HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-07-BOS-min 60-316
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
July 1, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, July 1, 1996 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mrs. Eddison;Mr. White, Town Manager;Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms.
Pease, Acting Clerk, were present.
Transfer of Common Victualler All Alcoholic Liquor License- Athenian Restaurant
Mr. McSweeney opened the hearing on the application of Athenian Restaurant for a transfer of an
all alcoholic common victualler license because of a change in manager, transfers of stock, and
change of officers.
Mr. Goldberg, Attorney for the applicant, stated that there has been an internal change within
Two Islands Corporation where the present manager has resigned and has withdrawn from the
Corporation as an Officer and a Stockholder. Transfer of the stock has taken place and all stock
is now owned by Stellios Sfikas. Dora Sfikas has been named President of Two Islands
Corporation and Manager of Athenian Restaurant. Dora Sfikas has worked at the restaurant
since it opened in all capacities and is very capable to take over as Manager. There will be no
change in the operation and the hours will be the same.
There being no questions from the Board or the audience, the Chairman declared the hearing
closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve and sign an All Alcoholic
Common Victualler License for Two Islands Corporation d/b/a Athenian Restaurant at 177
Massachusetts Avenue.
Common Victualler License for Cafe Janonaise
Mr. Cohen pointed out that the hours of operation must be the same for Cafe Japonaise as was
voted by the Board of Appeals.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of Cafe Japonaise,
10-12 Muzzey Street for a Common Victualler License for 1996.
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Auctioneer's License
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a One-
day Auctioneer's License to Custom Liquidators of America, Inc. dlb/a Newton Oriental Rugs for
Sunday, September 22, 1996 at the National Guard Armory at 459 Bedford Street from 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes of the Meetings of
May 6, 1996, June 3, 1996, and June 17, 1996.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Executive Session Minutes of
June 17, 1996.
Increase in Contractor's Fee for Yard Waste Disposal
Mr. Woodbury spoke regarding a proposal to raise the fees at the recycling center for yard waste
permits issued to contractors. Many contractors have been notified regarding the proposed
changes and are OK with them as long as the center is open every day. DPW is in the process of
hiring seasonal help so the center can begin to be open six days a week(Monday through Friday _
and Sunday)beginning on approximately July 15, 1996 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Board questioned the size of the vehicles entering the center. Mr. Woodbury and Mr. Medlin
stated that the Permit B vehicles use the center most often; there are only two companies with
Permit C; and the Punch Card would be for home owners and small businesses.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the increase in contractor fees for
yard waste disposal. The fees will be as follows: Permit A- $500 for vehicles up to 8,609 Gross
Vehicle Weight (GVW);Permit B - $750 for vehicles up to 12,000 GVW;Permit C - $1,000 for
vehicles up to 35,000 GVW; and a Punch Card for$50.00 for disposal of up to 10 yards at $5.00
per yard.
Request for Non-Binding Referendum Question on 1997 Local Election Warrant by Stephen Tripi
The makeup of the question would be:
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Shall legislation be requested by the Town of Lexington which would require a town-wide
referendum vote for the approval of any fiscal year budget, exclusive of line items funded by
enterprise funds, which exceeds the prior year's budget by more than 3 percent?
Ms. Eddison asks what trigger would be? Costly?
Mr. Cohen stated that if the budget went up more than 3 percent from year to year it would
trigger the referendum each year. Then there would have to be an election. If this non-binding
referendum were to pass at the election in 1997 then it would be up to Mr. Tripi(if Selectmen did
not do)to sponsor a warrant article in which it would be written to authorize the Board of
Selectmen to petition the general court for an act to permit this and then it would have to go to
the legislature to pass the act before this could all come into play.
An election will cost between$12,000 and $16,000.
We either accept the ten signatures or Mr. Tripi goes out and gets 10 percent of registered voters
(approximately 2000). The basic question is do we want to put Mr. Tripi through the process of
getting 2000 signatures.
