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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-10-29 BOS-min 10/29/18 Page 1 of 7 SELECTMEN'S MEETING Monday, October 29, 2018 A meeting of the Lexington Board of Selectmen was called to order at 7:02 p.m. on Monday, October 29, 2018 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room of the Town Office Building. Present were Ms. Barry, Chair; Mr. Pato; Ms. Ciccolo; Mr. Lucente; and Ms. Hai as well as Mr. Malloy, Town Manager; Ms. Axtell, Assistant Town Manager; and Ms. Siebert, Recording Secretary. On behalf of the Board, Ms. Barry expressed thanks to Mr. Malloy and Town staff for working with the "Lexington Says Enough" group to accommodate a request to hold a candlelight vigil in Emory Park in recognition of the lives lost at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, PA. Selectman Concerns and Liaison Reports Mr. Lucente said, at its meeting last week, the Human Services Committee discussed how to disseminate information about Interface Mental Health Services and the associated website that will go live in the near future. Mr. Pato said that the survey on Town services and Housing has already garnered 1400 responses; the survey will be available on the Town's home page for another two weeks. Ms. Barry reported she and Ms. Hai attended a meeting at the Minuteman Statue on the Battle Green with Josh Crane, the conservator who repaired to the Statue. The work is now complete and the scaffolding will be taken down soon. Ms. Barry encouraged the community to visit the Statue to see the detail the cleaning has revealed. DPW Director Dave Pinsonnault is in the process of deciding what on-going maintenance program to adopt so that the Statue's condition does not deteriorate again. Town Manager Report Mr. Malloy distributed information about a recent Massachusetts Municipal Association discussion to engage with the governor's office on the subject of Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). He reported that other issues currently before the MMA are: motor vehicle taxes; and charter school financing, which Mr. Malloy said was one of the largest issues in terms of the impacts to Chapter 70 State Aid to municipalities. Mr. Malloy reported that Lexington will receive two Massachusetts Clean Energy grants for commercial-scale air source heat pumps: one for $80,000 for the Lexington Children's Place and another for $250,000 for the Hastings School. The State also passed a supplemental budget with additional Chapter 90 funds; Lexington will receive just under $195,000. Mr. Malloy said that, between Financial Summit I and Financial Summit 2, he will be working with Caroline Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, to put together proposals for debt service management. 10/29/18 Page 2 of 7 Presentation-2018 STM-1 Warrant Article 10 Amend Zoning Bylaw–55 & 56 Watertown Street Ms. Hai was recused on this item because she is a member of Belmont Country Club, seller of the property in question. Ted Tye, National Development; Steve Senna, Vice President, National Development; Attorney John Farrington, Legal counsel for National Development, as well as consultants from Stantec were present to provide an update on STM 2018-1, Article 10 Amend Zoning Bylaw- 55 & 56 Watertown Street. Mr. Lucente asked National to provide a view of what Golden Avenue residents would see of the Bridges facility. Mr. Tye said during the winter, residents might get a glimpse of the fence but otherwise, because of the sloping topography, the building should be largely invisible to the Golden Avenue neighborhood. Regarding traffic, Mr. Lucente asked how many vehicle trips are expected from the two facilities. Mr. Tye said National prepared a detailed traffic study for this project and the Town conducted a separate peer review, the results of which closely matched National's study. Bridges residents will not have cars. Waterstone residents may or may not have cars as a shuttle is provided for residents to do local errands. Staff for both facilities that do not use public transportation will have cars and visitors would also add to the number of vehicle trips. Mr. Tye emphasized that both facilities are age-restricted to 62+ and the average age of residents is 80-85. Bridges will have 50 parking spaces; Waterstone will have 200 spaces with the majority beneath the building. Mr. Lucente asked if the building systems will be on the roof and affect building heights. Mr. Tye said the systems will not cause the building to be taller. Mr. Lucente asked about fiscal impacts for the Town. Mr. Tye and Mr. Senna estimated there would be an additional $600,000 in revenue to the Town from real estate and personal property taxes and another $400,000 from one-time fees. Mr. Tye stated that life safety municipal services provided to these facilities are estimated at $700,000 per year. Mr. Pato asked what services are provided on site that will make Bridges and Waterstone self- contained communities. Mr. Tye replied stated that the communities are full-service. National makes it easy for people not to have cars by providing a shuttle; three meals a day are supplied; housekeeping services are available; there is a pool and fitness center and a robust activities schedule. There are, however, no medical services available although if a resident needs medical assistance, staff facilitate connections to those services. Ms. Barry asked how many staff would be commuting to the site on a daily basis and how many would use cars versus