BOARD OF SELECTMEN
NOVEMBER 8, 2005
MCAULIFFE MEETING ROOM
Present: William Christensen, Chairman; Roger Challen, Bonnie Phaneuf, Janice Conlin, Town Administrator.
Regular Business
Tax Classification Hearing: The Board of Assessors provided information on the impact of a split tax rate with data from comparable towns. They recommend a single tax rate. The Assessor noted a town must know the tax rate before preparing tax bills which are mailed in late December. Mr. Cibelli, Assessor, told the Board that Ashland and Hopkinton went back to single rate from dual to stay competitive with other towns; a role of the single tax rate is to attract businesses, as opposed to other towns where they could develop which have a dual tax rate; commercial businesses pay the CPA percentage. Mr. Christensen read into the record a letter from the Corridor 9 Chamber of Commerce supporting a single tax rate. Mrs. Phaneuf and Mr. Challen would like Mr. Cibelli to speak with Hopkinton and Ashland. When did they do this, what was the rate, what is their view of what has happened since then? There was a motion to continue the public hearing to 6:45 p.m. on November 15, 2005.
Southborough Garden Club Betty Meyer came before the Board with her committee to discuss placing a Granite Marker “Restoration 2004 Southborough Gardeners” on the Common: this marker will lie flush with the cobblestones. Its requires removing 4 of the cobblestones. There was a motion to grant the Southborough Gardeners approval to place engraved granite markers on the town common. The motion was approved unanimously.
Trust Fund Committee: The Committee made a report to the Selectmen illustrating how trust funds are tracked and suggested improvements. Town Counsel suggests a bylaw be proposed followed by an election of a 3 person committee with liaisons to certain departments assigned. Mr. Christensen suggested formalizing this at a special town meeting if possible. It was noted the attorney general must approve the bylaw before an election can be scheduled. Expansion of the board was discussed to include folks such as ADA, Veterans, Youth, a school representative, etc. The committee presently has no authority to act without the approval of the Selectmen. The board discussed the role of trust documents the committee and the town is required to follow. Other town agencies told the Board they have very little money to assist residents in a dire situation and would like to refer those folks to this committee when an additional need arises. The liaisons should meet quarterly to determine that all audiences are being properly served. Directive is to follow up with town counsel and see how/when to proceed.
Merit Increase for Doreen Ferguson: The Board met with Recreation Director Kathryn Garcia regarding a merit increase for Doreen Ferguson, Administrative Secretary. Ms. Garcia stated her employee shows initiative, will have a leadership role with new software and is an excellent employee. Mr. Challen asked about her leadership role with a new software program and serves as a liaison with the vendor. She does not have any employees which report to her, though she does coordinate volunteers and student employees. Ms. Garcia says someone can still demonstrate leadership ability even though they do not supervise employees and this is why she graded Ms. Ferguson as she did. Mr. Christensen noted work attitudes does not agree with the way he read the cover letter. Ms. Garcia noted this form does not help the employees set goals to meet in the ensuing year. It was noted that all SEIU employees got a 3% raise on July 1, 2005 which is reflected in her current rate. She is asking for an additional 3% in merit which must be found in her FY06 budget since it wasn’t budgeted in the salary line. Mrs. Phaneuf made a motion to advance Ms. Ferguson 1.5% to a new rate of $16.27 effective 10/23/05. The motion was approved unanimously.
Recreation Re: CPA Proposals for 9-11 Field and Choate Field
The Board discussed restoring stone wall at Choate Field which came out of a discussion of safety for children at this field after initial consultation with Sgt. Moran. She suggested a chain link fence. The Commission agreed the stone wall should be restored to make it uniform with the cemetery, which is a retaining wall and is different structurally. A commissioner feels it is seen as an unsightly entrance to one of our premiere fields. 12 letters of support from town officials and others were presented. Mrs. Phaneuf has a concern over the golf course/school property line and limiting public access. Second component was to fence in Route 85 to keep balls in area and keep children within confinement of the property as a means to prevent abduction. Chief Webber was said to have approved of a chain link fence. Though the commission would now prefer something different in a stone wall. The wall will be 2 feet high in some areas which will require a chain link fence on the sides. Mrs. Phaneuf relayed that Chief Webber would like more discussion as this has taken a whole new direction from what the police dept originally thought. She also believes the school department should be consulted, even though the property is maintained by the Town. Commissioner Angus stated the levels of wall change frequently which means a ball can roll into the road and it is difficult to keep track of all kids at recess in an open area like this. Chief Webber’s letter says the wall is 3-4 feet and is needed for traffic safety, having a barrier, etc. Ms. Angus was confused to now find out Chief Webber has a different position. Ms. Garcia discussed again with Sgt. Moran if a stone wall with a chain link fence at the ends that would wrap around sides to protect kids would be acceptable? This would make it match the opposite side of the street. Sgt. Moran said yes and would ask Chief Webber to write the letter. Mr. Christensen feels a chain link fence on this property would be unsightly.
