BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S MEETING final
June 25, 2007, 7:30 pm
PRESENT: Gary Taylor (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Sarah Cannon Holden
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 a Job Fair at Logan (Massport) from 9 to 3 at the United Air Hangar
· Ms. Mattes said that residents have called complaining about solicitation for the Association of Police Officers. This group is not registered with the local police. She asked that the paper and the COA be notified of this.
Appointments:
Lincoln Historic Commission and Historic District Commission Re: Status Report/ Appointments
Present; Lucretia Giese (Chairman) Lincoln Historical Commission; PersonNameRuth Wales (Chairman) Historic District Commission; Colin Smith (member and past Chairman)
As Selectman liaison to the LHC and HDC, MS. Mattes welcomed the commission members to the meeting. She noted that Colin Smith has been a member for since the inception of these two commissions and was chairman for many years. Acknowledging that placeCityLincoln had done a lot for land conservation, she expressed appreciation for those that paid attention to the “built” environment early on. Ms. Giese commented that the two distinct commissions are interconnected. The Lincoln Historic Commission began in the mid 1970’s, while the Historic District Commission was developed in 1981. The LHC has five members while the HDC has five regular members plus two PersonNamePlanning Board representatives and two alternates (at large). The LHC administers the Demolition Delay bylaw and
will be represented in any Neighborhood Conservation District Commission (Bylaw passed at Town meeting in 2006). There is pressure for demolition of older smaller homes and they now review one or two of these requests every meeting. Due to this fact, the original five members may not always be sufficient for the quorum necessary to review cases and the LHC could use alternates as well. The section of placeStateMassachusetts law that governs the LHC does not presently have provisions for alternates. The Commissioners informed the Board that placeCityDanvers is asking the Legislature to modify the bylaw. The Board discussed this and will look into what placeCityDanvers is doing and support that, if appropriate. Other than that, the Town would need special legislation and a vote of Town meeting. Ms. Giese explained the process of the Demolition Delay Bylaw. She said that following the application, the LHC determines if a house has
architectural or historic significance. If the LHC determines that it is significant, then the LHC calls for a public hearing to which the applicant is required to submit further information including plans for the proposed restoration or new construction. If the LHC then decides it should be preserved, there is a delay for 12 months (this was increased from timeMinute0Hour186 to 12 months at the most recent Town Meeting). The Commissioners said this time frame provides an opportunity to negotiate a more sympathetic outcome. Ms. Giese said it is important to note that the demolition delay only applies only to houses not in the Historic District. The Historic District is the jurisdiction of the Historic District Commission.
Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to re-appoint Lucretia Giese and PersonNameAndy Ory to the Lincoln Historic Commission and the Historic District Commission for a term of three years (2007-2010). Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to re-appoint Colin Smith to a term of two years (2007-2009). Ms. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Discussion followed that the present alternates for the HDC should be polled to see if they would also be willing to serve as alternates to the LHC when that can be finalized.
Ms. Wales said the Commission works from three lists of historically significant properties. The first contains the properties within the historic districts in town. These are subject to the HDC review, but not the Demolition Delay Bylaw. The second list consists of homes not within the district but otherwise listed in the Massachusetts Historic Inventory. The third list has a few homes constructed prior to 1800 that are not protected. There has been some talk of putting them in stand alone districts. The LHC also has a list of the homes listed in the FOMA list of modernist houses. They noted a gap in existing inventories between the older homes and those of the 1930’s. Mr. Smith discussed protective elements that can be put in place by the homeowner,
such as individual deed restrictions, that can protect specific features or elements of a home. Residents and the Town should be aware of the tax implications this could have. The Board and the Commission also discussed ways to make residents and prospective home buyers aware of preservation restrictions through the permitting process. There was a discussion of developing a brochure that could be distributed by realtors to their customers and of potential use of the town website. The Board thanked the Commission members for coming in.
Chris Bibbo, Highway Superintendent
Re: Proposed Roadway Improvement Plan
Mr. Higgins opened the discussion by stating that in recent years the Town has allocated an average of $200,000 a year for neighborhood roadway maintenance. The Selectmen asked the DPW Superintendent to provide an inventory of current road conditions and to create a program, including cost estimates for road maintenance going forward, with the proviso that whatever is done will be in keeping with Lincoln’s Roadway Design Guidelines. Mr. Bibbo prepared a Power Point presentation, “Paving Plan 2007.” Mr. Bibbo outlined the mission, the purpose and methodology of the study, roadway design sensibilities, and current road conditions (secondary, neighborhood, and primary). Mr. Bibbo followed this with an explanation of normal pavement deterioration, a Pavement Condition Index (from the 1997 VHB Roadway
Management Study), and a recent visual inspection evaluation of deterioration. The presentation included a discussion of traditional operating budget funding, typical yearly public works expenditures for maintenance, and an explanation of the need for additional expenditures. Finally, the superintendent had a list of recently completed road work, including a road classification, action and year the work was done. He listed the roads that need work and the goals of the department for the work ahead while maintaining safety and aesthetics. He provided cost estimates for the 20 miles of roads that need work and the funding options (local funding and Chapter 90 Funds). Photographs of some of the conditions were displayed. Mr. Bibbo also used a map that color coded the roads as to condition. Mr. Higgins suggested that the Town might be able to avoid some of the funding by putting aside Chapter 90 funds over a few years, and using the total for
re-construction of a major road. The Board commented that prior to road re-construction there should be an understanding of where new water lines or conduits may be installed so as to avoid reconstructing a road only to have it subsequently torn up. Mr. Higgins and Mr. Bibbo told the Board that if the utilities are notified prior to road construction, they cannot install new conduit for five years following such construction. The Board also noted that there will be local traffic impacts from new placeCityWaltham developments and potential new developments in placeCityLexington and placeCityBurlington. The Board suggested working with CTPS for traffic modeling as well as gaining an understanding of the infrastructure of what is buried under the roads prior to road re-constructions projects. The Board discussed financing these projects. The preferred method is sustainable long term sequencing of funding while staging construction projects over two
years or more if necessary. State statute limits pavement-related debt to ten years. Next steps include contacting CTPS for traffic modeling and getting utility plans (water, gas, electric). Design and financial issues need to be incorporated in the long-term plan, Mr. Higgins said. The Board asked that the Pavement plan be placed on the website.
