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MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, October 6, 2008
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Gary Taylor
ABSENT: Sarah Cannon Holden
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:
· The Chairman announced that residents who were interested could log on to www.lincolntown.org and sign up for the new e-mail subscription service to receive notification of significant events or meetings.
· Mr. Higgins said that Representative Conroy informed the Town that Representative DeLeo will be at the Wayland Town Hall on October 15, from 10:30 AM until Noon to discuss the budget.
Appointments: Town Nurse Task Force
Peggy Schmertzler and Joanna Hopkins were present to discuss the work and recommendation of the Task Force. This includes a Draft Proposal, background for an expanded public health position, research into neighboring or similar communities regarding their nurse services, and a framework for the nurse’s role in public health. Handouts were provided for the Selectmen. Ms. Hopkins announced the members of the Task Force: COA Director Karen Santucci, Fire Chief Artie Cotoni, School Nurse Maureen Richichi, Mary Sheldon, Rob Loud, Beth Ries, Phyllis Mutschler, Tricia McGean, and Diane Haessler. A survey had been sent to residents in a COA mailing, sent home with school children, left in various town locations, put on the Town Website, and described in the Lincoln Journal. Survey results indicated that most people
were happy with their primary care, as covered by insurance. Those over the age of 60, and particularly those alone, listed a number of possible future needs. Most needs fall under public health. Currently the School Nurse perfoms two Town public health functions:
1. meeting the state and CDC requirements for the reporting, surveillance, and control of communicable diseases and
2. participating with other Town representatives in local emergency planning.
At this time, because the School Nurse’s role at the school has expanded, she believes that she can no longer adequately fulfill the above functions. Further, she believes that there are additional unmet Town public health needs. The Task Force spent the summer looking at 12 neighboring or similar – sized towns. Most town provide some nursing services and many of them relate to public health. Ms. Hopkins then went through a list of functions for a public health nurse:
1. continue meeting State and CDC requirements for managing communicable diseases;
2. expansion of blood pressure and other health screening and immunization clinics;
3. expansion of health promotion programs;
4. health counseling, and referrals;
5. home health and safety assessments, when uninsured;.
6. occasional visits to the home bound (chronic or disabled)
7. work with public safety on local emergency planning, as well as training non professionals for emergencies.
The Task Force attended the Board of Health meeting on October 1. The Board of Health supports a trial period for a provider for several years, where the service provided would be documented. Ms. Hopkins and Mrs. Schmertzler discussed the use of a regional provider who would be contracted on a yearly basis. They estimate it would take one to two years for people to adjust to the new position and the nurse will have a change to interact. They estimate the need to be 10 to 12 hours per week. Ms. Mattes wondered if it would be useful to consolidate resources on the school campus and provide a clinic there. The different roles of a Town Nurse versus Public Health Nurse were discussed. Mrs. Schmertzler said they are aware of the FINCOM budget guidelines coming out this month and they will give
thought to the mechanism for funding. They approached “The Groves” for funding, but they were not forthcoming. The Selectmen noted this might be good to bring up at the State of the Town. Mrs. Schmertzler and Mrs. .Hopkins will prepare a Report. Finally, all agreed to change the name from the Town Nurse Study Task Force to Public Health Nurse Study Committee.
