HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-09-BOS-min60-100
Selectrmees Meeting
September 12, 1994
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, September 12, 1994 '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 Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were
present.
Boston Gas Hearing -Grant of Location/Mass. Avenue and Ellen Dana Court
Mr. Dailey opened a public hearing on the petition of Boston Gas for the installation of
approximately 20 feet of 2" plastic gas main on Massachusetts Avenue to service customers
of Ellen Dana Court. Hugh Small, a representative of Boston Gas, was present to answer
questions. Mr. Dailey noted the favorable recommendation from Richard Spiers, Public
Works Director. There being no comments or questions, Mr. Dailey declared the hearing
closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition, plans and order
for a Grant of Location for the installation of approximately 20 feet of 2 inch plastic gas main
on Massachusetts Avenue.
Grant Award - Parks and Trees
Parks and Trees Superintendent Brian Gilbert notified the Board of three grant awards that
will allow more trees to be planted around Town. one grant in the amount of $3,120 will
allow for the planting of approximately 12 trees. Another in the amount of $9,700 will
provide for the planting of approximately 40 to 50 trees and a third grant was received in the
amount of $1,970. The Board thanked Mr. Gilbert for his efforts and success in receiving
these grants.
Fitness Path Expansion
Lynne Wilson reviewed plans to construct a new 550 section to the fitness path and
provisions being made to accomodate the visually unpaired. Selectman McSweeney thanked
Mrs. Wilson for her tremendous effort in providing the Town with the fitness path and her
most recent efforts to help the visually impaired to enjoy the path.
Report of the Ad Hoe Committee on Trans ortation
Sara Arnold reviewed the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation and introduced
members of the Committee to the Board. The Board members thanked Mrs. Arnold and the
members of the Gonlnlittee for their very helpful and comprehensive report.
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Selectmen`s Meeting - September 12, 1994
Russian ,Visit Update
Ilan Fenn briefed fellow Board members on the plans for the Russian visit and acknowledged
the many citizens, organizations and local businesses who contributed to the plans for the
Russian visit on September 17. He invited Board members and all citizens to participate in
the welcoming of the Russians to Lexington.
Battle Green Guide Licenses
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the appointment of the
following as licensed guides for the 1994' season to guide visitors around the Battle Green:
Stephen Hart of 32 Wyman road and Ben Elgart of 5 Jonas Stone Circle.
Minutes of „ August 22, 1994
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
August 22, 1994.
Fall and winter . Meet,in2s Schedule
The Board agreed to hold meetings on October 3, 17 and 31; November 14 and 18; December
5 and 19 and January 4, 9, 11, 18, 23, 25 and 30, 1995.
Selectmen Office Hours
Board members discussed resunung office hours on a rotating basis on Tuesday mornings
from 830 to 10:30.
Consent Agenda - Abatements and Commitments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following abatements and
commitments:
a.
Abatement of Water Charges - 6/30/94
$49,822.99
b.
Abatement of Sewer Charges - 6/30j94
$97,997.73
C.
Abatement of Demand Charges - 6/30/94
$25,{}0
d.
Abatement of Water Charges - 8/15/94
$532.20
e.
Abatement of Sewer Charges - 8/15/94
$1,164.95
f.
Abatement of Demand Charges - 8/15/94
$15.00
g.
Commitment of Water Charges - 8/11/94 (Cycle 9)
$385
h.
Commitment of Street Opening Permits - 9/30/94
New England Telephone
$100-00
Boston Edison Company
$2g,pQ
Boston Gas Company
$650.50
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Selectmen's Meeting - September 12, 1994
Authorization of CATV & Communications Advisory Committee to Represent Town
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the CATV and
Communications Advisory Committee to represent the Town concerning Statement of
Clarification regarding A -R Cable Service's filing of FCC Form 1200.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the CATV and
Communications Advisory Committee to continue informal license renewal negotiations with
A. -R Cable Services, Inc. for an additional 6 months beyond the currently authoried date.
Consequently, these negotiations are authorized through February 4. 1995.
Alternative Separate water Meter Rate Proposal
Water and Sewer Superintendent Bill Hadley presented an alternative fee proposal for the
installation and Inspection of separate water meters for outdoor residential use. The Board
asked Bill to come back with a recommended conunercial /industrial fee proposal.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the charges for the installation
of separate residential water meters for outdoor use with the elimination of a connection fee
for the user. The charges will be;
$275.00 for a 1 11 meter; $240.00 for a 3/4" meter and $2 17.00 for a 5/8" meter.
FY95 Budget Reduction
Mr. white reminded the Board of a commitment to reduce the FY95 budget by $150,000. He
said he hoped the Board would discuss the finance committees at their next meeting the two
areas they are looking at to reduce; namely, LLXPRFS S and the Library. Mr. white said
there may be a minimum of $50,000 that could be cut from the general insurance budget and
said that he should have a firm number on the 26th.