public transportation. Mr. Tye said the traffic study provides answers to these questions. It has been a priority to improve access to the MBTA bus. Some funds in the memorandum of understanding (MOU) are earmarked for traffic mitigation. Mr. Senna reported there are streetlights already on Watertown Street but National would add more at the facilities' entrances. Ms. Barry asked if the crosswalks could be lit. 10/29/18 Page 3 of 7 Ms. Barry also asked how the utilities would be brought into the sites. Mr. Senna said water and sewer lines would come under the Route 2 bridge and electricity would come underground via Golden Avenue. Ms. Ciccolo said written comments from the Planning Board note that the traffic calming measures are still a work in progress. Ms. Ciccolo asked if funding would be adequate to re-align the off ramp, add a Stop sign and square off the intersection. Mr. Senna said a T intersection was discussed with MassDOT but it was strongly opposed as an "unfeasible engineering solution." Ms. Ciccolo asked how noise from the building systems would be mitigated. Mr. Tye said this is also spelled out in the MOU; for Bridges, the equipment is nestled inside the roof, for Waterstone, it is on the high roof but protected by a parapet. Both approaches will meet the Town's stringent noise standards. There is also a protocol for additional testing. Wendy Reasenberg, 16 Garfield Street/Precinct 8 Town Meeting Member, said she believes this is an important project for Lexington seniors. Ms. Reasenberg also welcomes the additional revenue the developments will bring to the Town. Sarah Liberman, 27 Watertown Street, expressed strong opposition to the project. She agreed there is a need for senior options but not at this location, with narrow roads and already- dangerous traffic. She believes a building of this scale is inappropriate for the neighborhood and allowing it would set a precedent for other developers to ask for similar allowances. Betsey Weiss, 8 Dover Lane/Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member, supported the proposal, noting it provides 18 affordable units. She believes people will give up their cars after moving to Waterstone and use shuttle or bus transportation. She believes the facilities offer an important alternative to what is currently available in Lexington for seniors and that the Town needs the revenue. 55 &56 Watertown Street Waterstone and Bridges at Lexington MOU Ms. Hai remained recused for this item. Ted Tye, National Development; Steve Senna, Vice President, National Development; Attorney John Farrington, Legal counsel for National Development, as well as consultants from Stantec were present. Mr. Malloy reviewed the MOU provisions intended to mitigate concerns relative to the Waterstone and Bridges developments. The full text of the MOU is included in the meeting materials. The Board will vote on the MOU at a future Selectmen's meeting prior to Special Town Meeting. Ms. Barry asked if requesting a grinder for the development's sewage would be appropriate in this instance, as it has been in other developments. Mr. Senna said both the Bridges and 10/29/18 Page 4 of 7 Waterstone sites require pump stations as they sit below road elevation; both stations will have grinder/cutter equipment. Ms. Ciccolo said she is pleased that so many things were considered in the MOU but she remains concerned about the level of funding offered for pedestrian improvements to the roadway and about the amount earmarked for Transportation Demand Mitigation. Ms. Ciccolo also asked if there is a place onsite for a community bus/shuttle access. Ms. Barry asked if the emergency pathway for Bridges would be kept clear of snow and debris by the development. Mr. Tye said the development is responsible for making sure access is unimpeded. The pathway for Bridges is stone dust and will be gated so that the only access would be by emergency vehicles. The pathway for Waterstone will be paved at the request of the Fire Department. Ms. Barry said that it should be ascertained where the Town puts snow in the Golden Avenue cul-de-sac adjacent to Bridges and if No Parking signs should be posted so as not to block the emergency egress. Maureen Cronin, 3 Briggs Road, stated her opposition to the Waterstone and Bridges projects and said her sentiments are shared by her neighbors. She reported that these concerns do not appear to have been heard by the Planning Board. She does not believe the location is the correct one for the project due to the additional traffic and proximity to Route 2 and high-speed travel. She also does not believe that the development provides an affordable option for seniors as monthly rates are high. Additionally, when seniors move out of single-family homes and into places like Bridges and Waterstone, families with children move in which results in impacts to the school population. Ms. Cronin added that loss of undeveloped green space seems counter to the goals of the Comprehensive Plan and that noise is already a major issue in the neighborhood as it sits close to Route 2. Bob Pressman, 22 Locust Avenue, said he believes the project supports the greater good; he urged support of the project. 2018 STM-1 Articles—Board Positions/Discussion The Board reviewed and discussed the Special Town Meeting articles and presenters. The positions determined at this meeting are attached to the meeting minutes. Revisions to the document will be attached to subsequent minutes. Waive Parking Lot Fees Depot Parking Lot It has been the Board's practice to waive Saturday parking fees at the Depot Parking lot during the holiday shopping season. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to waive all parking fees at the Depot parking lot on November 24, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Designate Acting Town Manager 10/29/18 Page 5 of 7 Dawn McKenna, 9 Hancock Street, expressed concern about approving "blanket permission" as that could result in lack of clarity and unintended consequences. Mr. Malloy stated that approving Ms. Axtell and Ms. Kosnoff as Acting Town Managers is continuing a protocol established by former Town Manager Carl Valente. The names have been updated but otherwise the designation is verbatim from the current protocol. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the designation of Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager as Acting Town Manager in the Town Manager's absence and Carolyn Kosnoff, Assistant Town Manager for Finance, as Acting Town Manager in the Town Manager's and Ms. Axtell's absence. Dissolve Town Manager Search Screening Committee The work of the Town Manager Search Screening Committee has concluded. All materials related to the work of the committee will be provided to the Clerk's Office to be archived. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to dissolve the Town Manager Search Screening Committee. Reconsideration Lemon Grass Inc. Liquor License Multiple Amendment Application Lemon Grass Inc. has submitted all the necessary paperwork to the Board of Selectmen's Office needed to request reconsideration. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve submission of the paperwork from Lemon Grass Inc, as requested by the ABCC, for Reconsideration of their multiple amendment application for a Change of Manager, Alteration of Premises and Change of Beneficial Interest/Transfer of Stock, Change of DBA and Change of Corporate Structure Town Manager Reappointments Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the Town Manager's reappointment of Victoria Buckley, Francine Stieglitz and Janet Perry to the Commission on Disability for terms to expire October 2021. Ethics trainings are up to date. Selectmen Committee Appointments Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint Julia Thompson to the Town Report Committee for a one-year term to expire September 30, 2019. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint Celis Brisbin to the Sustainable Lexington Committee for a three-year term to expire September 20, 2021. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint Gloria Bloom to the Tree Committee for an unexpired term to end September 30, 2020. 10/29/18 Page 6 of 7 Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to appoint the following as members of the Ad Hoc Crematory Study Committee and designate them as Special Municipal Employees: Narain Bhatia, Judith Crocker, Sara Iverson, Bridger McGaw (Members Town meeting/community Rep.): George Burnell (Member representing EDAC); Msgr. Paul Garrity (Member Representing LICA); John Flynn (Member Representing Board of Health); and further to appoint Selectman Doug Lucente as the non-voting Chair. Review and Approve FY2018 Board of Selectmen Annual Report Submission The Selectmen reviewed the draft and noted that the Bike Share, Community Aggregation, and Mental Health initiatives were not included and should be added. After these revisions are made, the report will be approved at the November 5, 2018 meeting. Consent Agenda 0 Sign an Approve Proclamation—Bells of Peace Bells of Peace is a collaborative program, whereby American citizens and organizations, across the entire country, are invited to toll bells in their communities twenty-one times on Sunday, November 11, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. local time to honor those American men and women who served one hundred years ago, during World War One. The war ended by an armistice agreement between the warring countries at 11 a.m. on November 1 lth, 1918. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to sign a proclamation which calls upon the citizens and institutions of our Lexington to toll the bells in remembrance of the Armistice at 11:00 a.m. local time on November 11, 2018. 0 Use of Battle Green/Walk—Martin Luther King Day Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the request of the Town Celebrations Committee/MLK Subcommittee for the MLK Day Commemoration on Monday, January 21, 2019 that includes use of the Battle Green and a walk along Massachusetts Avenue to the Cary Memorial Building from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 0 Water and Sewer Commitments Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve the Water & Sewer Commitment Sept 2018 Cycle 9 Billing $346,389.13 and the Water & Sewer Commitment Sept 2018 Finals $10,562.56. Executive Session—Exemption 3: Collective Bargaining Update—Crossing Guard Union Ms. Barry was recused on this item as her husband is employed by the Town. Upon motion duly made and by roll call, the Board of Selectmen voted 4-0 at 9:25 p.m. to enter Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining related to the Crossing Guards Union and to reconvene in Open Session only to adjourn. Further, it was declared that an 10/29/18 Page 7 of 7 Open Meeting discussion would have a detrimental effect on the bargaining position of the Town. Adjourn Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board of Selection voted 5-0 to adjourn at 9:38 p.m. A true record; Attest: Kim Siebert Recording Secretary