9-11 Field: Commission members also discussed satellite parking at the 9-11 field which is an application before the CPA Committee. After analysis of traffic patterns, a re-submission to CPA will only be asking to rebuild the stone wall and will not address parking. Ms. Garcia doesn’t want to go to DCR unless local boards have approved the project. Mr. Christensen wants DCR notified that we will be approaching the CPA Committee now for funding so the agency has been given advance notice. Mr. Christensen asked if DCR will want all natural growth on the roadside. This needs to be clarified if the wall restoration is to be pursued.
The Board also discussed the DCR lease which comes due in 2007 and suggested a meeting with them to review changes. Mr. Challen will participate on behalf of the Board. Town Counsel should contact the DCR counsel.
Other Items of Discussion
The Board voted unanimously to approve the Executive Session minutes from November 2, 2005 and the October 25, 2005 regular meeting minutes.
Traffic Study for Pine Hill Road/Parmenter Road Intersection: DPW has received a $6,000 estimate which would count vehicles and assist with the Mass Highway approval process. The Board asked if the subdivision plan been pulled. They are waiting for a legal opinion. This matter was tabled.
Sears Road: Ms. Galligan presented the traffic counts from October 21, 2005 through today. Weekday traffic is 1200 trips, 800 on Sundays.
Special Counsel for Elderly Housing Project - Newton St.: Several estimates have been sought to handle this case. Anderson & Kreiger: $200/hour. Bowditch & Dewey: $175/hour. Mirick O’Connell has a conflict as does Town Counsel. The Board approved an amount not to exceed $3,000 for this project and appointed Bowditch & Dewey as special counsel in this case. The motion was approved unanimously. The Board would like to ask Town Counsel for an estimate of what this may require financially.
The Board voted unanimously to accept a $160.00 donation for the Ambulance Fund.
The Board voted unanimously to appoint Brian Ballantine to the Affordable Housing Trust Committee, term to expire June 30, 2007.
Request from SHOPC to allow the Southborough Affordable Housing Trust to have control and development rights for 26 Gilmore Road. The Town owns this property and has been asked to turn the property over to SHOPC so its funds can be used to re-develop the property into affordable housing units. The Board would like to seek a legal opinion from town counsel on whether the town can develop and sell without town meeting approval?
Extend contract for sodium chloride through the Town of Acton procurement. Motion to extend the contract for $42.48/ton was unanimous.
Appoint John Thorburn,1 Wildwood Drive as Municipal Hearing Officer. He will do this for $100/hearing. This motion was unanimous.
The Board signed the 2005-2007 AFSCME contract.
Accept a Pilot payment from The New England Center for Children for $38,497. Approved 3-0.
Approve hourly rate for new hire, Richard W. Pierce as a DPW Truck Driver in the Water Division. Approved unanimously.
Letter from EOEA awarding a $500,000 grant for the Chestnut Hill Farm project was received by the Board.
MAIL RECEIVED
Request from Southborough Meadows to endorse proposal re: Genzyme project. They want access across Route 30 to New York Avenue with pedestrian a walkway. The Selectmen support sidewalks on both sides of Route 30 and a traffic light with a switch for pedestrian crossing. The sidewalk on the eat side is to connect the Bay Circuit trail to Lamb Hill Rd.
Cingular: Need to re negotiate sites. We get $1,791/month. However, if terminated, the town would get one year’s worth of lease and an abatement period to replace the 3% escalation that we were getting under the old contract. Mr. Christensen does not wish to re-negotiate. They want the right to expand the space and add on antennas. The Board is unable to make a decision in 5 days and will request an extension of 30 days.
WARRANTS
|
116 |
$119,658.41 |
11/4/05 |
TOWN PAYABLES |
|
117 |
$754.99 |
11/4/05 |
NEXTEL |
|
118 |
$41,910.62 |
10/28/05 |
DEDUCTION REPORT ADJUST |
|
119 |
$25,224.95 |
11/2/05 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
120 |
$79,526.15 |
11/2/05 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
121 |
$398,518.86 |
11/4/05 |
SCHOOL PAYROLL |
|
122 |
$91,507.92 |
11/4/05 |
DEDUCTION REPORT |
|
TOTAL |
$757,101.90 |
|
|
|
123 |
$913,458.68 |
11/10/05 |
TOWN PAYABLES |
|
124 |
$27,831.49 |
11/9/05 |
FIRE DEPT. PAYROLL |
|
125 |
$78,946.25 |
11/9/05 |
TOWN PAYROLL |
|
126 |
$30,532.97 |
11/9/05 |
DPW PAYROLL-RETIREMENT |
|
127 |
$29,063.42 |
11/9/05 |
DEDUCTION REPORT |
|
TOTAL |
$1,079,832.81 |
|
|
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:45 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Vanessa D. Hale, Assistant Town Administrator