LINCOLN BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES OF APRIL 25, 2005
Sarah Cannon Holden, Chair
Sara A. Mattes
Gary A. Taylor
Timothy S. Higgins, Town Administrator
Donna M. Adam, Recorder
Ms. Holden called the meeting to order at 7:30. Since this is/was the first meeting Ms. Holden chaired as the newly-appointed Chairman of the Board, she took the opportunity to thank outgoing Chair Gary Taylor for his leadership over the past year and to thank Sara Mattes for her support and lively conversations. She thanked Town Administrator, Timothy Higgins for his hard work and support..
Ms. Holden announced that, when appropriate, the Board will take a few moments to make public announcements of interest to the community.
APPOINTMENTS:
Lee Steppacher/National Park Service: The Selectmen’s first appointment was with Lee Steppacher of the National Park Service. Also present were John Drobinski, Chair of the River Stewardship Council, Joan Kimball, Representative of the Massachusetts River Stewardship Council, and David Katsuki, the Selectmen’s appointee to the SuAsCo River Stewardship Council. The River Stewardship Council is made up of eight towns, two conservation organizations, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the Federal Government (National Park Service). The SuAsCo Watershed consists of 74.1 miles made up of the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers. The rivers possess outstanding scenic, recreational, ecological, and historic resources. The RSC would like to form a collaboration of the towns along the segments of the
river in order to further protect our environment and the National Park Service is now in the process of meeting with each town to discuss their future priorities of preserving water quality and quantity and to promote public education and awareness.
Geoff McGean, RLF Executive Director: Geoff McGean joined the Board to brief them on a number of Conservation Restrictions (CRs) that are currently in the development stage. This is in line with a process previously put in place that requires the RLF/Conservation Commission to provide advance notice to the Selectmen so the Selectmen are 1. made aware of the CRs before they are brought to the Board for their signoff, and 2. give the Selectmen the chance to understand how a CR will benefit the Town before the final CR documentation is submitted to the Board. Mr. McGean showed detailed plans for three parcels (1) the Heck land off of Bedford and Old Lexington Roads, (2) the Harrington land off Tower Road and South Great Road, and (3) the Row land off of Tower Road. These three initiatives could provide permanent protection of nearly 77 acres of open space with miles of new public trails that connect to existing conservation trails. The Selectmen talked at length with Mr. McGean
about each of the proposed CRs, specifially focusing on how the proposed CRs will benefit the town’s interests, and also their desire to preserve trees on the Heck CR. They requested that only completed CRs be brought back to the Board for their signoff.
Rob Loud, Chair, Disabilities Commission: The Board welcomed Mr. Loud, the newly elected Chair of the Commission replacing Kitty Stein (who is still a member). Mr. Loud spoke with the Board briefly about the makeup of the Commission and about its goals of making the town user-friendly for physically challenged citizens which actually will segue well with the upcoming audit of town buildings.. Although the candidate was not present, Mr. Loud asked the Selectmen to support the appointment of Mr. Wayne Mount as the Commission’s newest member, replacing Sally Bobbit who has moved out of town. By unanimous vote, in which all members voted, Aye, the Selectmen appointed Mr. Mount to serve on the Disabilities Commission.
William (Buzz) Constable, Candidate for Reappointment to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC): Mr. Constable has served as the town’s MAPC representative for a number of years and has requested reappointment to another term. During his tenure he has served on many other related committees. By unanimous vote, the Board reappointed Mr. Constable to another term as Lincoln’s MAPC representative.
OPEN FORUM: No one was present to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the Selectmen to speak with the board without a scheduled appointment.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
Mr. Higgins has tried, without success, to obtain a copy of the final lease between American Eagle and the Department of Defense. Although the town did receive a draft copy, Attorney David Knisely thought it important for us to get a copy of the final agreement. The Base has been as cooperative as they can, however, they have advised us that they suspect the request will be denied.
The School Committee is forming its “Facilities Study Committee”(FSC) which will review the consultant’s report and develop a formal capital improvement plan and ongoing facilities maintenance plan. They have invited the Selectmen to nominate one member of the Committee. Mr. Taylor suggested that Al Schmertzler, who has recently resigned from the Finance Committee, would be an excellent choice as the Selectmen’s nominee if he were willing to serve. Ms. Mattes expressed her concern that the School Committee was getting out in front of the facilities study project; however, after some discussion the Board decided it did make sense given that the schools might have many more areas that would need to be identified.
Verizon had written to the Town formally expressing their interest in receiving a Cable TV license from the town. Verizon is scheduled to meet with the Board on May 23rd to introduce themselves the Board. There is a formal process that needs to be followed –negotiations are conducted through the Cable Committee. Mr. Cunningham, presently our sole committee member, has been briefed on the process.
Mr. Buckner Creel, now a Water Commissioner and formally a member of the ZBA, has advised the Board that Pam Green has been elected chair. The Board of Appeals has requested that the Selectmen search for candidates to fill the two open slots on the Board of Appeals.
DISCUSSION:
Spring Meeting of Boards & Committees: Invitations have been extend to the chairs of key boards and committees to join the Selectmen on May~19th at 7:30~p.m. in the evening to share concerns about our boards/committees, about communications between and among them, about finding more volunteers, about better informing newcomers about town government, about areas of joint concern requiring coordination among boards, and any other issues that any of us may have. A similar meeting that was held before the Fall indicated there was a need for this type of meeting.
Highway/Water Management: Coming out of Town Meeting it was clear that the boards need to come together to talk about this issue. Although an invitation was extended to the Water Board to meet with the Selectmen to discuss this further, apparently the Water Board is not interested in attending. Ms. Holden commented that we need to move on one way or the other--there are issues that need to be discussed whether or not there is to be a joint supervisor. Some sort of forum has to be identified so that we can move forward.
Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Planning: The third and final planning workshop session will be held Thursday (April 28th) at Bemis Hall beginning at 7:00~p.m. There will be ongoing meetings every day this week as well as an executive session on Saturday with all four town’s board of selectmen to revisit some very specific propositions going forward for the LRA.
Annual Appointments: The Selectmen are in agreement with a schedule proposing that several committees/boards be scheduled for interviews within the upcoming weeks. The Board is still seeking applicants who would be interested in being appointed to serve on the Board of Appeals.
Liaison Reports: Mr. Taylor attended the Fife and Drum Rally reporting that it was an enjoyable and wonderful family experience. Mr. Taylor and Ms. Holden participated in the annual Graves Ceremony commemorating the Lincoln Minute Men and British Regulars who fought and died in April of 1775. Ms. Holden offered greetings and remarks on behalf of the Selectmen. It was a unique experience promoting reconciliation rather than the separation from Great Britain.
ACTION ITEMS:
The Selectmen approved the request by the Lincoln PTA to hold their Bi-Annual Plant Sale in the area in front of Town Hall on Saturday, May 7, 2005.
Weekly warrants were approved and signed.
VOTE TO GO IN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 10:25 p.m. Ms. Holden made a motion to leave open session and to convene an Executive Session in accordance with M.G.L., C. 39, Section 23B, Re: Litigation Strategy and Subsection~6, to consider the purchase, exchange, of lease of real estate with the intent not to reconvene in open session at the conclusion of the executive session. On a roll call vote, each member voted “aye”.
There being no further business the regular session of the April 25th Selectmen’s Meeting was adjourned at 10:27 p.m.
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