MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 12, 2007 7:30 PM
Present: Sarah Cannon-Holden (Chairman), Gary Taylor
Staff: Timothy 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: The Selectmen announced the following meetings:
Tuesday, February 13, @ 8AM, Deaconess Steering Committee in the Town Offices
Wednesday, February 14 @ 8 AM the Budget Communication Committee in the placePlaceNameHartwell PlaceTypeSchool
Thursday, February 15 @timeMinute30Hour77:30 AM Affordable Housing Trust in the Town Offices
Thursday, February 15 @ 9 AM, placeCityLincoln Emergency Planning in the placePlaceNamePublic PlaceNameSafety PlaceTypeBuilding
Appointments
placeCityLincoln Flag Committee
The following members of the Lincoln Flag Committee were present to update the Board:
Agnes Wiggin, Rick Wiggin, Jack MacLean, Rob Todd, Susan Salm.
Mrs. Wiggin presented seven designs that represented a culmination of the Committee’s process as well as input from members and citizens. Tomorrow, the Committee will place similar posters with ballots and boxes at Bemis Hall, the Library, Town Offices, placePlaceNameOld PlaceTypeTown Hall and the Smith and placePlaceTypeBrooks PlaceNameSchools. She described what they learned regarding the history and art of flag making, noting that simple designs make the best flags. The seven flag designs are:
A. Fields and Dark Skies
B. Lincoln PlaceTypeTown Seal
C. Lincoln Open Space Scene
D. Lincoln “Values”
E. Green Field
F. Library Memorial Eagle
G. Lincoln “Traditions”
Votes can be left at the six ballot places or sent to addressStreetPO Box 6084. The desire to create a town flag came about following the discovery that there is no town flag flying in the “Hall of Flags” at the State House. Three hundred other placeStateMassachusetts municipalities have flags there. The Historical Commission and others formed a committee approved by the Selectmen last fall. Ms. Wiggins said that while some towns use their town seal, others are quite unique, and still others have gone through the same process as this committee. They request that people place their votes by March 5. They will have another meeting by mid March, and then go for a sense of the Town at Town Meeting. The board thanked the Committee for their fast, thorough work and excellent presentation.
Robert Steinbrook, Chairman, Finance Committee
Mr. Steinbrook said that at this point the FINCOM recommends the FY08 preferred budget with an override for $350,000. He noted FY 07 was the first year in seven years without an override. He said the financial position of the Town is good, but there continue to be challenges presented for the Town, Lincoln Schools, and the Regional School that are driven by costs outside the control of budget restraints. He noted that the Library is not part of the override request. Mr. Steinbrook said the State Aid climate is more uncertain than previously thought. The governor’s budget has not been announced, and may not be resolved for some time. The Town has embarked on a multi-year plan to build up reserves, which now consist of the formal Reserve Fund and Free Cash. The Stabilization Fund, which in the
past also provided reserves, has been depleted as planned.. He said the non-override budget had a 3.8% increase, while the override budget represented a 5% increase. The average impact to a taxpayer, based on an average home price of 1.2 million dollars, is an increase of $157.00 for the base budget, and the total increase from last year would be $350.00 including the override amount, or 3.2%. He noted as explanation that property tax does not correspond exactly with the budget increase due to other revenues. The components of the $350,000 override include $93,500 for the Lincoln Schools, $155,800 for the Town, and $101,000 for the L-S regional high school. The formal budget hearing prior to town Meeting is scheduled for March 15 at timeMinute30Hour197:30 PM in the Town Offices. The budget requests $700,000 for capital projects and $95,000 for long range planning. Mr. Steinbrook said the base budget includes revenues from the property taxes,
state aid, town revenues and free cash. The process of putting the budget together begins with recognizing capital needs. FINCOM is taking the opportunity to fund some capital requests for the K-8 school, emergency communications and maintenance items. . For the Master Planning process, Mr. Steinbrook said that the FINCOM has not been specifically briefed, but possible requests might be identified. Mr. Steinbrook said that a new fire truck will be bonded which is appropriate. He discussed “excluded” debt where payment goes on a tax roll for a period of time, then is removed when the debt is paid off. He said that overall excluded debt is going down, even with the additional fire truck purchase. Mr. Higgins talked about the debt service. While all the current debt will be retired in the next few years, the Town can anticipate needed investment in town buildings, roads, and open space. The Master Plan may also call for
some investments. The CPC also provides a source of funding. The Board went on to discuss “free cash”. The cash reserves are kept for unanticipated needs. He described the difference between certified free cash (subject to a Town meeting vote), and the Reserve Fund (for extraordinary, unforeseen circumstances). He added that placePlaceNameLincoln PlaceNameSudbury PlaceTypeHigh School has to maintain its own reserve fund. The Board thanked Mr. Steinbrook for his presentation.
