Date of Meeting: Friday, August 22, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 12:27 PM – 2:50 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton (Arr 12:31 PM); Roger Deal;, Ken Sydow
Others Present: Joe Connelly, Interim Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Mark Bertonassi; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
No financial warrant.
Meeting called to order by Ken Sydow at 12:27 PM.
dding-left:48px;text-align:left;">- 120-day deadline once grant funds received.
{municipal point of contact must be provided at time of grant application
{municipality must do intensive bylaw review of Board//Committee rules/
{regulations. Revise as necessary to comply with 180-day deadline ) e.g.,
{overlay {district could be developed).
- What falls within deadline, what doesn’t –
Permitting Board provides guidance as needed to determine what permitting falls under 43D.
- Possible uses of available grant funds (maximum available = $100K for Boylston’s site).
Review of Draft Application –
Review of tasks Boylston needs to complete as a result of grant:
(1) Study of Route 140 corridor.
Roger asked if received, since several studies have been done in past
Adam: To date the Planning Board has required various studies be done for certain developments; just “piece-meal” work to date. The Town would benefit from an overall study, based on the best use for the Town. Corridor studies are very expensive also. To do a general study, it would be too expensive and would exceed the grant money. Rather, limited areas of 140 that would be priority development sites (three or four total) per Andy Barrett).
(2) Budget: Adam reviewed estimates for work to be completed with grant money, total f $99,700.
Ken: If grant money is received, are we required to spend exactly as outlined? Adam: Yes.
Ken: What happens if project is over or under what is estimated? Adam: The contract (scope of services) defines specifically what is needed (e.g., two meetings). Also, they have done this with several towns in the past and have a good idea of what time is required. Recodification of bylaws would be only one that’s estimated a little low, but that is in anticipation of part of the work being done in other areas of scope of services.
Roger: Asked what Stephen Madaus’ role in this would be (e.g., to review application; Planning Board consultation, etc.) Adam: That would be at the Board’s discretion.
Adam noted very strict about not reimbursing for services otherwise provided to the Town (e.g., Town Counsel). They won’t fund additional legal tasks outside of 43D-related special counsel (Adam’s firm).
Ken: Their up-front need for services would be greater with Town Counsel. Would that be considered services “in kind,” as outlined in document? Adam: Yes; the Town would need to define their anticipated costs (paid by the Town) to show their interest in contributing to expedited services.210-day timeline provided (tasks for 120-day time period, as well as other tasks).
Ken: What happens if bylaw changes are turned down at the Town Meeting? What happens to the grant funds? Adam: Once the funds are deposited, the 120-day timeline begins. If voted down at Town Meeting, that’s out of control of interagency permitting board.
Rosemary: This could affect the Town if change is going to assist with the 180-day deadline.Industrial/commercial district zoned already (315 Main Street).
Roger: Why a recodification of bylaws? Ken: To meet the needs of areas/zoning.
Adam: It’s mostly just “clean-up” work.
Rosemary: It can be done beyond the 120 days, outside of the 43D area.
Jim: If we had a Special Town Meeting and added another site (total over 100 acres), would we get $150K versus $100K? Adam: The Town would be eligible, but there is no guarantee of how much it would be. Rosemary: This is a one-time grant; you can’t go back for more money.
Joe Connelly: Would the money become unavailable if we wait too long? Adam: It’s possible, if funding is cut off in the future.
Ken: Feels we should move forward now while the money is there.
Rosemary: This is all about creating jobs and triggering growth.
Ken: Motion for the Board of Selectmen to approve Joe Connelly to execute 43D Grant Application in accordance with the meeting. Motion seconded, voted All in Favor. Joe Connelly signed the form.
Rosemary: Grafton has permit-tracking software. They asked for money from 43D to expand the software and allow any municipality in the state to use it.
Adam: Will send application by next Wednesday (August 27).
Applicant Advisory Committee – Brief discussion regarding draft document.
Town Administrator Second Interview (Nancy Colbert) –
Roger: Feels she needs to come in to see the Board of Selectmen first, before going ahead with next steps.
Ken: Suggests she meet with department heads during the day, then with the Board of Selectmen to review.
Stephen: If she’s going to dinner with the Board of Selectmen and their spouses, it would be assumed it’s for a business purpose. It would need to be a public meeting
Joe Connelly: I would recommend waiting until the Board is sure she’s the candidate.
Roger: How much time off would she need for the upcoming wedding?
Ken: She won’t need much time. Ken already had a discussion with Joe Connelly about the possibility of keeping him on at the same time as Nancy, if she comes in soon. He asked how we could use funds for Joe as Special Projects Manager.
