Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                              Present:Stanley Wysocki

October 7, 2010                                      Curtis Plante

                                                                David Lindsay

                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                 Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING - AT&T MOBILITY

Present:  Sharon Horne, Site Acquisition Specialist for AT&T Mobility and Francis Malabanan, Radio Frequency Engineer

The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing to act upon the application of AT&T Mobility to add antennas and equipment to the existing wireless communications tower on property located at 97 Forbush Mill Road (Map 5A-19) pursuant to Section 2.5.7 Wireless Communication Bylaw of the Zoning Bylaw of the Town of Bolton.

 

Ms. Horne stated that the proposal is to co-locate antennas onto the existing tower at 137’, install a 12’ X 20’ equipment shelter within the existing compound and tie into the existing generator.  There are no variances required.

The Conservation Commission and DPW Director Harold Brown did not have any comments regarding the application.  The Planning Board recommended that the Board of Selectmen waive the requirement that a balloon test be conducted for the tower modification and recommended that the decision include the following conditions:  

Town Counsel has confirmed that it is not necessary for the co-locater to provide a lien as originally recommended by the Planning Board.

Ms. Horne agreed to the above mentioned conditions and stated that it would take approximately two weeks to provide the town with the actual bond language.

There were no comments from the audience.  

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the hearing.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to waive the balloon test requirement.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board voted to approve the application of AT&T Mobility to add antennas and equipment to the existing wireless communications tower contingent upon the bond language being approved by the Town Administrator and Town Counsel, and contingent upon the decision including recommendations (a), (b), (c) & (d) as referenced above of the Planning Board’s memo dated September 29, 2010.

 

(Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

STORM WATER RUNOFF AND FLOODING IN THE AREA OF NASHAWAY ROAD AND VAUGHN HILL ROAD

Present:  Mr. Dill, Mr. & Mrs. McCarthy and Mr. & Mrs. Bernard

Mr. Dill reported that he had an initial conversation with Dr. Walker, the homeowner of 101 Nashaway Road who was willing to work with the town but wanted to see the detailed proposal before agreeing to anything.   Mr. Dill drafted a letter for the homeowner to sign which indicated her willingness to consider the proposal, but unfortunately the homeowner has not followed through with signing the letter.

Mr. Dill noted that there are other options to access the creek which would involve using frontage between the McCarthy and Walker properties.  Mr. Dill attempted to contact these property owners but had not had the opportunity to speak with them.  Other options included taking the land by eminent domain, relocating the basin, and redesigning the drainage for a 10 year storm plan.  

Mr. Amenta of Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI) confirmed they have sufficient time to prepare the grant application for the November 1, 2010 deadline if the Board voted to proceed, but they would not be able to complete the application if the Board wanted to wait until the October 21 Selectmen’s meeting to make a decision.

Mr. Lindsay was not supportive of any proposal without a town meeting vote. Mr. Lindsay was favorable to the 10 year storm plan which would fit on the existing easement, cost much less and eliminate the need for seeking an easement from the homeowner of 101 Nashaway Road.  Mr. Wysocki and Mr. Plante were not favorable to the 10 year storm plan and felt that the 25 year plan was necessary to resolve the problem.  Mr. Amenta did not think it was possible to fit a 25 year plan on the existing easement.  

The Board of Selectmen reiterated the need for a dialogue with the property owner of 101 Nashaway Road and did not take any action to pursue the grant application.

As requested by Mr. McCarthy, Mr. Lowe will obtain a set of plans that have been done by CEI for Mr. McCarthy’s review.  

BOLTON BOUNDARIES REPORT

Ms. Remington, Historical Commission member presented the Board of Selectmen with a report of the Bolton boundaries prepared by J. Howard Black, Historical Commission.  The report included color photographs and maps for 18 out of the 24 town bounds.  This report will be kept in the Town Clerk’s office.

Ms. Remington asked that the discussion regarding the study phase for the establishment of a new local historic district be deferred to a future meeting.

PARKS/RECREATION

Present:  Karen Regan and Chief Alfano

Ms. Regan requested approval from the Board of Selectmen to plant a European beech tree at Pond Park.   The tree planting plan was reviewed with Mark Caisse, Tree Warden.   Mr. Schneider, abutter to Pond Park has agreed to plant the tree.  The tree will be planted in a location that will not be affected by street salt and will not block the drivers’ view at the Mechanic Street/Route 117 intersection.    On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the planting of a European beech tree.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen also voted to approve the Halloween parade to be held On Saturday, October 30, 2010 (rain date Sunday, October 31).  .  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)  The parade will start at Memorial field; go down Wattaquadock Hill Road to Mechanic Street and onto the Florence Sawyer School.  Notices will be sent to the neighbors notifying them of the parade, and they will be asked not to hand out candy during the parade.  Chief Alfano has approved the parade.  

