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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-01-22 BOS-min 71-158 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 2018 A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:01 p.m. on Monday, January 22, 2018 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Office Building. Ms. Barry, Chair; Mr. Kelley; Mr. Pato; Ms. Ciccolo; and Mr. Lucente were present as well as Mr. Valente, Town Manager; and Ms. Katzenback, Executive Clerk. Selectmen Concerns and Liaison Reports Ms. Barry reported that the Selectmen attended the Massachusetts Municipal Association Annual meeting held January 19-21, 2018. Town Manager Report Mr. Valente reported on four items: 1)Fire Chief John Fleck will retire on January 26, 2018 and will work one day/week until the position is filled; 2)the new fire truck, which was approved at the 2017 Annual Town Meeting, went into service last week after personnel was trained on the new fire truck features; 3)the first issue of the new senior newsletter called The SAGE will be released in February 2018; and 4)the Attorney General approved article 3- Amend General Bylaws—Recreational Marijuana and article 4 Amend Zoning Bylaw—Recreational Marijuana Moratorium from the October 16, 2017 Special Town Meeting. Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ending of WWI Mr. Gamota reported the Lexington Historical Society, Town Celebrations Committee, Bedford VA Research Corporation, Lexington Veterans Association, and The Lexington Minutemen Company are working together to plan a number of events commemorating the 100th anniversary of the ending of WWI, focusing partly on Lexington's role, and the people who participated. He noted that in addition to these events, a special panel discussion with distinguished WWI historians on Veterans Day in November 2018 is being planned. ATM 2018 Warrant Article Update - Amend Town Bylaw Ban Plastic Bags (Citizen Article) Janet Moran and Joyce Grief provided an overview of their proposed 2018 Annual Town Meeting citizen article, Amend Town Bylaw Ban Plastic Bags, to the Board. ATM 2018 Warrant Article Update - Adopt Neighborhood Conservation District: Pierce- Lockwood; ATM 2018 Warrant Article Update - Adopt Neighborhood Conservation District: Turning Mill Mr. Canale, Chairman of the Planning Board provided an overview of the proposed 2018 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles to adopt Neighborhood Conservation District for Pierce- Lockwood and Turning Mill. Mr. Canale stated the Planning Board and Historical Commission unanimously recommend that the proposed Pierce-Lockwood Neighborhood Conservation District, and the Turning Mill Neighborhood Conservation District follow the process set out in the Neighborhood Conservation District Bylaw. 71-159 Selectmen's Meeting—January 22, 2018 Vote the 2018 Annual Town Election Warrant Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve and sign the 2018 Annual Town Election Warrant. Review the Annual Town Election Mailing to Households Ms. Rice, Town Clerk, reviewed the draft of the mailing of the Annual Town Election which includes, the required Notice of the Election and, at the request of the Board of Selectmen, supplemental information including the Preliminary List of 2018 Annual Town Meeting Warrant Articles and the List of current Town Meeting Members and Town Meeting Member Candidates for election. The Board of Selectmen made no changes to the draft of the annual town election mailing document. Town Manager's FYI Preliminary Budget and Financing Plan Mr. Valente reported that this is a balanced budget, it maintains current levels of service with limited service enhancements recommended, and it continues a strong capital program. The recommendation provides some flexibility in case there are state aid reductions or state aid less than what was is projected, as well as unanticipated expenses. Lastly, it proposes to set aside additional funds into the Town's Capital Stabilization Fund to be used to help mitigate the debt service impact of future capital projects. Mr. Valente presented the following key recommendations; address key capital projects; appropriate $3.5 million into Capital Stabilization Fund; appropriate $380,000 from Capital Stabilization Fund for within-levy debt service; appropriate $3.6 million from Capital Stabilization Fund for excluded debt service to provide property tax relief and provide unallocated revenue of$371,000. Mr. Valente stated that it is projected that the Town will have an increase in general fund revenues of$7,715,137 in FY2019 over last year which is an increase of 3.6%from FY2018. Proposed new revenue sources are an adjustment in plumbing and ZBA permit fees and to consider visitor/tourist based fees and fundraising options for the Visitors Center. In the proposed FYI operating budget, Mr. Valente discussed several financial/budget priorities established by the Selectmen. He stated the continuation of the plan for