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Date of Meeting: Monday, August 9, 2010
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 – 8:45 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
Financial warrants were signed in approval.
Sign Request: Request was made by the Cactus and Succulent Society to erect temporary signs advertising their upcoming sale at Tower Hill. Motion was made to grant the request; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Entertainment License: Request was made by the Fire Department for a Straw Hollow Engine Show. Motion was made to grant the request; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
- Tri-Town Housing Analysis: An overview of housing in Boylston, West Boylston and Sterling is attached. See if there is expertise available in the three towns.
- Sewall Street Paving: To begin on Tuesday, August 10. A signature on the contract is needed from the Board. Jim Stanton asked if Town Counsel had reviewed the contract. The Town Administrator said he had not, that it is the same contract as used in the past. Motion was made to approve the execution of the contract; motion seconded and voted all in favor.
- Library Renovations Phase 1: The renovations are being put out to bid. Funding is from a combination of Town money and a donation from the Library Foundation. The Board wants Town Counsel to review the bid specs.
- Asian Longhorned Beetle: The regulated area has been expanded due to the discovery of additional infested trees along the West Boylston border. This now includes North Sewall and School Streets and Scar Hill Road. A new map of the area is attached.
- Police Officers’ Union Letter: Will be discussed in Executive Session.
- GIS Parcel Development: The Town Administrator reviewed this with the Board of Assessors. Tighe and Bond, an engineering firm with an office in Worcester, completed the initial formatting of our maps in conjunction with a project funded by DCR. They have provided a proposal to complete the production of our tax map. They’re on the State bid list and their quote is competitive with a GIS professional familiar with this scope of work. They can finish the project in approximately eight weeks. The Town Administrator recommends moving forward with the project (draft contract is attached) and asks that the Board approve the Chairman executing the contract subject to Town Counsel’s approval. Ken Sydow made a motion to approve the contract, subject to final approval of form by Town Counsel and
the Town Administrator. Motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
- Business Marketing Breakfast 9/10/10: An invitation has been forwarded to the Chamber for email distribution and will be mailed to a selection of realtors, commercial developers and property owners this week.
Report for June and July of the Fire Chief to the Board of Selectmen:
- There has been an increase in EMS calls. The department responded to a fatal motor vehicle accident on Route 70 near Tahanto on June 25. The department supplied coverage with an engine company at Shrewsbury fire headquarters on June 19 and the same coverage in Berlin on June 26. The department also supplied equipment and manpower to Holden July 6 through July 8 for a very large brush fire that burned for several days. We supplied an engine company to a fire in Northborough on July 19, and supplied an engine company to Clinton on August 4 for a multiple alarm fire at the Wheetabix factory in Clinton.
- The new ambulance has shipped from the LifeLine plant in Iowa to Specialty Vehicles in North Attleboro. The lettering, striping, radio installation, etc., will be completed within the next two weeks or so. Chief Flanagan will meet with Mr. Hooper from Specialty Vehicles this week to address any remaining items. The vehicle should be in service by the end of August.
- A portable hand-held GPS has been purchased. This will assist in missing person searches, as well as navigation on the fire boat and will be used to assign latitude and longitude coordinates to all fire hydrants in Town. This information will be used to develop a mapping program to enable dispatchers to identify the nearest hydrants.
- Two recruit firefighters (Sara Jordan and Andy Tataronis) will be sent to the next Fire Academy Firefighter I/II Class in Stow running from September 13, 2010 through February 23, 2011.
- The department will co-sponsor in November, with West Boylston, a regional EMT refresher class, open to EMTs from all area fire departments.
- The department will again sponsor the Straw Hollow Engine Show fundraiser on August 14 and 15 at Pine Ridge Farm.
- The department won a second place trophy in the Wachusett Muster League muster on June 19 in Sterling, demonstrating their firefighting skills. First place went to Harvard Fire Dept.
- The department has written a grant to the DCR for the purchase of gas-powered portable pumps which can be used to supply water from ponds or streams for firefighting. They can also be used in flooding situations. The grant is approximately $2,000 and the Boylston Firefighters Association will again be asked to support the grant by providing the required matching funds, as State equipment grants were removed this year.
