Date of Meeting: Monday, June 8, 2009
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30PM – 9:00PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton, Roger Deal, Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Others as listed on sign in sheet.
Financial warrants from 6/1/09 signed in approval.
Portable Restrooms for Memorial Day Event: Joe Larkin (Memorial Day Committee) presented a letter from ALM &Son Septic Service, apologizing for the error of portable restrooms not being delivered for the Memorial Day weekend events. Mr. Larkin did place the order, but the company wrote the wrong day on their schedule and as a result the restrooms were not delivered. The company would like to continue doing business with the Town and offered one restroom to be free of charge for next year’s event.
Approval of Minutes: Motion to approve meeting minutes of 5/18/09 as presented was seconded and voted all in favor.
Football Field Carport: Scott McCubrey sent a request on behalf of the football program for permission to move the existing carport further down the field (behind the trees), as shown in a supplied diagram. A motion to approve the move, subject to any necessary building permits being obtained, and also to waive any permit fees, was seconded and voted all in favor.
Common Victual License: A new Common Victual license for Boylston House of Pizza at 81 Shrewsbury Street was signed in approval.
Boylston Historical Commission Stair lift: The Boylston Historical Society has formally called for the Historical Commission to request permission from the Selectmen the possibility of installing a gliding chair lift in the Old Town Hall (museum). The lift would make the second floor of the museum accessible to many more patrons. The letter further stated that once approval is received, the Boylston Historical Society would start a fundraising project to pay for the cost of the chair lift. A motion to approve the installation, pending review and approval of the Building Inspector, was seconded and voted all in favor.
Building Inspector Summer Schedule: Roger Deal has questions and concerns regarding the Building Inspector’s schedule. He is not clear on number of hours he is committed to the community on a regular basis; he assumed it was 40 hours per week, but the schedule reflects 8 hours per week on average.
· Nancy Colbert Puff said the inspector is here 40 hours per week; the schedule just reflects the hours he is available to meet with the public. The balance is spent inspecting or doing office work.
· Mr. Deal said he would expect his time worked in hours to be recorded and be specific. If he is not in the office, he should report to the Town Administrator for any hours worked less than 40 per week. This is taxpayers’ money; he (Mr. Deal) is a taxpayer and wants to know if we are getting our money’s worth. He has done some research, and during the “building boom”, Tom Dillon was only working part time.
· Jim Stanton said Roger is correct, but we also hired the Shrewsbury Building Inspector to fill in when necessary while building the new Elementary School. Also, while Pulte and other subdivisions were being built, residents were coming to the Board of Selectmen asking for full time enforcement of codes, bylaws, etc. for these builders. Boards and committees (Planning, Zoning, etc.) also felt the same way. When Mr. Dillon retired, there was an agreement that the Building Inspector would also be the enforcement officer to be sure developers are compliant. While Mr. Dillon was working part time, he couldn’t commit to additional hours because
he was also working part time in Clinton, so that’s another reason the Board decided to have a full time inspector committed to the Town.
· The only complaints Jim Stanton has heard regarding Mr. Bertonassi have been about him enforcing bylaws. He doesn’t enforce rules that don’t exist.
· Mr. Stanton’s question is can we do an analysis of inspections now versus when the town was busier, and is there a need for 40 hours per week. For example, West Boylston and Sterling share one inspector and they are significantly larger than us.
· Ken Sydow asked if the change in hours (from part-time to full-time) required a Town meeting vote. Mr. Stanton said yes. Mr. Sydow would also like to see what we are getting for our 40 hours; maybe we can re-look at the job description and see what else can be done. Since the Building Inspector reports through Nancy Colbert Puff, she can review the description and report back to the Board.
· Roger Deal said there are also other issues to be discussed later. Regarding full-time, other communities are reducing to part-time. He cannot believe that our community of 4,200 can justify 40 hours per week, even with anticipation of expectations. We turned down mosquito control for $30K per year, but are still funding a full-time salary when not needed. Mr. Deal stressed it’s about the position, not the employee.
· Mr. Sydow thinks the job description could be re-written with our views going forward, or perhaps we could share services with other communities. It should be whatever is in the best interest of the Town.
· Roger Deal said since Mr. Bertonassi also works part-time in Hudson, maybe we can speak with the Hudson building department and quantify our expectations along with Hudson’s.
· Mr. Deal said as employers, we need to clarify our expectations. For example, “hours are subject to change without notice” statement on his posted hours should not be acceptable. Also, an expense account of $4K should be clarified; just indicating mileage without backup to show what was done doesn’t cut it. It’s our fault, not Building Inspector’s if we don’t clarify what’s expected of him.
· Jim Stanton asked Mrs. Colbert Puff to have the Building Inspector fill out a timesheet for one month, documenting all hours worked, to see how it works out.
HEARING (7:15PM) Cyprian Keyes Golf Club – ABCC License Alteration
Cyprian Keyes submitted an application to amend to their existing all-alcohol club license to include the 18-hole golf course and par-3 golf course in the description of licensed property.
Mr. David Frem (General Manager) and Robert Inangelo (Club Manager) were present.