Soft Second Loan Program
Mr. white reported that two years ago the Town, supported by the Lexington Housing
Partnership and Lexington Savings Bank, applied for but did not receive monies from the
Executive Office of Communities and Development for a Soft Second Loan Program. He
said BOCD has notified the Towns that new money is available and if the Board wishes him
to apply for these funds he is seeking the Board's authorization.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Town Manager to apply
for funds from the Executive Office of Communities and Development for a Soft Second
Loan Program.
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Selectmen's Meeting - September 12, 1994
Selectmen Liaison to Battered women's Collaborative eth Krentzman
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Beth Krentzman the
Selectmen's liaison to the Battered women's Collaborative.
Executive Session - Land Ac uisition
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote: Mr. - Bai Mr.
McSweeney, fir. Busa, Mr. Fenn and Mrs. Eddison to go into executive session for 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 9:45 p.m.
A true record, Attest: / } - a
1 �" t s A. Smith
Executive Clerk
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Selectmen's Meeting
September 26, 1994
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, September 26, 1994 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 Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were
present.
Leo McSweeney called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. indicating the Chairman would be a
few min tues late. Mr. McSweeney asked Peter Chalpin, Cha irman of the Traffic Safety
Committee to give the recommendations of the Committee on two Traffic matters.
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee - Solomon Pierce Road
Mr. Chalpin acknowledged the presence of another member of the Traffic Safety Committee,
Myla Rabat Zinn. Mr. C:halpin said that on June 22, 1994 the 'T'SAC met with a group of
residents from Solomon Pierce Road to discuss a number of traffic safety improvement
requests. Speed zones of 25MPH and 30MPH were posted on the street. In an effort to
increase compliance to the posted speed zones, the Committee recommends that enforcement
be increased, with .special emphasis given to the evening peak hours on weekdays, and during
the daytime hours on Saturdays. The TSACC also recommends installing two curve signs near
houses #51 and #66.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendations of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to install two curve signs near houses #51 and #66 and to
increase enforcement of the posted speed zones.
Waldorf School /Massachusetts Avenue
Mr. ' Chalpin said that at its meeting of June 22, 1994, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
met with. representatives of the administration of the Waldorf School to discuss a concern
about short -term congestion at Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street raised by Ms.
Norma Floyd.' He explained that the Committee noted that over the last few years the Town
has taken all of the steps which could be considered reasonable to improve traffic conditions
on Massachusetts Avenue at the school, including the complete replacement of the traffic
signals, the elimination of at least three parking spaces on Klass. Avenue to improve sight
distance and implementation of parking restrictions on the school /library driveways to
improve traffic flow. He also noted that no accidents have been reported at the school since
November 30, 1992. Further in response to Ms. Floyd's request, the Committee urged` the
school representatives to give consideration to retaining a police detail during the opening and
closing of school to ease overall congestion. Mr. Chalpin further stated that the Committee
does not recommend any additional steps which can, or should be taken by the Town at this
time.
S
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Selectmen`s Meeting - September 26, 1994
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted unanimously to adopt the
recommendations of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Lighting Demonstration Project Ljpdate
Mr. Chalpin explained that the pole installation work on East Emerson Road will begin on
October 3, 1994, and that all of the new poles will be in plce on all of the streets by Friday,
October 28 and presented the Selectmen with a schedule from Riprnan Lighting for the
installation of the new test lights on the poles on Fast Emerson Load, Jonas Stone Circle,
Tidd Circle, Mead Circle, Trodden Path, Bloomfield Street, Maple Street, Massachusetts
Avenue, Percy Road nad Outlook Drive.
Amended A eernent with !Layden Recreation Centre Inc. to Permit Construction of
Expanded Fitness Path
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve and sign the amended
agreement with Hayden Recreation Centre, Inc. to use a portion of land belonging to Hayden
Recreation Centre, Inc. to expand the Fitness Path.
Joint Meetin with Schaal Committee A ro nation Committee and Ca ital Ex nditures
Mr. white advised those present that the Privatization and Business Committees were now in
place. The Privatization Committee is looking into all areas where savings might be
achieved. They welcome suggestions. They have been given a broad charge and hope to
have results by raid to late October. The Business Committee hopes to come up with some
idea on how to fill the empty commercial space. Mr. white explained that the
commercial /industrial portion of the tax base has gone from around 34% to 35% down to
24].
Mr. white reviewed the savings and grants received by the Town and explained how these
savings would be used to offset the FY95 $150,000 Town's shortfall portion of the teachers
early retirement.
Mr. white reviewed the last six years revenue history and the past two years worth of
appropriations history. He explained the State has lifted the cap on lottery funds and the
Town can expect to see an additional $100,000 a year. Mr. white further explained that the
Town will be reviewing fees and charges and will be making a recommendation at the Board
meeting on October 17 at the Estabrook School Library. Mr. white further reviewed the Free
Cash situation and said it doesn't look very goad. we appropriated $1 million last years we
don't have a firm idea of where we are with Free Cash right now.
