Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
April 26, 2012 David Lindsay
Stanley Wysocki
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
SITE PLAN REVIEW HEARING - SYNCARPHA SOLAR, LLC & RENEWABLE ENERGY MASSACHUSETTS
Present: Brian Kopperl and Bob Knowles, Renewable Energy Massachusetts and Todd Morey, Senior Professional Engineer, Beals Associates, Inc.
The Board of Selectmen received comments from the Board of Health and Conservation Committee stating that their concerns related to the site plan review have been addressed. The Planning Board also informed the Board of Selectmen that they had voted to approve the special permit for the project with the condition that the surety issue related to removal of equipment at the end of the project's life is resolved and approved by the Planning Board prior to the issuance of a building permit.
The Board of Assessors continues to make progress on finalizing the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the site plan for Syncarpha Solar, LLC and Renewable Energy Massachusetts, LLC to construct a solar energy facility located at 125 Still River Road. (Plante –yes, Lindsay –yes, Wysocki – yes)
COUNTRY DOGS DAYCARE AND SHOPPE, INC.
Present: Karen Newsham and Jean Sifleet, owners of Country Dogs Day Care and Shoppe, Inc.
The Board of Selectmen received comments from the Board of Health, Planning Board and Conservation Commission stating that their concerns have been addressed. Ms. Newsham and Ms. Sifleet agreed to put up signs related to the waste disposal as requested by the Conservation Commission.
For the record, the Board of Selectmen informed the applicants that if the owner failed to meet the Board of Health conditions to upgrade the septic system, the building as well as all businesses in the building could be affected.
Mr. Plante suggested that Mr. Lowe speak with Town Planner Jenny Atwood Burney and Building Inspector Mike Sauvageau to see if there were any other options related to the carport.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the site plan review (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
REVIEW OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Annual Town Meeting warrant with Town Moderator James Anker, Town Counsel Gary Brackett and Town Clerk Pamela Powell in preparation for Town Meeting on May 7, 2012.
Based on the level of interest Mr. Anker anticipates a full house. He does not plan to let the meeting go much past 11:00 p.m. on the first night. Although it was requested that microphones be designated for those in favor and those opposed to articles being presented, Mr. Anker likes the idea of open microphones. Planning Board will give a report on all the zoning articles.
Mr. Anker will hold an Informational Meeting on Thursday, May 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library for townspeople who would like to learn more about town meeting.
The Board of Selectmen authorized the Public Ways Safety Committee to give a presentation on behalf of the Board of Selectmen on Article 12 regarding the amendment to the zoning bylaws to add Section 2.4.3 Line of Sight at Intersections.
The article on the warrant for the town to authorize the Board of Selectmen to enter into and execute an agreement for the Solar project at 125 Still River Road is being revised, and Attorney Brackett is preparing the appropriate motion to amend this article at town meeting. Mr. Lowe reported that the Board of Assessors continues to negotiate the Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with the developer. The latest proposal has been forwarded to Town Counsel for review. Attorney Brackett recommends that the final agreement be signed by both the Board of Selectmen and Assessors.
Attorney Brackett stated that the Citizen’s Petition regarding Town Meetings and Warrants bylaw is not in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws and should be ruled out of order. Mr. Lowe stated that he notified Mr. Cote, the sponsor of the article of Counsel’s opinion but has not heard back from him.
SITE PLAN REVIEW – TRACK AND FIELD PROJECT
Present: Bill Cleary, Facilities Manager and George King, Assistant Superintendent
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the site plan for the track and field renovation at Nashoba Regional High School. The bid is anticipated to be awarded on May 8 if the Nashoba district town meetings vote favorably for the project. The construction start date is slated for June 1, with completion of the field and track being scheduled for September, and the completion of the tennis courts occurring in October.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the site plan. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes)
BATCO
Present: Ken Troup, BatCo President and Burt Shnitzler and Teresa Sauer, BatCo board members
Mr. Troup provided the Board of Selectmen with a copy of BatCo’s business plan for 2012-13. The objectives of BatCo are to complete the implementation of live meeting telecasts from the Houghton Building, Public Safety Building, Public Library and Town Hall; implement a studio in the Houghton Building for use in creating local productions; and continue to expand the number of local productions and the volunteer base and underwriting revenue to support them.
The Board reviewed a spreadsheet that contained monthly projections for an average month of BatCo operations. Mr. Troup stated that municipal meetings and events could be broadcast with available funding but the added programming such as the new production “The Neighborhood” resulted in a slight deficit. BatCo plans to solicit underwriting to cover this deficit. Mr. Plante expressed his concern with continuing with the additional programming without revenue in place to cover it. Mr. Wysocki and Mr. Lindsay were more willing to accept operating at a slight loss for a limited period of time.
Mr. Plante questioned whether BatCo has the appropriate insurance required (general liability and workers compensation). It was also suggested that Mr. Troup review the projected costs for software maintenance, as it was Mr. Lowe’s opinion that those costs appeared high.
Mr. Troup agreed to do more research and report back to the Board of Selectmen at their next meeting.
Mr. Troup reported that he received a quote in the amount of $11,000 for a chair lift to access the second floor of the Houghton Building but that BatCo could not afford to fund it. This cost did not include the hiring of an architect to obtain the necessary permits. Mr. Plante continued to express opposition to spending any more money for the production studio on the 2nd floor of the Houghton Building when it would not be handicap accessible. Mr. Troup recommended retaining the information and addressing the situation when the need became necessary.
Mr. Lowe agreed to review the Town budgets to see if there were any funds available for this project.
Mr. Plante also questioned whether it would make more sense to have the head table in the Lois J. Alex meeting room on the north wall rather than where it is now.
TWIN SPRINGS
Attorney CampoBasso met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval for two changes to the Liquor License for Twin Springs. The changes included revising the manager of Twin Springs from Daniel Dempsey to Paul Jordan, and revising the treasurer and secretary from Brian Lynch to Daniel Weadock.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the changes to the Twin Springs Liquor License. (Plante – yes, Lindsay –yes, Wysocki – yes)
SLATERS, 356 MAIN STREET, GREAT BROOK FARMS
Mr. Slater met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval for his liquor license at 356 Main Street. The Board of Selectmen is in receipt of approval from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) for a wine and malt liquor license for Slater’s.
The proposed hours of operation will be 11:00 a.m. to 12 midnight Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the license for Slater’s contingent on receiving final inspection reports from the Building Inspector and Fire Department. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
TOWN ADMINSTRATOR REPORT
FEMA reimbursement: Mr. Lowe reported that FEMA will reimburse the Town of Bolton $101,179 for costs associated with the clean up from the October 2011 snow storm. Mr. Lowe stated that Ms. O’Toole did a great job coordinating the paperwork.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Remote Participation: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and execute the Policy and Procedures for Remote Participation for All Town Boards and Committees. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes)
Minutes: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve minutes of January 5 and 19, 2012. (Plante –yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 9:50 p.m. (Plante –yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki –yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day