MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
October 10, 2006
Present at the meeting that was held at the Town Building were Chairman Janet Wheeler and Selectmen Stephen Dungan, Carole Makary, and Thomas Ruggiero.
Selectman Jason Robart was absent.
Also present were Town Administrator William Wrigley and Administrative Assistant Susan McLaughlin.
Chairman Wheeler called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Wrigley reported the following:
· On October 4, he met with the Lower Village Committee regarding the variety of water and sewer issues in Lower Village and gave them an overview of the options available to the Town. The committee is continuing its investigation and Mr. Wrigley will continue to provide assistance.
· Town Counsel Jon Witten completed his evaluation of the land bank RFP responses regarding their responsiveness to the RFP requirements. Mr. Witten will continue to work with Mr. Dungan and Ms. Wheeler on the project.
· The School Building Task Force has a preferred architectural design consultant, with whom Mr. Wrigley is negotiating. He expects to have a fee contract with the consultant soon and asked the Board’s approval to complete and execute the contract. SBTF Chairman Ellen Sturgis supports this approach.
It was on motion by Mr. Ruggiero, seconded by Ms. Makary, unanimously
VOTED: To allow Mr. Wrigley to bring negotiations to agreement and sign the contract.
Public Input
Eleanore Recko of Robert Road said she read an article in the newspaper on the lack of Council on Aging space and wanted to point out that there is a lack of not just CoA space but municipal space in general, including the Fire Department, schools, and Stow TV. She asked about the selectmen’s role in strategic planning.
Board members replied that several committees are involved with strategic planning, the work of which the selectmen help facilitate and that reports, such as the Municipal Land Use survey results, are becoming available as source documents for the planning.
Appointment to the Cemetery Committee
The Board appointed Frederick Dodge of Hastings Street to the Cemetery Committee. Mr. Dodge has had a landscape business for the past 25 years, is a certified arborist, and was the supervisor of the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord.
It was on motion by Ms. Makary, seconded by Mr. Dungan, unanimously
VOTED: To appoint Frederick Dodge to fill the unexpired three-year term ending on June 30, 2009.
Appointment to the Conservation Commission
The Board appointed David Coppes of Boxboro Road to the Conservation Commission, upon recommendation from the Commission. Mr. Coppes is a registered civil engineer with the Mass Water Resources Authority, is familiar with the Wetlands Protection regulations and has served on the Conservation Commission in Arlington, MA.
It was on motion by Ms. Makary, seconded by Mr. Dungan, unanimously
VOTED: To appoint David Coppes to fill the unexpired three-year term ending on June 30, 2007.
November 2006 State Election Ballot
The Board signed the warrant for the upcoming state election for the Town Clerk to post.
Gleasondale/Sudbury Road Amendment to Traffic Rules and Orders
The Board voted the specific changes to the Stow Traffic Rules and Orders for the new “No Left Turn” signage at the Gleasondale and Sudbury roads triangle. Ms. Wheeler said the major driver for the change was 18-wheeler trucks using the triangle as a turnaround. Town Clerk Linda Hathaway asked how many trucks were involved and if the change would not force the trucks into another neighborhood. She opposed the Traffic Rules change, calling the signs “a ridiculous solution.” Mr. Ruggiero re-stated his opposition to the decision, as well.
It was on motion by Ms. Makary, seconded by Mr. Dungan, with three in favor (Dungan, Makary, and Wheeler) and one opposed (Ruggiero)
VOTED: To amend Article VI Section 8 of the Stow Traffic Rules and Orders, in the revised version, dated October 10, 2006.
During discussion on the motion, Mr. Ruggiero said he took issue with Mr. Dungan’s position since Mr. Dungan advised the Board not to “micromanage” and this decision was “micromanagement at its worst.” He also said it had not yet been determined whether the recent addition of granite posts at the intersection would solve the problem.
Municipal Land Bank Proposals
Mr. Dungan said that, of the three proposals received, Town Counsel has deemed two to meet the RFP criteria: the Sweeney Trust property on West Acton Road and the Snow property across from Canterbury Lane
Mr. Dungan asked to set up a process by which to evaluate the two proposals. Mr. Wrigley recommended that the full Board evaluate them based on Mr. Dungan’s matrix. Mr. Witten could do so, as well, if desired. He said one selectman should meet with Mr. Witten to agree on the measurements and then provide all Board members with the full list of criteria and measurements, as well as instructions on how to do evaluations and a form.
It was agreed that Ms. Wheeler and Mr. Dungan would work together on the setup for the evaluations, the Board would meet with Mr. Witten to discuss the instructions, and Mr. Dungan would be the sole point of contact with Mr. Witten.
Liaison Report – Tri-Town
Mr. Dungan reported that the topic of a regional middle school was discussed at the October 3 Tri-Town meeting. The consensus was that Superintendent Wood and School Committee Chairman Don Adams would develop scenarios for separate and joint middle schools for the next Tri-Town meeting, November 1.
Liaison Report – Lower Village
Mr. Dungan, noting that Mr. Wrigley had summarized the water and sewer issues earlier, said this issue was not to be taken lightly. For example, was it fair to ask all residents to pay for the water and septic for a few.
Resident Peter Mills of Gates Lane said there is a 12-acre buffer requirement for the water source, asking where the Town would find this land.
Mr. Dungan said the Planning Board might do an RFP for consulting help and the clock is ticking for both the businesses and residents. But identifying a water source is the first step.
Liaison Report – School Building Task Force
Ms. Makary reported that the SBTF is meeting weekly and voted its choice on a design consultant. The task force will hold a public forum on October 16 to hear from residents.
Medical Reserve Initiative
Ms. Wheeler reported that a Medical Reserve Initiative was being undertaken by the Board of Health, next to meet on October 12.
Other
Mr. Dungan requested a future agenda topic on how the Board of Selectmen enforces the General Bylaws. It was agreed to invite the Building Inspector, who serves as the Zoning Enforcement Officer, and the Police Department for the discussion. Mr. Wrigley advised the Board to narrow the topic to be more specific.
On or about 9:00 p.m., it was on motion by Ms. Makary, seconded by Ms. Wheeler, unanimously
VOTED: To adjourn.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan McLaughlin
Administrative Assistant, Board of Selectmen
Approved as amended, November 14, 2006
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