Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Monday, June 22, 2009
Board of Selectmen Present: Kenneth F. Troup
June 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 3:00 p.m.
BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE
Present: Attorney Daniel Klasnick, Town Counsel Ellen Doucette
The Board of Selectmen at a previous meeting approved the special permit application for Bell Atlantic Mobile, LTD, d/b/a Verizon Wireless to allow construction of a 149 foot monopole at the transfer station located at Forbush Mill Road contingent on the applicant obtaining approval of four variances from the Board of Appeals. The Board of Appeals only approved two of the four variances and therefore the special permit was denied. After further review of the Bolton Zoning Bylaws, the Board of Selectmen determined that two of the four variances were not required, since the tower is in a residential zone and the setbacks considered were business zone requirements.
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to enter into a Tolling Agreement with Bell Atlantic Mobile of Massachusetts Corporation, LTD. d/b/a Verizon Wireless. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes) The Tolling Agreement was a mutual agreement between the Town of Bolton and Verizon Wireless to attempt to resolve their differences without the cost and inconvenience of litigation. The parties agreed that Verizon Wireless will file a request that the Selectmen modify the special permit issued on April 30, 2009 by removing the condition that requires variances from the provisions of Section 2.5.7.6(8) that were denied by the Board of Appeals, on the basis that those variances are not required for a wireless communications facility. A public hearing will be held on or prior to August 22, 2009.
TERRY ABDALIAN
Present: Terry Abdalian, President of the Friends of the Bolton Seniors
Ms. Abdalian reported that the Senior Appreciation Month (May) was successful and they hope to do this again next year. Ms. Abdalian thanked the Board of Selectmen for their support. The Board of Selectmen thanked Ms. Abdalian for her efforts.
The Friends of the Bolton Seniors recommended that a senior center survey be mailed to the seniors so that they can better plan and fulfill the needs of older adults in Bolton. The survey results will be available in September.
Ms. Abdalian stated that the town could use an on-going social worker to provide assistance to the seniors for help with fuel assistance, food stamps, etc. The Council on Aging (COA) Director does help with this type of assistance but the assistance is limited due to the Director position being part time. Mr. Troup suggested that this be discussed with the COA and Director Sheila Chmielowski to see if Ms. Chmielowski has a State Agency to interface with and if additional staff or volunteers are needed to assistant with accomplishing these tasks. Mr. Lowe reported that he met with Ms. Chmielowski and at the time she did not ask for additional help but will follow up with Ms. Chmielowski and the Council on Aging on this matter.
Ms. Abdalian is a member of the senior center task force. The goal of the task force is to survey other towns comparable to Bolton and look at facilities in town that might be appropriate for a senior center. Ms. Abdalian would like to have a designated senior center and she is interested in the Houghton Building once it is vacated by the Police Department. She asked that the Selectmen keep this in mind when discussing what will be done with the building. Mr. Troup stated that a Committee will be formed to look at the vacancy of the building and possible uses. Ms. Abdalian will keep Mr. Lowe informed of the research done by the Task Force.
PROPOSED HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY
Present: Shelly O’Toole, Administrative Assistant and Laura Kischitz, Energy Committee member
Ms. O’Toole and Ms. Kischitz met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss revisiting the proposal to fund Bolton’s portion of a permanent regional collection facility that will be set up in Devens, MA. The town meeting approved the article at town meeting but voters disapproved the funding at the town election. Bolton was the only town that voted not to participate.
The Board was provided with a 10 year cost comparison that showed it will cost the town $90,000 for the current hazardous waste program whereas if the proposed regional facility was approved it would have cost the town $30,000.
Ms. O’Toole stated that a memorandum of understanding is being finalized and will go out to all the towns that voted to participate. Ms. O’Toole stated that the town would lose the one-time charge of $10,000 and the yearly membership fee of $2,000 if the town decided not to remain a member after entering into the agreement.
Ms. Kischitz received feedback that the article was defeated by members of the community because of an increase in taxes. Mr. Lindsay stated that it was his sense that it was defeated for different reasons.
The Board would like the opportunity to review the memorandum of agreement once it has been finalized.
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION
Present: Douglas Knight
Mr. Knight thanked the Board of Selectmen for their support and stated that based on donations received the fireworks show will be held.
The parade will begin on Mechanic Street, enter onto Main Street to Wattaquadock Hill Road where a raising flag ceremony will take place at Memorial Park. A festival will follow the ceremony. The fireworks have been moved to the Nashoba Regional High School to avoid traffic problems. The State Fire Marshall has reviewed and approved the plan.
