Board of Selectmen’s Minutes
December 12, 2005
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon Holden, Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The Chairman welcomed the public, introduced the members of the Board and the Staff, and reviewed the Agenda.
Open Forum: No one from the public was present for this session.
Appointments:
Public Hearing Re: Cable Licensing Process
The hearing was opened at 7:30 PM. Present for the hearing were Assistant Town Administrator Anita Scheipers, Jim Cunningham from the Cable Advisory Committee and attorney Bill Hewitt from Kopelman and Paige. This hearing provides an opportunity for the Board to vote to initiate the process for licensing of a second cable company. Mr. Hewitt has drafted a letter that would serve to initiate the process. This letter also requested specific waivers from the 60 day filing timeline and advertising in a trade journal.
Mr. Taylor made a motion and Ms. Mattes seconded, that the Board of Selectmen, as the issuing authority for cable franchise licenses, initiate the licensing process for an additional cable franchise in the Town of Lincoln, and request waivers from the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy from the requirements that we place such notice in a national trade journal and for a reduction in the application period. The Motion passed unanimously. Mr. Hewitt and Ms. Scheipers reviewed the process and the timeline for the Board. Mr. Hewitt explained that the process begins with the Town developing a proposal that is essentially the same as that offered to other cable companies in order to offer a level playing field. It does not set the rate. Ms. Scheipers further also explained
that means looking at the equipment and services the different companies offer. The Chairman closed the hearing.
Curb Cut Application Old Town Hall Exchange
Tom Black, Director of the Old Town Hall exchange was present. The Exchange wishes to install a traffic island at the entrance which they hope will improve traffic flow and direct traffic in a more orderly manner. This is an alteration to the present opening and thus requires a permit from the Board of Selectmen. The Selectmen reviewed the plans and learned that each opening is 32’-36’ wide and that the proposed stone wall will be 2-3’ high to match stone walls on either end of the property. Parking capacity will not change. Following discussion and due to some concerns raised by Public Safety, the Board suggested that the Exchange set up a temporary facsimile to mimic the conditions the new island would impose so that traffic and safety impacts may be weighed. They
also requested that the Exchange discuss the aesthetic impacts with the Historic District Commission. The discussion was continued to a later date. .
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Taylor reviewed the budget noting that there is a primary difference between the base and the preferred budget. There are two major components of the larger preferred budget. The first is a request for an increase in personnel at public safety that would add one firefighter per shift. The Chief has serious concerns about coverage when officers are out on calls. The second budget driver in the preferred budget is the request for additional materials and supplies for the DPW. Mr. Taylor said there will be a Report regarding the staffing issues at the Fire Department so that the public will be aware of the basis for the requests. The schedule for the budget process was reviewed. The next budget meeting with the FINCOM is January 19th.
Discussion
State of the Town follow-up:
Mr. Taylor reported that the At-Risk committee has met and everyone agreed that it should continue as a liaison/ resource group, particularly with properties such as the Ridge Road and the BIIC properties. The comments from State of the Town have been collected and the Committee will write a follow-up. Discussion followed on the sharing of information with other Boards and committees.
Liaison Reports
Ms. Mattes reported that HATS will be filing a response to Massport. She also reported on Concord Board of Health concern with of Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and Lyme Disease . She also noted that Bedford and Lexington have met their 10% housing quota, but Concord and Lincoln are still vulnerable.
Ms. Mattes reported meeting with the COA (Council on Aging), and they are interested in Senior Housing projects. She suggested that someone from the COA and the Friends of the COA can work with other town entities on senior housing. She also said that the COA has concerns about staffing, particularly in the afternoon and some evenings. She asked that Staff take up the issue.
Appointments to Zoning Board
Mr. Taylor made a motion to appoint Jeff Macklin to the position of Associate member of the Board of Appeals for 2005-2006 and Joel Freedman to the position of Associate member of the Board of Appeals for 2005-2008. Ms. Mattes seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The Board thanked Ms. Glynn for her interest and will hope to find another volunteer position for her.
Appoint Part-time Staff to Town Clerk
The Board thanked Sarah Marcotte for her past work as part time Clerk. Ms. Mattes made a motion, Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint Patricia Arseneault to Assistant Town Clerk per the terms of the letter from Nancy Zuelke, Town Clerk, dated December 12, 2005. The Motion passed unanimously.
Review Correspondence- The Board noted a letter complimenting snow removal for the first storm. However, there was also a concern that snow is being shoveled across other people’s driveways or into the street. Concerns about how this is handled will be addressed to the DPE Director.
Minutes were deferred
Ms. Parkhurst summarized actions.
The Board approved Warrants
A MOTION was made and seconded to go into Executive Session for collective bargaining, not to return to open session. A Roll call vote was taken: Holden- aye; Mattes- aye; Taylor-Aye. The Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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