Mr. Busa asked if this is exclusive of enterprise funding and if line items would be exempt from
this referendum. Only interested in Budget;basically article 4.
Non-binding means it does not have to be adhered to. This type of question can only be
implemented by having a town meeting to give the Selectmen permission to request an act of a
legislature, etc. Our limited town meeting act, as in almost any town, allows referendums but it
specifically says it will not apply to the budget, because of policy reasons.
The referendum in question would not affect proposition 2-1/2.
Mr. Dailey suggested that the Board take a vote on the referendum question at the next meeting
and in the meantime invite comments from the Appropriations Committee and the Capital
Expenditures Committee. Maybe we can take a look and see what the increases have been over
the last years and what impact this type of limit would have on the last five years to give us an
idea of what would occur if this were in place.
Mr. White is to contact the appropriate parties about what is going on and see what the
ramifications would be.
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Mr. Tripi spoke that his intent was to give the people a voice, not to legislate anything. Mr. Tripi
would like this question on the ballot to get a feel for what the voters feel about how the Town is
spending their money.
Perry Pollins, Precinct 5, spoke about the Town being spent deaf, dumb and blind. The school
budget is through the roof. Mr. Pollins is very angry and says there are a lot of people who feel
the same way. If you make this a public referendum, it will be divulged. Mr. Pollins wants
something done about getting the taxes down in Lexington.
Minute Man Tech Expansion Plans
Nyles Barnert wanted to speak on a few light things before talking about the expansion plans.
Mr. Barnert's term on the Minuteman Tech Committee is ending and he thanked the Board for
the support of himself and the School over the last nine years. Especially wanted to thank the
Board for the communication sent to the legislature recently. Also, in negotiations is a possible
solution to the satellite day-care through the Council on Aging. If it comes to fruition it will be
accomplished in much less time than appropriated. Finally, the combined salary budget was
passed so that we saved $9,000. Next year that will not be the case. The middle school will be
separated. There is also a big influx in applications from Lexington. Overall the total budget
might go up. Board should speak to the new representative in the fall.
Mr. McSweeney asked if the new legislation passed would it effect the budget. Nyles stated that
it depends on when it is effective. When effective it would have a lessening of the assessment.
Mr. Barnert wanted to update the Board on what has been going on at the Minuteman Tech for
nine or 10 months. The school is overcrowded. The high-tech labs require more space and there
is an increase in population. The school cannot handle the number of kids the school was built
for. Right now there are more than 100 choice students on a waiting list. The major deficiency
is in the high-tech area where they do not have a manufacturing-type lab available. The procedure
now is when they want to train kids in the production manufacturing environment they are bussed
to Minuteman then to Boston or Cambridge to train; it is very inefficient. They would like to
have a lab on campus.
There are three possibilities. First possibility is to build an addition to the school. The problem is
it would require a unanimous consent by all 16 towns, with a 2/3 vote from each town. They do
not think they would get all towns to agree. The second possibility is to have the construction
division stop what they are doing for Lexhab and build a mini-mall on campus and move the
bakery, restaurant, cosmetology and gift shop out of the main building and reconvert the space for
a lab. The problem is it would take four or five years and they would have to buy all materials for
construction and would have to stop work for Lexington. This is a last resort. The lasat
possibility was a recommendation made to us by the BioTech Center for Excellence, which is a
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Selectmen's Meeting- July 1, 1996
state agency which is interested in getting biotech firms to come and stay in Massachusetts. Their
suggestion is to have a biotech company build a facility on the school property; and to have a
piece of the building for education, curriculum and instructors. The building would be for
commercial use and would pay taxes. We are looking into this option. The most likely spot on
campus would be wholly or mostly in Lincoln near the western entrance to the school. Back in
August/September we spoke with Lincoln Planning Board first to explain what we were doing.
After a lot of discussion they were moderately optimistic. Their main concern is the commercial
aspect of it being isolated from residents. In November Mr. Barnert went before the Lexington
Planning Board. They were moderately optimistic. Their concern is how much traffic it would
bring in. They agreed with the concept but said they would need more figures before saying yes.
