Date of Meeting: Monday, March 5, 2007
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30PM – 9:25PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Michael Kane, Banner Reporter; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Others as listed on attached sign in sheet.
At 6:00pm, Selectmen James Stanton and Roger Deal, along with Town Administrator Sue Olsen, presented Mr. Ralph Hager with the Golden Cane at his residence on Dewey Avenue.
The meeting was called to order at 6:30pm.
Town Administrator Report:
Warrant Articles:
-Library articles:
--Addition: Rescind Library vote to borrow (9/29/03) for Library expansion project? Schedule Library Trustees to come to discuss their time frame, before warrant is finalized.
--Engineering study: Jim Stanton suggests we reconsider putting this on the May warrant, possibly wait until Fall meeting. Roger Deal recommends holding also. Board will discuss with Library Trustees at next meeting.
--Repairs: Remove from free cash total until discussed with Trustees.
MOB HVAC: Sue Olsen asked the Board to reconsider allowing debt exclusion on the town meeting warrant for MOB HVAC work. If we don’t move forward with the HVAC repair on the 2nd floor, we could lose MCJTC as tenants. Jim Stanton suggests adding $130K (for 2nd floor HVAC only) on the warrant as free cash article. The balance of the MOB work, along with the Fire Dept. and DPW building will be on Fall town meeting.
Building Inspector Expenses: Reserve fund transfer needed for FY07; will do at May town meeting.
Ken Sydow motioned to place all articles, excluding # 4, 5, 9 and 2 (but including 2a.) on the May annual town meeting warrant; Roger Deal seconded, voted all in favor. The list of articles was presented as follows:
1. Rescind Library vote to borrow from 9/29/03
2.Reconsider Town Debt Exclusion re:
a.Hillside MOB/HVAC $ 130,000
i.Asbestos/mold 25,000
ii.Window replacement 400,000
iii. Drainage 25,000
iv. Paint PD/School Admin Bldg. 20,000
3.Planning / Assessors’ GIS 35,000
4.Library Article 40,000
5. Grant writer 15,000
6.Traffic study 25,000
7.School study 15,000
8.New highway truck/plow 140,000
9.Flag Pole on the common 7,500
10.Transfer to Highway garage stabilization 200,000
11. ZBA by-law change
12. Bldg Insp. Expenses transfer
E. Temple St / Rte 140: Ken Sydow asked if E. Temple traffic study by Police Dept. would continue due to school vacation was the week it was done. Sue Olsen will ask Chief Sahagian.
Kim Ames re: Brooke Road To discuss Earth Removal Board fine and determine if the bylaw was violated and the fine should remain. Derek Clark was also present w/ Mrs. Ames.
- Howard Drobner (ERB): states Mr. Clark had public hearing with the ERB in December 2006. There was some debate about if the earth was brought onto the site or removed. A permit was granted for 6 months beginning January 1, 2007. According to the permit and information received from Mr. Clark, 120cu.yds. were removed, with 600 remaining.
-Mark Bertonassi (Bldg Insp.) said he saw equipment and removal of material from the site. No idea if it already existed on the site, or how much was removed. Roger Deal believes the burden of responsibility is on the ERB and Bldg. Inspector. Mr. Drobner said he did not see trucks leaving the site, but saw trucks and mud tracks on the road. He can’t say how much was removed, but the dirt was in the storm drains and never cleaned. Kim Ames said she spoke with Don Parker (DPW Supt.) who said he informed Howard that the storm drains were clean.
- Derek Clark said he wants to know exactly what the fine is for. The fine is based on 5 days of bylaw violation, at $300/day, per what Building Inspector witnessed. First noticed on the 15th, then posted stop work order on the 17th. Mr. Clark said work was stopped as soon as posted.
- Mark Bertonassi provided photos to the Board, said he spoke with loader operator on the site. Derek says nobody ever questioned him – he would have informed that the material was trucked in and screened. Mr. Clark feels that there was miscommunication; Building Inspector should have contacted him, since he is the property owner.
