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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979-02-26-BOS-min 469 $OARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING February 26, 1979 Chairman Battin called the meeting to order at 7 30 p.m. Members present include Mr Busa, Mrs. Miley, Mr Kent, Mr Crain, Mr Hutchinson, Town Manager, Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel and Mrs Banks, Assistant to the Town Manager Mrs Battin opened the meeting and asked Mr Hutchinson to introduce the Data Processing Advisory Committee consisting of Mr Robert Leone, Chairman, Mr Lewis Werlin, Mr Robert Monaco, Mr William Rabkin and Mr Richard Perry Mr Leone presented the Committee's report at the conclusion of Mr Leone's presentation. Mrs. Battin thanked the Committee for their excellent report and hard work, which was concurred with by the other Board members Mrs Battin asked the Manager if there would be any problem preparing the manage- ment report recommended in the report Mr Hutchinson said this would be no problem Mrs Miley then asked about the use of computers in revaluation Mr Leone described some of the techniques used with computers in revaluation and subsequent updates Mr William Page asked if any of the recommendations in the report would appear as capital items in future budgets Mr Hutchinson responded that revaluation includes a component for automatically updating property assess- ments through a computer system, but in other areas, we do not foresee any capital expenses in the immediate future. Mrs Battin turned to the Town Manager's agenda Mr Hutchinson briefly discussed a meeting he attended Friday on tax caps A major concern is that while the thrust is to control spending, MBTA assessments and county charges may be exempt from the cap He also noted that the proposed capping legislation raises a question about the scheduling of Town Meeting Mr Hutchinson recommended that the Town go ahead with Town Meeting and recess as it is unlikely the legislation will be in place even when we are ready to dissolve Mr Kent concurred noting that any form of cap seems a long way away and we should do business as well as we can We can't an- ticipate state actions. Mrs Battin asked the Board members to think about Town Meeting for discussion at a later time Mrs Battin moved to the citizens' questions She briefly outlined the format Mr William Spencer asked when Hancock Street will be built and what streets under Chapter 90 considered. Mr Hutchinson noted that the Town is running out of streets meeting political and community acceptability, as well as state warrants.. Mr Ed Jervis asked if this meant East Street and Adams Street will not become annual Chapter 90 request Mr Hutchinson responded that we cannot say never as regula- tions may change Mr Kent added that he hoped that the Town would not let absence of State funds deter community action on the North Street intersection on Adams St Mr. William Page asked about the level of funding to maintain the road overlay program and expressed concern about recurring pot holes Mr Hutchinson noted that this year $100,000 has been recommended and approved by the Board Mr Jack Downey raised a concern about the overhead in the Town Engineering Depart- ments as Town looks to 100% sewerage, and a completed road building program When will Town begin to start cutting back? Mr Hutchinson responded that the Town has cut out some positions and is looking at cutting out more Mr Busa noted that 470 Selectmen's Meeting - 2 - February 26, 1979 an engineer staff is also needed to maintain systems. Mr Charles Code asked if the Town has any intention to hire a licensed engineer. He is concerned about costs we are paying for consulting fees for professional engineer services Mr. Hutchinson responded that we have hired a consultant on an hourly basis to pro- vide professional engineer's services In our recruiting for a DPW Director, we are looking for a professional engineer Mt Crain noted his concern about the proposed capping because of the temptation to curtail maintenance He expressed the need to build up as much influence as we can in legislation to limit capping Mr. Ephraim Weiss asked where the Town is going on sewer program and expressed concern abour rezoning which may increase sewer flow Mr. Hutchinson responded that Phase I - analysis of system - was completed and shows level of inflow and infiltration. We also did smoke testing Study was sent to Federal Government with request for funds for these problems. Funds are based on cost benefit of repair Based on that, we propose to deal with inflow during this upcoming year. As a general rule contribution of additional sewerage from development has little impact on the system. Mr Charles Code asked how the Town legally gets into areas where you suspect an illegal connection Mr Crain responded that first we con- centrate on what we can get done within our present limits Mr Cohen responded that each instance must be looked at on a case