Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
 
Board of Selectmen Minutes 07/15/2013
Date of Meeting:        Monday, July 15, 2013
Location:               Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time:                   6:30 PM – 7:53 PM
Members Present:        Chairman James Wood; Michael May; Brian Falke, Town Counsel; Martin McNamara, Town Administrator; Rose Bardsley, Clerk  
Absent:                 Matthew Mecum

Others Present:         Steve Bedard of Melrose Street; Karen Barber, Parks & Rec; Lynn Cianci; Michael Kane, The Banner


The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM

There were no financial warrants to be signed.


Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:

  • In conjunction with the Town Administrator’s report concerning Steve Bedard of Melrose Street who requests he be allowed to temporarily store gravel removed from his property on Town property:   Mr. Bedard is building a home on his property and upon completion (two to four weeks) he would remove the gravel from Town property and restore the land to its former condition.    The TA and the Highway Superintendent see no problem with granting Mr. Bedard’s request.   Mr. Bedard appeared before the Board and stated he would return the property to normal.   This would all be contingent upon the Highway Superintendent’s approval and making sure there would be no runoff.
  • Jim Wood asked when he would be finished with the house and Mr. Bedard said he hoped to be finished by the end of September.   This is a single family dwelling and the contractor is giving Mr. Bedard a certificate of insurance.
Mike May made a motion to approve the use of the Town property until October 1, 2013 for the storage of materials.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

  • The Town Administrator will send a letter to the abutters.
  • The representative from Damn Yankee Balloons has withdrawn their request for use of the soccer fields to launch their balloon.
  • The budget for legal expenses for Fiscal 2013 has been overspent by approximately $6K, due to Town Counsel attending most Selectmen’s meetings; the cell tower issue with the Planning Board, employment contracts, etc.  The TA requests approval to transfer a$5K from the Tree Warden Expense Line and $1K from the Highway Salaries Line to cover the additional moneys.  The Finance Committee has given their approval for the transfers.
  • Jim Wood asked what the total Town Counsel budget is.   The TA said it is $70K.  He said the Planning Board transferred $5K back into the General Fund and it would have been nice to have had it go back into the Town Counsel account.   The Highway Superintendent has no issue with the transfer from both of his line items.
  • Some time back the Board initiated a requirement that all Boards and Committees, etc. contact the Town Administrator before requesting any assistance from Town Counsel.   That policy is no longer being followed.  There are times when the TA might have the answer and Town Counsel would not be needed.  With regard to the Library issue, they used Town Counsel when they possibly could have gotten the answer from the architect.
  • Mike May asked if each department has it own allocation of money for Town Counsel.   The TA said there is only one budget for Town Counsel.  He thought at one time that perhaps we should have separate budgets but thinks it would be best to leave it as is.   Mr. May asked if we have attempted to establish policy.  The first step would be to call for permission from the TA’s office.    Some things were spent that were School Department issues; perhaps that should not have been.   The TA said the School Department has its own attorney who they contact when the want.   Mike May asked if it is mandated that they conduct themselves that way?   Brian Falke said they have a certain amount of autonomy.  Mike May asked if there is any reason we could not consolidate the two and get a lower rate.  Jim Wood said that is pretty much out of our jurisdiction.   Marty said the school departments operate on their own.
Mike May made a motion to transfer $5K out of the Tree Warden Expense Line to spend for Town Counsel and also motions we move $1K out of the Highway Salaries Line for Town Counsel.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

