HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-02-BOS-minSelectmen's Meeting Minutes
February 4, 2002
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 4, 2002 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Krieger, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna,
Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Lahey, Town Counsel and Ms. Smith,
Executive Clerk were present.
Public Comments
Director of Guides Larry Whipple discussed plans to set up a schedule for the tour guide
program for the upcoming season. Currently tourists do not know when tours are being
scheduled. We have a limited number of senior guides and hope to set up a scheduled program
of three guided tours in the morning and three in the afternoon. We would like to have a
temporary sign giving the times of the tours put up on the Battle Green each day and taken down
in the evening.
Mr. Enrich recommended that the sign be placed there as the act of the Board. Mrs. McKenna
suggested that the request be referred back to the Tourism Committee to be a piece of the whole
discussion of tourist signage. Board members talked about the timing of the project and Mrs.
McKenna indicated that the Tourism Committee is meeting on February 14 and would discuss
the matter then and would be able to get back to the Board with a recommendation by the middle
of March.
Mr. Whipple also reminded the Board that there is very critical work needed on the slates at the
Old Burying Ground. Approximately 150 of them need to be reset.
Letter of Support for Greenbelt Project Grant Application
Citizen for Lexington Conservation member Eileen Entin requested that the Board send a letter
of support for a grant application for the Greenbelt Project that has been submitted by the
Waltham Land Trust. The project covers a total of 1200 acres, most of it is owned by the Town,
Met State and Olympus. The grant is for $3,000 and we see it as an intercommunity project.
Mrs. Abbott said it is a wonderful walk. I see it as a good way of putting it together with other
communities. It gives us a much better way for legislation. We need other ways to cooperate
with other Towns. I would like to see us support it.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to direct the Chairman to send a letter of
support for a grant application by the Waltham Land Trust to the DEM Greenways and Trails
Demonstration Grant Program to promote and raise public awareness of the Western Greenway.
PAYT Update
PAYT Coordinator Robert Beaudoin reported on very favorable recycling statistics for the month
of January, which is the first month of weekly recycling.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 4, 2002
With less trash going to the North Andover facility, it gives us the ability to sell more trash. We
have started brokering with Andover and Dracut for 3,050 tons and hope to broker an additional
400 to 500 tons. The money goes into the General Fund.
Board members congratulated Mr. Beaudoin and the citizens for the tremendous success of the
recycling program.
Report of the Community Preservation Act Feasibility Advisory Committee
Mr. Enrich, on behalf of David Rudner, reviewed the report of the Community Preservation Act
Feasibility Advisory Committee. It is a very complex topic. The Committee has been meeting
since early summer and has had over a dozen meetings. We tried not to do a pubic hearing
process because we felt our process was primarily a fact finding one. Before the Town would be
asked to take action, public hearings would take place. The CPA authorized each city and town
to adopt an add -on charge to the property tax. Revenues can be used in four areas: 1)
acquisition and care of open space; 2) historic preservation; 3) affordable housing; 4) open space
recreation use. Don Chisholm has been an active advisor to the Committee. State support will
come from fees on real estate transactions. Approximately $26 million a year would come back
to the communities. The decision is made by Town Meeting and ultimately by the Town in a
referendum. It is really worthy noting that we tried to look at these four areas and asked what is
the status of each in Lexington. In general the conclusion reached was that Lexington compared
to other communities has done very well. We also asked what would be the fiscal impact and
what would be the taxpayer impact. The surcharge can be set anywhere from 0 to 3 %.
In order to make recommendations, we looked at whether or not it would be in the best interests
of the Town and if so, when and in what magnitude. We came to four different scenarios:
1. Put forward CPA for adoption at this Town Meeting and go to the voters in
November.
2. Wait a year — Hold discussions on it this year and wait for a year to allow for better
education.
3. Given other capital needs, postpone proposal of adoption until after those other items
have cleared through the system. That option would need indefinite postponement.
4. Consider proposing adoption of the Act when, but only when, the Town is already
intending to impose new taxes, i.e., going forward with a conservation purchase or
Lincoln Field rather than a debt exclusion.
