MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
June 12, 2007
Present at the meeting that was held at the Town Hall were Chairman Stephen Dungan and Selectmen Jason Robart and Ellen Sturgis.
Selectmen Kathleen Farrell and Thomas Ruggiero were absent.
Also present were Town Administrator William Wrigley and Administrative Assistant Susan McLaughlin.
Chairman Dungan called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Public Input
None.
Chairman’s Comments
Mr. Dungan said he is adding a brief period to the agenda for comments the chairman might wish to make. He used the time remind everyone that improper use of email violates the Open Meeting law. He also asked that people not send messages for an individual to the entire group and not use the “Reply All” feature.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Wrigley reported that the US Fish and Wildlife Service invited the Town to comment on its potential purchase of three properties at Crow Island. He is having informational discussions with officials and committees regarding a response.
Appointment of Building Inspector
Mr. Wrigley asked the Board to appoint Craig Martin to the position of Building Inspector. Mr. Martin’s hire is the recommendation of a search group, which included the Fire Chief, Police Chief, Planning Coordinator, and Mr. Wrigley.
Mr. Martin, a registered civil engineer and long-time Stow resident, was welcomed by the Board.
Mr. Robart moved to appoint Craig Martin as the Town’s Building Inspector and Facilities Manager, Ms. Sturgis seconded, and all voted in favor.
Meeting Minutes
May 1, 2007: Mr. Robart moved to accept as submitted; Mr. Dungan seconded; both members voted in favor. Being a quorum of the remaining Board members of the May 1 meeting, the vote was unanimous. Ms. Sturgis abstained, not having yet been elected.
May 22, 2007: Mr. Robart moved to accept the minutes as amended; Mr. Dungan seconded; and all voted in favor.
Annual Animal Control Warrant
The Board approved the annual warrant for the Town animal control officer, which permits the officer to fulfill the job duties.
Ms. Sturgis moved to approve the animal control warrant; Mr. Robart seconded; all voted in favor. Members signed the warrant, which Ms. McLaughlin will deliver to the Board of Health.
Correspondence
Mr. Dungan notes that a letter on “unfriendly 40Bs” received from the Town of Walpole selectmen would be on the next meeting’s agenda.
Joint Boards Meeting on Affordable Housing Responsibilities
Mr. Dungan introduced the joint boards meeting as the first meeting of all the groups on affordable housing, with the intention being to discuss each committee’s involvement and agree on which committee is “in the driver’s seat.” The question’ looking at the Town’s organization chart, is whether the boards are as coordinated as they need to be.
Part 1: Committee introductions
Planning Board: Ernie Dodd, chairman of the Planning Board, began by explaining that the Board is governed by the Zoning Bylaw. The bylaw now includes rules on inclusionary zoning in general and specifics on affordable housing in the Active Adult Neighborhood requirements. He said that the zoning bylaw only maintains the state’s 10-percent mandate. Laura Spear added that the Board is looking at ways to encourage developers to create more affordable housing.
Housing Authority: Bob Larkin, chairman of the Stow Housing Authority, read the state statute governing housing authorities, explaining that the Stow board acts as the monitoring agent for the Elm Ridge affordable homes and handles the rental assistance at Pilot Grove. He said that the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is redefining roles and wants MassHousing to do this work.
Affordable Housing Partnership: Mike Kopczynski, chairman of the Affordable Housing Partnership, said the Partnership has an advisory role to the selectmen, reviews proposals on request for the boards; and is an advocate for affordable housing through the town.
He said, by statute, the Partnership cannot solicit property. And while working with developers was part of the Partnership’s original charge, members feel that the boards should provide a single point of contact for developers. The Partnership should also recommend policies to the town, with a focus on creating a strategic plan.
Zoning Board of Appeals: Ed Tarnuzzer, chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), said their primary role in affordable housing is the approval of 40Bs. For example, for the Villages at Stow project, they formed a cross-functional working group to negotiate with the developer.
Community Preservation Committee: CPC representative from the Planning Board, Laura Spear, said that affordable housing is one third of the CPC’s charge, the others being preservation of historic structures and open space. For example, Town Meeting approved using CPC funds to purchase permanent deed restrictions on 37 Pilot Grove units. A pilot program of purchasing deed restrictions on existing affordable homes, stalled for some time at the state level, is again showing promise. Potential buy-downs of LIP moderate units and land purchase for multiple interests are two additional areas of interest.
Affordable Housing Trust: Mr. Kopczynski explained that the Trust is a receptacle for payments toward the Town’s affordable housing program, such as payments from developers under the inclusionary zoning regulations. There are very few constraints on how the funds may be used. There is the potential to “seed” projects, for example to fund an evaluation of Chapter land for affordable housing use within the 120-day period.
In terms of start-up of the Trust, there have been two letters of interest received and three other people are interested. The selectmen will have a member on the Trust, also.
Part 2: Who Drives Affordable Housing?
The second part of the meeting was an open discussion on how and from where the development of affordable housing should be driven. Comments included:
· A “hub” is needed.
· The Partnership has identified land but can’t take action.
· There should be two boards: the Trust to control funds and the Partnership to make contracts. A need for checks and balances.
· The Housing Authority, by monitoring, is a check on the Trust.
· A part-time employee is needed on affordable housing.
· Start by identifying all the diverse interests. It’s too early to decide. Ask each agency for short- and long-term objectives.
