HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-Annual Report1997 Annual Report
Town of Lexington
Massachusetts
Settled 1642, incorporated as Town of Lexington 1713 Population
Latitude - 42.26N Longitude - 71.13W
Area of town in acres
10,650.42
Area of town in square miles
16.64
Extreme length in miles
5.80
Extreme width in miles
4.85
Highest elevation, feet above m.s.l.
374
Lowest elevation, feet above m.s.l.
110
Town -owned conservation land, acres
1,289.8
Accepted public streets, miles
125.89
Unaccepted public streets, miles
12.12
Condominium and private drives
4.75
State highways
18.98
Trunk sewers
34.09
Street sewers
122.63
Water mains
156.40
Assessed Valuation Fiscal Year 1998
Residential / Open Space $3,300,687,100
Commercial 345,212,000
Industrial 85,747,000
Personal Property 63,451,360
Total town $3,795,097,460
Tax Rate per $1,000 (Fiscal Year 1998)
Residential / Open Space 13.43
Commercial / Industrial 25.51
Personal Property 25.51
Typical Property Valuation $318,000
Typical Annual Property Tax Bill 4,416
Typical Annual Water /Sewer Bill 529
Town Credit Rating (Moody's): AAA
1997 Census 31,545
Table of Contents
Introduction
Environment
Directory
1997 Lexington Overview
2
Board of Appeals
43
Town Meeting Members 86
1997 Revenue Sources
3
Planning Board
47
Voters' Info. 88
1997 Operating Expenses
4
Permanent Building Comm.
48
Phone Numbers Back Cover
Conservation Commission
49
Govern / Administrate
Conservation Property List
50
Building/Inspection
51
Cover
Lexington Center Committee
51
Board of Selectmen
5
Design Advisory Committee
52
In 1891, the town voted to provide
MAPC
HATS
7
7
student transportation, at town expense.
Commission 2000
7
Life Quality /People
Shown here in front of Hancock School
HFAC
Personnel Advisory Board
8
8
is the first school bus -
Traffic Safety Committee
g
Recreation Department
52
in those days they called it a barge -
Town Report Committee
g
Bikeway Committee
53
with students and driver.
Moderator
9
LexHAB
54
Town Clerk/Board of Registrars
9
Lex. Housing Authority
55
Photo courtesy of the Lexington
Special Meetings
10
Employee Honor Roll
55
Historical Society.
Town Meeting, 1997
10
Social Services /C.O.A.
56
Town Elections
13
Human Services
56
Town Meeting Members Assn.
14
Veterans' Services
57
Financial reports, with the exception of
Town Manager
15
Fair Housing
57
Retirement Funds, are based on the fiscal
Youth Commission
57
year that ended June 30, 1977, usually
Education
Cary Lectures
58
referred to as FY97
Arts Council
58
Battle Green Guides
58
All other statistics, unless otherwise not -
School Committee
18
Celebrations Committee
59
ed, are based on the 1997 calendar year.
School Superintendent
18
Historic Districts Comm.
60
School Expenditures
22
Historical Commission
60
Minuteman Tech
25
Cable Advisory Committee
61
Cary Memorial Library
26
Legal
Dep't of Public Works
Town Counsel
61
DPW/Engineering
29
Transportation Advisory
34
Financial
Lighting Options Committee
35
Trustees of Public Trusts
63
Public Safety
Appropriations Committee
68
Capital Expenditures Comm.
70
Comptroller
70
Fire Department
36
Revenue Officer
71
Police Department
38
Board of Assessors
72
Police Manual Committee
39
Retirement Board
73
Board of Health
41
Combined Balance Sheet
74
Revenues/Expenditures
76
Schedule of Appropriations
80
Debt Service Summary
85
TOWN OF LEXINGTON
Page I
ANNUAL REPORT 1997
1997 Lexington Overview
Battered for months by the `rithmetic and
rhetoric from both sides of a proposed
school renovation plan, voters in Decem-
ber cried "enough!" and scuttled the
$68,200,000 project.
Below is a brief paper trail of the major
events in the town's struggle to resolve
this knotty fiscal matter. Look for details
in reports from the Town Clerk and
Board of Selectmen.
March 3 Town Election: Citizen Stephen
J. Tripi and nine or more registered vot-
ers inserted a question on the ballot that
would limit the town's annual budget
growth to three percent of the prior
year's budget. It won, but it was a non-
binding question with no teeth.
April 9, Town Meeting passed five
school funding articles; Article 4 line
item 1100, and articles 5, 6, 22 and 23,
the latter with a $2,400,000 tab primari-
ly for final plans for a major school
rebuilding program.
June 2, in a Special Referendum trig-
gered by Tripi and followers, voters
decided, 3,829 to 3,175, to cancel Town
Meeting's approval of Article 23, final
plans. However, their numbers fell short
of a state law that requires 20 percent of
registered voters to agree on a referen-
dum issue, and Article 23 survived.
October 20, Special Town Meeting
adopted a $68,200,000 school renovation
project involving the high school, the two
middle schools and Harrington Element-
ary School. The project was scaled back
from one which would have encom-
passed all school buildings. The meeting
also adopted an article which appropriat-
ed an additional $1,050,000 for major
renovations to the library.
December 8, voters upset the October 20
Special Town Meeting decision on the
schools' big building plan. Despite the
plan's importance, a majority of voters
were no -shows at the polls.
Meantime, the schools moved fearlessly
ahead with their technology plan, now in
the stage of "immersing" faculty and
students in computer lore, as described
by Superintendent Jefferey M. Young in
his well- documented narrative.
Both the Selectmen and Town Manager
chide the schools for tardiness when it
comes to budget planning; seems the
town side finishes its work by January
15, but the school committee straggles
into class with its homework about a
month later, putting a time squeeze on
the overall budget approval process.
Serious students of management practic-
es will also find meaty reading in Town
Manager White's discussion of the
Senior Management Team and how it
operates to stimulate bottom -up partici-
pation by all staffers in planning and
operations.
In other fiscal matters, both White and
the selectmen hailed progress in long
term financial planning. Said White,
"1997 may be remembered as the year in
which Lexington got its fiscal house in
order."
Middlesex County government quietly
bowed out, leaving the town to run its
own bow wow licensing program; dog
fees that use to be split with the county
now stay in town.
The DPW lightened up nights for many
residents as it started turning back on
lights that had been turned off to save
money two years ago. Look for even
better news on the lighting front, as
Director George A. Woodbury charges
ahead in his quest for town ownership of
the lights, and the right to screw in the
types of bulbs residents favor.
He's also pressing to get a better deal on
electric bills for everybody in town. And
if you cussed the cancellation of last
fall's Household Hazardous Waste Col-
lection day, he has good news there.
The police put a uniformed cop on patrol
in the high school and report the move
has paid off handsomely. But they're still
puzzled by the number of folks who ring
up 911 then hang up before rescuers can
find out what's wrong. Means that a lot
of cruisers zip out chasing wild geese.
Fire fighters welcomed their new engine;
it's loaded with life- saving gear. And the
chief reports that his department is adopt-
ing the town manager's Senior Manage-
ment Team concept.
HATS, the organization which keeps a
beady eye on Hanscom Field activities,
cautiously applauded the year's progress
in negotiations with Massport. Scores of
citizens from Lexington and its neighbors
gave their time and smarts to the cause.
In the area of foreign affairs, the select-
men note the town's link to sister city
Gatchina, which is in ... guess where?
Look it up in the selectmens' report.
On the millennium front, that momentous
moment in the town's history will be
celebrated with a bang, so promises
Commission 2000, the new committee
appointed to muster the troops for four
days of celebrations.
Library staff and trustees stacked up
impressive deeds; pushing ahead with
major renovation plans and adding new
computer gadgetry. It's amazing how
much data you can finger when your
home computer is linked to Cary. But do
kids still read? Check the report on the
summer reading program for children.
The sweats set crowded town fields with
a full program, aided by increased collab-
oration between public and private
bodies to get things done, like new lights
at the center playground.
Several new appointments were made to
bolster the Board of Health and staff,
busy curbing smokers and aiding Police,
Human Services, Schools and RePlace to
counter domestic violence.
In another foray into joy- through- technol-
ogy, the town plugged into a new phone
system, condensed on this report's back
cover. Be alert - there are two prefixes,
862 and 861.
TOWN OF LEXINGTON I Page 2 1 ANNUAL REPORT 1997
1997 Revenue Sources
I Real 43,017,984
Il Real 8,229,027
Seal 2,153,156
'roperty 1,313,734
3ipts 6,151,727
6,074,250
=unds 1,943,722
N
urplus 799,506
Funds
Water 4,748,368
Sewer 6,721,938
;reation 1,609,010
$82,762,422
TOWN OF LEXINGTON Page 3 ANNUAL REPORT 1997
1997 Operating Expenses
Education
Public Schools
40,159,768
Legal
M M Tech
472,415
nvironment
Board of Appeals
40,632,183
D. P. W.
Conservation Com. 71,303
6,768,574
ublic Safety
& Health
Police
Dispatch
3,3999,9087
353,261
Council on Aging
Health
121,305
Veterans
44,542
6,993,662
Library Personal Services1,017026
Expenses 144,843
1,161,869
Shared Employee Pens. 3,291,820
General Insurance 563,454
Expenses Debt Serv. Prin. 3,301,000
Debt Ser. Int. 787,487
7,943,761
Enterprise Water 4,527,140
Sewer 5,974,411
Recreation 1,290,468
11,791,019
Total Operating Expenses $79,718,362
TOWN OF LEXINGTON Page 4 ANNUAL REPORT 1997
Planning Board
145,122
Legal
Building & Zoning
283,111
nvironment
Board of Appeals
31,047
&
Conservation Com. 71,303
People
p
Historic Dist. Com.
5,590
796,888
Council on Aging
301,269
4,346
Veterans
44,542
1,026,672
Human Services
79,130
Celebrations
13,434
962,394
LEXPRESS
228,138
3,224,608
1,202,686
Shared Employee Pens. 3,291,820
General Insurance 563,454
Expenses Debt Serv. Prin. 3,301,000
Debt Ser. Int. 787,487
7,943,761
Enterprise Water 4,527,140
Sewer 5,974,411
Recreation 1,290,468
11,791,019
Total Operating Expenses $79,718,362
TOWN OF LEXINGTON Page 4 ANNUAL REPORT 1997
Town Counsel
204,882
Legal
Town Clerk
132,778
&
Bd. of Registrars
19,425
Elections
77,223
overnment
Executive
796,888
Legislative
4,346
Financial
1,026,672
State & County
Assess.
962,394
3,224,608
Shared Employee Pens. 3,291,820
General Insurance 563,454
Expenses Debt Serv. Prin. 3,301,000
Debt Ser. Int. 787,487
7,943,761
Enterprise Water 4,527,140
Sewer 5,974,411
Recreation 1,290,468
11,791,019
Total Operating Expenses $79,718,362
TOWN OF LEXINGTON Page 4 ANNUAL REPORT 1997
Board of Selectmen
Board of Selectmen; Seated, Elizabeth B. Eddison, Dan H. Fenn, Jr., Chairman Leo P. McSweeney, Executive
Secretary Phyllis Smith, Daniel P. Busa, Jr., Peter D. Enrich. Standing, Town Counsel Norman Cohen and Town
Manager Richard J. White. Enrich is the newcomer to the board. Photo: Ray Barnes.
For the Board of Selectmen, and for the
Celtics, 1997 was a "Building Year."
We can but hope that Chairman
McSweeney has as much success as Rick
Pitino.
In this, our annual report to our neigh-
bors, we touch on five of the most im-
portant components of this construction
project. With the exception of one, the
results will not be immediately visible
and, in some cases, like a foundation,
hardly visible at all. But it is our hope
and expectation that the quality of our
common life in this new structure will
prove to be increasingly satisfactory and
satisfying for us all.
Capital To carry the building analogy
one step further, we want to focus first on
capital projects. It is no secret to anyone
that our buildings, equipment, and roads
are aging and that, under pressure from
operating budgets, we have not been
adequately funding their maintenance
and/or replacement. With a cap on avail-
able revenue, both political and statutory,
no community can do all it wants to do,
or indeed all it ought to do.
.Of course, the most costly of the needed
capital projects is the schools. Many citi-
zens, including especially the School
Committee and the Permanent Building
Committee, worked very hard indeed to
come up with what was ultimately a four -
school proposal — High School, Clarke,
Diamond, and Harrington — carrying a
price tag of $68.2 million, 59 percent
reimbursable by the state.
As we all know, in the final analysis the
citizens stated that this amounted to more
money than they cared to spend on this
particular plan.
Convinced, nevertheless, that some proj-
ect is desperately needed, the Selectmen
wrote the School Committee within days
of the override vote suggesting that rep-
resentatives of the two groups meet to
fashion a new plan which the community
would support. In so doing, the Board ex-
pressed its conviction that Lexington is a
town which values education highly, that
support for schools — while naturally
peaking among those with children — is
widespread across all demographic
groups (cf. the Mercer study), and that
therefore a doable project is in reach.
Page 5
Further, it demonstrated its awareness
that the three sets of needs — enrollment
increases, deteriorating systems and struc-
tures, and the demands of schooling for
the new millenium — must be met.
Creating a proposal that meets all the
needs, including community acceptabili-
ty, will not be easy but it must be done.
At year's end, a committee was being
formed under the leadership of Select-
man Dan Busa to begin the process.
On the municipal side, the price tag is far
lower because the requirements and the
inventory are much smaller. A plan and a
schedule have been established and await
the decision on the schools. In the mean-
time, immediate problems such as the
Cary Hall roof will be addressed shortly
and we are planning to make progress on
road repair and rebuilding in 1998.
Cary Memorial Library has serious sys-
tems and functional problems. The sev-
enth most used community library in the
Commonwealth, it is inadequate for its
current use, never mind for the onrush of
technology. The Selectmen, along with
the other Trustees, have been working
this year to arrive at a project which links
town and state funds with a level of
private donations which seem attainable.
Board of Selectmen
Finally, the Board approved one project
long in the planning which will be started
and finished in 1998: Depot Square. Art-
fully, everyone involved has produced a
design that at least serves, if not satisfies
all the parties at interest. The Selectmen
believe that the result of this complex
process will please — even delight —
townspeople for many years to come.
Fiscal Structure Turning from physical
to fiscal structures, the Board put many
of the pieces in place this year which are
required if we are to strike a good bal-
ance between long -term and short-term
demands and prudently manage our avail-
able revenues.
With the implicit, if not explicit, approv-
al of Town Meeting, we established a
policy on free cash which builds it by 0.5
percent per year until it reaches a level of
5 percent of our annual budget. We have
set a minimum standard of about 1.4 per-
cent of the municipal budget each year
for infrastructure maintenance to be paid
out of current revenues rather than by
borrowing. We have established a policy
of putting money into a stabilization fund
to build a balance toward known future
major expenses such as fire equipment.
The Recreation Enterprise Fund was
restructured to ensure its future viability.
We have reaffirmed our compensation
policy that is designed to pay our employ-
ees slightly above comparable towns, but
to have fewer of them, and are working
with the School Committee to establish
this as a town -wide policy, a matter
which is high on our agenda for 1998.
We want to lift the 1.5 percent cap on
municipal wages as rapidly as we can
prudently do so, given the five -year pre-
dictions of the Long Range Planning
Committee.
Budget As we have reported before, we
continue to seek ways to make our
annual negotiations with the School
Committee more productive. This pro-
cess has been, is, and will continue to be
arduous and sometimes tense because
strong people on both sides hold strongly
to their views as to the appropriate allo-
cation of our resources.
Selectman Peter Enrich has taken the
initiative in proposing a way to inject a
long -range approach into the process and
to get it underway earlier in the year. Al-
though his proposals were not implement-
ed in 1997 because of concentration on
the school capital project, the Board is
interested in refining and working on
them in conjunction with the School
Committee.
In this regard, the Board feels that align-
ing the timing of the two budget process-
es would be constructive, as would a
mutually agreeable approach to budget
building which takes into account not
only needs but also available resources
and the citizens' level of support.
Commercial Development This year the
Board formally received and discussed
the report of the Business Committee.
Although the relative value of commer-
cial and industrial properties is increas-
ing, thus somewhat relieving the pressure
on the homeowner, the Board feels it is
crucial that we strengthen our ability to
attract new sustainable and environmen-
tally sound enterprises to town.
The two key recommendations of the
Committee were that we add an econom-
ic development officer to our staff to pro-
mote Lexington, and that zoning regula-
tion, especially along Hartwell Avenue,
be reviewed. It is the Board's hope that
both of these recommendations will be
implemented in 1998. With our propor-
tion of both school children and seniors
rising, the demands on our resources will
not shrink in the future, so revenue
sources other than the individual home-
owner are critical.
Unfinished Business As the year drew to
a close, the Board was well aware of the
extremely full plate that is before it for
1998 and beyond. For example, how can
we best take advantage of the deregula-
tion of electricity? Can we finally reach
closure with Boston Edison on our pur-
chase of the streetlights, thus maintaining
the level of illumination desired by the
town while lowering costs? What should
we do about the DPW building and site?
Page 6
What is the best way to deal with the
Council on Aging facility which once
was adequate but is clearly not going to
be so in the future? What should be the
plan for the fire station(s) and for the
School Administration Building?
A Sense of Community The Board of
Selectmen, elected by and representing
all the people in town, bears a special
responsibility to do whatever it can to
make sure that everyone's voice is heard
and that Lexington, despite the difficult
issues that divide us, continues to take
actions which unite us.
In this regard, we are impressed by the
contribution which citizens are making
toward this goal, too often unrecognized
in the thunder and lightning of our con-
flicts. We note especially the successful
effort to light the central playground ball -
field; the progress on the WEB page; the
establishment of Lexfest! as an annual
event; the creation of the Lexington
Commission 2000; our new sister city
program with Gatchina, Russia; the es-
tablishment of the Genesis Community
Fund; the generous response to the
appeal for the Fund for Lexington and
the scholarship and educational funds.
Quietly, usually unheralded, community
organizations go about their daily busi-
ness of making Lexington the kind of
town in which we want to live.
So we salute and celebrate all those citi-
zens who serve. We extend our thanks to
the town employees, from our creative
and resourceful Town Manager to the
people who teach our kids and protect us
and maintain our infrastructure. And we
are especially grateful to Phyllis Smith
and Lynne Pease who gracefully respond
to our requests and keep the office of the
Selectmen running smoothly.
FY97 FY96
Payroll; 51,273 51,359
Expenses: 67,268 54,983
MAPC
Role: The Metropolitan Area Planning
Council (MAPC) is a regional planning
agency. Lexington and 100 other com-
munities in the area participate.
It acts as a forum for state and local offi-
cials, provides a wide range of technical
services to member communities and
oversees federally funded transportation
programs in the area.
Appointed: Lexington's representative is
Assistant Planner Joseph Marino, ap-
pointed by the Town Manager.
Highlights: 1997 was the year Lexington
(and Bedford) switched membership in
one MACP subgroup to another. The
new subgroup, Minuteman Advisory
Group on Interlocal Coordination
(MAGIC), runs roughly northwest along
the Rt. 2 corridor.
Most importantly, it includes all towns in
HATS, towns which share many com-
mon interests with Lexington besides
Hanscom Field; electric utility deregula-
tion, transportation issues and dealings
with NESWC, which burns up our trash.
Besides Lexington, the Towns within
MAGIC are: Bedford, Lincoln, Concord,
Carlisle, Acton, Littleton, Maynard,
Hudson, Bolton, Stow and Boxborough.
Hanscom Area
Towns Committee
Role: Hanscom Area Towns Committee
(HATS) works to enable Bedford,
Concord, Lexington, and Lincoln to join
on planning issues of mutual concern,
especially those involving the impact of
Hanscom Field on our area.
Lexington Representatives are generally
appointed by the Board of Selectmen, as
follows: one Selectman (Dan H. Fenn,
Jr.); one Planning Board member
(Richard A. Canale); two at -large (Lisa
Baci, Margaret Coppe).
Expended: $13,913
Hanscom Area Towns Committee
Highlights: During 1997, HATS was
chaired by Peter Sugar of Lincoln, who
took over for Dan Fenn in January. Lora
Goldenberg represented Bedford; In the
spring, Arthur Fulham replaced Lee
Wood as Concord's representative.
HATS had three major preoccupations
this past year:
• Participation in the completion of the
Generic Environmental Impact Report
(GEIR), which Massport submitted to the
state in the spring.
• Establishment and implementation of
procedures designed to insure the towns'
meaningful participation in any non -
aviation land development at Hanscom to
be initiated and managed by Massport.
• The achievement of an agreement with
Massport re. aviation use of Hanscom.
The GEIR, a wearying process at best for
all concerned, was completed and HATS
and the four towns filed extensive com-
ments with the Secretary of
Environmental Affairs. Many Lexington
citizens played major roles in the process
on both technical and strategic matters,
and the town is in their debt.
In order to lay the groundwork for our
proactive involvement in both aviation
and non - aviation issues, the towns under-
took a study which, hopefully, would
lead to some kind of master plan for the
Hanscom area. Daylor Consulting con-
ducted the study, which was completed
last summer and provided us with a great
deal of data and some suggested direc-
tions for the future.
A process was established with Massport
for the non - aviation development of Han-
scom land. Unique and therefore untest-
ed, the towns hope and expect it will
mean their full and effective involvement
in any non - aviation use of Hanscom.
Massport prepared, but did not issue, an
RFP soliciting proposals for a golf
course, assisted living facility, office
building, and hotel/conference center.
The towns said clearly and often that an
office building would not be acceptable.
Following a presentation at Representa-
tive Kaufman's Forum, new Massport Ex-
ecutive Director Peter Blute established
an ad hoc committee on an aviation agree-
ment which HATS hopes will document
the approach he enunciated at that time.
If we can achieve such an agreement, it
will mean that HATS has reached a goal
which it has long since set for itself and
towards which it has been working
aggressively since March 1996.
For a change, the towns will have formal
assurances and protections. Hopefully,
we will see this effort bear fruit in 1998.
Commission 2000
Role: To foster an appropriate town -
wide celebration for Patriot's Day in the
year 2000.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Gardner L. Hayward, Jr.,Vice Chairman
James D. Roberts, Executive Secretary
Suzanne E. Barry, Treasurer George S.
Comtois, Public Relations Robert H.
Neufeld, Events Coordinator Winston E.
Flynn, Liaison to National Parks Louis
C. Sideris, Selectmen Liaison Daniel P.
Busa. Appointed in 1997, commission to
be dissolved in June 2000.
Highlights:
Kickoff press conference held December
15 at Museum of Our National Heritage.
Initial plans call for four -day celebration:
April 14, Revolutionary War encamp-
ments and Midnight ride of Paul Revere;
April 15, Reenactment of Battle on the
Green and retreat from Concord, with
1,000 or so reenactors from many states
and Canada;
April 16, Rededication of the Battle
Green;
April 17, Parades and ceremonies.
Page 7
HFAC
Role: The Hanscom Field Advisory Com-
mission (HFAC), serves, by state law, as
the official forum for airing issues and
facilitating communications on opera-
tions at Hanscom Field.
Appointed by selectmen of Lexington,
Concord, Bedford, Lincoln, Carlisle and
Acton; one representative, one alternate.
Lexington representative, Michael J.
Barrett (1998 HFAC Chairman); alter-
nate, Florence Koplow.
Other members include representatives
of the North Lexington Assoc., South
Lexington Civic Assoc., League of
Women Voters, HATS, various aviation
and business interests, government agen-
cies and the military.
Expended: In -kind contribution; i.e.,
monthly use of selectmens' meeting
room. Direct budgetary impact: zero.
Highlights: Organized The Fly Friendly
Initiative under which pilots using
Hanscom work voluntarily with area resi-
dents to redesign flying practices to
reduce noise impact on residents. HFAC
is looking for other ways to harness this
wide base of interests to work for the
benefit of all.
Personnel
Advisory Board
Role: Advises selectmen, Town Manag-
er and appropriate town agencies on per-
sonnel policies; compensation, fringe
benefits and proposed organizational
changes.
Appointed by the selectmen for three
year terms. Co- chairs Evelyn Silber and
Janet Perry; Elmer Guilmartin, Richard
Evans, Katherine Page, William Barnes
and Jules Pieri.
Highlights:
• Provided technical help and training for
all town staff on sexual harassment;
revised town's harassment policy.
Personnel
Advisory Board
• Updated town's Affirmative Action
Statement.
• Updated Employee Handbook.
• Assisted with design and introduction
of Employee Orientation Process and
Exit Interview Process.
-Recommended new Employee Perform-
ance Evaluation System.
-Participated in townwide committee ap-
pointed by the selectmen on compensa-
tion practices.
Staff support provided by Linda Crew
Vine, Assistant Town Manager and
Gayle Shattuck, Personnel analyst.
Traffic Safety
Committee
Role: The Traffic Safety Commitee
advises the selectmen on such traffic
matters as speed limits, signage, parking
and pedestrian crosswalks.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Peter Chalpin, DPW, Capt. James Kil-
martin, Police, Myla Kabat -Zinn,
William Mix, Ronald Marble, Roy
Murphy, Edward Barsamian and the late
William Fitzgerald.
Highlights:
• In eight meetings, the committee con-
sidered 28 items involving the following
locations; Harrington, Solomon Pierce
and Whipple Roads; Mass. and Fletcher
Avenues; Bow, East, Winter, Hancock,
Wood, Hill and Manning Streets; Wallis
Court; the Jack Eddison Bikeway;
Hastings and Diamond Schools.
Citizens may submit their suggestions to
the selectmen.
Page 8
Town Report
Committee
Role: To gather up, edit and organize
reports from all official town bodies in a
format suitable for printing an annual
report as required by state law.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Bob Morrison, Win Friedman, Ray
Barnes, Bill Hoyt, John Ayvazian, Bob
Halfman, Zelda Sokal, Audrea Simpson.
Expended: $4,633, for printing.
Highlights: This year we asked the
town's departments and committees to
follow a more concise format when pre-
paring their reports. The idea was to
make it easier for citizens to locate spe-
cific information within each report.
The results are mixed, as readers will
discover; some fine tuning is in order for
next year.
Town Report has evolved over the years
to be more a summary than a complete
compilation of every action taken by
town government, every penny spent.
This means that some interesting materi-
al, for whatever reason, gets left out.
Easy to do, when you're making a sum-
mary.
Any citizen who feels that important
information was left out of this report
should send specifics to the committee,
care of Town Office Building.
It's this committee's observation that
town business becomes more complex
and hectic each year. Our hats are off to
the departments and committees which
did such a conscientious and timely job
reporting their activities to us.
Why isn't Town Report on the web? No
demand for it, not that we've heard.
Besides, who wants to read a blinking
screen when you can get a neat printed
version, handy for reading in bed, from
the Town Office Building?
Moderator
Elected: Margery M. Battin, for the 11th straight year.
Despite the rancor in town over the referendum and debt exclu-
sion override votes, the Annual and two special fall town meet-
ings proceeded smoothly and amicably. Town Meeting mem-
bers worked diligently and thoughtfully with the boards, com-
mittees and the Moderator to avoid repeating 1996's mistakes.
The Moderator continued the following practices:
1. A pre -Town Meeting planning session with the Modera-
tor, article sponsors, Town Counsel, Town Clerk and finance
committee chairmen to review timing, procedural matters,
anticipate scheduling difficulties, audio - visual requirements,
probable amendments and potential areas of disagreement;
2. A two -hour workshop for new Town Meeting members
held by the Moderator, Town Counsel, Appropriation, Capital
Expenditures, Planning Board and TMMA chairmen to answer
questions, clarify financial and planning terms and concepts,
and explain legal issues and parliamentary procedures.
The Moderator sent written instructions to the sponsors of
citizen articles to help them prepare for Town Meeting. She
wrote a newspaper article explaining the protocol regarding
citizen participation. The description of Town Meeting practic-
es and procedures and a summary of Lexington's parliamentary
procedures were updated and distributed.
The Moderator was elected President of the Massachusetts
Moderators Association.
The Moderator thoroughly enjoyed working with the very
committed, intelligent and enthusiastic Town Meeting Mem-
bers, boards and committees. The quality of Lexington's citizen
participation is unparalleled, the dedication of its staff une-
qualed. Patience and a sense of humor prevailed.
Town Clerk/
Board of Registrars
Appointed: Donna Hooper appointed Town Clerk in August,
1996 by the Town Manager.
Although the March 3rd Town Election was the sole election
scheduled for 1997, three elections were held.
Town Clerk /
Board of Registrars
With the cooperation and assistance of all involved, including
the almost 100 election workers, DPW staff, school custodians,
police and others, the elections were carried out successfully.
In addition, the year also saw not one but three town meetings,
with Special Town Meetings in October and November deal-
ing with school and zoning issues.
The Clerk's office continued to plumb the capabilities of the
Central Voter Registra -tion Information System (CVR) admin-
istered by the Secretary of State. The sys -tern helps us manage
voter history, linkages with Town Census/Resident Data, the
annual census and more.
Voter registration continued to grow, with 20,835 registered in
December against 20,435 the previous December. Details:
Political Party
Democrat -
Unenrolled-
Republican -
Political Designation
Libertarian
Independent 3rd Party
Socialist
Reform
Green Party
Prohibition
8,689
8,653
3,443
26
16
History reflects a range of 12 -39% of reg- istered voters partici-
pating in the annual town election, depending on the issues and
contested races. In contrast, state election turnouts have ranged
from 80 -90% participation over recent years.
Voter participation has ranged from 46% to 67% in the proposi-
tion 2 -1/2 override votes taken in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1995.
Turnout for the December 1997 debt exclusion Special Election
was approximately 48 %.
With help from a Simmons College intern, the town's Records
Management program was formalized with cross - departmental
participation.
Vital Statistics for 1997:
(as of 12/23/97)
Births 226
Marriages 173
Deaths 354
Licenses:
Dogs 2,020
Hunting 92
Fishing 210
Page 9
FY97
FY96
Payroll
$130,692
$125,778
Expenses
2,642
2,087
Personnel
4
4
Elections
38,849
77,223
Registration
16,920
19,424
Appointed: Donna Hooper appointed Town Clerk in August,
1996 by the Town Manager.
Although the March 3rd Town Election was the sole election
scheduled for 1997, three elections were held.
Town Clerk /
Board of Registrars
With the cooperation and assistance of all involved, including
the almost 100 election workers, DPW staff, school custodians,
police and others, the elections were carried out successfully.
In addition, the year also saw not one but three town meetings,
with Special Town Meetings in October and November deal-
ing with school and zoning issues.
The Clerk's office continued to plumb the capabilities of the
Central Voter Registra -tion Information System (CVR) admin-
istered by the Secretary of State. The sys -tern helps us manage
voter history, linkages with Town Census/Resident Data, the
annual census and more.
Voter registration continued to grow, with 20,835 registered in
December against 20,435 the previous December. Details:
Political Party
Democrat -
Unenrolled-
Republican -
Political Designation
Libertarian
Independent 3rd Party
Socialist
Reform
Green Party
Prohibition
8,689
8,653
3,443
26
16
History reflects a range of 12 -39% of reg- istered voters partici-
pating in the annual town election, depending on the issues and
contested races. In contrast, state election turnouts have ranged
from 80 -90% participation over recent years.
Voter participation has ranged from 46% to 67% in the proposi-
tion 2 -1/2 override votes taken in 1988, 1990, 1992 and 1995.
Turnout for the December 1997 debt exclusion Special Election
was approximately 48 %.
With help from a Simmons College intern, the town's Records
Management program was formalized with cross - departmental
participation.
Vital Statistics for 1997:
(as of 12/23/97)
Births 226
Marriages 173
Deaths 354
Licenses:
Dogs 2,020
Hunting 92
Fishing 210
Page 9
Town Clerk/
Board of Registrars (continued)
Abolition of Middlesex County government made 1997 the last
year Lexington operated under the county licensing system. We
now do our own dog licensing.
Recent changes requiring all first -time hunters to complete a
hunter education course did not significantly impact sales of
hunting licenses.
Board of Registrars:
Mary C. Abegg was reappointed by the selectmen to a three -
year term on the Board of Registrars. The Registrars actively
oversaw voter registration and the three elections conducted in
1997. Assistant Registrars Margaret Schwartz and Mary
DeSimone, at Lexington High School and Minuteman Regional
Vocational School respectively, noted an increase in student
registrations resulting from the two special elections relating to
school building issues.
The Town Clerk's Office looks forward to further improve-
ments to the Commonwealth's CVR system. It should help us
maximize the use of available technology to maintain records
and make information easily available to the community.
Possible implementation of an optical scan voting system will
be further investigated.
Special Meetings
Special Town Meeting
October 20
Article 2 $68,200,000
Adopted Oct. 20. For building, equipping and furnishing addi-
tions to, and remodeling, rebuilding and repairs to the High
School, Clarke and Diamond Middle Schools and Harrington
Elementary School; and for computer hardware, software and
portable classrooms.
Article 3 $1,050,000
Adopted Nov. 19. Appropriated, in addition to the $7,850,000
appropriated at the 1996 Town Meeting, to construct, equip
and furnish addition to and remodel, reconstruct and make
extraordinary repairs to Cary Memorial Library; to purchase
equipment, including computer hardware and software and to
remodel Cary Hall for use as an interim library.
Article 4, street related improvements, indefinitely postponed.
Article 5, Grant Place easement, adopted Oct. 20. Selectmen
authorized to grant permanent easement to owner of 2 Grant
Place to continue using existing portion of driveway.
November 19
Zoning By -Law change, 55 Hayden Ave. Amended zoning
district designation of 55 Hayden Ave. to CD from CRO.
1997 Annual Town Meeting
The 1997 Annual Town Meeting opened March 24, held eight
sessions and adjourned April 16, 1997. All sessions were called
to order by Town Moderator Margery M. Battin in Cary
Memorial Hall.
The March 31 meeting was adjourned to April 2 due to a bliz-
zard; it was attended only by the Moderator, Town Clerk,
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen, Town Counsel, Town
Manager and the Water /Sewer Supervisor.
Prior to the first session, Moderator Battin honored the passing
of Town Meeting Members Jason Berger and Weiant Wathen-
Dunn. At a later meeting, a moment of silence was observed for
Richard M. Perry who died suddenly on April 12. Perry was a
Town Meeting Member for 40 years and served as Town
Comptroller for 20 years, 1966 - 1986.
Among those honored before different sessions were the
National Merit Finalists from the High School and the
Haydenettes Precision Skating Team which had placed fourth
in the World Competition held in Finland.
Article Action Summary
Annual Town Election, Art. I. See Elections
Reports of Committees, Art. 2.
Reports were presented, accepted and placed on file from the
Committee on Cary Lectures, Trustees of Cary Memorial
Library, LexHAB, the Fair Housing and Human Relations
Committee, Superintendent of Schools, Town Manager, Capital
Expenditures Committee, Appropriation Committtee, Planning
Board, Recreation Committee, Conservation Commission and
Council on Aging.
Town Meeting Member Clark Cowen, Pr. 7, and Chairman of
the Council on Aging, reported April 14 that the Council's new
Day Care Center, built by Minuteman Tech students, would
open in May.
Appointments to Cary Lectures Committee, Art. 3.
Adopted March 24. The Moderator to appoint a committee of
three to run the Cary Memorial Lectures.
Line Use Amount
Operating Budget, Art 4.
Adopted April 2. Monies for all town departments. All
amounts to be raised on the tax levy, except as noted.
1100 Lexington Public Schools $42,403,72
Also see articles 5, 6, 22, 23.
1200 Minuteman Tech 721,950
Page 10
1997 Annual Town Meeting
Line Use Amount
2110 Contributory Retirement 3,121,803
Of this amount,$82,203 to be transferred
from Water / /Sewer Enterprise Funds
2120 Non Contributory Retirement 183,036
2130
Insurance
575,854
$108,588 to be transferred from Water /Sewer
$333,234
Enterprise Funds, $16,441 from Health
Trust.
2140
Unemployment Benefits
50,000
2150
Police/Fire Medical
52,393
2210
Payment on Funded Debt
2,191,000
2220
Interest on Funded Debt
377,029
2230
Temporary Borrowing
77,250
2240
Exempt Debt
1,100,500
2310 Reserve Fund 150,000
2320 Salary Adjustments 187,279
With $14,881 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds
2410 Municipal Services 254,209
(Formerly Jurisdictional Accts.)
2420 Town Network Expenses 11,400
3000 DPW Personal Services
3,145,955
With the following transfers:
Water /Sewer Funds
$333,234
Parking Meter Fund
70,084
Cemetery Trust Funds
100,000
Recreation Enterprise
46,520
3000 DPW Expenses
4,177,052
With the following transfers:
Water /Sewer Funds
$256,353
Recreation Fund
448,317
Parking Meter Fund
105,500
3600 Transportation Personal Services 235,943
(Lexpress)With $80,000 transferred
from the Parking Meter Fund
3700 Water Department 3,792,335
Transfer from Water Enterprise Fund
3800 Sewer Department 6,406,463
Transfer from Sewer Enterprise Fund
4200 Police Department 3,857,77
With $174,017 transferred from
Parking Meter Fund
4300 Fire Department 3,179,380
5100 Library 1,264,949
Line Use Amount
5200 Recreation Department 648,038
Transfer from Recreation Enterprise Fund
5300 Public Celebrations 17,050
6100 Council on Aging 305,957
6210 Veterans 57,510
6310 Youth Services 71,929
6320 Developmentally Disabled 13,184
7100 Inspectional Services 512,937
7200 Planning Department 146,010
8110 Selectmen 131,005
With $2,622 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds
8120 Town Mgr. Personal Services 291,922
With 43,898 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds
8130 Town Report 6,000
8310 Comptroller 370,218
With $121,084 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds
8320 Revenue Office 215,892
With $932,462 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds and
$7,500 from Flexible Spending
Plan funded by anticipated revenues.
8330 Assessors 278,417
With $55,81 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds.
8340 Data Processing 256,133
With $33,320 transferred from
Water /Sewer Enterprise Funds.
8410 Legal Fees/Expenses 211,150
8420 Town Clerk 137,986
8430 Board of Registrars 21,700
8440 Elections 34,730
Other Appropriation Articles
Supplementary Approp. for FY97, Art S. 188,557
Adopted April 7. For line item 1100, Schools.
Transfer from Unreserved Fund Balance.
Prior Years Unpaid Bills, Art. 6. 18,443
For School bills. Transfer from Unreserved Fund Balance.
Supplementary Appropriations, Art 7.
For authorized capital improvements.
Indefinitely postponed April 7.
Page 11
1997 Annual Town Meeting
Water Mains, Art. 8.
Adopted April 7. Transfer fromWater
Enterprise Fund. Federal aid expected.
Sanitary Sewers, Art. 9.
Adopted April 7. To be funded by notes.
Federal /State aid expected.
Sewer Rehab Program, Art. 10.
Adopted April 7. To be borrowed
in anticipation of Federal/State aid.
Street Related Improvements, Art. 11.
Adopted April 7. To be funded by notes,
with state reimbursement anticipated.
Automated Water Meters, Art. 12.
Adopted April 7. Treasurer authorized
to borrow $550,000 from MWRA.
State grant and interest -free loan anticipated.
Public Works Equipment, Art. 13.
Adopted April 7.
Building Envelope Program, Art. 14.
For extraordinary repairs to
various buildings.
DPW Mower Replacement, Art. 15.
Adopted April 7. Transfer from
insurance proceeds.
Brook Maintenance, Art. 16.
Indefinitely postponed April 7.
Fire Equipment, Art. 17.
To replace rescue equipment.
Elections Optical Scan Equipment, Art. 18.
Indefinitely postponed, April 7.
Rehab Center Pool Complex, Art. 19.
Transfer from Recreation Enterprise Fund
Recreation Facilities Improvements, Art. 20.
Indefinitely postponed April 7.
Rescind Approps. under Art. 19, FY96, Art. 21.
Adopted April 7. Funds returned to
Recreation Enterprise Fund.
280,00
560,000
300,000
700,000
550,000
392,000
200,000
►.
45,000
100,000
Miscellaneous School Article, Art. 22. 1,155,000
Adopted April 9. Treasurer authorized
to borrow for repairing school
administration building and buying
additional computer equipment.
School Reconstruct Program, Art. 23. 2,400,000
Adopted April 9. Treasurer authorized
to borrow for repairs and additions to schools.
Stabilization Fund, Art. 24. 100,000
Adopted April 14.
Funds to Reduce Tax Rate, Art. 46. 1,233,000
Adopted April 16. Transfer from
Unreserved Fund Balance.
Notice of Intent Fees, Art. 26. 10,898
Adopted March 24. Transfer from Reserve
for Appropriation to Wetlands Protection Fund.
Total Appropriation 89,545,165
Prior Year 92,706,467
Zoning and Other Articles
Amend Art. XXXII of General by -Laws, Art. 25.
Adopted March 26. Technical corrections to by -laws governing
wetlands.
Zoning By -Law Change, Art. 27. Not adopted April 14.
Would have changed CRO zoning to CD at 55 Hayden Ave.,
to allow for an addition to an office building.
Zoning ByLaw Change, Art. 28. Adopted April 16. Changed
RO zoning to CD at 16 Hayden Ave., to allow for an office
building.
Land Acquisition, Spencer St., Art. 29.
Adopted March 24. Completes acquisition voted last year of
land at the end of Spencer St., for Conservaton/Recreation use.
Use of Driveway on Grandview Ave., Art. 30.
Adopted March 24.
Legislation/Town -Wide Referendum, Art .31.
Not adopted March 26. Would have had selectmen petition
legislature for an act requiring a town -wide referendum to
approve any operating budget, except Enterprise Funds, which
exceeded prior year operating budget by more than three
percent.
Accept Chap. 60 Sect. 3C of General Laws, Art. 32.
Adopted March 24. Permits town to include check -offs on tax
bills to fund scholarship fund for Lexington students.
Amend Chapt. 521, Act of 1983, Art. 33.
Not adopted March 24. Would have widened approval process
involving use of town -owned land for LexHAb housing.
Page 12
1997 Annual Town Meeting
In lieu of Tax Payments by LexHAB, Art. 34.
Not adopted March 24.
Land Transfer, Art. 35. Adopted March 24. Transfers town -
owned parcels on Sutherland Rd. to Conservation Commission
for conservaton/recreation use.
Goals Relating to Hanscom, Art. 36. Adopted March 26.
Goals adopted to guide selectmen and other town officials
dealing with the Mass. Port Authority (Massport) on use and
development of Hanscom Field.
Planning/Legal Services for Hanscom, Art. 37. Adopted
March 26. Permits selectmen to set aside $25,000, if needed,
for legal and planning counsel in dealing with Massport.
Town Meeting Approval in re Hanscom, Art. 38.
Adopted March 26. Input to be sought from Town Meeting on
major agreements the town might make with Massport.
Capital Expenditures Guidelines, Art. 39.
Adopted as amended April 14. Appropriation Committee to
devise guidelines for capital expenditures.
Retirement Board: Military Service Buy Back, Art. 40.
Adopted March 26. Permits veterans to buy up to four years of
creditable service toward retirement.
Compensation for Retirement Board, Art 41.
Indefinitely postponed March 26.
Municipalization of Utilities, Art. 42. Adopted April 9. The
second of two required votes to give the town authority to act
in citizens' interests in negotiating with power sources.
Real Estate Transfer Tax, Art. 43.
Indefinitely postponed April 9. Would have authorized select-
men to ask legislature to enact a real estate transfer tax, with
proceeds going to operating expenses.
Minuteman Tech Agreement Amendment, Art. 44.
Adopted April 9. A vote to reallocate the town's required share
of the school's budget.
By -Law Amendment, Art. 45.
Adopted April 9. Authorizes Board of Health to issue fines for
violations of tobacco control regulations.
Summarized from Town Clerk's minutes of Town Meeting.
Complete minutes available in Town Clerk's Office.
Seepage 10 for reports on the two Special Town Meetings.
Elections, 1997
Town Election, March 3
Voting: 36% of registered
voters.
Selectmen
Peter D. Enrich 2,581
Robert N. Cohen 2,133
Peter C.J. Kelley 1,931
Dawn E. McKenna 358
Moderator
Margery M. Battin 4,675
School Committee
Susan A. Elberger 4,235
Barrie Peltz 3,883
Stephen J. Tripi 2,378
Planning Board
Anthony G. Galaitsis 2,574
Charles Hornig 2,418
Lexington Housing Authority
Leona W. Martin 3,895
Non - Binding Referendum
Shall the Town require town -
wide vote of approval of any
fiscal year budget which
exceeds prior year's budget
by more than 3 %? Inserted by
Stephen J. Tripi and nine or
more other registered voters.
Yes: 2,034 No: 1,627
Town Meeting Members
Precinct One
Charles E. Shaw
311
Jean W. Cole
296
Laura L. Boghosian
292
Judith L. Zabin
283
Joel A. Adler
279
Paul G. Topalian
271
Rae Zuerndorfer
222
Carol Sampson
40
Precinct Two
Alan B. Wilson
450
Michael J. O'Sullivan
429
Donald D. Wilson
427
Marian A.O. Cohen
426
Heather L. Hartshorn
424
Marita B. Hartshorn
416
James S. Wilson
401
Katherine Kiefer
378
Page 13
Precinct Three
576
Jacqueline B. Davison
430
Caleb Warner
406
Jeanne K. Krieger
373
Samuel Berman
363
Douglas M. Lucente
351
Robert Rotberg
325
Carol J. Grodzins
314
David J. Kessler
301
Isabel L. Jankelson
253
John H. Sellars
245
Precinct Four
Peter C. J. Kelley
576
Barrie Peltz
497
Stephen E. Coit
483
Nicholas A. Cannalonga
434
David J. Harris
423
Carol B. Hartman
414
Michael Wagner
382
Kenneth A. Reich
361
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr.
308
(Replaced Peter D. Enrich
who resigned after being
David E. Burns
elected to the Board of
Selectmen)
Scott F. Burson
274
Howard K. Shafer
254
Precinct Five
Mary Kathryn Wolf 374
Sam Silverman
368
Douglas C. Boyer
354
Melinda D. Vinton
341
Marsha F. Byrnes
340
Margaret C. Nichols
334
James M. Shaw
333
Ira W. Crowe
332
Precinct Six
Edmund C. Grant
539
Jane Pagett
537
Marjorie M. Daggett
534
Bebe Fallick
500
Edith Sandy
498
Frank Sandy
480
Sheldon A. Spector
469
Cynthia L. Blumsack
453
William B. Simmons
410
Ronald B. Pawliczek
362
David E. Burns
Elections Town Meeting Members Association (TMMA)
Precinct Seven
Mary W. Miley
Marsha E. Baker
Alan Garber
Fred H. Martin
Robert G. Coyne
Alan A. Wrigley
Steven L. Colman
David G. Kanter
Neal E. Boyle, Jr.
Precinct Eight
Richard H. Battin
Carolyn H. Tiffany
Steven J. Hurley
Paul W. Jenkins
Donald Jenkins, Jr.
Morton J. Kahan
Elizabeth C. Whitman
Nancy W. Madden
Precinct Nine
Fred D. Rosenberg
Janet M. Perry
Paul E. Mazerall
Susan R. Cusack
Richard L. Canale
Susan A. Elberger
Loretta A. Porter
Dawn E. McKenna
William Kennedy
413
393
371
358
347
344
339
317
326
525
523
490
481
481
434
348
18
414
404
398
389
386
386
372
341
10
Special Referendum, June 2
A vote to approve Town Meet-
ing action on Art. 23, which
spent $2,400,000 for final
plans for the School renova-
tion project. In response to
petition by Stephen J. Tripi
and not less than 3% of regis-
tered voters.
Yes: 3,175 No: 3,829.
Voting: 34% of registered
voters.
Special Election, Dec. 8
A vote on the debt exclusion
question as approved under
Art. 2 of the Oct. 20 Special
Town Meeting, to fund re-
modeling and expanding the
high school, two middle
schools & Harrington Elemen-
tary School, for $68,200,000.
Yes: 4,529 No: 5,456
Voting: 48 % of registered
voters.
Role: TMMA serves as an informational body
for its members. It publishes a booklet on the
annual Warrant, holds meetings prior to Town
Meeting and runs bus tours of sites involved
with the Warrant. It keeps in touch with town
officials throughout the year.
Membership is open to all Town Meeting
members, who elect an executive committee
comprised of three members from each pre-
cinct. Citizens may attend its monthly meet-
ings. Email address:
tmm@link.ci.lexington.ma.us
1997 -1998 Executive Committee
Chairman Robert Cohen. Pr. 3
Secretary Susan Cusack, Pr. 9
Vice Chairman Alan Lazarus Pr.
6; Treasurer Heather
Hartshorn 2
Precinct
Chairman
Clerk
Associate
One
Joel Adler
Paul Topalian
Charles Shaw
Two
Timothy Enright
Katherine Kiefer
Rene Varrin
Three
Samuel Berman
Shirley Frawley
Jacqueline Davison
Four
Nicholas Santosuosso
Kenneth Reic
Michael Wagner
Five
Andrew Friedlich
Douglas Boyer
Marsha Byrnes
Six
Anne Ripley
Bebe Fallick
Richard Pagett
Seven
Marsha Baker
Robert Coyne
Gordon Hardy
Eight
Anne Frymer
Diana Garcia.
Bigelow Moore
Nine
Dawn McKenna
Michael Schroeder Henry Manz
TMMA Executives: Ist row, Robert Cohen, Alan Lazarus, Marsha Byrnes; 2nd row,
Marsha Baker, Diana Garcia, Samuel Berman, Dawn Mckenna, Jacqueline Davison,
Anne Frymer, 3rd row, Andrew Friedlich, Richard Pagett, Bigelow Moore, Anne Ripley.
Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 14
Payroll
Expenses
Personnel
Full Time
Part Time
FY97
253,975
15,500
4
1
FY96
271,348
15,633
4
1
The Town Manager is the Chief Exec-
utive Officer of the Town as established
in the Selectmen Town Manager Act.
The Town Manager either directly or
indirectly, through staff, administers the
policies and procedures of the Board of
Selectmen, enforces by -laws and actions
passed by Town Meeting, prepares the
budget and manages the daily operation
of all Town departments.
Appointed by the selectmen. Richard J.
White, appointed in October 1997.
Finances
The Town maintained a payroll of
$12,767,554 for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1997, covering 284 full -time
and 84 part -time employees. The total
budget appropriated for fiscal year 1998
was $82,290,948. Revenue limitations
and an increasing school -age population
continue to challenge elected officials,
staff and citizens alike.
Budget Process
It appears that Lexington will never have
enough money to support all of the
municipal services that are worthy of
funding. Consequently the Selectmen's
annual budget review process has
become a more important public event.
As such the Board of Selectmen and the
professional staff have tried to open up
the budget review process so that it is
and is perceived to be more inclusive.
The Selectmen and School Committee
met early in the fall to discuss emerging
budget issues. Although the municipal
and school budget development process-
es could not be designed to run parallel,
the School Superintendent, School Com-
mittee, Town Manager and Selectmen
met regularly in an attempt to enhance
communications around budget issues.
Internally, the staff continued their
efforts at opening up their budget devel-
Town Manager
opment process by presenting budget and
service options to the Selectmen during
their regularly scheduled meetings in
October, November and December. In
addition, the staff, for the first time,
began a comprehensive examination of
long and short term budget and policy
issues for the community to discuss and
examine. Hopefully, these issues will be
used as the basis for the development of
a policy work plan for coming years.
The open budget sessions held in 1997
were very successful in that they allowed
the community an opportunity to under-
stand the tradeoffs, initiatives and sacri-
fices required to construct a budget given
the limits imposed by Proposition 2 1/2.
Every process can be improved. Town by-
laws require the Town Manager to
submit a comprehensive budget that in-
cludes expenditure estimates for every
municipal function including the schools
by January 15th. The Superintendent of
Schools presents his final budget in late
January (FY99 submission was January
27). The School Committee votes on a
budget to send to Town Meeting in late
February (FY99 vote scheduled for Feb-
ruary 24, 1998).
Clearly, we could do a better job at coor-
dinating our budget schedules. Perhaps
the by -law requiring the Town Manager
to submit a budget can be changed to
better coordinate the public decision
making process.
Sensitivity to the information needs of
Town Meeting must be balanced with a
need for the Selectmen and School com-
munity to coordinate schedules and devel-
op a process so that the Town's service
demands can be sensibly measured.
Financial Policies
1997 may be remembered as the year in
which Lexington got its fiscal house in
order. The budget culture during this past
decade has been challenging for the staff
and community. Proposition 2 -1/2 has
dominated all of our thoughts and actions
during this last decade. Our efforts at
preserving the integrity of the services
Page 15
we offer our citizens have been noble.
Those efforts have not been made
without consequence. Investments in our
infrastructure have been compromised.
Cash reserves are depleted.
In 1997, the Board of Selectmen success-
fully interrupted the community's focus
on solving the short term budget problem
of the day and began a dialogue with
Town Meeting and the community about
Capital Investment, Cash Reserves and
creating a Stabilization Fund.
Tax Levy Capital
In 1997, the Town increased its tax levy
investment in its infrastructure. Prior to
1997, capital programs traditionally fund-
ed with cash from the tax levy — equip-
ment, roofing, paving, street reconstruc-
tion, etc. were significantly reduced or
eliminated.
In 1996, after capital cash investment
expenditures fell dramatically from
investments made in 1995, the Capital
Budget team identified a desirable range
for capital cash funding of between 1.5%
and 5% of the prior year's tax levy.
Although the Selectmen did not formally
adopt the recommendation as policy, a
long term target of $2 million in tax levy
capital investment was informally em-
braced. The 1996 Annual Town Meeting
endorsed this goal by appropriating
$550,000 from the tax levy to fund
capital equipment purchases. Although
$550,000 falls pitifully short of the $2
million goal, this investment was in-
creased to $736,000 by the 1997 Annual
Town Meeting.
Increasing our tax levy capital invest-
ment over time in an attempt to meet this
$2 million goal is a very good and
prudent step forward. Hopefully, the
1998 Annual Town Meeting will see the
wisdom of this practice and build upon it.
Cash Reserves
Last year, the Board of Selectmen asked
the community to focus on a number of
important financial issues. Past competi-
tion for funding depleted all of the
Town's cash reserves. We spent almost
every penny available for appropriation
every year from fiscal years 1989
through 1996. Leaving absolutely no
savings to draw upon in an emergency
put the Town in a very precarious finan-
cial position. As a result, the Selectmen
considered setting a policy which pre-
scribed setting aside 5, 10, 15 or 20
percent of the tax levy as cash reserves.
Squirreling away large amounts of cash
to create a savings account for the
Town's future required a radical change
in fiscal behavior and as such the
Selectmen chose a 5% cash reserve set
aside as the most prudent and obtainable
option. This goal could not be achieved
in one or two years. The Board of
Selectmen developed a strategy to meet a
5% savings goal that must be achieved
incrementally over a ten year period.
Town Meeting endorsed this policy by
setting aside $576,527 in 1997. The fol-
lowing is a ten year schedule adopted by
the Board:
Balance After Appropriation
FY98
FY99
FY00
576,527
864,574
1,528,063
FY01
FY02
FY03
1,528,063
1,875,198
2,232,938
FY04
FY05
FY06
2,601,544
2,946,769
3,302,375
FY07
4.64%
5.01%
3,668,621
Free Cash Balance
After Appropriation
FY98
FY99
FY00
FY01
1.03%
1.50%
2.01%
2.50%
FY02
FY03
FY04
FY05
2.97%
3.43%
3.88%
4.27%
FY06
FY07
4.64%
5.01%
Stabilization Funds
The Town used to pay cash for the pur-
chase of equipment such as a fire pump
or ladder truck or the removal and re-
placement of a School or Town building
roof prior to the mid 1980s. Again, ser-
vice demands far outstripped our avail-
able resources and as such these purchas-
es and repairs were postponed.
Town Manager
In some extreme cases, exceptions were
made and equipment purchases and roof
replacements were financed by borrow-
ing. Borrowing for equipment or roof
maintenance is not considered a prudent
act in municipal finance circles. Replac-
ing a roof or purchasing equipment in the
amounts ranging from $450,000 to
$600,000 leaves very little tax -levy
capital funds available for other uses.
In 1997 the Selectmen, with the support
of Town Meeting, reestablished a Stabili-
zation Fund with a $100,000 appropria-
tion. Such a fund can be used, after
steady and systematic appropriations, to
buffer the annual costs of some of the
pricey equipment purchases and main-
tenance projects that are necessary from
time to time.
Employee Compensation
The consequences of our fiscal difficul-
ties have been shared by our employees.
Raises of 0 %, 2 %, 3 %, 1 1/2% and 1
1/2% over the last five budget years have
created a perception among most employ-
ee groups that we have ignored our stated
compensation policies and conveniently
balanced the budget during these last five
years on the backs of our employees.
The Selectmen appointed an Employees
Compensation Committee, with represen-
tatives from every employee sector,
union and non -union (School and Town),
to help reestablish a deliberation process
that provides our employees with some
assurance that our planning around their
fiscal future holds equal footing with all
other fiscal planning issues. The Compen-
sation Committee has completed its
charge and has recommended that the
Selectmen take the following action:
* Personal services costs should be
budgeted before all other operating costs.
* There should be compensation equity
between unions and non -union employ-
ees, assuming that wages plus benefits
equal compensation.
* Develop lists of comparative communi-
ties in consultation with employee
groups, based on workload indictors,
Page 16
community profiles, or other appropriate
indicators. There will not be a standard
list that applies to every group.
* Develop a written compensation policy
to attract, retain, inspire and motivate
employees.
* Implement a one -time salary adjust-
ment as a correction for staff to be placed
equitably in their range based on perfor-
mance and longevity.
Enterprise Funds
The Recreation Enterprise Fund narrowly
avoided a deficit in 1997. Fluctuations in
golf revenue combined with large sub-
sidies to the DPW Parks Division for
maintaining all Town owned recreation
facilities and the implementation of a
$50,000 in lieu -of -tax payment severely
compromised the Recreation Enterprise
Fund. Fiscal policies were altered to
avoid deficits in 1997 and 1998. Town
Meeting eliminated the recreation in lieu -
of -tax payment, established in FY97, for
1998 budget. The DPW Park Division
subsidy was significantly reduced and all
recreation capital projects that were not
directly connected to a revenue produc-
ing activity (the pool and golf course are
two revenue producing activities) were
no longer allowed to be funded with Rec-
reation Enterprise Funds.
Debates about Enterprise Fund in- lieu -of
taxes continued in 1997. Town Meeting
implemented a first time ever sewer in-
lieu -of -tax payment of $250,000. The
Selectmen appointed a citizens' commit-
tee to examine this practice. The commit-
tee's analysis was not conclusive and as
such the debate about in- lieu -of taxes
will continue.
Public Works
Street lights, street lights, street lights!!!
became the constant refrain during the
Selectmen's meetings throughout 1997.
A Town Meeting decision to shut off
1300 street lights throughout the com-
munity, once implemented, created a citi-
zens' reaction almost comparable to the
one experienced in Lexington in 1775.
During all of this, the Public Works staff
has performed admirably and with great
patience and professionalism under some
very difficult and tense circumstances.
By late 1997, the Board of Selectmen
approved a plan to return power to some
600 street lights in residential areas in
Lexington. This should resolve many of
the complaints of the citizens that shared
their concerns with the Selectmen and
the professional staff.
Expanded operating hours at the landfill,
a regional hazardous waste collection
facility, electric deregulations, NESWC
contracting issues, the temporary move
of the library to Cary Hall and Lexington
Center parking are just a few of the many
issues and initiatives being managed by
the DPW staff.
Public Safety
Chief Chris Casey's leadership and his
staff s efforts on implementing a compre-
hensive community policing program
have created a new culture within the
Police Department. Community policing
is a program that is based on developing
and maintaining a strong commitment to
problem solving and aligning values with-
in the Police Department with those of
the community.
The citizens' academy established in
1996 has been well received within the
community. Fifteen were graduated in
1996 and a comparable number in 1997.
The bike patrol concept has been expand-
ed. Alternative sentencing programs, and
the DARE program continue to be well
received and a strong School/Police
Department partnership has benefited all
our younger citizens.
Jack Quinlan completed his second year
as Fire Chief. In 1997, the Chief and his
staff were able to reestablish an equip-
ment replacement program. A training
team was established and new initiatives
are emerging that will enhance the com-
petency of the Fire personnel.
In addition, the Fire leadership team is
examining the possibility of increasing
the ambulance service level beyond basic
life support to advanced life support
which would require most if not all the
firefighters to upgrade their medical re-
sponse skills to the paramedic level.
Town Manager
Personnel
The Town experienced an overall work
force turnover of 4% in 1997. Most of
the recruitments were for entry level
positions. The Town's personnel objec-
tives for the year were internally
focused.
A Sexual Harassment Policy was devel-
oped and distributed and a supervisors'
training was provided to all departments.
A new Wage and Classification system
for the non -union municipal employees
was implemented.
A Comprehensive Orientation Process
was developed and monthly orientation
meetings were held to assist new
employees acclimate to their new job
successfully. An Exit Interview Process
was developed to help people transition
smoothly from their employment with
the Town.
Senior Management Team
The Senior Management Team (SMT)
created in 1992, emerged as a force in
1996. Members are: Assistant Town
Manager, Public Works Director,
Finance Director, Town Clerk, Recrea-
tion Director, Inspectional Services
Director, Planning Director,
Management Analyst, Library Director,
Police Chief, Fire Chief, Social Services
Director, and me as Town Manager.
Budgets, strategies, planning, and polic-
ing major policy recommendations are
developed by the group. All major per-
sonnel decisions and recommendations
are reviewed and considered within the
team. We believe that the mechanism has
greatly enhanced communication and the
understanding within the organization.
Together we hope to establish a shared
vision that is embraced by all Town
employees. We would like to create an
environment that encourages flexibility,
effective communication, and proactive
behavior.
In addition we hope to encourage risk
taking, and to develop a broad external
Page 17
perspective that motivates our employees
to move beyond the departmental per-
spective. A defined and agreed upon
mission is critical for the SMT to trans -
ferr this success to the next level. The
Technology and Capital Budget Team
efforts were good beginnings for tapping
the competency, skills and insights of
employees who are not traditionally
offered leadership opportunities.
The first step: a strategic plan which
specifies actions that advance the organi-
zation's mission. The strategic plan also
considers how outside trends will impact
the Town's mission.
The second step measures progress.
Team staff development, internal/ -
external marketing, Town and committee
structure, and service delivery are the
four general focus areas. We are devel-
oping our plan from the bottom up.
Most, if not all, of the short and long
term goals have been achieved. The
Senior Management Team is now updat-
ing its Strategic Plan. In addition, a
Middle Staff Group has been established
to provide input into the direction and
goals of the organization.
I extend heartfelt congratulations and
thanks to each member of the Senior
Management Team and the whole staff
for an excellent effort and a great
product.
Collective Bargaining
The Department of Public Works,
Dispatchers and Police contracts are set-
tled for FY98. Fire contracts are current-
ly under negotiation. The Town evaluates
all employee performances on regular
basis and does not provide automatic step
increases for its non -union work force.
Non -union employees received an aver-
age increase of 1 1/2 % in FY97.
Inquiries and comments regarding the
administrative operations of Town Gov-
ernment are encouraged. Special thanks
are extended to all citizen volunteers.
School Committee & Superintendent of Schools
School Committee: front, Susan Elberger and Barrie Peltz; rear, Fred Rosenberg
and Superintendent Jeffery M. Young. Not shown, Joseph Dini, who resigned in
December, and Mary Neumeier. Peltz and Elberger were reelected in the spring
town election. Photo, Ray Barnes.
Role: To develop school policies,
approve operating and capital budgets,
supervise and evaluate the Superintend-
ent of Schools, advocate for school con-
cerns to other town officials and the
community, and act as liaison between
school department and community.
Elected by the community for overlap-
ping three year terms. Chair: Susan B.
(Barrie) Peltz, Susan Elberger, Mary
Neumeier, and Fred Rosenberg. Joseph
Dini resigned effective December 1.
Expenditures:
Operations, FY97: $40,159,768
Details on pages 22 - 24
Highlights:
School articles passed by Town Meeting
for FY98:
Art. 4: Operating budget $42,403,743
Art.S:Supplementary appropriation for
current fiscal year 188,557
Art. 6: Prior years' unpaid bills 18,443
Art. 22: Misc. school capital budget
1,155,000
Art. 23: Plans for building renovation -
/reconstruction 2,400,000
Comments:
Major focus for the committee was on
capital needs for all school buildings.
The committee, working with the Perman-
ent Building Committee, developed a
major $68,200,000 plan which was
defeated in a debt exclusion override
vote 8 December.
1997 was the first year of increased
number of hours of "structured learning
time" mandated under state Education
Reform Act of 1993. High school plan,
creatively addressing need for 990 hours,
was approved by the state.
1997 was the second year of 5 -year tech-
nology plan and we received a Light-
house Grant, designating Lexington as
resource for other communities develop-
ing technology plans.
Staff development continued with major
emphases on technology, anti - racism
training, and aligning Lexington's curric-
ula with state curriculum frameworks.
Calendar Committee developed two -year
plan, including school opening before
Page 18
Labor Day in 1998.
Thanks are due to the Lexington
Education Foundation for its continuing
support of creative and innovative pro-
jects and methods throughout the school
system. Thanks also to both individual
school and town -wide PTAs for their
sustained efforts to enhance the quality
Superintendent
of Schools
Last year, Lexington Public Schools'
faculty and staff, along with members of
the community, studied and debated
numerous educational issues, including
school reform efforts launched by the
Massachusetts Board of Education.
Budget Planning
Each year at the beginning of the budget
process, the School Committee articu-
lates a set of values and priorities which
instruct the superintendent to prepare an
annual operational budget. As in the
past, the focus was on maintaining rea-
sonable class sizes in the face of increas-
ing student enrollment, providing appro-
priate special education services and
continuing our initiatives in technology
and curriculum development.
The 1997 Annual Town Meeting appro-
priated $42,403,743 for operating the
school system in the 1997/98 school
year. This appropriation enabled the
Committee to meet its goals and to settle
collective bargaining agreements with
five unions.
As in prior years, the School Committee
made some difficult policy decisions in
order to reach agreement with the select-
men and bring to Town Meeting a bal-
anced budget for FY98.
State funds from the Education Reform
Act of 1993 continued to help supple-
ment the School Committee's annual
budget, but with the enrollment increase
and the demands of various program
areas, compromises had to be made in
order to live within the fiscal constraints
facing the Town.
Superintendent of Schools
Capital Planning
The School Committee and administra-
tion worked with the Permanent Building
Committee, Capital Expenditures Com-
mittee and Appropriation Committee to
develop a plan to renovate all nine school
buildings. The major share of the project
entailed renewing existing systems with-
in the physical plant, but the proposal
also called for adding new space to
accommodate increasing student enroll-
ment. Because of its cost, the plan was
split into two phases; phase one included
repairs to Lexington High School, Clarke
and Diamond Middle Schools, and Har-
rington Elementary School.
The remaining elementary schools were
left for phase two, with the understanding
that further study of enrollment projec-
tions for those schools was appropriate
before funding was requested.
While Town Meeting approved the $68.2
million capital project with the under-
standing the Town was eligible for 59
percent reimbursement by the state, the
general electorate, in a special election in
December, rejected the proposal, thus
sending the School Committee back to
the drawing board. The Committee plans
to advance a revised plan and seek
community support to make necessary
renovations to school buildings in 1998.
Curriculum and Instruction
The school department has been busily
engaged in adapting our local curriculum
to the recently published Massachusetts
curriculum frameworks. Committees of
teachers and administratrators review
current Lexington practice and ensure
that it is aligned to state expectations
with the understanding that students in
grades 4, 8, and 10 will in 1998 partici-
pate in the first battery of the new
Massachusetts Comprehensive Assess-
ment System (MCAS) tests. These new
tests are designed to "raise the bar" for
all students in Massachusetts.
For the 1997/97 school year, the system
concentrated on reviewing the social stud-
ies and language arts /reading curriculum
areas. Other areas will be reviewed in the
coming years.
Lexington educators have made a long
term commitment to create multicultural,
anti - racist classrooms where children of
all backgrounds are able to achieve aca-
demic success. This systemwide effort
has been supported through the profes-
sional development program and through
membership in the EMI (Empowering
Multicultural Initiatives) collaborative of
Metco communities.
Technology
This year the Town provided over $1
million to purchase approximately 300
teacher workstations, school servers and
CD ROM towers to provide staff access
to shared applications and reference soft-
ware. Every classroom is now on -line,
and each teacher has adequate access to
technology.
The Technology Plan is organized by
year, each year focused on a specific
goal.
Year 1: Completing the Network (96 -97)
Year 2: Teacher Immersion (97 -98)
Year 3: Curriculum Integration (98-99)
Years 4 & 5: Student Immersion (99 -01)
Currently, the School Department is
addressing Year 2, Teacher Immersion,
through a system -wide plan designed to
provide all teachers with fundamental
computer skills. By year end, the goal is
to have all staff competent in the five
core technology - related skills referred to
as "Kansas ": basic desktop operations,
word processing, electronic mail, web
research, and network access and file
server use.
Five - hundred staff members are partici-
pating in teacher -led learning teams. The
teams, consisting of 10 to 12 teachers,
are working collaboratively to integrate
technology skills with the district -wide
initiatives (related to anti - racist education
and the newly adopted state Curriculum
Frameworks) and with individual school
initiatives. Every learning team selects a
study focus ranging from learning basic
"Kansas" skills to integrating technology
into a particular curriculum unit.
Page 19
Teachers are building the foundation to
make recommendations about the best
applications of technology to support the
curriculum and identify core skills for
students. This year of immersion will
help teachers use technology in the class-
room in preparation for Year 3, when the
focus will be on the curriculum.
Program Recognition
• Lexington's FLES (elementary school
foreign language) Program received the
Exemplary Program Award for its leader-
ship as a role model in the state.
• The National Association of Teachers
of English commended the high school's
English Department for excellence in its
instructional program.
• Bowman School received a $3000
Greenways and Trails Demonstration
grant from the State Department of
Environmental Management. The funds
were used to improve the bridge and
trails to conservation land adjacent to the
school, to create curriculum materials
with a focus on watersheds.
• Cooperation between the school and
Cary libraries, enhanced by participation
in the State Strategic Plan for Libraries
and the Metrowest Library Network and
through planning for mutual support
during library renovations.
Faculty Notes
• Kathy Baker, FLES Spanish Teacher,
received the Massachusetts Foreign Lang-
uage Association's 1997 New Teacher
Commendation.
• LHS Physical Education teacher Tony
Porter received the annual Honor Award
from the Massachusetts Association for
Health, Physical Education, Recreation
and Dance.
• Football coach head Bill Tighe and
boys' soccer coach head Bob Hartshorn
both earned their 200th career wins as
varsity head coaches of those sports.
Superintendent of Schools
• Leonard Swanton, fifth grade teacher at
Estabrook, was the state's 1996 -97
Teacher of the Year and received the
Presidential Award for Excellence in
Math and Science Teaching.
• Maureen Bennani, a Clarke French
teacher, was selected by the American
Association of Teachers of French to
participate in the 1997 AATF Summer
Institute in Lyon.
• Nancy Tokarz, John Chamberlain and
Alyson Brown received a grant from
EDCO for "Thoreau and Friends," an
interdisciplinary project which studied
the ecology of Walden Pond.
• Bowman teacher Vickie Schwartz,
Science specialist Fran Ludwig, and
parent Bonnie Newman secured a grant
for Bowman's Big Backyard, an environ-
mental program.
• Donna Polhamus, Hastings Library
Media Specialist, received the Progres-
sive School Library Media Award from
the Winnebago Software Co. for her
work on assessing students' library skills.
• Audrey Friend Scholarship, sponsored
by the Massachusetts Association of
School Library Media Specialists, pre-
sented to High School Library staffer
Margaret Donovan for her continuing
studies at Simmons' Graduate School of
Library and Information Technologies.
Student Achievements
Lexington students once again inspired
us with their accomplishments in aca-
demics, the arts, community service and
athletics. Following are some of the
highlights:
• Twenty -seven students from the High
School, Diamond and Clarke Middle
Schools attended the METCO Directors'
Association Youth Leadership Confer-
ence. The goal: to develop leadership
skills and to help students participate in
the desegregation process.
• Yi -An Huang took first place in
Lexington's DAR Essay Contest.
• The National Association of Teachers
of English chose Sarah L. Park as a
recipient of their award for Superior
Performance in Writing.
• Allison Burson won First Place in the
MAFLA State Essay Contest in the
middle school division.
• Diamond and Clarke students partici-
pated in the National French Contest.
Eight Clarke students, Christina Austin,
Joohee Chung, David Koha, Emilie
Coueignoux, Megumi Matsuki, Tomer
Cohen, Tobias Loss - Eaton, and Yian
Huang, were ranked level 4 or above
while six Diamond students received a
state ranking of 9th place or better and
five students, Kevin Litwack, William
Andress, Jamie Frank, Evan Flyn, and
Lauren Ready, earned national rankings
of 8th place or better.
• Forty -two Diamond students participat-
ed in the National Spanish Contest. Eight
received a state ranking of 9th place or
better, three students, Laurent Wilson,
Nathan Pagett and Netra Srikanth, re-
ceived 2nd and 3rd place rankings.
• Nine Clarke students were the 1997
National winners of the American Asso-
ciation of Teachers of Spanish and Portu-
guese Contest -- Elie Rabinowitz, Paul
Avenati, Zach Selbert, Alexa Milton,
Jennifer Yang, Luke Butler, Lila Cohen,
Valerie Texin and Sasha Brown.
• Several Lexington High School stud-
ents received the highest rankings in the
1997 Foreign Language National
Examinations in French, German, and
Spanish.
Andrew Lin, ranked 1st place; and
Melody Abedinejad, Rudolf Faust, and
Yuen -Jong Liu, ranked 3rd place in
French.
Jessica Liu, Claudia Stumpf and
Matthew Saradjian earned rankings of 1st
place and Abbe Barg and Amuradha
Gokhale earned 2nd place rankings in
German.
Bryan Wilson achieved 1st place; Lien
Debrouckere, 3rd place; and Nicole
Dray, 4th place in Spanish.
Page 20
Thirty Lexington students, named final-
ists to the Region IV Science Fair, com-
peted with students from 92 other
schools; 15 Lexington students placed
among the top 20 and took most of the
prizes.
For the eighth consecutive year Lexing-
ton students advanced to the state Sci-
ence Fair and captured many awards -
four students were first place winners,
one of whom was the grand prize winner;
four second place winners; three third
place winners. .
Two Lexington Students were semifinal-
ists in the 56th Annual Westinghouse
Talent Search and one was the overall
winner in the American Chemical Soci-
ety's Avery Ashdown Chemistry Compet-
ition.
The High School Science Team for the
second consecutive year won the right to
represent Massachusetts at the National
Science Olympiad Championship, where
they captured a gold medal, three silver
and two bronze.
Two Science Club teams defeated 27 oth-
er teams from New England and ended
up competing with each other for the
New England Science Bowl Cham-
pionship. They placed fourth over -all in
the national competition.
• The Diamond Math Team finished
second out of 48 teams in the
Intermediate Mathematics League of
Eastern Massachusetts. Mark Lipson,
David Greenspan, Chris Clark and Philip
Morse - Fortier finished in the top ten in
their grade levels.
In the New England Mathematics League
of 400 schools, Diamond 6th graders
finished in 2nd place, 7th graders in 8th
place and 8th graders in 3rd place. Sixth
grade student Mark Lipson earned the
highest score in his grade level. In the
Metropolitan Chapter of Eastern Mass
MathCounts Competition the Diamond
team of David Greenspan, Philip Morse -
Fortier, Steven Estes, Chris Clark, and
Kevin Litwack finished first in the
chapter and 2nd in the state.
Superintendent of Schools
• LHS senior football player Gavin
McDonough was recognized by Channel
5 as "High 5 Star of the Week" for his
dramatic last second field goal to win the
Thanksgiving Day football game over
rival Burlington.
• The girls outdoor track and field team
won the state Class A Relay Champion-
ship, finished second in the State Class A
Team Championship Meet, and won the
Salem, NH Invitational Championship
Meet.
• The volleyball team won their first
league championship, with an undefeated
18 -0 record and advancing to the section-
al semi - finals in the state tournament.
• The boys cross country team won the
Middlesex League Championship, com-
pleting an undefeated 9 -0 season.
• The boys swimming team won the
Middlesex League Championship finish-
ing undefeated at 6 -0.
• The boys tennis team won the
Middlesex League Championship, with a
17 -1 record.
• The girls lacrosse team was co-
champion in its division of the eastern
Massachusetts League.
• The cast of Clarke's Interview
Production, under the direction of Alyson
Brown, took second in the Best Ensem-
ble category and Alex Kieft won the Best
Actor award in the Massachusetts Middle
School Drama Competition. The per-
formers were invited to represent the
United States at the Middle School
Drama Festival in Canada.
• In what has become an annual "trad-
ition," the High School was well repre-
sented at the Massachusetts Music Educa-
tors' Northeast Senior District Festival.
Chosen by competitive audition, 35 stud-
ents participated in the Senior District
Band, Jazz Band, Orchestra and Chorus.
The District Chorus was conducted by
Lexington resident Ms. Dorothea
DiDomenico.
• Additionally, 24 High School musicians
qualified to audition for the All -State
ensembles and participate in the Massa-
chusetts Music Educators All -State Con-
ference and concerts.
• Three High School musicians went on
to represent both the high school and the
state in prestigious ensembles at the
Music Educators National Conference in
Baltimore. Participating; Linda Yeo, bass
trombonist in the All- Eastern Orchestra,
Sheaurmei Tsai, violinist in the All -East-
ern Orchestra and Catherine Gang, alto
section in the All- Eastern Chorus.
• Students of the Visual Arts Department
again were acknowledged for their excel-
lence from The Globe Scholastic Art
Awards. This year 16 works were chosen
for awards. Portfolios submitted by
David Campbell, David Liu and Chris
Lyddy were sent to New York for the
national competition.
• In March, seniors exhibited their work
in the Piper Gallery of the Cary Library
in recognition of `Youth Art Month.'
• Thirty eight students from Lexington
were selected for membership in the
Northeast Junior District Festival Band,
Orchestra and Boys and Girls Choruses.
The festival concluded with a gala con-
cert at Gordon College on March 15.
• In April, the High School Concert Band
and Wind Ensemble earned Gold medals
at the Massachusetts Instrumental Con-
ductor's Ass'n State Concert Festival.
• At its annual sold -out 1997 Pops
Concert, several students received
awards for their outstanding contribu-
tions to the Music Department. They
included: Michael Martin, Thomas
Archibald, Elizabeth Shapiro, Linda Yeo,
Andrew Garland, Alec Derian, Kate
Gang, Elizabeth Nichols, Liesje Spacpen,
and Yea -Tyng Tang.
Page 21
Enrollments
Clarke
Actual
Projected
Diamond
97/98
98/99
Bowman
539
552
Bridge
496
484
Estabrook
483
495
Fiske
394
407
Harrington
395
394
Hastings
417
432
Total Elementary
2724
2,764
Clarke
693
681
Diamond
679
715
Total Middle
1,372
1,396
High School
1,474
1,589
Grand Total 5,570 5,749
High School Class of 1997
Size of class
344
Continuing education
96%
4 -year college
88%
2 -year college
6%
Other schooling
2%
Employment
3%
Other
1%
National Merit Scholarship Program,
Class of 1998:
Letters of Commendation 47
Semi - finalists 20
School Inventory
Elementary, Grades K -5
Bowman, 9 Philip Rd., Blt. 1967
Malcolm Astley, Principal
Bridge, 55 Middleby Rd., Blt. 1966
Barbara Manfredi, Principal
Estabrook, 117 Grove St., Blt. 1960
David Horton, Principal
Fiske, 34A Colony Rd., Blt. 1948
Joanne Benton, Principal
Harrington, 146 Maple St., Blt. 1956
David Crump, Principal
Hastings, 2618 Mass. Ave., Blt. 1955
Richard Rogers, Principal
Middle Schools, Grades 6 -8
Clarke, 17 Stedman Rd., Blt. 1972
Pamela Houlares, Principal
Diamond, 99 Hancock St., Blt. 1957
Joanne Hennessy, Principal
High School, Grades 9 -12
251 Waltham St., Blt. 1950
Philip Lanoue, Principal
School Expenditures by Line Item
Personnel Services
1992 -1993
1993 -1994
1994 -1995
1995 -1996
1996 -1997
Administrative Offices
336,176
337,742
393,467
386,216
412,098
Principals and Assistants
957,187
1,019,507
1,054,657
1,079,025
1,114,919
Supervisors /Coordinators
571,270
640,221
676,976
668,739
747,262
Classroom Teachers
14,314,334
14,897,077
15,696,252
16,385,616
17,506,883
Degree Changes
28,750
28,500
40,000
45,000
0
Severance Pay
58,420
205,011
180,688
206,506
142,992
Special Needs Staff
1,953,213
2,040,613
2,296,173
2,661,947
2,802,538
Tutors
594,847
898,518
1,024,390
1,114,999
1,417,104
Stipends (Extra Duty)
69,919
88,495
101,470
61,894
66,388
Nurses
153,136
161,957
179,322
184,275
205,858
Instructional Materials Specialists (Library)
400,046
403,630
470,949
512,435
547,662
Guidance Counselors
690,526
680,908
780,342
842,858
874,251
Psychologists
100,362
97,424
135,934
137,896
147,513
Doctors
27,668
25,372
24,335
26,225
2,200
Aides
431,987
494,166
500,755
483,739
609,313
Special Needs Assistants
185,918
198,960
224,557
225,161
263,862
Secretarial and Clerical
1,007,985
1,040,650
1,134,917
1,231,308
1,331,103
Computer Center Technical
43,978
45,324
46,706
70,685
168,018
Student Programmers
6,648
3,569
9,891
14,725
9,099
Custodians and Maintenance
1,583,063
1,589,111
1,580,885
1,569,347
1,619,407
Crossing Guards
67,059
65,616
76,751
79,337
83,207
Workers' Compensation
24,192
18,625
36,216
1,699
0
FICA/Medicare Tax
211,647
258,769
136,115
148,208
208,990
Employee Benefits * 2,892,086 3,180,190 3,299,797
Sub -Total 23,818,329 25,239,765 26,801,748 28,137,840 30,280,487
* School Benefits Costs included, beginning in 1994 -1995
Expenses
Fuel, Heating
308,147
239,275
217,090
319,788
374,106
Vehicle Parts, Gas, Oil
3,352
4,305
4,548
7,647
7,038
Office Supplies
80,449
63,835
80,981
103,139
97,222
Teaching Supplies
334,355
283,135
314,919
300,324
322,874
Other Supplies
148,068
74,551
111,638
125,277
160,554
Textbooks
191,170
164,330
213,097
240,109
238,825
Library Books and Cataloging
29,131
25,214
41,600
40,925
42,336
Periodicals and NewspApers
10,210
9,812
10,706
14,830
12,303
Recruiting Materials
5,194
8,686
12,188
13,564
9,729
Report Cards/Progress Reports
237
1,671
2,383
2,064
1,055
Handbooks
2,600
1,896
1,030
65
3,582
Professional Books /Subscriptions
5,264
4,050
6,949
6,289
13,501
Student Publications
2,085
5,674
8,999
7,500
5,260
Film Rental
2,309
2,349
2,230
2,759
55
Media Purchase
10,522
7,277
13,383
9,789
12,742
Computer Software
23,793
18,187
36,000
49,556
53,150
Repair of Plant (Supplies)
79,138
60,525
54,092
85,854
89,697
Repair of Grounds (Supplies)
1,710
583
116
1,268
1,010
Sub -Total
1,237,734
975,355
1,131,949
1,330,747
1,445,039
Page 22
School Expenditures by Line Item
Equipment Purchase & Rental
1992 -1993
1993 -1994
1994 -1995
1995 -1996
1996 -1997
New Equipment
59,387
31,858
218,951
216,583
100,872
Replacement of Equipment
15,771
10,140
52,941
83,621
54,260
Sub -Total
75,158
41,998
271,892
300,204
155,132
Contracted Services
Consultant Services
314,101
512,696
663,693
527,109
629,608
Special Testing
30,853
26,118
57,215
53,696
31,891
Built -in Items/Bldg. Repairs
90,124
100,477
55,338
92,955
79,015
Electrical (Repairs)
28,734
22,884
27,999
22,896
25,615
Plumbing (Repairs)
18,451
19,423
16,565
17,604
14,891
Heating (Repairs)
45,136
32,398
36,924
59,577
85,758
Painting
27,583
12,122
13,851
30,172
10,276
Roofing (Repairs)
7,859
6,000
3,333
10,069
4,674
Glass (Repairs)
6,000
4,401
5,172
4,745
6,205
Other Property Services (Repairs)
21,984
27,480
31,066
24,938
79,785
Mop Rental
6,308
8,136
6,149
8,193
8,879
Electricity
552,551
517,177
526,990
539,795
641,433
Water
93,596
96,519
101,237
103,485
91,990
Gas (Bottled and Natural)
13,119
11,312
9,173
15,934
16,299
Telephone
103,757
106,562
110,989
121,903
160,892
Insect Control
3,885
3,918
4,534
5,380
4,047
Elevator Service and Repair
5,369
0
0
16,665
1,338
Pupil Transportation
Regular
478,986
507,984
535,432
642,243
700,975
Special Needs, in Town
72,093
73,978
70,133
85,886
92,745
Special Needs, outside
89,488
96,064
113,215
134,210
140,098
Field Trips
3,070
2,441
5,208
5,832
6,305
Other Transportation
72,933
65,916
94,185
115,599
99,688
Travel and Meetings Intrastate
11,498
23,201
24,762
23,997
25,272
Travel Out of State
1,077
11,584
6,197
4,425
12,660
Travel Within Lexington
7,551
7,373
7,145
8,695
9,156
Printing
7,540
7,707
9,066
5,730
8,916
Newsletter
7,068
9,865
3,185
2,097
1,037
Equipment Service/Maintenance
200,620
181,385
198,770
209,773
Tuition Special Needs
794,504
887,153
1,202,009
1,485,484
1,215,039
Membership
39,552
32,737
40,958
37,555
53,541
Other General
150,006
221,365
215,516
380,559
157,425
Equipment Rental
23,490
5,628
10,637
16,863
18,017
Sub -Total
3,298,886
3,642,004
4,206,646
4,814,054
4,979,315
Grand Total
28,430,107
29,899,122
35,394,321
37,763,035
40,159,770
Page 23
Summary of Outside Funding
These funds enable the school system to provide services beyond the scope of the regular budget. Applications filed for 1996-
1997 funds were successful in bringing in several new grants including the Education Technology Bond funding. The total below
does not include PTA and other support group fundraising estimated annually at $250,000. Each of these grants or fees is put into
a separate revenue account with the Town Treasurer, and the funds are spent only on the approved items not included in the Town
appropriated school budget.
GRANTS
FEDERAL
AREA
STATE
Chapter 636 METCO
Comprehensive Health
Drug -Free Schools
Ed Reform Act Coalition of Essential Schools
Middle Sch, /College Partnership
Time and Learning
Restructuring Network
LEXINGTON USE
Lexington Special Services
Mainstreaming for Pre - School
Instruction Technology
Math/Science
Health Education
Life Skills
Elementary Violence Protection
China Exchange
Study Groups
Education Technology Bond
Educational Technology Lighthouse Program
Community Service Learning *
Dept of Public Health Enhanced School Health Service
Total State Funds
* Approved, but not received
FEDERAL/STATE
Minuteman School to Career Partnership
Total Federal/State Funds
Lexington Education Foundation (FY96)
FEES
LOCAL (Collected in 1996 -1997)
Transportation
Athletics & Athletics Gate Receipts
Tuition
Building Rental
Medicaid Reimbursement
COMMUNITY
CORPORATE AND PRIVATE DONATIONS
Cisco Systems
Donation, Private Individual, IBM Lab.
GRAND TOTAL, ALL SOURCES
Page 24
AMOUNT
$ 15,559
370,510
44,945
10,544
12,024
$453,582
$882,767
120,583
23,315
14,650
15,907
25,000
10,000
16,000
158,220
30,000
5,000
60,628
1,362,070
$6,000
$6,000
$81,225
$302,374
150,075
20,338
8,140
57,358
$538,285
$10,000
15,000
$25,000
$2,466,162
Emergency Immigration
PL94 -42
Special Education
PL94 -142
Early Childhood
PL97 -35
Chapter 2 Block Grant Title VI
PL100 -297
D. D. Eisenhower/Title 11
Total Federal Funds
STATE
Chapter 636 METCO
Comprehensive Health
Drug -Free Schools
Ed Reform Act Coalition of Essential Schools
Middle Sch, /College Partnership
Time and Learning
Restructuring Network
LEXINGTON USE
Lexington Special Services
Mainstreaming for Pre - School
Instruction Technology
Math/Science
Health Education
Life Skills
Elementary Violence Protection
China Exchange
Study Groups
Education Technology Bond
Educational Technology Lighthouse Program
Community Service Learning *
Dept of Public Health Enhanced School Health Service
Total State Funds
* Approved, but not received
FEDERAL/STATE
Minuteman School to Career Partnership
Total Federal/State Funds
Lexington Education Foundation (FY96)
FEES
LOCAL (Collected in 1996 -1997)
Transportation
Athletics & Athletics Gate Receipts
Tuition
Building Rental
Medicaid Reimbursement
COMMUNITY
CORPORATE AND PRIVATE DONATIONS
Cisco Systems
Donation, Private Individual, IBM Lab.
GRAND TOTAL, ALL SOURCES
Page 24
AMOUNT
$ 15,559
370,510
44,945
10,544
12,024
$453,582
$882,767
120,583
23,315
14,650
15,907
25,000
10,000
16,000
158,220
30,000
5,000
60,628
1,362,070
$6,000
$6,000
$81,225
$302,374
150,075
20,338
8,140
57,358
$538,285
$10,000
15,000
$25,000
$2,466,162
Minuteman Science - Technology High School
FY97 Expended: $12,575,842
Payroll .............. 8,094,950
Expenses......... 4,057,172
Capital Items.... 423,720
Lexington's assessed share of Minute-
man's budget: $732,188
Superintendent: Ronald Fitzgerald,
hired by Regional School Committee;
Regional School Committee (appointed
by town moderators)
Acton:
Bob Wiltse, Chair
Arlington:
Paul Schlichtman
Belmont:
Joseph White
Bolton:
Paul Scheipers
Boxborough:
Donna Corey
Carlisle:
James Ford
Concord:
John McCarthy
Dover:
Frank Gobbi, Jr.
Lancaster:
Shawn Winsor
Lexington:
Jane Pagett
Lincoln:
Sally Bobbitt
Needham:
Jeffrey Stulin
Stow:
Frances Hyden
Sudbury:
Glenn Noland, Vice Chair
Wayland:
Dorothy Pesek
Weston:
Josef Gazzola
Enrollment Information for Lexington,
shown in full -time equivalents (FTE's):
Regular high school students:
35.00
Part-time students:
17.83
Afternoon students:
2.68
Middle School tech programs:
25.00
Highlights:
Creative partnerships
• Wayland and Concord are participating
in a program under the auspices of the
School -to- Careers Partnership in which
students can combine career training at
Minuteman with academics at their own
schools.
• Lexington and other district towns par-
ticipate in the middle school literacy
program, introducing students to pro-
jects in biotechnology, environmental
technology, robotics, telecommunica-
tions, microelectronics and mechanics.
• Minuteman's Technology Days provide
an opportunity for 200+ middle school
students and their science teachers to
spend a day at the school's labs doing
hands -on activities in several tech areas .
• An After School program at Minuteman
offers career exploration and academic
enrichment opportunities to middle
school pupils two afternoons per week.
Funding Opportunities
Minuteman established an Innovations
Committee to review funding and pro-
gram options available to the school and
the type of support it might acquire from
outside organizations to supplement its
traditional funding sources.
The Innovations Committee founded a
non - profit organization called the Minute-
man Science Foundation. Funding is
sought to promote cooperation among
business and industry organizations, Min-
uteman area colleges, selected state and
federal agencies, and other schools and
foundations. The goal is to advance the
cause of scientific and technical learning
for those of all ages in eastern
Massachusetts.
Lexington's Elizabeth Eppelsheimer is a junior, majoring in Data Processing. Scott
Pisano, a freshman, is majoring in Auto Repair. Photos: Minuteman Tech.
Page 25
Cary Memorial Library
Expenditures
The governing body of the library is the
Board of Trustees in accordance with the
will of Maria Hastings Cary. The board
consists of the town's "settled minister,"
principal clergy of each congregation in
town, selectmen and school committee.
The Executive Committee is elected by
the board: Chairman Rev. Dr. Peter H.
Meek, Vice Chairman Dan H. Fenn, Jr.,
Vice Chairman, Rev. Brian S. Dixon,
Elizabeth B. Eddison, Susan A. Elberger
and Library Director Carol A. Mahoney.
The Executive Committee, in turn, ap-
points the Advisory Committee: Chair-
man Stephen A. Krensky, Sara B. Chase,
Edwin B. Cox, Jacqueline Davison,
Paula Fowler, Audrey J. Friend, Ione D.
Garing, Timothy P. Hart, Marilyn Mair-
son, Theodore Mairson, Walter S. Pierce,
Ann Wallace, Nancy R. Winsten.
Role: To provide materials, resources
and services that promote lifelong learn-
ing and cultural enrichment, enhance pub-
lic school curricula, promote reading as
central to literacy, initiate a dynamic pro-
gram of reading for pre - schoolers and
provide electronic access to information.
Highlights:
• In July, the public libraries of Lexing-
ton, Brookline, Cambridge and Newton
switched networks to the Minuteman
Library Network (MLN) from the Metro
Boston network. Cary was closed the
week of June 30 to ease the transfer.
Prior to the move, staff cleared up prob-
lem records in the database, weeded out
the library's collection and attended soft-
ware workshops. While the library was
closed, 11 additional network computer
terminals were connected up, bringing
the total to 50. Public service areas were
rearranged to adapt to the new terminals,
and an acquisition module was added to
keep track of library materials budget.
With the new network, Lexington resi-
dents have borrowing privileges at 33
public and four academic libraries, as
well as the Boston Public Library. This
translates to access to some 4.5 million
items available through terminals in the
library, schools and, with the proper
equipment, the home.
Access is available to databases that
include periodical indexes - many with
full text articles from several sources.
Residents may also access their borrower
account to renew materials, check re-
serve material and their overdues, using a
PIN issued by the library.
• Building Committee
Members: Chairman Walter S. Pierce,
Eizabeth B. Eddison, Dan H. Fenn, Jr.,
Mary Lou Touart, Sara B. Chase, Rev.
Peter H. Meek, Jay Lucker, Julie Triessl,
Director Carol Mahoney; architects
Stephen Hale and Melissa B. Benett.
A second bid for a library construction
grant was made in February; $2,861,621,
it was awarded in May by the state.
The committee launched the design devel-
opment stage in the summer, and began
discussions about moving the library tem-
porarily to Town hall.
The 1996 Town meeting authorization
for bonding of $7,850,000 for library
expansion was increased to $9,000,000 at
a November Special Town Meeting. This
action did not change the town's share of
the project's cost; $2,400,000.
In the fall, the trustees hired Develop-
ment Guild/DDI, Inc., of Brookline to
make a feasibility study and provide fund-
raising counsel to the trustees.
Long Range Planning
The state requires the library to have a
long -range plan on file in order for the
library to get state and federal funds. The
Page 26
plan must be a formal, multi -year plan
that includes a mission statement, needs
statement, goals, annual action plans,
measurement factors, methodology and
trustees' approval.
The committee working on the plan
include the aforementioned Dixon,
Krensky and Mahoney, and Asst. Direct-
or Connie Rawson, Trustee Susan B.
Gregory, Isabel Jankelson of Friends of
the Library, Katherine Hall Page, Endow-
ment Committee, Donna Hooper, Town
Clerk, Laura Kulin, Branch Librarian and
Cynthia Johnson, Adult Services.
Preservation Grant
State library commissioners funded "Lex-
ington's Legacy," a study for the preser-
vation needs of Cary's special historical
collection.
The Northeast Document Conservation
Center was hired to survey the collection.
Its report identified goals and priorities
for long -term protection and provided a
strategic preservation plan.
Departmental Highlights
The Library staff received high honors
from the MA Library Association for
their public relations efforts. Six awards
were presented to the library.
Adult Services
Adult Services maintains a collection of
over 150,000 items including books, mag-
azines, newspapers, audiovisuals, for-
eign language material and art prints.
• In FY97 circulation was 380,418 items,
an average of 31,701 items per month.
• Attendance at the main library was
562,936.
• 3,311 interlibrary loans were received;
Cary provided 4,040 items to other libra-
ries.
• Total non - resident circulation in FY97
was 141,383.
• 29,628 residents in Lexington have
library cards.
• Library cards from Massachusetts are
honored at the library.
• All adult library material is now being
checked out at one circulation desk.
FY97
FY96
Payroll
958,205
985,294
Expenses
225,078
220,785
Personnel
Full Time
26
26
Part Time
40
60
The governing body of the library is the
Board of Trustees in accordance with the
will of Maria Hastings Cary. The board
consists of the town's "settled minister,"
principal clergy of each congregation in
town, selectmen and school committee.
The Executive Committee is elected by
the board: Chairman Rev. Dr. Peter H.
Meek, Vice Chairman Dan H. Fenn, Jr.,
Vice Chairman, Rev. Brian S. Dixon,
Elizabeth B. Eddison, Susan A. Elberger
and Library Director Carol A. Mahoney.
The Executive Committee, in turn, ap-
points the Advisory Committee: Chair-
man Stephen A. Krensky, Sara B. Chase,
Edwin B. Cox, Jacqueline Davison,
Paula Fowler, Audrey J. Friend, Ione D.
Garing, Timothy P. Hart, Marilyn Mair-
son, Theodore Mairson, Walter S. Pierce,
Ann Wallace, Nancy R. Winsten.
Role: To provide materials, resources
and services that promote lifelong learn-
ing and cultural enrichment, enhance pub-
lic school curricula, promote reading as
central to literacy, initiate a dynamic pro-
gram of reading for pre - schoolers and
provide electronic access to information.
Highlights:
• In July, the public libraries of Lexing-
ton, Brookline, Cambridge and Newton
switched networks to the Minuteman
Library Network (MLN) from the Metro
Boston network. Cary was closed the
week of June 30 to ease the transfer.
Prior to the move, staff cleared up prob-
lem records in the database, weeded out
the library's collection and attended soft-
ware workshops. While the library was
closed, 11 additional network computer
terminals were connected up, bringing
the total to 50. Public service areas were
rearranged to adapt to the new terminals,
and an acquisition module was added to
keep track of library materials budget.
With the new network, Lexington resi-
dents have borrowing privileges at 33
public and four academic libraries, as
well as the Boston Public Library. This
translates to access to some 4.5 million
items available through terminals in the
library, schools and, with the proper
equipment, the home.
Access is available to databases that
include periodical indexes - many with
full text articles from several sources.
Residents may also access their borrower
account to renew materials, check re-
serve material and their overdues, using a
PIN issued by the library.
• Building Committee
Members: Chairman Walter S. Pierce,
Eizabeth B. Eddison, Dan H. Fenn, Jr.,
Mary Lou Touart, Sara B. Chase, Rev.
Peter H. Meek, Jay Lucker, Julie Triessl,
Director Carol Mahoney; architects
Stephen Hale and Melissa B. Benett.
A second bid for a library construction
grant was made in February; $2,861,621,
it was awarded in May by the state.
The committee launched the design devel-
opment stage in the summer, and began
discussions about moving the library tem-
porarily to Town hall.
The 1996 Town meeting authorization
for bonding of $7,850,000 for library
expansion was increased to $9,000,000 at
a November Special Town Meeting. This
action did not change the town's share of
the project's cost; $2,400,000.
In the fall, the trustees hired Develop-
ment Guild/DDI, Inc., of Brookline to
make a feasibility study and provide fund-
raising counsel to the trustees.
Long Range Planning
The state requires the library to have a
long -range plan on file in order for the
library to get state and federal funds. The
Page 26
plan must be a formal, multi -year plan
that includes a mission statement, needs
statement, goals, annual action plans,
measurement factors, methodology and
trustees' approval.
The committee working on the plan
include the aforementioned Dixon,
Krensky and Mahoney, and Asst. Direct-
or Connie Rawson, Trustee Susan B.
Gregory, Isabel Jankelson of Friends of
the Library, Katherine Hall Page, Endow-
ment Committee, Donna Hooper, Town
Clerk, Laura Kulin, Branch Librarian and
Cynthia Johnson, Adult Services.
Preservation Grant
State library commissioners funded "Lex-
ington's Legacy," a study for the preser-
vation needs of Cary's special historical
collection.
The Northeast Document Conservation
Center was hired to survey the collection.
Its report identified goals and priorities
for long -term protection and provided a
strategic preservation plan.
Departmental Highlights
The Library staff received high honors
from the MA Library Association for
their public relations efforts. Six awards
were presented to the library.
Adult Services
Adult Services maintains a collection of
over 150,000 items including books, mag-
azines, newspapers, audiovisuals, for-
eign language material and art prints.
• In FY97 circulation was 380,418 items,
an average of 31,701 items per month.
• Attendance at the main library was
562,936.
• 3,311 interlibrary loans were received;
Cary provided 4,040 items to other libra-
ries.
• Total non - resident circulation in FY97
was 141,383.
• 29,628 residents in Lexington have
library cards.
• Library cards from Massachusetts are
honored at the library.
• All adult library material is now being
checked out at one circulation desk.
Cary Memorial Library
• Receipt printers have been added to
public service desks.
Children's Services
The childrens' collection contains 59,420
books, audio - visual material and maga-
zines. Forty CD -ROM programs were
added. A project re cataloged hundreds
of children's non - fiction books.
• In FY97 the Children's library circulat-
ed 281,685 items, an average of 5,400
items.
• In FY97 the Children's library circulat-
ed 281,685 items, an average of 5,400
items per week.
• Staff answered 8,165 questions.
• 1,413 children participated in the 1997
"Catch the Summer Spark - READ" pro-
gram. The fourth annual summer reading
video was produced by children's librar-
ians and school librarians. A total of
20,962 hours were spent reading. 80 sep-
arate programs for children age 2 to 13
and their families were held.
• Two new monthly programs "Lap -time
for Pre - Walkers" and "Laptime for Walk-
ers" were begun. These laptime programs
combine books, rhymes, fingerplays and
songs.
• WGBH/Channel 2 filmed some com-
munity spots in the Children's room.
• Staff participated in the Public Schools
new teacher orientation day.
• The Children's room staff was honored
with four awards from the MA Library
Association Public Relations Awards.
East Lexington Branch
• In FY97 the East Lexington Branch
Library circulated 26,400 items.
Reference Services
The Reference Department continued
classes in the Internet and the on -line
catalog. Class visits are arranged through-
out the year. The Rotary Club of Lexing-
ton donated a workstation and printer to
provide electronic access to career and
job information.
• The Reference Department handled
over 51,000 reference transactions.
• The state Board of Library Commission-
ers provided all libraries with five elec-
tronic reference databases through the
Internet. Residents now have access to an
index of 1,580 academic and general in-
terest periodicals, health information re-
source, 900 business and finance periodi-
cals, general reference center, and a
national newspaper index. Remote access
is available.
• An update print version of the informa-
tion and referral guide, Lexington Com-
munity Resources, was made available
for sale to the public. The on -line version
is continually updated and is available on
the public access database.
Friends of Cary Library
The Board of Trustees voted in Decem-
ber to change the bylaws of the Friends,
which will now be a separate entity not
under the direct jurisdiction of the trus-
tees. The Friends had applied for and
received a 5016 tax exempt status.
Personnel Changes
Cynthia Johnson, formerly Head of Refer-
ence Services, was promoted to Head of
Adult Services; Jane Eastman, promoted
to Head of Reference Services, Anna
Kiredjian, promoted to Library Associ-
ate, audio - visual desk. Also, Heather
Viteiello and Judy Dec were appointed
technicians; Heather Pigott, reference
librarian.
Joyce Fearnside resigned to pursue her
artistic interests and Ann Parson resigned
to become Director of the Bolton Public
Library.
Library Benefactors
Leroy & Geneva Brown
4,000
Beal
1,000
Maria Hastings Cary
400
Book Purchase
1,000
Alice Butler Cary
2,958
Jane Phinney
300
Goodwin Musical
1,100
Laura M. Brigham
3,100
George W. Sarano
300
War Parents Book Memorial
1,800
Nelson W. Jenny
2,000
Pauline Burbank Peirce
1,000
Caira Robins
300
Wellington Library
1,100
Page 27
Emma Ostrom Nichols
1,000
Sarah Elizabeth Raymond
2,528
Abbie C. Smith
1,000
Lewis L. Hoyt
1,000
Sue Medeiros
949
Pearl Toback Feld
666
Ann E. Ferry
3,370
The Rev. Harold T. Handley
1,938
Beryl M. Safford
1,484
James Stuart Smith
11,072
Warren Sherburne
4,020
Edith J. Childs
300,810
Diane Lund
4,115
James and Pauline McDevitt
5,000
Mona Anderson
1,100
Kurt Reizes
1,273
Gerald Sussman
654
Sub Total
362,337
Campaign for the New Century
Manfred Friedman 4,025
John N. Pierce 2,183
William F. Buckley
Robert Wendell Hannam
Evelyn & Samuel Borshay
Margaret F. Kinley
Edward C. Stone
Frederick Cowing Frick
John C. Eddison
Wilson/Furey/F. Schofield
Stanley Hill Amer. Leg. Post 38
Ethan Bogen
Larry & Sophia Ho
Science & Technology
Winsten Fund
Cox Family Gift
Robert T. Davison
Albert Gallatin Friend
Harriet B. Hathaway
Oscar & Stella Liu
Sinai Family
Robert C. Hilton
Robert LaMantia
Francis Bradley
Chang Chi
and Yenshew Lynn Chao
Chinese Heritage
Krensky Family Fund
Rae Cecilia Kipp
Indian/American
Sub Total
5,125
2,700
3,000
2,565
3,840
4,697
6,625
2,860
2,500
4,375
3,500
4,836
1,835
5,072
2,710
2,000
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,035
1,525
1,577
1,500
2,500
2,195
5,630
16,975
$101,885
Grand Total $464,222
Cary Memorial Library
Trustee Funds Statement
Balance on Hand 6/30/96
Lexington Savings $115,529
Receipts
Book Rental
$ 2,097
Book sales (Friends)
7,569
Books Sold
3,326
Copy Service
6,447
Directory
292
Fines, etc.
100,549
Friends Membership
73,619
Investment Dividends
49,383
Named Funds
19,989
Sub Total Receipts
$263,270
Total Receipts & Bal on Hand
12,412
6/30/97
$378,799
Disbursements
Aquarmaintenance
811
CR Program
4,641
Custodians (Friends)
184
Custodial Uniform
454
Endowment
64,139.
Equipment
3,888
Exhibits
993
Friends Mailings
560
Fundraiser
21,279
Library Materials
154,938
Library Supplies
12,412
Mileage
1,323
Miscellaneous
10,568
Museum Passes
1,290
Plaques
783
Printing (Friends)
1,422
Printing (Fundraising)
532
ProfessionalDevelopment
10,491
Recruitment
3,609
Rentals
362
Total Disbursed
$294,679
Balance on Hand 6/30/97
Lexington Savings $84,120.64
Cary Library staff members, all a -buzz at the Spelling Bee fund raiser. Message on
the T- shirts tells of plans for a new "hive" for the library. Staffers Elaine Garnache,
Connie Rawson and Janice Franca. Photo: Cary Library.
Page 28
Department of Public Works /Engineering
Expended in FY97 $15,469,308
Payroll $3,459,449
Expenses $12,009,859
Full Time Employees 92
Director: George A. Woodbury, appoint-
ed by the Town Manager, 1995.
Highlights:
This was the second year of expanded
operations at the composting site; reve-
nues were up by 30 %.
Establishing a regional Household Haz-
ardous Waste (HHW) collection site at
the Hartwell Ave. site approached reality.
The state approved a $164,000 grant to
build the facility; nine communities
signed on to participate. We expect to be
in operation by May.
Streetlights have been a contentious issue
with 1,294 lights turned off out of a total
of 3,281. In October, selectmen decided
to restore as many as possible within the
budget. Timing of the original turn -off
resulted in many more being turned off to
achieve the savings in the remaining
months of the budget year than would
have been necessary if we could have
had them out for the full budget year.
As a result, there were extra savings in
the second year that we could use to
restore some lights. In the meantime,
Lexington was successful in influencing
the Utility Deregulation Legislation to
permit town ownership of streetlights.
That negotiation is just beginning but
hopefully will yield significant savings.
In this same light (pun intended), we also
were successful in the municipal load ag-
gregation piece being included in the leg-
islation. It will allow advertising in early
1998 for an energy supplier for the town.
Building Maintenance Superintendent
Steve Hatch took over the custodial and
maintenance services for the Senior Cen-
ter. He shifted to a team approach and
performs much of the preventive main-
tenance formerly done by contractors.
The quality of the work is better, more
timely and much less expensive. The
team approach ensures that every team
member is familiar with every task,
which increases flexibility.
Brian Gilbert, Parks Superintendent, re-
ceived a special grant and is working
with a citizen's group to look at bikepath
maintenance from a holistic approach.
His increased emphasis on turf mainten-
ance resulted in substantial improvments
in several areas.
Superintendent Bill Hadley's analysis of
the sewer infiltration and inflow program
showed that by accelerating the program
we could increase the town's savings.
Additionally, he instituted an aggressive
program to switch to automated meter
reading that will further cut costs.
In the Highway Division, Warren Mon -
signore began automating the highway
pavement condition data to get the most
paving done at the least cost.
Negotiations between the 23 Northeast
Solid Waste Committee (NESWC) com-
munities and the operator of the North
Andover incinerator broke down in Sep-
tember. We had hoped to improve prices
but to no avail. Consequently, the combi-
nation of deferred debt and meeting new
air pollution standards is going to raise
trash disposal prices substantially.
We continue to look to other communi-
ties for opportunities to partner and
share. The regional HHW site is just one
example. We continually seek new oppor-
tunities to save money.
We are fortunate to have an excellent
work force that is willing to be creative.
DPW Administration
FY97 Expended: $332,024
Payroll: $294,520
Expenses: $37,504
Number of employees: 7
DPW Administration consists of the
Director of Public Works, Operations
Manager, Office Manager and 4 clerical
employees who provide support for the
Administration/Engineering and Opera-
Page 29
tions offices. Staff supervises competi-
tively bid contracts for Public Works ser-
vices including rubbish recycling, trash
disposal, snow plowing, and transporta-
tion; it also monitors the parking pro-
gram and town building utilities. In addi-
tion, staff accomplished the following:
• Operations Manager oversaw the remov-
al of underground fuel storage tanks and
installation of above - ground tanks and a
new fuel dispensing system. By combin-
ing fuel service for DPW, Police and Fire
vehicles, the Town qualified for a
$31,000 State grant.
• Operations and Engineering staffs over-
saw construction of the new salt storage
facility at 201 Bedford Street.
• Staff continued to work with the De-
partment of Environmental Protection
and consultants to plan official closure of
the Hartwell Avenue landfill site.
Engineering Division
FY97 Expended $250,737
Payroll 241,404
Expenses 9,333
Number of employees 6
Town Engineer: Francis X. Fields, P.E.
appointed May 1982.
Role: design and construction services to
the DPW and other departments, boards,
committees and the general public.
Infrastructure Renewal:
Engineering staff designed and super-
vised infrastructure contracts totaling ap-
proximately $1,000.000.
Contract 97 -1. $398,153
3.2 street miles resurfaced.
Article 10/96 E.H. Perkins Const.
Contract 97 -2. $259,038
Renewal of 5,000' of 6" water main on
Ames, Baker, Banks, Butler, Carville
and Tucker Aves., Lisbeth and Oak Sts.
Article 8/96 Federico Const. Corp.
Contract 97 -4. $432,324
Phase 1, Collection Sewers
Article 9/96 ODF Contracting
Old Spring and Spring Sts., Golden Ave-
nue, Bowman and Vine Streets.
Department of Public Works /Engineering
Facilities Construction & Renewal:
Division staff provided construction serv-
ices for the following contracts:
Contract 96 -5. $135,650
Salt Storage Shed at DPW Facility
Article 10/95 Cousins Const., Inc.
Construction to provide an environmen-
tally -safe road salt storage area.
Contract 97 -5. $197,797
Fuel Depot at DPW Facility
Article 10/96 Ralph Surianello, Inc.
Replacement of undergound fuel storage
tanks with above - ground tanks having
vapor recovery dispensers and a compu-
terized management system.
Contract 97 -6. $99,880
Roof Repair & Replacement
Article 12/96 Capeway Roofing System
Repaired Town Office Building roof; Re-
placed Central Fire Station and Visitors
Center roofs.
Roads and Utilities built at no cost:
None
Water /Sewer Connection Permits:
Division staff made 173 inspections for
water or sewer service connections by
Town - licensed contractors.
Street Opening Permits Issued:
399 permits for opening or occupying the
public way were approved and issued to
contractors.
Property/Utility Records Information:
Citizens, contractors, developers and
realtors were among the 839 persons
requesting information this year.
Street Lighting Program
FY97 Budget: $428,045
The Public Works Director and a Senior
Civil Engineer oversaw the Street Light-
ing Program begun in 1996 that turned
off 1,294 street lights. This remains un-
popular with many citizens. By the end
of December approximately 500 lights
had been restored.
The DPW continued to negotiate the
transfer of streetlights to town owner-
ship. A special section was inserted into
Deregulation of Utilities legislation to
allow utilities to transfer the lights. Staff
reviewed various lighting options and pol-
icies to be implemented if the town takes
ownership of the lights.
Also see Lighting Options Committee
report on the last page of this section.
Types of streetlights as of Dec. 1997
Mercury Vapor
1,584
Incandescent
436
High Pressure Sodium
435
Total Lights in Service
2,455
Parking Operation
FY97 Expended:
$53,755
Compensation
$34,508
Expenses
$19,247
Number of Employees:
6PT
Program Manager:
Pauline Burke
The parking program provides a balance
of short and long -term parking for Center
visitors and employees. Current facilities
include a 300 car attended lot, 4 permit
lots and about 500 parking meters in the
business area. Six part-time employees
operate the attended lot with backup
from the Building Maintenance staff.
The Meriam St. lot is attended on week-
days and Saturdays, April through mid -
November. In addition to Saturday re-
ceipts, FY97 revenue includes increases
in charges for all -day and night parking,
and the permit fee for the attended lot.
Revenue for FY97
Parking Meters
$236,000
Attended Lot
$130,781
Parking Permits
$40,735
Total Parking Revenue
$407,516
Building Maintenance
FY97 Expenditures: $419,960
Personal Services $156,782
Expenses $263,178
Superintendent: Steve Hatch
Number of employees: 8.5
This division is responsible for custodial
services, preventive maintenance and re-
pairs on Town -owned buildings, except
Page 30
for schools. It also monitors utility usage
and oversees contracted repairs.
The custodial staff was reorganized into
teams as opposed to having one person
dedicated to each facility. This was done
in preparation for taking on the responsi-
bility for the Senior Center and Cary Lib-
rary on July 1. Custodians have been en-
couraged to seek various licenses in the
trade skills to enhance our maintenance
capabilities. The foreman earned his boil-
er maintenance technician's license and
used his new skills to repair the fire sta-
tion boiler.
The division continued a proactive pre-
ventive maintenance stance. Supervisory
staff surveyed all building infrastructure
components; emergency systems, fire
alarms, sprinklers, plumbing and electri-
cal systems. Using manufacturer's speci-
fications and operating manuals, staff in-
stituted a basic maintenance schedule,
anticipating this schedule will be incor-
porated on the town's computer network.
Staff also took on improvement projects:
They rejuvenated an antiquated air condi-
tioning system at Cary Library; installed
a sump pump system at the Fire Station
to alleviate a potential health hazard;
oversaw the removal of a 1,000- gallon
underground oil tank from Fire Head-
quarters preventing possible environmen-
tal consequences; installed a new 200 -
amp electric service at Fire Headquarters;
completed renovations to the directors'
room in Cary Hall for use as a computer
training room; and remodeled the West -
view Cemetery office to improve cus-
tomer service.
The superintendent installed new electric
and lighting systems for the new salt
shed, old salt shed and a storage building
at the DPW barn. Library custodial staff
rebuilt an inoperative battery- operated
emergency lighting system. Town Office
Building custodial staff remodeled a
meeting room at the Police Station to bet-
ter utilize space for the Operations Cap-
tain's Office while also reversing the
Police Chiefs and the Informational Re-
Department of Public Works /Engineering
source Captain's offices.
These accomplishments plus day -to -day
emergencies and custodial services could
only be accomplished by a concentrated
team effort of the Building Maintenance
Highway Division
FY97 Expended: $847,985
Payroll $623,797
Expenses $224,188
Number of Employees: 18
Superintendent: Warren Monsignore
The Highway Division maintains 126
miles of accepted streets and sidewalks,
the drainage system and brooks, and
manages the solid -waste disposal and
yard -waste composting programs.
Street and Sidewalk Repair: The
Division used over 2,300 tons of asphalt
maintaining roads. Of that, 1,000 tons
was applied by town employees using a
hired asphalt spreader on the following
streets which needed extensive pot hole
repairs: Concord, Coolidge and Mass.
