Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                                        Present:           Stanley Wysocki

March 16, 2017                                                                       Thomas J. Frain

Town Hall                                                                               Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

Chairman Wysocki called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

WILDER ROAD CULVERT DISCUSSION

Timothy Chorey from the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife was invited by Mr. Keep to attend the site visit with the Board of Selectmen to take a look at the Wilder Road culvert.  Mr. Chorey made recommendations relative to how the stream would flow under the culvert once the work was done, improvements to be done as far as rocks and boulders and the possible removal of the stone walls.  Mr. Lowe suggested that the specs be tweaked to include Mr. Chorey’s recommendations. 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Brown to move forward with the bid process for both the Berlin Road and Wilder Road culverts.  (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes) Mr. Lowe anticipates advertising in the central register for March 29, 2017, opening the bid on April 25, 2017 and signing a contract within a week of awarding the bid.  It is anticipated that the culvert would take about five weeks to complete. Mr. Lowe stated that he will pursue any grants available but it is his expectation it is a long shot.

The bus company has determined that the culvert on Wilder Road is unsafe and they are now refusing to drive the buses over the Wilder Road culvert.  Mr. Brown is considering the closure of Wilder Road and the determination will be made when the frost melts.  Mr. Wysocki stated that if the district decides to use smaller vans, the cost will be borne by the Town of Bolton.

A joint meeting between the Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21, 2017 to discuss the Berlin Road and Wilder Road culvert and possible cost increase due to the delay in the project and if an article for additional funding will be placed on the Annual Town Meeting warrant.  

Mr. Rosadini of Wilder Road stated that the reports clearly document the condition of the culvert and it is not a fair assessment that the road is in danger of imminent failure because if it was in imminent failure the reports would state that. 

Mr. Wysocki invited those interested in the culverts to attend the Advisory Committee meeting on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.

COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT

On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a 2% cost of living adjustment as recommended by Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator and Donna Madden, Human Resources Director.  (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)

SELECTMEN’S 2016 ANNUAL REPORT:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Board of Selectmen’s Annual Report for 2016.  (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)

MINUTES

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and release the executive session minutes of October 20, November 3 & 17, and December 1 and 15, 2016.  (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)

On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 7:21 p.m.  (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day