HomeMy WebLinkAbout2000-05-BOS-min (2)Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
May 8, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, May 8, 2000 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 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.
Public Comments
Mrs. Krieger explained that Mr. Tripi had requested that he be put on the agenda to speak about
the override and that she had advised him that she, as Chairman, would not agree to his being on
the agenda but that he would be allowed to speak during the first ten minutes. The reason is that
there have been many hours devoted to discussion of the budget and override at Selectmen,
School Committee and at seven summit meetings with the School Committee and representatives
of the Finance Committees over several months. Now we have gone through Town Meeting and
voted on the motion for the override and there will also be an opportunity to have discussions
and letters before the override.
Mr Tripi said that back in March one of the Board members made the comment that we have to
make them think the closing of the fire station is at risk. It was explained that without the
$720,000 the Fire Department cannot operate both fire stations and they will not operate both fire
stations.
Mr. Tripi said he has been in touch with the Office of Campaign and Finance and they are calling
me. The school teachers are being asked to hold signs, secretaries are asking people to vote for
the override and all that is being done on school time and property. The date is April 28, after
the Board voted to set the override. The LEA have used school computers and on town time.
Voter Complaint
Sherry Gordon gave the following account of her experience at the polls for the Presidential
Primary on March 7:
I am a registered Lexington voter. My name is Sherry Gordon. I have voted in Lexington
for local, national, and special elections for many years. On March 7, 2000, I arrived at my local
voting place, Precinct 3, Jonas Clarke Middle School, to vote in the Presidential Primary. An
election worker denied my right to vote and here is a condensed version of my experience.
I approached the sign -in table and an election worker angrily asked, "What street ?" I stated and
spelled -out my street address and unit number. I stated my first and last name, then spelled -out
my last name. The election worker angrily asked me to repeat my unit number, I repeated the
unit number She responded, "You're not on the list. You can't vote. Next!" Surprised, I restated
my address and my name. She was looking alphabetically under Street address, not under my last
name. I looked behind me, no one was waiting in line. No one was waiting at the check out table.
There were only two people at the voting booths.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
I questioned the election worker to examine the list under "G" for Gordon not "S" for my Street
address. She refused to turn the page. I looked over the table I saw two of my family members
listed. I stated to the worker, "If two members of my family are listed I must be listed. I am a
registered voter.
She responded. "Are you sure you live there, in this town? Next!" I calmly responded, "I made
certain in November, 1999, my last name was registered as Gordon instead of Gordon Townes"
She did not inquire if I registered under a different name. She did not inquire if I changed my
party affiliation. She crossed her hands over the notebook and looked towards the voting tables.
I went to two other election workers sitting at the table. I calmly but firmly asked for their help.
One replied, "We understand what you are saying but we can't make her turn the page " The
other worker checked the new voters' list. Both election workers said, "You are not on the new
voters list. You can't vote." I offered, "Do you want to see my driver's license? Can you call the
Town Clerk's office from the pay phone near the entrance? Can you ask the police officer over
there in the hallway if he knows me or my family? I think he works in the schools and knows my
children. There are people in this building who know me."
I stood in the middle of both tables, looked around the room and said, "Is there anyone who can
help me' I am a registered voter." All six election workers sitting at both tables looked at their
feet. No one said a word.
The third election worker stated, `We don't have a phone to call the Town Clerk's office. We
cannot ask the police officer over there. We cannot leave this table. You have to go home and
call the Town Clerk's office yourself." I went home and called the Town Clerk's office. The
person answering the phone found my name on the voting list for Precinct 3 within seconds. She
started yelling at me. She stated each precinct had a cell phone to call her office.
I called the Town Manager's office. His secretary answered with great disbelief of the story. She
vowed to have the Town Manager call me the next day and she would call the Town Clerk's
office to find out what happened. Later, she called back, confirmed my experience and
apologized.
Later that day, a member of my family voted at the same location. My name appeared in the
sign -out book. He inquired about the election worker's name. The Town Clerk stated the
information is confidential.
Two days later the Town Clerk called. She met with the election workers the previous day and
heard their explanation of the events. An election worker made the following comment to the
Town Clerk explaining her behavior, "You know how some people come here to vote knowing
that they don't live here, just to start trouble," I indicated, "That comment sounds like a lot of
assumptions were made about me. Those assumptions denied me a basic right as a citizen." I
asked her for the name of the election worker. She refused to give me the worker's name.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
On March 13, 2000, I attempted to vote in the local elections. I discussed the weather while I
waited. Finally, an election worker stated, "Don't worry we will not do to you what we did last
week." Then another worker looked at me and located a marker at the bottom of the book and
quickly turned back the pages.
