MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, November 17, 2008
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Gary Taylor, Sarah Cannon Holden (late arriving)
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:
· Mrs. Holden announced that there will be a follow up to the State of the Town (SOTT) meeting on Long Range Planning tomorrow night in the Town Offices. The Report of the Town Nurse Study Task Force that was presented at SOTT will be appended to Minutes of theMeeting and posted to the Town Website.
· Chairman Mattes announced a Special Round Table Discussion on Town Meeting and Governance that will be the focus of this Thursday’s November 20) HATS Meeting in Lincoln.
· Mr. Taylor announced that there will be a Finance Committee Budget Forum on at 7:30 PM on December 3 at the Hartwell Building.
Appointments:
Candidates for Agricultural Commission:
Ms. Mattes opened the meeting by welcoming the candidates for the Agricultural Commission (AgCom). Several years ago, as Lincoln celebrated its 250th Anniversary, many residents recognized that farming was one of the cherished attributes of Lincoln’s heritage. Establishing a Commission was discussed at that time. In 2006 Town Meeting voted unanimously to establish an AgCom. The Chairman welcomed the applicants for the Commission to tonight’s meeting and asked each of the applicants to introduce themselves and discuss their interest and background.
· Kit Carmody is a member of the Codman Farm Board. He discussed the role of Codman Farm in the community. He and farmer Heidi Tafel noted that there are 125 +/- community plots, between 125-130 acres are farmed, and there are a number of farm animals at Codman.
· Peg Marsh said she has been associated with Codman Farm since its inception. She believes the establishment of the committee recognizes that the Town sets a value on agriculture.
· Christy Foote Smith is the Sanctuary Director of Drumlin Farm and a resident of Farrar Pond . Drumlin Farm is a blend of farming and open space. The Farm also contains an environmental education center. Farming is extensive with 18 acres of crops. They have summer and winter CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) as well as farmer’s markets in Somerville and Mission Hill.
· Heidi Tafel is the Farmer Manager at Codman Farm. She appreciates that there will be an official way to connect farmers and a way to promote agriculture.
· Ari Kurtz of Old Concord Road will be the designated member from the Conservation Commission. He has leased land from the Town for 18 years, and has run the Linden Tree Farms CSA (now 270 members) for 15 years. He also believes that an AgCom gives farmers a forum to talk and share common opportunities and technologies. The Conservation Commission goes on site visits to the farmers to make sure they are complying with local and State regulations regarding land use.
· Lynne Bower and Bruce McDowell purchased McNight Nursery about 10 years ago, now Stonegate Gardens. She is now a resident of Old Concord Road.
· Kip Kumler is the owner and operator of Turtle Creek Winery. He uses one acre on his home at Beaver Pond Road and leases two acres at Flint’s Field from to grow grapes. He is Chairman of the Mass Farm Wineries Association and a member of the American Farm Bureau. He believes the establishment of an AgCom is a wonderful opportunity for a semi-suburban town outside Boston.
· Beth Taylor is also a member of Codman Farm and believes in teaching children about farming and agriculture.
Chairman Mattes explained the Selectmen’s process of interviewing candidates prior to making appointments, but anticipates making appointments at next week’s meeting. She said the AgCom will be an official body within the town and will have certain tasks, such as to review and work with the ConsCom to create a list of all the farming activities in town and exploring a “Right to Farm” bylaw. Terms have not been set, but Ms. Mattes suggested that the Commission can select their chairman and stagger the terms at their first organizational meeting. The Chairman thanked the applicants for attending the meeting.
Action:
Prior to the next appointment, Ms. Mattes asked to move the Call FireFighter appointment forward.
Mr. Higgins explained that the Town tried to maintain 10 Call FireFighter positions, but often these members of the force move on to full time positions in other towns. The Chief is recommending adding Caleb Hagarty as a Call Firefighter. Mr. Hagarty was present and came forward to introduce himself to the Board. Mr. Hagerty said he is in the process of getting his EMT certification. Mr. Hagarty lives in town and attended Lincoln Sudbury High School. In full disclosure, Mrs. Holden said that his father is a tenant, but did not believe this was a conflict. Mrs. Holden made a Motion to appoint Caleb Hagarty as a Call FireFighter for the Town of Lincoln. Mr. Taylor seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Appointments (continued):
Buzz Constable, Representative to MAPC Re: Regional Planning Update
Mr. Constable explained that the MAPC (Metropolitan Area Planning Council) is made up of 101 cities and towns. It is headquartered in Boston and provides staff for seven sub-regions in the areas of economics, housing and legislative matters. Lincoln is part of the MAGIC sub-region (Minuteman Advisory Group on Inter-local Coordination) of the MAPC. Mr. Constable then discussed the MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization). There are 13 regional MPO’s. The MPO is responsible for the TIP (Transportation Improvement Program). This is federally mandated program to identify highway projects in terms of physical and financial impacts. He commented that the MPO in Massachusetts is not as effective as in other areas of the county. He noted that Federal authorization runs out
in September of 2009. While it will most likely be re-authorized, it does not necessarily include funding. He also discussed the CTPS, which provides a research and financial process for the Massachusetts Secretary of Transportation. Mr. Constable moved on to the Decennial Census. There is widespread belief that Massachusetts was undercounted in 2000, and there is on-going work with the University of Massachusetts to set up better methodology. As far as regional activities, MAPC helped set up the local GIS system, works with the local Planning Departments, has supported HATS in the past, and most recently has supported the 128 Central Corridor Coalition (128CCC). Ms. Mattes moved the discussion to housing and land use policy in Massachusetts. Earlier reports from the Rappaport Institute had suggested that the trouble with local and regional government is rooted in Town meeting and volunteer government, believing that there are too many
vested interests. Mr. Constable conceded that much of this research is done by people in the housing industry. In recent years regionalism has been encouraged by 43D grants where towns are better able to determine the locations of new development. He also discussed District Local Technical Assistance to help provide regional smart growth planning between municipalities and initiatives to allow them to share services and monies. Mr. Higgins prepared and reviewed a lengthy list of shared resources, including schools and school services, regional planning agencies, police and fire mutual aid, shared resources for public safety and security, shared resources for social services, regional library services, shared or combined services with adjacent towns on septic and health issues, regional hazardous waste disposal, and regional housing consortiums. The Board discussed the economies of scale with regional sharing, while recognizing it may not always have the
best outcome. They asked Mr. Higgins to circulate this list to Town staff for comment and update. Ms. Mattes asked Mr. Constable about the key issues facing the MAPC. Mr. Constable said they are finishing the MetroFuture project and he noted the current transportation crisis, including the quadrupling of tolls on the Mass Turnpike. The Board should continue to be diligent on Route 2 and Route 128/95. Ms. Mattes believed the toll changes could have impact on the local roads. On housing issues there has been discussion of expiring affordability and restructuring.
Open Forum: – No one was present for this session
Town Administrator’s Report:
· Liquor License- The Board has already voted to approve the Liquor License contingent upon Board of Health, Planning Board and CORI approvals. The latter has not yet arrived.
· Public Health Nurse Task Force: Given the current fiscal considerations, funding for this would occur in a preferred budget. Mr. Higgins has investigated the possibility of using funding from the Codman Trust for a one year pilot program for a public health nurse. The Board suggested discussion with FINCOM first. Should the program prove popular, it it would be difficult to have the program, then remove it when there is no funding. Mr. Higgins said they would only consider a contracted service for about $25,000 to provide home visitation, some public health planning and assessments. Phyllis Mutschler, a member of the Task Force, and
present for the meeting, said the school nurse could not handle the increased work load. The question still remains as to which segment of the population will have the need. Would some of the services be covered by insurance, or is it for people who do not have insurance? Is it beyond what insurance covers? How would a Town Nurse interface with Medicare Plus? Visiting Nurses usually know how services are covered. A Public health Nurse would do assessments, education, emergency planning, and some visitation. The Board determined to have a conversation with the FICNOM prior to any further discussion.
· Housing Update – Peter VonMertens did some research to discover that the town will need 17 more affordable units following the 2010 census. The new group homes provide 9 units. The Housing entities are investigating a buy down of two more units at Minuteman Commons. Lincoln Woods is also an issue for the Town.
· The Town sent a letter regarding Route 2 to the Secretary of Transportation. Two issues remain for consideration: Right of Way Funds should be secured and the Design should be completed. Another CAC meeting is scheduled for December 17. Ms. Mattes asked if there is a “Plan B” if there is no funding for right of way takings. She is concerned about the residents along Route 2 who have not had resolution on this issue for 15 years. The Selectmen would like to meet with the Planning Board to discuss these issues. The members of the Board would not like to create expectations that the Town cannot fulfill.
· Mr. Higgins reminded the Board that there is a legislative breakfast planned for December 8 at the Bedford Old Town Hall.
· Mr. Higgins said that town department budgets are due this week. The base budget is limited to 2.5% and there will not be room for new initiatives.
· There is a follow up meeting to the state of the Town meeting tomorrow night in the Town Offices.
Liaison Reports:
· Mr. Taylor reported that CMark has closed on the house and outreach to the neighborhood and the larger community is underway. The Edinburgh house is in place. The Housing Trust is likely to pursue two buydowns at Minuteman Commons. The Housing Trust will be applying to the CPC for more funds for next year.
· Mr. Higgins reported that Lincoln Sudbury High School is considering adopting Section 18 which requires Medicare as the first payer for post 65 retirees, and/or Section 18A, which grandfathers exiting retirees. Town health insurance picks up the difference. This is also being discussed within the Insurance Advisory Group for Lincoln. The Board discussed GASB 45 and potential for funding that liability. Adopting18 could reduce that by 40 to 45%.
· Ms. Mattes reported that the 128 Central Corridor Coalition is meeting this Friday with developers and the MBTA.
· Ms. Mattes attended the Conservation Commission Coffee at Lincoln Woods. Lincoln Woods and the Town have met with the DHCD.
Action Items:
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve the contract for Washed Sand to J. Melone & Sons at a price of $13.5 per ton. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to award the bid for the printing of the Annual Town Report and Financial Warrant to The Country Press of Middleborough, Massachusetts for the contract sum of $6,388.07. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Mr. Higgins will send out action items from this meeting.
Minutes were deferred.
The Executive Session was postponed.
A Motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The Motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst Approved on May 4, 2008
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