Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Board of Selectmen Present: Kenneth F. Troup
October 19, 2006 Panny Gerken
Curt Plante
Chairman Mr. Troup called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 6:15 p.m.
On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen voted to go into executive session under 23B(2) at 6:15 p.m. to consider charges against a public employee. (Roll Call: Troup - yes, Gerken - yes, Plante - yes) The Board will reconvene to open session.
WARRANT
# 07-8 $ 78,921.76
#07-8A $ 102,057.37
OMNIPOINT CELL TOWER SITE PLAN AND SPECIAL PERMIT PUBLIC HEARING
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the Omnipoint Cell Tower Site Plan and Special Permit hearing to Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.
DISCUSSION OF FUTURE OF PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Present: Personnel Committee members Bob Minardi, Jeanne Shapiro and Barbara DiBugnara
The Board of Selectmen and Personnel Committee reviewed a spreadsheet showing the activity of the Personnel Committee over the last three years.
The committee is a five member committee although it has not had a full committee for some time now. The Committee requires three members for a quorum.
Mr. Minardi reported that Ms. DiBugnara gave a year’s notice and since then they have lost another member who has moved out of the state. Mr. Minardi and Ms. Shapiro both expressed their interest in leaving the Committee also.
Ms. Ross reported that many towns have lost their Personnel Committees and have evolved into a Human Resources Department.
The Committee’s recommendation is to hire a human resources professional on a limited basis to take care of the work that would normally be performed by the committee. Ms. Ross confirmed that there are consultants who do this sort of work and she had already received interest from one person who would be interested in serving as the Town’s consultant. The Committee agreed that a compensation salary study was not needed for another 3-5 years. The cost of living adjustment (COLA) can be looked at on an annual basis by reviewing the federal guidelines and checking with surrounding towns.
Ms. Ross informed everyone that any changes to the Personnel Bylaw including elimination of the Personnel Committee, would require a town meeting vote.
Advisory Committee members Scott Powell and David Lindsay agreed with the proposed process assuming it can be done at a reasonable cost.
Ms. Shapiro did not want to minimize the personnel issues and felt it was important to have a human resources consultant available at least once a month for employees.
The Committee agreed to stay on until June 30, 2007. The Board of Selectmen suggested that the Personnel Committee prepare a plan for their disbanding and asked that they review the Personnel bylaws and provide recommended changes. The Committee will also provide any articles necessary for the annual town meeting to change the process.
Town Clerk Betsy Cussen suggested that an article also be prepared for town meeting that would reduce the number of members from five to three just in case the town voted down the article to disband the Personnel Committee and hire a consultant. A quorum would then be two.
DISCUSSION WITH PUBLIC WAYS SAFETY COMMITTEE
Present: Public Ways Safety Committee members Don Cole, Daniel Senie, Deb Kellett, Mary Cuimino, and Town Clerk Betsy Cussen
Pedestrian safety in town center (memo of June 28, 2006): Public Ways Safety Committee members met with the Board of Selectmen to continue review of their memo of June 28, 2006 and recommendations to improve pedestrian safety. Cross walk signs will be located on the sides of Mechanic Street and at the intersection of Wattaquadock Hill Road and Route 117. Sgt. Bagdonas has suggested that an X be placed at the spot where the signs should be placed so officers can easily determine where the sign should be located.
All crosswalks are painted and Mr. Brown, DPW Director will continue to paint them periodically to keep them visible. Mr. Plante suggested a reflective paint for the sidewalk painting. Selectmen suggested they meet with Mr. Brown to determine if there is a reflective paint that can be used and that will last longer.
The Committee is also working on repairing and maintaining the sidewalks. Repairs need to be made to the sidewalk in the area of the Federated Church and to the area around a manhole in front of pond park. The Committee will forward these requests to Mr. Brown and copy Town Administrator Jodi Ross. The Committee is also trying to discourage parking on sidewalks and have asked for the police departments help in enforcing this. The Committee’s plan to build the sidewalk from the senior center toward the center of town is moving along and a report will be available in the near future. The Committee hopes to review the report at their next meeting to determine if they will be bringing an article to the annual town meeting for this project. This sidewalk will need to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. Mr. Ross informed the Committee of the Eagle Scout project to rebuild the wall in front of the Senior Center. The Selectmen suggested that Mr. Sterling’s proposed project be coordinated with the Public Ways Safety Committee.
Traffic Rules and Orders for approval/signature: Mr. Senie reviewed the traffic rules and orders document with the Board of Selectmen. The document has been reviewed by the Town Clerk and Police Department. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded Troup, the Board voted to accept the Town of Bolton traffic rules and orders. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
AMBULANCE DEPARTMENT REQUEST TO ESTABLISH EMT/RESERVE POSITION
Present: Gery Wilson, Margy Diaz and John Stephenson
Members of the Ambulance Squad met with the Board of Selectmen to request that the Board consider staffing the ambulance/fire department with a reserve EMT or reserve EMT/FF to cover for when our full time EMT/FF David Farrell is out due to holiday, vacation and sick leave or when there are no EMTs available to work with David Farrell because of vacations, etc.
The Personnel Committee previously reviewed and approved a job description and graded the position at Grade 5.
There is a total of 44 days for FY07 that must be covered; 27 days to cover for the EMT’s for holidays, vacation days and 17 days for holidays and sick days for our present full time employee. The rate of pay for the EMT would be $18.10 and if the EMT also is a firefighter they would receive a $.50 stipend. The cost for FY07 would be $6,371.20. The department budgeted approximately $10,000 to cover these costs.
