Date of Meeting: Monday, August 10, 2009
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:45 PM – 9:25 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton (arrived 7:05pm); Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant;
others as listed on attached Sign-in sheet.
Financial Warrants signed in approval.
Proposed Cell Tower RFP at Fire Station / Town House Site Some neighboring residents were present.
Nancy Colbert Puff reported that she spoke with the Verizon representative to get answers to the residents’ previous concerns:
· Radiation output: the expectation is that the tower would only reach 0.5% of output level considered to be safe.
· Tower location (can it be put elsewhere in Boylston?): Verizon has identified service needs at the fire station site and the Mile Hill Road area, where they lack coverage. Residents voiced concerns about having a tower at that location versus state land that is further from the residential area.
· What will it look like?: Potential designs received from Verizon were presented to the residents in attendance. Options included towers that looked like a flagpole or an evergreen tree, for aesthetic purposes.
Mrs. Colbert Puff had a brief discussion and answered some further questions from residents. The next step will be for the RFP to be reviewed by Town Counsel. The RFP could be sent out before or after a town meeting vote to authorize use of the land and change the zoning at the location.
Police Chief Sahagian: Monthly report to the Board.
· Recent vehicle break-ins.
· 7/17: McGrath case set for jury trial on 10/1/09
· 3 marijuana citations ($100 each) appeared in small claims court; all agreed to pay.
· Chief Sahagian’s cruiser recently needed the transmission rebuilt; covered under vehicle warranty.
· 8/1: Dragon 88 underage review was set up. No problems noted.
· $4700 deposited last week in drug forfeiture account; check sent to Worcester D.A.’s office for half, the Town kept half ($2350).
Fire Chief Flanagan: Monthly report to the Board.
· Met with FEMA auditor today (re: reimbursement from December ’08 ice storm); additional paperwork needed.
· Specs for new ambulance should be completed this week so Nancy Colbert Puff can put out to bid.
· Administered drill with DCR last week to test emergency response capabilities. Boylston will also be conducting a drill with Clinton Hospital on Tuesday August 11th.
· Chief Flanagan will be taking a 3-day training class in August sponsored by National Fire Academy.
Highway Superintendent Parker: Monthly report to the Board.
· Department worker still out on medical leave. He will be seeing his doctor as well as the Town’s doctor prior to returning to work.
· Citizen complained about spray painted graffiti on roads – Highway Dept. painted over it.
· Wall at the old cemetery has been rebuilt. Someone hit it, not sure who.
· Mr. Parker has a prospect that would like to pay $2K for the old dump truck. Board agreed to get rid of it (previous offers to purchase were maximum of $700-$800).
· Roger Deal said he received a call from a resident on Cross Street where a recent repair was done and they were very appreciative of the Highway Department’s efforts.
Building Inspector Bertonassi: Monthly report to the Board.
· Presented monthly spreadsheet with figures; no further information or questions from the Board.
Superintendent McDermott: School Building Project update.
· Mass. School Building Authority (‘MSBA’) approved a new building for Tahanto versus renovation. Cost to renovate is more ($7 - $12M) than to build new ($6 – $12M).
· School Committee voted to include the 6th grade at Tahanto.
· Supt. McDermott presented plans/options for new building:
o ‘Option 1’ (shows new school on east side):
§ Will allow complete isolation of new construction from existing building; will not disturb school in progress.
§ East side also allows for greater entrance/exit flexibility since it’s completely free of wetland setback requirements.
o ‘Option 2’ (shows new school near existing building, behind and to the West).
§ Will allow more athletic fields that are more spaced out.
o Both designs allow middle/high school to be separated.
o S.F. totals in plans are just footprint of building and do not include second floor.
· Ken Sydow said as a taxpayer, he is very happy to see new construction versus renovation.
· Supt. McDermott said MSBA had been talking about not reimbursing for demolition of the existing school. They have since waivered on that and we may now get reimbursed. MSBA also revised the reimbursement percentage for the athletic fields.
· Roger Deal asked if he had a general idea of the overall projected cost. Supt. McDermott said he is aiming to stay in the $30M range; under $40M would be an achievement. Currently, the state reimbursement 47.21%; that may increase to over 50%.
· Mr. Sydow asked if there would be room for administrative offices on site (at the new school). Supt. McDermott said MSBA will not be reimbursing for any central office construction, but they are going to cost it out in the design.
· Jim Stanton asked about timing for a special town meeting. Supt. McDermott said it would be in the fall for a vote of the 6th grade / regional agreement amendment. They would also introduce the school building and potential cost at that time.
