Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Board of Selectmen Present: Curtis Plante
August 17, 2006 Panny Gerken
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Warrant 07-4A $297,479.59
07-4 $82,611.55
COUNCIL ON AGING AND MONTACHUSETT AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT (MART) REGARDING TRANSPORTATION FOR SENIORS~~
Sheila Chmielowski and the Council on Aging met with the board to request their support in seeking town meeting’s approval to join Montachusett Area Regional Transit (MART) for the purpose of bringing a senior transport van to Bolton. This van would be used to provide transportation for seniors and handicapped residents to locations such as Bolton Country Manor, the grocery store, the doctor’s office, or other locations in and out of town. In order for the town to join MART, the town would need to become a member of MART, which would require an article on the next town meeting warrant.
The specifics of MART include providing the town with a van that seats 8 to 10 passengers and includes wheelchair access. The council is recommending the van be available two days a week, with the driver being either a part-time town employee, or a STRP (Senior Tax Rebate Program) person. Rules and regulations need to be developed, fare rates established, dispatcher determined and trained, and drivers hired and trained. Bolton would be reimbursed for all costs on a monthly basis by MART. At the end of the year, an accounting is done of all revenues and all expenses, and the town will be charged an annual assessment of approximately 35% of the total cost of the program. This is charged on the state’s cherry sheet. State and Federal Grants pay for the balance.
Ms. Chmielowski thanked Selectman Plante for his help in contacting the town of Lancaster who was very helpful in pulling the necessary information together.
After discussion, the Board gave Ms. Chmielowski their total support in pursuing this matter.
REQUEST FROM PARENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (PAC) OF FLORENCE SAWYER SCHOOL FOR ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE FOR FUNDRAISING EVENT
The applicant withdrew their request.
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REQUEST FROM LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE FOR SIGN FOR CAR RAFFLE~~~~~~
Members of the Library Capital Campaign Committee met with the board to request a 48” x 72” sign for their upcoming car raffle for a Toyota Camry. It is their belief that the location of the sign in front of the library will increase their success and broaden the population from to raise funds to include surrounding communities since there is a the high volume of traffic on Route 117. They are requesting a one-sided sign that would be placed at the other entrance to the Library, approximately 100 yards from the “goal reached” sign already in place.
Raffle tickets are $75.00 each. The total number of tickets that can be sold is 750. They will need to sell a minimum of 375 tickets for the raffle to take place. If the minimum is not reached, the monies already collected will be refunded. There is space available at Bolton Fair where they will promote the raffle, although tickets cannot be sold at the fair. Raffle tickets will be both hard copy and electronic tickets.
After lengthy discussion as to the design of the sign, Curt Plante made a motion to approve the request for a sign/billboard with a diagram of the vehicle, to be placed at the east entrance of the Bolton library with the understanding that the sign will be removed on or before October 21, 2006. Panny Gerken seconded the motion. All voted in favor.
The committee had also made a banner request for a banner to be hung over Route 117. They are withdrawing this request at this time; however they may make another request for a banner that will advertise a related special event at the library.
Town Administrator Jodi Ross advised them to contact her as soon as they are clear on what they are requesting so that is can be placed on the agenda, as only two banners are typically hung at a time.
REQUEST FROM LULU GIANCOLA FOR SIGN FOR RETAIL BUSINESS ON 713A MAIN STREET~~
LuLu Giancola met with the board to request a sign for a retail store located at 713A Main Street. Town Administrator Jodi Ross reminded the board that there will be additional signs posted at this property when the additional retail spaces are either rented or sold. Curt Plante stated that he would like to see what the total sign requirement is for this location before a decision is made.~~~~~~
Ms. Giancola stated that at this point she is the only tenant. She provided pictures of signs similar to what she what she is proposing. It will be two sided sign and hung from a post in the front of the building. Ms. Giancola stated that she will be renting her unit and has signed a one year lease to begin September 15, 2006.
Curt Plante stated that he has a concern that all of the tenants would want signage along the road frontage. Ms. Gerken agreed and suggested that Ms. Giancola meet with the owner of the property~to workout a plan for the total signage at the site.
After discussion, a motion was made by Plante and seconded by Gerken, to approve a temporary sign permit (32 x 24) with a black background, gold lettering, and flowers as shown in the sample, for a period of 90 days, that could be hung from the building or put on the lawn out front. All voted in favor.
LORD ACRES SIGN
St. Francis requested a sign permit to erect an A-Frame Sandwich type sign for their upcoming Corn Festival. It will come down on the 3rd of September. Curt Plante made a motion to approve the St. Francis sandwich board; it was seconded by Panny Gerken. All voted in favor.
256 GREEN ROAD – TURNER
Building Inspector Frank Krysa has advised that the fire at 256 Green Road has completely destroyed the building, and left the property unsafe. After discussion, a motion was made by Curt Plante to approve the letter provided by Mr. Krysa dated August 13, 2006 to be sent to the owner of the property. The motion was seconded by Panny Gerken. All voted in favor.
CAPITAL PLANNING
Jodi Ross proposed a charge for the Capital Planning Committee. This was read into the minutes by Selectmen Plante (see attached). After review and discussion, Panny Gerken moved to amend the charge by adding “Advisory Committee” to the last sentence. Mr. Plante approved the amendment. The motion was seconded by Panny Gerken. All voted in favor.
