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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-05-BOS-min61-353 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes May 10, 1999 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, May 10, 1999 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Enrich, Mrs. Eddison, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. Public Comments Lexington Lion's Club Vice President Jim Cataldo asked the Board's permission to turn on the Worthen Road Ballfield lights from 10:50 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the evenings of the Carnival. They have done this in the past and will assume any additional costs involved. Mr. Enrich acknowledged that the lights do shine quite dramatically in the neighborhood; however, the Board members also see the safety benefit the lights provide for people exiting the carnival each evening. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to have the Worthen Road Ballfield lights turned on from 10:50 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. during the evenings of the Lion's Club Carnival. Janet Moran of Precinct 1 spoke of the neighborhood's concerns about the Design Advisory Committee having a meeting with Lexington Christian Academy and not notifying the neighborhood. Mr. Enrich explained that the Design Advisory Committee is advisory and it is the Board of Appeals that is a regulatory committee. He further explained that the law requires that the Board of Appeals advertise its hearings and notify abutters. Mr. Enrich also indicated he would check with the DAC and see whether there are ways to improve communication with Precinct 1. Consent Agenda Local Official Bonds Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the Local Official Bond for the Tax Collector at $180,000 and for the Treasurer at $190,000. Nomination of Julian Bussgang to the National Academy of Engineering Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a letter endorsing the nomination of Julian Bussgang into the National Academy of Engineering. White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Week Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a proclamation declaring May 15 to May 21,1999 as White Cane and Guide Dog Safety Week. 61-354 Selectmen's Meeting - May 10, 1999 Use of Battle Green Anne Collins was present on behalf of the congregation of the First Parish Church to request use of the Battle Green to hold a candlelight vigil/procession for the people of the Balkans and for peace in the area. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from the First Parish Church to hold a candlelight vigil/procession on the Battle Green on Friday, May 21 at approximately 8:00 p.m. DAR Plaque at Site of The Old Belfry Representatives of The Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution Shirley Lane and Mary Brown Jones were present to request permission to refurbish the plaque at the site of The Old Belfry that the DAR erected the plaque in 1910. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from The Lexington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to refurbish the plaque at the site of The Old Belfry. Reorganization of the Board Executive Clerk Phyllis Smith asked for nominations for Chairman. Mr. Enrich 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 Peter D. Enrich Chairman of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Enrich thanked his colleagues for their support and spoke of the accomplishments over the past year, most particularly in the vote of the town for the school construction program. He also spoke of the tremendous challenges ahead and his role as Chairman is to see that all members of the Board continue to be effective and that all issues are addressed. Economic Development Office Update Economic Development Officer Joe Marino updated the Board on his outreach efforts to the businesses, committees, boards and real estate agencies in the Town. 61-355 Selectmen's Meeting - May 10, 1999 License Renewals Limousine Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue one limousine license to Peter Fusco (d/b/a Fusco Ltd.); two limousine licenses to Kelly DiPietro d/b/a Atlantic Limousine, Inc. and five limousine licenses to Harrison Transportation Services, Inc. d/b/a A-1 Taxi. Public Entertainment on Sundays Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application for Public Entertainment on Sunday for the Lion's Club Carnival on Sunday, July 4. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes with a minor correction made by Mrs. McKenna. Codification of Town Laws Town Clerk Donna Hooper reviewed plans to go out to bid for codification of the Town's By- Laws and other regulations of the various departments. The anticipated cost is around $10,000 and it is hoped that the Selectmen who will be one of the beneficiaries of the codification might commit $4,000 to the project. Mrs. McKenna expressed concern about using the Selectmen's budget when many priority budget requests were not funded. Mr. White explained this will be out of FY99 funds. This is really the first collaborative effort made at the end of the year. Mrs. Abbott felt citizens don't realize there is necessarily built in discretion on the part of the departments. No department's budget will be down to the penny. Other Board members felt such use of departmental funds at the end of the fiscal year for such a project was worthwhile. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-1 (Mrs. McKenna opposed) to approve the expenditure of up to $4,000 from the Selectmen's Budget for the codification project. Strategic Planning Update Mr. White and Mr. Enrich updated the Board concerning the efforts of the Strategic Planning Initiating Committee that has now evolved into the Steering Committee. An RFP went out for a consultant to assist us and three of the five respondents were interviewed. Planners Collaborative proved to be the firm of choice. The initial proposal of $48,000 was narrowed down to phases. Eight separate task areas will culminate in a process in which there will be a public event where the visioning and strategic concept will be presented to the public some time in the fall. They also reviewed a lot of work leading up to this event. 61-356 Selectmen's Meeting - May 10, 1999 Mr. White explained they will be using funds set aside from an MFS McCourt fibre optic cabling agreement with the Town. Tree Planting - Battle Green Mr. White recommended the Board's approval of a request from the Lexington Field and Garden Club to plant a memorial tree on the Battle Green in honor of the former Director of the Museum of Our National Heritage Tom Leavitt. Board members acknowledged the good work Mr. Leavitt did for the Town and the Field and Garden Club. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to plant a tree in memory of Tom Leavitt on the Battle Green. Mr. White indicated they would be planting a disease resistant elm and the ceremony will take place on May 20. Mrs. McKenna offered to represent the Board at the ceremony. Sidewalk Café Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from Starbucks Coffee Company for a sidewalk café permit from May 15 through October 31, 1999 for three tables and six chairs. Reserve Fund Transfer Update Mr. White reported that he estimates a reserve fund transfer of approximately $105,000 to $110,000 will be needed for police and fire overtime this year. Town Manager Appointments/Reappointments Mr. White asked the Board's approval of his reappointment of Dick Neumeier to the Recreation Committee and William Jackson to the Board of Assessors. Both have made major contributions to the community and still have much work to do. Mr. White also requested the Board's approval to appoint Nancy Seasholes to the Historical Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's reappointment of Dick Neumeier to the Recreation Committee and William Jackson to the Board of Assessors. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's appointment of Nancy Seasholes to the Historical Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:22 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk 61-357 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes May 24, 1999 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, May 24, 1999 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Enrich, Mrs. Eddison, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. Public Comments Fire Chief Jack Quinlan briefed the Board on the Fire Department's recent undertaking with 175 commercial establishments in Town to conduct a mercantile inspection program. They will be updating the Department's database after inspection of each establishment and developing a list of risks and safety measures along with a diagram of the buildings. Selectman Dawn McKenna presented the Charles Ferguson Youth Award, a $500 U.S. Savings Bond, to this year's recipient Jason Hirschhorn. Selectman Betty Eddison wanted to add the Selectmen's congratulations to two Diamond Middle School students Mark Lipson and Liz Marcil who helped lead the Massachusetts team to win the United States Math Counts championship. Hearings Boston Edison Grant of Location - Adams Street @ Porter Lane Boston Edison representative Sheila Gillis reviewed the petition, plan and orders for a grant of location for conduit to be installed underground to provide electric service to a new six lot residential sub-division (Porter Lane) to be located off of Adams Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of Boston Edison Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed therein, under the surface of Adams Street: Install conduit southerly, approximately 500 feet northeast of Woodland Road, a distance of about 24 feet. Boston Edison Grant of Location - Wheeler Road Ms. Gillis reviewed the petition, plan and orders for a grant of location for conduit to be installed underground to provide electric service to a new house at 19 Wheeler Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of Boston Edison Company to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with wires and cables to be placed under the surface of Wheeler Road: Install conduit northerly approximately 300 feet southeast of Fairlawn Lane, a distance of about 10 feet. 61-358 Selectmen's Meeting - May 24, 1999 Boston Edison Grant of Location - 55 School Street Ms. Gillis reviewed the petition, plan and orders for a grant of location for conduit to be installed to relocate electric service from overhead to underground at the homeowner's request. 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, under the surface of School Street: Install conduit southwesterly approximately 52 feet south of Roosevelt Road, a distance of about 4 feet. Consent Agenda Chapter 90 Resolution Mr. Enrich read a Resolution on Gas Tax Revenue Sharing for Local Road Projects that the Massachusetts Municipal Association is encouraging every municipality to support and adopt as a way of communicating municipal concern regarding potential reduction in Chapter 90 funds. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to send a copy of the resolution to the Governor and Lexington's legislators. Resignation of Benson Chiou Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept with regret the resignation of Benson Chiou from the Fair Housing and Human Relations Committee. 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 Lexington School Committee for a farewell get together for Karla Brooks Baehr on Wednesday, June 9 on the lawn of the School Administration Building from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sign Final License with RCN-BecoCom, L.L.C. as Additional Cable -TV Operator in Lexington Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve and sign the cable-television Final License with RCN-BecoCom, L.L.C. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the final versions of the public statement and the filing with the Massachusetts Cable Television Division, both regarding the grant of the Final License to RCN-BecoCom, L.L.C. 61-359 Selectmen's Meeting - May 24, 1999 Use of Battle Green - Lexington Lodge of Elks Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from the Lexington Lodge of Elks to use the Battle Green for their annual Flag Day Ceremony on June 14 at 7:00 p.m. Authorize the Town Manager to Sign MWRA Financial Assistance Agreements Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Town Manager to sign MWRA Financial Assistance Agreements under the I/I Financial Assistance Program. Last Night 1999 Event Update Last Night 1999 Coordinator Cindy Savage reviewed the progress made toward the New Year's Eve Celebration in Lexington. They have raised $40,000 and will need to raise another $20,000. They feel their estimates on proceeds from the sale of buttons is conservative. They have been in touch with the businesses in the center and many of them are planning on having open house that evening. The restaurants are also planning on remaining open. Harrington Road/Battle Green Improvements Schedule Transportation Coordinator Nancy Kolb presented three intersection improvement scenarios with cost estimates, a construction timeline and issues that need to be resolved in making improvements to the Battle Green area and opening Harrington Road. The Implementation Plan is the result of the efforts of Nancy Kolb, Highway Superintendent Warren Monsignore, Town Engineering Staff Peter Chalpin and Peter Karalexis. They first came across two drainage issues that needed to be addressed in the process. They expect the construction phase will take five weeks time after they consult with the Historic Districts Commission. There was much discussion about tour bus parking. Rev. Peter Meek and Skip Irving of the Hancock Church addressed their concerns about the tour buses being parked in front of the Church and posing a parking problem for not only their parishioners, but also the other two churches in the area particularly when there are weddings and funerals at the church. They were also concerned about the number of buses that will park there, particularly during the fall tourist season and concern about noise and fumes from idling buses. There was discussion about this being a temporary solution until a tourism committee to be appointed by the Board comes up with a permanent solution. There does not appear to be a solution to keep the buses away from the Battle Green area. There will also be signage to make sure the buses engines are turned off when parked in the area. The Town departments will make enforcement efforts to see that only three buses park in the area at one time and that they turn off the engines and will also make a serious attempt to find another location for the buses by the fall. 61-360 Selectmen's Meeting - May 24, 1999 Mr. White reported that the only waste if the temporary solution is chosen is the bituminous installation. The drainage would be there and would not be a waste of time. It was decided to reserve an article to appropriate funds for a permanent solution at the 2000 or 2001 Town Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 (Mrs. McKenna abstained) to approve Option 3 and to hire a contractor for the job.Option 3 includes an asphalt neckdown imprinted to look like red brick at the Harrington Road/Bedford Street intersection. Neckdowns at Mass. Ave. south of Clarke Street; Mass. Ave. north of Meriam Street; and Mass. Ave. south of Meriam Street would be replaced with line painting designed to narrow travel lanes and channel traffic in these areas. The estimated cost is $48,600. DPW FY2000 Budget Update DPW Director George Woodbury reviewed expected savings in the DPW FY2000 budget contingent on projected retirements occurring. He is trying to determine the long-term impact of $452,000 in budget cuts next year. License Renewals Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the applications and issue two limousine licenses to Barbara Zuben d/b/a Lexington Sedan Services. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the applications and issue three hackney carriage licenses to Arlex Taxi d/b/a Yellow Cab Association. Appointments/Reappointments Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept with regret the resignation of Lisa Baci as Lexington's HATS Representative from the Conservation Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Kay Tiffany as Lexington's HATS Representative representing the Conservation Commission. There were two candidates for the LexHAB position, Nancy Canalonga who is a member of the Lexington Housing Authority and Michael Brooks. Mrs. McKenna spoke of her desire to see Michael Brooks appointed because he had recently been involved in a scattered site house being constructed in his neighborhood. Mrs. McKenna felt that although both candidates were well qualified she would like to see new candidates appointed. Selectmen liaison to LexHAB Cathy Abbott indicated that although she had not yet met with the full Board, she had discussions with a couple of members and they felt very strongly in the interests of the effectiveness of their Board that a member of the Housing Authority be appointed to the Committee. Because that is the wish of the Committee Mrs. Abbott felt inclined to appoint Mrs. Cannalonga. 61-361 Selectmen's Meeting - May 24, 1999 Motion to reappoint Gerald Howell to LexHAB for a term to expire May 31, 2002 passed unanimously. Motion to appoint Michael Brooks to LexHAB was defeated 1-4 (Mrs. McKenna in favor). Motion to appoint Nancy Cannalonga to LexHAB for a term to expire May 31, 2002 passed unanimously. Motion to appoint Gustavo Bottan to the Cable TV and Communications Advisory Committee for a term to expire September 30, 2001 passed unanimously. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's reappointment of Dennis Sterzin to the Board of Health. Sidewalk Café Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from Bertucci's for a sidewalk café permit through October, 1999 subject to prior year's conditions and conditions set forth by the Center Committee. Summer Schedule Board members agreed to meet on the following dates: June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, August 16, August 30 and September 13, 1999. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of April 5 and April 7, 1999. Selectmen Liaison Reports Mrs. Krieger reported on the success of the charette conducted by the Four Town Planning Group. There were an estimated 75 people in attendance and Lexington was well represented. There is a desire to have a regional planning cooperation effort among the four towns to address common issues and manage development in the four-town area. Mrs. McKenna expressed a strong desire for the Board to pursue the purchase of the Depot building. Mrs. Eddison agreed with the idea of talking to USTrust about it again. Mr. Enrich felt he would rather see what the proposals are. He preferred to see a private ownership of the Depot. It was agreed to send a letter to the bank indicating the interest of the town to be included in the process. 61-362 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:35 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk