Minutes
Stow Board of Selectmen
October 14, 2014
Present at the meeting that was held at Stow Town Building were Brian Burke, Donald Hawkes, Charles Kern and Thomas Ryan. James Salvie was absent.
Also present were William Wrigley, Town Administrator and Maureen Trunfio, Administrative Assistant. Mr. Kern called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.
Public Input: John Gage of 90 Hunter Ave., Hudson questioned the intent of the Town of Stow Noise Bylaw and whether it is enforceable. Mr. Wrigley gave the history behind the Bylaw and explained the complications with the Bylaw. Craig Martin, Building Commissioner, invited Mr. Gage to visit the Building Department and discuss the Bylaw further.
Town Clerk, Linda Hathaway, reminded citizens that October 16, 2014 would be the last night to register to vote. The Clerk’s Office will be open until 8 PM on October 16th. Absentee ballots are available as well.
Chairman’s Comments: Mr. Kern shared the fact that Phil Lesh and Bob Weir (of the Grateful Dead) sang the National Anthem at a Major League Baseball Game this afternoon.
Meeting Minutes
Mr. Hawkes moved to approve the minutes of September 11, 2014 as drafted and amended. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Mr. Ryan moved to approve the minutes of September 23, 2014 as drafted. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Mr. Ryan moved to approve the minutes of February 25, 2014 as drafted. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (3-0-1) In favor (Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan, aye. Mr. Burke, abstained)
Randall Library Update
Members of the Library Trustees, Barbie Wolfenden and Tim Reed, along with Library Director, Melissa Fournier, visited the Selectmen this evening with an update regarding the library building and library activities. Mr. Reed reported long-term plans for renovation and a planned addition to the existing building. Mr. Reed reported that they have been meeting with State Representative Kate Hogan regarding State Funding for the library project. They will seek funds from the Community Preservation Committee. They have plans for Stage One improvements which would focus on the second-level portion of the library. This plan would include painting, replacement of flooring, electrical rewiring, window replacement and other changes that would make the space more serviceable.
Mr. Burke asked whether there would be interest by the Library in utilizing the property at 323 Great Road for outdoor classroom /natural resource education. Mr. Reed replied that it would be a wonderful collaborative effort with departments such as the Conservation Commission. Mr. Ryan thanked the group for their patience with regard to renovation.
Appointment of Alternate Building Commissioner and Local Inspector
Craig Martin, Building Commissioner, informed the Board that local inspector Ray Renzoni retired and that he recommended that they appoint a replacement so that service would be continued in his absence. He recommended that the Selectmen vote to approve Jeffrey Wood as Alternate Building Commissioner and Mark Bertonassi as Local Inspector. Both work for the Town of Hudson.
On the recommendation of the Building Commissioner, Mr. Hawkes made a motion to appoint Jeffrey Wood as Alternate Building Commissioner, for a term ending May 31, 2015, and subject to annual reappointment thereafter. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
On the recommendation of the Building Commissioner, Mr. Hawkes made a motion to appoint Mark Bertonassi as Local Inspector, for a term ending May 31, 2015, and subject to annual reappointment thereafter. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Donation of Closed-Caption Television Equipment from Bose Corp.
Bose Corp. expressed interest in gifting CCTV equipment to the Stow Police Department. The donation consists of two PTZ American Dynamic Cameras valued at $200 each and two Fixed Mini-Dome American Dynamic Cameras valued at $50 each.
Mr. Hawkes made a motion to accept the donation of CCTV equipment by the Bose Corporation, namely 2 PTZ American Dynamic cameras and 2 Fixed Mini-Dome American Dynamic cameras, for use by the Stow Police Department. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Revised Sunday Opening Hour for Colonial Spirits
A Notification from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) was received by the Board of Selectmen’s Office on September 15, 2014 detailing an Advisory M.G.L. c. 138, section 15 declaring that off-premises retail licensees may open on Sundays at 10 A.M effective October 23, 2014. Colonial Spirits of 117 Great Road has submitted the requisite application form and confirmation of the corporate vote authorizing the change. ABCC requires the Local Licensing Authority to approve the change. The Selectmen had no objection.
Mr. Hawkes made a motion to approve a change in Sunday opening hours from 12 Noon to 10 AM for Colonial Spirits in Stow. This is in accord with MGL Chapter 138, section 15 pertaining to off-premises retail liquor licensees, and as issued in a notice by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission on September 8, 2014. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Wrigley informed the Board that the Town received official notice from the Department of Revenue that free cash has been certified at $1,832,298 for FY-2015. This represents a $136,000 increase in the amount from last year of $1,696,289. Combined with the stabilization fund balance of $840, 781, the Town’s stored assets total $2,673,079.
Mr. Wrigley reported that, based on the recommendation of the Conservation Commission, he has approved the hiring of Jacquelyn Goring as Conservation Assistant.
Mr. Wrigley told the Board that he will meet with Karen Kelleher, Jesse Steadman and Kathy Sferra on Tuesday, October 21 to discuss Lower Village water. The Town would like to provide a long-term land use lease to a small group of business/landowners for the purpose of designing, constructing and operating a small private water system to supply Lower Village businesses with water. He suggested both sides share the cost of the development of the appropriate paperwork.
Mr. Wrigley told the Board that he, Pam Landry of the Tax/Collector’s Office and Julie Costello, Town Accountant, spoke with Standard and Poors on the occasion of the Town’s $7,800,000 BAN renewal for the Center School project
November 4 Election Warrant
Town Clerk Linda Hathaway was present to request a vote and signatures to approve the November 4, 2014 Election Warrant. She informed the Board that workers that were once residents of Stow may assist as well as teens ages 16+. Mr. Burke volunteered his daughter, Gwen, to help on November 4. Voting will take place at the Hale Middle School gymnasium.
On the recommendation of the Town Clerk, Mr. Hawkes made a motion to appoint the following people as Town Election Workers for the November 4, 2014 Election (see list dated 10/14/2014 on file.) Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed.
VOTED: (4-0) Unanimously in favor (Mr. Burke, Mr. Hawkes, Mr. Kern and Mr. Ryan.)
Liaison Reports
Mr. Hawkes reported that Planning Board will be holding a Public Hearing regarding a proposed hangar to be built at Crow Island.
Mr. Burke reported that he attended the October 1, 2014 Departmental Permit Meeting. Bose Community Outreach representatives were present to discuss a potential community volunteer program whereby Bose employees would volunteer to work in various capacities for the Town. He mentioned plans proposed by Town departments for use of 323 Great Road. Mr. Burke mentioned that he attended the October 1, 2014 Tri-Town Meeting where issues including MCAS scores, school rankings and cost of school choice were discussed. He added that the meeting can be viewed on YouTube. The next Tri-Town Meeting will be held Wednesday, December 3, 2014 in Stow. Mr. Burke received feedback from NRSD School Committee and suggested inviting them to the Board’s October 28, 2014 meeting.
Adjournment
At 8:55 PM Mr. Hawkes made a motion to go into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 39, section 23B(3), for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to potential litigation, and MGL Chapter 39, section 23(B)(6), to discuss negotiations on real property acquisition and to adjourn thereafter. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion. Roll Call Vote: Mr. Burke, aye, Hawkes, aye, Mr. Kern, aye and Mr. Ryan, aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Administrative Assistant to the Board of Selectmen
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