MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, January 7, 2008
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.
Announcements: There were no announcements:
Appointments: Tom Conroy, State Representative
Representative Conroy opened the conversation by discussing the budget cycle. The Governor’s budget will be released on January 23. He said the challenge continues to be a structural budget that is driven by fixed personnel and entitlement costs. There is a budget deficit gap of over one billion dollars. The governor has suggested certain revenue enhancements such as eliminating corporate loopholes, local meal and hotels taxes, and casinos. The Senate has proposed a broader based revenue proposal incorporating gas, sales or other tax increases. Rep. Conroy noted that of the 27 to 28 billion dollar operating budget, 1.7 billion of that is interest payment. In addition, the Governor has proposed bonding for commuter rail to New Bedford; life sciences development; infrastructure improvement
(including fixing roads and bridges); enhancements to libraries, information technology, and correctional facilities. The Legislature is concerned as to how this could affect the interest payment. Rep. Conroy said the next year will be a challenging year for State Aid, and he anticipates difficult times. Market indicators are not good, pointing to “stagflation” or a mild recession. Rep. Conroy sees his role as an advocate for the town, and is committed to addressing inequities in how State Aid is distributed. Ms. Mattes is concerned about the governor’s initiatives on spending and bonding with limited ideas for revenue. Mr. Conroy is on the Revenue Committee which will hold hearings. They have not seen an aggregation of what could be paid in the future (2009-2012) or what revenue might be expected to come out of some of the spending. The first initiative will be a vote in January for economic
development enhancements for Life Sciences. The casino proposal may come forward in March, but will not be resolved before July. Mr. Taylor expressed concern that economic development is moving ahead of infrastructure improvement, and the Legislature should first look at roads, bridges, etc. Mr. Conroy recognized that there are unaddressed liabilities in the infrastructure. The Transportation Finance Committee had a meeting on March 3, 2007 to review the problems and a second meeting on September 7, 2007 regarding financing. The transportation infrastructure outstanding repairs present a $15 to 19 billion dollar problem. Rep. Conroy discussed a straightforward gas tax to fund road repairs and public transportation. He further noted that only 15% of the population is using public transportation, and there are only 44,000 spaces for cars for all of the MBTA system. Adding parking is very expensive. The Board, noting the local
town impacts from economic development stimulus, asked about local rule regarding the introduction of impact fees. Currently, towns are hampered by the Department of Revenue. Mr. Conroy said he would look at this issue. Ms. Mattes asked about the creation of a municipal electrical authority. While it was noted that a there has been a proposal to fund a study, Ms. Mattes asked why that is necessary since there are already 44 municipal electric authorities in Massachusetts, and other co-ops all over the country as examples. The four HATS communities, would like to form a coop, to be administered and serviced by Concord in order to have cheaper, greener and improved electrical service. In regard to Hanscom, Ms. Mattes said she would like to see the Governor and the Legislature pay more attention to Hanscom AFB to help retain and support the 32,000 jobs that are part of the local economy,. She noted that Hanscom is the 8th
largest employer in the State. She also said it is possible that Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process could occur again; it is an on-going issue. She noted that other bases are supported at a State level. She has heard concern from recently retired officers that the base is not supported enough. She said a version of the Bi-partisan Mass DTI commission should be on-going. Discussion followed on the importance of this economic engine and the recognition that it requires long term planning among inter-governmental agencies, including the offices of U.S. Senator Kennedy and U.S. Representative Tsongas. Discussion then turned to the regional planning agencies that represent the communities, noting that some initiatives to create economic viability may actually hurt small town character. The Board specifically specifically referred to a letter to DHCD from the MAPC dated December 17 regarding changes to Chapter 40B. The
concern is that some changes could hurt the smaller communities, such as Lincoln, which currently complies with the Law. The Board questioned if the letter MAPC letter had gone to the sub-regional member communities of MAGIC, since this policy matter may not represent the sub-region. The Board continued to discuss regional issues of transportation and development with the representative. The Board thanked Representative Conroy for this session.
Open Forum: No one was present for this session
Town Administrator’s Report:
1. A draft of the Selectmen’s Town Report is being circulated for input.
2. Mr. Higgins discussed the Train Horn ban. He noted key dates: February 8 is the date to submit a Notice of Intent regarding proposed physical changes to two crossings in Lincoln (Tower Road and Route 117). There is a possibility that two of the accidents will drop out of the data base, which would eliminate the necessity to continue the process. Costs for construction are anticipated between $100,000 and $200,000.
