urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags013fMINUTES
PersonNameBoard of Selectmen’s Meeting
dateYear2006Day24Month7July 24, 2006 - timeMinute30Hour197:30 p.m.
placePlaceNameLincoln PlaceTypeTown Offices
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon- Holden (Chairman), Sara Mattes
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Adm. Asst.)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at timeHour19Minute307:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements
Ms. Mattes announced the next meeting of HATS in the Lincoln Town Offices on Thursday, July 26. The topic, led by Gordon Feltman, MPO Representative and Bedford Selectman, is current and future funding for the State TIP (Transportation Improvement Project) list. The hearing on the TIP will open on August 3 and close on August 17. Mrs. Holden announced that Family Fun Night was a success
Appointments
timeMinute30Hour197:30 p.m. Conservation Commission & Board of Health Re:General Update
Present: Peter Von Mertens, Jim Meadors, Ben Horne, Angela Seaborg, Ari Kurtz, Dave Katsuki; Sara Lewis (Conservation Commission); Dianne Haessler, Arnold Weinberg, Fred Mansfield (Board of Health), Others: Melinda Webster Loof, Barbara Buchan, Kristen Scopinich, George Hibben, Don Frankel, Susan Sugar, Virginia Lemire, Ed Rolfe
The Chairman introduced the session by stating that the Selectmen have a series of meetings with various policy boards in Town maintain open communication and to enable a forum for citizens to watch and learn about the Town. The Chairman said that the initial discussion will involve both boards, including discussions on Lyme Disease.and other insect borne illnesses. Dr. Weinberg began with West Nile Virus, noting there have been 15 cases in the placecountry-regionUS and none in placeNew England in the last year, indicating that it has spread west. Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) is more dangerous and an increased threat. The same precautions should be used for both; that is, people should use repellant with DEET, wear long sleeves and long pants when possible, and avoid going
outdoors at dawn or dusk. The Board asked about other measures. Drainage and other areas of standing water should be cleaned out. Board of Health members commented that the Eastern Middlesex Mosquito Control drops ETI in some areas (not Great Meadows) and the Mosquito Control Commission works with the Town on clearing ditches or putting ETI in catch basins. Discussion followed on the health risks of EEE and West Nile Virus. The Board also discussed Lyme Disease and the growth of the deer population. There is no effective way to spray for ticks, according to the Board. The most important prevention is to cover up outdoors. Dr. Arnold was of the opinion that culling the deer would probably not work. He added that antibiotic treatment, if caught in time, is very successful. Most agreed that a community could work to reduce the deer population, but there would still be hosts (white tailed mice) for the deer ticks.
Discussion turned to symptoms of the disease including aches, pains, low grade fever, a cold in the summer, and a bull’s eye rash, that appears in 75% of the cases. The PersonNameBoard of Selectmen would like to encourage citizens to report cases of Lyme Disease to the Board of Health so that they can keep track. Ed Rolfe and several other citizens present would like to form a “grass roots” committee on deer management. They presented papers about the disease. Discussion turned to studying certain neighborhoods. However, most agreed that this was a regional problem. Ms. Mattes asked what regional jurisdiction might cover this issue. Could it be the Department of Public Health along with the Department of Wildlife Management? Discussion then turned to Avian flu. The Board of Health noted it is a roblem and currently very lethal for birds and poultry, but no one knows yet about the potential
spread to the human population. They note this is ongoing work for the WHO (world Health Organization) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control)>
Discussion turned to environmental noise and leaf blowers. The ConsCom members said they have discussed this issue, noting that it is loud, disturbing to humans and wildlife, and kicks up dirt and chemicals. Dr. Mansfield said that the Board of Health has not come up with any information that the dust raised is more hazardous than other factors in the environment. Ms. Mattes said that the HATS group is struggling with understanding airport noise and noise measurements as they move forward with the ESPR. Jim Meadors said it is a quality of life issue. Mr. Higgins said that local laws regulate noise around construction issues, such as limiting hours of operation. Ms. Mattes suggested looking at other communities as a start.