STOP SIGNS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY
There has been a request for a stop sign to be located at the end of the driveway at the International Golf Course. It was also suggested that a stop sign be placed at the end of the driveway at Camp Resolute.
After discussion, a suggestion was as made by Curt Plante to request that Police Chief and the Public Ways Committee contact Brian Lynch to discuss the installation of a stop sign at the International and that the Boy Scouts be contacted about Camp Resolute. The Board would approve these signs if the owners are willing to install them. Since both of these requests would entail the installation of stop signs on private property, it would be the responsibility of the property owner to install these signs. Curt Plante moved to allow the signs if the property owners agreed to have them installed. Panny Gerken seconded. All voted in favor.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
Library Minutes: Minutes from 8/3/06 joint Library Trustees and Board of Selectmen meeting were taken by both Linda Day on behalf of the Selectmen and Kelly Collins on behalf of the Library Trustees. Ms. Ross asked if the selectmen want to incorporate the long or short version of the minutes into the selectmen minutes. Curt Plante agreed to allow the library’s version, but would like to add a sentence for clarification to the selectmen’s minutes before finalizing. He will email this information to Jodi Ross.
Traffic Rules and Regulations: When the Traffic Rules and Regulations were approved by the board, the listing of the stop signs was an attachment to the document. Town Clerk Betsy Cussen believes that the signs should be listed within the document. The selectmen requested that Ms. Cussen provide Jodi Ross with her editing comments prior to her leaving on vacation, after which Ms. Ross will review these suggestions with Police Chief Alfano and Dan Senie of the Public Ways Safety Committee.
Grant Information for Treatment Facility: Ms. Ross informed the board that she has discovered a Sewer Rate Relief Fund which provides grants to communities to help offset sewer related projects. For FY07 the grants could equal 7.6% of debt service which for us could be about $190,000, if we were borrowing by January 1. As that was not scheduled to happen, we may only be able to apply beginning in FY08. David Lindsay suggested we consider borrowing early to take advantage of the grant in both FY07 and FY08; however since we did not budget for interest costs in FY07, it may not be possible. Ms. Ross stated she would continue researching these possible funds and the appropriate timing of the borrowing.
Ms. Ross stated that she had investigated another possible grant from the Organization for the Assabet River. They provide communities with up to $500,000 in grant funds who assist with protecting the aquifer with their sewer or water related projects. We must submit a letter of interest by October 1st. The board encouraged Ms. Ross to pursue both sources of funding.
Official Meeting Rules: Jodi Ross did some research on possible official meeting rules and provided the board with a draft of two documents, one outlining meeting rules, and the other a visitor’s guide to selectmen meetings. She asked the selectmen to review the drafts and provide her with feedback.
SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Library Renovation Project: Panny Gerken would like to see a chart showing the phasing of the library project, including a construction timeline as well as the funding schedule. Curt Plante suggested a public meeting be held regarding the library project to address concerns that were briefly voiced at the 8/3/06 meeting, and provide an opportunity for the selectmen to also pose their own questions. September 27th was suggested for the meeting and that it be advertised to the public. Panny Gerken requested that the information she desired be submitted ahead of time for review. She stated she would like all methods of financing to be shown in the charts, including donations, state grants, and borrowings.
The board suggested that the public notice of the meeting state that questions requiring lengthy answers be submitted to the board prior to the meeting in order to have the time to research and properly respond to the questions. That would help keep the meeting productive and focused. Panny Gerken asked Ms. Ross to find out if the Library Trustees had a list of names for the Library Construction Committee; that she would like to see a good mix of people with variety of backgrounds and skills. Ms. Ross said she would check with the Trustees.
Curt Plante reminded people that Monday night at 7:30 p.m. is Agricultural Steering Committee Forum and that residents are encouraged to attend.
Curt Plante made a motion to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. Ms. Gerken seconded. All voted in favor.
CAPITAL PLANNING COMMITTEE CHARGE:
August 21, 2006
TO: Capital Planning Committee
FROM: Board of Selectmen
Cc: Betsy Cussen, Town Clerk
SUBJECT: Capital Planning Committee Charge
The Capital Planning Committee shall research, study and advise the Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee on short and long range capital purchases for the town.~ These capital expenditures are defined as valued at a minimum of $25,000 with a useful life of at least 5 years, and will include such items as large DPW trucks, fire trucks and ambulances, major infrastructure repairs and projects (roads, drainage, septic), major building renovations or alterations, new construction, and municipal land purchases.~ The committee shall conduct due diligence reviews of major building, land improvement, and or infrastructure capital requests in order to fulfill its review responsibility.
The committee shall be charged with facilitating the coordination between community objectives, capital needs and fiscal capacity.~ The committee will help the town to understand the tax impact of capital expenditures, and consider the relative need, timing and cost of each capital expenditure, including methods of financing, possible federal or state aid or grants, the cost of maintaining the facility or equipment, and the effect each capital expenditure may have on the financial condition of the town.~ The committee shall consider requests, make recommendations, and be responsible for capital planning on a continuing basis. It shall produce an annual written report which outlines capital project priorities, estimates and projections of revenue, operating expenses, historic trends, tax rates, and debt which shall assist the selectmen and advisory committee in keeping the public informed about the town’s future anticipated needs and projects.~