Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Board of Selectmen Present: David Lindsay
April 25, 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: Bob Czekanski and Terry Abdalian, Advisory Committee members and Mark Sprague
MINUTES
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of April 11, 2013 as amended. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney – yes)
WHITE FAMILY
The Board of Selectmen acknowledged Bill, MaryJo and Kevin White, residents of Bolton who were seriously injured by the bombing at the Boston Marathon. The Board extended their support to the White family and wished them the best during their recovery.
Mr. White was instrumental in the effort to hang flags along Main Street for patriotic holidays and the flags were hung as a tribute to the White family as they recover from their injuries.
POLE HEARING – MAIN STREET
Present: Thomas Bilcharz, Utility Consultant, Mark Caisse, Tree Warden, Roland Ochsenbein and Steve Bing, Abutters
The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing shortly after 7:00 p.m. on the petition of Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric Company (NGRID) to place one (1) new stub Pole No. 3S on the southerly sideline of Main Street which is approximately 48 feet south of the existing Pole No. 3.
Pole No. 3 is currently guyed to a tree that is rotting and Pole No. 3S will be used to replace the tree guy and provide support for the existing pole line. The proposal is to locate the pole within the public right of way on the sidewalk in front of 702 Main Street.
Abutters Roland Ochsenbein and Stephen Bing noted that the proposed location for the stub pole may not be feasible because of the sewer main that is located under the sidewalk and expressed their concerns with placing a pole in an historic location and streetscape. They were both favorable to placing the stub pole further from the road on their properties. Mr. Bilcharz stated that this would require an easement between the homeowner and Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric Company and agreed to work with the abutters to prepare the appropriate easement for approval.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the hearing to May 9, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
HORSE RING FIELD – DAMAGE
Present: Joyce Sidopoulos and Karen Regan, Parks and Recreation members, Ada Woolston, Martha Remington, Teresa Sauer, Joan Finger, Al Ferry, Community Garden members
Ms. Sidopoulos reported that the horse ring field has been damaged by a vehicle driving on the field. The ruts and uneven field makes it very dangerous for the lacrosse teams to use the field. The lacrosse organization is willing to fill in the ruts and level out the field but would like to be assured that it won’t happen again. Ms. Sidopoulos requested permission to have the DPW place large boulders at the entrance of the horse ring so that vehicles can’t access the fields. This is a temporary solution to prevent further damage to the fields and until the Parks and Recreation Commission has the funds to install a gate at the entrance. As an alternative route, the access road behind the Florence Sawyer School could be used by anyone that needs to drive a vehicle to the field or community garden.
Members of the Community Garden were opposed to the proposal because there are times when they need to bring a vehicle in to deliver top soil, mulch, tools or heavy equipment. They were concerned that using the access road was not an alternative because they did not think they could get around the field without the possibility of causing further damage to the field.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to direct the Department of Public Works to block the entrance of the field with boulders, but to leave enough space between two of the boulders for a car or truck to get through, a space that will be blocked with a removable barricade (such as sawhorses). (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney – yes)
PROCLAMATION – SENIOR APPRECIATION MONTH
Present: Terry Abdalian Co-Director of Friends for the Seniors
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to proclaim the month of May as Senior Appreciation Month. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
The theme of the month is “Unleash the Power of Age”. Activities scheduled for the seniors include the delivery of May baskets, a Tuesday Connection luncheon including games, and a luncheon to be held at the First Parish Church when the oldest senior in town will be recognized.
THE BOLTON 5K RALLY FOR THE WHITE FAMILY AND THE ONE FUND BOSTON
Ms. Liz Davis-Edwards and Ms. Kristen Gaynor, members of the 5K Committee met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to hold a 5K run/walk fundraiser for the White Family and the One Fund Boston. The 5K run/walk will commence at the Nashoba Regional High School at 3:30 p.m. with a short ceremony before the start of the run/walk at 4:00 p.m. The route will be Green Road to Old Harvard Road to Harvard Road and back on to Green Road to Nashoba Regional High School where refreshments will be available. Murphy Insurance will provide the insurance for the event. Police Chief Alfano has approved the event.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Selectmen voted to approve the 5K run/walk fundraiser to be held on Saturday, June 1 at 3:30 p.m. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
SIGN REQUEST – DOGWATCH SYSTEMS INC. HIDDEN FENCES
Ms. Jane Houde, owner of the building located at 476 Main Street and Mr. Led Smith, owner of DogWatch Systems Inc. Hidden Fences met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Selectmen’s recommendation that Mr. Smith relocate his sign over the entrance to his business on the 2nd floor instead of the existing location over the Pet Source sign. Ms. Houde stated that she would have to look into removing the awning and fire alarm strobe light in order to place the sign in the Selectmen's proposed location. She also noted that there are two other tenants on the second floor, and that she could at some point need to provide sign space to them as well.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the placement of the DogWatch sign over the door to the entrance of the DogWatch business or over the Pet Source sign if the first option did not work out. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
SIGN REQUEST – EMULEX, 580 MAIN STREET
Mr. Michael Vorse, representative of ViewPoint Signs & Awnings met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval for an awning and sign for Emulex located at 580 Main Street. The awning will be gable style, with black fabric and white lettering. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney – yes)
PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING STUDY
Present: Kevin O’Brien and Doug Storey, members of the Housing Authority and Affordable Housing Partnership Trust
Mr. O’Brien and Mr. Storey met with the Selectmen who are also members of the Affordable Housing Partnership Trust to discuss the possibility of joining a collaborative with several towns in the MAPC’s MAGIC area to provide affordable housing services. A feasibility study and a Request for Proposal have been prepared to see if Town’s would like to participate. Boxborough, Hudson and Stow have committed to join the collaborative. Bolton’s cost would be $8,000 to $12,000 per year.
Mr. O’Brien stated that the recommended commitment is two years but he has been told that you can get out of the collaborative at any time.
On a motion made by Storey and seconded by Wysocki, the Affordable Housing Partnership voted to join the collaborative for the first year, funded by the affordable housing trust fund, not to exceed $10,000. (Lindsay –yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney –yes, O’Brien – yes, Storey –yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Regional Hazardous Waste Committee: Mr. Lowe reported that the Committee voted to accept Ashby into the collaborative subject to town meeting approval. Mr. Lowe will become the chairman of the Regional Hazardous Waste Committee as of July 1, 2013.
Minuteman: The proposed capital apportionment formula based on student enrollment of 50%, Chapter 70 combined effort of 26% and shared capital base contribution of 24% with each member community being responsibility for 1.5% of annual capital costs will mean an additional $22,800. Mr. Lowe stated that towns similar to Bolton are open to the concept of some level of a fixed charge.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Lion’s Club Toll Booth: Mr. Randall Porteus met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to hold the annual Lion’s Club toll booth on Main Street in front of Murphy Insurance on May 11, 2013 from 8 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event contingent on approval of Police Chief Alfano. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes) The rain date will be May 18, 2013.
Appointment of the Cable Committee: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the formation of a seven (7) member Cable Committee and appointed Kenneth Cerreto, Don Hallisey, Bob Johnson, Rick Merrill, and Ken Troup to the Committee. (Lindsay –yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney –yes)
The Cable Committee will oversee the renegotiation of the 10 year cable contract between the Town of Bolton and Comcast. The committee will examine terms and provisions in the contract and will make contract recommendations to the Board of Selectmen. The Cable Committee will serve until the new contract is in place in April, 2014.
We will continue to advertise for two (2) more volunteers to serve on the Committee.
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 8:45 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day