Minuteman has talked to a Realtor about finding a biotech firm, but nothing has come up so far.
Mrs. Eddison stated that there are Biotech firms in Lexington and asked if Minuteman is using the
people at the Center for Excellence in Biotechnology to help find a firm. Mr. Barnert said it was
the center's idea and also said that it may not be biotech but a firm with multiple purposes.
The Board wants the process to continue and to keep them posted.
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Mr. McSweeney was not aware that Mr. Barnert was stepping down. Mr. McSweeney stated
that for the nine years that Mr. Barnert has been involved there could not have been a stronger
advocate for Minuteman Vocational. I want to compliment Mr. Barnert and thank you from the
Board and the Town of Lexington for always attending meetings representing our community.
(Round of applause)
Town Manager Evaluation
Mr. McSweeney read the following statement:
The Board of Selectmen began the evaluation process last fall. At that time it was suggested that
anyone that would like to discuss the Town Manager's evaluation could meet with a member of
the Board. We appreciate the comments that we received by some citizens.
The formal and comprehensive evaluation of the Town Manager, evaluating him on 32 separate
items, was divided into six general categories:
1. management of Town Finances;
2. communication with Selectmen;
3. communication with other Boards, Committees, and Officials;
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4. negotiations of contracts with bargaining units and vendors;
5. community relations; and
6. personnel.
In completing the evaluation form, each of us took into account our own views, as well as those
of townspeople who have talked with each of us. In last year's evaluation the Board expressed a
desire for the Manager to improve on his relationships with other Boards and Committees, and
with the Community as a whole. It was suggested that he might become more involved in some
activities that might be of interest to him. In both areas, we feel that he has listened to the
Board's request. Specifically, he has been an active member of the Rotary Club and Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors.
I want to thank my colleagues for their input into this year's evaluation. As Chairman, I have
received the responses from members of the Board, and have summarized their comments in this
way.
In the area of Town Finances. The new budget process introduced by the Manager was creative
- and resourceful, with a planned look to the future. The format encouraged participation from
many segments of our community and input from staff as the budget was developed. The
Manager is very innovative in his approach to the budget.
Communication with the Selectmen is a very important part of the Town Manager's
responsibilities. We would like to develop a system of receiving periodic and regular reports from
the Manager. This will aid the Board in keeping informed on key issues. The format might be
determined at our Goal Setting Meeting.
The area of Communication with Other Boards and Committees is extremely important.
Understanding that Lexington has a large number of Citizens who are interested in Town
Government, we encourage the Manager to work with and be in communication with all Boards
and Committees.
The Negotiations of Contracts with Bargaining Units and Vendors has been carried out in the best
interest of the town by the Manager. The Manager has been successful in dealing with extremely
sensitive situations, being able to facilitate solutions that are agreeable to all interested groups.
Two recent examples being The Munroe Center and Replace. The progress of items such as these
might be in the above-mentioned Monthly Report.
The Town Manager, as I mentioned previously, has joined the Rotary Club and is more involved
with the Chamber of Commerce. He is a very highly respected member of our community, with
many friends throughout our Town. In the area of Community Relations we would like the
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Manager and his office to work closely with the Selectmen's Office, responding to concerns and
questions of all our Townspeople.
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July
Personnel. The Manager has been very successful with the recent additions to his staff The
interview and selection process that he has instituted welcomes participation from many different
segments of our Town. We ask that he continue to involve the Personnel Advisory Board in
personnel and related matters.
Finally, we recognize that the Manager is a talented professional. We realize that working with
five members of the Board is not an easy task. You have listened to the thoughts, concerns, and
goals of each of us and successfully guided the Town through a very Challenging Year. We thank
you for all your efforts and look forward to the challenges of the future together.
Ms. McKenna wanted to know if there was a decision on what to do with the contract. Mr.
McSweeney stated that the contract is a separate issue and will be taken up closer to when the
contract expires. The contract is independent of the evaluation.
