TA Blog: 2010-01-11 BOS

Below is the TA's summary of what transpired at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of January 11, 2010. Questions or comments? Contact the Town Administrator. Official meeting minutes will be posted when approved by the Board.

January 11, 2010 Board of Selectmen Meeting Summary 

1. Executive Session: Litigation, Collective Bargaining Strategy - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.39,§23B clause 3 to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation and collective bargaining and to convene in open session thereafter [Roll call vote: 5-0].

2. Read Mail/Sign Warrant

3. Public Input

4. Public Hearing Continuation: Earth Removal Application: 215 Harwood Avenue - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to its Regulations on Earth Removal adopted March 1983, not to approve the application of Joseph Pittorino, 215 Harwood Avenue [4-0]. 

5A1. Russell Street School Repairs - Project Funding Agreement - Amendment No. 1 - The Board of Selectmen voted 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 January 6, 2010 recommendation of the School Building Committee and execute Amendment No. 1 of the Project Funding Agreement with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for repairs to the Russell Street Elementary School.

• On September 21, 2009, the Board voted to execute the Project Funding Agreement. Amendment No. 1 preserves the 47.84% reimbursement rate but reduces the approximate total MSBA grant amount from $7,058,663 to $4,973,562—based on the reduction in the eligible district budget of from $14,754,731 to $10,396,242. The resulting local share is $5,517,558-- signficantly less than than the $8.057-million as projected by MSBA in March 2009, or even the $7.4-million revised projection the Town had in May 2009 prior to opening of construction bids. 

5A2. Russell Street School Repairs - Change Orders - The Board of Selectmen voted 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 January 6, 2010 recommendations of the School Building Committee and approve (1) a contract amendment in the amount of $109,461 with Colantonio, Inc. of Holliston, MA for repairs to the Russell Street Elementary School. (2) not-to-exceed $40,000 for procurement of Voice-Over-IP phone system off the State Bid List; and (3) not-to-exceed $55,000 for procurement of switches and wireless access points off of the State Bid List.

5B. New Police Headquarters Construction - Budget Update - The Town will be going out for permanent borrowing later this month for design and construction of the new Littleton Police Headquarters facility at 500 Great Road. Town Meeting voters in 2008 authorized total borrowing of $6,585,308 for this project-- $300,000 to complete design, and $6,285,308 for construction. The amount to be expended for construction will only be $6,023,000-- $262,308 or 4.17% below budget. 

6A. Planning for Littleton’s Tercentenary Celebration 2014 - The Board of Selectmen voted to establish a general planning committee for the Town of Littleton’s Tercentenary Celebration in 2014, and to invite applications therefor. Selectmen to appoint general planning committee (size and composition to be determined), with that committee to then appoint subcommittees as needed. TA to work with Historical Commission, Historical Society.

6B. Police Dispatcher – Hiring Exemption Request - The Board voted to grant an exception to the hiring freeze policy for the filling of one (1) police dispatcher position, subject to continued approval of the 911 grant.

6C. Betterment Assessment: Manchester Drive, Norfolk Drive - The Board voted, pursuant to MGL c.80, §1, to approve and execute the Orders for Betterment Assessment for road improvements to Manchester Drive and Norfolk Drive, which roads were accepted as public ways by Article 27 of the May 5, 2008 Annual Town Meeting:

6D. Snow & Ice Update - The Board voted, pursuant to MGL C.44,§31D, to approve incurring expenses in excess of available appropriation for snow and ice removal for Fiscal Year 2010.

7. Minutes Approval - The Board voted to approve the minutes of December 14, 2009.