Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
December 5, 2013 Lawrence Delaney
Mark Sprague
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
TRANSFER OF LIQUOR LICENSE – FIREWATER AND WINE PACKAGE STORE
The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the application of Pennacook Inc., d/b/a Firewater and Wine Package Store, requesting to transfer the annual, all alcoholic beverages, package store license to Daigneault Liquors, Inc., d/b/a Daigneault Liquor’s of Bolton, at 25 Forbush Mill Road. Present for the hearing was Kevin Baker, owner of Firewater and Wine Package Store, Attorney Frias, representing the Daigneault family, Christopher Green, Manager for Daigneault Liquors and members of the Daigneault family. The Daigneault family has owned and operated a liquor store in Hudson and Berlin since 1919 and would like to expand to Bolton.
Mr. Baker is very supportive of the transfer, noting the integrity and professionalism of the Daigneaults and that they will be a great addition to the Town of Bolton.
No one spoke in opposition of the request to transfer the liquor license.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the transfer of the liquor license from Firewater and Wine Package Store to Daigneault Liquors, Inc.. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
UPDATE FROM WHEAT
Donna Jarvis, Program Manager, for WHEAT Community Connections thanked the Board of Selectmen for their continued support of the WHEAT Program. Panny Gerken and Chuck McCormack also present at the meeting have been working with WHEAT for the last 6 months. The program services the towns of Bolton, Clinton, Berlin and Lancaster and provides services such as food, heat and shelter to families in need. Bolton’s annual allocation to WHEAT is $5,000. There are approximately 98 Bolton residents in the program at this time and the need continues to increase. Chief Alfano stated that WHEAT has been a great resource when police officers find residents in need.
PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION WITH SCHOOL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES
School Committee representatives Nancy Federspiel and Lorraine Romasco met with the Board of Selectmen for a preliminary discussion regarding the FY15 budget. Although in the early stages of the budget process, Ms. Federspiel stated that contract negotiations for two collective bargaining units (A & C), capital improvements in the schools, enrollments, and more electives as part of the accreditation process are areas that may cause an increase in the FY15 budget.
Mr. Sprague expressed his concern with the high school ticket booth and concession stand project going over budget by approximately $70,000 and the overage being covered by other line items. Ms. Federspiel stated that their money is very well managed.
Mr. Dinjian suggested that the school district use more of the E&D fund to fund their budget.
ANIMAL CONTAINMENT CONCERN, 23 HARVARD ROAD
Present: Chief Alfano; Susan Latham, Animal Control Officer; Phyllis Tower, Assistant Animal Control Officer; and Nan Norseen, resident of 23 Harvard Road.
Police Chief Alfano informed the Board of Selectmen of the ongoing safety concern he has with the containment of animals at 23 Harvard Road. There have been a number of incidents throughout the years with loose animals that have actually resulted in injury to people and damage to vehicles. The Selectmen have looked at this issue in the past and for a short period of time the issue was resolved. There is a fine structure in town and there have been many hundreds of dollars in fines paid by Ms. Norseen which does not seem to resolve the issue.
The latest incidents occurred on September 30, 2013 when a large and aggressive ram caused havoc on Route 117 and then on October 8, 2013 when the ram escaped and ran wild on route 117 and onto the Florence Sawyer School playground. Fortunately the children were not outside.
Police Chief Alfano stated that everyone has worked with Nan and she has tried hard but we are at the point where we can’t have any more escapes.
Ms. Latham stated that there are a number of different reasons for the escapes and they do not start from one source.
Ms. Norseen defended her animals and stated that they would not hurt anyone. She informed the Board of Selectmen that she has decided not to have rams and they have been sold. She admits the horse getting loose was her fault but is not willing to get rid of the horse because it is a rare breed. Ms. Norseen is in the process of doing a corral and will be installing extra fencing this fall to prevent escapes.
Ms. Latham stated that not keeping rams will go a long way to solve the issue but expressed concern with the horse; recommending that the horse be kept offsite.
Ms. Norseen agreed to research resources to help her resolve the issues and report back to the Board of Selectmen at the beginning of the year.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Town Planner: Mr. Lowe reported that Erica Uriarte has been hired as the new town planner for Bolton. Ms. Uriarte has seven years of civil engineering experience, is well versed in storm water management and has worked with planning boards in the past. Ms. Uriarte will attend the Selectmen’s meeting on December 19th.
Paragon, 41 Main Street: Mr. Lowe attended a broker’s open house at Paragon to promote the 72,000 square foot property that is for lease. Mr. Lowe networked with approximately 30 brokers and expressed Bolton’s support of Paragon.
Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reported that the Minuteman Career and Technical High School Regional Agreement have been submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority for review. The district will respond to their questions and meet again in January, 2014.
FY15 Articles and Budgets: Mr. Lowe reported that the majority of budgets have been submitted with the remainder expected to be submitted in the next couple of days.
Potential articles include a DPW truck $68,000; sander body replacement and repairs, $72,000; culvert $125,000; library repairs and painting $26,000, town vault, $413,000; Fyfe shire Dam, $40,000; and ambulance, $250,000.
Update on Cordish Company: Mr. Lowe reported that as a result of the presentation made by Mr. Delaney at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission hearing the Town of Bolton has been designated a surrounding community. The Town has 30 days to negotiate an impact mitigation agreement with the Cordish Company. A conference call is scheduled for Friday afternoon with Cordish Company representative to review the latest proposal.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Bolton Access Television Expenses: Mr. Shnitzler newly appointed executive director of Bolton Access Television is working on scheduling and more local content on the channels.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $16,700 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for their operating expenses, as requested by Mr. Shnitzler. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Municipal Agreement for the Shared Services for the Affordable Housing Trust: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the most recent draft of the Municipal Agreement with the Towns of Bolton, Hudson, Littleton, Stow and Boxborough for the shared services for the Affordable Housing Trust. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Approval of Liquor Licenses: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the liquor licenses for the International Golf Club, club license - all alcohol; Pennacook, Inc. (d/b/a Firewater and Wine), package store – all alcohol; Country Cupboard, package store – all alcohol; Fotini’s Restaurant and Bar, restaurant – all alcohol; Nashoba Valley Winery, restaurant – wine and malt regular; Twin Springs Holdings, Inc., general on premise – wine and malt regular; and Great Brook Farms, Inc., general on premise - wine and malt regular contingent on the Town Secretary Linda Day receiving the required paperwork. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Appointments: On a motion Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint James Stone to the Conservation Commission. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) The term expiration is June 30, 2014.
On a motion Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Jeannemarie Padovano to the Historical Commission. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) The term expiration will be June 30, 2016.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint William Bergen and Colin Bradley to the Capital Planning Committee. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) The term expiration is June 30, 2016.
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: The Board of Selectmen’s meeting schedule is January 9 & 23, February 6 & 20, March 6 & 20, April 3 & 17 and May 1, 2014.
Minutes: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the regular session minutes of October 10, 2013 and executive session of September 5, 2013.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21A (3) at 8:55 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town of Bolton. The Board announced it would reconvene to open session, which it did at 9:20 p.m.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21A (3) at 9:21 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to contract negotiations with non-union personnel on the basis that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the Town of Bolton. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day