Town Administrator Report and Discussion
· In a continuance of the previous conversation, Mr. Higgins said he anticipates consensus on the Town segment of the budget. The current “preferred budget” is $185,000 over the base needs to be reduced by $30,000. While the FINCOM has added $15,000 to the base, the Town still has to drop the budget down another $15,000 to reach the target of $155,000. The Board discussed cutting $15,000 from the preferred Town budget. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to adjust the preferred budget down by $15,000 (adjustments made to Finance Department, Information Systems and Highway) as discussed. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Higgins reported on the Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee (CLRP). They have broken into steering groups, with the assistance of the Town Planner, the Assistant Town Administrator and Volunteers. The Committee has looked at three levels of options regarding the use of professional consultants:
1. consultant would do all the work (rejected);
2. consultant provides minimal work;
3. partnership between consultant and committee. This option enables volunteers to focus on higher value activities.
Mrs. Holden added that the consultant would provide the solid data on which policy could be developed. They envision a two year project, budgeted for a certain number of meetings. Mr. Higgins said the current consultant provided information on what other towns have spent and received, noting that this varies by scope and size of the Town. It was also noted that the Open Space Plan is underway, and this work would be integrated into the Master Plan. The Plan then can focus on other aspects, such as governance, built environment, economic development. Mrs. Holden said they need more volunteers to help. The preliminary report will be given at the Fall 2007 State of the Town Meeting with a follow up report at the Fall 2008 State of the Town Meeting. Mr. Taylor added that this was an
important exercise, needing a significant amount of funding. He said that due to the horizontal structure of town government, there tends to be competing interests and values, and this could be a process to understand and deal with the trade-offs needed. Mrs. Holden stressed that she does not want to see this as an expensive book or exercise that sits on a shelf when completed; that is should not be a list or several lists of priorities, but priorities established between and among the various interests of the town. The Board discussed that perhaps there should be an implementation committee following the establishment of the master plan but that this implementation committee should not be faced with making decisions or trade-offs about competing interest.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the placePlaceNameLexington PlaceTypeTown manager has informed him that placeCityLexington is considering constructing a temporary DPW at the placePlaceNameMinuteman PlaceNameRegional PlaceTypeHigh School while they are re-constructing their DPW at its current site. This would consist of trailers for workers and temporary storage and maintenance of vehicles. Mr. Higgins has urged them to include officials from placeCityLexington, and placeCityLincoln, as well as the placePlaceNameMinuteman PlaceTypeSchool and to consider the need for site plan review and/or special permit.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the Department of Revenue has rendered an opinion regarding the tax status of the privatization of Hanscom Housing. He noted that there are two sets of placeStateMassachusetts laws that apply. In some instances placeStateMass. law may allow taxes to be charged on federal lands, but placeStateMass. law also exempts (in this situation) because the beneficiary is the military. The Board noted that there may come a time when these lands and buildings are not used by the federal government. Mr. Higgins acknowledged they will have to keep an eye on these trends and it may be that the Town will have to turn to the Legislature to change the tax
status. He noted that there are approximately 800 housing units at Hanscom.
· Mrs. Holden reported on a meeting at placePlaceNameLincoln PlaceNameSudbury PlaceTypeHigh School regarding the creation of a panel to look into the tragedy three weeks ago. The L-S School Committee will ask each Board of Selectman to appoint one member to the Panel, while the School Committee will appoint the others. She noted that the School Committee is aware of the sensitive legal issues involved. Mr. Taylor noted that based on correspondence, people are concerned with both short and long term response. The Board also noted a copy of a thank you to NEMLEC and STARS for their effort and assistance at the school. Mr. Taylor noted the foresight of Police
Chief Mooney in encouraging the Town to join this helpful group.
· Mr. Higgins presented the latest warrant article list and asked the Board to look at any re-ordering. The current version is based on how the warrant was ordered in the past. There are 41 articles. Mr. Taylor suggested moving the Community Preservation up since it involves funding some capital items. Mrs. Holden suggested moving the acceptance of the Hollingsworth gift up on the list. The Board suggested that several articles could be put on the consent calendar. Mr. Higgins will work with the Chairman on re-ordering the warrant articles. Board members should also begin thinking about warrant presentations.
· The Board discussed the disposition of the Hollingsworth gift. This requires two votes; a vote to accept the gift at Town Meeting, and then a special town meeting in the fall to appropriate the funds out. The Board discussed that it might go directly to the Housing Trust. This has the potential to free up CPC funds for open space. The proceeds from the gift are to go to affordable housing and open space. Mr. Higgins reported that he has asked the conservation department to provide help in envisioning a conservation restriction on the property. The Selectmen can look at these restrictions after Town meeting.
· The Board discussed the various ballot questions. In answer to questions from the Board regarding the liquor license transferability and fee, Mr. Higgins confirmed that they license is transferable, and the Selectmen may charge a license fee. Based on surrounding towns, that fee is around $2,000.
Action Items
Mr. Taylor made a Motion that the Board vote to place referenda questions 1 through 4 (see attached) on the ballot for dateYear2007Day26Month3March 26, 2007 Annual Town Election. Mrs. Holden seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to appoint Robert P. Millian, Jr. as Constable for the Town of placeCityLincoln for one year from dateYear2007Day1Month3March 1 2007 through dateYear2008Day29Month2February 29, 2008. The Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Higgins and the Board reviewed the action items from the meeting.
Mr. Higgins reviewed future meeting appointments.
Minutes were deferred
The Meeting adjourned at timeMinute30Hour219:30 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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