Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                       Present:   Mark Sprague

October 15, 2015                                          Stanley Wysocki

Town Hall                                                       Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                      Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

Mr. Sprague called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  At the Tri-Town Meeting on October 14, 2015 Kevin Mahoney, Assistant Superintendent of Finance at Minuteman gave a 45-minute presentation on the Minuteman building project.  The project is in phase 4 of the process and schematics are being finalized.  The Building Committee and the School Committee will vote on the project and submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) by January, 2016.  The Town has until June 30, 2016 to vote to approve the funding.  

Mr. Sprague stated that if the MSBA funding is received, the district will be responsible for approximately $86 million.  If the new building is not pursued and the decision is made to repair what is there the estimated cost is $100 million none of which is reimbursable.  Mr. Sprague announced that the Minuteman High School Building Project presentation can be seen on Bolton Access Television.  

Animal Containment Issues:  Mr. Lowe reported that he appeared in Court on Monday, October 12 with Susan Latham, Animal Control Officer to meet with the Clerk Magistrate.  He noted that Ben Schlosser was not able to attend because the previous evening his cattle got loose and he was out all night searching for them until they were recovered Monday morning.  The cattle were uninjured and there were no accidents as a result of their escape.  Mr. Lowe informed the Clerk Magistrate of the approved payment plan and if everything went well with the payment schedule the Selectmen would consider waiving the additional fines.

SITE PLAN REVIEW – TOWN COMMON, MAIN STREET

Mr. Brandon Ducharme, Ducharme and Dillis, met with the Board of Selectmen to review the site plan for the Town Common proposed by the Conservation Trust.  Three buildings have been removed on the existing 8 acres and are in the process of removing the contamination in anticipation of converting to a town common. The town common will include a walking path, amphitheater, gazebo, natural playground and a small skating rink.  Once the remediation is completed they intend to cap and regrade with fill.    They have an approved order of conditions from the Conservation Commission and met with the Planning Board who had minor requests. There is an existing well on the property for future irrigation and a small mechanical building is being proposed for power.   Mr. Ducharme agreed to move the stone wall back to avoid any interference with any plans regarding a new design for the Main Street and Wattaquadock Hill Road intersection.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the site plan.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes)

SIGN REQUEST – INTERNATIONAL GOLF COURSE

Mr. Richard Burgoyne met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to install a sign approximately 4’X5’ on posts in the ground at the intersection of Ballville Road and Old Bay Road to replace the sign on the tree at the intersection which will be removed.  They would like to clean up the woods, spread mulch and plant flowers for a better appearance.  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes)   

REDUNANT SIGNAGE ON MAIN STREET

Ms. Ciummo, member of the Public Ways Safety Committee (PWSC) reported that with the help of the Police Department and the Department of Public Works they reviewed and replaced signs that were faded and in bad condition along Main Street.  There were some signs still in question and Ms. Ciummo requested the Board of Selectmen’s opinion as to whether or not they could be removed.  The Board of Selectmen were favorable to removing the two no parking signs in front of Paragon, one in front of Skinners and one in front of Slater’s but agreed with Police Chief Alfano that the no parking signs in front of Pan Cemetery should remain.

 

New “no parking” signs in vicinity of the Mobil Station, junction of Hudson Road, and in front of 713 Main Street and 626 Main Street will be installed and the Traffic Rules and Orders will be updated to reflect these signs.

Mr. Lowe will discuss relocating the pedestrian crossing sign at the intersection of Route 117 and Wattaquadock Hill Road with Mr. Brown, Director of Public Works so that it is not blocked by the wayfinding signs.  

The Board of Selectmen agreed that the “Watch for School Bus”, the “Bolton is a Dare Community and the “Plant Entrance Ahead” signs in the vicinity of Paragon could be removed.  

The Traffic Rules and Orders will be revised to be current.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the recommendations as discussed with the exception of the signs at Pan Cemetery, update the Traffic Rules and Orders to reflect the changes and reverse the location of the wayfinding sign and pedestrian cross walk sign at the intersection of Route 117 and Wattaquadock Hill Road.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes).  Mr. Lowe will address the sign that has been placed at the intersection of Route 117 and Wattaquadock Hill Road without approval of the Board of Selectmen.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Appointment to the Agricultural Commission:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Teresa Sauer to the Agricultural Commission.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)  The term expiration is June 30, 2016.

Right of First Refusal – 71 Pondside Drive:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to exercise their right of first refusal for the sale of the affordable housing unit at 71 Pondside Drive in the Regency Development.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Request for Funds for Bolton Access Television Expenses:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to release the amount of $25,536.77 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for the operating expense as requested by Bob Johnson, provided the check has been received from Comcast.  (Sprague –yes, Wysocki –yes)

Mr. Johnson invited the Board of Selectmen and the public to attend the annual meeting of the Bolton Access Television on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.  

One Day Liquor License:  Ms. Kristen Schartner met with the Board of Selectmen to request a one-day liquor license for the “Taste of the Maze” event to be held on Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 11:00 to 5:00 p.m.  Chief Alfano did not have any concerns regarding this event.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the one-day liquor licenses.  (Delaney – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Appointment of Interim Police Chief:   Mr. Sprague outlined the plans for replacing Police Chief Alfano who will be retiring on October 24, 2015.  Lieutenant Warren Nelson will be appointed Acting Chief.  Lt. Nelson has been with the town for 22 years and held rank for 21 years.  A consultant will be hired to assemble a panel of police chiefs and former police chiefs to do an assessment of Lt. Nelson.  If we have a good candidate in house we should take advantage of it and if not a Search Committee will be formed to do a wider search.

The consultant will cost approximately $1,000 and the point is we don’t want to spend $20,000 or more for a full scale search to be told what we may already know.  

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Lt. Nelson to the position of Acting Police chief, effective October 25, 2015.  (Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes)

The Selectmen stated that it has been a pleasure working with Chief Alfano and he will be sorely missed.  Mr. Lowe thanked Chief Alfano for his hard work and loyal services.

Chief Alfano stated that it was a difficult decision and the hardest part was leaving the people in the police department.  He thanked the Selectmen for their decision to appoint Lt. Nelson as Acting Police Chief noting he knows the operation very well.

Certified Plans for Accessory Apartments:  According to the Code of the Town of Bolton, Chapter 250, Zoning, Article V, Special Regulations, 250.21 Accessory Uses plans for an accessory apartments must be filed with the Board of Selectmen.   The Board of Selectmen acknowledged receipt of plans for an accessory apartment at 233 Green Road.  

Minutes:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and execute the minutes of January 8, February 5, March 26, and April 2, 2015.  (Sprague –yes, Wysocki – yes)

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:05 p.m.  (Sprague –yes, Wysocki – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day