TA Blog: 2010-05-25 BOS

Below is the TA's summary of what transpired at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of May 25, 2010. Questions or comments? Contact the Town Administrator. Official meeting minutes will be posted when approved by the Board.

May 25, 2010 Board of Selectmen Meeting Summary

1. Read Mail -

• The results of the May 25, 2010 recount of the May 8, 2010 Annual Town Election for two seats on the Board of Selectmen were announced: Joseph Knox, 1,011; Gregg Champney, 803; and Richard Carter, 800.
• Town Clerk announcing a training seminar on the new Open Meeting Law will be conducted at Groton-Dunstable Middle School Auditorium on May 27, 2010 at 7 PM.
• PanAm Railways, Inc. announcing it is commencing a post emergent herbicide application program from June 15 to July 15, 2010. 

2. Public Input

3A. Steering Committee - Solid Waste Options – Report/Presentation - The Board of Selectmen heard the report/presentation of the Solid Waste Options Steering Committee, and voted to schedule a public hearing on proposed solid waste options for Monday, June 21, 2010 at 7:30 PM.

3B. Groton Regional Recycling Facility - The Board voted to support the Town of Groton’s application to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection under the Sustainable Materials Recovery Program for the Groton Regional Recycling Center.

3C. Devens Regional Hazardous Waste Facility - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.40,§4A, to authorize execution of an intermunicipal agreement by and among communities in the Devens region participating in the Devens Regional Hazardous Products Collective Facility Program, subject to approval as to form by Town Counsel and the Littleton Board of Selectmen.

• The Board also voted to adopt a “Buy Recycling” policy as follows: ”In recognition of the need to make more efficient use of our natural resources, create markets for the materials collected in the recycling programs, reduce solid waste volume and disposal costs, and serve as a model for private and public institutions, The Town of Littleton is committed to purchasing products which are environmentally preferable and/or made of recycled materials whenever such products meet quality requirements and are available and cost effective. To the maximum extent practicable, each department shall implement paper reduction techniques through the use of duplexing, sharing and circulating materials, use of electronic mail, and reuse of discarded paper for draft work, scrap paper and internal messages.”

4. School Building Committee – Russell Street School 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 May 12 and 19, 2010 recommendations of the School Building Committee and approve Change Order #8 in the amount of $72,583 and Change Order No. #9 in the amount not to exceed $39,457.50 with Colantonio, Inc. of Holliston, MA for repairs to the Russell Street Elementary School.

5A. Board of Health Vacancy - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.41,§11, to receive the notice thereunder given by the remaining members of the Board of Health of the vacancy on said board created by the resignation of member Joseph Presti effective May 12, 2010; and further, to give notice to said remaining members that the Board of Selectmen shall convene a joint meeting with the intent to fill said vacancy through the May 2011 Annual Town Election by joint appointment to be made on Monday, June 21, 2010 at 7:15 PM; and, further, to invite qualified registered voters of the Town of Littleton to apply for said appointment and to be interviewed at said joint meeting [5-0].

5B. Annual Appointment Process - The Board voted to appoint the following individuals to the boards so indicated each for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2013:

5C. Study Committee – Organization/Permitting Boards/Departments - The Board of Selectmen voted to appoint Judith Pickett and Vera Cohen as citizen at-large members to the committee to study the organizational structure of the permitting boards and departments, established by the Board’s vote on April 26, 2010.

5D. Selectmen Representative to Task Force/Study Committee - The Board voted to appoint Selectman Gregg Champney as its representative to the Quarry Task Force established on February 8, 2010. 

5E. Annual Goal-Setting Process – Set Timetable - The Board of Selectmen voted to schedule a preliminary goal-setting exercise for FY 2011 on the agenda of the June 21, 2010 meeting, with a public hearing on the adoption of FY 2011 goals to be held on July 12, 2010 at 7:30 PM.

6A1. Roadway Improvements Project Update - Award Construction Contract – Crane Road Reconstruction - The Board of Selectmen voted to award a contract for reconstruction of Crane Road to P.J. Albert Inc., of Fitchburg, MA at its low bid of $297,633.70; with execution of said contract subject to receipt of performance and payment bonds and certificates of insurance.

6A2. Award Design Contract – Whitcomb Avenue, Bruce Street - The Board voted to award a contract for design services related to the reconstruction of Whitcomb Avenue and Bruce Street to successful proposer Green International Affiliates, Inc. of Westford, MA at not to exceed $99,842.52.

6B. Vehicle Donation – Toyota Camry Hybrid – Police Chief - The Board voted, pursuant to the Policy on Solicitation and Acceptance of Monetary and Non-Monetary Gifts for Public Purpose, to authorize the Police Department to accept a gift of a Toyota Camry hybrid vehicle from Acton Toyota of Littleton.

6C. FEMA Funding Update. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has announced that federal disaster aid is available for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to supplement state and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms and flooding beginning on March 12, 2010, and continuing through April 26, 2010. This aid is in the form of Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program funding, and is available to State and Local governments and certain types of Private Nonprofit organizations. 

• The registration deadline for homeowners, renters and business owners to apply for disaster assistance has been extended until close-of-business, Monday, June 28, 2010. Read more.

6D. Adoption of Hazard Mitigation Plan - The Board of Selectmen voted to adopt the Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Town of Littleton prepared by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council on the Town’s behalf and conditionally approved by Region I of the Federal Emergency Management Administration on May 7, 2010.

6E. Hiring Freeze Exemptions - The Board of Selectmen voted to grant an exception to the hiring freeze policy for the filling of the part-time (6 hrs/week) position of Veterans Agent, and the part-time (30 hrs/week) position of Assistant Town Accountant.

7A1. Schedule Public Hearing: Liquor License Application: Stephen Marsh d/b/a Tre Amici, 529 King Street - The Board voted, pursuant to MGL C.138,§§12 and 15A to schedule a public hearing for Monday, June 21, 2010 at 8:15 PM on the application for a common victualler/ all alcoholic license of Stephen Marsh d/b/a Tre Amici, 529 King Street.

8. Executive Session: MGL C.39,§23B collective bargaining strategy - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.39,§23B clause 3to go into executive session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining, and not to convene in open session thereafter [Roll call vote: 5-0]