Avenues; Hancock, North and Waltham
Streets; and Maguire Road.
Sidewalk improvements requiring grad-
ing and resurfacing to eliminate water
collection problems were made at two
locations on Meriam St. and Mass. Ave.
Storm Drains: Repairs were made at 4
locations to correct drainage problems.
Pipe was replaced as follows: 100' on
Curve St. due to roots, 65' on Lincoln St.
by Lincoln Field due to failure, and 35'
on Redcoat Lane. A 150' drainage ditch
was dug out at the rear of a Garfield St.
residence.
Catch basin cleaning: $28,670
Contractor: Lloyd Truax
4,515 catch basins were cleaned in FY97
Street Sweeping: $24,963
Contractor: American Sweeping Co.
The contractor swept all streets within a
2 -week period in the spring. Two Town
brooms are used weekly in the Center,
parking lots and for emergency clean up.
Traffic Lines Markings: $41,445
Contractor: Markings, Inc.
Traffic lines and markings are painted,
summer and fall. In the spring, the cross-
walks on Mass. Ave. and throughout the
Center are painted a second time.
Traffic Sign Maintenance: $4,634
Contractor: L &C Flashing Barricades
The town is responsible for over 2,400
traffic control signs and 500 parking
meters. While town forces perform some
maintenance, most repairs were done by
a private contractor in FY97.
Traffic Signal Maintenance: $2,823
Contractor: Tri-State Signal
The Town owns 13 traffic signals. 26 ser-
vice calls were made this year by the con-
tractor. Besides paying $14,000 in elec-
tric costs, DPW staff changed the bulbs.
Bikepath Maintenance:
The bikepath required increased main-
tenance due to age and vegetation. Some
areas needed pavement repair. Staff also
worked with Police to address youth prob-
lems in a particular area.
Snow Removal Operation:
FY97 Expended: $466,841
Payroll $186,897
$279,944
All DPW Staff
Expenses
No. of employees:
Snow plowing operations involved DPW
staff and 31 private contractors; seven
sanders were used.
In the winter of 1996 -97 Lexington
experienced 22 snow and ice storms for a
total of 54" of snow. Four storms re-
quired full plowing operations. The last
storm on March 31 -April 1 generated 24"
of wet snow that was difficult to manage
due to downed limbs and wires. During
the entire winter season 1,500 tons of
sand and 2,400 tons of salt were used.
The town completed a new shed that
allows the sand/salt mix to be stored
under cover. Dry mix makes the spread-
ers more effective and reduces the
amount of mix required per mile.
Page 31
Road Machinery Division:
FY97 Expended: $473,957
Payroll $256,470
Expenses $217,487
Number of Employees: 7
Superintendent: Robert H. Lesley
Maintains DPW equipment fleet valued
at over $4 million; 59 vehicles consisting
of sedans, pick -up trucks and large dump
trucks, 64 pieces of off -road maintenance
and construction equipment. Minor re-
pairs and preventive maintenance provid-
ed on Fire and School vehicles.
Vehicles and equipment are serviced and
checked under a computerized, scheduled
Preventive Maintenance Program. A Ve-
hicle Restoration program is ongoing
when it is more cost effective to restore a
vehicle than to replace it.
All Road Machinery staff are skilled in
welding, sheet metal design, fabrication,
and making new parts. These skills ena-
bled them to repair vehicles, construction
equipment and snowplows. Mechanics
built special projects in support of other
departments when it was cost - effective.
Solid Waste Management:
FY97 Expended: $2,064,031
Compensation $55,630
Expenses $2,008,401
Number of Employees: 1
Program Manager: Joe R. Medlin
Waste management programs include
trash collection and disposal, recycling,
composting and household hazardous
waste collection and disposal. Monitored
by the Operations Manager, one recy-
cling employee, a seasonal employee and
other DPW staff.
In FY97, 10,893 tons of solid waste were
burned at the North East Solid Waste
Committee's North Andover incinerator.
Residents removed another 34 tons
from the waste stream through curbside
recycling. 4,027 tons of recycled materi-
als were distributed by BFI to various
plants for use in post- consumer products.
Composting at the recycling area on
Department of Public Works /Engineering
Hartwell Avenue is operated by one full -
time employee, a seasonal employee and
other Highway staff. Residents recycled
8,200 tons of yard waste; leaves, grass
clippings and brush. Highway Division
staff help manage the facility and sell bio-
degradable bags.
For the first time in 15 years, there was
no Hazardous Waste Collection Day. A
permanent regional facility is being built
on Hartwell Ave. to accommodate 8 -10
collections a year beginning in 1998.
FY97 Solid Waste Contracts:
Refuse Collection:
Browning - Ferris Industries $627,826
Refuse Disposal:
Mass. Refusetech, Inc. $1,000,227
Recycling Collection:
Browning - Ferris Industries $302,000
Park Division
FY97 Expended: $639,859
Payroll $572,518
Expenses $67,341
Number of Employees: 16
Superintendent: Brian Gilbert
Maintains over 600 acres of town,
school and recreation lands, helps
Conservation Commission in maintain-
ing vegetative growth on properties
under their jurisdiction, and makes
changes at Pine Meadows Golf Course.
In addition to maintenance, the division
engaged in several projects to improve
the appearance and infrastructure of the
town's open space :
Playgrounds and Tot Lots: Staff helped
install a sand volleyball court, repaired
fitness path stations and boardwalk at
Lincoln Park; oversaw repairs to Center
tennis court; sealed all wood totlot struc-
tures with water protection and repaired
the fence at the Reservoir.
Sports Fields: Completed the first phase
of renovations at Lincoln #3 and Harring-
ton #1 fields; completed the modifica-
tion of a new softball field at Harrington,
including player benches; constructed &
modified benches at various baseball
fields; constructed 2 additional rain can-
non for irrigating sports fields and assist-
ed installing lighting at the Center fields.
Park Maintenance: Staff painted, re-
paired and constructed picnic tables and
trash receptacles; installed new and
cleaned and sanded all existing teak
benches; cleaned and polished the Min-
uteman Statue; initiated a planning com-
mittee for improvements to the Minute-
man Bike Path; assisted Building Main-
tenance with renovations to Westview
Cemetery and the main and East Lexing-
ton libraries; completed installing a con-
crete sidewalk adjacent to pool complex
and installed a wooden rail and gate at
Willard Woods.
Tree Division
FY97 Expended: $211,206
Payroll $199,314
Expenses $11,892
Number of Employees: 6
Superintendent: Brian Gilbert
Responsible for the care and preservation
of all woody plant vegetation in parks,
along streets and town properties. By con-
servative estimates, the division main-
tains 9,000 - 10,000 street trees, all inva-
sive roadside brush, all shrubbery plant-
ings and trees in parks, playgrounds, cem-
eteries, town and school properties. In
1997, crews responded to 78 emergen-
cies, many due to the April 1 snowstorm.
General Tree Care: Staff resolved over
250 service requests; pruned Cedar St.,
sections of Pine Meadows Golf Course,
Munroe and Westview Cemeteries as
part of a preventive maintenance pro-
gram; fertilized all newly planted trees
and the mature trees on the Battle Green,
Hastings Park and at the Town Hall;
watered newly planted trees and those
showing signs of stress; pruned all trees
planted in the last 4 years and the pear
trees in the Center. Removed 108 dead,
diseased or hazardous trees, including
grinding the stumps, adding loam to
grade and seeding the site.
Page 32
Planting: Planted 79 trees funded
through the State's ReLeaf program and
local donations; planted traffic islands at
Cedar and Hill Streets and Ledgelawn at
Hillside Terrace; continued the lilac
border at Buckman Tavern grounds; and
planted Belfry Hill in cooperation with
Minuteman Technical High School.
Pest Control: Applied herbicide to con-
trol curbside and invasive weeds such as
poison ivy along bike path and trails.
Recycling: Staff chipped 3,900 Christ-
mas trees in early 1997. By- product from
chipping operations is used in the Park
system or sold for the highest bulk price.
Other projects: Helped Cemetery Div-
ision staff with Memorial Day prepara-
tions and the Engineering Division with
survey crew staffing.
Pine Meadows Golf Course
Operator: New England Golf Corp.
Budget: $375,081
Contract Managers:
Karen Simmons, Brian Gilbert
The Recreation Department and Park
Division work with the Recreation Com-
mittee in monitoring this contract, which
expires in 1998.
Improvements made by the management
company and the DPW staff included:
Landscape plantings installed at the 1st,
4th and 8th tees and entrance road; trees
planted along the 1st and 2nd fairways.
All greens and tees were seeded and
meticulously maintained to improve turf
quality; 5th green was reopened.
Trees were pruned and removed to
improve shot value, increase light and air
circulation to greens and tees. The sand
trap adjacent to the 4th green was re-
placed with a series of rolling turf waves.
Installed a cart path on the 5th hole;
removed an asphalt pad on the 8th fair-
way and graded and seeded area;
installed drainage on four greens.
Department of Public Works /Engineering
Cemetery Division:
FY97 Expended:
$261,979
Payroll:
$240,254
Expenses:
$21,725
Number of Employees:
6
Acting Supt.: Dennis M. Mazzone
Operates and maintains grounds (34
acres), buildings and equipment for four
cemeteries: Westview, Munroe, Robbins
and Colonial (Ye Olde Burial Ground).
Cemetery staff busier than usual. The
division was one man short because of
the superintendent's position vacancy; at
the same time the work load increased.
There were 234 interments in Westview
Cemetery and 4 in Munroe, an increase
of 47 over FY96. In Westview
Cemetery, 115 new lots were sold, total-
ing 171 graves. Foundations for 130
flush markers were approved and set.
Ye Olde Burial Grounds Restoration
Project continued. To date, cleaning, re-
pairing and poulticing of stones by vol-
unteers and preservation consultants has
resulted in 93 stones being restored.
Division staff continued restoring the
stone wall in the Robbins Cemetery.
With funding from the Trustees of Public
Trusts, restoration of the Westview Cem-
etery turf continues. Fertilizers, grub -
proofing, and broad -leaf weed control
are included, as well as increased irriga-
tion. The results can be noticed.
The cemetery office was renovated.
Walls were relocated and offices recon-
figured to better utilize existing space.
New furniture purchased through fund-
ing from Trustees of Public Trusts. Fresh
paint and new carpeting made the setting
more amenable to the sensitive nature of
customer's visits.
Collections in FY97 totaled $379,970.
Water /Sewer Divisions:
FY97 Expenditures: $8,420,617
Payroll: $550,021
Expenses: $7,870,596
Number of Employees: 16
Superintendent: William P. Hadley
The Town purchases approximately 2
billion gallons of water annually from the
Massachusetts Water Resources Authori-
ty (MWRA), and pays MWRA to treat
and dispose of the town's sewage.
The average residential water /sewer bill
in FY97 was $528.60 (9600 cubic feet).
In November, the selectmen approved an
average residential rate increase of 8
percent. This is the fourth year increases
have been kept to less than 10 %.
The State Legislature again included
sewer rate relief in their budget. That
amounted to a reduction of $648,742 in
the town's MWRA assessment.
FY97 was the third year of the policy
that allows a second meter for outdoor
watering. Water consumed through this
meter is charged only the water rate.
The infrastructure consists of 154 miles
of water mains, 2 water towers storing 3
million gallons, 1,500 fire hydrants,
3,400 street and hydrant control valves,
and about 10,000 residential control
valves located on property lines.
Four main transmission lines serve Lex-
ington: a 16" main at Summer St., a 16"
main on Mass. Ave. in East Lexington up
to Pleasant St, a 12" main at Watertown
St, and a 24" main on Concord Avenue.
The system has 120 miles of street line
sewers, 34 miles of trunk line sewers and
9 pump stations, including the new main
pumping station.
Duties are divided into three sections:
water distribution, sewer maintenance,
and construction. Employees are cross -
trained to perform all division functions
and help in snow removal operations.
Page 33
In the distribution section, 7 employees
respond to service calls, repair curb and
water control boxes, read and install
water meters, take water samples,
perform hydrant maintenance, and main-
tain and update the water control valve
locations. They oversee the cross- connect-
ion control program and investigate all
water bill complaints. They also mark out
services for contractors, utility compa-
nies and assist the Engineering Division.
In an effort to provide quality water, staff
conducted a system wide water flushing
program during October and November.
Tests for bacteria and coliform on a
weekly basis at nine sampling locations
disclosed no faults.
The sewer maintenance section consists
of three employees who maintain 154
miles of pipe and 9 sewer pump stations,
implement the sewer main flushing
program and manage the pump station
maintenance program. Staff has the tech-
nical knowledge to identify electrical
problems with relay or pressure switches.
The construction section of the division
consists of four employees responsible
for the lead water service replacement
program, installing new control valves
and replacing defective valves. Staff
oversees replacements of hydrants, sewer
mains and sewer services.
Employees attended training seminars on
confined space entry, cross connection
control, MWRA procedures for drinking
water sampling, hydrant maintenance and
courses relating to the State certification
exams. Two employees earned State
Certified Drinking Water Facility opera-
tor's licenses, one a Grade 2 and the other
a Grade 3 license. Another employee
qualified for a Cross Connection Back -
flow testing license.
Staff responds to emergency water and
sewer repairs day and night. Service inter-
ruptions are kept to a minimum but
breaks are often at times and locations in-
convenient to customers and motorists.
Department of Public Works /Engineering
Repairs and Replacements
Water main breaks
23
Water service leaks
5
Hydrants repair
120
Hydrants replaced
9
Service control valves
42
Street control valves
19
Renewed water services
28
Replaced sewer services
12
Sewer main blockages
11
Sewer service blockages
9
Sewer manholes
15
Sewer mains flushed & cleaned 158,600'
New Installations
Outdoor watering meters
201
Control valves
3
8" Water main Westview Street
400'
4" Water main Buckman Tavern
200'
1" Water service Lincoln Street
recreation field
100'
Hydrants
3
Water meters
329
Water services
35
Sewer services
86
LEXPRESS
FY97 Expended: $223,231
Payroll $47,334
Expenses $175,897
Number of Employees: 1.5
Transportation Coordinator: Vacant
LEXPRESS provided 89,563 rides in
FY97. Senior citizens accounted for
24 %, adults 17 %, youths 59 %.
Role: The Transportation Advisory Com-
mittee (TAC) helps selectmen with trans-
portation policy and advises the town's
Transportation Coordinator.
Appointed by the selectmen: Donald
Graham, chair, Sara Arnold, co- chair,
Elizabeth Andrews, Sally Castleman,
Edward Ganshirt, William Mix, Lorraine
Pacocha, Nicholas Santosuosso, Ben
Turk. Betty Eddison is liaison for the
selectmen.
Transportation Advisory Committee: Seated, Betty Eddison, selectman liaison,
Chairman Donald Graham, Elizabeth Andrews. Standing, Edward Ganshirt, Ben
Turk and Elaine Dratch. Photo: Ray Barnes
Page 34
A major transportation issue has been
reducing private automobile traffic.
TAC's major contribution toward finding
effective alternative transportation has
been LEXPRESS, the municipal bus
network now in its 18th year.
LEXPRESS provides daytime service on
six routes connecting the town's residen-
tial neighborhoods with the Center,
schools and other areas.
TAC also advises on operations of the
Lexington Chair Car service available to
the physically challenged residents. Over
the past two years TAC has assisted the
Planning Board in developing a Trans-
portation Demand Management policy.
This requires a developer of commercial
or industrial property to include in its site
planning, specific provisions for facilitat-
ing alternative means of transportation.
Until she moved to the Metropolitan
Area Planning Council on October 1,
1997, Transportation Coordinator Bar-
bara Lucas led the effort to win four
state /federal transportation grants.
1. Under a transportation enhancement
grant, a design consultant was selected
and design plans completed for improv-
ing Depot Square and Emery Park.
2. Under a grant for purchasing com-
pressed natural gas (CNG) buses for
LEXPRESS, several meetings with vend-
ors were held and several buses demon-
strated. Establishing a fueling station for
the CNG vehicles was discussed.
A certification was obtained from the
U.S. Department of Labor that the pur-
chase and use of the CNG buses would
not harm currently employed union
transit workers. At the close of the cal-
endar year, specifications for the CNG
buses and a Request for Proposals to be
issued to prospective vendors were in
final review.
3. Discussions continued during the year
about utilizing a 2 -year demonstration
grant to initiate a Lexington- Concord
tourist trolley to serve the Museum of
Our National Heritage, run through the
Department of Public Works /Engineering
length of the Minuteman National
Historic Park, and terminating at the Old
North Bridge. In late 1997, issues of
sponsorship, financing, and parking were
being discussed by Lexington, Concord
and Minuteman Park representatives.
A fourth grant was on hold. When a
Transportation Management Association
(TMA) is organized for Hartwell Ave.
businesses, matching funding will be
available to develop commuting alterna-
tives to the single- occupant vehicle.
An MBTA proposal to discontinue Satur-
day service on the Hanscom Field -
Alewife bus highlighted the need for
TAC to work more closely and on a con-
tinuing basis with the MBTA to assure
that all the parts of the town's transporta-
tion network continue to function.
Efforts continued to seek additional fund-
ing to support transportation initiatives.
Transportation Demand Management
Plans for two developments; Hayden
Medical Center and 55 Hayden Ave.,
included commitments of $4,000 annual
contributions to support LEXPRESS.
Lahey- Hitchcock Clinic donated $15,000
to extend Chair Car Service hours.
The Chair Car service, operated by SMC
Transportation, provided 1,069 trips in
FY97, to medical appointments, the
Senior Center, the new Adult Day Care
Center on Mill Street in Lincoln, and to
shopping areas. An important function of
TAC continues to be helping to expand
the use of these services.
At the end of the calendar year the
Transportation Services Office was
integrated into the Department of Public
Works Administrative Office on the
second floor of the Town Office
Building. For the last three months of the
year, while awaiting the selection of a
new Transportation Coordinator, Pauline
Burke, DPW Office Manager and former
Transportation Coordinator, and Janet
Lewitzky, part-time assistant, carried on
the duties and functions of the
Transportation Services Office.
Lighting Options Committee
Role: To study and develop an optimal
street lighting system for Lexington.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Myla Kabat -Zinn, Peter Kovner; John
Davies, Planning Board liaison.
Thanks to persistent efforts by DPW
Director George Woodbury, language
was included in the recently passed
electic utility deregulation bill that gives
Massachusetts towns the right to buy and
install their own street lights.
The committee had informed the town
several years ago that substantial savings
could be realized by owning our own sys-
tem. However, there was no regulatory
mechanism in place to help Lexington
make this happen.
Now, with the continued aid of utility ex-
pert Paul Chernick, the town is negotiat-
ing with Boston Edison to buy out, or in-
stall our own lights.
Working with Ripman Lighting Consult-
ants, the Lighting Commitee continued to
gather data from existing street lights and
those in the demonstration project, to
help determine which lights to choose for
a townwide changeover.
The goal is to own our street lights to real-
ize immediate cost reductions; then re-
turn all lights to service while changing
over to more cost - effective, energy -effi-
cient, color - corrected lights that give us
good visual acuity and make streets safe
and pleasant.
Page 35
Expenditures
FY97 FY96
Payroll 2,636,344 2,497,459
Expenses 287,709 151,217
Personnel
Full time 55 55
Appointed: John F. Quinlan appointed
Fire Chief in October 1995 by the Town
Manager.
Administration: The team concept of
management, initiated in the Town Mana-
ger's office, was extended to the depart-
ment.
This is a non - traditional management ap-
proach which eliminates the old hierar-
chical decision - making structure. The
team is working to instill a sense of
"ownership" among all employees and
extend strategic planning to all levels
within the ranks.
The team includes the, chief, assistant
chief, shift commanders and president of
the firefighters union.
Operations
Total emergency calls:
3,398
Fire /emergency related calls:
1,310
Medical calls
2,088
Ambulance runs to hospitals
1,336
1992 -1997
Emergencies
3398
2694
'Total Responses 20 8
1264
EMS Responses
1992 1997
There was one second alarm fire, in the
Drummer Boy Condominium complex. It
destroyed most of of the second floor of
one unit and caused minor damage to an
adjoining unit.
Fire Department
There were nine "working fires" where
all Lexington apparatus and on -duty per-
sonnel were committed and that caused
substantial damage to contents and/or
structure. There were 27 other structural
fires with reported damage.
In June, a series of violent thunderstorms
swept the community. Several homes
were struck by lightning. Fires and/or
damage from lightning strikes occurred
in four homes in scattered sections of
town and stretched the on -duty resources
of the Department.
In the area of medical emergencies, it is
significant that our back -up ambulance
transported 273 patients. It was used as a
second transport vehicle, or on a simulta-
neous call, a record 176 times. We were
able to provide crucially needed treat-
ment and transport to residents in a time-
ly manner, eliminating the wait for a
mutual aid ambulance from out of town.
This enhances our EMS mission, to pro-
vide quality emergency service as quick-
ly and efficiently as possible.
As the result of Town Meeting action,
the Department purchased and took deliv-
ery of a new Fire Pumper in 1997.
The apparatus encompasses the latest in
safety improvements in emergency warn-
ing lighting and passenger compartment
features for protecting firefighters. There
are several design innovations developed
by a committee of fire personnel and the
manufacturer's representative.
The vehicle is not just a fire engine. It
was designed as a Rescue Pumper. The
"Jaws of Life" was built into the vehicle;
two 100 -foot reels of hydraulic line ena-
ble rescuers to use the jaws while the
noisy power unit remains on the engine.
This helps rescuers coordinate their activ-
ity without shouting, and can help reduce
the anxiety level of victims.
The engine also has compartments spe-
cifically designed to accommodate EMS
equipment, backboards, a defibrillator,
oxygen equipment and trauma kits.
Page 36
The purchase of turnout gear — protec-
tive coats and pants — was completed.
Half of the Department had been outfit-
ted the previous year.
Another personnel safety improvement
was the purchase of a new self - contained
breathing apparatus fill station. It pro-
tects personnel from injury in case an air
cylinder ruptures while being refilled.
Two local residents and long -term em-
ployees retired. Captain John Fradette
and Lieutenant Ted Setterlund each had
over thirty years of Department service.
Fire Prevention /Safety Education
Assistant Chief Sullivan directs the fire
and life safety code compliance for the
Department. Fire prevention oversees the
proper installation of fuel tanks and the
removal of underground storage tanks.
There is a close working relationship
with developers and contractors to ensure
all safety requirements are addressed
when projects are under construction.
This involves extensive plan review prior
to construction and on -site inspections
until the project is finalized.
Fire safety education is another area in
which the prevention division is in-
volved. Several programs were conduct-
ed for area nursing homes staff in patient
evacuation procedures and fire safety
awareness. Some area motels also sought
safety training for their staff.
For the second year, the department was
awarded a $5,000 SAFE (Student Aware-
ness of Fire Safety Education) grant from
the state's Department of Public Safety,
Division of Fire Services. The grant
enabled our SAFE team to bring the age -
appropriate fire safety pro -gram, "Learn
Not To Burn," to all first graders.
Many preschools received a modified ver-
sion of the program. The goal is to,famil-
iarize these youngsters with firefighters
and how they (the firefighters) appear in
turnout gear.
Another SAFE program was a summer
camp. Two students attended a one -day
Massachusetts Fire Academy program
where they participated and observed as-
pects of firefighter recruit training.
Community Service
Department members have an abiding
concern for our community, shown in
many different ways. The Department
Honor Guard participates in various civic
events; the monthly blood pressure clinic
for the Senior Center, and Fire Preven-
tion Week Open House are examples.
Other areas where we interacted with our
"customers "; The Prom night disaster, a
mock fatal car crash in which firefighters
partnered with the school resource officer
and other Police personnel to graphically
depict the consequences drinking and
driving.
Fire Department personnel participated
in health and safety awareness programs
sponsored by local corporations for their
employees. A fire and home safety
information booth at Discovery Day is
another example of direct community
involvement. We, as an organization, are
committed to improve our community
service beyond Fire Suppression and
Emergency Medical Service.
Fire Department
The Fire Department's new "rescue pumper" is "fully loaded, " with the latest
in emergency tools, including built -in jaws of life, defibrillator, oxygen equip-
ment and trauma kits
A large assembly of High School students watch as Officer Garabedian and
the Fire Department "respond to the scene" during a mock accident re-
enactment highlighting the consequences of drinking and driving.
Photo: Police Dept..
Page 37
FY 97 FY 96
Payroll: $3,270,254 $2,955,554
Expenses: 327,844 292,264
Capital Items: 0 0
Personnel
Full Time 65 65
Part Time 5 5
Chief: Christopher Casey, appointed by
the Town Manager, 1993
Highlights
• First year of School Resource Officer
proves an overwhelming success
• Domestic Violence Response Team
formed
• Investigations lead to arrests of armed
robbery suspects, halt mini crime wave
• Regional drug task force makes an
impact
• Detective William Young retires
Comments:
In the 70's and 80's police departments
regularly requested more officers and
more technology exclusively for the
police department, with intentions to sup-
press and prevent crime. Unfortunately,
success rates were not encouraging.
In the 90's, greater emphasis was given to
the variety and complexity of police serv-
ices and to promoting community part-
nerships. In 1997, this commitment to
community policing was rewarded by
some important achievements in:
Community Programs: During the
school year, School / Community Re-
source Officer Dana Ham forged a
unique partnership with school adminis-
trators, students, faculty and parents at
the high school. Taking an initial concept
of "policing" at the school, Officer Ham
used education, problem solving and
enforcement in a program supported and
praised by all. For example, Officer Ham
developed, organized and involved the
community in a "mock accident" re-
enactment which demonstrated the con-
sequences of drinking and driving.
Police Department
Officer Ham also helped create a Middle
School Peer Leadership Program to iden-
tify and train peer leaders at the high
school to help entering students make the
transition to high school. The program
will include school and evening activities
to foster positive connections with com-
munity and school.
In November, the Police Dept. collabo-
rated with the Human Services Depart-
ment, the schools, Board of Health, and
the Wayside Youth and Family Support
Network to create a new Domestic Vio-
lence Response Team. This program,
funded by a state grant, provides advoca-
cy and counseling services to victims of
domestic abuse.
Officers John Mazerall and Bryan Hoi-
seth were appointed and trained as Youth
Officers who are frequently assigned
missing person and criminal investiga-
tions when a child under 17 is involved.
They also administer the Juvenile Diver-
sion Program; 23 youths were supervised
this year during community service in
lieu of prosecution in the courts.
Crime Enforcement: Timely response
and follow -up investigations by patrol
officers and detectives resulted in some
important arrests. Officer Joseph Lahiff
and Sergeant Anderson received com-
mendations for their actions on February
14th responding to a report of a Waltham
bank robbery. They located the freshly
abandoned stolen vehicle, searched the
area, and arrested the suspect before he
could enter a residential neighborhood.
Early on April 24th, officers investigated
the unlawful entry of a motor vehicle;
they tracked down and arrested two men
attempting to flee in a stolen truck. The
investigation led to discovery of over two
dozen crimes of theft, unlawful entry,
and malicious destruction of property.
Other investigations by detectives result-
ed in arrest of two men wanted for over a
dozen armed robberies in the suburban -
west area, including those at the Heritage
Mobil and the Lexington Sheraton.
Page 38
One detective devotes time to the Subur-
ban Middlesex County Drug Task Force,
a regional effort of seven area communi-
ties. In fiscal 1997, the task force made
140 arrests and seized 887 grams of co-
caine, 231 pounds of marijuana, 145 bags
of heroin, 300 hits of LSD, 10 firearms,
14 vehicles, $65,000 in cash, 11,500
vials of steroids, and 1,576 illegally pos-
sessed pills.
Personnel Issues: Detective William
Young retired after more than 32 years of
distinguished service. Other personnel
changes included Officer Steven Garabe-
dian's appointment to the Detective Bu-
reau; Officer Aiden Evelyn's assignment
as an assistant range officer and Officer
Charles Crayton's joining the D.A.R.E.
program as an instructor.
This year the department received more
than 80 letters commending officers for a
job well done, or expressing appreciation
for department programs. These letters,
and personal contacts with the communi-
ty, contribute immeasurably to the pro-
motion of community policing values
within the department.
Police Services — General: As the fol-
lowing charts show, the number and type
of crimes investigated and service calls
attended has remained fairly consistent
for several years. The department catego-
rizes approximately 300 different crimes
and services rendered by the police and
fire departments.
Overall, the number of police service
calls in 1997 decreased 0.6% to 12,288.
The decrease is due to a reduction in
motor vehicle incidents: accidents requir-
ing investigation (down 77 or 14.4 %) and
suspicious person or vehicle complaints
(down 102 or 15.6 %) Under the NIBRS
(National Incident -Based Reporting Sys-
tem), 1,146 crimes will be reported this
year (down one crime from 1996).
The emergency 9 -1 -1 system logged over
5,000 calls. However, some 400 calls
were abandoned by callers before a dis-
patcher could answer the phone. Dis-
patchers call back anyone who is discon-
nected after dialing 9 -1 -1. If no answer
is received, officers are dispatched to
investigate the call. This year, 224 aban-
doned calls were investigated.
Police Manual
Committee
Role: The professional policy and pro-
cedures manual of the Police Depart-
ment guides officers in handling the
many complex and emergency situations
they must deal with. The committee
monitors policies and procedures as they
are drafted and revised and offers com-
ments to help the chief maintain a pro-
fessional manual.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chief
Christopher Casey, Cleveland Coats,
Edith Flynn, Gerald McLeod, William
Hays; selectman liaison Peter Enrich.
The town applied to the new State Ac-
creditation program. This program has
adopted national accreditation standards
which allow police agencies to achieve
state accreditation and eventually nation-
al recognition
Police Department
Complaints and Calls for Service
Accident Calls
1,049
Animal Control
275
Alarms, home or commercial
1,940
Alarms, all others
546
Reports of fire
226
Medical assistance
996
Assist motorist
1,061
Missing persons
81
Disturbances /disputes
455
Building & person checks
934
Suspicious activity reports
548
Total, all crimes
1,146
Total, other calls for service
4,393
Motor Vehicle Citations Issued
Warnings
408
Civil infractions
2,237
Criminal complaints
193
Arrests
88
Total
2,926
Larcenies - Reported
375 340
1987 1997
Page 39
Criminal Court Summary
Arrests w/o warrant
170
Arrests with warrant
126
Criminal summons
508
Clerk's hearing
86
Private complaints
13
Total
903
Other Criminal Court Cases
MV Homicide
2
Operating MV to endanger
30
Operating MV, lost lic /reg
147
Operating MV w/o license
42
Operating MV under influence
51
Operating MV w/o license
67
Using a MV w/o authority
8
Disorderly/Disturbing peace
18
Liquor law violations
40
Malicious damage /vandalism
18
Forgery
1
Receiving stolen property
7
Protective order violation
10
Drug law violations
62
Calls for Service
13650
11750
1987 1997
Auto Thefts
22
13
1987 1997
Police Department
Civil Motor Vehicle Infractions
Red light violation
Stop sign violation
Failure to use care
Unregistered MV
Speeding
Turning violation
Crosswalk violation
Other violations
Total
Parking violations
Meter violations
Total
551
129
233
114
879
423
103
829
3,263
Parking Enforcement
Fines
$10,000
1,980
4,290
7,400
88,090
6,200
1,875
13,235
$113,605
Issued
Fin
2,644
$41,445
4,782
23,910
7,436
$65,355
Serious Offences
430
508
1987 1997
Summary of Serious Offenses
Classification
Offenses
Charges
Arson
3
0
Rape
1
0
Assaults, incl. weapons
68
66
Robbery, home invas'n
8
17
Burglary, break & enter
75
27
Larceny (not vehicles)
340
79
Motor vehicle theft
13
4
Total
508
193
Accidents
1300
773
1987 1997
High Accident Locations,
10 or More Accidents
Bedford Street @ Hartwell Avenue
20
Bedford Street @ Route 128
29
Bedford Street @ Eldred Street
16
Marrett Road @ Massachusetts Avenue (MM Tech)
15
Route 128 @ Route 2
14
Waltham Street @ Concord Avenue
14
Route 128 @ Bedford Street
13
Woburn Street @ Lowell Street
13
Massachusetts Avenue @ Waltham Street
12
Massachusetts Avenue @ Grant Street
11
Concord Avenue @ Spring Street
10
Marrett Road @ Waltham Street
10
Page 40
Expended: FY97 FY96
Payroll $129,409 $109,599
Personnel:
Full Time Staff 4
Part Time Staff 1
Grant - funded 2
Board of Health and Staff
Board
Martha Wood, Chair
Dennis Sterzin
Dr. James C. Beck
Dr. Burt M. Perlmutter
Dr. Elaine Grunberg
Staff
Beverly E. Anderson, Director
Lisa Ruffy, Health Agent
Joyce Cheng, R.N., Public Health
Nurse
Kathy Fox, Animal Control Officer
Carol Joyce, Administrator
Associates
Lea Susan Ojaama, Tobacco Control
Officer
Christine Fichera, Title V Program
Agent
Notable Events
Board of Health: Barbara Marshall re-
signed from the Board of Health. Elaine
Grunberg, M.D. joined the Board.
Martha Wood continued as Chair.
Staff Changes -- Beverly Anderson took
over as Health Director, assuming the
post held by Roy Sanderson. Lisa Ruffy
accepted the position of Health Agent for
the town, after Edward Goulding, Jr.
resigned. Joyce Cheng, R.N. filled the
newly created position of Public Health
Nurse, replacing services previously
provided by the Cambridge Visiting
Nurses Association. Carole Joyce and
Kathy Fox continued as Administrator
and Animal Control Officer respectively.
Domestic Violence Response
The Health Department teamed with
Schools, Human Services and Police,
and with Replace to develop an interven-
tion program for domestic violence. Vio-
lence in the family is a major cause of
morbidity and mortality nationwide. Lex-
ington's Domestic Violence Response
Team will provide support and guidance
for victims of domestic violence.
Board of Health
Revision of Health Regulations
The Board of Health has begun the
process of revising the health regulations
for the Town, which have not been
changed since their publication in 1953.
The regulations will be analyzed and
changed to address recent concerns in
environmental health. Representatives
from the Mass. Association of Health
Boards are assisting with the process.
Under consideration for inclusion in the
new regulations are guidelines for aquifer
protection, well construction, lead con-
trol, and other areas.
Biosafety Regulations
Regulations for the Use of Recombinant
DNA Molecule Technology were
changed and approved by the Board of
Health in November.
Toxic Use Reduction Grant
The Health Department received a
$7,000 grant from the Toxic Use Reduc-
tion Institute to promote ways to reduce,
substitute or eliminate the use of hazard-
ous substances in the home and business.
The program will use the new Household
Hazardous Waste Facility in Lexington
as a base for promoting the concept of
toxic use reduction.
Flu clinic
1200 residents were vaccinated for influ-
enza in October at Cary Hall during the
annual flu clinic. Volunteers from COA,
from Symmes Medical Center, and from
New England Home Health Care partici-
pated in the clinic.
Employee Health
Public Health Nurse Joyce Cheng, R.N.,
now provides municipal employees with
Hepatitis B vaccinations, eliminating the
cost of private doctor visits for the town
workers.
Mosquito Control
The town participated in the East Middle-
sex Mosquito Control Project for the
53rd year.
Page 41
Title Five Program
A program to identify and track the sub-
surface disposal systems in town and to
educate home owners owners on the
implications of Title V regulations has
been implemented. Christine Fichera is
currently working as Title V Program
Agent. Residents owning subsurface dis-
posal systems have been asked to have
their systems checked on a regular basis.
Tobacco Control
Lea Susan Ojamaa manages the tobacco
control program for the town, in partner-
ship with the Town of Bedford. The pro-
gram is funded by a grant from the Mass.
Tobacco Control program through the
Health Protection Fund. This grant has
been renewed for a second grant cycle
which will continue through June 30,
2000. The program focuses on policy
promotion and enforcement that elimi-
nates the sale of tobacco products to
minors, policy promotion and enforce-
ment aimed at reducing public exposure
to environmental tobacco smoke, smok-
ing cessation, community services and
education. An article was passed at the
1997 Town Meeting amending the town
by -laws to expand the Board of Health's
ability to fine for Tobacco Control viola-
tions by using non - criminal disposition
(issuing tickets) for violations of the
Tobacco Control Regulations.
Environmental Concerns
Repeated testing of the Vine Brook
showed evidence of contamination by
coliform bacteria. The Health Depart-
ment is working with the Department of
Public Works to determine the cause.
The Vine Brook culvert has been exam-
ined for illegal connections, and home-
owners with subsurface disposal systems
near the brook have been notified of the
problem. Additional testing has also been
carried out to locate the source.
Communicable Diseases
In May, Joyce Cheng, R.N. assumed the
role of Public Health Nurse for the town.
Among other duties, she is responsible
for the investigation and follow -up care
of communicable disease in the town.
Sixty -one cases of communicable disease
were investigated. They are:
Amebiasis
1
Campylobacter
25
Chicken Pox (Varicella)
7
Cryptosporidiosis
1
Giardiasis
2
Hepatitis B
2
Listeriosis
1
Lyme disease
1
Salmonella
7
Shigella
2
Streptococcus Pneumonia
1
Viral Meningitis
2
Tuberculosis class 2
8
Tuberculosis class 3
1
In addition, twenty -eight STDs and AIDs
cases were reported to the MDPH. They
include:
Clamydia 9
Gonorrhea 3
AIDs 16
Syphillis 0
Animal Control
Animal Control Officer Kathy Fox
enforces state and local animal control
laws and manages the animal shelter for
the town. Rabies remains a problem, with
the state reporting a doubling of cases
testing positive for the disease.
Statistics
Licensed dogs
Leash Law violations
Unlicensed dog violations
Unlicensed dog notices
Dogs placed in shelter
Dogs adopted
Dog bites
Cat bites
Other
Livestock :
Horses
Cows
Deer
Poultry
2020
24
160
375
28
4
13
5
2
27
5
11
8
Household Hazardous Waste
The Board of Health voted that the
autumn collection of household hazard-
ous waste at the DPW facility would not
Board of Health
be held, and funds would be reserved for
the opening of the new permanent drop -
off facility in Lexington. The new facility
is expected to be open in April of 1997.
Indoor Air Quality
The Health Department worked with the
Environmental Assessment Unit of the
Mass. Dept. of Public Health in response
to reported air quality problems at the
Bridge and Bowman schools. Poor venti-
lation and prior flooding of the buildings
were found to be the causes of some of
the problems.
Radon - resistant construction is also be-
ing promoted through the Inspectional
Services Department.
Immunizations
The annual flu clinic was held on Octo-
ber 15 at Cary Hall. Over 1200 residents
were vaccinated at the clinic. Volunteers
from the Council on Aging, and nurses
from Symmes Medical Center and from
New England Home Health Care partici-
pated in the clinic. Two residents unable
to attend the clinic and referred by their
doctors received flu shots from the Pub-
lic Health Nurse at home. TB screening
tests were offered starting in October to
individuals at risk for the disease. Eight-
een residents or town employees have
received the services.
