BOARD OF SELECTMEN MINUTES
October 24, 2005
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon-Holden (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Tim Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The Chairman welcomed the public, and introduced the members of the Board and the Staff.
Announcements – There were no announcements.
Open Forum – No one was present for the open forum. Ms. Mattes requested adding discussion on social services to the Agenda.
Appointments
7:30 p.m. Celebrations Committee Appointees
Chairman Nancy Pimental and member Gretchen Covina were present to introduce Sara Brown as a nominee for appointment to the Celebrations Committee . Ms. Pimental said that Ms. Brown had worked for the Celebrations Committee informally over the past year. M. Brown complimented Ms. Pimental on her leadership. Discussion followed on how the Town could assist the Committee and suggested the Lincoln Journal might run an article about the Committee. Ms. Pimental thanked Mr. Higgins, Earl Midgley and Greg Kirkland for the help they have given them and for finding room for their supplies in Bemis Hall. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION and Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint Sara Brown to the Celebrations Committee for a three year term, beginning in 2005. The Motion passed unanimously.
7:45 p.m. Rural Land Foundation
Re: all Redevelopment Status
Present on behalf of the Rural Land Foundation (RLF) were Amalie Kass, Tom Walker, Geoff McGean, Jim Henderson, Susan Allen; Also present were Mark Whitehead, Ken Hurd, Pam Green, Neil Feinberg The RLF reported that they have an agreement with the Post Office and are working towards an operator for the proposed café and tenants for the office space. Ed Nardi is working on a financing plan, and David O’Neill is working on drawings. The have received a special permit from the ZBA for the parking for the Post Office Café and are hoping to get permits and financing before the beginning of the new year and hope to start construction in the spring. Construction time line is estimated to be one year. For the second phase of retail and housing, they are working with a
development team including Peter Smith, Bob Kuehn, and David Shalinsky. The RLF anticipates between 16 and 25 housing units to be constructed, and are also working on pro forma documents, construction costs, rent values, sale values, funding sources, and financial analysis. They would like to move forward with Phase 1 (Post Office/ Café) and perhaps go to Town Meeting with a concept plan for Phase 2 (housing and retail). They believe there will be less retail than originally proposed. Pam Green, Chairman of the ZBA, said that the ZBA had approved a plan based on a certain amount of retail. Additional retail would not be allowed without additional approvals. The BOS reminded Ms. Green and the RLF that their support for the ZBA application and their grant of additional parking spaces had been contingent upon the development of affordable housing at the Mall. Ms. Mattes asked what would happen if Phase One, the PO and the Café, were
built and the RLF decided to hold off construction of the affordable housing. Ms. Mattes asked Ms. Green if a permit could be withdrawn, or an occupant permit denied or remanded.Discussion followed on the timeline for approvals. Ms. Mattes asked if the application for a special permit for the housing counts as a “start” date for the affordable units. Mr. Whitehead indicated that the permit has to be granted. Mrs. Cannon-Holden asked if there is a sense of the timeline after a positive vote from Town Meeting. Mr. Whitehead said that Minuteman Commons took six months following their Town Meeting approval. However, he added they did not come back to the Planning Board for a few months. Mr. Taylor noted that the Boyntons, who own property across from the Mall and adjacent to the railroad, are also considering re-development. He added that the Town needs to address the issue of the railroad crossing and pedestrian crossings in
this area. The railroad switch is located on the Boynton property. Noting that the Town is close to capacity water usage at the present time, Ms. Mattes inquired about the implications of water consumption on these properties. RLF has asked the consultant to look at water and sewage treatment capabilities. The Selectmen discussed concerns with density and change. Mr. Taylor stated that if the mall area is in permanent decline, then they must consider what is in the Town’s best interest, including maintaining a vital retail center and housing. Mr. Hurd suggested going back to the Charrette Report on the South Lincoln area. The Selectmen discussed ways to get the public involved, including presentations to the Selectmen, presentations to the Planning Board, Town wide mailings, articles and announcements in the newspaper. Ms. Mattes suggested regular appointments with the Selectmen, since these are televised. Discussion turned
to parking. The Selectmen released 36 spaces to be counted in order to facilitate housing, and expressed concern that there would be sufficient housing within the project. Mr. Feinberg said that past discussions have noted needs regarding the rail crossing, pedestrian crossings, on street parking, sewer and water capacity, subsidizing or buying down units. He asked if there had been any discussion on what the costs might be to the Town for the development. The group also talked about using the overlay district bylaw versus a 40B development. If 40B is the development tool, only those designated as affordable count towards the 10% goal if they are condominiums; if it is a rental development, then all the units count. There is a long term cost to management of rental units. The Chairman thanked everyone for their help and attendance this evening. Ms. Kass in turn thanked the Zoning Board for their careful consideration of the RLF
application.
Town Administrator’s Report
Capital Planning : Mr. Higgins reported there will be an initial meeting on Thursday, October 27 that will also serve as an orientation session for the attendees.
Roadway Improvement: Mr. Higgins reported on a review of the 1997 VHB Roadway Improvement Plan. The DPW Director will get estimates for fixing the main roads in order to plan for the future. Ms. Mattes inquired about “smart growth” funding availability for any road work. Initial inquiries by the Town Planner indicated that it was not a good fit. Mr. Taylor added that it would be a good idea to see if there are funds for pedestrian/rail work.
Operating Budget: Mr. Higgins reported that the operating budget is due back on November 21, and they have scheduled a meeting for November 30.
Collective Bargaining: Mr. Higgins reported that collective bargaining with the DPW and the Police has re-started and he expects agreements before the end of the year.
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Discussion
State of the Town Meeting & At Risk Properties Committee:
The agenda for the meeting is not detailed. They expect to close the session on the At Risk Properties portion at 11:30. There will be no presentations about the report cards, but there can be a question and answer session.
Liaison Reports:
Ms. Mattes reported that some of the noise monitoring equipment will be moved and adjusted to better discriminate noise from the air field. At this point, they are still waiting for Counsel response on the MEPA filing. The Fire Chiefs from Lincoln, Hanscom and Concord will discuss the fuel storage situation.
Neighborhood Conservation District:. Ms. Mattes reported that they will look to pass enabling legislation to allow a neighborhood, such as Brown’s Woods, to come forward with a plan.
Social Services: Ms. Mattes reported that she has received a number of phone calls and e-mails regarding residents who seem to have fallen through a safety net, and she would like to ask those interested to step forward to discuss how we might form a better social welfare safety net to help residents. She also believes there are misunderstandings in the public about how affordable housing is administered. It was suggested that representatives from Lincoln Woods and the Battle Road Farm management entities come in to discuss how the list is managed, how they interface with the Housing Commission, discuss policies and procedures, and how the Town might better respond. Mr. Taylor concurred that it would be beneficial to have the Housing Commission come to a meeting to explain their inventory and
also talk about current developments such as the Sunnyside House, housing at the Mall, and accessory apartments.
Action Items: The Conservation Commission has asked that a conservation restriction that mimics the terms of the wetlands permit be placed on the deed. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION and Mr. Taylor seconded to place a deed restriction on the property at 21 Storey Drive (Map 67, Block 1, Lot 3). The Motion passed unanimously.
The Board discussed the Town Clerk position, noting that Ms. Zuelke has announced her intention not to seek re-election. The Personnel Board will look into what other Boards do.
The Town Administrator reviewed the new Action Items and Past Action Items.
Minutes were deferred.
The Board signed the Warrants.
A MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn. The Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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