MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
PRESENT: Gary Taylor (Chairman), Sarah Cannon Holden, Sara Mattes
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Chairman), Town Administrator (Debra Parkhurst)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Appointments:
Buzz Constable, Old Lexington Road, Lincoln land Conservation Trust (LLCT) and Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) Representative
Mr. Constable appeared on behalf of the LLCT. They have been working in concert with the Garden Club and the Conservation Commission regarding invasive species. He discussed how the natural field biology can no longer exist in Massachusetts as it appeared prior to 1900 due to invasive species. On Saturday, September 29 from 9 AM until noon, the Land Trust, Conservation Commission and Garden Club will present an Invasive Species Summit intended to educate citizens, employees, and contractors regarding identification and alternatives. The keynote speaker will be Francis Clark. He also wanted to highlight last spring’s program which linked art to invasive species. They will auction a quilt by Dilla Tingley where all the proceeds will go to this effort. Mr. Constable had posters and
description of several of the species which will be highlighted at the Summit. Mr. Constable also hopes that the Selectmen acknowledge the issue and put these concerns in their contracts with landscapers. Outbreaks occur when the invasive species are spread by equipment or improper disposal. Discussion followed on disposal methods. He also said that clearing out invasive species after they have grown in is very labor intensive. He and Conservation Agent Anna Wilkins have done much of that work, along with the DPW. They also noted that volunteers have helped the Conservation Commission in the past. Ms. Mattes commented on the volunteers that helped at Browning’s Field prior to the last horse show. The summit will be taped for broadcast landscape contractors will be notified, and he hopes information will be on the Town web page. The Library may have a display as well. Discussion turned to disposal
techniques and sites with Mr. Constable noting that it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible.
Discussion turned to legislative priorities. Mr. Constable is the local representative to the MAPC which is a regional agency. Within the MAPC, Lincoln is part of HATS (four town communities around Hanscom Field) and MAGIC (13 community sub-region). Mr. Constable chairs the MAPC Legislative Committee. He noted that a municipal aid bill passed in August that allows communities to join state Group Insurance. Across eastern Massachusetts, communities may save 20% to 80%. Towns have until November to sign up. Mr. Constable said that Senator Spilka from the Hopkinton- Holliston area has filed a bill for a new planning agency that would come out of the MAGIC group and include Framingham. Both Framingham and Natick endorse this, but the other towns have not and the local MAPC
representative is opposed. This could affect the effectiveness of MAGIC, said Mr. Constable.. Mr. Constable noted that all cities and towns do not have enough transportation money. The state suffers from a 20 billion dollar shortfall. Different methods being considered include a gas tax, tolls, etc. He said there has been a change to the structure for regional transit. If a municipality wants to join a separate (from the MBTA) regional transit authority, then half the assessment would go back to the local authority. He noted that Senator Fargo is encouraging circumferential rather than radial transportation. Mr. Constable said the MAPC is active is supporting local housing trust funds. He said there are two conservation bills pending. An amendment to the CPA bill would allow cities that do not feel they can raise taxes to find another way to participate in the Community Preservation Act. It was noted that as more
cities and towns that participate, the more the fund is drawn down. A second bill would out a “floor: on the Trust Fund. This would require that the funding source be increased and that repayment would never be less than 40%. This repayment has traditionally been at 100%. In the next fiscal year, it will be down to 100%. These bills were put together by the cities, MAPC and Community Preservation Coalition. Other forms of possible levy sources include a hotel excise tax and personal property taxes. The Board reiterated their position in opposition to the expedited permit process. Mr. Constable spoke of 14 focus groups conducted by the Metro Future initiative of MAPC, which included looking at historical land uses. They were able to review collaborations that would not take away regulatory oversight, but could improve coordination using land use groups and permit tracking devices. He expects a “best
practices” manual by November 1 to work towards efficiency and clarity. Ms. Mattes brought up the soon to be formed Ad Hoc Transportation Committee. She is concerned about growth without planning, including transportation infrastructure. Mr. Constable said he had met recently with Planners regarding the anticipated Transportation Report.
Open Forum – No one was present for this session
Town Administrator’s Report and Discussion
· Annual Town meeting is scheduled for March 29, 2007. Mr. Higgins highlighted key dates (see planning calendar). FY 09 is the first year of new three year contract terms and collective bargaining will begin by June 30.
