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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-07-BOS-minSELECTMEN'S MEETING July 9, 1991 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday, July 9, 1991, 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 Managers Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Ms. Radway, Asst. Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present, MTXTITTPq Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of Selectmen's Meetings on May 22, 1991, and June 10, 1 Mr. Eddison abstained from voting on acceptance of the minutes of May 22, 1991, due to his absence from the meeting. PETITIONS BOSTON EDISON COMPANY Mrs. Smith explained the purpose for the petitions of Boston Edison Company for confirmation of existing underground facilities in four subdivision streets which have now been accepted as public ways by the Town Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petitions, plans and orders of Boston Edison Company for the purpose of confirming unde rg round facilities i n Ryder Lane, Malt Lane, Freeman Circle, and Bicentennial Drive, which were private ways and now have become public ways. Public Bearings on these petitions were not required. COMMITMENT OF CHARGES Upon motion duly made and seconded, ('ominitment of Charges, as follows: June water charges $18,881.80 June Water charges $ 47,52 June Sewer Charges $ 42,175.54 June Sewer Charges $ 45.00 June Sewer Charges $ 63.00 Street opening permits $ 150.00 it was ti-oted to approve A BATEMENTS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the abatement of Water charges in the amount of $2,009.73; and Sewer Charges in the amount of $3,150.32. 'TRAFFIC „REQUEST Polk Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the requests of James E. Barrington, 31 Dewey Road, regarding traffic hazards for children walking to William Diamond Middle School to the Traffic Safety Advisory and School committees for review and recommendation. ter, JOINT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE BUDGET UPDATE Mr. White updated the Board on the status in the Legislature of the State's FY92 Budget and reviewed supporting details which he had provided on its potential impact on Lexington. On a sheet entitled "Conference committee vs cherry Sheet ", State funding items such as chapter 70; Additional Assistance School construction; Tuition State Wards; Public Libraries; Veterans; Highway; and Lottery Funds totalled $2,809,750, and showed a reduction for Lexington of $940,139 from the FY91 Cherry Sheet Estimated Receipts. To accommodate expected State cuts in funding, the 1991 Spring Town Meeting had approved the Manager's proposal for a FY92 budget reduced by $502,000. Because cuts in State funding h been even more severe, Mr. white projected a deficit of S438,139 in the Town's FY92 budget. The Manager listed provisions designed to provide relief to communities and noted that two items which would have gust about covered - the $438,000+ shortfall (exemption of local overlay accounts and increases in the motor vehicle excise tax minimum payment 3 are slated for veto by the Governor. There was discussion of efforts in the Legislature to gain support for override of these vetos but Mr. White felt that there was little chance for success of these overrides. He urged that plans be developed as soon as possible on the means for covering the expected deficit. He will give his recommendations on reductions ' to the Town's budget at the next meeting. It was felt, that the proposal to allow towns to delay teachers' summer pay checks by 10 days would be of no long term benefit. It was pointed out that Towns can opt out of this provision only by rote of their Town Meetings. The Governor's provision that September 24 Referendums for ON- erride of Proposition 2 1/2 be held Statewide was also discussed. These two provisions will again be taken up at a future meeting. Mr. white noted that the Local Mandate Relief Package listed many other provisions with some promise, but of no immediate benefit to Towns. Mrs. Smith expressed her strong dissatisfaction with the fact that although the State government had ended the fiscal year with a $155 million dollar profit, there appears to be a drive to force towns to rely almost totally on real estate tax revenue for funding. RESIGNATION, DIRECTOR OF GLIDES Mrs. Smith referred to a letter of resignation received, by the Board from Cornelius Cronin, Director of Guides, who had held that post for the past eleven years, She spoke of her unsuccessful efforts to convince