On March 20th the Town Manager called to explain the election worker's behavior and offer me
an opportunity to speak to the Selectmen and meet with him in April. The Town Manager stated
while he "did not have empathy or sympathy for me" he offered to have a two -hour training for
election workers before the next election. The training would cover service to the public,
diversity and other public service information. I inquired about the name of the election worker.
He did not give me the worker's name. On April 20 the Town Manager called and gave me the
election worker's name - Blanche Spilewski. In my research following this experience, I learned
that the election workers did not adhere to several policies and guidelines. I also learned this is
not the first time a similar experience happened in Lexington
Voting is a demonstration of power. Citizens use this power to freely choose representation in a
democratic society. An election worker denied my right to vote. Initially, I felt surprise, then
anger. This event deeply bothers me. It happened in my children's birthplace. It is here, in
Lexington, where I hope my children may one day try to cast their vote. I do not want this to
happen to any citizen in the future. What are you, Selectmen, Town Officials, going to do to
prevent this from happening to any citizen in the future?
Mr. White explained it was never my intention to convey to Ms. Gordon or anyone else that I did
not have empathy for her situation. In fact, my efforts, no matter how feeble or flawed they
were, was to convey that I did. And I thought that I had, but I apologize if for some reason
something I said conveyed that motive. I can tell you personally that this is a situation that has
bothered me since I became aware of it. It is very regrettable and Donna and I offered Ms.
Gordon our sincere apologies on behalf of the Town. I have reviewed the matter and believe the
staff dealt with this complaint sincerely and seriously with great concern regarding Ms. Gordon's
perception. What is clear in this situation is that Ms. Gordon was not served well in regards to
this incident. Our efforts since this discovery was to focus on insuring that Ms. Gordon is
satisfied with our response and I hope that over a period of time we will succeed in that goal.
At the close of her dealing with Ms. Gordon, some time toward the end of March, Donna asked
that I call Ms. Gordon to insure that she felt comfortable with the resolution of her complaint. At
that time I discovered she was not totally comfortable with our response. After a fairly long
conversation with Ms. Gordon outlining the parameters of an appropriate response, I promised to
conclude our conversation with a meeting later on in April. On April 19, Ms. Gordon and I met
where I outlined Donna's desire to implement regular training prior to every election that would
include a two -hour training on customer service and serving a diverse population as a
cornerstone for the training focus with a serious discussion of actions that can be perceived as
behaviors of racism in today's society.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
Ms. Gordon expressed a desire for the town to invest in a more comprehensive program that a
two -hour training session before every election could not offer. At that time I gave her my
commitment to undertake that. Given the temporary nature of the election workers'
employment, we do have to canvass the election workers to find a date for a more extensive
training. We are committed to providing that training and we are committed to doing it well. As
part of our discussion, Ms. Gordon expressed a desire to be able to convey to the public the
particulars of her experience and concerns as well as the Town's response, which has happened.
Town Clerk Donna Hooper has been working with Regina Cain, a former resident of Lexington,
who will be helping us with this important challenge. I have asked Donna to provide you with a
simple but straightforward outlining of the training program as a response to this situation.
Again, I want to say it pains me greatly to think that in some way I have conveyed to Ms.
Gordon that I lacked or did not have empathy or sympathy for her situation. It was never my
intent. If I did express it, it was a misstatement. Certainly something I never expected to convey
to her.
Donna Hooper explained the diversity training program that will take place in the future before
every election.
Mrs. Krieger extended the apologies of the Board to Mrs. Gordon. I admire your courage in
coming forward to describe this incident. I think that it is indeed an unfortunate and a very bad
experience, one that I think does not bide well for the town officials. In fact, we are a Town
that is committed to being open and responsive and accepting of people of many races and
heritages and I think that the training session that we are offering for the election workers is a
step in the right direction and hope that training might eventually be extended to all Town
employees who have the opportunity to deal with the public. I think that clearly we have a great
deal to learn from this incident.
