BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S
MEETING MINUTES
July 9, 2007, 7:30 pm
PRESENT: Gary Taylor (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Sarah Cannon Holden
STAFF: 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 a proposed cell tower for Red Rail Farm was noticed in the Lincoln Journal pursuant to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. Ms. Mattes anticipates that the Board will hear from the Lincoln Historic Commission on this matter.
Mrs. Holden wanted to thank and acknowledge the Department of Public Works, the Recreation Department and all the volunteers for the Fourth of July festivities. The Board agreed that using Pierce Park for the Cook Out was a good idea.
Appointments:
Water Board: Andy Hall; Andrew Cole; Pat Allen, Superintendent
Water Board Candidates: Penny Billings and Alan Eschenroeder
The Chairman welcomed members of the Water Board and the candidates. Mr. Taylor opened the meeting by explaining that Water Board member Buck Creel has resigned from the Water Board following his appointment as Business Manager of the schools. This opened the position to be appointed jointly by the remaining members of the Water Board and the Board of Selectmen (until the next Town election). Mr. Hall explained that the Water Department operates as a utility that provides water to the Town. It answers to regulations and mandates by the DEP (Massachusetts) and the EPA (Federal) regarding health and safety. A discussion followed on current issues the town has with a by-product of chlorination (THM) and water lines. Dr. Cole noted that the Town has implemented a strategy to flush certain areas more often,
providing a low cost and effective solution to the THM issue. Mr. Hall said that the DEP recognized that the Town’s micro filtration system has allowed them to drop the amount of chlorination that goes into the system as well.
Candidate Penny Billings told the boards she was has practiced as a government attorney for over 25 years, some of that time dealing with State Agencies and the DEQE (now the DEP). She also spent 16 years serving the Town on the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Selectmen. She noted that the Town has an excellent water system, but as a closed system (not part of the MWRA), the Town needs to be careful for its future. Discussion followed on ideas for future strategies, investigating what other towns have done, balancing spending with obligations, and coordinating with other town boards to launch town initiatives. The Water Board must also interact with the Regulatory Agencies, something she is familiar with as an attorney.
Dr. Eschenroeder said after 20 years as a resident he would like to serve the town. Currently a professor at the Harvard School of Public Health, Dr. Eschenroeder called particular attention to his work in Santa Barbara, California on their Water Commission and City Commission. He discussed water conservation and capital planning, noting how these influence bond ratings. He commended the enterprise status and autonomy of the Water Board. Dr. Eschenroeder expressed interest in preventive maintenance and innovative systems improvements. The Selectmen discussed coordination among and between boards and committees in town to facilitate the flow of information, including participation in CLRP (Committee for Long Range Planning) and the newly designated Agriculture Commission. The Water Board discussed the
relationships with the regulatory agencies, noting that in 2005 the DEP was defending 11 lawsuits, and that basic conflicts between towns and the DEP remain unresolved. Dr. Eschenroeder said that due to regional issues of water, climate change, and the skyrocketing energy costs, the Town must look at water conservation, rate structure and improved technologies. Dr. Cole noted that the Water Board must think within the size and scope of Lincoln. Dr. Cole discussed water conservation efforts by the Town. The Board also discussed the DEP mandate to bring use down to 65 gallons per person per day. Dr. Cole commented that one of the future challenges of the Board will be personnel changes within the department. In Lincoln the Water Board hires employees who operate under the personnel rules, policies and benefits set by the Town. Both candidates understood that staff is responsible for day to day work, while the Water Board sets policies.
Ms. Mattes said that, in her work on regional issues (HATS, MAGIC, Metro Future), the direction is towards conservation, and she believes there will be future regulations on consumption, with the 65 gallons per person per day as universally accepted. The Water Board noted that the three tiered rate structure has improved consumption. The Water Board also noted that water conservation affects the income of the department, and the reward for conservation may be higher rates. Neil Feinberg asked how the candidates feel about a joint superintendent (with Public Works). Dr. Eschenroeder believed that specialized talents are involved, and it is not a good option. Dr. Cole noted a tension between the fiduciary responsibilities of the Water Board and assessing other department needs. The candidates agreed that joint discussion is important to balance pubic safety and health needs. The Selectmen said that often they appoint an ad hoc committee
to study specific matters. Mrs. Billings commented that there are statutory obligations that must be met, while resources should be spent where they will have the most effect. The Water Board thanked both candidates for their willingness to volunteer. Mr. Hall and Dr. Cole acknowledged that they were both excellent candidates with valuable skills and both would be welcome on the Board. Mrs. Holden asked if the Water Board needed certain skill sets. Ms. Mattes commented that she had conferred with the present and past members of the Board, and the Water Board members were in agreement that ability to deal with the DEP was important. The Boards discussed at length the qualifications and qualities of the candidates. The members, in turn, voted in the following manner:
For Despena Billings: Hall, Cole, and Mattes (3)
For Alan Eschenroeder: Taylor and Cannon Holden (2)
Mrs. Billings was deemed appointed.
A MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn the joint meeting. The Motion passed unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report:
Mr. Higgins did not attend this meeting.
Discussion:
The Board briefly discussed the Leggatt McCall interest in the Winter Street property. The Board acknowledged that this is still the very beginning of the process and that the main issue is the traffic. They still do not have an answer on maintaining the one way flow if there is any change in that area. The Board agreed that it is their responsibility to facilitate bringing the information forward to the Town. Members noted that with new construction in Waltham, there is an anticipated increase of 32,000 cars per day in this area. The Board also acknowledged there is potential for other types of development, given the size of the lot, and surrounding privately owned properties. All issues should be studied by the At Risk Properties Committee. The Board and staff should review the history
and origin of the one-way section of Winter Street
Action Items:
• Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to appoint Brian Young as Call Fire Fighter. Mrs. Holden seconded and the MOTION passed unanimously.
• The Selectmen will have a Workshop on Wednesday July 18.
• The Board may meet on July 23 and/or July 30 as needed
• Minutes of April 9, 2007; April 25, 2007; June 5, 2007; and June 25, 2007 were approved as corrected.
• L-S Safety Committee Report should be made available (website and Library) for citizen review.
• The Board discussed future meetings. They will have a workshop on July 18. Both July 23 and July 30 were open as possible meeting dates, if needed.
• Check that L-S Safety Review (draft) Report is on the web site.
• Minutes: The Board approved the Minutes of April 9, April 25, June 5, June 25 as corrected.
• Board of Health meeting regarding 39 North Great Road is this week. Town Counsel should prepare point by point letter for the BoH as requested.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved September 24
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