HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-04-BOS-minSelectmen's Meeting Minutes
April 3, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, April 3, 2000 in the
Cafeteria, Room 221 of Clarke Middle School, at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Krieger, Mrs. Eddison,
Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel
and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present.
Boston Edison Grant of Location — 30 Brookside Avenue
Boston Edison representative Maureen Carroll reviewed the petition, plan and order for a grant
of location to provide underground electric service to 30 Brookside Avenue.
Mrs. McKenna requested that the work be done when school is not in session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Boston Edison
Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to
be placed therein, under the surface of Brookside Avenue. Install conduit, northerly @ Stedman
Road a distance of about 8 feet at pole 11/6; provided however, that such work be conducted
when school is not in session.
Boston Edison Grant of Location — Cambridge Concord Highway @ Mt. Tabor Road
Ms. Carroll reviewed the petition, plan and order for a grant of location to provide electric
service for field equipment that Mass Highway is installing for traffic control purposes.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Boston Edison
Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to
be placed therein, under the surface of Cambridge Concord Highway @ Mt. Tabor Road. Install
conduit at Pole No. 16/611 on Concord Cambridge Highway at Mt. Tabor Road, southeasterly a
distance of about 80 feet.
Relocation of Precinct 5 Polling Location
Town Clerk Donna Hooper requested that the Board choose a new polling location for Precinct
5. Cary Hall which is the current location will not be available for a couple of years while the
library is relocated there. Ms. Hooper explained there were two viable options and explained the
pros and cons of the Countryside Bible Chapel at 480 Lowell Street and Fiske School at 34
Colony Road.
Board members discussed both options and all members expressed a desire to keep the polling
locations in public buildings as long as that option remains.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to designate the Fiske School at 34 Colony
Road as the Precinct 5 polling location until further notice.
Selectmen's Meeting — April 3, 2000
Space/Building Needs Assessment Advisory Committee
Mrs. McKenna thanked Committee members Don Chisholm and Karen Dooks for coming back
to answer questions from the Board concerning the Committee report. Mrs. McKenna spoke of
the very good effort of the Committee on the depth of information the committee had gathered
and analyzed.
Board members asked many questions and expressed some concerns about municipal office
space provisions in the report such as why the need for dedicated training room; why spend
money building storage space; concern about displacing the Waldorf School; concern about
placement of the Senior Center low down on priority list.
Board members agreed that the report is a good starting point and a tool for moving ahead on
issues.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the report of the Space/Building
Needs Assessment Advisory Committee recognizing it is a starting point rather than an ending
point and that the Committee be dissolved after filing the report at Town Meeting.
Open Articles
Mr. Enrich spoke about the status of the school project. There has been a lot of discussion about
how to proceed with the project. There are several things that are going to require us to go back
and ask for additional funding. There are two major causes. The bids came in at about $1.5
million above what had been estimated. The Permanent Building Committee and School
Committee pared the number back by $300,000. The construction contracts are $1.2 million
above expectation. The second cause as we begin the construction phase is that the 3%
contingency is far from adequate according to the Permanent Building Committee who say it
should be replenished to the 8% level. However, they are recommending to go forward with an
increase to 6% of construction costs.
Board members agreed that Mr. Enrich should speak on the topic at tonight's Town Meeting.
Liaison Reports
Mr. Enrich reported on a number of matters regarding Hanscom such as an expansion of
facilities, an increase of commercial flights and new flights to Laguardia. He suggested that
Lexington respond. First, a group of citizens and leaders from the four towns have been meeting
trying to develop a consensus position. They have come up with a resolution "Hanscom at the
Crossroads ". Rep. Kaufman is one of the authors of it as are Rep. Atkins and Murphy and
Senator Havern. Mr. Enrich asked the Board to adopt the resolution.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the resolution "Hanscom at the
Crossroads ".
Selectmen's Meeting — April 3, 2000
Mr. Enrich will also communicate the Board's position to Senators Kerry and Kennedy and ask
them to get on Board. He will also draft a letter to Secretary of Transportation Slater urging him
to deny the applications of Shuttle America and U.S. Airways to begin scheduled passenger
service between Laguardia and Hanscom Field.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that Mr. Enrich would send a letter to
Secretary Slater supporting the resolution.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
April 10, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, April 10, 2000 in the
Cafeteria, Room 221 of Clarke Middle School, at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Krieger, Mrs. Eddison,
Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel
and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present.
Consent Agenda
Sewer and Water Charges
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following water and sewer
charge adjustments:
Adjustments of water charges for 12/1/99 to 12/30/99
- $2,764.52
Adjustments of sewer charges for 12/1/99 to 12/30/99
- $16,026.90
Adjustments of water charges for l/l /2000 to 1/31/2000
- $13,297.17
Adjustments of sewer charges for l/l /2000 to 1/31/2000
- $58,429.27
Use of Battle Green
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from the First Baptist
Church for an Easter Sunrise Service on April 23 from 6:30 a.m. to 7:15 a.m.
One -Dav Beer and Wine License
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a one -
day beer and wine license to Ted Page at the Lexington Film Festival, April 28, 2000.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
January 31, 2000 and February 7, 2000.
Future Meetings Schedule
It was agreed to schedule future meetings on April 24, May 8 and May 22, June 12, June 19, July
10 and July 24, 2000.
