MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, June 8, 2009
PRESENT: Sarah Cannon Holden (Chairman), Sara Mattes, Gary Taylor
STAFF: Timothy Higgins (Town Administrator), Debra Parkhurst (Administrative Assistant)
Welcome & Introductions: Mrs. Holden welcomed the public and reviewed the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· Ms. Mattes called attention to the Mall, which is open and busy. The Clark Gallery has set up a “mini – museum” in the new building.
· Mrs. Holden announced that Sunday, June 14 from 4 to 6 PM there will be a “farewell” open house at Lincoln Sudbury High School for outgoing Superintendent John Ritchie.
APPOINTMENTS:
Planning Board Co-Chair, Bob Domnitz and MAPC Representative, Buzz Constable
Re: Land Use Partnership Act
Mr. Higgins opened the discussion by reviewing earlier zoning reform initiatives brought forward by the Zoning Reform Working Group. The Land Use Partnership Act (LUPA) presents changes to State zoning and planning. Mr. Domnitz said the Planning Board has authored a letter of response that agrees with objections to LUPA made by other communities and groups. He said changes to subdivision and site plan law could disrupt “good “development as cases are brought before the courts for interpretation. However, the letter also endorses a few elements of LUPA that could be beneficial. In general, this response letter suggests that LUPA should be unbundled, and various provisions and elements should be debated individually. Good policies can be adopted
sooner (example: a limit on maximum square footage). Mr. Constable commended the Planning Board on their response. He said that bills become “hybrids” during the hearing and debate process and in conversations with staff. He said that the last time the Zoning Act was amended was in 1977, and this took several years. He said the two examples of changes noted in the letter, control of the maximum size of a house and the overly broad interpretation of the Dover Amendment, would help protect municipalities. Further discussion noted that the broad interpretation of the Dover Amendment also enabled the construction and placement of group homes in Lincoln and other communities as educational, non-profit exemptions. Ms. Mattes noted that Bedford has written a letter objecting to LUPA that the Town has received, and the communities can ask their HATS, MAGIC or other planning representatives to advocate for the communities’
positions. The Board thanked Mr. Domnitz and Mr. Constable for their input and guidance.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to endorse the letter dated June 8, 2009 regarding the Land Use Partnership Act, executed by the Chairman. Ms. Mattes seconded and the MOTION passed unanimously.
Housing Commission Chair, Renel Fredriksen
Re: Overview Housing Commission mission and responsibilities
Ms. Fredriksen said the Mission of the Housing Commission (HC) is two- fold: to maintain existing and create new affordable housing. This is all to ensure a diverse population. Over the last five years, the HC has added three rentals to the Town owned stock through construction. The Groves will add 30 affordable apartments at their site (currently under construction). The Town has also worked with Minuteman Commons to provide a total of 8 (eight) affordable condominiums. The Town also created two group homes where each bedroom counts as a unit; thus providing nine (9) units. However Mr. Fredriksen added that the next Federal census in 2010 will change the current formula and the HC may need to add five to seven units more. They are currently working with the Lincoln Foundation
and the Affordable Housing Trust towards this goal. There are a total of 230 units in town; Lincoln Woods and Battle Road Farm provide 75% of these. The various housing groups are working to ensure their viability. In the meantime, the HC is responsible for physically maintaining six units in town owned buildings. Currently, the Building Inspector does much of this improvement and maintenance work. The HC is putting out a Request for Proposals for an entity to manage these units. The administration fees could come directly from the revolving fund from rental income. The HC has been tracking the income and expenses, and they believe that this is workable. The Housing management would also manage the waiting list for units and handle phone calls. Ms. Fredriksen said the current town owned units are in good shape, although 30 Sunnyside may need some work. There are currently 19 applicants on the
waiting list. The HC would like to be able to spend more time developing policies and procedures manual (a State requirement). George Georges is the member whose term has run out and he would like to be reappointed. He has a real estate background. The Chairman explained that the Selectmen typically wait a week or so to appoint, so that interested citizens can apply for the position. The Board thanked Ms. Fredriksen for the update.
