Board of Selectmen Minutes April 12, 2018

Board of Selectmen                                        Present:           Stanley Wysocki

April 12, 2018                                                                         Jonathan Keep           

Town Hall                                                                               Robert Czekanski

                                                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

Mr. Wysocki called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PUBLIC HEARING – HARVARD ROAD

Autumn Kubiak, Representative of National Grid was present for the hearing along with Mark Caisse, Bolton’s Tree Warden.

The Board of Selectmen held a public hearing on the petition of National Grid and Verizon New England, Inc. to install one (1) jointly-owned pole on Harvard Road, and one (1) stub pole and one (1) anchor across the road from pole 29 to tighten the tension. Mr. Caisse stated that the pole will be the sixth pole within a 377 foot span of Harvard Road and although he understood the needs he was concerned with polluting the road with a lot of poles.  Ms. Kubiak was agreeable to Mr. Caisse’s proposal to remove the tree behind the proposed location so that the pole could be placed further back off the road.  Ms. Kubiak will stake the location for the pole so that the Board of Selectmen can conduct a site visit.  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to continue the hearing to Thursday, April 26, 2018.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

BOLTON 5K AT SCHARTNER FARM – OCTOBER 6, 2018

Ms. Kristin Gaynor requested permission to hold the Bolton 5K at Schartner Farm on Saturday, October 6, 2018 to support the Town Common and the pavilion to be built.  The 5K will start at the Schartner Farm, continue down West Berlin Road to Wattaquadock Hill Road, left onto Wattaquadock Hill Road to Sawyer Road and back to Schartner Farm.  Chief Nelson stated that 3 or 4 detail officers will be needed.  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

5K – SPONSORED BY THE VOLUNTEER FIRE ASSOCIATION – OCTOBER 28, 2018

Ms. Jennifer Hoyt requested permission for the Volunteer Fire Association to hold a 5K race on November 17, 2018.  Ms. Hoyt stated that the Volunteer Fire Association is a 501c3 organization and their mission is to support the firefighters.   The 5K will begin at the fire station, go up Wattaquadock Hill Road, left onto Old Bay Road, onto Berlin Road, left on to Wattaquadock Hill Road and finish at Memorial Field. Police Chief Nelson had some immediate concerns regarding the route and the possibility of receiving complaints if the entire route is shut down.  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event contingent on approval from Police Chief Nelson.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)   Residents will be notified of the event and the solar sign will be utilized to make people aware of the event and possible road closures or delays. 

ANNUAL BICYCLES BATTLING CANCER RIDE – JUNE 10, 2018

Mr. Mark Walters met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval for the Bicycles Battling Cancer ride to pass through Bolton on Sunday, June 10, 2018.  The ride will start in Marlborough and pass through Bolton at Wattaquadock Hill Road and Harvard Road for the 70 and 100 mile rides.  Police Chief Nelson has approved the event but noted that if he is unable to fill the details, duty officers will watch the intersections if they are available.  Therefore, Police Chief Nelson requested that cyclists be warned prior to leaving the starting location to use extreme caution and obey the rules of the road.  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event. (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

APPOINTMENT OF RESERVE PATROL OFFICER – HECTOR MARTINEZ-RIVERA

After review of 25-30 applications and resumes, followed by interviews, Police Chief Nelson recommended that Hector Martinez-Rivera be appointed as a Reserve Patrol Officer.  Mr. Martinez-Rivera graduated from Fitchburg State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, is a graduate of the Reserve Intermittent Academy, is currently employed with the Fitchburg State University Police Department and comes very well recommended by his employers and references.  Mr. Martinez-Rivera was very excited to join the Bolton Police Department that has an awesome reputation.  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Mr. Hector Martinez-Rivera to the position of Reserve Officer for the Bolton Police Department.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

DISCUSSION FOR FUTURE STRUCTURE OF FIRE CHIEF POSITION

With the recent announcement that Fire Chief John Mentzer will be retiring, the Board of Selectmen began discussions about the future structure of the Fire Chief position. 

Chairman Wysocki suggested delaying the discussion until after the Annual Town Meeting when the Town will address the budget for an interim and full-time Fire Chief and whether the status of the full-time Fire Chief would change from strong to weak Fire Chief per Massachusetts General Law. 

Mr. Lowe stated that the goal would be to appoint an interim Fire Chief as of July 1, 2018 as a stipend position for a period of time. 

On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to authorize Mr. Lowe to create the job description for the interim Fire Chief.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes) 

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  The Topping-Off ceremony – to lift the final steel beam into place at the construction site – was held today and unfortunately Mr. Lowe was unable to attend.   All the necessary permits have been issued and the project is on schedule to be completed late spring 2019 which ensures a smooth opening for fall. 

Update on the Town Hall Portico Project:   Mr. Lowe reported that after a meeting with DPW Director Joe Lynch and Karle Packard, Architect, they are ready to go out to bid for the portico project. Bid information and plans will be available electronically.  It is anticipated that the project will be completed in early November and under budget.  Mr. Lowe is very pleased with the Architect. 

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Public Service Announcement: Mr. Wysocki stated that residents continue to bypass the Boy Scout’s shed and put their cans and bottles with deposits in the recycling bins.  Mr. Wysocki will suggest that the Department of Public Works place a receptacle in between the aluminum, plastic and glass bins to give the residents a second chance to dispose of their cans and bottles with deposits in the bin.  With summer approaching, residents were also reminded to rinse out the cans and bottles before dropping them off at the transfer station.

Coffee with the Town Administrator is scheduled for Friday, April 13, 2018 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Mr. Lowe would be happy to meet with residents and answer any questions they may have.

Appointments:  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Conor Nagle to the Agricultural Commission.   (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Cindy Pollastri and Marie Fusaro to the Human Services and Safety Committee.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

Recommendation to support and endorse recommendation to seek designation as Partnership Wild and Scenic Rivers:  On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to endorse the Wild & Scenic River Program and show support for the Wild and Scenic Rivers and associated Stewardship plan. (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

Bills/Payroll Warrants:  On a motion made Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the bill and payroll warrants for W18-20 and W18-20A, and W18-21 and W18-21A. (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

Minutes:  On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the Board of Selectmen’s regular session and executive session minutes for January 18, 2018 and the Law Committee minutes of January 18, 2018.  (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes)

EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes) to enter into executive session at 8:00 p.m. pursuant to MGL c. 30A, §21(a)3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the DPW Union and to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the Police Union, as the Chair finds that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Board’s bargaining position.  The Board announced it will not reconvene to open session.   (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes, Czekanski - yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day