  • The Town Administrator spoke with Bill Masiello, Town resident, regarding the Town’s development plans for the Hillside property.  They discussed the Marketing Committee’s survey and the TA informed him of the Board’s intent to create a Hillside Use Committee and he indicated he would be interested in serving on that committee.  The TA inquired whether the Board is prepared to move forward and ask for volunteers for that committee.   Mike May said from his perspective he is not interested in the Business Marketing group getting involved in Hillside development.  This is a small town which does not have significant tax dollars coming in.  The way in which 140 is developed might foster many things.  We should not do anything until we know where 140 goes.  Jim Wood said he understands but thinks Hillside could be a good draw for 140; he thinks Mike May is on the right track.
  • The TA met with Rosemary Scrivens of the Massachusetts Office of Business Development regarding funding for sewer systems. The application deadline is in August and all engineering must be complete and the project must be ready to go when the application is submitted.  Having companies committed and ready to begin development is critical to gaining approval for funding. She indicated that up to $3M could be available through the MassWorks Program.   We are not yet at that point but it is good to know that next year, if we are ready to go, it could be funded.   MassWorks will not pay for engineering.  The TA spoke with government people in Holden and possibly they would pay for that and possibly thee would be no money required on the part of the taxpayers.
  • The TA presented a list of his proposed goals to the Board.   These included Personnel Management, Economic Development, Cost Savings/Avoidance and Technology.
  • The TA attended the CMRPC Quarterly Managers meeting.   Serious concern was expressed by attendees that there is a lack of candidates for town accountant and assessors’ positions, and town treasurers.    They are going to come up with a plan to attract people to those fields.  This is a state-wide problem.   Small towns typically have difficulty in this area, as people are not anxious to go into part-time work.
  • The Town’s annual audit is presently being conducted by Scanlon & Associates.  They should complete the audit shortly.  We are expecting to begin the BASB 45 audit shortly.
  • We anticipate putting out the RFP for accounting services within the next one to two weeks.  The TA hopes to have a deadline of mid-August for submission of proposals and have a recommendation to the Board for the September 9 meeting.
  • The Town Administrator said that advertising for the Chapter 90 projects and paving of the 599 Main Street driveway and parking area has been presented to the T&G and the State’s Central Register.   The ads will appear in next week’s Central Register.  Jim Wood asked if we have the money from the State for the c.90 paving.  The TA said if it doesn’t get released, we can pull back on the c.90 things.  We do have money for the paving at 599 Main Street.
  • The contract for the septic work at 599 Main Street came back.   The TA hopes the contractor will start next week.  Following that, we will have seven or eight weeks of settling before paving.
  • Jim Wood asked if they came in under budget.  The TA said the bid was $76K and we had $110K.  That money will go back into free cash for F’15.
  • Mike May returned to the subject of goal setting.  He said the Board should be thinking about setting very defined financial results.   What the TA presented looks like a lot of general management things.  He said the Board wants it to be meaningful for the TA and the Town and thinks this will economically benefit the Town; then people can see that it was a good investment in the Town Administrator.  There should be some soft items but the Board is really asking the TA to watch the checkbook.   The TA said that, whatever the Board comes up with, we will already be five months into the year with only seven months left to accomplish goals.
Report of the Police Chief to the Board of Selectmen:

  • June 23 Worked the day shift for an overtime cost savings
  • June 25 Attended his daughter’s swearing-in ceremony – admitted to the Massachusetts Bar
  • June 30 Attended the wake for Mrs. Sauer
  • July 1  Attended Mrs. Sauer’s funeral
  • July 4  No incidents
  • July 5  Again nothing
  • July 7  Recruits
  • July 8  Repair work at PD; rugs were cleaned
  • Completed weapons exchange.  Old weapons were all turned in.  There is a balance due of $400.
  • There have been four house breaks since May 1:  Central Street, North Sewall, Cross Street and Sewall Street.  They go directly to the master bedrooms looking for real jewelry.   Information sharing among agencies has been very good.  It is just a matter of time before they are caught.  They are leaving behind TVs, etc.; sometimes taking high-end laptops.  The Chief has prepared an article to be put on the TV:
        
        “Housebreaks are on the rise in Central Massachusetts; items most commonly taken include cash,  valuable gold and silver jewelry, and on occasion, laptops.  Within the past month Boylston has had     four homes broken into; homes have been locked and unlocked.  Please report suspicious  persons or vehicles to the police dispatch center immediately at (508) 869-2453 as together, we do      make a difference.  Thanks.   Tony Sahagian, B1 Chief of Police 15 July 2013”

  • Mike May asked what time of day these break-ins occur.  The Chief said they have been during the daytime.   Selectman May asked if we have any ability to send something out to alert people, such as Twitter.  Tony said we do not; they have been looking into it but a lot of discussion brought about negative feedback.  West Boylston is going to do it.  It would be good if we could get the word out quickly.  Mike May mentioned seeing a sign along the highway in New Hampshire with an alert on it.  He said we could use an anonymous tip line but a lot of time would be spent answering complaints and a person would have to be assigned to it.  He is keeping an open mind.   The Sheriff has run out of funding for the reverse 911.
  • July 20         The Chief will work the 7 to 3 shift.
  • August 15               Uniform changeover.   They are changing the uniforms to olive and navy with a black                     stripe on one side of the trousers.   The officers wanted a change and Tony agreed.
  • Met with Longley Hill developer.
  • Met with Sex Offender Registry Board re reclassification of Level 2 sex offenders.
  • Reviewed traffic situation off South Sewall.  Met with the planner along with Bill Manter of the Planning Board.
  • Cross and Central Street intersection:  re-striping has been done to bring more attention to the intersection.   The intersection at Cyprian’s is worse.   He is looking at placing a stop sign where it is in the drivers’ direct vision.
  • Summer Star on Linden Street.  Privacy fencing is up.  It looks like they have a construction crew there now.
  • Tony said he noticed that the memorial on Central Street is being reduced and cleaned up.   The Town Administrator said it was not due to an effort on anyone’s art; just the passage of time.
Fall Harvest Festival:   

  • The Fall Harvest Festival Planning Committee requests permission to use the Town Common on September 14 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, with a rain date of September 21,for the Festival.
Mike May made a motion to approve the use of the Town Common by the Fall Harvest Festival Planning Committee for 14 September 2013 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM with an ultimate date of 20 September 2013 in the event of rain.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

St. Mary of the Hills:   

