Date of Meeting: Monday, November 17, 2008
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:45 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal
Members Absent: Ken Sydow
Others Present: Joseph Connelly, Interim Town Administrator;
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; others as noted on sign-in sheet.
Financial Warrants Signed.
Sign Request:
Roger Deal motioned to approve a sign request from the Boylston Garden Club to place signs at the Town Center and the intersection of Rte 140 and 70, to advertise their December 6th Annual Wreath Sale; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Appointment:
Roger Deal motioned to re-appoint Karen Perry to the Historical District Commission as requested; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Resignation:
Roger Deal motioned to accept Paul Johnson’s resignation from Parks and Recreation board, effective 10/31/08; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Town Administrator’s Report
· Foundation Reserve Grant (“Pothole Grant”): $25K grant money has been received. The Board can determine / designate its use. Jim Stanton would like to use a portion to reconstitute the Business Development Committee, with a plan to solicit business to come to Boylston. We shouldn’t be sitting idle waiting for the economy to turn around. Roger has heard about other towns doing something similar. Both agreed they would wait until Ken Sydow was in to discuss further.
· MCJTC Lease Proposal: Joe Connelly sent a proposal letter on 11/5 to David Devine (DCAM). No response until today. There is a misunderstanding as to what they are currently paying; he thought proposal was high, since he wasn’t aware we were getting an additional $20-25K per year in addition to the rent p payment. Joe is waiting for his further decision.
· DPW Pickup Truck Replacement: There is a need for a replacement pickup truck for Don Parker. Don feels his current truck will not pass inspection in January 2009 without extensive repairs. Joe located a 2008 Ford F350 on the state bid list, but it’s a gasoline engine, not diesel. Don doesn’t think we can repair a gasoline engine as easily as diesel. Roger questioned why we have to buy a specific model. Joe will look for other vehicles and discuss with Don.
Police Chief Sahagian: Monthly report to the Board.
· MVA’s YTD same
· 10/14: Ron Rajotte attended no-cost training for road spikes
· Lt. Sheperd recently had surgery, anticipates returning to work sometime in February.
· Stiles Road vandalism cases resolved in juvenile court; putting in community service hours.
· 10/28 met with Fire Chief and representative re: reverse 911 call system.
· 10/31: Halloween – no incidents reported.
· 11/19: scheduled to meet w/ TA for budget meeting.
· 11/4: dispatcher Collins out on FMLA; unknown return time.
· Officer OT – over half of budget used to date. Officers attempting to fill in wherever possible to reduce OT costs.
· Replacing 2004 Ford cruiser (#2, 80K miles) with grant money. Should be by December 1.
DPW Superintendent Don Parker: Monthly report to the Board
· Just received heating oil delivery last week at $3.99/gal. The price is locked in at this, and will be a budget buster for the year.
· New hire, Mark Ginese, started today.
· Re: Paul X. Tivnan Drive being returned to the Town by the State, the Town cannot offer the same level of service (maintenance) that the state could. (Joe Connelly received letter from Mass. Highway that they would no longer by maintaining that road.)
· Patched road on Green Street Extension.
· Kids spray painted graffiti on some roads in the Linden St. area; Don’s department covered it up.
· Tree work to be done on Scar Hill Road and Linden Street with crane.
· RE: Truck purchase:
o Town Counsel determined that the 2005 article #38 for Highway Repairs can only be used for repairs specified, not toward a truck purchase.
o Jim Stanton asked about the cost of a lease. Maybe lease for a short period of time, then buy out of budget when money is available.
o Roger asked why not a gasoline engine; Don said there’s too much that can get wet while plowing, etc. A diesel engine is the way to go.
o Don will give specifications to Lori for the truck he needs; then Roger will try to find comparable used vehicles for quotes to comply with 30B procurement law.
· Scrap from Hillside Barn was cashed in, $512 received.
Building Inspector Mark Bertonassi: Monthly report to the Board
· Mark presented draft Policy and Procedures for Applicant Advisory Committee.
o Purpose is to advise applicant of what is needed and what board to see; not to review and designs or plans.
o Jim Stanton said the idea is to advise of everything necessary and also the order to approach the boards. Submissions should be complete as possible prior to meeting with boards, in as little time as possible.
o The policy indicates the Building Inspector will determine who the developer needs to see based on the project. Mark said he doesn’t want to get tied up doing reviews of plans.
o The Board would like Mark to send the Policy and Procedure to each of the boards for their input. Then begin s of a certain date and implement immediately.
o Town Counsel suggests adding a disclaimer to the application (eg., voluntary process, doesn’t bind any boards, influence decisions, etc.)
· Mark said there is not much building going on right now other than Philips Engineering and Tower Hill.
· Jim asked how other inspectors (electrical, plumbing) are doing. Mark doesn’t know. He might have to work with Jay Morrill to get inspections completed in time for daylight hours now that it’s getting dark early.
Town Administrator’s Report (continued)
· Shared Services: Joe Connelly and Jim Stanton are meeting with West Boylston BOS Chair and Town Administrator on 12/2 to discuss sharing DPW services and other possibilities.
· Insurance Co-pay: Joe Connelly and Jim Stanton are meeting with Police, Dispatchers and School unions on 11/20 at 8:15pm to discuss co-pay increase.
· 30 Stockton Street Auction: $90K received for property; net profit to town is approximately $55K. Payment is due early December. Treasurer Ellen McKay feels other 6 town-owned parcels could be auctioned since all are clear title.
· Asian Longhorned Beetle: Joe updated the Board on his recent meeting in Worcester and the expanded area.
· Capital Plan 2009-2013: Revised with department input. Reviewed with Board.
At 8:28 PM on a motion made by Selectman Roger Deal, per suggestion of Counsel, and seconded by Ken Sydow, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL Chapter 39, §23B ¶ 3, to conduct contract negotiations: James Stanton-yes, Roger Deal – yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
Motion made to adjourn; motion seconded; voted All In Favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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