Date of Meeting: Monday, October 26, 2015
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:19 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Wood; Michael May; Jamie Underwood;; Marty McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant;
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Wood.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
Travel and Tourism Meeting at Tower Hill on October 16 was attended along with Congressman McGovern.
Highway Dept. candidates for the position of Equipment Operator/Laborer have been interviewed. Graham Conlon of Oxford is recommended for the position and the TA requests the Board appoint Mr. Conlon.
Mike May motioned to appoint Graham Conlon to the Highway Department as an Equipment Operator/Laborer. Jamie Underwood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
Library: The TA met with Michael Pagano of Lamoureux-Pagano regarding necessary OPM services and they will send in a proposal. The Library is also ready to select a moving company; that selection should be made soon.
Senior Citizens’ Van: Representative Naughton’s office advised that they have been in discussions with Administration and Finance to resolve the matter of the van. Because the $60K that Rep Naughton secured for the van went to the WRTA, there has been confusion over how they will provide service. We have indicated we want the WRTA to purchase the van and then turn it over to the Boylston Council on Aging.
New DPW Building: Tree clearing at the site has begun. The response to our RFP for construction of the building has been very encouraging. A pre-bid conference was held at the site on October 22 with six to seven contractors in attendance. Sub-bids are due November 4; general contractor bids are due Nov 12.
Linden Street paving is scheduled to begin October 28. There will be travel delays for three to four days.
Plowing of Private Streets: The legality issue goes back to 1985 when the Board of Selectmen directed the then Highway Superintendent to plow streets if they were in good condition. That directive has been followed ever since. Stephen Madaus said a statute would have to be adopted; it would not require plowing of private streets but would allow it as determined by the Board of Selectmen. Mike May said if the Town passes a blanket provision, is there a mechanism to assess the streets to make it fair and equitable to all residents. Stephen said it would require a bylaw. The Board agrees to continue as usual for this winter.
The TA said the question was on the Annual Town Meeting warrant in 1985 and was tabled. The following year the Board voted to have some streets plowed.
Mike May motioned to continue existing plowing policy on private roads for winter 2015-2016 at no cost to residents. Jamie Underwood seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
Scrolling Sign: The Lions Club received a donation and would like to use it to add a scrolling sign at the corner of Routes 70 and 140 on Town-owned land near the football field. The Highway Dept. can prepare the footing and the Lions’ Club will install it.
Jamie Underwood motioned to approve the installation of a scrolling sign as requested. Mike May seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
Holiday Closure Schedule for Town Hall:
Wednesday, November 11: Veterans Day
Thursday, November 26 Thanksgiving
Thursday, December 24 Probable close at Noon for Christmas
Monday, December 28 Christmas
Thursday, December 31 Probable close at Noon for New Years Day
Monday, January 4 New Years Day
Permit Application: Mike’s Vending at 144 Shrewsbury Street (Route 140) has requested a permit to sell Christmas trees from November 27 to December 23.
Jamie Underwood motioned to approve the sale as requested. Mike May seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
Gas Pipeline: Jim Wood advised that he was approached by a new company to put a pipeline in with existing easements in Town, with no disruption. As time has passed, this is not the case. They want to go through the Morningdale area. Jim is firmly opposed, based on the location on the map provided. Jamie Underwood said the plan has changed drastically from what he was originally told two months ago. Mike May said this affects the land permanently with restrictions and feels it should be done along state highways, not through residential properties. He is not supportive of the location recently presented. This will be an impediment when it comes to selling properties.
Bill Manter, chair of “Stop the Pipeline-Boylston” gave a brief description of Spectra Energy’s proposal of a high pressure gas line. FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) has never denied a pipeline proposal other than in Florida when the proposal was to go under the coral reef. Bill proposed to Spectra that they go by Worcester Sand & Gravel, then by the storage facility on Holden Street. They are considering it. Bill urges residents to deny them a survey and also to rescind previously-given permission. He can be contacted at billmanter@gmail.com. Mike May said Mr. Manter brings up very valid points.
Jim Wood said the Board will vote to rescind permission to survey land. Mike May said the Board will also send a letter of opposition.
Jamie Underwood motioned to rescind prior authority for Spectra Corp. to survey Town-owned land. Mike May seconded; voted all in favor.
Mike May motioned to send a letter to Access Northeast stating the Board’s objection to the pipeline project as proposed. Jamie underwood seconded the motion; voted all in favor
The Town Administrator is to send the letters.
At 7:40 PM, on a motion made by Selectman Michael May and seconded by Jamie Underwood, the following roll call vote was recorded to go into Executive Session under MGL c. 39 §23B ¶3 to discuss litigation relative to claim on performance bond issued by Lexon Surety Group. James Wood: Yes; Michael May: Yes; Jamie Underwood: Yes. The Board agreed they would reconvene only to adjourn.
At 8:19 PM, open session reconvened.
Michael May motioned to return to open session only to adjourn. Jamie Underwood seconded; voted all in favor
The meeting was adjourned at 8:19 PM.
Respectfully submitted
Lori Esposito
Administrative Assistant
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