Massachusetts Highway Facility and Antenna Replacement
Mr. Michael S. Giaimo, Attorney for Bell Atlantic NYNEX Mobile(BANM) and Sheila R.
Becker, BANM spoke regarding the reconstruction of the existing communications tower owned
by and located on land of the Massachusetts Highway Department on the Lexington/Arlington
town line. The Massachusetts Highway Department has a program called"Wiring E
Massachusetts"by which they are trying to reconstruct the communications sites at their various
sites in Massachusetts or to construct communication facilities where there are none. One of the
sites that is scheduled for replacement is the one on the Lexington/Arlington line. The way the
program works is the state gets essentially free turnkey construction in exchange for allowing
private vendors to mount antennas on the structure, along with the state and whatever local
facility equipment is mounted on that structure. It is a turnkey project that various companies
would have irrevocable license from the state to do. The companies participating in this one are
BANM, Sprint, Cellular One, AT&T, along with the Mass. Highway Department. This is a way
to put facilities adjacent to highways where they belong rather than have people look for sites
elsewhere. The Highway Department asked BANM to appear on public agenda to make sure that
Town Officials were aware of this program and to receive any comments they might have.
The Board was shown a drawing of where the new antenna would be located. The depot and the
entrance are in Arlington, but the antenna would be in the corporate boundaries of Lexington.
The new 200 foot tower would be built before the old one is removed. Construction has not
started yet.
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Selectmen's Meeting- July 1, 1996
Mr. McSweeney wonders if the Cable Committee could be a participant. Mr. Giaimo and Ms.
Becker stated that they would be welcome, but it is critical that any requirements would be
needed very soon(space needed, type of line, power supply, etc.). If the police, fire, schools are
interested they must move now so their needs could be accommodated. If they wait a year or
more they have to fit into what is there. Any interested parties should contact Ms. Sheila R.
Becker at BALM as quickly as possible.
The Massachusetts Highway Department will own the tower. All the participants' companies
have the right of use only of the antenna and it is irrevocable use. If the highway department
decides it has other plans for the property that doesn't call for a tower in the future, the tower
would be dismantled and equipment taken away. Board asked: whatever Bell entity, do they
make any payment to the local town in lieu of taxes where you are getting benefit? Mr. Giaimo is
not aware of any payments, but what has happened in the past is that in the equipment room there
is room reserved for uses that are identified by the Town.
Mr. White is to contact Cable Committee.
Transportation Advisory Committee - Schedule Changes
Sara Arnold attended to support Ms. Lucas and to let the Board know that the Lexington
Transportation Advisory Committee has reviewed and approved of all of the proposed schedule
changes.
Ms. Lucas presented a map showing all the Express routes and the proposed changes and
additions. The Transportation Advisory Committee and the Transportation Services Office are
proposing to combine the shorter routes with the longer routes. The new route combinations will
be: Routes 1&2, Routes 3&4, and Routes 5&6. They are also recommending a change to Route
5 to serve Locke Village, a change to Route 4 to serve Woodcliffe Road, and a direction change
on Route 2 in the Hayden Avenue/Concord Avenue area.
Mr. Tripi commented on the Lexpress lobbying group being the best he has ever seen of any local
population. He watches in town meeting from the balcony and sees Ms. Lucas stack the hall with
all the elderly and feels they are scared every year into thinking that service will be taken away.
The biggest public safety issue on my street was taken away when your bus was taken away. My
kids were not injured. Your empty busses continually speed down all the streets. Mr. Tripi wants
to go on public record as saying he feels the elderly should have a transportation mechanism, but
he believes your lobbying group is just magnificent. You sit up there, you get the people, they
come to the microphone, and we are in a cost situation in this town because of Lexpress. You are
principally one of the big causes of the cost problems that we have in town. You are doing a hell
t of a job is what I am trying to say.