· We’re struggling to staff the two boards (Partnership and Trust). Have one committee and a staff person.
· The main issue is the cost of land in Stow.
Mr. Dungan brought the discussion to a close. There was general agreement that the Housing Partnership and/or the Trust should drive the development of housing but the volunteer boards needed staff support.
Regional Transit Authorities (RTAs)
Donna Jacobs made a presentation to the Board introducing a newly formed public/private collaborative called the 495/MetroWest Alliance for Transit Services and a new opportunity for communities to make local use of their MBTA assessments. Presenters were Ms. Jacobs of MAPC and the MetroWest Growth Management Committee; Michelle Brooks of TransAction Associates, Inc.; Paul Matthews, Executive Director of the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership; and Ed Carr, MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Administrator. Also present was Ted Welte, President of the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce.
Thanks to a statutory change supported by Rep. Walrath and Sen. Resor, municipalities that join regional transit authorities (RTAs) can offset the costs of local transportation projects and services through their annual MBTA assessments. Stow’s annual assessment is $37,000. Eligible expenses include the annual COA costs for the vans and drivers. As a member of an RTA, a town retains a large amount of local control, for example, the decisions of which services to purchase.
Because of Stow’s location, the town may choose among several RTAs, one of which is the MetroWest RTA. Transportation to the South Acton train station via shuttle vs. dial-a-ride services was discussed. Mr. Wrigley noted that costs among RTAs will differ and to compare prices as part of the decision making.
The next step is for Stow to decide whether it wants to join an RTA. Joining requires a vote by the Board of Selectmen and a letter to the Governor. Ms. Jacobs suggested that Stow speak with Sudbury about Sudbury’s experience. Maynard has reportedly just voted to join the Lowell RTA. Bolton is part of the Montachusett RTA.
Conservation Restriction for Arbor Glen Active Adult Neighborhood (AAN)
As a follow-up to the June 12 meeting and the Board’s vote in favor accepting a conservation restriction on Arbor Glen land, the Board executed the restriction.
Ms. Sturgis moved to accept the conservation restriction and public access easement to the Town of Stow on the Arbor Glen parcel from Pulte Homes, as specified in the May 24, 2007 document; Mr. Robart seconded, and all voted in favor.
Mr. Dungan, Mr. Robart, and Ms. Sturgis signed the conservation restriction and Ms. McLaughlin notarized the signatures. Ms. Perry will forward it to the EOEA for acceptance and recording.
The land deed was not available and will be voted and signed at the June 26 meeting.
School Building Task Force Report
Ms. Sturgis, as chairman of the SBTF, delivered the task force’s final report and meeting minutes to the Board. She said it is important not to lose the momentum on the project.
She suggested that, because Stow “owns” the school buildings, that Stow, not the school district should coordinate the building project. Mr. Wrigley advised that the MSBA considers the school district as the project manager. It was only after extensive negotiations with MSBA that Stow managed the Hale School renovation and he said it was important to get the state’s agreement before proceeding. It was agreed that Ms. Sturgis, with Michael Wood’s support, would draft a letter to MSBA to request this arrangement.
Speaking for the task force members, she requested that the Board now disband the group, as they have completed their charge. She also requested a debriefing session with the selectmen on the committee process. She and the two SBTF facilitators are drafting a memo on this.
Ms. Sturgis moved to disband the task force (given their awesome job); Mr. Robart seconded; and all voted in favor.
Annual Appointment of Inspectors
The board approved the annual appointments of the Town’s building and utility inspectors and forest fire warden
Mr. Robart moved to appoint the inspectors, as posted on May 21, for:
· Wire Inspector: Charles A. Saari
· Deputy Wire Inspectors: Kenneth A. Desmond and Robert W. Norton
· Gas Inspector: Ray A. Smith
· Deputy Gas Inspector: Robert Smith
· Plumbing Inspector: Eric S. Sahlberg
· Deputy Plumbing Inspector: Ray A. Smith
· Local Building Inspectors: Douglas Hyde and Ray A. Renzoni
· Forest Fire Warden: David B. Soar, Stow Fire Chief
Ms. Sturgis seconded; and all voted in favor.
Land Use Strategy
Mr. Robart introduced a proposal that he and Mr. Dungan were drafting on how to create a comprehensive land use strategy for the town. A committee would be created with the following goals:
· Prioritize the land needs of the different town groups
· Inventory the land parcels
· Develop a plan that includes acquisition of the land
· Ready for the May 2008 Town Meeting
Having two at-large members is important. Using the SBTF organizational model was proposed. Ms. Sturgis suggested a committee with fewer members than 11.
The next step is to schedule a Joint Boards meeting on implementing this.
Mr. Dungan then commented on the Snow property. The price is now less and the town’s interest is high (as shown at Town Meeting). If the selectmen choose to bring a request to purchase it to a fall town meeting, they should start a process of hearing from the other boards on the use of this land. If they finish defining this in August or September, they should be able to bring it to the voters in November.
At 9:35 p.m., the Board voted to enter two Executive Sessions, per MGL C. 39, s. 23b: one for the purpose of discussing the Parker Land Court matter, followed by one for the purpose of discussing a union personnel matter; and not to return to Open Session; but to adjourn directly from Executive Session.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan McLaughlin
Administrative Assistant, Board of Selectmen
Approved as amended, June 26, 2007
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