Date of Meeting: Monday, June 18, 2007
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:35PM –10:20PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Ken Sydow, Roger Deal
Others Present: Suzanne Olsen, Town Administrator; Michael Kane, Banner Reporter; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as listed on sign-in sheet
Financial warrants were signed in approval prior to the meeting.
Meeting was called to order at 6:35p.m.
Police Chief Sahagian: Monthly report to the Board.
· Traffic stops up last month
· Walk through of P.D. done 6/1 by Executive Office of Public Safety for juvenile compliance; passed.
· Bolyston Elementary evacuation drill held on 6/7 – everyone was out of the building within a minute, all went well.
· Jared Piche graduated from MCJTC academy
· Serious MVA on Cross St. 6/11. Around 4:00pm, a vehicle going toward Mt. Pleasant (from Shrewsbury) between tower and Adams St. crashed and hit a tree. The investigation is ongoing, there was possibly another car involved. There were 186 feet of skid marks, the driver was thrown from the vehicle, broke both legs, had internal injuries and survived.
· Chief has jury duty in Fitchburg on 6/20.
· Made agreement with Holden State Police to house Boylston’s prisoners at any time for no charge.
· Permission requested for a charity motorcycle ride to come through Boylston on 8/27 via Rte. 140 going toward Shrewsbury. Chief has no problem with this, will provide whatever coverage possible.
Highway Superintendent, Don Parker: Monthly report to the board.
· Staff is working on grass cutting, patching, cleaning catch basins.
· Jim Stanton asked if any paving will be done this year – Don is not sure yet.
· Employee Richard Pierce quit last week with no notice.
Building Inspector Mark Bertonassi: Monthly report to the board.
· Donahue’s property (Rte. 140) is finishing up on blasting; the elevation was lowered by 10 feet from original plans. Jim Stanton asked how many inspections are necessary for that project; Mark responded sometimes daily, sometimes every couple of weeks, it shouldn’t be a problem to keep up with.
At 7:05p.m. on a motion made by Selectman Roger Deal and seconded by Ken Sydow, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 3, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining: James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal - yes, Ken Sydow – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session.
8:10 PM: Reconvened in open session; a recess followed the Executive Session so the Board could attend Planning Board hearings.
Quinn Engineering: Hearing (continued) for road opening.
· Kevin Quinn reviewed the proposed plan for a development at 81 Shrewsbury Street. The plans were just approved this evening by the Planning Board.
· Jim Stanton asked some questions:
o How far the opening will be from Rte. 140? Mr. Quinn responded approximately 250 feet.
o Will they be eliminating traffic exiting to 140? No, they’ll be adding a right turn lane.
o Any provision for future development at abutting properties for a common access? No.
o What will the land elevation be at 140 compared to what it is now? It will be lowered by approximately 2 feet; the parking area will be lowered about 4 feet.
· Ken Sydow asked if there should be a ‘right turn only’ onto E. Temple to reduce traffic along E. Temple? Janet Lombardi (Planning Board) noted a ‘right turn only’ may restrict the neighbors more than helping them. The Planning Board did not request turn limits. Mr. Sydow also noted that the police have been monitoring traffic volume and pattern, and cannot support neighbor’s concerns about traffic problems.
· Mr. Sydow asked where will the earth go that’s removed; is there another place in town that it could be delivered to? Mr. Quinn said an earth removal permit will need to be filed. Mr. Tomaiolo (Kalamat, LLC) said if the town needs it, he’d be willing to deliver if it’s close enough. Ken said it should be reviewed with Don Parker to see if it’s needed anywhere.
· Mr. Sydow motioned to allow/approve curb cut as proposed with the understanding that Superintendent Don Parker will be consulted re: earth removal; if it’s needed it will be disposed of at his direction for other municipal purposes. Roger Deal seconded, voted all in favor.
Parks and Recreation: Rich Zammitti, Paul Johnson, and Joe Dicele (Boylston Youth Soccer) were present to discuss current and future field needs. Mr. Zammitti presented a summary of P&R statistics, including a comparison of 5-10 years ago vs. last 5 years vs. future needs. There is an urgent need for additional fields in town.
Soccer Training Systems (“STS”) is interested in an agreement/lease in exchange for building one or more additional fields. Mr. Zammitti said that since last year, P&R has wanted to proceed with STS to develop fields at Hillside.
· Atty. Angelini asked how much it would cost to build fields. Mr. Zammitti said they would cost more than regular fields (no cost specified), because they want turf fields to allow more use year-round and reduce maintenance.
· Mr. Zammitti needs Atty. Angelini to develop a ‘boilerplate’ contract to deal with potential companies will to partner with the town and build fields. Atty. Angelini said it’s premature to ask for contract language prior to negotiating with a company. Feasibly, these potential companies should be ready to offer terms, since they do this regularly with other towns. Mr. Zammitti said they’ll be looking for agreement based on time commitment. If we want to explore options, we’d need to have set language for potential interested
parties.
· Ken Sydow notes that several issues would be easily addressed by a company that is already experienced; we wouldn’t want to “reinvent the wheel”. Also, Hillside is property that is being looked at for best use, and where to place various need (DPW, P&R, commercial, library, etc.) If the town was to develop the Rte. 140 football field, it would also need to relocate that field, possibly at Hillside. The Board is not ready to commit land at Hillside, but is looking to have a better opinion by end of the year.
· Roger Deal says there is no question the football field will eventually be developed and will need to be relocated. We need to work together with the football program to be proactive.
· Mr. Zammitti said P&R is ready to move forward, knowing these things take time. Without a commitment for a location they cannot negotiate with anyone. Roger Deal suggests a rep from the Board of Selectmen works with P&R to find a suitable location. Jim Stanton agrees there is enough town land for fields, but the question is if it will be designated at Hillside. He feels it’s premature to decide until a study is complete for future development plans, possibly be year-end. P&R needs to be patient for a while longer, then a BOS rep can
work with them to find a location.
· As Hillside assessment develops, Mr. Zammitti asked how P&R can participate. Jim said Ken Sydow will be chairing a development committee that will hold public meetings, and they are welcome to attend. Mr. Deal said the BOS values P&R input and is willing to work with them. Paul Johnson said he will be happy to be the ‘liaison’ for P&R discussions with BOS. Jim Stanton suggested the school department be in discussions as well, while they are expanding/redesigning Tahanto.
· Ken Sydow asked Mr. Zammitti’s opinion of having all types of sports fields together vs. spreading them out. Rich feels in his opinion, in the long run it would be nice to have fields in various parts of town. Short term, Hillside would be best place to expand existing fields.
· The P&R revolving fund balance was supplied in a handout to the Board. Jim Stanton asked when the Town Hall building is being used and fees are collected, is town being compensated accordingly? Mr. Zammitti responded that P&R assists with gym upkeep, including refinishing the floor recently. P&R does not have the funds to pay the town for the use of the facility or contribute to heating/operational costs.
Paul Johnson (Boylston football): All other fields are being mowed by the town, but not the football fields. It is getting difficult for him to continue mowing on his own, and he asked if the Board would consider having the town mow. The Board agreed and will ask Don Parker to add into his field rotation. Mr. Johnson thanked the Board and also updated them on recent improvements the football club made to the fields: $5K in safety renovations, including extending drop-off near sidelines with fill and hydro seed.
Library Trustees: Sue Therriault updated the Board. Four architects are being interviewed and evaluated for a contract to build at Hillside. Preliminary design should be completed by August. She asked Mr. Deal to re-activate the Library Re-use Committee. The Trustees also need answers to some questions:
· Contract with Deadalus Projects Inc. – questions for Greg, all answered affirmative.
· Hillside site – can they go forward with site approved at October 2006 town meeting? No, but they should know by the end of the year. Jim Stanton explained the committee being developed to evaluate the development at Hillside and be sure to do the right thing for the town, since “we can only chop it up once”. Ms. Therriault asked if the library trustees would be asked to participate in the committee’s meetings. Ken Sydow said absolutely, they will be invited and notified. Ken Linnell offered to help as needed with that
committee; also asked why it will take until the end of the year. Ken Sydow said time is needed to develop a committee, a plan, and review all needs. Jim Stanton stressed that this delay is not a reflection on the Board of Selectmen’s support and value of the library project. Fran Brissette (Green St.) notes this decision would delay the library for at least a year, resulting in higher construction costs. Townspeople voted a site at Hillside for the library, so why couldn’t the plan be designed around this site. It would be helpful if decision could be sped up. Roger Deal said the last override defeat challenges the Board to look at possibilities for increased tax revenue and maximizing use of town-owned land.
· Contract with architect needs review by Town Counsel and end of June/beginning of July. Board advised holding off on hiring architect for now.
· Can Library Reuse Committee be reactivated by Roger Deal (chair)? Yes.
Town Administrator’s Report
Pleasant Hill Farms: Jim Vogel (land owner) would like to donate lots on Maple Street to the town. Atty. Angelini reviewed and summarized; the developers needed 2 parcels as open space, which was consistent with the conditions (#14) in the subdivision approval. These were deeded to the Conservation Commission, and the chair signed off as receiving 2 non-buildable parcels for open space. They have unbuildable lots on dangerous cliff edges, and Pulte (developer) refused to accept these lots, so they are still owned by the original developers. Now, not as a condition of the subdivision or requested by the town, Mr. Vogel filed deeds for 6 lots to be turned over to the Town, with use restrictions. By law, someone cannot just donate land to the Town, the offer has to be
accepted (by way of the BOS voting to accept). Atty. Angelini questioned what the public interest would be for non-buildable, restricted lots that carry liability due to dangerous ledges. These deeds were not requested by the town, and each is listed with a value of $220K, which he believes to be a very inflated fair market value. Atty. Angelini visited these lots today, and saw rocks and sharp drops that could be very dangerous, especially to children, with potential liability. He feels it’s not in the town’s best interest to accept these lots.
· Jim Stanton asked how we deed these lots back to the owner. Atty. Angelini said to simply vote not to accept them.
· Ken Sydow motioned to reject conveyances of 6 property lots (2 deeds, 3 lots each), map numbers 22R, 24R, 26R, 28R, 40R, and 46R; Roger Deal seconded, voted all in favor.
· Atty. Angelini will send letter to inform Mr. Vogel of the Board’s decision. Ken Sydow wants the Assessor’s office to send a bill for back taxes on the parcels.
Sign Request: Ken Sydow motioned to approve the library’s request for a sandwich board sign; Roger Deal seconded, voted all in favor.
The Board scheduled an additional meeting to address unfinished business on Friday, June 22nd from 10:30am-1:00pm.
At 10:05p.m. on a motion made by Selectman Ken Sydow and seconded by Roger Deal, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 6, for the purpose of land negotiation strategy: James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal - yes, Ken Sydow – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session only to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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