TA Blog: 2009-10-19 BOS

Below is the TA's summary of what transpired at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of October 19, 2009. Questions or comments? Contact the Town Administrator. Official meeting minutes will be posted when approved by the Board.

October 19, 2009 Board of Selectmen Meeting Summary 

1. Read Mail/Sign Warrant

• Cable Advisory Committee - letter of resignation from Robert Spinozzi. Thanks to Bob for his service on this committee. Applications to be sought to fill this vacancy

2. H1N1 Update – Ann Lorree of the Littleton Medical Reserve Corps and Nashoba Health Agent Jim Garreffi- presented an update on the H1N1 swine flu virus. See updates at http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/h1n1-swine-flu/ and http://www.cdc.gov/flu/ 

3. Public Input

• 300th anniversary of the Town of Littleton is coming up in 2014.

4. Road Layout Hearing: Sleigh Ride Lane - vote, pursuant to MGL C.82, to approve the layout of the private way known as "Sleigh Ride Lane," as shown on a plan entitled "Roadway As Built Plan Hobby Horse Hill Definitive Subdivision Littleton, Massachusetts, dated December 30, 2008, last revised 9/10/09 by Acton Survey & Engineering, Inc. Prepared for Hobbyhorse LLC of Dracut, MA, said street having been constructed to the satisfaction of the Planning Board.

5A. School Building Committee – Russell Street School Repairs - vote pursuant to Article 4 of the May 4, 2009 Special Town Meeting, and as chief executive official and "eligible applicant" under 963 CMR 2.02, to accept the October 14, 2009 recommendation of the School Building Committee and approve a contract amendment in an amount not to exceed $60,000 with Colantonio, Inc. of Holliston, MA for modifications to site drainage for repairs to the Russell Street Elementary School.

5B. LELWD – Water Capital Project, 39 Ayer Road Lease - vote to support the following articles contained on the warrant for the November 9, 2009 Special Town MeetingArticle 6 – Water Capital Improvements, requested by the Board of Water Commissioners; and Article 7 - Lease at 39 Ayer Road, requested by the Board of Electric Light Commissioners.

• Funding for the Article 6 project would come from outside grant funding, such as the Drinking Water Grant Program under the so-called expanded "bottle bill." Accordingly, the Board of Selectmen voted to support House Bill No. 3062, An Act to Enhance the Clean Environment and Protect Water Resources. A letter of support will be sent to the Legislature's Join Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy and Littleton's state legislative delegation.
• Article 7 would allow LELD to lease out a training facility for a non-profit public power organization.

5C. Crematory Study Committee – Extension Request - The Board of Selectmen voted to amend its vote of May 11, 2009 establishing a Crematory Study Committee, by amending from "December 1, 2009" to "January 31, 2010" the date said committee is to report back to the Board of Selectmen with its finding and recommendations.

6A. FY 2010 Budget Update, FY 2011 Budget Planning - vote to support inviting two alternative funding requests for FY 2011, as follows: (1) level funded at the final dollar amount approved for FY 2010 (including cuts about to be made at the November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting), and (2) a 5% reduction from those final FY 2010 levels.

• The Board of Selectmen voted to amend the Hiring freeze policy adopted on December 15, 2009 by amending criterion #5 ["provided that the position can be sustained on level-funded budgets for FY 2010"] to read, "provided that the position can be sustained on a 5% reduction budget for FY 2011."

6B. Hiring Freeze Exemption Request - vote to grant an exception to the hiring freeze policy for the filling of Library Technician services through a temporary agency and/or by contracted services for remainder FY 2010 [4-1].

6C. November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting Warrant Articles - vote to recommend the following articles for the November 9, 2009 Special Town Meeting, and direct the preparation of motions to be moved and seconded by the Board of Selectmen for articles inserted by said board: Article 1. Bills of Prior Years; Article 2. FY 2010 Budget Amendments; Article 3. Community Preservation Committee - Community Housing - Pine Tree Park; Article 4. School Grant Funds; Article 5. Easement: Bulkeley Road; and Article 8. Road Acceptance: Sleigh Ride Lane.

6D. 215 Harwood Avenue Nuisance Order - Update - The Board of Selectmen issued a cease and desist order on September 28, 2009. The Board expressed concern about a business being operated in a residential area, and that an earth removal permit needs to be applied for under Section 147-1 of the Town Code. Further reports will be requested from the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, and DEP.

7. Minutes Approval - vote to approve the minutes of Thursday, October 8, 2009.