Date of Meeting: Monday, July 16, 2007
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 4:30PM –9:00PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow (arrived at 5:25PM)
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 4:30p.m.
Sign Request: Roger motioned to approve a sandwich board sign request for various events through April 2008 for Boylston Historical Society; Jim Stanton seconded, voted all in favor.
At 4:55p.m. on a motion made by Selectman Roger Deal and seconded by Jim Stanton, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 3, for the purpose of discussing litigation strategy: James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session.
5:25p.m.: The Board reconvened in open session:
Building Inspector Mark Bertonassi: Monthly report to the Board.
· Mr. Bertonassi presented a summary of the past month’s building activity to the Board.
· Jim Stanton asked about the earth removal issue on Sewall Street. Mr. Bertonassi said he will possibly issue a stop work order by tomorrow.
Police Chief Sahagian: Monthly report to the Board
· 6/29 – rocks thrown through windshields in the lower Stiles Rd./Reservoir/Central St. area; Northborough had similar incidents and ID’d a solicitor as suspect.
· Mailboxes being vandalized throughout town. One group of 4 youths were ID’d, but other groups are continuing to vandalize.
· Laptop computer taken from car at Cyprian’s; it was a state revenue computer. Witnesses ID’d a black Hummer with NH plates as possible suspect.
· 6/18 – attended unemployment compensation hearing in Leominster. A part-time officer from Berlin worked occasional details over the past 3 years, was never an employee of Boylston. Berlin was paid directly for the details.
· Advertisement in T&G for officer #9.
· ID cards have been issued to all officers. Cost is $10/card from a company in N. Smithfield RI. Only additional cost was $100 set up fee.
· New floor tiles in entryway of PD; new carpet also to come.
· 800MHz radio from the state was installed last week by Worcester Radio & Speedometer at no cost. Roger Deal asked what the improvement with the new radio is. Chief Sahagian says it allows them to talk to State Police or any responding dept. that assists (eg, Holden, Berlin, Northborough) from the base station.
Highway Superintendent Don Parker: Monthly report to the board.
· Red Knights monument to be dedicated at 3:00pm on August 18th.
· P&R may need to fund some upfront costs for soccer field maintenance. Also, he received a call from P&R asking when tennis courts will be paved. Don said they need to pay for asphalt – he gave them the name of a company to call.
· Roger Deal said Mrs. Priestly of Carol Drive was complaining of a ditch in her road in need of repair. Don said around 1986 the Town voted to only plow and sand to maintain public safety and make it passable, but no other maintenance. Roger asked if the neighbors paid, would the town consider doing the work. Don questioned the legality of that, and also that it would open up the obligation to work on other private roads.
· Jim asked the status of the vacant positions. Don may have to advertise by end of the month.
At 6:00p.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 collective bargaining negotiation: Ken Sydow – yes, James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session.
6:15 p.m. Reconvened in open session.
Meeting Schedule: A new selectmen’s meeting was added for 7/30 at 6:30p.m.
Grant Writer Proposal: One bid was received from Michelle Ciccolo. Jim suggests the BOS meet with her once appointed, to discuss priorities. Jim asked Sue Olsen if there is a contract for her to sign. Atty. Angelini said if the bid is detailed enough, the contract could refer to the RFP. Roger motioned to authorize the Town Administrator to enter into negotiations with Michelle Ciccolo based on application/bid response. Atty. Angelini said we should also have a memorandum of understanding/agreement to pursue recommended projects.
Appointments:
· Appeals Board: Per Atty. Angelini, Appeals Board associate members are appointed by the BOS. Ken Sydow recused himself and left the room during Appeals Board discussions. Jim Stanton motioned to appoint William Filsinger to a 3-year term on the Appeals Board; Roger Deal seconded. Voted: Jim Stanton – yes, Roger Deal – yes. Jim Stanton motioned to appoint Arlene Murphy as Associate Member for 1-year term to the Appeal Board, Roger Deal seconded. Voted: Jim Stanton – yes, Roger Deal – yes.
