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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-09-BOS-min a 3 ■• SELECTMEN'S MEETING 11, September 1989 r p A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, September 11, 1989 , in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddison, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Ms. Radway, Asst. to the Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. NASHOBA CABLE SERVICES Mrs. Smith opened a Public Hearing on the petition of Nashoba Communications of Belmont Limited Partnership for permission to attach fiber optic cable to certain utility poles and to otherwise construct cable television lines upon, along, across or under certain public ways in Lexington, as shown on plans on file in the Office of the Board of Selectmen. ' Duane Howes representing Nashoba Cable Services, explained the request of Nashoba for the right of way to install cable lines along streets in Lexington from the Lincoln line to the Belmont line, in order to provide cable service to the Town of Belmont. He reported that all installations would be aerial on existing utility poles except for 720 feet on Concord Avenue near the Belmont line and 720 feet along state owned land near the Lincoln line on Lincoln Street, which would be underground. Mr. Howes referred to the Selectmen 's July 24th approval of Nashoba's request to overlash its cable onto existing Adams-Russell cable, and the subsequent refusal of the New England Telephone Company to allow this procedure. Without the Telephone Company's permission to overlash, the cable servicing Belmont must be attached to the poles independently. With reference to a written statement from Nashoba Cable Services about the rearrangement or replacement of poles, Mr. Howes explained that there is a possibility that in order to accommodate the new cable to the satisfaction of the Telephone Company, replacement of poles might be necessary and that the new poles would be located as close to the original pole location as possible. Any relocation of poles would be the subject of a hearing before the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Dailey said that in the interest of appearance, he would prefer the overlashing of the additional cable and suggested that if the request is approved, it be conditional upon Nashoba's commitment to try to gain permission from the Telephone Company for the overlashing. Mrs. Smith and Mr. Eddison agreed with the suggestion. Mr. Marshall felt that approval of the request should be withheld pending Telephone Company approval of the overlashing procedure. Mr. McSweeney said that he would support Mr. Marshall 's position. He asked Mr. Howes about procedures for trimming of trees to accommodate work on the poles and who would be monitoring the tree work. Mr. Howes "•.4 said little or no trimming is expected to be needed but that his crew has expertise in such matters. Mrs. Smith requested that any plans for tree trimming be coordinated with Tree Warden Dale Gaasland. Residents asked questions about alternate routes from Lincoln to Belmont and why the Lexington route was to be preferred. 1 -L- Mr. Howes noted that an alternate route across Waltham would be 2,000 feet longer and would raise costs by 50%. The extra distance could also affect the strength of the signal reaching Belmont. William Welch asked if the installation of Nashoba cables through Lexington could potentially lead to competition with Adams-Russell . Mr. McSweeney said that it would not, at this time but that hopefully, changes in cable TV laws could allow for competitiveness in the future. Mrs. Smith declared the hearing to be closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request of Nashoba Communications of Belmont Limited Partnership for permission to attach to certain utility poles and to otherwise construct cable television lines upon, along, across or under certain public ways in the Town of Lexington. The approval of the Board of Selectmen on July 24, 1989, of Nashoba Cable Service's request for overt ashi ng of fiber optic cables on utility poles along the public ways, onto Adams-Russell 's existing coaxial cable, was reaffirmed, pending Nashoba Cable Service's procurement of necessary agreements from the New England Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company and subject to all conditions imposed by the Board at that time. In addition, Nashoba Cable Services is required to coordinate plans for any trimming of trees along the specified routes with Dale Gaas l and, Tree Warden, Dept. of Public Works. CITY CAB OF WALTHAM Barbara Ferri , co-owner of City Cab of Waltham, was present to request licensing of her company in Lexington. Mr. White recapped the process begun in June 1989 of soliciting proposals from established cab companies in surrounding communities who wished to operate in Lexington. Of the two responses received, Mr. White felt that City Cab of Waltham most nearly filled the requirements he had had in mind based on its good track record in Waltham. The company will request licensing of one taxi to service Lexington, to be operated out of its Waltham office for the time being, in order to ascertain that there would be sufficient business to warrant maintaining a Lexington office. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of Barbara Ferri and Dennis Callahan of City Cab of Waltham, for permission to operate a taxicab service in Lexington, and to waive the requirement under #I .a. of the "Rules and Regulations Governing Hackney Carriages, Taxicabs and Other Public Vehicles for the Carrying of Passengers for Hire" to allow the business to be temporarily carried on from the company' s Waltham office. CONSENT AGENDA THEATRE LICENSES Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the applications of Sack Theatres , Inc. for renewal of licenses to exhibit motion pictures at Lexington Cinema I and Lexington Cinema II , 1794 Mass. Avenue, to expire on September 1, 1990. COMMITMENTS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the commitment of Sewer Charges, final bills for July 1989, in the amount of $2,143.52; Selectmen's Meeting -3- September 11, 1989 Water Charges , final bills July, 1989, $2,115.21; Sewer Charges , final bills, August 1989, $1,557.68; Water Charges, final bills, August, 1989, PROCLAMATION, EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WEEK Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proclaim the week of September 17, through 23, 1989, as Emergency Medical Services Week, as requested by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. STREET ACCEPTANCE BETTERMENTS, PHILIP ROAD Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute lists • of Street Betterment Assessments for residents of Philip Road, accepted as a public way at the Annual Town Meeting in 1988. CONSERVATION RESTRICTION, SOLOMON PIERCE ROAD Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve a Conservation Restriction over a portion of land owned by Richard and Janice Lostick, 20 Solomon Pierce Road, as requested by the Conservation Commission. BPO ELKS, ANNUAL PICNIC Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ratify the poll vote of September 6, 1989, approving the request of the Benevolent & 0.4 Protective Order of Elks, Lodge #2204, 595 Waltham Street, for permission to serve alcoholic beverages on the lodge grounds on Sunday, September 10, 1989, from 12 Noon to 6:00 p.m. ABATEMENTS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve abatements of Water Charges, $1,145.97; Sewer Charges , $1,040.04; and Demand Charges, $20.00. MINUTES Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4 - 0 to approve the minutes of the meeting in open session on August 28, 1989. Mr. • Eddison abstained from voting because of his absence from that meeting. It was agreed that the minutes of the meeting of the Board in Executive Session on August 24, 1989 would be reviewed in Executive Session that evening, for action by the Board on September 18, 1989. DEPARTMENT HEADS PRESENTATIONS Mrs. Smith announced that the remainder of the meeting would be devoted to presentations by Heads of Departments which have been proposed by the Town Manager for budget cuts as an effort to deal with the decrease in FY90 Local Aid Funds. Mr. White listed the Department Heads to be heard that evening who would be speaking on the functions of the programs in question and on the impacts of such cuts on their operations and on the public; Robert Hilton, Director of Cary Library, on the proposal for later opening of the Libraries; Fire Chief Bergeron on the potential closing of the East Lexington Fire Station; William Mix, Chairman of the Transportation • Advisory Committee, on cutbacks in LEXPRESS service; and William Blount, Replace on cutting of funding of Replace. Mr. White had received a written report from Police Chief Furdon on the proposed elimination of Lexington Center Patrols. _3(1,6 -4- CARY LIBRARY Mr. Hilton outlined the proposal to reduce hours of operation at .,. both libraries by opening one hour later in the morning and by eliminating Sunday hours. He reported that savings of approximately $30,000 could be realized by decreasing the part-time staff, whose duties would be taken up by regular library employees in the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. when the libraries would be closed. Me. Hilton noted that since no capital improvement projects were budgeted for FY90, reduction in staff would be the only means of reducing Library expenditures. He referred to a cut of Friday evening hours several years ago as a cost saving measure, which had never been restored. Next to the Friday evening hours, the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. were the least busy at both libraries, but the cutback would be a disadvantage to citizens who come to the libraries at that time because of the greater availability of staff assistance. POLICE DEPARTMENT Mr. White reviewed with the Board a memo from Chief Furdon, who was absent that evening due to his attendance at a meeting of Police Chiefs in New Hampshire. The Manager's proposal to eliminate Lexington Center patrols, which would mean a reduction of four positions, was outlined and the specific duties and responsibilities of the officers on duty, were listed. In reviewing the impact of such a cutback, Mr. White noted that the Center patrol is one of the most visible of all police functions in the ..r• Town. The savings to be realized by such a move would be $122,480 per year, or $92,000-F for the remainder of FY90. Chief Furdon referred to impacts on the public as a result of these cutbacks , as follows: . lack of constant police presence as a deterrent to bank robberies and other crimes; . lessened enforcement of moving violation laws and parking regulations; . less assistance to tourists and townspeople; . at times when traffic backups occur, there will be no officer present to alleviate the situation by use of the manual button; . protection to merchants in cases of shoplifting and false prescriptions will not be as readily available; . bicycle riding and skateboarding on center sidewalks will increase; . less deterrent to nighttime burglary with no police presence to contribute to the security of commercial establishments by checking doors. Chief Furdon acknowledged the need for cutbacks in order to meet the Town's fiscal emergency and promised his department' s ongoing effort and cooperation, but recommended against elimination of Center patrols which he felt would adversely affect public safety. Mr. Eddison requested a breakdown on costs of manual operation of lights by an officer versus computer operation to obtain data on the wa■i'' amount of savings to be realized. 3' 4) 7 Pm* Selectmen's Meeting -5- September 11, 1989 Mr. Marshall pointed out that traffic related functions in his opinion did not seem to require the services of armed patrolmen. He felt that some thought should be given to the idea of separating traffic and security operations in the Center. • Mr. Dailey suggested that sector patrol officers be assigned as Center patrol during the busiest hours in the day. Mr. White will provide information on how policing of centers in other towns is handled. LEXPRESS William Mix, Chairman, and Sara Arnold, of the Transportation Advisory Committee were present to review several scenarios for budget reduction for the operations of LEXPRESS, including: cutting of Saturday, effective 11/1/89, except for the period between Thanksgiving and New Years; cut Saturdays, effective 11/1/89; cut Saturday, effective 1/1/90; cut one hour per business weekday, effective 11/1/89; cut one bus (6 route system) effective 1/1/90. Mr. Mix said that the Committee would prefer that no services be cut, but in view of the present fiscal circumstances, would recommend eliminating Saturday service, effective January 1, 1990. Information on Saturday usage will be provided, but it was estimated on an average Saturday to be 350 to 400 riders . ft The Selectmen were invited to attend a reception to be held on September 15th at Depot Square at 3:00 p.m. , acknowledging the 10th anniversary of LEXPRESS service. FIRE DEPARTMENT Chief Bergeron reviewed the current staffing and deployment of the Fast Lexington and Central Fire Stations. He reviewed travel times to various areas of the town, comparing time spent by engines leaving from each of the stations, with emphasis • on locations in East Lexington, where significant time would be lost if • serviced only by the Bedford Street station. He described the work of the two stations as a team resulting in higher efficiency and the saving of valuable time. The Chief showed a film illustrating the short period of time between the first evidences of a fire and major conflagrations and stressed the life saving aspects of quick action by the Fire Department. Chief Bergeron listed a number of facilities and nursing homes in East Lexington which serve the elderly, adding that if the East Lexington Station were to be closed possible property damage and loss of life could result. With regard to the dramatic change in the number of serious fires in the past ten years . Chief Bergeron gave credit to early detection of fires because of smoke detectors and to speedy response by the department. p"~ In response to a question as to whether the two engines could be housed in the Central Station, the Chief said that it would be possible but that records show that the response-time aspect clearly shows the advantage of having two stations in the Town. Mr. Marshall said that he would like to have that concept explored since multiple responses within Town and aid to other towns would still be possible. -5- He asked that alternatives, in addition to the most drastic move, be looked at. Mr. White will provide information on other options . Chief Bergeron