Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Board of Selectmen Present: Lawrence Delaney
March 12, 2015 Stanley Wysocki
Houghton Building Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
Chairman Delaney called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC HEARING – SLATER’S, 356 MAIN STREET - LIQUOR LICENSE
The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the application of Great Brook Farms, Inc., dba Slater’s, 356 Main Street, Bolton, Ma 01740, requesting a change in license from “wine and malt” to an “all alcoholic” at 356 Main Street, Bolton.
Mr. Slater is requesting the change in license so that he can grow the business. He will continue to sell pizza and offer customers more alcohol options but it is not his intention to be a bar.
The request for the all alcoholic license requires approval from the Board of Selectmen, Town Meeting, the Alcoholic Beverages Commission and an act of legislation under the home rule to enforce it before a license can be issued by the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Slater would eventually like to construct a pavilion area so that he can host outdoor events. The Board of Selectmen informed Mr. Slater that Planning Board approval is required for the pavilion and from the Board of Selectmen and the Alcohol beverages for a change in premises.
Helene Demmer, Chairman of the Economic Development Committee supported Mr. Slater’s request.
Police Chief Alfano confirmed that the Police Department has not had any issues or calls regarding disturbances at Slater’s.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the all alcoholic license for Slater’s to be confined to the 40’X50’ wood framed building with 40’X50’ basement (storage only) and a small patio which is 25’X15’. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki – yes)
ACCEPTANCE OF GIFT OF LAND – PAULSEN FAMILY
Ms. Carol Gumbart, Conservation Commission Administrator met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the acceptance of a gift of 1.4 acres of land on Burnham Road from the Paulsen family. This land abuts Cranberry Meadow and Atlantic Union Conservation land on Burnham Road. The property is mostly wetlands and is priority habitat for rare and endangered species.
The Board of Selectmen agreed to pursue the gift of land. Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator and Ms. Gumbart will lay out a strategy for doing the due diligence to accept the gift.
SIGN REQUEST - LAUREL LEARNING, 27 FORBUSH MILL ROAD
Audra Guimond requested approval to place an A-Frame type sign for her tutor business located at 27 Forbush Mill Road until she has a permanent sign designed and approved. The sign will have the business name and contact information and announce programs and upcoming events.
The sign will be displayed when open and taken in when closed.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the sign located at Laurel Learning, 27 Forbush Mill Road. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
SIGN REQUEST – CLINTON SAVINGS BANK, 562 MAIN STREET
Mr. Tenaglia, Vice President of Clinton Savings Bank requested approval to place a temporary sign at the entrance of the property of the future home for Clinton Savings Bank at 562 Main Street. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the temporary sign for Clinton Savings, 562 Main Street, until the project is completed. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki - yes)
BARE HILL TRIATHLON EVENT – SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015
Ms. Sue Reedich requested approval to hold the third annual Bare Hill Triathlon on Sunday, June 28, 2015. Two miles of the bike route will be on Harvard, Green and Bare Hill Roads between 8:30 a.m. and 9:15 a.m. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki – yes)
THE PAIN IN THE MASS TOUR EVENT – AUGUST 22 & 23, 2015
Mr. Peter Femino requested approval to hold the second annual cycling event on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23, 2015. It is a two day tour that starts at 7:30 a.m. at Nashoba Regional High School and continues onto Forbush Mill Road to Route 110.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event contingent on satisfactory approval from Police Chief Alfano and the School Administration. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Minuteman: The building project is moving forward. A meeting is being scheduled in each of the 16 member towns to provide an update on the project and discuss options being considered related to the project. The Town of Bolton’s meeting is scheduled for March 25, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street. Mr. Lowe will give the presentation and David O’Connor will be present.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Snow and Ice Overspend: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Brown, Director of Public Works to overspend $70,000 in the snow and ice account. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki – yes)
RECAP OF TRI-TOWN MEETING – MARCH 4, 2015
Recap of Tri-town Meeting held on March 4, 2015: Mr. Wysocki reported that representatives of all three towns attended the meeting and voiced their concerns in terms of the budget process and the impact the proposed school budget will have on the towns. Stow has the highest increase to their assessment this year plus they have the new school coming on line.
Lancaster is the most impacted by the budget given they have had fiscal and budget issues over the last decade. Discussion also focused on the “white paper” that was issued by Assistant Superintendent George King explaining the budget. Superintendent Michael Wood agreed to propose an alternative budget with up to 2% or 3% cuts from the current budget.
If two of three towns vote the budget down the school budget is voted down in its entirety and the district has 30 days with another budget and we would have to hold a special town meeting.
Town Caucus – March 9, 2015: There were no contested races at Town Caucus. The appropriate papers have been filed today and there will be a contested race in Bolton for the School Committee.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant: Mr. Lowe reported that the latest version of the ATM warrant has been sent to Town Counsel for review. Since then he has been made aware of an article that will be submitted by Mr. Cleary, Facilities Manager, NRSD $80,000 to resurface Mechanic Street. Mr. Cleary and Mr. Brown, Director of DPW have not agreed on the method and projected cost. Mr. Lowe noted that there is no dispute that the work should be done but need to agree on how it will be achieved. The article will not be added to the warrant until the details can be worked out.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Delaney, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. (Delaney – yes, Wysocki –yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day