Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                 Present:   Lawrence Delaney

March 19, 2015                                       Stanley Wysocki

                                                                Mark Sprague

                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

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

DISCUSSION AND VOTE REGARDING DISPATCH REGIONALIZATION

The Board of Selectmen continued to discuss the option of joining the Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications Center (NVRECC) at Devens as recommended by Thomas Kennedy in his report titled “Feasibility Study for Developing Regional E911 Communications Services for Bolton and Berlin”.   The proposal is for the dispatching function to NVRECC and the police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians will continue to work out of the public safety center in Bolton.   The goal for regionalization was not necessarily the cost savings but more importantly what is best for the safety of the citizens.  

Mr. Thomas Kennedy, Consultant; Mr. Nathan Kenney, Executive Director, Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications; Police Chief Vincent Alfano; Police, Fire and Ambulance employees along with residents of the town were present for the meeting.

The Town of Berlin is on their own schedule so they are not at a point to make a decision.

Police Chief Alfano stated that 9 years ago he was opposed to regionalization but now the time is right for regionalization in Bolton with the increasing call volume and the mandates on emergency medical dispatch (EMD).  Police Chief Alfano stated that the dispatchers are doing a stellar job but the system is changing.  He is not happy with the compliance rates as a result of the demands the EMD technology has put on the dispatchers.

Police Chief Alfano was adamant that the lobby would be open during business hours.  Mr. Lowe and Chief Alfano will look at options to maintain the lobby to keep it open for walk-in service.

Harvard Police Chief Denmark is very pleased with the transition of their dispatch center to NVRECC.  The Harvard dispatch center was kept open to walk in traffic.

The Board of Selectmen opened the discussion up to the audience for questions and comments.  The Selectmen heard from members of the Ambulance, Fire and Police Departments and residents who expressed their concerns with the proposed regionalization.

Ms. MaryAnn McLaughlin, Union President for Dispatchers stated that there is no current state mandate to force regionalization but acknowledged it is coming soon.   The dispatchers are in support of regionalization but in Bolton. Ms. McLaughlin received applause from the audience when she encouraged the Board of Selectmen to defer the vote this evening and take their time in determining if it is the right fit.

Mr. Kenney stated that if a decision was made in the next couple of months, July 2016 would be the implementation date.  An Administrative Board made up of Town Administrators of the member communities approve the NVRECC annual budget which then goes to Town Meeting in the respective towns for approval.

On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Town Administrator Don Lowe to execute a regional agreement with NVRECC and report back on how the dispatch center will be staffed.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

REVIEW OF ANNUAL TOWN MEETING WARRANT

The Board of Selectmen reviewed comments from Town Counsel regarding various articles and voted their recommendations as follows:

Article 1:   Accept Annual Reports - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 2:   Unpaid Bill for Fiscal Year 2014 - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 3:  Fiscal Year 2016 Operating Budget – The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to the next meeting.

Article 4:   Off-Set of Snow and Ice Deficit - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve revisions to the article and summary.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)  

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

        

Article 5:   Reauthorization of a Revolving Fund for Web-based Municipal -   On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 6:  Route 117 Transfer – Town Counsel confirmed that the MassDOT has statutory authority to lay out Route 117 as a State Highway and the Board of Selectmen has statutory authority to petition the MassDOT to accept an existing Town way as a state highway without a Town Meeting Vote.  However, the Selectmen are free to hold a non-binding “sense of Town Meeting” vote on this subject.  The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 7:  Engineering for the Intersection of Wattaquadock Hill Road and Main Street and the Intersection of Manor Road and Main Street - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

        

Article 8:   Permitting and New Traffic Lights and Associated Hardware for Still River Road Intersection - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)  The ballot question has been submitted to the Town Clerk.

