Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Board of Selectmen Present: David Lindsay
August 16, 2012 Lawrence Delaney
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
SITE VISITS
The Board of Selectmen conducted the following site visits from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. before returning to the town hall for the start of their regular meeting at 7:00 p.m.
697 Main Street, in front of Houghton Building: Verizon representative Paul Schneider, Tree Warden Mark Caisse, Resident and Chairman of the Historical Commission Martha Remington, and homeowners Roland and Cia Ochsenbein, and Stephen Schnieder, were present for this site visit. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposal of Verizon New England, Inc. for an easement to construct, reconstruct, repair and maintain two (2) push brace poles on the northeasterly sideline of Main Street. The location of the push braces will be positioned to provide support for utility pole #4 and utility pole #5 Main Street.
663 Main Street, in front of Town Hall: Verizon representative Paul Schneider, Tree Warden Mark Caisse, Resident and Chairman of the Historical Commission Martha Remington were present for this site visit. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposal of Verizon New England, Inc. for an easement to construct, reconstruct, repair and maintain one (1) stub pole on northeasterly sideline of Main Street. The location of the stub pole will be positioned to provide support for utility pole #14 Main Street. The Board of Selectmen will discuss the proposed easements at their meeting of August 30, 2012.
MINUTES
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the regular session and executive session minutes of July 12, 2012. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
EVENTS
2012 Positive Spin for ALS Bike Ride – September 9, 2012: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Mr. Farricker, ALS Committee Chairman to hold the 12th Positive Spin for ALS bike ride on September 9, 2012. The cyclists will travel through Bolton for 6 of the 50 miles of this ride. Chief Alfano also approved this event. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
Request for signs for the Ty-Rods Club – September 9, 2012: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Mr. Maurer for temporary signs for the Ty-Rods Annual Old Timers Reunion to be held at the fairgrounds in Lancaster on September 9, 2012. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes) The signs will be located at Route 495 North at Exit 27 – Route 117 off ramp; Route 495 South at Exit 27 – Route 117 off ramp; Route 85 at intersection of Route 117; Route 110 North at intersection of Route 117 and Route 110 South at intersection of Route 117.
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
The Board of Selectmen discussed the proposal of Michael Wood, Superintendent of the Nashoba Regional School District, to call a Special Town Meeting to request funding for the science lab project at the high school. The Board does not have a sense of the size of the project and hopes that more information will be available at the School Committee Meeting on August 28th, 2012.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to call a Special Town Meeting on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 to decide whether to approve funding for the science lab project at the Nashoba Regional High School. The Special Town Meeting will be held at the Nashoba Regional High School at 7:00 p.m. (Delaney – yes, Lindsay – yes)
Mr. Lowe will inform all the Departments, Boards and Committees of the upcoming meeting and the expectation that only administrative articles should be submitted for this special town meeting.
The calendar timeline includes final articles being due on Thursday, August 30, 2012 and the Board of Selectmen signing the warrant on Wednesday, September 5, 2012.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to call a Special Election on Tuesday, October 9, 2012. The Election will be held at the Nashoba Regional High School from 12 noon to 8:00 p.m. (Delaney – yes, Lindsay – yes) Mr. Lowe stated that the Town Election can be cancelled up until the time that the Special Town Meeting warrant is posted.
Mr. Lowe will contact Town Counsel to get clarification on whether the town can have a debt exclusion vote a year or more later if the Board decided not to have the debt exclusion vote this year.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) – Capital Budget Statement: Mr. Lowe reported that the Town Administrators from Bolton, Lancaster and Stow received a copy of the MSBA capital budget statement requesting information about the borrowing of any debt incurred relative to the school district. Bolton’s response was $0.00. The document also required a signature acknowledging and agreeing to the information submitted, and committing to seeking financial support for the project. Mr. Lindsay did not see how the Town could commit to seeking financial support for the project due to the lack of information while Mr. Delaney felt the commitment being requested was only to commit to bringing this to the townspeople at a town meeting which the Selectmen did by calling the Special Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen deferred further discussion to next meeting when Mr. Wysocki would be present.
No Littering Signs – Sugar Road: The Board of Selectmen reviewed a request from Mr. Richard Merrill for a “No Littering” sign to be placed on the west side of the Sugar Road bridge over Route 495. Mr. Lindsay was more apt to consider the “no littering” sign
Chief Alfano informed the Board of Selectmen that an enforcement mechanism already exists through Massachusetts General Law for Officers to ticket and fine persons they observe littering on the public ways. Mr. Lindsay was more apt to consider the “No Littering” sign stating that the odds of the police witnessing the littering was very small and felt that a sign could have a deterring effect. Mr. Delaney on the other hand agreed with Chief Alfano’s opinion and did not feel anyone would be persuaded not to litter because of a sign. The Board of Selectmen deferred further discussion to next meeting when Mr. Wysocki would be present.
Chairlift Quotes for Town Hall: Mr. Lowe reported that quotes were solicited from three companies for the installation of a chairlift at Town Hall. The lowest bid was $2,595 from Stairlift Headquarters. Mr. Lowe reported that a private citizen has come forward to donate the funds for the chair lift. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to enter into a contract with Stairlift Headquarters for the installation of the chairlift at the Town Hall. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
Sipowicz Dog Complaint Appeal: Mr. Lowe reported that he appeared before the Clerk Magistrate in the Clinton District Court along with Mr. Delaney, Selectman for the appeal filed by Mr. Sipowicz regarding the findings of the Board of Selectmen as a result of a complaint filed with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Sipowicz was present with Attorney William O’Neill. The case is still being considered and the Clerk Magistrate has not ruled on the matter.
Open House – Houghton Building: BatCo is planning the open house to be held at the Houghton Building and asked the Board of Selectmen about their availability for Saturday, September 22, 2012. More details will be available when the date is confirmed.
Paragon – Tax Increment Financing (TIF): On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen authorized Mr. Lowe to enter into discussion with new owners (Paragon) at 41 Main Street about the possibility of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF). (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Two One-Day Liquor Licenses: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a two one-day liquor licenses for Schartner Farms, 211 West Berlin Road, on August 25 & 26, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
Municipal Lien Certificate Fee: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to increase the fee for municipal lien certificates from $25.00 to $50.00, effective September 1, 2012 as requested by Ms. Madden, Treasurer/Collector/HR Director. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
Appointments: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Jonathan Couture to the Insurance Advisory Committee, term expiration June 30, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Panny Gerken to the Council on Aging, term expiration June 30, 2015. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:05 p.m. (Lindsay – yes, Delaney – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day