reported that although the elimination of the East Lexington Station was not likely to affect residential insurance rates, it was possible that commercial rates could be raised. The Chief also referred to the willing response and help to elderly residents by the Fireman in non-fire situations . Angus McIver, retired Fireman, stressed that time is a major factor in fire fighting and gave examples of past fires when two engines were needed. Kenneth Donnelly, President of the Fire Fighters Union, said the amount of money saved on maintenance and utilities for the East Lexington station would be very low. He stated his belief that the second station plays a very important role in keeping the Town safe. REPLACE William Blount, Director of Replace, reported that State Dept. of Mental Health funding appeared to be secure for FY90. It had been feared that this grant, which funds a part-time counselor position, might be lost. Regarding Replaces overall budget, Mr. Blount noted that reliance on Town funding had been reduced from 58% to 43%, but actively seeking other sources of revenue, as requested by the Human Services Committee, and that the agency has been working cooperatively with other boards, including sharing funding of an outreach counselor in conjunction with the School Department. The impact of Town funding cuts would be most likely felt in the area of prevention services such as drug abuse and child abuse. Mr. Blout added that the crisis intervention program will not be impacted if at all possible. MINUTE-MAN EDITORIAL Mr. Cohen reported on calls from citizens regarding statements on Proposition 2i , which had appeared in a Lexington Minute-Man editorial recently. Misinformation published had led readers to question the need for a Special Town Meeting on budget cutbacks when the Town was allowed, under 21 , to tax up to 21 of its assessed value, to make up the deficit. Apparently, the editorial writer had overlooked the second limit, namely that the tax levy can only rise by 21 of the previous levy. He felt that this misstatement pointed out the need for education of the public on the ramifications and constraints of Proposition 21. Mrs. Smith expressed the appreciation of the Board to all who had presented information that evening for their cooperation during the painful process of decisions on cutbacks. BOND ANTICIPATION NOTES Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize bond anticipation notes in the amount of $1,500.000, for the purchase of Pine Meadows, and for Wood Street water main replacement, in the amount of $1,420,000, as recommended by John J. Ryan, Comptroller. ,so.h Selectmen's Meeting -7- September 11, 1989 1990 FEDERAL CENSUS Mr. White requested that the Selectmen vote to appoint a Town liaison far the 1990 Federal Census and suggested that Bernice Fallick, Town Clerk, would be the appropriate person. Upon motion duly made anrconded, it voted to appoint Bernice H. Fallick, Town Clerk, as Le ' gton's UiisY0Ito the Federal Government relative to the 1990 Federal Census. EXECUTIVE SESSION Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5 - 0 by roll call vote: Mrs. Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddi son, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney, to go into Executive Session for discussion of matters of litigation, the disclosure of which might be detrimental to the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at :1:e:ord, 11/17igi(24 ' 4474f— Attest: Marion H. Snow Executive Clerk /('I? 000, SELECTMEN'S MEETING •r September 18, 1989P' A regular meeting of the Board of Sel ectme'n was held on Monday, September 18, 1 989, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddi son, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Ms. Radway, Asst. to the Town Manager; Mrs . Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of the Board of Selectmen in Executive Session on August 28, 1989, were approved as amended. PATROLMEN'S ASSOCIATION Mr. White referred to the previous meeting on September 11th, when he, in the absence of Chief Furdon, had spoken of the impact of eliminating the Center Patrol and had tried to present a perspective from the viewpoint of the Police Department. He thought it appropriate to hear from Captain Philip Taylor on behalf of the Department and from Edward O'Brien, President of the Patrolmen' s Association, to present the collective bargaining viewpoint. Captain Taylor pointed out the assistance sometimes required of the Center Patrolmen by the motorized patrol when more than two officers are needed to bring in and book belligerent prisoners. He noted that in such a case last week, two officers had been injured and unable to work, and that to eliminate three more officers would severely aggravate the functioning of the Department. He urged the Board to take that aspect into consideration. Mr. Dailey raised the point that at this time, Lexington has a ratio of 1.8 Police officer per 1,000 