Mrs. McKenna felt one piece of the training should focus on customer interaction. She was
assured that is part of the training. Mrs. McKenna asked Mrs. Gordon if she felt satisfied with
the response that the Town is making at this point. Mrs. Gordon said she did not have an answer
at this point. I need to review what has been said by a couple of members. Mrs. McKenna
indicated the Board would like to know what other ways Mrs. Gordon might think the Town
could be responsive in dealing with the incident. Mrs. Gordon was assured that if she does have
additional suggestions she could send them to the Board in writing.
Mr. Enrich felt the incident to be tremendously painful. One of the reasons I find it painful is I
do believe very sincerely that the Town staff, those of us in leadership positions in the Town,
take the commitment to being a Town open to diversity very seriously and have put serious effort
behind that in a variety of ways. We take it as a very important central value, one of the things
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
that brought some of us to the Town. It is something that we treasure, is something that we work
hard to serve well. At the same time I think that we all recognize that problems about the way
race is handled, not just in general, but here in Lexington, are real issues and many of us
remember your son's eloquent remarks a few years back at the Martin Luther King Day event
that to me at least is still a memorable identification of how frequent, how painful, how
problematic that is. It is particularly painful when an incident like this happens under the direct
responsibility of the Town's staff I think it is tremendously important that we respond to it
aggressively and directly; but I think we all recognize that race is a deep problem in our society
and is something that as hard as we work at there is going to be places where it is going to be
recurring and the best thing to do when it does is trust the people of integrity like yourself will
come forward and bring it to our attention and help us to move forward. The second thing I want
to say, there is something that strikes me that we ought to be reacting to. The election workers
themselves I think, with few notable exceptions, are probably not as representative of our Town
as we would like them to be. My understanding is that the election workers are people who are
selected by the two political parties and recommended to us for appointment. I think one of the
things we ought to do is to redouble our efforts to go back to the leadership of the two political
parties in Town and ask them for help in expanding their representatives and the diversity of the
people who serve as election workers. I think that would make the training somewhat more
meaningful and perhaps introduce some protection against recurrences of events like this.
Mrs. Abbott said when Mrs. Gordon first told her about her experience, the day of the election, I
felt as I do when something like this happens anywhere, but particularly in Lexington, I kind of
felt like I had been kicked in the stomach, not obviously by her but by the situation, and I still
feel that way. This is a very painful reminder of how even in this Town where we are truly
committed to understanding each other, and accepting each other, and working with each other,
this is a blatant example of something that has happened before. Sometimes we hear about these
things in a public setting. Sometimes people say I don't want to talk about this any more, but
instances where assumptions are made, where people are viewed to have a whole set of
characteristics such as not belonging in the room because of the color of their skin, because of
their age, because of their sexual orientation is abhorrent. It is unacceptable to me personally
and I am sure it is unacceptable to everyone on this Board and I dare say to everyone in this
room. I just want to add to that my personal apology that anyone in our community should have
experienced this and my recommitment to doing whatever we can, not only to repair the damage
that has been done here, but to be able to move forward and I would love to be able to say this
will never happen again in Lexington, but I know better and it makes me very sad to know that
something will happen again and something else will remind us that we still haven't got it right,
but in the meantime I do join the Board in apologizing to you Sherry and to any of you here
tonight who have experienced anything similar.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
Mrs. McKenna added one of the things she learned from meetings before is many times what
you think you are saying and conveying is not being received by the other party and I think the
Town Manager indicated that he didn't mean to put forward what in fact you felt and heard from
him. So, I think we owe a responsibility to be very careful in choosing our words and making
sure we are hearing back what we are trying to convey.
Perry Pollins said he felt the blame and the responsibility for the handling of the matter rests with
the Board of Selectmen.
Members of the audience spoke in support of Mrs. Gordon. Sara Harrington, co -chair of the
Lexington Coalition for Racial Equality offered the support of the coalition to the Selectmen in
dealing with the issue. Richard Crawford spoke of his experience with racism when he came to
Lexington fifty years ago. Others who spoke on the issue were Alan Sandler, George Kaplan
and Mary Haskell.
Mrs. Gordon thanked all who came to give her support and thanked the Board members for their
concern. She said she only wished someone had responded the night of the event when she had
made her series of calls to the Town offices.
Mrs. McKenna, Mr. Enrich and Mrs. Eddison indicated that they had first heard about the
incident over the weekend. Ms. Hooper will provide the Board with a copy of the written policy
for election workers.
Mrs. Krieger agreed with Mrs. McKenna that the responsibility is the Board's. It is the Board's
responsibility to have policies and procedures in place that insure that people in this community
feel that their rights are being protected.
Consent Agenda
One -Day Liquor License
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a one -
day beer and wine license to St. Nicholas Greek Church for a Food Festival to be held on May
20, 2000.
Resolution — MWRA Rate Increases
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a resolution in support of the
MWRA Advisory Board's recommendations on a multi -year action plan to manage rate
increases, establish a capital spending cap and pursuit of additional federal and state assistance.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
Senior Center Siting Committee
Board members discussed the proposed membership of the Senior Center Siting Committee.
Mrs. McKenna expressed a continued desire to see the membership increased from the proposed
12 to 14; however, other Board members felt they did not want to go beyond a membership of 12
with liaison participation from the finance committees. There was also discussion of the timing
of feedback from the Committee with respect to process, and making a decision on whether the
Adams School would be a contender and reporting back to the Board on the decision by August
15.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following to the Senior Center
Siting Committee: Don Graham and Marilyn Campbell, Council on Aging; Don Chisholm,
Recreation; BeBe Fallick, Conservation; Steve Colman, Planning Board; Scott Burson, School
Committee; Cathy Abbott, Board of Selectmen; and citizens Tom Ryan, Ginna Johnson, David
Harris, Anne Ripley and Lauren MacNeil.
Newspaper Distribution Boxes
Mr. White reported that he has given the Center Committee, Design Advisory committee and
Historic Districts Commission a copy of draft newspaper box regulations and asked for their
comments by May 31. He will also be contacting the vendors to receive their input on the
regulations. There are 89 boxes throughout Town representing 20 publications.
Mrs. McKenna asked if a maintenance schedule could be provided within the regulations. Mrs
Cohen thought that could be done. Mrs. McKenna also indicated that she would be giving Mr.
White her comments on the proposed regulations.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
March 6, 2000 with additional comment from Mrs. McKenna noted.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
March 16, 2000 with the attendance correction noted.
Committee to Study the Efficacy of Section 15 of the Zoning By -Laws
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following to the committee:
Diane Lakutis, Realtor; Judy Moore, Realtor; Tony Galaitsis, Planning Board; Martha Wood,
citizen; David Lees, Statistician; Jennifer Taub and Michael Green, Communications Advisory
Committee; Dan Fenn, Historic Districts Commission.
Mrs. McKenna and Mrs. Abbott hoped the industry representative yet to be appointed would be a
Lexington resident.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
Limousine /Taxi License Renewals
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve and issue limousine licenses to
Fusco, Ltd. and Atlantic Limousine, Inc.
Town Manager Appointments
Permanent Building Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Peter Kelley and Mary Lou Touart to the Permanent Building Committee.
Board of Health
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Martha Wood and Burt Perlmutter to the Board of Health.
Human Services Committee Appointment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Steven Kelly to the Human
Services Committee for a term to expire September 30, 2001.
Sale of Tax Title Land
Mr. White asked for the Board's position on a request from Jeffrey Dean who asked to purchase
a small parcel of town owned land behind property he owns at 95/97 Bedford Street. Mr. White
outlined the process his office would follow if the Board votes to sell the property.
Mrs. McKenna also prepared a draft process she proposed for consideration for handling sales of
tax title property. Board members discussed process and agreed that all abutters must be notified
in writing before any sale is made to any of them.
Mr. Enrich endorsed Mrs. McKenna's process but recommended getting one appraisal as
opposed to three for small lots of land.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 3 -2 (Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. McKenna) to sell
the property and to follow the process as presented by Mrs. McKenna except that only one
appraisal is required.
Grant of License to Boston Edison and Bell Atlantic
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was vote to grant a license to Boston Edison and Bell
Atlantic to locate underground electrical and telephone service on the property at the Lexington
High School.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 8, 2000
Selectmen Liaison Reports
Mr. Enrich reported that HATS has tentative plans for a joint meeting of the four town boards in
Executive Session.
Mrs. Krieger reported that she has a request from SWAT that the Board reaffirm its position on
mercury emission standards. Wheelabrator is contesting standards and is suing the State. A
number of towns have joined Wheelabrator.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reaffirm the Town's position to the EPA
concerning the mercury emission standards.
Mrs. Eddison indicated that the Tourism Committee, an outgrowth of the Business Committee is
moving forward. The first phase is reviewing everything we have now and pulling together a
plan of action. We have gotten people who have agreed to join the Committee and the first
meeting is scheduled for September 24.
