Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, March 14, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: David Lindsay
March 14, 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.
MINUTES
On a motion Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the regular session and executive session minutes of February 28, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
BOARD OF ASSESSORS
Present: Jeff Nichols, Susan Mason and Charlotte Johnson, Board of Assessors
The Board of Assessors met with the Selectmen to discuss the overlay reserve account and the new growth revenue estimates.
The Board of Assessors provided a history of the overlay reserve account from 2007 to 2013 that totaled $786,317.39. The Board of Assessors previously had released $50,000 for the upcoming fiscal year and was comfortable now with releasing an additional $192,857.56 from the reserves of the fiscal years 2007 and 2008.
It was Mr. Lindsay’s opinion that more could possibly be released from the overlay accounts, and he provided a spreadsheet that showed reserves of $96,642 for 2010, $90,343 for 2011 and a range of $52,603 to $40,603 for 2012.
The Board of Assessors estimated new growth at $166,000 for FY14 based on the information that they had available and said that they would be comfortable with a figure of $165,000 being used for FY 2014 budgeting purposes.
It was the Selectmen’s opinion that there was the ability to be a little more aggressive with the new growth estimates.
ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT
Review of Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Town Counsel Gary Brackett and the Board of Selectmen reviewed the Annual Town Meeting warrant.
Mr. Delaney recommended revisions to Section 110-3 Prohibited Conduct of Article 11. Attorney Brackett will prepare a draft of the proposed revisions. Other minor revisions were made to the warrant.
The Selectmen inquired of counsel whether it might be possible to avoid a Special Town Meeting following the Annual Town Meeting, once the State corrects the final Nashoba assessment. Mr. Brackett stated that his research had determined that a Special Town Meeting would be necessary and would have to be held within 45 days of the School Committee’s vote on the revised assessment.
Article Recommendations: As suggested by Mr. Delaney, on a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted not to publish the Board of Selectmen’s and/or Advisory Committee’s split votes on their recommendation for each article in the Annual Town Meeting Warrant, unless there was a tie vote. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki – yes, Lindsay – yes)
The Board of Selectmen voted their recommendations on each article as follows:
Article 1: Accept Annual Reports: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 2: Unpaid Bill for Fiscal Year 2012: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 4: Reauthorization of a Revolving Fund for Web-based Municipal Software Services: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 5: Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB): On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 6: Compensation for Town Clerk Certification: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 7: Compensation for Town Treasurer Certification: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 8: Dissolution of the Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 9: Dissolution of the Board of Trustees of the Francis E. Whitcomb Benevolent Fund: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 10: Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to disapprove this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – no)
Article 11: Amendment to the Dog Bylaws: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 12: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article VI, Definitions, Section 250-28, Terms Defined: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 13: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article III, Zoning District Regulations, Section 250-12, Schedule of Permitted Uses: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 14: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article III, Zoning District Regulations, Section 250-10, Types of Districts And Permitted Uses: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 15: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Section 250-10, Types of Districts and Permitted Uses: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 16: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Section 250-12, Schedule of Permitted Uses: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 17: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article V, Special Regulations, Section 250-25, Wireless Communications: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 18: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article VI, Wireless Communications, Section 250-25(B): On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 19: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton to add Chapter 151,
Historic Preservation, Article I, Barn, Stable and Carriage House Preservation Bylaw: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
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Article 20: Purchase of New One-Ton Minimum 17,000 Gross Vehicle Weight Truck
For the Department of Public Works: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 21: Houghton Building – External Repairs: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – no)
Article 22: Replacement of Sampson Road and Main Street Culvert: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 23: Repair Sugar Road Culvert: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 24: New Playground Equipment for Florence Sawyer School: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 25: IMC Replacement Software – Ambulance Department and Dispatch Automation Software – Police Department: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 26: Capital Improvements – School Repairs: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 27: Capital Improvements – School Safety Enhancements: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 28: Emerson Well Improvements: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Article 29: Installation of Air conditioning System at Florence Sawyer School: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to remove this article for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – no)
Citizen’s Petition: A motion made by Lindsay to extend the deadline for citizen’s petitions to Wednesday, March 20, 2013 was not seconded.