OPEN FORUM: No one was present for this session.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT AND DISCUSSION:
· Route 2 is moving from the 75% to the 100% design. Mr. Higgins worked with the Town Planner to organize a Meeting with the Neighborhood Captains. They will meet tomorrow night (Tuesday, June 9) in the Town Offices with MassHighway. Both John Snell and Mark Whitehead will be attending along with Sarah Cannon Holden representing the Board of Selectmen. Mrs. Holden reported speaking with Representative Tom Conroy who indicated that everything seems to be moving forward with Rt. 2 and that the takings of houses should be underway very soon.
· Town Budget – Mr. Higgins reported that he met with the Finance Committee (FINCOM) last Tuesday. The Senate Conference Committee is expected to issue its revised budget soon. At this time, the FINCOM is considering all alternatives in expectations of the State budget shortfalls. The FINCOM has agreed with the Selectmen to designate October 17, 2009 as a date for a Special Town Meeting. A Special election will follow if necessary.
· Hartwell Pods Lease - The Board briefly noted they have received many letters and phone calls regarding the lease and Magic Garden. The School Committee has asked that the School Administration come to a Selectmen’s meeting for a discussion.
· Technology Planning – The Technology Planning Committee met over two days with six applicants. The Committee recommends awarding the contract to e-Gov Consulting of Reading, Massachusetts for $29,360.00. Ms. Mattes made a MOTION to accept the recommendation of the Technology Planning Committee and award the contract to e-Gov as stipulated. Mr. Taylor seconded and the MOTION passed unanimously.
· FINANCIAL OVERVIEW – Mr. Higgins said that he and Finance Director Colleen Wilkins were asked to provide an overview for the Long Term Plan. The Board may e-mail Mr. Higgins with any comments. The Board thanked him for providing this.
· MUNICIPAL RELIEF ACT – This Act allows the Town to make modest transfers within departments in order to balance the budget. This will be the fifth year in a row that the Town will take advantage of this. The FINCOM endorsed the action on Tuesday night. The Act limits the amount that can be transferred to 3% or $5,000 of the sender’s budget. This simplifies accounting and relieves the Town of having to do many small Reserve Fund Transfers. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to approve the adoption of the Municipal Relief Act for FY09. Ms. Mattes seconded and the MOTION passed unanimously.
· REGIONALIZATION – The Board discussed the various discussions the town is having with neighboring towns: Mr. Taylor with Sudbury, Ms. Mattes with the HATS communities (Bedford, Concord, Lexington) and Mr. Higgins with groups west of Lincoln (including Sudbury). Ms. Mattes and Mr. Higgins will be participating in a HATS discussion on June 25. She noted that HATS already has an inter-municipal agreement.
· COMPREHENSIVE PLAN – The Board discussed review of the Executive Summary. Mrs. Holden said that the Steering Committee is focused on organization of the document. Ms. Mattes urged looking back at “legacy” documents for consistency of core values. She believes the current document lacks context. The new document should also include a bibliography to include all of Lincoln’s past planning documents, studies and conference reports. The Board discussed economic development to include in the Long Range Plan, including a discussion of “do nothing” versus “pro-development,” with a second focus on what the town would
gain or have to forgo according to various growth scenarios. Pressure to maintain services without other sources of revenue means the Town has to generalize revenue by increasing the tax burden. Mrs. Holden said that historically the people that worked to preserve the town did not want to resist change, just control it. It is unrealistic to try to remain frozen in time; changes can occur with the Town retaining its character. Mr. Taylor commented the RLF has managed to develop some property while preserving other properties. The Board was concerned about losing diversity and consequently small town character. Local needs must include finances. The Chairman of the Long Range Planning Committee, Ken Hurd, will attend the Selectmen meeting on June 22. The Board reviewed their liaison assignments relative to the 12 chapters of the long range plan.
ACTION:
Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to establish October 17 as the Special Town Meeting date (tentative). Ms. Mattes seconded and the MOTION passed unanimously.
CORRESONDENCE:
The Board recognized the letter from Dan Boynton of Cambridge Turnpike and his interest in being appointed to the Planning Board. As an Elected position, an appointment to the Board requires a joint election of the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. If others are interested they should forward an application to either the Planning Office or the Selectmen’s Office. The Boards will be interviewing Mr. Boynton at the Selectmen’s meeting on Monday, June 22, 2009
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
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