Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
March 8, 2012 David Lindsay
Stanley Wysocki
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
PROPOSAL FOR CITIZEN’S PETITION TO REZONE THE KANE PROPERTY
Present: Attorney Doug Deschenes, Consultant Martin Reilly, and Shirley, Kathy and Jim Kane
The Kane family and Attorney Deschenes met with the Board of Selectmen to request their support of the citizen’s petition that was submitted for the Town Meeting on May 7, 2012. The proposal is to rezone approximately 29 acres of residential property between Hudson Road and Interstate 495 along Route 117 for a commercial shopping center to include a supermarket, pharmacy, gas station and coffee shop. The approval at town meeting to rezone this property will make this project a reality and enhance services for the townspeople.
Attorney Deschenes stated that 65,000 square feet of building space would be needed for the supermarket, and based on the current zoning, the building coverage restriction of 8% would only allow for 45,000 square feet.
The Board of Selectmen recommended that Attorney Deschenes contact Town Planner Jenny Atwood Burney to get clarification regarding the overlay district bylaw.
Katrina Lund, 25 Hudson Road, an abutter, expressed concern with the impact on the traffic in this area and did not see the necessity of this project when you can drive 10 minutes in any direction and get to a supermarket.
Susan Membrino, 32 Hudson Road, an abutter to the project also questioned the traffic flow. Ms. Kane stated that they did not have any plans to have exits on Route 85 and will try to minimize the impact to those residing on Route 85. She also noted that the State will require an entrance at the existing traffic light on Route 117 near Interstate 495.
Martha Remington, 447 Main Street stated that the traffic signal has not solved the issue of traffic back-up on Route 495, and in the future it might be necessary for the State to expand the interchange to address the traffic issues.
Attorney Deschenes confirmed that the traffic impact would be analyzed.
UPDATE ON THE ASSESSOR’S TAX ASSESSMENT ANALYSIS
Present: Susan Mason, member of the Board of Assessors and Brian Kopperl of Renewal Energy Massachusetts (REM)
Ms. Mason stated that the Department of Revenue has provided little guidance but that there is a regulation that would allow the Board of Selectmen to consider a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement.
REM proposed a per annum payment of $24,750 for the Bolton Orchards project. The Board of Assessors recommended that the Board of Selectmen not adopt a PILOT agreement and allow for the proposed solar development to be assessed at full and fair cash value. This implies that the solar assets will be valued on the basis of replacement cost less depreciation.
Mr. Kopperl stated the PILOT agreement does not increase the assessment for the real estate property. Mr. Kopperl provided the Board of Selectmen with a tax summary on Massachusetts solar properties.
It was unclear whether an article would be needed to ratify a PILOT agreement, but in any event it was up to REM to make this determination and submit an article for the Annual Town Meeting warrant. It was also unclear if the solar facility would fall under Bolton’s solar bylaw because REM’s plan was filed on the same day as the notice for the public hearing was published regarding the proposed solar bylaw.
Ms. Mason stated that the Board of Assessors would like more time to review REM’s proposal.
SNOW AND ICE
Mr. Brown, DPW Director and Ms. O’Toole, Administrative Assistant met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to overspend the snow and ice budget. The Board was provided with a summary of the snow and ice budget.
Based on Mr. Plante’s analysis of the budget and storm events, it was his opinion that there should have been enough salt on hand and that the last purchase of salt was not necessary. Therefore, Mr. Plante was opposed to the overspending.
Mr. Brown stated that each storm event is different and he has to prepare for the unknown because it is his responsibility to keep the roadways safe.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Brown, DPW Director, to overspend the snow and ice budget by $50,000. (Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – no)
NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR PROGRAM
Ms. Boyd informed the Board of Selectmen that the organization called Neighbor To Neighbor Bolton is going very well. Neighbor To Neighbor Bolton is a group of local citizens that came together to build a better sense of community in Bolton, to help get to know each other, and to help each other in times of need. Ms. Boyd stated the group continues to work on ways to check in on seniors during storm events. They have also put together an information packet that is provided to newcomers.
YARD SALE
The Board of Selectmen approved the request of Bolton Local to hold the 3rd annual Town-wide yard sale on May 5 from 9 to 2 p.m. The rain date is May 6th. Bolton Orchards and Great Brook Farms will be the destinations to pick up the maps. The yard sale will be advertised on the Bolton Local website and in local newspapers.
UPDATE FROM BATCO ON THE HOUGHTON BUILDING
Mr. Troup stated that the renovations at the Houghton Building have been completed and the meeting room is in use. The Friends of the Library are moved in, and the Conservation Trust will be moving in shortly. BatCo has started to use their space and acquire equipment. Bolton Local is working on producing a new show called The Neighborhood and hope to air the first show on March 25, 2012. They are working on a fixed schedule concept that will be published to inform everyone of when shows and meetings will be aired. After several years of dedicated service as Treasurer for BatCo, Mr. Merrill stepped down, and Mr. Burt Shnitzler was appointed Treasurer.
Mr. Troup stated that the plan is to be able to broadcast live from four different venues – Town Hall, Houghton Building, Library and Public Safety Building.
Mr. Troup stated that because of the interest with the Neighborhood show, some equipment has been ordered, but before they order any additional equipment they would like the opportunity to review the details with the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen will attend a site visit of the Houghton Building and BatCo Studio on March 15 at 5:00 p.m.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to release the amount of $15,000 to BatCo for operating expenses. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
NAME THE NEW PUBLIC MEETING ROOM
Mr. Troup recommended that the Board of Selectmen vote to name the new meeting room in at the Houghton Building the Lois J. Alex Meeting Room. Mr. Troup stated that Ms. Alex spent many years serving the Town as Town Secretary and Town Clerk from that very space, and he could not think of a better way to honor her memory and long service to the town. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to name the meeting room the Lois J. Alex Meeting Room. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Forum on Violence in Teen Relationships: A Forum on Violence in Teen Relationships will be held on March 10th from 10 to 12 noon at the Public Safety Building. The sponsors were complimented on their efforts in organizing the forum.
CPR/DEFIB training: Staff will be scheduled to attend CPR/DEFIB training.
Minuteman Vocational Tech Renovation: Mr. Lowe reported that the district has received $724,000 from the State for the design plan and the process of hiring an Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) for the renovations at Minuteman.
Senior Tax Rebate Program: Mr. Lowe reported that at the May 2000 Town Meeting the Town voted to modify the Senior Tax Rebate Program by accepting the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws 59, Section 5K. Because the statute was revised to raise the cap $750 to $1,000, it only requires the Board of Selectmen’s approval to change the cap as outlined in the statute and does not have to be voted on at Town Meeting.
ATM Warrant: The Annual Town Meeting warrant is taking shape. The Board of Selectmen will review and vote on the recommendations for each article at their meeting on March 22, 2012.
APPOINTMENT
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Erik Neyland to the Economic Development Committee. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, Section 21A (3) at 9:15 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining. The Board will not reconvene to regular session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day