When the committee tried to choose, we were divided. Out of nine of us, three were in favor of
Option 1, one in favor of Option 2 and five favored Option 4. No one favored Option 3. We
unanimously recommend that the CPA be presented and discussed at this year's Town Meeting.
We have reserved two warrant articles.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 4, 2002
The Committee also recommends the following concerning areas of exemption: 1) not adopt for
commercial and industrial properties; 2) recommend exemption of the first $100,000 for
residential taxpayers; 3) recommend the exemption for low- income households and low and
moderate - income seniors.
The Committee also recommends putting in place a planning process in these three or four areas,
even if we don't adopt the CPA.
The Committee recommends broad publicity, putting the report on the web site and circulating a
link and that there be at least two published hearings.
Mr. Enrich read a statement from LexHAB chair Marshall Derby who does not think it is
appropriate to proceed and who voted for Option 4 of the report.
Historical Commission member Marilyn Fenollosa spoke about historic preservation, which has
not been funded in past years, benefiting from the CPA.
Conservation Commission Chair Joyce Miller said the Commission hopes the community would
continue to support Conservation under the CPA and also hopes that there is a very full
discussion of the CPA at Town Meeting.
Recreation Committee member Don Chisholm thanked the CPA Committee for bringing in the
Recreation Committee. Open space for Recreation purposes is much needed as the cost of land
is a major issue in Town.
Mrs. McKenna commended the work of the Committee. This seems to be an opportunity to ask
citizens in a concrete way whether they want to fund these areas. Mrs. McKenna asked whether
her assumption is correct that once funding is established it can be accumulated from year to
year. Mr. Enrich responded that not only could the funding be accumulated; the Town can bond
against the funding. The one restriction is that in each year at least 10% must be allocated to
each of the three categories and it does not mean that it must be spent. The Committee
recommends expenditures and then their recommendation goes to Town Meeting. Town
Meeting can only vote yes or no. If Town Meeting votes no, the money would go back into the
CPA allocation.
Board members expressed concerns about the impact on the community and that it is difficult to
ask the community to support these areas in addition to other projects and the concern about the
burden on the taxpayers.
Report of the DPW Facility Site Working Group
DPW Director Bill Hadley reviewed the report of a working group he assembled to look at the
advantages and disadvantages of the current site at 201 Bedford Street and the Hartwell Avenue
landfill site for the DPW Facility.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 4, 2002
The recommendation of the group is that the Hartwell Avenue site be developed as the Public
Works facility and that the Bedford Street site be vacated and made available to the town for
other purposes.
Mrs. Abbott reported that when the senior citizen process was started, it had broad community
input. They began to see and bring in who the stakeholders were. Several people from the CoA
working group are here this evening to discuss the development of the Bedford Street site for the
new senior center.
Mr. Enrich made the observation that one of the essential assumptions behind the entire analysis
is the assumption that the economical thing to do with the barn is to tear it down completely.
Some people take the view that the other sections could be preserved with only modest work.
Mr. Hadley said that would not clear up all of the issues such as air quality.
Board members asked many questions and expressed concerns such as: what is the cost
differential between a new facility and tearing down the barn only at 201 Bedford Street; how
plausible would it be to co- locate the DPW and Senior Center at 201 Bedford Street; the
Hartwell Ave. site is also a very sensitive area that lies within the DRI area around Hanscom
Field and the need to be very responsible for a use of Hartwell Avenue and give a report through
the DRI process; the Space Building Needs Assessment Committee report should be reviewed;
what other uses have been looked at for the Hartwell Ave. site; the problems concerning traffic;
an environmental assessment of Hartwell Avenue; the need for a public process; there are a
whole set of critical issues that the working group didn't tackle.
Chair of the CoA working group looking into the senior center siting spoke of their review of
two sites and their recommendation to construct a new senior center at the 201 Bedford Street
site.
Capital Expenditures Committee member George Burnell reminded the Board members that the
DPW staff has opposed leaving 201Bedford Street. One reason is increased operating costs.
Also, when you talk about the value of the land, you must add to the ledger the costs of servicing
whatever goes in there. Don't let the economic evaluation be one - sided.