NASHOBA ASSESSMENT
The Town Administrator informed the Selectmen that due to an error in the tabulation of Bolton’s enrollment of students, Bolton’s assessment will need to be adjusted once the correct enrollment figures have been submitted and calculated by the State. As Town Counsel explained earlier in the meeting, the Town will be required to hold a Special Town Meeting within 45 days from the time the School Committee votes the correct assessment. The Board expressed hope that the School Committee’s vote could be deferred until late August or early September so that the required Special Town Meeting could be scheduled for October.
COMPENSATION STUDY
Ms. Madden met with the Board of Selectmen to answer any questions they had after having the opportunity to review the compensation study.
Mr. Dinjian, Advisory Committee Chairman stated that given the information provided by the Board of Assessors this evening it was his opinion that the recommendations contained in the compensation study could be implemented in FY14.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the new compensation plan and implementation in FY14. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
DISCUSSION REGARDING EXTERNAL REPAIRS TO THE HOUGHTON BUILDING
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director, Martha Remington, Historical Commission Chairman, Tim Fiehler and Alice Coggeshall, Historical Society members
The Historical Commission and Historical Society were invited to meet with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the options for repairing the exterior of the Houghton Building. The cost to re-paint the exterior of the building is estimated at $56,000, and cost for the installation of cement fiber board to the exterior of the building is estimated at $90,000.
Mr. Brown referred to historical commissions in various towns that have approved the cement fiber board including Holden and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Ms. Remington stated that although the Historical Commission had not taken an official vote, four out of the five members were not in favor of the cement fiber board. Mr. Fiehler stated that he would love to see the exterior of the building remain as wood but the most important thing is to preserve the building.
The Historical Commission has hired a preservation consultant to assess the Houghton Building and will provide the Selectmen with a report of the assessment.
Mr. Delaney noted the Houghton Building is a 150-year-old historic structure and questioned the need for the extra expense for the installation of the cement fiber board and recommended that the Houghton Building be repainted, while Mr. Wysocki and Mr. Lindsay were in favor of the installation of cement fiber board to the exterior of the building. Mr. Lindsay stated that he was willing to re-address the options after receiving the assessment from the Historical Commission's consultant.
CONSERVATION TRUST
Mr. Ferry, President of the Bolton Conservation Trust met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss a conservation restriction on a lot that the Trust owns, which was formerly part of the Stephenson property on Wattaquadock Hill Road. The Trust intends to have that restriction held by another conservation trust (perhaps the Lancaster Land Trust) and will need the Selectmen’s approval for such a restriction. .
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Present: Fire Chief Mentzer and Firefighter Wesley Durant
Annual Firefighters Muster, June 16, 2013: Fire Chief Mentzer requested permission to hold the Annual Firefighters Muster on June 16, 2013 from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Main Street in front of the Public Library. This portion of Main Street will be closed to through traffic and firefighters will be available to re-route the traffic from Route 117 to Wattaquadock Hill Road to Manor Road and back onto Route 117. Police Chief Alfano was in agreement with the proposed plan. Abutters along Main Street will be informed of the event and road closing. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the annual firefighters muster to be held on June 16, 2013 from noon to 4 p.m. and the closing of the section of Main Street in front of the Town Library for the event. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Bolton Volunteer Fire Association’s fundraiser: Fire Chief Mentzer was informed of the concerns related to the Fire Association’s fundraiser currently being held. Fire Chief Mentzer assured the Board of Selectmen that Mr. Baker, Firefighter is actively communicating with the Attorney General’s office to confirm the Association’s status and be sure the Association meets the requirements to have a valid fundraising event.
Stipends: Fire Chief Mentzer requested permission to eliminate the 2nd Deputy Chief position which is unfilled at this time and add two additional Lieutenant positions. The stipend for the two positions would be $500 each and funded from the previously approved stipend of $1,000 for the 2nd Deputy Chief position.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen approved the elimination of the 2nd Deputy Chief position and the creation of 2 additional Lieutenant positions with a stipend of $500 each. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Fire Truck: Fire Chief Mentzer would like the opportunity to meet with the Board of Selectmen at a later date to discuss the purchase of a new fire truck and concerns related to the purchase.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Sign Request - Salt Box, 626 Main Street: Mr. John Hogan, Realtor for the property at 626 Main Street requested permission to place a temporary “for sale” sign (4’X4’) on the property. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign request. (Lindsay – no, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 10:45 p.m. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day