Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
June 30, 2011 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.
POLE HEARING – WATTAQUADOCK HILL ROAD
Present: Paul Schneider, representative of Verizon New England; Iris Price, representative of National Grid; Mark Caisse, Tree Warden; Nancy Caisse and Mr. & Mrs. Calcagni, abutters; Martha Remington, representing the Historical Commission; and Rich Pelletier, resident.
The Board of Selectmen held a site visit at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Old Bay Road and Wattaquadock Hill Road to discuss the proposal to place one JO stub pole (95S) on the northerly sideline, approximately 79 feet west of existing Pole No 95. The Board then returned to the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m. to continue the discussion. The pole location was moved approximately 15 feet from the original location in order to mitigate concerns that Ms. Caisse expressed about entering and exiting her fields. The Selectmen questioned whether or not the pole could be moved another 10 feet north of the location and if a push pole would solve the problems. Ms. Price was concerned that moving the pole any further would not be useful and would be a public safety concern. The Board of Selectmen received a letter from the Historical Commission stating that the Townshend Farm is a scenic vista in the Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory and the proposed pole would ruin the beauty of the vista as well as it being detrimental to the rural agricultural and historic neighborhood. Ms. Remington said she had spoken to Doug Storey, Chairman of the Planning Board, who could not attend tonight’s meeting, but expressed his concern with the proposal. Although Ms. Price felt that National Grid's proposal was the only solution, she agreed to bring it back to National Grid’s Engineer to see if there were any other alternatives.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the pole hearing to Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
The Board of Selectmen also discussed the question raised about the number of double poles in town and when the town could expect the damaged poles to be removed. Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator, reported that according to state law the town has the right to remove the unused poles at the owner’s expense 90 days after the new pole has been installed. There is also legislation that would allow the Town to adopt a policy with fines and penalties. Mr. Schneider and Ms. Price agreed to have their public relations department contact Mr. Lowe to discuss a timeline for removal of the poles.
MEADOW ROAD CULVERT
Present: Scott Slater, resident of Meadow Road, and Harold Brown, DPW Director.
Mr. Slater met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the culvert on Meadow Road that has created flooding not only on Meadow Road but also on his property. Mr. Slater claims that he never had issues of flooding on his property until the new pipe was installed.
Mr. Brown confirmed that a notice of intent was filed with the Conservation Commission in 1996 to install the new pipe to replace the 12 inch box culvert which was reviewed at their meeting and attended by Mr. Slater. It is Mr. Brown’s belief that the new pipe would handle a 25 year storm. Mr. Plante suggested that Mr. Slater monitor the culvert on rain events.
Mr. Brown estimated it would cost approximately $30,000 for an engineering study. The Board of Selectmen suggested that this project be discussed with the Capital Planning Committee as a capital improvement expense for FY13.
Nan Shnitzler, resident of Meadow Road stated that as an abutter she does not feel that the flooding on Meadow Road was a significant public safety issue.
ALPACA ATTACK
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the investigatory report submitted by Susan Latham as a result of a petition submitted by Mr. & Mrs. Cardinale for the town to pay for veterinary bills for damages allegedly inflicted on one of their alpacas by a dog on December 21, 2010. Ms. Latham was present at the meeting to see if the Selectmen had any questions regarding the investigatory report she submitted. The Cardinales were not available to attend tonight’s meeting due to an unforeseen situation.
Although it was suggested by the Cardinales that Mr. Plante recuse himself from this discussion, he did not do so based on opinion from Town Counsel and resubmitted his disclosure of appearance of a conflict of interest as required by General Laws, Chapter 23(b)(3) that he originally submitted on January 16, 2010.
All reports indicate that there is nothing definite to indicate the damages were a result of a dog bite, and according to the General Laws, the town is exempt from the claim if there is no indication of a dog bite.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted take no action on the Cardinale request for payment because they have seen no evidence that the injuries were a result of a dog bite. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
APPOINTMENT OF A FULL TIME POLICE OFFICER
After an extensive search, followed by the interviews of 9 applicants, Chief Alfano recommended that Gregory Mailloux be appointed to the position of full time Patrol Officer.