Former Capital Expenditures Committee member Tom Griffiths said one of the Committee's
issues was relative to the cost of construction of the various proposals. What the Committee saw
was a senior center that ought to cost approximately $5 to $6 million. We also saw the
replacement of the barn structure at a cost of around $4 million and that the existing
administration building would cost approximately $2 million. That totals approximately $12
million for the project. What we see here is a project that costs a great deal more.
Mrs. Krieger summed up the discussion by saying that there is a need to address some of the
issues in the near future and come back with specifics of going forward.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 4, 2002
Electric Utility Ad Hoc Committee
Mr. White gave the Board a list of eleven people who are willing to serve on the Electric Utility
Ad Hoc Committee. If the Board chooses to appoint all eleven, the charge will need to be
amended to increase the membership from nine to eleven. Mrs. McKenna questioned whether
the Board should break from its policy of appointing non - resident members to the Committee.
Mrs. McKenna recommended leaving the membership at nine and designating the two non-
residents as business liaisons.
Mrs. Abbott and Mr. Enrich did not have a problem with appointing a non - resident.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following to the Electric
Utility Ad Hoc Committee: Roger Borghesani, Nick Cannalonga, Paul Chernick, Norman
Cohen, Emily Donovan, Ingrid Klimoff, Peter Kovner, Gary Markowitz, Patrick Mehr. It was
also approved to designate David Chamberlain, Senior Energy Engineer at Raytheon and Steve
Faber, Vice President Asset Management, Beal & Co. as business liaisons and Peter Enrich as
the Selectman Liaison to the Committee. It was further agreed to designate Paul Chernick, Chair
of the Committee.
Moody's Bond Rating
Board members congratulated the Town Manager and the Finance Office for their efforts in
maintaining a Aaa bond rating for Lexington.
Warrants for Special Town Meeting and Annual Town Meeting
Mr. Enrich proposed inserting language in the Selectmen's Message in the Annual Town
Meeting Warrant and also in the 2020 goals in the back of the warrant in an effort to clarify what
the 2020 references reflect. Mrs. Abbott felt the wording was clear that the Board has not
adopted any of the goals listed. Mrs. McKenna felt uncomfortable including recommended
actions but felt comfortable with listing the 2020 vision themes and goals. Mrs. Abbott felt the
Board did not have the authority to exclude the recommended actions. Mr. Enrich agreed that if
the Board were to renege on including the recommended actions, they should take out all the
2020 goals. Mr. McSweeney felt comfortable with the added wording proposed by Mr. Enrich.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 -1 (Mrs. McKenna) to adopt the two
paragraphs with respect to the 2020 Vision and to leave them in the Warrant.
Board members discussed Article 12 — Computerized Tree Inventory. There was concern
expressed that the Tree Committee had asked for a separate article rather than go through the
budget process. Mrs. McKenna felt that the Tourism Committee should have been given the
Selectmen's Meeting — February 4, 2002
same opportunity. Mrs. McKenna indicated the Tourism Committee feels they have been put at
an unfair disadvantage and asked Board members to include it in the operating budget so that it
is in the process for discussion purposes. Mr. Enrich felt that the Board should urge the Tree
Committee to indefinitely postpone the article and debate it under Article 4. Selectman Liaison
to the Committee Mrs. Abbott indicated that she and Tree Warden Dave Pinsonneault tried to
talk the Committee out of going for a separate warrant article. She also noted that the Tree
Committee is a Bylaw committee and does have the right to request the article. Mr. Enrich asked
whether there was an effort to convince the Committee that they could have full discussion of the
item in the context of Article 4. Mrs. Abbott was not sure that pitch was made to them at a
meeting in January and we are dealing with a citizen committee that is determined that this
happens. Mrs. Krieger indicated that the budget discussions are not over yet and there will be
time for the Tourism Committee to present its request. Mrs. McKenna asked when the staff
would complete its review of the tour bus proposal. Mr. White said it is a considerable amount
of work and was not part of the original process. It came in late and is competing with other
staff assignments. Staff will not be ready until the first week in March.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Special Town
Meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Annual Town
Meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:55 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
February 11, 2002
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 11, 2002 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Krieger, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna,
Mr. McSweeney; Mrs. Crew Vine, Acting Town Manager; Mr. Lahey, Town Counsel and Ms.
