HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-06-BOS-min61-363
Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
June 14, 1999
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, June 14, 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
Dick Canale claiming he usurped one of Economic Development Officer Joe Marino's roles
accepted for the Town an MAPC regional excellence award presented to the Minuteman
Bikeway in recognition of significant demonstraton of regional cooperation by the communities
of Arlington, Bedford, Cambridge and Lexington. Mr. Canale credited the vision of former
Selectman Jack Eddison and Bikeway representative Tom Fortmann some twenty years ago.
The Los Angeles Times in a recent article indicated that the Minuteman Bikeway is the most
popular in the country. Mr. Canale presented the award to Mrs. Eddison.
Mr. Hal Rosenthal asked the Board to address the issue of the roads that are in dire need of
repair. Mr. Enrich responded that this is something the Town has been looking at very closely.
The Town has invested in software that has identified a $23 million cost to repair the roads.
Mrs. McKenna noted that she was pleased that Bertucci's had responded to the idea of upgrading
their tables and chairs at the sidewalk café.
Consent Agenda
Water/Sewer Commitments and Adjustments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following water and sewer
commitments and adjustments:
Commitment of water charges for 2/1/99 to 2/28/99 $1,881.45
Commitment of sewer charges for 2/1/99 to 2/28/99 $3,015.55
Commitment of water charges for 3/1/99 to 3/31/99 $18,175.75
Commitment of sewer charges for 3/1/99 to 3/31/99 $43,249.51
Commitment of water charges for 4/1/99 to 4/30/99 $3,110.28
Commitment of sewer charges for 4/1/99 to 4/30/99 $7,472.40
Commitment of water charges for 3/04/99 (cycle 9) $80,894.83
Commitment of water charges for 4/21/99 (cycle 9) $103,324.31
Commitment of water charges for 5/13/99 (cycle 9) $93,945.31
Adjustments of water charges for 3/1/99 to 3/31/99 -$2,618.20
Adjustments of sewer charges for 3/1/99 to 3/31/99 -$7,695.09
Adjustments of water charges for 4/1/99 to 4/30/99 -$661.75
Adjustments of sewer charges for 4/1/99 to 4/30/99 -$1,727.70
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 14, 1999
Town Clerk Local Official Bond
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to fix the sum of the Town Clerk Local
Official bond at $8,000.
One-Day Liquor License - Rotary Club
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a one-
day liquor license to the Lexington Rotary Club for its annual barbecue fundraiser on Saturday,
June 19 at the Hayden Recreational Facility.
Sale of Sewer Bond
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the sale of the $242,790 Sewer Bond of
the Town dated June 24, 1999, to Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is hereby
confirmed. The bond shall be payable without interest on May 15 of the years and in the
principal amounts as follows:
YearAmount
2000 $48,558
2001 48,558
2002 48,558
2003 48,558
2004 48,558
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Chair David Carbonneau reviewed the following ten traffic
matters and the Committee recommendations:
John Benson Road - Stop Sign
The Committee met with Ms. Libby Hunter of 28 James Street to discuss her request for a stop
sign on John Benson Road at Skyview Road. She requested a stop sign to increase the safety of
the intersection. Since the warrants for a stop sign are satisfied at this location, the Committee
recommends approval of the request that is estimated to cost $150.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Committee.
York Street at Grant Street
The Committee met with Ms. Dana Wendel of 126 Grant Street regarding traffic conditions at
the corner of York and Grant Streets. She stated her concern over the fact that traffic entering
Grant Street from York Street does not stop and cannot see her driveway. She requested a stop
sign to increase the safety of the intersection.Since the warrants for a stop sign are satisfied at
this location, the Committee recommends approval of the request at an estimated cost of $150.
