Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
October 10, 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.
POLICE ACADEMY SPONSORSHIP
The Board of Selectmen supported Chief Alfano’s recommendation to sponsor Reserve Officer Daniel Keller to the full time Municipal Police Academy at the Worcester Police Department. Officer Keller has served the Town of Bolton as a part time Reserve Officer since 2006 and his performance is outstanding. The Academy starts on October 28, 2013 and will run for 25 weeks. Officer Keller is responsible for all tuition costs associated with the academy, and the Police Department budget will not be impacted.
SERGEANT APPOINTMENT
Chief Alfano recommended that Officer/Detective Kimberly Barry be appointed to the position of Sergeant. Officer/Detective Barry has been with the Police Department since 1996, holding several positions including dispatcher, reserve officer, acting supervisor and is currently a detective and patrol officer. A selection process consisting of a written and an oral examination were conducted and Officer/Detective Barry earned the position.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen appointed Officer/DetectiveBarry to the Sergeant position. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes).
Sergeant Barry was congratulated and the Board of Selectmen was invited to attend the pinning ceremony to be held on Tuesday, October 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Public Safety Building.
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS LAW ENFORCEMENT COUNCIL MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
Chief Alfano recommended that the Board of Selectmen execute the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (CEMLEC) mutual aid agreement that provides more authority and coverage for officers entering another town when providing mutual aid. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the CEMLEC agreement and authorized Board of Selectmen Chairman Mr. Wysocki to execute the document. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
The Board of Selectmen continued their discussion on the proposal to explore transferring control of Route 117 in Bolton over to the Department of Transportation (DOT).
Mr. Lowe reported that he has not received any input from town residents since the last discussion at the Selectmen’s meeting on September 5, 2013. He received positive feedback from two communities regarding their interaction with the DOT related to the quality of work done to maintain the roads during the winter, noting that one community did experience some communication issues on a project but overall comments were favorable.
Although residents present at the meeting did have some reservations, they did not object to exploring the proposal.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to send a letter to the DOT requesting that they explore the proposal to transfer control of Route 117 over to the DOT. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) As part of the process the DOT will be asked to attend a meeting to address concerns of town residents related to the proposal.
HALLOWEEN PARADE, PARTY AND SOUTH CEMETERY LANTERN
Ms. Karen Regan requested permission to hold the annual Halloween Parade and Party on Saturday, October 26, 2013. The parade will start at 3:00 p.m. from the Bolton Public Library to Main Street to Mechanic Street to “Trick-or-Treat” Lane at Florence Sawyer School and then to the Emerson School gym for a party that will conclude at 5:00 p.m.
On a motion made Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event as requested. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
SIGN REQUEST - BOLTON HOUSE OF PIZZA, 626 MAIN STEET
Ms. Riad, Owner of Bolton House of Pizza requested permission to place a sign at 626 Main Street advertising that the “Bolton House of Pizza is open during construction”. The sign will be a part of the existing sign located on the property.
The Selectmen were favorable to the proposed sign but reminded Ms. Riad of the outstanding fine of $600 for a sign violation due to a sign being put up after being disapproved by the Board of Selectmen.
The Board of Selectmen was willing to compromise with Ms. Riad and approve a temporary sign contingent on half of the fine ($300) being paid this evening and allowing them the opportunity to research whether they had the authority to reduce or waive the remaining balance.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a temporary sign with the understanding she may be required to pay the remaining $300 if it is determined they can’t reduce the fine. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
SIGN REQUEST – SENIOR HOUSING, 600 MAIN STREET
Ms. Eileen Griffin-Wright requested permission to place a sign at 600 Main Street advertising the Senior Housing. The sign will be 38’ X 72’.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign as proposed. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
SIGN REQUEST – SLATER’S, 356 MAIN STREET
Mr. Bruce Slater requested permission to place a sign at the end of the ramps for Route 495 North and South advertising “Slater’s Brick Oven Pizza and BBQ ½ mile down on right”. The signs will be located on the existing posts displaying signs for the Bolton Springs Farm and Nashoba Winery. The sign will say “Slater’s Brick Oven Pizza and BBQ ½ mile down on right”. Mr. Slater is having a sign designed for the Selectmen to review at the Selectmen’s meeting on October 24, 2013.
PLAQUES – PUBLIC BUILDINGS
Ms. Martha Remington, Chairman of the Historical Commission requested permission to display a bronze plaque on the exterior historic buildings within the Bolton Center National Register District. They include the Public Library, Town Hall, Powder House, First Parish Church, Emerson School and the Houghton Building.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the plaques proposed by the Historical Commission. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Minuteman: The Regional Study Committee came to closure on the Minuteman Career and Technical High School Regional Agreement including the funding formula and it has been submitted to the School Committee for review.
Update on Community Mitigation Agreement: Mr. Lowe reported that he has contacted Joseph Weinberg, representative for the Cordish Company to schedule a meeting to discuss the Town of Bolton’s request to be designated as a surrounding community and is prepared to submit a request for reimbursement of expenses.
Houghton Building bids: Mr. Lowe reported that both of the fiberboard quotes and two of the three painting quotes received for the Houghton Building were higher than the $90,000 appropriated at the 2013 Annual Town Meeting. Therefore, Mr. Brown, DPW Director recommends that all bids be rejected and the work be rebid in the spring when he feels we would get more competitive bids.
Ascertainment Public Hearing: The Board of Selectmen will hold an Ascertainment Public Hearing on November 14, 2013 as required prior to the Cable Committee submitting a proposed revised contract to Comcast.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Appointments: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to make the following appointments. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Cultural Council - Alison Morgan and Marie Murungu, Term expiration 6/30/16; Nan Schnitzler, Teresa Sauer, James Atherto, Bharti Bhakta and Julia Szcesuil, Term expiration 6/30/19.
Economic Development Committee - David Pettit, Term expiration 6/30/16.
Process for appointment of the School Committee Representative: The open seat on the Nashoba Regional School District Committee vacated by Reta Rupich will be advertised in the Bolton Common and on the Town and District websites. Candidates will be interviewed by the Selectmen and the Bolton School Representative on Thursday, October 24, 2013.
Municipal Agreement for the Shared Services for Affordable Housing Trust: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the Municipal Agreement for Shared Services for Affordable Housing Trust agreement with Hudson, Littleton, Stow and Boxborough to share the services and costs of a common Regional Housing Consultant (RHC). (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Police Union: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Police Union, Local 286, Massachusetts Coalition of Police. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Minutes: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of September 19, 2013. (Wysocki – abstained, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Minutes respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day