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February 25, 2014
BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014

In attendance:  Denis F. Keohane, J. Thomas Hurley, Kathleen M. Conlon, Annemarie Fagan, Town Administrator and Paula Rizzi, Executive Secretary

1.      Chairman Keohane convened the meeting at 6:40 p.m. in the Cronin Conference Room of the Town Hall.

2.      J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the February 11, 2014 meeting minutes as amended

3.       The Board confirmed March 4 and 11 as future meeting dates.

4.      J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the current payroll/vendor warrants.

5.      Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to support the preliminary mosquito control budget for FY15 proposed by the Norfolk County Mosquito Control District and Milton’s estimated proportional share and to authorize the Town Administrator to sign the declaration of support on behalf of the Board.

6.      Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to adopt and sign the Hazard Mitigation Plan Resolution update as submitted at the February 13, 2014 Board of Selectmen’s meeting.

7.      The Board met with Planning Director William Clark and discussed the proposed 40B development off Randolph Avenue.  Mr. Clark described the project as one proposing 72 rental units (36-3 beds, 9-2 beds and 27-1 bed) with 18 units being slated for affordable housing (9-3 beds, 2-2 beds and 7-1 bed). The Town’s comments are due on March 31, 2014. The Traffic Commission has not discussed this proposal but is aware that because of the traffic issues it presents, an in depth traffic study is needed.  The developer is currently conducting its traffic study.  The proposal has been distributed to department heads who will be submitting their comments and concerns regarding the project.  Bill Clark will work with Town Counsel to draft a comment letter to Mass Housing Partnership for the Board’s approval.  Ms. Conlon requested a draft of the comment letter by March 15.

8.      Following a meeting with Joan Clifford of the Milton Art Center, J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a request from the Milton Art Center to display children’s art projects during the month of May near the Gazebo, Turner’s Pond and Milton Landing (subject to the approval of the Park Department in the case of Turner’s Pond and the Milton Landing).


9.      J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to establish a PILOT Committee and charge it with the following responsibilities:

The PILOT Committee shall develop a payment in lieu of taxes policy with the goal of encouraging tax-exempt institutions to make voluntary payments to help offset the costs of providing Town services to those institutions.  While monetary payments in lieu of taxes are preferable, the Board recognizes that, in some cases, in-kind contributions and/or community partnerships may be acceptable.  The PILOT Committee shall develop a methodology for valuing any such proposed in-kind contribution or community partnership.

The PILOT Committee shall determine a standard level of contribution, in payments, in-kind contributions or community partnerships, to be made by all major tax-exempt institutions in Milton.  The policy to be formulated by the PILOT Committee shall be applied consistently to all major tax-exempt institutions.  The Town shall not discriminate in making requests for PILOT payments, in kind contributions or community partnerships to major tax-exempt institutions.  

The PILOT Committee shall clarify the costs associated with providing Town services to an individual major tax-exempt institution.

The PILOT Committee shall, if necessary, provide recommendations on legislative changes at the Town or State level.

The PILOT Committee shall work with the Board and the Town’s State legislative delegation to achieve more equitable treatment of Milton concerning State-owned land, particularly land owned by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).  The PILOT Committee shall work with the Board of Assessors and the Town’s State legislative delegation to properly value DCR-owned land situated in the Town, including the State’s DPW yard located on Granite Avenue.

The PILOT Committee shall work with the Board of Assessors to collect and maintain information about tax-exempt properties in the Town and to properly classify PILOT payments for state reporting.  

The PILOT Committee shall be notified when an owner of currently taxable property applies to the Board of Assessors for an exemption from property taxation or when an existing tax-exempt institution applies to the Building Commissioner to expand or improve its property.  In such a case, the PILOT Committee shall recommend a course of action to the Board for the purpose of securing an equitable agreement with the applicant concerning a PILOT payment or other contribution to be made to the Town.

The PILOT Committee shall submit an annual written report concerning its activities with respect to tax-exempt property to the Board.  This report, along with the results of any PILOT agreements that the Board and/or the Town Administrator on its behalf negotiates with a tax-exempt institution during the year, shall be published in the Annual Town Report.
        
10.     Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a request by St. Mary of the Hills PTO for a one day liquor license for an auction/fundraiser that will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2014.
11.     J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve and sign letters of recognition to the following Eagle Scout recipients:  Peter R. Eberhardt, Matthew H. Morris and Blair M. Bowden.

12.     Selectmen Hurley explained why FY15 debt service payment exceeds expectations.  He reviewed the model used by the CIPC when recommending and bonding capital projects.

The Board discussed the FY2015 budget and its priorities regarding the distribution of the one-time available funds among departments that report to the Board.
        
        It was the consensus of the Board that the Stabilization Fund be funded at a minimum appropriation of $200,000 and $100,000 for GASB 45 Stabilization Fund for FY15.

        It was the consensus of the Board that its priorities with respect to one-time requests for departments under its jurisdiction, are (in no particular order) as follows:
        
        Higher Priorities

  • Hendries-$250,000
  • IT Consultant/Study-$50,000
  • COA/CFD HVAC-$20,000
  • CFD $20,000 for health and safety related items (to be determined by the Consolidated Director)
  • DPW sidewalk repairs-$10,000
  • Fire sick leave buy-back -$14,120 (contractual obligation)
  • IT computer replacements-$10,000
  • Roadway improvements -$150,000 (high priority for two of the three members)
Lower Priorities

  • DPW Feasibility Study-$35,000
  • CFD-$65,000 for non-health and safety related items
  • DPW signs-Traffic Commission-$5,000
  • DPW jet drain cleaning-$21,000
  • DPW drainage analysis-$15,000
  • DPW trees-$10,000 (CIPC is seeking a private grant)
  • Fire Department radio-$3,500
  • IT-WTI in-house training-$7,000
  • II-Technical Training-$2,500
The Board will open and close a special town meeting warrant at its March 4, 2014 meeting to include an article for a supplemental appropriation to the FY14 budget ($302,850-net bond premium amount) to the Capital Stabilization Fund.

The May 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant will include an article to withdraw $176,847 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to fund the FY15 debt service.

13.     Denis F. Keohane moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 8:20 p.m. with Denis F. Keohane voting yes, J. Thomas Hurley voting yes and Kathleen M. Conlon voting yes to enter executive session to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property-211 Centre Street and 0 Central Avenue and to consider litigation strategy-Sewer Amnesty Program, believing that having these discussions in open session would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the body and to return to open session to adjourn.

14.     J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 9:55 p.m. to adjourn.