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Russell Road/Whipple Road
The Committee met with Mrs. Cynthia Eid, 7 Russell Road and about five other residents of the
neighborhood to discuss concerns about speeding on Whipple and Russell Roads. The
Committee acknowledged the speeding by traffic using Whipple and Russell Roads to bypass the
Lowell Street/Winchester Drive intersection. The Committee has discussed these two streets in
the past, most recently, near Russell Road to address a visibility concern. Options to limit turns
from both Lowell Street and Winchester Drive were discussed and taken under advisement by
the neighbors. The Committee believes that the Town has taken all reasonable steps to address
the problem and can only recommend increased enforcement at this time.
The Board took no formal action but did recommend increased enforcement.
Bartlett Avenue - 20 mph School Zone
The Committee met with Mrs. Carol Batstone, 49 Bartlett Ave.; Mrs. Karen Blake, 45 Bartlett
Ave.; Mrs. Joan Carmody, 29 Pearl Street; Ms. Dawn McKenna, 2564 Massachusetts Ave.; Dr.
J. Barry Koops, Lexington Christian Academy and approximately 10 other residents of the
neighborhood to discuss traffic conditions on Bartlett Avenue, Pearl Street and Arcola Street.
The committee believes that an improvement in safety can be achieved through establishing a 20
mph School Zone on Bartlett Ave., Pearl Street and Arcola Street. This approach is appropriate
and was successfully taken several years ago on Brookside Avenue entering the Clarke Junior
High. The neighborhood has submitted a petition showing broad support for this type of action.
The Committee also recommends this reduced speed zone be accompanied by increased
enforcement by the Police Department. The cost of the five proposed signs is estimated to be
$1,000. The Lexington Christian Academy has offered to provide funding for these signs.
Headmaster Barry Koops said the Academy is prepared to make a contribution to the cost. Mrs.
McKenna went to a hearing on this matter before she became a Selectman. There is considerable
traffic around this neighborhood with no other exit. One suggestion that the Board may not have
the power to do is to request that they have satellite parking. That would be the best solution for
the neighborhood in addition to being safer for the kids. The school owns a bus that could
transport the kids from a satellite location. Mr. Enrich felt it was worth looking into whether it
would be under the Selectmen or Board of Appeals jurisdiction.
There was much discussion about police presence after the school zone signs are in place.
Attorney for the School John Farrington indicated the Academy will be going before the Board
of Appeals. Mrs. McKenna was concerned that the Board of Appeals would be addressing only
the increased parking matter.
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Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to reduce the speed limit to 20 mph on Bartlett Avenue and
to send a letter to the Board of Appeals expressing the Selectmen's concerns about the traffic
problems in the neighborhood and the need for mitigating measures.
Shade Street
The TSAC met with Ms. Mindi Whitney and about 15 other residents regarding their concern
over the high speed and dangerous driving of traffic on Shade Street. The residents proposed
several measures to address these concerns including increased signage, reduced speed limits,
increased traffic enforcement, speed bumps, construction of a sidewalk and the trimming of
vegetation to improve sight lines.
Speed bumps were rejected due to liability concerns. Sidewalk construction was judged
impractical at this time due to the lack of available funds but the group was encouraged to
approach Raytheon, whose employees use the street for lunchtime walks, for potential funding.
A speed zone study was conducted on Shade Street in 1997 that resulted in a reduced speed limit.
It is unlikely that an additional study will result in a further reduction.
The TSAC recommends that additional speed limit signs be posted to increase awareness of the
existing speed limit and also recommends a curve sign be posted in front of #101 and a caution
children sign be posted in front of #39. The committee also recommends that the DPW Park &
Tree Division trim any vegetation within the Town right-of-way that is causing a hazard. The
cost for these recommendations is approximately $600.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
East Lexington Traffic Conditions
The TSAC met with John Frey and other members of the East Lexington Community
Association regarding traffic safety in East Lexington. Specific issues raised were gridlock at
the Maple Street and Pleasant Street intersections, inadequate sidewalks, the need for a
pedestrian signal at Mass. Ave. and Locust Street and the need for cones at crosswalks. The
TSAC explained that the Maple Street and Pleasant Street intersections have been studied
numerous times and it is not clear that adding signals would improve the situation and it would
certainly be costly. The TSAC reiterated the budget constraints with respect to sidewalk
construction. The requested pedestrian signal did not meet warrants. The TSAC believes that
the Town has taken all reasonable steps to address these problems at this time and recommends
no additional action.
