Date of Meeting: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, Members James Wood and Matthew Mecum; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; Others as listed on the attached sheet.
Meeting Minutes: Meeting minutes of January 9, 18, 23 and 27 and February 2 were presented for approval.
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to place the minutes of January 27 and February 2 on hold and approve the minutes of January 9 18 and 23 with edits.
License Name Change Request: Request has been made by John Cherubini (owner) to change the Class II used car license name, previously granted to Anytime Auto Sales, to Classic Auto Sales. (This license has not yet been issued, as it is still pending receipt of a state-mandated $25,000 bond).
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to grant the request of Anytime Auto Sales.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
- The TA met with DPW Superintendent, Don Parker, and Mike Andrade of Graves Engineering to discuss the longstanding drainage issue on Green Street. Northborough wants to revisit the situation but we are unsure what they have in mind regarding a funding source. They appear to be taking responsibility for the issue, since water is flowing from the Northborough side into Boylston, causing erosion and icing problems.
- The TA attended a meeting of the Wachusett Chamber of Commerce at Cyprian Keyes.
- The TA assembled, for the Board, a number of job descriptions and a salary survey from various Massachusetts towns for a DPW Superintendent, as well as other positions within the DPW.
- The TA will attend a Financial Forum for new officials on Tuesday, May 29.
- The USDA will place hanging Asian Longhorned Beetle traps along Route 70 in Boylston.
Sign Request: Tower Hill requests approval to place a sign at the 70/140 intersection for a June 2 plant sale.
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to grant the request of Tower Hill.
Sprint—TowerCo. Request: Sprint has submitted a “Permit Application and Entry and Testing Authorization” form to the Board. Sprint intends to replace some of their existing antennas with newer antennas.
Motion was made by Jim Wood, seconded by Matt Mecum, and voted all in favor to authorize the Chair to sign the Authorization form.
Leash Law Request: A former Boylston resident, now residing in Berlin, sent a letter requesting a leash law be instituted in Boylston. The Board will take this under advisement and schedule it for a later date.
7:00 PM Report of Police Chief Sahagian to the Board:
- Presented crime statistics; in general, the numbers are similar to this time last year.
- A suicide by firearm was reported on April 18.
- Conducted a public safety service at the Congregational Church on April 24.
- May 1: conducted Chief’s in-service training.
- Was off several days last week for his father’s funeral and arrangements. He thanked the Board and the Town for their outpouring of support.
- A May 8 motor vehicle accident hearing was continued to June 11.
- On May 9 the T&G reported on police-log release procedures; Boylston is in compliance.
- May 18: Tahanto prom.
- May 21: DARE graduation at Boylston Elementary School.
- June 3: Tahanto graduation at 3:00 PM.
- A E-911 grant of $155K was approved.
- June 5: will attend a Chiefs’ inservice training.
- June 16: will attend a 9-11 garden dedication at the monument at 599 Main St.
7:10 PM Report of Fire Chief Flanagan to the Board:
- Call volume is up, approaching record numbers. Calls are up 20% over last year.
- Department has rendered mutual aid to Clinton and Shrewsbury in the past few weeks.
- A FEMA reimbursement from October 2011 is still being worked on. Reimbursement for Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011 was received in the amount of $9K. Paperwork to be submitted next week is being finalized for the October 31, 2011 storm. The Light Department is submitting a separate worksheet for their storm expenses. FEMA will reimburse emergency work for expenses incurred within the first 70 hours of the storm and will then reimburse expenses related to storm debris removal. The disaster declaration does not cover any snow removal costs associated with the storm nor any straight-time personnel costs associated with debris removal after the first 70 hours. All equipment costs associated with debris removal are covered; however, FEMA requires a list of all equipment used and personnel operating each piece of
equipment on a daily basis. The equipment must be assigned to a specific street address. The documentation is being finalized at this time.
- The Department has received three MEMA grants: $3K for fire ground rehab supplies. A $1500 CERT grant will purchase an iPad and portable printer to be used in the field. A $2,000 EMPG grant will purchase supplies and equipment for an emergency operations center, including a large LED monitor, folding chairs and tables.
- The Department will participate with the Sterling Fire Dept. in offering a Firefighter I/II Class to all firefighters. This is the basic class that is also offered at the Mass Firefighting Academy. The Department has eight new firefighters who will participate in this program, which is set to begin in August and run two nights a week for six months. Those completing the course will be able to become state certified at the FF I/II level.
- On July 28 the Department will be combining with the DCR to do a disaster exercise. There will be a simulated train derailment at the Boylston/West Boylston line near the reservoir on 140 near the pump house. Simulated runoff to boom the water. There will also be “victims.”
- With regard to the FY’13 budget, the Chief appreciated that the $80K was transferred from the ambulance reserve. He also expressed his gratitude for the 3% raises and funding for the per-diem EMS position from 6 to 10 PM. This will allow for extended EMS coverage. It will also provide funding to cover the rent for the ladder truck at Phillips’ garage.
- The Chief has been asked to continue to serve as President of Central Mass EMS Corporation and will serve on the Board of Directors for the MidState Mutual Aid Association for a three-year term. Central Mass EMS oversees EMS communication and training and the MidState Mutual Aid Association is the governing body of District 8, representing most of central Mass and northern Worcester County.
7:20 PM Report of Highway Supt. Parker to the Board:
- The Highway Dept. has completed approximately half of the basin cleaning and road sweeping.
- They have been placing foundations in the cemetery for stones.
- Today they rescued 15 ducks that fell into a catch basin on Central Street at Cross Street.
- Don visited Green Street with the TA and the Northborough DEPW head. Northborough wants to make sure Boylston is “on board” for funding. The easement granted last year by the homeowner might not be viable since Northborough is questioning the layout of the proposed ……….. Other easements might be required.