financing capital, both within the tax levy and excluded debt; to limit operating budget increases and to continue funding of the Capital Stabilization fund. The continued funding of post-employment benefits liability remains a priority. Mr. Valente said the preliminary budget includes two reserve recommendations. The first recommendation is to add $1.8 million to the other post-employment benefits (OPEB)trust fund, which currently has a balance of about $12 million. The liability in that account over the next 71-160 Selectmen's Meeting—January 22, 2018 30 years is $200 million. The second recommendation is to add about $3.5 million to the Capital Stabilization Fund, which currently has a balance of about $28 million. Mr. Valente presented a chart with information on the capital budget from FY14 to FY19, by funding source. Mr. Valente highlighted some of the more significant capital projects. Mr. Valente reiterated the following continuing policy issues for consideration: planning for large capital projects; continued use of the Capital Stabilization Fund; continued OPEB funding; provide reserves for contingencies; and consider new potential revenue sources. Mr. Valente said the next steps for the Staff are to respond to questions on the operating and capital budget; assist the Board with policy issues; and transmit budget to financial committees/town meeting members by March 5, 2018. The next steps for the Selectmen are to approve the final recommended FY2019 operating and capital budget at their meeting on February 26, 2018. The earliest date for Town Meeting to consider financial articles will be April 2,2018. At 9:25 p.m. a brief recess was taken and the meeting was called back to order at 9:35 p.m. Establish Useful Life of Equipment for Bond Issue Ms. Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, stated that an appropriation of$875,000 for the purchase of a new Fire Ladder Truck was approved at the 2016 Annual Town Meeting. In February 2018, the Town will be selling bonds to finance this piece of equipment which was delivered in the fall of 2017. Ms. Kosnoff explained the Board of Selectmen is being asked to approve a useful life of 10 years for the Fire Ladder Truck, which will be financed over the same term. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve a 10-year maximum useful life for the Fire Ladder Truck, to be purchased with the proceeds of bonds pursuant to M.G.L. chapter 44, section 7. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to authorize the Executive Clerk of the Board of Selectmen to sign the document as presented that the 10 year maximum useful life of the Fire Ladder Truck be financed with the proceeds of borrowings authorized per article IOr voted at the 2016 annual town meeting for $875,000 for Fire Ladder Truck replacement is hereby determined pursuant to G.L. c.44, §7(1). Consider Participation in PACE Energy Efficiency Program Mr. Valente stated that at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on December 18, 2017, the Board heard a presentation from the Sustainable Lexington Committee regarding the PACE program. The PACE program is a State (and federal)initiative whereby a commercial property owner can make energy efficiency improvements to their property, to be financed through a betterment assessment the Town would collect and remit to MassDevelopment, which will arrange for the financing of these improvements. 71-161 Selectmen's Meeting—January 22, 2018 Mr. Valente explained that Staff has determined that the Town's property tax billing system (MUNIS) cannot currently accommodate implementing the special assessment betterment as an automated process and that Staff is willing to implement the special assessment betterment as a manual process, given the belief that participation will be relatively limited at this time. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Board of Selectmen Policy Authorizing the Town of Lexington to Participate in the Massachusetts Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Program (PACE Massachusetts). Approve Collective Bargaining Agreement-Lexington Municipal Employees Association LMEA Mr. Valente stated the Board of Selectmen previously reviewed the proposed collective bargaining settlement in Executive Session on November 27, 2017 and the LMEA has voted to approve the agreement. Mr. Valente noted the following substantive contract changes were included: -Change Sick Leave Bank qualification from `calendar year' to `rolling 12 month period' (consistent with the change made in other union contracts). -Change call-back pay (nights and weekends) from 3 hours to 4 hours (consistent with all other bargaining groups eligible for this pay type). Call-back that occurs within 4 or fewer hours of the start of the work day shall only be for hours between the start of the call back and start of work day. -Base Wages: FY18: 1%increase on July 1, 2017; 1%increase on January 1, 2018 (consistent with other settled contracts approved by BOS). FY19: 2%increase on July 1, 2018 (consistent with other settled contracts approved by BOS). -Create New Merit Step: Create new Merit step (step 11 on new salary schedule, step 15 on old salary schedule). New Merit step will be 2.5% greater than the existing top step. To be eligible an employee must have been at top step (10 or 14) for a minimum of three years and received "meets" or"exceeds" expectations in all areas of performance review for the prior three years. Of the 64 LMEA employees, 18 will be eligible for this merit step in the next two years. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve and authorize the Town Manager to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Lexington Municipal Employees Association for the contract period of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. Review Board of Selectmen FY2018-19 Goals and Progress to Date Board Members provided an update on the progress to date regarding the Board's FY2018-19 Goals. 71-162 Selectmen's Meeting—January 22, 2018 Ad Hoc Residential Exemption Policy Committee -Revise Charge and Appoint Members Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to amend the Ad Hoc Residential Exemption Policy Committee charge to increase the number of committee members to seven. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint the following as members of the Ad Hoc Residential Exemption Policy Committee and designate members as Special Municipal Employees: Mark Andersen, Vicki Blier, Howard Cloth, Katie Cutler, Charles Mabardy, Thomas Whelan and John Zhao and to appoint Joe Pato as Selectmen Liaison. Liquor License - Change of D/B/A Yangtze River Restaurant to Sanyo Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the application for a change of D/B/A and issue an amended 2018 All Alcohol Restaurant Liquor License to Yangtze River Restaurant, Inc. d/b/a Sanyo, 21-25 Depot Square. Approve Patriots' Day Events Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the Patriots' Day activities listed below, subject to working out the details with Town Departments: Lexington Minute Men: Sunday, April 8, 2018 —Battle Green—Reenactment rehearsal—2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (in the event rain is forecasted for Sunday, this event will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018); Saturday, April 14, 2018 —Battle Green—Parker's Revenge Reenactment—9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; Sunday, April 15, 2018 -Battle Green -Reenactment of Hancock Clarke/Paul Revere Ride and Monday, April 16, 2018 —Battle Green—Reenactment— 1:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Rain Date - April 21, 2018. Lions Club - 104th Annual Patriots' Day 5-mile Road Race on Monday, April 16, 2018 with an awards ceremony on the Battle Green at the end of the race from approximately 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Town Celebrations Committee -Patriots' Day morning parade, ceremonies on the Battle Green and afternoon parade on Monday, April 16, 2018. Historical Society/Lexington Minute Men - reenactment of the arrival of Paul Revere and William Dawes on April 15, 2018. Selectmen - Committee Appointment Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint Patricia Moyer to the Tree Committee to a three year term to expire on September 30, 2020. 71-163 Selectmen's Meeting—January 22, 2018 Consent Agenda Approve One-Day Liquor Licenses Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the following One-Day Liquor Licenses; - Lexington Historical Society One-Day Liquor License to serve beer at their fundraiser - Tavern Night at Buckman Tavern on Saturday, February 24, 2018 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. - Amantha Tsaros Art One-Day Liquor License to serve wine at an Art Reception at the Munroe Center for the Arts on Sunday, January 28, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - Spectacle Management One-Day Liquor License to serve beer and wine at Cary Memorial Building on Friday, February 2, 2018-Peter Wolf and Saturday, February 24, 2018Three Dog Night. - Education Francaise of Greater Boston (EFGB) One-Day Alcohol License to serve beer, wine and alcohol at their Gala Fundraiser to be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Lexington Depot from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Use of the Battle Green - Lexington Minute Men Company Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the Lexington Minute Men Company to use the Battle Green on Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. for a musket drill. Approve Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve and release the 11/14/17 Budget Summit#2, 12/4/17 BOS, 12/6/17 BOS, 12/7/17 Budget Summit#3 meeting minutes; And, further, to approve but not release the executive session minutes of 12/4/17 Joint BOS/School Committee meeting. Ad,ourn Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to adjourn at approximately 10:28 p.m. A true record; Attest: Kim Katzenback Executive Clerk