Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
June 10, 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.
UNLICENSED DOGS
Present: Pamela Powell, Town Clerk
Present: Susan Latham, Animal Control Officer and Pamela Powell, Town Clerk
The Board of Selectmen received a copy of the Dog Licensing Procedures, which outlined the process used to remind dog owners that dog licenses were due by March 31, 2010. A late fee has been implemented effective May 1st, 2010, and certified letters are being sent to dog owners informing them that they will be cited if they do not license their dogs by June 30, 2010. Ms. Latham proposed adding a step to the procedure by notifying the dog owners of a non-criminal disposition violation, which is an additional $25.00 fine per dog per household, prior to filing a complaint with the court. Mr. Plante suggested that the late fee be increased. Ms. Latham and Ms. Powell stated that they would like to try the new approach this year and see how it goes before increasing the fine.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the new process and sign the warrant. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay –yes)
PARKS/RECREATION
Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 44, Section 33B, on a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request from the Parks and Recreation Commission to transfer the amount of $700 from the Recreation budget Account #630 to the Parks budget Account#650. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay –yes)
DAYLILIES
Mr. & Mrs. King met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to place directional signs for the daylilies selling season – Monday, June 28 through September 26, 2010. Mrs. King stated that they have been raising and selling daylilies for 20 years. On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign request and waive the sign fee because this business undertaking is an agricultural activity. (Lindsay– yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
REQUEST FOR SIGNS FOR THE TY-RODS CLUB
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the temporary signs for the Ty-Rods Annual Old Timers Reunion to be held at the Bolton Fairgrounds in Lancaster on September 12, 2010. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes) The signs will be located at Route 495 North at Exit 27 – Route 117 off ramp; Route 495 South at Exit 27 – Route 117 off ramp; Route 85 at intersection of Route 117; Route 110 North at intersection of Route 117; and Route 110 South at intersection of Route 117.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the request of the Alzheimer’s Association for the 14th Annual Memory Ride, a charity bicycle event that will pass through Bolton on Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Board of Selectmen suggested that Mr. Lowe speak with Chief Alfano regarding traffic control during the event. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI): Mr. Lowe reported that CEI has almost completed their work, with the exception of one visit to Bolton. They will be ready to present the alternatives to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on June 24, 2010 and the neighbors will be invited to attend this meeting.
Operating Guidelines for the Board of Selectmen: Mr. Lowe stated the Selectmen’s liaison role is important to keep the board in touch with various things going on with the departments and groups, but now that he has been on board for more than a year he would like to recommend that the Selectmen’s liaison role to the department heads be eliminated and that he maintain the liaison role with the department heads. Mr. Lowe stated this does not preclude the Selectmen from communicating with the department heads and vice versa. The Board was favorable to this recommendation. The Operating Guidelines will be revised and reviewed by the Board of Selectmen.
Recommendation on process for periodic review of cash equivalent investments: Mr. Lowe stated that the Finance Team meets twice a year, on which occasions it could review the Town's cash equivalent investments. He also noted that the Team will be meeting in the near future. A member of the Board of Selectmen serves on the team, and Mr. Lowe recommended that Mr. Lindsay fill this role for the Board of Selectmen, attending the Finance Team meetings and reporting back to the Board at a Selectmen’s meeting regarding the cash equivalent holdings and other relevant information. Mr. Lindsay was favorable to being the liaison and following the procedures outlined by Mr. Lowe, but stated that he had some questions now and would like a review to take place with the Board of Selectmen at the next meeting, or one soon after. Following this initial review, Mr. Lowe's suggested procedure could be implemented. Mr. Lindsay agreed to provide his questions and concerns to Ms. Madden prior to the next Selectmen's meeting so that she would have the information available for the meeting.
AT&T proposal: Mr. Lowe reported that a revised proposal has been received from AT&T relative to the rates they propose to pay the town for the cell tower at 570 Main Street. Mr. Lowe would like to have a conversation with Mr. Lindsay on some of the assumptions and how the decision may be impacted relative to that.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Fleet: Mr. Lindsay noted the Board’s earlier recommendation that Chief Alfano, or a representative of his, meet with the Capital Planning Committee to discuss the police department's fleet rotation policy. Mr. Lindsay further stated that he would like to be sure that this project moves forward.
Police Operations: Mr. Plante asked for an update on the excess spending in the overtime expense line-item of the police department budget. Mr. Lowe reported that the police overtime budget is in deficit by more than $30,000. The biggest reason for the overtime excess spending is that the department has had two officers out on disability. Disability checks received by the Town from the insurance company are submitted to the general fund, rather than being placed back in the overtime budget. To date, approximately $8-9,000 has been received from the insurance company. There are two reserve officer roles that need to be filled. Resumes have been received, and 11 candidates will be interviewed in the next couple of weeks. Chief Alfano will be making a recommendation, regarding these reserve officer appointments, to the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on July 8, 2010. Filling these two positions will help the police overtime budget situation. Chief Alfano does not believe he will need a transfer for FY10 expenses although Mr. Lowe believes a minimal transfer may be needed. Mr. Lowe will be meeting with Chief Alfano next week to do a formal review of the budget.
MISCELLANEOUS
Culvert report on Sugar Road: Mr. Plante requested a copy of the proposed plan for the culvert on Sugar Road. Mr. Lowe will obtain a copy from Mr. Brown, DPW Director.
Minutes: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of April 1, April 15 and May 3, 2010. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
FORBUSH MILL ROAD TELECOMMUNICATIONS EASEMENT
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the easement document and had a couple of questions regarding the language of the easement. On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the easement for the Forbush Mill Road telecommunications tower with the understanding that Town Counsel will do a final review of the easement language prior to release of the document. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
TRANSFER STATION STICKERS
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve free stickers in the amount of $100.00 face value, in any combination of orange and green stickers, for seniors (at least one household member aged 61 or older) per household, in multiples of 10 stickers. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
The Board of Selectmen agreed that they would not increase the transfer station sticker prices at this time and will review this topic again in three months.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to talk with Mr. Brown on alternatives for hiring employees to work at the transfer station as a cost savings measure.
APPOINTMENTS
Appointment of MART Advisory Board member: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mr. Troup to the MART Advisory Board to represent the Board of Selectmen. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
Cadet EMT Advisory Board member: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen appointed Mr. Troup to the Cadet EMT Advisory Board. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
GREAT BROOK FARMS
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to a approve a one day beer and wine license for a music event on June 27, 2010 from 3 to 11:00 p.m. at Great Brook Farms, 356 Great Road (Main Street). (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 8:20 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day