MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, October 20, 2008
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon Holden (Acting Chair), Gary Taylor
ABSENT: 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:
· Mr. Taylor expressed concern that someone has been stringing wire at neck height along certain horseback riding trails in Lincoln. There have been at least three incidents in the last few months. He asked people to please contact the Police immediately if they have any information.
· The Board brought attention to an article in last week’s Lincoln Journal regarding a post and beam barn built by Conservation Administrator Angela Kearney Seaborg out of wood taken from the Deaconness property.
Appointments
7:30 p.m. Robert Steinbrook, Finance Committee Chairman
Re: Proposed Repeal of State Income Tax/Ballot Question 1
Mr. Steinbrook said Ballot Question # 1 was proposed by Carla Howell to eliminate the State Income Tax. The first year, one-half of the tax would be eliminated, with the remainder eliminated in the second year. Mr. Steinbrook referred to the Mass Taxpayer Foundation Report that confirmed that at least 40% of the State revenue, amounting to 12 billion dollars would be eliminated. Since much of the State budget is fixed with non-discretionary funding, such as Medicaid, there would be a 70% reduction in any discretionary funding, including funding for cities and towns. He confirmed that the Legislature does not have to act; it is a binding referendum. Compared to many municipalities, the amount provided to Lincoln through local aid is relatively small (6-7%). Right now the Town budget is efficient.
Property taxes pay most of the budget. Overrides have tended to be in the $300,000 to $500,000 range. In answer to a query from the audience, any State Aid goes into the general Fund, un-earmarked, regardless of source. Residents should understand that the consequence should Ballot 1 pass is a slow down in Town services or a large increase in property taxes. Mr. Steinbrook said the initial cuts made by the governor do not target State aid to municipalities at this time. We are pre. Presently we are in the middle of the FY 09 budget, but are planning for the FY10 budget. Cuts could affect the FY 09 budget. Planning for the FY10 budget includes a Joint Meeting of the town budgeting agencies in early December. The present overall guideline calls for 2.5% increase. Mr. Higgins said he has scheduled a meeting with the Town budgetary staff to see where the Town may be vulnerable, look at trends and compare with actual
figures. Mr. Taylor surmised that the Town will be affected by a downturn in the economy, using a drop in car sales, and consequently a drop in excise tax as an example. .
7:45 p.m. Candidates for Trust Fund Commission
Mr. Higgins opened by explaining that at last year’s annual town election, no one ran for the open seat on the Board of Trust Fund Commissioners. The Commissioners oversee investments in trust funds. He noted a variety of funds with a variety of purposes. The Board oversees the Manager of the funds as to asset allocation, asset class, and risk parameters. They have approximately four meetings a year. The present Chairman, Don Collins was present. Several interested residents have volunteered to be appointed to fill the vacancy and were present for interviews for the vacancy: Peter Hodges, Bill Gnichtel, Jay Hersh and Paul Fitzgerald. Mr. Hodges said that he was in the investment software business. Mr. Gnichtel said he had been on past town
committees such as C3PO and the Elder Care and Housing Commission. He reviewed his background in investment planning. Mr. Hersh said his background is in electrical engineering, and worked with several start up companies for their 401K programs. He is currently chairman of the Cultural Council and had to turn things around there. He also believes the Commissioners can take a more active role by soliciting contributions to these and future trusts. Mr. Fitzgerald said he is a licensed CPA, specializing in non-profits and trusts. He also has worked in mutual funds and in investment software. Following further discussion, Mrs. Holden explained that it is the Selectmen’s policy not to vote this evening. They will make the appointment at the next meeting. She and Mr. Taylor thanked the applicants for coming in.
Open Forum – No one was present for this session.
Town Administrator’s Report and Discussion;
· Mr. Higgins briefly has arranged a meeting with budgetary department heads to discuss present and future budget ussues. He discussed budget planning dates and the 2 ½ % guidelines for departments.
· Mr. Higgins reported that Rosemary and Jack Kerrebrock, who recently received a curb cut approval from the Board, would like the curb cut increased to a width of 15’ She has presented a letter with the widths of other curb cuts in the neighborhood, which ranges from 16 feet to 28 feet wide. There are no drainage or safety issues. Mr. Taylor made a Motion, Mrs. Holden seconded to approve the request from Rosemary and Jack Kerrebrock to expand their driveway curb cut to 15 feet. The Motion unanimously. The Board may look at the curb cut widths in the future.
· Mr. Higgins brought attention to a new website feature created by Angela Kearney (Seaborg) which upgraded the GIS (Geographic Information Systems), creating a “land use tool” that can be viewed electronically. See ”GIS Web Viewer” on www.lincolntown.org.
· School Building Program: Mr. Higgins reported that he and Mr. Taylor attended a meeting to discuss the new State process for school funding for new construction or renovation. Under the new rules set by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Town initiates the process through a “Statement of Interest.” Representatives from the School Committee will attend the first Selectmen’s Meeting in November. Mr. Taylor said the MSBA sets up 31 steps which develops criteria for contribution rates. He said there will be a meeting on the 29th regarding capital projects in town.
· Mr. Higgins confirmed that DHCD has picked up the Deaconness units to count as affordable and now the Town exceeds the 10% affordable requirements for C40B. Discussion followed on the 2010 census re-computing the base, and it is expected that the Town will have to add more. The Board noted that the bulk of the affordable units have come with little or no cost to the town. The Board also noted that it is very expensive to develop these units on our own.
· The application for the liquor License will be presented and reviewed on November 3.
Action Items
· Fall Repaving Bid – Mr. Higgins reported on the low bid for Fall 2008 In-Place Bituminous Paving. The low bid was from Sunshine Paving Corp. of Chelmsford.for $186,340. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to award this contract to Sunshine Paving for $186,340.00. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· The Board has received an application from Linda Abraham to join the Lincoln Cultural Council. The Council can have as many as 22 members. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded, to appoint Linda Abraham to the Lincoln Cultural Council for a term of three years. The Motion passed unanimously.
The Board reviewed correspondence.
Mr. Higgins summarized actions.
Minutes were deferred.
Warrants were approved and signed.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved May 4, 2009
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