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Mr. McSweeney stated that sometimes he is not always happy with the results of Town Meeting;
it has always been a situation where anyone and everyone are able to give their opinion, and it is
obvious that there are a lot of people in town who value the service and keep appropriating funds
for it. Mr. McSweeney complemented Lexpress and Ms. Eddison stated that Lexpress is getting
closer and closer to breaking even.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the new route combinations
recommended by the Transportation Advisory Committee and the Transportation Services Office
and other additions to Routes 5, 4, and 2 as explained by Ms. Lucas.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 by Mr. McSweeney, Mr. Dailey, Mr.
Busa, and Mrs. Eddison to go into Executive Session for the purpose of land acquisition with no
intent to resume open session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:50 p.m.
A trust record, Attest:
Lynne A. Pease
Acting Clerk
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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
July 15, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, July 15, 1996 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison;Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. White, Town
Manager; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were present.
Reorganization of Board
Executive Clerk Phyllis Smith asked for nominations for Chairman. Mr. McSweeney was
nominated.
No further nominations were made and Ms. Smith declared nominations closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted unanimously to elect Leo P. McSweeney
Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. McSweeney thanked his colleagues for their support and the honor they have again bestowed
on him in electing him Chairman of the Board of Selectmen.
Public Comments
Mr. Volante spoke of his concerns about the need for direction on long-term planning. He
expressed support of Mr. Tripi's attempt to control spending.
CATV and Communications Advisory Committee
Jane Gharibian, Chair of the CATV and Communications Advisory Committee explained the need
for one final extension of the license contract negotiation period to August 12 at which time, it is
expected that the Board will be asked to sign the renewal license.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend the period for license contract
negotiation to Monday, August 12, 1996.
Ms. Gharibian also reported on a discussion she had with Attorney Peter Epstein concerning the
rights of the Town as an abutter to expressing concerns to the installation of communication
antennas and towers. Mr. Epstein was reported to have indicated that the Town has a right to
permit or not permit this type of installation. Mr. White indicated that except for a Historic
District Commission hearing on an installation within the historic district, there is no other process
F for the Town to approve or disapprove.
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Ms. Gharibian reported on the efforts of Committee member Julian Bussgang to obtain
information on the DPW proposed communications tower at the Mass. DPW location on the
Arlington/Lexington line. Concern was raised that the proposed tower may be much higher than
the existing tower. Ms. Gharibian asked that the CATV and Communications Advisory
Committee be put on a notification mailing list whenever the Town is notified of any
communication matter so the Committee will have time to review and make comments on
proposals such as the Mass. DPW Communications tower and the antenna at Muzzey.
NYNEX Grant of Location- 15 Spring Street
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of New England Telephone Company for a
grant of location to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and
cables to be placed therein, under the surface of Spring Street from pole number 4 in a
northwesterly direction, a distance of 5 feet (±).
Mr. William Rogers of 17 Spring Street claimed that the proposed location was on his property
and questioned why this hearing is taking place prior to a continued hearing before the
Conservation Commission in late July.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn the hearing to the Board of
Selectmen meeting of August 12, 1996 at 7:30 p.m.
NYNEX Grant of Location-Lowell Street tea,Litchfield Road
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of New England Telephone Company for a
grant of location for conduit to provide underground telephone service to the new development
being constructed at Lowell Street and Litchfield Road.
There being no questions, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the New England
Telephone and Telegraph Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with
the wires and cables to be placed therein, under the surface of Lowell Street from pole number
5 8/11 in an easterly direction, a distance of 10 feet (±).
Boston Edison Grant of Location-Lowell Street 0a,Litchfield Road
Mr. McSweeney opened a hearing on the petition of Boston Edison Company for a grant of
location for conduit to be installed to provide underground electric service to the new
development being constructed at Lowell Street and Litchfield Road.
There being no questions, Mr. McSweeney declared the hearing closed.
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Selectmen's Meeting- July 15, 1996
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of the Boston Edison
Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be
placed therein, u Tnder the surface of Lowell Street in an easterly direction, approximately 170
feet northwest of Haskell Street, a distance of about 20 feet.
