BOARD OF SELECTMEN & SEWER COMMISSIONERS’
PRE-SPECIAL TOWN MEETING AGENDA

Acton Boxborough High School Room 123 N
June 23, 2009
6:00 PM

Present: Pauljna Knibbe, Chairman of the Board, Board Members, Lauren Rosenzweig, Peter Berry, Terra Friedrichs and MikeGowing, Town Manager, Steve Ledoux, Assistant Town Manager, John Murray, Town Finance Director Stephen Barrett, Health Director, Doug Halley, Director of Engineering, Bruce Stamski, and Recording Secretary, Maryjane Kenney

DISCUSSION OF TOWN WARRANT
The Chair opened the meeting asking for clarification on the proposed amendment to Article 1. She asked staff if it was technically possible/feasible to remove Tuttle and Torrington from the sewering site. Mr. Stamski replied, yes it can be done. She asked staff to explain what the cost impact would be. Staff estimated that the increase would be approximately $1200. per household. Mr. Halley stated that there would be a reduction in direct costs; meaning design and construction by removing the street, about $380K. There would be no savings administratively.

Selectmen Friedrichs questioned if the fixed cost of design and permitting are equal you end up with about $150K reduced price. Mr. Murray stated he used the unit number of 92 and Selectmen Friedrichs questioned if it was a constant methodology. He replied he had used about 2% abatement in both scenarios.

Mr. Halley commented that if Torrington was removed it has so many issues that the sewering of the street would need to be revisited in the next few years.

Staff Members, John Murray, Steve Barrett, Doug Halley, and Bruce Stamski left to attend to questions for the Finance Committee.

SELECTMEN’S BUSINESS
ACTON COMMUNITY HOUSING CORPORATION, MADISON PLACE 40B AFFORDABLE HOUSING PRICE INCREASE
Selectmen Friedrichs questioned the Boards motivation in approving this price increase.

The incentive according to Selectmen Berry is that mortgage rates and interest rates have changed down and price of units are up, it is appropriate to set new rates. It is still the same money. Without the approval for new housing rates there will be no affordable housing developed. The developer has worked with us and so it is not to anyone’s advantage to be restrictive and not go forward with the project. Selectmen Gowing added that they are just trying to stay in a formula. Selectmen Friedrichs stated that the Board is targeting 80% of medium income she would like the Board to target those in the 70% bracket. Selectmen Rosenzweig motioned to approve the price increase, Selectmen Berry seconds. The vote was 3 in favor, 1 No (Selectman Friedrichs) and 1 Abstention (Selectman Gowing).

OTHER BUSINESS
Selectman Friedrichs handed out a Safety Net Flyer to the Selectmen to review which contained sources for people in need to seek help.

CONSENT AGENDA
1. LETTER WITH CONCERNS ABOUT THE MBTA TRANSPORTATION REFORM BILL
Selectman Rosenzweig made a motion to approve, Selectmen Friedrichs seconds, all voted approval.

Chairman Knibbe went over the process that will be taking place on Article 1 for the order of presenting and voting on the proposed amendment.

Steve Barrett came back from Finance Committee and reported the committee is not in favor of the amendment to Article 1.

TOWN MEETING
During Town Meeting the Board caucused to vote on the proposed amendment for Article 1. Selectmen Rosenzweig made a motion against the amendment, Selectmen Berry seconded, the vote 4 ayes (against the amendment) and 1 nay (for the amendment).

The Board voted against the amendment.

The Board caucused during Article 5 to take a vote on the amendment made by Mary Michelman. Her amendment was to take “renewable or alternative” language out of the motion. The Board was unanimous in support of this amendment to Article 5.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: None

FUTURE AGENDAS
July 13 August 10 September 14
July 27 Policy Workshop August 24 September 21
MINUTES PENDING VOTES
May 18 and June 4,2009
PENDING COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Carl Campagna, Commission on Disability, Council on Aging and Cable Advisory Committee; and his application is at VCC for processing. (This is a Town Manager Appointment)
Elizabeth J. Payne, Volunteer Coordinating Committee (VCC), her materials have been forwarded to VCC for processing.
Margaret Busse, Economic Development Committee, Planning Board and Board of Appeals; her application has been forwarded to the VCC for an interview to be scheduled.
Dore’ Hunter, Community Preservation Commission, Application with Volunteer Coordinating Committee
Dara Mitchell, Economic Development Committee, Application with the Volunteer Coordinating Committee.
David Barratt, Historical Commission, Application with the Volunteer Coordinating Committee.
Anne Krinsky, Acton Boxborough Cultural Council, Application with the Volunteer Coordinating Committee.

Recording Secretary Lauren Rosenzweig, Clerk
Maryjane Kenney