BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MINUTES
MARCH 5, 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 7:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements:
· Ms. Mattes announced that the Garden Club is taking on the task of reviewing the road sides particularly in regard to vegetation and stone walls, and in conjunction with the Lincoln Roadway Plan. The contact person for the project is Mary Helen Lorenz.
· Ms. Mattes announced that the Planning Board is holding an informal meeting with the proponents of a new residence at addressStreet39 North Great Road on Wednesday night. The new structure, located behind the Noah Brooks Tavern, is owned by the Global Country for World Peace. The concern is that it is not in keeping with the surrounding National Park.
· Mr. Taylor announced that the Budget Coordinating Committee has scheduled discussion of the budget at the following locations and times:
PTA, Hartwell Multi Purpose Room on March 6 at timeMinute15Hour88:15 AM
PersonNameBoard of Selectmen, Donaldson Room, Town Offices, March 12 at timeMinute0Hour197 PM
COA, Bemis Hall, March 13 at timeMinute30Hour131:30 PM
In addition they will produce an evening presentation for telecast on Cable TV.
The PTA, Selectmen and COA meetings provide opportunities for direct questions and answers
Appointments:
PersonNameRobert Steinbrook, Chairman, Finance Committee; Colleen Wilkins, Finance Director
Mr. Steinbrook and Mrs. Wilkins came before the Board to discuss a minor accounting error that has occurred. Monies that were earmarked to be transferred from the Stabilization Fund to lower tax bills actually went into Free Cash and not to the tax rebate as intended by prior town meetings The Finance Committee, Finance Director, Town Administrator and the Auditors have met to discuss the problem and the possible solution. Consensus was reached at last Tuesday evening’s Finance Committee meeting. In summary, they will meet the promises made at prior Town Meetings to provide tax relief. Mr. Higgins explained that the Stabilization Fund was established during two prior town meetings to take care of unexpected reimbursement from the county pension fund. Town Meeting decided to put those funds in a
Stabilization Fund to pare down the height of the placePlaceNameL-S PlaceTypeHigh School debt. The problem occurred in FY 06 and FY 07. When the error was discovered during the audit process, the amount was shown in Free Cash. He said that from a fiscal planning standpoint, there is no difference; no models or budget were counting on these funds. Town Meeting had directed how these funds would be spent. The intent of this decision is to follow these instructions in a timely fashion, and the Committee determined to do this in FY08. Mr. Steinbrook said the remedy is that when the FY 08 bills are sent (next fall), the Total of the $350,000 will be used to lower taxes. He stressed that these are one time funds, a rebate. The proposed override increases the tax base and continues. These funds will offset the increase for the one year. This does not change any financial planning, he said. He went on to discuss the impact on the
average household tax bill. In essence a tax credit intended for FY 06 and 07 went to Free Cash, and now will go to FY 08. Mrs. Wilkins said she apologized for the error. Processing the Tax Recap is a two part process, and the amounts were closed to free cash. She added that more controls and reconciliations will be part of this process in the future. In answer to questions from the Board, Mr. Steinbrook verified that no money was lost, there will be no negative impact on the budget, no impact on the bond rating, and the effect of is that one-half of the rebate was delayed by one year, and the other half delayed by two years. Mr. Taylor added for further clarification that because it didn’t get credited at that time, the extra funds went to Free Cash. The Chairman said the Board is grateful for the Finance Director coming forward and to all those involved for the remedy. Mrs. Wilkins apologized again. Mr. Taylor
added that Mrs. Wilkins, having had a sense that it was incomplete, had called the Department of Revenue and was given bad advice. Mr. Higgins added that the Boards involved wanted to make sure that there was full disclosure for the residents. The Selectmen will vote on this at their next meeting.
Verizon Grant of Location Hearing, Daniel Fitzgibbon
· Grant of Location Hearing- Continuance of January 29th hearing for VERIZON – addressStreetVirginia Road
The hearing was continued to allow the Board to address any concerns regarding expanded development at Massport. Ms. Mattes has presented the information to the Hansconm Field Advisory Commission (HFAC) and it does not appear to present new development. The Board understood that this 1200’ conduit would provide interoffice connection for Verizon and improved service in the area. The DPW Superintendent has reviewed the conduit and it is not in a place that will undermine an existing guardrail. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded to grant the petition (Petition NO. D06_06) for an underground conduit. The MOTION passed unanimously.
· Grant of Location Hearing- Verizon- underground conduit for addressStreetTower Road.
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded, to approve the petition for underground conduit on addressStreetTower Road as presented in Verizon letter with drawings dated dateYear2007Day27Month1January 27, 2007 (Petition No. D07_05). The Motion passed unanimously.
