Date of Meeting: Monday, December 17, 2012
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:36 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, James Wood, Matthew Mecum; Stephan Madaus, Town Counsel; Others Present: Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant; (Others as listed on attached sheet.)
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule was approved with two changes: January 7 changed to January 14 and February 19 changed to February 11.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board:
Dept of Revenue: The tax rate for 2013 has been certified. The Town Administrator praised the great job done by the Town Accountant, the Assessors and the Treasurer.
Highway Equipment Operator Position: This position has been re-advertised. The ad ran in the Sunday Telegram on December 16 and will run in The Banner in this coming Thursday’s edition.
Retiree Healthcare Eligibility: Town Counsel has completed edits on the 2007 policy; a copy of the proposed policy has been provided to the Selectmen with any proposed changes in bold. It does not appear any retirees have been disqualified due to the current policy. The Town Administrator said that retirees age 65-plus must take Medicare Parts A and B, and they may subscribe to supplemental insurance through the Town. If a supplemental family plan is chosen, it would be two separate policies for the employee and the spouse.
Jim Wood said if we have an employee on their spouse’s insurance, this saves the Town a lot of money. The current retiree policy may stop someone from looking into a better plan to possibly save money. He feels it should be a 20-year minimum and the spouse should be eligible, as well. Matt Mecum agrees.
Discussion was held regarding the minimum time requirement for notice prior to the employee’s scheduled date of retirement. Jim feels 90 days is acceptable
Ken Sydow asked if we should also require the age of 65 at retirement to be eligible for insurance (if all other conditions of the policy have not been met).
Jim Wood made a motion to amend the benefits coverage under the applicable provisions of M.G.L.c. 32 to include eligibility after 20 years of employment and to include the spouse, with three months’ notice and available upon attaining the age of 65.
Martin McNamara suggested it be amended to state: “subject to review by Town Counsel.”
Matt Mecum seconded the amended motion. Voted all in favor.
6:50 PM: State Representative Harold Naughton:
A proclamation was presented to Representative Naughton on behalf of the Board as appreciation for his service in the military to the country and the Town of Boylston.
Ken Sydow said we appreciate the close-knit relationship and communication we have with Representative Naughton and the fact that he cares about our communities.
Revenues: Representative Naughton said revenues picked up slightly during the first half of November.
9 C: 9C cuts will not affect local aid as of now. The Governor doesn’t have that authority without legislative approval. He doesn’t think that would be approved based on feedback from his colleagues. He would push for the “rainy day fund” to be used; this will be dependent upon FY’14 projections.
Transportation Bond Bill: $100K has been earmarked for Route 140. He convinced the Ways and Means Committee that money aimed at Route 140 would be helpful. The question now is what it would be used for. The bond bill is authorized in bits and pieces over five years, based on projects in the queue. Anything we can argue would help the 140 infrastructure; he doesn’t want to give specifics, just examples of what some communities use the money for: sewer reconstruction, curbing, sidewalks, traffic flow, etc. The Town can be very creative; the more substance, the better as this would move the project closer to the top of the priority list.
Ken Sydow said that since the $100K request was submitted we have joined the ETA group and changed some of the Route 140 zoning and put the Applicant Advisory Committee together. We need to look at the possibility of a traffic light at South Sewall Street and Route 140. This would also provide a break in the traffic to enable people to get in and out of businesses along 140 and it would be safer with regard to transportation for the school. Those were our major concerns when the $100K was requested. This went through Bielecki’s office at a time when the Town was not the most welcoming to new business.
Calliope Theatre Crosswalk (Route 70) (Present: Attorney Jane Fraier representing Calliope): Ms. Fraier stated they are very concerned that the crosswalk at 150 Main Street was not replaced after the State repaved the road. ADA requirements include having the area assessed to comply with various requirements, such as ramps, grids, etc. She contacted the DPW Superintendent, the previous Town Administrator, etc. and they are at a standstill due to it not being determined who should bear the cost of the crosswalk (the Town, the State, Calliope Theatre of all of them).
Ken Sydow said the problem was that a complete engineering study was required, along with prohibitive costs of curb cuts and special ramp requirements. The State did not replace the crosswalk and it is now requiring a study and an extensive cost to replace the crosswalk.
Ken said Calliope has also grown since the crosswalk was taken out. Many children and adults from surrounding communities attend various programs there. They are looking to protect patrons and participants and would hate to see someone get injured, or worse.
Ms. Fraier said Calliope is in their 30th year. They began in Northborough and then moved to where St. Mary of the Hills Church used to be. They run several school and summer programs for kids. They put on six main productions throughout the year plus a teen program at night. Also, music lessons are conducted almost daily throughout the year. There is some heavy traffic on Route 70; it is a straightaway and fairly dark; they are concerned for people’s safety. Also, a crosswalk would direct people to a specific crossing area rather than crossing at random.
Representative Naughton said he spoke with Jonathan Gulliver, the new Region 3 Director, who replaced the previous Director. He will continue researching with him and get back to the Board of Selectmen with an update.
MCJTC: Ken Sydow said the Town is always interested in retaining them as a tenant. Hank said the Massachusetts Chiefs Association is always looking for ways to fund their programs: classes, inservice training, etc. They are pushing to add an automobile insurance tax to support their programs. If they find resources for that program, Boylston would be all set, since it would allow training on a uniform, ongoing basis. Ken said we have the potential to offer additional space in a nearby building and the grounds here are expansive enough to allow training as well as ample parking.
