Date of Meeting: Monday, November 23, 2015
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:23 PM
Members Present: Chairman James Wood; Michael May; Jamie Underwood; Stephen Madaus, Town Counsel; Marty McNamara, Town Administrator; Lori Esposito, Administrative Assistant;
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by Chairman Wood.
Town Administrator’s Report
DPW Garage Bid Opening: Results from 11/12 General Contractor bid opening provided. The low bidder was Construction Dynamics of Clinton, with a base bid of $3,067,000 (does not include any alternates). At this time, we do not have sufficient funds to cover any alternates on the bid, but the TA feels we can cover those by adding articles at the Annual Town Meeting to use Free Cash. TA recommends the Board award bid to Construction Dynamics.
Mike May motioned to award G.C. bid for DPW garage project to Construction Dynamics of Clinton in the amount of $3,067,000; Jamie Underwood seconded, voted all in favor.
Mr. McNamara will be mailing the contract to the contractor tomorrow; he recommends the Board authorize a member other than the chair (who will be out of town) to sign on behalf of the Board once the signed contract has been returned.
Jamie Underwood motioned to approve contract and to authorize either himself or Mr. May to sign on behalf of the board once the signed contract is returned by Construction Dynamics. Mike May seconded, voted all in favor.
Retirement: Mary Morrill, Assessor’s Clerk, will retire effective November 30, 2015. Mary requested she be allowed to participate in the retirees’ insurance plan and the TA contacted Mirick O’Connell who confirmed there is no way she would be eligible since she did not participate in the retirement plan. Her coverage will end when her accrued vacation time being used ends in December; she will need to secure a private supplemental Medicare plan as of January 1st 2016.
Finance Committee Meeting: The TA is scheduled to meet with the Finance Committee on December 7.
The tax rate has been certified at $16.37. The TA congratulated the Assessors on attaining certification this early.
Gough House: Mike May asked if there is any additional information regarding the School Dept. moving into Gough House. The TA said there is not. The school superintendent is waiting for drawings from the architect for the layout of space. Mike said he delivered preliminary plans to the Assabet Superintendent for the School Committee to set plans in motion to complete the work. He will get an update. The TA asked the school superintendent regarding a ballpark figure for renovations that would allow them to stay. Nadine said $40 to $45K. The TA doesn’t think it would be worth putting that much money into the building.
6:45 PM Recess; Open session resumed at 7:00 PM
7:00 PM Spectra Energy: Presentation re: Access Northeast proposed pipeline. Mr. John Bonsall of Keegan/Werlin (law firm representing Spectra), Frank Essner (Spectra) and Bill Polin (Eversource).
Mr. Polin explained Eversource’s need for gas in the Worcester area (Holden, Boylston, West Boylston, Berlin and Shrewsbury. They anticipate the FERC certification will be issued in the first quarter of 2018 and they would initiate construction in 2020. Mr. Bonsall’s presentation is attached to the minutes.
- Residents (in the audience) questioned some specific areas on the map in relation to their homes. Mike Dubrule voiced his concern about blasting and damage that might be caused to homes and septic systems. Frank Essner said independent companies do pre and post blasting damage control.
- Mr. Essner made it clear that not giving survey permission does not stall the project; a desktop survey would then be done and, as a result, might not be the most beneficial route.
- Mike May said if the line goes through Town, we should have infrastructure built out. There is no benefit to Boylston as we are underserviced by gas and overcharged. He wanted to know what dollars will be invested into the community to reduce our costs. Bill Paulin said they cannot guarantee anything to the Town. They can only expand service if there will be additional development and show a positive rate of return; otherwise there is no economic benefit. The Worcester and Shrewsbury area have some of their top customers.
- Mike May said the state took land for the DCR and the reservoir all for only $600K/year in PILOT payments and has handicapped the commercial capability of the Town. The Town cannot be supportive unless Eversource invests in the Town. $80M of homes are being built right now.
- Frank cited the Maine pipeline project that was built to support the Boston supply; now several areas in Maine have natural gas available and supplied 15 years later, when it was never an option.
- Mike May said he feels it will reduce the value of adjacent properties. Frank disagrees. Studies show no affect on real estate values. Frank said the landowner is paid for what is determined as the difference in value (if an easement is on the landowner’s property).
- Bill Manter asked about the distance required to be away from power lines. Frank said it depends on the KWV of the lines. Bill Manter asked about the thickness of the pipe. Is it less in lower populated areas? Frank said it is typically the same thickness throughout a project.
- Bill Manter asked why their map doesn’t show the line being exported to Canada. Frank said no gas in this project is going to Canada. .
- Alex (in the audience) asked about the pipeline moving closer to Hillside and asked how the Board of Selectmen plans to proceed. Jamie Underwood said we withdrew survey permission from the original route. They will need to discuss this as a Board.
- Mike May said there will not be one bit of support from him until there is money invested in the community.
Mr. Essner said there will be the opportunity in the first quarter of 2016 to attend and speak at the preliminary FERC meeting to voice their concerns.
At 8:23 PM Jamie Underwood motioned to adjourn. Michael May seconded; voted all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:23 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito,
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
| 