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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-09-17-BOS-min I � r SELECTMEN'S MEETING SEPTEMBER 17, 1979 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, September 17, 1979, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Miley, Mr Buse, Mrs Battin, Mr Kent and Mr Crain; Mr. Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mrs Banks, Assistant to the Town Manager; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present The Board voted to approve the following agenda items One-Day liquor license for W R Grace Recreation Association on Liquor September 20, 1979. Pilgrim Congregational Church annual bake sale on the Visitors' Bake Sale Center lawn on Friday, September 28, 10 00 a m. to 2 00 p m. 37 Grove Street as mail drop for Certificate of Incorporation for Certof the Lexington Child Care Cooperative, Inc Lexington Minute Men to use the Battle Green for installation Battle ceremony and cannon salute on Sunday, October 21, at 2 00 p m Green Three additional taxicab licenses for the Arlex Taxi Corporation Taxicab d b a Lexington Cab Company, making a total of twelve taxicabs now Licenses servicing Lexington. Licenses expire May 1, 1980 The Board noted the contents of a memorandum from the Town Clerk 1980 regarding the Town Election to be held on Monday, March 3, 1980, and Elections the Presidential Primary on Tuesday, March 4, 1980 The Board discussed the procedure for appointments to the Human Human Services Committee and Mrs Banks agreed to submit a list of candi- Services dates and their resumes to the Board Interviews will be conducted Committee at a special meeting of the Board on Tuesday, September 24, and at future scheduled meetings The report of the Burglar Alarm Committee was accepted and the Burglar committee is to be invited to meet with the Board in a few weeks to Alarm discuss the report Report In response to an invitation from the State Ethics Commission to Financial comment on proposals for financial disclosure by minicipal officials, Disclosure the Board voted to adopt the following statement to be submitted to Municipal the Commission Officials Selectmen's Meeting - 2 - September 17, 1979 "Disclosure represents but one aspect of the ethics involved in municipal employment and office holding Disclosure should be addressed as part of the broader problem, along with regulation of potential conflicts of interest We do not believe that Chapter 268B of the General Laws mandating dis- closure bystate and countyofficials should be made applicable at the PP local level We recommend that communities be required to adopt their own codes of ethics subject to approval of the State Ethics Commission on the basis of minimum standards legislatively prescribed These standards might well include disclosure of the following by elected officials, executive or administrative heads, and their spouses 1 The individual's business or profession and employer, if any 2 Identification of all parcels of land within the community in which the individual has a legal or beneficial interest 3 Identification of any business operating within the community in which the individual has an interest, and positions held by the individual in such business Disclosure of ownership of stock in corporations listed on the New York, American, or Boston stock exchanges need not be required even though the company may be said to be doing business in the community, unless the in- dividual holds some position with such company We do not believe that unpaid or nominally paid officials should be re- quired to report amounts of income, even by category, nor the value of interests required to be disclosed We strongly believe that requirement of disclosure of amount of income and value of assets will seriously deter participation in local government " Traffic Chairman Miley read a letter from the Board of Appeals stating that a Saf Com special permit had been granted to Gerard Farms Deli-Kitchen, 53 Bedford Street, with the condition that signs acceptable to the Traffic Safety Com- mittee be installed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request a recom- mendation of the Traffic Safety Committee on the installation of appropriate Enter-Exit signs, at least 3 feet in height, in the parking area at 53 Bedford Street Manager's Members of the Appropriation Committee, Board of Assessors, Capital Report - Expenditures Committee, and the School Committee met with the Board Tax Rate- Mr Hutchinson said that the tax rate of $87 60 has been filed with Revalua- the Office of Revenue for certification He gave credit to the boards, tion committees and town departments for the favorable situation we now enjoy but pointed out that the real issue is one of long-range implications The tax rate is a reflection of the considerable efforts by the school committee within the last few years, and we are reaping some dividends because of the fortitude to shut down schools and the sustained impact of not having so many positions on the payroll; also, cost-cutting de- vices within municipal government The Board of Assessors could comment on some economic growth The immediate profile of the town is very good Selectmen's Meeting - 3 - September 17, 1979 We have had certified $1,576,000 in free cash that is available to town meeting for consideration of its appropriate disposition, and it appears that this will grow; we can expect to be in