Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30PM – 10:00PM
Members Present: James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow (Mr. Deal left at 9:00pm)
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Gregory Angelini, Town Counsel; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Others as listed on attached sign in sheet.
Executive session was adjourned and open session was called to order at 7:20pm.
Mike Borsuk (Affordable Housing Comm.) / Horizon Partners: Came before Board to discuss recent Wood Turtle issue that is impeding the sale of the Sewall Street gravel pit as originally intended, for a 40B housing. Along with Mr. Borsuk, Allen Perrault (Horizon Partners) and Larry Greene (Thompson Liston Associates) were present.
.. Thompson Liston recently discovered there is a protective buffer zone of 600 feet applied by National Heritage Endangered Species Program (“NHESP”) that cuts into Horizon Partners’ original plan to build 32 units. It reduces the buildable area to 3.8 acres (sale RFP indicated 11+/-acres, then site survey reduced to 8.7 actual acres). There is now a possibility of only 20 units.
.. It was noted that a Wood turtle was not actually sited on the property since 1983, but it is an ideal habitat for the turtle to nest. The expanded buffer zone was updated on August 2006 by the NHESP.
.. Jim Stanton asked Mr. Greene what would the cost be to challenge NHESP’s findings, and if no turtle is found would they lift the buffer zone for the project. Mr. Greene is not sure what it would cost, and how much time would be involved. He also was not told what would happen if they did not find a turtle. Mr. Perrault says it would take a lot of time to prove, and he is anxious to move forward with the project since its been over 1 ½ years now. He doesn’t want to abandon it, but could based on the P&S agreement.
.. Horizon is asking the Board to consider reducing the purchase price to $360K (based on original price of $18K per unit).
.. The Board will consider their proposal, but would first like to have answers to above questions. If Mr. Greene can get answers by next week, the BOS meets next Tuesday (1/16/07) and will vote then if no further questions.
School 3-year Budget Plan: As agreed between the school administration and the Select Board in February 2006, Mr. John Roy (Director of Finance, Schools) has prepared a 3-year budgeting forecast to present to the Selectmen.
.. Mr. Roy presented a 3-year budget, and noted that the numbers are presented without knowing the variables. It will be a useful tool if updated as time passes and numbers are known. The plan was for Tahanto Regional and did not include Boylston Elementary.
.. Mark Abrams (Abrams Group) assisted Mr. Roy with numbers and was also present.
.. Roger Deal is concerned about projected increase (23-25%) and the effect on taxes.
.. Jim Stanton asked what numbers were used for student population. Current 10/1/06 enrollment (70/30%, Boylston/Berlin). Vin Perrone (School Committee): 495 is total; less school choice is around 400 students. 280 Boylston, 120 Berlin.
.. Mr. Stanton also questioned if the FY07 budget numbers include the free cash transferred to the school last year – Mr. Roy replied yes. Mr. Stanton reminded him the free cash money is not accounted for going forward, since it was a one-time application of cash and not incorporated into the operating budget. Mr. Roy acknowledged that the money would have to come from “some other source”.
Selectmen Mtg 01-08-07 1 of 3
.. Herb Cronin (Finance Comm.) asked if this is the budget the Fin Comm. can expect to see. Mr. Roy replied yes, the FY08 budget was preliminary budget that was voted by the School Committee last week. Jim Stanton noted the proposed FY08 budget is increased by 5.9%, not 3% as required.
.. Mr. Stanton said that with Boylston’s estimated revenue of $10M per year, about $6.5M is spent on the schools. All of the town’s proposed increase for FY08 revenues would be used to fund just the Tahanto budget. A significant override will be needed, particularly if similar increases are expected at the Elementary school. As an example of impact on taxes, Jim noted a $1M override would require approximately $1.20 increase per $1000 valuation.
.. Roger Deal said over next few years, the Town is looking at a 20-40% increase in taxes. Question is, how can we “sell” this along with all other upcoming expenses.
.. Margaret Sieber (88 Adams St.) asked if the Selectmen have a 3-year plan completed to bring in additional revenue. Mr. Stanton explained the Business Development Committee has existed over the last four years. The committee has changed zoning on Rte. 140 to allow business development, and there are currently proposed development plans before the Planning Board. Turf Links was recently approved, and there is recent interest in developing Rt. 140 property near Cyprian Keyes. DiPilato’s are currently negotiating a P&S agreement for their Rt. 140 property to be developed as a significant commercial/retail property.
