MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, January 5, 2009
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Sarah Cannon Holden, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. Ms. Mattes reviewed the agenda.
APPOINTMENTS: Comprehensive Plan Update
Ken Hurd, Chairman, Long Range Planning Committee & Mark Whitehead, Town Planner
Mr. Hurd opened the discussion with a brief recap of the process towards the Long Range Comprehensive Plan. Last spring the subcommittees began their working papers towards the chapters that will become part of the Plan. The State requires certain elements be included in the Plan, including Land Use, Economic Development, Open Space, Recreation, Housing, Transportation, Facilities, Services, Culture and History. The Town added topics on the Built Environment and Governance.
Mr. Hurd explained the purpose of the Master Plan which is meant to guide the Town going forward. The Plan will also include what committees or boards are accountable for moving forward and an implementation plan. The Plan will align goals with resources. Chairman Mattes said she understood that while a Plan is not mandatory in Massachusetts at this time, it may be in the future. Mr. Hurd commented that other states require master plans. In the court systems, a Plan may provide an alignment between municipalities and the court rulings. Mrs. Holden commented that this was a serious document for which careful consideration and scrutiny should be undertaken for all its provisions, and Mr. Hurd added it is to be regularly updated and used.
Mr. Taylor asked about where in the process there is opportunity for resolving inconsistencies between the subcommittees. Mr. Hurd said that draft working papers have been given to the consultant. There was a meeting of all the subcommittees in September and a brief Report delivered to the State of the Town Meeting in November. Draft chapters have been returned and are undergoing editing by the subcommittees. There will be another meeting of subcommittees on January 21st in the Donaldson Room, and a public forum at Bemis Hall on February 11 .
Mr. Hurd said that the steering committee, made up of chairs of the various subcommittees, determined that they need to have more public input prior to the final vote for the Master Plan. Rather than seeking approval at the Annual Town Meeting in March, they propose public hearings in April and May followed by a Special Town Meeting in June. Information about the process and the working documents can be found on the town website at www.lincolntown.org. The steering committee meets once a month while subcommittees meet at various times. Mr. Hurd added that
the committees have changed and been re-energized by new members at times. Mr. Whitehead, Town Planner, is the town office contact. Ms. Mattes urged that the meetings on January 21 and February 11 be televised. The Board thanked everyone for their work on this.
Announcements:
· The Winter Carnival is scheduled for January 30 and February 1. Contact the Recreation Department for more information.
· The Board wanted to thank Richard and Susan Silver for the First Day Celebration at the Pierce House. Approximately 500 people showed up during the day on January 1. The Board also thanked “Tastings,” the caterer who donated food and time.
· This Thursday evening there is a MAGIC forum on Environmental Issues at the Museum of our National Heritage in Lexington.
APPOINTMENTS: Public Safety Tower Committee
Paul Svetz, member and Anita Scheipers, Assistant Town Administrator
Mr. Svetz said that Mr. Caswell is unable to attend this evening. He opened the discussion by reviewing the history. In an effort to improve emergency radio coverage in Lincoln, the Fire Department applied for and received a grant from Homeland Security to replace the existing pole at the top of Bedford Hill with another structure to hold newer equipment and lines. The ZBA granted approval to replace the existing tower of approximately the same height in approximately the same location. However, the the 56‘ tower was replaced by an 80’ tower (both heights include antennas) on a new foundation relocated to avoid interference with an existing underground water tank and lines as specified by the Water Department. The new location is about 20’ lower than the original, and as a result,
the new tower is about 10’ higher than the original. Due to the height discrepancy, the Town has applied for new waivers from the FAA.
The Town hired a consultant who has provided a simulation of public safety radio signal coverage in Lincoln. The model showed that coverage conditions correlated with anecdotal responses of “shadows” that existed with the old antenna in certain areas of town due to the terrain. There has been improvement of radio coverage with the new tower. Going back to the original tower height would result in loss of that improvement, Mr. Svetz said. However, the new height may require illumination, using a steady white light during the day and a blinking red light at night. The Town has requested a waiver and there is some assumption that while a light would have to be installed, it may not have to be illuminated as long as the tree canopy remains in place. Should the present screening be altered, it
may have to be lit. Mr. Svetz said they expect to get an answer from the FAA by the end of January or the beginning of February.
Mr. Svetz added that the consultant has been particularly helpful because the FAA will not deal with the Town directly. Their designated FAA Agent is in Texas. The Committee has produced a matrix “Review of Radio System Alternatives” showing various alternatives and outcomes. However, it is not complete due to missing information from the FAA. The Board asked that Massport be included in the process. The Town would like to avoid lighting under all circumstances.
