HomeMy WebLinkAbout1993-12-BOS-min a. t^ {
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
December 6, 1993
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on
Monday, December 6 , 1993 , in the Auditorium of the Harrington
Elementary School at 7 : 30 p.m. Chairman Dailey, Mr. McSweeney, Mr.
Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mr White,
Town Manager; Mrs. Novak, Assistant Town Manager; and Mrs. Peters,
Executive Clerk, were present.
PLANS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS
Mr. Dailey welcomed residents to Harrington School , and said
that like the public meetings that were held throughout the Town by
the Strategic Planning and Implementation Group ( SPRIG) this fall ,
the Selectmen plan to hold some of their meetings at various loca-
tions throughout the Town, to give Board members more opportunity
to hear from residents. He noted that a report on these SPAIG open
meetings has been completed and should be available to all , very
soon, with copies also available in the libraries and in the Town
Clerk' s Office.
Mr. Dailey discussed the new notice holder placed outside in
front of Cary Hall in which Selectmen Meeting Agendas will be
posted on a regular basis, and he expressed the Board' s apprecia-
tion to DPW Director Spiers for its construction and installation.
Mr. Dailey also reported that a series of open Selectmen
omit
meetings are planned in the near future with the School Committee,
the Appropriation and Capital Budget Committees as the Selectmen go
through the budget process, and that beginning with the new year,
the Board plans to establish regular office hours one morning a
week where a Selectmen will be available to meet with residents who
have questions or who wish to discuss issues for the Board.
Mr. Dailey spoke of the Board' s need to increase its account-
ability to the Town with regards to the preparation of an evalua-
tion process for the Town Manager, and for the development of the
FY95 budget .
INCIDENT AT THE LEXINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Acting Chief Casey reported on a shooting incident today in a
grassy area outside the high school . Two young men, not Town
residents, were arrested and remain in custody. Acting Chief Casey
said he will keep the Board informed on what is happening.
AD HOC ASSESSOR'S ADVISORY COMMITTEE FINAL REPORT
Mr. Dailey invited Dr. Geza Szonyi , Chairman of the Assessors '
Ad-Hoc Reevaluation Advisory Committee, to present the Committee' s
final report .
Chairman Szonyi spoke of the beginning of the Ad-Hoc Committee
that was established in the spring of 1993 , and of their meetings
throughout the summer and fall . He reported on work of the four
+�•• subcommittees and the documents prepared by each subcommittee: the
fi first being a handout for citizens of s prepared Lexin ton to answer
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major questions concerning the assessment and abatement process;
the second a survey of the assessment and abatement processes of
selected neighboring towns, in which the preliminary results
Minutes for the Meeting of December 6 , 1993 2
1011.4
suggest that Lexington' s assessment process is more accurate and
the staffing level is lower than most of the comparison towns; the
third subcommittee addressed itself to finding ways of improving
the services rendered by the Assessor' s office and staff, and
prepared a handout to answer the most common questions asked with
regard to assessment and abatement processes; and the fourth
subcommittee developed a guide to the assessment computation,
allowing the average citizen to calculate his or her assessment
using the guide and a calculator.
Dr. Szonyi emphasized that all this work was made possible
through the cooperation of Assessor Harald Scheid, the Board of
Assessors and the Comptroller. He also reported on a number of
objectives the Committee has accomplished and presented two recom-
mendations for future action: that comprehensive inspections be
initiated as soon as feasible, and continued work to assure that
the assessment formula fits the data well , makes sense and reflects
similarities and differences in property values.
Mr. Dailey thanked Dr. Szonyi and the Ad-Hoc Committee, and
added that the Board was very proud of the Town' s Assessing Depart-
ment and its Board of Assessors , and very pleased with the work of
the Assessors' Ad-Hoc Reevaluation Advisory Committee as reflected
in its Final Report .
,wm, Other members congratulated the Committee for a job well done,
especially with respect to making the Town' s assessment processes
more public and understandable.
MINUTES
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was vote to approve the
minutes for the meeting of November 8 , 1993 .
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the minutes for the executive session held on November 8 , 1993 .
CONSERVATION RESTRICTION - 45 SOLOMON PIERCE RD.
