MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, March 23, 2009
PRESENT: Sara A, Mattes (Chairman), Sarah Cannon Holden, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: The meeting opened at 7:30 PM. Ms. Mattes reviewed the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· The Moderator’s Meeting will be held this Wednesday night, March 25, 2009 at 7:30 PM in the Donaldson Room. The Chairman explained the purpose of the meeting to allow the Moderator and the presenters to understand the logistics and organization of Town Meeting.
· Town Meeting will be held Saturday, March 28, 2009 beginning at 9:30 AM in the morning in the Brooks School Auditorium. While all are welcome, you must be a registered voter (registration ended on March 6) to vote. Non- registered residents and non- residents will sit separate from voting members.
· The next HATS Meeting will be on Thursday, March 26 in the Donaldson Room, Town Offices. The discussion by the four member towns will focus on State zoning legislative initiatives.
APPOINTMENTS:
· Pierce House – Annual Appointment Process
Chairman Judith Gross and Manager Richard Silver were present for the discussion. Mrs. Gross briefly described the Pierce House and its mission. She believes the Pierce House is doing well, but the main challenges continue to be financial. Mrs. Gross said “it’s hard to run a business that really isn’t a business.” Mr. Silver said the events are mostly weddings with a few corporate events and other smaller functions. Town organizations also use the House. A quiet year will have 50- 60 events; a busy year might have up to 90 paying events. On going repairs have to happen in between events and Mrs. Gross said the Pierce House is lucky to have a handyman who is flexible for scheduling. The Pierce House has applied to the CPC for two projects: 1) to
re-point the foundation, and, 2) to re-build the pipes to the pond and headwall (cosponsored by the Conservation Commission). The latter will be scheduled in the late fall. The Chairman asked about putting gravel in the parking area. The Manager said they put down stone a few years ago, which worked well, and it might be time again. There are currently four members of the Pierce House Committee, but they should have five to six members. The Committee would hope to attract residents who have marketing and business acumen. The Board reminded viewers that Volunteer forms can be found at www.lincolntown.org or by calling the Town offices at 781-259-2600. Mrs. Gross said they are hoping to form a “Friends of the Pierce House” group as a fund raising arm, and they always will accept contributions. The Board thanked them for attending.
· Lucretia Giese, Chairman of the Lincoln Historical Commission (LHC) and Vice-Chairman of the Lincoln Historic District Commission (HDC).
Mrs. Giese reviewed the mission and charge of the Commissions and noted that the LHC was established in 1974 and pre-dates the HDC (established in 1982). She further explained that the HDC is responsible for structures within the Historic District. The HDC has five regular members, two members designated from the Planning Board, and two alternates. The Historical Commission oversees other properties in town, and is responsible for requests for demolition under the Demolition Delay Bylaw (not in the Historic District). If a structure is deemed historically significant, then there is a 12 month delay imposed. The LHC recently received the ability to add two alternate members to the LHC following a Home Rule petition approved by the Massachusetts Legislature. She added that there is an array of reasons
that a structure might be deemed historic. While the Commission might guide an applicant on replacement, it is really the Planning Board that oversees Site Plan Review. She said there continues to be pressure for tear downs, and smaller houses are vulnerable. The LHC also oversees petitions for Overlay Neighborhood Districts and is concerned with completing the inventory of houses in Town. They have made application to the CPC (for $8,000) to complete the inventory of houses built between 1900 and 1930. The two current member alternates on the HDC both wish to resign. Mrs. Giese suggested that the same alternate(s) who are appointed to the HDC may also be appointed to the LHC concurrently. She added that good candidates might have an interest in law, real estate, architecture, preservation, or knowledge of Lincoln history. The Board thanked Mrs. Giese for attending.
OPEN FORUM: No one was present for this session.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT & DISCUSSION
· The Board reviewed the language of their positions on the Citizen’s Positions Articles: # 32, #33, #35, and #36.
· The Board reviewed Article # 28 – High School Stabilization Fund - The Board discussed how this fund would be created and funded going forward. The Town vote for the budget includes enough in case Sudbury votes for an override. In the event that they do not, there are funds left that may go to Free Cash. If this article passes, the money would go to the stabilization fund. Ms. Mattes questioned why the Town would NOT want it to go to Free Cash, and why it would be put in a fund the Town could not use for other purposes.
MOTION – Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded to support Article 28, the Finance Committee’s recommendation to establish a stabilization fund for Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School. The Motion passed 2 to 1. Taylor and Holden – in favor; Mattes – opposed.
LIAISON REPORTS:
· Mrs. Holden attended a recent CAC – Route 2 Meeting and reported that they have started the “takings” process. Houses will be done first then land strips. The Board discussed the value of the houses in this down market as well as past tax implication in the “up” housing market.
ACTION:
· Future Meetings
There will be no meeting next week. (March 30).
Mrs. Holden will not be at the Meeting on April 6.
Mr. Higgins said there will be a CLRP update on April 13.
The Chairman requested that the MAPC Representative come for a session on legislative action.
Mrs. Holden will attend the School Committee meeting when they discuss the RFP regarding Leases (Magic Garden). The Board continues to support affordable accessible day care in Lincoln.
The Meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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