Date of Meeting: Monday, January 14, 2013
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:35 PM
Members Present: Chairman Kenneth Sydow, James Wood, Matthew Mecum; Stephan Madaus, Town Counsel; Others Present: Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant;
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM.
Meeting Minutes of July 26, 2012, August 27, 2012 and October 15, 2012 were reviewed. Minutes of October 9, 2012 will be reviewed at next meeting.
Jim Wood made a motion, seconded by Matt Mecum, to approve the minutes of July 26, August 27 and October 15 with edits. Matt Mecum seconded the motion. Voted all in favor.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board:
FY14 Budget: Preliminary budgets have been submitted both level-funded and with a two percent decrease. with exceptions in departments with collective bargaining requirements. The TA spoke with Eric Brose, Chairman of the Finance Committee, today. He reminded the Board that revenues are estimates. When the State’s budget is posted at the end of the month, the figures will be updated.
Regional Fire Chief: The TA met with Leon Gaumond of West Boylston regarding the possibility of sharing a fire chief. No commitments were made and both agreed to bring the matter to their Boards. Both agree it is worth looking at.
The Board stated it would be in favor of looking further into this.
Personnel By-law: A draft of the newly-written Personnel By-law, worked on by Dick Prince and Marty McNamara, has been sent to Kim Rozak for review.
Weather/Emergency Policy: The TA presented a draft policy to the Board which, among other things, would enable employees an hour leeway in the morning commute to arrive at work without being penalized in the event of bad weather or other emergency, if the schools are delayed or cancelled. If an employee chooses to stay out of work, the employee will not be paid and it will be necessary for the employee to use vacation or personal leave time.
Ken Sydow said it looks good but the most important thing is safety first and employees should use their own judgment. The Board will take this matter under advisement for its next meeting.
Special Police Officer: Chief Sahagian has given the TA a request from Sergeant Michael Donahue to be appointed “Special Police Officer” to cover detail jobs upon his retirement from the Department. Special Police Officers were abolished by the Town in 2008. The Chief’s recommendation is that if Boylston opts in the future to appoint Special Police Officers Sergeant Donahue will be considered. Meanwhile, since Sergeant Donahue has performed Special Police Officer duties for the Town of Shrewsbury in the past year, the Chief recommends he contact Shrewsbury and request an exception to their policy so that he would be allowed to work details in Boylston when called directly by Boylston.
Ken Sydow said he does not see the benefit to the Town but will take the matter under advisement in case of future need and/or reconsideration. Jim Wood said he feels the Chief knows what is best for his Department and he would follow his recommendation.
Equipment Operator/Laborer: An offer of employment has been made to Christopher Hotaling of Sterling, subject to his CORI and physical exam results. Mr. Hotaling has 20-plus years of experience. He is expected to start the week of January 20.
Charter Communications has announced a rate increase effective February 8 and it is believed Charter has notified all residents.
Verizon FIOS: WBAC has recommended we change our internet service from Charter to Verizon FIOS and a decision has been made to do so. They will provide us with faster speeds and a better service. There will be a small increase in the monthly cost and, because this will provide WBAC with more programming options, the TA has requested WBAC absorb the additional monthly cost. They have agreed to look into the possibility of doing so.
Tower Hill: Kathy Abbott has been named as new Executive Director of Tower Hill. We will schedule a meeting with her in the next few weeks to discuss some issues.
Hillside Development Committee: Kevin O’Sullivan, President and CEO of Mass Biomedical Initiatives of Worcester has requested a list of available land in Boylston. This would be beneficial to the Hillside Committee, as well as the Marketing Committee.
Matt Mecum said he recommends a real estate attorney, a broker, a developer, an engineer, a Planning Board representative, and a resident be on the committee. He said we need to find volunteers to fill out the committee and then we could make appointments and get going as soon as possible. He said a Parks and Recreation Committee representative might also have an interest in serving.
Marty said Gough House Committee also asked to reserve a spot for representation on the committee.
The Board will see what they can come up with and get the names to Marty for their next meeting.
Dog complaint: A complaint has been received from an out-of-state individual regarding a Dewey Avenue dog. Chief Sahagian said he also received an email and has responded to it.
