Date of Meeting: Monday, January 6, 2014
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:35 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Wood, Matthew Mecum; Steve Madaus, Town Counsel; Martin McNamara, Town Administrator, Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant (Others as listed on attached sheet.)
Absent: Mike May
The meeting commenced at 6:30 PM.
Bill Connelly of Clinton, who would like to be the next State Representative (replacing Harold Naughton), introduced himself to the Board and indicated he would stay to observe the meeting.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
Tax Rate: The tax rate has been set at $17.39 an increase of 17¢. Tax bills were mailed out in a timely manner.
Matt Mecum said we need additional hands to help in the Assessors’ Office. We should look into some external help in that department given the recent delays we have had.
Marty McNamara said we are looking into it but the Board of Assessors must make the decision.
FY’15 Budgets: All department heads have been included in the draft form; nothing has been received from the School Department as yet.
Treasurer/Collector Resignation: Jeff Ugalde is resigning, effective Jauary 30. The job was posted in the T&G last Sunday and on the MMA website as well. It is doubtful someone will be on board by January 30 but the TA is contacting other treasurer/collectors in the area for possible interim part-time support. The TA will present three final candidates once all resumes are reviewed and once finalists are interviewed by the TA.
Snow Storm: The Highway Department and Steve Mero are commended for their good work keeping up with recent storms.
Town House Renovation Funds: (Report by Matt Mecum)
They are ready to begin the kitchen renovation, along with electrical updates and lighting. The committee is looking for the release of $15K from the fund to start the project.
Matt Mecum made a motion to release $15K from the appropriated funds for the Town House Committee’s use. Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
J. Corcoran Trail Dedication Status at Tahanto: Marty McNamara has been in touch with Harold Naughton’s office and is waiting for a response. Jim Wood said they might want to consider locating it near the center of Town in case the proposed location is not approved. Matt Mecum suggested something in the Historic District. The committee should reach out to the Historic District Commission for ideas.
Leaf Dump:
Jim Wood asked Steve Mero the status; Steve said it is on his agenda. He has not been successful in getting the DEP to visit the site. He mailed the application and was contacted today that we need to provide more information. Steve will get that and then await review and approval. Possibly we could have a drop-off at the DPW garage and then deliver to the site. The Town would have more control over it. We would also designate one to two times a month. This would avoid above dumping here at Hillside while unmanned.
PILOT: Letters were mailed. A call was received from AMMA Center on Linden Street inquiring what a 25% PILOT payment would be. They would like the value of the land and will discuss once received.
Frito-Lay Vehicles:
Jim Wood asked where their vehicles are registered. The TA said he has seen one vehicle registered in Texas. All others have been Massachusetts registrations. He will review to be sure all are being taxed by Boylston. He will ask the Treasurer how many excise tax bills go to Frito-Lay.
Report of the Police Chief to the Board of Selectmen:
The Chief presented the monthly and year-end statistics:
This Year Last Year
Arrests 39 35
Criminal complaints 70 42
Motor vehicle stops 1,382 801
Miles driven are down.
The Chief commended the DPW on keeping the roads clear during recent storms
December 10 Chief in- service training
December 11 Tahanto lock down drill and fire drill
December 17 Boylston Elementary School lock down drill and fire drill
December 20 Clinton District Court ticket hearings
- The Chief worked several additional overtime hours, saving the Town from having these shifts over the holidays.
- On January 6 the Chief attended a marijuana ticket hearing at Clinton District Court. Defendant was a no-show; found responsible. He then showed up later. Court rescheduled the hearing.
- IOD officer scheduled to return on January 23 after a medical visit.
Alarm Response Fees: The Chief recommends the Board look at increasing the cost for responses to alarms. Currently, the first two are free; then $30 each. The Chief proposes the first two be free and then the next three to ten would be $30; 11 to 20 would be $50 and 21 and over would be $100. Most repeaters are businesses in Town with false alarms. Very few homeowners are repeat offenders. Jim Wood asked what is typical in surrounding towns. Tony said we are low. This would put us in the ballpark. It would help to hold people accountable. One business had 81 alarms last year. They have already had three alarms in the five days since January 1.
Green and Warren Streets Intersection: Matt Mecum said not everyone realizes there is a Yield sign but something should slow down traffic at that intersection. The Chief said he will look at it again in the spring. Possibly add more signage and keeping the greenery cut back. Fortunately, there have been no accidents to date.
7:15 PM Report of the Highway Superintendent to the Board of Selectmen:
- Steve is waiting for Stu Barber (out with a Workers Comp injury) to return to work. The current estimate is January 13. He is currently doing physical therapy.
- Ongoing checks for beaver activity.
- Took delivery of new cemetery truck.
- Cut trees on Scar Hill Road and French Drive.
- Repaired doors on Salt Building.
- Made an area for residents to obtain sand and salt.
- Worked to cut brush on Nicholas Ave. water ways (stormwater).
- Patched several potholes.
- Several days of sanding and plowing.
- Multiple repairs have been done. He is concerned about the repair budget; trying to keep the salt and sand expense down.
- Did two full burials and one cremation.
- A problem arose at the Town House with heat and lighting. They have a quote to replace baseboards and lighting for $3,200.
Vehicle Maintenance Program: The TA said that in November we applied for a safety grant and were awarded $5K for a maintenance program for all Town vehicles; this included a software program, camera, printer and computer. We will now be able to track vehicles. Steve Mero and Ryan Schloerb went to Hudson to review their program which we will be purchasing. Ryan will be in charge of it. This program can track up to 100 vehicles and equipment.
Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen:
- Building Inspector, Tony Zahariadis, said this is a slow time of year.
- There have been no calls regarding broken pipes.
The Board had no questions or comments for Tony.
Mosquito Control: Matt said people in Town didn’t know much about it. Maybe Mosquito Control could ideally come in to a meeting to inform people. Marty will get in touch with them.
At 7:35 PM Matt Mecum made a motion to adjourn. Jim Wood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant
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