1984-10-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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} -3- Mr. Eddison reported on the October -26th, 2.7th, 28th Massa- chusetts Municipal Meeting in Hyannis; which he, Mrs. Battin and Mr. Hutchinson had attended, noting several issues which had been addressed; such as: Hazardous waste, Prison Siting and others. The major issue considered had been Binding Arbitration Legis- lation. He reported that, in essence, the MMA will resist any closure mechanism; but if proposed, will proceed within the guide- lines recommended by the MMA Executive Committee on . C losure/Labor Relations. Mr. McLaughlin outlined his proposal for a strategic planning process regarding "Lexington 2,000". He gave examples of past decisions which could be considered examples of "avoidable mistakes", and requested members to submit any others they recalled. He felt that if there had been signi- ficant numbers of "avoidable mistakes" attempt could be made to ad- dress mechanisms which may reduce their number in the future. Another area to be addressed would be -pushing- out horizons. He recommended that a determination be made as to whether the strategic planning process should be pursued; anal, if so, he re- quested suggestions on any changes to his proposal. MMA Annual Meeting "Lexington 2 Regarding areas of problems to be addressed, he suggested that - as a starting point, the three major Boards, plus the Housing Author- ity should be asked to individually discuss. strategic objectives of Ou■► the next 10 to 15 years to identify topic areas and list their priorities. Mr. Marshall recommended collection of data and information on what is currently happening in Town in order to accomplish problem identifi- cation. Mr. Eddison agreed that data gathering was important noting , that this was an ongoing process in the Planning Department. He hoped, other agencies would cooperate in this effort . He felt that a 5 to 6 year rotational planning system which could be revised , . if needed, from time to time, was preferable. He was in favor of a shorter time horizon. Mr. McLaughlin was not in favor of the 5 -year plan concept which he felt would tend to be non-strategic. He would see as a first step the de- velopment of a matrix by Town Agencies and Staff. Mr. Hutchinson noted the work load of Town Agencies and Staff with respect to support for Committees, and recommended that temporary outside help in the development of - a report* While it was generally agreed that this planning process may even - tau l ly require formation of a Committee, it was thought that the first step identification of long -term issues was a= good starting point. The Board concurred with Mr. McLaughlin' s recommendation that is- sues should be surfaced by the Selectmen, Planning Board, School Committee and Lexington Housing Authority before designing of a process and to defer formation of .a Committee until that has been accomplished. Mr. McLaughlin will draft a letter for distribution t o the above - mentioned major Boards requesting a one -page response, outlining primary concerns and potential problems Mrs. Battin will confer with the Chairmen of those Boards prior to a meeting to be scheduled for discussion of "Lexington, 2000".