Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
January 5, 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.
PUBLIC HEARING – APPLICATION FOR WINE AND MALT LICENSE
The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the application of Slater’s dba Great Brook Farms, Inc. for a new general on premise wine and malt license located at Slater’s dba Great Brook Farms, 356 Main Street, Bolton, Ma.
The premise to be licensed is a 40 x 50 wood framed building with a small patio which is 25 x 15 with a total seating capacity of 65 inside and up to 250 outside.
Mr. Slater stated that this application is identical to the application he filed in March of 2011.
John Mentzer, Fire Chief stated that with the 1st floor being a business, a seating capacity of 65 seats and the 2nd floor being residential, the building is considered a mixed use which according to the building code requires a fire alarm system. Mentzer recommended that smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and adequate fire extinguishers be installed on both floors, and that the alarm system be connected to a monitoring company. Mentzer also encouraged Mr. Slater to install a Knox box to store a key that would be available to emergency personnel.
The Fire Chief’s recommendations were not germane to tonight’s hearing but would have to be addressed during the inspection process conducted by the Town Fire Chief and Building Inspector if the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission awarded approval for the Board of Selectmen to issue the license.
Mr. Lowe noted that during the liquor license approval process Mr. Slater would not be eligible for any one-day liquor licenses.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request for a new general on premise wine and malt license to Slater’s dba Great Brook Farms, 356 Main Street. (Plante – yes, Lindsay –yes, Wysocki – yes)
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION – WEATHERBEE, HARVARD ROAD
Ms. Gumbart met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval of the conservation restriction on the Weatherbee property on Harvard Road. The parcel is approximately 12 acres which excludes the existing home and one building lot. The purchase was funded by a town meeting vote, which included $10,000 from the Conservation fund and a $96,000 state grant.
The property can stay in Chapter 61A because it is only a restriction to the property and is not changing hands.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the conservation restriction on the Weatherbee Farm property on Harvard Road. (Plante – yes Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
DELTA EQUITY, 579 MAIN STREET
Mr. Matt Beals of Delta Equity Services Corporation met with the Board of Selectmen to request two temporary signs to be placed near the front of the property located at 579 Main Street. One sign will read “Platinum Contracting” and include a phone number and the website. The dimensions will be 3 feet wide by 2 feet tall. The second sign will read “An experience you can bank on - Clinton Savings Bank - Need Financing” and include a phone number. The dimensions will be 3.5 feet wide by 2.5 feet tall.
Mr. Plante stated that temporary signs have been allowed during the duration of a construction project and was concerned with setting a precedent for multiple signs.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the concept of combining the two signs into one and that Mr. Beals provide a copy of the newly designed sign for review by the Board of Selectmen with the understanding that if any two of the Selectmen had concerns and objected to the revised sign, the applicant would be required to come back to the Board of Selectmen for review. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
EMERGENCY SHELTER
Present: Bill Spratt, Facilities Manager for the School District
Mr. Spratt explained that none of the schools in the district qualify as a full shelter according to the Red Cross guidelines. He stated that the Hale School in Stow has been used as a “warming area” where people warm up, take showers, charge cell phones, etc.\; and our schools in Bolton could be used for the same purposes.
Mr. Spratt stated that it is his opinion that Emerson School would be the easiest to set up as a warming area and has submitted a capital expense for a generator for the Emerson School. The Selectmen supported the purchase of a generator for the schools, noting the damage that could occur if we lost power and did not have backup. The suggestion was also made to purchase a generator for Florence Sawyer School that would allow for the use of the kitchen.
Mr. Spratt suggested that the emergency departments meet to determine the options for setting up a shelter, secure funds at town meeting, and go out to bid for the project. There may also be grants available.
UPDATE ON STORM RELATED EXPENSES FROM OCTOBER
Present: Harold Brown, DPW Director, Shelly O’Toole, Assistant Administrator and Mark Caisse, Tree Warden
Mr. Lowe stated that $95,144 has been spent to date on the storm, with the majority coming out of the Tree Warden’s budget. Mr. Brown has prioritized the roads for clean up. National Grid is also willing to help out with some of the hanger removal.
The DPW will be able to handle three significant storms with the balance remaining in the snow and ice account.
Mr. Brown confirmed that he is still working within the budget for the clean up.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Employee Health Insurance: Mr. Lowe reported that he attended the Insurance Advisory Committee meeting where they unanimously voted to approve the revised health care plan. The new plan will provide lower rates with higher co-pays and deductibles. The new plan saves the town an estimated $22,000, with 25% of that savings being returned to participants of the health insurance plan. Each participant will receive a credit of $152 on their premium payment in the first payroll under the new plan. Ms. Madden will inform the participants of the Committee’s vote to accept the revised health care plan.
Achievement: The Board of Selectmen congratulated Ms. Madden for achieving the designation of a certified Massachusetts Municipal Treasurer.
Fyfeshire Dam: Mr. Lowe stated that he is working with State and local officials on an acceptable solution to get the dam considered non-jurisdictional, which would mean lowering the water level enough to reduce the cubic acreage to an amount that would not be jurisdictional. The cost for this solution would range from $150,000 to $329,000 and is a great compromise. The Conservation Commission will come forward with a more detailed proposal.
Update on Police Overtime: Mr. Lowe reported that the balance of $7,300 shown on the December expense ledger does not include the $30,000 that was approved at town meeting and therefore there is a balance of an estimated $37,300 in the account. With an estimated $4,000 being spent monthly on overtime there is sufficient funds to make it through the fiscal year. The overtime is being spent on extraordinary expenses such as burglaries and storms. Although, Mr. Plante agreed with the expenditures, it was his opinion that police shift assignments could still be better managed.
Sergeant Position: Mr. Lowe reported that the candidates have been informed of the required reading for the Sergeant’s written test that is scheduled for February 10, 2012. Formal interviews are scheduled for February 17, and the plan is to have the new Sergeant promoted by April 1, 2012. Mr. Lowe stated that given the current staff, the department is at the maximum head count.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Caucus Call: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to call the caucus for the purpose of nominating town officers on Monday, March 12, at 7:30 p.m. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes) The location is to be determined.
Minutes: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the regular session minutes of October 27, November 10 and December 1, 2011 and the executive session minutes of October 27, 2011. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Re-Election: Mr. Plante stated that he will not be seeking re-election for the Board of Selectmen.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:40 p.m. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day