The Board reviewed a Memorandum from Marilyn Nordby, Conserva-
tion Administrator, dated November 19, 1993 , asking that the Board
approve and endorse a Conservation Restriction for land at 45
Solomon Pierce Road, that has been accepted by the Conservation
Commission.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
and endorse the Conservation Restriction on land located at 45
Solomon Pierce Road.
COMMON VICTUALLER LICENSE RENEWALS
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
applications and endorse licenses for the following common victual-
•• lers, except that the renewal of the license for the New Asia
Restaurant is contingent upon constructing a permanent enclosure
Minutes for the Meeting of December 6 , 1993 3
from the back door to the walk-in refrigerator, as required in a
memorandum, dated November 5 , 1993 , from the Lexington Department
of Inspectional Services, Stan Sosnicki , Health Agent.
Alexander' s Pizza, Vasillios Bokos 180 Bedford Street
Arty' s Restaurant , Frank Gianoukos 177 Mass. Avenue
Bel Canto Restaurant, Donald Vaundell 1709 Mass. Avenue
Brigham' s #096 , Paul Gallante 38 Bedford Street
Brugger' s Bagel ; Bakery-Beantown 413 Waltham Street
Bagels, Inc. , Daniel C. Shelan
Chadwick' s, John Adams 903 Waltham Street
Chicken Express & Seafood of Lexington 137 Mass. Avenue
Coffee Connection, Jessica Jacobsen 1729 Mass. Avenue
Dagwood' s Deli , John Pacelli 32 Waltham Street
Denny' s Restaurant, Audrey Randall 438 Bedford Street
Dunkin Donuts, Joseph Valerio 141 Mass. Avenue
Dunkin Donuts, Roberto Oliviera 373 Waltham Street
Fife & Drum Grill & Restaurant, Minuteman Vo-Tech,
Ronald Fitzgerald 748 Marrett Road
Friendly Ice Cream Corp. , Dennis Roberts 66 Bedford Street
Friendly Ice Cream Corp. , Dennis Roberts 1060 Waltham Street
Hartwell House, Inc. , Lawrence Tropeano 94 Hartwell Avenue
LeBellecour, Mita T. VanBerkout 10-12 Muzzey Street
Lemon Grass Inc. , Threeradit Songbehato 1710 Mass.
Lex. Golf Club, Dexter Whittinghill , Jr. 55 Hill Street
Lex. House of Pizza, Ilios Franas 399 Lowell Street
Lex. Lodge of Elks #2204, Peter Garvey 959 Waltham Street
Lex. Square Pizza & Restaurant, 1666 Mass. Avenue
Domenic Capozza
The Lexington Club, Keith Callahan 475 Bedford Street
Mario' s Restaurant, Mark Mimimos 1733 Mass. Avenue
New Asia II , Sally Loh 211 Mass. Avenue
Nick' s Place, Nicholas Houvardas 199 Mass. Avenue
One Meriam, Judith Doucette 1 Meriam Street
Peking Gardens, Peter Wong 27-31 Waltham Street
Pine Meadows Golf Club, Richard Baker 255 Cedar Street
Roy Rogers Restaurant, Mary Rogers Route 128 North
Sheraton/Lexington Inn, John Hurley 727 Marrett Road
Steve' s Ice Cream, John Hunter 1749 Mass. Avenue
Sweet Peppers, Edward N. Jigarjian 20 Waltham Street
The Kitchen, Inc. , Ruth Benoit 363 Mass. Avenue
Versaille Restaurant, Isaac Dray 1777 Mass. Avenue
Yangtze River Restaurant , Wei An Ong 21-25 Depot Square
LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse
Liquor Licenses for the restaurants, innholder, clubs and package
stores, with the exception of 1775 Wine & Spirits Package Store,
whose applications were approved for renewal at the Board' s meeting
of November 22 , 1993 . Mr. Busa abstained from the voting.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 6, 1993 4
It was noted that no ABCC renewal application was returned
from the 1775 Wine & Spirits Package Store in the month of Novem-
ber. as required by State Statute.
1993 LICENSE RENEWALS
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
renewal of and to endorse the following licenses:
COIN OPERATED VIDEO GAME MACHINES
Lexington Post VFW #3007 ( 2 ) Hayden Recreation Centre (4 )
2 Hayes Lane 24 Lincoln Street
Lexington Lodge B.P.O. Elks ( 3 ) Travel Plazas by Marriot ( 3 )
959 Waltham Street Roy Rogers Restaurant
Route 128 North
COMMON CARRIER
A Yankee Line, Inc. Boston Tours, Inc.
370 West First Street 56 Williams Street
Boston, MA 02027 Waltham, MA 02154
Steven Bauld
Mini Coach of Boston
18 Cooper Street
Medford, MA 02155
CLASS I LICENSES
Auto Engineering Ltd. Partnership Lexington Toyota Sales
436 Marrett Road 409 Massachusetts Ave.
New England Transit Sales, Inc.
238 Bedford Street
CLASS II LICENSE CLASS III LICENSE
Lexington Auto Sales Mr. John P. Carroll
Mr. James Shimansky 31 Allen Street
542 Massachusetts Avenue
LODGING HOUSE
Dr. Peter Bleiberg
Wild Acre Inn
50 Percy Road
ENTERTAINMENT
Hartwell House Sheraton/Lexington Inn
94 Hartwell Avenue 727 Marrett Road
INNKEEPER
gam Sheraton/Lexington Inn Travel Lodge
727 Marrett Road 440 Bedford Street
Battle Green Motor Inn
1820 Massachusetts Avenue
Minutes for the Meeting of December 6, 1993 5
REQUESTS FOR NEW YEAR' S EVE EXTENSION OF LIQUOR SERVICE HOURS
The Board discussed letters from the Sheraton Tara Lexington
Inn, Versailles Restaurant , Inc. , and a One Day Liquor License
application from the Lex. Knights of Columbus asking permission to
remain open and serve alcohol until 1 :00 a.m. on New Year's Eve.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant
permission for the above facilities to remain open and serve
alcohol on New Year' s Eve until 1 : 00 a.m. , and to approve in
concept any further requests to remain open and serve alcohol until
1 : 00 a.m. on New Year' s Eve, subject to the Town Manager' s granting
such permission, if he and the Acting Police Chief agree it is
appropriate.
ENDORSE STREET ACCEPTANCE NOTICES OF INTENT
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse
street acceptance Notices of Intent and Constable Returns previous-
ly approved by the Board at its November 22 , 1993 meeting signify-
ing the "Town' s Intent to Lay out as Public Ways" the following
subdivision streets recommended by the Planning Board for accep-
tance as public streets at the 1994 Annual Town Meeting :
Sanderson Road, 1211 ' approx. from Lowell St. to existing
Town Layout.
Orchard Lane, 650 ' approx. from Sanderson Rd. to the end.
Mead Circle, 325 ' approx. from North Emerson Rd. northerly to
the end.
Taylor Lane , 500 ' approx. from Revere St. southerly to the
end.
Battle Green Road, 375 ' approx. from Minute Man Lane easterly
to the end.
Royal Circle, 625 ' approx. from Grove St. easterly to the end.
Sunset Ridge, 750 ' approx. from Buckman Drive easterly to the
end.
CONSENT AGENDA
ABATEMENTS
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
abatement of the following charges.
a. Water, Sewer & Demand 12/1/93 Total $2 , 241 . 25
12/1/93 Total $185 . 10
ONE DAY LIQUOR LICENSE
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
three -- One Day Liquor Licenses applied for by the Lexington
Knights of Columbus for two singles dances to be held Friday,
12/10/93 , 9 :00 - Midnight, and Saturday, 12/18/93 , 9:00 -- Midnight;
and for a wedding reception to be held Friday, 12/31/93 , 7:00 PM
1 :00 a.m. with a New Years Eve Extension of Liquor Service Hours
•� granted by the Board ( see above) .
LEGAL REPORTS
Mr. Cohen briefed the Board regarding two recent legal judge-
ments, reporting that the Appeals Court has affirmed the judgement
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 6 , 1993 6
for the Town last week regarding John Shea and Rockville Avenue.
Mr. Cohen noted that the Town has prevailed at every step of this
case , which has gone on for approximately 12 years.
Mr. Cohen also reported that the United States Court of
Appeals for the First Circuit has upheld the decision of District
Court to allow a Regional Postal Service building to be located in
Waltham, on the border of Lexington.