Inspections
Food establishments
205
Housing
13
Pools
16
Swimming areas
4
Camps
12
Daycare
1
Demolitions
27
Lead paint
1
Oil spills
2
Indoor air quality
5
Tanning
1
General Assistance
83
Septic abandonment
38
Page 42
Environmental Health
Complaints and Nuisances
Air Quality
1
Water - surface
8
Water - drinking
5
Solid waste
14
Hazardous waste
8
Housing
18
Food
16
Pools
9
Mosquitoes
16
Smoking
5
Pests /rodents
9
Lead paint
14
EMF
1
Noise pollution
4
Wells
4
Septic
121
Asbestos
4
Animal- Massage
7
Radon
5
Lyme Disease
2
Rabies
2
Encephalitis
1
Other environmental
34
Permits Issued
Type Number
Animal
25
Asbestos
49
Camps
9
Catering
13
Food
175
Funeral
2
Installers
10
Massage Establishments
16
Massage Therapists
30
Medical Waste Disposal
10
Methyl alcohol
22
Motel/hotel
3
Nursing Homes
4
Pools
23
Wading pools
7
Jacuzzi
1
RDNA
3
Syringe
1
Rubbish Trucks
12 -20
Septage
12 -20
Rest Homes
1
Tanning
1
Temporary Food
47
Role: The board is a quasi-judicial body
which grants variances from the Zoning
Bylaw, issues special permits for uses as
authorized by the bylaw, and hears
appeals of decisions made by the Build-
ing Commissioner and Zoning Officer.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
John J. McWeeney, Vice Chairman Ed-
win P. Whittemore, Francis W. K. Smith,
Robert V. Whitman, Robert F. Sacco.
Associate members Nyles N. Barnert,
Joseph A. Campbell, Natalie H. Riffin,
Arthur C. Smith, Judith J. Uhrig and
Lynne C. Wilson. Elinor Greenway is
the administrative clerk.
In calendar 1997, the board heard:
• 41 petitions for variances; granted 34;
• 46 petitions for special permits - many
of which were renewals;
• Two petitions for special permit with
site plan approval;
• One comprehensive permit for a
LexHAB project;
• An appeal of a decision by the zoning
officer;
• One request to extend a variance;
• 17 requests to modify special permits.
Notable were permits approved to allow
the new ball field lights, the Gingerbread
Construction Co. bakery, renovating the
former Itek facility, a two - family home
on Spencer St. by LexHAB and plans for
a new office building on Hayden Ave.
Three institutions experienced difficulty
getting permits to expand:
1. Cary Library withdrew its application
in order to put its plans in better shape.
2. The Waldorf School received only
partial approval of what it sought.
3. St. Nicholas Church expansion was
denied.
Board of Appeals
Petitions heard by the Board of Appeals
in 1997 are listed in the order in which
hearings were scheduled. Decisions may
have been subject to conditions. For
details please see the Town Clerk.
January
87 Kendall Rd., Jean L. Parr: granted a
five -year renewal of a special permit for
a home office. (Expires 1/24/02)
177 Cedar St., Lilly Szonyi: granted a
five -year renewal of a special permit for
a home office. (Expires 1/25/02)
166 Bedford St., Bstreet Bagels: granted
a five -year renewal of a special permit to
operate a bagel and sandwich shop.
(Expires 1/31/02)
10 Muzzey St., Japonaise Bakery: grant-
ed a five -year renewal of a special permit
to operate a take -out and fast food
service and to increase seating to 15.
(Expires 12/31/01)
1386 Massachusetts Ave., Reorganized
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints: granted a variance from the side
yard setback to allow property to be
divided into two lots.
150 East St., Doran Farms: granted a six -
month renewal of a special permit for a
commercial greenhouse and to use the
rear of 168 and 172 -174 East Street to
mature plants for sale. (Expires 7/30/97)
182 Bedford St., L'Alouette: granted a
five -year renewal of a special permit for
a take -out food shop and changed hours
of operation. (Expires 1/25/02)
Vacant lot on Jefferson Ave., Ronald and
Alina Garry's appeal was granted and the
decision of the Zoning Officer that a, lot
located in both Lexington and Arlington
is unbuildable was overturned.
February
95 Hayden Ave., Fresenius Medical Care
withdrew its petition for a special permit
for a sign on the third floor to exceed the
width restriction.
Page 43
7 Juniper Place, Amy and David
Goldminz: granted a variance from the
front yard setback to add a front vestibule
and steps.
9 Pleasant St., Arthur Anthony: granted a
variance from the side yard setback for an
addition.
727 Marrett Rd., The Flatley Co.: granted
a special permit with site plan review
(SPS) for 80 additional guest rooms with
site improvements at the Sheraton
Lexington Inn.
10 Maguire Rd., Nordic Properties: The
board determined that the proposed
removal of buildings and increase in
parking are not minor and a public
hearing is required.
March
11 Maguire Rd., IDEO Product Develop-
ment: granted a special permit to install a
sculpture as a standing sign.
32 Ingleside Rd., Andrea Celenza: grant-
ed a five -year renewal of a special permit
for a home office. (Expires 3/31/02)
386 Lincoln St., Todd Burger: granted a
variance from the setback to a side street
for a child's treehouse.
498 Waltham St., Douglas Williams:
granted a special permit to add a second
story to a nonconforming dwelling.
2 Eliot Rd., John and Patricia Sawyer:
granted a variance from the side yard
setback for a garage.
71 Bow St., Anthony and Dianne
Augustine: granted a variance to increase
the net floor area of a nonconforming two -
family dwelling by adding a two -story
addition. A variance from the side yard
setback for the addition was denied.
April
200 Lincoln St., Anne and Anthony
LoRusso: granted a variance from the
setback to a side street for an addition.
34 Robbins Rd., Brian and Susan
Adamik: granted a variance from the rear
yard setback for a one -story addition.
14 Baker Ave., S. Perkins and P.
Groskin: granted a variance from the side
yard setback for a one -story addition.
64 Reed St., Ben Turk: granted a special
permit to add a second dwelling unit to a
single- family dwelling.
64 Reed St., Ben Turk withdrew the peti-
tion for a variance to allow the entrance
to the second dwelling to be located in
the front of the dwelling.
10 Woburn St., Gingerbread Construc-
tion Co.: granted a one -year special
permit for a new fast - food/take -out food
establishment and to modify the land-
scape screening. (Expires 9/30/98)
10 Woburn St., Gingerbread Construc-
tion Co.: granted a special permit for a
freestanding sign.
26 Parker St., Bean There Realty Trust:
granted modifications to the special
permit for additions to the existing dwell-
ing with no increase in site coverage.
675 Waltham St., Stone Meadow Golf.
The board determined that the proposed
shed, fence and parking area are minor
and a public hearing is not required.
1040 Waltham St., Center for Mental
Health Services. The board determined
that the proposed gazebo is minor and a
public hearing is not required.
10 Maguire Rd., Nordic Properties: grant-
ed modifications to the special permit to
increase the number of parking spaces.
8 Rangeway, William and Michelle
Bloomer: granted a special permit to add
a full -shed dormer to a nonconforming
dwelling.
40 Valleyfield St., Andrew and Corrine
Lowen: granted a variance from 2.5 -story
height restriction to add a full -shed
dormer to a two -story dwelling.
Board of Appeals
20 -22 Cliffe Ave., Julie -Ann and Eric
Shapiro: denied a variance to allow a new
driveway and parking spaces to be less
than five feet from rear and side lot lines.
150 East St., Doran Farms: granted a two -
year renewal of a special permit for a
commercial greenhouse and to use the
rear of 168 and 172 -174 East Street to
mature plants for sale. (Expires 7/30/99)
May
2678 Massachusetts Ave., Margo
Schmidt: granted a five -year renewal of a
special permit for a home office.
(Expires 3/31/02)
927 & 945 Waltham St., Nicholas
Cannalonga: granted a two -year renewal
of a special permit for a nursery, roadside
stand and to sell Christmas trees at
Wagon Wheels Nursery & Garden
Center. (Expires 4/24/99)
1707 Massachusetts Avenue Rear,
Belmont Manor Realty Trust: granted a
special permit for a tenant directory wall
sign to exceed the height restriction.
82 Simonds Rd., A. Craig and R. Bond:
granted a special permit to add a second
story to a nonconforming dwelling.
2016 Massachusetts Ave., Philip and
Janet Hurd: granted variances from the
front and side street setbacks to add a
garage /family room addition and extend
the front porch.
58 Blossomcrest Rd., Yair and Anna
Egozy: denied a variance from the side
yard setback to add a garage with living
space above.
1265 Massachusetts Ave., Seasons Four:
The board determined that the change in
the standing sign is minor and a public
hearing is not required.
June
4 Berwick Rd., Daniel McCarthy: grant-
ed a variance from 2.5 -story height
restriction to add a full -shed dormer to a
two -story dwelling.
Page 44
135 Massachusetts Ave., Wild Foods,
Inc.: granted a one -year special permit
for a fast -food and take - out -food busi-
ness to be known as Wildberry Deli &
CafB (Expires 8/30/98)
Worthen Road, Center Field Athletic
Recreation Complex. Granted a special
permit to install six 70 -foot light poles at
the soccer, baseball and softball fields
and allow four existing light poles to
remain at their present 70 -foot height.
14 Benjamin Rd., Loren Wood: denied a
variance from the side yard setback to
allow existing decks to remain as con-
structed.
14 White Pine Lane, Elizabeth Liao:
granted a five -year renewal of a .special
permit for a home office. (Expires
6/14/02)
14 White Pine Lane, Timothy Dugan:
granted a five -year renewal of a special
permit for a home office. (Expires
6/14/02)
44 Forest St., Detlev and Ellen Suderow:
granted a special permit to allow a gar-
den shed to remain as located.
119 Grant St., Ansel and Louise Davis:
postponed to August a hearing for a
special permit to add a second dwelling
unit to a single - family dwelling.
11 Liberty Ave., Lance and Patricia
Linton: granted variances from side and
front yard setbacks for a one -story addi-
tion.
915 Waltham St., Texaco Station. The
board determined that the expansion of
the area to sell food is minor and a public
hearing is not required.
26 Parker St., Woodhaven Realty. The
board determined that the grant of addi-
tional land to 6 Jackson Court is minor
and a public hearing is not required.
1 Hollow Lane, Phyllis Houvouras: grant-
ed a variance from the rear yard setback
to add a bay window.
80 Westview St., Colin Richardson. Hear-
ings for variances and special permits to
allow construction of an office building
in the CM District continued to July.
409 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington Toyo-
ta. The board determined that the pro-
posed paving of the landscaped buffer
strip abutting the residence at 443 Mass
Avenue is not minor and a public hearing
is required.
750 Marrett Rd., Battleroad Limited
Partnership. The board determined that
the installation of an AT &T wireless
telephone base station on the roof of the
One Cranberry Hill building is minor and
a public hearing will not be required.
95 Hayden Ave., Fresenius Medical
Care. The board determined that the
installation of a canopy structure to cover
the walkway from the parking garage and
two stairwells is minor and a public
hearing is not required.
July
3 Abbott Rd., Jane Forsyth: granted a
five -year renewal of a special permit for
a home office. (Expires 7/31/02)
18 Lockwood Rd., Gail Leichtman: grant-
ed variances from the front and side
street setbacks to add a deck to a noncon-
forming dwelling.
41 Ledgelawn Ave., Joyce and Normal
Dufault: granted a front -yard setback
variance to add a dormer with overhang.
8 Rangeway, William Bloomer. The
board determined that the addition of a
full -shed dormer is a minor revision to
the special permit and no public hearing
is required.
80 Westview St., Colin Richardson: grant-
ed variances from dimensional controls
in the CM District to allow construction
of an office building.
80 Westview St., Colin Richardson:
granted special permits to modify transi-
tion area landscape screening and park-
ing lot design for a proposed office build-
Board of Appeals
ing in the CM District.
154 Bedford St., Kimberly and Mark
Sutton: granted variances from the side
yard setback and to increase the net floor
area of a nonconforming two - family
dwelling by adding a deck with storage
area below.
26 Richard Rd., Stephen & Barbara Abra-
mo: granted a special permit to add a sec-
ond story to a nonconforming dwelling.
August
119 Grant St., Ansel and Louise Davis:
granted a special permit to add a second
dwelling unit to a single - family dwelling.
1646 Massachusetts Ave., Spaulding
Management: granted a special permit
for a free - standing sign.
29 Hartwell Ave., McGraw -Hill Com-
panies: denied a special permit for a free-
standing tenant directory sign.
15 Nichols Rd., Robert Fusunyan: grant-
ed a special permit to add a second story
and front vestibule to a nonconforming
home with no increase in site coverage.
61 School St., Daniel McDonough: grant-
ed a variance from the front yard setback
to extend the front porch of a noncon-
forming dwelling.
16 Hayden Ave., 16 Hayden Avenue
Realty Trust: granted a special permit
with site plan review (SPS) to construct a
medical office building on a 2.15 acre
lot, rezoned CD -8, and to install a free-
standing entry sign.
September
55 Hayden Ave., Spaulding & Slye. The
board determined that the change in the
free - standing entrance sign is minor and
a public hearing will not be required.
30 Middle St., James Martin: granted a
special permit to replace a nonconform-
ing shed with a smaller shed.
25 Theresa Ave., Paul Rahilly: granted a
variance from the front yard setback for a
one -story addition to a barn.
Page 45
212 Marrett Rd., Mark Houghton: grant-
ed a variance to expand a nonconforming
two - family dwelling by converting a barn
into a recreation room and adding a deck
and covered porch.
5 Augustus Rd., Neil Saveriano: granted
a variance from the front yard setback for
new front steps.
65 Munroe Rd., J. Riera and A. Saltz:
granted a variance from the front yard
setback to add a two -car garage and
enlarge and cover the front entry.
17 Meriam St., St. Nicholas Orthodox
Church: denied variances from front, side
and rear yard setbacks and off - street
parking requirements for additions to the
church building.
October
29 Volunteer Way, Nancy and Ronald
Hubert: granted a six -month extension of
a variance for new front entrance.
(Expires 3/24/98)
95 Hayden Ave., The Beal Companies.
The board determined that the installa-
tion of an exterior generator is minor and
a public hearing is not required.
739 Massachusetts Ave., The Waldorf
School: granted a special permit for a
free - standing sign on a temporary basis
for special events at the school.
31 Wyman Rd., Nachman Cohen: grant-
ed a one -year special permit for a home
office.
45 Lincoln St., K. Arnold & G. Dulac:
granted a variance from 2.5 story residen-
tial height restriction to add front and
rear dormers to a two -story dwelling.
9 Ellison Rd., Geoffrey and Margaret
Wade: granted a variance from the side
yard setback for an addition and
chimney.
55 Ledgelawn Ave., D. Cusanello & K.
Manickas: granted variances from front
and side yard setbacks for a two -story
addition and new entry.
1874 Massachusetts Ave., Cary Memor-
ial Library. A hearing for variances from
dimensional controls, transition area
screening and off - street parking require-
ments for expansion of the library was
postponed and later withdrawn.
55 Hayden Ave., Spaulding & Slye. The
board determined that the relocation of
the curtain wall is minor and a public
hearing is not required.
544 Lowell St., Plant Action: granted a 5-
year renewal of a special permit for a
commercial greenhouse. (Expires
12/9/02)
17 Locke Lane, Jill- Laurie and Joseph
Crane: granted a one -year special permit
for a home office. (Expires 10/30/98)
6 Tufts Rd., Eugene Radzihovsky: grant-
ed a special permit to allow 125 cu. yds
of fill to remain on the property.
38 Outlook Dr., L. Schiffman and P.
Joseph: denied a variance from the side
yard setback for a mudroom with a 2.5
foot side yard setback.
17 Fletcher Ave., Joseph Rice: granted
variances from front yard setback for a
two -story addition, porch and front steps.
24 Balfour St., Joyce Peseroff: granted a
variance from side yard setback for a
garden shed.
135 Massachusetts Ave., Wildberry Deli
& Cafe. The board determined that the
change in opening hours to serve break-
fast is minor and a public hearing is not
required.
55 Hayden Ave., Spaulding & Slye. The
board determined that the installation of
an air conditioning unit on the roof is
minor and a public hearing is not
required.
November
319 Marrett Rd., Glenn Eric's Deli:
granted a five -year renewal of a special
permit to operate a take -out and fast -food
Board of Appeals
service. (Expires 8/8/02)
17 Hartwell Ave., Boston Properties:
granted a special permit for a free-
standing sign.
703 Massachusetts Ave., The Waldorf
School: granted a variance from the rear
yard setback for a 2 -1/2 story classroom
addition to convert the building into a
high school. A variance from the front
yard setback was denied to restore the
historic front porch.
December
343 Marrett Rd., Christine Klostermann:
granted a five -year renewal of a special
permit for a home office. (Expires
8/15/02)
47 Rindge Ave., Les Wallerstein: granted
a five -year renewal of a special permit
for a home office. (Expires 12/31/02)
10 Donald St., Edward Griffin: granted a
special permit to add dormers to the front
and rear of a nonconforming dwelling.
318 Lincoln St., Marianne and David
Carpenter: granted a variance from the
side yard setback for a two -car garage.
32 Cedar St., Richard and Janice
Valliere: denied a variance for a fence to
exceed six feet along the lot line.
32 Wachusett Dr., Rose and John
Scampini: granted a variance from the
side yard setback for a two -story addi-
tion.
2 & 3 Spencer St., Lexington Housing
Assistance Board (LexHAB): granted a
local initiative comprehensive permit for
a two - family dwelling.
1709 Massachusetts Ave., Stone Soup
Grill & Cafe. The board determined that
the change in ownership for a restaurant
is minor and a public hearing is not
required.
Board of Appeals: Seated, Francis W.K. Smith, Vice Chairman Edwin P.
Whittemore, Chairman John J. McWeeney, Carolyn C. Wilson, Robert V.
Whitman, Robert F. Sacco. Standing, Nyles N. Barnert, Natalie N. Riffin,
Joseph A. Campbell, Arthur C. Smith. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 46
FY97 FY96
Payroll $127,945 $126,999
Expenses 6,614 6,613
Personnel -
Full Time 3 3
Elected: Board Members; Anthony G.
Galaitsis elected, 1997, to a five -year
term. Steven L. Colman will serve on the
Board until 2001; John L. Davies, Clerk,
until 2000; Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Vice
Chairman, until 1999. Chairman Richard
L. Canale's term ends in March, 1998.
Appointed: Robert A. Bowyer, Director,
appointed by the Town Manager, 1980.
Joseph A. Marino, Assistant Planner,
Elissa M. Tap, Department Clerk.
Commercial Development
The Board issued a report, Commercial
Development in the CRO, CM and CD
Zoning Districts, that is a product of:
1. its work on the Land Use Element
of the Comprehensive Plan,
2. the four -town planning study involv-
ing other Hanscom Area (HATS) towns,
3. the town's need to raise real estate
taxes from commercially zoned property.
The Board's recommendations to Town
Meeting relied primarily on an analysis
of potential impacts and benefits of pro-
posed commercial development.
To deal with growing suburban traffic
congestion, transportation planners rec-
ognize that attempting to endlessly build
more roadways is expensive, disruptive
to already developed properties, environ-
mentally unsound and likely ineffective.
The board adopted a Transportation De-
mand Management Policy that shifts the
focus of meeting transportation needs to
techniques affecting demand for travel..
The Policy seeks to reduce the use of sin-
gle- occupant automobiles while encour-
aging greater use of car pools and public
transportation. The board will not make a
favorable recommendation on a rezoning
proposal unless it includes a Transport-
ation Demand Management Plan.
Planning Board
Planning Board: seated, Chairman Richard L. Cana /e, John L. Davies,
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., Steven L. Colman. Standing, Anthony Galaitsis,
elected in '97, Planning Director Robert Bowyer, Asst Director Joseph A.
Marino. Photo: Ray Barnes.
New Single- Family Houses 1990 -1997*
Number Built Per Year
Year In -fill Replace- Subdi- Total
* January through May only.
In -fill: house built on a vacant lot in an
existing neighborhood.
Replacement: house built on a lot made
vacant by demolishing an old house in an
existing neighborhood "a tear down."
Subdivision: house built on a new lot on
a new street.
In response to concerns expressed by
residents about the increasing number of
large houses being built in Lexington, es-
pecially those built on lots where exist-
ing small homes were demolished, the
Page 47
Planning Board produced an analytical
report entitled New, Larger Houses in
Existing Neighborhoods. Data developed
by the Planning Department indicates
that "tear downs" - demolishing existing
houses and constructing new, larger sin-
gle- family houses in their place - is be-
coming a principal source of lots for new
residential construction. Replacements
are approximately 2.5 times larger and
more valuable than the houses torn down.
There are two classes of problems in
attempting to provide some "solution" to
tear downs. The architectural part deals
with the physical characteristics of the
new house - the size, bulk, height, shad-
ow, and conceivably its design. Those
can normally be addressed through zon-
ing. But the State Zoning Act limits the
extent to which existing lots and houses
can be regulated.
The socio- economic part of the problem
deals with the income needed to purchase
the new house, the effect on real estate
values in the neighborhood and the
reduction in the supply of more reason-
ably priced housing. There is little a mu-
nicipalty can do to deal directly with
theprice of housing by regulation.
ment
vision
1990
13
4
6
23
1991
4
3
17
24
1992
7
5
10
22
1993
10
10
7
27
1994
15
16
11
42
1995
9
14
11
34
1996
17
19
19
55
1997
5
7
4
16
Totals
80
78
85
243
* January through May only.
In -fill: house built on a vacant lot in an
existing neighborhood.
Replacement: house built on a lot made
vacant by demolishing an old house in an
existing neighborhood "a tear down."
Subdivision: house built on a new lot on
a new street.
In response to concerns expressed by
residents about the increasing number of
large houses being built in Lexington, es-
pecially those built on lots where exist-
ing small homes were demolished, the
Page 47
Planning Board produced an analytical
report entitled New, Larger Houses in
Existing Neighborhoods. Data developed
by the Planning Department indicates
that "tear downs" - demolishing existing
houses and constructing new, larger sin-
gle- family houses in their place - is be-
coming a principal source of lots for new
residential construction. Replacements
are approximately 2.5 times larger and
more valuable than the houses torn down.
There are two classes of problems in
attempting to provide some "solution" to
tear downs. The architectural part deals
with the physical characteristics of the
new house - the size, bulk, height, shad-
ow, and conceivably its design. Those
can normally be addressed through zon-
ing. But the State Zoning Act limits the
extent to which existing lots and houses
can be regulated.
The socio- economic part of the problem
deals with the income needed to purchase
the new house, the effect on real estate
values in the neighborhood and the
reduction in the supply of more reason-
ably priced housing. There is little a mu-
nicipalty can do to deal directly with
theprice of housing by regulation.
Planning Board
South Lexington Development Two
rezoning petitions for additional commer-
cial development were approved by
Town Meeting in 1997; a proposal for a
medical office building at 16 Hayden
Avenue, and rezoning the former W. R.
Grace property at 55 Hayden Avenue to
include additional office space.
A majority of the Planning Board op-
posed rezoning for the medical office
building and supported the 55 Hayden
Ave. proposal. However, Town Meeting
passed the medical building request at its
spring meeting, and the other at a Special
Town Meeting in November.
In both cases, traffic mitigation require-
ments included the use of police officers
to control traffic on Hayden Ave. intersec-
tions and Transportation Demand Man-
agement Plans.
Hanscom Area Planning The Planning
Board was actively involved in planning
around Hanscom Field. Chairman Rich-
ard Canale headed "Topic Review Com-
mittees" that analyzed the Generic Envir-
onmental Impact Report of real estate
development scenarios for Hanscom
Field prepared for Massport. The board
and department staff participated in an
unprecedented Four -Town (Bedford, Con-
cord, Lexington, Lincoln) Master Plan-
ning process. 1998 should focus on devel-
oping an implementation plan for the
Draft Master Plan prepared by Daylor
Associates for the four towns.
"Magic" Planning Region Lexington
has changed its affiliation to a planning
subregion of the Metropolitan Area
Planning Council (MAPC) to the
Minuteman Advisory Group for Intergov-
ernmental Cooperation (MAGIC) that
includes towns in the Route 2 Corridor.
Lexington had been in the North Sub-
urban Planning Council, towns along
Route 128 from Burlington to Lynnfield.
The Planning Board reports referred to
above may be read at the Town's web
site: http: / /link.ci.lexington.ma.us
New dwellings built, 1997: 7 one -
family houses in subdivisions
10 one - family houses on existing vacant
lots
21 one - family houses built on lots where
the previous house was demolished
Subdivision Plans Approved,1997:
94 Adams Street at Brent Road, 2 units
Sketch Plans presented 22 Revere
Street, 1 housing unit
155 Old Spring Street, near Concord
Avenue, 2 housing units
160 -170 Old Smith Farm, Wood Street,
7 housing units
Street Improvements Approved, 1997
James Street, 1 housing unit
Kimball Road, 1 housing unit
2 Carl Road, 1 housing unit
Permanent
Building
Committee
Role: To provide ongoing expertise and
experience in managing design and con-
struction of all Town building projects.
Includes hiring professional assistants,
obtaining bids and entering into contracts
for plans, specifications and completion
of construction. Can participate in legal
actions to defend the Town's interests.
Established 1967.
Appointed by the Town Manager for
three -year overlapping terms. Chairman
William R. Bruckman, Peter Johnson,
Peter Kelley, Philip Poinelli, Mary Lou
Touart. Members appointed by client; for
schools, Jonathan Himmel; for library,
Walter Pierce and Jay Lucker.
Expended: For school projects, using
Town Manager and School budgets:
$6,818 for records and reports
$33,010 for Owner's Representative.
Highlights: Supervised plans for expand-
ing all nine schools and packaging the
project into two phases prior to the Octo-
ber Special Town Meeting. Fay DeAvig-
non, Owners Representative, was hired in
August to assist committee in evaluating
plans, to serve as liaison between the
schools and HMFH (the architect), keep
the project on schedule and save money.
Authorized $9,500 for HMFH to com-
plete design for Hastings School, where
enrollment pressure is greatest.
Met jointly with Cary Library Building
Committee.
Held 67 meetings totalling 162 hours.
r
Permanent Building Committee: Front, Erna Greene, Clerk, and Mary Lou
Touart. Back, Philip Poinelli, Peter Kelley, and Peter Johnson. Not shown,
Chairman William Bruckner. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 48
Conservation Commission
FY97 FY96
Payroll: $63,885 $60,439
Personnel:
Full Time 1 1
Part Time
Role: Protects and maintains the environ-
ment for people and wildlife in Lexinton
through land acquisition and manage-
ment. Administers and enforces the State
Wetlands Protection Act and the Town's
Bylaw for Wetland Protection. Most of
its time and effort is directed toward
protecting wetlands and riparian areas by
educating and working with homeowners
and developers. The commission was
established in 1963.
Appointed by the Town Manager, with
the approval of the Selectmen, for over-
lapping three -year terms: Chairman
Joyce Miller, Vice - Chairman Robert
Stewart, Lisa Baci, Bebe Fallick, Angela
Frick, Philip Hamilton, Richard Wolk.
Actions:
The Commission acted on 23 Notice of
Intents, eight Amendments to Order of
Conditions, 24 Requests for Determina-
tions, three Emergency Certifications and
one Enforcement Order.
Highlights:
The Commission worked with:
• Tom Sileo in completing the Open
Space and Recreation Plan required by
the state.
• Conservation stewards who monitor
and maintain more than 1300 acres .
• The Citizens for Lexington Conserva-
tion which supports conservation issues.
• The Community Gardening Program.
• A summer crew builds and clears
trails, builds bridges and provides gener-
al maintenance on the conservation land.
• State's Department of Environmental
Protection and the US Army Corps of En-
gineers for protecting wetlands in the
Town.
Conservation Commission: Front, Lisa Baci, Joyce Miller, Bebe Fallick,
back, Robert Stewart, Philip Hamilton, Administrator Marilyn Nordby and
Clerk Linda Gaudet., Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 49
Approved at 1997 Town Meeting:
• Article 25, changes to the Town Wet-
lands By -Law. Vernal pools and their
buffer zones, and land subject to flood-
ing, protected; applicants made responsi-
ble for notifying abutters about projects
due for commission review; control of
erosion and sedimentation, and protec-
tion of recreation, added to the list to
which proposed work may be significant.
Commission representatives:
• Lisa Baci represented the LCC on the
HATS Committee on environmental
issues associated with Hanscom Field
expansion.
• Angela Frick represented the LCC on
the Minute -Man Bikeway Advisory Com-
mittee and the Middlesex County Land
Use Task Force.
• Phil Hamilton and Robert Stewart rep-
resented the LCC on the Land Acquisi-
tion Committee.
• Lisa Baci, Bebe Fallick and Joyce
Miller represented the LCC on The Snow
Storage Committee.
Associate Commissioners:
• Paul Riffin, Community Gardens
• David Williams, Land Acquisition
Committee
• David Langseth, hydrology consultant
• Caleb Warner, Cambridge Watershed
Advisory Committee
• Kay Tiffany, Massport and Hanscom
liaison
Conservation Land Inventory
Summary 1964 -1997
Year(s)
Reimbursements
Net Cost
Voted/Given
Acres
Total Cost
Federal
State
to Town
Total Land Acquisition
1289.8
$5,377,786
$335,406
$1,199,031
$3,843,349
Cataldo Reservation
'74'84*
5.4
6,150
- - --
- - --
6,150
Great Meadow Expansion
'74'82
1.9
3,857
- - --
- - --
3,857
Lillian Rd @ Munroe Brk
'92
1.1
transfer
- - --
-- - - - - --
Orchard Crossing
'88'89#
8.5
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Whipple Hill
'63'66- 7'74'77 *'94 #'95#
121
142,489
47,487
35,020
59,982
Bowman Park Expansion
'75
1.2
18,000
- - --
9,000
9,000
Daisy Wilson
'78
8
75,995
- - --
37,997
37,998
Dunback Meadow
'65-6'72'77-8-9'80-1 *#
170.5
374,147
87,100
87,050
199,997
Liberty Heights
'74*
5.5
9,596
- - --
4,618
4,978
West Farm
'66'76'77'85*
12.8
323,000
- - --
12,100
310,900
Brookhaven
189#
3.3
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Concord Avenue Area
'71'79 #'94#
30.7
102,890
- - --
49,534
53,356
Hayden Woods
'69'77 -8'81*
78.9
152,598
68,304
38,540
45,754
Juniper Hill
'70'72'74#
28.4
120,413
- - --
56,872
63,541
Metropolitan State Hospital
'73#
6.2
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Philbrook Terrace
'89#
2
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Waltham Line
'77*
12
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Waltham Street Farms
'7276 -7 4
41.5
300,450
- - --
154,225
146,225
Upper Vine Brook
'72'75 -6'95*
34
121,443
- - --
55,803
65,640
Lwr Vine Brook/Pinard Woods '68- 97578481'85 4
98.5
339,235
42,069
147,200
149,966
Munroe Brook Pond
'85#
3.1
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Pheasant Brook Estates I
'85'89#
4.6
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Pheasant Brook Estates 11
190#
29.7
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Shaker Glen
'73
16.8
85,636
- - --
41,143
44,493
Tower Park Expansion
'87
2.3
180,000
- - --
- - --
180,000
Chiesa Farm
'76'85
23.1
1,592,500
- - --
46,125
1,546,375
Hammer Hill
'79
0.9
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Parker Meadow
'76'79'80
17.7
237,000
- - --
60,000
177,000
Willard's Woods Exp
'64'66'67'79 *95*
103.2
116,786
32,906
17,997
65,883
Woodland Bird Sanctuary
'89#
7.2
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Burlington Strip
'71'77*
8.6
106,097
- - --
- - --
106,097
Paint Mine
'75'77*
35.5
8,811
- - --
2,000
6,811
Simonds Brook North
'70'76 -7'82#
57.7
291,736
38,526
131,600
121,610
Simonds Brook South
'68'70'79
20.7
49,028
19,014
12,006
18,008
Turning Mill Pond
'77'78'85#
9.7
5,000
- - --
- - --
5,000
Turning Mill Road
'89#
4.4
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Hastings Sanctuary
Meagherville/Pine Meadow
'71
'66'77 *#95*
1.7
90
6,000
gift/transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
- - --
6,000
- - --
Meagherville Lots
'91 #'93 #'94#
0.5
gift
- - --
- - --
- - --
Poor Farm
'83*
10.7
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Valley Road
'82*
3.2
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
128 Greenbelt
'78*
11.7
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Bates Road
191*
9.3
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Cranberry Hill
'77
24.6
73,929
- - --
15,201
58,728
Fiske Hill
'78'84*
10.2
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Idylwilde
'75
9.4
200,000
- - --
100,000
100,000
Katandin Woods
'77'80'89#
37.5
185,000
- - --
85,000
100,000
Tophet Swamp
'81 *
25.5
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Sutherland Woods
'95*
24.9
transfer
- - --
- - --
- - --
Brown Homestead
'95*
6
trade
- - --
- - --
- - --
Augusta Land
'96
8
150,000
- - --
- - --
150,000
* All /part Town -owned transfer # All /part gift
Another 150 acres are protected by restrictions and easements given to the town by residents. The largest are: Munroe Brook,
65.7 acres; Tophet Swamp /Kiln Brook, 34.3 acres; Potter's Pond, 15.1 acres; and Vine Brook, 9 acres. The others are small tracts
ranging on down to 0.1 acre. Boston Edison Company licenses 26.4 acres.
Page 50
Building /Inspection Department
Role: The Building Division of the Dept.
of Inspectional Services enforces:
State Building Code
Uniform State Plumbing and Gas Code
State Mechanical Code
State Electrical Code
Architectural Access Board Regulations
Lexington Zoning By -Law
This involves plan review, permit issu-
ance, and inspection of all building, elec-
trical, plumbing, gas and mechanical con-
struction, including new structures, addi-
tions, alterations and repairs.
Building Commissioner: Steven R. Fred-
erickson, P. E.
Appointed by the Town Manager: full -
time Inspector of Wires, part-time Plumb-
ing/ Gas/ Mechanical Inspector, part-time
Building Inspector, part-time Zoning En-
forcement Officer, part-time Sealer of
Weights and Measures and full -time
Department Clerk.
FY97 Budget
Expenditures: $254,314
Highlights: Construction continued act-
ive in 1997. Several one - family homes
were completed in new subdivisions on
Fox Run Lane, Granger Pond Way, Cur-
rier Court, Johnson Farm Road and Litch-
field Road. Several single family struc-
tures were constructed on scattered sites.
New commercial construction includes
an office building and detached parking
structure at 210 Spring St. The parking
structure was completed in 1997 and the
offices are anticipated early in 1998.
A vacant gas station at 10 Woburn Street
was converted to the Gingerbread Con-
struction Co. and opened late in 1997.
Other Actions: Office rearrangements
for new tenants were frequent in 1997.
The recent phenomenon involving the
demolition of existing houses and the
construction of new larger houses on
scattered sites continues.
Itek Corp. vacated 10 Maguire Road;
demolition and alterations have begun, to
make way for new tenants.
Comments: The Building Division is al-
so responsible for enforcing the State
Architectural Access Board regulations
on handicapped accessibility. Any issues
re. access by the handicapped to build-
ings are handled by this division.
The Sealer of Weights and Measures
works under the jurisdiction of the Build-
ing Division, determining accuracy of all
weighing and measuring devices in com-
mercial and public use in the Town.
Total Permit Activity
Year
Bldg
Elec
Plbg
Reported
Single
Multi
Additions
Additions, Residential
188
Swimming Pools
4
Value*
Family
Family
272
1997
961
949
975
$34,357,867
40
3
766
1996
952
968
1242
$37,263,844
56
2
805
1995
867
908
1236
$32,935,035
35
1
742
1994
858
926
831
$30,917,312
42
3 * **
729
1993
792
857
698
$29,674,410
27
7 **
709
*Actual construction valuation is higher. ** Lexington Ridge (198 apartments)
** *Locke Village (3 buildings; 62 condo units)
Breakdown of Building Permits
New Units, Residential
43
Repairs /Alterations
225
New Units, Commercial
0
Stoves
9
Additions, Residential
188
Swimming Pools
4
Additions, Commercial
10
Roofing/Siding
272
Miscellaneous
189
Garages /Carports
11
Sheds
10
Lexington Center Commitee: Front, Judy Uhrig, David Williams, Janet Tiampo;
back, Bigelow Moore, Morton Kahan, Robert Burbidge and Steve Hurley. The com-
mittee, appointed by the selectmen, advises on plans and projects affecting downtown
businesses. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 51
Design Advisory Committee
Role: To assist the selectmen and other
boards, merchants and citizens in apply-
ing professional design standards to new
buildings, renovations, signage, lighting
and landscape improvements.
Appointed by the selectmen for one year
terms. Chairman John Frey, Clerk
Elizabeth Whitman, Karen Bechtel,
Stacey Bridge - Denzat, Thomas Coffman,
Bruce Creager, Barbara Hulsizer, Steven
Hurley, Carl Oldenburg. Associate
Members Richard Friedson, Jonathan
Longley, Walter Pierce, Robert Stigberg.
Expenditures: None
Highlights:
Recommended approval of IDEO sign/ -
sculpture, Hartwell Ave. & Maguire Rd.
Made substantive recommendations for
revising Sheraton's site plan for expan-
sion on Marrett Rd.
John Frey and Tom Coffman appointed
to Emery Park/Depot Sq. design review
committee.
Assisted Gingerbread Construction Co.
in finalizing their design.
Sign Guidelines were prepared for, and
approved by selectmen; guide will be
distributed to applicants by the Board of
Appeals staff.
Studied "traffic calming" measures for
Harrington Rd. and mockup of a speed
bump at the DPW yard.
Reviewed newspaper vending machines.
Reviewed Spaulding and Slye expansion
plans and sign for site at 55 Hayden Ave.
Recommended sign at Seasons Four on
Massachusetts Avenue be approved.
Negotiated signage reduction at US Trust
on Hartwell Ave.; recommended appro-
val of final plan.
Advised that location for Pet Mania sign
differed from the Commission's intent.
Recommended disapproval of St. Nich-
olas Church expansion beyond by -law
setbacks on Meriam St.
Continued to review building and site
designs for Cary Library.
Recommended approval of temporary
signs at Waldorf School on Mass. Ave.
Advised on parking layout and land-
scape screening for 80 Westview St.
Advised and recommended approval of
simplified design for Boston Properties
sign at 17 Hartwell Ave.
Advised Mail Boxes, Etc., on signage at
Waltham St.
Recommended DPW remove shrubbery
blocking sight lines on the traffic island
at Bedford and Hancock Streets.
Design Advisory Committee: Standing, Assoc. Robert Stigberg, Carl Oldenburg,
John Frey, Thomas Coffman, Bruce Creager, Assoc. Jonathan Longley. Seated,
Barbara Hulsizer, Betsey Whitman, John Davies, Planning Board liaison, Karen
Bechtel and Stacy Bridge - Denzat. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Recreation Department
Director: Karen Simmons, appointed by
the Town Manager, 1996
Recreation Committee, appointed by
Town Manager with Selectmen approval:
Sandra Shaw, Chair, Pamela Varrin, Vice -
chair, Don Chisholm, Paul Keane
Rick DeAngelis.
Page 52
Highlights:
• Work underway to improve irrigation
at Pine Meadows Golf Club, including
dredging the lower pond and installing
wells to improve the water supply.
• The improvement plan for Pine
Meadows was scaled back in response to
town -wide fiscal concerns. The course
continued to be well used. Management
was excellent.