· Chairman Stanton asked for a proposal of the area. Mr. Inangelo said it would be the confines of the golf course and snack shack. Mr. Frem showed a diagram of the golf course (a map was not available). They would also not allow alcohol in the parking lot.
· Mr. Stanton explained guidelines set forth by the ABCC need to be met with this request. He cited some guidelines from Mt. Pleasant’s recently approved license for their golf course. A brief discussion followed re: guidelines and golf cart requirements.
· Ken Sydow suggested a continuation of the hearing with the permission of applicant, to allow them to provide certified returned receipts of abutters’ notices, a map of the proposed area to be included (golf course, snack shack, etc.), and an application that includes required guidelines. A copy of the Mt. Pleasant application was provided to Mr. Frem for them to model theirs from. Mr. Frem also requested Lori Esposito send him an electronic version of the application.
· Upon the applicant’s request, a motion to continue the hearing to Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00pm was seconded and voted all in favor.
Town Administrator’s Report:
· Investment Bond Rating: Moody’s Investor service issued an A2 rating of the Town’s bonds. Boylston has maintained its A2 rating since 1997.
· Treasurer/Collector Vacancy: Job description supplied to Board, along with salary survey for similarly sized communities (extracted from MMPA). Mrs. Colbert Puff would like to immediately advertise the position in the Beacon, on the MMA website, our website, and in the Telegram. Following an initial screening process, she hopes to bring 1-3 qualified candidates to the Board of final interviews.
o Ken Sydow asked counsel if it would be legal/appropriate for Nancy to do the screening. Stephen Madaus replied that if so desired, the Board needs to appoint a screening committee.
o Roger Deal asked about past discussion we had about sharing with another town. Jim Stanton agreed, and would like to pursue sharing the position with another community, possibly with West Boylston. Another possibility is to discuss with Supt. McDermott re: sharing Mr. John Roy.
o The Board also asked Nancy to include the Town Accountant, and a member of the Finance Committee and Personnel Board in the interview process.
o Ken Sydow motioned to approve the advertisement as recommended, while also concurrently communicating with other communities regarding shared services, and also with Supt. McDermott to investigate opportunities with Berlin/ Boylston district; motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
· MOB/PD Lighting/Energy Efficiency Study: Mrs. Colbert Puff has checked the references of Bluestone Energy Group and received excellent responses. Would like to proceed with initial step of the test installation at a cost of $500 (to be taken from Hillside account). Ken Sydow motion to authorize the Town Administrator to proceed as requested; seconded and voted all in favor.
· Investment Policy: Legal Counsel Stephen Madaus completed his review and made a few written comments for the Board’s consideration.
· Route 140 Corridor Study: Town Counsel has approved the contract for signature. The Board might consider recommending volunteers to serve on the Business Advisory/Marketing Committee. Lori has a list of those interested in serving as part of the appointments (Ed DeCastro, Ronald Wagner, Herb Cronin).
o Ken Sydow feels the committee should be advertised to open it up to other volunteers. Roger Deal disagrees; thinks it should be small to start. Mr. Deal said it’s the Board’s responsibility, and we should allow a small group some time to implement it. He noted they will also be working closely with the consultants doing the corridor study.
o Nancy Colbert Puff said that many more people will be involved as it gets going.
o Jim Stanton recalled that the Board agreed to start with three members to get the committee going; Nancy and Roger also agreed.
o Ken Sydow would like to defer the appointment of the committee until he meets with them, as the Board has done in the past with new appointees. The Board was in agreement, and would like Lori to invite the three volunteers into the June 29th meeting.
HEARING (8:10PM) Class II Used Car License Application: Route 140 Wholesale Auto Sales, LLC. Ron Ernenwein (owner) and Ralph Cochran (proposed manager) were both present.
· Jim Stanton asked how many cars were planned for the lot (previously occupied by Boylston Auto Wholesale). Mr. Ernenwein replied a total of six.
· Mr. Ernenwein presented a bond, as required by the State. Town Counsel reviewed and felt the manager’s name, in addition to the LLC business name needs to be listed on the bond.
· The applicant did not have the returned certified receipts of the abutters’ notices.
· At the request of the applicant, a motion to continue the hearing to Monday, June 29th at 7:00pm was seconded and voted all in favor. At that time, the applicant will present the certified mail receipts and the corrected bond. Mr. Stanton also asked Lori Esposito to get feedback from the Police and Fire Chief in writing.
Town Administrator’s Report (continued):
· Wachusett Earth Day: an email was received, indicating they will be work on the site on June 3rd, 2009.
· Reserve Fund Request: The Treasurer is requesting a transfer from the Reserve Fund for an unforeseen pension expense (from a previous fiscal year) for a former school department employee. The employee is owed additional contribution for time served while on military leave. The Board approved the request for a total of $1408.50.
· New Civil Action: Town Counsel will update the Board on a new civil action in executive session.
At 8:35pm, Mr. Sydow motioned to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. Ch. 39, §23B, ¶6 and ¶3 to discuss litigation and land acquisition. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session only to adjourn. Mr. Deal seconded the motion and the role call vote was recorded as follows: Mr. Sydow-yes, Mr. Deal-yes and Mr. Stanton-yes.
Meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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