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Date of Meeting: Monday, February 7, 2011
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:00 PM– 8:04 PM
Members Present: Roger Deal; Ken Sydow;
Others Present: Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Others as indicated below
Absent: Chairman James Stanton
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
Draft FY-12 Budget Changes:
- Governor’s Budget – Proposed Cherry Sheets: $59K more than anticipated will be received. Chapter 70 is level-funded and our 75% Veterans’ Benefit reimbursement is included. But charges for school choice and charter school tuitions have increased approximately $70,000.
- Worcester County Retirement: Our assessment has doubled to 14.14%. Projected increase in the initial budget was seven percent.
- Two Percent COLAs: All budgets have been changed to reflect a two percent increase for employees (including dispatchers, who do not have an employment agreement with the Town.
- Snow and Ice Removal: Increased this line by $10K. Don Parker would like the Board to vote to overspend the sand and salt budget, as over 67% of the present budget has been spent to date.
Proposed Town Meeting Draft Calendar: The Board (Roger Deal and Ken Sydow) agree with the dates presented.
Town Buildings:
- A pipe burst in the basement of the Police Station/School Administration building on January 24.
- Ice dams have formed on the roof of Town Hall. One of the MPTC classrooms was affected, as well as the Town Administrator’s office and a portion of the Selectmen’s meeting room.
Regional Dispatch Initiative: The Town Administrator met recently with area TAs who are also considering entering into an agreement with Worcester. Common concerns regarding the draft IMA were put forward. We are now working together to propose a new draft agreement to present to Worcester. They would like to negotiate as a group, rather than individually.
Gough House: The Massachusetts Historical Commission has issued its approval for the proposed project; bid documents, to be published at the beginning of March, are being prepared. Volunteers will begin work this coming weekend.
Stiles Crossing: The Planning Board continues to work with the neighbors on the completion of this subdivision. The “as-built” and acceptance drawings have been submitted and are being reviewed by Graves Engineering. Town Counsel is advising the Board on the issue of the homeowners’ association; he is attending the Planning Board meeting this evening. The Town Administrator put the question out to local planners but did not receive much of a response; it is a complicated issue.
Chapter 61B Land – School Street Property: Discussion of right of first refusal.
Present: Attorney Joel Greene (working for the seller); Attorney James Burgoyne of Fletcher, Tilton, Whipple, working for the purchaser (Bethlehem Bible Church); Scott Goddard and Mr. Duma, members of the congregation.
- The Town Administrator said March 2, 2011 is the deadline to pursue our right of first refusal on the land. The Board has had some discussion in the past weeks.
- Mr. Burgoyne said the Bethlehem Bible Church, currently located in West Boylston, has a growing congregation in need of a larger facility.
- They entered into negotiations in the fall of 2010 on the property and had a Purchase and Sale Agreement as of late October. Two of the parcels are subject to 61B status. The property is larger than what is needed by the Church. Proposed site plans/architecture are in their infancy. Going forward, their intent is to design site plans once they learn of the Board’s interest. Once needs have been determined and the site evaluated for building (it has wetland, ledge, etc.) that will determine future plans, possibly spare real estate to be sold in the future. In the near future, it should remain mostly open space.
- Roger Deal asked if the church had an affiliation or if it is independent of any mother church. Scott Goddard said they joined the Southern Baptist organization based in Northborough.
- Ken Sydow said the Board’s interest is doing the best thing financially for the Town. He would like information regarding how they plan to develop the site; what tax benefits might become available for the Town. The goals of the Town are to increase commercial business for tax relief, long-term.
- Mr. Burgoyne said he has been on both sides and understands the concerns of the Board. He looks at the property as being undesirable for commercial development; three sides are surrounded by residential use and only one side has access from Route 140.
- Ken brought up other questions regarding the increase in services required, the potential for PILOT of one-time assistance with back taxes. School Street would need improvements, especially for increased traffic and use by the Church. Is there any opportunity to encourage the Town to accept this.
- Roger said he, personally, has a strong emotional connection with the church and would welcome them. However, his job is to rationalize, and the Town’s dilemma is that approximately 92% of our tax revenue comes from residential properties. We are looking to relieve some of the pressure in the future on taxpayers. The dilemma is the property on the Route 140 corridor, which is where the Town is concentrating its attention for a commercial development increase. Alternatively, a church would be an asset to the community.
- Mr. Burgoyne said he understands completely. The church is open to dialogue with the Town, but it is premature to discuss cost defrayment, pilot, ETC., NOW. They would not add any burden to the municipal services as there would be no significant traffic. However, they are anxious to move forward to be responsible citizens in Boylston.
- Roger asked about the number of members. Steve Conley (the Pastor) said the membership is 140 and attendance averages 300. Attendance has doubled since around 2004. Annual increase is $650-$700K. Nothing is run during the week, including school. Activity is primarily on Sundays and Thursday evenings. Some summer programs are run (bible school, etc.).
- Stephen Madaus said this land is held in the recreation-use classification. The proposed future use is secondary to their interest in preserving the current classification of the land. The Town will not consider future-permitted use; this is not planning statue. The only thing that is relevant is that it’s being converted from recreational use.
- Ken said there are three separate parcels of land – Route 140 land was out of 61B when it was sold. Joel said two pieces are currently in 61B. Evaluated by Kelleher/Sadowsky, their opinion was it is minimally developable for commercial use (a stream is running through it, etc.). Ken Sydow said the Town’s interest is in the two 61B parcels, possibly house/property. Joel said he is not selling the house and has no intention to do so.
- The Board is to take the matter under consideration, continuing the public hearing to February 18.
Continuing with the Town Administrator’s Report :
Fire Captain Classification and Grade:
- The Fire Chief has requested, in his budget request, an increase in the Fire Captain’s salary. Attached to the Town Administrator’s report is a compilation of all available salary information on Fire Captains’ salaries in Massachusetts. Comparable communities are highlighted. Also attached is a fire vehicle maintenance program which the Captain currently performs. The Chief estimates this work, involving preventive maintenance alone, would cost approximately $13K if it were performed by outside sources. The Fire Chief, in his proposed budget, recommends a pay increase for this position to (a) bring the base pay into line with peers’ salaries and (b) compensate the Captain for mechanical duties performed outside of his job description. The Town Administrator suggested the
following:
FY 2011 salary: $52,676
FY 2012 with 2% COLA: $53,729
Salary adjustment of 3%, based on
Comparable salaries $55,500
Mechanical stipend: $ 4,500 (34% of estimated value)
Proposed Total FY2012: $60,000
- The current salary falls below the median of $62,900 and the average of $66,150 for all represented communities with full-time employees in this position.
- The Captain also performs vehicle maintenance. The Chief estimated this work would cost approximately $13K if performed by an outside source.
- The Chief proposed a pay increase of three percent (in addition to a two percent COLA) and also a $4,500 stipend for continued vehicle maintenance.
- Ken Sydow said this is an employee we don’t want to lose. He agrees we should increase his salary and also add the proposed mechanics’ stipend
- Also, the Captain and full-time EMT positions have not been regarded since these positions were transferred from voluntary, part-time status, to full-time.
- Ken Sydow made a motion to change the compensation as recommended. Roger seconded the motion and the vote was Sydow: Yes and Deal: Yes.
Snow and Ice Budget:
Roger Deal made a motion to overspend the sand and salt budget, if needed. Ken Sydow seconded the motion and the vote was Sydow: Yes and Deal: Yes.
Upon a motion to adjourn made by Roger Deal and seconded by Ken Sydow and voted all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 8:04 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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