Date of Meeting: Monday, February 25, 2011
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:00 PM– 8:04 PM
Members Present: James Stanton; Roger Deal; Ken Sydow
Others Present: Nancy Colbert Puff, Town Administrator; Mike Kane from The Banner, Scott Goddard (Bethlehem Bible Church) plus 2 other church members, Attorney Burgoyne.
Financial warrants signed in approval.
Sign Request: Motion was made, seconded and voted all in favor to approve a request to put up a sign advertising a St. Patrick’s dinner.
2:00 PM Chapter 61B Land – School Street Property Hearing, Cont’d:
The Town Administrator summarized the progress on this issue to date, including the Town’s request for the Church to consider some type of PILOT payment in order to moderate the impact of removing these properties from the tax rolls. Attorney Burgoyne responded on behalf of the Church, noting that the Church is now looking to finance the purchase of the property plus the construction of their facility. They understand the Town’s position, but at this time, the Church cannot afford to consider a PILOT payment. They intend to be good neighbors and partners with the community. He speculated that if the Church builds recreational facilities, for example, that there may be an opportunity to share those resources. He reiterated that the total acreage purchase may, in the end, exceed the
Church’s needs, and that the Church may return some of the property to taxable use in the future. Once their design process is completed, they will be able to determine whether there is excess land to be developed.
As an attorney who represents many non-profits, he (and the Church) would be open to future discussion regarding compensation for the municipal services they receive.
Ken Sydow mentioned roads, especially School Street, which may need attention if traffic from the Church will be added to the area. Mr. Burgoyne said the church would be willing to talk at the time of construction, looking toward infrastructure of the Town. They will be receptive, if the Board declines, to be partners.
Regarding the 61B hearing, no Town residents were present at the meeting. Ken mentioned receiving a number of calls to discuss the topic of what is the best interest of the Town. The church will be a long-term presence in Town, and it will act as a buffer between residential and commercial uses. There may be opportunities to share the facilities and services. There is room for a good partnership.
Jim Stanton asked if it would be a church only or a school as well? Scott Goddard said the Church does a lot of community programming, including summer kids’ projects, and learning and service activities.
Roger Deal made a motion to decline exercising the Town’s right of first refusal to purchase the property. Ken Sydow seconded the motion. Voted all in favor.
Town Administrator’s Report
Vicious Dog Complaint - Nancy Colbert Puff reported on her meeting with the dog officer, the complainant and the neighbors. She drafted a letter from the Selectmen to consider sending the owner. Jim Stanton suggested meeting with the owner before sending it, and re-drafting it into a Memorandum of Agreement that the owner could voluntarily sign. If the owner will to agree to the conditions, the Board will hold a hearing.
MEMA: Roger Deal made a motion that the Town enter into state-wide public safety and fire agreements. Ken Sydow seconded the motion. Voted all in favor.
Solar Panel:
Nancy Colbert Puff summarized the possibility of a no-cost lease of solar panels for Town Hall and asked the Board if they had a preference for ground or roof-mounted systems. Ken Sydow reviewed the materials and said that a ground-mounted system would appear to require an investment in fencing by the Town, and as a result, his preference would be for roof-mounted units. Jim Stanton asked if they would be available for the Elementary School. Nancy said she would check into it. The Board instructed her to take the next steps in evaluating solar panels for Town Hall.
Zoning Articles:
Nancy presented a zoning change package which corrected errors and omissions made last year with the Route 140 zoning overhaul. .Ken Sydow made a motion to forward this package to the Planning Board for a public hearing; Roger Deal seconded the motion. Voted all in favor. Nancy mentioned that she met with Shrewsbury who is considering a zoning change for the Route 140 area – she provided them with a copy of our recent zoning for that area, and encouraged them to consider adopting similar standards to facilitate development.
Nancy also noted that the Planning Board is considering an accessory apartment bylaw for Town Meeting.
Tree Planting at Boylston Elementary:
Nancy informed the Board that the Worcester Tree Initiative is working with students at the Elementary School to plant trees on the school property. The Board asked them to work with tree warden, Don Parker.
2010 Year in Review:
Nancy summarized accomplishments from 2010. (See attached for more detail.)
Business Marketing Committee:
Ken Sydow suggested scheduling a separate workshop meeting to focus on Hillside. He briefly reported on the progress he has made (approx. 40+ hours) in reviewing files on the property. He noted that the Town has many past studies on the land (drainage, soils, environmental, pro formas, etc.), and it might be a good idea to bring in a college graduate / intern to organize all the existing data as a first step in determining how Hillside can best serve the Town. He read the proposed scope of work from the Worcester Business Development Corporation and thought it was good, but might be even expanded. The Town needs to confirm the goals and direction for land use at Hillside. An intern could do a good deal of background work, at a cost-effective rate, prior to a consultant being hired.
Roger Deal stressed that the role of the intern be clearly defined.
Jim asked Nancy to draft a job description for the intern.
Ken Sydow said that while the BMC has done a tremendous amount of work in their first year, that there is remaining work to be done: contacting all business owners along 140, taking advantage of 43D status and advertising, developing relationships with the Chamber of Commerce, etc. He suggested expanding the Committee, from two active members to people who want to speak publicly to promote the Town.
He said that a Hillside Development Committee would have a different role, and different makeup than a Marketing Committee.
Ken Sydow said so many good things have been done; word is getting out about Boylston. Nancy met with
Shrewsbury regarding the zoning, the water main being extended, etc.
Roger Deal said we have to move forward and produce results.
Jim Stanton said the Board has made a consistent effort to be business friendly over the past several years, since working to develop a TIF for Rand Whitney. He noted that as 140 develops, the value of the Hillside property increases. The Marketing Committee’s focus should be on Route 140. Ken agreed, and said the Chamber breakfast momentum needs to continue.
An intern job description will be prepared by March 11.
At 3:30 PM on a motion made by Selectman Ken Sydow and seconded by Roger Deal the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 30 §21 ¶2 to prepare for negotiations with non-union personnel: James Stanton: Yes; Roger Deal: Yes; Kenneth Sydow: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene in open session to adjourn.
Upon a motion to adjourn made by Roger Deal and seconded by Ken Sydow and voted all in favor, the meeting was adjourned at 3:40 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Nancy Colbert Puff,
Town Administrator
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