TA Blog: 2010-07-12 BOS

Below is the TA's summary of what transpired at the Board of Selectmen's meeting of July 12, 2010. Questions or comments? Contact the Town Administrator. Official meeting minutes will be posted when approved by the Board.

July 12, 2010 Board of Selectmen Meeting Summary

1. Executive Session: MGL C.30A,§21(a)(3) Litigation Strategy - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.30A,§21, subsection (a), clause 3 to convene in executive session to discuss strategy with respect to litigation in the matter of Silberberg v. Littleton, since an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the litigating position of the board; and to convene in open session thereafter [Roll call vote: 5-0]

2. FY 2011 Preliminary Goal-Setting Exercise - The Board of Selectmen reviewed draft goals proposed by members of the Board, and rescheduled its preliminary goal-setting exercise for Monday, August 2, 2010.

3. Read Mail

• Finance Committee - Letter of resignation received from Kenneth C. Adam after 23 years of service on the Finance Committee. This appointment is made by the Board of Selectmen for a term expiring June 30, 2012; applications will be invited.
• Nashoba Valley Technical High School District Representative - Letter of resignation received from district rep Robert M. LaVallee. Application received from alternate rep Daryl Baker. Appointment will be made by the School Committee, Board of Selectmen, and Town Moderator at a joint meeting to be held on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 7:30 PM.
• Quarry Committee - The Quarry Task Force has asked that it be renamed the "Quarry Committee." The Board of Selectmen so voted, effective immediately.
• Littleton Common Sewer Feasibility Study Committee - The Board of Selectmen voted to increase from 7 to 9 the membership on the Littleton Common Sewer Feasibility Study Committee, and to invite applications to fill two (2) additional citizen at-large members. The Board also directed that a policy be reviewed relative to length of posting for vacancies on town boards and study committees.

4. Public Input

5A. School Department - Littleton High School: VCT Flooring/Moisture - The School Department presented a preliminary report describing moisture problems with the vinyl composite tile (VCT) flooring at Littleton High School.

5B. PMBC: Police Station, Track Design, Town Office Building Exterior - The Permanent Municipal Building Committee updated the Selectmen on the close-out of the Police Station construction project, the design of the track, and a proposal to study the exterior of the Town Office Building.

• The PMBC will schedule an agenda item for an upcoming meeting to discuss track design, inviting all interested parties including the Littleton Track Organization, School Committee, and Park & Recreation Commission.

5C. Highway: Roadway Improvement Plan - The Board heard an update on the Roadway Improvement Plan. On May 25, 2010, the Board had voted to award a contract for reconstruction of Crane Road and to award a design contract for Whitcomb Avenue and Bruce Street. 

• The Board of Selectmen will schedule for this Fall an annual review of the Roadway Improvement Plan's priorities. 

6. Public Hearing: Amendments to Transfer Station Fees and Regulations - The Board of Selectmen voted to amend the regulations and fees of the Littleton Transfer Station to implement the “pay-as-you-throw” a/k/a “pay-per- bag” option for solid waste disposal, as set forth in the public hearing notice published on July 1, 2010. The Steering Committee to explore solid waste options had made its presentation on May 25, 2010 and June 21, 2010.

7. Public Hearing Continuation: License Application: Stephen Marsh d/b/a Tre Amici, 529 King Street - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL Chapter 138 to approve a common victualler/ all alcoholic license of Stephen Marsh d/b/a Tre Amici, 529 King Street, on the condition that no alcohol is to be served after the kitchen is shut down, unless a one day case by case permit is issued by fire and building department; with issuance of said license to be subject to further approval by the ABCC, passing all local inspections.

8A. FY 2010 Year-end Transfers - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.44,§33B, to approve year-end transfers between various line items of the Fiscal Year 2010 budget totaling $7,275, subject to the further approval of the Finance Committee.

8B. Adoption of Cash Policy - The Board of Selectmen voted to adopt a policy on Cash Receipts, Cash Disbursements, Petty Cash, Tailings, and Reconciliation of Cash, as introduced at the Board’s June 21, 2010 meeting.

8C. Hiring Freeze Exemption Request: Library - The Board voted to grant an exception to the hiring freeze policy for the filling of the Library Administrative Assistant position.

8D. LAND grant application – Cobb property - The Board of Selectmen voted to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Division of Conservation Services under its Land Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) program for $368,300 towards the acquisition for the acquisition of the following Cobb property parcels: Assessors Map R3, Parcels 21, 22, and 23, comprising 9.99 acres abutting the Yapp Conservation Land; and Assessors Map R01, Parcel 15-9 comprised of 6.4 acres abutting Cobb’s Pond.

8E. Yapp Property – donated value - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to its May 4, 2009 Memorandum of Understanding for acquisition of the 53.61-acre George and Lucy Yapp Conservation Land, to accept a donated value of $330,000 for said property. On May 4, 2009, the Board voted to execute the referenced MOU “for a consideration of $930,000 in cash and acceptance of a donated value of the difference between $930,000 and an appraised value provided by the seller . . . .” An appraisal has now been provided which contains a value of $1,260,000 with a valuation date of June 25, 2009.

8F. Police Mutual Aid Appointments - The Board of Selectmen voted, pursuant to MGL C.41,§99, to appoint police officers from the Towns of Ayer, Groton, Shirley, and Tyngsborough as special police officers of the Town of Littleton for terms ending June 30, 2011, as requested by Chief of Police John M. Kelly.

9A. Minutes Approval - The Board voted to approve the minutes of June 21, 2010.