Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Monday, February 16, 2015
Board of Selectmen Present: Lawrence Delaney
February 26, 2015 Mark Sprague
Houghton Building Stanley Wysocki
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
Chairman Delaney called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
POLE HEARING
Ms. Kelly-Ann Condon representative for Verizon New England and Mr. Mark Caisse, Tree Warden attended the public hearing held by the Board of Selectmen on the petition of Verizon New England, Inc. and Massachusetts Electric Company (NGRID) to place a new JO Pole No. T.15S/E.15-84 approximately 1,757 feet northerly from the center line of Wattaquadock Hill Road, then on the southwesterly sideline, relocate JO Pole No. T.9/E.9 approximately 1,065 feet northerly from the center line of Wattaquadock Hill Road. The relocation of Pole No. 9 will alleviate the guy wire.
Mr. Caisse didn’t see any problems with the proposal. Ms. Condon provided information indicating how close to the edge of pavement the poles will be installed.
On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the proposal. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
POTENTIAL ARTICLES REGARDING THE ROUTE 117 TRANSFER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTAITON OR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING STUDIES
The Board of Selectmen agreed that an article should be placed on the May 4, 2015 Annual Town Meeting warrant to transfer the ownership of Route 117 to the Department of Transportation. The Selectmen also suggested an article be placed on the warrant for funds for the procurement and installation of all new hardware including traffic signals at the intersection of Route 117 and Still River Road if the transfer of ownership of Route 117 is defeated.
Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator will draft the articles related to Route 117 along with an article for a truck exclusion on Wattaquadock Hill Road.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reported that the Building Committee is tweaking the projected costs for the various building options which include 1) total renovation of the existing building – total cost would be $176.5 million and the duration of the project would be 5 years; 2) renovation/addition to the building - total cost would be $175.3 million and the duration of project would be 4 years; 3) new school with demolition - total cost would be $174.9 million and the duration of the project would be 2-1/2 years; 4) repairs to bring building up to code – total cost would be $71.7 million and the duration of the project would be 10 years; and 5) repair with updated education plan – total cost would be $141.7 million and the duration of the project would be 10 years.
The Building Committee will make their recommendation to the School Committee who will then vote on the direction and submit to the Massachusetts School Building Authority who has the final say. A presentation will be given in each member town within the district. Bolton is scheduled for March.
Annual Town Meeting warrant: The first draft of the warrant will be distributed to the Board of Selectmen for review.
CONSULTANT’S PRESENTATION ON THE REGIONALIZATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY DISPATCH
Mr. Thomas Kennedy, Consultant; Mr. Nathan Kenney, Executive Director, Nashoba Valley Regional Emergency Communications; Police Chief Vincent Alfano; Berlin Board of Selectman Mr. Judith Booman and Lunenburg Town Administrator Ms. Kerry Spiedel, were present for the meeting along with employees from the Police, Fire and Ambulance Departments.
Mr. Donald Lowe stated that regionalization was mentioned about 2-1/2 years ago and then followed up on when the current president of the union suggested the town should start thinking about regionalization because of the emergency management dispatch (EMD) state requirements that went into effect July, 2013. The original concept was to look at area towns (Berlin, Lancaster and Stow) to find interest in regionalizing with us. Lancaster joined the Devens dispatch center and Stow was not interested. A proposal was brought to the Board of Selectmen in February of 2014 to apply for the 911 grant to hire a consultant to assess the dispatch centers in Bolton and Berlin to determine if 1) the Bolton dispatch center should stay status quo, 2) Berlin and Bolton dispatch centers should merge; and 3) Berlin and Bolton should join the Devens dispatch center.
Mr. Kennedy presented the final report entitled “Feasibility Study for Developing Regional E911 Communications Services for Bolton and Berlin”. It was Mr. Kennedy’s recommendation that Bolton and Berlin consolidate with the Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch District.
Ms. MaryAnn McLaughlin, President of the Dispatcher’s Union President stated that there isn’t any current mandate from the state to regionalize and preferred regionalizing in Bolton with Berlin or another town. Mr. Hank Staake, Dispatcher did not see the benefit of regionalizing.
Mr. Kennedy estimated a savings for Bolton of about $100,000 by regionalizing. Dr. Marc Gautreau, Medical Director for Bolton, Berlin and Lancaster is a strong proponent of regionalization and felt that the decision should be based on the actual level of function and not around cost savings. Mr. Gery Wilson, member of the Fire Department and Lancaster resident urged the Selectmen to fine tune the savings noting that Lancaster’s savings was only $20,000.