Mr. Farrell cannot respond to any emergency without another EMT on duty as he cannot drive and attend to the patient at the same time. Mr. Wilson stated that he thought the Board understood and that the position has already been in effect. Mr. Wilson asked for the Board’s approval of this new policy.
Mr. Wilson stated that the ambulance is rolling immediately during the daytime hours and it is working out very well. Mr. Wilson stated that he doesn’t see a need for a second full time person in the next year but that they will continue to re-evaluate the situation.
On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the EMT Reserve position. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT OF LAND ON SOUTH BOLTON ROAD FROM WHEELER FAMILY
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the quitclaim deed for the acceptance of a gift of land from Abby Baker and Tracy L.J. Wheeler to the Town of Bolton. The Board of Selectmen had provided preliminary approval to accept this gift in August of 2005 based on the recommendation of the Conservation Commission. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the gift of land from Abby Baker and Tracy L.J. Wheeler to the Town of Bolton. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – abstained)
SIGN REQUEST
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request of Pam Kaminski for three signs (48X24) to be placed in front of the Federated Church for the Author Festival to be held in the Davis Hall. The Board asked that she be careful of the placement of the signs so that the sidewalk was not blocked. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen approved the sign request. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
BANNER REQUESTS
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request from Chris Collins and Bill Aube to hang a banner for Little League registration on the fence along Main Street for the months of November and December. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen approved the banner request for two weeks in November and two weeks in December with the understanding that if another banner request was received by the Board they would be asked to take their banner down. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request from the Nashoba Regional School District for permission to hang a banner across Main Street recognizing Ann Farrell, NRSD Nurse Leader.~ She was recently awarded the 2006-2007 Massachusetts School Nurse Administrator of the Year award.~ The banner will read: Congratulations!~ Ann Farrell, School Nurse Administrator of the Year,~Massachusetts 2006-2007. The banner is being made and they would like to hang it as soon as it is completed. Town Secretary Linda Day stated she had talked with John Mentzer of the Fire Department and they would be able to hang the banner on Tuesday, October 31, 2006. On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen approved the request.
The Board of Selectmen reviewed the request from Connie Benjamin for a banner for Bolton Ski/Sport Sale to be held Saturday, October 21, 2006. On a motion made by Gerken and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen approved the banner. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
TOWN TREASURER
Mr. Troup reported that our Town Treasurer was on paid administrative leave until an investigation was completed regarding a complaint about the town’s life insurance policy. On a motion made by Troup and seconded by Gerken, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Betty Boire as acting town treasurer until further notice. (Troup – yes, Gerken – yes, Plante – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Capital Planning Committee:
On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Troup, the Board of Selectmen voted to interview Michael Benjamin, John Polizzi, Bob Minardi and Barry Joseph for the Capital Planning Committee. The Board was informed that Anita Scheipers was no longer interested in serving on the Committee because of a busy work schedule but she was willing to provide behind the scene help to the committee. Mr. Troup suggested that they take Ms. Scheipers up on her offer. The Board of Selectmen also requested that the Capital Planning Committee ad be rerun in the Bolton Common.
Public Records Request: Ms. Ross informed the Board of Selectmen of a public records request she received from Jacqueline Smith related to the former Police Chief Celia Hyde. She has contacted the Secretary of State’s office and Town Counsel to get advice on the process and what documents are considered exempt under the public records law. Town Counsel will also be asked to clarify where the agreement between former Chief Hyde and the Selectmen fits in to be sure they do not violate the terms of the agreement. Ms. Ross stated that the request will be time consuming as she will need to collect documents from the Selectmen who were in office at the time, review them and forward to town counsel for their review of what can and cannot be released as public records. She can determine the costs associated with the public records once she has received all documents from the Selectmen. Ms. Ross has 10 days to respond to the public records request. Executive session minutes will be provided now with cost estimate.
Eagle Scout project: Ms. Ross stated she has received a proposal from Stephen Sterling the son of Ed and Chris Sterling who would like to rebuild the wall in front of the Bolton Country Manor. This will be done as an Eagle Scout project but he has also asked if the DPW and personnel could help for one day (estimated 3 hours work). The Board of Selectmen will invite Mr. Sterling into their meeting on Thursday, November 2 to discuss this project. Ms. Ross will contact Paul Teixeira of RCAP Solutions.
Emerson School renovations: Ms. Ross stated that Supt. Wood did not expect K-8 school growth to be enough to require additional space in Emerson in the next year or two. Thus, the Selectmen agreed it is not necessary to have an article on the May 2007 for the Renovation of Emerson School. Possibly May 2008.
Town Nurse: Ms. Ross reported that our Town Nurse Brooke James has given her notice and will be leaving as of June 30, 2007. The Board of Selectmen will invite Ms. James, the Board of Health and the seniors to a meeting to discuss the options for replacing Ms. James.
SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Caucus: On motion made by Gerken and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to hold caucus on Monday, March 19, 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bolton Town Hall.
Warrant for State Election: The Board of Selectmen executed the Warrant for State Election to be held on November 7, 2006.
2007 GOALS
The Board of Selectmen received goals from the following departments:
Affordable Housing Partnership, Board of Appeals, Ambulance, Council on Aging, Conservation Commission, DPW, Fire Dept., Library, MIS, Planning Board, Police, Tax Collector, Town Planner. They were informed that Board of Health will meet next in November and goals will then be submitted. Board of Assessors goals will be received in the next couple of weeks.
Meeting adjourned 9:20 p.m.