· Conservation Commission (“Con Comm.”): 3 terms were up for re-appointment; only 2 members are seeking re-appointment: Dan Duffy and Jeffrey Walsh. Ken Sydow motioned to appoint Jeffrey Walsh to 3-year term on the Con Comm.; Jim seconded, voted as follows: Jim Stanton – yes, Ken Sydow – yes, Roger – no vote. Jim Stanton motioned to appoint Dan Duffy to a 3-year term on the Con. Comm., Ken Sydow seconded, voted all in favor.
o There are two other candidates volunteering for the Con Comm.; the Board will interview them at the next meeting before making an appointment.
o The question of who is responsible for appointing Con Comm. associate members came up. Atty. Angelini says per statute, Con Comm. “may appoint…consultant, director, and other employees”; this would include associate members.
· Earth Removal Board: Ronald Resseguie and Arthur Gibree are both interested in being appointed to the ERB as the Selectmen’s rep. Mr. Resseguie has held the position for several years. The Board will interview both at their next meeting before making a decision.
· Other: Other appointments were made as follows:
o Affordable Housing Committee – Janet Lombardi, 1 year.
o Historic District Commission – Gerald Jones – 3 years.
o Homeland Security – Dennis Costello (BOH), Sue Olsen (TA), Don Parker (DPW), Anthony Sahagian (Police Chief), Joseph Flanagan (Fire Chief); all 1 year.
o Insurance Advisory Committee – Joseph Flanagan, Mike Lucia; each 1 year.
Commonwealth Capital Policy: “Smart Growth”: Sue Olsen to review possibilities for Town. Board wants Michelle Ciccolo to comment/provide feedback.
Fall Town Meeting: No articles that will affect 2007-2008 tax rate. For debt exclusion, as long as 1st payment not due until ’09, it would be OK.
Retiree Health Insurance Policy: Change to be made: must be employed at least 10 years, continuously employed for 5 years, covered by policy at least 12 months of last 24. Grandfather clause: current employees who had minimum 10 years cumulative service, and are currently enrolled in plan as of date of this new policy; the 5-year continuous requirement will be waived.
Ken Sydow asked if there is a requirement to serve notice of this to all past employees. Not necessary, as long as posted. The Board will vote at their 7/30 meeting; add hearing to the agenda.
Clark ERB permit: Board questioned status of permit that was to be picked up and paid by June 30th. Per Town Clerk, Kim Ames picked up and paid last week. Fine from selectmen is waived.
Clerical Support: Clerical position needed to support Sue Olsen and Lori Esposito for about 10 hours per week, $14/hour, to be paid out of selectmen’s expense. Post internally to start.
State Representative Harold Naughton: Updating Board.
· Legislation has been filed to prevent permanent custody orders being sought while a soldier is deployed.
· The Board briefed Rep. Naughton on the wood turtle boundary that has adversely affected the plans for 40B development at Sewall Street gravel pit. He will see if he can speak with someone at the state level to assist with situation.
· Local aid:
o $25K FY08 provision for Boylston for MCJTC rent.
o Additional $25K in Ch. 70 funds going to the school district
o Lottery money to Boylston = $426,309 ($7K increase)
o Tahanto Regional School to receive $892K ($40K increase)
· MA Highway:
o Paul X. Tivnan Drive improvements in design phase. Tom Wazula (Central MA Director) is hoping for construction to begin by late 2008.
o 70/140 light restructure in process
· Jim Stanton told Rep. Naughton about Beaver Brooke on Route 70; the beavers are damming the water and there is concern it will undermine the roadway (which is DCR watershed land). Sue Olsen wrote to several agencies, will send correspondence copies to Rep. Naughton. He will make some calls and follow up.
· Ken Sydow said if the football field on 70/140 is developed, fields need to be relocated. He asked if it would be possible to build on DCR property for town use. Harold said they would not allow fields on watershed, but not sure otherwise. John Scannell is the watershed director (works out of West Boylston), suggests he contact him.
· School Building Assistance: Moratorium is not yet lifted, but should be soon – possibly this month. Jim explained Tahanto filed notice of intent last year, Superintendent was informed a site visit would happen in February or March; nothing yet. It’s an old building that needs attention and the town can’t do anything until it is on the SBA list. Harold will look into status.
At 8:30p.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 ¶ 3, for the purpose of discussing pending litigation on town-owned property: Ken Sydow – yes, James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session only to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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