· Mr. Deal said he’s been hearing that Berlin is against including the 6th grade. What would happen then? Supt. McDermott said 1 of the 2 members that voted against it is looking for more information. He’s hoping that member will change his/her vote after learning more facts, since we will need Berlin’s support to go forward with the 6th grade addition. He feels some are worried about the age difference (e.g., on buses) and removing children from the elementary environment too soon. Mr. McDermott stressed what some people don’t realize is that the plan is to build a school within a school; have a separate middle school area, curriculum, etc. Mr. Sydow said he’s hearing that if the 6th grade is
there, the school building would gain more support from voters.
· Ken Sydow asked if the perception has changed and the Towns are more willing to work together now to make changes. Supt. McDermott said there are still a lot of people with the same perception, but since he’s been in Boylston, he’s heard increasingly positive comments towards working together.
· The Feasibility Study (approved by the Town) has since evolved into a schematic design, as required by MSBA. They don’t have a final budget from the architects yet, but the School Building Committee plans to use the money that has been reimbursed to date (approx. $120K) to continue to the designing as required by the MSBA and in order to keep the project moving forward. Roger Deal asked if it’s likely they will need more than the available reimbursement money of $120K; Supt. McDermott said it’s very likely.
· Larry Brenner (School Committee) agrees that any support shown from Boylston would go a long way towards showing Berlin they have support as well.
MOTION: Roger Deal motioned to agree to use reimbursements of MSBA money for schematic design phase, with the expectation that it will not cover the complete cost of schematic design. Motion seconded and voted all in favor. This is consistent with I.G.’s interpretation.
· Supt. McDermott thinks he may need a special town meeting by late October. Chairman Stanton stated if so, we’d need notice soon, possibly by late August. He asked Supt. McDermott to review the timeline with Mrs. Colbert Puff to be sure they are timely in their request.
St. Mary’s Church Sign Request: Letter received requesting permission to place temporary signs to advertise Giant Parish Flea Market for 9/12-9/13 and 9/19-9/20/09. Motion to approve request was seconded and voted all in favor.
Town Administrator’s Report
Tax Title Properties: Nancy Colbert Puff presented 9 parcels, total assessed value of $939,400. Per Ron Berenson (Tax/Title Attorney), parcels could be auctioned pending acceptance of Board. Then if bid too low, bids could be rejected. Roger Deal motioned to approve Town Administrator’s recommendation of parcels to sell; motion seconded and voted all in favor. Mrs. Colbert Puff said Atty. Berenson has a preferred auctioneer he uses regularly. The Board said they were happy with the last auctioneer they used (Zekos Group).
Waiver for DCR: Motion to approve waiver of 120 days for parcel (?? ); motion seconded and voted all in favor. Document signed and given to Town Administrator for return to DCR.
Treasurer/ Collector position: Alyce Johns accepted offer, will start August 17th.
Route 140 Corridor Study: The 140 Corridor Study consulting team will be in Boylston next week to meet with a variety of stakeholders and collect information.
Central Mass Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS): Nancy will be attending meeting next week to advocate for Boylston’s inclusion in CEDS.
Gough House Designer Selection: The Gough House Designer Selection Committee has selected Mills Whittaker Architects of Arlington for its grant project. The contract has been reviewed by Town Counsel and should be ready for the Board’s signature next month.
Town Hall Window Replacement: Country Glass has bid $9750 to replace windows on east side of the first floor, with Low-E tinted glass. TA recommends Board enter into contract for work to be completed this September. Ken Sydow motioned to approve recommendation; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Stiles Crossing Subdivision: Planning Board has received several complaints re: incomplete work on Stiles Crossing. They hold a bond on the project, and had their engineer estimate cost for project’s completion. The developer (Venincasas) will be at the Planning Board’s September meeting to discuss completion of work, and the Board may declare them in default and call in the bond.
Regional Recycling Center: Construction on the center is underway after a successful response to a legal challenge. Wachusett Earth Day hopes to have center open by late fall.
Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALB) Awareness Month: Tuesday, August 11th at 10am QCC will hold an event to encourage continued awareness for eradication of the ALB. Mrs. Colbert Puff is unable to attend due to conflict, offered information if any Board member is able to attend.
Fire Chief Contract: Ken Sydow motioned to approve contract as presented; seconded and voted all in favor. Contract signed.
Personnel Board: Dick Prince spoke with Nancy Colbert Puff; he and John Stowe would be interested in serving on the Personnel Board if they can meet with the Selectmen again to clarify goals of the Personnel Board.
Finance Committee: Vacancy still exists. Board advised to send Eric Brose (Chair) info and resume for Steven Dornal (volunteer they interviewed in July). If Mr. Brose agrees, the Board will appoint Mr. Dornal to the Finance Committee at their next meeting.
Meeting Minutes Approval: Ken Sydow motioned to approve regular session minutes of 7/13/09 as presented; seconded and voted all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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