Board of Selectmen Minutes
Meeting date:
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
January 27, 2011 Curtis Plante
David Lindsay
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
The Board of Selectmen met at the Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Mr. Dinjian, Chairman of the Advisory Committee was present.
NEW POLLING LOCATION
Present: Pam Powell, Town Clerk
Ms. Powell proposed that the polling location be moved from the Bolton Town Hall to the Nashoba Regional High School Auditorium. This proposal is being driven by the fact that the town hall space is no longer adequate for the increase in voter turnout, and parking has become an issue. There were also several complaints received after the last election in November 2010 because traffic was backed up along Route 117 into Stow.
Ms. Powell, Chief Alfano and Mr. Lowe met with Mr. Roche, High School Principal, to walk the area being proposed. Both Mr. Roche and Superintendent Wood, approved the proposal.
According to Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 54, Section 24 the Board of Selectmen shall designate the polling place 20 days before the election; they must post a printed description of the designated polling place in at least 3 public places and notice shall be given to each residence by mail.
Ms. Powell has reserved 12 dates for upcoming elections at the Nashoba Regional High School Auditorium with the first election being held Monday, May 9, 2011. The schools' administration is also willing to coordinate in-service days during larger elections to help reduce the traffic at the high school. Ms. Powell stated that the use of the Florence Sawyer School was explored but that school was not available when in session, and parking and traffic congestion was a concern.
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted to change the location for Bolton voting from the Town Hall to the Nashoba Regional High School. (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay – yes)
LINE OF SIGHT BYLAW
Present: Peter Ross, Mary Ciummo and Leslie Breeze, members of the Public Ways Safety Committee
As recommended at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting on January 13, 2011, Town Counsel reviewed the Line of Sight Bylaw for legality and enforceability and recommended some revisions that were incorporated by the Public Ways Safety Committee. The Bylaw would limit obstructions at intersections of roadways, common driveways and commercial establishments. The Board of Selectmen recommended that that the definition for a Commercial Driveway be added to the definition section of the bylaw.
Mr. Lowe reported that Mark Caisse, Tree Warden has the authority to act on his own to address any problems involving trees or brush with a diameter of 1.5 inches or more.
Mr. Lindsay expressed his opinion that the Public Ways Safety Committee should not be responsible for addressing any safety issues with a resident, and safety issues should be brought to the Town Administrator, Police Chief or Public Works Director. Mr. Plante disagreed stating that the Public Ways Safety Committee’s charter is to look for problem areas and bring resolution to them. The rules and regulations state that any resident can bring forward a safety concern to the Public Ways Safety Committee, Police, Department of Public Works or the Board of Selectmen, and the Public Ways Committee would act as single point of focus. Mr. Wysocki recommended that the rules and regulations be left as they are since they can be changed easily without a town meeting because they are not an integral part of the bylaw. The Committee will finalize the article as discussed this evening and submit it to the Board of Selectmen to be placed on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant. The Board of Selectmen recommended that a public hearing be scheduled as soon as possible.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR
Budget Update: Mr. Lowe reported good news that while we were planning for a 10% reduction in state aid, the proposed cut in the Governor’s budget is 7.2% which is approximately a $4,500 difference. The Governor's budget also includes an increase for education aid.
Surplus Items: Mr. Lowe reported that the bid opening for the surplus items took place on Monday, January 24, 2011 and brought in $6,490, which will roll over into free cash.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Traffic Lights at Intersection of Sugar Road/Route 117: Mr. Plante stated that when you are traveling eastbound on Route 117, it is impossible to take a legal left hand turn onto Sugar Road during peak traffic times. A green arrow allows the westbound traffic to turn left onto the I-495 ramp, but having no green arrow eastbound, leaves no time for the eastbound traffic to make a left hand turn. Mr. Plante suggested that the eastbound traffic light stay green a little longer to allow vehicles to turn left while the eastbound traffic light turns red. Mr. Lowe will send a letter to MassHighway requesting that the timing of the lights be changed to allow the eastbound traffic enough time to make a legal left hand turn.
Class II License: Mr. Trombetta requested that the Board of Selectmen grant him a Class II License to buy and sell second-hand motor vehicles for 2011. Mr. Lindsay requested a public hearing prior to approving the license. Mr. Plante stated that Mr. Trombetta’s business met the pre-existing, non-conforming status required by the Planning Board and Board of Appeals and was therefore grandfathered. He has made great strides in organizing his property and did not see the need to impose a hardship on him by taking away a license for a business he has been operating for 30 years. On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Class II License for Beetle bug III, of 492 South Bolton Road. (Wysocki – yes, Plante –yes) Mr. Lindsay voted present because he felt he did not have enough information regarding the opinion of abutters to Mr. Trombetta's operation.
Caucus Call: On a motion made by Plante and seconded by Lindsay, the Board of Selectmen voted to hold Town Caucus on Monday, March 14, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall. (Wysocki – yes, Plante –yes, Lindsay –yes)
Minutes: Mr. Lindsay encouraged the Board of Selectmen to get back on track with reviewing minutes so that they can be approved at subsequent meetings.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Lindsay and seconded by Plante, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Plante – yes, Lindsay - yes) to enter into executive session under the authority of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 39B, Section 23B (3) at 8:00 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining and contract negotiations with non-union personnel and Section 23B (6) to discuss lease of property. The Board announced it would not reconvene to open session.
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day