a reasonably favorable posi- tion by the time town meeting comes about Looking at the area of free cash, we recommend that it continue to be built upon or by utilizing some of it for tax stabilization. As we look at the tax rate, there are cer- tain things that show some consistencies and others that are inconsistent For example, the problem with the cherry sheet Last year, we received County charges of $598,000; we paid $522,000 This year, we have re- ceived County charges in excess of $700,000; depending on the numbers used, it could be a 16 percent increase or a 40 percent increase As we look at the cherry sheet charges - we can talk about aid to the town as well - it is difficult for us to manage; at a subsequent meeting with our legislators, we can talk about this Last year, the MBTA charges were $537,000; this year, they are supposed to be $485,000 or approximately $50,000 less Mr Hutchinson asked Mr Grush, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, to comment on revaluation and on classifica- tion, which would have a significant impact on the community unless the statutes change Mr Grush introduced Mr Robert Patten, President of Patten Appraisal Associates, Inc of Portland, Maine An agreement has been signed with this firm to update an estimate of current market value of all taxable properties in the community and also provide the necessary computer in- gredients to maintain assessments more readily at current levels in the future Mr Grush said that in order to assess residential, industrial and commercial properties according to their classifications, we have to start with market value estimates of all property classes In response to Mr Busa's question, Mr Patten said that field work will begin in October of this year and by contract agreement would end in May of 1981; new valuations would be used as a base for 1982 assess- ments The first step, which they are now doing, is to work with the Assessors to design a property record card; when the card is designed and printed, with the ownership record on the card, they then begin the field work At that time, appropriate news releases will be given with respect to what the program is about and where they plan to begin. As we go from door-to-door, we will hand out an informational flier Also, we will have on file with the Police Department and the Assessors' Office the names of our people, the make, model and license number of cars, so that citizens' calls can be referred to the Assessors or Police Department If you have any complaints about our work, there will be a field complaint form, which we would like to have documented as much as possible If unable to gain access, we will make every effort to go back During daylight saving, we will work four days a week, ten hours a day; then go to a five day week Field work will begin with appraisals of random properties that were re- cently sold, and this will establish a basis of value comparison for Lexington. Personal property valuation is to be done early in 1981; this would include furniture, fixtures, inventory, machinery and equipment in the professional establishments of the town, the non-corporate manufacturing companies, if any Corporations are exempt in many areas from local taxation Selectmen's Meeting - 4 - September 17, 1979 111 Mr Patten pointed out that under classification the houses of the lower 100 percent valuation are going to enjoy a much bigger tax benefit than those in the $80-90-100,000 category; if there is any change in the town, it will be in the residential property, particularly those in the lower value Mr Kent added, with the lower value properties gaining some benefit which, in turn, is going to have to be borne by the higher value property Mr Hutchinson said that it is the type of legislation we should watch over the next year Mr Hutchinson said he is reviewing the proposed FY 81 budget and there are some constraints on the town; we have one major labor settle- ment, which is in the process of negotiation, and another union contract expires in 1980 It is extremely important as you look at budgets to see who is going to be impacted not only by revaluation but under the budgets we pass Mr Crain mentioned the demographics of the town and the shift in age groups, especially those in the older group, which would have some very significant implications for the town and services Mr Donald White, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, said they were very pleased to see the Selectmen addressing a source of con- cern for all on the long-range planning, and in the, aiea of human services they are anxious to see some of the recommendations to make sure there is minimal duplication He suggested the funds be broken down within a single human services budget as it would make it easier to deal with in addressing that problem. It was explained that the Board is in the process of establishing a Human Services Committee, which would critically analyze requests for human services funding and advise the Selectmen; decisionsiwill be baked oft the committee's analyses Mr Nyles Barnert, Chairman of the Capital Expenditures Committee, urged the use of E & D as a means of giving stability in the face of unexpected charges Chairman Miley thanked the Boards and Committees for coming to this joint meeting, and said she has taken every opportunity of telling people how well Lexington and its Boards have been managing and how well,.we have