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Board of Selectmen Minutes 12/13/2010
Date of Meeting:        Monday, December 13, 2010
Location:               Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time:                    6:00 PM  -  9:20  PM
Members Present:        Chairman James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant


Financial Warrants were signed in approval.

7:00 PM Report of the Police Chief to the Board of Selectmen:
  • Attended ticket hearings in Clinton on December 2.
  • On December 7 at 5:57 AM a motor vehicle accident, with a subsequent fatality, happened on Central Street.  The Boylston investigation is complete; investigation continuing with the District Attorney’s office.  The driver was on a learner’s permit with no licensed driver present.  Driver crossed the yellow line at an estimated speed of 50 to 60 mph.  The Chief issued a press release.
  • Through the month of December 41 arrests have been made.  The total for 2009 was 32.  
  • A suspect was arrested to be questioned for car break-ins in West Boylston and Holden.  The suspect is currently recovering from an unrelated bullet wound sustained in Worcester.
  • Four car batteries had to be replaced in the past month.
7:10 PM Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen:
  • Thirteen building permits were issued; total fees were $3,825, including electric and plumbing.
  • The ABCC inspections are complete.  Tower Hill is using a building not licensed to serve alcohol.  They have some egress issues, etc.  The Building Inspector was going to write a memorandum to the Board with his findings but didn’t have time to do so.
  • Approximately 46 inspections were completed:  site visits and followup inspections.
  • Jim Stanton asked how the new building at Tower Hill is being used.  Glenn said same as previous use, just larger.
  • Jim asked if they are running a restaurant, or is a third party operating it?  Glenn is not sure; he can check with the Board of Health.  Jim said that if a for-profit company is running it, that possible a portion of the building could be taxable (versus a non-profit running it).  Glenn will look into it.
  • A brief discussion regarding additional buildable lots in new subdivision.
ZBA Appointment:  A motion was made, seconded and voted all in favor to appoint Stephen Longton as a Zoning Board of Appeals Associate Member.

Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
  • Stormwater general permits:   The DCR is doing the vast majority of work to help us comply with permit requirements.  They are also preparing comments on the new regulations and will forward them for each Town to consider filing during the public comment period.
  • Tri-Town Affordable Housing Initiative:   West Boylston has applied for a peer-to-peer grant for up to $1,000 to hire Sudbury’s affordable housing planner to develop a scope of work for a shared staff person to assist the three communities (West Boylston, Boylston and Sterling).  The three towns will request funding assistance from the State to support this regional pilot project.
  • Ken Sydow favors the term “consultant” to “staff person.”  The Town Administrator agrees and will double-check terms.
  • Route 140 former Mobil station:  The owner would like to recruit a convenience/gas station for this site.  They would like to have the water line extended to the site.  Potential grant opportunities are being researched, as well as any partnerships that could share in the cost of the project.  
  • Jim Stanton asked how much it would cost.  The Town Administrator estimates $600K.  This figure seems high and she will look into it.
  • Ken Sydow asked what a left turn at that location would do to traffic safety.
  • Ms. Puff said that, per the Building Inspector, a special permit has been extended through February 11; she is not sure if it would ever be accomplished by then.
  • Roger Deal said he agrees with Ken, but the Town needs business and we really need to think it through if it happens.  We don’t want to give the appearance of discouraging any new business.
  • Ken said the decisions would not be made by the Board of Selectmen; public safety is not a question of businesses being welcomed.  The location is very close to the I-290 ramp.
  • The Town Administrator said she would go before the Planning Board for a site plan review.
  • Route 140 Zoning Changes – errors and omission correction:  Mark Bobrowski has sent a first draft of corrections which address “housekeeping” items left over from zoning revisions.  The Town Administrator will work with the Planning Board to place them on the Town Meeting Warrant.
  • Holiday season Town Hall closings:  Town Hall will be closed to the public on Thursday and Friday of the next two weeks to accommodate the Saturday holidays.  The Town Administrator would also like to take vacation time from December 27 through December 30.
  • Trees at Hillside:  Ken Sydow asked if the USDA could repave the driveway when they are finished with the tree work since its condition has been made worse from their work.  The Town Administrator will look into it.  Also looking into whether guardrails can be installed.
At 7:45 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 §21 ¶2 to conduct a strategy session with respect to negotiations with non-union personnel  and ¶6 to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real estate.  James Stanton:  Yes; Roger Deal:  Yes; Kenneth Sydow:  Yes.  The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session.

At 8:10 PM open session reconvened.  

Report  of the Finance Committee to the Board of Selectmen:
  • Jim Stanton asked if the free cash had been certified yet.  The Town Administrator said it had not.
  • The Board noted a potential savings of $100K-$150K on regional dispatch as of Fiscal Year 2012 (July 11).
  • The Town Administrator said health insurance is going to increase substantially.  Boylston has an over 100% loss ratio due to health care claims.  Jim Stanton asked if we can change the pool, i.e., go in with Tahanto or West Boylston?
  • A brief discussion was held regarding regional dispatch; the details and progress.
  • Eric Brose asked about new business and excise revenues.  
  • The Town Administrator said town surveys of COLA show many are a zero and some are at one to two percent.  Roger said he is curious about what Northborough, West Boylston, Sterling, Hudson and Berlin are doing.
  • Eric said Nick Langhart (Library) asked him if a two percent reduction has to be made just in expenses or is it in the overall budget.  The Town Administrator said it is in the overall budget.  If it cannot be reduced through expenses, it might mean a personnel reduction to achieve the two percent.
Report of the School Department:  (John Roy and the Boylston School Committee present.)
  • John Roy said he had nothing from the State for numbers.  Budget planning is very preliminary right now.  He did require departments to propose level-funded budgets, as well as minus two percent.  He has some numbers to present but he is still developing numbers, which might change.  He has presented nothing to the School Committee yet.  His aim is to produce budgets within the parameters required by the Town.  Mr. Roy does not expect State numbers until mid-January.
  • Mr. Roy met with the Berlin Finance Committee on December 1.  He did not receive any direction but did inform them of his intent to level-fund the proposed FY’12 budget.
  • Everyone is in agreement to work toward a level-funded budget.
  • All three contract negotiations are currently ongoing.  Funding contractual obligations but within the percentage of the COLA.
  • Jim Stanton asked when Grade 6 will move to Tahanto -before or after the new building is erected.    John Roy said when the school is completed, they would move the 6th Grade the following September.  Completion is anticipated for January 2012.
  • Roger asked how that move will affect the percentage of apportionment and what is the current percentage?  John Roy said Boylston’s apportionment currently is 63.9%.  The net minimum contribution would be recalculated by the State.  Also, Chapter 70 money is very low for Boylston.   Boylston could anticipate more funds with the 6th Grade at the High School – a higher Chapter 70 percentage reimbursement.  Committee member Rebecca Dono Healy agrees we have a much better chance of an increase in State aid.  Also, Berlin’s actual dollar amount contribution went up due to the State minimum contribution.Mr. Roy said the good news is that Assabet tuition and enrollment is down.  He projected that next year 20 students (at $16K per student tuition) will be going to Assabet.  This year it was 21 and last year 32 students attended.
Jim said the Board supports and encourages the School Committee to make any efforts possible to retain Superintendent McDermott.  The Board offers whatever support is necessary to that end.  Larry Brenner of the School Committee said the Committee agrees completely and is doing what it can.

Motion was made, seconded and voted all in favor, to adjourn.

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.


Respectfully Submitted,

Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant