Canton, Massachusetts · Saved source text

BOS_07-25-06

Select Board · Source meeting date: 2006-07-25 · Record 29543

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Minutes
Board of Selectmen
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Salah Meeting Room

Victor Del Vecchio, Chairman; Avril T. Elkort, Vice-Chairman; John 1. Connolly, Clerk;
Robert E. Burr, Jr., Member; Gerald A. Salvatori, Jr., Member; William T. Friel, Town
Administrator; Christina A. Carlton, Executive Assistant.

Meeting was called to Order at 7:05 p.m.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UPDATE:
Gene Manning, Co-Chairman of the Economic Development Committee introduced
Barbara Voss, District Representative of the Massachusetts Office of Development, and
the new Town liaison with that office.

Ms. Voss provided an overview of the District Improvement Financing Program (DIF),
which is a municipal financing alternative for public purpose projects. A DIF, she
explained is appropriate when a project supports a municipal and private objective that
wouldn't happen without their cooperation; when there is a real or perceived gap in
financing; and when the community is considering alternative financing sources. The
highlights of the Program include: (a) DIF is not a new tax; (b) DIF does not reduce or
redirect current taxes; (c) DIF does not expand eminent domain powers; (d) DIF debt is
not counted towards the municipal debt limit; and (e) DIF financing can be for up to 30
years (usually 15-25 years).

Ms. Voss and Mr. Manning recommend that this Program be considered by the Town to
assist in strengthening the economic base, strengthening the tax base, increase municipal
control over development and developers' certainty over process and outcome, as well as
it may help retain and/or create jobs as it can be used to pay for some job training.

Should the Town determine that a DIF Program would be advantageous, a DIF District
would have to first be identified. The District would not have to be comprised of
contiguous parcels. Districts cannot exceed 25% of the municipality.

Mrs. Elkort asked if the Program could be utilized for re-use infrastructure
improvements, for older, vacant commercial buildings. Ms. Voss responded that only the
public infrastructure such as sewer, street work, etc. could be considered. Mr. Manning
believes that this Program would be a benefit for infrastructure improvements to assist
developers.

Mr. Salvatori asked if a public parking structure would be considered an accepted project.
Ms. Voss responded that it could be considered, depending on the size of the project.

Mr. Manning, as Vice-Chairman of the EDC updated the Board on the Commissions
activities. In conjunction with the Canton Association of Industries and the Canton
Citizen, the EDC will be selecting a Canton Business of the Month to promote business
awareness. The EDC, with the assistance of the CAI, plan to have a web based survey to
identify what types of businesses the citizens would like to see in Canton.

The construction for the NST AR Transmission Project and intersection work on Route
138 has resulted in trenches along Route 138 that are affecting the business community.
The EDC is working with representatives of those projects to minimize these issues.

Chairman Del Vecchio thanked Mr. Manning and Ms. Voss for their presentations and
advised them that the Board will review and consider the DIF Program for the Town of
Canton.

DOWNTOWN STREETSCAPE PROJECT UPDATE
Christine Scypinski, Project Manager for Waterfield Design advised the Board that they
are ready, with the Board's approval, to bid the project. She advised that revisions to the
plans have been made to address the safety concerns of the Fire Chief. Chief Ronayne
and the Town Engineer, Dan Donahue will be reviewing those revisions this week.

The Board has been provided with samples of materials for sidewalks, cross walks and
pedestrian ramps. Waterfield Design has reduced the length of the walking trail at Forge
Pond to reduce the construction costs. The Board was provided a Summary Sheet of the
Washington Street Revitalization Project that includes Add Alternates as well as the
additions to the scope of the project since the 25% estimate. The costs of those additions
are reflected in the final design estimated construction cost of $2,394,374 ($1,300,380 for
roadway and signals; $1,093,994 for Streetscape).

Three Add Alternates are as follows:
1. Forge Pond Trail $219,015.00
2. Forge Pond Plantings, Screening and Signage $64,447.00
3. Forge Pond Trail Lighting $52,938.00
Total: $336,400.00

Mr. Friel asked how the add alternates worked in the bidding process. Ms. Scypinski
advised that the add alternates would be put in the bid documents, in the order of
importance, to be determined by the Selectmen.

Ms. Scypinski stated that the projected schedule of work would be to get the bid
documents out within 3 weeks, and begin construction by approximately October 1,
2006.

Mr. Salvatori asked if some materials were donated, would the Town be ab~e to remove
those items from the bid document.

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Ms. Scypinski advised against this because the contractor may be allowing a higher or
lower cost than what the actual cost would be.

Mr. Friel suggested that the Selectmen consider using NST AR Mitigation funds to offset
the costs of the "add alternates". He stated that by including the "add alternates" into the
project schedule now, rather than adding them individually in the future, would provide a
quality result.

Mr. Connolly stated that the Fire Chief has the final plans for public safety issues and that
a meeting is planned for this week at which time it is expected that the Chief will approve
the revised plans.

Chairman Del Vecchio, advised Ms. Scypinski that her proposed order of "add
alternates" seamed reasonable. He requested that, in the event there were any public
safety issues raised at the upcoming meeting this week with the Fire Chief, that the BOS
be notified. Otherwise, Waterfield Design may go ahead and bid the project.

NEW BUSINESS

BLOCK PARTY - Vote to approve a Block Party Request for Saturday, July 29,2006
from 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. located at Elm Drive contingent upon Police and Fire
approval.

MOTION: CONNOLLY

SECOND: ELKORT

VOTE: 5-0

ONE DAY PERMIT FOR SALE OF ALCOHOL - Vote to approve a request for a One
Day Permit for the Sale of Alcohol for Saturday, August 12,2006 from 6:00 p.m. to
Sunday, August 13, 12:30 a.m. for Mr. Fodayumar Bayoh for an Annual Gala which will
be held at Trinity Episcopal Church located at One Blue Hill River Road contingent upon
approval from Bldg/Fire Departments.

MOTION: CONNOLLY

SECOND: ELKORT

VOTE: 5-0

BANNER REQUEST - Vote to approve a Banner Request from the Canton Garden Club
for their Christmas House Tour which will be held on Friday, December 1,2006 and
Saturday, December 2, 2006. Banner will be hung from November 10, 2006 through
December 4, 2006.

MOTION: CONNOLLY

SECOND: ELKORT

VOTE: 5-0

ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIVATE DONATION FUND - Mr. Friel requested that the
Board consider approving the establishment of a Private Donation Fund to be used at the
discretion of the Board of Selectmen for the purpose of gifts, i.e. flowers, plants, etc. The
Department of Revenue Guidelines indicate that no public funds can be spent on gifts of

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any kind. Town Counsel suggested that the Town establish Private Donation Fund, for
this purpose.

Mr. Connolly requested that the Board support the establishment of such a Fund,
contingent upon receipt of donations which can be sent to the Office of the Selectmen.
Mr. Friel noted that until the funds are established, the various departments would be
required to contact the Selectmen's office to be sure funds are available before ordering
flowers or gifts of any kind.

MOTION: CONNOLLY

SECOND: SAL VA TORI

VOTE: 5-0

Mr. Del Vecchio requested that the citizens and businesses of Canton please consider
sending donations to this Fund to help the Town to express it's condolences as needed.

NINE SA WYER AVENUE DOG ISSUES - Mr. Friel provided a follow-up to the
Hearing from June 27, 2006 regarding the dog issues at 9 Sawyer Avenue.

The Animal Control Officer advised the Selectmen that the owners of the four dogs in
question, did complete the repair/replacement of the fence on their property and had
installed a large covered pen, as required by the Selectmen and the Animal Control
Officer. After inspection and approval of the fence and pen by the Building
Commissioner, the dogs were released to the owners at 2:30 p.m. on 7/6/06.

The fence/pen seemed to help with the containment of the dogs until this past weekend
when one or more dogs were reported to be running loose in the neighborhood. Police
and Animal Control Officer responded immediately.

Many neighbors are present this evening and were given the opportunity to verbally
complain that the dogs continue to get loose. They state that the owners are not
controlling the dogs to the extent required to comply with safety issues.

Mr. Del Vecchio clarified to the audience that the discussion about the dogs was
scheduled this evening as an update only. It was not posted as a continuation of the
public hearing, therefore the dog owner(s) were not advised to attend.

Ellen Barnett, Animal Control Officer (ACO) advised the Board that on the night in
question when the dogs ran loose in the neighborhood was caused by a guest of the
Boerman's who let the dogs out in error when they were leaving the Boerman's home.
The ACO issued the Boerman's a Citation for the incident. The ACO received a phone
call from Mrs. Boerman stating that they would consider installing an electric fence
(owners in the process of obtaining quotes for the electric fence for the front of their yard
with four electric collars), or alter the interior door to prevent the dogs from escaping.

The ACO recommends that the Selectmen alter their order by requiring an electric fence.

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