done with the cap; it means a compliment for everyone who has work hard over the past year to keep us there, and we are doing a lot better than other communities and very much better than a lot of other levels of government Members of the boards and committees retired from the meeting Mass Mrs Battin gave a report on the Massachusetts Municipal Associations Municipal and the Local Governor's Advisory Committee In terms of the tax bill Assoc - delay, the 18 towns that were certified were told they had to go to L G.A C classification right away Because of the enormous delay before they Certifica- could send out their bills and the,astronomical costs, they asked that we file special legislation giving them the option of delaying a year tion So the Municipal Association is filing such legislation for delaying a year Gov 's Mrs Battin said there is a Governor's Commission to simplify rules Commission and regulations, and it calls for it to make inquiry and recommendations regarding regulationto procedures that are justifiably delayed or other- wise increase the cost to providing needed residential, commercial and industrial facilities to the citizens of the Commonwealth The Commission Selectmen's Meeting - 5 - September 17, 1979 Ill is supposed to be reviewing local permitting and regulatory processes to see what holds up construction for various things, with an idea of either filing legislation or at least informing local communities of those things causing hindrances We were concerned that the Governor did not choose to appoint any local officials; however, we did receive a report from the Commission Chairman that allayed some of our concerns On the state level, they are putting together a permit. directory about the permitting require- ments of the federal government, which would help someone who wants to know where he must go and what he must do They are just starting phase 2 for local permitting and the regulatory process; they are going to pinpoint problems and refer them to localities to make their own remedies Much of the local regulation seems to be okay but it is the layering - the public notice and hearing after hearing process - and they are consider- ing filing legislation which would mean one comprehensive hearing We pointed out that it is not as easy to schedule hearings when boards can meet as members are volunteers Because they were not aware of our processes, they would like help and asked for an advisory task force from the municipal associations and LGAC So, while we do not have representation of this com- mission, at least they have asked for our help with an advisory committee and perhaps you might make recommendations or would want to serve on the advisory committee Mrs Battin discussed the delay in printing of tax bills and what it would cost the Town Mr Zehner had prepared a summary sheet on the con- sequences and she had reported at the LGAC meeting that it would cost us $50,000 for the delay Mr Hutchinson informed the Board that the Housing Authority has re- Housing quested the execution of the annual contributions contract, which must also Authority be approved by the Department of Community Affairs Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Chairman Miley to sign the Housing Authority's Annual Contributions Contract Mr Hutchinson recommended an appointment to the Insurance Committee Appt Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr Insurance John Mackey, 11 Middleby Road, a member of the Insurance Committee Committee Mr Hutchinson agreed to continue negotiations on leasing the Munroe School The Board voted to approve the request of the Trinity Covenant Church Permit to conduct a walk for world relief on Sunday, September 30, 1979, 4.:.00 p m Mr Hutchinson recommended the Board approve the suggested schedule Cemetery of fee changes for the cemetery Fees Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the list of fee charges for the cemetery, as recommended by the Town Manager e4 Selectmen's Meeting - 6 - September 17, 1979 Traffic - Mr Hutchinson recommended the Board's approval of the revision High of the parking regulations and traffic patterns at the Senior High School School Parking Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the revision of the parking regulations and traffic patterns at the Senior High School, to be enforced by the Lexington Police Department Goals Each member of the Board had submitted four or five goals, and it was agreed to discussion at a meeting two weeks hence. Mr Hutchinson is to develop a matrix for the Board SSCC - Chairman Miley informed the Board that the School Sites Conversion Munroe Committee met at 4 30 p m today and voted to recommend to the Selectmen School that Munroe School be made available for a human services center Mr Busa commented that this would involve very expensive renovations and someone should come up with the costs Mrs Miley said that the SSCC will be on a future agenda to ask the Board of Selectmen to make a de- cision At that time, additional information will be submitted to the Board Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote - Mrs Miley, Mr Busa, Mrs Battin, Mr Kent and Mr Crain - to go into executive session for the purpose of discussing land matters After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session111 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 1000 p m (j /1. 1A true record, ATtest Executive Clerk, Selectmen I