3. Mr. Higgins reported on the Capital Plan. The Committee is supporting $5.8 million in bonding, with $5.5 million of that amount for roadway improvement. There will be modeling to understand the tax impact.
4. In a follow up to Mrs. Holden’s inquiry about the Emergency Assistance Fund, Mr. Higgins included an outline of the program. The current balance is under $5,000. It is important for citizens to understand it as a resource and as something they can contribute to. Membership includes John Caswell, Ellie Gallitano, and Karen Boyce.
5. Mr. Higgins has scheduled the Police and Fire Chiefs to attend the Selectmen’s meeting on January 28. At that time they may also discuss the new emergency radio tower.
6. Mr. Higgins reported that public feedback regarding the clearing of roads and paths for the last few winter storms has been positive. Approximately 43% of the snow budget has been expended. Ms. Mattes wanted the public to know that the DPW will allow residents to take approximately 5 lbs of the sand mixture for use at their residences for snow and ice. She also wanted to appeal to walkers and joggers NOT to walk or run within the roadway as it creates an unsafe situation. Mr. Higgins said that Superintendent Bibbo will come to a Selectmen’s meeting to discuss using a new mixture of sand and salt. Technologies and materials are changing, he added.
Discussion:
a. FY 09 Budget Process – Mr. Higgins has re-calculated the budget and found it to be $8,000 over target. The preferred budget is $202,000 over the base; the school preferred budget is $250,000 over base. The Board discussed budgeting over a period of time to achieve goals. Discussion turned to upgraded technologies, particularly in managing and archiving information. Mr. Taylor noted that the IT manager has initiated a conversation with Capital Planning regarding an Information Technology summit. This would also involve the Town Clerk. The Chairman said that by the next meeting, the Board needs to prioritize the preferred budget and what should come off the budget for the next fiscal year. The FINCOM has not decided that it will support a
preferred budget.
b. Town meeting Planning – The Town Report is in process. The Selectmen will open the Warrant tonight, and close the Warrant on January 28. The Planning Board is considering expanding the cell tower district because applications to create additional sites are creating pressure. One site under consideration for the 126 area is Pine Hill.
c. Route 2/ Crosby’s Corner Update – Mrs. Holden attend a meeting on December 17 with other members of the CAC (Route 2 Corridor Advisory committee), the National Park and Walden Woods. They are continuing to prepare for the next TIP meeting in April. Mass Highway will attend a meeting in Lincoln on February 12 for an update on the 75% Design.
d. At Risk Properties Committee (ARPC) – ARPC will hold a meeting on February 20 at 8AM for review and analysis for 10 scenarios for the Arshad (and surrounding) properties. Ms. Mattes said that she wanted to dispel the myth that Lincoln has never looked at commercial uses for the town in the past. They have gone through the process several times. In the 1970’s the RLF, the Mall and Lincoln Woods were created. In the 1980’s Lincoln North and Battle Road Farm were created. Most recently, the Deaconness “Groves” project was approved, all by members of the Town, she added.
e. Liaison Reports –
· Pierce House Planning Committee (PHPC) has been formed and will look at future use, long range planning, investment, and how best to have the facility serve the Town, using the Bentley Report that was produced last year. The Board also wished to thank the Pierce House Committee and the Pierce House Manager, Richard Silver for a great New Year’s Day celebration.
· Traffic Committee – The new committee will meet on January 14 at 8 AM.
Action Items:
Mrs. Holden made a Motion to Vote to Open the Town Meeting Warrant. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Minutes – deferred
Warrants – approved and signed
A MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn. The Motion passed unanimously
A MOTION was made and seconded to reconvene to review an administrative a matter. Mr. Higgins explained that the Town Meeting of 1974 had instructed the Selectmen to execute an agreement. There is no record on file of the vote or signature. Mrs. Holden made a motion to execute the release of Parking Rights to the Board of Selectmen by the Rural Land Foundation on January 7, 2007 to carry out the Town Meeting vote of May 14, 1974. Mrs. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
A MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn. The Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved May 5, 2008
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