TOWN OF ACTON SELECT BOARD MEETING
May 18, 2022

6:00 pm

1.      CALL MEETING TO ORDER / PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

2.      WARRANTS/BILLS: Signed

3.      APPROVAL OF AGENDA: A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to approve the agenda. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

4.     MINUTES OF LAST MEETING: Tabled

5. TOWN ADMINISTRATOR WEEKLY UPDATE: None

6.      DEPARTMENT HEAD / COMMITTEE CHAIR UPDATES

Tom McGurty asked Will Langley to update the Select Board regarding the progress made on the bridges. Will Langley reported that he had talked with Arnold Taylor regarding the West Shore Bridge inspection and that Mr. Foster was going to come out to see the West Shore Bridge and the Rowe Bridge. The engineer was going to provide guidelines and design for the West Shore Bridge. Tom McGurty stated that prior to designing the bridge he wanted to see specifications of what the bridge design is going to be. David Winchell Jr. asked what was being designed. Will Langley stated that he had requested that the plans be to replace in kind. Tom McGurty stated that the Army Corp and the State agencies would put engineering and design effort in place. Also, he stated that there should be vetting as to what has to be done and what can be done. He feels the Town should only pay for an engineer once after the survey. Will Langley stated that there was no design developed yet. Tom McGurty stated that the Square Pond Association should be kept informed and that the Town is between the State and the Lake people and there should be no surprises. Tom McGurty stated that the Town’s responsibility was to look out for the citizen’s interests and be clear on what they wanted. Will Langley reported that the Square Pond Association had hired their own engineering company and that a heated discussion resulted from a difference of opinion. David Winchell Jr. stated that the design should be most cost efficient and design efficient plan. Tom McGurty stated that the plan is to do it to the satisfaction of all parties involved. Discussion then ensued regarding the Milton Bridge. The Boar would like Adam Doliber to reach out to the Town of Milton and have a meeting with the Select Board regarding the needed replacement of that bridge.

7. OLD BUSINESS:

A. Siding Bid - May 25, 2022: bid still open

B. Paving Bid - May 25, 2022: bid still open

C. Recreation Director Job Description

Tom McGurty stated that the role of the Rec. Committee should be outlined and that a public discussion should take place to gather input. David Winchell Jr. asked how many people were on the Rec. Committee at this time. The Town Administrator stated 6 and the Director. Tom McGurty stated that there should be a meeting sanctioned by the Select Board, to discuss the Committee’s role and be open to comments and thoughts. Tom McGurty stated that Samantha Singleton has a sincere interest in recreation and the kids and parent involvement.

8. NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resignation:

Kimberley Stacey-Horn read aloud a letter from Ron Vallincourt resigning from the Conservation and Forest Commission.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to accept the resignation of Ron Vallincourt from the Conservation and Forest Commission. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

B. Mousam Watershed Meeting Update:

Tom McGurty reported that he went to the Mousam Watershed Committee as a representative from the Town of Acton. He stated that the Mayor was present and six other members. Acton’s share of the budget was $9600 which is 25% of the operating cost in response to Sanford’s recommended list of improvements for the Emery Mills Dam.

The Warrant and Finance Committee recommended that the article funding this dam, be lowered. If this passes at Town meeting, Acton may risk the chance of not being a part of the Mousam Watershed Committee. It is up to the residents to dissolve or maintain the agreement. Tom McGurty stated if that should occur, the citizens will have no say in the maintenance and operations of dams and the residents should be fully informed.

C. Contract YCSD:

The contract for the Deputy is split with Shapleigh and Acton’s share of the contract is $68,900.

Of this, $68,000 is budgeted for and the $900 would be from the General Government fund. There are some miscellaneous minor changes in the contract and one that states that if the contract is terminated by the Town, the Town is responsible for the remainder for the contract. The Select Board would like a legal review of the contract and the cost could be split with Shapleigh as the legal counsel both Towns use is the same.

D. Executive Session 405-6.A.1. Personnel (Treasurer Search)

9.  PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dennis Long stated he was speaking as a member of the Warrant and Finance Committee. He stated that the Warrant and Finance Committee did not vote to end the Mousam Watershed Agreement. The budget from The Watershed was presented without any Acton involvement. Tom McGurty stated that there were miss steps and Sanford acknowledged that, and would fix the problem and would do better in the future. Tom McGurty asked the committee of the actual, reserve capital, and a capital plan. Davis Winchell Jr. stated this is a continuing problem, and meetings have been held without Acton and Shapleigh present. There would have to be an amendment to the Warrant at Town Meeting. Dennis Long stated the Warrant and Finance would request information as to where the money is being spent. Tom McGurty stated that there is no critique of the Warrant and Finance committee’s work.

Ray Lopez stated that the Rec. Director should have final say and listen to the committee’s recommendations. The Town Administrator stated there were 7 people on the committee and the Director. There is no limit on the amount of members at this time.

Ray Lopez stated that there was failure to follow the Watershed contract and the Town needs to know where the money is spent and that it should be spent on the maintenance of the Dam and not the grounds. The committee should follow correct procedures and make an effort to follow correct procedures in an effort to reduce the budget. The Town Administrator replied that there was information given by the Town Treasurer in the budget book. If the information was not sufficient a meeting should be requested by the Warrant and Finance Committee. The information was the same information the Select Board had.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to go into Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to come out of Executive Session. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

10.     ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Thursday, May 19 Planning Board Site Walk 5:00pm (1505 Foxes Ridge Road)

Thursday, May 19 Planning Board 6:00pm

Wednesday, May 25 Select Board 6:00pm

• A motion was made by Kimberly Stacey-Horn to adjourn the meeting. Tom McGurty seconded the motion. All in favor, motion carried 3-0.

11.     MEMBERS PRESENT: Dennis Long, Joyce Bakshi, Ray Lopez, Deborah Lopez, William Langley, Robin Ham, Virginia Deboer

12.     ATTENDANCE: David Winchell Jr., Kimberley Stacey-Horn, and Tom McGurty