Smith, Executive Clerk were present.
Consent Agenda
Water /Sewer Commitments
Commitment of water charges for 10/1/2001 to 10/31/2001
$5,192.21
Commitment of sewer charges for 10/1/2001 to 10/31/2001
$3,847.61
Commitment of water charges for 11/1/2001 to 11/30/2001
$6,877.06
Commitment of sewer charges for 11/1/2001 to 11/30/2001
$9,598.28
Verizon/NSTAR Grants of Location
Verizon Representative Dan Fitzgibbon reviewed a joint petition for a grant of location for the
installation of two new poles to provide telecommunication services to a new house at 17 Hayes
Avenue. The cables will be transferred from the old to the new poles.
Mrs. McKenna asked when it was likely that the old pole would be removed. Mr. Fitzgibbon
responded that it probably will be removed within a month. He will clarify the matter with the
owner of 17 Hayes Avenue.
There was discussion about the work that is being addressed by NSTAR concerning double
poles. Verizon and NSTAR representatives have met and NSTAR is putting a database together.
Identifying and addressing the need to remove old poles is an ongoing problem. Mr. Fitzgibbon
said he has talked to their public relations person. It would be good for he and NSTAR to present
the plans to the Board or the Utility Committee so that people can get a better understanding of
the matter.
Mr. Enrich felt that now that we have a utility committee, the committee will do research and
analysis and come back with a concrete proposal. Mr. McSweeney expressed concern that if the
Board says a grant of location should wait until the old pole comes down, it will hurt the
residents.
Ms. Crew Vine indicated there has been some progress in January. Some of the utilities have
been relocated.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Verizon New
England Inc. and NSTAR to install poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including anchors, guys and
other such necessary sustaining fixtures to be owned and used in common by the petitioners,
along and across Hayes Avenue: On the northerly side of Hayes Avenue, approximately 5 feet
Selectmen's Meeting —February 11, 2002
northerly of the curb, place two new poles. The first, pole number 6A, will be placed at a
distance approximately 62 feet easterly of pole number 7; the second, pole number 6, will be
placed at a distance approximately 77 feet westerly of pole number 5, and existing pole number 6
will be removed.
Winter street
Mr. Fitzgibbon reviewed the petition from Verizon New England, Inc. and NSTAR for a grant of
location to install two new poles to provide telecommunications services to a new subdivision on
Winter Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Verizon New
England Inc. and NSTAR to install poles, wires, cables and fixtures, including anchors, guys and
other such necessary sustaining fixtures to be owned and used in common by the petitioners,
along and across Winter Street: On the northwesterly side of Winter Street, approximately 4 feet
northwesterly of the curb, place two new poles. The first, pole number 149/12A, will be placed
at a distance approximately 61 feet southwesterly of pole number 149/13; the second, pole
number 149/12, will be placed at a distance approximately 111 feet southwesterly of pole
number 149/13, and existing pole number 149/12 will be removed.
Discovery Days
Center business owner Dick Michelson was present to review the request from the Lexington
Retailers to hold Discovery Days celebration for the second year in the Muzzey Street/Waltham
Street parking lot.
Board members congratulated and thanked Mr. Michelson and the Retailers Association for a
very enjoyable celebration last year and were pleased to see that it will be held again this year.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the use of the Muzzey
Street/Waltham Street parking lot for the Discovery Days celebration on Saturday May 25, 2002
from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a rain date of June 1.
