MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
MONDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2007
PRESENT: Gary Taylor (Chairman), Sarah Cannon Holden, Sara Mattes
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. Mr. Higgins added an action item asking the Board to authorize the Chairman to sign the Deaconess LIP application.
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Open Forum – No one was present for this session.
Appointments:
Pam Alberts, Assistant COA Director and Karen Santucci, COA Director
Karen Santucci began by acknowledging and thanking Liz King for her 17 years as Assistant COA Director. There will be a retirement party for her at Bemis Hall on November 29 at 3 PM. The position has been expanded from part-time to full time. The Director said that the population of seniors has increased and so have the offerings of the COA. Use of extended services has increased as has the demand. Approximately 841 different seniors use the COA at least once during the year, and some use it every day. Lincoln has 1400 residents over the age of 60. She anticipates that they will have a good relationship with the Deaconess when they open their senior living facility. Mrs. Santucci said that the COA provides services such as transportation, meals on wheels, and private referrals. Mrs. Santucci
then introduced the new Assistant director. Mrs. Santucci said that Pamela Alberts is coming to the town with relevant education and experience. Ms. Alberts told the Board she has an MBA in Financial Services and a Masters in Social Work. She was a social worker in Manhattan, a program director at an assisted living facility in Boston, and a coordinator with the Cambridge Housing Authority. Her goal is to work with seniors. She plans to work to expand volunteerism and outreach, improve safety, and help enable seniors to stay in the community independently. She would like supervise an intern from one of the area Masters’ programs. She also plans to run some additional groups and activities in addition to taking on some of the social work responsibility. Mr. Higgins asked if there were more things the community could be doing, such as joining in regional groups. Ms Santucci said that they refer seniors to
Minuteman Senior Services. Discussion turned to programs offered and looking at different facilities from a programmatic perspective. Ms. Santucci said that the biggest limitation for their use of Bemis Hall is parking. The Board welcomed Ms. Alberts and thanked them both for coming.
Discussion
· November 3 State of the Town – The Report card has been sent. Sara Mattes will provide the introduction. The Board reviewed the agenda. Regarding roadways and town buildings, some of the urgent needs have been addressed. The Meeting should focus on the remaining needs. Open space planning will also be discussed. Power Point presentations will help illustrate the needs and costs. The Board hopes to get a report from the Water Board as part of the infrastructure discussion.
· Ad Hoc traffic Committee – Ms. Mattes has prepared the Charge. The new committee will be recruited from members of past committees, such as John Caswell, Dan Boynton, Beth Ries.
· At Risk Properties Committee (ARPC) – Bill Gause of Leggat McCall will attend a meeting of the ARPC on November 14 at 8 AM for questions and discussion. Mr. Taylor discussed how the distinction between the ARPC and the Deaconess Steering Committee which was interactive and helped to facilitate the process for the developer. At this point, the ARPC explores the potential for various types of development on the property, whether it be institutional, commercial, concentrated housing, or by right development, both by itself and combined with other properties. Mr. Taylor noted that neighbors and the Cambridge Watershed District are interested and monitoring the process. Ms. Mattes commented that while the Brooks House at 39 North Great Road has been permitted, the group is still looking for a “Peace Palace,” and could be a potential for that property as well.
· Liaison Reports
- Mrs. Holden reported on the Comprehensive Long Range Planning Committee (CLRP). They plan to have a community meeting on February 2, 2008 at Bemis Hall.
- Ms. Mattes reported on an MAPC policy summit which involved a lot of technical discussion and implementation strategies.
- Ms. Mattes attended the retirement ceremony for Major General Arthur Rooney. Next week there will be a retirement for General Johnson. She noted there were letters of appreciation at the ceremony. She indicated that it is probably time for HATS to host a gathering for the new leadership at the base. As Chair, she will take the lead.
Town Administrator’s Report
- Emergency Egress – Mr. Higgins reported on the October 9 meeting held by the School department and Public Safety regarding the need for an emergency egress. There are several options available. A continuance was not scheduled. Ms. Mattes, came away from the meeting with more questions for Public Safety, including the appearance and long term maintenance of the road. Understanding these issues would help answer some of the questions regarding location. The Chairman said that leadership on this should go back to public safety, and they need to come up with examples. The Board agreed this is a public safety issue.
- Green Energy – Mr. Higgins reported that the Green Energy Committee will meet with the Board on December 10. They are considering a pilot program at the schools.
- Hollingsworth property – The Board has the latest draft of the conservation restriction. Mr. Higgins said more works needs to be done. The Board will solicit input from the Lincoln Historic Commission.
- Budget process- the Finance Committee (FINCOM) has issued the FY09 budget guidelines, recommending a growth rate of 3%. Two budgets will be requested, a base and a preferred budget. The Budget Forum is scheduled for December 5.
Action
Deaconess LIP Application:
MOTION: MS. Mattes made a Motion that the Board approve the Regulatory Agreement dated October 29, 2007, including the amended rent schedule provided under Exhibit B, and that the Chairman be authorized to sign said Agreement on behalf of the Town. The Motion was seconded by Mrs. Cannon-Holden. The Motion was adopted unanimously.
Executive Session.
Mrs. Holden made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded to go into Executive Session pursuant to MGL, Chapter 39, Section 23B, Subsection 6, and NOT to return to Executive Session. A poll was taken of the Board: Holden – aye; Mattes – aye; Taylor- aye. The Motion passed unanimously. The regular meeting ended at 9 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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