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Pelham Road @ Mass. Ave.
The TSAC met with Joanne Scianna and about 15 residents of Youville Place regarding their
request to install a traffic light at Mass. Ave. Their request was accompanied by a petition
signed by 80 residents, 28 staff members and 10 visitors. The residents explained that the speed
of traffic and short sight distance prevented their safe crossing of Mass. Ave. at Pelham Road.
The TSAC acknowledged traffic limitations at this location, but explained that the pedestrian
volume did not meet warrants for a pedestrian signal. Relocation of the Pelham Road entrance
along Mass. Ave. toward Arlington to improve sight distance has been studied in the past, but
was rejected due to the loss of property value to Youville Place. We discussed other means of
increasing the safety of the crossing such as adding a crosswalk or signage. The TSAC
determined that these measures would do little to improve the actual safety of the crossing and
may make the situation worse by making pedestrians believe it was safe. As a result, the TSAC
recommends no action on this request at this time.
Winchester Drive Speeding
The TSAC met with James Fraser and several other residents of Winchester Drive regarding
traffic speeding. A petition was presented signed by 25 Winchester Drive residents requesting a
lower speed limit and increased signage. The TSAC explained that it is very unlikely that a
speed zone study would result in a lower speed limit on Winchester Drive. The TSAC
recommends two additional speed limit signs be posted to make motorists more aware of the
existing speed limit. The cost of these signs is approximately $300.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendations of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Hill Street Traffic Conditions
The TSAC met with Ms. Lisa Plosker and about 15 other residents regarding their concern over
the high speed and dangerous driving of traffic on Hill Street. Several measures to improve the
situation were proposed by the residents including increased signage, increased traffic
enforcement, speed bumps, and construction of a sidewalk.
Speed bumps were rejected due to liability concerns. The cost to construct a sidewalk on Hill
Street has been estimated at $300,000 and was therefore judged not to warrant further
consideration under current budgetary conditions. The TSAC recommends that a speed zone
study be conducted on Hill Street by the Engineering Division to determine if a reduction below
the presumptive speed limit of 30 mph is permitted. We further recommend that an additional
caution children sign be added between #5 Dianna Lane and #70 Hill Street and a curve sign be
added across the street from #36 Hill Street. The cost of these signs is approximately $300.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendations of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 14, 1999
Forest Street Parking
The TSAC met with Beverly Kelley regarding parking on Forest Street. Ms. Kelley was
concerned about 2 parking spaces on Forest Street between Forest Court and Muzzey Street
which she believes obstruct traffic and could cause an accident. Ms. Kelley has also brought the
matter before the Lexington Center Committee who supports her recommendation to remove
these two parking spaces. Based upon the heavy traffic conditions in the area and the
concurrence of the business community, as represented by the Lexington Center Committee, the
TSAC recommends that the no parking zone on Forest Street be extended approximately 40 feet
to the intersection of Muzzey Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the
Traffic Safety Advisory Committee.
Human Services Committee Report
Human Services Committee Co-Chair Barbara Ciampa reviewed the work of the committee over
the past year.
LexHAB
LexHAB Chair Marshall Derby reviewed the status of the Sedge Road project. He indicated that
because of the high water table in the area they would be putting a 4 bedroom ranch with no
basement on the site. The extension of Sedge Road may wait until 2001 when the school will be
doing the other portion as part of the school project. There was much discussion about the
design of the house, the use of screening and the loss of green space. Mr. Derby asked the Board
to give him an okay to proceed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize LexHAB to proceed with the
present plan and to continue discussion about possible improvements in a suitable design.
Mr. Derby reported that the Spencer Street project is on schedule and the house should be
completed this summer with an expected occupancy date by Labor Day.