• A new sand volleyball court was con-
structed on Lincoln Field in response to
community interest. League play will
begin in spring, 1998.
FY 1997
Expended
$ 1,281,203
Expenses:
$ 898,535
(includes transfers to General Fund)
Payroll:
$ 335,958
Capital Items:
$ 46,710
Director: Karen Simmons, appointed by
the Town Manager, 1996
Recreation Committee, appointed by
Town Manager with Selectmen approval:
Sandra Shaw, Chair, Pamela Varrin, Vice -
chair, Don Chisholm, Paul Keane
Rick DeAngelis.
Page 52
Highlights:
• Work underway to improve irrigation
at Pine Meadows Golf Club, including
dredging the lower pond and installing
wells to improve the water supply.
• The improvement plan for Pine
Meadows was scaled back in response to
town -wide fiscal concerns. The course
continued to be well used. Management
was excellent.
• A new sand volleyball court was con-
structed on Lincoln Field in response to
community interest. League play will
begin in spring, 1998.
Recreation Department (continued)
• Needed repairs started on the Center
Pool Complex; resurfacing the main pool
and repairing the diving pool.
• Funding for Recreation Capital projects
are supported by Recreation Enterprise
Funds only when directly related to fee -
generating programs — aquatics, tennis
and Pine Meadows Golf Club. Non -rev-
enue generating Recreation Capital pro-
jects will be supported by the tax levy.
• The Recreation and Open Space Plan
was completed in partnership with the
Conservation Commission; it can be used
to apply for state funding for land pur-
chases. This document inventories recrea-
tion and conservation lands, how lands
are used by citizens, and requirements to
maintain and protect these resources.
• Recreation programming continued re-
sponsive to community needs. Swim tags
sold out this summer, swim classes were
filled, tennis programs expanded, and col-
laborative programs designed with the
Council on Aging and the Police Depart-
ment Youth Diversion Program. An In-
ternship Program was developed, training
in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation
Management, and Recreation and Leisure
Studies.
• Recreation continues to work closely
with community groups to respond to
their needs and share the financial burden
for projects not always affordable.
Examples:
1) Collaboration with Lexington Youth
Soccer in which LYS provides supple-
mentary field maintenance, as well as tak-
ing on irrigation at Adams field.
2) Providing support to the Lexington
Lights Project, a citizen's group which
raised money to complete and improve
the lighting at the Center Baseball and
Softball fields.
• Increased participation in soccer, junior
lacrosse and other field sports severely
taxed our fields. Plans to add fields at the
Hennessey site sparked a lively discus-
sion with the neighborhood about alterna-
tive uses and the value of passive recrea-
tion. The search for solutions to the field
crunch continues.
Comments: Collaboration was a theme
for this year, with projects marked by
cooperation between departments, public -
private partnerships, creative problem -
solving, working with citizen participa-
tion and input, and exploring a variety of
ways to fund projects in times of fiscal
constraint, while keeping the spirit of
public recreation.
Another sign of spring is the annual Little League Parade, just one of the many
activities involving the Recreation Department
Page 53
Bikeway
Committee
Role: To advise the selectmen on bike
routes in the town, bikeway preservation
and expansion, and the harmonious and
safe use for all non - motorized transporta-
tion modes.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Marita Hartshorn, Jerry Van Hook, Bob
Sawyer, Coleen Haggerty, Harvey
Bingham and John Frey.
Highlights:
• Lobbied to have existing levels of
support (one percent of the gas tax)
dedicated to intermodal transportation
corridors;
• Recommended commuter bikeway
along Hartwell Ave.;
• Increased number of bike racks in the
center;
• Surveyed bikeway abutters to assess
their needs;
-Recommended a push button traffic
light at the Bikeway and Bedford Street
• Supported Greenway Project site analy-
sis aimed at making the bikeway a linear
park; the state awarded the town a $4,000
grant toward this purpose.
• Made recommendations on the Maple
Street bridge, coordinated the stewards
program and recommended shower for
bicycle commuters at 55 Hayden Ave.
The committee coordinates its activities
with the Friends of the Bikeway;
Chairman Jerry Van Hook.
Bikeway Committee
Bikeway Committee: front, Angela Frick, Marita Hartshorn, John Frey, back,
Colleen Haggerty, Harvey Bingham and Sandra Shaw. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Another team effort completed this LexHAB home on Grandview Ave in
1997. LexHAB bought the materials, the Rotary Club chipped in with techni-
cal and trade assistance and Minuteman Tech students did the work, under
faculty supervision. Photo: LexHAB.
Page 54
LexHAB
Role: To provide affordable housing for
low- and moderate - income families
Appointed by the selectmen for overlap-
ping three year terms: Chairman Marsh-
all Derby, David Eagle, William Hays,
Gerry Howell, Eleanor Klauminzer, Don-
ald Wilson, and Martha Wood; Joan
Wall, office manager.
LexHAB does not receive funding from
the town. It operates with funds internal-
ly generated from rental income on its 43
properties. All units, except for six given
to it by the former Interfaith Housing, are
owned free and clear of debt.
Highlights
• Grandview Ave. scattered -site home
completed.
• Town and State approvals received for
two - family home on Spencer St.
• Selectmen approved a Sedge Rd.
project; it will come before the 1998
Town Meeting for land transfer approval.
• Town Meeting continued its support of
LexHAB's affordable housing goals.
At the 1996 Town Meeting, the town
purchased the Augusta land near Maple
St. As part of that negotiation, LexHAB
agreed to purchase, for $125,000, an op-
tion for a parcel at the end of Spencer St.
LexHAB exercised its option and went
through a Local Initiative Comprehen-
sive Permit process to get the necessary
permits to build a two - family home.
After extensive neighborhood meetings,
LexHAB received approvals from the
selectmen, State Department of Housing
and Community Development and the
Board of Appeals. Construction is sched-
uled to start in the Spring of 1998.
LexHAB evaluated a portion of school
property along the Sedge Rd. entrance to
Diamond Middle School and found it an
excellent site for its scattered -site hous-
ing program. The School Committee and
selectmen agreed. At the 1998 Town
Meeting, approval to transfer the parcel
from the schools will be sought so that a
one - family home can be built on the site.
LexHAB (continued)
Single family homes are built through a
collaborative effort of Minuteman Tech,
the Lexington Rotary Club and LexHAB.
Minuteman students construct a house,
under teacher supervision, as part of their
hands -on education. Rotary members pro-
vide technical and trade assistance. Lex-
HAB buys required materials and trades.
Town Meeting, at its 1997 Spring
session, twice restated its support of
LexHAB; by turning down two articles,
one that would have required Town
meeting approval for any LexHAB
development on town -owned land, and
another that would have LexHAB make
in -lieu tax payments on its housing units.
At this time, LexHAB has 43 dwelling
units:
• Thirty -three units; 7 one - bedroom, 23
two- bedroom and 3 three- bedroom units
in four developments;
• Ten single family homes; 1 two
bedroom, 2 three- bedroom and 7 four
bedroom units.
LexHAB also serves the town by admin-
istering the Muzzey Condominium resale
restrictions, by being the reporting board
for privately developed residences con-
taining affordable units and by comment-
ing on proposed residential developments
that include affordable components.
Also, LexHAB is represented on the Lex-
ington Community Reinvestment Act
Committee and the Middlesex County
Hospital Ad -Hoc Committee.
Lexington
Housing
Authority
Role: Established by Town Meeting in
1965 to provide housing for low income
people through state and federal grants.
Rental income applied to operating
expenses.
Acting Director: Annette L. Carroll,
appointed in 1996 by the Authority.
Elected Authority Members, serving
five_ year terms; Chairman Donald D.
Wilson, Vice Chairman Leona W.
Martin, Treasurer John E. Ryan, Assist-
ant Treasurer Nicholas Santosuosso.
Appointed by the state in 1997, Sandra
Aghababian.
Highlights: Renovations on 17 scattered
site homes continued, financed in 1996
by a federal grant of $345,000.
The authority administers 208 units of
elderly housing, 18 one - family homes,
one two - family home, seven condo units,
4 homes for the handicapped, 68 Section
8 Certificates, 10 MRVP vouchers and
12 Dept. of Mental Health vouchers.
Page 55
Employee
Honor Roll
Lexington's Employee Recognition Day
was November sixth, honoring those who
have served the town the longest.
Altogether, there were 33, excluding the
school department, who have worked 10
or more years in the community.
35 Years
Nadine Kostriza Library
30 Years
Coleman Connolly DPW
Daniel Hoag Police
James Kilmartin Police
25 Years
Donald Adams
DPW
George Anderson
Police
Kenneth Donnelly
Fire
Elinor Greenway
Board of Appeals
Anthony Mongelli
DPW
John Tobias
Fire
Thomas White
DPW
20 Years
Christopher Casey Police
Paul Clear Police
Wikje Feteris Library
15 Years
George Barry
DPW
James Cataldo
DPW
Francis Fields
Engineering
Alan Hartman
DPW
Robert O'Keefe
Fire
Barry Rose
DPW
Kenneth Tremblay
Fire
10 Years
Paul Bates
Fire
Louise Clark
Library
Charles Crayton
Police
John Daley
Fire
Kevin Garvey
Fire
Margaret Gentile
Revenue
Phyllis Herda
Library
Genevieve Hurny
Library
John Jelley
DPW
Steven Musto
Police
Julie Triessl
Library
Richard White
Town Manager
Social Services - C.O.A.
COA Role: To provide services and pro-
grams for seniors 60 and above. The num-
ber of older adults in town continues to
grow. Seniors 60 and over comprised 24
percent of the population as of July 1997.
The Senior Center provides for this broad
constituency.
Appointed by the Town Manager; Coun-
cil on Aging (COA) Board: Chairman
Clark Cowen, Phyllis Rand, Gene Isotti,
John Curry, Barbara Rubin, Jacqueline
Davison, Edmund Grant, Jack Fisher,
Margaret Jemison, Ann Kriebel and
Sheldon Spector. Nancy Freed appointed
Director in October 1996.
Expenditures
FY97 FY96
Payroll 106,748 91,375
Expenses 155,061 113,921
Personnel
Full Time 5 5
Part Time 5 7
Community Programs
• New recreational programs included
chair massage and a New Years gala.
• The Senior Volunteer Corps mobilizes
active elders, especially newly retired, to
work as skilled volunteers. The town ben-
efits from their committment while the
volunteers continue to use their skills.
Funds for this program came from senior
services at Symmes Medical Center, Ray-
theon and the State Office of Elder
Affairs.
Property Tax Work Off is three years
old. Designed for eligible seniors and dis-
abled residents, the program provides a
$500 property tax credit in exchange for
100 hours of service.
In FY97, participants provided 1,200
hours to several town departments, sav-
ing themselves $6,000 in taxes.
Also, nearly 300 senior volunteers con-
tributed 22,000 hours of service to the
Senior Center; $227,800 estimated value.
Intergeneration events included volun-
teers from the middle and high schools,
Girl Scouts and the Youth Commission.
Students formed a real bond with seniors;
both groups continued to learn and grow.
Meals
Under the Congregate Meals Program,
Minuteman Home Care, assisted by 12
volunteers, served about 10,500 meals in
the Center's dining room, updated with
new furniture and decor.
Forty volunteers, some of them active for
nearly 20 years, delivered hot lunches
and cold dinners to about 100 ill or
infirm residents.
New Support Systems
Adult Day Care moved into a ranch
house built by students at Minuteman
Tech. This program served 69 disabled
seniors. It is designed to assist disabled
seniors who need support to continue liv-
ing at home by providing respite care at
the house; supervised social groups,
conditioning exercises and entertainment.
A new volunteer service for seniors who
need help grocery shopping was an-
nounced by the State's Office of Elder
Affairs. It will match seniors with volun-
teers who will do the shopping.
Minuteman Cane Award
Art Ballou won this annual prize
awarded to the citizen over 80 for out-
standing dedication and service to the
community.
A Friendly Visitors Program was
launched; it matches homebound seniors
with volunteers who make weekly visits.
The Senior Health Monitor program con-
tinued to provide nursing and social ser-
vice support to 52 seniors. The impor-
tance of this town- sponsored program is
growing as Medicare, Medicaid and
HMO guidelines become more restrictive
for in -home nursing services.
The COA also provided counseling,
information and referral aid to several
support groups, including Parkinson's,
Widows and people with low vision.
Page 56
Human Services Committee
Appointed by the selectmen: Barbara
Ciampa and Helen Cravis, co- chairs,
replaced Chairman Jolley Anne Wein-
stock in the fall; Julie E. Fenn, Rosalyn
L. Gittleman, Eva S. Glick, Lauren Mac-
Neil, Gregory Kotonias- Payne, MD,
Linda Pucci, Richard W. Safford.
Stephen Baran, staff.
Highlights:
Developed resources for families with
preschool children; as a result, Parenting
Resources Assoc. was awarded a $2,500
grant to advise a group of children two
through six; RePlace agreed to serve
children up to four years old.
The committee and Social Services Co-
ordinator Stephen Baran combined mon-
ies from the Fund for Lexington, the
Human Services Fund and contributions
from Church of Our Redeemer and Han-
cock United Church of Christ to provide
such items as a wheelchair lift, a walker,
overdue utility bills, childcare, moving
expenses, car repairs„ food, shelter and
transportation. Total expenditure, $8,350.
Town Meeting appropriated $69,834 for
Replace, now affiliated with the Wayside
Youth and Family Support Network.
The agency streamlined its in -house clin-
cial and outreach programs. It also began
an advocacy program with the Police
Dept. for victims of domestic abuse.
In FY97, the town contributed $12,800
toward the salary of a Job Procurer
employed by the Central Middlesex
Assoc. for Retarded Citizens.
Enablement Committee
This group., a subcommittee of the
Human Services Committee, continued
to monitor accessibiity for the handi-
capped, and contributed to the Select -
mens' Meeting Room audio functioning,
curb cuts at various locations, side
entrance at 1656 Mass. Ave and Depot
Square modifications.
Social Services
Veterans' Services
In FY97, $16,498 was expended for
veterans' daily living expenses, fuel
assistance and health insurance; 75
percent reimbursable by the state.
Recipients were three men, a married
couple and two widows. Expenses ad-
minstered by the Human Services Coord-
inator, approved by Veterans' Agent
John J. Ryan and the State.
Fair Housing/Human Relations
Appointed by Selectmen: Chairman
Michelle Waters - Ekanem, Florence A.
Baturin, Ralph D. Clifford, Susan R.
Cusack, Donnalee A. Farris, Beverly
Goodridge, Mary Haskell, Shang -chao
Liu, Kathryn Lockhart, Leona Martin,
Marion Kilson.
The committee supported Town Meeting
articles relative to developing affordable
housing; continued to support LexFest!;
advocated in behalf of families seeking
housing under the auspices of the Hous-
ing Authority and drafted a confidentiali-
ty policy to protect people seeking to
Youth Commission
Youth Commission: Top Row, Steve Cole, Donna Ryan and Beverly Kelley, adult
advisors, John D'Amore, Tom Bellini, Brian Kelley, Chris Nasson, Eric Kelley,
Andrew Bechtal, Katie Schmaltz, Laura Beth Chamberlain, Nancy Barter, chairman;
2nd row, Richard Perry, Meredith RommelFanger, Maria Stavropolous, Kristen
Hopwood, Tracey Cole, Sara Dailey, Liz Palladino; 3rd row, Becky Busa, Amber
Moore, Nabella Syed Andrea Modoona, Rebecca Fentio; bottom row, Courtney
Benson and Tiffany Shi. Planting shrubs on their traffic island face painting kids at
OctoberFest, caroling the seniors at Countryside, serving Thanksgiving dinners at the
COA,were among the community activities taken on by these busy youths. Photo: Ray
Barnes.
Arts Council: Front, Genevieve Dulac, Kathy Jacob, Judy Ozuranski, back,
Lynn Feldman, James Courtemanche, Marcie Therault, Barbara Williams,
Fredi Blume, Joyce Fearnside. Photo: Arts Council.
Page 57
Arts Council
Role: To distribute funds allocated by the
Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC),
raise funds from private sources and buy
artwork for the town's permanent collec-
tion in the Town Office Building.
Appointed by the selectmen for no more
than two 3 -year terms. Co- chairmen Judi
Ozuransky and Joyce Fearnside, Jim
Courtemanche (named chairman in Sep-
tember), Fredi Blume, Barbara Williams,
Genevieve Dulac, Marcie Theriault,
Kathy Jacob, Lynn Feldman.
Highlights: Over $8,300 awarded to 22
recipients in the '96 -'97 granting period.
Of that, over $3,000 supported the PASS
program which enables students to attend
theaters and concerts, take field trips to
"living" villages (Sturbridge) and visit
museums. More than 760 students bene-
fitted from the program.
Local Cultural grants were given to three
individual artists and support was provid-
ed for concerts held in town.
Two dance projects were funded; the
International Festival of Wheelchair
Dance at the Cotting School and a
National Tap Dance Day Celebration
presented by Thelma Goldberg.
Grants were also made to the DeCordova
Museum for Art in the Park, Fiske
School Art Dept. for a mural, Lee Fearn-
side for a photo exhibit on the Battle
Green and the Munroe Center for the
Arts and for a presentation with the
Social Studies Dept. of the Middle
Schools.
Lexington's council was one of 35 in the
state to receive a grant from the MCC's
Matching Incentive Program. The $918
amount was based on private funds
raised in FY96 and 97.
A benefit concert was held in February
for the Ellalou Dimmock Fund estab-
lished in 1996 for the distinguished
singer, voice teacher and longtime resi-
dent. The fund awards a prize to the high
school's outstanding vocalist. The 1997
recipient was Elizabeth Shapiro.
Cary Lectures
Cary Lectures: Don Gillespie, Susan Rockwell, James Cowan, Susan
Wilson, associate. Photo: Ray Barnes
Role: To entertain and enlighten the citi-
zens. Funded by an annual grant from the
trustees of the Isaac Harris Cary Educa-
tional Fund, founded by the wills of Eliz-
abeth Cary Farnum and her sister
Susanna F. Cary more than 50 years ago.
Appointed by the Moderator: Chairman
Susan Rockwell, James Cowan and
Donald Gillespie; Associate Member
Susan Wilson.
The 1997 series, free to residents, fea-
tured:
The Ramon De Los Reyes Spanish
Dance Theatre;
Professor Jason Taylor described his
involvement in writing 1 Kept My
Promise, with Holocaust survivor
Jacob Birnbaum; Mr. and Mrs. Birnbaum
then recounted their experiences in slave
labor camps;
The story of Korczak Ziolkowski, the
sculptor who launched the project to
sculpt Chief Crazy Horse out of a South
Dakota mountain.
Page 58
The committee provided a new sign to
promote its programs at Cary Hall. Its
present challenge is to find a new venue
for the series; Cary Hall is scheduled to
house the library for the next two years.
Battle Green
Guides
Role: To inform visitors to Lexington
Common of the town's history, especial-
ly of the events of April 19, 1775.
Appointed by the Town Manager. S.
Lawrence Whipple is Director of Guides
and receives $1,500 per annum.
Two senior guides, Neil Cronin and Ken
Smith, served in 1977. High School
students qualifying and serving as guides
were Debbie Billmers, Brian Kelley,
Steve Davis, Ben Elgart and Tad
Antognini.
Highlights: In April and May, school
groups comprise a large portion of the
visitors; in the foliage season, it's the
busloads of adults
Celebrations Committee
Role: Plan and carry out proper observ-
ances of Patriots' Day, Memorial Day,
Veterans' Day and holidays and special
events designated by the selectmen.
Expended; $16,000
Appointed by the selectmen for three -
year terms. Chairman John Graham, Sec-
retary Jean Coates, Suzzie Harris, Jim
Cataldo, Paul Jenkins, Sondra Lucente,
Julie Miller, Robert Schuster, Bob Tra-
cey and Henry Murphy. Subcommittee:
Marian Snow, David Taylor, Mike
O'Connell, Fr. Dave O'Donnell and
Karen Smith.
Patriots' Day, April 21. Ringing the Old
Belfry Bell at 5:30 announced the Reen-
actment of the Battle of Lexington by the
Lexington Minutemen (LMM) and the
British 10th Regiment
The Youth Sunrise Parade at 7:30 was
led by Chief Marshal Sarah Day, Presid-
ent of the High School Class of 1997,
with Chief of Staff Annie Tsang, Class
Vice President and Aides Amy Seaquist
and Emily Razzano.
Morning ceremonies at the Battle Green
were introduced by Chairman John B.
Graham and Suzzie Barrie. The Gover-
nor's Proclamation was read by Select-
man Leo F. McSweeney and Greetings
from the State by Representative Jay R.
Kaufman.
High School Seniors Robert Nasson and
Felicia Kuo won the Youth Recognition
Awards for combined academic excel-
lence and community service.
The Lions Club White Tricorn Hat
Award was presented to David G.
Williams for his outstanding service to
the town.
Theme for the afternoon parade was
"History — Alive in Lexington." Judged
the best floats were:
• Youth Division: 1st, Lexington/Bedford
Pop Warner Football; 2nd, DARE; Hon-
orable Mention, Dance Inn.
Commercial Division: 1st, J.T. Ford
Landscaping, 2nd, Wilson Farms, Honor-
able Mention, Mahoney's.
Civic Division: 1st, U.S.S. Lexington
model, 2nd Follen Church. A new fourth
division was entered this year by the
Knights of Columbus.
Parade Chief Marshal William J. Dailey;
Chief of Staff Leo P. McSweeney; Aides
Dan F. Busa, Eric H. Carlson, Mark
Vital. Division Marshals: Cornelius P.
Cronin, Paul E. Furdon and John Rudd.
The Celebrations Committee thanks the
many businesses and organizations, re-
cruited by the Chamber of Commerce,
who contributed to the parade's success.
Memorial Day, May 26. Memorial serv-
ices at Westview Cemetery preceded the
morning parade. Honorary Chief Marshal
was the late Richard M. Perry, represent-
ed by his wife Helen, son Richard E., and
daughters Janet Perry and Joan Modilia.
Commemorative services were also held
at Cary Hall and Colonial Cemetery.
Speaker at ceremonies on the Battle
Green was John J. Ryan, invocation by
Rev. Judith Brain.
Veterans' Day, November 11. The morn-
ing parade was led by Aurio J. Pierro,
VFW Post 3007 and aides Paul E. Cunha,
Thomas J. Driscoll, William G. Hooper,
Bob Tracey and Frank Samuel.
The parade made stops at the Korean /
Vietnam Memorial, Soldiers Monument
and VFW Monument, where wreaths
were laid and one -round volleys fired by
the LMM Company.
Ceremonies on the Battle Green included
remarks by Col. Norm Johnson, USAF,
from Hanscom; wreaths were laid and
volleys fired in honor of our MIA/POWs.
Debra D'Entremont and Kristine Mat-
thews sang the National Anthem, accom-
panied by the High School Band. Invoca-
tion by Pastor Jed Snyder, Countryside
Bible Chapel.
Celebrations Committee: Front, Karen Smith, Suzzie Harris, Sondra
Lucente, Jean Coates and Julie Miller, back, Henry Murphy, Chairman John
Graham, Paul Jenkins, Jim Cataldo and Bob Tracey. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 59
Historic Districts Commission
Role: Promote the educational, cultural,
economic and general welfare of the
public through the preservation and pro-
tection of historic buildings, places, and
districts.
Appointed by the Selectmen for overlap-
ping five year terms: two from candi-
dates nominated by the Lexington
Historical Society, one from candidates
nominated by The Lexington Arts and
Crafts Society, Inc., one from candidates
nominated by the trustees of the Cary
Memorial Library and one member
selected at large by the selectmen.
Chairman Stephen M. Politi, Ian
Adamson (who replaced Clark Griffith,
resigned), Richard Bechtel, Mark
DiNapoli, and Joann Gschwendtner.
Associate Members Walter Bergler,
Eleanor MacQueen, Elaine Doran, and
Sara Chase.
Highlights:
149 hearings:
33 informal, 83 formal, 33 continued
Certificates of Appropriateness:
86 issued, 5 denied
Major Projects Reviewed:
Commercial space at 1656 Mass. Ave.
Reuse of gas station as the
Gingerbread Construction Company at
10 Woburn Street
Redesign of Depot Square -Emery Park
Began discussions of central business
district proposals for flower barrels, bike
racks, and newspaper vending machines
Other Actions:
Facilitated application process by chang-
ing meeting dates to the first Thursday of
each month thereby accommodating
Thursday publications of required legal
notices.
Comments:
The Commission Clerk, Margot Rushton,
resigned in June. The Commission
regrets that the Town has not yet named
a permanent replacement.
Historic Districts Commission: Eleanor MacQueen, Elaine Doran, Joann
Gschwendtner, Chairman Stephen Politi, Mccall- Taylor, Walter Bergler and
Ian Adamson. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 60
Historical
Commission
Role: Preserve and protect historically
and architecturally significant structures
and areas in Lexington; advise the
Building Inspector on issuing permits for
demolishing significant buildings outside
the historic district.
Appointed by the Town Manager for
three -year terms: Chairman David R.
Kelland, Marilyn Fenollosa, Alfred
Mates and Tom Taylor.
Expended: Petty cash for film and devel-
oping.
Highlights: The commission maintains
the Comprehensive Cultural Resources
Survey ( "inventory") of historically and
architecturally important buildings in
town. The seven - volume inventory is
available in Cary Library and Town
Office Building.
However, the inventory is incomplete;
large areas of the town were omitted
from the original inventory because of
budgetory and time limitations. The
commission has a grant of $10,000
($5000 from the state historical commis-
sion and $5000 in matching funds from
the Trustees of Public Trusts) to update
the inventory by adding 110 of the 600
properties originally identified for inclu-
sion.
Comments: Updating the inventory is
important to the work of the commission;
to preserve the town's historic fabric and
highlight the added value of historic
structures. The commission is seeking
additional funds to continue this project.
Commission members are volunteers, but
hire a consultant to document property.
The commission also supports efforts to
nominate buildings for the National Reg-
ister of Historic Places maintained by the
Secretary of the Interior. There are resto-
ration funds as well as tax advantages for
owners of such properties.
Cable Advisory
Committee
Role: To represent the town in contractu-
al and operating matters with the cable
licensee, to be ombudsman for cable
users, to oversee use of the Institutional
Trunk that connects town buildings and
to advise in managing the town's
growing information- handling network.
Appointed by selectmen. Chairman Jane
Gharibian, Julian Bussgang, John Cunha,
Theodore Mairson, Stephen Ellis, Martha
Stanton, David Becker, Julie Triessl,
Peggy Bateson, Julie Longcope, Robert
Warshawer, David Buczkowski, David
Kanter. Technical consultants: Byron
Blanchard and Paul Nesbeda. Advisors:
Caleb Warner and William Lucas.
Highlights:
• A new responsibility emerged for the
committee; overseeing the proliferation
of towers and antennas that go with new
cellular and digital phone services.
• A new cable carrier is seeking a fran-
chise, creating the potential for competi-
tive rates and improved services. The
current license with Cablevision expires
in the year 2001.
• The committee again recommended the
selectmen hire an independent employee
to make long range plans for properly
running the town's Institutional Trunk.
• Restructuring of rates and program
tiering remained a problem for subscrib-
ers and the committee. Some subscriber
complaints dropped off. However, formal
complaints have been filed with the state
and the FCC (Federal Communications
Commission) on issues the committee
feels need to be clarified or corrected.
Committee members also continued
active in meetings of the Massachusetts
Municipal Association, and relevant state
and federal hearings.
Coverage of local events increased, but
there remains a shortage of volunteers to
help with the cameras and production.
Phone 861 -2708 to register cable service
complaints.
Town Counsel
Expenditures FY 97 $204,882
Appointed Norman P. Cohen of Palmer
& Dodge, Boston, appointed Town
Counsel, 1972.
Pursuant to Section 5 of Article XXI of
the General By -Laws of the Town of
Lexington, I hereby submit my report in
writing as Town Counsel for the period
from January 1, 1997 to December 31,
1997. The report is divided into the
several sections required by the By-
Laws.
(a) All actions by or against the Town
which were pending January 1, 1997.
1. Richard Hamilton et al vs. Joyce A.
Miller et als, Land Court No. 122701.
Appeal from an order of conditions
issued by the Conservation Commission.
2. Elena Massimilla vs. Zoning Board of
Appeals et als, Land Court No. 123 -774.
Appeal from a decision of the Board of
Appeals upholding the denial of a build-
ing permit.
3. Town of Lexington vs. Heirs of Jessie
Bullock, Land Court No. 82829. Petition
to foreclose tax lien.
4. Town of Lexington vs. Briggs Asso-
ciates, Inc. et als, Middlesex Superior
Court No. 90 -3507. Action for damages
arising from the continued leaking of the
high school field house roof.
5. Bernard J. Rothmel et als vs. Zoning
Board of Appeals et als, Middlesex Super-
ior Court No. 93 -4189. Appeal from
decision of the Board of Appeals modify-
ing the grant of a special permit.
6. Mrs. Janet Dube et als vs. Town of
Lexington, Middlesex Superior Court
No. 93 -7511. Suit alleging anti -trust and
other violations arising out of the sale of
grave boxes and burial vaults by the
Town.
Page 61
7. Town of Lexington vs. Smith -Grove
Construction Company, Inc. et al, Middle-
sex Superior Court No. 94 -0944. Suit for
damages arising out of a school construc-
tion contract.
8. Douglas E. Yeo, et als vs. Town of
Lexington et als, United States District
Court No. 94- 10811. Suit to force the
publication of certain ads in the Lexing-
ton High School newspaper and year-
book.
9. Frances R. Frankenburg et al vs. Board
of Appeals, Land Court No. 212044.
Appeal from a decision of the Board of
Appeals granting a variance to an abutter
to permit the construction of a concrete
retaining wall.
10. Colonial Development Corp. vs.
Town of Lexington, Middlesex Superior
Court No. 95 -2068. Action for damages
allegedly caused by the failure to main-
tain an adequate drainage system.
11. Marion Angoff vs. Lexington School
Committee, et al, Middlesex Superior
Court No. 95 -0746. Suit for damages
allegedly caused by failure of various
school officials to honor an agreement
reached with the plaintiff at the time of
her resignation from her teaching posi-
tion.
12. Nicholas Santossuso. vs. Board of
Assessors, Appellate Tax Board No.
230914. Petition for abatement of 1995
real estate taxes.
13. The Sheldon Corp. vs. The Lexington
Conservation Commission, Middlesex
Superior Court No. 96 -3083. Appeal
from a denial by the Conservation Com-
mission of an order of conditions to per-
mit the development of a parcel of land.
14. Daniel F. Splaine et al vs. Town of
Lexington et al, Middlesex Superior
Court No. 96 -3774. Suit for damages
allegedly sustained from a collision with
a town vehicle.
(b) All actions brought by or against
the Town during 1997.
1. Lorenzo Q. Scott vs. Lexington Police
Department, Middlesex Superior Court
No. 96 -3052 remanded to Concord Dis-
trict Court No. 9747RM013. Action to
recover property taken by police during
an investigation.
2. Winning Homes, Inc. vs. Lexington
Conservation Commission, Middlesex
Superior Court No. 97 -1045. Appeal
from a denial by the Conservation Com-
mission of an order of conditions to per-
mit the development of a parcel of land.
3. Lewis S. Blair vs. Department of
Public Works, Concord District Court
No. 9747 SC 0671. Claim for damages
allegedly caused by failure to place a
warning device at the site of a fallen tree.
4. Loren Wood vs. John J. McWeeney, et
als., Middlesex Superior Court No. 97-
3790. Appeal from a decision of the
Board of Appeals denying a variance for
a deck.
5. Eleanor Barbera vs. Town of Lexing-
ton, Middlesex Superior Court No. 97-
3911. Claim for damages allegedly result-
ing from a negligent operation of a scoop
stretcher.
6. Nathan Johnson et al vs. Lexington
Police, Middlesex Superior Court No. 97-
5153. Complaint alleging illegal search
of an apartment.
7. Sandra A. Fulmer, on behalf of
Adrienne D. Fulmer vs. Richard White et
als, Middlesex Superior Court No. 97-
5511. Claim for damages allegedly
caused by the negligent closing of a
school door on a child's hand.
8. Crystal Cordell, PPA vs. City of
Lexington, Middlesex Superior Court
No. 97 -6297. Claim for damages alleged-
ly caused by the negligent supervision of
the plaintiff in a school gym class in
1987.
Town Counsel
9. Fleet Bank of Massachusetts - Lexing-
ton Enterprises, Inc. - ... and 8 addition-
al plaintiffs vs. Board of Assessors,
Appellate Tax Board Nos. 284141,
244362 .... Petitions for abatement of
1997 real estate taxes.
(c) All actions settled or disposed of
during 1997.
1. Town of Lexington vs. Smith -Grove
Construction Company, Inc. et al, Middle-
sex Superior Court No. 94 -0944. Suit for
damages arising out of a school construc-
tion contract. Case settled.
2. Frances R. Frankenburg et al vs. Board
of Appeals, Land Court No. 212044.
Appeal from a decision of the Board of
Appeals granting a variance to an abutter
to permit the construction of a concrete
retaining wall. Case dismissed.
3. Nicholas Santossuso vs. Board of
Assessors, Appellate Tax Board No.
230914. Petition for abatement of 1995
real estate taxes. Case withdrawn.
4. Jeffrey Osoff vs. Town of Lexington,
Middlesex Superior Court No. 96- 04491.
Suit for property damages allegedly sus-
tained as a result of the back -up of a
sewer. Case dismissed.
5. Intercargo Insurance Company vs. Sun
Valley Industries, Inc. and Town of Lex-
ington et al, Middlesex Superior Court
No. 96 -6762. Suit naming the Town as
an equitable defendant to prevent it from
paying any funds to the defendant. Case
resolved.
6. Cumberland Farms, Inc. - Tropeano
T &N Realty Trust - ... and 22 additional
plaintiffs vs. Board of Assessors, Appel-
late Tax Board Nos. 234387, 234831....
Petitions for abatement of 1996 real
estate taxes. Twenty -three cases settled
or tried.
7. Town of Lexington vs. Baumgartner,
Land Court No. 104300. Petition to fore
close tax lien. Decision for the Town.
Page 62
8. Town of Lexington vs. Bredesen, Land
Court No. 104301. Petition to foreclose
tax lien. Decision for the Town.
9. Lewis S. Blair vs. Department of
Public Works, Concord District Court
No. 9747 SC 0671. Claim for damages
allegedly caused by failure to place a
warning device at the site of a fallen tree.
Decision for the Town.
10. Fleet Bank of Massachusetts - Lex-
ington Enterprises, Inc. - ... and 8 addi-
tional plaintiffs vs. Board of Assessors,
Appellate Tax Board Nos. 284141,
244362 .... Petitions for abatement of
1997 real estate taxes. One case with-
drawn.
Trustees of Public Trusts
Role: To administer, invest and disburse
funds of trusts bequeathed or donated to
the town for specific public purposes.
Appointed by the selectmen. Chairman
Alan S. Fields, Thomas G. Taylor and
David G. Williams.
Highlights:
• Trustees distributed a total of $140,927
to the following specific areas of need:
Beautification
$ 7,563
Human Services
14,390
Perpetual Care
9,322
Scholarship
24,918
Lex. Education Foundation
84,228
Recognition
506
• The total market value of all trusts as of
6/30/97 was $3,305,354.
• Five additional trusts were established
or transferred to the trustees in 1997:
1. EllaLou Dimmock Prize for Vocal
Excellence.
2. Charles E. Ferguson Youth Recogni-
tion Award Fund.
3. Mickey Finn Scholarship Fund.
4. Srinivasu Meka Scholarship Fund.
5. S. Lawrence Whipple Scholarship
Fund.
Details are in the Scholarship section
which follows.
These trusts represent the love the
donors and individuals being honored
have for Lexington and its citizens and
their wish to contribute to the town's
betterment.
Knowing that a trust is in perpetuity and
will be managed by the town at no cost
to the trust, also that gifts will be used
locally, and are tax deductible, is most
satisfying to donors.
A recent national study on philanthrophy
showed that community foundations
which raise and distribute money locally
saw the biggest gain in donations.
Any person or organization may create a
trust with a gift of $5,000 or more.
Additions may also be made to any exist-
ing trust at any time.
A brief description of each trust and a
financial statement follow. "Principal
Balance" refers to the original gift and
additions plus realized capital gains.
"Income Balance" refers to unspent inter-
est and dividends. Disbursements is the
money disbursed in fiscal 1997.
ALL PURPOSE
Fund for Lexington -- Established 1995,
the income to be used in three areas;
assisting those in need, beautification and
providing seed money for innovative
ideas and projects. Donations can be
earmarked for any of the three areas.
Disbursements $5,460
Principal balance $1,139
Income balance $14,677
George. L. Gilmore Fund -- Established
1950, the income to be used as the Town
may from time to time vote; and if at any
time special use arises to which in the
opinion of the Selectmen the principal of
said fund may be applied, then the princi-
pal of said fund may be applied upon the
vote of the Town meeting.
Disbursements $5,175
Principal balance $23,747
Income balance $44,945
BEAUTIFICATION
Geneva M. Brown Fund -- Established
1947, the income is to be used for
improving and beautifying the common
and the triangular parcel of land in front
of the Masonic Temple.
Principal balance $ 4,365
Income balance $ 9,067
Colonial Cemetery Fund - -The income
provides for repairs and upkeep at the
cemetery.
Principal balance $2,380
Income balance $ 921
Page 63
Jack Eddison Blossom Fund- -
Established 1993, three- fourths of the
annual net income to be used to help
preserve the character and green spaces
of Lexington and its Bikeway, through
maintenance, new projects and the plant-
ing of flowers and trees.
Principal balance $35,807
Income balance $3,541
Frederick L. Emery Fund -- Established
1936, income to be used by the
Lexington Field and Garden Club for
grading, grassing and keeping in order
grass borders between sidewalks or foot-
paths and the driveways on public streets,
and in otherwise beautifying the public
streets, ways and places, preference be
given to said objects in order stated.
Disbursments $248
Principal balance $5,674
Income balance $336
Orin W. Fiske - Battle Green Fund- -
Established 1899, income of this fund is
to be used for the maintenance of the
Lexington Battle Green or the monu-
ments erected thereon.
Principal balance $593
Income balance $244
Charles E. French Colonial Cemetery
Fund - Established 1905, the annual
income thereof to be devoted to the care
of the older part of the cemetery in which
repose the remains of Rev. John Hancock
and wife.
Principal balance $4,857
Income balance $3,574
Gordon/Souza Juniper Hill Fund- -
Established 1993, three- fourths of the
annual net income shall be used to help
preserve the character of Juniper Hill
Conservation Land; such income may be
spent for plantings, signs, maintenance
projects and land acquisistion.
Disbursements $700
Principal balance $14,665
Income balance $602
Trustees of Public Trusts
George O. Smith Fund -- Established
1903, the income thereof to be expended
by the Field and Garden Club in setting
out and keeping in order shade and orna-
mental trees and shrubs in the streets and
highways in said town, or the beautifying
of unsightly places in the highways.
Disbursements $100
Principal balance $2,273
Income balance $136
Teresa and Roberta Lee Fitness
Nature Path -- Established 1990, the
income, and, if necessary, the principal,
are to be used by the Town of Lexington
Recreation Committee for the work of
grading, planting, beautifying and main-
taining the Teresa and Roberta Lee
Fitness Nature Path.
