Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                                          Present:            Thomas J. Frain

June 29, 2017                                                                          Jonathan Keep

Town Hall                                                                                Stanley Wysocki

                                                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

Mr. Frain called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. 

SIGN REQUEST

Mr. Frain recused himself and left the meeting room for this discussion.

Randy and Travis Patterson met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission for a sign – advertising coffee- that will be attached to the existing sign in front of Bolton Bean at 626 Main Street.  This proposed sign will replace the red flag.  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign as requested.  (Keep – yes, Wysocki - yes)

PRESENTATION ON THE NASHOBA RIVER PARTNERSHIP WILD AND SCENIC RIVER STUDY

Mr. Al Futterman and Ms. Lucy Wallace gave a presentation on the Nashoba River Partnership Wild and Scenic River Study Committee.  The study was authorized congressionally to determine whether a river segment is eligible and suitable for designation and develop a river management plan to protect and restore the outstanding resources of these rivers.  The Committee consists of a representative and an alternate appointed by the participating town’s Board of Selectmen.  The draft river management plan will be publically shared and each town much then vote on the acceptance of the river management plan at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting.

Mr. Lowe will speak with Rebecca Longvall, Conservation Agent to see if she should would have the time to serve on the Committee.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to advertise for a representative to serve on the Committee.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki - yes)

UPDATE FROM THE WATER RESOURCE SUBCOMMITTEE AND APPROVAL OF SURVEY TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Ms. Maya Parekh member of the Water Resource Subcommittee reported that they have met four times and they agreed that there long term goal is to establish some sort of conservation plan and try to raise awareness for Bolton residents for water quality and water conservation issues. 

They proposed distributing a survey to residents to get a better understanding of their opinions on water usage, quality and conservation.  A copy of the survey was provided to the Board of Selectmen for their review.   The survey would be posted on the town website by Ms. Day, Town Secretary and released to a couple of local papers and social media.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the distribution of the survey.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki - yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Police Staffing Issue:  Mr. Lowe reported that Sgt. Will Warnkin who is in the Army Reserve has received deployment orders to report in August for a period of one year. Police Chief Nelson and Mr. Lowe proposed hiring four more Reserve Officers.   It would allow for the flexibility in scheduling and cut back on overtime by paying at the Reserve Officer rate versus paying at the full-time Patrol Officer rate.  The Reserve Officers could be used as needed even after Sgt. Warnkin returns.

Police Nelson reminded the Board of Selectmen that his department is still one officer down. In summary out of 539 open shifts 198 shifts were taken by Reserve Officers which is 37% and 341 shifts offered back to full-time Officers for over time is 63%.

On a motion made Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the policy to adjust for Sgt. Warnkin’s absence by hiring Reserve Officers as outlined by Police Chief Nelson.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki –yes)

Discussion regarding Culvert Replacement Municipal Assistance Grant Application:  Mr. Lowe reported that he attended a workshop in Westford where Timothy Chorey from the Massachusetts Fish and Wildlife gave a presentation on a grant intended for culverts that need improvements.  The deadline for submitting a grant application is July 11, 2017. The grant will be awarded in late August or early September.  Any expenses prior to the release date are not reimbursable and the work must be completed and all invoices submitted by June 30, 2018.   Mr. Lowe and Mr. Brown, DPW Director recommended that the Town apply for the grant for the Long Hill Road culvert which has two collapsed pipes and is in failure. With the involvement of Mr. Brown, DPW Director, Leslie Caisse, Administrative Assistant, Rebecca Longvall, Conservation Agent and Erica Uriarte, Town Planner, Mr. Lowe felt that the grant application process could be completed and was looking for direction from the Board of Selectmen as to what project should be pursued.  Mr. Lowe stated that if the grant is received an article would be required to appropriate the balance of the funds.  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to orchestrate the grant application process for the Long Hill Road culvert.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Conservation Trust Subcommittee for Capital Grant Award from the Cultural Facilities Fund:

Mr. Shnitzler stated that the Conservation Trust was given a $96,000 grant to build an arts pavilion on the Town Common.  Since they are in the process of trying to sell the Town Common to the Town they would like the Town’s participation and recommended that Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator be appointed to serve on the Committee for the construction of the pavilion.  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mr. Lowe to serve on the Committee. (Frain – yes, Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes)

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Board of Registrars:  Ms. Laura Roberts, previously appointed to the Board of Registrars declined to accept the appointment.  Therefore, Ms. Pamela Powell, Town Clerk resubmitted her request to appoint Jen Marquis to the Board of Registrars.

Mr. Frain’s reading of the statute is that it is very clear and this opening must be filled from the list provided by the Democratic Town Committee.  Ms. Powell referenced the summary provided in a document issued by the Secretary of State that says “if no list is submitted within 45 days after the party chairman is notified by the Board of Selectmen or appointing authority by certified mail, the appointments are made by the Selectmen or appointing authority without reference to the list.”  Ms. Powell’s interpretation is that although a list was provided it was not solicited by the Board of Selectmen and therefore the appointment doesn’t need to be made from the list while Mr. Frain’s opinion is that it does.  Ms. Powell also stated that it has been a Bolton tradition that the Assistant Town Clerk be appointed to the Board of Registrars and we have never solicited lists.    The Assistant Town Clerk does all of the work for the Board of Registrars and this is how all small towns operate.

On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to invite the two remaining candidates to the next meeting and in the meantime Mr. Lowe Town Administrator will request an opinion from Town Counsel as to whether or not this is being handled correctly.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Additional Appointments:  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint make the following appointments:  Helene Demmer, Economic Development Committee; Chris Lineberry, Economic Development Committee; Larissa Thurston, Economic Development Committee; Leslie Breeze, Public Ways Safety Committee; David Yesue, Capital Planning Committee; Margaret Nangle – Council on Aging; and Fred Edling, Human Services and Safety Committee.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Television Corporation Designating Bolton access TV the Public, Education and Government Access Provider:   On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the above-mentioned Agreement. (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Minutes:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of March 23 and March 30, 2017.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m.  (Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day