Library Snow Shoveling: Ken Sydow said that, in the past, each building took care of itself. The TA said they used to pay someone to shovel but needed a new person last year. That person has not been showing up. Steve Mero has found an individual who might be willing and able to shovel and will be in contact with Jennifer at the Library.
PILOT Policy Matt Mecum spoke with Steve Madaus, Town Counsel, for suggestions on soliciting PILOT from non-profit landowners. Revenue is needed and he suggested the Board create a policy. Ken asked Marty to ask Town Counsel what other towns do.
Marketing Committee Update: Matt Mecum said he met with two business owners in Town today who are willing to PILOT the program and work with the Marketing Committee.
Report of the Chief of Police to the Board of Selectmen:
Chief Sahagian presented a list of statistics; arrests and criminal complaints are up but overall numbers are down from the previous year.
- Motor vehicle accidents have increased, including personal injury and property damage, over the previous year.
- Breaking and entering (B&E) in motor vehicles remains the same; B&E in dwellings is down but B&E in businesses is up.
- Traffic stops are down by 30 over the previous year.\
- A recent B&E in a residence; we average about one every couple of weeks.
Someone smashed a mailbox and the Department is looking into that.
- Mold readings at PD: During a MIIA walk-through inspection they found mold readings to be high.
- On December 17 a security meeting was held at Tahanto as a result of a tragedy; the next day at BES.
- Boylston Shell Beer and Wine License: On December 21 the Chief met with the attorney for Boylston Shell, as well as the owner and staff regarding their plan to sell beer and wine at the Shell Station. They answered some of the Chief’s questions.
- December 31 the Chief worked three hours. The only incident was an underage drinking party at Mount Pleasant Estates.
The Chief attended in-service training upstairs on January 8.
- January 9: meeting regarding appointment of Robert Thomas.
- Green Street signage – overhead light taken care of.
- Patrol Sergeant Step 1 with Master’s replacing a Step 5. Will replace Step 1 patrol officer from Step 5 patrolman at a cost savings of $35,793. The two percent budget reduction submitted included overage of about $17K; he would like the Board to consider hiring a Shift Supervisor Sergeant for an additional cost of approximately $3,271. Ken Sydow suggests the Chief put it in his budget and then the Board can see if they can justify a review of the budget.
- Sergeant Thomas is stepping up very well to his additional duties; reorganizing, etc. Ken Sydow said he has heard positive comments around Town concerning the Chief’s decision to appoint Sergeant Thomas. Thomas will serve the Town very well.
Ken Sydow said the Board will take under advisement a Special Officer request from former Sergeant Donahue, based on the Chief’s recommendation. In the future, if there is a need, the Chief is to feel free to bring it to the Board’s attention.
Report of the Highway Superintendent to the Board of Selectmen:
- The Department has been busy maintaining roads through the winter months. Sanded 14 times; plowed 5 times this season.
- The 1990 restored Mack truck is back in service with no problems. They are trying to repair the waste-oil burner themselves. Fire Captain McKenzie has agreed to weld some parts for the repair.
- Chapter 90 reimbursements forms were submitted to Mass DOT last Friday
- January 17 the Highway Department is attending an ALB refresher course in Worcester at 8:30 AM.
Steve Mero contacted Steve Bergstrom of Mass DEP regarding leaf and yard waste composting guidance. Once the information packet is received with the application process to be completed he will give it to the Town Administrator.
- Five burials took place since last month; they average 32 a year.
Regarding the new septic system, he didn’t budget for repair of the pavement. Repaving the back lot alone will cost $60 to $65,000, not including the septic work to be done, which is not included in the project budget. Ken Sydow asked if paving is on the capital project list? Marty McNamara said it is not included. Request for bids advertising on January 23 in the T&G and Central Register.
Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen:
Tony Zahariadis said he inspected the bleachers at the new Tahanto building and they are all set. The only issue is the porous slate on the outside is taking in water and the remedy for that.
Wagner Sign Change: The Planning Board did not want to do anything with the sign. They said they do not have any jurisdiction at Wagner’s on Main Street. If the Board of Selectmen has no issue with it, they are fine with it.
Matthew Mecum made a motion to approve the sign and install according to drawings previously submitted. Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
At 7:35 PM Selectman James Wood motioned to adjourn. Motion was seconded by Matt Mecum and voted all in favor.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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