In discussion about other technologies, Mr. Svetz indicated that at the present time alternatives are more expensive and not reliable. The Board suggested insuring that the tree canopy remains viable while also looking into and investing towards the future technologies. In answer to questions from the Board, Mrs. Scheipers and Mr. Svetz said that the application only asks for factual details, and does not concern itself with aesthetics. The FAA’s priority is safety. The Town has sent in pictures and the consultant’s survey. Mr. Svetz said the tower, fully functioning and operational now, is currently in violation of both the FAA and the ZBA. The screening trees on the site are hemlocks (susceptible to the Woolly Adelgid) and Red Pine.
Discussion turned to moving the tower back to its old location. Because the gravel which had held the old pole was insufficient for the new tower, a concrete pad had to be constructed and the weight of the pad required its re-location. The new location is slightly down the hill from the prior location. They had assumed they could go to the same height, but the tower came in 20’ sections, rather than 10’ sections, and the constructed tower came out higher. Ms. Scheipers identified three problems with the old system: hardware, underground cable, and radio signal distribution. The Town was able to replace hardware and installed new FIOS lines through a grant from Verizon. The Town then needed a new pole or tower. It was installed at 60’ rather than 40’. However, now the Town
sees a marked improvement in the signal. Bringing it down to 40’ would cause signal loss.
Buzz Constable commended the Committee for involving the neighbors. However, he said that if this was private property, the owner would be told to remove the zoning violation He also commented that future technology advances would be a better solution for the town. The Chairman suggested that the Town set up a “sinking” fund to prepare for future technology. She also added that it is substantially different to compare a private residence to a public safety necessity for the Town. Several residents were angry that a better process was not followed in the beginning when some mistakes in judgment were made. The Chairman admitted that mistakes were made on the Town side, and there are implications for the neighbors, but that this is a public safety tower for the entire town.
Other Board members believed that going “backwards” did not make sense either. Neighbors asked if the alternative solutions can be found in the Report. Mr. Svetz said it they could be added in the Report and are in the Matrix. The residents are concerned that the present tower will be final solution. Mr. Higgins said the Town Administration understands the criticism and acknowledges that mistakes were made. Right now the tower is non-compliant and they have applied to the ZBA and to the FAA for waivers. The Chairman agreed that a blinking light is not the outcome the Town wants.
Town Administrator’s Report and Discussion:
· Liquor License: The application has been submitted to the ABCC, which is the final phase of the approval process.
· FINCOM shares the Selectmen’s concerns regarding expectations of future funding following a “pilot” program in support of a public health nurse.
· Route 2- The State has committed to 6-7 million dollars for the first phase of right of way takings at this time(Sarah/Tim, please clarify language here)
· Retiree Health Benefits – Administration is in discussion regarding implementation of Section 18 with employees and retirees, who appear to be in support. This would make Medicare the primary provider for employees and retirees who qualified for the program, and thus leave the Town as the secondary provider.
· The Town Administrator is developing a list of “ready” projects that could be ready for stimulus funding from the Federal Government.
· Mr. Higgins has begun discussing the proposed Town Offices renovation with Capital Planning and the CPC. There is some concern that this could need more town wide discussion, but a delay could mean competition with the schools for funding. The Board discussed having a “placeholder” on the warrant.
· FY10 Budget. Mr. Higgins assured the public that financial forecasts take into account the recent fiscal forecasts and state budget cuts.
· Lincoln Woods – Mr. Higgins and Mr. Taylor met with Community Builders and John Scotti of Lincoln Woods. Community Builders will present a “Developers Service Agreement.” It appears now that there will not need to be further consulting analysis about how to restructure the cooperative. The Town may consider taking ownership of the septic system that serves Lincoln Woods and the Mall in order to assure septic treatment for the South Licoln area. Chairman Mattes discussed the background of Lincoln Woods and noted that the viability of the Mall and the retail area is linked to the viability of Lincoln Woods. She also noted in the current
configuration, all 120 units count as affordable and currently account for 60% of our total inventory. Next steps include Community Builders presentation to Lincoln Woods, due diligence on their septic system, and a mechanism to report out to the Town.
LIASION REPORTS:
· Ms. Mattes said the next HATS Meeting will discuss Youth Services among the four towns.
· Mr. Taylor reported that the December 15 meeting of the Sudbury Budget Review Task Force is recommending consolidation of the school districts. Sudbury Selectman Larry O’Brien has suggested a larger group look at this. This may require both Town Meetings to vote on the revisions of the current regional agreement and hiring of the new superintendent. A Superintendency Union could be accomplished only by modifying the present agreement which requires a vote of both towns.
ACTION:
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded, to open the Warrant for the 2009 Annual Town Meeting. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Higgins will send out Action Items.
· Minutes were deferred.
· Warrants were approved and signed.
The Meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved February 23, 2009
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