FIRST PARISH CHURCH PARK
Present: Douglas Knight, Bob Johnson
The First Parish of Bolton is proposing to add 30 parking spaces behind the church. They will add two rows of parking for a total of approximately 30 spaces. Since the Church and the Town Hall share parking on a continual basis for various events they would like to connect the church parking lot with the town hall parking lot. An accessible bridge walkway will also be installed to provide access to the rear of Davis Hall.
The Board of Selectmen did not have any problems with the proposed plan, provided that the other departments were satisfied with the plan. The Board recommended that the plan be reviewed with Town Planner Jenny Atwood Burney and the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Plante suggested that the drainage be hooked into the existing drainage along the town hall driveway. The Board of Selectmen recommended that Mr. Plante’s suggestions be explored and that they report back to the Board of Selectmen with the findings. In the meantime, Mr. Lowe will confirm whether an easement will be needed and if a town meeting vote will be required for this easement.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the proposal to tie in the Church parking lot to the town hall parking lot. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
BRUCE SLATER
Present: Bruce Slater, Great Brook Farms and Paula Hamway
Mr. Slater met with the Board of Selectmen to request a one day beer and wine license for July 26th, 2009 at Great Brook Farms on Main Street to hold a private fundraiser benefit. Mr. Slater expects approximately 80 people. The event is not open to the public.
Mr. Slater informed the Board that he has met with town representatives and is scheduled to meet with the Board of Health, Planning Board and the Conservation Commission in the next couple of weeks regarding his limited business application. The Board was very pleased to see that Mr. Slater is moving forward with the limited business application process and emphasized the need to continue to move forward with this permitting process.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved a one day beer and wine license on July 26, 2009 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the understanding that it is a private event. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
Mr. Slater informed the Board of Selectmen that he plans to host a children’s sing-a-long on Wednesday evenings between 6:00 and 7:30 p.m. He will charge $5 per family and offer refreshments. It will be a very quiet, low impact type of event. The Board did not have a problem with this plan.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Community Sign: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the revised policy and procedures for the use of the community message sign located at the police station. The policy includes a revision to clarify who may use the sign. (Troup – yes, Plante – yes, Wysocki – yes) It was also noted that when the Police Department moves to the Public Safety Center on Wattaquadock Hill Road Ms. Day, Town Secretary will take care of the scheduling for the sign.
Force Main: A pre-construction meeting was held with representatives from the Town of Bolton, UEL Contractors and Onsite Engineering regarding the low pressure force main project. All contracts have been signed and the project will begin on July 5, 2009. It will be a 5 to 6 week process, that they anticipate being done on time and under budget. The coordination of activities on Wattaquadock Hill Road was discussed with the Public Safety Center representatives. There has been more dialogue about the ledge on Wattaquadock Hill Road and if the cost will be borne by the three different projects equally. Mr. Troup’s assumption is that the force main project would pick up the cost but it has not been decided.
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen approved an expense in the amount of $700 for administration for Onsite Engineering’s work to design and engineer a septic spur to the Houghton Building. (Troup – yes, Plante – yes, Wysocki –yes)
Mr. Lowe reported that an electronic message board has been placed along Main Street and UEL is working closely with the Police Chief to put up signs notifying trucking companies of the detours.
Citizen of the Year Plaque: The Citizen of the Year Plaque will be on display at the town hall. Each year, Bolton Celebrates will choose an individual(s) to receive the honored citizen’s award.
Paving Schedule:
The Board was in favor of the paving schedule provided by Harold Brown, DPW Director, as follows: East End Road – Pole #10 to town line; Bolton Woods Way – Main Street to cul de sac; Lively Road – South Bolton Road to Central Street; Meadow Road – Main Street to Long Hill Road; Hudson Road – Pole #4 to town line and Spectacle Hill Road – paving 600’ of the road in association with the culvert replacement.
SUNSET RIDGE HOUSING CORP – REQUEST FOR PROPANE IN UNDERGROUND STORAGE TANKS
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the propane license issued to Osterman Propane, Inc., acting on behalf of Sunset Ridge Housing Corp., for a license to store 8,000 gallons of propane in underground storage tanks at the Sunset Ridge Development located off of Wattaquadock Hill Road. The license was approved by Fire Chief John Stephenson. (Troup – yes, Plante – yes, Wysocki – yes)
TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM COMMUNICATIONS TO POLICE ACCOUNT
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the transfer in the amount of $6,000 from the communications wages account 0100-299-5134-00 to Police Overtime account 0100-210-5140-000. (Troup – yes, Plante – yes Wysocki - yes) The overtime account had a $10,000 deficit which was partially attributable to the December 11, 2008 ice storm.
