Date of Meeting: Monday, March 26, 2007
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:50PM – 10:05PM
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 the sign-in sheet
Absent: Town Counsel
The meeting was called to order at 6:50pm.
Town Meeting Warrant: The Annual Town Meeting warrant draft was reviewed and discussed.
-Article 46 & 47: School overrides. Sue Olsen spoke to Atty. Kathleen Colleary at the D.O.R. office, and she said there needs to be 3 separate questions for each school (one for each fiscal year / $$ amount). Jim Stanton said if we’re required to do it this way, why not have just 2 questions with totals and a footnote that the tax increase would be implemented at $XX per year. Atty. Angelini noted that Ch. 59 states total tax should not exceed 2.5% in any fiscal year, and the city/town state purpose for assessment money to be used.
-Jim Stanton asked if we don’t use full amount, it will still be there; he’d rather have one question per school so it’s not too confusing. Sue will check with D.O.R.
Mike Ridinger / Cable Committee: Jim Stanton explained that a resident sent a complaint re: internet access fee increased, yet speed is not what was sold; it’s slower than advertised. Also, the resident didn’t want faster speed, yet the service he subscribed to was discontinued in favor of a faster, more costly access speed.
- Mr. Ridinger says their contract with Charter only includes cable television. The cable committee wanted to include Internet services, but Charter would not do it because Internet service is not part of the telecommunications act; he’s not aware of any communities that have internet in their contract. The Internet contracts are between Charter and residents directly, Town has no say in it, only in the quality of the signal for cable TV. Cable / internet are being sold as package, and there’s been a lot of controversy about it lately due to internet not part of telecom act. Mr. Ridinger is also a member of the Central Mass. Media Coalition and there’s
been discussion about providers not being “straight” with several communities.
-Jim Stanton asked Mr. Ridinger what he suggests re: responding to the resident’s complaint. He said since it’s not related to the Town’s contract with Charter, it’s not under the Town’s control. When re-negotiating in 2012, even then we can’t include internet access unless the telecom act is rewritten. Mr. Ridinger would be happy to call the resident to explain. Mr. Stanton says the Board can send a letter to the resident, but can also send a letter to Charter asking them to respond to Board of Selectmen.
- Mr. Stanton brought up another issue of taping public meetings (e.g., Planning Board). Would like the Cable Committee to make people aware of how long tapes are held, timelines for requesting a copy, and a charge for supplying the DVD. Ken Sydow noted a recent law enacted that allows a board member to view a taped meeting, sign a certified or notarized form that it was viewed, and that member would then be allowed to participate in balance of meetings for that specific hearing. The copies of the taped meetings would come in handy for this. Mr. Ridinger will communicate the suggestion to committee to establish a policy. Atty. Angelini noted that the boards
should also notify public. Mr. Ridinger says issue may be who is responsible for maintaining the DVD’s. Mr. Stanton suggests giving to the responsible board to maintain.
Joe Styborski – Open Space Committee appointment: Sue Olsen introduced Mr. Styborski, who has a desire to serve on the Open Space Committee (which currently has a vacancy) and/or Conservation Commission.
-Mr. Styborski is a computer programmer and has been a Boylston resident for 13 years. He is active in local conservation organizations, volunteer work, etc. and would like to help within the town.
-Jim Stanton asked his thoughts on community development in town. Roger asked specifically if he prefers incoming development or preserving the community as is. Mr. Styborski says it would depend on the value of the property and resources that would be affected. Overall, would like to see positive development in town.
Margo Richardson / Assessor’s Office Responding to Selectmen’s request for info re: tax deferrals for seniors.
-The Assessor’s office currently offers ‘deferred comp’41C. It’s capped at a $500 exemption.
- Ms. Richardson says the proposed warrant article for annual town meeting would require more money in the overlay account. Also, they can never increase the number of seniors currently in 41C; the state caps the number to current participating residents. E.g., if there are 20 this year and next year 25 qualify, still only 20 can participate.
- Jim Stanton says proposed article is regarding 41A. Atty. Angelini explained it’s a deferral that can be increased.
- Ms. Richardson says no one has ever applied for the deferral plan currently in place. The Assessor’s office has offered to some in need, but residents didn’t want to be ‘bothered’ with it. The Assessor’s office also has a clause 18A, which qualifies people who’ve lost a job or have an illness to have taxes paid for 3 years (it is then paid back after 3 years).
- Mr. Stanton notes the current exemption limits household income to $20K. A 2-person household could easily exceed that, so if the town increases the income limit to $40K, some residents may become eligible when the previously were not. He also says that it’s important to have relief for people on fixed income, and perhaps the Assessor’s office could document all programs available and communicate it to the public. Ms. Richardson agrees, stating part of the Board of Assessor’s job is to inform the public.
Library Trustees: Sue Therriault and Ken Linnell were present.
Repairs to current building: A list of repairs for the current Library was provided to the Board. The proposed annual town meeting warrant article for $40K would cover the cost of these repairs. The article has already been approved and will be on the warrant.
New Library project: Timeline on new library project was discussed. They are currently in the process of hiring a project manager; contract negotiations set for around April 17th.
o Jim Stanton asked where that money would come from. Sue Therriault says the interest money from the original state grant. They (the State) does not need interest money returned, and there is currently $28K in the interest account.
o Mr. Stanton noted there would likely be other override questions on the fall town meeting warrant for capital projects in town. The topic has come up about whether or not to consider this property for commercial development in order to generate tax revenue. Mr. Stanton advised that it’s time to take a look at revenue-producing options for Hillside, and a 3-4 month study for a “master plan” is needed. Although town meeting voted last year to hold a plot of land for the library, the study needs to be done and may push out the timeline for the October meeting article. Ms. Therriault asked if the selected site is in jeopardy. Mr. Stanton feels the site is a good one for the library, if Hillside becomes a building area for municipal use. Ms.
