MINUTES
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
April 24, 2006
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon-Holden (Chairman), 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: The Chairman thanked the Lincoln Minute Men for their activities on Patriot’s Day and all during the month of April.
Appointments
Curb Cut Hearing – Continuation - Old Town Hall Exchange
Present: Gus Browne and Tom Black
Mr. Black reviewed the first hearing which took place in the fall of 2005. At that time, the Selectmen asked them to set up a “mock” stone wall to mimic effect of the new curb cut and stone wall on traffic and parking. Mr. Black said the D.P.W. was very helpful in achieving that. It was set up through the winter. Memos were also received from Public Safety regarding the width of the openings. The Chief asked for an opening of 32’. One opening is 36’ wide. . In this time, they also received endorsement from the Historic District Commission. Mr. Taylor said there is a memo from the D.P.W. and Public Safety that recommends certain improvements that will be incorporated into the decision.
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded to approve the curb cut for the Old Town Hall, subject to the following conditions:
1. Appropriate entrance and exit signs;
2. Pavement arrow markings for exit and entrance;
3. “No Parking” sign on inner side of island;
4. White fog line on outer side of island.
The MOTION passed unanimously.
Open Forum – No one was present for this session.
Action Items
Annual Appointments and Reappointments
The Board discussed the list of town committee volunteers who wish to be re-appointed. The Board discussed the consent list as well as the urgent need for appointments to the Conservation Commission. A MOTION was made and seconded to add David Katsuki to the consent list for re-appointments. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Mr. Taylor moved, Mrs. Holden seconded to accept the “Consent List v.3” as amended. The Motion passed unanimously. New appointments still pendingfor the Conservation Commission will be scheduled as soon as possible.
Vote on Fuel Storage Tank License – 170 South Great Rd.
The Chairman.noted that this hearing had been continued to allow neighbors and interested parties to provide further input. Mr. Taylor noted that according to the Fire Chief at last week’s hearing, the applicant has complied with the requirements and the installation has been reviewed. Victoria Zaring, 172 South Great Road, asked if there is a regulation about how far tanks have to be from a property line. The Selectmen and the applicant said that the installation of tanks is where they were before and they comply with the State regulations and the Court Order. Mr. Win Quayle, 8 Meadowbrook, said he was concerned about the tanks, noting that the Selectmen can set conditions. The Board responded that they heard from the Chief last week that this was a double walled construction. Mr.
Higgins stated that the prior Fire Chief had gone to some lengths to make sure that the old tanks were replaced with the most up to date tanks. Mr. Higgins also reviewed the history of the gas station, including the agreement reached between the Zoning Board of Appeals and the owners. Ms. Zaring stated that in the process of installation of the new tanks, a culvert was broken. The applicant stated that it was replaced. Mr. Peter Von Mertens, Chairman of the Conservation Commission who was also present, stated that the Commission had the responsibility of ensuring that the culvert replacement “de-watering” and re-establishment of the culvert was done under their permit, and to his knowledge, this was repaired. Mrs. Holden asked what further regulations the Selectmen could impose. Mr. Higgins answered that in conversations with the Fire Chief it was determined that it was a safe installation. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve the
application by LV Realty LLC for a permit to operate tanks at 170 South Great Road. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Higgins reported.
1. The Petition for Beer and Wine license has been submitted. The Town will work with Senator Fargo.
2. Funds for the Affordable Housing Trust should be available by July 1.
3. The Town Clerk has submitted the Zoning and General Bylaws passed at the recent Town Meeting to the Attorney General’s Office.
4. The Planning board is forming a steering committee to work with New England Deaconness on their proposal at 17 Cambridge Turnpike.
5. A labor contract agreement has been reached, in principle, with the DPW, and it is consistent with the agreements struck with other town unions.
6. The Fire Department has received an award designating the town a “Heart Safe” community and is looking for places to post the signs. The board will defer this decision until there is a full board.
7. The Assessors have completed the process for hiring a new Administrative Assistant. They gave a unanimous recommendation to hire Patrice Brennan. Mr. Higgins noted that Ellen Meadors staffed the office asa volunteer for several weeks.
VOTES
· Appoint Administrative Assistant - Assessors
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded to appoint Patrice Brennan to the position of Administrative Assistant for the Board of Assessors. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Adoption of Mileage Reimbursement
Mr. Taylor moved, Mrs. Holden seconded to adopt the mileage reimbursement rate consistent with IRS regulations to $.44.5 per mile. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Road Closure
Mrs. Holden moved, Mr. Taylor seconded to close Ballfield Road and Lincoln Road (from Ballfield Road to 5 Corners) from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM on July 1 for the 4th of July Junior Triathalon. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Mowing Bid
Mr. Taylor moved the award of the town Mowing Contract for a term of three years to Vanaria Landscaping for the low bid price of $169,200. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Phone Service Contract
Mr. Taylor made a motion to award a two year contract for the town’s local and long distance phone service to Conversant Communications as outlined. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Audit Representation
Mr. Taylor made a Motion to authorize the Chairman to execute the “Representation Letter” for the annual financial audit. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Holden signed the letter.
Special Municipal Employee Designation – LS School Committee
The Board reviewed correspondence
Mr. Higgins summarized actions.
Mr. Taylor submitted edited Minutes for March.
The Board approved and signed the warrants.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved June 12, 2006
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