· State of the Town – The Comprehensive Long Range Planning (CLRP) consultant was recently hired. The Steering Committee for CLRP is concerned that there is not enough time to prepare for SOTT. Ms. Matters said the original intent of the SOTT was to inform the Town regarding warrant and budget formations for the town and what large issues are ahead. This allows citizens to discuss and give feedback prior to decision making. The Board determined they would go ahead with the SOTT using the format of earlier years and would not discuss the long range planning process at this time. CLRP can have its own meeting at a later time. The date for SOTT
will be November 3, with printed materials available by October 27. The meeting will last three hours and will include the four major budgeting groups (Town, Schools, Library, Water) as the focus.
· CLRP – The consultant is working with the chairs of each subcommittee to review plans and work of each committee. Her report back will be on October 16.
· Budget Planning Process – The Town Administrator has met with the Finance Director, and the FINCOM chairman to begin issuing budget guidelines.
· Discussion turned to Selectmen priorities, including roadway and facilities management and improvement. Mr. Higgins said the Fire Chief is concerned with ability to respond and is considering requesting another tanker. The Town Administrator suggested getting it on the Capital Planning Process. The Deaconness will be making a contribution towards this. The Water Board should also be part of this.
· Town Services- Staff has been added to the DPW and they are making the most of additional staff.
· Health Insurance and Pensions- Town Administration is developing a presentation about health insurance. The new GIC is not an attractive option for the Town at this time, because the contribution rate is lower in Lincoln than other communities (60% versus 75%). The town continues to lobby regarding Middlesex County Retirement improvements.
· School Access Plan- The decision on this is between the Schools, Public Safety, and the Conservation Commission. There will be a forum on October 11 to discuss the options. The School Department has six or seven options. Mr. Higgins noted that as part of the overall town emergency planning, the school provides a limited emergency shelter.
· Pierce House Business Plan – Mr. Higgins reported that the FINCOM continues to emphasize restoring financial independence for the Pierce House. Ms. Mattes has been working with Mary Hartman on the charge for the new committee. She added that the Pierce House is a community resource, and might lend itself to a discussion at the SOTT
· The At Risk Properties Committee met this morning. They discussed an outline of options to explore, including by-right and inclusion of the adjacent Kennedy parcel. The Board reiterated that preservation of the one-way traffic, water and sewer use, impact to the Cambridge Watershed and to the neighbor that could be “isolated” are key issues.
· Route 2 Status – With the assistance of Representative Tom Conroy, an initial move to postpone the 75% Design meeting to December was then moved back to September 26 at District 4 headquarters in Arlington. The 75% Design is complete, constructions estimates are ready, and discussions will begin on converting conservation land to the highway needs. The Board discussed bringing back residents who have history with the project to the September 26 meeting.
· Ad Hoc Traffic Committee – Ms. Mattes reported that due to commercial development along I-95 in Waltham (between Route 20 and Trapelo Road) there will be an additional 32,000 cars per day in the near future. Between Burlington and Waltham, an additional 21,000 cars per are expected. There is also development within Belmont, Lexington and Waltham. She is concerned about development without infrastructure improvements. She added that Lincoln will absorb some of this traffic volume. The Board will re-establish a Traffic/ 128 Committee/Roadway Treatment Ad Hoc Committee to get hard data and to look at various tools for managing traffic. The
Board discussed membership of the past committee and will review the older studies.
· Volunteer Recruitment Committee – The Board briefly discussed a committee to recruit volunteers.
· Cell Tower-The Board discussed the application to the ZBA for a cell Tower at Red Rail Farm. The location is not in the Wireless Overlay District. A number of neighbors and others are concerned because of the historic significance of the location. Both the Historic Commission and Walden Woods have written letters in opposition. The Board will draft a letter in support of the Historic Commission’s concerns, with a copy to the Planning Board.
· Hanscom/BRAC – HATS is seeking for input to Massport, perhaps with a seat on their Board.
Actions
· DPW Crew Member appointment – John Neri was the second choice for the last position that was filled at the DPW. Mrs. Holden Made a MOTION, Ms. Mates seconded to appoint John Neri to the position of crew member. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Temporary Treasurer/Collector- Treasurer/Collector Mary Day has to go out on Medical leave. Assistant Finance Director Veronica Phillips has agreed to take on the temporary position. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Veronica Phillips as Acting Treasurer/Collector in accordance with M.G.L. C41, ss40. Ms. Mattes seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
· The Board reviewed the Meeting schedule. They will not meet November 19. Mrs. Holden will not be here on December 3.
· The Board reviewed correspondence.
· The Board reviewed Action items. The Board discussed how to formulate opinions and positions and pass the information on to the State Representatives. This would only be in cases where it intersects with town management. They will encourage the Senator and Representative to hold regular meetings for citizens. The Board discussed re-activating the Bemis Hall Advisory Committee.
· Minutes were deferred.
· Warrants were approved and signed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:20 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved 02.04.2008
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