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Board of Selectmen Minutes

Meeting date: 
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Board of Selectmen                                 Present: Kenneth F. Troup
July 2, 2009                                             Stanley Wysocki
                                                                Curtis Plante
                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator
                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

 

The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 5:00 p.m.

 

EASY ENERGY
The Board of Selectmen received a recommendation from the Energy Committee that the town switch from National Grid as an electricity provider to Easy Energy for a 6 month pilot.  
National Grid gets their rates on 6 month increments where as Easy Energy can purchase electricity on a daily basis which is averaged.  An analysis of the public buildings being served for the past 9 months showed a savings of $2,000 on electricity usage.  There is no cost to switch and no penalty for switching back if the town did not find Easy Energy to be a cost savings.
Mr. Lowe also met with Margaret Campbell of Easy Energy and recommended that the town try this pilot program and analyze the savings at the end of the calendar year.  

 

The Energy Committee and Mr. Lowe will monitor the 6 month pilot.

 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to switch from National Grid to Easy Energy for a 6 month pilot and authorized Mr. Lowe to enter into and execute the pilot agreement with Easy Energy.   (Troup – yes, Wysocki –yes, Plante – yes)

 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Review of Town Administrator goals for FY10:   The Board of Selectmen reviewed and approved of the FY10 goals for Town Administrator Don Lowe.  The goals are as follows:  
  • Create and execute plan to relocate the Town Treasurer and Town Accountant to the Town Hall.
  • Work with all appropriate town resources to create a plan that proposes the best future use for the Houghton Building.
  • Maintain tight fiscal control on all budgets by working closely with all department heads.
  • Establish the ATM calendar for FY’11 and stay on schedule.
  • Work closely with the Capital Planning Committee and integrate them into the budget process.
  • Establish an Economic Development Committee, populating it with both town personnel and local business leaders.
  • Implementation of software that supports permit tracking and scanning/indexing of various sized plans used by Board of Health, Building Inspector, Conservation, etc.
  • Complete review of town Personnel Policies and Procedures.
  • Begin review of specific town bylaws (i.e., Class II, cell tower, parking requirements, and fence).
  • Maintain involvement as necessary on Force Main Project.
  • Maintain involvement as necessary on Public Safety and Library Building projects.
  • Evaluate opportunities to implement components of the Master Plan and the Management Plan.
  • Maintain strong working relationship with the Emergency Management personnel.

     
Meritorious award for employees:  
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve an additional $100 for the following employees who have accumulated over 20 years of service.   The employees were congratulated.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Linda Day, July 1, 2008 – 21 years of service
Donna Hathaway, August 30, 2008 – 22 years of service
Michael Slepetz, April 15, 2008 – 24 years of service

 

Force main project:  Mr. Lowe reported that message boards have been placed on the Route, and the site is being mobilized.  On Friday, June 26, 2009 letters were delivered to direct abutters explaining the project and providing contact information.

 

Intel grant:  The town received a grant in the amount of $30,000 for the storm water system for the Bolton Public Library project.  Ms. Ann Hurd and Intel were thanked for their generosity.

 

Plumbing and Gas Fees:  Plumbing and Gas Inspector Fred Delorey recommended that the fees for the replacement of a hot water tank, dishwasher and washing machine be increased from $40.00 to $90.00.  The Board did not feel that this increase was appropriate for a “replacement” appliance.  On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to revise the plumbing fees for the replacement of a hot water tank, dishwasher and washing machine from $40.00 to $45.00. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Bike Racks Grant:  The town received a grant from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council for $3,000 to purchase bike racks which will be placed at the Town Hall, Public Safety Building, Police Station, Bower Springs, Memorial Field, Forbush Mill Road soccer field, Florence Sawyer School, Nashoba Regional High School, Emerson School and the Town Beach.   The Library already has bike racks.  Town Planner Jenny Atwood-Burney was congratulated for her efforts in receiving this grant.  The DPW will be installing the bike racks and the school will be responsible for installing theirs.

 

IT contract:  Mr. Lowe reported that Gary Perwak has been operating without an agreement for a year.  Mr. Perwak has agreed to a three year contract at the current rates.  Mr. Lowe stated that Mr. Perwak has provided good service to the Town and recommended that the town enter into an agreement with Mr. Perwak.   On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the renewal of the IT contract with Mr. Perwak and authorized Mr. Lowe to execute the agreement.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

LIQUOR LICENSING
Mr. Lowe reported that upon further research related to the the application filed by Rich Pelletier, of Nashoba Valley Winery for a “full liquor license” it has been determined that we do not in fact have a license to issue.  Originally Mr. Lowe and Ms. Day spoke with the ABCC on two separate occasions and were informed that we had a quota of 14 licenses.  When researching the public hearing timeline, the ABCC attorney informed Ms. Day that we did not have a license to issue.   It appears that in the mid 60’s every city and town had to declare whether they wish to be able to award different licenses.  Bolton opted not to do this.  In order to grant a “full liquor license” we need to go through a home rule petition process which requires a minimum of town meeting vote.  We do not have to go through this same process for wine and malt or retail package because in 1968 a standard ballot question was issued with four different options that the town received approval of in three consecutive ballots.  

 

Mr. Lowe informed Mr. Pelletier of these findings and Mr. Pelletier is willing to withdraw his application.

 

Mr. Lowe is aware of the possibility of two other requests for liquor licenses.  The town can act on a case by case basis or they can look at the bigger picture and allow the licensing authority (Selectmen) to issue liquor licenses depending on merits of each application.  In any event this would require a town meeting vote and the act of the legislature. Mr. Lowe has talked with Town Counsel Ellen Doucette and she will prepare the process required for the town to proceed with this matter.  The ABCC attorney stated that the ballot vote is at the discretion of the town.
The Board favored proceeding with an article that would allow the licensing authority to issue liquor licenses without having to go back to town meeting every time an application is received.  It was also their opinion that the ballot vote should be left out of the process.  

 

Mr. Lowe will work with Town Counsel on an article for the next town meeting and will report back to the Board at their meeting on August 20, 2009.   It was suggested that Mr. Anker be asked his opinion on whether or not a ballot vote should take place.   

 

APPOINTMENTS
Board of Registrar:  On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Leslie Breeze, to the Board of Registrar, term expiration June 30, 2012.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Cable Committee:  On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Graham Sleiker, to the Cable Committee.   (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Public Ways Safety Committee:  On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Tom Kittler, term expiration June 30, 2010.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Conservation Commission:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Maria Berman, to the Conservation Commission, term expiration June 30, 2012.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

 

Minuteman Advisory Group on Interlocal Coordination (MAGIC) representative:  On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Donald Lowe, to represent the Board of Selectmen on the Minuteman Advisory Group (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)  It was noted that Town Planner Jenny Atwood-Burney is also representing the Planning Board and was elected the Vice Chair of this Committee.  Michelle Ciccolo is the chair.  

 

LAW COMMITTEE MEETING
The Law Committee will meet on August 24, 2009.  Both Mark Slade and Wendy Rogers have confirmed that they can attend.  The discussion would be to discuss the role of the Law Committee.  Jim Anker, Moderator will also attend.  

 

RADIO STATION
Mr. Troup reported on the meeting he attended with Mr. Lowe regarding a low power AM radio station that would serve as a means to provide information to the community such as emergency announcements, road closings or various information about the community.   This will be put on the Selectmen’s agenda at a later date to discuss a possible feasible study.  

 

Meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.