Article 9:   Amendment to Bolton’s Town Base Map and Zoning Map - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 10: Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton to Amend Division I, Part III Zoning Bylaw, Chapter 250 Zoning, Article V Special Regulations, Section 250-23.2 Mixed Use Village Overlay District, Subsection G (2) - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 11:  Petition for a Special Act Providing for Recall Elections in the Town of Bolton – The Board of Selectmen discussed revisions to this article and deferred their vote to next meeting

Article 12:  Amendment to the Personnel Policies: Sick Leave - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

        

Article 13:  Amendment to the Personnel Policies:  Longevity Pay - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 14:  Wilder Road Culvert Engineering - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

        

Article 15:  Berlin Road Culvert Engineering - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 16:  Truck and Plow Repairs - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 17:  Department of Public Works Office Expansion - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 18:  Department of Public Works Shop Improvements - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 19:  Town Hall Parking Lot Lights - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 20:  Amendment to the Code of the Town of Bolton to Amend Division I, Part II:  General Legislation, Chapter 215 Taxation – The Board of Selectmen reviewed comments from Town Counsel regarding this article.  Town Counsel will be consulting with the Attorney General’s bylaw review unit and the Department of Revenue.  The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 21:  Repair Dam Wall and Pond Embankment at Fyfeshire Conservation Area – Ms. Gumbart, Conservation Commission Administrator will be invited to attend the next Selectmen’s meeting to discuss this article.  The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 22:  Fire Department Portable Radios – With the recent vote to regionalize with NVRECC, there is opportunity to pull this article from the warrant.  John Mentzer, Fire Chief will be meeting with Nathan Kenney, , Executive Director, Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications to confirm that Mr. Kenney will be able to purchase the radios with existing funds received from previous grants.  The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 23:  Land Lease for a Solar Facility – Mr. Lowe reported that the Request for Proposal process has been completed and three responses were received.  After receiving additional clarity it appears that one proposal is responsive with the other two were deemed non-responsive.  It will be two to three weeks before Mr. Lowe can meeting with the Company representative.  The Board of Selectmen directed Mr. Lowe to draft the article for the land lease for the solar facility project.   

Article 24:  Solar Energy Payment In Lieu of (PILOT) Tax Agreement – The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 25:  Resolution by the Board of Selectmen - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 26:  Pertaining to Lands Protected Under Article 97 of the Amendments to the Commission of the Commonwealth (“Article 97”) - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Article 27:  Patching the Driveway from Emerson School to Florence Sawyer School – Mr. Lowe will discuss this article with Mr. Cleary, Facilities Manager for Nashoba Regional School District.  The Board of Selectmen deferred their vote to next meeting.

Article 28:  Granting of Liquor License to Slater’s - On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve this article.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  Mr. Lowe will give a presentation on the Minuteman building project on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Houghton building. Superintendent Bouquillon and David O’Connor, Bolton’s Representative for Minuteman will be present.

Good Friday Event - April 3 at 3:30 p.m.:  The Holy Trinity and Catholic Church will hold their annual event of carrying the cross, beginning in Harvard and ending in Bolton.  Police Chief Alfano doesn’t have any concerns with the event.  

Chapter 90 Funds:  The Governor’s office released a notice that the Baker administration has released $30 million for the 351 cities and towns for the pot hole and winter recovery efforts.  It is a one-time allocation to be awarded through the Chapter 90 funds.   

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Appointment:  On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mark Ayotte to the Economic Development Committee.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

School Committee Meeting – March 16, 2015:  Mr. Wysocki reported that after the School Committee voted 4 to 2 to approve the budget, Mr. Lowe informed them that they needed 2/3 majority vote of the entire School Committee so the budget was not necessarily approved.

During budget workshops and subsequent School Committee meetings, the School Committee was leaving it up to the district to come back with the cuts when normally the School Committee does this.  The district was asked to come back with an alternative of 2 to 3% range which they did not do and essentially came back with a budget cut of $442,000 from the new spending and added another ½ million to E&D.   Two School Committee members asked about looking at the existing budget and where it could be trimmed which the district chose not to do.  Proposed cuts are at approximately 4.1% overall increase as opposed to the 5.7% with Bolton’s assessment going from 6.68% to 3.5%.

The School Committee will meet on March 25, 2015 to deliberate the budget.  Mr. Wysocki is suggesting that the process used to review the district budget needs to be reviewed and revamped.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day