Petition for Non-Binding Referendum on March ballot
Mr. McSweeney read the proposed wording of a non-binding referendum question for the local
election in March, 1997. Shall legislation be requested by the Town of Lexington which would
require a town-wide referendum vote for the approval of any fiscal year budget, exclusive of line
items funded by enterprise funds, which exceeds the prior fiscal year's budget by more than three
percent? Mr. McSweeney reported that he had received a memo from the Appropriation
Committee stating its opposition to the question being placed on the ballot and one letter from
Mr. Perry Pollins stating he is in favor of the question being placed on the ballot.
Mr. Lapointe reviewed the Appropriation Committee's four main reasons for opposing the
question. Committee members felt that such referenda would: usurp the authority and diminish
the accountability of elected officials; reduce to yes/no questions a complex, comprehensive
resource allocation process; encourage annual budgeting gamesmanship and create an extended,
unwieldy, impractical, and costly budget approval process.
Mr. Perry Pollins , Mr. Joseph Volante, Mr. Neal Boyle, Mr. Geza Szonyi and Ms. Edith Tracey
all spoke in favor of Mr. Tripi's proposal.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of Mr. Stephen Tripi
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and nine or more registered voters to place the non-binding referendum question on the March
1997 ballot.
Long Range Planning Committee
Mr. McSweeney acknowledged the hard work of the Selectmen's Long Range Committee
members Paul Hamburger, Robert Cohen, Susan Del Greco, Bob Hutchinson, Peter Kreisky, Judy
Leader, Kristin O'Sullivan, Eric Michelson and Steve Politi. Mr. McSweeney reviewed the
agenda items proposed by the LRPC. The Board does feel the Committee interpreted the values
correctly. The Board also hopes that the Committee will continue and has asked citizens who
would be interested in serving on the committee to contact the Selectmen's Office.
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Selectmen's Meeting- July 15, 1996
Board members discussed areas they felt the committee should focus on such as making sure that
outside influences are monitored; integrating long-range planning into the budget process; getting
into the issue of salaries and numbers of personnel; how they dovetail their work with the Capital
Expenditures and Appropriation Committees and whether there should be another meeting in the
fall and how often community meetings should be conducted and monitoring what other
communities are doing.
Mr. McSweeney indicated he hoped to have the joint meeting fairly quickly and would contact
Mr. Hamburger as soon as he has a date.
Consent Agenda
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following water and sewer
adjustments and commitments:
a. Adjustments of water charges for 10/1/95 - 10/31/95 $1,941.02
b. Adjustments of sewer charges for 10/1/95 - 10/31/95 $3,932.12
c. Commitment of water charges 3/1/96 - 3/31/96 (Finals) $1,375.62
d. Commitment of sewer charges 3/1/96 - 3/31/96 (Finals) $2,658.27
e. Comitment of water/sewer charges 5/1/96 (Cycle 9) $90,487.15
f. Commitment of water charges 5/15/96 (Cycle I Town-wide billing) $401,439.78
g. Commitment of sewer charges 5/15/96 (Cycle 1 Town-wide billing) $724,429.90
h. Commitment of water charges for 6/7/96 (Cycle 9) $121,181.22
i. Commitment of sewer charges 6/15/96 (cycle 2 Town-wide billing) $717,879.95 _
j. Commitment of water charges 6/18/96 (cycle 2 Town-wide billing) $390,531.59
k. Commitment of water charges 6/28/96 (Cycle 3 Town-wide billing) $584,119.85
1. Commitment of sewer charges 6/28/96 (Cycle 3 Town-wide billing) $1,042,846.85
Wage and Classification Plan
Assistant Town Manager Linda Vine reviewed the proposed wage and classification plan which is
a pay for performance system. The Personnel Advisory Board has reviewed and analyzed the plan
and has given its approval to implementation of the proposed classifications and ranges.
Board members indicated their desire for an agreed upon list of comparable communities and
concern over whether the new plan would result in any increase in salary costs.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the wage and classification plan.
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Selectmen's Meeting-July 15, 1996
Historic Districts Commission Appointment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the Lexington Historical Society's
nominee, Joann Gschwendtner, to the Historic Districts Commission for a five-year term ending
December 31, 2000.
