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Board of Selectmen Minutes 07/12/2010
Date of Meeting:        Monday, July 12, 2010
Location:               Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time:                   6:30 PM – 7:56 PM
Members Present:        Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; others as listed on the attached sign-in sheet
Absent: Selectman Ken Sydow; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel

Financial Warrants were signed in approval.

Approval of Meeting Minutes:   The following minutes were approved:  5/17, 6/1, 6/14 regular session; 5/17, 6/14 executive session.   Motion was made to approve the minutes as presented; motion seconded and voted all in favor.

Sign Request:  Request was made by Knights of Columbus to put up a temporary sign advertising Chicken BBQ.  Motion made, seconded and voted all in favor to grant the request.

Business Marketing Committee:    (Matt Mecum present to represent committee.)
  • The Business Marketing Committee will be hosting a Chamber of Commerce (COC) breakfast event to promote business in Boylston.  Tentatively set for September 10 at Cyprian Keyes
  • Mr. Mecum presented proposed marketing slides.
  • Promotion for breakfast will be in local newspapers, COC newsletter, industry magazines.  Mail/email invitations to the target audience.
  • Cyprian Keyes helping out with event.
  • Each attendee to get small bags with information, brochures, possibly a short letter from the Board of Selectmen.
  • Matt said they want to be sure the Board of Selectmen is okay with the proposed meeting before they move forward; Jim and Roger are in full agreement.
7:00 PM Police Chief Sahagian’s Report to Board of Selectmen:  
  • Crime Statistics:  In all of calendar 2009 thee were 32 arrests; to date in calendar 2010 there are 31 arrests.  The spike is mostly warrant arrests, traffic stops and domestics (usually occurring on the road).
  • June 25:  a fatality from a motor vehicle accident on Route 70 South; 54 year old Clinton man.
  • July 1:  police were called for a large underage drinking party in the Cliffs area near Edgebrook.  Several youths from surrounding towns, including three Boylston youths.  Alcohol was seized and disposed of.  They considered charging the half that were drinking, then reconsidered after speaking with the parents.
  • July 2:  nineteen unsecured cars were broken into off of the 140 area.  Boylston was one of many towns.  GPS systems, wallets, etc., were stolen.
  • July 2:  The first “smash ‘n grab” this year occurred at Cyprian’s.  A laptop left in the car of a guest at the golf course was stolen.  The laptop bag included a passport, GPS, files, etc.
  • June 15:  State-funded 911 grant server delivered.  Up and running today.
  • June 18:  Tax hearing in Clinton.
  • July 3:  Chief worked to cover a shift.
  • Both union contracts were signed and distributed.
  • Chief will be in Texas on vacation August 8 through 15.
Highway Superintendent Parker Report to Board of Selectmen:  
  • An Asian Longhorned Beetle was found and confirmed on Glazier Street today.  USDA is currently inspecting the area.
  • The Highway Dept is doing roadside mowing; rebuilding Abby Road catch basins.
  • Jim asked Don if he’s going to fix the “speed bump” on Central Street.  Don said he’s working on it.  They need to cut it out o see what it is and then patch it.
Report of Plumbing Inspector, Eric Johnson, to Board of Selectmen:  
  • Mr. Johnson came before the Board to give his opinion on why the Town needs a full-time building inspector and feels it was a mistake not to reappoint Mark Bertonassi.  He doesn’t feel it was done in the right way.
  • He asked who would be handling permits that Sandy Bourassa used to do.  Lori Esposito will.  He explained there is going to be the need for communication due to multi inspections, fees, etc.
  • Roger said he can appreciate and respect what Mr. Johnson is saying but the Board has reviewed surrounding like-sized communities that have part-time inspectors.  Why does he feel we would be different?  Why are we unique?  Mr. Johnson said he is not sure but since the full-time inspector was on, there has been more communication and things were running smoothly.
  • Roger said perhaps we should look at the process?  Maybe other communities have a better process.
  • Jim said that when Mark Bertonassi was hired it was during the boom and we also needed additional responsibilities added (zoning enforcement, etc.).  The Town Administrator is going to review current needs and come to the Board of Selectmen with a recommendation of hours.  No one said there was a problem with previous inspector’s work; we just need to determine the needed hours.
  • Jim said the Board will await Nancy Puff’s recommendations and then act.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:   
  • Sewall Street Paving:  Bids for the top course are due on July 15.  On the recommendation of Don Parker and Engineer Mike Andrade the Town Administrator released 80 percent of the bond to Venincasa upon completion of the binder course.
  • Stiles Crossing Subdivision Completion:  On July 8 the Planning Board held a public hearing and approved plan amendments that reflect a reduced scope of work that matches the remaining value of the bond.  The bonding company will prepare a settlement agreement for the Planning Board to execute; the work will get underway in August.
  • Treasurer/Collector:  Paul Nowicki has accepted our offer and begins work today.
  • Business Marketing Committee:  The Committee will present to the Board its efforts to coordinate a breakfast with the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce in September.
  • WBAC Taping Notification:  Pursuant to the request of the Board the Town Administrator requested that WBAC give notification prior to it’s taping of the Board of Selectmen’s meetings.  Station Manager Blaney said WBAC intends to tape all regularly scheduled Monday meetings.
  • Jim Stanton said they need to affirmatively tell us when they will tape meetings.  Also, he would like a switch installed in the Board of Selectmen’s room that will enable them to shut off the cameras to protect the integrity of Executive Sessions.
  • An On-Air sign could be linked to the switch.  Camera on – light on; camera off – light off.
  • It is only fair to the Board of Selectmen and only fair to the public.  We are now, by law, required to notify when meetings are being taped and we presently cannot do that.
  • Assessor Resignation:  James Holyoak has resigned from the Board of Assessors effective July 6.  A replacement will need to be made.  The Selectmen advised the Town Administrator to advertise according to policy.
  • Building Inspector Vacancy:  Tom Dillon has agreed to fill in as the Building Inspector on an interim basis; likewise, Lori Esposito has agreed to assist with the building department’s office work, as Sandy Bourassa has declined to do the job any longer.   Mrs. Puff provided analysis of how the job of Building Inspector could be filled with a part-time inspector and/or shared services.
  • The Town Administrator contacted Dan Morgado, Town Manager of Shrewsbury, regarding his ad.   Roger said it should be contingent upon whom they hire.
At 7:56 PM motion was made to adjourn.  The motion was seconded and voted all in favor.


Respectfully Submitted,


Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant