Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
October 2, 2008 Kenneth F. Troup
Stanley Wysocki
Michelle Ciccolo, Interim Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
NET HEARING
Present: Iris Price, Nathan Walsh, Rick Farrell and Rita Moran, representatives of National Grid; Harold Brown, DPW Director; Police Chief Alfano; Elizabeth and David Calcagni, Tim Murphy and Norman Babcock, residents of Old Bay Road; and Al Ferry, president of the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Plante opened the continued public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on the petition of Massachusetts Electric Company to install 3 SO poles on Old Bay Road beginning at a point approximately 993 feet east of the centerline of the intersection of Ballville Road and continuing approximately 260 feet in an easterly direction.
Mr. Babcock, of 225 Old Bay Road stated that there are 5 homes on the upper part of Old Bay Road with senior citizens. Mr. Babcock and his wife are both on oxygen concentrators which require electricity. It is his opinion that there is no safety hazard with the proposed placement of the three poles on Old Bay Road and he urged the Board of Selectmen to consider this petition.
Chief Alfano stated he was sympathetic to the residents regarding the power outages but continued to express his concern that an alternative solution needed to be found to prevent any public safety hazard. Chief Alfano stated that the stakes that were placed in the location of the proposed poles had been run over.
The Selectmen were not against improving the power availability on Old Bay Road but not at the risk of endangering traffic flow.
Ms. Rita Moran, Director of Customer Policy and Satisfaction stated that National Grid takes great pride in public safety and how they design their systems. They advocated for the lines to be installed overhead which they consider to be safe and most expeditious to solving the problem.
The Board received a letter dated September 30, 2008 from Mark Caisse stating that as tree warden he would not like to see unnecessary tree removals and heavy pruning for an electrical update that would only benefit 13 residents. As a resident of Old Bay Road and adjacent land owner, he strongly opposes such a drastic and permanent situation for a temporary fix.
Ms. Calcagni requested the Board’s support in resolving this problem. The Board of Selectmen agreed to continue dialogue with National Grid to improve this situation.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to deny the request for the installation of three SO poles on Old Bay Road. (Plante – yes, Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes)
BICYCLING RACE IN BOLTON
Eric Edlund and Dan Singerman met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to host a Beanpot Classic bicycle race in the Bolton and Harvard area in April 2009. The race was formerly run in Grafton but due to increasing operations costs and a desire for a new course they would like to hold the event in this area. Mr. Edlund stated that there will be approximately 600 bicyclists with 80 bicyclists coming through at one time. The Board requested that Mr. Edlund meet with the Police Chiefs of Bolton and Harvard to address any safety concerns and report back to the Board at their next meeting.
FIRE DEPARTMENT BANNER
The Board of Selectmen approved the request from Mr. Mentzer, of the Bolton Fire Department to hang the fire prevention banner over Main Street during National Fire Prevention Week, October 5 – October 11th.
AUDIT SERVICES CONTRACT
The Board of Selectmen signed the audit services contract for fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, June 30, 2009 and June 30, 2010 with George McKenna, Certified Public Accountant.
BUDGET PROCESS FOR FY10
Present: David Lindsay, Advisory Committee Chairman and Connie Benjamin, Advisory Committee member; Pam Powell, Town Clerk; Donna Madden, Town Treasurer; Vincent Alfano, Police Chief; Jeff Nichols, Board of Assessors
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the calendar for FY10 budget process.
Ms. Ciccolo will prepare the budget message for all departments stating that this year’s revenues are extremely tight and ask that all departments submit a conservative budget for FY10.
The Finance Team charge was reviewed and no revisions were made. Mr. Troup will represent the Board of Selectmen on the Finance Team.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed their goals of FY09 and agreed to delete the drainage issues (Golden Run Road) and the resolution of Personnel Bylaws goals from the list. The Board will review the goals and prepare a revised list for FY10.
Cash flow:
Mr. Lindsay expressed his concern with lack of diversification of cash held by the town in local banks.
Mr. Lindsay stated that the Advisory Committee’s position is to recommend diversification among 4 or 5 banks which would increase the amount of FDIC protection.
Ms. Madden stated that this is the treasurer’s responsibility, she takes it very seriously and she is confident with where the money is. She stated that every two weeks there is a conference call with the portfolio manager to ensure securities. She also noted that the Massachusetts Municipal Depository Trust fund covers the town’s deposits as well. Ms. Madden believes the town is safely invested. .Ms. Madden provided a draft of the investment policy for the Board’s review.
The Board of Selectmen recommended that Mr. Lindsay and Ms. Madden meet to discuss this matter. Mr. Lindsay and Ms. Madden will meet on Friday, October 3 at 9:30 a.m. and report back to the Board of Selectmen to determine if the Selectmen need to meet the week of October 6th to discuss further. Selectman Plante will also attend this meeting.
Public Safety Center financing: Mr. Lindsay reported that a conference call was held with Mary Carney and she stated that the long term municipal market is closed. She did feel that she could market a BAN which is a short term note. Mr. Lindsay stated that the Advisory Committee voted to recommend that $3.5 to $4.0 million be borrowed to fund the public safety center through the end of the fiscal year.
An update on the cash flow figures will be provided to Ms. Madden.
Library financing: Confirmation was received from the Library Trustees that the second payment of approximately $740,000 will be received from the State once the construction contract is signed and the building permit has been issued.
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Ms. Madden to explore a BAN for the public safety center. (Plante – yes, Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes)
UPDATE ON THE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR SEARCH
Ms. Ciccolo reported that the Town Administrator Search Committee will be interviewing eight applicants. She noted that one applicant dropped out. A second round of interviews may be scheduled and the Board is welcome to attend.
NAN NORSEEN, 23 HARVARD ROAD
The premises were inspected and accepted by representatives from the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Agricultural Committee and Animal Control Department. Animals will be returning to the premises.
SNOW PLOW RATES
Discussion was deferred to the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
UPDATE OF BEAVER DAMS
Mr. Brown, DPW Director provided a cost summary in the amount of $9,275.64 for the Forbush Mill Road washout related to the beaver dam.
SKINNER PROPERTY
The Skinner property is for sale. The Board of Selectmen agreed that it was worth pursuing this property with the school district to see what sorts of uses are possible for this property.
ELECTION BANNER
The Board received a request from Sonny Parente for permission to place an election banner on private property in Bolton. The Board of Selectmen stated that this request is exempt from the Town of Bolton’s sign bylaw and is allowed according to the state regulations.
WARRANT FOR STATE ELECTION
The Board of Selectmen signed the warrant for the State Election on November 4, 2008.
326 WATTAQUADOCK HILL ROAD
The Board received a letter dated October 1, 2008 from the Building Inspector Mike Sauvageau stating that he has conducted a site visit at 326 Wattaquadock Hill Road regarding the bulk storage complaint. Mr. Sauvageau has talked with the owner who understood the problem and has agreed to remove the materials. Removal of the materials may be difficult in inclement weather such as rain, ice and snow and therefore a June completion date was requested.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into executive session under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39, 23B(3) at 8:59 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The board will not reconvene into open session. (Roll Call: Plante – yes, Troup – yes, Wysocki - yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day