May 15, 2023

“Mr. Rossi moved that that the Board approve the Town Manager contract as discussed. Mr. Trindade seconded. No discussion. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Rossi, second: Trindade)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

“Mr. Alessandri moved that the Board approve the traffic rules and regulations as discussed. Mr. Trindade seconded. Discussion: Ms. White asked for clarification should a new stop sign be added that the Select Board would then need to approve that placement. Chief Kingsbury confirmed. Ms. White asked if other signs, such as speed limits, would need to come before the Board. Chief Kingsbury confirmed noting weight limit signs would require further approval by the Department of Transportation (DOT) after approval by the Select Board. There was further discussion about what signs would and would not be required to come before the Board. Mr. Rossi asked about the bylaw changes needed. Mr. Boynton explained the process for implementing bylaw changes once this document is accepted by the Board. He noted the need to address this at the Fall Town Meeting with both warrant articles for voting on the statutes and then the subsequent warrant articles for development of the bylaw. Mr. Rossi asked about parking on page 19 and if the road behind the High School is addressed, as there have been many issues with parking on that specific access road during tournaments. It was noted this is in the document named as rear access road four and that no parking is already posted. Mr. Rossi asked about the heavy commercial vehicles on Clark Street relative to the new development in Hopping Brook in Holliston and if it is currently enforceable. Chief Kingsbury confirmed. Mr. Boynton stated Granite Street had has many requests for this exclusion and explained the difficulty with streets that terminate at town lines. Both towns need to agree with that exclusion and the alternate route also needs to lie entirely within your community. He stated Lieutenant Watson has investigated this on multiple occasions with no success to date. Mr. Alessandri asked for confirmation that the six items on the cover page that are not included are not up for vote at this meeting. That was confirmed noting that, at the end of the document, the town wide speed limit remains thirty mph. Chief Kingsbury stated that any change to that speed limit must be a Town Meeting vote. Mr. Crowley asked about his discussion with Mr. Boynton about going through stop signs. Mr. Boynton stated that if the stop sign is not in the rules and regulations accepted by the Select Board, a Police Officer can stop an individual and issue a citation but that would be thrown out in court, if challenged. If it is not in these rules and regulations, it is not enforceable. Mr. Crowley noted that this is a fifty-page document and asked what initiated this review. Chief Kingsbury stated it was at Mr. Boynton’s request in September of 2021. Mr. Crowley asked for the worst intersections in Town. Chief Kingsbury stated Village and Franklin Street is consistently the worst. It is a four way stop and the stop signs are not at the same distance from the intersection on all sides, so drivers do not always see them. He stated the Main and Holliston Street intersection has a lot but are mostly minor rear end crashes. Mr. Crowley stated he asked that question for two reasons, one being if we can take any action to decrease the number of accidents and, secondly, if we can decrease the number of accidents, which would decrease the insurance costs for residents. Chief Kingsbury noted this would allow the enforcement of following too closely, which would greatly reduce the number of accidents. Mr. Boynton noted another issue that will need to be addressed is not stopping for those in the crosswalk in front of Town Hall. Chief Kingsbury noted this document also requires yearly reporting to the Select Board on accidents. Mr. Crowley asked for the cost of the speed limit signs that show you your current speed. Chief Kingsbury stated they cost between $3,500 to $4,000. Mr. Crowley asked if they are effective. Chief Kingsbury confirmed noting insurance companies like these and there is evidence that they work. It was noted that we just received grants to address traffic safety at two school zones. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Alessandri, second: Trindade)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“Mr. Alessandri moved that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to execute Change Order #2 for the Water Treatment Facility as discussed. Ms. White seconded. Discussion: Mr. Alessandri asked for an explanation for the largest cost related to venting. Mr. Pelletier explained that the plumbing inspector interpreted the State code differently than Wright-Pierce so additional installation of venting was required. Mr. Rossi asked for further information about the credits and contingency. Mr. Pelletier explained that we have credits of over $78,000 so this will be funded from that. He noted there is also a tree that needed to be removed and is not included in this change order. The amount of contingency of just over $1 million was noted and reiterated that this has not been touched to date. Mr. Crowley asked for the percentage of project completion. Mr. Smith stated forty-seven percent. Mr. Crowley noted it is very unusual to be at this point of completion and still have a credit. He attributed it to the following factors: (1) the hired architect’s level of performance, and (2) the experience of the members and Chair, Tim Harris, of the Water Treatment Facility Committee. Mr. Boynton reported on the pending change orders including: (1) a change in the connection to the existing utility pole further up requiring added trenching at a cost of approximately $39,000, (2) a pavement issue that we have pushed back on as we are not in favor of implementing that change, and (3) another change at the cost of approximately $30,000. Mr. Crowley asked about the piping under concrete issue that we pushed back on and asked if that was resolved. Mr. Boynton confirmed. Mr. Trindade explained the project construction to date, most of which is underground. The delay on electrical supplies was noted. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Alessandri, second: White)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“Mr. Trindade moved that the Board approve the contract with Lawrence Waste Services Company as presented. Ms. White seconded. Discussion: Mr. Crowley asked for the cost of this year’s contract and how much of an increase there was from FY23 to FY24. Mr. Pelletier stated three percent. Mr. Crowley noted the increase in contract costs was also a reason for the increase in the trash fee. Mr. Pelletier confirmed. Mr. Crowley asked about the notice for the August water billing. Mr. Pelletier stated that is in process. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Trindade, second: White)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“Mr. Trindade moved that the Board approve the FY23 budget transfer request as discussed. Ms. White seconded. No discussion. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Trindade, second: White)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

“Mr. Alessandri moved that the Board approve the FY24 meeting schedule as discussed. Mr. Trindade seconded. Discussion: Mr. Alessandri asked if we could add a meeting in July and August should the need arise. This was confirmed. Mr. Crowley noted that since he, Mr. Trindade, and Ms. White have been on the Board, there has only been one meeting in those months and a special meeting can be called if needed. No discussion. VOTE: 5-0-0.” (Motion: Alessandri, second: Trindade)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)