Mr. Mailloux is a part time officer in Templeton and a graduate from the full time Massachusetts State Police Municipal Academy. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mr. Mailloux. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
APPOINTMENTS
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to make the following appointments. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Affordable Housing Partnership Trust Fund
Mark Duggan Term expiration June 30, 2014
Ambulance Squad - EMT Attendants Term expiration June 30, 2012
Christine Alfano
Andrew Bagdonas
Christopher Baker
Gigi Bonazzoli
Barbara Brown
Kileen Burgoyne
Alyssa Burgoyne
David Byler
Margy Diaz
Normando Diaz
Wesley Durant
Cassie Ela
Ann Farrell
David Farrell
Kelsey Farrell
Lauren Ferrechio
John Holbrook
Katherine Howard
Alan Koung
Kara McClean
Mary Ann McLaughlin
Roger McManus
Jeremy O’Connell
David Perry
Dina Rich
Curtis Roemer
Jaclyn Welch
James Weliver
Shannon Wheeler
Christopher Whynot
Gerald Wilson
Animal Control Officer Term expiration June 30, 2012
Susan Latham
Assistant Animal Control Officer Term expiration June 30, 2012
Phyllis Tower
Appeals, Board of Term expiration June 30, 2016
Gerard Ahearn
Capital Planning Committee Term expiration June 30, 2014
Wayne Day
Conservation Commission Term expiration June 30, 2014
Amy Wilson
Council on Aging Term expiration June 30, 2014
Barbara Brown
Shirley Sefton
Emma Herbison
Margaret Nangle
Economic Development Committee Term expiration June 30, 2013
Heather Hughes
Emergency Management Co-Directors Term expiration June 30, 2012
Andrew Bagdonas
Thomas Moses
Energy Committee Term expiration June 30, 2014
Stu Malmberg
Burt Shnitzler
Historical Commission Term expiration June 30, 2014
Martha Remington
Marshall McKee
Inspectors Term expiration June 30, 2012
Michael Sauvageau – Building Inspector
David Drugge – Assistant Building Inspector
James Boodry – Wiring Inspector
Peter Casello – Assistant Wiring Inspector
Insurance Advisory Committee Term expiration June 30, 2012
Chris Harrington
Diane Coolidge
Nathaniel Barry
Barbara Brown
Donna Madden
Mass Area Planning Council (MAPC) Term expiration June 30, 2012
Jennifer Atwood Burney
Police Department
Chief of Police – Vincent C. Alfano
Lieutenant – Warren Nelson
Sergeant – Michael Slepetz
Patrolman – Kimberly Denaro, Christopher Harrington, Yvette Washington, Jason Puri, Luke Hamburger, Sandra Lawton and Jonathan Couture
Reserve Officers – Hank Staake, Daniel Keller, Jacob Vicente, Mary Ann Kinirey, Andrew Bagdonas, Paul Smith and Cassandra Ela
Public Ways Safety Committee Term expiration June 30, 2014
Leslie Breeze
Registrars
Susan Miles Term expiration June 30, 2014
Senior Tax Rebate Program Advisory Board Term expiration June 30, 2014
Jack Bushman
Patricia Lupo
Tree Warden Term expiration June 30, 2012
Mark Caisse
WHEAT Term expiration June 30, 2012
Bolton Representative: Brooke James
PROCESS TO REPLACE FIRE CHIEF
Fire Chief John Stephenson is retiring as of June 30, 2011. The town has an established chain of command (Deputy Chief, Captain and Lieutenant) to hold the reins during this time. The Selectmen will invite the John Mentzer, Jack Holbrook and David Farrell to their meeting on July 21, 2011 to discuss the next steps in replacing Chief Stephenson. The Board of Selectmen thanked Mr. Stephenson for his many years of service to the town and for all he has done for the department and seeing it through the times and growing it over the years. He will be missed dearly by the Fire Department and the Town of Bolton.
BATCO LEASE
Present: Ken Troup
The Board of Selectmen and Mr. Troup reviewed the draft BatCo lease for the Houghton Building. Discussion included costs and a three year reimbursement for some of the renovations if they were asked to leave. Suggested revisions will be incorporated into the lease agreement for review at their meeting on July 21, 2011. The Friends of the Library will relocate their space to the Houghton Building, and it is possible that the Conservation Trust will also be relocating to the Houghton Building in the near future. Mr. Troup reported that a crew from the Sheriff’s office in West Boylston will be helping with the clean-up of the Houghton building and that the same crew will be moving the boxes of books for the Friends of the Library from the Emerson School to the storage container that is located on the Houghton building property. Some type of lease agreement will be drafted for the Friends of the Library also. The Board of Selectmen will also visit the Houghton Building prior to the meeting on July 21, 2011.
CONSERVATION TRUST RENEWAL LEASE
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the lease agreement between the Conservation Trust and the Town of Bolton to occupy space at the Emerson School with a provision noting the space may be relocated to the Houghton Building from Emerson School. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes) Mr. Lowe will prepare an addendum to the original agreement to be forwarded to the Conservation Trust regarding this provision.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Animals in Town Buildings and Town Vehicles, and Service Animal Policy: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the above mentioned draft policies along with comments provided by Town Counsel. Town Counsel’s comments will be incorporated for review at the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting.
Veterans Agent: Mr. Lowe reported that Bolton’s Veterans’ Agent Michele Marino has been appointed the interim full time Veterans’ Agent for Fitchburg. Ms. Marino will continue to provide coverage for the Town of Bolton on Wednesday evenings from 5 to 8 p.m. Mr. Lowe is exploring options for continuing the joint service arrangement with Lancaster and Berlin.
Town Insurance: Mr. Lowe reported that the review of the Requests for Proposals for insurance coverage for the town has been completed, and he has renewed our coverage with Murphy Insurance who continued to be the lowest bidder.
Town Hall Offices: Mr. Lowe reported that renovations of the offices at town hall for the Town Accountant, Town Treasurer, Building Inspector and IT Support are progressing, and he anticipates the move of the offices from Emerson School to the town Hall to take place before Labor Day.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S BUSINESS
Disclosure Statements: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the disclosure statements from Stephen Bing and Alice Coggeshall. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes) The statements disclose their appointment by the Board of Selectmen to the Local Historic District Study Commission and the possible direct or indirect impact on the value of their homes which is in the proposed historic district.
Minutes: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve regular session minutes and executive session minutes of April 28, May 12 and May 19, 2011. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
The Board of Selectmen extended their deepest sympathy to the family of Jacqueline Smith who passed away. Ms. Smith served in many town capacities throughout the years and she will be missed.
End of Year Transfer Requests: On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the following end of year transfer requests for FY11. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
(231) Ambulance - $2,000 transferred from line item 5858 Equipment to line item 5112 Wages/EMT call training
(231) Ambulance - $1,000 transferred from line item 5201 ALS Services to line item 5112 Wages/EMT call training
(433) Transfer Station – $3,000 transferred from line item 5281 trash hauling to line item 5140 Wages
(630) Recreation - $350 transferred from line item 5200 Purchase of Service to line item 5113 Wages
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Wysock and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 9:10 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining and contract negotiations. The Board announced it would reconvene to open session.
TOWN ACCOUNTANT CONTRACT
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the contract between the Town of Bolton and Town Accountant Julie Costello, term expiration June 30, 2014. (Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes, Wysocki – yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 10:44 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day