Disbursements $3,535
Principal balance $28,301
Income balance $9,117
Lexington Community Playground
Fund -- Established 1991, the income,
and, if necessary, the principal, are to be
used by the Town of Lexington
Recreation Committee for the work of
repairing and maintaining the Lexington
Community Playground.
Disbursements $310
Principal balance $5,940
Income balance $1,035
Lexington Nature Trust Fund- -
Established 1992, the income and if
necessary the principal, is to be used by
the Town of Lexington Conservation
Commission for the acquisition, promo-
tion and management of its properties.
Disbursements $1,670
Principal balance $18,056
Income balance $436
Edith C. Redman Trust -- Established
1928, the income only therefrom to be
used and applied for the care and main-
tenance of the Lexington Common;
known as the "Battle Green ".
Principal balance $651
Income balance $832
Everet M. Mulliken Fund -- Established
1948, the income shall be used under the
supervision of the proper town authori-
ties, for the care of Hastings Park in said
Lexington.
Disbursements $1,000
Principal balance $8,271
Income balance $13,151
George W. Taylor Flag Fund- -
Established 1931, the income to be used
for the care, preservation and replace-
ment of the flagpole on the Battle Green,
or for the purchase of new flags; any
balance of income from said fund to be
used for the care of Lexington Common.
Principal balance $2,414
Income balance $1,482
George W. Taylor Tree Fund- -
Established 1931, the income to be used
for the care, purchase and preservation of
trees for the adornment of the town.
Disbursements $1,000
Principal balance $5,061
Income balance $4,355
Hayes Fountain Fund -- Established
1895, the income is to be used for the
perpetual care of the fountain and
grounds immediately around it.
Principal balance $1,268
Income balance $1,219
Albert Ball Tenney Memorial Fund- -
Established 1950, the income is to be
used to provide nightly illumination of
the Lexington Minuteman Statue.
Principal balance $10,361
Income balance $2,053
William Tower Memorial Park Fund- -
Established 1913, the income thereof to
be applied by said town, in each and
every year for the care, maintenance and
improvements of Tower Park.
Principal balance $19,382
Income balance $53,249
Page 64
CELEBRATION
American Legion Celebrations Fund- -
Established 1982, three- fourths of the
annual net income of this fund is to be
used towards defraying the town's cost
for the Patriots' Day, Memorial Day and
Veterans' day celebrations:
Principal balance $6,636
Income balance $788
Leroy S. Brown Fund -- Established
1940, the income is to be used towards
defraying the expense of an appropriate
and dignified celebration of the anniver-
sary of the Battle of Lexington.
Principal balance $6,094
Income balance $2,410
HUMAN SERVICES
Bridge Charitable Fund -- Established
1880, the income from said trust fund
shall be annually distributed among the
deserving poor of Lexington without dis-
tinction of sex or religion.
Disbursements $4,000
Principal balance $34,782
Income balance $6,648
Friends of the Lexington Council on
Aging, Inc. -- Established 1992. Income,
when requested, shall be used to provide
programs and services to benefit older
adults in the Town of Lexington.
Principal may also be used for programs
and services but also may be used for
capital improvements to the Senior
Center.
Disbursements $5,000
Principal balance $153,681
Income balance ($1,305)
Elizabeth Bridge Gerry Fund- -
Established 1885, the income from said
trust fund shall be distributed to the
deserving poor of Lexington without dis-
tinction of sex or religion.
Principal balance $2,404
Income balance $1,570
Trustees of Public Trusts
Beals Fund -- Established 1891, the
income of this fund is to be expended for
the benefit of worthy, indigent, aged men
and women over sixty years of age,
American -born.
Principal balance $2,513
Income balance $2,424
Lexington Human Services Fund- -
Established 1990, to be funded by trans-
fers from other funds administered by the
Trustees as well as private contributions,
to provide funds for the Lexington
Human Services Committee in its
mission to help individuals in need.
Disbursements $5,390
Principal balance $8,710
Income balance $1,769
Jonas Gammell Trust -- Established
1873, the income is to be expended by
the board of public welfare and by two
ladies appointed annually for the purpose
by the selectmen in purchasing such
luxuries or delicacies for the town poor,
wherever located, as are not usually f ir-
nished them, and shall tend to promote
their health and comfort.
Principal balance $611
Income balance $351
Harriet R. Gilmore Fund -- Established
1892, the income is to be expended for
the benefit of poor people in Lexington.
Principal balance $708
Income balance $1,296
RECOGNITION
Charles E. Fergeson Youth
Recognition Award Fund -- Established
1997. Will fund monetary awards to the
LHS students given the Lexington Youth
Award at each Patriot's Day celebration.
The receipients are selected by the Youth
Commission. Moneys for the fund were
left to the town by Charles E. Ferguson,
Town Moderator from 1949 -1969, 1966.
Disbursements $100
Principal balance $11,064
Income balance $116
Paul Foley Leadership Fund- -
Established 1990, this award shall be
made periodically to a member of the
administration, faculty, staff, or a volunt-
er in the Lexington Public School System
to recognize and reward his/her outstand-
ing leadership in facilitating a team
approach to meeting the educational
needs of students, individually or as a
group.
Principal balance $2,662
Income balance $293
Jacquelyn R. Smith Memorial
Internship Fund -- Established 1993,
three - fourths of the annual net income is
to be used to help professionals gain
valuable work experience and explore
career options within local government.
Disbursements $406
Principal balance $61,383
Income balance $4,140
Lexington Education Foundation- -
Established 1989, the fund is to be used
to promote sound, innovative approaches
to enhance excellence in education by
funding projects in areas of creative
program development, innovative materi-
als and instructional resources.
Disbursements $114,221
Principal balance $6,119
Income balance $17,313
SCHOLARSHIP
Hallie C. Blake Fund -- Established
1920, the income is to be expended annu-
ally in cash prizes to two seniors (a boy
and a girl) of Lexington High School,
who by example and influence have
shown the highest qualities of leadership,
conduct and character and who possess
in the largest measure the good will of
the student body.
Disbursements $400
Principal balance $5,697
Income balance $166
Page 65
Sangwook Ahn Memorial Scholarship
Fund -- Established 1992, three- fourths of
the annual net income is to be awarded to
a Lexington High School senior whose
life encompasses a joyful display of zest,
a respect for all, a striving for excellence
and service towards others.
Disbursements $400
Principal balance $12,518
Income balance $156
Bettie Clarke Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1993, three - fourths of the
annual net income to be awarded to a
Lexington senior at Lexington High or
Minuteman Regional Vocational Tech,
who joyously, intelligently and creatively
participates in community public service,
and has demonstrated respect for all
points of view.
Disbursements $500
Principal balance $14,077
Income balance $228
Mickey Finn Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1996 by the family and
friends of Mickey Finn, a President of
the Lexington Little League, a coach and
mentor of many Lexington youth. The
scholarship will be awarded to a graduat-
ing senior who participated in Lexington
Little League or Girls' Softball.
Disbursements $150
Principal balance $5,858
Income balance ($44)
EllaLou Dimmock Prize for Vocal
Excellence Fund -- Established 1997 by
The Lexington Council for the Arts. The
award recognizes a LHS student, selected
by the LHS music faculty, who demon-
strates promising vocal ability and/or
promotes vocal musical performance in
the community.
Principal balance $5,000
Trustees of Public Trusts (continued)
Anne E. Borghesani Memorial Prize- -
Established 1990, three - fourths of the
annual net income is to be awarded to a
woman in the senior class of Lexington
High School who has demonstrated a
commitment to the community.
Disbursements $800
Principal balance $24,099
Income balance $271
Richard Isenberg Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1986, three- fourths of the
annual net income of this fund is to be
awarded annually to a member of the
junior or senior class of Lexington High
School who has demonstrated excellence
in sports writing.
Disbursements $400
Principal balance $10,795
Income balance $136
Harrington Memorial Fund - -To the
school committee of the Town of
Lexington for scholarships for needy
children.
Disbursements $2,400
Principal balance $51,473
Income balance $1,179
Robert P. Clapp Fund - -The income to
be used to provide two prizes for pupils
of Lexington High School, one for excel-
lence in speaking and the other for excel-
lence in composition.
Principal balance $1,155
Income balance $562
Carolyn M. McCabe Memorial
Scholarship Fund - Established 1986,
three - fourths of the annual net income
will be awarded to a woman in the senior
class of Lexington High School who was
a varsity athlete who demonstrated
aspects of Carolyn's characters; i.e. good
sportsmanship, inspired competition,
spirit and fun; nominations must be made
by a team mate or coach.
Disbursements $1,000
Principal balance $24,301
Income balance (27)
Charles E. French Medal Fund- -
Established 1905, the income is to be
used annually to purchase silver medals
(or scholarship) to be distributed to
pupils in the senior high school for the
best scholarship.
Principal balance $3,233
Income balance $820
Lexington P.T.A. Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1996, three- fourths of the
annual net income to be awarded to stud-
ents in need of financial assistance and in
accord with the criteria of the named
funds held under this "umbrella" fund.
Disbursements $5,536
Principal balance $14,532
Income balance $ 5,215
Lexington Outlook Club/Bessie and
Gabriel Baker Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1989, three - fourths of the
annual net income is to be awarded to
women in the senior class of Lexington
High School who are going to college.
Disbursements $400
Principal balance $10,306
Income balance $427
Lexington Outlook Club Scholarship
Fund -- Established 1902, three - fourths of
the annual net income is to be awarded to
women in the senior class of Lexington
High School who are going to college.
Disbursements $500
Principal balance $13,402
Income balance $651
Virginia M. Powers Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1995, three - fourths of the
annual net income is to be awarded to a
woman student with financial need who
evidences a seriousness of purpose, a
clean sense of responsibility, coupled
with humility and respect for others.
Principal balance $10,332
Income balance $536
Page 66
Lexington Outlook Club/Maxine
Francis Warnecke Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1986, three - fourths of the
annual net income is to be awarded to
women in the senior class of Lexington
High School who are going to junior
college or college, who have a need for
financial assistance and who have made a
commitment to pursue a career in medi-
cine or science.
Disbursements $7,500
Principal balance $189,395
Income balance $8,853
Mary Sorenson Memorial Fund- -
Established 1969, three- fourths of the
annual net income will be awarded to
graduating seniors in need of financial
assistance.
Principal balance $5,165
Income balance $218
Foster Sherburne and Tenney
Sherburne Fund -- Established 1956, the
net income from said fund shall be
awarded annually to assist in the educa-
tion of such deserving young men or
women domiciled in Lexington.
Disbursements $2,000
Principal balance $28,510
Income balance $521
Mary and August Schumacher Trust
Fund -- Established 1988, three- fourths of
the income to be used annually to fund
two scholarships, of equal value, to
Lexington High School seniors who have
been accepted at an accredited college,
have worked diligently on academic
studies while perhaps not being in the top
10 percent of the class and who need for
funds to obtain a college education.
Disbursements $1,400
Principal balance $44,687
Income balance $2,131
Trustees of Public Trusts (continued)
Srinivasu Meka Scholarship Fund- -
Established 1996 by the family and
friends of Srinivasu Meka, a member of
the LHS Class of 1991 who died in 1994.
The recipient must have a minimum 3.0
average, been involved in student
council, sports and planning to attend a 4
year college or university.
Disbursements $500
Principal balance $7,258
Income balance $154
Charles Lyman Weld Fund- -
Established 1946, the entire fund, both
principal and income are available upon
a vote of the town, for educational pur-
poses, a chapel at Westview Cemetery or
scholarships.
Principal balance $11,012
Income balance $623
Dorothea Schmidt -Penta Memorial
Scholarship Fund -- Established 1980;
this scholarhip will be awarded when the
principal balance reaches $5000, at
which point three- fourths of the income
will be awarded to a Lexington High
School senior planning to enter the field
of health service.
Principal balance $3,612
Income balance $87
Sevag Yazgian Memorial Scholarship
Fund - Established 1995, three- fourths of
the annual net income is to be awarded to
a Lexington High School senior planning
to become a physician, who has
demonstrated consistent academic
improvement and possessed aspects of
Sevag's easy going personality, is
dedicated to family, friends and
community, and evidences a desire to see
others happy, and evidences pride in an
ethnic heritage.
Disbursements $200
Principal balance $5,385
Income balance $44
Elsa W. Regestein Award Fund- -
Established 1933 by Marcia Dane; the
income to be spent for awards to a
Lexington High School senior who has
done the school work conscientiously
and creditably and who, in the judgement
of the faculty, deserves public commen-
dation for carrying on at the same time
either in or out of school, a worthwhile
activity or employment which has not
been given other recognition. Scholarship
will be awarded when the principal
balance reaches $5,000.
Principal balance $1,818
Income balance $44
Ellen A. Stone Fund -- Established 1890,
the accrued interest is to be paid to the
school committee who are to employ it in
aiding needy and deserving young
women of Lexington in obtaining a
higher education.
Principal balance $5,407
Income balance $1,361
S. Lawrence Whipple Scholarship
Fund -- Established 1996 by his many
friends in honor of "Larry" Whipple.
The scholarship will be awarded to a
Lexington resident currently attending a
public or private secondary school or
college, who has demonstrated a genuine
affinity for this community and has made
a significant contribution to a better
understanding of Lexington's past.
Principal balance $5,238
Page 67
Pooled Endowment Account
for 61 Funds
All balances as of 06/30/97
Principal securities and cash
Shares
400 Coca Cola Company $27,200
200 Warner Lambert Co $24,850
300 Houghton- Mifflin
$20,025
300 Computer Sciences .
$21,638
500 Enron Corp
$20,407
440 Ericsson LM Telephone
$17,325
400 General Electric Co.
$26,000
512 Thermo Electron Corp
$17,600
400 Boeing Co
$21,225
400 Precision Castparts.
$23,850
300 Prentiss PPTYS TR
$7,688
200 Bristol Myers Squibb.
$16,200
600 Pfizer Inc.
$36,600
300 Citicorp
$36,169
300 IBM Corp.
$27,075
175 American Internat'1 Grp
$26,141
200 Chase Manhattan Corp
$19,413
600 GTE Corp
$26,325
100 Sunamerica Inc.
$10,588
500 Beacon PPTYS
$16,657
300 Equity Resid PPTYS TR $14,250
600 Nationwide Hlth PPYTS
$13,200
1,000 Fedl Home Loan Mge
Corp PFD
7.90%
$24,875
150,000 U.S. Treasury Notes
5.125% 02/28/98
$149,438
100,000 Federal Home Loan Banks
5,725% 06/15/98
$ 99,781
100,000 FBNA DEB 7.0% 08/12/02
$99,422
100,000FHLMC DEB 6.750% 05/30/06
$100,625
GALAXY TREASURY FUND
CLASS F TRUST
$137,224
CD in Cambridgeport Savings
Bank
$106,000
CD in Bank of Boston
$11,000
TOTAL PRINCIPAL $1,198,788
Income securities and cash
GALAXY TREASURY FUND
CLASS F TRUST $228,077
TOTAL INCOME $228,077
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF
ACCOUNT $1,426,865
Trustees of Public Trusts
Westview Cemetery
Perpetual Care Fund
Disbursements $ 8,683
Principal securities and cash
Shares
200 Bankamerica Corp. $12,913
660 BankBoston Inc. $ 47,768
400 Citicorp $ 48,225
400 Comerica Incorporated $ 27,200
300 First Union Corporation $ 27,750
100 Morgan J.P. & Company $10,438
800 State Street Boston Corp. $37,000
400 Suntrust Banks Inc. $22,025
300 Union Planters $15,563
800 American General Corp. $38,200
450 American Int'l Group Inc $67,219
2,000 Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corp PFD 7.9% $49,750
125,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 6.0%
10/15/99 $124,746
200,000 U.S. Treasury Notes 5.125%
02/28/98 $199,250
100,000 Federal Home Loan Banks
5.725% 06/15/98 $99,781
150,000 FNMA DEB 7.000% 08/12/02
$149,133
2,000 Fed Home Loan Mort Corp PFD
7.90% $49,750
100,000 Ford Motor Credit Company
8.0% 01/15/99 N/C $102,492
5,000 Hocking Valley Railway Co 4.5%
07/01/99 1st Cons Mtg $ 4,750
50,000 GTE Corporation DEB 8.85%
03/01/98 $50,881
GALAXY TREASURY FUND CLASS
F TRUST. $137,575
TOTAL PRINCIPAL $1,272,657
Income securities and cash
GALAXY TREASURY FUND CLASS
F TRUST $313,288
TOTAL INCOME $313,288
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF
ACCOUNT $1,585,946
Munroe Cemetery Fund -
Perpetual Care Fund
Disbursements $639
Principal securities and cash
50,000 U.S. Treasury Notes
5.125% 02/28/98 $ 49,813
50,000 Federal Home Loan
Banks5.725% $49,891
50,000 FHLMC DEB
6.750% $50,313
50,000 FHLMC DEB
7.700% $49,672
TOTAL PRINCIPAL $199,688
Income securities and cash
GALAXY TREASURY FUND
CLASS F TRUST $93,847
TOTAL INCOME $93,847
TOTAL MARKET VALUE OF
ACCOUNT $293,543
Page 68
Appropriation
Committee
Role: The Appropriation Committee is
charged with advising the town and
Town Meeting on all fiscal matters.
Appointed by the Moderator for FY98,
for overlapping three -year terms: Chair-
man Paul Lapointe, Vice - Chairman Rog-
er Borghesani, Stephen Coit, Ronald
Colwell, Paul Hamburger, Alan Levine,
Mary Miley, Isabel Mroczkowski, and
Ronald Pawliczek. A mid -year vacancy
was filled by Catherine Abbott.
At the Annual Town Meeting, Commit-
tee supported the following requests.
Art. 4 To approve the operating budget
as amended. Concern was expressed
about Minuteman Tech cost structure,
revenue estimates and fund balances.
Committee offered an amendment to the
Minuteman line item, and noted that the
Fire Department Personal Services line
and Special Education services in the
Public Schools line may be underfunded.
It also stated that a policy on in lieu of
tax payments is needed.
Arts. 5, 6, 46. To appropriate funds for
expenses for the current fiscal year, pay
bills for services in prior years and
appropriate funds to reduce the tax rate.
Arts. 8, 9, 10, 11. To appropriate funds
for water mains and sewer system; resur-
face streets using state funds.
Arts. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19. To continue
installing water meters read by automat-
ed methods, to purchase Public Works
and Fire Department equipment, to main-
tain Town buildings, and to rehabilitate
the Center pool complex.
Art. 21. To rescind the 1996 appropria-
tion for improvements at Pine Meadows
Golf Course.
Arts. 22, 23. To purchase computer
equipment for the schools and repair the
school administration building. To con-
tinue design work for a major project to
renovate and enlarge school buildings.
Art. 26. To appropriate funds in the
Wetland Protection Fund to make them
available for the Conservation Commis-
sion in administering the Wetlands Pro-
tection Act.
Appropriation Committee
Art. 29, 34. To acquire a lot on Spencer
St., part of the Augusta land; to require in
lieu of tax payments by LEXHAB.
Art. 32. To accept the provisions of the
state law which would allow requests for
donations to a Town scholarship fund to
be mailed with water or tax bills.
Art. 37. To support the use of $25,000
for professional assistance in protecting
the town's interests at Hanscom Field.
Art. 40. To allow town employees who
are qualified veterans to purchase up to
four years of creditable service for retire-
ment purposes based on their armed
forces service records.
Art. 42. To approve the town's ability to
municipalize utilities.
Art. 44. To reaffirm the original method
of determining the town's share of Min-
uteman Tech expenses.
The Committee did not support the
following requests:
Art. 31. To petition the state legislature
to require a referendum vote to approve
budget increases above 3 %.
Art. 24. To appropriate $100,000 for a
stabilization fund.
The Committee approved the follow-
ing transfers from the Reserve Fund:
$8,000 for special election support by
the Town Clerk's office,
$92,000 for Fire Department personal
services overtime,
$50,000 for School Dept. utilities and
special education.
Other actions:
Art. 39. Moved that this article, which
was placed on the Warrant at the
Committee's request and would develop
guidelines for financing capital expen-
ditures, be indefinitely postponed.
At October 20, Special Town Meeting,
Committee endorsed motions to remodel
school buildings, and appropriate funds
for Library renovation to go forward.
Committee continued to strengthen its
ties with Capital Expenditures Commit-
tee and other town boards and officials.
Committee is particularly grateful to
Chief Financial Officer John Ryan for his
able counsel and service as secretary.
Appropriation Committee: Front, Isabel Mroczkowski, Stephen Coit,
Catherine Abbott, Alan Levine. Back Chairman Paul Lapointe, Paul
Hamburger, Ronald Pawliczek Roger Borghesani, Comptroller John J. Ryan.
Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 69
Capital Expenditures Committee
Role: to protect and nurture the town's
capital base and provide Town Meeting
with information for making well -
informed decisions on capital issues.
Scope encompasses both school and
town capital, including areas covered by
funds raised in the tax levy, bonds and
enterprise funds. Evaluations include
replacing old capital items, acquiring
new ones and maintaining existing
capital items.
Appointed by the Moderator to serve
overlapping three year terms, running
from July 1 through June 30.
Serving the 1997 Town Meeting were
Chairman Karen Dooks, Vice Chairman
David Miller, Secretary C. N. Touart,
Ron Grammont and Bill Kennedy.
The committee beginning July 1: Chair-
man Bill Kennedy, Vice Chairman
Charles Hornig, Secretary C . N. Touart,
Karen Dooks and Shirley Stoltz.
All of us realize the importance of main-
taining the town's infrastructure. How-
ever, meeting these needs poses a con-
tinuing challenge because of limitations
placed by proposition 2 1/2.
Within sewer /enterprise funds, there is a
regular process to address upkeep.
Financing capital outside of these funds
is more difficult. There is a significant
backlog of deferred maintenance and up-
keep of both the municipal and school
facilities but no agreed -upon plan in
place to address these needs.
The street resurfacing program is miles
and years behind schedule, the DPW
building needs replacing or major over-
haul, school buildings need major upgrad-
ing and there are still significant needs at
the central fire station. Putting off rein-
vestment in these capital needs only
magnifies costs when they are eventually
addressed.
A start was made three years ago when
the Archetype report evaluated facilities
improvements needed in municipal and
school buildings. This report laid the
groundwork for some of the articles
placed before the 1997 Town Meeting.
In addition, the Ad -Hoc Building
Finance Committee reviewed the capital
needs addressed in the Archetype report
and set priorities for accomplishing the
work.
Capital Expenditures Committee: Charles Harris, Shirley Stolts, Chan
Touart, Karen Dooks, Bill Kennedy. Photo: Ray Barnes.
Page 70
The following municipal articles were
recommended for approval by the Capital
Expenditures Committee and approved
for funding by Town Meeting in April:
• Water Main Cleaning and Lining,
Article 8, $280,000. Ongoing program to
remove tubercular growth in pipes and
improve water quality and flow.
Comptroller
Appointed by the selectmen. John J.
Ryan, appointed Comptroller in 1986.
Comptroller
FY97 FY98
Payroll $271,168 $266,288
Expenses 126,940 106,990
Personnel 6
6
Data Processing
Payroll 77,349 83,843
Expenses 169,967 172,290
Personnel 2 2
The Comptroller's Department partici-
pated with other departments in prepar-
ing an "Official Statement" for the
purpose of issuing $4,675,000 of bond
Anticipation Notes dated 8/29/97.
The funds, authorized by Town Meeting,
are for several capital articles; various
school projects, sewer rehabilitation,
land acquisition and library planning.
Recent rule changes by the Securities
and Exchange Commission continued to
place a burden on this office. The
changes require the town to prepare the
above - mentioned Official Statement for
temporary (anticiption notes) as well as
for permanent debt.
The Data Processing Department initiat-
ed a software training program to
instruct employees in switching to
Microsoft Word and Excel from
WordPerfect and Lotus. The program is
the first of its kind to be run by staff.
Revenue Officer
FY 97 Expended
Payroll: $155,064
Expenses 15,050
Revenue Officer: Maureen G. Valente,
appointed 1992 by the Town Manager.
Resigned August 1997. Arthur J. Flavin,
Jr., appointed October 1, 1997.
Office staff: Six.
Responsibilities: Acts as treasurer and
tax collector. Receives and disburses all
town funds, manages investment polic-
ies; manages employee benefits along
with Town Manager. Collects all real es-
tate, motor vehicle, and personal property
taxes and water /sewer bills.
Highlights:
• Real estate taxes collected:
$53,196,683.
• Personal property taxes collected:
$1,309,082.
• Motor Vehicle Excise taxes:
$2,933,883.
• Water /Sewer collections: $9,513,940.
• Investment income: $774,778
• Short term notes: $2,360,000
Reissued in April for school capital arti-
cles voted at the 1995 and 1996 Town
Meetings. $1,220,000 in State Aid Antici-
pation notes issued in April.
• One long term bond: $435,900
Issued in May; Article 13, 1966 Town
Meeting, sewer projects. Partially subsid-
ized by an MRWA grant.
• Lien Certificate volume stayed high as
many homeowners refinanced to take
advantage of continued low interest rates.
Arthur Flavin was the former Treasurer
/Collector in Winthrop for five and a half
years. Before that, he was a systems
manager for Shawmut Bank. The Boston
State graduate has a wife Richelle, a
daughter Alexis and twin daughters
Vanessa and Ariana.
Page 71
Board of Assessors
FY97 FY96
Payroll 181,688 181,007
Expenses 4,000 4,000
Personnel 5 5
Role: The Assessor's Office is responsible for valuing all
taxable property in the community. Office activity centers
around maintaining an extensive property database, valuing
and defending all property values, providing information for
the classification hearing, and calculating the tax rate for
Department of Revenue approval. The office shares inventory
data with property owners and real estate professionals.
Appointed by the Town Manager. The Board of Assessors;
Chairman William Jackson, Robert N. Foster and Sarah F.
Robinson. Joseph H. Nugent, Jr., was promoted to Town
Assessor in 1997. Nugent replaced Janet Vacon who com-
menced writing a new chapter in her life and is now sailing
somewhere on the high seas. Janet provided a great service for
our department and the community. We admired her as a true
professional and will miss her as a friend.
Real Estate Research Consultants Inc. (RRC) conducted a full
field review of all existing and new personal property business
accounts this year. This effort resulted in an additional
$418,039 in personal property taxes.
In 1997 the office continued to maintain database reliability
and improve computer models for property assessments. Vision
Corporation started data conversion for the new Computer
Assisted Mass Appraisal (LAMA) system during the fall. All
real estate values for FY99 will be done by assessing personnel
on the new system.
Assessment for Fiscal 1998
Property
No. of
Assessed
Class
Parcels
Value
Single Family
8,798
2,975,012,000
Condominiums
770
161,186,000
Two Family
192
49,235,000
Three Family
13
3,870,000
Multi -Unit
13
57,101,000
Land
623
25,319,100
Misc. Residential
53
22,798,000
Commercial
412
337,857,000
Industrial
43
85,747,000
Agriculture (61A)
3
90,000
Recreational (6113)
8
2,925,000
Mixed Use Res /Com
22
10,506,000
Personal Property/Utilities 830
63,451,360
Total
11,780
$3,795,097,460
Fiscal Year 1998 Recapitulation
Amount to be raised
Appropriations
Total Town Meeting Appropriation
$82,555,847.00
Other amounts to be raised
6,890,255.00
Debt and interest charges
70,621.00
Final court judgements
0.00
Total overlay deficits of previous years
0.00
Total cherry sheet offsets
1,114,112.00
Snow and ice deficit Ch. 44 Sec. 3 1 D
154,741.00
Subtotal
$1,339,474.00
State and County cherry sheet charges
970,068.00
Allowance for abatements and exemptions
578,461.04
Total amount to be raised
$85,443,850.04
Estimated receipts and other revenue sources
Estimated receipts - State
Levy
Cherry sheet estimated receipts
6,890,255.00
Cherry sheet overestimates
3,283.00
Total
$6,893.538.00
Estimated receipts - Local
77.85%
Local receipts not allocated
6,764,000.00
Enterprise funds
12,766,302.00
Total
$ 19,531,182.00
Revenue sources appropriated for particular purposes
Free cash
207,000.00
Other available funds
638,494.00
Total
$ 845,494.00
Revenue appropriated specifically to reduce tax rate
Free Cash
1,233,000.00
Total estimated receipts and other revenue
$28,503,214.00
Summary of total amount to be raised and total receipts
Total amount to be raised $85,443,850.04
Total receipts 28,503,214.00
Net amount to be raised; Tax Levy 56,940,636.04
Tax Levy and Tax Rates: Fiscal Year 1998
Class
Levy
Levy
Valuation Tax
%
$
Rate
Residential
77.85%
$44,330,050.32 $3,300,687,100 13.43
Open Space
0.00%
0.00
0 0.00
Commercial
15.46%
$8,805,072.19
$345,212,000 25.51
Industrial
3.84%
$2,187,089.83
$85,747,000 25.51
Personal Prop.
2.84%
$1,618,423.70
$63,451,360 25.51
Total
100.00%
$56,940,636.00 $3,795,097,460
Page 72
Appointed/Elected: Chairman Robert
Cuhna, Robert M. Gary and Arthur
Washburn, elected by members of the
local retirement system, Kristen Dailey,
appointed by the selectmen and Comp-
troller John J. Ryan, ex- officio.
Washburn and Dailey are new members
Highlights:
• Pension reform passed by the legisla-
ture in 1996 required the board to
increase its size to five from three
members and to take on a new respon-
sibility; running an early intervention
program to help town employees on acci-
dental disability return to work.
• At Town Meeting, the board presented
a Military Services Buy Back article. It
grants qualified veterans the right to
purchase up to four years of military
service to be added to their credible
service time, for retirement purposes.
Town Meeting passed the article; less
than 20 eligible employees purchased all
or part of their military time.
• The board implemented the decision of
the Division of Administrative Law
Appeals to include additional veterans'
benefits. Prior to this decision, veterans
whose pensions exceeded the 80 percent
limit were not eligible for this benefit.
• Disability retirees reevaluation and reex-
amination now determined by the Public
Employee Retirement Administration
Commission, after consultation with the
local board.
• The board purchased new computer soft-
ware and Marguerite Oliva, retirement ad-
ministrator received training on the
system.
Seven members of the system retired
from town employment; the board wishes
them many happy years ahead. Eighty
eight new members joined the system.
Investments
The Pension Fund benefited from the
upbeat capital market; signficant growth
was recorded in the actuarial valuation of
the system.
Retirement Board
Contributory Retirement System
12/31/97 12/31/96
Cash & Equivalents $113,031 147,434
Fixed Income Securities
Govt. & Agency Securities
Corporate Bonds
Total Fixed Income
Equities
Fidelity Mutual Funds
Contrafund
Equity- Income
Fidelity Fund
Growth & Income
Value
Magellan
Total Equities
Total Assets
Page 73
16,171,617 15,899,419
4,301,823 2,977,909
20,473,440 18, 877,328
8,043,209
6,268,871
7,562,763
5,818,255
10,889,802
8,246,128
7,501,177
5,762,433
5,616,411
4,638,683
2,502
-
39,615,864
30,734,370
60,202,335 49,759,132
Combined Balance Sheet, June 30, 1997
General Special Capital Enterprise Treasurer Long Term Total
Fund Revenue Projects Funds Trusts Debt Assets
Assets
Cash and Investments:
Cash $7,528,165 $2,892,348 $515,670 $2,150,202 $3,748,532 $0 $16,834,915
Temporary Investments 0
Other Investments 0
Total $7,528,165 $2,892,348 $515,670 $2,150,202 $3,748,532 $0 $16,834,915
Property Taxes Receivable:
Fiscal 1998 (12,006) (12,006)
Current Year's Levy 322,516 322,516
Prior Years' & Deferred 300,290 300,290
Total $610,800 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $610,800
Other Receivables & Tax Titles:
Motor Vehicle Excise $380,098
$380,098
User Charges & Liens
2,108,494
2,108,494
Special Assessment, Current 1,484
1,484
Special Assessment, Long -Tm. 163,453
163,453
Departmentals 131,892
131,892
Payments in Lieu of Taxes 41,189
41,189
Tax Titles 416,356
416,356
Due from Other Governments
3,025,000
3,025,000
Other
1,812,588 3,109,406
4,921,994
Prepaid Expenses 6,731
6,731
Total $1,141,203
$0 $0 $6,946,082 $3,109,406
$0 $11,196,691
Property and Equipment - Net:
$40,752,764
$40,752,764
Amount to be Provided For:
Repayment of Long -Term Obligations $0
Retirement of Bonds 11,367,000 11,367,000
Retirement of Grant & Bond
Anticipation Notes 1,220,000 2,360,000 3,580,000
Total $0 $1,220,000 $2,360,000 $0 $0 $11,367,000 $14,947,000
Total Assets $9,280,168 $4,112,348 $2,875,670 $49,849,048 $6,857,938 $11,367,000 $84,342,172
Page 74
Combined Balance Sheet, June 30, 1997
Bond & Grant Anticipation
Notes Payable 1,220,000 2,360,000 3,580,000
Bonds Payable 6,047,427 11,367,000 17,414,427
Total Liabilities $2,867,440 $1,742,121 $2,363,817 $6,282,277 $3,529,698 $11,367,000 $28,152,353
Fund Balances:
Contributed Capital $33,249,602 $33,249,602
Retained Earnings 8,341,117 8,341,117
Retained Earnings Appropriated 0
Fund Balances:
Unreserved
General Special
Fund Revenue
Capital Enterprise
Projects Funds
Treasurer Long Term
Trusts Debt
Total Liabilities
& Fund Balances
Liabilities
Reserved for Expenditures
1,233,000 447,196 1,450,432
3,130,628
Res. for Encum. - School
Warrants Payable
$913,482 $521,944
$3,817 $202,810
$386,705
$2,028,758
Accrued Expenses
12,006
12,006
Short-Term Debt Deficit
0
Accrued Payroll
52,942 177
27,871
(154,741)
80,990
Reserved for Abatements
397,514
397,514
Deferred Revenues
1,347,758
1,347,758
Deposits for other Liabilities
155,744
4,169
3,142,993
3,302,906
Due to other Funds
0
Bond & Grant Anticipation
Notes Payable 1,220,000 2,360,000 3,580,000
Bonds Payable 6,047,427 11,367,000 17,414,427
Total Liabilities $2,867,440 $1,742,121 $2,363,817 $6,282,277 $3,529,698 $11,367,000 $28,152,353
Fund Balances:
Contributed Capital $33,249,602 $33,249,602
Retained Earnings 8,341,117 8,341,117
Retained Earnings Appropriated 0
Fund Balances:
Unreserved
4,559,210 2,100,823 3,328,040
9,988,073
Over/Under Assessments
9,833
9,833
Reserved for Expenditures
1,233,000 447,196 1,450,432
3,130,628
Res. for Encum. - School
519,924
519,924
Reserved for Encumbrance
304,116 269,404 64,657 525,620 200
1,163,997
Reserve for Future Year Ta
12,006
12,006
Short-Term Debt Deficit
(70,620)
(70,620)
Snow & Ice Deficit
(154,741)
(154,741)
Total Fund Balances
$6,412,728 $2,370,227 $511,853 $43,566,771 $3,328,240
$0 $56,189,819
Total Liabilities & Fund Bal. $9,280,168 $4,112,348 $2,875,670 $49,849,048 $6,857,938 $11,367,000 $84,342,172
Page 75
Revenues /Expenditures & Fund Balance
June 30, 1997
Expenditures
Education
37,273,825
3,255,897
Fund Types
42,189,599
Public Works
6,198,718
Governmental
Fiduciary
Combined Totals
6,353,937
Public Safety
Special
Capital/Hgwy
Expendable
Memorandum Only
7,983,906
General
Revenue
Projects
Trust/Agency
1997
Revenue
General Government
3,139,513
161,863
160,070
1,650
Property Taxes
54,510,683
1,331,238
94,710
$5,061,839
54,510,683
Intergovernmental
5,614,508
2,443,915
1,136,944
7,730
9,203,097
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
2,945,244
442,398
201,635
($50,436)
2,945,244
Department & Other
3,292,244
2,918,067
2,280,495
8,490,785
Interest
774,776
858,464
$654,764
128,218
902,994
Special Assessments
30,969
$63,066,579
$4,474,622
$2,855,971
30,969
Total Revenue
$67,168,403
$5,361,982
$1,136,944
$2,416,443
$76,083,772
Expenditures
Education
37,273,825
3,255,897
1,659,877
42,189,599
Public Works
6,198,718
155,219
6,852,000
6,353,937
Public Safety
6,342,584
605,298
1,036,024
(4,704,000)
7,983,906
Pension
2,430,522
0
2,430,522
General Government
3,139,513
161,863
160,070
1,650
3,463,096
Culture & Recreation
1,331,238
94,710
$5,061,839
682,864
2,108,812
State & County Assessments
962,394
962,394
Health & Human Services
442,398
201,635
($50,436)
6,844,203
7,488,236
Debt Service
4,086,923
4,086,923
Others, Net
858,464
$654,764
$3,378,676
$11,027,548
858,464
Total Expenditures
$63,066,579
$4,474,622
$2,855,971
$7,528,717
$77,925,889
Other Financing Sources (Uses):
Continued Appropriations
(824,040)
(22,740)
(311,322)
(1,158,102)
Proceeds of BANS /GANS/Refundings
6,852,000
6,852,000
Repayment of BANS /GANS/Refundings
(4,704,000)
(4,704,000)
Transfer from Reserve for Abatements
0
Transfer from (to) other Funds
(3,385,108)
(472,112)
85,000
5,061,839
1,289,619
Total Other (Uses)
($4,209,148)
($494,852)
$1,921,678
$5,061,839
$2,279,519
Excess (Deficiency) of Revenues
Over Expenditures
($107,324)
$392,508
$202,651
($50,436)
$437,400
Fund Balance,
Beginning of Year
$5,696,011
$1,298,097
$654,764
$3,378,676
$11,027,548
Fund Balance, End of Year
$5,588,687
$1,690,605
$857,415
$3,328,240
$11,464,948
Page 76
Revenues /Expenditures & Fund Balances
- Special Revenue, June 30, 1997
Page 77
Balance
Transfers/
Encumbrances
Expenritures
Revenues
Balance
July 1, 1996
Adjustments
June 30, 1997
School Lunch
Total
$97,979
$0
$0
$937,850
$842,193
$2,322
Highway
MA 35929
716,024
0
24,333
551,173
0
140,519
Highway Layout
49,690
0
0
0
0
49,690
CH90 MA 35574
60,117
0
1,307
42,911
0
15,900
CH 90 MA 36631
118,801
0
0
118,801
0
0
CH 90 MA 36280
712,780
0
221,025
241,884
0
249,871
Marrett Rd Design Grant ( #7680)
115,991
0
0
67,980
0
48,001
Total
$1,773,403
$0
$246,665
$1,022,748
$0
$503,990
Other Special Revenue
Spring St/Hayden Ave
80,000
0
0
0
0
80,000
Traffic Imp, S. Lex.
80,000
0
0
0
0
80,000
Fitness
2,869
0
0
4,781
16,755
14,843
Hats 11
1,000
0
0
0
(4,000)
(3,000)
Selectmen Gift - Nynex
40,500
0
0
0
40,750
81,250
Lexington Center Benches
7,461
0
965
13,047
20,565
14,014
Massport Intern Grant
0
0
0
13,730
13,730
0
Bikeway
1,916
0
0
168
395
2,143
Depot Square Beautification
10,000
0
0
0
0
10,000
Nextell Comm.
