SELECTMEN’S MEETING

July 24, 2018

Pledge of Allegiance

Moment of Silence for William Shields

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Selectmen Elise Miller made a motion to approve the agenda; Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn seconded. 1 item was added to the agenda under Department Heads as item C. All in favor, approved.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

• Selectmen Miller made a motion to approve the minutes for July 10^th; Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All in favor, approved.

• Selectmen Stacey-Horn made a motion to approve the June 26th minutes, Selectmen Walsh seconded. All in favor, approved.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES:

A. Marijuana Committee

Mr. Richard Nass approached the Board to take the opportunity to thank everyone for their committee's support. The committee is finished for at least a year unless something comes up. Selectmen Walsh thanked each of the committee members for their hard work and report. Report will be left up on the website. Duties were relieved. The ordinance passed with a vote of 69 to 79.

B. Goat Hill

The Board was approached at the last meeting for leftover grant monies to be used for the walking trail. Update – The Town Administrator Jennifer Roux worked with the Treasurer and discovered the actual balance available was $10,043.55. The Treasurer respectively asked that the entire amount be pulled out and used for the walking trail to closeout the account. Selectmen Miller made a motion to permit the Three Rivers Land Trust the authority to spend up to the $10,043.55 to close out the account for the walking trail. Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All in favor; approved.

C. Road Committee

Mrs. Cindy Hart approached the Board regarding the RSMS to begin tentatively August 6, 2018. They need the 911 map book and Chuck who will be leading the computer need to come in with the download. An e-mail was sent by the Town Administrator on June 27^th to the full Board. Chuck responded regarding items needed and requested. The 911 maps were already done and waiting to be picked up. In regards to the download, past minutes indicated the project start date was not until fall. With scheduling conflicts August 6^th was chosen. The committee will try their best to get training done to meet this deadline. Mrs. Hart will request that the Town Administrator receive a link of the GPS that needs to be ordered. Mrs. Hart also asked that mileage be given to the person driving to do this project; Board agreed. It was noted that Chuck was not needed to be present for download.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Road Association Funds

An e-mail response was received from Brad Morin, Bourque & Clegg regarding how to handle Article 43. Mr. Murray recommended the Town develop an application process similar to a grant. Criteria should be posted online. Applicants would carry the burden of meeting the criteria. The Select Board should review applicants to determine criteria is met. Complete e-mail details will be provided and reviewed at July 25^th Road Committee meeting. The Board will address after that meeting.

B. Atlantic Broadband Agreement

The agreement will be ready to sign at the next Board of Selectmen's meeting.

C. Property Maintenance Survey

This survey is offered to all who walk through the front door. Time frame to run is until end of August. This will be tabled until conclusion of survey period.

D. No Smoking Policies

The Board decided at this time to address a no smoking restriction at the Town Hall only with signage. Sign will state “No Smoking, Smoking only in Designated Area”. Area designated will be the side of Town Hall. Board members and Town Administrator will preview a possible site.

E. Meeting Times

The Board of Selectmen have chosen new meeting times. Workshop hour will be between 4:30 – 5:30 and meeting times will be at 5:30 pm on Tuesdays starting September 4, 2018.

F. West Shore Drive

Mr. Paul, at the Town Administrator request was available to respond to the issue on West Shore Drive. Conclusion achieved after many deliberations, phone calls with land use attorney and discussions that there is nothing in the Town of Acton's Zoning Ordinances that require that this subdivision come to the Town of Acton when this was being laid out. The Board has the right to leave as is and continue forward. The Board also has the right to ask the developer to add an additional condition.

Selectmen Walsh asked Mr. Paul how many building permits or possible building permits were on West Shore Drive. He responded dozens, close to 100. West Shore Drive is very busy right now; at least 20 major projects being worked on right now.

Selectmen Walsh asked about ATV trail and where the road is going to go. Mr. Joe Stanley, Surveyor approached the Board to explain the placement of ATV trail, road placement 20 to 30 feet to the right, the housing sites and how all is related to property line.

Mrs. Joyce Bakshi approached the Board regarding West Shore Drive. She thanked the Board for responding to the issue brought forward at the past meeting. With her, Mrs. Bakshi brought a copy of the state bridge inspection reports. Mrs. Bakshi read a portion of the report where it recommended the bridge was in need of major repairs. This information was brought in to back up her concern of it's use for all the new housing construction being done on West Shore Road (especially those on the other side of the bridge) and the traffic of construction vehicles using the bridge. Mrs. Bakshi indicated that the bridge is over 20 years old and there was no state money available to repair the bridge and it is the municipality's responsibility to take on this effort before all this construction starts to make it safe. Mrs. Bakshi also commented that Shapleigh residents (especially the subdivision homes) does not contribute taxes towards this, but Acton does. She thanked the Board for what they have done.

Discussions diverted to bridges and maintenance of bridges. A workshop will be scheduled regarding the bridge maintenance topic. Selectmen Walsh brought meeting back to subject at hand.

Selectmen Walsh indicated that this is only 2 houses. He does not see how the Board can stop this. He asked what does the Board want to do? Selectmen Miller stated she would like to see the restriction of single family homes to be put into affect. Selectmen Walsh would like to call a vote. Discussion regarding wording of motion continued.

Mr. Paul and Mr. Stanley both contributed to the creation of this motion and consideration of language to cover these conditions. The Board was reminded that there is already a signed survey plan and the planning committee in Shapleigh is at a standstill until this is decided.

Selectmen Walsh called for a vote. Selectmen Walsh abstained from the vote due to a conflict.

