MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, April 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.
APPOINTMENTS
Town Nurse Task Force
Joanna Hopkins and Peggy Schmertzler
The Chairman reviewed the vote that was taken at this year’s annual town meeting to establish a task force to assess the need for and feasibility of a Town Nurse position. Mrs. Hopkins provided a list of proposed members of the Task Force representing health related town organizations: Board of Health member Diane Haessler, Lincoln School Nurse Maureen Richichi, Fire Chief Art Cotoni, Disabilities Commission member Rob Loud, and COA member Mary Sheldon. The list also included at large volunteers: Beth Ries, Joanna Hopkins, Peggy Schmertzler, Phyllis Mutschler, and Tricia McGean. Advisors will include Dr. Charles Keevil and Karen Santucci. The Board encouraged the Task Force to encourage others to join the group, and asked that meetings be posted on the Web and the Cable. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to approve the
list of task force members and volunteers as put forward by the proponents. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
BOARD OF ASSESSORS: Re: Overview of Property Tax Appraisal Process
Buffer Morgan (Chair), John Robinson, Ellen Meadors, and Harold Scheid, Principal Assessor
Mr. Higgins said he had requested that the Assessor come in to discuss how appraisals are done and the tax levy process. Mr. Scheid prepared several handouts. The first, “Tax Levy Process,” included the following key elements:
· Town Meeting authorizes all expenditures and sets amount to be raised;
· All non tax revenues are applied first (e.g., state aid, building fees, parking fees, investment income, motor vehicle taxes, etc.);
· The remaining amount is raised through the property tax;
· The amount raised must be lower than the 2 limits established by Proposition 2 ½: Levy Limit and Levy Ceiling.
Mr. Scheid’s discussion included how increasing or decreasing home values affects taxes and generates revenue; the two different limits imposed by Proposition 2 ½ (levy ceiling and levy limit); and the relationship between town spending (approved at Town meeting), property values and taxes.
Mr. Scheid’s second document, “The Assessment Process” discussed the Assessor’s role in discovering, listing and valuing properties in the community. This role includes analyzing new growth, change in ownership and complicated deeds. He noted that the valuation process is based on a preceding year’s assessment date, and could reflect an earlier real estate market, with as much as a two year lag. An assessed value is an estimated value and the process is highly regulated. The goal of the Assessors’ Office is to develop a rational valuation methodology with which the public can be comfortable. Mr. Scheid added that the assessors can assign a “generic” value to various properties, but do not have the luxury of knowing properties well, nor can they nuance particular
values. They can only look at things they can measure. The Board of Assessors meets the first and third Friday morning of the month at 8 AM in the Assessors Offices. Mr. Higgins added that the Board of Assessors has worked very hard to have this rational process. They have attempted to understand neighborhoods, vistas excess acreage, and other aspects of Lincoln’s perspective. The accuracy of assessments is periodically audited by the Commonwealth. The Assessors explained that there is a 30 day abatement period following the issuance of tax bills. The Assessors also added that a resident can come in any time to address a mistake on their valuation. The Board thanked the participants.
HOUSING COMMISSION: re: Proposed Group Home Development
Renel Fredriksen (Chairman) and Pamela Gallup
Ms. Fredriksen opened by the discussion by explaining that the Housing Commission has been looking into possibilities for group homes. Chapter 40B allows developers to bypass local zoning rules if the community has not reached the mandated 10% affordable housing ratio, and if the proposed development has 25% affordable housing. At the current time, Lincoln has exceeded the 10% threshold, but they believe that following the next census Lincoln will fall below the 10% threshold. The Housing Commission is motivated to stay above the 10% and is currently responsible for six housing units, including the three recently completed units on Sunnyside Lane. Ms. Fredriksen added that the Commission can “buy down” housing units and sell them with future affordable deed restrictions. Ms. Gallup said that they
tried to certify some of the accessory apartments in town through a LIP program, but it is difficult due to State specifications. She added that accessory apartments work well in communities that already have their 10% and meet a community need, but they do not meet the criteria for the Subsidized Housing Inventory. Ms. Fredriksen reported that the housing entities located in town (the Housing Commission, the Affordable Housing Trust, and the Lincoln Foundation) have met together to investigate a group home in Lincoln. In a group home, all the bedrooms count as affordable units. This is not a new concept to Lincoln. While they do not have a particular property under consideration at this time, they believe another group purchased a house in town. The Commission is reviewing several professional agencies that would take over management of the home. Residents are usually developmentally disabled adults with a full time care taker
assigned to them in around-the-clock shifts. The Board thanked the Commission.
Town Administrator Report:
· Drumlin Farm- As a follow up to last week’s appointment, the Board understood that the Farm has the right to expand their school program. However, a change to their curb cut could require approval from either the Planning Board (if the change involves stone walls or trees) or the Selectmen. The Board noted that they can implement their pre-school expansion without a curb cut. Drumlin Farm should talk to the Fire Chief in regard to the summer overnight programs. Ms. Mattes noted they discussed and agreed to a lighting mitigation program. `
· Minute Man Commons. The Mayo Group would like to discuss removing the age 55+ restriction on the housing at Minute Man Commons. The Board agreed that this was a Town meeting decision as it was an overlay district and a zoning change. The original proponent must agree to the rules Town Meeting sets. Thus any change should go back to Town meeting. The Planning Board agrees with this assessment. Ms. Mattes said the Mayo Group should be prepared to discuss the possibility that all the units could become rentals, which would further add to the affordable inventory in town and could be useful to Hanscom Air Force Base. The Planning Board will be apprised.
· MPO Elections – Mr. Higgins reported that the MPO defines the terms of the elections. The State legislature created the Metropolitan Planning Organization to look at federal dollars for transportation. Bedford holds the local seat which will be up in one year. Bedford Town Administrator Rick Reed is currently the representative.
· Route 2- Mr. Higgins reported that he and Mrs. Holden are participating in a working group on Route 2. Sara Mattes and Mark Whitehead attended the last MAGIC Meeting where the project received endorsement by the sub-region. They will continue to reach out to Minuteman Park, Walden Woods, and outlying communities. Ms. Mattes suggested that the Heritage Corridor communities should be involved.
· Collective Bargaining – Mr. Higgins said that they are entering into negotiations with the Police, Fire and Highway unions. They hope to use the information provided by the Health Insurance Advisory Committee.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the State has mandated that communities have a one day event each year starting in July of 2009 for the disposal of medical waste. Lincoln is part of a regional hazardous waste facility, and the Towns are likely to include this measure.
DISCUSSION:
· Comprehensive Planning Process- Mr. Higgins reported that there are working papers for the five groups. The Steering Committee is in discussion regarding a third public forum in late June. They are also discussing creating an Executive Summary of the Survey. Discussion continued of the public forum anticipated for the State of the Town in the fall.
LIAISON REPORTS:
· Ms. Mattes reported that the most recent MAGIC meeting concerned funding for transportation planning. She noted that one of the element is “open road tolling.” This would treat all major highways as revenue generators, but this could also have the impact of putting drivers on the smaller roads.
ACTION ITEMS;
· Schedule interviews for new appointments;
· Schedule Walden Woods and Minuteman Park.
CORRESPONDENCE:
The Board reviewed and discussed correspondence. It was noted that Superintendent Bibbo has hired an engineer to look at drainage on Conant, Laurel, and Moccassin Hill.
VOTE NEW CHAIRMAN:
Mr. Taylor made a motion to nominate Sara Mattes as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 10 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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