Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                                                                Jonathan Keep

January 10, 2019                                                                     Robert Czekanski

                                                                                                Stanley Wysocki

                                                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                                                 Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

Mr. Keep called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

POLE HEARING

The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) jointly owned pole on Still River Road beginning at a point approximately 244 feet northeast of the centerline of the intersection of West Main Street. 

National Grid will install one (1) new jointly-owned pole directly between poles 1-50 and 2 on Still River Road and replacing pole 1-50. 

Javier Morales, representative from National Grid and Mark Caisse, Bolton’s Tree Warden attended the hearing along with abutter Curtis Freedman, of 3 Kettlehole Road.   Mr. Freedman was concerned with the impact to his property and erosion to the embankment where the pole was being removed.  He also expressed concern with traffic management/public safety on such a narrow road.   Mr. Caisse stated that the proposed work wouldn’t impact trees or sight lines.  Mr. Morales assured the Board of Selectmen that detail officers would be hired to manage traffic when the work was being done.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to close the hearing.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the proposal.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

APPOINTMENT OF RESERVE OFFICERS

Police Chief Nelson recommended that the Board of Selectmen appoint Donald Calderan and Erica Abro to the position of Reserve Police Officer contingent on the successful completion of the psychological examination.  Ms. Abro is a full-time campus Police Officer at Regis College Campus and part-time campus Police Officer at the Dean College Campus and a Special Police Officer with the Sudbury Police Department.  Mr. Calderan is a full-time campus Police Sergeant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health at Tewksbury State Hospital. 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Erica Abro and Donald Calderan to the position of Reserve Police Officer for the Town of Bolton contingent on the successful completion of the psychological examination.   (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

RESERVE POLICE OFFICERS

Police Chief Nelson informed the Board of Selectmen that because of the resignation of Sergeant Warnken and Patrol Officer Anderson it will create two openings for full-time Police Officers.  Police Chief Nelson proposed sponsoring two Reserve Officers to the full-time police academy.

He is aware of one officer within the department that is interested in working full-time and is hoping to find a second officer interested.  If not, he will go outside the department.  The costs to be paid by Bolton would include $3,000 for the police academy, estimated $1,000 for incidental equipment and estimated $7-8,000 in wages.   The Officers attending the police academy would be required to commit to 5 years with the Town of Bolton, and if not would be required to make a monetary pay back. 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Police Chief Nelson’s proposal to sponsor two Reserve Officers at the full-time police academy.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR POSITION

Mr. Lowe reported that Ms. Mary Beth Bernard hired as the Human Resources Director in December was doing a great job but has given her resignation because she has accepted a position closer to home.  

Mr. Lowe reported that when candidates were interviewed for the Human Resources Director, Mr. Martin McNamara was a very close second and therefore recommended that Mr. McNamara be appointed Bolton’s Human Resources Director which is a 12-hour per week position.

Mr. McNamara was the Town Administrator in Boylston for 6 years and Human Resources Director in Stoughton for 2 years where he created the Human Resources Department.  He was also a senior person in the Human Resources Department for Weetabix in Clinton.  Mr. McNamara served as a Selectman and has a good understanding of municipal government.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mr. McNamara as the Human Resources Director subject to a successful CORI check.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  Mr. Lowe reported that the Minuteman building project is back on schedule now that the National Grid lockout has been resolved.

Update of Portico Project:  Mr. Lowe reported that when the asbestos was abated from the town hall portico some structural framing issues were found along with more asbestos.   A change order in the amount of approximately $15,000 will be required.  The project is still on schedule to be completed by April 15, 2019.

Capital Request:  Mr. Lowe submitted a capital request in the amount of $12,568 for the purchase of equipment ($10,568) and labor ($2,000) necessary for producing live broadcasting of Board and Committee Meetings at the Public Safety Building.

If allowed Mr. Lowe would like to award the work to the Bolton Access Cable because they are the Town’s local cable provider and if not he would solicit three quotes.

Potential Survey:  Mr. Lowe stated his performance evaluation is due in April 2019 and in reviewing his contract there is an appendix stating that he would conduct a survey. Mr. Lowe is happy to do a survey but wanted to seek input from the Board as to what area(s) they would like the survey to focus on.  

Mr. Wysocki stated that he didn’t support the survey requirement in Mr. Lowe’s contract and he wasn’t sure there was anything critical that required a survey to be done.

Mr. Czekanski had questions about a survey in general and how to make sure there is accurate representation unless it is professionally done.  Mr. Czekanski didn’t see any burning issues that are worth spending money on right now.

Mr. Keep noted that he did vote to include the survey requirement in Mr. Lowe’s contract and it is something Mr. Lowe needs to do.  He suggested Mr. Lowe talk to his direct reports about what the residents can be asked to get a sense of what resident concerns are.

Mr. Lowe wants to put together a good sound survey and be prepared to deal with the results of the survey.  Mr. Lowe will solicit ideas from his direct reports at the next staff meeting.  He will also reach out to his colleagues in similar towns as well to see if they have done surveys and report back to the Board of Selectmen at the next meeting.

Hazard Mitigation Plan: Mr. Lowe reported that the Hazardous Mitigation Plan was approved by MEMA and he congratulated all the town employees and townspeople that worked on the plan.

MassWorks Contract:  Mr. Lowe reported that he signed the MassWorks contract in the amount of $975,000 for the intersection at Wattaquadock Hill Road and Main Street.  The work must be completed by June of 2020.  Mr. Lowe would like to generate an abutters list of all Main Street residents in the proximity of Wattaquadock Hill Road (from Route 495 to Wilder Road) so that they can be informed of all hearings related to the project.

Mr. Lowe reported that he went to Boston with Kristen Noel, Treasurer and Ninotchka Rogers, Town Accountant to meet with representatives from Standards and Poor’s Global to give a presentation requesting that the Town of Bolton’s bond rating be increased from AA2 to AAA.  If the rating is increased, the Town can refinance four debt bonds for a savings of approximately $150,000 for the life of the bond.  Ms. Noel and Ms. Rogers were congratulated for all their hard work as well as the Advisory Committee for pulling together the financial policies and procedures. 

There will be an agenda item on the next Board of Selectmen’s meeting to sign documents for the refinancing of the bonds.

Public Service Announcement – The Town of Bolton’s Senior Fuel Assistance Program:

Low-income Bolton seniors were warmer last winter because of the help they received from the Town of Bolton’s Senior Fuel Assistance Program.  Seniors who are 60 years and older, and meet a financial criteria, get approved to receive 100 free gallons of heating oil. This vital energy assistance program has meant so much to Bolton seniors and we need donations to keep it operating. Let’s not leave anyone out in the cold, please donate today and warm the hearts and homes of Bolton seniors in need. Please send donations to Ninotchka Rogers, Accountant, Town Hall, 663 Main St., Bolton, MA 01740. Checks should be payable to The Town of Bolton. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Lisa D’Eon, Outreach Coordinator at the Bolton Council On Aging, 978-779-3314, outreach@townofbolton.com. 

Finance Team Meeting:  Mr. Lowe reported that he has scheduled a Finance Team meeting for January 29, 2019.  The team consists of Town Administrator, Town Accountant, Town Treasurer, Assessor, Assessor’s Clerk, Town Clerk, Representative from Advisory Committee and the Board of Selectmen.  Mr. Lowe asked the Board of Selectmen to check their calendars and at the next Selectmen’s meeting they can discuss who is available to attend the meeting.

Request for Release of Cable Funds:  Mr. Troup and Ms. Sauer met with the Board of Selectmen to request the release of $47,000 from the cable fund that currently has a balance of $76,940 to purchase new equipment (new server system that runs the station) that will dramatically improve the work flow and save labor money going forward.  Mr. Troup reported that the Bolton Access Television Board authorized the purchase of a new serves system at their meeting on November 27, 2018.  The hope is to have the new system installed by the end of February.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen approved the release of $47,000 as proposed.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Board of Selectmen’s Annual Report:  Mr. Wysocki will prepare the first draft of the Board of Selectmen’s Annual Report for 2018. 

Bills/Payroll Warrant:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the bills/payroll warrant of W19-13 and W19-13A.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Minutes:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of December 20, 2019.  .  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:15 p.m.  .  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day