BOARD OF SELECTMEN’S
MEETING MINUTES
November 19, 2007, 7:30 pm
PRESENT: Gary Taylor (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Sarah Cannon Holden
STAFF: Timothy Higgins, (Town Administrator) Dorothy Blakeley (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome and Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 pm. The Chairman welcomed those attending, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Public Forum: No one was present for this session.
Appointments
Verizon Pole Relocation – The Mall
Dan Fitzgibbons, (Verizon representative) spoke briefly about a proposed pole to provide service to Lincoln Road. The new pole will be placed at approximately 45 feet away from the existing pole number 24/61 and will have a new pole number of 24/62. Once the new pole 24/62 is in place, pole number 24/61 will be removed. Mr. Taylor asked if the Rural Land Foundation has signed off on this yet. Mr. Higgins responded yes, they have. Mr. Fitzgibbons noted that the poles are jointly owned by NStar and Verizon, but Verizon has custody of the poles. Mr. Higgins noted that in looking at the map, it is possible to misread the plans with respect to the driveways and he is concerned from past history. Mr. Higgins further stated it is his understanding that the owner’s representative has already
spoken to Verizon and that this is more time sensitive than your typical application. Mr. Higgins asked Mr. Fitzgibbons to confirm that all parties know exactly what is happening and respond as early as possible, perhaps by tomorrow, to confirm that all has been sorted out. Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve this pole replacement application, conditional upon hearing back from Verizon, and this was approved unanimously.
Town Administrator’s Report
a) Bedford Education Funding
Mr. Higgins stated the Town Administrator from the Town of Bedford is looking for support from HATS towns for legislation to increase state funding to compensate for inadequate federal funding for Hanscom students attending Bedford High School. Mr. Taylor noted he could not imagine not supporting this, since the cost is approximately $10,000 per student and the federal government only pays about $1,500 per student. Motion to authorize Mr. Higgins to write a letter of support approved unanimously.
b) Deaconess Project: LIP Application
Mr. Higgins said the LIP application was approved by the DHDC. Mr. Higgins stated that the cost of this project is estimated to be $80 to 85M and that the town would benefit from an approximate 10% of the cost in filing for permits. Mr. Higgins further stated that he has a meeting coming up with Mark Whitehead, (Town Planner) and Earl Midgely (Building Inspector) to discuss the upcoming filings.
c) ZBA Vacancies/Appointments
There are currently two candidates who have submitted letters of interest. Ms. Mattes noted it would be great to find someone with previous town experience. Mr. Taylor moved to appoint Joel Freedman from Associate Member to Member and Jeff Macklin from Associate Member to Member when Pamela Green has completed her last remaining obligation, the proposed cell tower application, which is still ongoing. Motion to appoint these two Associate Members to full Members granted unanimously.
d) Pierce House Planning Committee
Ms. Mattes and Mr. Higgins have been working with Mary Hartman to develop a charge for the Board to authorize so that we can move forward with the appointments and launch the committee. Mr. Taylor added that we should think about how to motivate a transition while honoring the past. The membership would be comprised of one member of the BOS, one member of the Pierce House Committee, one member of the Finance Committee, one member of the Community Preservation Committee, one member of the Capital Planning Committee, and perhaps one at large community representative. Motion to approve this charge granted unanimously.
e) Facilities Review
Mr. Higgins stated the plan is for all of the various facets of the facilities plan to be available for discussion in the spring/summer of 2008, in time for the BOS to put forward an integrated plan for the Fall 2008 budget, (FY 2010). Mr. Higgins said by this time next year, facilities will have been documented and evaluated by working with the Codman Farm board. Mr. Higgins added that despite having completed three separate consultant reviews, he has been unable to find a plan that is acceptable to the currently seated Codman Farm board in order to repair and improve the barns. Mr. Higgins will need to continue to work with the CCF board to find an acceptable solution. In the meantime, routine maintenance continues to take place under Earl Midgley’s direction, with input from the CCF board.
f) Housing
Mr. Higgins has been working with the Housing Commission to better coordinate the activities of our three Housing agencies: the Housing Commission, Housing Trust and the Lincoln Foundation. We have organized a meeting of the three groups to assist with orientation of new members, to confirm roles and to begin to sort priorities. Mr. Higgins noted that they had a great first meeting and he expects good results will follow.
Scheduling Issue
The Flag Committee is looking for a date for the Flag dedication ceremony, specifically a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon. After consulting calendars, it was decided that Thursday, December 13th would work for the BOS, at 2:00 or 3:00 pm.
Discussion
a) State of the Town Recap
Ms. Cannon Holden brought up the topic of emergencies and how we get the word out to the public. She suggested we may want to have a one page cheat sheet with information in the foyer of the Town offices for interested residents. Mr. Higgins responded that we should add this idea to the list of things to talk about with the Emergency Planning Committee. He added that the COA has a watch list of people in need (i.e. oxygen) from a survey conducted earlier. Ms. Cannon Holden suggested we compile a series of questions to get it going and identify what things are more critical than others. Mr. Higgins suggested we invite Police Chief Kevin Mooney and Fire Chief, Art Cotoni to provide their input as well. Ms. Mattes asked if Lincoln North is considered a shelter. Mr. Higgins respondedrthat he
did not think so.yes, He reported that the food source for a local shelter was Donelans.and -that there is food there available to us in case of emergency, we can take what we need and they will bill us.
Ms. Cannon Holden brought up the high cost of oil and how it may affect residents. Mr. Taylor asked about the money in the assistance fund and how it is funded. Mr. Higgins responded that there is a trust fund with interest earned and residents contribute to that fund as well (i.e. Hollingsworth property was donated to the Town). Mr. Taylor asked Mr. Higgins to research how much money is in the assistance funds, which is handled through the COA.
b) At Risk Properties Committee: Leggat/McCall Proposed Development
No discussion
Ad Hoc Traffic Committee
d) The Ad Hoc Traffic Committee will be formed to develop information to guide proposals to be presented to the town at our 2008 Town Meeting. So far, the following people are potential candidates for this commitee: Ken Bassett, Roadway Planning Committee, Buzz Constable ______, Beth Ries, original 128 Planning Committee, John Caswell, Traffic Committee Representative Phase 1, Rick Wiggin, (contemplating??) , MBTA Representative, Caroline Connor, Mr. Higgins will contact her per Ms. Mattes’ suggestion.
Action Items
DPW Sand Contract
a) Chris Bibbo is recommending that the Board award the contract to the low bidder, J. Melone and Sons for the low-bid price of $12.00 per ton delivered. Mr. Taylor made a motion to approve this, Mrs. Holden seconded, and it was unanimously approved
b) Census Liason
The Secretary of the Commonwealth has requested that a Census liaison be designated for each community. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded, to appoint Susan Brooks, Town Clerk, to be the Census liaison unanimously approved.
Troop 127 Christmas Tree Sales
c) Annual request to sell trees at the Codman lot during the period of late November (Saturday after Thanksgiving, 11/24) through the Saturday after Christmas. Mrs. Holden Moved to approve, Ms. Mattes seconded, and this motion was unanimously approved.
d) Conservation Restriction – Eisner Property
The Conservation Commission is requesting the BOS authorize a CR for 188 Tower Road, a 3.83 acre parcel owned by Ken Eisner. A condition of the Conservation Commission’s permit requires Mr. Eisner to record a Deed Restriction that offers permanent protection to the wetlands and buffer zone that lie beyond his building envelope. This is in connection with application for building of new single family home.
Mrs. Holden moved to approve, Ms. Mattes seconded, and the Motion to approve this was granted unanimously.
Upcoming Meeting
Mr. Higgins noted that the Budget meeting is scheduled for December 5th and that the BOS meeting on December 3rd will focus on the budget.
Correspondence
Trash receptacles – October 26th letter from resident Jonathan Hoch reviewed
Retirement Party – for Liz King, November 29th 3:00-5:00 pm at Bemis, BOS will attend
Flag Committee – this was discussed earlier in the meeting
Signage – October 29th response to Ms. Newman
Warrants were signed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by Dorothy Blakeley
Approved 02/04/2008
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