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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-01-22-STM-min SPECIAL TOWN MEETING January 22, 2003 (See Warrant File for Warrant) Moderator Margery M. Battin called the Special Town Meeting of January 22, 2003 to order at 8:34 p.m. at the Clarke Middle School, 17 Stedman Road. A quorum of 150 Town Meeting Members was present. The Moderator requested members to sign in and be seated and offered opening comments. The Moderator appointed precinct clerks to serve as tellers and Sheldon Spector for members at-large. The Moderator reviewed procedures and rules of conduct. 8:35 p.m. Town Clerk,Donna M. Hooper,read the Warrant for the meeting until further reading was waived. The Town Clerk read the Constable's Return of the Warrant. ARTICLE 1: REPORTS OF TOWN BOARDS, OFFICERS, COMMITTEES 8:40 p.m. Paul Hamburger moved the Report of the Appropriation Committee be accepted and placed on file. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the motion adopted. Shirley Stolz moved the Report of the Capital Expenditures Committee be accepted and placed on file. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the motion unanimously adopted. ARTICLE 2: LINCOLN PARK ATHLETIC FIELD RECONSTRUCTION 8:42 p.m. Presented by Georgia Glick, pr.4 MOTION: That the Town Meeting request the Board of Selectmen to appoint an ad hoc committee, including, but not limited to, representatives from the Recreation Committee, Lincoln Park Committee, Conservation Commission, School Committee, Design Advisory Committee, an independent landscape architect, and Lincoln Park neighbors to review the plans for the Lincoln Park fields reconstruction, consider alternatives, and report to the Board of Selectmen within four weeks after the appointment of the committee with a recommendation. The Selectmen will direct the implementation of such changes as they see fit to protect the integrity of Lincoln Park, while reconstructing the athletic fields and parking lot and keeping the cost of the project within the amount authorized by the debt exclusion vote of the town. 8:43 p.m. The Moderator recognized Lisa Baci, pr.4, who addressed the purpose of the motion. 8:49 p.m. The Moderator recognized Parker Hirtle, 62 Baskin Road, who addressed the differences between design layouts for the Park. 8:57 p.m. Recreation Committee Chairperson Sandra Shaw reported the Recreation Committee's opposition to the motion and outlined issues and process. 9:10 p.m. Selectman Chairman Leo McSweeney reported the unanimous opposition to the Board of Selectmen to the Motion, outlined process followed thus far, and explained the contractual process followed. 9:13 p.m. Conservation Commission Vice Chairman Phil Hamilton reported the Commission had taken no formal position on the Motion, explained the Commission had confirmed line of the wetlands and explained the Commission's role. Mr. Hamilton confirmed the Commission favors moving parking lots away from wetlands. 9:16 p.m. School Committee Chairman Scott Burson requested a 3-minute recess for the School Committee to caucus. The Moderator declared a recess. 9:19 p.m. The Moderator declared the meeting back to order and Mr. Burson reported 4-1 the School Committee opposes the motion, stating safety and accessibility concerns and the need for more fields. January 22, 2003 Special Town Meeting 9:21 p.m. Board of Health Chairperson Martha Wood requested the Moderator recognize Board member James Fearnside. Mr. Fearnside reported the Board of Health believes the synthetic turf proposed is most effective and recommends defeat of the motion. 9:24 p.m. The Moderator recognized Lynne Wilson of the Lincoln Street Subcommittee who spoke in favor of the motion. 9:29 p.m. Charles Hornig, pr.8, Capital Expenditures Committee, reported the Committee unanimously opposes the motion and of the belief it is inappropriate to change the fundamental assumptions without bringing a new proposal to town meeting. 9:31 p.m. Paul Hamburger, Appropriation Committee Vice Chairman, reported the majority view of the Committee, the Committee's favoring further negotiations without impacting construction, within appropriation, by completion date, and 3 synthetic fields. 