COMMITTEE FOR SUSTAINING COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL REAL ESTATE VALUES
Mr. White reported that for the past several years he has
asked that the Board consider the establishment of a committee of
qualified citizen volunteers to make recommendations as to how the
Town can sustain commercial/industrial real estate values which
have been falling for the past several years. He added that about
a month ago Mr. Fenn and Mrs. Eddison expressed an interest in
working with him on the development of a charge.
Mr. Dailey suggested, and the Board agreed that all the
Selectmen work with Mr. White to come up with a suggested member-
ship list and a charge by the end of this year, with the hope that
the Committee could have a report ready for this year' s Town
Meeting.
The Board discussed the importance of using the many talents
and the need to capitalize on the experience found in the business
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community.
INSURANCE - PROPERTY AND LIABILITY
Assistant Town Manager Novak reported that recently the Town
solicited bids to underwrite the town' s property and liability
insurance, and that the Town was able to reduce all or most of its
deductibles and still save $100 ,000, with premiums that are locked
in for the next three years.
BUDGET FY 95
Mr. White presented and discussed preliminary budget figures
including a comparison of 1993 Average Residential Tax Bills for 22
towns, and 1992 Combined Annual MWRA Water and Sewer Costs for over
50 communities, both comparisons showing Lexington near the middle
in average tax bill and combined water and sewer costs.
Mr. White also discussed Projected Revenues, anticipated
Budget Increases from FY 94 to FY 95 for School and Municipal
Operating Budgets; Projected School/Town Gaps; FY 95 Supplemental
Budget Requests ; Budget Reduction Priorities - Senior Staff; and
Town Manager Added Program Reductions. He asked to hear from Board
members as soon as possible on how they wished to prioritize
spending and cuts .
Board members and the audience had questions and comments
about the privatization of non-emergency services, revenue reduc--
wilt tions, Caller ID, Bike Patrol overtime, the deadline for converting
from mercury vapor and incandescent street lights in order to save
$128, 000, privatization of trash collection, cost of uniforms,
elimination of town cars, size of school class rooms, and the
regionalization of some services.
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 6 , 1993 7
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Mr. Dailey asked Board members to try to bring as much infor-
mation as possible to the Selectmen' s next meeting on December 8
as to what cuts and spending they could support.
APPROVE TEMPORARY BURROWING
Mr. White reported that 5446 ,000 in grant reimbursements have
not been received, and that the Town needs to borrow in anticipa-
tion of receipt of these grants.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize
the temporary borrowing of $446, 000 in anticipation of receipt of
these grants.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn
the meeting at 10: 00 p.m.
A true record, Attest:
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Sara I . Peters
Executive Clerk
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING
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December 20, 1993
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on
Monday, December 20, 1993 , in the Selectmen' s Meeting Room, Town
Office Building, at 7 : 30 p.m. Chairman Dailey, Mr. McSweeney, Mr.
Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mr White,
Town Manager; Mrs. Novak, Assistant Town Manager; and Mrs. Peters,
Executive Clerk, were present.
PUBLIC HEARING: MFS - FIBER OPTICS HEARING
The Board reviewed a Metropolitan Fiber Systems/McCourt, Inc.
Petition for Conduit Location in Lexington.
Mr. White reported that McCourt and the Town have worked out
the terms of this agreement which is satisfactory to both, and that
the petition is ready to be acted on by the Board.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant to
Metropolitan Fiber Systems/McCourt, Inc. , upon payment of a fee of
$60,000 to the Town of Lexington, to be used specifically for the
purchase of Public Works equipment , plus a fee of $10,000 to the
Beautification Fund of the Town on order to ameliorate the impact
of the work set forth in the Petition, as amended, a license to
install and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with fiber
optic wires and cables to be placed therein under public ways, and
overhead fiber optic cables and related materials over public ways,
only as specifically set forth in the McCourt' s Petition for
Conduit Location, as amended, and in the plans on file in the Board
of Selectmen' s office dated 9/17/93 , for a period of fifteen ( 15 )
years from the date of this vote. Following the expiration of the
15 year period , McCourt may submit a new Petition for Conduit
Location to the Board, and the Board reserves its rights to take
any lawful action necessary to protect the public interest.
COALITION BARGAINING
Mr. White directed the Board' s attention to an agreement from
the Coalition of Lexington Employees Unions stating that the
Coalition is ready to negotiate pursuant to chapter 32B section 19,
and looks forward to joining the Town, employees and retirees to
create an attractive and competitive benefits package for all .