PARK/RECREATION COMMISSION
Present: Karen Regan
Pond Park Improvements: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the pond park project. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes) The project will be done by Michael Bowe, from the Bolton Boys Scouts. It will include the installation of a staircase, gas powered pump, and pump house at Pond Park. This will provide a safer access to the skating area and to have onsite capabilities for resurfacing the pond via the pump. The Board of Selectmen stated that this project should not be done until after the force main project which is expected to be complete by August 15, 2009. Ms. Regan will be provided with the contact information of Ray Willis, Onsite Engineering, Inc. so that the two projects can be coordinated.
Ms. Regan stated that the Parks/Recreation Commission is working on a Pond Park skating operation and maintenance plan that she will share with the Board of Selectmen once it has been completed.
Blue Spruce Tree: Ms. Regan requested permission to plant a spruce tree in Pond Park which she felt would be a nice addition to the Park. She would like to remove the tree that is there now and will contact our Tree Warden Mark Caisse.
Forbush Mill Road update: Ms. Regan reported that the neighbors on Forbush Mill Road and the sports leagues have been invited to attend the next Parks/Recreation meeting to talk about solutions to resolve the issue related to the storage container.
Sign: Ms. Regan requested permission to put a frame type sign in front of the town hall on the raised garden area to announce various activities that the Parks/Recreation Commission will host. The Board was favorable to this request.
Lease for town beach/Little Pond: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the annual lease for the use of the Little Pond portion of Camp Resolute for the town beach for the 2009 season. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante - yes)
INCREASE IN FEES – ELECTRICAL, AND PLUMBING AND GAS
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the electrical, and plumbing and gas fees effective July 1, 2009 as follows. The fees represent a 10 to 14% increase. Ms. Day stated that the fees have not been increased since 2007. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
ELECTRICAL:
RESIDENTIAL FEES:
NEW SERVICE: $ 55.00
TEMPORARY SERVICE $ 55.00
SERVICE CHANGE/MODIFICATION $ 55.00
NEW DWELLING: $140.00
REWIRE OLD DWELLING $ 80.00
With Service Change $140.00
SWIMMING POOLS $ 60.00
NEW GARAGE $ 60.00
With Service Change $ 80.00
NEW OUTLET – includes stove/dryer $ 40.00
HOT WATER TANK $ 50.00
OIL or GAS BURNER $ 50.00
ENERGY BALLASTS $ 40.00
ELECTRIC HEAT – added to existing dwelling $ 50.00
ALUMINUM SIDING GROUND $ 40.00
ADD SUBPANEL $ 40.00
ADDITION $ 60.00
ALARM – Security & Fire $ 55.00
GENERATOR $60.00
AGRICULTURE
NEW BARN $ 80.00
With service $140.00
FARM STAND $ 55.00
With service $140.00
COMMERCIAL
Fees based on estimated electrical cost, including all equipment and labor
$50.00 per $1,000 to $10,000
$2.00 per $1,000 thereafter
Minimum Fee $ 55.00
CARNIVALS/FAIRS, etc. $ 50.00
SIGNS $ 40.00
PUBLIC EVENTS $ 40.00
YEARLY MAINTENANCE PERMITS $110.00
REINSPECTIONS $ 40.00
PLUMBING:
RESIDENTIAL: First Fixture $ 90.00
Each Additional $ 10.00
*REPLACEMENT: Hot Water Tank $45.00
Dishwasher
Washing Machine
COMMERCIAL: First Fixture $110.00
Each Additional $ 15.00
GAS FITTING:
RESIDENTIAL: First Fixture $ 90.00
Each Additional $ 10.00
COMMERCIAL: First Fixture $110.00
Each Additional $ 15.00
RE-INSPECTION: Inspection necessitated by
defective work, improper
materials, or by inaccurate
address or other information $ 40.00
MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the mutual aid agreement among public health agencies in Emergency Preparedness Region II. This agreement will allow Bolton to give and receive assistance from Worcester County municipalities that also entered into the agreement. (Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes)
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Plante – yes, Troup – yes, Wysocki – yes) to enter into executive session at 5:15 p.m. under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining. The Board announced it would reconvene to open session for purpose of signing contracts.