Bonds, Bond Anticipation Notes and State Aid Anticipation Notes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the sale of the $1,700,000 School Bonds
of the Town dated February 15, 2002, to Roosevelt & Cross Incorporated at the price of
$1,711,135 and accrued interest is hereby confirmed. The bonds shall be payable on February 15
of the years and in the principal amounts and bear interest at the respective rates, as follows:
Year
Amount
Interest Rate
2003
$340,000
3.00%
2004
340,000
3.25
2005
340,000
3.00
2006
340,000
3.00
2007
340,000
3.25
Selectmen's Meeting —February 11, 2002
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the sale of a $71,000,000 2.25
percent Bond Anticipation Note of the town dated February 15, 2002 and payable February 14,
2003, to State Street Capital Markets, LLC at par and accrued interest, plus a premium of
$447,773.90.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the sale of a $480,000 2.50
percent State Aid Anticipation Note of the town dated February 15, 2002 and payable February
14, 2003, to Roosevelt & Cross Incorporated at par and accrued interest, plus a premium of
$3,000.
tion from Human Services Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of Sufyan Sheikh
from the Human Services Committee.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
December 17, 2001 and January 7, 2002.
Pavement Program Update
Assistant Town Engineer David Carbonneau reviewed the planned pavement program for FY03
and the four phase residential street paving program in the amount of $7,000,000. The four -
phase program will be contingent upon a debt exclusion.
Mr. Ryan will come back to the Board with a debt schedule for the Special Town Meeting
articles with and without the Wright Farm.
Letter of Support — Post Retirement Insurance Liability Fund
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a letter of support to be read by
Representative Jay Kaufman at the legislative hearing to establish a Lexington Post Retirement
Insurance Liability Fund.
Liaison Reports
Mrs. McKenna reported that local residents Jason Wong, Charles Sinek and Brandon Forsyth
had done very well in national skating competitions. Board members agreed that a note of
congratulations would be appropriate to send each one of them.
Selectmen's Meeting —February 11, 2002
Mrs. McKenna reported on a request from the Town Celebration Committee to send a letter from
the Board to the local media concerning coverage of Patriot's Day. The theme this year in
Lexington is "United We Stand ". The media has referred in recent years to it being Marathon
Monday. The Celebrations Committee felt it would carry more clout if the letter came from the
Board of Selectmen. Board members agreed.
Mrs. Krieger reported that progress is being made through the Communications Advisory
Committee for live broadcast of Town Meeting from the National Heritage Museum.
Mrs. Krieger also reported that AT &T has plans to complete their build -out starting in May of
this year pending approval by the Town.
Mrs. Krieger reported that the Planning Director has been working with Town Counsel on a
second amendment to the Met State Reuse Plan and it should be ready for approval by the end of
the month.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:30 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2002
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 25, 2002 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. Mrs. Krieger, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna,
Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Lahey, Town Counsel and Ms. Smith,
Executive Clerk were present.
Consent Agenda
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proclaim the month of March as Red
Cross Month.
Transfer of Liquor License — Vinny Testa's
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue an all
alcoholic beverage license to BUCA Restaurants 3, Inc. d /b /a Vinny Testa's.
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Assistant Town Engineer David Carbonneau reviewed the following recommendations of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee:
Old Massachusetts Avenue Caution
The Committee met with Doreen Buchinski and other residents of the Hayward Avenue,
Amherst St. neighborhood to discuss traffic conditions on Old Massachusetts Ave. near Bonair
and Fairview. The residents were concerned about the speed of traffic on Old Mass. Ave. and
the danger posed to entering and exiting traffic and pedestrians.
To address concerns, the TSAC recommends the Bonair Street sign be moved to make it more
conspicuous; 2 additional speed limit signs be posted on Old Massachusetts Avenue; and the
Police Department continue use of the speed message board. Mr. Dattilio from the National Park
Service agreed to post pedestrian crossing cones at crosswalks in the area. After the meeting, at
the request of Committee member Susan Bottan, the School Department moved the bus stop to
eliminate the need for children to cross Old Massachusetts Avenue.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee that two additional speed limit signs be posted on Old
Massachusetts Avenue.