REPORTS OF THE TRAFFIC SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ( TSAC)
Peter Chalpin, Chairman of the TSAC presented the Committee ' s
Report on following traffic concerns.
Worthen Road Crosswalk @ Grace Chapel
Mr. Chalpin reported that at the TSAC meeting of October 27 ,
1993 , the Committee met with Mrs. Margaret Hunt, Administrator of
Grace Chapel , to discuss a request for a new crosswa2lk on Worthen
Road for the benefit of those who participate in the Chapel ' s year-
round day and evening programs. He added that the crosswalk would
be located in front of its main entrance, and that Grace Chapel has
said it would educate its members about the crosswalk through on-
going verbal and written announcements.
Mr. Chalpin said that the Committee recommended the request be
approved, and that the crosswalk be located as shown on the en-
closed plan. Mr. Chalpin said the Committee also recommended that
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 20 , 19943r4 2
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a Police Detail be retained by Grace Chapel during November and
December, the Chapel ' s peak period for evening activities, and that
the Chapel explore installing another spotlight on their property
to light the new crosswalk. In response to a question from the
Board, Mr. Chalpin said Grace Chapel had accepted the Committee' s
recommendations.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee recommendations for traffic
safety improvements as outlined above.
Hartwell Avenue
Mr. Chalpin reported that at the TSAC meeting of October 27 ,
1993 , the Committee met with the Lexington Police Department to
discuss two requests regarding Hartwell Avenue.
Mr. Chalpin said the first request concerned installing
Informational Speed Signs in four locations along Hartwell avenue
to alert motorists that, under the Fundamental Speed Law, the speed
limit is 40 MPH, since there are no 40 MPH signs posted on Hartwell
Avenue. He added that the signs are proposed to be installed just
after both Westview Street and Maguire Road for traffic going
toward Hanscom, and just after both Wood Street and Maguire Road
for traffic going toward Bedford Street.
Mr. Chalpin reported that the second request concerned in-
stalling No Parking signs on both sides of Hartwell Avenue at the
approaches to the Bikeway crossing; that based on observations by
Bicycle Patrol Officers while on patrol , cars parked on both sides
of the street at the bikeway while owners used the bikeway, limited
1 sight distance for other bikeway users and for vehicles approaching
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the crossing.
Mr. Chalpin reported that the Traffic Safety Advisory Commit-
tee recommended approval of both requests.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee recommendations for traffic
safety improvements on Hartwell Avenue, as outlined above.
63 Winter Street
Mr. Chalpin reported that at the TSAC meeting of October 27 ,
1993 , the Committee met with Mr. Alfred Iodice, 63 Winter Street,
to discuss his request for installation of a guard rail in front of
his home to prevent vehicles from running off the roadway on to his
property. Mr. Chalpin added that Mr. Iodice presented a number of
photographs showing damage to his property, and that there have
been at least five incidents in the last two years.
Mr. Chalpin reported that the Traffic Safety Advisory Commit-
tee recommended approval of Mr. Iodice ' s request, and recommended
the installation of 50 linear feet of Steel Beam Highway Guard Rail
as shown on the enclosed plan.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee recommendations for traffic
safety improvements at 63 Winter Street, as outlined above.
Pia REPORT ON THE STATUS OF THE BARRICADES AT THE INTERSECTION OF
' BEDFORD STREET AND HARRISON ROAD
Mr. Chalpin was asked when Option 2 , voted by the Board at its
September 27 meeting, which called for the removal of the temporary
barricades and the substitution of a one-way traffic pattern from
the intersection of Bedford Street and Harrison Avenue along
Minutes for the Meeting of December 20 , 199 3
oft
Harrison Avenue to the Unitarian Church, and from there to Massa-
chusetts Avenue the traffic pattern to be two-way, would be imple-
mented.
Mr. Chalpin reported that the barricades would be removed on
January 1 , 1994 to allow a three month trial period using signage
instead of the barricades, as approved by the Board under Option 2 .
REFINANCING
David Eisenthal from the Shawmut Bank of Boston reported on
the two refinancings recently concluded with the Town. The re-
structuring of the 1986 bond issue and the North Lexington Pumping
Station will result in the town saving approximately 1 . 1 million
dollars in interest costs over the life of the loans.
