ELECTMEN’S MEETING

April 9, 2019

5:00pm

The Odyssey of the Mind Team (OM) was invited to lead the meeting in the Pledge of Allegiance and update the Board on their success of making it to the World Championships.

PLEDGE of ALLEGIANCE

UPDATE: The Acton Odyssey Team Members consisted of Sophie (2 yr. member), Summer (2 yr. member), Jamie (member since 1st grade), JC (member since 1st grade), Jacob (3 yr. member) and 2 missing team mates (names not given). The OM Team is allowed up to 7 children on the OM Team at one time. Last year this Core Team placed 16th out of 50 in the World Championships and this year the Team has already placed 1st in both the Regional and State Competitions.

The OM Team updated the Board with their fundraiser plans to go back to the World Competition this year via a road trip just like they did last year. Fundraisers will include the sale of donuts this weekend and other weekends as well as can drives. As more fundraiser opportunities present themselves, they will also be implemented.

The OM Team also described what they could of their entry and competition parameters. The requirements for the World Competition this year is themed on projects encompassing Carnivals. The OM Team constructed a Tower to be presented. Said tower is showing a promising outcome as the tower beat the 560 lb weight holding record by achieving 585 lbs. Most of the project is secret and details can not be divulged due to rules and regulations. Another aspect of the competition is a sprinkling of spontaneous questions and tasks throughout the competition. This competition is to see how well a team works together and individually as it challenges many skills. Team members must excel and execute top notch communication skills, team building and interaction skills as well as individual skills to pull off successful exhibition.

The OM Team's Leader will seek permission to show the board a private demonstration.

The Town of Acton is proud of these children and will do whatever possible to support starting Wednesday by collecting monies through the Neighbors Helping Neighbors account.

Dennis Long approached the Board to say how amazing it is that Acton has such amazing children to be Champions 2 years in a row and all should be proud.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

Selectmen Elise Miller made a motion to add D. Liquor Licenses under new business on the agenda; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No discussion. All in favor. Approved.

2. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING:

Selectmen Elise Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of March 26, 2019; seconded by Selectmen Kimberly Stacey-Horn. No discussion. All in favor.

3. DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES:

None.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

A. EMA Director/E911 Operator Job Descriptions

The Town Administrator will start advertising for the EMA Director position as it is a conflict of interest to be held by any Board of Selectmen. The E911 Coordinator position details are still being worked out by the Code Enforcement Office.

B. District 1 Equipment

Selectmen Walsh will make another call to retrieve items.

C. Fitness Center

Selectmen Walsh abd the Recreation Committee members had a walk through to review feasibility of use of Ambulatory Building for the Recreational Department. Building will be left for the Fire Department's use. Fitness Center was also reviewed as a possibility to use as a Recreational Center. A decision on the plight of the Gym is still in question. Recreational Department is still the Board's best recommendation to take ownership in managing (except for the financial portion). Tabled for 2 weeks after Recreational Committee meets.

D. Rowe Bridge Barriers

Road Commissioner Mr. Letourneau projected getting barriers out this week because the ice was now clear. However, it is still snowing. The Board was comfortable that Mr. Letourneau will finish this task and this item can be removed from the agenda.

E. 7th Street

The Town Administrator stated this was still pending but expected to be on the June Warrant. This item can be removed from the agenda.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Draft Ordinances

The Board had a workshop and is all set with the Road Commissioner and Road Committee Ordinances. The Road Committee was emailed a copy and the Board is awaiting their response. Town Administrator is expecting responses before the Public Hearing.

B. Special Town Meeting Results

Special Town Meeting was held at the school last Tuesday; all items passed. Selectmen Walsh thanked all Committee Members for their hard work.

C. Excise Tax Policy

The Excise Tax Policy which was adopted in 2012 and amended in 2013, exempted 100% service connected, disabled and 100% paid Veterans as alleviated of their Excise Tax. The Town Administrator approached the Board to request an amendment to the policy to cover a regular Veteran plate as well as Purple Heart or Disabled Veteran's plates.

Selectmen Miller made a motion to sign the updated Excise Tax Exemption policy for Acton; Selectmen Stacey-Horn seconded. All favor. So moved and signed.

D. Lakeside Drive Association

The Lakeside Drive Association Representative was invited to approach the Board. A $3,000 cap per fiscal year was awarded to the Lakeside Drive Association. A Question on timing of when work was to be done when awarded funds was asked. The Board is supporting that the work will need to be done in fiscal year of when funds are awarded. A notation was made that multiple applications can be applied for until $3,000 cap is reached.

E. United Way

The Town Administrator informed the Board that United Way send the Town of Acton a check for $150 in funds for fuel for non low income family fuel assistance. Funds have been disbursed.

F. Liquor Licenses

A Public Hearing was held to review the Iron Tails Liquor License Renewal.

