1984-02-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

y. y it SELECTMEN'S MEETING Y ,J February 27, 1984 A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town. off ice Building on Monday, February 27, at 7:15 p.m. Chairman Politi, Mrs. Battin, Mr. Sacco, Mr. McLaughlin; Mr. Hutchinson, ..Town Manager, Mr. Cohen, Town ' Couns el ; - .Miss Adler, Assistant to the Town Manager and. Mrs.. Snow, - Acting Executive Clerk. Members of the S. Lexington Association were present by appointment to present their views and concerns regarding funding of additional Planning Board staffing and to ask reconsideration of the Board's de- cision to recommend $12,000 f.or contractual professional services, rather than for expansion of the part-time planner position to full time as proposed by the Planning Board. Mr . Hutchinson noted that the Planning Board has never had a full time assistant Planner. The staff had previously consisted of a full -- time planner, a full time secretary and an intern. He recalled the Planning Director's suggestion that this staffing be changed to a part time secretary and part time planner in addition to himself . He recommended continuing with the plan for contracting, as now proposed, for at least the S. Lexington Study, Planning Board Chairman Smith's letter, dated February 24, was read expressing her Board's appreciation of the Selectmen's support of the $12,000 addition to its budget for professional services. In the light of the work load in the foreseeable future, Mr. Smith sees ex- pansion of staff to include a full -time Jr. Planner as being cost effective for the Town, however stated the willingness of the Planning Board to accept the additional staffing on a contract basis to demon- strate what can be accomplished with additional help. She stated her Board's concern with tying the increased funding - to one particular study, noting that there are three major planning projects on the priority list: Lexington Center, S. .Lexington and housing, all elements in Lexington's Master Plan. These projects, in addition to on-going work of the department, require the flexibility to use staff as needed on the various elements. She stated that the three abovementioned projects can be completed within the year with the degree of increased professional staffing proposed, provided no other major tasks are as- signed to the department by Town Meeting or by currently unforeseen events. Donna. Hooper , Precinct 3, expressed support for completion of the S. Lexington Study but concurred with the Manager's assessment re- garding the Planning Board staff. Richard Michelson, noted that the Chamber of Commerce has hired a contractor to study the four Planning Board articles and is working towards hiring a contractor to assist in future planning for the Center. He supported the Selectmen's recommendation for professional help for the Planning Department. Mr. Domni t z questioned whether the use of a Chafnb er of Commerce hired consultant might constitute a conflict of interest. Mr Michelson responded that it will be a professional study, and will not be slanted. Planning Bd. staffing request