Minutes
Stow Board of Selectmen
April 22, 2014
Present at the meeting that was held at Town Hall were Gary Bernklow, Donald Hawkes, Charles Kern, Thomas Ryan and James Salvie.
Also present were Town Administrator, William Wrigley and Recording Secretary, Maureen Trunfio. Mr. Hawkes called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Public Comment: Town Clerk Linda Hathaway reminded the public that dog licenses were due and also that they Town is still accepting census forms.
She mentioned that Candidates Night will be held next Monday, April 28, 2014 at Town Hall at 7:30 PM.
Chairman's Comments: None
Discussion/vote on Renewal of Bond Anticipation Notes for Elementary School Project
Treasurer/Collector Pam Landry was present and requested that the Board sign notes for the second part of the school project for $7.9 Million. This will be bought for six months at 0.75% interest from TD Securities. She requested that the Selectmen vote on this issue and sign the required paperwork.
Mr. Salvie made a motion to approve the sale of a $7,900,000 School Bond Anticipation Note, as described in the Vote of Board of Selectmen presented by the Treasurer, dated April 22, 2014, and authorize the Clerk to sign the form on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Earth Removal Permit Public Hearing - Collings Foundation
At 7:10 PM Mr. Hawkes read the public notice required to open a public hearing for a request for an Earth Removal Permit pursuant to Article 6, Section 22 of the Stow General Bylaw filed by Bob Collings for property located at R-25 #13 on the Stow Assessor's Map. It was noted that due to time constraints the public hearing would need to be continued, but that Mr. Collings would present his proposed project at this meeting. Names from the certified abutters list in the towns of Hudson and Stow were read aloud by Mr. Bernklow, and those in attendance stated their presence. The Recording Secretary requested from Mr. Collings the green return receipts cards to prove the certified mailing of the Notice of Hearing to the abutters. These were verified against the certified abutters list provided by the Hudson and Stow Assessors Offices.
There were several cards that were not received. Dylan McKay of 57 Barton Road stepped forward to announce that he had been left off the abutter's list. Mr. Salvie announced that the BoS had on this day received a letter from the Assessor's Office that there was one Hudson parcel and one Stow parcel that the Assessor's office was not aware was indeed left off the abutters lists. He questioned whether it could be considered that all abutters had been notified properly. Mr. Wrigley suggested that the hearing would open and be continued. The Board told Mr. Collings that the next hearing would need to be advertised again properly.
Mr. Hawkes highlighted the main points of the permit for the audience and gave notice that this hearing would continue due to time constraints. He explained that Mr. Collings had applied for a permit to remove materials from Parcel 13 on the Town Assessor's Map.
Bob Collings was present and explained that he had submitted an Earth Removal Permit Request to the Board of Selectmen in order to seek permission to remove part of a hill at the end of his airfield that he claims is a flight safety hazard during landings and take offs. The Board requested a written statement from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division stating that they recommended this project. Mr. Collings said that he will attempt to acquire such a statement in writing. Mr. Collings put forth that an additional benefit for the Town resulting from the proposed project would be enhanced recharge to the aquifer on the parcel.
Mr. Collings told the Board that the earth material would be recycled and none of the material would be sold commercially. Any material taken away will be transported via a private roadway through Hudson. He told the public and the Board that no larger planes than those currently using the airfield will be certified to land at the airstrip as a result of the proposed clearing of the hill.
The Board asked Mr. Collings to estimate the duration of the proposed project, and he said approximately three years. Mr. Hawkes reminded Mr.
Collings that the Board may only issue earth removal permits with a one-year term. Collings stated that he understood that he would need to reapply each year.
The Conservation Commission and Planning Board have commented on the project and those comments have been shared with the BoS. Those concerns will be addressed at a later meeting. The Board suggested that Mr. Collings begin the process of presenting the proposed project to these committees simultaneously. Mr.
Collings encouraged any persons with questions or concerns to call him at the Collings Foundation.
Mr. Hawkes informed the public that with Mr. Collings' consent, which was granted, the hearing would be continued to May 27, 2014 on or after 7:30 PM.
It was noted that the abutters list issue would be resolved.
Mr. Salvie made a motion to continue the Public Hearing regarding an Earth Removal Permit filed by Bob Collings for property located at R-25 #13 on the Stow Assessor's Map to May 27, 2014 on or after 7 PM. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Building Project Public Forum
Mr. Wrigley began by stating that the present meeting was the fourth in a series of public forums to share with the public the process and findings associated with determining the best plan of action for acquiring the best possible space in the most cost effective way for new space associated with an expanded fire station and potentially additional space for a community center.
After extensive research and consideration by many committees and individuals involved with the departments that would be affected, it was determined that the former Pompositticut School would be the best choice for space for a combined fire station and community center.
At the present meeting the following employees or volunteers related to the various departments stood and voiced their support for the Pompo Project and explained how it would serve their needs. Chief Joe Landry spoke on behalf of the Fire Department. Alyson Toole and Kristen Donovan spoke to the needs of the Council on Aging and how Pompo would benefit their needs. Stow Seniors, Mille Leone and Eileen MacDonald, who both volunteer for the COA, voiced the need for additional space and their support for space at Pompo.