Traffic & Roadway Planning Committee Re; Status Report
Chairman Mattes introduced members of the Ad Hoc Traffic and Roadside Committee, discussed the charge and mission and their work with the consultants, CEI, Public Works and Public Safety. Jason Felsch, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee introduced of the members of the Committee present this evening: Rick Wiggin, Beth Ries, Ken Bassett, Ken Hurd, and Buzz Constable. Other interested citizens included Peter Braun and Jeff Eaton. Mr. Felsch explained that the Committee took an integrative approach, participated in the design process, met with the consultants, and held a series of public meetings. While the project will include drainage, roadbed reconstruction, and curbing, the focus is not to widen the road but to improve traffic calming, aesthetic and historic nature of the roads. Safety and fiscal prudence must
also be accounted for. The Committee recommends breaking the project into segments over 2009-2010 for several reasons, including funding and further study on certain intersections; organizing a standing Traffic Committee and Roadway Management Committee; and the inclusion for consideration of changes to the current roadway and layout plan. Mr. John Vancor of CEI discussed specific proposals, including sloped granite in front of the library, nine (9)vertical deflections, several three way stops, several town “gateway “ treatments, and the possibility of closing Old Lexington Road east of Lexington Road. Highest priority roads will be done in 2009 with a second tier in 2010. The 2009 segment includes Route 126, Bedford Road north of Route 2, Baker Bridge Road to Trapelo to the Waltham line. Safety is an important consideration and they discussed this with Public Safety and learned that there are accident “hot spots’ all over town. Fiscal prudence demands a proper return on
investment and roads most in need shall be treated with input from Chris Bibbo and CEI. During the course of deliberation, they discovered the need for further review of intersections at Lincoln Road and Route 117. Preliminary estimates exceed the 5.5 million dollars. Mr. Vancor discussed costs of specific roadways, including Baker Bridge Road, Sandy Pond Road, Bedford Road, Concord Road, and Trapelo Road. Mr. Felsch briefly recapped summer discussion on bicycle lanes. They do not want to widen roads or remove trees as that would increase speed. They did discuss improved shoulder maintenance and a narrower traveled way. They also discussed speed humps on arterial roadways which impose issues for emergency vehicle use and increased noise and chance of injury. Landscape Designer Pam Shadley spoke of signs and landscape treatments at the “gateways” to the Town. These would not be overly manicured, would use native
plans and present a green “threshold” to the Town. Mr. Vancor of CEI briefly discussed signs and and pavement markings. While there is flexibility, there should be consistency as well. Ms. Mattes asked for drawings indicating the pavement markings and signs for the various speed humps. Mr. Felsch thanked CEI and their staff for their presentations and assistance. He then asked the Board about next steps. Ms. Mattes asked Mr. Bibbo if this breakout makes sense financially. Mr. Bibbo said that the break out costs represent the roads most in need of repair. He also said that he understands that some of the intersections need more study, i.e., Lincoln Road and Route 117 and along Route2A and Bedford Road. Kerry Glass of the Historic District Commission (HDC) said that the five corner intersection is in a historic district and a sign with that designation may have a traffic calming effect. Mr. Vancor discussed two
specific changes within the historic district: a raised hump on Trapelo and discontinuing a portion of Old Lexington Road. Several residents spoke about the benefit of slowing traffic down. In response to Mr. Taylor’s question regarding traffic during construction, Mr. Bibbo said they will be developing plans to minimize traffic impacts and disruptions during construction. As part of this, maps and signage will be indicated. Ms. Mattes would also like to see mailings to affected neighbors regarding the location for speed humps in order to elicit feedback. Mr. Vancor noted that the design for speed humps has changed and this changes the dynamic of how they operate. Mr. Bassett asked what advantage there is to separating a speed hump from a cross walk? Mr. Vancor said that some advantage is lost when the humps have to become ADA compliant. There was a brief discussion regarding the users of roadside paths. Mr. Bassett
asked if the engineers could indicate the location of the speed humps and signs. A field test using painting and marking was suggested to show locations of speed humps. There are ten locations for speed humps and cross walks. Notices will go out to affected neighbors, in the paper, and on the website. The Board also requested information on public safety response time, particularly with regard to North Lincoln. The parties agreed that concept plans will be available by the end of the year. Mr. Wiggin announced that there will be a neighborhood meeting for Bedford Road North Lincoln neighbors on Wednesday, November 5.
Town Administrator’s Report: deferred
Discussion: deferred
Action Items:
Minutes: deferred
Warrants: Approved and signed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
APPROVED: May 4, 2009
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