Mr. Cronin to reconsider his decision to retire but was happy to report that he is willing to continue to be involved in the Program as Director of Guides, Emeritus, to serve the Town at his leisure. r Selectmen's Meeting -3- July 9, 1991 Mrs. Smith noted that the Town is special because of volunteers .like Mr. Cronin who give tirelessly of their talents and expressed the appreciation of the selectmen for his skill in I- and directing the student Guides so successfully. She presented Mr. Cronin with a Lifetime Battle Green Guide License with the Board's hest wishes. Mr. Cronin reported that this year, he has 17 paid up app l i cants , Seven of these are now on duty on the Green a from the remaining lo, still in training, he expects to graduate :several more. Mr. Marshall noted that he comes from a part of the Country where very few are honored with lifetime licenses. Be felt it to 6e.. entirely appropriate that such a license be issued to Mr. Cronin. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was �7oted to approve Lhe application of Cornelius P. Cronin, 14 Utica Street, for a Battle Green Guide License, to remain in force for his lifetime, and to appoint Mr. Cronin as Director of Guides, Emeritus for as I ong as he wishes to serve the Town in that capacity. SENIOR BATTLE GREEN GUIDES -- - Upon motion duly made and seconded, it ; #a.s voted to approve applications for Battle Green Guide Licenses, as follows: David M. Frohman 1 Todd Road Kenneth M. Smith 44 Grant street Conan L. Hom 173 Grove Street These licenses will expire on June 30, 1992. Mr. Edison left the meeting at this time to keep an 8:00 p.m. appointment with the Design Advisory Committee. FXELUTIVE SESSION Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was ti�oted 4 - o by 1 l cal 1 vote Mrs. Smith, Mr. Marshall, Mr. Dailey, Mr . 'IcSweeney, to go into Executive Session for discussion of matters of litigation, the disclosure of which could adversely affect the interests of the Town, and with no intent to resume open session. Upon motion duly made and seconded., at 8:30 p. m. A true record, Attest: it was voted to adjourn c I �;O . - >� W_ L6;M;__ :Marion H. Snow Executive Clerk l SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 22, 1991 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, July 22, 1991, 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. Town Manager; Mrs. Snow, Executive Clerk, were present. PUBLIC HEARINO BOSTON EDISON MINUTEMAN LANE Mrs. Smith opened a Public Hearing on the petition of the Boston Edison Company for installation of Conduit in Minute Man Lane* Edward Chisholm, representing the Edison Company, explained that the Edison Customer who would be serviced by the conduit will pay for the work and that the excavation will all be done on p -rivate property. Mrs. Smith read the favorable recommendations of the Director of Public works on the petition. There being no questions or comments from the Board or the audience, the hearing was declared Closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition, plan and order of Boston Edison Company for the purpose of obtaining a Grant of Location for installation of { approximately sixty- -four feet of Conduit in Minute Man Lane, southerly at Battle Green Road. PUBLIC HEARING, EDISON /N.E, TELEPHONE, JOINT POLES The Chairman opened a Public Hearing on the petition of Boston Edison and New England Companies for permission to locate and to relocate poles on lots surrounding the intersection of Minuteman Lane and Battle Green Road. Robert Boudreau of the Telephone Company noted that the petition had been previously acted upon by the Selectmen on June 24 but because of an error in notification of abuttors, it had been resubmitted, He explained that on Minuteman Lane, Pole 272/3 would be relocated 45 feet in an easterly direction; a new Pole 272/3A would be installed fig feet in an easterly direction from existing Pole 272/4, On Battlegreen Road, one pole 273/0 would be placed 115 feet in a northerly direction from existing pole 273/1. The plan showed aerial wires running from a pole to be installed on Lawrence Harding's lot and cutting diagonally across where a large tree is located. Mr. Harding objected to the plan because of the likelihood of damage to the tree's branches. Mr, Eddison questioned Mr. Boudreau as to the accuracy of the sketch plan provided with regard to the exact location of the tree on the Harding lot and requested that a plan, drawn to scale, be submitted and that the Tree Superintendent be asked to review the plan and inspect