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Selectmen's Meeting - September 26, 1994
f
Comptroller John Ryan explained that the snow and ice deficit was approximately $556,000
and althou h we gain $100,000, the Town is in deficit b $456,000.
g g
14r. white explained that the property tax increase of 2 1/2% comes to $1.2 million of
increased revenue. That, coupled with $200,000 in new growth, gives us a total increased
revenue of $1.4 million in real estate tax levy, $100,000 in increased lottery funds, and
subtracting free cash leaves the Town with a net of $955,000 available m FY96.
Mr. white explained that if the commercial f industrial situation continues to decline and
residential properties continue to rise, the taxes of residential properties will increase by 20%
over the next five years.
Mr. white reviewed the debt service and the cuts in appropriations over the last few years
and explained that if these cuts were reinstated, the Town would be requesting an additional
$1.2 million, which doesn't take into consideration the Library cuts and LEXPRESS reduction
from 6 to 4 routes and general government's 12% reductions. Mr. white reminded those
present that these projections are simply an illustration of what faces the Town in FY96.
Mr. Dailey reinforced the Selectmen's goal of increasing Free Cash by $500,000 per year to
reach the goal of 5% of the budget, or approximately $2.5 million which was promised to the
Town's bond rating service in order to maintain the Town's very favorable Aaa bond rating.
Mr. white then reviewed the Town's capital needs, including the multi - million dollar school
projects, an estimated $1.5 million catch -up street paving program, the town's brook cleaning
program, and the Town Building constructior/maintenace program including the Public works
Building on Bedford Street and the main Fire Station on Bedford street which are in dire need
of updating.
Lois Coit and Jeff Young reviewed the preluuinary budget needs of the School Department
and also the school budget review calendar for FY96, which includes a meeting with Senator
Robert Havern . on October 13, to which Selectmen and School Committees from surrounding
communities have been invited. Jeff Young reviewed the Education Reform mandates
including professional training and Chapter 766. Dr. Young also reviewed the uncontrollables
and explained that preliminary estimates are that the School Department is looking at a $1.4
million increase for FY96 exclusive of pay raises. He further explained that for each 1% of
pay increases it will cost the Town $270,000.
Paul LaPointe of the Appropriation Committee reviewed 6 policy issues of concern to the
Appropriation Committee: 1.) Alternative service opportunities; 2.) Use of Free Cash; 3.)
Trash Fee; 4.) Town -wide compensation policy; 5.) Identifying historical trends /comparison
with other communities; 6.) Desire to work very closely with Capital Expenditures Committee
on issues concerning capital budget financing= 7.) desire to form independent revenue
ro Mr. LaPointe expressed the Committee's desire to begin a collaboration earl on
p i p g y
in the spirit of Article 31 of the 1994 Annual town Meeting.
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Selectmen`s Meeting - September 26, 1994
Karen Kooks speaking on behalf of the Capital Expenditures Commi
w ttee explained that the
Facilities Study has been completed and will give guidance to the School Comittee and Town
concerning future needs in the facilities construction/maintenance program. Ms. Kooks also
stated that the Capital Expenditures Committee hopes to work closely with the School
Committee, Appropriations Committee and Board of Selectmen on the FY 96 budget process.
She also asked the Selectmen for direction on the Subcommittee being formed to review the
Facilities Study,
Mr. Dailey thanked the Committee Members and Department heads present for their help in
working with the Board in the difficult years ahead.
Minutes of Meeting of September 12, 1994
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
September 12, 1994.
Executive Session Minutes - Se tember 12 1994
Upon motion duly made and seconded, with Mr. Busa abstaining, it was voted to approve the
min utes of the Executive Session of September 12, 1994.
Community Pohcing_Grant
Chief Casey reviewed a Community Policing Grant received by the Lexington Police
Department and the hope to use the funds in the areas of bike patrol; crime watch and the
DARE program.
FY95 Budget Shortfall
After a thorough review of the FY95 shortfall of $150,000 due to the teacher's early
retirement, Chairman Dailey explained that the Board hoped to resolve the issue on October
3.
Se arate water Meter for Outdoor S rinklin by Cormnercial Industrial Users
Water/Sewer Superintendent William Hadley reviewed the proposed charges for
commercial /industrial property owners to install separate water meters for outdoor use. Mr.
Hadley was asked to bring a firm proposal to the Board Meeting on October 3.
Limousine Licenses - Ralph A. Malin
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to postpone the request of Ralph A.
Malin of -17 Blueberry Lane for two limousine licenses to a future meeting.
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Selectmen's Meeting - September 26, 1994
Executive Session - Liti a0
Mr. Buss removed himself from the Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and
seconded , it was voted 4-0 by roll call vote: Mr. Dailey, her. McSweeney, Mr. Fenn and firs.
Eddison to go into executive session for matters of litigation 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 adjo at 9:50 p.m.
A true record, Attest: 1 r
Fhyllo A. Smith
Executive Clerk