Board of Selectmen Minutes
Board of Selectmen
April 3, 2008
Present:
Panny Gerken
Curt Plante
Kenneth F. Troup
Jodi Ross, Town Administrator
Linda Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Advisory Committee members David Lindsay, Randy Dinjian, Stan Wysocki, and Bob Czekanksi
SIGNING OF BONDS FOR THE LIBRARY AND PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER
Present: Donna Madden, Town Treasurer and Pamela Powell, Town Clerk
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to accept and execute the bonds for the Library and Public Safety Center.
(Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes)
TURF FIELD AT NASHOBA REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Nashoba Regional School District (NRSD) regarding the field and track replacement project at the Nashoba Regional High School. The NRSD School Committee is meeting this evening to take action on the recommendation to authorize the bond for the project. They would like the three towns to address this issue at their annual town meeting by placing an article on the annual town meeting warrant. The Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee both expressed their disappointment with finding out about this project an hour and a half before the Annual Town Meeting warrant was to be closed and executed. After much discussion, on a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen voted to place an article on the annual town meeting warrant with their recommendation to be given on town meeting floor. (Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes). The article will read as follows:
Article 24: Field and Track Synthetic Turf Replacement Project at the Nashoba Regional High School
To see if the Town will vote pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.) Chapter 71, Section 16(d), or any other authority, to disapprove the bond authorization voted on April 3, 2008 by the Nashoba Regional School District for the field and track replacement project at the Nashoba Regional High School; or do or act relating thereto.
Sponsor: Nashoba Regional School District School Committee
Summary: The Nashoba Regional School Committee believes that the high school’s track “is in desperate need of replacement” and that a synthetic turf field “will require significantly less maintenance”. They further state that a new synthetic field “will be usable in all weather conditions” and will also be able to be used by many more of the high school’s sports teams than the present field is. The new field will be funded by a $1,280,000 10-year bond issue and the school committee believes that the current interest rate environment is a favorable one for issuing bonds. Because of the counter-intuitive manner in which regional school district capital projects are voted, it is necessary to vote “No” to approve the project, or to vote “Yes” in order to oppose the project.
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Naomi Martin to the Conservation Commission, term expiration June 30, 2010. (Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes). Ms. Martin is a 20 year resident of Bolton and has two children in the school system. She is employed with an environmental company and has always been interested in the Conservation Commission.
UPDATE ON FORCE MAIN PROJECT
Present: Ray Willis from OnSite Engineering, Inc.; Mr. Richard Marks, Library OPM, Chris Garcia, Engineer, Garcia Galuska Desousa, Inc. and Tony DiLuzio, Public Safety Center OPM
Mr. Willis presented a Sewer Force Main Project Feasibility Analysis dated April 3, 2008 (attached) to the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee. Four possible routes were investigated that included three routes across Memorial field that ranged in cost from $335,000 to $350,000 and would require special legislation to construct a sewer force main in parkland and one route down Main Street to Wattaquadock Hill Road with the estimated cost being $325,000. Each cost breakdown also included a 5% inflation cost and 20% contingency. Yearly maintenance costs are estimated at $2,500.
Mr. Troup reported that the Wastewater Treatment Plant Committee voted to recommend Route 3, which is the least expensive route. At the Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 a discussion took place regarding the pros and cons of each route.
The Advisory Committee approved the force main, and the parkland legislation articles.
Mr. Troup stated that there were concerns expressed about Route 3 as it may potentially create liability for the town to allow private residents to hook up to the wastewater treatment plant when as of right now it is only intended to be for municipal use.
Mr. Plante questioned route 3 being the least expensive because of public safety concerns and the need for traffic control and police details. He stated that hooking up the Houghton Building would be a plus and suggested a pump station at the Houghton building. Mr. Willis would have to research this idea further.
Mr. Marks stated that the Library Construction Committee looked at potential alternatives to not having a force main. Preliminary research shows that a septic system would not fit on the lot because of the distances of wells in the vicinity. Mr. Marks stated that they have preliminary approval from DEP for the 100 foot radius to well. If the system is in excess of 1,000 gallons per day we will not be in compliance and this would require an increased radius and water supply.
Mr. Giunta, chairman of the Public Safety Center Committee stated that he has serious doubt that an on-site septic is viable and noted another concern of a high water table that would require a mounded system.
The consensus of everyone was that Route 3 is the favorable route. Borings along Main Street are scheduled for April 21, 2008. Alternative systems including the pump station at the Houghton Building will also be investigated between now and town meeting. Language will be added to the article to include the option of hooking up the Houghton building and other municipal buildings to the force main. The Board of Selectmen’s intent is to seek special legislation at the next town meeting to form a sewer district to manage and control the force main and connection of municipal buildings.
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Article 15, as amended, to transfer borrowed funds to construct a sewer force main. (Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes)
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve Article 16 to authorize the town to construct a sewer force main in a certain park land. (Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes)
ATM WARRANT
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Plante the Board of Selectmen voted to close and execute the ATM warrant for May 5, 2008. (Gerken – yes, Plante – yes, Troup – yes)
PUBLIC SAFETY REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Present: Mark Giunta and Tony DiLuzio
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request for qualifications for the design services for the public safety center.
Proposals will be released starting April 9, 2008 and are due back on April 24, 2008.
FUEL SURCHARGE
Present: Harold Brown, DPW director and snow plow contractors including Mark Caisse, Gary Melanson, and Jim O’Toole
Mr. Brown met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the fuel surcharges for both trash hauling and snow plowing contractors.
Trash hauling fuel surcharge: Fuel surcharges were being paid to BP Trucking and ELHarvey for trash hauling although it was not bid as part of the contract. Although Ms. Ross did not need an actual vote from the Board of Selectmen she asked for consensus as to how they would like her to proceed with this matter. Ms. Ross stated that she could contact the trash haulers and inform them that the fuel surcharges will be stopped immediately as it was not a part of the contract and give them the option of withdrawing their bid or continuing with the contract with the town. Ms. Ross stated that she was not sure the town could go back to collect fuel charges already paid. The Board was agreeable to this approach. It was noted that BP Trucking has held their rates for the last three years.
Snowplowing fuel surcharge: Mr. Brown met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the fuel differential that was being paid to the contractors for snow plowing. The fuel differential has been paid since FY05 and it is calculated based on a formula provided by Mass Highway. Information gathered from approximately 20 other towns showed Bolton was the only town besides Millis to pay a fuel surcharge over and above the hourly rate. The Board of Selectmen expressed their dissatisfaction with the additional surcharge being paid without notification from Mr. Brown. Mr. Caisse stated that when he contracted with the Town of Bolton to plow the contractors were informed they would receive the state rate and also receive a fuel surcharge. Gentlemen present for the meeting also stated that the life expectancy of their trucks is cut in half because of the wear and tear on the trucks and the State requires more insurance than the Town does which the contractors are responsible for. Mr. Caisse stated that the snow plow contractors would have provided fuel charges records if they were aware the town would like to see this information.
After much discussion, on a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve fuel surcharge payments for this winter season and determine fair and equitable rates going forward. (Gerken – yes, Plante – no, Troup –yes) Mr. Plante stated that although he is willing to pay a reasonable fuel surcharge he could not approve this motion as the original contract he approved did not include a surcharge. Mr. Brown and Ms. Ross will meet to determine a fair and equitable rate for next winter.
Meeting adjourned.
Minutes respectfully submitted, Linda L. Day
