MINUTES
Board of Selectmen’s Meeting
Monday, December 11, 2006 7:15 PM
PRESENT: PersonNameSarah Cannon Holden (chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Tim Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at timeMinute15Hour197:15 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Appointments:
PersonNameJohn Koenig: CPC Update & Interviews
Also present: Craig Donaldson, PersonNameBill Stason
The Board reviewed the history of the CPC and the makeup of its members (four appointed by the Selectmen, five from other committees). The Board asked about the operations. The CPC receives requests from various groups. There is a mandatory “set aside” for three specific groups: housing, historic preservation, and conservation. The CPC can decide not to propose any uses and bank roll monies for a future project. The CPC looks at long range plans and tries to balance current needs versus future needs. They recognize that the Town would not want the CPC to put aside a huge amount, but still consider future projects that may have a higher priority. Discussion followed on the interaction between the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) and the Capital Planning Committee. Mr.
Koenig said they have accelerated their schedule to match with Capital Planning. The Capital Planning Committee gets funding for what is not community preservation eligible. Mr. Taylor commented on the coordination and timing of the three financial committees for each year’s budget. The Board urged anticipating changes in state financing. Ms. Mattes said it is reassuring to her that projects have a tough bar to meet. It was noted that the grant to the Affordable Housing Trust has not yet been used, but that it goes back to the CPC for evaluation. Mr. Koenig commented that being able to evaluate projects going forward gives the CPC the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities prior to Town meeting. Discussion turned to appointments and re-appointments to the CPC. Mr. Donaldson said he has learned a lot on the committee and credited the Chairman with moving things forward. Mr. Stason said he has been looking for a way
to become re-involved with the town. He has been on several boards in town including the Assessors, Codman Farm, and Health. He attended meetings of both the Conservation Commission and the CPC as a potential volunteer. Mr. Taylor commented that it is good to have people with a broad range of experience join the Board. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION, Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint Mr. John Keonig and Dr. Craig Donaldson to three year terms, to expire in April of 2009. The Motion passed unanimously. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION, Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint Dr. PersonNameBill Stason to finish the unexpired term of Mary Cancian, set to expire in April 2007, and to add Dr. Stason name to the “consent” calendar for reappointment in April. The Motion passed unanimously.
Announcements:
· Ms. Mattes announced that the next Meeting of HATS will be a discussion let by Jeanne Krieger of placeCityLexington regarding community preparedness for emergencies. Other discussion will include updates on interest in developing an aviation museum at the airport.
· Mr. Taylor announced an upcoming meeting with Senator Fargo scheduled at the placePlaceNameMass PlaceNameMedical PlaceTypeCenter in placeCityWaltham. He will report back with the date.
· Mrs. Holden announced that the next CLRP meeting is on December 14 in the Town Offices. Mrs. Holden also announced that the transition team for Governor-elect Patrick will be meeting with local representatives on December 13 in placeCityBoston.
· Mr. Taylor announced that there will be a Deaconess Steering Committee this coming Wednesday morning. There is also a ground breaking ceremony that morning for the new addressStreetSunnyside Road affordable units. He thanked Anita Scheipers and Rayna Caplan for the Sunnyside effort.
· Mrs. Holden reported that in September of this year Florence Hollingsworth of Lincoln passed away at the age of 100. She had no direct descendents and the PersonNameBoard of Selectmen has received word that she has left her house and five acres of land to the Town. Mrs. Holden discussed the process. The Town has to vote to accept the gift at the Town Meeting in March. Then they will move forward with the provisions of the will. Mrs. Holden said she would discuss the details with the Executor. There is nothing in the will that states that the house has to be used for affordable housing.
Open Forum – No one was present for this session
Town Administrator’s Report:
· Mr. Higgins reported that he is working with the Town Counsel on the liquor license. The Board would like to understand the transfer rights of the license, and if the Board has the right to limit or prohibit such transfer.
· Mr. Higgins reported that staff has begun the annual appointment process by canvassing boards and their chairmen. An announcement will be put in the paper and the consent list developed. The Board asked that the major boards and committees come in before Town Meeting.
· Mr. Higgins reported that due to the fact that PersonNameMary Day is the Assistant Town Treasurer she is prohibited from voting in certain organizations, such as the Middlesex County Retirement Board. The Board could vote her as Acting Treasurer, thus giving her those rights. A MOTION was made and seconded to permit PersonNameMary Day as Acting Treasurer for voting purposes in the Middlesex County Retirement Board. The Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion:
Budget – The Board looked at key elements. By reducing it by about $120,000, it would come down to a 6.1% increase, approximately $185, 000 over the base (3% budget). For placePlaceNameLincoln-Sudbury PlaceTypeHigh School, the 3% means a one million dollar cut, which transfers to a cut of 20 to 30 Full Time Employees. They are looking for at least 5% funding. Mr. Higgins returned to the placeCityLincoln budget noting that this may be an opportunity to rebuild Town reserves. There are increasing needs for capital expenditures, as wells as the on-going expenses of insurance. Mr. Taylor reported that the Recreation Department has discussed field maintenance and will pay for this out of their revolving account. There is ongoing consideration of synthetic fields which are cost effective and water and
conservation sensitive.
Liaison Reports:
Mr. Higgins, Mrs. Scheipers and Mrs. Holden met this morning regarding the Pierce House. Income has fallen for the Pierce House in the last few years and the Committee wants to consider alternative business models. The Codman Trust provided funding for a professional study, an RFP was issued, but there were no responses. A placeCityLincoln resident, and faculty member at Bentley, has propsed using MBA students who will collect and compile date and trends. They will then propose a business plan, and report back by April.
Correspondence:- The Board reviewed correspondence.
Action Items: Mr. Higgins reviewed the action items.
Vote to go into Executive Session
A MOTION was made and seconded to go into Executive Session pursuant to MGL Chapter 39, Section 23B, not to return to regular session. A poll was taken of the Board: Mrs. Holden – aye; Ms. Mattes – aye; Mr. Taylor – aye. The vote was unanimous and the regular session adjourned at timeHour9Minute109:10.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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