2007-09-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Selectmen’s Meeting September 10, 2007 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, September 10, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room. Chairman Krieger, Mr. Kelley, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Manz; Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Chabot, Assistant to the Executive Clerk, were present. Public Comment Mrs. McKenna, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, reported that the new Liberty Ride trolley unexpectedly came with a cooler. They have begun to sell water on the trolley. They plan to make t-shirts, hats, and bags available soon. Selectmen Concerns and Liaison Reports Mr. Manz reported first, that he reduced his packet of information for the Selectmen’s Meeting to a searchable CD. This was done to cut down on the use and storage of paper. Second, as Liaison to the Transportation Advisory Committee, Mr. Manz said that there has been some linkage, incorrectly, between Lexpress and the School Bus System. And third, in light of the recent loss of two Boston Firefighters, he thanked the Town Inspectors who keep our citizens safe. A grease-laden ceiling contributed to the fire in Boston, and a similar situation existed in a building here in Lexington, but has been corrected thanks to one of our inspectors. Mr. Kelley has received comments from citizens who were surprised that a beveled brick was used in the sidewalk installation project on Mass. Avenue. He also wondered what happened to the promise that abutting businesses would not be affected. Mr. Valente explained that the day the kids went back to School was the day the installation started. The thought was that most of the back to school purchases would have been made before school started, but that was apparently not the case for one business. Mr. Cohen has received positive feedback about the sidewalk. Town Manager Report Mr. Valente reported that the Town has received recognition from the Government Finance Officers Association for our budget prepared by Mr. Young, Budget Officer and Mr. Addelson, Assistant Town Manager for Finance. Water Sewer Rate Discussion Mr. Addelson and Mr. Young presented the FY2008 Water/Sewer Cost Analysis. This is the first of two steps leading to the Board establishing FY2008 water and sewer rates. Mr. Young reviewed the results of FY2007 water and sewer operations, and also reviewed direct and indirect cost analysis based on the budget approved at the 2007 Annual Town Meeting. Overall, in FY2007, expenses were in line with appropriations and revenues were higher than expected. Mr. Addelson reviewed consumption history in FY2006 and FY2007. Mr. Wood, Chairman of the Water and Sewer Rate Study Committee, discussed the issue of evaporative cooling towers