Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
July 8, 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.
TOWN’S CASH HOLDING
Ms. Madden provided the Board of Selectmen with a list of the town’s cash holdings:
Century Bank $230,000 (All FDIC insured)
Citizens Bank $600,000 (Collateralized with US Govt securities)
Clinton Savings Bank $35,000 (All FDIC insured)
Eastern Bank $140,000 (All FDIC insured)
Fidelity Co-op Bank $4,000,000 ($250,000 FDIC insured; $3,750,000
SIF (MA Co-op Bank Fund insured)
Total $5,780,000
Mr. Lindsay said he believed that the Town should keep its funds only in banks that participate in the Federal Reserve's Transaction Account Guarantee Program. He understands that the Board of Selectmen does not have the authority to mandate this, and that the Treasurer has the authority to decide how the funds are invested. Mr. Lindsay said he thought, however, that the Treasurer was making a mistake. Mr. Wysocki was satisfied with the explanations given by Ms. Madden of the rationale of where the Town’s funds were being invested at this time.
Ms. Madden stated that she has strict guidelines that she must follow, which include using only Massachusetts banks. Ms. Madden stated that the Fidelity Co-operative bank is highly recommended, and she does not have any doubt about our money being secure.
REVIEW OF PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SMITH PROPERTY
Developers David Drugge and Roger Sherman of Bolton Crossing, LLC, met with the Board of Selectmen to present a preliminary plan for the proposed development of the Smith property and receive feedback from the Board and residents that attended the meeting.
The plan presented showed a drugstore, market, retail and office space along with a restaurant and town green surrounded by 347 parking spaces for a total of approximately 78,000 square feet. The only access to the property would be from Main Street.
The existing building, which was a gas station and automotive repair shop, will be razed along with the dwelling at 715 Main Street. Contaminants were found on the property, and the site will need to be cleaned up before moving forward with any development. Mr. Drugge also expects to find buried vehicles, tires and parts that will need to be removed.
The developers are very cognizant of the fact that there are issues, such as traffic, lighting, public safety access and the need for a traffic light at the intersection of Wattaquadock Hill Road and Main Street, to be addressed. They also know that it is critical to have the overall development conform to Bolton’s character..
Mr. Sherman stated that the purchase is not contingent on a zoning change but the ability to proceed is. If the zoning changes are denied, they will have re-evaluate the proposed project.
Mr. Drugge met with Noel Drewicz owner of the property at 711-713 Main Street to get an understanding of her plans to rehabilitate her property and discuss the problems she has had related to the parking.
Several residents of Bolton attended the meeting to express their opinion regarding the proposed development. While some were opposed to such a development in a historic town center, others were more positive about the proposal. Mr. Nelson, member of the Economic Development Committee stated that the property is not doing anything for the Town right now and is an environmental clean-up site. It has the potential to provide tax relief and attract others to lease other vacant locations in town.
Ms. Ochsenbein stated that there are complex issues, with his primary concern being the impact and scale of the project. For comparison, the proposed market would be twice the size of the library. Traffic is a major concern including the deliveries. It was his opinion that this was the worst possible place to put such a development with the most residential impact and traffic problems.
The developers agreed that getting the recommendations of a traffic engineer would be critical prior to going to town meeting.
Mr. Plante reminded everyone that this property was offered to the town and that its purchase was defeated at town meeting. He stated that we should be applauding the developers for coming forward and investing in our community.
RESERVE OFFICER APPOINTMENTS
After the careful review of 94 reserve officer applications, interviews by the Interviewing Committee and the successful completion of extensive investigations conducted by Officer Barry, Chief Alfano recommended that the Board of Selectmen appoint Paul Smith of Billerica and Cassandra Ela of Lancaster as Reserve Officers.
Ms. Ela did an internship at the Bolton Police Department, graduated from the reserve academy and has a master’s degree in criminal justice. She also serves on the Bolton ambulance squad. Ms. Ela would like the opportunity to attend the full time police academy and would like to see herself as a full time officer in five years.
Mr. Smith is a full time officer in Carlisle, a graduate from the police academy and has an associate’s degree in criminal justice. He is also a certified rape investigator. He did not see commuting to Bolton as a problem and has the flexibility of swapping shifts at his present job so that he can cover shifts in Bolton as needed.
Chief Alfano stated that Ms. Ela and Mr. Smith have unique and different talents to bring to the Town of Bolton.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Ms. Ela and Mr. Smith, as Reserve Officers for the Town of Bolton. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
REQUEST FOR END OF YEAR BUDGET TRANSFERS
Chief Alfano met with the Board of Selectmen to request three (3) end of year transfers per Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 44, Section 33, as a result of having two full time officers out, one injured while on duty and one injured while off duty. Chief Alfano filled the vacant shifts of these two officers with a combination of reserve officers and full time officers creating deficits in the wages and overtime budgets.
Chief Alfano stated that although he received a series of return dates for both of the officers, each time he was told they would return, medical complications occurred, and they were out longer. When the 6 month point was reached and the officers were still out of work, the Chief instituted some cost saving measures by delaying discretionary training and equipment purchases.
The Chief also noted that his Administrative Assistant was out for two months, which further contributed to not having a better handle on the budget.
To date, the Town has been reimbursed approximately $13,000 for workmen’s compensation insurance for the officer injured on duty, and this money has been returned to the general fund.
