Board of Selectmen Present: Stanley Wysocki
May 12, 2016 Thomas J. Frain
Town Hall Jonathan Keep
Don Lowe, Town Administrator
Linda L. Day, Town Secretary
REORGANIZATION OF THE BOARD
Ms. Day called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and asked for nominations for Chairman.
On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Keep, Mr. Wysocki was nominated and appointed Chairman for the Board of Selectmen. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes)
On a motion made by Wysocki and seconded by Keep, Mr. Frain was nominated and appointed Clerk for the Board of Selectmen. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes)
Mr. Jonathan Keep was welcomed as the newly elected member to the Board of Selectmen.
CAMP VIRGINIA
Ashley Davies, Land Protection Specialist for the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) met with the Board of Selectmen to discuss the Camp Virginia project. The Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts are looking to sell some of their camps and reached out to the SVT as a potential purchaser for the camp located at 96 Hudson Road. The SVT asked the Board of Selectmen if the Town would be interested in partnering with them to purchase the land. The property was appraised at $1,300,000 and the SVT proposed negotiating with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts for approximately $800,000.
The plan would be to purchase the property and apply for the Massachusetts Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity Land grant which would cover 56% of the project and acquisitions costs of up to $400,000. The grant deadline is July 12, 2016 and as part of the grant application the town’s open space and recreation plan would need to be updated. It would also require Town Meeting approval by the end of the calendar year with a closing date before June 30, 2017. The SVT and Bolton Conservation Trust would work together to fundraise for the remainder of the funds.
The Board of Selectmen would like to conduct a site visit of the Girl Scout property before making a decision as to whether or not they would be interested in pursuing the acquisition. Ms. Davies was willing to take the lead on preparing the grant application for submission.
UPDATE ON WHEAT
Jodi Breidel, Director of WHEAT Community Connections met with the Board of Selectmen to introduce herself and thank the Board of Selectmen and residents for their on-going support. Pat Bensetler, Chairman of Human Services and Safety Committee was also present. WHEAT is working to consolidate their programs and minimize their locations into one multi-service center to avoid any excess spending.
WHEAT is currently serving 21 households in Bolton and residents of Bolton visit the WHEAT Community Café on a regular basis. The WHEAT Community Cupboard provides food assistance to individuals and families and food is being delivered to homebound seniors in Bolton.
WHEAT’s goal is to raise awareness, raise funds and introduce programs to fit the needs of the community. Other community groups such as the Human Services and Safety Committee are helpful to WHEAT in connecting with the residents. Ms. Breidel distributed a pamphlet explaining the programs and primary goals of WHEAT to raise awareness.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
Update on Minuteman: Mr. Lowe reported that Belmont is the only town that disapproved the project so far. Because of the negative vote, the next step is for the School Committee to request an extension and approach Belmont to see if they would reconsider or hold a district-wide vote.
PUBLIC WAYS SAFETY COMMITTEE
Public Ways Safety Committee members Holly Lauer, Mary Ciummo and Leslie Breeze met with the Board of Selectmen to request approval to replace yield signs with stop signs at Meadow, Ballville, Frye and Jordan Roads and stop signs at Danforth Lane and Sargent Road. The proposal has been reviewed by Police Chief Nelson, DPW Director Harold Brown and Town Administrator Don Lowe.
On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to approve the proposal as submitted. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep –yes)
BOARD OF SELECTMEN BUSINESS
Appointment: On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board voted to appoint John Karlon as an Associate member for the Planning Board. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes, Yesue – yes, Neyland – yes)
Post Annual Town Meeting Review: Everyone agreed that town meeting went well. The work done to inform and advise residents about the budget and articles in advance of the annual town meeting made for a better town meeting. The Board of Selectmen and Advisory Committee working together was also beneficial.
Abatement for Outstanding Taxes on the Daman Land: At a previous meeting the Conservation Commission and the Board of Selectmen voted to accept two parcels of land from the Daman family. The property is located on Whitcomb Road and shown on Map 6E-1.1 and Map 6D-87. Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 59, Section 72A, allows the Board of Assessors to abate the outstanding taxes on land acquired by gift or purchase upon written request by the department with jurisdiction over the acquisition, which in this case is the Board of Selectmen. On a motion made
by Frain and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted to grant an abatement for the outstanding taxes in the amount of $329.21 on the Daman land accepted by the Board of Selectmen at their meeting on April 28, 2016. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes)
Liquor License for Slater’s, 356 Main Street: Selectman Thomas Frain recused himself from this discussion and left the meeting room. Mr. Lowe reported that the Board of Selectmen previously approved the request for a change in license for the sale of all alcoholic beverages to be drunk on the premises at Slater’s, 356 Main Street. The Annual Town Meeting of May 4, 2015 authorized the Board of Selectmen to petition the General Court for a home rule legislation that was signed by the Governor.
On a motion made by Keep and seconded by Wysocki, the Board of Selectmen voted to execute the liquor license for Slater’s with the fee being pro-rated at $1,200. (Wysocki – yes, Keep – yes)
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: Thursday, May 26, June 9 & 23, July 14, August 18, September 8 and 22, October 6 and 20, November 3 and December 1 & 15, 2016. If a Selectman can’t make a meeting, every effort will be made to change the date of the meeting and if not possible, the Selectmen agreed that they will not discuss any major issues or labor negotiations.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion made by Frain and seconded by Keep, the Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 by roll call (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes) to enter into executive session at 8:05 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.
The Board announced it will not reconvene to open session. (Wysocki – yes, Frain – yes, Keep – yes)
Respectfully submitted by Linda L. Day
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