MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, February 4, 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 noted the recent death of Gordon Feltman, Selectman from Bedford. She noted his intelligent and compassionate personality, his significant contributions within his own community, and to the larger region as a representative to HATS and to the MPO. She attended the funeral on Thursday, and noted that he was buried in Bedford with military honors as a Major in the Air Force. The Selectmen offer their condolences to the family and colleagues. Ms. Mattes sent a letter to Mr. Feltman’s family on behalf of this Board.
· Mr. Taylor noted the death on January 23 of Russ Dixon, Plumbing Inspector in Lincoln for 30 years. Mr. Dixon was also a veteran and a long time firefighter.
· Mrs. Holden announced the upcoming events sponsored by the Committee for Long Range Planning (CLRP). On Friday, February 8 at 7:30 PM, there will be a presentation by Armando Carbonell, Chairman of the Department of Planning and Urban Form at the Lincoln Institute in Cambridge. On Saturday there will be plenary sessions from 8:30 to 12:45 in the Brooks School. Mrs. Holden added that this is a good opportunity for citizens to get involved.
· Mr. Taylor announced that tomorrow is “Super Tuesday,” primary voting day. Polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Appointments: Art Cotoni, Fire Chief
Chief Cotoni introduced Brian Young, a current Call Firefighter as a candidate for appointment to the fire Department. The Chief said Brian is a paramedic, as well. The Chief reviewed the interview process for the Board. The Board supported being able to hire from within the department. In talking to Mr. Young, the Board noted he had an education in history and asked how he became interested in fire fighting. Mr. Young came from a family of fire fighters. The Chief knew his father as a captain in Weston. Mr. Young hopes to be able to mix his regular duties with education. The Chief believes Brian will be an asset to the force. He noted he lives in Framingham. Mrs. Holden made a motion to appoint Brian Young to the position of full time Fire Fighter. Ms. Mattes seconded
and the motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Mr. Cotoni commented that he continues to need to “re-stock” the call fire fighters as they move on to full time positions. He recently called 15 certified candidates. Seven of these have contacted the department back. They are currently in training, but the do not live close to Lincoln. He is in the process of hiring new call firefighters.
Town Administrator’s Report:
· Mr. Higgins reported that the Master Plan Process is underway. A town wide survey should be going out to all residents very shortly. The Committee will have responses by February 25. A previous survey was sent to current and prior board members.
· There will be a forum on the Governor’s Budget including State Aid presented by Representative Conroy in the Wayland Town hall on Thursday night. Should the governor’s budget pass, Lincoln’s aid would increase by approximately $125,000 (6.4%), but the Finance committee continues to assume 3%.
· An Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC) is being convened. Under MGL,c32B, ss.3, the Selectmen appoint one member to the Board ( a retiree representative). The other members are representatives from union and non-union groups. The Town has contracted Kevin Walsh as insurance advisor. The IAC looks at alternatives, including the State’s new GIC (Group Insurance Commission). Mr. Higgins commented that the Town’s contribution rate is presently low, so he expects that the incentives will be different. They will look at potential savings and see how we can find consensus. Despite the fact that Lincoln’s contribution is lower, increases in
health insurance costs is absorbing 50 to 60% of tax increases. The process for the IAC runs concurrently with the collective bargaining process. Current contracts expire on June 30. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Cindy Bouchard as the Retiree Representative. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed 3-0.
· Route 2 – There will be a meeting here in the Donaldson Room on Monday evening, February 25 to review the 75% Design. Mrs. Holden said they are trying to arrange a meeting with the MPO in advance of “TIP” Day. Ms. Mattes inquired as to how a replacement for Mr. Feltman on the MPO is handled.
· The Radio Tower Committee is meeting Wednesday morning (Feb. 6) at 9 AM in the Donaldson room.
Discussion:
· Town Meeting Planning. Jack French, Moderator, was also present. Town meeting is March 29. The Moderator’s meeting is March 26. The Warrant has been closed. There are 50 articles, including one Citizen’s petition which is requesting a Task Force be formed to study the concept of a Town Nurse. Mr. Higgins reviewed the Order of the Warrant articles. There is no Override proposed. FINCOM will handle the discussion regarding if the Town wishes to go beyond its required allocation for the regional high school. Mr. Higgins said that the Green Energy Committee will be coming in next week to meet with the Selectmen. The
Selectmen requested the Planning Board come before the Selectmen at some point to discuss its articles. It was suggested to move the article concerning the emergency access easement closer its funding article. The draft easement for the access has been developed, but the grantors are away, so there is some delay. The nature and the limits of the easement should be discussed either at a Selectmen’s Meeting or at a School Meeting. The discussion turned to publicity for Town Meeting. The Police now have lighted sign boards that may be useful. Banners were also suggested. The Selectmen expressed concern with the sound system, and strongly stated the need for improvements. Assistant Town Administrator Anita Scheipers will be meeting with Joe Dearden, Dan Boynton, and Buck Creel to review the equipment this Friday.
Liaison Reports:
· Ms. Mattes reported that the local Lincoln Ad Hoc Traffic Committee will gather data in order to create a matrix of options and trade-offs for traffic mitigation on Lincoln roads.. They hope to have a matrix with options by July.
· The communities of Lincoln, Waltham, Weston, and Lexington are forming the 128 Central Corridor Coalition (128 CCC). With the assistance of Jay Wickersham, Environmental Consultant to Weston and Barbara Lucas of MAPC, the group has reviewed the redevelopment of the Polaroid property for mixed use. She is asking the Board to review and sign off. Mrs. Holden made MOTION to approve the Joint Statement by the 128 CCC. Mr. Taylor seconded and suggested that there should be a way to centralize information regarding these developments and traffic information, and this request should be added to the comments. The draft comment and letter was approved (3-0).
Actions:
· Barbara Hartnett of Hartnett Constable Services, Maynard, Massachusetts, has requested to be reappointed a Town Constable. This is a One Year Appointment, running from March 1. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Barbara Hartnett as Constable for one year, commencing on March 1, 2008. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed (3-0)
· Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to endorse the Statement of Support for the Guard and Reserve. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed (3-0).
· The following Minutes were approved: September 10, 2007; September 17, 2007; September 24, 2007; October 3, 2007; October 15, 2007; October 29, 2007; November 19, 2007; December 10, 2007.
The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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