Mr. Dinjian, Advisory Committee chairman, stated that when all was said and done the deficit in the wages budget was $10,000.
Both the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee expressed their disappointment with hearing about the need for the transfers at such a late date. They asked that Chief Alfano monitor his budget very closely as we continue into the new fiscal year and that the Board and Committee be notified more expeditiously in the future. Chief Alfano stated that he understood the concerns and has put some policies in place to keep a better handle on the budget going forward. Chief Alfano also noted that the appointment of the two reserve officers this evening will help the situation of filling the shifts of the officers out with an injury.
Chief Alfano requested the following year end transfers:
Police (210) Expense to Police (210) Wages (5133) $ 4,500.00
Communication (299) Wages (5134) to Police (210) Wages (5133) $12,300.00
Communication (299) Expense to Police (210) Wages (5133) $ 9,300.00
Upon review of the end of year budget transfers that Chief Alfano submitted, it was determined that a transfer may not exceed 3% of the annual budget of the department or $5,000, whichever is greater.
Therefore, the end of year transfers were revised as follows: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the end of year transfer in the amount of $4,500 from Police (210) Expenses to Police (210) Wages (5133). (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the end of year transfer in the amount of $8,447.00 from Communication (299) Wages (5134) to Police (210) Wages (5133). (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the end of year transfer in the amount of $8,447.00 from Communication (299) Expenses to Police (210) Wages (5133). (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
The remaining balance in the amount of $4,706.00 that the Chief will need to balance his budget will be requested from the Advisory Committee’s reserve fund at their meeting on July 13, 2010.
SIGN REQUEST – ROAD HOUSE
Mr. & Mrs. White, owners of the RoadHouse Restaurant on Wattaquadock Hill Road submitted a request for permission to place a sign advertising their restaurant to the cluster of signs at the corner of Main Street and Wattaquadock Hill Road. Mr. & Mrs. White could not attend the meeting and the discussion was therefore deferred to August 12, 2010 Selectmen’s meeting. The Board of Selectmen requested that pictures be taken of the existing signs for review during discussion regarding this sign request.
GREAT BROOK FARMS
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen executed a beer and wine license to Great Brook Farms for an event to be held on July 25, 2010 from 4 to 10:00 p.m. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
TOWN ADMNISTRATOR REPORT
Easement for release of Old County Road: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the release of interest in real property for Old County Road layout at or near Still River Road. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
Operating Guidelines for the Bolton Board of Selectmen: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the revisions to the Operating Guidelines. . (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
The paragraph related to liaisons under the Organization Section will read as follows:
Liaison— A Liaison will be designated to interface with selected committees and groups in the Town. A specific committee or group may have one or more Liaisons assigned. The Town Administrator will maintain the list of Liaisons. In the event a committee or group does not have a Liaison assigned, the Town Administrator is designated as the Liaison. The Town Administrator will assume the liaison role with all departments.
The responsibilities of the Liaison are as follows:
- Be a resource to listen to ideas or concerns
- Communicate key issues and actions occurring in Town
- Coordinate items of interest from the committee or group with the BOS including recommended committee appointments, potential town meeting articles, and requested BOS actions
- Sponsor items on the BOS Agenda from respective groups for review or vote
The designation of a Liaison does not preclude or limit other Selectmen from communicating with a committee or group, but the designated Liaison should be kept in the communication loop. The designation of the Town Administrator as Liaison to all departments does not preclude or limit the Selectmen from communicating with a department, but the Town Administrator should be kept in the communication loop.
Fire Department: Mr. Lowe reported that he will be meeting with Fire Chief John Stephenson on a monthly basis to review the Fire Department budget and will recommend that payroll be submitted on a quarterly basis.
DPW Road Work:
Mr. Lowe reported that Mr. Brown, DPW Director recommends the following road work to be completed in FY11:
Woobly, Twin Maple, Laurel, Golden Run and Ballville Roads (Chapter 90)
East End Road (422 Funds)
Berlin, Harvard, Warner and Wilder Roads (reclamation of distressed areas)
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve Mr. Brown’s recommendation except that the work on Golden Run Road will be undertaken only if Mr. Lowe receives assurances from Mr. Brown that the work on Golden Run will not worsen the flooding problem on that road.
Update from Comprehensive Environmental Inc. (CEI):
Mr. Amenta of CEI has estimated it would cost approximately $200,000 to increase the drainage design to accommodate a 25-year storm for Vaughn Hill and Nashaway Roads.
Certification: Mr. Lowe reported that he has successfully completed the required seminars and has received his certification in the Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Official (MCPPO) program conducted by the Office of the Inspector General.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Conservation Trust Lease: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the lease agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Conservation Trust, Inc. for the office space at the Emerson School. Payment in the amount of $500.00 was received for this lease. (Wysocki – yes, Plante –yes, Lindsay – yes)
Longevity: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an additional $100 for the following employees who have accumulated over 20 years of service. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
Linda Day, July 1, 2010 – 22 years of service
Donna Hathaway, August 30, 2010 – 23 years of service
Michael Slepetz, April 15, 2010 – 25 years of service
Snow and Ice: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the transfer of funds from various departments totaling $84,947.99 for the purpose of defraying the snow and ice removal deficit. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, 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 9:55 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day