MINUTES
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
March 6, 2006
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon-Holden (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor,
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Adm. Asst.)
Welcome and Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements- Ms. Mattes announced that the HATS Meeting has been re-scheduled to March 23. The four towns will share information and ideas regarding affordable housing at that time. Mrs. Holden announced that she and Mr. Taylor attended the Boy Scouts Honor Awards.
Open Forum – No one spoke at the Open Forum.
APOINTMENTS
Housing Commission & Planning Board; RE: Accessory Apartments
PRESENT: B- J Scheff, Rayna Caplan, Housing Commission, Bob Domnitz, John Snell, Planning Board
Mrs. Scheff explained that a draft of the LIP application had gone to the Department of Housing and
Community Development (DHCD) last year, but they have never responded. They may provide guidelines in the
future. The LIP application now has the format for an agreement on income and rental requirements. Mr. Higgins reported that he and the Town Planner met with the State and asked about the status of the LIP application. They were reminded that hey have to abide by income requirements and the 15 year minimum. B-J noted that they presently have three applications in progress under the old 5 year rule, but the Housing Commission also has a list of people interested in applying for apartments under the new LIP requirement of 15 years. However, Mrs. Scheff also said there is no law that requires homeowners with less than three units of meet fair housing standards. The parties discussed the ability to add affordable units, noting that buy downs are allowed, while it is very difficult to get
these accessory apartments to count. They also discussed that as a general rule, the State is looking for more housing with opportunities for many more units. Mr. Domnitz confirmed with the Town Planner that the new LIP application is consistent with the Town Bylaw. Discussion turned to the changes proposed for the Accessory Apartment Bylaw. Mr. Domnitz said that the program is 34 years old, and there have been 75 permits issued, including five last year. For every nine units that are permitted, the Town needs to come up with one affordable unit to stay even. New amendments proposed to restrict the number of market rate units to the average present rate of two per year, but did not restrict the ones that are permitted under the LIP application. He also said the change does not have to occur now; it can wait until the LIP program is approved or until the Town has produced its Master Plan. Ms. Mattes noted that there are other objectives
to allowing accessory apartments, such as allowing seniors the ability to stay home and diversification of the Town housing stock. The Selectmen have not taken a position, noting that they share the Committee’s concerns. Mr. Snell suggested that this could be brought before the Town for discussion, and should be included in the Master Planning process. Mr. Domnitz noted that there was a negative reaction to the Committee’s suggestions at their public hearing. All agreed this was part of a larger discussion, and they need to push forward on the LIP application and DHCD regulations so that these apartments can count is affordable units. The Selectmen noted that the regional organizations (HATS, MAGIC, etc.) should be part of this discussion.
Public Hearing – Verizon Re: Underground Conduit Installation, Minute Man Commons, Virginia Road
PRESENT: Daniel Fitzgibbon
Mr. Higgins reported that the Highway Superintendent reviewed the proposal. There will also be underground trenching that is not within the right of way. The conduit line provides service to a new development, Minute Man Commons. Mr. Taylor made a motion and Ms. Mattes seconded, to approve Verizon Petition No. D0601as proposed. The Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report & Discussion
Pioneer Study- Rappaport Institute: The Board discussed the Pioneer Institute/ Rappaport Study at some length. The Study maintains that local bylaws impede housing and growth, escalating the cost of housing, and increasing job loss in the region. It was noted that the study did not look at the cost of development to the towns (such as septic, water, school funding, etc.). The Board anticipates that this will be further discussed at MMA, HATS and MAGIC meetings. The parties noted that creative solutions such as 40A and 40R (encouraging smart growth near transit centers) were not addressed, nor were local initiatives such as local initiative housing projects.
Route 2/ Crosby’s Corner: The Board discussed the reduction in Federal money aid to highway projects. Some Massachusetts projects for FY06 were bumped to FY07, and six projects for FY07 were bumped to FY08. It is unclear at this point how that affects the Route 2 project.
Carroll School Crosswalk: The Board discussed the proposed crosswalk and signage. Ms. Mattes questioned instituting changes that run counter to accepted Town policy. Mr. Taylor noted that conditions change, and increased pressure comes up against values. Ms. Mattes suggested that if the crosswalk is approved, no trees within the right of way shall be removed; the flashing light will be moved out of sight when not in use for the crossing, and there shall be a total of four signs for the roadway. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve the crosswalk as proposed with the following conditions:
· no trees within the right of way shall be removed
· the flashing light shall be moved out of sight when not in use for the crossing;
· there shall be no more than four signs for along the roadway for the crossing; and
· the Town will incur no costs.
Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Mattes also thanked Mr. Bibbo for his work on this project.
Annual Appointment Process: Mr. Higgins and the Board discussed the annual appointment process for volunteers. Chairmen will be notified about upcoming vacancies and requested to reply with those that want to continue. From this list, a “consent list” will be created for approval. A policy document will also be sent to Chairman and posted on the web. A “volunteer” site will be created on the web.
Action Items
Appointment to HDC: Mr. Taylor made a MOTION and Ms. Mattes seconded to appoint Ruth Wales to the Historic District Commission as an Out of District alternate. The MOTION passed unanimously. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION and Mr. Taylor seconded to accept the resignation of Eleanor Fitzgerald from the Lincoln Historic District Commission and the Lincoln Historical Commission with many thanks.
Salamander Crossing – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION and Ms. Mattes voted to approve road closures for the annual migration. The MOTION passed unanimously.
Review Correspondence: The Board has a request from the Lincoln Garden Club to use the Town Offices for their biannual Sale. A MOTION was made and seconded to allow this use. The MOTION passed unanimously.
The Board asked about Verizon’s request for a cable license. Mr. Higgins said the hearing is coming up in May.
Mr. Higgins summarized the actions from this meeting and updated past action items.
Minutes were deferred.
Warrants were Approved and Signed
The Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.
Submitted by
Debra Parkhurst
Approved 5/15/06
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