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TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Jodi Ross
The year 2007 was a year in which the town was immersed in large capital projects. While the town’s approval of the construction of a wastewater treatment plant and the expansion of the library occurred in May 2006, the projects were underway throughout 2007. The treatment plant was largely complete by the end of 2007 and we expect to have it online by March 2008, $500,000 under budget and six months ahead of schedule. The project has entailed a great deal of work from many town employees, volunteers, and contractors, and has been deemed a success by all involved.
The library expansion was also a key project underway in 2007. After an extensive Request for Qualifications (RFQ) process, the town hired Richard Marks of Daedalus, Inc. as the Owner’s Project Manager (as required by Massachusetts State Law on municipal building construction over $1.5 million). Mr. Marks is charged with overseeing the day-to-day aspects of the project. After another extensive RFQ process, the town hired architect R. Drayton Fair of Lerner, Ladds & Bartels, Inc., who, with the assistance of the Library Construction Committee, is busily creating the final building design. Construction bids are expected in spring/summer 2008.
After twenty years of study, a $5.985 million public safety center was approved at the November 2007 town meeting. The decision was made to combine the three public safety agencies, police, fire and ambulance, in one facility. In addition, the town approved designing a force main to connect the newly expanded library and public safety center to the treatment plant - both to avoid creating two separate systems at each building, and to provide year-round flow to the plant. The RFQ for the design will go out in early 2008, with the construction of the force main to be completed in conjunction with the construction of the new buildings.
Everyone involved in these three substantial capital projects has worked long hours wading through many documents, details, viewing facilities in other towns, learning local and state laws and rules pertaining to public construction, and meeting weekly to be sure these projects are completed properly and on time without exceeding appropriated funding.
The overall town budget was just over $17 million which represented a moderate increase over last year (about 6%). Through the careful, diligent efforts of the town staff, and the oversight and counsel of the Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen, the town has continued to manage operations without requiring an operating override, something many towns throughout the Commonwealth are facing.
In 2007 we issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to build a cell tower on the transfer station parcel, both to improve reception, and to add much-needed revenue to the town. Our wireless communications bylaw is being reviewed now to enable the town to allow the cell tower to be constructed, consistent with resident approval at our May 2007 town meeting.
This year the town approved funding a new ambulance to replace our 1997 Ford that has been experiencing mechanical difficulties. A bid was put out in late 2007 and we expect to purchase this ambulance in early 2008 with funds set aside in our Ambulance Receipts Reserved fund.
The town approved the installation of a sidewalk from the Bolton Country Manor (senior HUD housing) to the Salt Box shopping center. Following the construction of the sidewalk, the selectmen established a town policy to keep the Main Street sidewalks plowed in the winter, and insure 36” of passable space on all downtown sidewalks.
Recognizing a need to improve our town road conditions, advisory and selectmen recommended, and the town approved additional funding for the highway department to be allocated to repaving town roads.
The selectmen formed a Capital Planning Committee to assist the town with collecting, examining, and helping to communicate capital needs (defined as items costing over $25,000 and having a five year life) to both town officials and residents.
After careful consideration and several meetings of the Insurance Advisory Committee with employees and retirees, the town voted to adopt Chapter 32b, Section 18, which requires eligible town retirees to move to senior health plans, which in turn lowers the town’s health insurance premiums by requiring Medicare to offset medical costs.
The selectmen contracted with John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies, of the University of Massachusetts, to conduct an organizational study for the town. The study examined a number of Town Hall positions, reviewed our employee structure, how jobs interrelate, job classifications and descriptions. The goal of the study was to help us streamline our operations, determine if reorganization was needed, and make recommendations prior to filling a couple of key vacant positions. The report was completed in December 2007 and we hope to implement some of the suggestions in 2008, in order to more effectively deliver services and more efficiently manage the Town Hall functions.
Many other projects were begun or completed as a result of the tireless collaboration, cooperation, and initiative by our town officials, employees and residents. Some of these include:
- The town purchased a new fire truck, paid for primarily through grants, costing the town only $19,000 for a $203,000 fire engine.
- The master plan was approved by the Planning Board in 2007.
- A new Personnel Committee was formed who have spent the past several months reviewing and rewriting personnel bylaws.
- The town approved an Agricultural Preservation Bylaw and established an Agricultural Commission.
- We analyzed the Golden Run Road water issues, including meeting with neighbors and National Grid (an abutting property owner) seeking solutions.
- We assisted residents to improve the visibility of their house numbers.
- We issued a RFP for a lease of the “Relocatable Building” only to determine the building needed extensive repair prior to issuing a lease.
- We brought senior and disabled van service to Bolton, with the assistance of the Montachusett Regional Transit Authority, costing the town very little funding.
- Bolton received an award at the State House from the Massachusetts Campaign for Open Government for the information we provide on our town website.
- The selectmen formed an energy committee to research and recommend alternative and renewable sources of energy for the town.
The town sadly said goodbye to three town employees: Betsy Cussen, long-time town resident and town clerk for the past 15 years; Nat Tipton, town planner; and Andrea Schnepf, administrative assistant to the Board of Health and town planner. We hired a new treasurer, Donna Madden, who came to us with experience in Littleton and Lincoln, Jenny Atwood Burney, new town planner from Sudbury, and Pam Powell, who was appointed temporary town clerk to finish the term vacated by Betsy Cussen’s retirement. Margy Diaz was appointed ambulance director succeeding Gerry Wilson. All four bring valuable experience to the town and have demonstrated a willingness and enthusiasm to be part of the Bolton team.
Some of the most pleasurable parts of my job are the social occasions I am honored to attend. The senior picnic in the summer is always a delight, and as we have done in years past, the town employees dressed in costume to the delight of pre-school trick-or-treaters on Halloween. In December the town staff hosted a holiday luncheon for the seniors, complete with a visit from Santa Claus.
In January 2008, I will complete my fourth year of service to the town of Bolton. These years have been remarkable for me – what a wonderful town in which to work! The residents, town employees and town officials are amazing individuals who devote much of their waking hours (some are even awake at 2 a.m.) to helping keep Bolton the
wonderful community it is. I would like to close by thanking the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee for their continued confidence and support of me in my position as town administrator. I would also like to thank all of the town volunteers, officials, department heads, and town employees for their cooperation and hard work. I truly believe these people are Bolton’s most valuable asset. The devotion and tireless commitment they show is incredible, and this is what helps to make Bolton the very special community it is. Thank you for continuing to allow me the opportunity to serve you.
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