Board of Selectmen Present: Mark Sprague
April 28, 2016 Stanley Wysocki
Town Hall Thomas J. Frain
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
Chairman Sprague called the Board of Selectmen’s meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
DEEPSEST SYMPATHY
The Board of Selectmen expressed their deepest sympathy to the family of Pierino “Gigi” Bonazzoli who passed away on April 25, 2016. Mr. Bonazzoli served with the Bolton Fire and Ambulance Department for 65 years including the ambulance Co-Director for 15 years and is the founder of the Nashoba Regional High School Cadet Program. He was also a Selectman for 9 years.
SENIOR APPRECIATION MONTH
Ms. Terry Abdalian and Ms. Mary Ciummo requested that the Board of Selectmen proclaim the month of May as Senior Appreciation month. The theme for the month is “Blaze a Trail”. A series of activities have been planned, including the delivery of May baskets to our seniors, two senior luncheons and a scavenger hunt.
Ms. Abdalian read the proclamation aloud.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to proclaim the month of May as Senior Appreciation Month. (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes, Frain –yes)
REQUEST
Ms. Sharon Shepela met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to place sandwich boards along Bolton roads from April 29 to May 25, 2016 to communicate with the residents of Bolton, after which they will appear periodically as they approach each tier of the project. The roads include Route 117 by the Town Hall; Sugar Road between Golden Run Road and Route 117; Hudson Road near Route 117; Harvard Road between Golden Run Road and Route 117 and Still River Road just South of Main Street and Route 117. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the request for 5-6 sandwich boards. (Sprague – yes, Wysocki –yes, Frain –yes)
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reminded everyone that it would only take one district member town to reject the building project for the School Committee to discuss the option of calling a district-wide ballot election. At the recommendation of the Superintendent the School Committee has deferred taking an official vote until a community actually defeats the project. A meeting of all the Town Clerk’s will be scheduled to organize the election if and when the time comes.
Street Sweeping: Mr. Lowe reported that bids for the street sweeping are significantly higher, with the cost ranging from $125 to $185 per hour versus last year’s rate of $95 per hour. Mr. Lowe will review with Mr. Brown to prepare a plan for street sweeping. Mr. Lowe will also review Ms. Remington’s concern with the build-up of sand on the two islands in front of her home that did not get swept last year.
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Lion’s Club Toll Booth: Randy Porteus met with the Board of Selectmen to request permission to hold the annual Lion’s Club tool booth on Main Street in front of Murphy Insurance on May 14, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., with the rain date being May 21, 2016. On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the event on May 14, 2016 with a rain date of May 21, 2016. (Sprague– yes, Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)
Performance Evaluation: Mr. Sprague reported that Town Administrator Don Lowe received his performance evaluation that overall was very highly rated. Other than one score that was below 4, all other scores were 4 and 5’s for an average of 4.5 or above. The Board of Selectmen gave a lot of thought to the comments included in the performance evaluation which speaks well of Mr. Lowe and how he works with the Board. Mr. Lowe stated that he appreciates the support of all three Selectmen, and it continues to be a pleasure to work for the Town he has come to love quite a bit.
Mr. Wysocki stated that he was on the search committee that brought Mr. Lowe to the Town of Bolton and feels it was a very good move on the town’s part and appreciates what he has done.
Mr. David Calcagni, 225 Old Bay Road, has talked with Don over the years about a number of issues with the most important being Kinder Morgan, and found Don to be very available and responsive. The Town is very fortunate to have Mr. Lowe. Mr. Kenneth Troup, 21 Meadow Road seconded what Mr. Calcagni said and considers Mr. Lowe to be a franchise player. Mr. Troup suggested that the Board of Selectmen consider extending Mr. Lowe’s contract.
Annual Town Meeting – Article 25: Given the amount of recent discussion concerning this potential article and with at least two of the Selectmen voting to disapprove Article 25, Mr. Wysocki suggested that our Building Inspector Michael Sauvageau be asked to provide a formal opinion regarding Article 25. Ms. Mary Ciummo, Chairman of the Public Ways Safety Committee (PWSC) informed the Board of Selectmen that the PWSC and Planning Board voted to pass over the article at Town Meeting because it is their opinion that the bylaw has been misrepresented. No action was taken and the Board of Selectmen suggested that the PWSC speak with Mr. Sauvageau about this proposed amendment.
Minutes: On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the minutes of December 17, 2015 and February 11, 2016. (Sprague – yes Wysocki –yes, Frain – yes)
Tax Rate: The Board of Assessors informed the Selectmen that the $21.37 tax rate doesn’t include any of the articles to be addressed at the Annual Town Meeting.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes, Frain - yes) to enter into executive session at 7:35 p.m., pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 30A, 21(a) 3 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining for the Fire Union, as the Chair finds that an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the Board’s bargaining position, and to discuss contract negotiations with non-union personnel being the Police Chief. The Board announced it would reconvene after the two executive sessions.
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Sprague, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the Employment Agreement between the Town of Bolton and Warren Nelson, Police Chief as amended. (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes, Frain – no)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Frain, the Board of Selectmen voted to adjourn at 9:02 p.m. (Sprague – yes, Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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