Board members discussed a proposed guide to Lexington as proposed by Economic
Development Officer Joe Marino. Some comments were: it was a little too much and more
suited to a larger community; concern over not having conflicting publications and what that
meant and it was agreed that Mr. Marino would be invited to a future meeting to explain his
proposal and answer questions from the Board.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mrs. Eddison, Mr.
Enrich, Mrs. Krieger and Mrs. Abbott to go into executive session for the purpose of discussion
of land acquisition with no intent to resume open session.
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
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
May 22, 2000
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, May 22, 2000 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room at 7:30 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.
Public Comments
Winthrop Road resident Jane Borjas spoke about dangerous safety issues on Winthrop Road
when people park on the street and asked that the Board considered approving restricted parking
on Winthrop Road as is done on other streets in Town.
Other neighbors expressing their concerns about the parking were Marty Rawls and Ann Grozen.
After listening to the comments, it was agreed by the Board members that it should be put on the
next agenda for a formal vote.
Consent Agenda
Water /Sewer Adjustments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following:
Adjustments of water charges for 2/1/00 to 2/29/00 - $9,989.13
Adjustments of sewer charges for 2/1/00 to 2/19/00 - $48,809.42
Battle Green Flag
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 -1 (Mrs. McKenna) to ratify poll vote to
lower the Battle Green Flag on May 14 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Mrs.
McKenna feels the requested vote violates the policy as it relates to the same day in the future
without having to come back each year and she feels it would mean a change in the policy.
Petition the General Court for Historic Districts Commission Legislation
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to petition the General Court for an act to
provide for non - criminal enforcement by the Historic Districts Commission in the Town of
Lexington.
Hennessy Land Transfer
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the deed transferring Hennessy land
to the Conservation Commission.
Orders of Taking
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the orders of taking for Johnson
Farm Road, Howard Munroe Place, Litchfield Road and Fox Run Lane.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 22, 2000
Boston Gas Grant of Location — Lincoln Street
Boston Gas Company representative Francis O'Leary was present to review a petition for a grant
of location to install 75 feet of 4" gas main in Lincoln Street across the intersection of Hastings
Road to allow service to Hayden Memorial Ice Rink at #10 Lincoln Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Boston Gas
Company to install 75 feet ± of a 4" gas main in Lincoln Street, from the existing 4" gas main in
Lincoln Street, northerly to the end.
MWRA Grant of Location — Concord Avenue at Waltham Street
MWRA Public Affairs Coordinator Tom Gawrys was present to review a petition for a grant of
location for a meter chamber installation as part of ongoing improvements to Section 83
Waltham Street water pipeline. The meter chamber is a wholesale revenue meter by which local
water departments are billed for water supplied by the MWRA.
At the request of Mrs. McKenna, Mr. Gawrys indicated the MWRA could put screening around
the cabinet.
Next door neighbor Barbara Katzenberg did not oppose the installation of the cabinet but asked
that the trees and bushes in the area be preserved.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Massachusetts
Water Resources Authority to install and locate meter chamber, manholes, modifications to
existing water mains, and above - ground electronic cabinets, at Concord Avenue and Waltham
Street. The motion was made provided that the cabinet is placed adjacent to the existing box and
is screened and does not obscure the line of vision at the crosswalk. The engineering department
will work with MWRA to preserve the trees and bushes.
Boston Edison Grant of Location — Waltham Street
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 Waltham Street approximately 35 feet north of Concord
Avenue, install conduit a distance of about 10 feet to a proposed MWRA cabinet subject to street
opening coordination with Bell Atlantic.
Bell Atlantic Grant of Location — Waltham Street
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of Bell Atlantic to lay
and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed therein,
under the surface of Waltham Street starting at pole number 195/116 on the westerly side of
Waltham Street at the intersection of Waltham Street and concord Avenue place conduit in a
northwesterly direction, a distance of 20 feet ± to a proposed MWRA cabinet subject to street
opening coordination with Boston Edison.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 22, 2000
Boston Edison Grant of Location — Bedford Street
Boston Edison representative Maureen Carroll was present to review the petition of Boston
Edison for a grant of location to install conduit on Bedford Street to provide an underground
electric service to the street light control box. Ms. Carroll explained that the work will not
involve the opening of Bedford Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of Boston Edison
Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to
be placed therein under the surface of Bedford Street — install conduit at pole #6/45,
northwesterly, approximately 140 feet northwest of Sunny Knoll Avenue, a distance of about 10
feet.
