MEETING MINUTES
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Monday, March 16, 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 7:40 PM. Due to the late arrival of the videographer, the meeting agenda was taken out of order. Taping began later during the meeting.
TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT:
· Mr. Higgins reported on the status of the Roadway Paving Plan. Mr. Bibbo has hosted a pre-bid meeting. Bids for the roadway paving plan are due on March 27. Fully executed documents will be due at the end of April.
· Hollingsworth House – Mr. Higgins hopes to have an appraisal by next week. Peter VonMertens, Angela Kearney and Timothy Higgins are working on new documents for the House.
· Section 18 – Mr. Higgins reported that there has been positive feedback from employees, and the adoption of the proposal is supported by retirees. There will be a presentation at Town meeting to explain how this affects employees and funding.
· Housing Update – The agreement between The Housing Commission, the Housing Trust and the Lincoln Foundation has been finalized with Edinburg for the group home on Bypass Road. They are also close to finalizing two more affordable units at Minuteman Commons.
· The new Water Superintendent started today. He has extensive experience with the Town of Littleton in the areas of filtration, conservation, and DEP relations. He also has the appropriate academic background.
DISCUSSION
· The Board briefly discussed the Transportation Bill, noting that the MMA supports the gas tax. Mrs. Holden made a MOTION to send a letter to our State legislators indicating support for the MMA position with the addition of a minimum of a $.19 gas tax. The Motion passed unanimously.
· The Board reviewed the proposed assignment list for Town Meeting. Mr. Higgins is preparing a power point presentation. Seventeen articles are on the Consent List. The Town Administrator is preparing a Power Point Presentation. The Finance Committee Meeting is this Wednesday and the Moderator’s Meeting is the next Wednesday (March 25).
· Article 41 involves a Tax Title Taking. It is a non-developable parcel of land. Chairman Mattes expressed concern about the process. The wording will be amended to reflect proper ownership.
· The Board briefly reviewed the capital articles.
APPOINTMENTS
· John Kimball, Zoning Board of Appeals Chairman, Re: Annual Appointment Process
Mr. Kimball reported that one member (Anna Hardman) is retiring. Megan Stride would like to be reappointed. The usual process involves elevating an associate member to full status, and the longest serving associate member is Steve Daigle. Mr. Kimball did not specify a particular skill set, but being able to work with neighbors and keeping a level head were attributes he recommended. The Board currently includes several lawyers and an engineer. An architect could be useful, he said. The associate members attend meetings and run along side the regular members to make sure there is a quorum for all hearings. He added that the Zoning Board helps administer the Zoning Bylaw and shape development of the town.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
· The Board reported the Green Energy Forum was well attended with energy and ideas. They applaud the Committee for their commitment and interest.
· The warrant will have information about the road pavement program on the inside of the cover and will include a volunteer sign up form.
· A number of trees are posted for potential removal. The tree hearing has been postponed to April 7, 2009.
ACTION
· Article 20 - Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded to support the establishment
of a trust for the Group Insurance Liability Fund to comply with GASB 45. The MOTION passed unanimously.
· Mr. Taylor made a MOTION, Mrs. Holden seconded to appropriate $100,000 to fund the trust.
The MOTION passed unanimously.
· Article 28 - High School Stabilization Fund – Mr. Taylor explained that establishment of this
fund would mean that monies reserved for but not used by Lincoln Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS) would go into a stabilization fund. Chairman Mattes asked if there would be a “sunset clause” for the fund, further questioning why this is is a better result than letting the extra funds go to ”free cash.” Mr. Taylor argued hat it would help prevent the “jolt” of having to produce a large amount at one time should Sudbury decide on an override. The Finance Committee is supporting the article. No vote was taken by the Selectmen at this time.
· Mr. Higgins reported that he has worked with the Moderator to move more items on to the
Consent Calendar to allow more time for the Interim Report prepared by the CLRP Committee and for the Citizens’ petitions.
