Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                              Present: Stanley Wysocki

May 19, 2011                                                    Curt Plante

                                                                          David Lindsay

                                                                          Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                         Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.  

POLE HEARING – HUDSON ROAD

Present:  Paul Schneider, representative of Verizon New England, Iris Price, representative of National Grid, Mark Caisse, Tree Warden

The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing at 7:00 p.m. on the petition of Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric Company to place 2 new jointly owned (JO) stub poles on Hudson Road for guying purposes.  Pole No. 16S will be placed approximately 37 feet east of existing Pole No. 16, and Pole No. 22S will be placed approximately 37 feet east of existing Pole No. 22.

Mr. Wysocki is an abutter and recused himself from the discussion. Mr. Wysocki stated that he had not received the hearing notification although Ms. Day confirmed that he was on the Mailing distribution.  Mr. Wysocki did not have a problem with the proposal as requested.

  

Mr. Plante stated that he noticed that there was an increase in poles being put across the street versus using push poles.  Mr. Schneider stated that push poles end up being placed on private property and requires an easement from the property owners.  

On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this request.  (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)

POLE HEARING – WATTAQUADOCK HILL ROAD

Present:  Paul Schneider, representative of Verizon New England,  Iris Price, representative of National Grid, Mark Caisse, Tree Warden, and Nancy Caisse, David Goulding and Mr. & Mrs. Calcagni, abutters  

Mr. Caisse stated that the proposed placement of the poles is adjacent to his family’s property, and they are concerned that the placement of the poles will interfere with the cart and horses entering and exiting the cart path, and sees it as a safety issue relative to visibility at the corner of Wattaquadock Hill Road and Old Bay Road.   The Caisses have conducted a site visit with representatives of both Verizon New England and National Grid, and at this time they do not have an alternative.   Mr. Schneider stated that at this point it should be determined whose property the proposed poles will be placed on and that it is the responsibility of the town to make this determination.

Mr. Calcagni of 225 Old Bay Road and Mr. Goulding of 123 Old Bay Road both referred to the new poles that were placed last year that have not been hooked up, which has created the situation of double poles in many locations. Mr. Schneider stated that it is a process and the poles will eventually be removed.

 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the hearing to June 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m.  (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)

GREAT BROOK FARMS

Bruce Slater, owner of Great Brook Farms

Mr. Slater met with the Board of Selectmen to obtain approval for 5 one-day beer and wine licenses for events to be held on May 26, June 18, June 26, June 30 and July 28^th, 2011.  Mr. Slater has had events in the past and there have been no issues reported.  Mr. Lowe stated that according to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission (ABCC) regulations a license of any kind can’t be issued if an application is in process with the ABCC.  Mr. Lindsay recommended that the Board defer the vote until they have had the opportunity to review the comments received from the ABCC related to the denial of the beer and wine application.  A motion made by Wysocki to approve the 5 one-day beer and wine licenses contingent on notice from the ABCC that the application has been denied was amended to approve the 5 one-day beer and wine licenses contingent on notice from the ABCC that the application has been denied and satisfactory comments regarding the denial.  Mr. Wysocki withdrew his amendment to the original motion.  A motion made by Mr. Lindsay to amend Mr. Wysocki’s motion to only include the May 26^th event and not approve anything else beyond that date until the Board of Selectmen’s June 9^th meeting, when any additional information from the ABCC could be reviewed, was not seconded.  

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the 5 one-day beer and wine licenses contingent on notice from the ABCC that the application for the beer and wine license had been denied.  (Plante – yes, Lindsay – no, Wysocki – yes)  

Mr. Slater also spoke with the Board about a Bring Your Own Beverage (BYOB) policy that would allow him to provide this service to his customers.  Mr. Lowe stated that unless a town has a policy prohibiting BYOB, a food establishment has the right to offer the practice, as long as they conform with all applicable Massachusetts General Laws. Mr. Lowe recommended that the Board of Selectmen establish a town policy which would allow the town to retain some level of control over the practice.  Mr. Lowe will prepare a draft for the Board’s review at their meeting on June 9^th, 2011.

Mr. Slater stated that he has hired an attorney to look into the denial of his beer and wine application with the ABCC.  Mr. Lowe stated that if Mr. Slater was appealing the decision with the ABCC then the case would not be closed and one-day liquor licenses would not be applicable. Mr. Slater assured the Board of Selectmen that it is not an appeal.

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Twin Springs Liquor License:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute Form 43 as part of the Liquor License application for the Twin Springs Golf Course which was submitted to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.  (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)  An out-of-date Form 43 had previously been executed by the Board of Selectmen.  

2011 Positive Spin for ALS Bike Ride:  On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Positive Spin for ALS Bike Ride sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National ALS Association that will take place on Sunday, June 12, 2011.  (Plante –yes, Lindsay –yes, Wysocki – yes)  The ride will begin at 7:00 a.m. in Wayland and will enter Bolton on Century Mill Road from Hudson and exit Bolton into Harvard on Eldrdige Road for approximately 6 miles of the 50 mile ride.  

 

Municipal Yearly Operational Plan:  The Board deferred review and approval until after the Board of Health and Conservation Commission have reviewed and approved the plan.

Insurance Request for Quote:  Mr. Lowe reported that the Request for Quote for the town’s insurance is out to bid and due on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at noon time.  

 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Municipal Health Insurance:  Mr. Lindsay stated that he has not seen any reference in the current municipal health insurance bills pending in the State legislature that refers to Towns that belong to cooperatives, as Bolton does.    He encouraged the Board of Selectmen to be heavily involved in this.  Mr. Lowe stated that the ultimate decision regarding any changes to the town's health care plans resulting from the prospective legislation would rest with the Board of Selectmen.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, 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 Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 7:55 p.m. to discuss potential litigation and strategy with respect to collective bargaining.  The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day