9:33 p.m. Alan Levine, pr.8, presented minority report for Appropriation Committee, with unanimous disapproval based upon anticipated motion which would have been major disruption to project. However, he views the motion this evening different from that of a week prior, and finds it palatable. Mr. Levine now supports this motion, with a chance for improvements. 9:35 p.m. Georgian Glick, pr.4, spoke in support of motion. 9:40 p.m. Anne Frymer, pr.8, questioned the Recreation Committee on berms. Patrick Maguire, Geller Sport, explained the berm length and height along Lincoln Street. 9:41 p.m. Peter Cohen, pr.6, spoke in opposition to the motion. 9:45 p.m. Sam Silverman, pr.5, questioned the impact of contract signing on possible future changes. 9:46 p.m. Town Manager Richard White explained financial implications would be dependent upon degree of changes. 9:48 p.m. Sam Silverman, pr.5, questioned composition of group of proponents as well as proposed committee membership, and lack of finance committee representation. The Moderator explained the finance committee representation would be as liaison. 9:50 p.m. Andrew Friedlich, pr.5, spoke in support of motion. 9:52 p.m. William Erickson, 31 Sherman St., Lexington Youth Lacrosse, spoke in opposition to motion. 9:57 p.m. John Davies, pr.4, spoke in support of motion and of what he saw as new information being presented. 9:59 p.m. Selectman Dawn McKenna spoke in opposition. 10:03 p.m. Fred Martin, pr.7, questioned Town Manager Richard White on opportunity of petitioners to have input and be heard, without this motion, and Recreation Director Sandra Shaw on opportunity for citizens to voice design concerns. Town Manager Richard White explained the Town would continue to work with the petitioners. Chairman Sandra Shaw explained she saw adequate opportunity for interaction and that the Committee will continue discussions with petitioners. 10:07 p.m. Fred Martin, pr.7, questioned the Lincoln Street Subcommittee on its opportunity to convey design input. Lynne Wilson, Lincoln Street Subcommittee, concurred that comments have been given but major changes have not happened. 10:08 p.m. Julian Bussgang, 2 Forest Street, spoke in support of motion. 10:11 p.m. John Rossi, pr.1, spoke in opposition to motion. 10:13 p.m. Thomas Diaz, pr.2, spoke in support of motion. 10:16 p.m. David Kanter, pr.7, spoke in opposition to motion. January 22, 2003 Special Town Meeting 10:17 p.m. Patrick Mehr, pr.3, questioned berm measurements. Patrick Maguire, Geller Sports, confirmed measurements have been modified since issuance of bid. Mr. Mehr then questioned signing of the contract before this special town meeting, and Selectmen's position on Motion. Town Manager Richard White explained procedures generally followed, statutory limits, and deadlines established. Mr. White explained the synthetic vs. natural grass is the fundamental issue. 10:28 p.m. Alan Lazarus, pr.6, questioned the issue of communication and expressed an ambivalent yes to the motion. 10:30 p.m. William Frawley, pr.3, spoke in opposition to the motion. 10:31 p.m. Carol Liff, pr.5, questioned Recreation Committee Chairperson Sandra Shaw on restroom facilities at Lincoln Park. 10:33 p.m. Robert Atchinson, 9 John Benson Road, spoke in opposition to the motion and reviewed the process followed for the Lincoln Field project. 10:38 p.m. Timothy Carruthers, 2 Lexington Avenue, Director of Lexington Youth Soccer, spoke in favor of infield turf. 10:44 p.m. Joel Adler, pr.1, Moved the Question now be put. Following a voice vote on the Question now being put, the Moderator declared the Motion Adopted and the Motion now before the membership, with 3 minutes left to the maker of the motion. 10:45 p.m. Georgia Glick, pr.4, yielded time to Lisa Baci. Ms. Baci explained the motion provided important issues for consideration. 10:47 p.m. Edith Sandy, pr.6, commented briefly. 10:48 p.m. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the Motion Not Adopted. With more than 20 doubting the vote, the Moderator called for a standing vote, tallied as follows: Precinct Yes No 1 2 13 2 5 9 3 6 8 4 8 8 5 6 7 6 8 9 7 2 11 8 11 5 9 5 9 AL 2 13 TOTAL 55 92 10:48 p.m. With 55 having voted in the affirmative and 92 in the negative, the Moderator declared the MOTION NOT ADOPTED. 10:49 p.m. Selectman Leo McSweeney moved the January 22, 2003 Special Town Meeting be DISSOLVED. 10:49 p.m. Following a voice vote, the Moderator declared the meeting DISSOLVED A true copy. Attest: Donna M. Hooper, Town Clerk