Joe Connelly: Doesn’t want his arrangement to interfere with them hiring the best candidate for the Town.
Roger: Would like to figure a way to continue to use Joe’s services, while also incorporating the new Town Administrator. He wouldn’t want to lose his expertise. He would like to explore the financial possibility.
Jim: Concern is bringing someone in to be Town Administrator and still retaining another. He would have to think about how it could work and what projects Joe should do.
Ken: Why end a positive relationship that exists for the Town.
TO BE CONTINUED TO MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008
MCJTC – Voted by State on Wednesday to no longer fund upstairs program (Plymouth and Brockton also being closed). Joe spoke with Hank Naughton today, who advised they speak with Tim Murray about it; it’s possible that he can help with our situation.
Asian Longhorned Beetle Alert -- Very serious threat. Had another meeting today in Worcester (likely there will be weekly meetings). Cutting of trees is to start in November. If Boylston is infested, we have to deal with the residents about it.
The Board of Selectmen will be required to sign a compliance agreement for federal regulations, if Boylston is determined as an infested area. For dumping trees, Leon Gaumond (West Boylston Town Administrator) is looking foran area in their town; will share with us once a site is determined.
Jim: Who will bear the cost of removal of the trees? Joe: The federal government will cover all costs.
Pot Hole Grant – Harold Naughton called DOE and spoke with Christine Lynch. He got promising news about our grant application. Grants to be decided in September.
Rand Whitney -- Joe spoke with John McNabb (retiring this week). This has been put on the back burner, due to financial reasons; anticipate continuing next spring.
Assessors - (Margo Richardson, Admin Assistant): We are currently paying $900 per hearing for representation at the Tax Appellate Court. James Holyoak would do it (is qualified) for substantially less (approximately $200). Is there any conflict with paying him, since he’s already on the Board?
Stephen Madaus: Per the statute (Ch 268A §21a) it can’t be done without going before Town Meeting.
Joe Connelly: Advised Margo that this early in the fiscal year they can likely use other money. If, after a few months they’ve overspent, they can meet with the Board then to request more money.
Stockton Street Property – Guns were found during the cleanup; turned in to the Police Department. Additional work still needs to be done (shed to be knocked down and removed). Town equipment to be used; will rent a dumpster.
Metro PCS Co-location Lease – Stephen Madaus: A Town Meeting vote is necessary to enter a lease. Also, 30B requires Town advertise in newspaper for proposals. Jim: We had a Town Meeting vote for the tower originally.
Joe C: Sue said there was not a Town Meeting vote.
At the least, Stephen recommended some changes to the lease (provided documentation), and advertise it two weeks prior. No Central Register required since it is below the square footage for a lease. Lori is to propose the ad and forward it to Stephen. Also, contact Andy Candiullo and have him call Joe C. to discuss lease changes.
Veterans’ Agent Appointment Update – Stephen had a discussion with Vin Perrone regarding the fact that the Town cannot pay his employer for any services. Vin said all moneys are received from federal funds, donations, etc. The Town will not be paying Vin’s company.
Draft of MOA presented by Stephen to the Board of Selectmen.
Joe Connelly: Has heard positive feedback from people in Town regarding what the company can offer the Town’s veterans.
Jim: Calls to him have not been in favor of Mr. Perrone’s appointment. The Quist family is in need of services; has been using the West Boylston agent, who has given a substantial amount of time to them, and has been helpful.
Stephen: The statute indicates yearly appointment; term expires April 30 of each year.
Ken: Would like more benefits for Veterans; is concerned.
Joe Connelly: Suggests that Vin submit an activity log on a monthly basis. The Board of Selectmen agreed.
Stephen: MOA not required; probably better not to have it since no other appointed positions have one.
Ken: Made motion to appoint Vin Perrone our Veterans’ Agent; Jim seconded the motion; voted All in Favor.
When the letter is sent to him, outline an activity log to be submitted monthly.
Send two months of full yearly salary to West Boylston Agent, thanking him for his interim volunteer service.
HVAC Work -- Joe Connelly: $120K voted at Annual Town Meeting might not now be enough to do the downstairs also. He met with Mark Umphrey and Ken Goodwin yesterday . Joe’s concern is that when the work is being done, the heat is to be shut off. Work would need to be done by mid-October and he is concerned it won’t be done in time.
Stephen: Would like to review the contract before it is completed.
Motion made to adjourn meeting; seconded, voted All in Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 2:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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