CATV COMMITTEE - INFORMATION ON NETWORK GOVERNANCE AND LICENSE
RENEWAL PROCESS
CATV Committee Chairman Julian Bussgang briefly outlined the
cable television renewal process that will be beginning soon since
Lexington' s cable television franchise is due to expire on August
31 , 1996 . He asked that the Board retain Attorney Peter Epstein to
represent the Town in these proceedings, and to vote to authorize
the CATV Committee to begin informal negotiations with Cablevision.
Mr. Bussgang also asked that the Board consider the appoint-
ment of Dr. William Spencer of the Lexington Public Schools Comput-
er Center as Lexington Information Network Administrator, to work
with a Town Manager appointed Network liaison person in the Town
Office Building.
Mr. White said that, subject to the Board' s approval , he would
appoint Julie Longcope to serve as the Network liaison from the
Town Office Building. He also recommended that Attorney Epstein
coordinate his work with Town Counsel .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint
William Spencer as Lexington Information Network Administrator to
coordinate channel assignments , equipment priorities, user access
and the day-to-day service status of the system.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to inform
Cablevision that the Town agrees to enter into informal negotia-
tions with Cablevision, delaying the beginning of formal negotia-
tions ; reporting back to the Board from time to time; and designat-
ing Attorney Peter Epstein to represent the Town in the Cable TV
renewal process with Cablevision, working with Town Counsel Cohen.
Mr. Bussgang also reported that Cablevision has filed with the
State as to what they proposed as rates, and that the CATV Commit-
tee has prepared a response to this. He asked that the Board
authorize the Committee to send a letter asking for clarification
of what their rates will be.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize
a response be sent to Cablevision from the Committee, as requested.
Mr. Dailey praised the work of CATV Committee members and lomm. Bussgang, and expressed the appreciation of the Board for all their
work over the past several years , which Mr. Dailey said has result-
ed in Lexington having one of the best cable systems in the state.
Mr. Dailey also expressed appreciation for the Committee' s quick
response when there were problems at the Fire Station.
Minutes for the Meeting of December 20 , 1994p4 4
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LEXHAB - SCATTERED SITE HOUSE - WOODLAND ROAD
Mr. Dailey briefly reviewed the history of the Town' s Scat-
tered Site Housing Program, and invited LexHAB Chairman Marshall
Derby to discuss the feasibility of using a Town owned parcel of
land on Woodland Road as a scattered site affordable house site.
Mr. Derby described the lot , which contains a path to the
Fiske School from Woodland Road described LexHAB plans to built a
four-bedroom house on the school-owned lot as part of the Town' s
scattered site affordable housing program, if the land could be
made available for that purpose. He noted that the house would be
built by Minuteman Tech students , with LexHAB supplying the materi-
als and the Lexington Rotary Club coordinating and supervising the
project . He added that the house, once built, would be rented to a
moderate- or low-income family.
Discussion followed among the roughly 40 residents present and
Mr. Derby, about the many resident concerns expressed as to what
effect this use would have on Fiske School students using the path;
the loss of a very beautiful natural site; the "safeness and
openness" of the path; and that the house proposed would not
conform to neighborhood values.
Former Selectman and daily user of the path Paul Marshall ,
supported the housing use, saying that if the Town is going to have
housing, there must be land for it. It was noted that since the
School Department now owns the land, a Town Meeting vote would be
oink necessary to transfer it to the Selectmen' s control before any
construction can take place, and that the School Committee will be
discussing the issue in early January.
Mr. Dailey said that an article would be reserved on the Town
Warrant on the chance that the plan may be approved. Mr. Derby
said that the LexHAB proposal will again come before the Board in a
month or so for review.
Residents Benton Warren and Karen Maslow asked to be notified
when the next meeting on the proposed use of this site for afford-
able housing is held.
The Board agreed to continue the discussion of the Woodland
Road affordable housing site at its meeting on January 31 , 1994 .
SPAIG REPORT
Chairman Paul Hamburger discussed some of the preliminary
findings that came from the open meetings held for citizens last
fall by the Strategic Planning Advisory and Implementation Group.
He noted that in total , approximately 300 people attended one or
more of the public meetings, and that several consistent comments
regarding core values included, not necessarily in priority order:
a strong sense of community; high quality public safety; focus on
diversity of ethnic , economic and age representation in Lexington;
high quality schools; maintenance and preservation of conservation
land and open space. He added the Committee hoped to have a final
report ready for the Board very soon.