Annual Investment Report-Retirement System
Finance Director John Ryan reviewed the investment performance of the Lexington Retirement
System in the Massachusetts Contributory Retirement Systems. Lexington is ranked 8th of the
107 Massachusetts pension funds.
Mr. McSweeney thanked Mr. Ryan and asked him to convey the Board's congratulations and
thanks to the members of the Retirement Board.
Town Manager Appointments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Jacqueline B. Davison and Barbara Rubin to the Council on Aging.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Donna Ryan to the Youth Commission.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's appointment
of Bernice Fallick to the Conservation Commission.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote: Mr. McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn and Mrs. Eddison to go into Executive Session for discussion of land
acquisition matters, with the intent to briefly resume open session.
Authorize Chairman to Sign Purchase and Sale Agreement for Augusta/Allyn Property
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Leo McSweeney to sign the
purchase and sale agreement on the Augusta/Allyn property.
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Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote: Mr. McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn and Mrs. Eddison to return to Executive Session for discussion of
collective bargaining and litigation matters, with no intent to resume open session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adj oFrn at 10:41 p.m.
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A true record, Attest:
` .
P hyl1 . A. Smith
Exec tive Clerk
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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
July 29, 1996
A regular meeting of the Board ofSelectmen was held on Monday, July 29, 1996 in the
Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr.
Dailey, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison;Mr. White, Town Manager; and Ms. Smith, Executive
Clerk,were present.
Public Comments
Brenda Tabak, a unit owner at Muzzey Condominiums spoke of her concerns over the long-term
health hazards to Muzzey residents from low radiation exposure from the proposed AT&T
antenna at Muzzey. Other residents who expressed concerns were Mildred Friedman of 2 Russell
Square and Susan Hartery, a condominium owner. Board and appropriate Committee and Staff
Members were asked to attend a meeting on Thursday night concerning this matter.
Consent Agenda
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate ambulance bill#960645 for Ms. Ida
Foley at 14 Sherman Street.
One-Dav Liquor Licenses
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request and issue a one-day
liquor license for a wedding rehearsal party at Custance Hall at the corner of Bedford Street and
Harrington Road on August 30, 1996.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request and issue a one-day
liquor license for a wedding reception at Custance Hall at the corner of Bedford Street and
Harrington Road on October 26, 1996.
Appointment of Battle Green Guides
The Board received a request from Director of Guides Larry Whipple to appoint six individuals
for the 1996 tourist season.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Kenneth M. Smith, Ben Elgart,
Steven Davis, Steven Hart, Eric Kelley and Larry Lif as Battle Green guides.
Use of Battle Green
The Board received a request from the Lexington Preschool PTA to use the Battle Green for its
Annual Halloween Parade.
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Selectmen's Meeting- July 29, 1996
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Lexington
Preschool PTA to use the Battle Green on Saturday, October 26 from 9:00 a.m. to approximately
10:00 a.m.
Regulations Concerning Use of Battle Green
Mr. Busa read a letter from Lexington resident and former Battle Green Guide Maribeth Ivarson
expressing concern over recent years' activities on the Battle Green. Ms. Ivarson appealed to the
Board to restore the Battle Green to a special non-recreational site.
The Board decided to review all of its Rules and Regulations which will include the permitted
uses of the Battle Green.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
July 1, 1996 and July 15, 1996.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meetings of July 1, 1996 and July 15, 1996.
Building Fees
Mr. White reported on the Building Commissioner's survey of other communities' with respect to
their building fees. Most of the communities surveyed use Means Square Foot Cost tables. The
Building Commissioner will be adjusting the construction valuation from$40 to $50 per square
foot. It is anticipated that this construction valuation increase will generate approximately
$106,000 in new revenue.
Mr. McSweeney asked that builders be given a heads up before the increase goes into effect on
August 15.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
A true record, Attest: /h/
Phyllis . Smit
Exec ' e Clerk