Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                                 Present: Kenneth F. Troup

October 22, 2009                                     Stanley Wysocki

                                                                Curtis Plante

                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

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

Present:  David Lindsay, Advisory Committee Chairman

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Present:  Jenny Atwood Burney, Town Planner; John Karlon, Planning Board member

Ms. Burney proposed the establishment of an Economic Development Committee.  She has discussed this proposal with the Town Administrator Don Lowe and the Planning Board.  This Committee would act as a liaison between businesses and other town boards and committees, state agencies, and other organizations on business development.   The Committee would also be a point of contact to developers to assist in and guide the course of economic development in town.  Mr. Lowe stressed the importance of a point of contact, stating that if potential businesses can’t make proper contact easily they will move on to another community as they search for a business location.   The recommendation was that the Committee consists of 7 members. Their mission would be to develop an economic development action plan to help attract, retain and grow business and jobs in Bolton to expand the tax base and improve the economic environment and quality of life for its residents and meet the long term needs of the community.  It would also encourage the appropriate redevelopment of empty or underutilized business and industrial space or property.   The Committee would meet with the Board of Selectmen on a quarterly basis.  

Ms. Atwood Burney will advertise in the Bolton Common and on the website for individuals interested in serving on the committee.    

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to designate Ms. Atwood Burney as the economic development coordinator.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

SENIOR TAX REBATE PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Present:  Terry Abdalian, Friends of the Bolton Seniors

Mr. Lowe requested that the Board of Selectmen review and approve the Senior Tax Rebate Program guidelines.  The purpose of the program is to enable senior citizen residents to reduce property taxes by working for the Town of Bolton.  The maximum abatement has been $750.00 and the State recently raised the limit to $1,000.00.  There is currently no income level for eligible participants.

Mr. Lowe reported that upon review of the senior tax rebate program it has been determined that some participants have already accumulated hours beyond FY10 and according to the Informational Guideline Release (IGR) this is something that we should not be doing.  It was unclear if the law would allow for those that exceeded their hours to donate their hours to someone else.  

Mr. Lowe stated that he can’t say enough about how helpful the participants of the program have been and it has been a joy to have them working for the town.  The review of the guidelines was not intended to take away any benefits but be sure we are in compliance with what we are doing.  

Mr. Troup stated that Bolton instituted the program before the State had enacted a senior tax rebate law or established the IGR to regulate the program and Bolton now needs to update their guidelines to meet the State guidelines.  Bolton now needs to play catch up with the current guidelines.

The Senior Tax Rebate Advisory Committee is a three member Committee and currently has one member.  The Board of Selectmen will be advertising to fill the vacancies.

  

The Board of Selectmen will schedule a day time meeting with the seniors to discuss the program and its requirements and answer any questions the participants may have.

 

Mr. Lowe suggested that there be a focal point for the participants of the program and recommended that it be with the Council on Aging.  

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to grandfather anyone that had exceeded their hours so that the hours could be carried over into the next fiscal years.  (Troup - yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

The Board of Selectmen decided to wait to finalize the guidelines until they have met with the seniors.  

BUDGET DISCUSSION

Mr. Lindsay expressed his disappointment about the interest payment for the bonding for the public safety center and library projects and the fact that it had not been discussed with the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Lindsay stated that the payment plan presented at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2009 should have been followed.  Mr. Lindsay stated that in the future it is important that the Town Administrator insist that the Treasurer review any major financing with the Advisory Committee and that the Board of Selectmen support the Town Administrator in doing so. He did not feel that the Selectmen have been supportive of the Advisory Committee.  Mr. Lindsay is still concerned that Bolton’s cash in concentrated in too few banks and suggested a joint meeting of the Board of Selectmen, Treasurer, and the Advisory Committee to review.

Treasurer Donna Madden and Accountant Julie Costello came up with three scenarios to cover the interest payment of $62,525.  

Consensus was that option #3 was the best scenario.   A meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2009 to further discuss possible solutions to the problem of the unbudgeted interest payment on the new Public Safety Center bond issue.  Ms. Madden and Ms. Costello will be invited to attend.

The Board of Selectmen and the Advisory Committee discussed the town’s preliminary budget.  The town is looking at a deficit of approximately $93,000 based on assumptions such as no increase in the schools budget, 3% cost of living for Department of Public Works union employees, 0% cost of living increases but includes step increases for non-union employees.

Mr. Lindsay stated that he attended the School Committee meeting and told them about the tough year and our free cash situation.  Mr. Lindsay suggested that the Board of Selectmen also inform the School Administration and School Committee of the budget situation.

 

The replenishment of free cash is approximately $144,000.  This is low because in past years, there were more funds left in the department budgets at the end of the year to be returned to the general fund.  

Capital expenditures could include a senior center and the Fyfeshire dam repair.   Mr. Troup suggested that the capital expenditure for the senior center be reviewed but that no action is taken at this time.  There is a lot of planning to do including putting together a committee to look at the reuse of the Houghton Building and it is more important to get the operating budget in place.   Mr. Troup and Mr. Wysocki both agreed that we should not encourage anyone to bring any capital projects to the next annual town meeting.  Mr. Plante did not think it was fair to discourage the Council on Aging and the Friends of the Seniors from submitting an article for the ATM for a senior center.

GARAGE DOORS

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the disposition of six TC Series Raynor Sectional Doors.  These doors were previously used at the Bolton Fire Station.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY – SIGN REQUEST

On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Lori Nelson, for a sign advertising the used book sale at Emerson School on Saturday, November 14, 2009 at the corner of Mechanic and Main Street.  The sign will be removed at the completion of the sale on November 14, 2009.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)

GOALS

The Board of Selectmen received departmental goals from the Conservation Commission, Council on Aging, DPW, Historical Commission, Library, Planning Board, Town Accountant, Town Clerk, Treasurer and the Police Department.   The Board of Selectmen will discuss the goals with the department heads when they meet with them regarding their FY11 budget.

Based on the departmental goals received the Board of Selectmen will prepare their own list that will be discussed at the next Board of Selectmen.  

SEWER COMMISSION

Mr. Plante asked if the Selectmen needed to establish a Sewer Commission Committee for the force main.  Mr. Lowe will research to see if this is necessary.

NATIONAL GRID

Mr. Plante recused himself from this discussion.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the license agreement and distribution easement for the Bolton Public Safety Building located at Wattaquadock Hill Road.  (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes)  These documents grant Massachusetts Electric Company the right to install, operate and properly maintain the lines and equipment upon the property.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Plante – yes, Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 9:50 p.m. to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining.  The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.