· Grant of Location Hearing – Verizon – underground conduit for Ppage Road.
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded to approve the petition for underground conduit on addressStreetPage Road as presented in Verizon letter with drawings dated dateYear2007Day27Month1January 27, 2007 (Petition No. D-07_06). The Motion passed unanimously.
Open Forum: No one was present for this session.
Town Administrator’s Report and Discussion
· Mr. Higgins discussed Town meeting planning. He informed the Board that residents can now access the Warrant, the Finance Committee Report and Budget, and the Capital Budget on the Town Meeting Page of the Town website. Currently there are 13 items on the consent Calendar. The Board discussed placement and timing of the Boston Cane presentation, the Hollingsworth gift acceptance and discussion of the proposed Town Flag. The Moderator’s Meeting will be Thursday, March 22 at timeHour19Minute307:30 PM.
· Mr. Higgins has spoken with the Fire Chief about the fire at 320 placeCityCambridge Turnpike. A copy of the Feasibility Study is in the packet and the Water Board has been invited to the Selectmen’s Meeting on April 9. It was noted reported by a resident of addressStreetMill St. that she pays a surcharge on her homeowners insurance, based on the distance from the fire hydrant. This may be true for other residences not served by placePlaceNameLincoln PlaceTypeTown water. that certain residences (re: Mill Street) may have insurance surcharges if they exceed a certain distance from a hydrant. The Board requested information regarding surcharges from an
insurance broker. The Feasibility Study does not discuss limitations imposed by the placeCityCambridge watershed.
· Mr. Higgins and Mr. Taylor reported that the Budget Coordinating Committee is doing a series of discussions. One will be taped for cable television distribution.
· The Deaconess project is progressing through the site plan process. The next meeting with the Planning Board is March 14. The Selectmen need to complete the LIP application to go to DHCD. Deaconess has provided a draft.
· The Mall project is also meeting on March 14. Ms. Mattes urged people to look at the specifics of the design features. The Planning Board has asked for analysis for streetscape features such as lighting, cross walks, roadside paths. RLF has committed to covering the engineering costs. The Town should expect a preliminary report from VHB. The Planning Board hopes to have the benefit of this information soon.
· Mr. Higgins discussed the February 14 snowstorm. The DPW Superintendent has now had time to look at the facts and prepare a chronology of events. Mr. Higgins commented in the succeeding storms, the response from the DPW has been better.
Liaison Reports
· Mr. Taylor reported that discussions have continued regarding the addressStreetRidge Road apartment complex. A private appraisal was conducted, and the current value is far less than the owners asking price.
· Ms. Mattes reported on attending a MAGIC meeting last Thursday night regarding “MetroFuture. MAGIC is a local subset of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and is chaired by Richard Canale of placeCityLexington. It was noted that new subgroup may be forming west of here (placeCityFramingham area). The Board needs to have a conversation with Lincoln MAPC representative Buzz Constable. The MAGIC meeting also discussed the regional transportation plan. There is a link between the TIP list and the “Journey to 2030” draft regional transportation plan funding and the Route 2 project needs to stay on the list from draft to final document. Mrs. Holden is meeting with PersonNameJohn Snell and the Route 2 Corridor Advisory Committee (CAC) which meets quarterly. It is important that the CAC submit letters requesting recommendations be made regarding the regional transportation plan. Mr. Higgins commented that the Planning Board is doing due diligence in this process by
reviewing data and preparing arguments to be made towards the goal of adjusting the scoring.
· Mrs. Holden updated the Board on the formation of a panel following the death of a student at placePlaceNameLincoln-Sudbury PlaceTypeHigh School on January 19. She has spoken with the Chairman of the Sudbury Selectmen, and has suggested a three person steering committee to help form the larger panel. She commented that it is important the entire community “buy into” the mission and make up of the panel. She also suggested that the group have nine members rather than the 11 to 15 suggested. The Lincoln Sudbury School Committee has asked for letters from volunteers willing to serve and they have received about 40 letters. Many of the details of this
panel need to be worked out. There is an L-S School Committee meeting on March 6. Ms. Mattes suggested that they should look to outside professional assistance, particularly in the shaping of the committee. Mr. Taylor said his concern was that the leadership of the panel be creditable (credible?) and neutral. One area where towns and schools overlap is in the area of public safety. Mrs. Holden will report back after the next meeting.
Action Items
BOS Meeting Schedule
The Board discussed future meeting dates. The Board will meet on March 12, 19, April 9, April 23. April 2 and April 30 were questionable.
The Board reviewed correspondence.
Mr. Higgins reviewed the action items.
Minutes were deferred.
The meeting adjourned at 9:15 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
|