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MINUTES
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the minutes for the Meeting of Dec. 8 , 1993 held on a Wednesday in
the Harrington School .
Minutes for the Meeting of December 20 , 1990 5
EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
the minutes for the Executive Session held on Nov. 22 , 1993 .
APPOINTMENTS: HISTORIC DISTRICTS COMMISSION AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
The Board discussed a letter from Historic Districts Commis-
sion Chairman Stephen M. Politi proposing Clark Griffith (currently
an associate member of the Commission) to fill the vacancy created
by the resignation of John H. Ryan; and proposing Joann Gschwendt-
ner and Anne Ireland, who are both active in the Society, to serve
as associate members of the Historic District Commission. Mr.
McSweeney proposed Mark DiNapoli , 9 Brown Road, to fill one of the
two vacancies as an Associate member.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint
Clark Griffith to serve as a member of the Historic Districts
Commission for a five year term of office expiring 12/31/98 .
Upon motion duly made and seconded it was also voted to
appoint Joann Gschwendtner and Mark DiNapoli to serve as associate
members to the Historic Districts Commission for five year terms of
office, expiring 12/31/98.
MEETING SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY, 1994
The Board agreed to schedule meetings for the following dates
and times in the Selectmen' s Meeting Room.
,,om Monday January 3 , 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m. ,
Wednesday January 5 , 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m. ,
Monday January 10 , 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m. ,
Wednesday January 12 , 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m. ,
Wednesday January 19, 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m. , and
Monday January 31 , 1994 - 7 : 30 p.m.
1775 WINE & SPIRITS PACKAGE STORE LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWAL
Mrs. Peters reported that a completed ABCC License Renewal
Application and a license fee of $2 ,000 .00 has been received from
1775 Wine & Spirits Package Store. Mr. Busa abstained from any
discussion or vote on this item.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 to
approve the ABCC License Renewal Application received from 1775
Wine & Spirits and to endorse the License.
CONSENT AGENDA
COMMITMENTS
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
commitment of the following charges.
Commitment of Water Charges - Dec. 1993 $00, 423 . 50
(cycle 9 bills)
Commitment of Sewer Charges - Dec. 1993 $1 , 500. 00
( sewer rental )
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Minutes for the Meeting of December 20, 1994 5
SUBDIVISION STREET LIGHTS AND LIGHTING
Lighting Options Committee Chairman Myla Kabot-Zyn explained
why the Committee would like to set up street lighting tests, and
added that the Committee would be pleased to respond to the Select-
men' s desire to provide for subdivisions without street lights, and
will await a decision from the Board on which subdivisions to
light .
Also discussed were the results of a subdivision street light
questionnaire contained in a memorandum dated mailed to 139 proper-
ty owners on 16 subdivision streets that have no street lighting,
in which there were 76 responses, which, in general expressed a
desire to have street lights and would not object to having High
Pressure Sodium Lights installed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proceed
with getting test street lighting onto the following three subdivi-
sion streets, now without street lights: Butterfield Road, John
Hosmer Lane and East Emerson Road.
FY 94 WATER AND SEWER RATES
Superintendent of Water and Sewer William Hadley presented
information on proposed water and sewer rates for FY94 .
Mr. McSweeney asked if more information on the rules governing
separate meters for watering could be made available to the Board.
The Board also discussed with Revenue Officer Maureen Valente,
her concern that the lack of an interest charge on late water/
sewer is harming the Town' s cash flow. She recommended that the
a 14% interest rate be charged on overdue water and sewer bills,
beginning from the 32nd day from date of issue, and that a one
time administrative fee on those accounts which are liened to the
real estate bill be instituted. She added that the objective of
such a fee is not to raise additional revenue, but to recoup the
cost of the additional administrative work required to transfer the
overdue accounts from water/sewer to real estate.
Town Counsel said he would like to look into this.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll
call vote : Mr. Dailey, Mr. McSweeney, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs .
Eddison; to go into executive session for discussion of matters of
land acquisition, the disclosure of which might adversely affect
the interests of the town with no intent to resume open session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at
11 : 25 p.m.
A true record, Attest
30Jfk, J
`s Sara I . Peters
Executive Clerk,