the tree, for report to the Board on the potential for damage to the tree. �1t IM Joan Bentley, whose lot is opposite the Harding lot, said she would have no objection to installation of the pole on her 1 ❑t at 6 Minute Man Lane, which would cause no interference with Now Mr. Harding' s tree. Mr. Boudreau and Mr. Chisholm had no objections - to this proposal and agreed that a revised plan, drawn to scale, would be provided at a subsequent hearing. Mr. white said that if the Board indicated its approval of the revised plan, he would give permission for the work to proceed in anticipation of a Public Hearing. It was the sense of the Board that the plan, revised as suggested, was acceptable and would address Mr. Harding's objection. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to disapprove the petition, plan and orders of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone Company for the location and relocation of jointly owned poles at Minuteman Lane and Battle Green Road. Mr. Boudreau reported that work on the straightening of iea.ning poles in various locations of the town as requested by the Selectmen, was in progress and would soon be completed. RESIGNATION. LExHAB Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept with regret and appreciation the resignation of Sherry Edmonds as a member of the Lexington Housing Assistance Board, effective immediately. " A PPOINTMENT, _._..LEXHAB Mrs. Smith noted the recommendation of LexHAB Chairman Marshall Derby that Eleanor Klauminzer be appointed to LexHAB to fill firs. Edmond' s unexpired term and spoke of Mrs. K1 auminzer' s extensive experience in the housing field, Board members enthusiastically supported the recommendation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Eleanor Kla.uminzer, S Lincoln Terrace, to the Lexington Housing Assistance Board to fill and unexpired term to December 5, 1993. LOCAL AID REDUCTIONS Mr. White reviewed with the Board various budget options available to offset the additional $435,040 of local aid reductions. He reported on the status of the State's FY92 budget A µ in the Legislature and referred to the probable veto of Governor Weld of the provision regarding overlay reserves which could have benefitted Lexington by $350,000. He felt that by the Board's next meeting on August 5, he will have more definitive information as to the exact amount of the shortfall to be addressed. He reported on his review with the Comptroller of pension funding issues, adding that some of the pension reform enacted in FY91 and FY92 could be of some benefit to Lexington. Selectmen's Meeting --3- July 22, 1991 He pointed out that those reforms would require the Board to adjust some long- standing policies regarding pension. funding. 'sir. white noted that the Minuteman Vocational School budget has a potential for reduction of $100,000, which would benefit Lexington by approximately $18,000. Regarding Town staff, Mr. white said that he had filled none of the 9 vacancies which have occurred since March, :1991 and will prioritize if more positions need to be eliminated to close the FY92 gap. Mr. Marshall left the meeting at 8:00 p . m. to attend an MBTA Advisory Board meeting. CONSENT AGENDA APPOINTMENT C ATV _ NEGOTIAT SUBCOMMITTEE Upon motion duly te made and seconded, it was voted to ratify the poll vote of July 10 to appoint Caleb warner, 548 Concord Avenue, as a member of the C.A.T.V. negotiating Subcommittee. W iARRANT FOR UN DOGS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant to Kathy P. Fox, Animal Control Officer, for 750 Unlicensed Dogs in the Town. ELECTION WORKERS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint 01 Democratic Election Workers; 38 Republican Election Workers; and 17 Independent Election workers, for terms to expire on August 15, 19920 ONE DAFT LIQUOR LICENSE Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of the B.P.O. Elks, Lodge -01"2204, for One Day Liquor License for August 3, 1391, for a wedding to be held in the Elks Hall, 959 Waltham Street from 4:00 p.m. to 12 Midnight, BATTLE GREEN GUIDES Upon motion duly made and secon the following as Battle Green Guides June 30, 1.9 91 Julie Anne DeMatteo 2 Masha was i lewsky 8 Elizabeth J. Perlman 10 Michelle Leahy 35 Wesley Karger 218 Paul Karger 210 Nancy Moore 94 Lowell Ladd 15 William T. Greene, 1II 3 David Line 8 ded, it was voted to appoint for terms to expire on Winchester Drive Skyview Road Minola Road Tyler Road E. Emerson Road E. Emerson Road East Street Pine Knoll Road Carnegie Road Circle Road- -4- CONSERVATION RESTRICTION KA'T'AHDIN WOODS Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to re-- execute a Conservation Restriction over land in Katandin woods, revised only regarding format, as required by State Law. ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE, HIGASHI SCHOOL Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of the Boston Higashi School, 2618 Mass. Avenue for a One Day Liquor License to serve wine and beer at a festival to be held on Sunday, August 4, 1991, from 3 :00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RESIGNATION TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of William P. Murphy as a member of the Transportation Advisory Committee, effective immediately. t:S.S. LEXINGTON PETITION Mrs. Smith explained the request of William Fitzgerald for support by the Selectmen of efforts to have the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Lexington, which is being retired from the U.S. Navy, returned to Quincy, Massachusetts where it was built. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the Petition to the Secretary of the Navy to "Bring Home the Lex" to Quincy. The petition will become part of the City of Quincy's formal application to the Secretary *. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen in Executive Session on June lo, 1991. Mr. Eddison abstained from - voting due to his absence from the June loth meeting. BATTLE GREEN PLANTING GU IDES Mr. Eddison presented draft copies entitles "Planting Guidelines - Lexington Battle Green and Environs ", prepared to help in clarifying and defining Town policies with respect to the planting of trees on and around the Battle Green. The draft had been developed by--a volunteer tree committee :haired by Barbara Hulsizer and including John Frey, Margret Read, Nell walker and Mr. Eddison and had been reviewed and commented on by the Town Manager, the Director of Public Works, Richard Spiers, and the Supt. of Parks and Trees, Dale Gaasland. Mr. Eddison asked for the Board's comments on the Guidelines, noting that the Planning Board, Historic Districts Commission, Design Advisory committee and the Lexington center Committee have also been asked for review, with response by August 5. Board members expressed their support of the efforts of the tree committee and had no adverse comments on the draft Guidelines. i r #aft Selectmen's Meeting - 5 — July 22, 1991 PROPOSED GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT POLICY COMMITTEE Mr. Edd i son also was looking for comments on a draft, prepared by selectman William Sullivan of concord, of a proposed Memorandum of Agreement to establish a. Growth & Development Policy Committee for the Hanscom Field Area. The primary purpose of the committee would be to receive and administer funds paid in lieu of taxes by private organizations operating at the Hanscom Field Air Base to be used for highway, traffic and transport improvements in the area. The committee would be composed of the HATS II leadership from the four towns and of representatives of the Air Force. Boards of Selectmen in Bedford, Concord, and Lincoln had approved the draft and Mr. Eddison asked for response from the Lexington Board so that he can inform Mr. Sullivan, HATS Chairman, of Lexington's approval. STATE AID FORMS , FORM HED- 0 7 7 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute a certification to the State District Highway Engineer, that $1,848,135.59 is the amount which is expected to be incurred during FY92 for constructing, maintaining and policing of the Town streets or road, in accordance with Chapter 81, Section 31, General Laws, FY93 STREET ACCEPTANCE SCHEDULE Mr. White reviewed a proposed FY93 Street Acceptance Schedule, prepared by Francis Fields, Town Engineer, including a copy of a Public Notice notifying petitioners of the deadline of September 13, 1991, for filing of sewer, street and sidewalk acceptance petitions. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Schedule for FY93 Street Acceptance, as presented, FIRE DEPARTMENT HEART SAFER FUND Mr. White reported on the recent purchase through public donation of two heart defibrillators and associated supplies and the funding of employee training. The Manager noted contributions of $5,000 from Raytheon and W.R. Grace, as well as other smaller donations from 84 individuals and organizations. The equipment will be featured during the Fire Department's annual Fire Prevention Open House on October 5, 1991. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:25 p.m. A true record, Attest: Marion H. Snow Executive Clerk