Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: David Lindsay
February 28, 2013 Stanley Wysocki
Lawrence Delaney
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Randy Dinjian and Bob Czekanski, members of the Advisory Committee; Pamela Powell, Town Clerk; Harold Brown, DPW Director and Police Chief Alfano
MINUTES
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of January 24, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of February 7, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
BOLTON ACCESS TELEVISION
Request for funds for Bolton Access Television Expenses: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $15,900 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for their operating expenses, as requested by Mr. Shnitzler, Treasurer. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Lease Agreement: The Board of Selectmen executed the lease agreement between Bolton Access Television and the Town of Bolton.
275th ANNIVERSARY
Richard Jones, Chairman of the 275th Celebration Committee met with the Board of Selectmen to request a budget of $5,000 for the Celebration. The Committee is planning a timeline of events to celebrate the history and community spirit of the Town of Bolton.
The Board of Selectmen was supportive of the request. The Board of Selectmen agreed to allocate funds from their FY13 budget and suggested a budget be proposed that could be incorporated into the FY14 budget for the Celebration. Mr. Lowe will confirm the funds available for FY13.
COMPENSATION STUDY
Ms. Madden, Treasurer, Collector and Human Resources Director met with the Board of Selectmen to present the results of the compensation study.
Ms. Madden provided an overview of the process involved in completing the study for 26 non-union positions. It has been 8 years since the last review study was completed. The current compensation schedule has 16 grades with 10 steps and the proposed compensation schedule has 8 grades with 10 steps. A total of $10,500 is needed to implement the proposed changes.
As part of the proposal, performance evaluations will be implemented in July. Ms. Madden also stated that a longer term plan is to implement a merit based system.
Ms. Madden will meet with the Board of Selectmen on Thursday, March 14, 2013 to answer any questions they may have after having the opportunity to review the study.
REVIEW OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Present: James Anker, Moderator and Pamela Powell, Town Clerk
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Annual Town Meeting Warrant
Article 8: Dissolution of Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds and Article 9: Dissolution of the Francis E. Whitcomb Benevolent Fund: Mr. Lindsay recommended that any balance left in the two funds be given to WHEAT or another charity after the funds have been dissolved.
Article 22: Old Fire Station – Paint and Repairs ($28,000): The Advisory Committee was reluctant to fund any repairs on a building that was not being used. Mr. Brown, DPW Director stated that the building is being used for the storage of a fire truck, snow blowers and tractors. It was his suggestion that at minimum repairs should be done on the roof and stairway area to prevent any further water damage to the building and will provide an estimate for this work.
Article 23: Houghton Building – Paint ($56,000): The Capital Planning Committee recommended the installation of fiber cement board on the exterior of the Houghton Building estimated at $90,000 versus painting which was estimated at $56,000. Mr. Lindsay would like to consider delaying this project and asked that Mr. Brown provide an estimate to do the necessary repairs without spending the $90,000 for the fiber cement. A meeting will be scheduled with the Historical Commission to discuss the external work to be done to the Houghton Building.
Article 24: Library repairs $48,500 (lighting, trim and roof ($3,900) and humidifier): The Capital Planning Committee’s opinion is that these repairs could wait. Mr. Brown felt that the roof tiles and lights should be done and that a determination be made as to whether or not the trim should also be done. Mr. Lowe is scheduled to meet with the Library Trustees to discuss the priority of the repairs.
Article 30: Funding of New Fire Apparatus: The Selectmen recommended waiting to hear if the Town is a recipient of the FEMA grant in the amount of $513,000 for the purchase of a new fire apparatus before going forward with this article. Therefore, on a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to remove this article from the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 32: Emerson Well Improvement: The Advisory Committee proposed funding this article from the reserve fund or using the stabilization fund. Mr. Wysocki was not in favor of using the stabilization fund, Mr. Lindsay was in favor of using the stabilization fund, and Mr. Delaney was undecided at this time.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Minuteman Update: Mr. Lowe reported that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) was also in support of the three top firms chosen by the Design Review Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will proceed with making their final decision.
