Date of Meeting: Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:35PM – 9:20 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
Meeting was called to order at 6:35pm.
David Donahue / Zoning Issue: Mr. Donahue wants the Board of Selectmen to sponsor a warrant article for the Annual Town Meeting to rezone a small area of his property and the Ridinger’s property (which abuts his). Rand-Whitney is planning to build on Mr. Donahue’s property on Rte. 140, and their attorney found several discrepancies in the town zoning map.
- The proposed building would be in two different zoning areas. A small corner at the top of the property is in the watershed protection zone, and the balance is industrial zoned. Therefore, the use of one corner of the building could be in questions. The proposed building is approximately 290Ks.f. (for 2 floors; 1st floor = 260Ks.f.). About 18Ks.f. would be in the watershed protection zone.
-Site plan approval is going forward on a 3/5 vote of the Planning Board. However, Rand-Whitney would like to prevent future issues and have use of their entire building as well as make the zoning consistent within the lot. It is not possible to move the building plan to work around the zoning issue.
- Roger Deal motioned for the Selectmen to sponsor the article subject to the Planning Board’s approval of the language; Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor.
Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles
-Sue Olsen would like to have a ½ hour “Special Town Meeting” immediately prior to the Annual Town Meeting to approve any account transfers effective for FY07. By doing it in the same fiscal year, it makes it “cleaner” for the bureau of accounts, since it is handled separately from FY08 business, and also can be done immediately. Jim Stanton asked if we specified in article that it be for FY07, would that be enough? Sue says yes, but it would be fiscally responsible to transfer FY07 funds in and FY07 special meeting. Also, it causes internal problems with Dan Haynes (accountant) and Sandy Bourassa (Town Clerk) when reconciling paperwork.
- Proposed warrant articles:
- $6K that was approved at October ’06 meeting was “illegal” per state, since it was approved after free cash was certified.
- Donahue property zoning change
-Traffic study for Rt. 140 (North side of 70, to include the intersection up to Shrewsbury line). Will follow up with Rick Baker (Planning Bd.) for cost estimate and wording of article. Will copy BOH and Water District as well.
Capital expenses and free cash articles: - Brief discussion re: DPW building and next steps. Question of dollar amount to be on warrant; is May the right time to put on the warrant?
- Ken Sydow says we’re at least 2 years out to complete the building, for which costs will go up. If we go to town meeting with an estimate that’s too low, we won’t be able to finish or will have to go back for more money. May might be too soon to get all of the info needed in time for the warrant.
-Jim Stanton says if estimate is $5M, not $7-8M as Cabco proposed in example, we’d likely be able to put forward in May article.
-Ken Sydow feels that the lower area near YOU Inc. could be saved for future development, and the upper area near Paul X. Tivnan / cell tower would be better area for DPW building.
- The Board will talk to Don Parker next week re: getting an estimate for a new building.
E. Temple / Rt. 140 Intersection: Police Chief Sahagian did a traffic study of the intersection. No significant traffic or speeding was observed.
Budgets:
- Need final budgets from Finance Committee to Board for review.
- The School dept. is coming in next week to discuss distribution of E&D account overage.
-Building Inspector is over by about $1K on his FY07 expenses. Sue will arrange for transfer of funds.
-Ken Sydow asked about additional $2400 being requested by the Building Inspector for vehicle maintenance and depreciation; this is over and above the federal mileage reimbursement rate already being paid.
-Jim Stanton asked what the cost per year for insurance would be for the Police Chief’s vehicle that is being replaced. It may make sense to have Mark use a car while he’s working. Sue Olsen will get estimate from MIIA for insurance cost.
Town Administrator Retirement: Sue Olsen informed the Board that she plans on retiring April 1, 2008. She recommended additional money be budgeted in FY08 for a new TA, since they’d need to pay someone more money for the position. Sue would also like the Board to consider her working on a per-week stipend basis to complete projects, etc.
Gold Cane: Ralph Hager is the oldest town resident, and he cannot make it to a Selectmen’s meeting. Sue Olsen suggested the Board could go to their home at 5:30 on 3/5, prior to their scheduled meeting. The Board agreed; Sue will check if this is acceptable to Mr. Hager.
Clark / Earth Removal Board Fine: Ken Sydow would like to decide if ERB fine is enforceable at all. After reviewing what happened, it was not clear that Clark needed a permit. Mr. Sydow referred to Howard Drobner’s (ERB) email that gave conflicting info re: if bylaw was violated. Jim Stanton says if the Building Inspector and the ERB determined the bylaw was violated, he feels no need to waive the fine. It should stand based on enforcing the bylaw.
Pauline Berard (DPW Admin. Asst.): Retiring on 3/7, luncheon at the Town Hall for her on 3/8.
Meeting minutes were presented for approval, but not approved until further opportunity to review.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
| 