New Treasurer, Paul Nowicki appeared before the Board to thank the members for the opportunity to serve in Boylston. He gave an update of matters in the Treasurer’s Office, stating that the books are in order. He said he is happy to be working with the people in Town Hall.
Building Inspector:
- Mr. Hand is now asking for an increase in his hourly wage and an additional mileage allowance.
- Jim Stanton asked if we are paying the same rate as Shrewsbury. The Town Administrator said we are. Jim asked why he wants more. Ms. Colbert-Puff said she thought the salary should not exceed 75% of range; the mileage allowance is a way to increase the net salary without increasing the hourly rate to over 75% of the pay grade. Ms. Colbert-Puff feels we could entertain his request for an increase.
- Ken Sydow said that articles in the newspaper raised the question of other part-time jobs he has. The residents are concerned about his office hours and availability and asked Ms. Colbert-Puff to review his core hours.
- Ms. Colbert-Puff said he is working in Shrewsbury 18 hours in afternoons. His posted hours here are 8:00 – 9:00 AM Tuesday through Thursday; Monday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. He originally thought that might be a problem. His work hours will be Monday 4:00 – 8:00 PM and Tuesday through Friday 7:30 AM to 12:00 Noon.
- Jim Stanton said he is disappointed that Mr. Hand accepted the offer and then came back in to request additional money. Ms. Colbert-Puff spoke with him on Friday to verbally make an offer. Mr. Hand came in the following Monday and was given the written offer, which he accepted. He then came in on Tuesday to request additional money.
- Roger Deal said he finds it highly unusual that someone would come to work and then ask for a different offer. If he had thought about the offer and called with alternatives, that would be normal but why accept the offer and then come up with alternative considerations. This doesn’t bode well for him. Roger also questioned his capacity for work if he is handling calls in Uxbridge (population of 12,000), emergency calls in Millbury, serving on the ZBA of Millbury, working in Shrewsbury for 18 hours a week and for Boylston 22 hours.
- Mr. Deal stated that a person in a job must be accountable for his hours. Roger feels Mr. Hand should be made aware of our expectations. We expect dependability and accountability for his hours and Roger hopes it would be verified regularly. Roger would like to observe first to see what happens over the next several months. He doesn’t question Mr. Hand’s qualifications, just his capacity to perform the work.
- Jim Stanton feels Mr. Hand is qualified and can bring positive experiences to the job. He agrees with Roger and expects Ms. Colbert-Puff to be accountable and verify his hours with the Board. We expect him to be here for the hours we are paying him.
- Ken Sydow said we are looking for quality, availability and ability to deal with the public and other boards. He would look to Ms. Colbert-Puff to manage his hours and performance. Feedback to date regarding Mr. Hand has been positive.
- Ken made a motion to approve an increase as recommended by Mrs. Puff of $1/hour (to $24.12) and a mileage allowance of $200/month (from $160). The motion was seconded by Jim Stanton and voted as follows: Ken Sydow: Yes; James Stanton: Yes; Roger Deal: Abstained.
WBAC Television: Michael Ridinger of the Cable Advisory Committee appeared before the Board to discuss the taping of Selectmen’s meetings.
- James Stanton expressed concerns regarding the light not being coordinated with the camera; he is not sure if or when the camera is on. A switch is needed on the camera. Mr. Ridinger said when the cameras come on the light goes on (it is hard-wired). The problem arises when the camera is switched off but the system remains on. Then the light will not go off. The cameras need to be physically shut off after the meeting.
- Roger Deal said he has been told that sometimes the sound is off but the meeting is still being filmed.
- Ken said the Board needs to protect the integrity of Executive Sessions and to serve the Town’s best interests.
Mr. Sydow made a motion to cease filming the meetings until we have a control power switch. The motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
- Roger asked how long it would take to install the switch. Mr. Ridinger said he would need to get the electrician in to do it. He apologized for the problem and will install the power switch. Brittany Blaney is responsible for scheduling recordings.
Building Department Clerical Work:
- Ms. Colbert-Puff said she would like to advertise the position for eight to ten hours per week at a Grade 3 with a starting rate of $11.48/hour. This person would answer phones and see people when the Building Inspector is not in; take in applications and fees and turn over money to the Treasurer.
- Ken asked if the Building Inspector would be doing any clerical work. Ms. Colbert-Puff said she would like him to concentrate on inspections.
- Jim Stanton said he would like Ms. Colbert-Puff to look at part-time budgets for next year and perhaps coordinate support. He would like an analysis of clerical support; how it is utilized and any possible consolidation by the next budget cycle.
- Ken Sydow said he would also like to see support for the Board of Selectmen’s office and maybe free up Nancy Puff and Lori Esposito for larger-scope projects.
- Jim Stanton said she would need to communicate to the person that next year the position might be different or consolidated. He would like Ms. Colbert-Puff to return with a global recommendation regarding support needs for this building.
Mr. Sydow made a motion to place an ad for the Building Department as recommended by Ms. Colbert-Puff. Motion was seconded and voted all in favor.
CMRPC -- Boylston, West Boylston and Sterling Housing Analysis: Vera C. Ryan of CMRPC was present, as well as Mike Borsuk of the Affordable Housing Committee.
- Ms. Colbert-Puff presented a Housing Overview for the three towns, comparing statistics.
- Only deed-restricted units qualify toward the Affordable Housing ten percent inventory. The goal is to match price point with the buyer’s income level. A brief discussion was held regarding what units qualify as “affordable” toward the overall percentage.
- CMRPC are planners who help identify possibilities for affordable housing in towns They would figure a basic housing strategy for all three communities, capitalizing on shared ideas, projects, etc.
- Jim Stanton asked if we could do a project in cooperation with another community and have it count toward the housing total. Vera said it is a possibility but the units could not be counted in both; the number would have to be shared.
- Mike Borsuk asked if the units have to be contiguous and Ms. Ryan said they did.
- They will be conducting a survey of stakeholders and are planning a meeting for September or October. They will report to the towns around the end of November. Jim asked what the report will tell us. Vera said it would spell out how to create affordable housing in the future and get to your goals via grants, projects, etc. It will be varied. Jim asked if the market conditions will be addressed. (He cited Sewall Street 40B from a few years ago at the sand pit.) Vera said the market makes a difference, and also there is a qualification process.
- Ken said we possibly have land that might be identified for qualifying as Affordable Housing stock.
- Roger inquired about the cost of the study. Vera said it would cost nothing as it’s a grant and it expires at the end of the calendar year.
- Steve Madaus asked if the study would incorporate the outcome of the ballot question to repeal 40B.
- Ken asked if communities ever offer the land for lease versus sale in order to reduce developer costs for adding units. Vera said she has seen it but she has not specifically worked with one. RFPs are put out to developers; usually for mixed-rate units. It’s not unusual. Mike Borsuk said it is almost like a turnkey development. He heard of a town putting out land and the developer built, then the town controlled their housing body.
ABCC Amendment:
- New amendment allows for pouring beginning at 10:00 AM on Sundays.
- Stephen Madaus advised this is a two-part statute; if the Board has already adopted one part, they have to adopt the modified second part.
Ken Sydow made a motion to have counsel review the new statute and provide an appropriate avenue to accept the change in MGL c. 138 §33B. Seconded and voted all in favor.
Motion to review on a case-by-case basis on guidelines established by Town Counsel was seconded and voted all in favor.
Council on Aging Appointment: The Board, on a motion seconded and voted all in favor, appointed Karen Temblay to the Council on Aging.
At 8:35 PM, on a motion made by Selectman Kenneth Sydow, and seconded by Roger Deal, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 39 §23b ¶3 to discuss a response to a communication received from the Police union: James Stanton: Yes; Roger Deal: Yes; Kenneth Sydow: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
At 8:45 PM, a motion made to adjourn was seconded; voted all in favor.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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