Metromedia Grant of Location — Hancock Street
There was much discussion about the order of conditions for a grant of location and a request to
take a second look at installing a spare conduit along the bike path that is owned by the MBTA.
Metromedia agreed to go back and get a legal opinion on installing the spare conduit.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to continue the hearing until the next
meeting on June 12 at 7:30 p.m.
It was also agreed that Metromedia's request for a license for the Muzzey Parking Lot be
deferred to the next meeting.
Resignations /Appointments/Reappointments
Committee to Study the Efficacy of Section 15 of the Zoning By -Laws
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Steve Hurley as the Design
Advisory Committee Representative on the Committee to Study the Efficacy of Section 15 of the
Zoning By -Laws.
Vision 20/20 Steering Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint G. Anthony Siesfeld to the Vision
20/20 Steering Committee.
T ,exH AB
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint William C. Hays, Martha Wood
and David F. Eagle to LexHAB for terms to expire May 31, 2003.
Communications Advisory Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of Julie F. Triessl
from the Communications Advisory Committee.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 22, 2000
Tourism Committee
Mr. White explained that Mrs. Eddison and Economic Development Officer Joe Marino are
moving forward with the Tourism Advisory Committee. They have been recruiting additional
members in order to provide the Committee with full representation. They offer five additional
members for appointment.
Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. McKenna expressed concern that there is no background information on
the five individuals. Mrs. Krieger explained that we invite people to fill out the application form.
Mrs. Abbott felt that this committee does fall under the more short-term committee. However,
she would like to have it clear that the biographical information be requested and it is appropriate
to go forward given the credentials of the individuals serving on the committee and then get the
biographical information.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 -0 (Mrs. McKenna abstained) to appoint
Lou Sideris, James Manganello, John Ott, Joel Berman and James Kemler to the Tourism
Advisory Committee.
Limousine Licenses
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the applications and issue six
limousine licenses to Harrison Transportation Services, Inc. d /b /a A -1 Taxi of Lexington and two
limousine licenses to Barbara Zuben d /b /a Lexington Sedan Services subject to favorable vehicle
inspection reports by the Lexington Police Department.
Economic Resource Guide
Economic Development Officer Joe Marino was present to give the Board an overview of what
he hopes to achieve with an economic resource guide and to answer Board members questions
concerning the guide.
There was much discussion about the contents of the guide, what audience the guide is trying to
reach, concern about not participating in other marketing efforts, contents of the letter of support
from the Chairman, control of editorial content, and endorsing advertising.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 3 -2 (Mrs. Abbott and Mrs. McKenna) to
authorize the Economic Development Officer to proceed with the economic resource guide.
Tree Committee Process
Tree Committee representative Ginna Johnson made a presentation and recommendation to the
Board concerning the need to have a tree replacement policy and by -law. Many ash trees in
town are being destroyed by ash blight, developers clear cut land. The committee thinks there
should be a replacement policy for trees in Lexington.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 22, 2000
Mrs. McKenna offered to take on the assignment of establishment of the committee and devising
a charge to the Committee.
Lexington Police Community Survey
Police Chief Chris Casey introduced his community survey team consisting of Steve Corr, Bob
Simmons, Dana Ham and Mark Corr. The survey was conducted to detect changes over the last
six years since the Police Department last conducted a similar one.
The Center for Criminal Justice Policy Research representatives Jack McDevitt and Jennifer
Balboni reviewed the results of the survey and answered Board members questions.
Board members offered several suggestions concerning survey results.
Pavement Management Program Update
Senior Civil Engineer David Carbonneau reviewed the pavement management program and
described the methods and costs associated with different types of road maintenance programs.
Conservation Commission Appointments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Phil Hamilton and Joyce Miller to the Conservation Commission.
Goal Setting Meeting
Board members agreed to schedule the Goal Setting Meeting on July 11, 2000 from 10:00 a.m.
to 2:00 p.m.
Board members also discussed setting a time to get together on board member relationships.
Liaison Reports
Mrs. Abbott reported that the Senior Center Siting Committee conducted its first meeting last
week to a full house. The Committee will be meeting every Thursday until first reporting to the
Selectmen in June.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mrs. Eddison, Mrs.
Krieger, Mr. Enrich and Mrs. Abbott to go into executive session for the purpose of discussion of
a matter of litigation and land acquisition with no intent to resume open session.
Selectmen's Meeting — May 22, 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