BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 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 6:40p.m. at the Senior Center.
2. The Board observed a moment of silence for Vincent Tempesta, long-time employee of Milton Taxi, who passed away last Tuesday, March 4, 2014.
3. The Board confirmed March 18, April 1, 8 and 22, 2014 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. Richard Sullivan, William O’Connell and Kevin Burchill, representatives from Curry College, met with the Board to present Curry College’s annual report on the Ulin Rink. The Town’s permit and Curry College’s management contract with the Town are scheduled to end in April 2015. Curry College feels that although operational goals have been made during the partnership between the Town and the College, the current economic model of the Rink is unsustainable without a long term lease from DCR.
Mr. Sullivan recommended making adjustments to the ice rental rates and for the Town to continue to solicit a long term lease agreement from DCR. A long term lease would give the College and the Town the commitment it needs to make the capital investments necessary to sustain the facility.
Planning Director William Clark discussed the rate increase request to DCR with the Board. After discussion, J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve correspondence to the Department of Conservation and Recreation requesting an adjustment to the ice rental rates as set forth in the 2010 DCR Award Notice.
6. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a change of manager for 88 Wharf Restaurant from John Collings to Eric Buckley and to forward the pertinent paperwork to the ABCC for its approval.
7. The Board conducted a public comment session for the proposed 40B developments off Randolph Avenue and at 131 Eliot Street.
Randolph Avenue
Planning Director William Clark gave the following information regarding the Randolph Avenue project: an 8.14 acre site with a total of 72 apartments in (3)24 unit buildings; 25% of units (18 apartments) will be “affordable units”.
The following meeting participants addressed the Board in opposition to the proposed development (comments included concerns about density, traffic issues, surface water issues, wildlife sustainability and misrepresentation of the project as “smart growth”):
Attorney Jon Whitten, an attorney with significant experience concerning 40B developments, representing resident Joseph Lombardi, 294 Highland Street (Mr. Whitten informed the Board that the land cannot be developed because the property was under a deed restriction that was created in 2005 stating that only single family homes could be built on this parcel).
Henry Carr, 676 Brush Hill Road, Kerry Choi, 23 Wildwood Road, Michael Fitzsimons, 214 Highland Street, Jonathan Hall, 320 Highland Street and Elena Stoeva and Gordon Lurvey, 15 Reed Street.
131 Eliot Street
Planning Director William Clark gave the following information regarding the proposed Eliot Street 40B project: 57 rental units, 26.32% of units (15 apartments) will be “affordable units”.
The following meeting participants spoke in opposition to the proposed development (comments included concerns about density, traffic issues, building height, parking and inconsistencies in the application):
Keith Mills, 39 Hawthorn Road, Peter Jackson, 14 Capen Street, Matthew Zahler, 313 Eliot Street, Peter Mullin, 19 Gaskins Road and Ellen Denooyer, 83 Capen Street,
Eugene Irwin, 120 Highland Street, spoke in suppor of the developer.
Attorney Peter Freeman, representing the applicant, spoke of the positive attributes of this proposal and assured the Board and residents that his client was anxious to work with the Town for a good outcome.
8. Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointments of the following members to the Board of Directors of Wollaston Golf Club: John Pereira, 3 Heather Drive, Milton, Paul McManus, Jr., 500 Atlantic Avenue #20C, Boston, David A. Ferrari, 20 Deerfield Drive, Milton, Dennis Lombardo, 54 Highland Circle, Wayland and to forward the pertinent paperwork to the ABCC for its approval.
9. Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the appointment of Philip Mathews, 154 Reedsdale Road, to the Town/School Consolidation Committee to serve through February 2015.
10. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen M. Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve a revised charge (submitted by the School Committee) to the Town/School Consolidation Committee as follows:
To explore opportunities for efficiencies in processes, operations, and/or personnel by consolidating and/or integrating certain functions of the Town with those of the School Department, including but not limited to the areas of business office and information technology and to make recommendations based on the results of such work for the consideration of the Board of Selectmen and the School Committee.
11. Kathleen M. Conlon moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously to approve the use of the Baron Hugo Gazebo/Town Green for the following anticipated summer band concert dates between the hours of 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, August 6, 13 and August 20 and 27 for rain dates and June 12 (Thursday) for a special children’s concert.
12. The Board met with DPW Director Joseph Lynch and Town Counsel John Flynn to discuss a policy that will address the unknown/unbilled sewer charges. After reviewing the draft policy, the Board deferred a vote until the appeals process is revised in light of the discussion. A final draft will be submitted for approval at the March 18, 2014 meeting.
13. Building Commissioner Joseph Prondak met with the Board to present his quarterly report for the Inspectional Services Department which included an accounting of the number of permits issued and the fees (revenue) received from the Building Department, Plumbing & Gas Department and the Electrical Department and a comparison to last year’s numbers. Mr. Prondak informed the Board that the Warrant Committee voted to approve funding for additional hours for the part-time building inspector in his department for FY2015.
14. Denis F. Keohane moved, J. Thomas Hurley seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 10:25 p.m. with Denis F. Keohane voting yes, J. Thomas Hurley voting yes and Kathleen Conlon voting yes, to enter Executive Session to discuss litigation strategy with respect to the property at 131 Eliot Street believing that having this discussion in open session would have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the Board and to return to open session to adjourn.
15. J. Thomas Hurley moved, Kathleen Conlon seconded and the Board voted unanimously at 11:30 p.m. to adjourn.
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