Date of Meeting: Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:40 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, Members Matt Mecum and James Wood (arrived at 6:42 PM); Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Martin McNamara, Town Administrator (Others as listed on attached sheet.)
Planning Board Request: (Planning Board members in attendance: Mike May, Bill Manter, Rick Baker, R. Visconi and Kim Ames).
- Bill Manter, Planning Board Chair, requested that the Selectmen appoint Ms. Laurie Levy as Associate Member of the Planning Board. Ms. Levy was involved in the cell tower hearing (newly-elected member Mr. May was not) and, as such, she would be able to continue on to the close of the hearing and be a voting member. The Planning Board’s vote to have Ms. Levy appointed was unanimous.
Matt Mecum made a motion, seconded by Ken Sydow, that Ms. Levy be appointed an Associate Member of the
Planning Board. Voted all in favor. Mr. Wood was not present for the vote.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
1. The TA met with Rosemary Scrivens, Regional Director of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development regarding assistance her agency can provide the Town with respect to future business development. We plan to meet with a local business leader regarding potential expansion of their business. I will attempt to arrange a meeting for Rosemary and me with the owners of Phillips Precision to discuss their experience of the expansion process, as well as obtaining their assistance with other potential companies interested in expanding or moving to Boylston.
2. MIIA -- The TA will be meting with Jill Gallant-Shaw, our MIIA Account Executive, to discuss their services to the Town. We also discussed the annual report the Town is required to file with the Executive Office for Administration and Finance regarding healthcare reform and how the Town handled changes in healthcare plans.
3. Liquor Law Seminar -- The TA attended a Liquor Law Seminar in Bolton on May 22. Bolton Police Chief Alfano and members of his staff presented information on current liquor regulations.
4. Interim Highway Superintendent -- The TA met with the Interim Highway Superintendent to discuss salary issues and should have the issue wrapped up by the end of the week.
Parks and Recreation: The Board discussed the possibility of Parks & Rec using the space under the Police
Department.
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor to allow such use pending a
meeting between Parks & Rec, the Police Chief, the School Superintendent and the Town Administrator to
agree on security measures and maintenance of the space.
Burst Water Pipe: Mike Kane of The Banner raised a question regarding information on insurance money
received for the burst water pipe. No one in attendance had an answer.
Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes: Jim Wood requested that, going forward, meeting minutes be presented to
the Board at the following Board meeting. He stated there might be situations where it is not possible,
but he would like to stay as close to that schedule as possible.
7:00 PM Tower Hill Liquor License: Stephanie Hooper, representing Tower Hill, requested they be
allowed to serve beer and wine in different locations at Tower Hill. She indicated they are having more
events, such as weddings, etc., and they would like to be allowed to serve in two bar areas.
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor to grant the request.
Meeting Minutes:
A motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Ken Sydow and voted all in favor, with Matt Mecum
abstaining, to approve the meeting minutes of January 27, February 2, 6 and 21.
Business Marketing Committee:
- A discussion took place regarding the Marketing and Development Committee. Matt Mecum stated that he thought the Marketing Committee should focus on getting the message out about the Town in general, not just Route 140. He feels that companies look at an entire community because their employees will be living in the community. He also stated that he believes there are many talented people in Town who would be willing to serve on the Committee and the Board of Selectmen should reach out to interested individuals. He indicated there is not a lot of development going on right now but the Town can be poised to move when things turn around.
- Ken Sydow commented that there have been numerous studies completed on Route 140, as well as Hillside, and no more studies need to be done. Zoning had been an issue and changes were made. The Town became an Economic Target Area. The Board needs input from Townspeople regarding what they want. He suggested members of current boards and committees, e.g., Planning and Conservation, as well as others, could be involved. He also indicated his desire that all meetings be held at Hillside.
- Matt Mecum stated that a lot of work had been done by Ron Wagner and Herb Cronin, establishing a website, etc., and that can be built upon. He would like to focus on the Marketing Committee and then expand to the Development Committee.
- Jim Wood stated that Matt was right on point with his comments. It is a great time to build on what is in place already. He agreed with the comment about no more studies.
Jim Wood made a motion that the Board vote to re-establish the Marketing Committee, with five members,
and name Matt Mecum as the Board’s representative. Ken Sydow seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
At 7:30 PM. on a motion by Jim Wood and seconded by Matt Mecum, the following roll call vote was
recorded to go into Executive Session under M.G.L.c.30A §21 ¶3 for discussions with respect to potential
litigation strategy. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn. Roll call vote recorded as
follows: Ken Sydow: Yes; Jim Wood: Yes; Matt Mecum: Yes.
At 7:50 PM Matt Mecum made a motion, seconded by Jim Wood and voted all in favor, to adjourn.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Martin McNamara,
Town Administrator
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