· Article 32– Citizen Petition – The Chairman read the article. Mr. Taylor noted that there are
existing committees that focus on housing in town: the Housing Commission (HC), Lincoln Foundation (LF), Affordable Housing Trust, and to some extent, the Community Preservation Committee. Many people are active in town. The Board reviewed the members of the “Troika”, made up of members of the HC, the Trust, and the LF. It is an ad hoc committee and a way to informally coordinate among these housing entities. The Board noted that research was done on group housing. The Board discussed impacts to neighborhoods, noting no impacts or drop in values on Sunnyside or at the Ryan Estate. An unfriendly 40B would have a large negative impact. The housing entities have looked at multiple approaches to adding affordable housing. The Group Home use is within the guidelines of
the Comprehensive Housing Plan. Community Preservation money was expended following a Town Meeting discussion and vote. The Board recognized that it was difficult to include specific neighborhoods as that would conflict with anti discrimination laws. Following discussion, Mr. Taylor made a MOTION that the Board OPPOSE Article 32. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Article 33 – Citizen Petition- The Board discussed Article 33. Mr. Taylor noted that in order
for the Town to own the Group Home, it would have to pay for the entire acquisition. IN many cases, renovations and other landlord type issues would be encountered. In this case, the Town makes a certain investment ($600,000) toward a 1.5 Million dollar (+) purchase and still is able to gain the benefits of each bedroom counting as an affordable unit. There are refund provisions: Should the house no longer qualify under the state affordable housing index, then the investment is refunded. The Housing Commission held an open Meeting about group Homes last June. The Board again discussed the scale of this type of development versus an unfriendly 40B. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION that the Board oppose Article 33. Mrs. Holden seconded. The Motion passed unanimously.
· Article 35 – Citizen Petition – Ms. Mattes discussed the surrounding HATS towns’
experiences with 5-member boards of Selectmen. Mrs. Holden questioned if the additional selectmen would provide more expertise and/or if the Town might then require more staff. She did not agree that additional members would provide more diversity. It could take longer to reach consensus on issues. Mr. Taylor said that it is more logical to have staff that is knowledgeable, including technical advice. The Board agreed there is concern with the difficulties of having a “split” board on issues. Ms. Mattes noted that Lincoln boards work to build consensus before reaching a vote, while some other towns do not. With a larger board, there is some possibility of a “one-issue” candidate. The Board agreed it is already difficult to find people to run for a seat on the three
member board. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to OPPOSE Article 35. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Article 36 – Petitioner’s Article for a Wine and Beer License. The Board discussed the fact
that the desire for a wine and cheese shop in Lincoln first came forward as part of the “Charrette” process in 1997. The Board agreed that Town Meeting should decide whether the town should make an application for a second liquor license with the State legislature. It was noted that a petition was filed for a license to be awarded to a qualified applicant and that the TM vote would not be location specific. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to SUPPORT Article 36. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion passed unanimously.
· Article 36 – Petitioner’s Article for a Wine and Beer License. The Board discussed the fact that the desire for a wine and cheese shop in Lincoln first came forward as part of the “Charrette” process in 1997. The Board agreed that it is appropriate for Town Meeting to decide whether the town should submit an application for a second liquor license with the State legislature. It was noted that the petition to be considered at town meeting is for a license to be awarded to a qualified applicant and that the town meeting vote would not be location specific. Mr. Taylor made a MOTION to SUPPORT Article 36. Mrs. Holden seconded and the Motion
passed unanimously.
LIAISON REPORTS
Mr. Higgins reported that a visitor fell through the ice on Twin Pond. A neighbor saw the incident and called it in to the Fire Department. The victim was rescued within 15 minutes, and taken to the hospital. Both the victim and a fireman were treated for hypothermia and released. The Town has supported water equipment and training. The Board commended the public safety on their quick response and rescue.
A motion was made and seconded to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The Meeting adjourned at 9:45.
Submitted by Debra Parkhurst
Approved September 14, 2009
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