Stow Board of Selectmen
Town Building – Warren Room
March 10, 2015
Present were Selectmen Charles Kern, Brian Burke, Don Hawkes, Tom Ryan and Jim Salvie. Also present were Town Administrator Bill Wrigley and Administrative Assistant Maureen Trunfio and Barbara Huggins, Town Counsel. At 7:00 p.m. Mr. Kern called the meeting to order.
Public comment: Town Clerk, Linda Hathaway mentioned that she would be holding a volunteer recruitment night on March 11th at Town Building from 7-8 p.m. in order to recruit for the many vacancies on various Town boards, committees and commissions. She mentioned that March 20th would be that last day to submit nomination papers for public office.
Chairman’s comments: Mr. Kern announced that a rabies clinic would be held on April 4th from 6-8 p p.m. at the Town Highway Barn. Microchipping would also be available at that time.
Meeting minutes:
Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the minutes of February 23, 2015 as drafted. Mr. Salvie seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Joint meeting with Randall Library Trustees to vote to fill vacant position on the Library Board of Trustees
Library Trustees Tim Reed, Marianne Sharin and Ed Grund were in attendance to recommend the appointment of Ed Grund to the Randall Library Board of Trustees. This vacancy was created when Amante Coppes resigned last in February.
Mr. Hawkes moved that, in a joint vote with the Trustees of the Randall Library, Ed Grund be appointed to fill the vacancy on the Randall Library Board of Trustees, effective from now until the May 2015 Annual Town Election. Mr Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously
Recognition of Ingeborg Hegemann-Clark for MACC Environmental Service Award
Ingeborg Hegemann Clark, member of the Stow Conservation Commission, was present to receive an Environmental Service Award from the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions.
Discussion/vote on Dunn Property Conservation Restriction – Conservation Commission
Susan Crane of the Stow Conservation Trust ( SCT) and Kathy Sferra, Conservation Coordinator for the Town of Stow, were present to explain joint plans to purchase and place Restriction (CR) on a 24.5 acre parcel of land adjacent to the Captain Sargent Conservation Land known as the Dunn Property. The Board approved the execution of the CR.
In accord with MGL Chapter 184, sections 31-33, Mr. Hawkes moved to approve and execute the Conservation Restriction for the Dunn Property, located between West Acton Road and South Acton Road along the Stow/Acton town line and as described in the Conservation Restriction and Public Access Easements document provided by the Stow Conservation Commission. Mr. Salvie seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Discussion/vote re: Needham proposed amendment for Minuteman Regional agreement
Alice DeLuca,Stow’s Representative Minuteman High School, was present to report on the proposed Needham amendment to the Minuteman Regional School. The Board took a non-binding courtesy vote in support the Needham Agreement.
Mr. Hawkes moved to accept the amendment to the Minuteman Regional Vocational School District proposed and approved by the Needham Board of Selectmen at their meeting on April 7, 2014, and reading as follows:
Resolved: That in the event of ratification of the revised the Minuteman Regional Vocational School District agreement as approved by the Regional School Committee on March 11, 2014, and in the event of notice of desire to withdraw by one or more members of the District given within one year of the effective date of the revised Agreement, the Board of Selectmen will not place a warrant article disapproving such withdrawal in a Town Meeting warrant, unless required by law, and will oppose such a disapproval article or motion in any event.
Mr. Salvie seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Discussion/vote on permit for Randall Library Trustees wine reception
Randall Library Trustees have requested permission to serve wine at an upcoming meeting to honor a long-time Board member who has resigned. The seven Library Trustees and the Library Director will be the only people in attendance. It was determined that a one-day liquor license be issued in order to allow this request.
Mr. Ryan moved that the Board of Selectmen grant permission to the Trustees of Randall Library to serve wine at the Randall Library Trustees’ meeting on the evening of Wednesday, April 8, 2015. Mr. Hawkes seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
Nashoba Regional School District (NRSD) FY-2016 Budget
Mr. Hawkes opened the discussion by stating that more residents than usual have been attending school-related meetings and budget workshops. He mentioned that there was an alarming proposal that may be presented to all three member towns looking at a potential increase of 7.74% to assessments. Mr. Hawkes suggested a vote to serve as a message to School Committee representatives in order express the gravity of the Board’s concerns.
Mr. Hawkes moved that the Board of Selectmen communicate to the Nashoba Regional School District, in writing, our concern that its current estimated FY-2016 assessment of $16,114,631, is $1,120,497 more than Stow’s FY-2015 assessment, an increase of 7.47%; and that this significant increase is $320,000 greater than the $800,000 total annual recurring increase Stow expects to collect in FY-2016. Given this substantial gap, the BOS requests that the Nashoba Regional School District, through its School Committee, strive to reduce its FY-2016 budget to the greatest extent possible. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed 4:1. Mr. Burke voted against.
Town Administrator’s report
Mr. Wrigley reported that items on his report would be discussed in Executive Session.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Ryan said that he had attended the most recent Tri-Town meeting.
Mr. Salvie reported that he attended a recent Stow Municipal Affordable Housing Trust (SMAHT) meeting.
Mr. Burke mentioned that the next Tri-Town meeting would take place on April 1st.
At 8:57 p.m. Mr. Hawkes moved to go into Executive Session with the Planning Board, pursuant to MGL Chapter 30A, section 21(a)(3), for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to possible litigation, and for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to collective bargaining, and to adjourn thereafter. Mr. Ryan seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously. Mr. Salvie, aye, Mr. Hawkes, aye, Mr. Burke, aye, Mr. Kern, aye, Mr. Ryan, aye.
Respectfully submitted,
Maureen Trunfio
Administrative Assistant
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