Mtg notes: Selectmen 08.09.12 (2) – Town Mtg articles, Nep Valley traffic, MPD budget glitch

by Frank Schroth

The board at their meeting on 8/9 reviewed articles for fall town meeting. They include: 1) a zoning overlay article for assisted living facilities 2) how to manage ~$198K of additional state aid. The town budget was completed prior to final state aid being announced. The Warrant Committee will have a recommendation for this which may be to put in “Free Cash” or the Stabilization Fund 3) Accept enrolling in a program with MWRA that enables town to take out interest free loans and 4) appropriation for demolition of town’s portion of Hendries building. This article may be pulled it an alternative funding strategy is identified.

The Selectmen had an item on agenda to authorize the demolition of 131 Eliot Street. They did not vote to authorize it. Who demolishes what and when and how it is funded continue to be open questions. It are unresolved. According to Hurley one option is to declare a state of emergency over the building’s condition; but a state of emergency, as he noted, is generally called as a result of storm damage. Building Inspector Prondak “completely disagreed” with the developer’s argument that the town had to take down its portion of the building at the same time as the developer. The town owns the parking lot and the section of the building above it. Prondak noted that “We’ve had a collapse and we cannot wait for a special permit.” There is an ongoing hearing before the Planning Board on the issue. If the town orders it (the demolition) they need an appropriation to take their portion down. Keohane suggested that the town have Connelly, the developer, cover the cost of taking down the town’s portion of the building and then deducting that cost from the P&S cost. Hurley said a similar proposal had been made earlier and declined. The appropriation is likely to be addressed at Town Meeting

The long-standing traffic issue at Neponset Valley Parkway and Brush Hill Road will remain open. It has been a concern of residents for quite some time. Residents of Fuller Village have long criticized the area as being exceptionally unsafe. Deborah Felton, Director of Fuller Village and Bob Sheffield, a member of the Fuller board, addressed the board during Citizen Speak requesting that they move forward with a solution to address the problem. There has been a recommendation to square of the intersection which would improve sight lines where the two roads meet. Two factors have delayed any action. One is opposition from the Brush Hill Neighborhood Association. Roxanne Musto of the association reiterated their opposition during Citizen Speak and cited support from state senator but did not identify who that was. The other is the jurisdiction of the various roadways that come together. The DCR and MA highway are two agencies that need to be involved in any comprehensive solution. Chief Wells, Chai of the Traffic Commission, recommended that the town wait for the findings of a report due out in 30 days. His primary concern is that any action taken in advance of that might create unforseen consequences. “For every action there is a reaction.” he said. Member Keohane asked if they could address the intersection itself. The other recommendations in the works involved a much more comprehensive look at the road layout. He suggested a “piecemeal” approach. The Selectmen took Chief’s recommendation to wait thirty days. They also agreed it is a very dangerous intersection. Bill Clark, Town Planner, said his daughter was in a head on collision there and Member Keohane said it is only a matter of time before someone gets killed.

The board reviewed with the Town Accountant and Police Chief a special audit isse having to due with a budget over run . An accounting error was flagged for their attention. Three to four days of overtime pay were not reported corectly. Payments need to be recorded within two weeks of being made according to Department of Revenue regulations. The Town would either need to report the revenue after the two-week period or record it when made – in either case Hurley said the town would likely get a “slap on the wrist” from the DOR for a violation. The amount was estimated to be ~$7500 but the exact figure was unavailable. Hurley told Chief Wells that there were ways to address budget overruns if the town receives notice.