeffreys. 7:30 PM Public Hearing for Special Event License for Car Show Fundraiser request on May 22nd from the Turkey Hill Family Lions Club Ms. Dawn Johnson, 357 Lancaster Ave. appeared representing the Turkey Hill Family Lions Club. She requested permission to hold a car show fundraiser in collaboration with the PTO, at the TC Passios school and Memorial Drive on May 22 from 4 to 8 pm. Approvals from the school, the BOH, and police/fire have already been obtained. Rain date is May 29. Motion by Member Tom Alonzo to approve the Special Event License for Car Show Fundraiser on May 22nd by the Turkey Hill Family Lions Club from 4 to 8 pm. Seconded by Clerk Caesar Nuzzolo. Call for the vote: Five-aye. The motion passed unanimously (5-0- 0). 7:40 PM Public Hearing for Tollbooth Fundraiser request on May 18th from the Fitchburg / Leominster Shriner’s Club in Support of Shriners Hospital Transportation Fund Mr. Carl Edmunds appeared representing the Fitchburg/Leominster Shriner’s Club. The organization requesting permission for a tollbooth at the intersection of Mass Ave and Main St., as they did for the past two years. Funds are being raise for the transportation of patients from all over the world, which costs between $40,000 to $80,000 due to the specialized equipment. Last year the tollbooth took in close to $2,000. The hours would be 9 am to 2 pm. However, ===PAGE 3=== Page 3 of 5 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Member Alonzo pointed out that there is a conflict with another event already approved, and the date on the form is not the date presented at the hearing. The form will need to be resubmitted for approval, but as the group has experience with the event, Mr. Edmunds will not need to appear in person again. INTERVIEWS/APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS/RESIGNATIONS Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Alternate Plumbing/Gas Inspector, Jeremy Pierce Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Facilities Custodian, Allan Smith Ratification of the Town Manager’s Appointment of Seasonal Beach Director Liz Simeone and Seasonal Lifeguards Paige Gengler and Mason Bowser Resignation of Police Public Safety Coordinator Amanda Moore and Police Officer Deven O’Brien The Town Manager informed the Board that ratification of the three appointments is being tabled due to pending documentation, until the 23rd. Officer O’Brien is going to the MA State Police, and Ms. Moore’s position has been posted internally. The Board thanked both Officer O’Brien and Ms. Moore for their service to the Town, and wished them all the best. Ms. Moore is hoping to continue to offer her services to the Town, as she is on the ballot. CURRENT BUSINESS Notice of Right of First Refusal for 100 Howard Street/Lots 1-4, (Conversion to Residential) Tanner Cole, 100 Howard St., stated he is the owner of the 64 acres there and the land has been in chapter 61 for 5 years. He is planning for 4 house lots on a small portion. The town has the right of first refusal. The 4 lots in question would cost the town $435,000 in total in they wish to purchase . Motion by Member Alonzo to waive the right of first refusal on the 4 lots at 100 Howard St. as presented in our paperwork and by the applicant. Seconded by Vice Chair Franco. Call for the vote: Five-Aye. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). Sign Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Election Warrants The Board signed the annual town meeting, town election, accounts payable and payroll warrants. Review Draft Turnover Policy Delayed to the 23rd. Minutes/Warrants/Action Items Signatures were delayed to the following week. Committee Reports ===PAGE 4=== Page 4 of 5 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Agriculture Committee meeting with the Select Board is to be scheduled. The Finance Committee and the Planning Board will be meeting soon. Member Emkey reported that the School Committee voted that if the override passes they will return the ARPA funds. Vice Chair Franco reported that the COA met today. The adult Activity Center could be a venue for the 300th anniversary celebration. Additionally, coffee with the Chief is April 19, and the Covid clinic is April 22 3-6 pm. Growing Places is a program to distribute fresh produce, and the pancake breakfast is tomorrow. Chair Jeffreys reported on his meeting with the superintendent of Monty Tech, and their conversation about the admissions policy, prompted by the Chair’s personal interest and concerns about implementing a lottery system for admittance. UPCOMING MEETING/EVENTS SCHEDULE April 23rd, April 30th, May 4th at 9 AM (Annual Town Meeting) PUBLIC COMMENT None from Town Manager PUBLIC Jane Rabbit, 314 Townsend Harbor Rd. Mrs. Rabbit reported on free concerts at the Groton Hill Music Center, every 3 months on Wednesdays at noon. There were a number of buses from senior centers and she wondered if the Town could provide transportation for our seniors. The Rabbits’ thanked Chair Jeffreys and all the board members for their service. Mr. John Bowen, 162 Highland St. Mr. Bowen discussed unions, prevailing wages, training and materials taxation. Chair Jeffreys stated that the Select Board and the Town Manager do not advise our employees on unionization. BOARD Vice Chair Franco described the many conversations he and Chair Jeffreys have had on American politics and history, and he wished to acknowledge that Chair Jeffreys has been a role model for the Black community, and a friend. ADJOURNMENT Chair Jeffreys moved to adjourn. Seconded by Clerk Nuzzulo. Call for the vote: Five-Aye. The motion passed unanimously (5-0-0). Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Respectfully Submitted, ===PAGE 5=== Page 5 of 5 Select Board Meeting Minutes April 9, 2024 Sharon Jordan Minute Clerk These Minutes were reviewed and approved by the Select Board on: Tuesday June 17, 2025 Chair Nuzzolo made the Motion to Approve the minutes from April 9, 2024. Seconded by Vice-Chair Moore. Call for the vote: Four-aye. One-abstain (McLeod). Motion passed (4-0- 1).