Mr. Derby indicated that LexHAB does not plan to look for any other sites. They expect to be
working on plans for 26 units at Katahdin Woods. They are also looking at some future date to
provide an assisted living project.
Capital Expenditures Committee
Capital Expenditures Committee Members were present to discuss capital budget issues and
goals for the FY2001 budget. They would like to have a predictable cash capital program,
building on the street study done last year to take care of needed street improvements and the
amount for capital needs to be untouchable. Then the committee can go forward with a plan for
five years as it is charged to do. The needs are so huge ($100 million) not counting
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the school project just funded. The capital budget needs as much attention as the operating
budget. The Town needs a five-year comprehensive plan and a fifteen-year master capital plan.
The Committee feels they have all the information and just need to make the decisions. There
needs to be a public education of priorities.
Mr. Enrich indicated that the Board of Selectmen is very much on the same page as the Capital
Committee. The Board is looking very seriously at cash capital. The Board will certainly keep
in close touch with the Capital Committee.
Committees
Mr. White drafted charges for three proposed committees and asked for the Board's Comments.
Board members made suggested changes on the draft to the Tourism Advisory Committee, Space
and Building Needs Assessment Advisory Committee and the Fletcher Avenue Use Advisory
Committee. Mr. White will have the recommended changes made and bring the charges back to
the Board.
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of
April 12, April 26 and May 10, 1999.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meeting of March 15, 1999.
FY2001 Budget Planning
Mr. White gave the Board members a suggested budget schedule and indicated that the operating
budget issues for FY2001 are so acute that there is need to develop a parallel process around the
capital process.
Recreation Committee Reappointment
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's
reappointment of Don Chisholm to the Recreation Committee.
Reserve Fund Transfers
Mr. White explained the reasons for a request for transfers from the Reserve Fund to Police and
Fire Department overtime accounts. He indicated that he has provided additional funding of
overtime in the FY2000 budgets of both Police and Fire.
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Mrs. McKenna indicated she has a problem with supporting the transfers without supporting
detail.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 (Mrs. McKenna abstained) to approve
the request for transfer from the Reserve Fund of $75,000 to Fire Department Overtime and
$50,000 to Police Department Overtime.
Hanscom
Mrs. Krieger apprised the Board of developments concerning Shuttle America's proposed shuttle
service out of Hanscom. There are options, one of which is how much citizen community
involvement do we want to organize at this point.
There was discussion about a letter coming from the four Boards of Selectmen to Shuttle
America reminding them that the four towns have passed articles that included several provisions
and Shuttle America should be sensitive to the surrounding communities and also to remind them
of Massport's recommendation to look at Worcester rather than Hanscom.
The timing of the letter to Shuttle America was discussed and it was felt that there should be a
few weeks where a letter could be useful. It was also felt that HATS should pursue a letter to
Massport about an agreement HATS thought they had with Massport. Mrs. Krieger will pursue
all avenues with HATS and will talk to Lexington's representative to HFAC Mike Barrett.
Goal Setting
Mr. White asked the Board to come up with a date for Goal Setting. It was decided to hold the
Goal Setting Meeting on Tuesday, July 13.
Town Manager Reappointment Process
Board members discussed their differing opinions on the process for reappointment of the Town
Manager.
Mrs. Krieger felt she had no question about her position to reappoint. He was reviewed in the
winter and in view of Rick's tenure we should reappoint him and remove any uncertainty and
ambiguity. The reappointment should be scheduled as soon as possible. It is a courtesy that the
manager deserves and it should be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board.
Mrs. McKenna felt that as a new member to the Board she had some questions she would like to
have answered. It would be better to wait at least until after the start of the new fiscal year. The
reappointment is not until November and she felt it would be a disservice to the community to
reappoint at this time and not get further input from the community. Mrs. McKenna also
expressed a desire to talk to the School Committee and come up with a Town
Manager/Superintendent performance appraisal process.