Discussion
Agricultural Commission
Present: Jim Henderson (Conservation Commission), Ellen Raja, Betty Levin, Heidi Topfel (Codman Farmer)
Ms. Mattes explained that in the past the Conservation Commission (ConsCom) traditionally managed the farm leases and Town farm lands. The ConsCom in recent years has spent increased time on regulatory matters. Last year (2006?) the formation of the new Agricultural commission went to Town Meeting for a “sense of the Town” vote and was approved. Ms. Mattes has created background information, a mission, charge, and tasks for the Agricultural Commission. These documents were reviewed by the PersonNameBoard of Selectmen and minor edits will be incorporated.
Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to authorize the formation of an Agricultural Commission as written in the Draft Mission and Charge dateYear2007Day15Month606/15/07. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. Mrs. Raja, a sheep farmer, said that the rural character of the Town cannot be taken for granted. Ms. Levin added that neighborhood cooperation is important. The Board agreed that new residents to Town may need to be aware that this is a valued part of the Town. This could be part of a Town brochure for new residents regarding the permitting process. The Board thanked the participants for coming in.
Town Administrator’s Report
· Mr. Higgins reported on the Comprehensive Plan process. The scope of work is the new focus. The RFP for the consultant will be prepared by the Steering Committee. They hope to have a contract by September with a Report by Town Meeting. The Steering Committee is planning retreat. Response from the CLRP Meeting of June 19 has been positive particularly in involving the wider community.
· The School Committee has passed along their report on facilities planning. It was noted that there were no cost estimates at this time.
Discussion
addressStreet· 160 Old County Road (Arshad property) – The consensus by the Board following the last meeting was to move forward with a quantitative assessment and re-convene the At-Risk Properties Committee. The At Risk Committee was well served by consultant Judith Barrett in the past and will contact her for an update. Ms. Mattes suggested having Leggatt McCall pay for an analyst selected by the town.. She also said it is a necessary first step to resolve the one-way issue, to make sure that any changes would not jeopardize the one-way access. No further discussion would be possible if
this matter was not resolved to the town’s satisfaction and the one-way preserved. In addition it is important to find out where the road access point would be. The Board agreed. They also agreed that there has been no discussion about lifting, removing, or compromising the one way access, but rather perhaps enhancing it with a detail police officer who would direct traffic away from addressStreetOld County Road... The Board agreed to re-convene the At-Risk Committee, including the Water Board and the Board of Health, after the one-way questions was resolved and further technical “At Risk” analysis was completed.
· Hanscom Housing - Mr. Higgins has been looking at the privatization, including the “waterfall provision” which allows them to rent this to those outside the military. This is not happening now and is unlikely in the future, since there is not enough housing for military in the area
· Utilities – Mr. Higgins reported that current mechanisms within the Department of Telecommunication and Energy favor the utilities. He has gathered sample bylaws from other communities in their efforts. Mr. Taylor wants to inform the utilities (NSTAR) that they will tax them for the second pole. NSTAR has indicated they believe that the original agreements to allow poles would allow them the double pole. The Board would like to better understand any limitations by statute.
· Muster Barn – Mr. Higgins reported that Town Staff participated in painting the Muster Barn (storage barn used by the Conservation Commission). Photos were provided.
· Ms. Mattes said that she will work on the Pierce House Study Group (ad hoc) charge and mission statement between now and the fall.
· The Board is working on their letter to the Board of Health (BOH) in support of the National Park Appeal of BOH decision on addressStreet39 North Great Road.
· Mall re-development. Mr. Higgins reported that the PersonNamePlanning Board has issued their permit. The RLF is appealing the decision at this time, and hope to further the discussion.
· The Board discussed the Hollingsworth property. The house is in bad condition. They are getting consulting help from modernist architect Gary Wolf regarding suggestions as to how best to preserve the essence of the structure, while recognizing the potential for substanstial renovation and some expansion.. Conservation Planner Angela Seaborg is to inform of site visit time and place. It was suggested that there may be model language from Joel Freedman of the Neighborhood conservation District.
· Ms. Mattes will not be at the meeting on July 23. September 10 would be the first meeting in September. The meeting with local legislators should be pushed back to that date.
The meeting adjourned at timeMinute0Hour2210:00 PM
Minutes were deferred.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved on dateMonth7Day9Year2007July 9, 2007
| 