population, one of the lowest in the area. Captain Taylor listed safety items which would not receive as much attention in the Center with the elimination of the three officers such as traffic enforcement and crosswalk concerns. He felt that the Center, overall , would be less secure. Edward O'Brien thanked the Board for the opportunity to speak on behalf of the Patrolmen. He also stressed the need to retain the Center Patrol at its present level for support to the motorized patrolmen, noting that the Center is most susceptible to break-ins and robberies. He listed potential retirees from the Department and officers now involved in special projects and felt that the Force would be severely undermanned by reducing it by three more officers. He said that the State Police are not responding to calls for assistance from Lexington and often calls here for help. BUDGET CUT RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. White reviewed his recommendations on program cuts, formulated after an arduous examination of all possible areas. He believed that a fair process had been used and that input from all had been solicited in order to provide the necessary information to bring him to these decisions. 1 -2- He acknowledged that budget reductions would be painful and would be on a permanent basis, in the light of forecasts for finances in the coming years. - _ The reconsideration and elimination of the $180,000 appropriation for reconstruction of the Harrington School Soccer Fields was proposed. Mr. White recommended that the remodeling of the Front Dispatch Desk area of the Police Station, with an appropriation of $63,912, be eliminated, with the intent of again considering the project next year. He recommended that $26,625 be saved by cancelling the Town's Earthquake insurance policy, and felt that discontinuing it in November would be an acceptable risk for the Town to take. In presenting his recommendations on elimination of three of four officers manning the Center patrol at a savings of $45,019, he recapped the shift structuring and responsibilities of those officers . With regard to traffic duty, he noted that Norman Abend, Traffic Consultant, had stated in reports on Lexington Center than an automated system in the Center was capable of taking care of traffic flow. Mr. White felt that the remaining officer would constitute Police presence in the Center and would be adequate to make security checks and assist citizens and business owners. Regarding the proposed one hour delay in the morning opening of the Libraries , Mr. White felt that the impact or the public would be minimal since the 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. hour has been shown to the the least busy for Library traffic and circulation. A net savings of $22,500 would be realized by this rescheduling. A total of $361,932.00, could be realized in savings , if the Manager's recommendations on cutbacks are adopted. Mr. White also reported on plans for self funding, on a permanent basis, of the Cemetery, by raising prices of lots. Charts entitled "Five Year Forecast" , "Estimated Revenues" as of 9/15/89; and "Impact of Governor's Veto-Fiscal Year 1990", were distributed and reviewed with the Board. Mr. White saw no hope that the State will provide more assistance to Towns, and felt that even expectations for level funding of Local Aid could be optimistic. He noted a 13% reduction in Town Hall staff since Proposition 2i began, with less impact i r Public Safety and Human Services areas. Mrs. Smith thanked Mr. White and his staff for his work in bringing the recommendations to the Board. - Di scuss i on followed on varying degrees of cutbacks in the Center Patrol and other sources of savings such as LEXPRESS. Mr. White stressed the need to avoid temporary measures , such as taking the $600,000 deficit out of Free Cash, and encouraged the Board to come to a position on his recommended cutting of programs. Mrs. Smith reviewed Mr. White's recommendations and asked for the Board's position on each. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to support the Town Manager's recommendation to eliminate the FY90 appropriation of $180,000 for improvements to the Harrington School Soccer Fields. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to support the Town Manager's recommendation that the project of remodeling of the Police Front Desk/Dispatch Area, at a cost of $63,912, be eliminated. r••r Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to support the • Town Manager's recommendation that the Earthquake Liability Insurance policy be discontinued, at a savings of $26,625. pm. Selectmen' s Meeting -3- September 18, 1989 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reduce hours at the Cary Library and East Lexington Library by one hour, six days a week, by scheduling the opening of the libraries at 10:00 a.m. rather than at 9:00 a.m. Regarding the cutback of four Center Patrol Officers , at net savings of $45,019, discussion continued on ways whereby retention of two officers could be achieved, by funding from different sources . It was noted that the proposed $362,000 total savings would amount to $24,000 more than the Town's share of the deficit. As a way of making up for the $45,019, the Manager suggested that the $24,000 could he used and the balance taken from Article 5 or from funds appropriated for unfilled positions. Motion was made and seconded to eliminate funding of two positions, with the intent of eliminating only one of the positions and funding the other from such sources as outlined above. Mr. McSweeney proposed that three of the four officers he retained, with one to be paid out of Parking Meter funds. Mr. Eddison proposed the elimination of only one position as a possible consensus position for the Board. Mr. Dailey said that he could accept this compromise. Mr. McSweeney also agreed to support this position. The motion was adjusted accordingly. Motion having been made and seconded, it was voted to recommend that one of the four Center Patrol positions be eliminated. HIGH SCHOOL PARKING REGULATIONS Mr. White presented changes it parking regulations at the High School Parking Lot, as proposed to resolve problems with parking by students on Worthen Road. Lipon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve rearrangement of parking areas at the Lexington High School Parking Lot, as recommended by Police Chief Paul E. Furdon. WARRANT ARTICLES Mr. Cohen reviewed Warrant Articles for the Special Town Meeting on September 25th. ARTICLE 6, WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND Mr. Cohen explained the purpose of Article 6, which would allow the Town the flexibility to establish a waste collection enterprise fund. There was agreement to support this Article. ARTICLE 2, BORROWING FOR SCHOOL EQUIPMENT No position was reached, pending additional information to be provided by the School Committee. REPORT, APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Michael O'Sullivan, Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, ••.% distributed advance copies of the report of his Committee with a Financial Model , showing the Town's revenues and expenditures, actual and project, from FY85 through FY94. He advised that the Town should take action to deal with the shortfall this year in the light of pessimistic forecasts for coming years. -4- The 4..The Appropriations Committee did not support Article 2 and felt that with as large a budget as the Schools have, there should he .r.. flexibility enough for them to provide their share. APPOINTMENT, C.o. A. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the appointment by the Town Manager of Beth lel arman to the Council on Aging, to fill the unexpired term of George Doughty, Jr. ABATEMENT, AMBULANCE BILLS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the abatement of Ambulance Charges in the amount of $160.00, unpaid balance on the bill to Philip M. McMahon, as recommended by John D. Bergeron, Fire Chief. AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEES Mr. Marshall reported that the Site Development Committee had intended to file a complete report under Article 2 of a Special Town Meeting to be held in November or December but instead, the committee had prepared an interim report to be filed at September 25th's session of the Special Town Meeting, with its final report ready for the Annual Town Meeting 1990. Mr. Eddi son 's Affordable Housing Options Committee will also submit an interim report to the Special Town Meeting. EXECUTIVE SESSION ..�. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5 -- 0 by roll call vote, Mrs. Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Edd i son, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney, to go into Executive Session with no intent to resume open session for discussion of matters of collective bargaining and possible land acquisition, the disclosure of which could prove to be detrimental to the interests of the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:29 p.m. W/C/C A true record, Attest: Marion H. Snow Executive Clerk Lf SELECTMEN"S MEETING September 25, 1989 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, September 25, 1989, in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, at 7:00 p.m. Chairman Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddison, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Ms. Radway, Asst. to the Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. PUBLIC HEARING, NE TELEPHONE & EDISON, NORTH STREET Mrs . Smith opened a Public Hearing on the petition of the New England Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company for permission to relocate one jointly owned pole at #169 North Street. Edward Chisholm, representing the Edison Company, also spoke on behalf of Robert Boudreau, New England Telephone Company, who was absent due to illness. Mr. Chisholm explained