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Mrs. Abbott felt that if there has been an understanding with the Town Manager on what his
responsibilities are and how they will be evaluated, she would honor that rather than change the
process retroactively. There are some of Mrs. McKenna's comments that bear considering. At
this point we would be looking at two different individuals doing two different jobs. We have a
new superintendent and the Town Manager has been here some time. If the process seems to
have flaws and there is a need for more input, that needs to be structured independently of this
reappointment. Mrs. Abbott indicated it was her desire also to wait until after the beginning of
the fiscal year to reappoint the Manager.
Mrs. Eddison felt she would like to go ahead with the reappointment. With a new
Superintendent and with the Manager's experience, we need to send the right message to the
Manager. We need to have the stability from the Manager's years with the Town.
Mr. Enrich felt it was a wiser course to proceed with the reappointment expeditiously.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 3-2 (Mrs. McKenna and Mrs. Abbott
opposed) to put the reappointment of the Town Manager on the June 28, 1999 agenda.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mrs.
Eddison, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Krieger and Mrs. Abbott to go into executive session for the purpose
of discussion of land acquisition with no intent to resume open session.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk
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Selectmen's Meeting Minutes
June 28, 1999
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, June 28, 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.
The Chairman called the meeting to order and explained that the Board members have been
invited out to inspect the new Lexpress bus and therefore he would be recessing the meeting after
taking care of one item on the agenda.
Class II License - David Riccardi, 35 Bartlett Avenue
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application and issue a Class
II license to purchase and sell used cars at auction to David Riccardi, 35 Bartlett Avenue on the
condition that no vehicles be stored at 35 Bartlett Avenue.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recess the meeting at 7:35 p.m. The
meeting resumed at 7:55 p.m.
Consent Agenda
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue Battle Green Guide Licenses for the
1999 season to Kayla Belmont, Esmond Chiou, Alex del Nido, Marc Fritton and Yufei Wang.
License Agreement - Ronald & Alina Garry
Ronald and Alina Garry, owners of a lot of land located in Lexington and Arlington request the
Board to sign a license agreement that will allow the construction of a driveway over Town
property to Summer Street and thus allow for a proposed new house to have a Lexington address
on Summer Street that police and fire will recognize. The Engineering Department has reviewed
the proposal and recommends approval.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request from Ronald and
Alina Garry and sign a license agreement for a driveway to be constructed across Town-owned
land to Summer Street.
Street Light Update
Public Works Director George Woodbury updated the Board on the status of negotiations with
Boston Edison regarding ownership of the street lights in Lexington. There remains one issue to
be resolved and once the Town takes ownership of the lights, the projected savings would allow
for the restoration of all the street lights in Town.
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End of Year Salary Transfers
Mr. White explained the components of pay increases for union and non-union employees. In
addition, the request for a transfer of $241,624 from the Municipal Salary Adjustment account to
individual departments includes a transfer of the net costs for estabishing the position of
Economic Development Office and the cost of the Planning Board's transition plan of hiring an
assistant planner in anticipation of the retirement of the Planning Director.
Mrs. McKenna raised questions about the level of the adjustments for non-union employees, the
salary increase for the Economic Development Officer being effective July 1, 1998 when the
position was effective January 1, 1999 and the hiring of a management analyst in the Public
Works Department that was not budgeted.
Mrs. Abbott recognizing that the Board was part of the discussions concerning the position of the
Assistant Planner and Economic Development Officer felt she would like to see the decision be
made a part of the public record and be noted in the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 (Mrs. McKenna abstained) to approve
the following transfers from Account 2320 Municipal Salary Adjustments:
2410 Municipal Personal Services $16,424
3000 DPW Personal Services 87,046
3600 Transportation Personal Services 539
4100 Law Enforcement Personal Services 37,410
4200 Fire Personal Services 30,325
7100 Inspectional Personal Services 16,126
7200 Planning Personal Services 16,574
8110 Selectmen Personal Services 1,801
8200 Town Manager Personal Services 7,157
8400 Finance Department Personal Services 19,708
8500 Town Clerk Personal Services 7,898
8530 Elections Personal Services 616
Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meeting of
May 24, 1999 with a minor correction noted.