Selectmen Miller made a motion to sign the Liquor License for Iron Tails. Selectmen Stacey-Horn raised a questions regarding a missing financial figure on the form.

Selectmen Miller amended her motion. Motion was made to sign the Liquor License for Iron Tails pending form is completely filled in with Food and Liquor Totals; seconded by Selectmen Stacey-Horn. All in favor. Passed and signed.

A Public Hearing was held to review the KB Enterprises (The Shed) Liquor License Renewal

Selectmen Miller made a motion to sign the Liquor License for KB Enterprises doing business as The Shed; seconded by Selectmen Stacey-Horn. All in favor. Passed and signed.

6. PUBLIC COMMENT:

• Cindy Hart, Road Committee regarding 7th Street. Mrs. Hart informed the Board that the Road Committee wrote the Ordinance related to 7^th Street's application and the last road done was Peacock Street. Mrs. Hart indicated the Road Committee needed to do a walk through on 7th Street to check culverts and make a recommendation to the Selectmen and to the Warrant as was done last time. Mrs. Hart further reiterated that 7^th Street needed to be measured and the Board will need to let her know if the Road Committee is to do this. The Town Administrator updated the Board that the Road Committee was not cited to do the work being referred to by Mrs. Hart and that the Road Commissioner and Engineer took care of that obligation. Mrs. Hart indicated the Road Committee was a good resource and stood at the ready if needed.

• Joyce Bakshi - With regards to the approval of the two liquor licenses tonight, Mrs. Bakshi wanted to inform the Board that she and two others (Susan Meehan and Karen MacManus) have been taking care of the Citizen's petition and as of today, had collected 180 signatures. However, Mrs. Bakshi had no intentions of turning the petition into the Town until more signatures were received. This measure was to still have an excessive amount of signatures even if some signatures were voided out. The Town Administrator informed Mrs. Bakshi that those that sign the petition are to be active voters in Acton but did not have to vote in the last gubernatorial election. Mrs. Roux further explained to the Board that this petition was something the State reached out to Acton to accomplish. When the law changed, Acton had already approved selling liquor 6 days a week and permission for 7 days a week was overlooked. This petition backs up the Towns acceptance and relieves that oversight.

• Leslie Berlin approached the Board to inform them that she, Cindy Hart and Joyce Bakshi attended the Stream Crossing Class. The Class was very informative and the group made some very good contacts. Funds for Stream Crossing Grants have been released. There is only an 8 week window of opportunity in which to apply for these grants Mrs. Berlin already talked to Mr. Langley for assistance of completing an application. Engineering work is not needed but culvert costing is necessary. The State will allow 8% of grant money to go towards Engineering. Selectmen Stacey-Horn commented that Mr. Letourneau will also need to be consulted since both Road Commissioners should have input into this process. Further commented was that the Road Committee needs to follow the ordinance in order to apply for any grants.

Mrs. Bakshi further indicated that even private citizens can apply for the grant as long as it is not on behalf of Town, but for Town. Mrs. Bakshi definitely wanted the Board to know that over $5 million dollars was released and more is expected to be released this year; the grant allows a maximum grant of $95,000 per project. It is a matching grant but not 100% matching.

Mrs. Berlin stated that she showed pictures to the DEP and received reactions regarding culvert failure.

Lastly, this grant is not for private roads. Mrs. Bakshi encouraged all to attend future sessions and the Road Committee will continue pursuing this grant.

The Board and Town Administrator strongly responded that any figures to be determined (especially matching funds), the Town needs to be involved. If town monies are involved, a Warrant Article will need to be completed and may require a Special Town Meeting.

The Town Administrator read out the current Warrant Article in relation to the grant process. Selectmen Walsh asked that the wording of the Article be reviewed by the Town's Legal Department regarding matching fund grants and protecting the Town regarding putting the money out.

• Eric, APAT approached the Board and updated the Board that tonight session was not live due to a broken cable. He requested the Town Administrator assist him with ordering a new cable.

• Robin Ham approached the Board regarding review of all departments when looking for money in the budget including the School Department. Mr. Ham commented that it's the Board's job to look at the whole Town. The Fire Department and Road Commissioners have held the line for many years and in his opinion it is the School that now needs to hold the line for other Departments.

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS:

• Eggstravaganza, Saturday, April 13, 2019 from 11:30 AM – 3 PM

• Taxes due April 16, 2019

• Library Water Talk, April 17, 2019 at 2 pm. Invasive Aquatic Species.

• Public Hearing, April 22, 2019 - Road Committee and Road Commissioner Job Descriptions

8. MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

9. OTHERS PRESENT:

Mrs. Leslie Berlan, Mrs. Cindy Hart, Mrs. Joyce Bakshi, Mr. Robin Ham, and Dennis Long