31,843
0
487
14,539
22,915
39,732
Cable T. V.
1,616
0
0
0
0
1,616
Estate Charles Ramsdell
220
0
0
220
0
0
Cable Maintenance Account
0
0
0
8,317
20,000
11,683
Spring St/So. Lex. Traffic
0
0
0
0
80,000
80,000
Flexible Spending
4,956
0
0
3,316
8,650
10,290
Sprint Communications
0
0
0
7,267
33,000
25,733
Hardy Pond Brook
20,680
0
7,740
2,940
0
10,000
N.O.I. Fees
5,074
0
0
4,662
3,518
3,930
Insurance Recovery Police
1,503
0
0
21,877
20,374
0
Off -Duty Detail - Police
(65,970)
0
0
497,748
471,570
(92,178)
D.A.R.E. Gifts - Revolving
7,818
0
0
4,987
4,141
6,972
Community Policing, 96
6,483
0
0
4,550
0
1,933
Community Policing
122
0
0
0
0
122
96 D.A.R.E.
2,923
0
0
2,923
0
0
Community Policing 97
0
0
1,200
17,799
20,000
1,001
97 Law Enf. Block Grant
0
0
0
2,500
2,500
0
97 S.A.F.E. Grant (Fire Ed.)
0
0
0
4,572
4,635
63
97 Lexington's Legacy Grant (Libr)
0
0
0
0
900
900
97 D.A.R.E. Grant
0
0
126
15,663
16,000
211
Cops Fast Grant
0
0
0
25,000
25,000
0
Pagenet Gift - Water Tower
0
0
7,765
148
8,805
892
Off -Duty Detail - Fire
5,100
0
0
3,575
192
1,716
Fire Dept Gifts
1,175
0
0
2,565
2,625
1,235
Insurance Reimb. <10,000
0
0
0
250
250
0
Fire Fighter Exam
0
0
0
4,244
7,915
3,671
DPW Revolving
22,422
0
0
66,474
103,973
59,921
Mass Releaf SBA
1,950
0
0
1,059
0
891
Page 77
Revenues /Expenditures & Fund Balances
- Special Revenue, June 30, 1997
School Special Revenue
Off -Duty Custodian
Balance
Transfers/
Encumbrances
Expenritures
Revenues
Balance
Comp Hlth Hmn Svcs FY94 6/30
July 1, 1996 Adjustments
0
0
0
June 30, 1997
Mass Releaf 97 (DEM)
0
0
556
2,744
0
(3,300)
Sale of Cemetery Loan
26,085
0
0
0
67,926
94,011
Ins Reimb >20,000
Bowman Library
0
0
0
47,000
47,000
Off -Duty Custodian
4,182
0
0
4,113
3,290
3,360
DPW Ins Reimb < 20,000
17,123
0
0
18,071
947
0
Traffic Signs & Fences
6,316
0
0
0
0
6,316
Trees
276
0
0
0
0
276
Hydrants
20,632
0
0
0
1,556
22,189
Parking Meter
249,711
0
0
426,510
236,313
59,514
Parking Permits
105,407
0
0
0
40,735
146,142
Parking Lots
(92,443)
0
0
0
130,781
38,338
NESWC Recycling Assistance
25,441
0
2,050
18,450
50,260
55,201
Off -Duty Detail - DPW
4,399
0
0
0
0
4,399
Selectmen's Tree Gift Account
0
0
0
1,912
3,140
1,228
Floods 89 -1 (FEMA/MEMA)
0
0
0
45,491
45,491
0
Hanscom AFB Waste Trans Facility
(3,969)
0
0
102
4,071
0
COA- Social Day Care
39,230
0
0
112,709
107,408
33,929
COA Transportation Grant - Revol.
0
0
0
7,000
7,000
0
COA Selectmens Gift
16,250
0
0
6,680
0
9,570
Meals on Wheels
10,924
0
0
40,520
29,239
(357)
DEA Formula Grant
0
0
0
23,097
23,097
0
Home Care Grant
0
0
0
8,031
8,031
0
97 COA Incentive Grant (Computer)
0
0
1,851
63
1,914
0
Lexpress Fare/Passes
102,477
0
0
60,676
71,109
112,940
MBTA Grant
0
0
0
80,000
80,000
0
Lexington Transit Guide
6,161
0
0
7,488
9,200
7,893
Alternative Transp. Serv. Gift
0
0
0
0
40,000
40,000
State Aid to Libraries
72,519
0
0
66,617
48,770
54,673
Fed. Literacy Grant
3,362
0
0
7,157
8,000
4,205
Community Septic Mtg Grant
0
0
0
4,518
18,000
13,482
Total
$885,765
$0
$22,740
$1,690,838
$2,028,407
$1,200,594
School Special Revenue
Off -Duty Custodian
7,804
0
0
43,961
36,310
153
Comp Hlth Hmn Svcs FY94 6/30
26,954
0
0
0
0
26,954
Eisenhower 9/1/93 - 8/31/94
929
0
0
0
0
929
Teacher of the Year FY94
855
0
0
855
0
0
Bowman Library
1,940
0
0
0
100
2,040
Drug -Free Schools 7/1/95- 6/30/96
9,323
0
0
21
0
9,302
Comp Hlth Hum Svcs 7/95 -6/96
3,725
0
0
3,033
0
692
CH 11 11/95-8/96
(4,523)
0
0
1,745
6,695
427
Lex. Sch. To Careers Grant
0
0
0
2,400
12,000
9,600
Elem. Sch. Violence Prevention 97
0
0
0
14,334
14,650
317
Community Service Learning 97
0
0
0
3,483
5,000
1,517
Greenways & Trails (DEM) 97
0
0
0
0
3,000
3,000
Thoreau & His Friends Grant
0
0
0
0
5,000
5,000
Exchange Teacher - FY97
0
0
0
19,507
19,507
0
Progress Sch Media (Winnebago)
0
0
0
400
400
0
Harrington School Gift
12
0
0
0
0
12
Metco 7/1/94- 6/30/95
(11,597)
0
0
0
0
(11,597)
Mainstream 9/1/94- 8/31/95
1,535
0
0
0
0
1,535
Page 78
Revenues /Expenditures & Fund Balances
- Special Revenue, June 30, 1997
Page 79
Balance
Transfers/
Encumbrances Expenritures
Revenues
Balance
July 1, 1996 Adjustments
June 30, 1997
Lexington Spec Sery 9/94 -8/95
(10,263)
0
0
0
0
(10,263)
Eisenhower 9/1/94 - 8/31/95
189
0
0
0
0
189
CH 2 ED Tech 9/1/94- 8/31/95
146
0
0
0
0
145
Comprehensive Health
1,479
0
0
0
0
1,479
Sumner Richards Memorial - Revolv.
2,450
0
0
0
0
2,450
Enhanced School Health
2,302
0
0
0
0
2,302
Teaching for Understanding
321
0
0
0
0
321
Environ Mgmt/Res Cons
96
0
0
96
0
0
Early Childhood 9/1/95 - 8/31/96
18,519
0
0
16,671
0
1,848
Lex Special Services 9/1/95 - 8/31/96
12,432
0
0
(992)
0
13/424
Metco
30,504
0
0
7,818
0
22,686
Adult Education - Revolving
89,834
0
0
153,404
229,359
165,790
CH I
7,428
0
0
3,075
0
4,354
Bridge School Gift
853
0
0
0
127
2,100
Eisenhower 9/1/95 - 8/31/96
4,367
0
0
3,869
0
498
DPH Enhanced Sch Hlth 7/95 -6/96
(27,379)
0
0
966
66,643
38,298
Time & Learning
1,248
0
0
375
0
873
Middle Sch Partnership FY96
3,066
0
0
3,955
0
(890)
Driver Ed - Revolving
31,480
0
0
53,465
65,240
43,255
Lost Books - Revolving
4,256
0
0
0
0
4,256
Athletics - Revolving
18,339
0
0
30,968
28,872
16,243
Drama Foundation - Revolving
9,554
0
0
0
20,000
29,554
Ins. Reimburse < 20,000
22,311
0
0
22,911
600
0
Susan Spencer Memorial Fund
404
0
0
55
0
349
Diamond Sch Improvement FY96
136
0
0
0
0
136
High Sch Restructuring FY96
9,067
0
0
3,878
0
5,189
Ed Reform Study Groups FY 96
604
0
0
2,000
0
(1,396)
Lexington Educational Foundation
37,602
0
0
80,301
81,225
38,525
Lex Summer Camp
5,443
0
0
1,200
0
4,243
Diamond Band
396
0
0
0
0
396
CH II Block Grant
213
0
0
0
0
213
Metco FY97
0
0
0
1,047,403
1,048,996
1,593
Health Protection FY97
0
0
0
118,085
120,583
2,498
Early Childhood - SPED FY97
0
0
0
55,834
66,055
10,221
IDEA - SPED FY97
0
0
0
340,373
349,053
8,680
Drug -Free Schools - FY97
0
0
0
21,436
21,593
157
DPH (FY97 - 9/30/97)
0
0
0
70,034
0
(70,034)
Study Groups FY97
0
0
0
2,061
16,017
13,956
Essen. Sch/Time & Lrarn/Partn FY97
0
0
0
22,214
25,000
2,786
Ed Reform Restruct. Network FY97
0
0
0
4,225
10,000
5,775
Emergency Immigrant Act FY97
0
0
0
14,620
15,559
939
Eisenhower Prof. Dev. FY97
0
0
0
7,150
12,024
4,874
Title VI FY97
0
0
0
9,283
5,337
(3,946)
Ed. Tech Matching Grant
0
0
0
123,597
158,220
34,623
Fiske Sch. Gift Account
0
0
0
0
1,345
1,345
Ed Tech Lighthouse Grant
0
0
0
7,978
30,000
22,022
SPED Early Child Allocation FY98
0
0
0
0
15,751
15,751
Total
$314,355
$0
$0
$2,318,047
$2,491,381
$487,689
Special Revenue Fund Total
$3,071,501
$0
$269,405
$5,969,483
$5,361,981
$2,194,595
Page 79
Comptroller Schedule of Appropriations, June 30, 1997
Account
Budget
Transfer
Expended
Carry
Total
Balance
1998
Forward
Expended
Bud e
Selectmen
Personal Services
49,688
1,585
51,273
0
51,273
0
51,257
Expenses
79,426
(2077)
67,268
727
67,995
9,354
79,748
Town Manager
Personal Services
244,345
9,630
253,975
0
253,975
0
257,379
Expenses
43,438
(27,938)
13,227
0
13,227
2,273
34,543
Police & Fire Medical
35,430
0
33,809
1,621
35,430
0
52,393
Salary Adjustments
356,069
(203,913)
0
152,156
152,156
0
187,279
Municipal Services
180,706
7,005
174,900
7,356
182,256
5455
173,790
Appropriation Committee
Expenses
800
0
800
0
800
0
800
Reserve Fund
Expenses
150,000
(150,000)
0
0
0
0
150,000
Finance
Personal Services
653,976
18,627
667,732
0
667,732
4,871
712,843
Expenses
343,613
(61,179)
256,982
23,646
280,628
1,806
419,217
Law
Legal Fees
205,000
0
204,882
0
204,882
118
211,150
Town Clerk
Personal Services
122,620
0
120,313
0
120,313
2,307
124,450
Expenses
13,239
(10,378)
2,032
55
2,087
774
13,536
Election P.S.
44,237
10,762
54,999
0
54,999
0
19,140
Election Expense
20,400
3,027
22,224
0
22,224
1,203
15,590
Registration
Personal Services
1,825
0
1,825
0
1,825
0
1,825
Expenses
19,875
0
13,067
4,533
17,600
2,275
19875
Conservation Commission
Personal Services
60,670
3,216
63,886
0
63,886
0
62,704
Expenses
7,417
(7,417)
0
0
0
0
7,523
Page 80
Comptroller Schedule of Appropriations, June 30, 1997 (cont'a)
Account
Planning Board
Personal Services
Expenses
Board of Appeals
Personal Services
Expenses
Public Works
Personal Services
Expenses
Town Reports
Expenses
Police
Personal Services
Expenses
Fire
Personal Services
Expenses
Art. 18 of 1996
Dispatch
Personal Services
Expenses
Building & Zoning Officer
Personal Services
Expenses
Dog Officer
Personal Services
Expenses
School
Pers. Svcs. & Exp.
Vocational
Board of Health
Personal Services
Expenses
Visiting Nurse
Council on Aging
Personal Services
Expenses
Budget
Transfer
Expended
Carry
Total
Balance
1998
17,972
211,706
66,198
Forward
Expended
28,090
Budget
123,421
4,066
126,999
0
126,999
488
127,488
18,124
(11,510)
6,613
0
6,613
1
18,522
28,933
0
28,673
0
28,673
320
28,783
2,374
(2,374)
0
0
0
0
2,244
2,710,474
3,710
2,806,589
0
2,806,589
(92,405)
2,839,623
3,899,650
(314,639)
3,392,130
255,217
3,647,347
(62,336)
4,063,804
6,000
0
4,692
0
4,692
1,309
6,000
2,781,563
104,170
2,852,005
0
2,852,005
33,728
2,943,752
549,554
(246,708)
293,539
9,655
303,194
(348)
543,834
2,519,367
101,201
2,620,567
0
2,620,567
1
2,597,383
530,830
(293,277)
194,590
10,753
205,343
32,210
581,997
60,000
0
60,000
0
60,000
0
277,974
0
309,038
46,377
(29,379)
12,846
185,313
17,972
211,706
66,198
(12,980)
43,127
28,090
0
28,932
1,969
(1,969)
0
39,921,213
(3,032,041)
36,784,277
472,415
0
472,415
97,327
0
88,381
2,023
(2,023)
0
7,500
(7,500)
0
127,424
0
106,748
194,620
(27,588)
155,061
Page 81
0
309,038
(31,064)
326,502
0
12,846
4,152
43,688
0
211,706
(8,421)
196,116
7,798
50,925
2,293
80,585
0
29,932
(842)
28,932
0
0
0
1,969
104,895
36,889,172
0
42,403,743
0
472,415
0
721,950
0
88,381
8,945
98,620
0
0
0
450
0
0
0
0
0
106,748
20,676
117,935
11,872
166,933
99
188,022
Comptroller Schedule of Appropriations, June 30, 1997
Account Budget
Human Services
Youth Services
Veterans P. S.
Veterans Exp.
Develop. Disabled
Lexpress
Personal Services
Expenses
Misc. Boards & Comm.
Library
Personal Services
Expenses
Art, 15 of 1996
Historical Commission
Personal Services
Public Celebrations
Expenses
Debt Service
Principal
Interest
Pension/Retirement
Noncontributory
Contributory
Insurance
Personal Services
Expenses
Unemployment
Expenses
Unpaid Bills of Prior Yrs.
69,384
21,414
34,982
12,800
45,230
184,365
8,500
1,007,282
309,692
Transfer
Expended
Cara
Total
Balance
1998
3,301,000
0
Forward
ded
0
Budge
0
66,330
0
66,330
3,504
71,929
1,562
22,975
0
22,975
1
22,568
(5,069)
16,498
0
16,498
13,415
34,942
0
12,800
0
12,800
0
13,164
2,184
47,334
0
47,334
80
47,414
(4,907)
159,148
16,749
175,897
3,651
188,529
(2,500)
4,097
249
4,346
1,654
8,500
9,744
1,017,026
0
1,017,026
0
958,205
(81,277)
225,687
0
225,687
2,728
306,744
68,000
68,000
0
68,000
0
3,120
2,492
5,590
15,500
0
13,434
3,301,000
0
3,301,000
716,871
0
785,924
189,736
(29,736)
136,375
3,125,709
(831,562)
2,294,147
49,510
(49,510)
0
511,550
(564)
416,262
65,000
0
33,840
0
18,443
17,133
Page 82
0
5,590
22
5,011
0
13,434
2,066
17,050
0
3,301,000
0
3,191,000
1,563
787,487
(70,616)
554,779
0
136,375
23,625
183,036
0
2,294,147
0
3,121,803
0
0
0
70,995
81,628
497,890
13,096
504,859
31,160
65,000
0
50,000
0
17,133
1,310
0
ti
Comptroller Schedule of Appropriations, June 30, 1997
Agggun Budget ransfe Ex en arr Total Balance 19_98
Forward Expen d Budget
Total General Fund 67,031,662 &130.619 61.245.722 721,633 1 6 (66,312) 69 9 7
General Fund Prior Year
Selectmen
0
20,000
20,000
0
20,000
805
0
70
Town Manager
0
0
875
350
805
350
0
350
0
Professional Services
50
0
50
70
Tuition & Training
0
120
0
0
0
1,719
Travel within State
0
0
1,719
75,000
0
75,000
75,000
0
Salary Adjustment
Art. 19 of 95
100
2,700
2,700
0
2,700
100
Finance
0
5,919
2,899
0
2,899
3,020
Conservation Commission
0
340
270
0
270
70
0
Art. 47 of 77 Meagharville
2,019
0
0
2,019
2,019
0
Art. N.O.I. Fees
4,499
4,662
2,310
6,851
9,161
0
Board of Appeals
0
0
21
272,324
21
241,667
0
0
21
241,667
30,657
Public Works
0
11,033
10,659
0
10,659
374.
Police Department
0
1,581
1,500
0
1,500
81
Art. 37 of 89
0
5,000
2,983
0
2,983
2,017
Fire Department
Art 17 of 96
262,150
0
248,193
13,957
262,150
0
Art. 22 of 91
4,580
0
0
4,580
4,580
0
85
Dispatch
0
7,000
6,915
0
6,915
1
Dog Officer
0
0
210
231,674
209
225,789
0
0
209
225,789
5,885
Public Schools
Art. 23 of 96
20,000
0
20,000
0
20,000
0
Board of Health
0
499
499
0
0
499
270
0
2,716
Visiting Nurse
0
2,986
270
0
437
0
Council on Aging
0
437
0
437
60,000
0
60,000
0
Art. 16 of 96
60,000
0
0
0
53
Veterans Services
0
0
53
2,024
328
0
328
1,696
Lexpress
0
83
0
0
0
83
Library
Debt Service - Interest
0
1,067
935
0
935
132
Insurance
0
9,649
8,675
0
8,675
974
Total Prior Year(s)
353,348
657,326
858,464
102,407
960,871
49,803
Page 83
Comptroller Schedule of Appropriations, June 30, 1997
Account Budget Transfer Expended Carry Total Balance 1998
Enterprise Funds Forward Expsnded Budge
Sewer
Personal Services
Expenses
182,402
0
160,306
0
160,306
22,096
183,464
Debt Service
4,765,618
965,352
(7,473)
4,802,163
33,898
4,836,061
(77,916)
5,237,104
Art. 20 of 1991
80,478
0
18,020
965,349
83,424
0
1,863
965,349
85,287
3
13,211
985,895
Art. 11 of 1993
9,942
0
0
0
0
9,942
0
0
Art. 12 of 1993
14,877
0
0
0
0
14,877
0
Art. 10 of 1994
2,035
3,179
5,214
0
5,214
0
0
Art. 9 of 1995
Art. 13 of 1996
299,000
1,000
236,021
47,912
283,933
16,067
0
Art. 9 of 1996
600,000
560,000
0
0
0
7,723
0
2,125
0
9,848
600,000
550,152
0
0
Art. 11 of 1996
45,000
0
45,000
0
45,000
0
0
Total Sewer Fund
7,524,704
14,726
6,305,200
85,798
6,390,998
1,148,432
6,406,463
Water
Personal Services
Expenses
406,086
0
389,714
0
389,714
16,372
388,915
Debt Service
2,917,792
300,151
(41,109)
3,731,394
52,697
3,784,091
(907,408)
3,117,238
Art. 8 of 1993
13,974
0
9,500
300,150
20,070
0
420
300,150
20,470
1
2,984
286,182
Art. 8 of 1994
Art. 8 of 1995
0
37,891
14,605
2,666
17,271
20,620
0
0
Art. 8 of 1996
86,315
280,000
688,467
697,226
74,267
771,493
3,289
0
Art. 11 of 1996
45,000
0
0
441
42,789
249,038
0
249,479
30,521
0
Art. 17 of 1993
0
303
0
0
42,789
2,211
0
Total Water Fund
4,049,318
694,749
5,196,389
379,088
5,575,477
(831,410)
3,792,335
Recreation Fund
Personal Services
Expenses
440,393
0
335,958
0
335,958
104,435
442,649
Art. 23 of 1991
676,294
5,532
37,578
898,535
46,371
944,906
(231,038)
624,969
Art. 31 of 1987
3,342
450
1,380
1,409
4,660
4,573
0
5,982
0
0
Art. 16 of 199,2
7,158
0
0
0
4,660
62
0
Art. 19 of 1992
11,111
1,800
1,800
0
0
1,800
7,158
11,111
0
0
Art. 15 of 1993
0
2,868
0
0
0
2,868
0
Art. 17 of 1993
0
303
0
0
0
303
0
Art. 18 of 1993
Art. 12 of 1995
493
11,208
8,704
1,386
10,090
1,611
0
Art. 13 of 1995
95,160
35,105
684
1,787
12,740
7,572
312
7,493
13,052
15,065
82,792
0
Art 19 of 1996
150,000
(150,000)
0
0
0
21,827
0
Art. 20 of 1996
50,000
0
9,825
600
10,425
0
39,575
0
0
Art. 11 of 1995
4,251
0
0
0
0
4,251
0
Art. 11 of 1996
15,000
0
0
0
0
15,000
0
Total Recreation Fund
1,493,839
(91,946)
1,281,203
60,735
1,341,938
59,955
1,067,618
Page 84
Debt Service Summary
Tax Levy Supported Debt FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03 FY04 FY05 Total
Ambulance 21,820 20,920 42,740
DPW Equipment 168,185 141,210 309,395
Dispatch Center 221,520 214,320 206,960 199,440 191,760 183,920 176,000 168,000 1,561,920
Pine Meadows Land Purch. 187,397 178,116 365,513
Planning/Facilities Study 42,410 40,720 83,130
Refuse Tech Judgement 81,483 78,820 66,235 226,538
Conservation, 1986 149,320 141,229 133,750 125,445 19,377 569,121
Schools 1,696,164 1,593,159 1,185,824 1,122,474 1,053,425 295,023 282,468 225,750 7,434,287
ego Subtotal 2,568,299 2,388,494 1,592,769 1,447,359 1,264,562 478,943 458,468 393,750 10,592,644
00
Tax -Exempt Debt
Pine Meadows
Subtotal
1,100,500 1,033,500 2,134,000
1,100,500 1,033,500 2,134,000
Enterprise Fund Debt
Water 286,232 272,056 558,288
Sewer 550,232 579,233 649,280 613,060 518,103 494,358 56,183 3,459,449
SWPAT 435,663 435,663 435,662 435,663 435,663 271,831 2,396,145
Subtotal
1,272,127 1,285,952 1,084,942 1,048,723 953,766 712,189 56,183 6,413,882
Totals 4,940,926 4,707,946 2,677,711 2,496,082 2,218,328 1,191,132 514,651 393,750 19,140,526
Members at Large
Margery M. Battin, 15 Paul Revere Road
Daniel P. Busa, 6 Farm Road
Norman P. Cohen, 56 Coolidge Avenue
Elizabeth B. Eddison, 20 Nickerson Rd.
Peter Enrich, 35 Clarke Street
Donna Hooper, 47 Emerson Gardens
Dan H. Fenn, Jr. 59 Potter Pond
Jay R. Kaufman, 1 Childs Road
Leo P. McSweeney, 84 Shade Street
Precinct 1 - Term Expires 1999
Nancy M. Adler, 22 Village Circle
James E. Barry, 10 Crescent Hill Avenue
Mary Bowes, 32 Arcola Street
Francis V. Busa, 42 Lowell Street
John E. Curry, 33 Sanderson Road
Marsha S. Goldberg, 49 Sanderson Road
Albert P. Zabin, 1 Page Road
Precinct 1, Term Expires 1998
John P. Breen, 8 Crescent Hill Avenue
Jonathan G. Cole, 23 Whipple Road
Joseph J. Dini, 16 Sanderson Road
Nancy C.Gordon, 10 Fiske Road
Barry E. Sampson, 8 Brandon Street
Carol J. Sampson, 8 Brandon Street
Markus Pinney, 62 Fottler Avenue
Precinct 1, Term Expires 2000
Joel A. Adler, 22 Village Circle
Laura L. Boghosian, 4 Russell Road
Jean W. Cole, 23 Whipple Road
Charles E. Shaw, 219 Lowell Street
Paul G. Topalian, 46 Circle Road
Judith L. Zabin, 1 Page Road
Rae Zuemdorfer, 31 Sanderson Road
Precinct 2, Term Expires 1999
Robert W. Cunha, 10 Stevens Road
Leonora K. Feeney, 4 Moon Hill Road
Paul H. Lapointe, 224 Follen Road
Daniel A. Lucas, 3 Tower Road
Rene D. Varrin, 30 Dawes Road
Christina J. Welch, 41 Locust Avenue
Carolyn C. Wilson, 33 Oak Street
Precinct 2, Term Expires 1998
Thomas R. Diaz, 10 Tower Road
Karen A. Dooks, 5 Mohawk Drive
Timothy P. Enright, 241 Worthen Rd. E.
Myla Kabat -Zinn, 58 Oak Street
Andrew McAleer, 121 Follen Road
Barry Orenstein, 132 Follen Road
David Rudner, 47 Carville Avenue
Directory
Town Meeting Members
Precinct 2, Term Expires 2000
Marian A. O. Cohen, 8 Plymouth Road
Heather L. Hartshorn, 28 Locust Avenue
Marita B. Hartshorn, 28 Locust Avenue
Michael J. O'Sullivan, 12 Aerial Street
Alan B. Wilson, 33 Oak Street
Donald D. Wilson, 36 Fern Street
James S. Wilson, 43 Locust Avenue
Precinct 3, Term Expires 1999
John P. Carroll, 29 Allen Street
Richard R. Eurich, 7 Pitcairn Place
Gloria V. Holland, 38 Webster Road
Eric Jay Michelson, 16 Emerson Gardens
Richard L. Neumeier, 2 Pitcairn Place
Paul J. Rose, 748 Waltham Street
Francis W. K. Smith, 4 Clematis Road
Precinct 3, Term Expires 1998
Robert N. Cohen, 10 Grassland Street
Bruce Collier, 2 Barberry Road
Shirley R. Frawley, 68 Potter Pond
Paul E. Keane, 17 Woodcliffe Road
Marjorie K. Madoff, 27 Normandy Road
Marilyn K. Mairson, 29 Lawrence Lane
Mary E. Neumeier, 2 Pitcairn Place
Precinct 3, Term Expires 2000
Samuel Berman, 11 Barberry Road
Jacqueline B. Davison, 86 Spring Street
Carol J. Grodzins, 15 Barberry Road
Jeanne K.Krieger, 44 Webster Road
Douglas M. Lucente, 71 Farmcrest Ave.
Robert Rotberg, 14 Barberry Road
Caleb Warner, 546 Concord Avenue
Precinct 4, Term Expires 1999
Donald A. Chisholm, 166 Lincoln Street
Ronald W. Colwell, 127 Kendall Road
Margaret F. Rawls, 9 Winthrop Road
Nicholas Santosuosso, 2 Washington St.
Jeanette P.Webb, 22 Fair Oaks. Trerrace
Martin K. White, 50 Bloomfield Street
Precinct 4, Term Expires 1998
Nyles Nathan Barnert, 142 Worthen Rd.
Nancy M. Cannalonga, 942 Waltham St.
John L. Davies, 18 Prospect Hill Road
Frederick L. Merrill, Jr., 22 Downing Rd.
Kenneth A. Reich, 23 Lincoln Street
Sandra J. Shaw, 51 Wachusett Drive
Ruth S. Thomas, 10 Parker Street
Judith J. Uhrig, 15 Vine Brook Road
Page 86
Precinct 4, Term Expires 2000
Nicholas Cannalonga, 942 Waltham St.
Stephen E. Coit, 32 Vine Brook Road
David J. Harris, 5A Eliot Road
Carol B.Hartman, 16 Bloomfield Street
Peter C. Kelley, 24 Forest Street
Barrie Peltz, 8 Jackson Court
Michael Wagner, 44 Prospect Hill Road
Precinct 5, Term Expires 1999
Wallace Cupp, 141 Woburn Street
Elaine Dratch, 2 Maureen Road
John Hayward, 358 Woburn Street
Samuel L. Powers, 7 Dunham Street
Ephraim Weiss, 462 Lowell Street
David G. Williams, 1433 Mass. Avenue
Precinct 5, Term Expires 1998
Howard Cravis, 6 Rogers Road
Irene M. Dondley, 22 Leonard Road
Andrew J. Friedlich, 22 Young Street
Paul E. Hamburger, 18 Cooke Road
Sally Huebscher, 52 Solomon Pierce Rd.
Carol A. Liff, 19 Douglas Road
Charles T. Vail, 66 Woburn Street
Precinct 5, Term Expires 2000
Marsha F. Byrnes, 3 Blodgett Road
Douglas C. Boyer, 19 Peachtree Road
Margaret C. Nichols, 4 Rumford Road
James M. Shaw, 20 Vine Street
Sam Silverman, 18 Ingleside Road
Melinda D. Vinton, 11 Leonard Road
Mary K. Wolf, 116 East Emerson Road
Precinct 6, Term Expires 1999
Cynthia Blumsack, 15 Holmes Road
Marshall J. Derby, 23 Suzanne Road
Peter Diamond, 15 Franklin Road
David L. Kaufman, 152 Burlington St.
Richard Pagett, 10 Oakmount Circle
Anne A. Ripley, 83 Hancock Street
John S. Willson, 16 Hathaway Road
Precinct 6, Term Expires 1998
Michael R. Barry, 159 Burlington Street
Suzanne E. Barry, 159 Burlington Street
Florence A. Baturin, 11 Alcott Road
Priscilla Diamond, 15 Franklin Road
Alan J. Lazarus, 22 Woodland Road
Dennis M. O'Connor, Jr., 16 Seaborn Pl.
William B. Simmons, 82 North Street
Precinct 6, Term Expires 2000
Marjorie M. Daggett, 9 Burroughs Road
Bebe Fallick, 4 Diehl Road
Edmund C. Grant, 27 Grove Street
Jane Pagett, 10 Oakmount Circle
Edith Sandy, 353 North Emerson Road
Frank Sandy, 353 North Emerson Road
Sheldon A. Spector, 26 Suzanne Road
Precinct 7, Term Expires 1999
Catherine M. D. Abbott, 38 Eldred Street
Robert M. Farias, 21 Eldred Street
Audrey J. Friend, 84 Fifer Lane
Jonathan Lederman, 15 Drummer Boy
John E. Taylor, 11 Linmoor Terrace
James C. Wood, Jr., 51 Gleason Road
Martha C. Wood, 51 Gleason Road
Precinct 7, Term Expires 1998
George A. Burnell, 4 Eaton Road
Neal E. Boyle, Jr,. 23 Pine Knoll Road
Clark A.Cowen, 104 Fifer Lane
Gordon M. Hardy, 52 N. Hancock Street
David Kanter, 48 Fifer Lane
David G. Miller, 23 Fifer Lane
Joyce A. Miller, 23 Fifer Lane
Precinct 7, Term Expires 2000
Marsha E. Baker, 46 Burlington Street
Steven L. Colman, 52 Gleason Road
Robert G. Coyne, 2 Heritage Drive
Alan Garber, 7 Linmoor Terrace
Fred H. Martin, 29 Dewey Road
Mary W. Miley, 29 Robinson Road
Alan A. Wrigley, 205 Grove Street
Precinct 8, Term Expires 1999
Roger F. Borghesani, 24 Hastings Road
Florence E. Connor, 12 Cedar Street
John T. Cunha, 11 Homestead Street
Ione D. Garing, 157 Cedar Street
Charles Hornig, 75 Reed Street
Richard A. Michelson, 54 Asbury Street
Margaret B. Schwartz, 48 Bellflower St.
Precinct 8, Term Expires 1998
Elizabeth J. Bryant, 18 Liberty Avenue
Anne E. Frymer, 64 Asbury Street
Diana T. Garcia, 3 Gerard Terrace
Alan M. Levine, 54 Reed Street
H. Bigelow Moore, 50 Hancock Street
James A. Osten, 8 Revere Street
Robert V. Whitman, 5 Hancock Avenue
Directory
Precinct 8, Term Expires 2000
Richard H. Battin, 15 Paul Revere Rd.
Steven J. Hurley, 70 Reed Street
Donald Jenkins, Jr., 19 Childs Road
Paul W. Jenkins, 19 Childs Road
Morton G. Kahan, 44 Hancock Street
Carolyn H. Tiffany, 109 Reed Street
Elizabeth C. Whitman, 5 Hancock Street
Precinct 9, Term Expires 1999
Alice J. Adler, 10 Nickerson Road
Michelle L. Ciccolo, 215 Wood Street
Louise V. T. Kava, 60 Shade Street
Janice A. Kennedy, 135 Wood Street
Isabel H. Mroczkowski, 4 Francis Road
Richard Schaye, 7 Jean Road
Michael E. Schroeder, 2 Welch Road
Precinct 9, Term Expires 1998
Anthony B. Close, 174 Wood Street
Margaret E. Coppe, 12 Barrymeade Dr.
Thomas O. Fenn, 15 Shade Street
Frank J. Kava, 60 Shade Street
William P. Kennedy, 135 Wood Street
Henry Norman Manz, 14 Ellison Road
Dawn E. McKenna, 2564 Mass. Avenue
Precinct 9, Term Expires 2000
Richard L. Canale, 29 Shade Street
Susan R. Cusack, 58 Middle Street
Susan A. Elberger, 10 Ellison Road
Paul E. Mazerall, 32 Roosevelt Road
Janet M. Perry, 16 Ellison Road
Loretta A. Porter, 2318 Mass. Avenue
Fred D. Rosenberg, 76 Wood Street
Page 87
Town Meeting Member
Changes, 1997
Precinct 1.
Markus Pinney replaced Thomas B.
Sullivan who moved from town in
September.
Precinct 2.
Andrew McAleer replaced Karen
Gray, who resigned in April.
David Rudner replaced Katherine
Kiefer, who resigned in October.
Precinct 4
Frederick L. Merrill replaced Peter
Enrich, who resigned when elected to
the Board of Selectmen.
Precinct 5
Ira W. Crowe replaced Joseph Gilbert,
who resigned in September.
Precinct 9
William P. Kennedy replaced Richard
M. Perry, who passed away April 12.
Voters' Information
Voter Registration: Residents may register at the Town Clerk's office on any business day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The town
clerk will provide additional registration sessions (including one Saturday) before each election.
Voting Places: Precinct 1: Harrington School Precinct 4: High School Precinct 7: Estabrook School
Precinct 2: Bowman School Precinct 5: Cary Memorial Hall Precinct 8: Central Fire Station
How to Contact Your Representatives
United States Senators:
Edward M. Kennedy (D) Phone: 617 -565 -3170
Room 2400, JFK Federal Building, Boston, MA 02203
Phone 202 - 224 -4543
315 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
John F. Kerry (D) Phone: 617 -565 -8519
1 Bowdoin Square, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: 202- 224 -2742
421 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
U. S. Representative, 7th Congressional District:
Edward J. Markey (D) Phone: 617 - 396 -2900
5 High Street/Suite 101, Medford, MA 02155
Phone 202 - 225 -2836
2133 Rayburn House Office Bldg, Washington, D.C. 20515
Governor:
Paul Cellucci (Acting) (R) Phone: 617- 727 -3600
Room 360, State House, Boston, MA 02133
Governor's Executive Council:
3rd Dist: Cynthia Creem (R) Phone 617 - 727 -2756 Ext. 3
6th Dist: Dorothy Kelly Gay (D) Phone 617 - 727 -2756 Ext. 6
State Senator, 4th Middlesex District:
Lexington Precincts 1, 5, 6, 7
Robert A. Havern III (D) Phone: 617 - 722 -1432
Room 513, State House, Boston, MA 02133
35 Bartlett Avenue, Arlington, MA 02174
State Senator, 5th Middlesex District:
Lexington Precincts 2, 3, 4, 8, 9
Susan Fargo (D) Phone: 617 - 722 -1572
Room 413F, State House, Boston, MA 02133
House of Representatives, 15th Middlesex District:
Jay R. Kaufman (D) Phone: 617 - 722 -2017
Room 489, State House, Boston, MA 02133
Phone: 781 - 862 -6181; 1 Childs Road, Lexington, MA 02173
e -mail: rep .jaykaufman @house.State.ma.US
Page 88
Emergency Numbers
DIAL 911 for Police • Fire • Ambulance
Public Works Emergency: 862 -1618
Emergency Signal on Town Fire Whistle
4444 -Alert Warning, turn on radio/TV for information • 2222 -Final Warning
Lexington Town Offices
Town Hall, Main Number 862 -0500
TTY# For Hearing Impaired 861 -2739
Animal Control
862 -0500 x240
Animal Shelter
861 -2701
Assessor
862 -0500 x203
Board of Appeals
862 -0500 x207
Board of Selectmen
862 -0500 x208
Building Inspection
862 -0500 x211
Cemetery
861 -2718
Comptroller
862 -0500 x289
Conservation
862 -0500 x226
Council on Aging
861 -0194
Engineering
862 -0500 x231
Fire, Non - Emergency
862 -0272
Health Department
862 -0500 x200
Human Services
861 -2742
Lex. Chair Car (SCM)
861 -1210
LEXPRESS
861 -1210
Library (Main)
862 -6288
Library (East Branch)
862 -2773
Personnel
862 -0500 x277
Planning Board
862 -0500 x245
Police, Non - Emergency
862 -1212
Public Works Admin.
862 -0500 x252
Public Works Operations 861 -2757
Dispatcher
862 -1618
Highway
861 -2759
Mechanics
861 -2760
Park and Tree
861 -2758
Water and Sewer
861 -2757
School Department
Recreation
Selectmen
Tax Collector
Town Clerk
Town Manager
Transport Services
Treasurer
Veteran's Services
Water /Sewer Bills
Westview Cemetery
Administrative Office & Receptionist
861 -2580
Estabrook School
Facilities
861 -2577
Personnel
861 -2556
Fiske School
Superintendent
861 -2550
Senior High School
861 -2343
Harrington School
Adult Education
862 -8043
Hastings School
Clarke Middle School
861 -2450
Minuteman Tech.
Diamond Middle School
861 -2560
Community Education
Bowman School
861 -2500
No- School Recorded Message
Bridge School 861 -2510
Holidays for Town Offices, Libraries and Trash Collection
862 -0500 x262
862 -0500 x208
862 -0500 x266
862 -0500 x270
862 -0500 x276
862 -0500 x241
862 -0500 x269
861 -2742
862 -0500 x279
861 -2718
861 -2520
861 -2530
861 -2540
860 -5800
861 -6500
861 -7150
861 -2552
New Year's Day, Martin Luther King's Birthday, Presidents' Day, Patriots' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day,
Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Following a holiday, all trash and recycling collections will be one day later that week
TOWN OF LEXINGTON ANNUAL REPORT 1997