Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                                 Present: Kenneth F. Troup

February 25, 2010                                   Stanley Wysocki

                                                                Curtis Plante

                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                               Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

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

ABOLISH THE FARM EXCISE TAX

Mr. Nichols, Board of Assessors member met with the Board of Selectmen to recommend the elimination of the farm excise tax that Bolton has been accruing.  There are 20 qualified farms and the annual revenue ranges from $3,000 to $5,000.  

Barbara Parente, member of the Agricultural Commission informed the Board of Selectmen that the Agricultural Commission was in support of the Assessor’s recommendation.

 

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Board of Assessors recommendation to abolish the farm excise tax and place a question on the May town meeting election ballot. (Troup – yes, Plante –yes, Wysocki – yes)

BOLTON YOUTH BASEBALL LEAGUE

Ms. Shepple and Ms. Sidopoulos met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to hold a parade on Saturday, April 24, 2010 (rain date Sunday, April 25, 2010) at 1:00 p.m. for the opening day of the Bolton Youth Baseball League.  The parade will start at Emerson School parking lot, onto Main Street and left onto Wattaquadock Hill Road to Memorial Field.  Chief Alfano, Fire Chief John Stephenson and the Parks/Recreation Commission have all approved of this event.  A suggestion was made to use an electronic sign board to notify residents of Route 117 being closed for the parade.  The DPW will be contacted to see if they can use their sign and if not available, they will contact a surrounding town to see if a sign is available.

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Ms. Gumbart, Conservation Commission Administrator met with the Board of Selectmen to recommend their approval of the Conservation Restriction for 100 acres of open space in the Century Mill Road Estates Subdivision.  

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Conservation Restriction.  (Troup – yes, Plante – yes, Wysocki – yes)

SUNSHINE SIGN COMPANY – CLINTON SAVINGS BANK BRANCH

Mr. Cunningham met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval for the installation of three replacement signs for the Clinton Savings Bank located at 563 Main Street (one at the road, and two on the Clinton Savings Bank building).   There will be no change in the dimensions of the signs.   Mr. Cunningham will also be changing the sign at the road for the dental office.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the sign requests.   (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

RELEASE OF COUNTY ROAD EASEMENT

Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Senie met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the proposed warrant article which would allow the Board of Selectmen to release and abandon any and all rights, title and interest that the Town of Bolton has in an easement located on their property at 324 Still River Road.   Mr. Senie explained that the Annual Town Meeting in 1930 authorized the Board of Selectmen to resolve this matter.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to sponsor the article to release this easement and the easements of the other properties include all the lots involved.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on the FY11 budget:  Mr. Lowe reported that the treasurer, accountant and town administrator presented their budgets to the Advisory Committee.  The meetings went well and there is no significant change in the budget status overall.  The Capital Planning Committee also met with the Advisory Committee after meeting with Chief Alfano regarding his recommendation for a new police cruiser.   Mr. Lindsay expressed his concern about the snow and ice deficit.  Mr. Lowe reported that bond counsel has informed him that we can’t borrow for the removal of the Fyfeshire dam.

Senior Tax Rebate Program:  The seniors have responded positively to the recent changes made to the program guidelines.  Overall the program is moving forward in a positive manner and we have received three new applications from people who would like to participate in the program.  

Common Cause:  Mr. Lowe announced that for the fourth consecutive year, the Town of Bolton has been awarded the 2010 E-Government award with distinction by Common Cause Massachusetts for its commitment to posting key information to the Town’s web site.  A ceremony is scheduled for March 16, 2010.

Solar System:  Mr. Lowe reported that the town received three bids for the installation of the installation of a 2kW (DC) solar voltaic system on the roof of Florence Sawyer School.  The lowest bidder was Fall River Electric for a total of $18,430.

Oil leak at public safety site:  Mr. Lowe reported that the soil contamination remediation is under budget by approximately $2,100.

 

Update on the ATM warrant:  A meeting will be scheduled for Thursday, April 29, 2010 to review the ATM warrant with Moderator James Anker.

Space Needs Committee:  Ms. Abdalian will be informed that as a member of the Advisory Committee she can’t serve on the Space Needs Committee as she has requested but that she could be appointed by the Advisory Committee as the liaison for the Committee.   Mr. Troup offered to be the liaison to the Space Needs Committee for the Board of Selectmen.

Performance Evaluation Process:  Mr. Lowe stated that he drove the process for the performance evaluations of the Police Chief and DPW Director.  His goal is to complete performance evaluations for his staff by the end of the fiscal year. Mr. Lowe stated that he has worked very closely with his staff; they know the expectations and will not be surprised with their evaluations.

Mr. Lowe will forward his goals to the Board of Selectmen in preparation for his performance evaluation.

Library Boiler:  The new boiler at the library failed and is not functional at this time.  They are waiting for replacement parts and do not expect the boiler to be functional before next Wednesday.  Mr. Lowe has talked with the Board of Health and the Building Inspector and there is no problem with the library remaining opening.  Mr. Brown is not concerned with the pipes freezing.  The general contractor is managing the problem as aggressively as possible.

MINUTES

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of December 17 & 29, 2009.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

The Board of Selectmen expressed their deepest sympathy to the family of Harold Babcock who passed away.  Mr. Babcock served the community for many decades as a fire-fighter, EMT, and on the Cemetery Committee, and was a mentor to the Fire and Ambulance Departments.   He will be missed.  

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:41 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Linda L. Day