Meriam Street Stop Sign
The Committee met with Dana Wendel and other residents on Meriam Street to discuss their
request for a 4 -way stop sign at Meriam Street at Hayes Avenue. Hayes Avenue has a stop sign
at this intersection. The residents indicated that this was a well - traveled school pedestrian route
Selectmen's Meeting — February 25, 2002
and special treatment was warranted. The Committee explained that it could not recommend a
stop sign at this location because it does not meet warrants for a 4 -way stop. However the
Committee does recommend installing two "Children Crossing" signs prior to the intersection to
assist children crossing at this location on their way to Fiske or Diamond Schools.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to install two "Children Crossing" prior to the intersection of
Meriam Street and Hayes Avenue.
Hartwell Place No Parking
The Committee met with Mr. Thomas Bergeron of BF Goodrich Surveillance and
Reconnaissance Systems to discuss his request for No Parking signs at Hartwell Place. Cars
parked up to the Hartwell Ave./Hartwell Place intersection block the sight lines for vehicles
exiting Hartwell Place onto Hartwell Avenue.
The TSAC recommends that No Parking regulations be implemented on the north side of
Hartwell Place from the intersection with Hartwell Ave. 50' westerly and on the west side of
Hartwell Avenue from Hartwell Place 50' northerly.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Holiday Lighting Update
Beverly Kelley spoke of the great success of this year's holiday lighting program. It was a joint
effort by a lot of people. Mrs. Kelley also reviewed a proposal to form a Holiday Lighting
Committee of four people: Someone from Public Works, the Chamber of Commerce and two
citizen volunteers who would give a two year commitment to provide continuity from year to
year. If the Board does appoint such a committee, Mrs. Kelley offered to be one of the citizen
volunteers for next year.
Board members expressed their thanks to Mrs. Kelley and hope that the program continue as an
equal partnership between the Town and the Chamber. Mr. White will work with Marcy Quill,
John Ott and Beverly Kelley on a charge to the Committee.
Town Clerk's Fee Schedule
Town Clerk Donna Hooper reviewed changes in fees charged for numerous services of the Town
Clerk's Office. Mrs. Hooper explained that once Article 27 is passed at Town Meeting there will
no longer be Town Clerk fees in the Bylaws of the Town. Mrs. Hooper asked for the
Selectmen's endorsement of the fee schedule to go into effect April 1, 2002.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the Town Clerk's Fee Schedule
to go into effect on April 1, 2002.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 25, 2002
Selectmen's Gift Account
Fire Chief Peter Torode reviewed a request to open up a Selectmen's Gift Account dedicated for
the design, construction and maintenance of a suitable memorial in front of fire headquarters at
45 Bedford Street in honor of those firefighters who died in the line of duty. Chief Torode
indicated there are a number of people who are interested in donating funds to an account that is
tax deductible.
Board members asked that the plans be reviewed with the Design Advisory Committee and the
Historic Districts Commission and then come back to the Board before any construction takes
place. Mrs. McKenna also mentioned the need for a contingency plan if the Fire Department is
relocated from 45 Bedford Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish a dedicated gift account for the
design, construction and maintenance of a memorial to those firefighters who died in the line of
duty.
Resignations /Appointments/Reappointments
Lexington Arts Council
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignations of Mary Russell
O'Brien and Claudia Lach from the Lexington Arts Council.
Condominium Conversion Board
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following to the
Condominium Conversion Board: Paul Marshall for a term to expire September 30, 2003,
Marshall Derby for a term to expire September 30, 2003 and John McWeeney for a term to
expire September 30, 2005.
Site Access Agreement — Reeds Brook
Mr. White and Conservation Administrator Karen Mullins explained that a site access agreement
has been prepared that will authorize the Town of Arlington to enter the Whipple Hill
conservation area to remove sediments from the Reed's Brook channel in accordance with a
1999 Settlement Agreement and the Lexington Conservation Commission's Amended Order of
Conditions issued in January 2001.