  • Reverend Tougas has requested permission to place a temporary sign at the corner of Routes 70 and 140 advertising the church’s flea market for the weekends of September 7-8 and September 14-15.
  • Mike May said the Planning Board is responsible for all signage.   We can just acknowledge this request or pass it on to the Planning Board.   Town Counsel said the new sign by-law has not as yet been approved.
Mike May made a motion to approve the request of St. Mary of the Hills.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

  • Mike May suggested a letter be sent to Father Tougas recognizing his retirement and years of service to the Town and for being a good member of the community.
  • Jim Wood said the Muster Team won for the sixth time and have done a great job.  The Board should have them in to acknowledge their accomplishments.
Parks & Recreation Committee (Karen Barber present):   

  • Karen came in to discuss proposed bylaws for the Parks & Recreation Committee.  They have not had any bylaws in the past and she went online to see what other Parks & Recreation Committees have.  Karen said the Committee does not know whether it must have permission from the Board of Selectmen to adopt bylaws.
  • Jim Wood said he thought it had to go to Town Meeting and Attorney Brian Falke agreed.
  • Following discussion of the proposed bylaws, and the fact that no P&R Committee members were present, the Board asked Karen if she would like to reschedule a meeting with the Board when more P&R Committee members could be present.   The Town Administrator suggested the Parks & Recreation Committee come in to a meeting of the Board in September.
  • With regard to the vending machines on the second floor, the companies which own them will be moving them out at the end of the month to make room for the one P&R now has, which came from the high school.
Mike May made a motion to waive the Common Victualer fee for the vending machine license.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

  • Marty McNamara said the Town will not receive any commission on the sales from this machine but P&R will.  Jim Wood told Karen that she and her group do a good job; Mike May agreed.
  • Parks & Rec has planned an end-of-summer concert for August 24; this will be an outdoor concert at Hillside and will be free.  The band Time Bandits will play and they will open up the snack shack for that evening.  She invites everyone to bring a picnic and use the playground and fields.  Mike May asked if this conflicts with the Tower Hill concert for Boylston residents.  No one had the answer.
Business Marketing Committee Volunteer:

Mike May made a motion to accept David Frem’s application to volunteer to serve on the Business Marketing Committee.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

  • Mike May raised the possibility of asking the Police Chief for a more detailed monthly report.  He said the monthly report the Chief provides is statistically great but he would like him to report on what broader law enforcement initiatives he has.   The TA said he would talk with the Chief about the initiatives he is working on.  Mike May said the Police Department did a beautiful job with the DARE program and he would like to see things like that.
Route 140 Corridor Update Report:

  • Mike May prepared a Memo, dated July 15, 2013, for the Board re meetings he has had over the past two weeks with various people.  He will be issuing a memo every couple of weeks.  
  • Mike May met with Peter Bovenzi.  He said Peter will be updating the Board in another week or so.    He wants to create an entry point for his property and the DiPilato property.  He also shared some concepts of use for his property.  One is a combination of multi-family houses in back.  He has no interest in single family homes.   Mr. May also met with the Town Planner in Shrewsbury; Shrewsbury is not accepting any single family homes into their sewerage system.  He also met with Mike Trotto.  His property has a very significant gravel area on Sewall Street around the shooting range.  He would like to participate in meetings.  Gregory Dionis is interested in participating in the process.  He is open to participating but questions how it will relate to him if some people do not cooperate.
  • Mike May would like to talk with Town Counsel on a letter of invitation and draft of a concept on an MOU.  He would like to get a letter out within the next two weeks with a target of an August-September meeting date.
  • Theresa Prunier, in the audience, asked where the land is that he is discussing.  Mike May said this is all of the land starting at Route 290; it comes down Route 140 and over to Gulf Street in Shrewsbury.  It is 500 to 550 acres.
  • Mr. Bovenzi has already hired an engineer and is drawing up plans.  Rand Whitney offered to take four to five lots and make an agreement to market it as one large parcel, with the anticipated result of getting a large development coming in.
  • Mike May suggested the Business Marketing Committee could go out and do some further surveying.  We need to go through a ranking of the types of commercial development we would like to see.  Ms. Prunier asked how much of this property is in Boylston.  Mr. May said all but 160 acres, which is in Shrewsbury, on the north side of 290.
7:47 PM Lynn Cianci:

  • Lynn Cianci appeared before the Board in conjunction with volunteering to serve on the Finance Committee.  
Mike May made a motion to accept Lynn Cianci as a volunteer on the Finance Committee.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

Town Administrator – Vacation Request:

  • The TA requested the Board approve the following vacation days:
        Wednesday               July 31                 Tuesday         August 27
        Thursday                August 1                Wednesday               August 28
        Friday                  August 2                Thursday                August 29
        Monday          August 26               Friday                  August 30

Mike May made a motion to approve the Town Administrator’s request for eight days’ vacation as noted in his memorandum dated 7/15/2013.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.

At 7:53 PM Mike May made a motion to adjourn.  Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.


The meeting was adjourned at 7:53 PM.


Respectfully Submitted,

Rose Bardsley, Clerk