Date of Meeting: Monday, December 7, 2015
Location: Town Hall, 221 Main Street
Time: 6:30 PM – 7:35 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.
Boylston Beverages: Notification to board of a change of Sunday hours from opening at Noon to opening at 10:00 AM. No approval is required; ABCC allows option to open as early as 10:00am on Sundays without local approval.
Library Foundation Gift: The Library Foundation wants to donate $150,000 to the Town to be used in their Phase II renovations with any residual, at the conclusion of the renovations, being returned to the Foundation.
Jamie Underwood motioned to accept the $150,000 gift. Michael May seconded the motion; voted all in favor.
2016 License Renewals:
Michael May motioned to approve all licenses for 2016 as presented to the Board. Jamie Underwood seconded; voted all in favor. All licenses were signed by each member of the Board.
Report of the Town Administrator to the Board of Selectmen:
- F’17 Budget books were presented to the Board. Budget worksheets will be distributed to Department heads this week.
- Linden Street repaving has been completed. The DPW is now working on leveling the landscape on the edge of the road.
- Mile Hill Road Cell Tower: No proposals were submitted; however the company which previously held the option on the site contacted the TA. They missed the deadline for submitting a proposal and asked if we would be re-running the RFP. Mike May asked if there has been any further discussion regarding using the site as a solar site. The TA said both could be there; one would not affect the other. The RFP called for $25K/year, escalating after the third year. Jamie Underwood suggested leaving the dollar amount open to see what we get for possible future proposals. Mike May asked if there is the possibility of locating the cell tower on the water tower. Stephen Madaus said it would be under the Water Department’s jurisdiction and the DEP would need to approve it.
Free Cash is close to being certified; it is estimated to be approximately $832K.
Tahanto Signage: The DOT responded to our request for school zone safety signage. Tahanto does not meet the criteria set forth in the Massachusetts Manual of Uniform of Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). However, they have begun a comprehensive review of Route 70 in the vicinity of the school to develop a plan to improve safety. They will finalize an action plan in the next few weeks and will schedule a meeting with Berlin and Boylston and the Boylston-Berlin School District.
New DPW Building: Weston & Sampson signed the contract and it should arrive on Tuesday. A pre-construction conference with the contractor, the TA, the Highway Superintendent and Bob Bourassa will take place this week.
DCR/ALB Eradication Program: The Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Worcester. The quarantine area remains. More information will be forthcoming in the next few weeks.
Report of the Chief of Police to the Board of Selectmen: Monthly report to the Board; crime statistics presented.
- On November 16 the Chief met with representatives of Tower Hill regarding police details needed over the next month for their Christmas display. There have been no issues to date.
- On December 2 the department assisted at the Gulf station for a spill cleanup.
- On December 8 the Chief will attend the Chiefs’ in-service training at Town Hall, second floor.
- Detective Sergeant Scott Szyhmkiewicz has given notice of his retirement, effective December 31, 2015.
- Officer Tara Gonelli is resigning to care for a family member.
- The winter parking ban will be in effect from December 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.
- The Town of Clinton is looking into combining their fire and police dispatch and having another town go in with them. The Chief spoke with them and is willing to discuss it.
Mike May said there was an article in the paper regarding continued movement of shared radio systems with West Boylston and Holden. Why weren’t we notified? The Chief said we came in late. Also, he and the Fire Chief determined it was not going to be a fire-friendly community center. Also, he is not sure how efficient it will be with more towns joining now.
Report of the Building Inspector to the Board of Selectmen: Tony Zahariadis presented a list of permits issued in November, totaling $5,835. YTD revenue is $87,389.
2016 Liquor License Renewals:
Mike May motioned to approve license renewals for Cyprian’s, The Other Place Pub, Vinny C’s Liquors, Tower Hill Botanical Garden, Dragon 88 and Boylston House of Pizza. Jamie Underwood seconded; voted all in favor.
The licenses will be held until the Building Inspector and the Fire Chief make their inspections.
Selectmen’s Meeting Schedule: The schedule has been changed. The following dates have been approved:
January 11 and 25, 2016; February 8 and 22 and March 14 and 28.
At 7:35 PM Jamie Underwood motioned to adjourn. Michael May seconded; voted all in favor.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lori Esposito,
Administrative Assistant
Board of Selectmen
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