School Foundation Budget: Supt. Nadine Ekstrom (present): Combined total of $5,438,788. The Town is required to pay $4,848,004 (89% of the budget). The State only funds it approximately ten or eleven percent. However, based on State calculations, the Town’s target would be to pay 82.5% or $4,487,000. The District contribution is increasing while the Chapter 70 aid is decreasing. This is very concerning, as the new building is ready to be occupied and they are concerned that the towns will not be able to support it. 9C cuts are cutting school transportation, so it will be necessary to get that difference out of the school budget.
Boylston also does not receive or qualify for a Rural Schools Grant because the Elementary School is too close to Worcester and it is considered “urban” because of its location on this side of Route 140. The other schools in the district do get grant money due to their location: Tahanto gets $44K and the Berlin Elementary School gets $24K. Rep. Naughton said he doesn’t see the merit of their restriction since the Town does not even abut Worcester. The Superintendent said there is nothing left in the budget to cut other than salaries and staff. Ken Sydow added that the Town cannot fund the needs of the school without eliminating staff and/or entire departments. Rep. Naughton said he will be in touch with Nadine.
Matt Mecum said the biggest issue with the new school is to put programs in place and support potential growth. He is nervous that we don’t have the technology to support the new school programs. Rep. Naughton said other states/municipalities have public/private partnerships (e.g., colleges, biotech companies, etc.) for co-op programs in the schools; Boylston may want to explore similar options.
DCR: Jim Wood said he has heard concerns from residents about “water police,” (the DCR). For example, a resident was walking her dog and was reprimanded by a DCR Ranger for being on DCR property. The property was recently acquired and the woman was not aware of that. He said the State controls more and more land; we lose tax payments and the rights to the use of that land.
Rep. Naughton said he has always fought with the DCR/State about how they view us as “in their way” when it comes to our access to the land owned by the State. We are proponents of protecting the watershed and should be recognized as such. He will mention it.
Senior Citizen Cable Rate (Mike Ridinger of the Cable Committee was present):
Matt Mecum has received questions regarding the discount. Mr. Ridinger said it is currently ten percent off basic cable only, or $1.50 Matt said the seniors don’t get the public access channels to keep up to date with happenings, notices, flu clinics, etc. Is there a way to negotiate a package for seniors to be able to access these channels? Communication is of key help during any Town-wide crisis, such as health, weather, etc. Mike said basic cable does include Channel 11 at $15/month plus a ten percent discount for qualifying seniors. The system has the capability to interrupt programming with emergency messages
Mike said we can ask, but, realistically, Charter probably will not do anything; they have a ten-year binding contract that was recently renewed. He will have Tom Collins approach Charter and ask them. There was a brief discussion of current cable offerings; Mike tried to get a-la-carte offerings during contract negotiations. Matt asked if they are allowed to broadcast through other than Charter, such as internet channels (Apple TV, etc.) Mike said it is allowed but it won’t help since internet access is more costly than basic cable.
Report of the Town Administrator, Cont’d:
Library Renovation Project: The bid documents are complete and will be advertised on January 19, 2013. Sub-bids are due on January 28, 2013 at 1:00 PM and bids for the general contract are due on February 25, 2013. The Library Committee will hire a Project Overseer.
Highway Dept Salaries: The Town Administrator has requested information from approximately 14 towns similar in size to Boylston regarding salary range for the Highway Superintendent and a Highway Equipment Operator/Laborer. He has had few responses and will report when he has more.
FY’12 versus FY’13 spending: The TA has asked the Town Accountant for a comparison. She will have that after she prepares the warrant next week so that we get a full half year of FY’13.
School Dept Surplus furnishings from High School: The TA has forwarded a list of surplus equipment, etc. that will not be moved from the old high school to the new building to all Town departments. The only response to date has been from Parks & Rec.
Fire Chief Job Description: The TA has conferred with the Fire Chief, who said he has received a few job descriptions from other chiefs which can be reviewed. This should be completed shortly.
Installing FIOS in Hillside Buildings: We have had some issues with our internet and our phone service and are looking into whether FIOS would provide better connectivity. The current phone service has noise and interference; the internet capability and speed would be improved immensely with FIOS.
Discretionary Spending: The TA has sent out notice to all Boards, Departments, Committees and Commissions that any purchases over $100 will need the approval of the Town Administrator prior to purchase.
Channel 27 TV Tower: Complaints have been received about the brightness of the lights on the Tower. The TA contacted James Galuzo of TV27, who indicated they had received several calls concerning this and were in the process of looking into it. Someone will contact the TA when they have answers.
Miscellaneous Matters:
Verizon Wireless has withdrawn their application for a special permit for a tower at 599 Main Street.
Tax Exempt List: Tower Hill has been added to last week’s list. A $5.9M assessment resulting in $100K/year taxes we cannot collect.
Marketing Committee Update: Matt Mecum is looking into the possibility of having a Marketing Breakfast. An in-depth review of the recent questionnaire is being conducted.
Leaf/Yard Work: Marty is waiting to hear from the DCR.
At 8:16PM on a motion made by Selectman Jim Wood, and seconded by Matt Mecum, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 30A §21 ¶2to prepare for negotiations with non-union personnel. Kenneth Sydow: Yes; James Wood: Yes; Matthew Mecum: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
At 8:36 PM Selectman James Wood motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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