MINUTES
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
May 24, 2006 - Wednesday
PRESENT: Sara Mattes (Acting Chairman), Gary Taylor,
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Adm. Asst.)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. The Acting Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements – Ms. Mattes announced that the HATS Meeting will have to be re-scheduled due to schedule conflicts with the area Selectmen.
Open Forum- No one was present for the Open Forum.
Discussion
Appointments to Conservation Commission
The Board discussed the four candidates: Ari Kurtz, Peter Sprayregan, Sara Lewis, and Ben Horne who had applied for three open slots on the Conservation Commission. They noted that all four were strong candidates. Ms. Mattes said that as liaison to the Conservation Commission she had received feedback on the qualities and expertise that the Commission would like to see in its membership. She noted that they would like to see a diversity of opinion and a balanced perspective. The Board also noted that as a permit granting authority, it would be important to have alternate or associate members who could work as part of the core group. Mr. Higgins noted that while the Planning and Zoning Laws provide a mechanism for allowing these extra members, the Conservation statute is silent and this could
likely require a home rule petition. Returning to a discussion of appointees, Ms. Mattes noted that what the Commission needs from them is availability of time, diversity of knowledge, technical expertise, range of experience and knowledge of the Town. The Board discussed the recent applicants for the Conservation Commission.
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to nominate Sara Lewis for the two year term and Mr. Kurtz and Mr. Horne for the three year terms that are open on the Conservation Commission. The motion was seconded by Ms. Mattes and approved. The Board would also like to thank Mr. Sprayregan for his interest and will keep him in mind for other positions as they open up. The Motion passed unanimously.
Selectmen’s Appointment Policy – This was deferred until a full Selectmen Board would be present.
New England Deaconess Steering Committee – Mr. Higgins has arranged for a meeting on June 1 at 8 AM. Mr. Higgins has spoken with Rev. Herb Taylor of the Deaconess and they have agreed to fund consultants for a water use study. He expects that there could be feedback in three weeks, so the meeting is somewhat dependent on the progress of that study. Ms. Mattes wanted to ensure that abutters were included in the process, that they are noticed for the meetings and that they also welcome to participate., She also emphasized that they should feel enabled to share information with the Town and the Committee. Mr. Higgins asked the Board to note a letter of support from the COA for the project.
Proposed Institutional Use Study Committee – Ms. Mattes said that residents have been calling her about institutional uses that have been proposed for residential zoned lots. She has proposed a draft charge for an ad hoc committee co-sponsored with the Planning Board to study these uses. There was some concern that this would have the appearance of an attempt to throw barriers against these uses. Ms. Mattes explained this is intended to gather and share information among neighbors, community and board members and to better understand the Law and the Dover Amendment implications. Mr. Taylor said that understanding where these properties exist and their tax implications could be part of the Master Planning process. This will be kept on the agenda for future discussion and
comments. In regard to the Deaconess proposal and water usage, the Board would like to come up with a list of proposals or recommended practices that would help with any pending issues.
Liaison Reports -Ms. Mattes reported attending Walden Wood’s dedication of Brister’s Hill.. Those in attendance included Senator Edward Kennedy, Congressman Marty Meehan, Edmund O. Wilson, descendants of both Mahatma Ghandhi and Ralph Emerson, and well as Don Henley and Whoopi Goldberg.
Ms. Mattes said that HATS will probably NOT meet on May 25 and will be re-scheduled.
Town Administrator’s Report
Scenic Byway Designation -Mr. Higgins reported that Town Meeting had authorized the Board to vote on the designation of the Battle Road in Arlington, Concord, Lexington and Lincoln as a Scenic Byway. This has been waiting for additional authorizing votes from the participating towns. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded, to vote to support the Vote of Town Meeting by executing letters to State Representative Susan Pope and State Senator Susan Fargo to establish the Scenic Byway. The Motion passed unanimously, and the members signed the letters of support.
Master Planning Steering Committee - Mr. Higgins reported that the Committee is meeting on June 14. Sarah Cannon Holden is the Selectman designee.
School Department End of Year Report - The Report was in the packet and has been recommended by the Auditors for both the Selectmen and the School Committee to approve. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION, Mr. Taylor seconded to approve. The MOTION passed unanimously.
Fire Department New Hires - Mr. Higgins reported that the firefighter finalists will come to the next meeting. There were 25 to 30 applicants for the four openings. The Board would like to see where the firefighters live.
Grant Proposal to Codman Trust – Grant proposals for the Master Planning process and the Pierce House went to the Trust this week.
Action Items
· Appointments to Conservation Commission – see above
· Vote to Accept Appointment Policy - postponed
· Correspondence - The Board reviewed correspondence. The Board noted letters of appreciation from Police Chief Mooney to Lt. Kevin Kennedy and Officer William Carlo for their participation and efforts as part of a three month narcotics investigation that also involved the police departments in Concord Lexington, and Sudbury.
· Mr. Higgins summarized new Actions.
· Mr. Higgins reviewed Previous Actions
· Minutes – Minutes for March and April were deferred
· Approve Warrants – Selectmen approved and signed.
· Vote to approve Summer Office Hours -A MOTION was made and seconded to allow Town Offices to go to Summer Hours (Offices closed on Fridays; Open Hours on Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM, from July 1 through September 1. The Motion passed unanimously.
· The Board discussed future Meeting dates:
May 31, 2006 (Wednesday) – Workshop;
June 7, 2006 (Wednesday) - Regular Meeting;
June 12, 2006 (Monday ) -Regular Meeting;
June 20, 2006 (Tuesday) - Workshop
July 10, 2006- Regular
July 17, 2006 - Regular
July 31, 2006 - Regular
Executive Session
Mr. Taylor made a Motion, Ms. Mattes seconded to go into Executive Session, pursuant to MGL, c. 39, s. 23B Re:Real Estate, not to return to Regular Session. A roll call vote was taken:
Mattes- aye; Taylor- aye. The Motion passed unanimously. The Regular Meeting adjourned at 8:45 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved on July 10, 2006
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