Executive Session Minutes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of
the meeting of June 14, 1999.
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Appointments/Reappointments
Town Celebrations Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Suzanne Barry, Sondra Lucente
and Karen Jean Smith to the Town Celebrations Committee for terms to expire June 30, 2002.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Jim Cataldo and Julie Miller to
the Town Celebrations Subcommittee for terms to expire June 30, 2000.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Henry Murphy, Rev. David
O'Donnell and Perry Pollins to the Town Celebrations Committee for terms to expire June 30,
2000.
Executive Clerk
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Phyllis A. Smith as Executive
Clerk to the Board of Selectmen for a term to expire June 30, 2000.
Keeper of the Lockup
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Chief Christopher Casey as
Keeper of the Lockup for a term to expire June 30, 2000.
Hanscom Field Advisory Commission (HFAC)
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Michael Barrett as Lexington's
Representative to HFAC for a three year term expiring June 30, 2002.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Josh Hassoll as Lexington's
Alternate Representative to HFAC.
Reappointment of the Town Manager
Mrs. McKenna: As you know, I have shared some concerns with the reappointment. I had
hoped that the Board would undertake a comprehensive process that would include all the people
the manager works with, not just the senior staff, as well as with the citizens. Having chosen not
to do that, I feel somewhat backed into a position that requires that I make some comments to
some of the things that concern me. The first and most important of which is communications.
As long as I have sat and observed the Town Manager evaluation process, the one consistent
comment that I have heard from people is that the Town manager does not communicate as well
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with people as they would like, that he doesn't return phone calls, doesn't respond to issues that
citizens raise as well as they would like him to. I would like to see us work on a way of insuring
that those issues are addressed because as far as I am concerned, there is nothing that happens
more than the Town Manager being a communicant for the Town and I think it is important that
we work to resolve those issues.
I also have some personnel questions. I had raised questions about the number of people who
had left the town employ. I have certainly raised questions about the relationship with the Fire
Department. I think he has done a very good job working on the senior staff model but I do
think that has left other employees feeling they are not being included in the decision making
process. I am also very concerned with the amount of time and effort that we have had our
consultant spending in the community. Three years at $116,000 on employee management
consulting. That is a role that should be with the Town Manager and not be paid at that kind of
level. I do have some budget concerns. I would like to be able to count on backup being
delivered with the materials so that people who want to delve into the details of the budget are
able to. As I indicated tonight, I have a lot of concerns about the salary adjustment area. I back
the whole concept but I do worry about what the criteria is and how evenly it is being applied
and I have some concerns about the notion on the reserve fund that we have been using for years
is things that are not truly unforeseen. So I hope that as we go forward, we can work on ways to
improve some of these things and really make the Town Manager work for the citizens in the
Town and for the employees.
With that, I will vote against his reappointment at this time.
Mrs. Abbott: I intend to vote for reappointment and will be happy to do so. I think it is
important that Mrs. McKenna has been able to air her concerns. I would have preferred to see a
mechanism that would have allowed a little more time for some of this discussion and perhaps
not for so many specific concerns to come up as part of public discussion. Although it is not
inappropriate, it is somewhat difficult. I would like to be able to see us in the future have
perhaps a clear understanding as members of the Board and especially Mrs. McKenna and
myself as the newest members of the Board as to what (I view any question is an appropriate
question to ask) might we expect when we seek information from anybody in the Town Manager
structure or anybody on an elected or appointed Board if there is information that if for some
reason should not be given, either a legal issue or confidentiality issue, that it would be helpful
for us to know that. I think I would leave it to the discretion of the Chair of the Comittee to
decide whether he or, in some future date, she might want to be advised as to the kinds of
questions that are asked (I am not seeking an oversight of the question asking) but I am seeking a
way that we can make it as easy as possible for all of us as Board members to get information.
My experience in seeking information and receiving it has been good so I don't want to reflect
that I have not been given information that I have asked for.
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Mrs. Krieger: I just wanted to comment on the fact that I think that many of the concerns that
Mrs. McKenna has raised can fall into the review process and when we begin the review process
again, whether in the fall or the winter, we can make it amenable to some of the points that she
raises. But I think that we have had a discussion as to whether the review and the reappointment
processes should be linked and I believe are willing as a Board that we have given Rick a review,
the majority of us have found that we are very pleased with his performance and there is nothing
in my mind that would get in the way of reappointment.
Mr. Enrich: I think it is important in approaching this particular decision to make a couple of
distinctions clear. The first is the distinction between what things are the responsibilities of the
Board and what things are the responsibilities of the Manager and I think, for instance, decisions
about uses of the Reserve Fund, decisions about the uses of a consultant and at least to a certain
extent some of the issues about relationships with unionized Town employees are decisions that
have been and should be the Board's and that we need, if there is dissatisfaction how any of these
have been handled, that dissatisfaction belongs in our laps, not in the manager's lap. The
manager has in my experience always been open with us and has placed those responsibilities
where they belong and we have made decisions in those matters, which are legitimate subjects
for public discussion, disagreement or dissatisfaction. I think we need to distinguish between
things we are accountable for and things that the Manager is accountable for.
The second distinction that I think is very important to draw is the distinction between ongoing
evaluation and improvement of the way that the Town manager or any employee's performance
and the decision about whether to reappoint. I think it would be extraordinary, and I think we
have an extraordinary manager, and I think it would be extraordinary for that extraordinary
manager if there were no areas in which there were room for improvement and further
development and I think it is very important that the Board have an ongoing open process in
which to provide feedback to the manager around those kinds of things. And I don't think the
board has always done nearly as well as they should. Reappointment may be our single most
important responsibility. It is something that we should take terribly seriously. This is a
decision though not about any specific issues about communication or specific issues about
decisions that have been made, it is a decision about whether we believe the manager is the
person who is best suited to provide the town the high quality of management leadership that it
needs or not. And that is a very big decision, a very important decision, and fortunately, it has
been an incredibly easy one because in my mind we are really blessed with a town manager with
tremendous talent and who has served the Town extraordinarily well and I think we would be
making a horrible mistake to do anything other than to reappoint him for an additional three
years and congratulate ourselves on our good fortune.
Mrs. Eddison: I couldn't agree more.
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Selectmen's Meeting - June 28, 1999
Mrs. Abbott: I certainly agree with you on the strength of Rick's leadership and if I might just
add one of the things as a new member that impressed me most in the strength of that leadership
is the strength and style and tremendous job that is done by the Senior Management Team and I
think the building of that team and the empowering of the people that are doing those jobs and
making the team be part of the leadership of the Town is a tremendous benefit to all of us and I
thank you Rick for that and those of you who are here.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-1 (Mrs. McKenna opposed) to reappoint
Richard J. White as the Town Manager for a term to commence on November 16, 1999 and
expire on November 15, 2002.
Met State Reuse Plan
Mrs. Krieger updated the Board on a meeting of the Met State Tri-Community Task Force.
Waltham is absolutely opposed to any access through to Trapello Road. Mrs. Krieger discussed
possible alternatives and indicated she would keep the Board posted on developments.
Minuteman Technical High School - Assisted Living Facility
Mrs. Eddison briefed the Board members on the negotiations between the Minuteman School
and the Town of Lincoln regarding building an assisted living facility at the school site in
Lincoln. Mrs. Eddison will keep the Board members informed of further developments.
Executive Session
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mrs.
Eddison, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Krieger and Mrs. Abbott to go into executive session for the purpose
of discussion of potential litigation with no intent to resume open session.
A true record, Attest:
Phyllis A. Smith
Executive Clerk