Selectmen Miller moved to allow the subdivision with the condition that the homes be for single family dwellings only with no commercial, no home occupancy, and no additional dwell in dwell units. Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded motion. Any discussion?

Mr. Stanley approached the Board asking a condition be added to the motion to allow applicants to become before both Boards if something changed and they wanted to seek approval outside the condition. The Town Administrator responded that they not include Shapleigh in the motion, but let them put their own stipulations. Mr. Stanley indicated that Shapleigh agreement indicates that if there is anything done differently, they have to go back and talk to the Shapleigh Planning Board. The Acton Board should include the same.

Selectmen Miller amended the motion to include that the conditions be on the original plan and that if any of the conditions change it will require the Board's approval. New motion was seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. All in favor 2 Opposed? 0 Abstained? 1

Information on lake access and culvert was presented by Mr. Paul and Mr. Nass to the Board as background history to clarify some of the Board's questions during above discussions.

G. Planning Board Alternate Opening Deadline

The Board of Selectmen decided to run posting of Alternate opening for 2 or 3 weeks.

H. Lincoln School

The Town Administrator informed the Board that Lois Michaud would like Selectmen Walsh contact her regarding information on this agenda item. Mr. Neal also had information and stated that the gas stoves were not town property. There are also some desks in there and the owner of them are still in question. The Board is still pursuing purchase inquiry. The Town Administrator will get numbers to the Chair.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Buzzell Road Subdivision

Mr. Ken Paul approached the with information on the Buzzell Road Subdivision plan. Applicant has offered 10 to 15 feet of land to make road compliant to be 25 ft from center line to his property. Applicant is pulling out stumps and rocks out as well to provide a good area for ditch line or snow push back. It is common for town to ask for these conditions, but applicant has offered before approached. No cons to this plan. Applicant and his attorney will draft appropriate papers and deed.

Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn made a motion to accept the property being given by the applicant and the work associated with the grant; Selectmen Miller seconded. All in favor. Motion passed.

B. RHR Smith Engagement Letter

The Board reviewed the engagement letter presented by RHR Smith for auditing work and costs outlined in said letter.

Selectmen Miller made a motion to sign the engagement letter presented by RHR Smith; Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All in favor. Motion passed; letter signed.

C. Recycler Renewal

The Board of Selectmen reviewed the state form and license renewal form of Lake Region Auto Sales.

Selectmen Miller made a motion to sign the recycler license renewal form of Lake Region Auto Sales; Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All in favor. Form will be notarized.

D. Assessor Return

County tax assessment for July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 is $303,224.84.

Selectmen Miller made a motion pay the assessors return the amount stated; Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All in favor.

E. Accidents Rt 109

The Town Administrator related this is a tough subject as there have been several accidents on Rt. 109. She indicated that these are very unfortunate events, but are based on mostly driver error. It is realized that conditions are not favorable, but is this human error controllable by us? No. Moving forward, the Town Administrator asked the Board of Selectmen what end goal they wanted her to try and achieve. The Board of Selectmen responded that they would like to pursue avenues to reduce the speed to 35 mph in that focused area.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT

• Mrs. Carol Horgan approached the Board to comment on the Rt 109 accidents. Discussion with the Board ensued. Board's avenues of pursuit will continue as designated.

• Mr. Dennis Long wanted to clarify whether the Buzzell Road applicant was given the town property or an easement. The Town Administrator responded and that it is a piece of land. Mr. Long asked whether it is only the town people who can authorize that acceptance not the Board of Selectmen. The Town Administrator will check the ordinance. Ordinance read. Board will stand with acceptance.
  
  On another note, Mr. Long wanted to let the Board know that the stump cut there has roots go way under the road. How can they be taken out without damaging the road? Work will be reviewed when completed.
  
  

• Mr. Rollin Waterhouse commented on Rt. 109 accidents. Mr. Waterhouse agrees most accidents are caused by human error. As far as speed limit, he agrees with Selectmen Walsh and make it 35 mph and totally support that. He also does not support a traffic light there. Mr. Waterhouse also told the Board that regarding signage, let him know what they want.
  
  

• Mr. Waterhouse also wanted to let the Board know that Town Farm Road is open. Also there has been a bulldozer up there. Someone is making improvements to the road. It used to belong to the town and the town closed it, but someone is working up there. It needs looked into. Board will notify the Forester.
  
  

• Mrs. Nancy Ruma commented on the Town of Wakefield's inspection of bridges which are shared with the Town of Acton. She urges the Board to contact the Town of Wakefield and review information gathered. Selectmen Miller commented that she was working closely with the Town Administrator and will make sure that Acton Board and/or Road Committee will be invited to these meetings moving forward. Selectmen Stacey-Horn will be there on Thursday and will also make mention of needing to be invited to these meetings.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPCOMING MEETINGS:

07/24/2018 Board of Selectmen 5:00pm

07/25/2018 Road Committee Meeting 6:00pm

08/02/2018 Regular meeting and Site Walk

08/08/2018 Blood drive in memory of Irwin Pillsbury Sr. 12pm – 5 pm

8. MEMBERS PRESENT:

Selectmen Ed Walsh, Selectmen Elise Miller, Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn and Town Administrator Jennifer Roux.

9. OTHERS PRESENT:

Joyce Bakshi, Cindy Hart, Charles Gregory, Carol Horgan, Dennis Long, Ken Paul, Paul Poyant, Nancy Ruma, Joe Stanley, Carol Ward and Rollin Waterhouse