Laura Greenough, Director or Recreation explained the need for office space and classroom space and how Pompo would nicely fill these needs. Mr. Wrigley added that if the Recreation and Cemetery Departments were moved to Pompo, far less money would need to be spent to heat Town Hall, where these departments are presently located. Steve Dungan spoke on behalf of the Stow Food Pantry explaining the need for space to service clients and store food.
Barb Wolfenden, a member of the Randall Library Board of Trustees spoke and stated that the library is in support of the plan for space use at Pompo as proposed. She added that in the meantime the Randall Library will work to figure finances and research fund raising for their future renovation of the current library space.
The Board invited members of the public to comment. Dave Siewierski spoke and mentioned that he was part of the first class to "graduate" from Pompo and that he would love to enjoy the building again, but he stated that he would like to also be able to afford Stow in his retirement years and for the Board to be conscious of blue collar workers. Mr. Wrigley addressed the statement by saying that he has worked closely with the Oversight (and all) Committees to work diligently to come up with a tax impact approach that minimizes the impact on taxpayers. He added that because Pompo is an existing building in fairly good condition, it would be very difficult to find a more cost-effective plan than to utilize the existing building instead of building a new fire station and/or community center on a different site.
Mr. Wrigley asked for comment from the Oversight Committee members. Mr.
Salvie, as a representative to the Library, explained that it makes sense to delay an additional tax impact at this time. It was stated that it was difficult to justify maintaining an empty building (Pompo) and that issue would potentially be solved. He added that great strides have been made in repairing the current Library and those repairs have been made with available funds. Mr. Kern said that he supported the needs of all those that spoke this evening and fully supports the proposal to combine the new fire station and community center at Pompo. Mr. Ryan served as a representative on the Fire Station Building Committee and added that after everyone's testimony this evening, he was hopeful that people could see how well Pompo would serve the current space needs of the growing town. He added that after recently reading the Town Annual
Report from 1966, the citizens at that time did not want to build the current fire station. He said that as a resident of Stow neither he, nor the other members of the Oversight Committee, want to see his own taxes increase, but that he supports that the Pompo plan and believes that it makes the most sense moving forward. He added, to clarify, that members of the Oversight Committee recommend and support Article 35 in the Warrant. Mr. Hawkes spoke as a member of the senior population in Town and he does not wish to see his taxes increase, but as a Selectmen, he understands that difficult decisions must be made with the concern for the betterment of the Town as a whole, and, therefore, he supports the plan to utilize Pompo. Mr. Wrigley added that more details on the project will be presented at Annual Town Meeting in two weeks. Mr. Hawkes thanked all parties involved for their many hours of work involved with this project.
Mr. Salvie made a motion to support Article 35, Fire Station and Community Center Project Design at Pompositticut School, in the Stow 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Mr. Kern mentioned that he saw no value in supporting Article 36 (the backup
Article) in the Town Warrant. He believed that if Article 35 (the primary Article ) written to support the plan for the fire station and community center at Pompo is voted down at Annual Town Meeting in May 2014, the issue should be addressed at a Special Town Meeting in the fall of 2014, giving the Board time to understand why it was defeated and possibly salvaging the years of work that have gone into this proposed plan written as Article 35 in the Warrant. Mr. Salvie supported Mr Kern's view of choosing to show no support for Article 36.
Mr. Bernklow made a motion to support Article 36, in the event that Article 35 fails at Annual Town Meeting, regarding Fire Station Design at 323 Great Road in the Stow 2014 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. It was defeated by a 3:2 vote. Mr. Ryan and Mr. Bernklow voted in support and Mr. Salvie, Mr. Hawkes and Mr. Kern voted against the motion.
Discussion of Gleasondale Traffic Planning Capital Request
Karen Kelleher, Town Planner, was present and asked whether the Board of Selectmen supported the Article in the Warrant for a request for $50K for traffic improvements in the Gleasondale area as it relates to the Planning Department's plans, in conjunction with the University of Massachusetts, to economically develop the Gleasondale area. Mr. Hawkes requested an executive summary regarding the Gleasondale Project before Annual Town Meeting so that they may review the findings. Mr. Salvie voiced general support for the capital request. Mr. Ryan voiced his concerns for spending $50K on a study.
Ms. Kelleher replied that the $50K study would allow a professional to look at the recommendations that come from the study and draw up plans. Mr. Hawkes asked if there is grant money available for this project and Ms. Kelleher answered that there is grant money available at the present time, but that she was not certain if there would be grant money available one year from now.
Review and Vote on Annual Town Meeting Articles
Mr. Salvie voiced support for two articles as a show of support for keeping the library project alive. Article 48 would give $25K of Community Preservation Committee money for design of the "old part" of the Randall Library and Article 41 that would allow for seed money to assist in applying for Massachusetts Library Building Commission money.
Mr. Salvie made a motion to support Article 41 and Article 48 in the Town Warrant. Mr. Bernklow seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
At 9:15 Mr. Salvie made a motion adjourn to Executive Session to discussion strategy with respect to litigation, and negotiation strategy for collective bargaining and to include Bill Wrigley, Ellen Sturgis and Amy Hastings, pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, section 21 (a)(3), and adjourn the meeting thereafter. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. Roll call vote, Mr. Bernklow, aye; Mr. Hawkes, aye; Mr. Kern, aye; Mr. Ryan, aye; Mr. Salvie, aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Board of Selectmen Recording Secretary
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