The first meeting of the Regional Study Committee formed to evaluate the future of the district took place on February 25, 2013. Mr. Lowe is representing all three of the Nashoba District towns at these meetings, but when it comes time to make decisions he will represent Bolton’s interests.
New Online Training Program on the Conflict of Interest Law: Mr. Lowe informed the Board of Selectmen that all municipal employees and public officials are required by law to complete the new online training program by April 5, 2013.
Salt Box, 626 Main Street: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to inform Mr. Geagan that based on the information received at this time they are not interested in purchasing the property at 626 Main Street. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Anniversary: Mr. Lowe reported that he begins his 5th year with the Town on March 1, 2013. Mr. Lowe thanked the current and previous Selectmen for their support and stated that he continues to enjoy working for the Town.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI): Mr. Lowe recommended that the town adopt a formal policy on CORI checks for the public safety personnel (Ambulance and Fire Department). A clause will be included in the CORI policy to conduct CORI checks every three years. Mr. Lowe will prepare a policy for the Board of Selectmen’s review and approval.
SNOW AND ICE ACCOUNT
Mr. Brown met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the snow and ice account. Mr. Brown reported that they have gone through the budget of $180,000, an additional $60,000 that was previously approved and requested another $40,000 be approved. Mr. Brown noted that before the first snowfall, they spent approximately $80,000 to purchase sand, salt and chains.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Brown to overspend the snow and sand account by an additional $40,000. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Mr. Brown anticipates needing additional funds, and options for funding this request were discussed and will be determined at a later date.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Town Caucus: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to call the Town Caucus on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney – yes)
Appointments: On a motion made Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Michael Murphy to the Economic Development Committee. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Donald Hallisey, Diane Swenson and Roger Breeze to the Vault Study Committee as recommended by Pamela Powell, Town Clerk. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki - yes, Delaney - yes)
Special State Election: The Special State Primary and Election dates to fill Senator Kerry’s vacated Senate seat have been set for Tuesday, April 30 and Tuesday, June 25th, 2013. Ms. Powell, Town Clerk informed the Board of Selectmen of the Act signed by the Governor that would allow the towns to hold their Town Election on the same day as either the State Primary or Election as long as the two elections fall within 30 days of each other and the Board of Selectmen voted to do so.
It was Ms. Powell’s opinion that holding the Town Election on April 30th would require double staffing and cause confusion by holding the election prior to the Annual Town Meeting. Based on Ms. Powell’s recommendation, the Selectmen did not change the May 13, 2013 date of the Town Election.
Marijuana Legislation: Mr. Lindsay reported that the Planning Board decided to wait until the State has released guidelines before placing an article on the Annual Town Meeting warrant to prevent or limit medical marijuana dispensaries. Mr. Lindsay’s concern is that with the lack of a bylaw, dispensaries would be allowed in Bolton.
Chief Alfano stated that this topic is widely discussed amongst Police Chiefs, and there are a lot of concerns regarding the carrying, dispensing and actual growing of the marijuana. There is no question that there needs to be very stringent security requirements in place, but he understands the Planning Board’s position not to propose a bylaw until the State has released guidelines.
Mr. Delaney and Mr. Wysocki both agreed that Bolton’s current bylaws provide sufficient controls as any proposed dispensary would require a Special Permit from the Planning Board as well as Site Plan Review by the Selectman and would have to go through the public hearing process.
Volunteer Fire Association Fundraiser: Mr. Delaney questioned whether the Bolton Volunteer Fire Association complied with the requirements of the Public Charities Division of the Attorney General’s Office regarding the recent mailing to all residents seeking donations. The Selectmen will discuss this with Fire Chief John Mentzer at their meeting on March 14, 2013.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21A (3) at 9:50 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day