by case basis. Mrs Ruth Nablo asked about the plans for Hanscom Field in light of Governor's King's proposal to change th autonomy of Massport Mrs. Battin noted that the Board has referred this to Mr. Bailey, Lexington's Hanscom Field Advisory Com- mittee representative who would get back to her on this issue Mr Ephriam Weiss asked what the status was on assessments and if it would in- clude provision to automate future assessments Mr Hutchinson gave Mr Weiss a brief summary about the status and noted the proposal would include provision for automation of future assessments. Mr. Bill Spencer asked about the by-law to allow accessory apartments Mr Caain noted that it deserves consideration as an alternative because of limited land available Mr Busa discussed proposed by-law from Housing Sub-Committee's point of view Mr Alan Bedford also asked about accessory by-law noting that is more than just providing low income housing It will also discourage people from ex- panding homes illegally He also expressed concern that Boards operate indepen- dently of each other and that there is a need for a unified way of expressing how the Town feels about property Mr Cohen noted that Town has no obligation to give legal opinion• on true value of property Mr Hutchinson agreed, but noted that the problem of centralized information is one we are trying to correct Mr Ephriam Weiss asked about the by-law noting that he does not feel we should treat violators of the law by legalizing what they are doing He is concerned that en- forcement is inadequate and any over utilization of property costs the Town money Mr Crain said that if he could be shown that a new inspector will increase rev- enue to offset the cost, he would consider such a position even this year X71 Selectmen's Meeting - 3 - February 26, 1979 Mr William Page expressed concern about Meriam Street and parked cars and poor visibility going to Mass Ave. It was pointed out the Selectmen had referred the question of eliminating all Meriam St parking to the Traffic Safety Committee. It appears to be tied with larger issue as to how we revitalize the center, and how we live Mr. Jack Downey asked about Civil Defense and if the Town could save this $1500 and put it back in Fire Department Mr Hutchinson responded that the money is used to pay one employee and also to qualify for Federal and State grants A final question was asked about the conservation easement along the Vine Brook at East Street and whether this has been acquired There was a question as to what Mr. Mark Moore was proposing to do in this area Mr. Buse asked Mr Zabin, Chairman of the Planning Board, if there are any plans to extend Emerson Road. Mr Zabin responded that there was no intent to do this at this time Chairman Battin then turned to the Housing Policy Plan Mr Crain asked how the Planning Board Chairman, Mr Zabin, expects to meet the goals of 35 housing units each year in light of the Town's available land and current housing stock. Mr Zabin noted that there are 18 scattered sites units anticipated in 1980 The Board is also looking at land bought for school purposes for housing and school conversion Chairman Battin asked if in fact the goals could not be viewed as an average of 35 units per year over X number of years Concern was also raised about the language "the Town shall use its best efforts to provide not less than 35 newly constructed or rehabilitated family units for low and moderate income families and 15 new units for elderly each year over the next six years" The Board asked if wording could be changed to better reflect Town role"to try to provide 35 units" It was agreed to drop the following clause "the exclusion of people simply because of economic status is harmful to diversity" In the fifth paragraph a concern was raised by the use of the term"urging" with respect to the Housing Authority's use of Chapter 774 The Board felt the language was inappropriate and suggested that it be included as one type of option, or urging use of all appropriate legislation rather than singling our Chapter 774 as one option The Board also expressed concern about the second reference to Chapter 774 in the eighth paragraph and felt that it should be revised Mr Zabin noted that the references were placed in the policy to emphasize its role in housing and provide Housing Authority with understanding that Town Meeting is approving use of Chapter 744 Mrs Battin suggestedthat she and the Chairmen of. the Planning Board and Board of Appeals meet to begin to revise the resolution in light of the Board's comments and discuss the revision with the Board March 12 472 Selectmen's Meeting - 4 - February 26, 1979 Mrs Battin moved to the Middlesex County Advisory Board meeting It was voted to designate the Town Manager, or his designee to attend the Advisory Board Meeting as the Town's official representative Wednesday, February 28, 1979 The meeting adjourned at 10 30 p m Respectfully submitted, r F Nancy H. HAnks Assistant to the Town Manager 111 111