MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, July 21, 2008
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 7:35 PM. The Chairman welcomed the public, reviewed the agenda and action items for the meeting.
Announcements:
Ms. Mattes reported on the recent HATS Meeting regarding the disposition of Hangar 24. Comments may be sent to the Selectmen’s Office.
Appointments:
Booth Property Conservation Restrictions - Conservation Commission
Peter Von Mertens, Co-Chair, Conservation Commission. Mr. VonMertens came in support of the proposed conservation restrictions for the Booth Property on Old Concord Road. He discussed the three organizations that worked closely together to produce the restrictions: the Conservation Commission (ConsCom), the town-supported entity that protects the Town’s interests while adhering to State and Local regulations; the Rural Land Foundation (RLF) a private not-for-profit organization that raises funds for conservation; and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT), the organization that holds conservation restrictions or, in some cases, the land. The Booth property is on the Sudbury River and is accessible from Old Concord Road. With the aid of a plan, Mr. VonMertens discussed the various restrictions. The “Duck Pond Trust” is owned by the LLCT with the CR going to the Conservation Commission and will never have a residence on it. The “House Lot” consists of seven (7) acres with a
one acre building lot and will be preserved as it is. A third conservation piece is half of “Pleasant Meadow.” The fourth conservation restriction is in Concord and is mostly wetlands.
Mr. VonMertens noted that this was a long process and the Booth family gave a million dollars in value. He thanked the RLF for their contribution of $150,000 and fundraising from neighbors that provided an additional $400,000. The CPC funded an additional $250,000. He also thanked Geoff McGean of the RLF for his thoughtful handling of the process. Mr. VonMertens said that the new buyers of the house lot will preserve the existing home to the extent feasible.
Ms. Mattes noted that only half of the CPC monies come from the local taxes. The Board also thanked the new owners of the house and the other parties involved for making this targeted conservation piece a reality. Mr. VonMertens called attention to the fact that the first conservation restriction in Massachusetts was in Lincoln.
Discussion continued on the various pieces of this complicated conservation holding. Mr. VonMertens commented that the ConsCom and the LLCT must now concentrate on long term management of the properties. He noted the contributions of the outstanding staff. Each conservation restricted property has a three ring binder containing its history, conditions, and maintenance plans. The notebooks are kept in the ConsCom Office. The Board said the Motions will be made at the end of the meeting and thanked all parties involved.
Henry Hoover House Preservation Restriction
Joe Cornish, Historic New England; Also present Henry Hoover, Jr. and Lucretia Giese, children of the architect and present owners of the home.
Mr. Cornish was present to request the Selectmen approve a preservation restriction for the 1937 Henry Hoover House, the first modern house in Lincoln. This house pre-dates the Gropius house. The House was enlarged in 1959 by the architect/owner, Henry Hoover. Mr. Cornish explained how Historic New England manages its various restrictions, following Chapter 184 , Section 32 of the Massachusetts General Laws. This is a private agreement, but the restriction is perpetual. Mrs. Giese, Chairman of the Lincoln Historical Commission, said that they have been concerned about the fragility of modern houses. She noted the importance of working with Historic New England and their professional staff. Mrs. Giese said this preservation restriction agreement will be monitored by Historic New England.
Hopefully, such agreements will result in better protection of the built environment. The Historic Commission may want to consider a consultant or staff to handle these in the future. Mr. Hoover said they contacted Historic New England because they are able to enforce the restriction. Mrs. Holden asked how the restriction affects house values. Mr. Cornish said loss of value occurs only if there is loss of ability to sub-divide the property. Mr. Cornish said Historic New England lists properties for sale on their website and some are listed in antique home magazines. Two other houses in Lincoln have preservation restrictions: the Flint house on Lexington Road and the Marsh house on Bedford Road. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve the preservation restriction as submitted for the Hoover House at 154 Trapelo Road. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Open Forum: No one was present for this session.
Town Administrator’s Report:
· There will be a roadway traffic workshop on July 22, at which time the Traffic and Roadside Committee will explain their process, program, and goals. Workshops will be public and listed on the website and cable. The final workshop will include both the consultants and the committee.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the State budget has been finalized. Chapter 70 funds will be distributed equitably. Lincoln also benefits from the State-Owned lands fund.
· There is now a written report on the Hollingsworth property. The Lincoln Historic Commission will be asked to make specific comments and will be invited to a meeting in September
· Minuteman Commons – The Planning Board will not take up their request to change the over 55 age restriction without a Town Meeting review and vote. Planning Board member Bryce Wolf is the point person. The Selectmen reviewed that this project was passed at a Town Meeting and should only be changed at a Town Meeting. A conversion to rental, which might be investigated as an option for the developer, would mean all units count toward the affordable factor. Ms. Mattes will be the Selectmen liaison.
· Mr. Higgins reported that he and Ms. Mattes are working with the Lincoln School Committee on ways to help accommodate Bedford’s needs regarding funding for Hansom Based students at their High School.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the Train Horn Ban remains in place. VHB will come to a fall Selectmen’s meeting to review the designs for changing several railroad crossings in order to preserve the ban. Construction has to be completed by June 2009.
Liaison Reports:
· Mr. Taylor reported that the ARPC has produced its final report with the exception of some final traffic counts and will present its findings to the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen in September.
· Mr. Higgins reported that the Route 2 project remains on the TIP, but has been pushed back to 2011. The MPO rationale is that it is not at 100% Design. Right of Way funds have not been secured. The Town will continue to advocate for legislation and bond funds. The Board discussed communicating with and/or convening abutters and to try to find Right of Way funding.
· Ms. Mattes reported that there will be a public information session regarding Hangar 24 on MASSPORT land at Hanscom Field. The public is invited to comment, although it is not clear when or where the next hearing would be held. She discussed the significance of the hangar and the work done there, including air traffic control and Apollo Mission testing.
· Ms. Mattes continues to work with the 128 Corridor Coalition. The Group has requested the inclusion of Routes 4 and 225 in the Study.
· Long Range Planning – The Board briefly discussed the Planning Process and the citizen survey. This Planning process is directed by the Planning Board by State Statute.
Action:
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to re-appoint Sara Lewis for a three year term to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Taylor seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Joyce Hersh for a three year term to the Conservation Commission. Mr. Taylor seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Megan Stride as an associate member to the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is a three year appointment. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. *
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Margaret Olsen as an associate member to the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is a three year appointment. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously. *
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to appoint Joanie Schaffner to the Lincoln Cultural Council for a three year term. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Ms. Mattes has authored a letter of thanks to (Wing Commander) General Schluckbier, congratulating him on his recent retirement. She commented that a “great friend” is staying in Massachusetts. She also noted another former commander Tim Ceteras has settled in New Hampshire and wished him well. Mr. Taylor made a Motion, seconded by Mrs. Holden to support the letter. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to approve the Employment Agreement between the Town and the Pierce House Manager. This agreement is for one year. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to approve the Independent Contract Agreement between the Town and the Assistant to the Pierce House Manager. This agreement is for one year. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve Conservation Restriction #128 for the Booth property (“house lot”). Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve Conservation Restriction #129 for the Booth property (“field”). Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve Conservation Restriction #130 for the Booth property (“duck pond”). Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a Motion to approve the Conservation Restriction #131 for the Booth property (“land in Concord”). Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
The Board reminded the public that office hours in July and August are Monday through Thursday, 7 AM to 5 PM.
Minutes were deferred.
Warrants were approved and signed.
The Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
· these appointments were amended for term lengths at a subsequent Selectmen’s meeting.
APPROVED: May 4, 2009
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