Bedford Street/Harrington Road Plan
Senior Engineer David Carbonneau reviewed current plans for work on Bedford Street in the
vicinity of Harrington Road. The telecommunications companies have provided funding. There
are three major components: construction of Bedford Street and Harrington Road that concerns
emergency vehicles and a shift in the center line; changes in the yellow lighting fixtures; and
sidewalk reconstruction in front of Buckman Tavern. The timing of the material to be used for
the sidewalk needs to be determined by the time the telecommunications companies finish,
somewhere between June 1 and July 1.
Selectmen's Meeting — April 10, 2000
Mr. Carbonneau will come back with cost estimates and further details at a future meeting.
Open Articles
Article 7 — Supplementary Appropriations for Authorized Capital Improvements. Mr. Enrich
explained the makeup of the $2,800,000 needed under Article 7 for the work on Lexington High
School, Clarke Middle School and Diamond Middle School.
Amended Motion for Line Item 3600 - Mr. White explained that Mr. Hadley had conducted an
audit of all expenditures of the Public Works Department pertaining to parking matters and
advised the Manager that he has identified $80,000 worth of additional personal services and
expenses. Mr. White is recommending additional wording in the motion for the DPW Line item
that will provide $80,000 to the DPW budget if the override fails.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 -1 (Mrs. McKenna) to support the amended
motion.
Article 25 Use of Funds to Reduce the Tax Rate - Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was
voted to recommend that $846,123 be appropriated to reduce the tax levy for the fiscal year
beginning July 1, 2000.
Senior Center Siting Committee
Mrs. Krieger announced that the Board would be discussing the charge and membership of the
Senior Center Siting Committee this evening but will not be taking a vote.
Mrs. McKenna felt the charge assumes that the Board is accepting the need for 30,000 square
feet of building space and that a new building be constructed on open space. Mrs. McKenna
also recommended that the Board ask for a preliminary report to be submitted no later than
August 15 to allow notification to the Waldorf School. Also, the charge should not require using
the programmatic requirements developed by the Council on Aging.
Mr. Enrich agreed with a couple of Mrs. McKenna's comments. We want to word the charge in
such a way that the committee is not bound by scale determinations. Existing buildings such as
Waldorf are probably not as attractive and plausible, but we should not rule them out. The
ultimate decision about where the project is going to go rests with the Board and ultimately
Town Meeting. There will need to be an extensive public process and we should think of the
best way to define that process.
Selectmen's Meeting — April 10, 2000
There was considerable discussion about the charge to the committee, the public process,
concern about using open space, and a one level versus two level building.
Mrs. Krieger indicated that the matter will be on the next agenda on April 24.
Override Election
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the date of May 22, 2000 for the
override election.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
April 24, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, April 24, 2000 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Krieger, Mrs. Eddison, Mr. Enrich, Mrs.
Abbott; Mr. White, Town Manager; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present.
Mrs. Krieger explained that Mrs. McKenna had been detained at Martha's Vineyard on business
and would not be attending the meeting this evening.
Public Comments
Perry Pollins of Precinct 5 complained about what he described as the Board's lack of support
for senior citizens.
Consent Agenda
Warrant for Override Election
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the warrant for the May 22, 2000
Override Election.
Arbor Day Proclamation
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a proclamation proclaiming April 28,
2000 as Arbor Day in Lexington.
Conservation Restriction
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from the
Conservation Commission for a conservation restriction over a portion of the lot at 22R Revere
Street.
Committee Discharge — Fletcher Ave. and Building/space Needs Assessment Adv. Com.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to discharge the Fletcher Ave. Committee
and the Building /Space Needs Assessment Advisory Committee.
Selectmen's Blue Ribbon Capital Financial Advisory Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following as members of the
Selectmen's Blue ribbon Capital Financial Advisory Committee: Paul Marshall and Bill Dailey
(to be co- chairs), Dan Busa, Alan Wilson, Jean Cole, Jane Pagett, Steve Doran, Mark Robinson
and Jim Beck.
One -Day Liquor License
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a one -
day liquor license to the Armenian Sisters Academy for a fund raiser on May 13, 2000.
Selectmen's Meeting — April 24, 2000
Senior Center Siting Committee
There was much discussion of a draft charge to the Senior Center Siting Committee. Suggested
changes were made to the membership from 9 to twelve with five members being citizens and a
charge to identify a minimum of at least two sites for further pursuit. It was also decided that the
Committee shall identify the costs and benefits of the various options that they consider.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the charge with the amendments
noted.
There was discussion on expanding the membership to the committee and it was felt that one
member should be a realtor, a liaison from TMMA, and including people from the 20/20
committee.
Mrs. Krieger thanked everybody for their input and assured the audience that the committee and
Board would not be operating in a vacuum but would have a very open process.
Newspaper Distribution Boxes Regulations
Mr. White asked the Board for comments concerning newspaper distribution box regulations that
have been drafted by Town Counsel. It was agreed that Mr. White would solicit comments from
the Historic Districts Commission, Lexington Center Committee, Design Advisory Committee
and also get in touch with the vendors. Mr. White will report back at a future meeting of the
Board.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
February 14 and February 28, 2000 and the minutes of the joint meeting with the School and
Finance committees of January 12, 2000.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meeting of February 14, 2000.
Selectmen Liaisons
Mrs. Eddison agreed to represent the Board at the Arbor Day ceremonies.
Mr. Enrich recommended scheduling a meeting with the full Boards of the Hanscom area towns
to discuss the HFAC charge.
Selectmen's Meeting — April 24, 2000
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk