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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-02-BOS-min61-125 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes February 2, 1998 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 2, 1998 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison, Mr. Enrich; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were present. Public Comments The Board was asked about the progress of an alternative plan for the schools. Mr. Busa reported that the group did meet once. They will have their second meeting this week. The group tried to form a basis for starting off the meetings and established four criteria – smaller project, less extravagant, all schools and reimbursable. We haven’t drawn out any numbers yet. The first thing we need to do is make sure all folks are thinking and moving forward in the same direction. Mr. Fenn reviewed a little history of the effort. The Board of Selectmen sent a letter to the Chairman of the School Committee suggesting that this group be set up to see if we can get together on a project that we can all support. Special Town Meeting Mr. McSweeney explained that it is necessary to call a Special Town Meeting for March 23 in order to deal with the portable classrooms for the School Department. This will allow the School Department to go out to bid on the classrooms and have them in place for the start of the school year. The Warrant will also have an article to fund the arbitration award concerning the Fire Contract. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to call a Special Town Meeting at 8:30 p.m. on March 23, 1998. Warrants Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting on March 23, 1998. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant for the 1998 Annual Town Meeting. Use of Battle Green – LexFest Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the use of the Battle Green on Saturday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the 1998 celebration of LexFest. 61-126 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 2, 1998 License Renewals Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of A Yankee Line, Inc. for a renewal of their common carrier license to expire December 31, 1998. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of Denny’s Restaurant for a renewal of their common victualler license to expire December 31, 1998. Appointments – Lexington Commission 2000 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Gardner L. Hayward, Jr., James D. Roberts, Suzanne E. Barry, George S. Comtois, Robert H. Neufeld, Winston E. Flynn, Lewis C. Sideris and Daniel P. Busa, Jr. to the Lexington Commission 2000 for terms to expire June 30, 2000. Battle Road 1998 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of The Battle Road Committee for the use of Hastings Park and Tower Park on Saturday, April 18, 1998 between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to conduct the reenactment of the British retreat through Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of The Battle Road Committee to bring two horses on to the field this year. Meeting Dates Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to meet on the following dates: March 9, 16, 23, 25 and 30, April 6, 8, 13, 15 and 27. Commemorative Coin Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a letter to Acting Governor Cellucci urging him to consider using the Minute Man Statue on the back of a quarter to be minted in the year 2000. PILOT Committee Report Board members discussed the report of the PILOT Committee and expressed mixed feelings on whether the payment in-lieu-of tax transfer from the Enterprise Funds to the General Fund should continue and if so, at what level. The Board agreed that more discussion should take place before giving guidance to the Town Manager on the short and long-term policy of this use of the enterprise funds. 61-127 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 2, 1998 Parking Garage There was discussion about the critical need for additional parking in the Center and the Board’s commitment to work on increasing parking options. The Board asked the Town Manager to have the Center Committee put together a subcommittee to look into the feasibility of a parking garage and give periodic reports of their progress to the Selectmen. It was agreed that the subcommittee should include members of the Chamber of Commerce and that the Planning Board should be involved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk 61-128 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes February 9, 1998 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 9, 1998 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison, Mr. Enrich; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were present. Public Comments League of Women Voters Representative Margaret Coppe presented the Chairman with an updated copy of the League’s “Guide to Open Meetings”. Consent Agenda Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following: Commitment of water charges for 12/2/97 (cycle 9) $80,266.58 Commitment of water charges for 1/07/98 (cycle 9) $89,071.52 Commitment of water charges for 1/23/98 (cycle 3) $696,446.95 Commitment of sewer charges for 1/23/98 (cycle 3) $1,210,161.90 th Lion’s Club 4 of July Carnival Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following dates and times for th the Lion’s Club 4 of July Carnival: Wednesday, July 1 6-11 p.m. – Perkins children 3-5 p.m. Thursday, July 2 6-11 p.m. Friday, July 3 12-11 p.m. – Fireworks @ 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4 12-11 p.m. Sunday, July 5 12-10 p.m. Recreation Department Little League Parade Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Recreation Department’s request to conduct its annual Little League Parade on Saturday, May 2 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at Muzzey Park and continuing down Mass. Ave., through the Center, then down Muzzey Street and ending at the Little League Center #4 ball field off Park Drive. One-Day Liquor License Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a one- day liquor license to the Friends of the Council on Aging for a charity auction on Friday, April 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at Cary Memorial Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue. 61-129 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 9, 1998 Limousine License Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a limousine license for the transportation of passengers from Lexington and surrounding communities to and from Logan Airport to Kelly DiPietro d/b/a Atlantic Limousine Inc., 31 Fletcher Avenue. Personnel Advisory Board Appointment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Scott Foster Burson to the Personnel Advisory Board for a term to expire on September 30, 2000. Purchase of Surplus Equipment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a cooperative agreement with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management Division of Forests and Parks allowing the Town to purchase surplus equipment. Parking DPW Director George Woodbury announced that Boston Edison has agreed to lease property behind their substation adjacent to Grant Street for a period of two years. Mr. Woodbury estimates it will cost approximately $15,000 to pave the area to provide approximately 35 parking spaces. Mr. Woodbury asked the Board for permission to raise the permit fees at the Church of Our Redeemer to cover the increased rental fee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve raising the permit fee at the Church of Our Redeemer lot from $150.00 to $175.00/month. Selectmen Reports Mr. Busa wished the Haydenettes good luck at the international precision skating competition in Milan, Italy. Dan Fenn gave his colleagues a draft copy of the Board’s report for the Town Report and invited them to get back to him on any changes. Mr. McSweeney thanked Mr. Fenn for his efforts in preparing the report. 61-130 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 9, 1998 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 8:30 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk 61-131 Selectmen’s Meeting Minutes February 23, 1998 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, February 23, 1998 in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman McSweeney, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison, Mr. Enrich; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk, were present. Public Comments Mr. McSweeney said he would like to take the opportunity on behalf of the Town to congratulate Lexington’s Olympic Gold Medal winner Vicki Movsessian who was one of the star players on the women’s ice hockey team. Mr. Steve Tripi expressed his concern about the amount of money being spent on the Cary Library renovation/addition and the variances granted by the Board of Appeals. Ms. Dawn McKenna inquired about the fire fighters’ contract and indicated she thought the appropriation request in the warrant is very deceptive. She also inquired about the use of special labor counsel. Consent Agenda Upon motion duly made and seconded, with Mr. Fenn abstaining, it was voted to establish the Mary P. Grace Scholarship Fund. United States Census 2000 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to designate Town Clerk Donna Hooper Lexington’s Liaison for the Census 2000. National Red Cross Month Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to proclaim the month of March, 1998 as American Red Cross Month in the Town of Lexington and urge all citizens of this community to join us in supporting all of the Red Cross programs and in recognizing this outstanding organization and its contributions to our community. Human Services Report Helen Cravis and Barbara Ciampa, co-chairs of the Human Services Committee presented their annual report to the Board of Selectmen. They praised the work of Replace over the past year and acknowledged the marked improvement in their accountability. There was discussion about the Outreach Program and whether there would be a new drop in center. The Committee also 61-132 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 23, 1998 drew up a Human Services Committee Policy that they asked the Board to adopt and made some minor changes to the Charge adopted by the Board on August 3, 1981. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the draft amendments to the Charge to the Human Services Committee dated July 10, 1996. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Lexington Human Services Policy revised January 7, 1998. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of December 1, December 8, December 15, 1997, January 5 and January 12, 1998. Capital Expenditures Committee/Appropriation Committee Capital Expenditures Committee members Bill Kennedy and Charles Hornig explained the purpose of Article 42 of the 1998 Annual Town Meeting Warrant. They hope to identify a way of funding the renewal capital program in a repeatable, predictable way. In theory there would be one article to cover Town and School renewal capital requests and a means of funding the request. Under Article 42 they hope to have a resolution for Town Meeting. They are waiting for the report from the Manager’s Capital Budget team and hope to have a presentation to the Board before Town Meeting. Members of the subcommittee working on the resolution for Town Meeting are Steve Coit, Paul Hamburger, Charles Hornig and Paul Lapointe. Board members agreed that this is a tremendous effort long overdue. Baseball Park Lighting Recreation Director Karen Simmons reported on a meeting of the Recreation Committee with neighbors in the Center Field area concerning extending the hours of operation of the Baseball and Softball Lights. Currently the hours of operation are 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The Lexington Babe Ruth Baseball league submitted a request to the Recreation Committee to extend the time of operation of the lights. The committee notified 165 households of the meeting that was held on February 18. There were twelve residents who spoke in favor of the extended hours and two opposed. The Recreation Committee is now requesting the Board to approve their request to extend the hours of operation of the lights. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Recreation Committee regarding the hours of operation of the Center Field lights as follows: from May 1 to July 31 from 7:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; from August 1 to August 25 from 7:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. and from August 26 to September 15 from 7:45 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. and from September 15 to October 31 from 7:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 61-133 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 23, 1998 Recreation Department Fees Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following recommended increases in the Lexington Recreation Fee Schedule: Aquatics Daily Admission Adult/Youth from $4.00/$2.00 to $5.00/$3.00 Tennis Reservation p/hr no ID lights from $6.00 to $8.00 Adult Gym resident evening season pass from $40.00 to $45.00 Ballfield Permits: Softball Lights at Center Field 2 from 7:45 to 10:30 p.m. - $50.00 Baseball Lights at Center Field 1 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. - $20.00 Baseball Lights at Center Field 1 from 7:45 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - $45.00 Baseball Lights at Center Field 1 from 7:45 to 10:30 p.m. - $50.00 One week permit from $250.00 to $300.00 Pine Meadows golf cart rentals 9 holes from $11.50 to $12.00 Computer Aided Pavement Management Program DPW Director George Woodbury spoke to the Board about the benefits of a computer aided management program to enhance the street maintenance program and other DPW programs. Once the program is purchased, it would be updated every three years. It is estimated to cost between $7,000 and $10,000 to update 25% of the streets annually. This is a request to divert $60,000 of the Chapter 90 monies under street resurfacing to support this program. Assistant Town Engineer Peter Chalpin reported that the training provided to run this program is excellent. They also provide on-going product support. Parking George Woodbury reported on three proposed parking scenarios near the Town Office Complex. Mr. Woodbury had been asked to look into additional parking that will be needed when the Library relocates to Cary Memorial Building for approximately two years during the Library’s renovation/addition project. The first proposal to add 35 new parking spaces on the land behind the Boston Edison sub-station on the corner of Mass. Ave. and Grant Street under a lease agreement negotiation with Boston Edison was greeted with approval by the Board members. Mr. Woodbury also presented two scenarios using the open space between the School Administration Building and Fletcher Avenue which would add another 30 or 60 parking spaces near the center of Town. Many residents of the Fletcher Avenue/Sherman Street area spoke in opposition to these two proposals stating such reasons as taking the only open space in the area, creating a parking lot at this very visible entrance into Lexington, noise related issues around snow plowing and truckers parking in the lot in the evening and buffer landscaping issues. 61-134 Selectmen’s Meeting – February 23, 1998 Mr. Woodbury was asked to set up a meeting with the neighbors to review the proposals and come back to the Board at a later date. Short and Long-Term Budget Issues Mr. White presented the Board with a list of short and long-term budget issues and asked the Board members to give him some idea of which ones they would like to see pursued. The short- term list included: street lights, NESWC, Inspectional Services fees, Social Services short term problem of relying on private donations. The long-term list included: the Landfill, DPW Facility, intergenerational facility, records management program and NESWC. HATS Agreement Amendment Mr. Fenn reviewed a proposed amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement forming HATS that was prepared to correct some ambiguity in the membership of HATS, particularly with respect to how the Planning Board and Conservation Commission members are selected. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement forming HATS and it was further voted that it is the Lexington Selectmen’s policy to request a nomination from the Conservation Commission membership. Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote: Mr. McSweeney, Mr. Busa, Mr. Fenn, Mrs. Eddison and Mr. Enrich to go into executive session for discussion of collective bargaining matters, with no intent to resume open session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:25 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk