Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, February 20, 2014
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
February 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.
BICYCLES BATTLING CANCER CHARITY RIDE FUNDRAISER
Mr. Nick Huertas requested approval for the 6th annual “Bicycles Battling Cancer” charity ride sponsored by the American Cancer Society on Sunday, June 8, 2014. Approximately 200 cyclists will travel through Bolton on Harvard Road, Route 117, Wattaquadock Hill Road and South Bolton Road. 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)
RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING BOLTON, MASSACHUSETTS A PURPLE HEART TOWN
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute a resolution designating Bolton, Massachusetts as a Purple Heart Community. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes) The resolution acknowledges the service and sacrifice of our nation’s men and women in uniform that were wounded or killed by the enemy while serving to protect the freedom enjoyed by all Americans.
ANIMAL CONTAINMENT
Ms. Nan Norseen met with the Board of Selectmen to give an update on the containment of her animals at 23 Harvard Road. Susan Latham, Animal Control Officer was also present.
Chairman Wysocki shared a letter received from Chief Alfano who stated that there have not been any reported escapes by Ms. Norseen’s animals since she met with the Board of Selectmen in December, 2013. Chief Alfano has observed some new fencing on her property since the last meeting. Chief Alfano complimented Ms. Norseen on her efforts to try to properly contain them and noted that her efforts must be an ongoing responsibility.
Ms. Norseen stated that she has installed double fencing along the driveway. She also moved the horse, which has been an issue in the past, to the side of the barn where the fencing has been improved. Ms. Norseen is researching an avenue to get additional fencing and plans to repair more of the fencing in the spring.
Ms. Norseen has reduced her flock so she only has the top animals for showing. This will also allow her to better maintain her animals.
The Board of Selectmen was pleased with the progress Ms. Norseen has made to contain the animals.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reported that the School Committee accepted the recommendation from the Building Committee to authorize the engineer to work on the design plans for the school project not to exceed 800 students.
Mr. Lowe stated that the vote on the regional agreement by all 16 towns will have an impact on the project.
Registration Fee for Flammable Storage Licenses: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the recommendation of Town Clerk Pamela Powell to increase the annual registration fee for flammables storage licenses from $5 to $25. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Kennel Fees: Town Clerk Pamela Powell has recommended that the current kennel fees be revised from 4 to 6 dogs - $35; 7 to 10 dogs - $60; and 11+ dogs - $100 to 5 to 9 dogs - $60; 10+ dogs - $100 and commercial boarding or training kennels - $150. On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adopt the proposed revisions as recommended by Town Clerk Pamela Powell. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
TURTLE CROSSING SIGNS
Mr. David Paulson, Endangered Species Review Biologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife requested permission to install two turtle crossing signs in Bolton to increase motor vehicle operator awareness of turtles and other wildlife species which may be on the road.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the installation of two, 2X2 signs on the northbound side of Still River Road (Route 110) and the westbound side of Route 117. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Citizens Caucus: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to call the Citizens Caucus on Monday, March 10, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Mr. Wysocki announced that he will be running for re-election to the Board of Selectmen.
Donation: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept a donation from Ellen Newlands and Ron Pawelski to the Bolton Fire Department in the amount of $100. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Request to overspend the snow and ice: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request of Mr. Brown, DPW Director, to overspend the snow and ice account by $150,000. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Release of funds from School Space Needs Article 5: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to release funds ($10,000) from the School Space Needs Article 5, of the May 5, 2006 Annual Town Meeting. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Bolton Access Television Expenses: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to release $16,800 from the Comcast fund to Bolton Access Television for their operating expenses, as requested by Mr. Shnitzler. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
UPDATE ON PERSON’S PARK
Ms. Karen Regan, Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Commission met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss Person’s Park located on Hudson Road. The property was donated to the Town and put under the direction of the Parks and Recreation Commission. Although the Commission wants to continue to be responsible for the property and has looked at different uses it is their opinion that the property is dangerous as is and needs more attention than what they can provide.
The Selectmen toured the site a couple of years ago and found the house was in disarray, the roof was in poor condition and it has continued to get worse. Mr. Lowe stated that the town needs to decide if it wants to put some money into the house or tear it down.
Martha Remington and Rona Balco, residents of Bolton see hope for the property. They would like to raise awareness of the property and do the necessary repairs.
The Selectmen will do a site visit and discuss further in the Spring.
ACCEPTANCE OF DRUMLIN HILL ROAD, LEDGEWOOD CIRCLE AND FIELDSTONE WAY
The Board of Selectmen received a letter from Charles K. Black, President and Treasurer of Kendall Homes, Inc. requesting that the town place an article on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant accepting Drumlin Hill Road, Fieldstone Way and Ledgewood Circle for the Northwoods Subdivision.
At a meeting on January 22, 2014, the Planning Board voted unanimously to approve the street acceptance plans and as-built plans for the Northwoods Subdivision.
Mr. Black has acknowledged there is still work to be done once the snow melts in order to get the approvals including sign off by the Conservation Commission.
There will be a site visit in the spring to evaluate the roads after going through a winter season.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to accept the layout of Drumlin Hill Road, Fieldstone Way and Ledgewood Circle as shown on plans of land created by Ducharme and Dillis Civil Design Group, Inc. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Police Union: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the agreement between the Town of Bolton and the Bolton Police Union, Local 286, Massachusetts Coalition of Police, IUPA, AFL-CIO for July 1, 2011 – June 30, 2014. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Appointment to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council: On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Erica Uriarte, Town Planner as Bolton’s representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Review of the Annual Town Meeting Warrant: The Board of Selectmen reviewed the warrant articles for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 5, 2014. Minor revisions were made to the warrant.
The two articles to purchase security cameras for the Library and Town Hall will be combined in one article.
Town Accountant Julie Costello has recommended that an article be placed on the annual town meeting warrant to appropriate free cash to pay for any snow and ice deficit. This recommendation is based on the fact that there may not be sufficient funds to cover any deficit at the end of the fiscal year.
On a motion made by Delaney and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 8:55 p.m. (Wysocki – yes, Delaney – yes, Sprague – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day