The proposed work on Town of Lexington property is the result of an appeal by Lexington
residents of the Arlington Conservation Commission's Order of Conditions issued in 1997 for
the drainage improvement project in Reed's Brook in Arlington. In 1999, a Settlement
Agreement was finally entered into by three Lexington residents, the Town of Arlington, the
Lexington Conservation Commission and the MA DEP requiring that the Town of Arlington
remove sediments from the Reed's Brook channel in Lexington prior to commencing drainage
Selectmen's Meeting — February 25, 2002
improvements in Arlington. In order to remove sediment from Reed's Brook in Lexington, the
Town of Arlington was also required to file a Notice of Intent under the Mass Wetlands
Protection Act with the Lexington Conservation Commission and receive an Order of
Conditions. The Lexington Conservation Commission issued an Order on September 22, 2000
and amended the Order on January 17, 2001. The Town of Arlington is now ready to commence
the removal of sediments in Reed's Brook in Lexington and needs authorization to enter the
Town of Lexington's property.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a site access license authorizing the
Town of Arlington, its agents, servants, employees, and consultants to enter the property located
at Whipple Hill Conservation Area to remove sediment from the brook channel known as Reeds
Brook and to make minor repairs to the channel in accordance with the November 15, 1999
Settlement Agreement and the Order of Conditions issued by the Lexington Conservation
Commission on September 22, 2000 and as amended on January 17, 2001.
Town Manager Evaluation Process
Mrs. Krieger explained that the Board used an integrated evaluation process last year and that
four of the five sets of evaluations this year were very easy to integrate; however, Mrs.
McKenna's comments were very different with respect to the relationship between the Board and
the Manager. As a result of that I am here with a proposal. Rather than having an integrated
report, I am recommending a majority and a minority report and that Mrs. McKenna write her
portion of the report.
Mrs. McKenna indicated she was really happy to see her colleagues' individual comments. We
are really in substantial agreement with many of the issues of the Board. I would like to see if
we could work together. The other thing that I received was a list of goals from last year that we
are talking about. We haven't discussed joint goals of the Board going forward.
Mrs. Krieger suggested deferring establishing goals for next year until we have a document in
front of us. It is also appropriate to be mindful that we may wait until after the outcome of the
election.
Mr. Enrich indicated he was also interested in going through the comments from the other Board
members. Four members of the Board are diametrically opposite one member. I find it
frustrating that comments show quite a mismatch. I am not sure what burden we should give the
Chair.
Mrs. McKenna indicated she has started a process of integrating the comments but didn't want to
go too far into the process until a decision is made to do a joint document and go back to the
same format as last year. Mrs. Krieger felt the Board was closer last year than this year. If Mrs.
McKenna tried I will be happy to circulate a joint document with the other members of the
Board. Mrs. Abbott suggested if we were to have a single report that we not do it in the areas
where we have a wide divergence.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 25, 2002
Mrs. McKenna indicated she does not believe the members' expectations are all that different. It
is the emphasis on what aspects of the Manager's performance are important. We may be able to
put together a joint document.
Mr. Enrich felt that we really did see a very radical disparity of the role and expectations of the
Manager in our prioritizations of what mattered.
Mrs. McKenna indicated that in order to present the final product next week, either she and Mrs.
Krieger could try to do something together or go to a second alternative. Mr. McSweeney felt he
would like to see if possible working together to come up with something to give each version of
each point of view. I don't know how you really can do that; it seems that one or the other has to
change. I am not sure that that does the community any good. Mrs. Krieger indicated she felt
hesitant to say that we would be successful. There would have to be compromises. We would
be best served if in fact there was a majority and a minority report. I think there should be two
distinct documents. It makes more sense to let each document flow through. Mr. Enrich felt he
wanted to have distance between the evaluations. Mrs. Abbott felt she would like to see the
report indicate instances where there is agreement. Mr. McSweeney agreed with Mrs. McKenna.
He felt when he read last year's evaluation he was able to see what the majority and minority
evaluations were. I found it easy reading. Mr. Enrich indicated it would be easier when the
Board members see what the content is. We all have a shared interest in putting together a joint
document. I am prepared to wait and see.
Mrs. Krieger indicated she would give copies to the Board members before next week's meeting.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
January 14, 2002.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of January 16 as
amended and January 22, 2002 as amended.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meetings of January 7 and January 28, 2002.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mr.
Enrich, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott and Mr. McSweeney to go into executive session for
discussion of land purchase with no intent to resume open session.
Selectmen's Meeting — February 25, 2002
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:20 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk