Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Board of Selectmen Present: David Lindsay
July 12, 2012 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.
MINUTES
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney by the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of June 5 and June 21, 2012. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
UPDATE ON THE WAYFINDING PROGRAM
Present: Jenny Atwood Burney, Town Planner and Kevin Burke, Consultant
At the request of the Board of Selectmen, Ms. Atwood Burney, Town Planner reviewed the current signage in town.
Ms. Atwood Burney applied for and received a grant from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Downtown Initiative Grant. This effort was supported by many of the Town's boards and committees as well as local businesses and farms. A Subcommittee consisting of Ms. Atwood Burney, Town Administrator Don Lowe, members of the Agricultural Commission, Historical Commission, Conservation Commission, and Brian Lynch representing the International Golf Course, was formed to work with Mr. Burke, the consultant assigned to Bolton. The Subcommittee developed a way finding plan and logo options to help direct residents and visitors into, through and within Bolton, and to help promote the businesses and farms in town. The Board of Selectmen reviewed the proposed plan and suggested that a more permanent committee be formed to continue the efforts of implementing the way finding plan. Ms. Atwood Burney will submit a list of individuals to the Board of Selectmen to be appointed to the Committee.
SENIOR TAX REBATE PROGRAM
Present: Jack Bushman, Chairman, and Pat Lupo and Clyde Wheeler, Senior Tax Rebate Advisory Committee members
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to increase the maximum annual rebate to $1,000 by increasing the actual hours allowed to be worked yearly from 93.75 hours to 125 hours, at a rate of $8.00 per hour, for those eligible to participate in the program. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENTS
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director
Mr. Brown provided the Board of Selectmen with a breakdown of the proposed road improvements to be done with the funds budgeted in the FY13 Highway Improvements Account (422) which includes $202,098 plus $10,000 for police details.
UPDATE ON EMERSON WELL PROJECT
Present: Bill Cleary, Facilities Manager and George King, Assistant Superintendent
Additional funds are needed to complete the work on the Emerson well as required by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The lowest bid came in at $88,000, but there is a balance of only $57,000 in the article from the 2010 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Cleary has requested an extension from DEP for the completion of work and is awaiting a reply. Mr. Cleary stated that the contractor has also agreed to honor the bid price until after the upcoming special town meeting.
REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TOWN MEETING
Present: Bill Cleary, Facilities Manager and George King, Assistant Superintendent
Mr. King reported that the district expressed interest in the MSBA grant program for upgrading science labs and was informed that our community had been chosen to receive a grant. The project is scheduled to move forward very quickly with completion scheduled for September of 2013. Mr. King anticipates the need for a Special Town Meeting in October to request funding for the project. Mr. King stated that he has no idea of the cost for the project at this time. The Board of Selectmen will be kept apprised of information as it becomes available. The Board voted to call a special town meeting for October 2, 2012.
REQUEST FOR FUNDS FOR BATCO OPERATING EXPENSES
Present: Burt Shnitzler, Treasurer
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $15,300 from the Comcast funds to BatCo for their operating expenses for the months of June, July and August. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes) Mr. Shnitzler stated that this is the amount of income that the Comcast fund has been averaging for the past several quarters. BatCo is working on an underwriting effort, to help support its programming, which should kick off in the next month.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Warrant for the 2012 State Primary: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the warrant for the 2012 State Primary. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Installation of the chair lift at Houghton Building: Mr. Lowe reported that the bid process was successfully completed for the chairlift to be installed at the Houghton Building. The lowest bid was $10,300 from Stannah Stairlifts. It will cost an estimated additional $500 to complete the electrical work for the lift. Ms. Costello, Town Accountant has identified excess funds from the FY12 budget to cover the cost of the project. Mr. Lowe stated that although the original paperwork approved by the Advisory Committee for the end of year transfer for this project reflects the amount of $12,000, he will not spend a dollar more than what it costs to complete the project.
A motion was made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay to approve the installation of the chairlift at the Houghton Building. Mr. Delaney expressed his opposition. Mr. Delaney said that, as a matter of public policy, any decision that the Town should provide greater access than the law requires should be made by Town Meeting and that in that case there were other Town properties – such as the upper level of to the Town Hall – that were a higher priority than the Houghton Building.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, Lindsay amended the original motion to approve the installation of the chairlift at the Houghton Building and instruct Mr. Lowe to begin the process for soliciting quotes on the installation of a chairlift for the upper level of town hall. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes, Delaney – no)
FY12 YEAR END TRANSFERS
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a FY12 end of year transfer in the amount of $741 from the Debt account (710) to Interest account (751). (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve a FY12 end of year transfer in the amount of $12,000 from the Health Insurance account (914) to Town Building account (190) for the purchase and installation of a chairlift at the Houghton Building. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney –yes)
APPOINTMENTS
EMTS: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint the following EMT’s, term expiration is June 30, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney –yes)
Christine Alfano, Andrew Bagdonas, Carey Baird, Chris Baker, Barbara Brown, David Byler, Jennifer Cutty, Margy Diaz, Norman Diaz, Kristen DiBlasi, Wesley Durant, Cassie Ela, Kelsey Farrell, Ann Farrell, David Farell, Jack Holbrook, Kate Howard, Allan Koung, Alex LeBlanc, Corbett Masters, Mary Ann McLaughlin, Margaret Mullane, Jesse Oxenberg, Evan Pappas, David Perry, Sam Porteus, Dina Rich, Curtis Roemer, Shannon Wheeler, Chris Whynot, and Gery Wilson.
Mart Advisory Board: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Kenneth F. Troup as the Town of Bolton’s representative on the MART Advisory Board, term expiration June 30, 2013. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney –yes)
Agricultural Commission: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Jan Johnson to the Agricultural Commission, term expiration June 30, 2015. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney –yes)
Tax Collector: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Ms. Donna Madden, as Tax Collector, term expiration June 30, 2015. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
Council on Aging: The Board of Selectmen recommended that the vacancy on the Council on Aging be advertised before any appointment is made.
LONGEVITY
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an additional $100 for the following employees who have accumulated over 20 years of service. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Delaney - yes)
Linda Day, July 1, 2012 – 24 years of service
Donna Hathaway, August 30, 2012 – 25 years of service
ELECTED OFFICIALS JOINING CITIZEN’S GROUPS
Mr. Wysocki expressed his concern with Mr. Lindsay’s participation in the “Pro Bolton” citizen group that advocated at town meeting against certain articles. Although it was not necessarily illegal to join such a group, Mr. Wysocki’s opinion was that as an elected official the Selectmen should act as a Board and in the best interest of the Town and it appears to be contradictory for anyone of them to join these groups.
Mr. Lindsay stated that he had a different philosophy of what it is to be an elected official and was advocating for a view that was a part of his campaign platform. He believed that it was necessary and appropriate to organize and participate in citizen groups in order to be successful in accomplishing the goals for which he had been elected. He further believed that selectmen should be viewed as activists for the causes that led voters to elect them to their office in the first place.
Mr. Delaney stated that joining such a group diminishes the role of the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Lindsay noted that he was not Chairman of the BOS when he participated in the Pro-Bolton group and acknowledged that his role may be somewhat different now that he is Chairman.
Mr. Delaney also questioned the recent practice where the Board of Selectmen included their recommendation on each article as part of the Town Meeting warrant and suggested that the Board might want to reconsider this practice.
Ms. Powell, Town Clerk stated that she believed some voters found it difficult to differentiate between Mr. Lindsay’s role as a Selectman and private citizen.
Mr. Lowe informed the Board of Selectmen of comments he received from former Selectman Ken Troup who stated that in years past the Selectmen could speak in opposition of an article from the front table, but that the key was to work as a team.
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 9:10 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining. The Board announced it would reconvene to regular session only to enter back into executive session.
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 9:25 p.m. to discuss litigation because an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigation position of the public body. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day