MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 4, 2006
PRESENT: PersonNameSarah Cannon Holden (chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Tim Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at time7:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements
· Ms. Mattes announced that HATS will hold a combined November-December Meeting on dateYear2006Day14Month12December 14, 2006.
· Mr. Taylor announced that there will be Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Sunnyside Lane Affordable Housing units on December 11 with light refreshments at the Pierce House at timeMinute0Hour99AM followed by the Ceremony at the site at timeMinute30Hour99:30 AM. The Board discussed the land exchange with the State and the monetary help provided by the Lincoln Foundation and the Rural Land Foundation in the acquisition of the addressStreetSunnyside Lane properties. It was also noted that the State has not accepted the lot offered by Lincoln as part of the exchange. That property is located on the border of Walden Woods, acquired by the Town as a tax
taking in the 1930’s. While it was part of the negotiations and its value created the opportunity for a price offset for the Sunnyside property equal to the value of the Walden property, the State has not finalized the exchange. Ms. Mattes reviewed the history and cooperation involved for this town sponsored project.
· Mrs. Holden expressed appreciation to the DPW for the wall repair in the front of the Town Offices.
· Mr. Higgins announced the Budget Meeting at timeMinute45Hour217 PM, Wednesday, December 6 at the timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21Hartwell timeMinute45Hour21Building, timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21Lincoln timeMinute45Hour21School campus.
· Mr. Higgins announced that the Planning Board is meeting Wednesday evening for a scoping session to identify the issues for site plan review for both the Mall and the Deaconess projects.
· Mr. Taylor announced that the Deaconess Steering Committee will meet on December 18 at timeMinute45Hour218 AM
Open Forum – No one was present for this session.
Town Administrator’s Report
The focus of the Town Administrator’s Report was preparation for the budget. He commended the department heads for their work. As usual the Finance Committee (FINCOM) asked for two budgets: a “preferred” budget and a budget capped at 3%. He noted that the Town is in a better position than in prior years. Mr. Higgins described the areas in the budget where there were savings. He also noted that new GASB regulations require hiring an actuary to review long term expenses, and cost of the actuary is built into both budgets. In order to facilitate discussion, Mr. Higgins provided a handout that broke the expenses down into the following categories: Staffing, Training and Staff Development, Contracted Services and others. Detailed discussion followed on the
EMT/paramedic service if or when timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21Emerson timeMinute45Hour21Hospital cuts back on its service. Lack of volume might argue for a regional approach for this problem. Mr. Higgins reminded the Board of (former) Chief Burke’s collaboration with Chief Willette of timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21Concord regarding training of firefighters to the EMT level. Mr. Higgins also said that the situation improved when the towns helped the hospital emergency response program by increasing its funding.
Discussion
FY 08 Town Budget Proposal
Members of the Board commented that the better alternative to further development of an independent capability might be to continue to support the hospital. Mr. Higgins said the some of the costs of supporting service by our own EMT personnel are already embedded in the departmental budget, i.e., the already existing employee costs necessary to meet staffing requirements in the Fire Department. For the Police discussion, the Board discussed the NIMS program costs and the restoration of training programs. For Information Technology, the Board discussed increasing the maintenance budget as a preventive measure. It was noted that Public Safety Communication needs to be upgraded. Ms. Mattes added in relation to the installation of new Verizon cable TV, internet and phone service that seniors
should be advised to consider maintaining their copper wires as they upgrade their phone systems, because these lines are more reliable in power outages. Public Works budget discussion included maintenance of guard rails on the roads and tree pruning. Mr. Higgins noted that the Tree Warden and the Public Works Director are working closely together using timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21Lincoln standards, and this tree program is separate from the NSTAR issues. Discussion followed on other individual budgets. The preferred budget presents an 8.2% increase. The Board suggested lowering the preferred budget to the 5-6% range, more in line with the economy. Mr. Higgins noted it is a work in progress, and made suggestions as to how to cut expenses from the preferred budget. Total suggested reductions at this point could be (+/-) $116,000, which would lower the preferred budget to 6.3%. He suggested that there will be a better sense after
the Budget Meeting on December 6.
Comprehensive Long-range Planning Committee update
Mrs. Holden reported on the recent meeting and “Brainstorming Session” by the Lincoln Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee (CLRP). Discussion followed on the Town Vision Statement, the CLRP Statement of Purpose, and the issues raised by CLRP members at the Brainstorming session. Ms. Mattes suggested adding a component on the future structure of the education system, what it will look like, and how it is delivered, as part of the consideration. The Board also emphasized the importance of a vital retail center. Mr. Taylor suggested the process should include an examination of the functions a community fulfills and how those functions get implemented.
Liaison Reports
· Ms. Mattes reported that the Celebrations Committee has only one member at this time, and if volunteers do not come forward, there will be no 4th of July Celebration. The Recreation Committee has formed a study group regarding taking on the Fireworks component. Fireworks and other contracts must be done in January. There was discussion about the possibility of the Recreation department adding staff to help run the events on the 4th (the road race, parade, fireworks). The Board noted that the celebration budget has always been for purchasing materials and services, not staffing. The Board suggested that perhaps
there should be some allowance for extra dollars for this purpose.
· Mr. Taylor reported on a meeting with Peter Smith regarding ways to organize the effort regarding the Affordable Housing Trust. Mr. Smith was previously involved with the development of Battle Road Farm.
Action Items
Vote to Award Contracts:
· Snow plowing -Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to accept the bid for “Hired Equipment for Snow Removal for the 2007 Winter Season” as recommended in DPW Superintendent’ memo of November 30, 2006. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion seconded unanimously.
timeMinute45Hour21timeMinute45Hour21· Annual timeMinute45Hour21Town Report printing – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to award the Bid for printing of the Annual Town Report and Financial Section/ Warrant to Country Press as outlined in the Memo from Assistant Town Administrator Anita Scheipers dated timeMinute45Hour21December 1, 2006. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Review Board’s meeting schedule – The Board reviewed the future meetings scheduled for December.
The Board reviewed the status of previous action items.
Review correspondence- Ms. Mattes reported on sending a message to Governor- Elect Deval Patrick concerning simplifying the process to allow municipalities to set up their own utilities. Discussion turned to contacting DTE about maintenance and replacement of low voltage wires by NSTAR. Mr. Taylor said he would contact them.
Mr. Higgins summarized action items.
The Minutes of October 30, November 6, and November 20 were approved as edited.
The Selectmen approved the Warrants.
The Meeting adjourned at timeMinute45Hour219:45 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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