Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
September 5, 2013 Lawrence Delaney
Mark Sprague
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Present: Barry Lorion and Thomas Emerick, representatives of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Harold Brown, DPW Director
At the suggestion of Mr. Lowe, representatives of the Department of Transportation (DOT) met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the option of DOT taking over Route 117 in Bolton. Currently the only portion of road under DOT’s control is the section between the traffic signals at I-495 and Route 117.
Mr. Lorion stated that Route 117 is the type of road they prefer to control because it carries more than local traffic and they like to move the traffic in the community more safely and efficiently. According to Massachusetts General Laws there would be no parking along a state highway and the DOT would be the granting authority for utilities, but it is their practice to work with the town when relocating utility poles or making any other changes.
Although it would mean less control for the Town of Bolton, the town would benefit financially by not having to repair, pave, plow or sand the road. The DOT could also tap into funds, not available to the town, to improve the safety of the roadway including improvements at the intersection at Route 110/117.
DOT would concentrate on improving the traffic flow and control and don’t anticipate widening the road, or changing the speed limit unless the town requested so.
While Mr. Wysocki did not see any downside to the proposal and called for a motion, Mr. Delaney and Mr. Sprague were a little more hesitant asking for time to think about it and allow the residents’ time to provide their input before taking a vote.
The DOT representatives did not feel the urgency to have a formal request from the Board of Selectmen immediately and in the meantime will begin looking at the proposal.
PMC BOLTON KIDS RIDE – SEPTEMBER 29, 2013
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Ms. Keane to hold the 2013 PMC Kids Ride on Sunday, September 29, 2013. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes). The ride will take place at Florence Sawyer School at noon time.
DRAINAGE SWALE, 283 LONG HILL ROAD
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
Mr. Sprague recused himself to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest and left the meeting room during this discussion.
Mr. Walter Eriksen and Attorney Kevin Eriksen met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to install a drainage swale in the town’s easement at 283 Long Hill Road. The grass swale is approximately 80 feet long and 6 inches deep. The Planning Board and Mr. Harold Brown, Department of Public Works Director approved the proposal.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request to install a drainage swale in the town’s easement as show on the plans provided. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
PRIVACY FENCE - 392 MAIN STREET
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
Mr. Craig Macrae met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to install a privacy fence partially in the town right of way at 392 Main Street (corner of Main Street and Long Hill Road).
Mr. Macrae agreed to install the privacy fence behind the two town trees and at least 25 feet back from the pavement at the corner of Route 117 to allow enough room for snow plowing with the understanding the work was being done at his own risk.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen approved the request for the installation of a privacy fence at 392 Main Street and Long Hill Road. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague –yes)
SPECTACLE HILL ROAD CULVERT
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
Carol Gumbart, Conservation Commission Administrator, informed the Board of Selectmen that the culvert, near the entrance of the Century Mill Estates (CME) housing development has been deteriorating, in part by the impact from the construction trucks entering the CME development.
The Conservation Commission recommended that the Selectmen ask the developer to help with the costs associated with repairing the culvert. Mr. Brown agreed the culvert needed to be repaired, but couldn’t justify spending town funds to repair the culvert now because it will continue to be damaged by the trucks entering the development. Mr. Brown plans to install a pipe inside the existing pipe as a temporary solution to get through the winter. The Selectmen thanked Ms. Gumbart for the update and the situation will continue to be monitored.
ROUTE 117 PAVING PLAN
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
The final phase of the resurfacing of Route 117 from Forbush Mill Road to 580 Main Street will take place during the overnight hours on Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10th from 8:30 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. The center lines and sidewalk painting will take place following completion of the final phase.
Mr. Lowe reported that the first phase was done in two 12-hour days as opposed to the four days, avoiding at least one more commuter day being impacted by finishing early.
