Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wyoscki
January 23, 2014 Lawrence Delaney
Mark Sprague
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
UPDATE ON MINUTEMAN REGIONAL VOCATIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREEMENT
Dr. Ed Bouquillon, Superintendent of Minuteman Regional School District reported that the School Committee has voted on the final amendment to the Minuteman Regional Vocational School District Agreement and it is now being reviewed by the Attorney.
Dr. Bouquillon stated that everyone is equally dissatisfied with the agreement for different reasons. The agreement included amendments to the assessment of annual operating costs, assessment of capital costs, school committee votes, admission of new member communities, withdrawal of member communities, and an application of district income identified as contribution to capital costs and authorization by member communities for incurring new debt.
All Towns must approve the new agreement and if it passes will be effective July 1, 2014.
The Board was favorable to the agreement as proposed.
THE BOLTON 5K RALLY
Ms. Deb Kotlarz, a member of the 5K Committee requested permission to hold the 2nd annual 5K run/walk fundraiser. Following last year’s 5K Rally for the White Family and the One Fund Boston, the Committee was asked to make the 5K an annual event. The 5K will be held on the morning of Saturday, June 14, 2014 and will be the same route as last year, starting at Nashoba Regional High School on Green Road to Old Harvard Road to Harvard Road and back on to Green Road to the high school. The time of the event is to be determined. Police Chief Alfano and the NRSD Athletic Director Tania Rich have approved the event.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event. (Wysocki - yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
MOBIL GAS STATION, 460 MAIN STREET
Selectmen Delaney disclosed that Jim Ahearn, associated with Drake Petroleum was a client of his 14 years ago for litigation unrelated to Drake Petroleum. Mr. Delaney will file a disclosure with the Town Clerk and it will not affect his consideration of this matter.
Ron Fortune and Carol Kane, representatives for Drake Petroleum Company, Inc. requested permission to reopen and operate the existing gas station. Drake Petroleum Company, Inc. is a long time tenant of the property at 460 Main Street who subleased to BZ Enterprises who have since vacated the property. Drake Petroleum has cleaned up the site and will operate the gas station as it was in the past. Drake Petroleum requested permission to operate the retail portion of the facility as BZ Enterprises did in the past.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Drake Petroleum to re-open and continue the sales of prepackaged snack items (chips, pastry, candy, novelty ice cream, bottled soda and water) as in past years contingent on satisfactory approval from the Conservation Commission. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Mr. Fortune and Ms. Kane were provided with a copy of the memorandum from the Conservation Commission.
TOWN ADMINSITRATOR REPORT
Recommendation for Regional Dispatch Feasibility/Implementation Study: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize the Town Administrator to move forward with seeking a grant to study regionalization of dispatch services with the town of Berlin or joining the Devens regional dispatch center. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
UPDATE ON PROPOSED NEW AMBULANCE
Margy Diaz, Ambulance Director stated that the existing ambulance is holding up well but is nearing the end of the recommended 5 to 7 year lifespan.
Ms. Diaz stated that ideally she would like to buy a new ambulance and keep the old one as a backup for when an ambulance is being serviced or when there are multiple calls. It would cost approximately $3,000 in the operating budget to keep the second ambulance not including insurance. If the antennas are reconfigured on the ambulance it could fit in the old fire station but would require the snow equipment to be stored elsewhere.
The estimated cost of the new ambulance is $250,000, and the ambulance fund currently has approximately $225,000 which will increase by the time the new ambulance is purchased.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Donation: Mr. Lowe reported that the Ambulance Department has received a donation from Jeffrey Gould to show his appreciate for the response received to an unfortunate incident that took place at his home. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept a donation from Jeffrey Gould to the Bolton Ambulance Fund in the amount of $5,000. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Historic District Study Committee: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to dissolve the Historic District Study Committee formed in 2011. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for Call Firefighters: The MOA has been previously approved by the Town Administrator, Union Representatives, Board of Selectmen and Labor Counsel. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve and execute the Memorandum of Agreement for Call Firefighters effective July1, 2010 to June 30, 2013. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney -yes, Sprague – yes)
Minutes: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the regular session minutes of November 14 and December 5 and executive session minutes of December 5, 2013. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:20 p.m. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day