- Don inquired as to the status of his replacement. Ken said that is in process with the TA. Jim Wood said we need to put someone in that position, since Don is leaving as of June 1. Don suggested he be able to stay on as a part-time consultant for the cemetery commission. Ken said currently, as Superintendent, he is Superintendent of the cemetery. Ken asked if he would like to be a Cemetery Commissioner in the future and Don said he would.
- Don said the Cemetery board is still elected, although some changes were made in the early 1990s. The Cemetery Commission used to appoint their Superintendent, but the change was to have the Board of Selectmen appoint the Superintendent of the Cemetery.
- Matt Mecum asked if Tree Warden is also part of the Highway Superintendent’s job. Don said it is; it was incorporated after he became Superintendent.
- Ken told Don he will be missed and Don said he has enjoyed his run.
- On June 16 there will be a 9-11 dedication at the monument. Don is preparing a walk area around the monument. They estimate an attendance of 250 to 500.
- Don said he spoke with the TA about obtaining bids for the two septic systems ASAP. Steve Madaus asked if the system is already designed. Don said David Ross Associates (Steve Sears) is in the process of doing so.
7:35 PM Report of Building Inspector Zahariadis to the Board:
- Inspections have been steady. Jim asked if things were on an upturn. Tony said it is about the same as last year – very steady with no major spikes up or down.
- A cross-fit training business is going in where Wagner Motors building is. This was recently approved at a ZBA meeting.
- Regarding a request by Golden Skep Farm in Berlin to place signs in Boylston giving directions to the farm, Tony doesn’t feel an agricultural exemption would apply for a farm in a different town. The sign isn’t lawfully an accessory to any use within the Town. Town Counsel will work with the Building Inspector and send his decision to the Building Inspector with a copy to Lori.
7:40 PM Report of Plumbing Inspector Eric Johnson to the Board:
He has received complaints from plumbers concerning our fees. When the fees were drawn up with Mark Bertonassi they worked well but the scale needs tweaking. The fees are appropriate for new construction, but not for smaller projects in existing homes. He wants to model the West Boylston fee schedule (he is Assistant Inspector there). He would like to leave commercial pricing as is. The Board asked Eric to draft a new pricing schedule for their review before final approval. Eric will let them know when it’s ready for review..
Parks & Recreation (Present: Alan Cosimini and Karen Barber):
- P&R has submitted a request to use the Police Department basement for various activities, as well as Karen’s office space. Jim asked the size of the area. Karen provided a rough sketch showing 340 square feet of open usable space with 370 square feet for a storage area.
- The access door at the top of the stairs can be locked, allowing no access to the Police Department. However, the push bar on the door is accessible to Police Department and School Administration in case of an emergency.
- They would like to use it for programs that they normally hold at the Town House; it is also handicap accessible.
- Ken asked Town Counsel’s advice. Atty. Madaus said it depends on what purpose the property was acquired for; if it is for the Police Dept. it needs to remain available to them. If it is in the “care and custody” of another entity, they need to relinquish that.
- Karen said when she started she was told that the area was shared between the School Dept. and Parks and Rec and they can use it as they need. The Board would like the TA to see the space and determine if it is in the School Dept. lease, use of building and release of care and custody and report back to the Board.
Tennis Courts:
With regard to destruction of the tennis courts, ramps, rails and equipment for skateboarding remain at the court. The question is, what they do with what has been left behind. Is it okay to haul it away every time it is left behind? The tennis court is in rough shape already and a hole was made recently, apparently by skateboarders. There has also been vandalism; someone spray painted the basketball court.
- Ken said thee are questions of liability for semi-permanent fixtures on Town-owned property. If we can identify who the kids are we could ask them to remove the equipment.
- Alan said if the tennis court was in good shape, it would be a worse situation, but either way it is vandalism.
- Steve Madaus said it is trespassing to leave something on Town property. The Town can remove it and dispose of it.
- Matt Mecum asked the status of the Skateboard Committee. Alan said they raised some money but not enough to build anything.
Stop Signs:
Alan doesn’t understand placement of some stop signs, e.g. the one near the Congregational Church and another on Cross Street and School Street (going into Shrewsbury). A yield sign or stop sign on the other intersecting road might work better.
- Jim Wood said this should be referred to the Police Dept. Safety Officer.
Reorganization of the Board: Ken Sydow asked Jim Wood if he wanted to be Vice-Chair again and run
as Chair next year. Jim said no. Brief discussion followed re: Boards in previous years following pattern
of member serving as Chair during final term.
Motion was made by Jim Wood to nominate Ken Sydow as Chair of the Board; Matt Mecum seconded the
motion. Voted all in favor.
Motion was made by Matt Mecum to nominate Jim Wood as Vice-Chair. Ken Sydow seconded the motion.
Voted all in favor.
Jim Wood nominated Matt Mecum as Clerk. Ken Sydow seconded the motion. Voted all in favor.
At 8:16 PM, Mr. Wood motioned to go into Executive Session under M.G.L. c. 30A §21 ¶3 to discuss strategy
with respect to collective bargaining or litigation. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
Mr. Mecum seconded the motion and the roll call vote was recorded as follows: Mr. Mecum: Yes; Mr.
Wood: Yes; Mr. Sydow: Yes.
At 9:00 PM, Selectman Ken Sydow motioned to adjourn Executive Session and reconvene in open session
only to adjourn. Jim Wood Seconded; roll call vote recorded as follows: Ken Sydow: Yes; Matt Mecum:
Yes; Jim Wood: Yes.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Esposito,
Administrative Assistant
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