SELECTMEN’S MEETING

October 4, 2016

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to accept the agenda as presented with the omission of item 3-A because the presenter was not able to attend the meeting. The motion passed 3-0.

 

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to approve the minutes of the meeting of September 27, 2016 as written. The Chairman noted that when discussing the Fire Department’s purchase of the tanker truck, it should be recorded that the Warrant and Finance Committee were in favor of the purchase. The motion passed 3-0.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

A. Cemetery Committee Update: tabled to the next meeting

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Fire Station Roof: Jennifer Roux reported that because the Fire Department has scheduled an open house for Saturday, October 8^th, the contractor will begin repairing the roof on Monday, October 10^th.

B. Library Walkway: Mrs. Roux noted that the walkway is nearly finished. The cost for paving of that area is being determined as well as the railings, windows, etc. More updates to come next week.

C. Old Sand/Salt Bldg: Mrs. Roux stated that there are no updates regarding the disposition of the building.

D. Tanker Truck: Mrs. Roux reported that the purchase has been made and that the insurance and paperwork will be processed on Wednesday. The Chairman noted that the Fire Chief hopes to have the truck at the facility for the Open House.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Recreation Committee, Basketball Signups: Mrs. Roux read a letter being distributed by the Recreation Committee relative to basketball signups stating that applications will be accepted until October 12 and should be returned to the Acton Town Hall or School. The Committee is asking for a volunteer to coordinate this program. The Chairman noted that the people that volunteered to serve on the Recreation Committee are doing an excellent job and it appears that there is a new resurgence to the committee.

B. Balch Dam: Mrs. Roux explained that she received correspondence from the Newfield Selectmen stating that the Balch Dam needs work done, including fencing on the lower side of the dam, a gate near the opening and fencing around the concrete area. The quote to complete this project would be approximately $3,600; the Town of Acton’s share would be half. Mrs. Roux also noted that she spoke to the Board Chair of Newfield in hopes that more communication would be open between the two towns and that going forward, Acton would be more involved from the beginning. Newfield agreed and also agreed to start the bid process from the beginning if Acton would like, the Board appreciated that but didn't think it was necessary.

Mrs. Roux noted that funds are available and she had verified this through the Treasurer. Ed Walsh stated that when he was the EMA Director, he did an assessment of this dam and agreed that it should have fencing installed for the sake of safety.

William Williams asked if the State fixed the dam previously, would there be help available from them to address the problem. Mrs. Roux explained that originally the State repaired the dam that had deteriorated but it is not a state dam so there probably is no recourse there.

Moved by Bill Shields, seconded by Elise Miller, to appropriate up to $1,805.30, one half of the cost of installing fencing and gates for the Balch Dam, as outlined in the correspondence from the Town of Newfield. The motion passed 3-0.

 

6. PUBLIC COMMENT: Bill Shields reported that Mr. Seckar expressed concern regarding the lack of striping on Garvin Road and stated that it is a very dangerous situation. He asked if the Town could do striping on at least the hills. Mrs. Roux stated that Scott Mooney, as Road Commissioner for that road, should be asked to review the situation. The Chairman noted that the town had previously researched striping the roads in Town, which probably didn’t include Garvin Road at that time, and the cost was estimated to be around $20,000.

Mrs. Roux will ask the Road Commissioners to research this project as a possible expenditure to be considered in the next budget process.

7. OTHER: In a discussion of town committees, it was determined that five people have been elected to the Road Committee at previous Town Meetings: Cindy Hart, William Gannon, Patrick Stevens, Tom Gore, and there is one open spot.

Annual Town Report: Mrs. Roux reported that all but five reports have been received.

8. ANNOUnCEMENTS:

A. Volunteers Needed for Recreation, Cemetery and Road Committee

B. 2016-2017 Winter Sand Bid

C. Delayed opening Oct 5th

D. Absentee ballots now available

E. The Fire Department is holding an Open House on Saturday, October 8^th as a start of Fire Prevention Week.

9. MEMBERS PRESENT: Ed Walsh, Bill Shields, Elise Miller

10. OTHERS PRESENT: Jennifer Roux, William Williams, Jim Driscoll