Board of Selectmen Minutes

Board of Selectmen                  Present: Stanley Wysocki

May 20, 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.

REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD

Ms. Day called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for nominations for Chairman.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, Mr. Delaney was nominated and appointed as Chairman.  (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)

On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Wysocki, Mr. Sprague was nominated and appointed Clerk for the Board of Selectmen.    (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague - yes)

NORTHWOODS DEVELOPMENT

Ms. Uriarte met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Northwoods Development related to the request for approval to install four stop signs and approval of the street acceptance plans. The stops signs proposed will be located at the intersection of Warner Road and Drumlin Hill Road; intersection of Drumlin Hill Road and Drumlin Hill Road; intersection of Drumlin Hill Road and Ledge Wood Circle and the intersection of Drumlin Road and Field Stone Way.

On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the stops signs at the Northwoods Development.   (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the road acceptance plans for the Northwoods Development.   (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

PERSONS PARK, 149 HUDSON ROAD

The Board of Selectmen discussed the future of Person’s Park at 149 Hudson Road.  Person’s Park is a 5 acre property that was conveyed to the Town of Bolton in 1996 and abuts Little Pond.  A new septic system was installed in 2001.  Restrictions in the deed include the land being held in perpetuity by the Town of Bolton to be used as a public park and swimming; boat access to Little Pond for the public good; and, the cottage presently located on the property be maintained as long as practical and be used in a manner consistent with the use of the property as a public park and for pond access.  

The Selectmen conducted a site visit on Saturday, May 3 and found that the cottage has deteriorated over time. Concerns included the condition of the building, flooring and water damage. Vandalism has also been an issue.  While the Selectmen did not conclude the cottage was a total loss they were unwilling to invest in the structure without a plan in place as to its future use.

The Cultural Council who has some funds available and a third party group willing to raise funds would like the opportunity to restore the building.

Susan Taeuber of Parks and Recreation stated that without a substantial investment the cottage would continue to deteriorate and it might be more useful to tear down the building and replacing with a lower maintenance type structure such as a pavilion that could be used for recreational activities.

Mr. Lowe, Town Administrator noted that if one of the potential uses is for a town meeting place it would need to be ADA compliant which would increase the expense.

The volunteer group, which included Martha Remington and Theresa Sauer, agreed to come back to the Selectmen’s meeting on June 26, 2014 with a proposed plan.  In the meantime, the group was granted permission to remove the pine needles from the roof of the shed without going on the roof.  Mr. Lowe will investigate any liability issues.

HOUGHTON BUILDING

The Board of Selectmen reviewed the bid results to paint the exterior of the Houghton Building versus installing fiber cement siding.  The Town received eight bids for the exterior painting with the lowest bid being $29,500 and seven bids for the fiber cement siding with the lowest bid being $58,700.  

On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the bids for painting and fiber cement as presented and accept the bid in the amount of $29,500 to paint the Houghton Building.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR

Update on Minuteman:  Mr. Lowe reported that the amendment to the Minuteman Regional School District Agreement was passed unanimously at Town Meeting without any discussion. Ten other towns voted in favor of the agreement, four passed over the article, Belmont has not had their town meeting and Wayland is in opposition.  If the other towns ultimately vote in favor of the regional agreement, it is anticipated that Wayland will reconsider its vote.

Needham Resolution:  The Board of Selectmen reviewed the Needham resolution presented by the author Dan Matthews, Selectman of Needham regarding withdrawal from the district once the revised agreement is approved.

The resolution reads as follows:  “That in the event of ratification of the revised Minuteman Regional Vocational School District agreement as approved by the Regional School Committee on March 11, 2014, and in the event of notice of desire to withdraw by one or more members of the District given within one year of the effective date of the revised Agreement, the Board of Selectmen will not place a warrant article disapproving such withdrawal in a Town Meeting warrant, unless required by law, and will oppose such a disapproval article or motion in any event.

On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to support the Needham resolution to not oppose schools from withdrawing within one year from the effective date of the revised agreement.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes Wysocki – yes)

Corn Road:  Mr. Lowe reported that the structure located on Corn Road across the street from the entrance to the Northwoods development had been deemed in structural failure by the Building Inspector Michael Sauvageau.  An order has been issued to demolition the structure and remove the material.  Expenses associated with this project will be paid for out of the Selectmen’s engineering budget.

Engineering budget:  Following up on an issue raised at Town Meeting, Mr. Lowe reported that our Town Auditor has confirmed that — contrary to what a speaker had claimed —  it would be inappropriate use of the Advisory Committee reserve fund to pay for any expenses related to Person’s Park because it is a stated use and those expenses are not unforeseen.  

Update on Fyfeshire:  Mr. Lowe will be signing documentation to be filed with the Department of Conservation and Recreation to start the process for the Fyfeshire project.  Substantial completion is expected August 15, 2014, with final completion being September 15, 2014.  The project came in under budget.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Sign Request – Ty-Rods Club:  On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Mr. Maurer to place temporary signs at the intersections of Route 117 and Route 495, Route 85 and Route 110 advertising the Ty-Rods Annual Old Timers Reunion to be held at the fairgrounds in Lancaster on September 7, 2014.  (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 $17,150 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for their operating expenses as requested by Mr. Schnitzler, Treasurer.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Mr. Shnitzler reported that Bolton Access Television is running very solidly and have redone the schedules to run almost all local Massachusetts shows.

Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Call Firefighters:  On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the bargaining agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Teamster’s Union, Local No. 170 for the Call Firefighters, for July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2016.  (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Town Accountant Contract:  On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the contract between the Town of Bolton and the Town Accountant Julie Costello, effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017 (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Police Chief Contract:  On a motion made by Sprague and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the contract between the Town of Bolton and the Police Chief Vincent Alfano, effective July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2017 (Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes)

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

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day