Ms. Spiedel stated that Lunenburg spent time addressing all the concerns being addressed by Bolton. They approached it as cost avoidance and the $100,000 that they saved was put back into public safety. Lunenburg was the first community to transition and it was a good move.
The Board of Selectmen deferred their decision to their meeting on March 19, 2015. Mr. Kennedy will attend the meeting.
CHAPTER 61A PROPERTY, 123 NOURSE ROAD
Mr. Peter Ross met with the Board of Selectmen to request that 10.48 acres (3.75 acres on Nourse Road, 4.87 acres at 110 Nourse Road and 1.86 acres at 116 Nourse Road) on Nourse Road be released from Chapter 61A.
The Board of Assessors and Planning Board provided notification to the Board of Selectmen stating that they did not recommend the Town exercise its right of first refusal. While the Conservation Commission would like to see the scenic pastures and wetlands protected they recommended passing on the right of first refusal at this time.
On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted not to exercise the right of first refusal for the above mentioned property owned my Mr. Peter Ross. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes)
CONTRACT WITH METROWEST COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Kevin O’Brien, Doug Storey and Mark Duggan, members of the Affordable Housing Partnership Trust met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss extending the contract with MetroWest Community Development for another year. Mr. Storey stated that the Affordable Housing Partnership is pleased with the monitoring and creation of a detailed analysis of affordable parcels in town that MetroWest has completed.
There are 4 lots under agreement to be given to the town once the developments are built out. The town will have the option to build affordable housing on these lots or sell the lots using the funds to build affordable housing at another location.
There is approximately $152,000 in the fund earmarked for affordable housing.
On a motion made by Storey and seconded by Duggan, the Affordable Housing Partnership Trust Fund Committee voted to continue with the contract for the second year, funded by the affordable housing trust fund, not to exceed $10,000. (O’Brien – yes, Storey – yes, Duggan – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Appointments: On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Linda Herbison to the Parks and Recreation Commission until the election in May 2015. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Karen Overfield to the Conservation Commission. Term expiration June 30, 2017. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Request for Funds for Bolton Access Television Expenses: On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $25,976 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for the operating expenses as requested by Frank Lazgin, Treasurer for Bolton Access Television. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Condyne Site Plan Decision: On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the Condyne Site Plan decision. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Snow and Ice Overspend: On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Brown, Director of Public Works to overspend $150,000 in the snow and ice account. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Mr. Lowe stated that these funds have already been spent and Mr. Brown anticipates another $70,000 will be needed. Mr. Delaney suggested taking the Accountant’s recommendation to have town meeting pay for the snow and ice deficit out of free cash rather than looking at turn backs.
Jake Brake article for annual town meeting: Mr. Mark Caisse, resident of Bolton suggested that the Selectmen enforce the excessive noise bylaw that is already in place versus the proposed bylaw regarding prohibiting the use of compression brakes. Mr. Caisse also cautioned the Board of Selectmen to be careful about limiting the use of compression brakes as it is a safety issue.
The Board of Selectmen declined to sponsor the proposed jake brake article and favored the Police Chief’s recommendation to put up signs asking truck drivers to limit use of the compression brakes. The Board of Selectmen did advise residents that they could submit a citizen’s petition article to be placed on the warrant for the May 4, 2015 Annual Town Meeting.
Nashoba Regional School District Budget: Mr. Wysocki reported that he attended budget a workshop and Advisory Committee meeting in the last couple of weeks where the Nashoba Regional School District budget for FY16 was discussed. There wasn’t a lot of discussion about the details of the budget and what the district has done to streamline the budget. Mr. George King also presented a 6 page document and rationale of why the towns can afford the increases in the school budget and the use of the districts EMD fund. The discussion regarding the Nashoba Regional School District budget will be continued at the next Tri-Town Meeting.
Mr. Lowe stated that with our current numbers, which doesn’t include a 2% cost of living adjustment, we need approximately $517,000 in free cash to supplement the budget whereas the past two years we have not had to supplement the budget with free cash. If this trend continues by FY20 the $517,000 will be approximately $1.3 million. This type of growth is not affordable for any of the town and absolutely not or sustainable.
Tennessee Gas Pipeline Meeting, Berlin: Mr. Delaney reported that he attended a meeting in Berlin regarding the proposed Tennessee Gas Pipeline. A meeting is being scheduled in the next couple of months to discuss alternative routes.
On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day