Board of Selectmen

Board of Selectmen                                          Present:            Stanley Wysocki

April 26, 2018                                                                          Jonathan Keep            

Town Hall                                                                                Robert Czekanski

 Don Lowe, Town Administrator

Mr. Wysocki called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING – HARVARD ROAD

The Board of Selectmen opened the continued public hearing on the petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) jointly-owned pole on Harvard Road beginning at a point approximately 3000 feet northeast of the centerline of the intersection of Main Street and continuing approximately 0 feet in a northeast direction.  National Grid will install one (1), 35C2 stub pole and one (1) anchor across the road from pole 29.   Mark Caisse, Bolton’s Tree Warden stated that Autumn Kubiak, Representative for National Grid agreed to remove the dead pine tree behind the proposed location so that the new pole can be located another two (2) feet back off the road.

On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to close and approve the proposed solution as discussed.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

BOLTON LION’S TOLL BOOTH

Randy Porteus met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to hold the annual Lion’s Club toll booth on Main Street in front of Murphy Insurance on May 12, 2018 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the rain date of May 19, 2018. On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event on May 12, 2018 with a rain date of May 19, 2018.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

UPDATE FROM THE WATER RESOURCE SUBCOMMITTEE

Robyn Smith, Maya Parehk and Sudhakar Regupahty members of the Water Resource Subcommittee met with the Board of Selectmen to present their results from the survey they made available to residents to get a better understanding of their opinions on water-related issues, how interested they might be in further education, and what would be the likeliness of success if they were to propose any changes.

The survey was available on-line and hard copy and they received 215 responses.

The majority of respondents were aware of the drought conditions that occurred in 2016 and willing to voluntarily reduce water usage.  Generally speaking, respondents favored reducing irrigation of public spaces during drought conditions and were interested in learning more about water-related topics. 

Based on the results, the Water Resource Subcommittee made four recommendations:

The Town consider increasing awareness by posting drought conditions in the local paper, on the town website, on the bulletin board at the Houghton Building and/or sandwich board type signs by Route 495/117.

The Town provide residents with some tips on water conservation via the town website and/or local newspapers such as conserving water by limiting washing your car or watering your lawn.

Bolton Local include the water-related topics of interest in their educational programs and initiatives as agreed to at their meeting of April 7, 2018.

The Town request the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Parks/Recreation research field management practices to conserve water and consider at what point to reduce watering at town-owned fields.  The DPW has some rain barrels available to residents.

In terms of the next steps, the Wastewater Subcommittee recommended that the Board of Selectmen implement recommendations 1, 2 and 4 above.   It is the intent of the Wastewater Subcommittee to dissolve at the end of May, 2018 but they will continue to work with Bolton Local on water-related initiatives.  The final report prepared by the Water Resource Subcommittee will be posted to the Town website.  The Board of Selectmen thanked the Water Resource Subcommittee for their efforts.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  Mr. Lowe reported that the building project is continuing to progress very well.  With the onset of the good weather, the crews are ramping up and the project is on schedule for starting interior work. The School Building Committee approved the awarding of contracts for the floor covering, epoxy flooring and demolition of the current school which will cost approximately $3,700,664.    Completion is projected for the spring of 2019 for a fall opening.

Town Hall Portico Project:  The portico project has officially gone out to bid and has been posted on Commbuys and the Central Register.  Mr. Lynch, DPW Director has already received 5 inquiries for the bid package.

Water Issues at the Library:  Mr. Lowe reported that the Public Library had water issues because of a pump failure.  The pump is 10 years old and its life expectancy is 10 years.  While replacing the water pump for the Library the decision was made to replace the pump for the Public Safety Building which is also at its life expectancy.  The cost of each pump was $1,300.  Water test results were received this afternoon and found to be fine.   

Forbush Mill Road:  Mr. Lowe reported that the headwall of the culvert on Forbush Mill Road collapsed because of the overwhelming rainfall recently.  The Department of Public Works worked to place precast blocks in the headwall to stabilize the culvert.  The cost was approximately $5,000.  

Additional testing will be done to determine if the ground has been stabilized and the pipe diameter is the right size or if a long term solution is necessary. DPW Director Joseph Lynch is optimistic that the culvert will not have to be replaced.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Public Service Announcements:  Mr. Czekanski reminded Bolton residents that the Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Day is May 2 and May 5, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In light of the meeting with the Water Resource Subcommittee early this evening, Mr. Keep announced that the Department of Public Works has rain barrels available at the cost of $45.00. 

Senior Appreciation Month:  Mary Ciummo and Lisa D’Eon requested the Board of Selectmen join the Friends of Bolton Seniors and the Council on Aging proclaiming May 2018 to be Senior Appreciation month. Festivities will start on May 1, 2018 when May baskets, made by 2nd graders at Florence Sawyer School will be delivered to 50 seniors.  Other fun and educational activities have been planned for the month of May.  The theme for the Senior Appreciation Month is “Engage At Every Age” which emphasizes that you are never too old or too young to take part in activities that enhance your physical, mental and emotional well-being and also celebrates the ways our seniors have contributed to our community.   Ms. Ciummo read the proclamation aloud.  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen proclaimed the month of May as Senior Appreciation month.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes)  The Proclamation will be on display at the Senior Center.  Mr. Lowe reported that Bolton is one of three states to be designated as a senior friendly state by the AARP/WHO Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities.  Governor Baker will be introducing some grants to help support communities with their designation to do some things that are beneficial for seniors.

Acceptance of anonymous gift for plantings for the Town Common:  Mr. Lowe stated that a family in town who would like to remain anonymous has donated plantings for the Town Common.  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the anonymous gift for the plantings at the Town Common contingent upon review of the plans by the Board of Selectmen.   (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes) 

Bills/Payroll Warrants:  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the bills and payroll warrants for W18-22 and W18-22A.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

Executive Session

On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes) to enter into executive session at 7:40 p.m. pursuant to MGL c. 30A, §21(a)3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the DPW Union and to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the Police Union, as the Chair finds that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Board’s bargaining position.  The Board announced it will not reconvene to open session.   (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes)

Meeting adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day