NORTHWOODS DEVELOPMENT
Present: James Winiarski and Tiffany Hofmann, residents; Harold Brown, DPW Director
Mr. Lowe reported that Mr. Chuck Black, the developer for the Northwoods (Drumlin Hill Road, Ledgewood Circle and Fieldstone Way) decided not to attend tonight’s meeting, but is hopeful that the Board of Selectmen will vote to place an article on the Special Town Meeting warrant proposing that the town accept the three roads.
Mr. James Winiarski, 115 Drumlin Hill Road attending the meeting on Mr. Black’s behalf, stated that Mr. Black met with the engineering company and is proposing to complete the work in the area of the two cul de sacs first before completing the access road.
Ms. Tiffany Hofmann, 10 Fieldstone also confirmed she spoke with Mr. Black and he has ordered all the work to be completed by the special town meeting but asked that there be a separate article to accept each road.
Mr. Lowe stated that completing only the cul-de-sacs first would create a problem because the Department of Public Works would not cross a private road to get two the cul-de-sacs.
Mr. Brown, DPW Director is opposed to any deviation of the Planning Board’s policy to go through a winter season before any road is accepted as a town road.
The Board of Selectmen expressed their disappointment that the work to complete the roads at Northwoods had not been started and remained reluctant to place an article on the Special Town Meeting warrant to accept those roads.
626 MAIN STREET - SIGN
Present: Frank Patterson, property owner of 626 Main Street
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen approved the request of Mr. Frank Patterson, owner of the property at 626 Main Street (former Salt Box) to modify the existing sign. (Wysocki –yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) This sign will be temporary (approximately one year) and Mr. Patterson will provide plans for a new sign when the development of the property is completed.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reported that the Regional Task Force meeting will be meeting to discuss voting on the regional agreement followed by meetings in various towns. Mr. Lowe stated that each town wishing to withdraw from the district must receive the approval of a 2/3rd majority vote at their Annual Town Meeting and provide a 5 year notice and the budget being approved by a 2/3 vote of the member towns.
The Building Committee continues to discuss the options of renovating the existing structure or building a new facility which is frequently less expensive than renovating.
SELECTMEN’S BUSINESS
Bolton Access Television Expenses: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $16,500 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for their operating expenses, as requested by Mr. Shnitzler, Treasurer. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague - yes)
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)
Board of Registrars - Carol O’Laughlin, term expiration June 30, 2016;
Conservation Commission - Brian Berube, term expiration June 30, 2016;
Planning Board – Associate Member - James Owen, term expiration June 30, 2015.
EMT Appointments: Mr. Lowe asked the Board of Selectmen if they would like to continue the practice of re-appointing the EMT’s on an annual basis. Mr. Lowe will discuss with Town Counsel to see if there are any legal reasons for continuing this practice.
Recommendation on Articles for Special Town Meeting: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the following articles. (Wysocki – yes – Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Article 1: Unpaid bill for Fiscal Year 2013
Article 2: Compensation for Assessor’s Certification
Article 3: Amendment to the Dog Bylaws
Article 4: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Article III, Zoning District Regulations, Section 250-13, Dimensional Regulations
Article 5: Assignment of Conservation Restriction
Article 6: Retroactive Pay and Benefits – Dispatch Contract
Article 8: Nashoba Regional School District Assessment
Minutes: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of August 15, 2013. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: The Selectmen’s meeting schedule is as follows: Thursday, September 19, October 10 & 24, November 14 and December 5 & 19th, 2013.
Tax Analysis: Mr. Delaney referred to the analysis that Mr. Lindsay circulated as to why taxes in Bolton are much higher than taxes in Stow and how we can improve ourselves. Mr. Delaney’s opinion is that Mr. Lindsay has overlooked the biggest reason for Bolton’s higher tax rate and that in the last 7 years Stow’s total valuation has stayed the same while Bolton’s has dropped by 11%. Mr. Delaney noted that if Bolton’s total valuation in FY2013 was what it had been in FY2006, Bolton’s current tax rate would have been $17.84 per 1,000.
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 9:35 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day