.. Mr. Deal expressed concern over the large difference of opinion in the community where some would welcome commercial development; others are of the mindset to preserve the cultural integrity of the community by resisting development. Development will relieve tax costs, but may take years before revenue is realized. If commercial development is resisted, then taxes are the only form of revenue to cover costs.
.. Mr. Perrone asked how amenable would Board of Selectmen be if School Committee were to look into alternatives to current education system (eg., Charters, privatization, magnet schools, etc.). Board agrees something needs to change and would be receptive of ideas. Kathy Buchanan (School Comm.) believes an override this year could be indicative of the way the Townspeople want to go.
.. Ken Sydow asked average cost per student in the state. Superintendent Marsha Lukon said she compared to other regional schools in the state, and the average cost for FY05 was $10,002 per student. Tahanto’s cost in FY05 was $10,082 per student. Mr. Perrone is concerned that some people feel they are “overspending” when we are actually right around the state average.
Water District Legislation: Greg Angelini has not heard from Atty. Burgoyne, will contact him re: status of legislation change.
Sex Offender / Adult Entertainment Bylaw: Atty. Angelini says town cannot have sex offender bylaw. He will look into what surrounding communities have in place for adult entertainment bylaws.
Town Administrator Report:
.. Retiree Insurance: Donna Erickson (retired Town Treasurer) has requested to be re-enrolled in the town’s health insurance. She retired in 2003, and retained dental coverage since then. She left last job, and declined COBRA coverage, saying she was told by Atty. Angelini (prior to retirement) that she could re-join town insurance at any time. Although Selectmen voted on 12/6/05 to require a qualifying event for those not accepting insurance within 6 months of retirement, Donna says she never received notice about the change and should still be entitled to enroll. Atty. Angelini says that vote needs to be modified to be more specific re: qualifying events. Board agrees that Atty. Angelini, Sue Olsen, and Roger Deal need to determine qualifying events, then BOS will vote/approve policy going
forward. Aim for next meeting (1/16/07). Sue will call Donna tomorrow to inform her of potential vote at next week’s meeting.
Selectmen Mtg 01-08-07 2 of 3
.. Linden St. Extension update: Sue Olsen is waiting for assessor’s office to determine low-dollar valuation.
.. Roundtable Meeting for Cable: Next meeting should be re: Highway/Fire, then budget. Date to be decided with Roger next week.
.. Town House A/C unit: Estimate of $3943.00 to install (includes updating electric outlet and carpentry work), but it’s too small for the 2nd floor.
.. Sewall St. / Rt. 140: Resolution needed to widen Sewall St. for right turn lane onto Rt. 140. Atty. Angelini notes court judgement reads “…developer (of Compass Point) shall complete off site road improvements…”, based on a traffic study. Richard Baker from the Planning Board provided information to Sue that says the survey and engineering never done by the developer (Signature Homes). Board would like additional information before making decision; would like Mr. Baker in for the 2/12/07 meeting to discuss.
.. Surplus property: The 4-drawer wooden cabinet (used by P&R) in the upstairs gym closet needs replacing. Ken Sydow made a motion to declare as surplus, subject to Parks & Rec. replacing with suitable metal cabinet at their expense; motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
.. Personnel Study report: Bids due 1/10/07. Meanwhile, Sue Olsen received call from Sandy Stapczynki that she can not bid, due to booked 3 months out and cannot follow our timeframe.
FY08 Budgets: Jim Stanton asked Lori Esposito to contact the Police Chief, Fire Chief, and Highway Supt., to tell them the Board of Selectmen need to see their proposed budgets before submitting to the Finance Committee.
Clark / Mott ERB Fine: Atty. Angelini sent a letter re: ERB hearing required. Sue received call from Mr. Clark’s daughter (Kim Ames) saying they went before ERB in December, and were granted a permit. The ERB said they would be going before BOS to question if fine still in effect. Board would like Howard Drobner (ERB Chair) at next week’s meeting to discuss; if not available, a letter explaining ERB’s hearing and decision.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
Selectmen Mtg 01-08-07 3 of 3
| 
