The Town of Lincoln, MA - DECEMBER 3, 2007 BOS MINUTES

· Mr. Taylor announced that the Recreation Department is sponsoring a Winter Carnival from February 1 through February 3, and is inviting all groups to participate. For more information contact the Recreation Department at 781-259-0784.

· Ms. Mattes announced the HATS meeting on December 11 at 7:30 PM in the Town Offices, and will include representatives from the MAPC including their liaison to the Legislature. The topic will be Zoning Reform.

· Mr. Higgins reported that letters in support of the Town of Bedford’s proposed legislation regarding funding assistance for education of military families were mailed to the State legislators and the other HATS towns. Bedford subsidizes students from Hanscom AFB by approximately $1,5 million from local funds.

· Mr. Higgins confirmed the date and time of the groundbreaking ceremony for “The Groves,” the Deaconess elder housing development. He reported that DHCD has approved the LIP application for 30 affordable units which will be counted on the town‘s inventory once building permits are issued. The Town will then be over the required 10% affordable housing until after 2010 when there is a new census. Due to rising construction costs, the permit fees will be in excess of $500,000 and the first year property tax estimate is $900,000.

· Mr. Higgins reminded the Board that it voted to make Joel Freedman a full member and Gus Browne an associate member at least week’s meeting. Staff is working to have the two new candidates and the Chairman in for a meeting in the near future.

· Mr. Higgins reported that an abutter (the Rizzo’s) have stepped forward to offer an easement for the emergency access route for the Lincoln School campus. This will most likely use an existing path and culvert suitable for an ambulance or cruisers. The Fire and Police Chiefs are comfortable with this solution.

· Budget- Mr. Higgins said the Joint Budget Workshop will be held in the Hartwell Building Multi- Purpose Room on Wednesday, December 5. Dinner (pizza) will be served at 6 with the meeting starting at 7.

· Mr. Higgins went on to discuss the base budget, a 3% increase versus a preferred (override) budget of approximately 5%. He noted that salaries make up 70% of the budget, and that FY 09 will be the first year of a new collective bargaining contract. Typically departments try to preserve personnel level of service while paring expenses back. With the base budget, there will be no lay-offs, but a reduction in staff support.

o At Public Safety (PS) there is a reduction of five hours per week for the secretarial staff. He also said that the PS budget shows a reduction in the training budget back to the State mandated amount. There would also be a reduction in dedicated traffic enforcement. The Board noted that there is a misconception that a dedicated “ticketing” officer would pay for that increase, and it does not. Mr. Higgins noted that there are 14 officers, working three shifts, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Additional officers require the Town making an additional investment.

o The Council on Aging budget shows a modest reduction in transportation, and they are considering fees to cover the costs of maintaining level of service in that section. The additional staff at COA was added in the FY 08 budget. Additional outreach is shown in their preferred budget.

o The Veteran’s budget, which had been inactive, is now back in the budget. The Board asked about Federal responsibility for this expense. Mr. Higgins briefly explained that the local Veteran’s Agent works to assist with the Veterans. The Town fronts the expenditure and files for reimbursement. Mr. Higgins said the current base budget for Town activities, at 3.3% (18,000), is slightly over the target and will need refinement.

· The preferred budget is currently $200,000 over the base. He noted the ZBA is asking to increase their staff budget from 15 to 20 hours per week. He also said some departments would like to restore budgets to past levels.

o The Police Department is asking for $58,000 over the base to increase overtime for dedicated traffic enforcement, as well as restorations of administrative hours, special police budget, and training related expenses (tuition and mileage).

o The Fire Department would like to change from District 13 to District 14, a district that is more successful with grants, and has some geographic advantage. There is a one time entrance fee of $6,000. The emergency medical services training levels would go from Basic to Intermediate. In terms of emergency response, there would be a great improvement for delivery of care. The cost is $37,000 to train four for the fiscal year, and additional dollars in the next fiscal year to train two more. The goal is to eventually train six of the staff, allowing one per shift and two for back up. Ultimately this also represents an increase for stipends at a cost of $1,000 per year per firefighter ($6,000 per year). The Board asked about attendant equipment costs. Mr. Higgins will look into the cost side and revenue side for this expense.

o Public Works/ Highway is asking for an increase of one staff person (from 8 to 9). The DPW runs the Transfer Station, snow plowing, cemeteries, special projects, roads, cleaning catch basins, etc. In the last ten years there has been a reduction in staff at the DPW. This is a $45,000 operating budget line item and benefits cost. The Superintendent is also looking for $5,000 to improve roadside maintenance. There is also a $5,000 request for cleaning catch basins and material disposal. The DPW requests additional funding to increase the tree maintenance contract and police detail budget. They also are seeking funding for janitorial services for one day per week. A $1,000 Cemetery request can be offset by a transfer from Cemetery funds.

o Culture and Recreation have a preferred budget that is $8,000 over the base. This would include increasing field maintenance, pool hours, and basketball programs. Mr. Higgins noted that the department returns 80 -90% through user fees.

o Mr. Higgins said that he and the Finance Director will discuss GASB 45 at the Budget Meeting. The Town is required to calculate liability for employee pensions and health insurance 30 years out, including a plan for funding. Discussion followed on the partial self insurance program that the town embarked on three years ago for health insurance. When costs are low, surplus develops, which goes back to the Town. In the first year, the Town broke even; in the second, there was a slight surplus; and in the third, there has been a substantial surplus. While there is a need to carry a certain amount in reserve, at some point, we could consider rate relief or put it back in the general fund.

The total preferred budget for Town activities is 6.5% above the FY 08 budget. The Board discussed the potential to live within the base budget. Mr. Higgins urged looking at the capital budget and the operating budget holistically. The Board will want to review long- term plans for Public Safety given the expanded needs of “the Groves.” Capital Planning is reviewing requests for $1.5 million. There will be another meeting before the capital plan goes to the FINCOM. The date to decide the budget is February 11.

· At Risk Properties Committee (ARPC_ -Mr. Higgins said that the ARPC next meets on December 12. There is a Financial Fact Sheet. The consultants will work on five different scenarios using the Arshad property alone, and five more scenarios using the Arshad property in combination with two adjacent properties. The Board asked if there were any minutes or tape of the last meeting.

· Ad Hoc Traffic Committee. Ms. Mattes said the new Traffic Committee will meet very soon. Proposed membership includes John Caswell, Beth Ries, Dan Boynton, Buzz constable, Ken Bassett, Tim Higgins, Sara Mattes. It was suggested that the MBTA Representative be contacted regarding transportation issues. It was noted that the ARPC consultant will look at some traffic impacts for that area, including baseline traffic conditions and incremental changes. The plan is to stay in touch with the Long Term Planning Sub-Committee (FACTS – Facilities and Transportation) that is dealing with traffic. Mr. Higgins is the liaison.

· Railroad Crossings – Mr. Higgins reported on a meeting with railroad officials regarding the crossings. The risk index is driven by accident history, and he said there is some chance that the risk index at the Lincoln crossings could drop below the threshold. Mr. Higgins is working with VHB on the plan that would improve the crossings.

· Ms. Mattes reported on an MMA meeting in Andover. State Senator Sue Tucker and Representative Barry Feingold discussed the gambling revenue proposals. Ms. Mattes noted there are no other proposals for new funding sources at this time.

· Ms. Mattes and Mr. Higgins had lunch with Retired GeneralCol. Timothy Ceteras regarding relations between the Hanscom Air Force Base and the community and the support for high tech, defense-related industry. Hanscom produces 32,000 jobs and 8 billion dollars in the region. The Board thanks Col. Ceteras for his support.