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MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, April 27, 2009
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon Holden, Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
BOARD REORGANIZATION:
Ms. Mattes called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. and explained that it is traditional to change the Chairman of the Board following Town Meeting. Mr. Mr. Taylor nominated Sarah Cannon Holden as Chairman for the coming year. Ms. Mattes seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
Welcome & Introductions: Mrs. Holden then took the chair and reviewed the agenda.
APPOINTMENTS:
· CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: POLICE: Police Union representative Jon Wentworth was present along with Police Chief Kevin Mooney. Mr. Higgins explained that the last contract expired in June 2008. He also noted that the IAC was simultaneously looking at insurance options. He noted that the Board of Selectmen had reviewed the terms and agreements in Executive Session. The new contract covers fiscal years ’09, ’10, ’11. There will be a retroactive increase for FY09. The COLA calls for a 3% increase in FY 09 , with 2.5% increases for FY10 and FY11. Mr. Higgins explained that they conduct a comprehensive survey of 15
communities from Lexington west to Route 495...He further explained that the contract maintains competitiveness in this area. The major costs are the COLA (cost of living) increases. The new contract provides consolidated steps for the dispatcher position in order to financially encourage people to stay in that position. Both Chief Mooney and Union Representative discussed the positive experience they had with the process. Mr. Higgins said that early and informal discussions start with “how are we doing?” in order to talk about impressions and issues and to help solidify relationships. Selectman Taylor said he was pleased that the process is peaceful and amicable and still able to stay within a “target zone.” He complimented all the parties involved in the process.
MOTION – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, and Ms. Mattes seconded to endorse the “Agreement between the Town of Lincoln and the Lincoln Police Bargaining Unit, Massachusetts Coalition of Police , Local 197,” as provided to the Selectmen on April 27, 2009. The Motion passed unanimously.
· CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS: FIRE: Lt. Gary Longo and Scott Christensen, President and Vice-president respectively of the local firefighters union, were present along with Fire Chief Art Cotoni. Mr. Higgins explained that the go through a similar process, beginning with how the department performs, followed by an open discussion. He thanked Gary and the other members of the union who participated for their discussion and cooperation. Again, COLA is the major cost, and the settlement is 3% for FY09, 2.5% for FY 10, and 2.5% for FY11. He noted that the contract is about 1% to 1.5% lower than it might have been in better economic times. The Selectmen again
expressed their appreciation for the good process and outcome.
MOTION – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded to endorse the “Agreement between the Town of Lincoln and the International Association of Firefighters, Local 2796, as provided to the Selectmen on April 27, 2009. The Motion passed unanimously.
· LINCOLN CULTURAL COUNCIL: Jay Hersh, Lincoln Cultural Council Chairman, was present to discuss the work and needs of the Council. Mr. Hersh explained that the Lincoln Cultural Council is a local agency, a subset of the State Agency and receives funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Over the last year, the local council has been developing its own guidelines (in the past, the Council used the State’s). The Council brings arts, humanities, and interpretive sciences (including music, art, photography, and performance) to the Town. He noted that one performance, the “Buccaneers of Buzz,” presented by Miranda Loud, won a “Gold Star” Award. The award will be presented on June 13 at 1:30 PM in the Tarbell Room at the Library. The Council also encourages the submission of ideas from local residents, such as the “365 Days of Lincoln” presented by Ellen Morgan. This Saturday, they will present a photography class focusing on “small things,” which will be followed by
a field session. This will be followed by a juried exhibit in December. Funding is by calendar year, and all grant applications are due by October 15, 2010. Information is on the Town’s website. Right now there are seven members, but the Council can have as many as 22, maintaining a minimum of 5. Liaisons are assigned to individual events, so that each artist has a connection. The Council can help facilitate presentations and originate proposals, but the artist must do his or her own advertising. The active cycle for the Council is from October 15 to the end of the year. Mr. Higgins explained that last year, the local Council went to three year terms, to be in line with the State. Mr. Hersh is requesting that three members have one year extensions, in order to make their terms a three year length.
MOTION – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Ms. Mattes seconded, that the Board extend the terms of Amy Goodwin, Barbara Low, and Jay Hersh through April 2010. The Motion passed unanimously.
· RECREATION COMMISSION: Noah Eckhouse, Chairman of the Recreation Commission was present along with Jonathan Dwyer, head of the Celebration subcommittee, and Dan Pereira, Recreation Director. Mr. Eckhouse said that the Commission is made up of three appointed and three elected members. To his knowledge, all members are happy to continue to serve. The Recreation Department has a $331,000 budget of which 80%+ is recovered through user fees. They try to be cost neutral. The Commission works hard to offer programs and facilities to those outside of Lincoln as well, which helps to amortize the costs of the facilities. This provides an additional
$3,000 to $5,000 for camp and an additional $30,000 for the pool. Some 60% of their participants now sign up on line, with over 1600 registrations and 600 participants. He discussed the various programming options. He also noted that there are areas where there is crossover and participation from the department to other departments, such as Dan helping with celebrations, Stacey working on the triathalon, and cooperation with Public Health, CLRP, CPA and Friends of the COA. Jonathan Dwyer discussed how celebration has become a successful subcommittee of the recreation department. They handle Patriot’s Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Summer Concerts. This has been successful because working on these various events have been parceled out to groups or individuals who take on a discrete task. For instance, three students from Lincoln Sudbury High School have successfully run the Fourth of July Parade for several years. The Girl Scouts support Memorial Day and the Boy
Scouts support July 4 festivities. Ms. Mattes, noting that the Bemis Trustees are struggling, wondered if this model could be offered to Bemis. She also said that Bemis gets 50% of its funding from the John Todd Trust, which is charged with providing education, entertainment, and recreation. Dan said he would get in touch with Susan Pease on the Bemis Trustees. .
· LUPA & CPA II: Buzz Constable, Town Representative to the MAPC, Mark Whitehead, Town Planner, and Bryce Wolf and Bob Domnitz, Co-Chairmen of the Planning Board were all present to discuss the Land Use Partnership Act (LUPA) and the Community Planning Act (CPAII). Mr. Constable briefly reviewed the recent history of the Zoning Act, most recently amended in 1977. There is generally agreement within the planning community that the Zoning Act and the Subdivision Act are flawed. The mid 1990’s effort toward sustainable development, the Massachusetts Land Use Reform Act, has morphed into CPA II, which is being authored by the Land Use Reform Working Group.
LUPA, put forward by Undersecretary Greg Bialecki is currently a Task Force Report, but both developers and municipalities have issues with it. Mr. Constable said the CPA II has similar issues. He said objectives of both studies are predictability, cost effectiveness, efficiencies, and clarity for both sides. He sees this as pro active planning rather than reactive regulations. Ms. Mattes expressed concern about trading the ability to negotiate for efficiency. Mr. Constable claimed that efficiency helps both sides (government and developer). Mr. Constable said the bill is complex and is an attempt to balance planning, regulations, and development. He believes Lincoln’s best approach is to be issue oriented; that is, identify three or four issues that can affect the Town. Mrs. Holden commented that solving these general problems may not have much to do with Lincoln. Mr. Constable said he
is not an advocate for LUPA, but the Town should pick up parts of this bill that address needed zoning reform and are optimal for everyone. Mr. Domnitz questioned if “good public policy is being held hostage.” Ms. Mattes suggested that this could be discussed among the four member towns of HATS, and then could reach further out to the sub-region of MAGIC. This is a way to have more impact. Ms. Mattes advocated turning to the Planning Board and staff as well as Mr. Constable as MAPC representative for information. The Board requested that the Planning Board and Mr. Constable devise a list of particular issues (weighted) for the Board to Consider. The Board thanked Mr. Constable and the Planners for their attendance.
OPEN FORUM: No one was present for this session.
DISCUSSION:
· Battle Road Scenic Byway – The Vote on this will be deferred. A Meeting regarding the Scenic Byway is scheduled in the Lincoln Town Office on May 12 from 3 until 4:30 PM.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
· Mr. Higgins reported that he expects results of the hearing regarding the Restraining Order of the second low bidder for the roadway paving by next week.
· The ZBA hearing for the Public Safety Tower is scheduled for May 21.
· Information Technology Planning – The work for this group is scheduled to go on this summer and fall. The Selectmen will appoint a working group that will include townspeople as well as staff.
· State Budget – Mr. Higgins reviewed projections and changes. It is difficult to know until the budget at the State level is settled. Mr. Higgins has called Representative Conroy. The Finance Director will keep FINCOM aware. While there is a slight increase for Ch.90 funding, at this time it is “earmarked” for the Railroad Crossing work. Mr. Higgins briefly reviewed the 15 year history of the railroad crossing.
· Open Meeting Law and Subcommittees – Mr. Higgins confirmed that subcommittees need to keep minutes and post notice in accordance with state regulations. There are exceptions, including a meeting convened by professional staff.
ACTION:
Affordable Housing Trust
· Ms. Mattes made a MOTION, Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint the following members to the Affordable Housing Trust: from the Selectmen- Gary Taylor; from the Housing Commission – Pam Gallup; from the Finance Committee – Ellen Meyer Shorb; from the Lincoln Foundation – Peter Von Mertens. These members are all past appointees. The MOTION passed unanimously.
· BJ Scheff has expressed interest in the At-Large position. Ms. Mattes made a Motion, Mr. Taylor seconded to appoint BJ Scheff to the At-Large position on the Affordable Housing Trust. The MOTION passed unanimously.
LIAISON REPORTS:
· The Lincoln Sudbury Consolidation Working Group met last week. They will meet on May 7 to discuss how the administrations are organized; they will meet on May 19 and May 21 with consolidated school districts: Acton Boxborough, Concord-Carlisle, Dover- Sherborn, and Northborough-Southborough. Meetings are in the Flynn Building at 7:30 PM and are being recorded and played on the Lincoln and Sudbury cable channels.
· Last Saturday was the Lincoln voluntary roadside clean up. The Selectmen thanked the participants.
The Board reviewed the future schedule.
Minutes were deferred
A MOTION was made and seconded to adjourn. The MOTION passed unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst Approved May 11, 2009
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