Board of Selectmen Minutes November 15, 2018

Board of Selectmen                                        Present:           Jonathan Keep

November 15, 2018                                                                Robert Czekanski       

Town Hall                                                                               Stanley Wysocki

                                                                                                Don Lowe, Town Administrator

                                                                                                Linda L. Day, Town Secretary

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

Due to a conflict Senator Tran was not available to attend tonight’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting as scheduled.

CREATION OF A TRAIL FROM ZINK-NORTHWOODS TRAIL HEAD ACROSS A MUNICIPAL PARCEL ON CORN ROAD

Ms. Rebecca Longvall stated that the Conservation Commission is recommending that the Board of Selectmen consider the creation of a trail from Zink-Northwoods trail head across a Municipal parcel on Corn Road.  Ms. Longvall stated that there isn’t any tree cutting and if there was it would only be saplings.  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the recommendation for the creation of the trail.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT

Update on Minuteman:  Mr. Lowe reported that the building project is progressing and he will provide an update following the next Building Committee scheduled for Monday, November 19, 2018.

Update on Portico Project:     The contractors have done an inspection of the portico and work will begin after some procedural questions related to the first invoice submitted has been worked out.

Transfer Station:  At the next meeting, DPW Director will meet with the Board of Selectmen to make recommendations on procedural changes at the transfer station.

REVIEW OF THE PROPOSED FINANCIAL POLICIES

Advisory Committee members Brian Boyle, Ann Hurd, Ted Kirchner and Joe Myerson met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the proposed financial policies manual.

Mr. Boyle stated that about a year ago, the Advisory Committee and Board of Selectmen discussed putting together a financial policies manual that represents the efforts of the Advisory Committee, Treasurer, Accountant and Town Administrator.  The Capital Planning policy was approved last February by the Board of Selectmen.    On a motion made by Czekanski and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the financial policy subject to the revisions Mr. Boyle will make to the document as discussed.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

STATUS OF THE ROADS AT CENTURY MILL ESTATES

Planning Board members Erik Neyland, Mark Sprague and Mike Gorr and Town Planner Erica Uriarte met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the status of the roads in the Century Mill Estates Development.

The work to be done in order for partial acceptance of the roads at the Annual Town Meeting in May 2019 has not been completed although the Town has been trying to work diligently with the developer. 

Planning Board discussed changing the plans to add a circle at the end of Mill Pond Road instead of Cider Circle which would require the landowners to grant easements.

The Planning Board is holding a cash bond in the amount of $254,000 and the Conservation Commission is holding a sum of money for the wetland crossing in Phase 3.

Without the acceptance of the road, the residents are left without mail delivery and snow plowing which is a big cost for the residents.

Residents of 71 Mill Pond Road, 72 Mill Pond Road and 21 Cider Circle present at the meeting, expressed their concerns and encouraged the Board of Selectmen to help them resolve the issues to finish the construction of the roads for acceptance by the town.  The homeowners are not in a position to fund the work required to have the roads accepted at Town Meeting. 

The Planning Board agreed to talk to the Fire Department to see if the turnaround is required, ask the developer for a construction schedule and talk to Town Counsel about procedure for using the bond to complete some of the work.

BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS

Public Service Announcements

Bolton’s Senior Fuel Assistance Program:  Mr. Lowe announced that low-income Bolton seniors were warmer last winter because of the help they received from the Town of Bolton’s Senior Fuel Assistance Program.  Seniors who are 60 years and older, and meet a financial criteria, get approved to receive 100 free gallons of heating oil. This vital energy assistance program has meant so much to Bolton seniors and we need donations to keep it operating. Please donate and warm the hearts and homes of Bolton seniors in need. Donations can be sent to Ninotchka Rogers, Accountant, Town Hall, 663 Main St., Bolton, MA 01740. Checks should be payable to The Town of Bolton. If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Lisa D’Eon, Outreach Coordinator at the Bolton Council On Aging, 978-779-3314, outreach@townofbolton.com. 

Caucus, Annual Town Meeting and Election Calendar:  Mr. Czekanski announced that there is a full schedule regarding the Caucus, Annual Town Meeting and Election for 2019 in one document that can be found on the town website for anyone that needs to set their calendar and arrange for babysitters.

Senior Recognition Award:  Mr. Czekanski stated that back in the late 1880’s a newspaper called the Boston Post sent out canes to every town with instructions that the cane be awarded to the oldest citizen in town.  The Town of Bolton lost track of their cane.  Mr. Czekanski recommended that the town restore the tradition and found that the Town of Peterborough, NH has become the Boston Post Cane Central where Towns can purchase replacement canes. The cost of the cane and shipping is $150.00 plus $50.00 for the engraving of the cane. The proposal is that the oldest citizen be awarded the cane and presented with an engraved plaque which would cost an estimated $50.00.    On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to appropriate $250.00 out of their budget.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes) Mr. Czekanski will work with Mr. Lowe and the Council on Aging to come up with the criteria.

Adoption of the 2018 Bolton, Ma Hazard Mitigation Plan:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to adopt the 2018 Hazard Mitigation Plan. (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Release of funds for the Bolton Access TV operations:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to release funds in the amount of $27,594.53 for the Bolton Access TV operations.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)  Mr. Troup was in the audience.

Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule:  The Board of Selectmen set their meeting schedule for January – May, 2019 as follows:  January 10 & 24, February 7 & 28, March 7 & 21, April 4 and 25, 2019, and May 9, 2019.

Bills/Payroll Warrant:  On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the bills/payroll warrant of W19-10 and W19-10A.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

FIRE CHIEF INTERVIEWS

The Board of Selectmen interviewed three finalists for the Fire Chief position as recommended by the Police Chief Screening Committee.  The three finalists - William Choate, Senior Fire Lieutenant and third in command of the West Bridgewater Fire Department; Timothy Kelly, Deputy Chief of the Devens and Princeton Fire Departments and Instructor of the Nashoba Regional High School’s EMT/CPR Program and Massachusetts Firefighting Academy; and Jeffrey Legendre, Firefighter/Paramedic/Training Coordinator/Rescue Diver in Northborough, Fire Lieutenant/Paramedic in West Boylston and Interim Fire Chief in Bolton – were given the opportunity to make an opening statement followed by a series of questions and then a closing statement.  Following the interviews the Board of Selectmen discussed the qualifications of the candidates.  Selectmen received calls from individuals in support of Mr. Legendre along with a letter of support for Mr. Legendre from the Bolton Fire Department. 

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Jeff Legendre as the full-time Fire Chief for the Town of Bolton subject to reference checks, CORI and successful completion of contract negotiations that the Board of Selectmen authorized Mr. Lowe to conduct.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes) 

Mr. Legendre was congratulated on his appointment. 

The Board of Selectmen thanked the Fire Chief Screening Committee for doing a good job, vetting the finalists and sending them to the Board of Selectmen.

On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Czekanski, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.  (Keep – yes, Czekanski – yes, Wysocki – yes)

Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day