 |
MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, October 27, 2008
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Gary Taylor, 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:
Chairman Mattes announced a meeting of the CLRP Committee tomorrow morning.
Chairman Mattes announced that HATS will be meeting on October 30 regarding building and development constraints. HATS’ next meeting is on November 20 and will focus on governance and Town Meeting. The following meeting will be on December 18 regarding various parking standards that either encourage or discourage growth.
Chairman Mattes called attention to markings around the various roadways in town. Green day-glo stakes indicate locations for signs, while cross hatching in the roads indicate locations for speed humps. The Town website will offer information on various re-designs, road closings, etc.
Appointments:
Representative Conroy: Legislative Update:
Tom Conroy, Lincoln’s State Representative was present to update the Board on State wide issues. Senator Susan Fargo was unable to attend. Rep. Conroy began by discussing Ballot Initiative No. 1. The FY08 budget actually ended with a surplus. However, in the last three months the economic picture has drastically changed and they expect revenue to fall sharply with a 1.4 billion dollar shortfall. He will check to see if this is net amount. The Governor proposes 1 billion dollars in cuts. The Governor has made selective cuts, much of it in health and human services, but the budget is still evolving. Certain budgets cannot be cut, including pensions, state aid, etc. There have been quality assurance cuts as the governor has tried to preserve monies that help
people. While initially part of the budget, spending to eradicate the invasive species in Lincoln has been cut. The Legislature has been watching revenues quarterly, and expects to look at them monthly going forward. He said the faster there is an improvement in the economy globally, the better Massachusetts will fare. Implications are dire should Ballot # 1 pass. This would imperil Federal matching funds that help pay for Medicare and Social Security and the money lost is closer to 15 billion dollars. State Aid in this case would not be held harmless, he said, and he discussed the various implications for unemployment and the homeless. State Aid for Lincoln is 7 to 8 % of the total local budget. The Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation estimates that 50 to 70% of State Aid would be cut if the ballot were to pass. For Lincoln, this means that 70% of two million dollars would be cut. The Schools represent 60% of the Town
budget. Rep. Conroy has talked at length with Carla Howell, the sponsor of the bill, and he does not believe that she understands the implications that this would not just cut fraud and waste. He noted that many people in the state rely on services such as the COA, Medicaid, and hospital funding. He believes the implications are additive and will be felt for a long time. Discussion then turned to the 128 Central Corridor Coalition. Ms. Mattes explained the mission of the group. Rep. Conroy added that communities from Burlington down to Needham are looking for traffic mitigation. He questioned if all the real estate developments are still going forward, given the economy and his belief that a lot of financing has halted. The Selectmen in Weston are meeting tomorrow with Boston Properties regarding a development proposal by Biogen in that community.
Jacquelin~Apsler & Meena Hewett, Domestic Violence Services Network
Jacquelin~Apsler, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Service Network (DVSN), met with the Board along with Meena Hewett, Outreach~~and ~Programs~~Coordinator, Police Chief Kevin Mooney and two outreach volunteers, Ellen Matathia~and Susan Walsh.~ Ms. Apsler explained that DVSN works closely with~ten~towns and their police~departments~as well as the Hanscom AFB and the Concord District Court~to~make sure appropriate service and intervention are~made available for victims of domestic abuse.~ There are~~over 50~~volunteers from 24~towns.~ Chief Mooney said this has been very helpful for the department; officers involved in a domestic abuse case may now be more assured that victims have not been left unattended.~ Later, he noted that Hansom increases~Lincoln’s number of domestic abuse cases by 50%.~ Ms. Apsler said the DVSN budget
is small and most funding comes from the Violence Against Women Act (Federal grants), State and local grants and donations.~~ The present economic crisis may exacerbate some domestic situations as tensions about money rises.~ She said the original program was the~vision of the Chief of Police in~Concord.~ She said that domestic violence is~prevalent~in the suburbs, and that the victims (mostly women) are less likely to go to a shelter.~ Ms. Apsler~ and Ms. Hewett reviewed their booklet which included an overview of what they offer, including direct services, court support programs, partnerships with local law enforcement and outreach and education.~ The Booklet also includes information on funding~~sources~, statistics, and recent articles~ on the community~education efforts~of DVSN~.~ Discussion turned to outreach in the communities.~ Ms. Apsler noted that violence also occurs against elders and youth.~ Ms. Hewett said their protocol is to call a victim~three times, and if they do