that the relocation of the pole is necessary to allow for construction of a driveway at #169 North Street. There being no comments in favor or in opposition, Mrs. Smith declared the hearing closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition, plans and orders of the New England Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company for relocation of one jointly owned pole #178/1 ,22' pole on the easterly side of North Street, approximately 72' southerly of the Burlington town line. MINUTES Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Selectmen on September 11, 1989. HEAVY EQUIPMENT NOISE COMMITTEE Mrs. Smith referred to the Charge to the Selectmen 's Heavy Equipment Noise Committee, adopted by the Board on February 27th, and read a list of candidates for appointment to the Committee, which included applicants with various backgrounds as required in the Charge. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following as members of the Selectmen's Heavy Equipment Noise Committee: Joy C. Buchfirer 237 Worthen Road East Thomas M. Spera 4 Todd Road Istvan L. Ver 10 Glen Road James M. McLaughlin 55 Asbury Street Christopher A. Kenney 2 April Lane, Apt. #12 Elizabeth M. Flynn 310 Concord Avenue Joy Buchfirer, who was designated as Chairman, will convene the first meeting of the Committee. RESIGNATION, HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of Beth S. Klarman from the Human Services Committee, effective as of August 1, 1989. RESIGNATION,GNATION, TRUSTEES OF PUBLIC TRUSTS • Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of John R. Packard as a Trustee of Public Trusts, effective as of January 1, 1990. Letters of appreciation will be sent to Ms. Klarman and Mr. Packard, expressing the Board's gratitude for their service to the Town. OCTOBER MEETING SCHEDULE It was agreed that Selectmen's Meetings will be posted for October 2, October 16, October 23, and October 30, 1989, with the understanding that meetings may be cancelled, if the work load allows. CONSENT AGENDA ONE DAY AUCTIONEER LICENSE Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of Richard M. Bradley of Bradley and Von Dohi en Antique Auctioneers, for One Day Auctioneer License for an auction to be held on September 27, 1989, at the Lexington Lodge of Elks, 959 Waltham Street, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSES, ELKS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the applications of Lexington Lodge of Elks #2204, 959 Waltham Street, for One Day Liquor Licenses on the following dates: October 7, October 13 , October 20, October 21, 1989. APPOINTMENT TO LEXHAB Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Lynda A. Wi k, 56 Robbins Road, as a member of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, to fill the unexpired term of Jean Gaudet to December 5, 1989. FREE CASH Mr. White complimented Comptroller John Ryan for his work in establishing the Town's Free Cash balance, which he reported as $3.9 million for FY90. He noted that last year's Free Cash totalled $7.5 million and that receivables this year are down by $1,000,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn at 7:25 p.m. A true record, Attest: ) e\ 7 ttest: 7 - Marion H. Snow Executive Clerk 1, )6 0•14 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 27, 1989 A regular meeting of Board Of Sd@gptmen was held on Wednesday, September 27, 1989, in th. -ledtmer Malting Room, at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Smith, Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddison, Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. ARTICLE 2, BORROWING FOR SCHOOL EQUIPMENT Mr. White updated the Board on the intent of the School Committee to meet their share of the deficit by a reduction in its operating budget ($58,000) , with revenue from out-of-town student tuitions ($42,000) and to petition the Town Meeting to fund the purchase of computer equipment ($238,000) out of the Stabilization Fund. There was opposition among the members to the use of the Stabilization Fund for this purpose since it had been initiated by the Selectmen to fund future general Town projects or purchases. Mr. Marshall , Mr. Eddison and Mr. Dailey felt that it would be an inappropriate use of these funds and said they would not support the petition. Mrs. Smith pointed out that the Board had originally been supportive of the computer purchases and said that she preferred that the money be taken from the Stabilization Fund than from Free Cash. She rm. saw some promise in the action by the School Committee toward lowering its operating budget and realizing that they must participate in the Town's effort to make up the deficit and lower expenses in the future. It was agreed that the Selectmen would wait to hear more from the School Committee before taking a position on the matter. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. diP A true record, Attest: (2K/2 arion H. Snow Executive Clerk effort -••■