- Roger Deal asked if Mr. Clark did violate a defined bylaw; he asked the bylaw definition and allusion to violation. Mr. Drobner says yes, bylaw is clear about material removal, doesn’t define where material comes from.
- Kim Ames asked isn’t bylaw for existing earth removed? Mr. Drobner says is doesn’t matter. Jim Stanton noted that it falls under the subdivision rules and regulations, so the company should be aware of existing bylaws and necessary permits.
- Ken Sydow asked Mr. Drobner is he could confirm the earth was trucked in. He is not sure, but it would be reasonable to believe it was.
- Mr. Drobner suggests possible solution is Board of Selectmen waives the fine, but the applicant picks up and pays fees for the ERB permit ($500 for permit and $500 deposit into 53G account for engineering fees). If the permit is not picked up, the $1500 fine could stand. Roger Deal recommends accepting Mr. Drobner’s suggestion. Ken Sydow agrees; he read through the bylaw, and feels it’s “ambiguous, at best”, and not clear about material brought to site. Roger feels wording shouldn’t be excuse not to apply for permit. Application would have been required, and he feels Mr. Clark should either pay the permit fee or the full fine.
Derek Clark feels he shouldn’t have to pay fine at all. Mark Bertonassi says it would make sense to remove the extra loam and clean up the site so the town can continue and accept the road.
- Ken Sydow asked how much Graves Engineering would cost for final inspection and approval of the site; Mr. Drobner estimates $100 or less, but cannot guarantee amount. When the permit is closed, the balance of the $500 in the 53G account is returned to the applicant.
-Roger Deal motioned that the $1500 violation fine be waived based on payment and completion of the ERB permit process; Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor.
-Mr. Drobner would like a couple of days advance notice before permit picked up so he can have it ready for the Town Clerk. Reminded Mr. Clark that the permit is valid through June 30, 2007 only. Lori Esposito will copy conditions of tonight’s decision to Mrs. Ames, the Clarks, and the Earth Removal Board.
Michelle Ciccolo Jackson / Grant Seeker: Michelle met previously with Sue Olsen and Sue would the Board to hire her as a grant writer to pursue various projects.
- Ms. Jackson has 12 years municipal management experience, including community development. She oversaw the restoration of the Town Hall in Hudson, and brought about $400K in combined grants for the project. She would like to understand from the Board their priorities for the Town.
- Roger Deal asked how can we get money for projects such as the DPW building? Ms. Jackson says it depends on the project, but the DPW building will not be easy to get grants. Possibly renewable energy grant, depending on plans. Ms. Jackson could act as a project manager on the project, from writing the RFP, to overseeing the building, etc.
- Ken Sydow asked about traffic study grants (e.g., Rte. 140 overall study). Ms. Jackson has had good success from Mass. Highway with corridor studies, and has some experience with CMRPC. She could complete an RFP, hire an engineer, and interface with the engineer and the community to keep everyone happy.
- Ken also asked if money available for development of town-owned land. Ms. Jackson says affordable housing funds available or for commercial property, economic development funds, such as Ch. 43 – recent status for a priority development site. A site would be identified and accepted by the town for development, then the permitting process would be streamlined. She’s not done any herself, but knows people in the field.
-Ms. Jackson says she is very creative, optimistic and perseverant to make things happen, and open doors at the state level.
-Ken Sydow asked how payment of $15K “seed” money works; where does her compensation come from. Ms. Jackson bills $85/hour; the seed money is used until it runs out. Potentially, additional money could be obtained (e.g., commercial development) to pay for her continued work. Ken asked if a grant is received, would she retain a percentage? No, the town would receive and handle money to use as it chooses.
-Jim Stanton notes that $85/hour averages only 3 hours per week over one year; not much could be done in 3 hours/week. Ms. Jackson said she could write RPS’s, or dedicate her time to one project at a time. Mr. Stanton says money would need to be voted at town meeting, and would be one-time amount, not in operating budget.