POLICE CHIEF FLEET AND HIRING OF POLICE OFFICER

Mr. Lowe has been working closely with Chief Alfano to evaluate ways to save money in his department given the fact that more than half the overtime budget has been spent for FY11.  

Mr. Lowe requested that Chief Alfano put the hiring of a full time officer on hold to allow the Board of Selectmen the opportunity to discuss this proposal.

The plan was to hire a full-time academy graduate at step 1 to fill the full-time shift vacated by Sergeant Bagdonas which would be a savings of approximately $18,000 annually.  It was also noted that Sergeant Slepetz is out on medical leave with some of his wages being offset with insurance payments.  

Mr. Plante questioned the definition of an open shift and if the reserve officers were being used sufficiently in the standard schedule.

Chief Alfano explained that an open shift was a shift that could not be filled by the full time officers and/or shifts that were open because of vacation or sick time, and that the filling of shifts is controlled by the police union contract which states half the “open shifts” be offered to the full time officers who get time and a half if they have worked more than 40 hours a week with the remaining 50% being offered to reserve officers.  The contract also requires reserve officers to work 3 shifts a month at a minimum which helps to reduce the overtime.

Mr. Plante did not agree with how everyone was interpreting the police union contract related to open shifts.  Given the rule of thumb of “one officer for every 500 residents” it was his opinion that there were enough officers to fill the shifts.   

Mr. Lowe stated that the hiring of the new officer will be a cost savings but will not make up the entire delta caused by the above-budget overtime expenses.  Chief Alfano also deferred the lease for the motorcycle which Mr. Lowe said is a good step in the right direction to help get the Police budget back on track.

Mr. Wysocki stated that replacing a more experience officer with a more economical officer to fill the shifts was a win/win situation.   

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the hiring of a new junior patrol officer in the police department (Wysocki – yes, Plante – no, Lindsay – yes)

POLICE DEPARTMENT FLEET

At the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen, Chief Alfano will meet with the Capital Planning Committee to discuss a cruiser fleet purchase schedule to save money.  Chief Alfano provided the mileage history of the six-cruiser fleet noting that the newest cruiser that was purchased in July already has 10,000 miles.  When a new cruiser is purchased, one cruiser is taken out of rotation and goes to the DPW or Town Hall.  The Taurus that was received as a drug seizure will be auctioned off with vehicles from the DPW and the proceeds from that sale must be returned to the drug unit because the Taurus was received as a drug seizure.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Center Line on Wilder Road:  The Board of Selectmen received a letter from a resident requesting that a center line be painted on Wilder Road.  Mr. Brown, DPW Director, plans to repaint the fog lines on Wilder Road but does not have funds budgeted for the painting of the center line.  On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen requested that Public Ways Safety Committee review this request and report back to the Board with their opinion.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

DEED RESTRICTION – HOUGHTON FARMS

As part of the FOSPRD Subdivision approval, the owner of the Houghton Farm subdivision offered the Town 38.29 acres to be managed under the care and custody of the Conservation Commission.  On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept and execute a deed restriction for 38.29 acres from Houghton Farms subdivision on Sugar Road.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

ATM CALENDAR AND ELECTION

The Board of Selectmen reviewed and approved the Annual Town Meeting calendar.   On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the budget message to town departments requesting a level funded budget, and as a contingency plan to prepare a 3% budget reduction.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

At the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on October 21, the Board and Advisory Committee will discuss the budget message to be delivered to Superintendent Wood and the School Committee.

FLAG DONATION

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the donation of a 4’X6’ town flag by Helene Demmer and Linda Mauro to the Public Safety Center.  The value of the flag is $132.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

STATE ELECTION WARRANT

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the State Election warrant for November 2, 2010.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CO-DIRECTOR

The Board of Selectmen voted to advertise for an Emergency management Co-Director due to the resignation of Peter Casello.

APPOINTMENTS

The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint the following:

John “Jack” Bushman and Patricia Lupo

Gwendolen “Wendy” Rogers

Stu Malmberg

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 9:40 p.m.  (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day