 |
MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, January 14, 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:
· Ms. Mattes announced htat the next HATS meeting will continue the discussion on regional planning. Ms. Mattes will be attending a meeting with the Waltham mayor, and Selectmen from Lexington and Weston. Weston will fund traffic studies. Ms. Mattes will report back to the Board and the Traffic Committee on these studies.
· There will be a Budget forum tomorrow night at 7:30 PM.
· The Long Range Planning Committee will have a guest speaker on Friday night, February 8 at Bemis Hall. A plenary session will be held on February 9 (morning) at Brooks School.
Open Forum and Discussion:
Discussion on Radio Communications Tower;
The following residents were present: Doug Crosby, Buzz Constable, Roger Bergin, Brooks Mostue.
Mr. Constable began the discussion by explaining that approximately one year ago the ZBA had a hearing to discuss a proposed radio communication tower on Bedford Hill. At that time, the Selectmen appointed a committee to look at the issue. He then said that last Thursday morning, a foundation had been built with a tower in that location. He noted that some 30 people had attended that first meeting with concerns about the structure and the neighborhood.. Mr. Constable was concerned that the open public process had been lost. Mr. Higgins clarified that last spring the citizen’s committee, led by John Caswell, noted that certain improvements were needed. The existing poles needed to be replaced with a lattice tower with no increase in height. This would help re-set the baseline for testing of the
Radio Frequency operation. On September 27, Mr. Caswell, along with Assistant Town Administrator Anita Scheipers, and Fire Chief Artie Cotoni attended a ZBA Meeting where they expressed their interest in re-setting the baseline to study radio frequencies. At that time, they committed to do this without substantial changes. The public process with the ZBA would follow. The October 8 letter from ZBA Chair outlined the stipulations that the tower would not exceed 40’ in height and there would be no paint or lights. However, the tower was installed ten feet higher. The Fire Department had contacted the Water Department regarding the foundation. The Water Department was concerned that the existing location of the foundation, as reconstructed, would impact the reservoir and asked that it be relocated. The location of the new foundation was 10’ below the old foundation and some 30 feet distant. The Town was also told the
tower came in ten foot sections. It was delivered in 20’ sections. At the time, the decision was made to install with the additional 10’. The ZBA was put on notice. The tower is not visible, but the whip antennas are visible from across the field. Ms. Mattes said that she had two issues: the first is that “bad calls” were made on the ground; the second is that she is perplexed by the loss of process or communication that ensued. The Ad Hoc Committee was put in place to understand and communicate with interested parties. She asked how this broke down and could be improved. Discussion followed regarding the many neighbors who were interested in protecting the area, and how the process went awry. Mr. Constable asked if the whips were different heights. Mr. Constable further noted that the size of the foundation and the type of tower installed (lattice versus a pole) can support a higher tower. Mr.
Constable was concerned that better technologies were to be considered and were not.. He also noted that if additional height is needed, then the town has already spent some $60,000. He also said that no light was to be allowed. Mr. Higgins confirmed that the FAA waiver was received and under no circumstances will there be a light at that location. He added that the Committee was acting in good faith and had intended to convene the discussion about improving the radio signal once the replacement tower was in place. Ms. Mattes asked should the tower be removed, as this would be a reasonable response. Mr. Taylor said that at this height, it appears to solve the communication problems, but further acknowledged that it was a sensitive location. Mr. Bergen said if this was a private residence, they would be forced to remove it, and the Town should not be above private citizens. In this case, both the formal and the informal process broke
down. He said three major conservation groups in the town came and objected at the first meeting. Discussion turned to the understanding with the ZBA. Mr. Higgins said that the installation of a new tower at the same height was an “interim step”. The public engagement was pre-empted by this installation. Mr. Constable said the scope of the ad hoc committee was to look at alternative technologies. With the installation of this tower, there was a lapse of process. The Selectmen asked what was visually offensive. Neighbors described the change from wooden poles to a more industrial look. There was a question regarding the height of the prior tower with or without the “whip’ antennas. Mr. Higgins said that the new foundation supports a 40’ tower, but also preserves the possibility of going higher. Any additional height is limited by the FAA restrictions. Mr. Taylor said the Board of
Selectmen will have to be careful in the future about process and judgements made “on the ground.” Mr. Constable expressed fear that this is a first step and would like assurances that the foundation and tower would not have “precedential” value regarding the tower or future technologies. Discussion followed on possible conditions to ensure that nothing else happens on the site. Residents said they rely on communication from the committees. The Board said the tower would go before the ZBA, and the ZBA instructions would be followed. Mr. Taylor suggested site walks to establish what happened and a set of conditions, so that the problem does not continue. Mr. Higgins said discussion with the ZBA is scheduled for January 24.
Discussion:
Ms. Mattes reported that following a December 23 editorial about smart growth, the dilemma of development along route 128/95 has been noted. Weston reached out to the MAPC to encourage a conversation between the surrounding towns. A meeting took place on Tuesday January 8. Lincoln was represented by Buzz Constable, Sara Mattes, Tim Higgins, Mark Whitehead, Bryce Wolf, Ken Hurd and Bob Domnitz. Discussion was on future development on the roadways between Route 3 in Burlington and Route 20 in Weston, inclusive of Route 2A, 2, 117, 126 and Trapelo Road. Others in attendance included Assistant Secretary for Housing and Economic Development, Bob Mitchell, and the Mayor of Waltham. Jay Wickersham was hired by the Town of Weston to create a model to address traffic impacts from the development. One
suggestion is to create a multi modal transportation center well as other incentives and enhancements to encourage alternative transportation alternatives.
Budget
· Mr. Higgins explained that the base budget may expand by $50,000; the other option is an override by $250,000 to $300,000. The Budget Hearing will include Library and Schools. The base budget is at 3%, the preferred budget is $202,000 above the base. Mr. Higgins discussed where restorations to budgets may occur. Discussion followed on particulars, including the addition of a crew member at the DPW. Mr. Higgins said there have been no appreciable changes in the staffing for 20 years, except for the additional 4 firefighters last year. In some cases there have been staff reallocations (such as eliminating the town Engineer position and adding the Town
Planner). The hiring of a new DPW Director enabled better understanding of the need for more hires. Mr. Higgins reviewed the various responsibilities of the DPW. Mr. Taylor suggested looking at staffing benchmarks for other towns. Ms. Mattes expressed serious concern with adding salaried positions when there is potential loss of funds due to state and federal funding as well as the incremental costs above the salary. Mr. Higgins pointed out that Lincoln only derives 7 to 8% of its income from state funds. Discussion turned to roads, identifying and phasing the work areas. The Traffic Committee can participate in this. Mr. Higgins also pointed out that for several years, tax increases have been less in Lincoln than in surrounding towns,
· Contracts: Contracts expire on June 30, and negotiations will probably go beyond July with existing contracts. The Administration has convened an informal advisory group to look at benefits.
· GASB 45: The FINCOM has begun to explore the expenses in health insurance. They will report first, then begin to make funding structures. Mr. Higgins stressed that Lincoln finances are very solid, and in a better position to deal with financial swings.
· Town Meeting Planning: The Vote to close the Warrant will take place on January 28.
Minutes: Deferred
Warrants: Signed and approved.
The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved May 5, 2008
| |