-Roger Deal motioned that article number 5 from TA’s list for $15K grant writer is placed on the town meeting warrant; Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor. Jim Stanton wanted to clarify the rate is $85/hour, not a percentage of grant money in addition.
School Committee: Kathy Buchanan and Vin Perrone were present to discuss school warrant articles submitted. After an inspection of the Elementary School in September 2006, a list was requested for maintenance needs. Some items (window gaskets) were not corrected by the contractor, as they should have been.
- Jim Stanton asked whey these items aren’t in the operating budget – he understood that they were when the budget was presented; Vin and Kathy said that’s not their understanding. These are additional warrant items that were not discussed at last week’s Selectmen’s meeting.
-Vin noted that some changes were made to the budget and override numbers, and the school committee has not seen them. The override figures were presented as follows:
Year 1
Elementary School |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
3-year TOTAL |
$ 699,600 |
$ 180,200 |
$ 180,200 |
$1,060,000 |
Tahanto Regional High School |
|
|
|
$ 326,000 |
$ 237,000 |
$ 237,000 |
$ 800,000 |
-Ken Sydow motioned for an article to be placed on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant for a general override of proposition 2 ½ in the following phases: Boylston Elementary School - $699,600 in FY08, $180,200 in FY09 and $180,200 in FY10 for a total 3-year figure of $1,060,000; Roger Deal 2nd, all in favor.
- Jim Stanton’s concern is the dollar amounts are higher than they’d like, and the override runs the risk of being voted down. Also, word is that if Berlin feels we can’t support Tahanto, they may not support eventually moving 6th graders into Tahanto. Roger Deal heard they are not likely to support that move regardless.
- Vin Perrone wants to bring everything together, which is why he wants to combine the two overrides. Jim said he hopes the numbers are “scrubbed”; he’s been hearing from senior citizens in town that are concerned about an override. People come into the community assuming services are in place, but there is also a need to balance. Mr. Perorne says the school committee’s job is to provide a level of education that doesn’t go backwards. He was directed by the committee last week to work down to a smaller number; that was not able to be done by today, but the 12:00noon deadline had to be met for submission of warrant articles.
- Jim Stanton motioned to put a question on ballot and article on Town Meeting warrant to increase assessment in taxed an additional $800,000 for the purpose of funding the Berlin-Boylston Regional School FY08 through FY10 in the following phases: $326,000 in FY08, $237,000 in FY09, and $237,000 in FY10; Ken Sydow 2nd, all in favor.
- Ken Sydow motioned to accept the five free cash articles proposed by the schools ($25K Elementary HVAC software, $16,500 Elementary roof leak, $13,500 Elementary library carpet, $16,934 Tahanto desks, $13,568 Tahanto tractor/mower); Roger Deal 2nd, all in favor. Vin Perrone and Kathy Buchanan willingly removed another article for replacement of window gaskets at the Elementary School ($16,000).
- Vin Perrone asked the Board if they would entertain combining the overrides into one question, since that is the School Committee’s recommendation. Ken Sydow said he’s afraid that if the vote doesn’t pass, both schools will lose. The Board agrees that the questions should be separated. There were no offers to motion a single override. Jim Stanton better with two questions. There are two school committees; both are not always cooperative with the Town. The Board has not passed judgment on merits of the request, only voted to put it on the ballot. Mr. Perrone disagrees, since it’s one school system and should be viewed as such. This is why the
towns disagree and school committees are hostile. There are almost 800 children in the school system, and all should be treated equally.
- Jim Stanton said the question is how in the long-term can the budget be sustained beyond the 3rd year projection. There should be no criticism that the Boylston Board of Selectmen does not cooperate and support the schools. All agreed that a committee should be formed to look into other options for the regional school agreement. Berlin is already ahead of us on this and has been looking at other options for quite a while.
- Vin Perrone understands that the numbers in the warrant articles can be reduced after tonight, but not increased. Mr. Stanton says that’s not what was explained; the final numbers needed to be in by today to be in time for the warrant, as always.
- Ken Sydow motioned to combine the override questions into one; no second.
Meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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