Rabies clinic, new backhoe, take-back drugs

Janet Stoica 
Patriot Correspondent

DUDLEY - The March 5 meeting of the Dudley Selectmen began with approval of the Board’s February 13th meeting minutes, as well as approval of minutes from the February 28th Public Hearing. The Public Hearing was in reference to telephone pole installation at the new Cumberland Farms’ building on West Main Street.

The Board accepted, with regret, the resignation of Brian Germain from the Conservation Commission. Mr. Germain had served nine years on the Commission and his resignation was effective February 15.

Nichols College applied for a one-day Wine & Malt/Liquor license for its annual faculty dinner to be held on March 27th. After questions from the Board directed to the Nichols representative, including confirmation that TIPS-certified personnel would be present, the approval was granted, with Chairman Steven Sullivan abstaining.

The Board then reviewed information regarding the Town’s upcoming rabies clinic, to be held on Saturday, March 10, from 9 a.m.-12 noon at the Municipal Center. The clinic is being sponsored by the Animal Hospital of Webster and the Dudley Board of Health. Fees will be $10 (cash only) for cats & dogs. All animals must be leashed or in a carrier and muzzled if aggressive. Permission was granted and more information can be obtained by phoning (508) 949-8017.

Jo-Ann Channell then came before the Board to request permission for a voluntary toll-road fundraiser on behalf of Relay for Life. The fundraiser would be held on Saturday, May 19, between the hours of 9 a.m. and noon, and would be set up at the Dudley/Webster line before the river bridge. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society. This will be the 5th year that the Ribbon Rockettes, Ms. Channell’s group, will be fundraising. Permission was unanimously granted.

Fire Chief Dean Kochanowski presented a request for a letter of recommendation/support from the Board Chairman to attend the Executive Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Maryland. The program is held annually for two weeks within a four-year term. It was noted that the only expense to the Town would be the cost of the $250 meal ticket as well as fuel for driving expenses, with mileage then being reimbursed by the Academy. The training program is funded by the National Fire Academy and is nationally recognized.

Chief Kochanowski also advised the Board of the FEMA reimbursement status from the October 2011 snowstorm. Total expenses were $58,000, of which $43,500 would be reimbursed by FEMA.

Police Chief Steven Wojnar gave his report on the Take-Back Prescription Drug Program to be held on Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., in the Municipal Center lobby. This is the second opportunity the Town has had to gather citizens’ expired/unwanted/partially-used prescriptions to be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner. The initial Take-Back Program held in the fall was a great success.

Chief Wojnar also reviewed the criteria regarding the sergeant position opening. The Board discussed background, educational requirements, service time of potential candidates, and the selection process itself, including a written test, assessment center’s guidelines, and police promotion panels.

Daniel Gion, Highway Superintendent, gave results of the bid opening for a new Caterpillar 430E IT 4-wheel drive backhoe for the Highway Department. Mr. Gion recommended awarding the bid to Southworth-Milton, Inc. for a sum of $97,500 which includes a $25,000 trade-in for the current backhoe, spare front and rear tires plus wheel, a jaw bucket, and a seven-year full machine warranty. An additional bid came in at $105,531. Selectmen voted to seek Town approval to award the bid as specified pending Town Meeting funding approval. Nancy Runkle abstained.

Additional Board discussion entailed policies on iPads/tablets and the Open Government Policy regarding broadcasting, recording, and online availability of all public meetings of boards, commissions, and appointed committees, as well as having an open government web page that will serve as the source for town activities related to local open government directives.

Under old business, the board discussed the proposed local election date change from the Monday following the first Saturday in May to the Monday following the third Saturday in June. Selectmen took the election date changes under advisement until the April meeting schedule.

Town Administrator Peter Jankowski reviewed additional cable TV wiring access capabilities and also provided information on the upcoming Candidates’ Night being sponsored by the Town as well as the Dudley Women’s Club. More details would be provided at the next Selectmen’s Meeting.

Members present at the meeting were Nancy Runkle, Paul Joseph, Chairman Steven Sullivan, Jonathan Ruda, and Peter Fox. Absent was student rep, Katie Racicot, due to sports activities. Also present were Peter Jankowski, Town Administrator, and Michelle Jervis, Administrative Secretary.