not respond, then~for the safety of the client,~DVSN does not pursue the outreach~~and the case~is brought back to the attention of the police~.~ Ms. Apsler discussed the complexities of the situations and the importance of trying to keep the victims safe.~ The perpetrators cannot always be arrested and held.~ Chief Mooney said a judge decides if an offense~is~“arrestable”.~ The DVSN tries to help with~the process before that event.~~~ DVSN volunteers also learn about the various~~social service~providers at their in-service~meetings, so they can provide information to those that need it.~ The Board asked where residents can find information about the DVSN and other resources.~ Ms. Apsler said materials can be found at the Police station, Library, and various religious institutions.~ ~The Board encouraged them to also put materials in the Town Offices.~
Lincoln Historical Commission (LHC): RE: Hollingsworth Conservation Restriction
Lucretia Giese & Ruth Wales of the LHC were present to discuss restrictions for the Hollingsworth property. Ms. Mattes reported that she has had a discussion with Jack MacLean regarding Constantine Pertzoff and his contributions to the Town in land planning. At the Chairman’s request, Mrs. Giese read the historical narrative provided by Jack MacLean. After the reading, Ms. Mattes said that she has wanted to identify certain features that went with this type of land planning incorporating modest houses on large lots with land held in conservation. She said the Hollingsworth Will had specific conditions on the use of the land and the house that preserved the land, but did not necessarily preserve the house. The LHC has suggested language amending the restriction that would allow the LHC
to have design approval over the house. Ms. Mattes said the Board was looking for guidance on general restrictions that would preserve the modernist style of house within the neighborhood. Ms. Giese said the LHC requested review over architectural matters.. Ms. Wales believes that the house preferably should be preserved intact, and not necessarily just limited to design restrictions. Mr. Higgins said this is a “caveat emptor” situation and a respective bidder would want to know the process before finalizing a purchase. The parties discussed those specific features that had been called out, including the single story facing the street, flat or butterfly roof, limits on size, integration into the natural setting, and saving overall appearance. The various options were discussed, such as putting the house under a preservation restriction, sending it to the LHC for approval for a Certificate of Appropriateness before notification. The Board would like to know the value of the
property if it is sold unrestricted. Ms. Giese said they believe that a restriction does not diminish the value, only the number of people interested in it. The Board noted that prior to transferring the house to the Housing Trust for subsequent sale, the Selectmen would want to make sure the Town’s interests are adequately protected. The Selectmen stressed that the terms of the Will did not constrain the sale of the house. The Board could put forward a straightforward preservation restriction and then see what kind of bids come in while retaining the ability to reject bids. Should the bids be insufficient, then a second plan could go forward, with limited restrictions. The Town Administrator will confer with Town Counsel, Assessors and a Real Estate Agent.
Town Administrator’s Report:
Budget guidelines were made available to staff and were in the Selectmen’s packets.
Discussion:
Residents will receive the State of the Town Report later this week. The Board discussed the format for the meeting prior to turning it over to CLRPC.
Liaison Reports:
Mrs. Holden reported that she and Mr. Higgins met with Dennis Kois, the new DeCordova Director. The Board would like to have him back in for another discussion.
Mr. Higgins and Mr. Taylor reported that the Town has received its official certification from DHCD that Lincoln has passed the 10% affordable housing requirement in order to comply with State mandates. It is estimated that the town will need15 to 20 more affordable units to comply after the 2010 census. Mr. Taylor reported that with the joint efforts of the housing groups in town, they are moving forward with two group homes in town, which should provide nine more units of affordable housing. They are also actively pursuing two more buy downs from the Mayo Group (Minuteman Commons).
Action:
Trust Fund Commission Appointment: The Board noted that each person brought skill set from the financial realm. The current Chairman of the Trust Fund Commission had noted that one person in particular had skills in the bond market which would be useful. Ms. Mattes, noting that she was absent from the interviews, said she would abstain from voting. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to appoint Peter Hodges to the vacant seat for the duration of the term, either until the upcoming local election in March, or for the remainder of the term, whichever is the proper process. Mrs. Holden seconded. Mr. Hodges should be asked if he is willing to run if that is required. The Motion passed 2-0 with one abstention.
Mr. Higgins summarized action items.
Minutes were deferred
Warrants were approved and signed.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
APPROVED MAY 4, 2009
| |