Therriault asked for a tentative timeframe, since the architect will need it. Mr. Stanton says no study being done yet, but it needs to be brought up now, and the issue of property needs to be resolved.
o Ken Sydow noted that in addition to the highway dept. and library, other requests have come in for use of the Hillside land. If there could be tax revenue-producing development to help pay for the town’s needs, it would make more sense. Ken Linnell asked how the study is being done. It’s not been decided, but will be discussed at a later date.
o Ms. Therriault asked for a recommendation from the Board re: next steps. Jim Stanton says to change the April date for project manager contract to June or July. Perhaps just delay awarding the bid for the architect. Roger Deal said we have capital needs projects coming up, and the dilemma is maximizing use of town-owned land for commercial development, since we can only increase taxes so much. Jim Stanton wanted to be clear that the Board is not against the library project, they just want to be sure money is not spent before things may have to change.
MBLC: The Library Trustees have drafted a letter that needs to be sent to the MBLC re: the town will not be paying back the grant money. The $220K will come off the top of the next grant. The MBLC considers what was spent to be Boylston’s project, completed. The letter will close their records, and Boylston cannot apply again until 2020. Roger Deal motioned to approve the letter to the MBLC, Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor.
Finance Committee: Discussion re: FY08 budgets, free cash and capital expense requests.
- Police Department salary line was reduced. If needed at the end of the year, transfer will be made.
- Building Inspector feels there is not enough money in his expense account. He is requesting $2000 to $4600, including $2400 for vehicle maintenance. The Board of Selectmen advised increasing line item 241-5780 to $4K, to be used for all expenses, including mileage.
-Hazardous waste station fee will be $4200 to participate; would be open on a regular basis for resident usage. If done on our own, it would far exceed $4200. The Board of Health will look into a special projects line to see if anything can be taken. Sue Olsen says maybe only $1K needed, since town services could also be offered in lieu of part of fee.
-Free cash balance will start at $718,802 and balance after town meeting transfers will be $93,802. There are still questions re: Elementary School articles (new library carpet, HVAC software, and roof leak). They will be addressed on floor at town meeting.
Last Call / Grace Period Policy Hearing: Chairman Jim Stanton explained that the Board of Selectmen will be implementing a policy due to recent issues with enforcement. There is no clear definition as the when people need to stop drinking and leave an establishment. A policy will ensure no miscommunication as well as the ability to enforce grace period. All current ABCC licensees were notified and present at the hearing. A draft policy has been prepared by Atty. Angelini and will be finalized.
-Bob Shaughnessy (The Other Place Pub) says the ABCC rules allow serving up to the second before the license time ends, and a “reasonable” length of time to leave thereafter is determined as up to 1 hour (he was told this by the ABCC). He added that his establishment rarely services beyond 12:50am (license time is until 1:00am), and there is rarely anyone in the building after 1:30am. Mr. Shaughnessy suggests a last call 10 minutes prior to the license closing time, and 45 minutes after to leave would be reasonable. He says the ABCC says it takes 1 hour to get a drink out of your system.
- Atty. Angelini says he spoke with Mr. Kelly at the ABCC. The statute says no one shall be served after closing; if the Local Licensing Authority (LLA) chooses not to pass any regulation, the interpretation will be very loose. He wasn’t told about a 1-hour timeframe.
- Ken Sydow asked the licensees what would work for everyone. It seems reasonable to him if the last call is 15 minutes prior to closing, then allowed to stay for ½ hour after.
- Police Chief Sahagian asked if there is any info re: what surrounding communities do. As he understands from surrounding areas, last call is about ½ hour prior to closing, then all patrons are out by closing hour. Roger Deal feels that doesn’t allow enough time.
- Mr. Deal suggests last call 15 minutes prior to closing and out by ½ hour after. Asked for questions from audience – all in agreement.
-Roger Deal motioned to set policy of last call 15 minutes prior to closing time, and grace period of all patrons out of premises 30 minutes after closing time; Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor.
Deferred Tax Requirement: Ken Sydow motioned to approve the article for the annual town meeting warrant to increase the maximum income qualification for deferred tax payment from $20K to $40K per household; Roger Deal seconded, voted all in favor.
Town Administrator’s Report:
Sidewalks: Don Parker suggest adopting an ordinance/regulation that requires homeowners to clear sidewalks that abut their property. The Board suggests Don look into surrounding towns for existing ordinances, and prepare an article for the fall town meeting.
Library Re-Use Committee: Roger thinks it’s premature to continue with their meetings. He feels it should wait until a new location is established.
T-Mobile Draft Lease: to be reviewed.
Cingular Lease termination: The lease will terminate in 3 months, then they will pay for and additional 15 months, per agreement. Sue Olsen will ask them to send a single check for the balance owed.
New Committees: Jim Stanton would like two committees to be established:
Hillside Development: To develop a long-term plan for development of land (possibly commercial). Would like the Board to think about what the composition should be.
School Evaluation Options: To evaluate Tahanto and the regional agreement for other options. Add to the April 9th agenda for further discussion.
Insurance Deductibles: MIIA representative informed that increasing the deductibles in the auto and special property coverage from $500 to $1000 would be a savings of $4177. The Board agreed to make change to $1000 deductible, and add savings to a separate line item for paying the deductibles.
Employee Bonus Policy: Continued to next meeting.
Brief discussion re: Wagner buildings for possible DPW / P.D. use in future.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05pm.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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