MINUTES
NameBoard of Selectmen –
November 20, 2006, 2006 7:30 p.m.
PRESENT: PersonNameSarah Cannon Holden (chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Tim Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at timeMinute30Hour197:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements:
Ms. Mattes announced that the combined November/ December HATS meeting will be held on December 14. The topic for discussion will be emergency preparedness as well as the recent preservation efforts along The Battle Road.
Appointments:
Proposal to Establish a Town Flag
Present: Agnes Wiggin, Dilla Tingley, Susan Salm, Jack MacLean, Rob Todd, Rick Wiggin.
Ms. Wiggins told the Board that it was brought to the attention of the Lincoln Historical Society that the Town of placeCityLincoln presently does not have a town flag, nor a flag represented in the Hall of Flags in the State House. They are asking for official recognition for their committee, with an additional at large member or two, to work towards the goal of establishing a town flag. They announced if anyone was interested to contact any member here or to write the Lincoln Cultural Council at addressStreetBox 426. They discussed a general timeline, looking for input through January, then in February have a meeting, get reactions, put it on the Town website, then present at Town Meeting. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded, to support the endeavors of the Lincoln Flag Committee.
The MOTION passed unanimously.
Chief Cotoni: Candidates for Call Firefighters
Chief Cotoni introduced Justin Petrazzi and James PIanka to request their appointment as call fire fighters. The Chief explained the interview process and their present and future training courses. They will work duty with full-time fire fighters. He noted the last full time firemen were hired from the call list. Adding these two new call members would bring the number of call fire fighters up to eight; he would like to have ten. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded to approve Justin Petrazzi and James Pianka to the position of Call Fire Fighter for the Lincoln Fire Department. The Motion passed unanimously. The Board also wanted to send compliments to both the Lincoln and Concord Fire Departments on the good work with recent accident on Route 2. Mr. Taylor also suggested
that Mr. Snell from the Planning Board to come speak with the Selectmen about recent developments on the Route 2 upgrade. Ms. Mattes added that part of the discussion would be to understand how ranking and decisions are made by the MPO.
Chief Mooney: Candidate for Special Police Officer
Chief Mooney said that there has been turnover in the Dispatcher position. He would like to hire a special police officer which would allow training time for a new hire. He anticipates that one of the current dispatchers will take a position with another town soon. Appointing Matthew Parlon would allow him to start training at 16 hours per week and be able to move into a full time position in January. He currently works for the Boston Public Health Commission as a Campus Police Officer. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to appoint Matthew Parlon as a special police officer/ part time dispatcher. Ms. Mattes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Geoff McGean, Executive Director, Rural Land Foundation.
Mr. McGean presented a revised version of the Conservation Restriction on the property at addressStreet23 Bedford Road (the Heck property). The CR is similar to the one presented and in 2005. Exhibiting the plan, Mr. McGean explained the conservation restrictions and the minor changes. Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve the Conservation Restriction proposed by James W. Lintott, trustee of the addressStreet23 Bedford Road Nominee Trust. Ms. Mattes seconded, and the Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report
Discussion
· The Board noted that the time frame for preparing the budget is compressed; their discussion will be only two days prior to the Meeting.
· The Board discussed the recent NSTAR request for tree removal. Ms. Mattes commented that it is irresponsible for NSTAR to imply that service is unreliable due to the trees without noting their own aged infrastructure. She asked the Board to notice the pruning that has occurred on addressStreetOld County Road, and wonder how to prevent that in the future. Mr. Taylor believed the Town should be monitoring reliability of the NSTAR system. In regard to the tree removal, Mr. Taylor thought that the tree removal could be considered a two step process. The first would be a set of trees generally agreed upon to be removed, and a second set where
the property owners and/or the tree warden have issues that need more consideration. Other Board members agreed that there needs to be a monitoring system for the NSTAR infrastructure, as well as a need for future discussion with the tree warden regarding the tree removal process, pruning and removal of under wire saplings. The Board discussed having a written approach for the DPW and NSTAR to follow. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve removal of all the trees on the NSTAR list except those held out by the Tree Warden and by the property owners, with the understanding that the Tree Warden has approved that list. The Motion passed unanimously. The Board continued discussion on how the process might be improved, including getting contracted advice.
· The Board discussed dates for the groundbreaking ceremony at addressStreetSunnyside Lane. The ceremony will take place at timeMinute30Hour99:30 AM on dateYear2006Day11Month12December 11, 2006.
· The Board determined that it would be a good idea to have the Deaconess Steering Committee stay active.
· The Board discussed management of the Mall re-construction in order to minimize inconvenience. The Board would like to organize a working group for construction mitigation that would include the RLF, its team and abutters, including Lincoln Woods, placeCitySt. Joseph’s, Cambridge Trust and the owners of addressStreet160 Lincoln Road (the Boyntons).
· Sarah Cannon-Holden reported on a productive meeting on Thursday, November 16 with the Committee for Long Range Planning (CLRP). The Committee will meet again on December 14. They are considering having a professional facilitator at their meeting in January. Mr. Taylor commented that it is important to keep this moving forward in order to have a reasoned researched vantage point when development moves forward, particularly in placeSouth Lincoln.
· Mr. Taylor reported developments with the Affordable Housing Trust. He met with LexHab and Peter Smith who was active in the development of Battle Road Farm. Mr. Taylor also reported that the Trust documents and the CPC grant have been approved.
· The Board has received a copy of the “Lincoln Reconnaissance Report, Freedom’s Way Landscape Inventory,” which identified sites to protect. Mr. Higgins said that the report also includes approximately 10 elements that can be put into the Master Plan.
· Mrs. Holden reported that she had attended the Lincoln Sudbury High School 50th Birthday Celebration, and noted that several rooms have been re-dedicated and the have initiated a “Wall of Recognition.”
· There will be a MAGIC Meeting (sub group of MAPC) on December 9 to discuss regional transportation issues.
· Mrs. Holden met with Town Historian Peg Martin, who is concerned about archiving at the Library. Mr. Higgins commented that this actually involves three entities: the Library, the Historical Society and the Town Clerk. Mr. Higgins will speak with the Town Clerk for follow up.
· It was noted that the Codman farmers, Ray and Harriet Adamson will move on in the spring.
· Ms. Mattes has spoken with Nancy Pimental and when she leaves there will be only one person on the committee. The public should know that events everyone has come to expect will not happen if there is no committee. Tonight the Recreation Committees is voting about taking on some of the activities around the Fourth of July. The Committee needs people in place on the committee or there will not be a parade. Other summer activities (concerts, etc.) need someone working on them by February 1. The Selectmen asked volunteers to step forward and hopes that the churches and other community leaders could make announcements.
Action Items
· The Board reviewed the bid sheet from Chris Bibbo, Highway Superintendent. A Motion was made and seconded to approve the contract for “Washed Sand” to Assabet Sand and Gravel, the low bidder. The Motion passed unanimously.
· The Board reviewed the letter from Boy Scout Leader Walter Gundy requesting use of the Codman lot at the corner of Lincoln and Codman Roads for the annual sale of Christmas Trees and Wreaths. The Board noted that the funds stay local. A MOTION was made and seconded to approve the request as stated in the letter and attachment. The Motion passed unanimously.
Correspondence
The Board reviewed correspondence. Ms. Mattes noted the Planning Board’s site plan review decision regarding addressStreet39 North Great Road, and thanked them for their continued stewardship and preservation along the addressStreetBattle Road
Minutes
The Board approved Minutes from September.
The Meeting adjourned at timeMinute15Hour99:15.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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