The Boards briefly talked about the recent letter from the Water Board regarding a trace element found in the water. The Board of Health suggested that communication between the Board of Health and the Water Board would be useful. Mr. Higgins said that while the Office did not have communication with the Water Board, this is typically an automatic response triggered when a trace element is found.
The PersonNameBoard of Selectmen said that in years past, the Board of Health was very involved in many permits. They asked what is allowed in local discretion and what is not. The Board of Health responded that their own septic regulations are more stringent than Title V, and that they can choose to waive the local restrictions. Dr. Mansfield said they are careful about setting precedent. Discussion followed on local regulation and variances. The Board also discussed the services they share with the Town of placeCityConcord, which they have found to be an invaluable resource. Dr. Mansfield said that they have an official food inspector and use State and Federal Food Codes. That code requires that someone on site be in charge. The Selectmen noted that the Codman
Farm Feast had to be changed in recent years due to the Food Code. Don Frankel, Chairman of Codman Community Farm said it changed in 2003 when they could no longer prepare the food on site. Discussion followed on food preparation and kitchens. Mass Audubon and one church have upgraded their kitchens. They added that policy prerogative is still with the local Board of Health. The Board of Health could grant variances, but they indicated they would not do so in these cases. The Selectmen thanked the two boards for attending this discussion.
Open Forum
Town Administrator’s Report
Mr. Higgins reported that the petition for a liquor license has been delayed in legislation. He has spoken with the Alcoholic Beverage Commission General Counsel and is comfortable with the filing of the current legislation.
Discussion
· Special Town Meeting/State of the Town Meeting-The Save the Date Memo will go out as written. Ms. Mattes will work on the theme that will go to the Chairs of committees and Boards.
· Deaconess Steering Committee – Mr. Higgins reported that PersonNameHerb Taylor has reached an agreement with the owner to extend the due diligence to September 1. Deaconess is making progress on water issues and fire flow. How the Town can count separate rental units depends on possible new DHCD regulations. DHCD has now announced a hearing date in September for these new rules. It is possible for Deaconess to begin a separate friendly 40B as a parallel process, if necessary. The Board discussed the importance of getting the immediate neighbors behind the process. Mr. Higgins said that two out of three of these abutters attended the
meetings. The abutters will be meeting directly with Deaconess, and Deaconess will look at the feasibility of use of those properties. The Board urged the steering committee to look at using the overlay district for the three abutting properties.
Liaison Reports
· Ms. Mattes reported on a meeting between the Celebration Committee and Public Safety regarding the summer events. She thanked Nancy Pimental and her committee for their ingenuity and dedication The Town is not aware of the complexities in making these events happen. She suggested posting dates so that the town knows the planning involved. She also wanted to thank Fire, Public Safety, DPRW, the Recreation Department and the Schools, Boy Scouts and Even Police Explorers who come from other communities to help.
· Ms. Mattes circulated an article regarding an appeal to for the state to provide financial assistance to dairy farmers. The Board agreed to ask the State Senator to lend support to that budget request and try to get some visibility for that issue.
Action Items
Correspondence
Mr. Higgins called attention to the correspondence from the Attorney General’s Office that approved the general and zoning bylaw changes from Town Meeting, noting that one provision was rejected. The Town Planner will follow up with the authors of the bylaw. Mr. Higgins also pointed out correspondence from Town Counsel confirming property easement case law.
The Selectmen received correspondence from neighborhood on Sunnyside and addressStreetMorningside Lane. The DPW Superintended will come up with a plan for the issue. Ms. Mattes said there is standing water on addressStreetLaurel Drive. Mr. Higgins said they are aware, and VHB will study the area and develop a plan.
Ms. Mattes noted correspondence form a regional group planning strategies for dealing with Natural hazards. HATS is also studying this for a more local effort, particularly on issues such as flooding, storms, and power outages.
Mr. Higgins summarized actions from the meeting and reviewed past action items.
The Meeting adjourned at timeHour22Minute1510:15 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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