Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-08-BOS-min61-392 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes August 16, 1999 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, August 16, 1999 in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Enrich, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. Consent Agenda Water/Sewer Commitments Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following water/sewer commitments: Commitment of water charges for 5/1/99 to 5/31/99 $4,518.85 Commitment of sewer charges for 5/1/99 to 5/31/99 $12,541.36 Commitment of water charges for 6/1/99 to 6/30/99 $2,980.42 Commitment of sewer charges for 6/1/99 to 6/30/99 $6,811.29 Commitment of water charges for 6/7/99 (cycle 9) $89,028.42 Commitment of sewer charges for 7/9/99 (cycle 9) $98,815.30 Petitions to Legislature for Special Acts Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to petition the General Court for an Act in accordance with the vote of Article 15 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 3-0 ( Mrs. McKenna abstained) to petition the General Court for an Act in accordance with the vote of Article 14 of the 1999 Annual Town Meeting. Use of Battle Green Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the use of the Battle Green for the Lexington Preschool PTA's Annual Halloween Parade on Saturday, October 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. with a rain date of October 31. Boston Edison Grant of Location - 25 Fairbanks Avenue Boston Edison Representative Carol McManus was present to petition for a grant of location for conduit to be installed underground to provide electric service to 25 Fairbanks Road. 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 Fairbanks Road: Install conduit, southwesterly approximately 430 feet east of Tufts Road, a distance of about 16 feet. 61-393 Selectmen's Meeting - August 16, 1999 Boston Edison Grant of Location - 184 Grant Street Ms. McManus reviewed the petition from Boston Edison for a grant of location to install conduit to provide underground electric service to 184 Grant Street. 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 Grant Street: Install conduit, westerly, approximately 280 feet southwest of Saddle Club Road, a distance of about 16 feet. RCN-BecoCOM,LLC Grant of Location - Town-wide Aerial Fibre Optic Cabling Rights of Way Manager for RCN-BecoCOM, LLC Barry Maffini was present to review the petition of RCN to add a new line to existing poles in the public ways or private ways throughout the Town of Lexington. Mr. White advised the Board that RCN has made a significant contribution toward the work to relocate the utility wires underground on Bedford Street near the Minuteman Statue and to participate in a beautification project to make the area an attractive entryway into the Center of Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to RCN-BecoCOM, LLC in accordance with the Town of Lexington Administrative Policies and Directives and Massachusetts General laws to add a new line to existing poles in the public ways and private ways throughout the Town of Lexington as shown on "Strand Plans" dated 9/29/1998. Resignation from CATV and Communications Advisory Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of Gustavo Bottan from the Cable TV and Communications Advisory Committee. Appointment of Election Officers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the 71 individuals named in the Town Clerk's memo dated July 29, 1999 as election officers for a one-year term beginning September 1, 1999. 61-394 Selectmen's Meeting - August 16, 1999 Appointment of Fletcher Street Land Use Referral Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following to the Fletcher Street Land Use Referral Committee: School Committee Rep. Fred Rosenberg, Conservation Commission Rep. Bebe Fallick, Article 17 Sponsors Cindy Savage and Ted Page, Center Committee Rep. David Williams, and Selectmen Rep. Cathy Abbott who will chair the Committee. It was further noted that a Subsidiary Motion sponsor and Planning Board Rep. would be appointed at the next meeting. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the meetings of July 12, July 13, July 26 and July 27, 1999. Executive Session Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of the meetings of July 12 and July 26, 1999. Selectmen's Gift Account - Hanscom Mr. White explained a need as well as a desire among many citizens to establish a Selectmen's Gift Account to help defray the costs associated with efforts at deterring the expansion of aviation use at Hanscom. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to establish a Selectmen's Gift account to help defray the costs of legal or other professional services associated with the HATS and/or Lexington efforts at deterring expansion of aviation use/activity at the Hanscom/Massport aviation facility. Budget - Out of the Box Items Mr. White reviewed several "out of the box" proposals identified during the FY2000 budget process. These are ideas that do not fit into traditional models for change or enhancements to town programs. There was much discussion over the prioritization of three areas described by the manager as ripe for examination: the creation of a special retail service district (in the center of Town) and enhance tourism efforts; consolidation of services; and the creation of an innovations fund to allow the pursuit of school and town budgetary revenue/program saving innovations. 61-395 Selectmen's Meeting - August 16, 1999 It was decided to request that the manager make the consolidation efforts a priority for FY2001 and that pursuing the other two would be over a longer period of time. Transfer of Pine Meadows Enterprise Accounting Responsibility to Recreation Mr. White reviewed a desire at this time to transfer the accounting responsibility of the Pine Meadows/Recreation Enterprise Fund from the Public Works Department back to the Recreation Department. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's recommendation to return the accounting responsibility for the Pine Meadows Golf Course operation to the Recreation Department. Council on Aging Reappointments Mr. White asked the Board to approve his plans to reappoint Jacqueline Davison and Annette Kriebel to the Council on Aging. Mrs. McKenna expressed her concerns that the Board hasn't been seeing any new candidates in the Town Manager's appointments. Mr. Enrich and Mrs. Krieger expressed support for the manager's recommendations and felt it was the Board's decision to either approve or not approve his recommendations. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 3-0 (Mrs. McKenna abstained) to approve the Town Manager's reappointment of Jacqueline Davison and Annette Kriebel to the Council on Aging. Sidewalk Café Permit - Peet's Coffee & Tea Mr. White reviewed plans to approve the request of Peet's Coffee & Tea to have four tables and and eight chairs on the sidewalk to service their customers. They have complied with all requirements such as insurance forms and rental costs. Mrs. Abbott questioned the space availability in front of Peet's to accommodate four tables and eight chairs. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of Peet's Coffee & Tea for up to four tables and up to eight chairs on the sidewalk in front of the establishment to serve its customers. Lexpress Anniversary Celebration th Mrs. Kolb reviewed plans to celebrate the 20 anniversary of the Lexpress operation during th . week of September 13 through the 19 61-396 Selectmen's Meeting - August 16, 1999 They would like to roll back the fares to the original level of 25¢ per ride, 10¢ for seniors and transfers for the six day period. It is anticipated that an expected loss of revenue for the week in the amount of $900 will be recouped during the year. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request to roll back Lexpress fares to 25¢ per ride and 10¢ for seniors and for transfers during the six day period from September 13 through September 19, 1999. Meeting Schedule It was agreed to direct the Executive Clerk to post the following meetings through December: September 27, October 18, November 1, 8, and 22, December 6 and 13, 1999. Selectmen Reports Mrs. Abbott reported on the LexHAB open house that she, Jeanne Krieger and Peter Enrich attended for the new house on Spencer Street.Many of the neighbors were there and commented on the house being better than they had expected. The house sits in very well in the neighborhood. Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by roll call vote: Mrs. McKenna, Mr. Enrich, Mrs. Krieger and Mrs. Abbott to go into executive session for the purpose of discussion of litigation and collective bargaining with no intent to resume open session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:05 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk 61-397 Selectmen/School Committee Meeting Minutes August 30, 1999 A joint goal setting meeting of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee was held on Monday, August 30, 1999 in Estabrook Hall, 1605 Massachusetts Avenue at 4:30 p.m. Selectmen Chairman Enrich, Mrs. Eddison, Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. McKenna; School Committee Chairman DiGiammarino, Mrs. Peltz, Mrs. Elberger, Mr. Rosenberg; Mrs.Ruane, School Superintendent; Mr. White, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; and Ms. Smith, Executive Clerk were present. Also in attendance were representatives from the Finance Committees, Senior Management Team members and the Town Moderator. Mr. Enrich and Mrs. DiGiammarino expressed appreciation for all the time and effort of the School Committee and Selectmen representatives and Town staff working behind the scenes to come up with a collaborative effort to define the challenges ahead to meet the needs for the FY2001 budget. There has been no more information that would change the July figure of an estimated $2.7 to $3 million increase in revenues. The first step is to ask the School Superintendent and Town Manager working together to come up with an analysis of making an approximate $1,000,000 reduction in an anticipated expenditure increase of $7.2 million. There was much discussion about the timeline for the budget process and identification and much needed publicity in explaining the need of an anticipated operating budget override next spring. It was also agreed that there is a need to explain the budget cuts and impacted programs/services that have taken place in previous years. There was much discussion about the capital budget needs and in particular the street construction and resurfacing. Mrs. DiGiammarino reviewed a possible timeline anticipating a late May override vote after Town Meeting; a Town Meeting start date of March 27 and the possibility of finishing the financial articles in six sessions; another meeting of the School Committee and Board of Selectmen in November after the Superintendent and Town Manager come back with proposed cuts and getting preliminary numbers by early December. The School Committee will have a projected enrollment figure in October. There will be a window between December and January to hold public hearings and budget presentations. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by the School Committee to adjourn at 5:58 p.m. 61-398 Board of Selectmen/School Committee Meeting - August 30, 1999 The Board of Selectmen recessed the meeting and invited anyone who wished to join them for dinner and reconvened at 7:30 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk 61-399 Selectmen's Meeting Minutes August 30, 1999 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Monday, August 30, 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. Citizen Comments Mr. Nicholas Hay of Valley Road complained about youthful cyclists riding on the sidewalks and said he felt there should be signs put up in the Center of Town saying there should be no bicycles on the sidewalks. Mrs. Eddison responded that the Center Committee is considering the problem of not only bicyclists but also rollerbladers using the sidewalks and is working on signs to be put up in the area. Consent Agenda Constitution Week Proclamation Mr. Enrich read a proclamation declaring the week of September 17 through September 23, 1999 as Constitution Week. Antony Sister City Proclamation Mr. Enrich read a proclamation that Mrs. Abbott will be taking to France for the dedication of a monument and surrounding fountains and flowers honoring Lexington to be known as "le Rond- Point de Lexington". The Selectmen proclaimed the week of September 5 through September 12, 1999 a time for Lexington citizens to proclaim their extreme gratitude, appreciation and pride for the ongoing relationship between the Sister Cities of Lexington and Antony, France. Sewer Betterment Assessments Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the betterment assessments which represent 50% of the cost of constructing a public sewer to the following properties: Map No. 59, Lot No. 29, Book 28759, page 297, 10,668 square feet $6,582 Map No. 56, Lot No. 148, Book 18966, page 358, 25,648 square feet $15,825 Map No. 22, Lot No. 127, book 13141, page 14, 6,495 square feet $4,0007 Map No. 22, Lot No. 126, 11,152 square feet$6,881 Map No. 22, Lot No. 125, Book 8100, page 502, 9,341 square fet $5,763 Map No. 22, Lot No. 124, Book 19872, page 132, 9,372 square feet $5,783 Map No. 8, Lot No. 22, book 0293, page 243, 12,287 square feet $7,581 Map No. 14, Lot No. 57, Book 9694, page 241, 12,500 square feet $7,713 Map No. 81, Lot No. 21, Book 9701, page 38, 14,112 square feet $8,708 Map No. 82, Lot No. 1, Book 13236, page 432, 18,568 square feet $11,457 61-400 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 Sale of Bonds to Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted: (1) That the Town shall issue a bond or bonds in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $400,000 (the "Bonds") pursuant to Chapters 29C and 44 of the General Laws and a vote of the Town passed April 7, 1997 (Article 9), for construction of sewers and other water pollution control facilities (the "Project"); (2) That each Bond shall be issued as a single registered security, and sold to the Massachusetts Water Pollution Abatement Trust (the "Trust") at a price of not less than the principal amount of the bond, less the Town's allocated share of the costs of issuance of the Trust's bonds; (3) That the Treasurer is authorized to determine the date, the form, the maximum interest rate and the principal maturities of each Bond, and to execute a Loan Agreement with the Trust with respect to the sale of the bonds, such date, form and maturities and the specific interest rate or rates of the Bonds to be approved by a majority of the Board of Selectmen and the Treasurer and evidenced by their execution of the Bonds; (4) That all action taken to date by the Town and its officers and agents to carry out the Project and its financing, including the execution of any loan commitment or agreement by the Treasurer, are hereby ratified, approved and confirmed; and (5) That the Treasurer and the other appropriate Town officials are each hereby authorized to take any and all actions necessary and convenient to carry out the provisions of this vote, including execution and delivery of the Loan Agreement and the Project Regulatory Agreement relating to the Project. Bell Atlantic Grant of Location Hearing - Marrett Road (Coppersmyth Way) Bell Atlantic Representative Dan Fitzgibbons presented the petition for a grant of location for conduit to be installed to provide underground telecommunications service to a new eight unit residential development to be located off Marrett Road, called Coppersmyth Way. There were complaints received from neighbors that the contractor has been working in the area for weeks and the neighbors have been subjected to a great deal of dust being blown into their homes. Mr. Harry White representing the contractor explained that they were sorry for the inconvenience and have accelerated the landscaping. They did run into ledge and that was the reason the work took so long. 61-401 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 The neighbors were assured by both Mr. Fitzgibbons and Ms. Carol McManus who was present to petition the Board for a similar grant of location on behalf of Boston Edison that the work would take 2 to 4 days to complete; they would be going down only 4 feet and would not be going through the ledge that is at 10 feet and that both companies would be using the same trench and would coordinate their work. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the petition of Bell Atlantic to lay and maintain underground conduits and manholes, with the wires and cables to be placed therein, under the surface of Marrett Road starting at pole number 193/102 on the westerly side of Marrett Road, a State Highway, place conduit in an easterly, then southerly, then easterly direction, a distance of 75 feet (±) and that Bell Atlantic coordinate the work with Boston Edison. Boston Edison Grant of Location - Marrett Road (Coppersmyth Way) Boston Edison Representative Carol McManus presented the petition of Boston Edison Company for a grant of location for conduit to be installed to provide underground electric service to a new eight unit residential development to be located off Marrett Road and called Coppersmyth Way. Under the permit issued by Mass Highway, Ms. McManus explained they cannot conduct work on the project except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. and no work may be conducted on Saturdays, Sundays or Holidays. Mr. Paul Gilman was concerned that the work might obstruct access to his property; however, Ms. McManus assured him the work was nowhere near his property. 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 Marrett Road southerly, approximately 225 feet south of Lincoln Street, thence turning and running easterly, a distance of about 79 feet and that Boston Edison coordinate the work with Bell Atlantic. Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Recommendations Traffic Safety Advisory Committee Chair David Carbonneau presented three traffic safety matters discussed at a meeting of the Committee on March 24, 1999. School Street The Committee met with several residents from School Street regarding their concern over the high speed and dangerous driving of traffic on School Street. They requested that the Town consider speed bumps as a means of slowing down traffic in their neighborhood. Their request 61-402 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 was accompanied by a petition signed by 34 residents. The Committee agreed that there is a high volume of traffic and excessive speed on School Street; however, the Committee informed the residents present that the Town does not install speed bumps as a means of traffic calming because of their potential harm to drivers and vehicles. However, the Committee also advised the residents that it is in the process of developing a uniform policy on traffic calming to discourage speeding on the Town's streets. Mr. Carbonneau estimated such a policy would not be ready for six months. He also made note that there has not been any funds appropriated for such road improvements. Mrs. McKenna and several residents of School Street stressed the urgent need for slowing the traffic on School Street and felt there should be interim measures taken while the policy is being developed. They also asked if signs prohibiting traffic during certain times of the day such as the ones on Wilson and Ellison Roads could be put up on School Street. Dawes Road @ Lantern Lane The Traffic Safety Advisory Committee met with Mr. Richard Larson of 4 Lantern Lane regarding the intersection of Dawes Road and Lantern Lane. Mr. Larson was concerned about cars taking a left turn on to Lantern Lane from Dawes Road. He reported several instances when vehicles have not made the turn and swerved off the road onto lawn areas. Mr. Larson also said that because the street is used as a route to Bowman elementary school, it gets heavy traffic volume. The Committee feels the intersection has good visibility and did not see any measures that could be taken to improve the intersection. The Committee recommends no action at this time. Spring Street The Traffic Safety Committee met with Mr. Geoff Waite of 28 Spring Street concerning traffic conditions on Spring Street. Mr. Waite made several proposals to increase traffic safety in the area including increased signage, a reduced speed limit, increased enforcement of the commercial vehicle exclusion, sidewalk construction, and restriping of the pavement to improve pedestrian access. The Committee did not see a way to reduce the speed limit on Spring Street and explained to Mr. Waite the lack of funding for sidewalk construction. Spring Street is not wide enough to be striped for a pedestrian way. The Committee recommends additional caution children signs be placed between 86 and 88 on both sides of Spring Street and increased enforcement of the commercial vehicle exclusion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee. Mrs. McKenna recommended that the Engineering Department develop procedures for neighbors to petition for sidewalks in neighborhoods and Mr. Carbonneau indicated they would do so and would come back to the board with an update on all betterment procedures. 61-403 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 Mrs. Abbott inquired about the signs on Shade Street that the Board approved some time ago. Mr. Carbonneau said they would be ordered the next day. 2000 Town Election Town Clerk Donna Hooper reviewed her reasons for requesting that the Board vote to set the date for the 2000 Town Election after the Presidential Primary that is scheduled for March 7, 2000. Mrs. McKenna indicated she would like to see the Town Election on the same day as the Presidential Primary because she feels that the Town Election might benefit from the bigger turnout of voters at the Primary. Mrs. Krieger, Mrs. Abbott and Mr. Enrich expressed concern about bringing out a partisan vote to the Town Election. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-1 (Mrs. McKenna opposed) to set the date for the Town Election on Monday, March 13, 2000. Fletcher Street Land Use Referral Committee Mr. Enrich reported that the Planning Board has unanimously nominated Stacey Bridge-Denzak to represent the Planning Board on the Fletcher Street Land Use Referral Committee. Mr. Enrich also spoke to David Rudner representing the sponsors of the subsidiary motion and he would be happy to serve on the committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Stacey Bridge-Denzak and David Rudner to the Fletcher Street Land Use Referral Committee. Minutes With a minor correction noted, upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted 4-0 (Mrs. Eddison abstained) to approve the minutes of the meeting of August 16, 1999. Executive Session Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the executive session minutes of the meeting of August 16, 1999. Acting Town Manager Mr. White asked the Board to approve his appointment of Linda Crew Vine as the Acting Town Manager during his absence on vacation and attending the ICMA Annual conference. 61-404 Selectmen's Meeting - August 30, 1999 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Manager's appointment of Linda Crew Vine as the Acting Town Manager from August 31 through September 8, 1999 and September 25 through September 29, 1999. Y2K Team Update Y2K Team members Connie Rawson, Joe Marino and Peter Torode gave the Board a second update on the status of an Emergency Contingency Plan for the Town. Cash Capital Budget Policy There was further discussion to the earlier joint meeting concerning a cash capital policy. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the policy of committing 5% of the general revenue to capital needs with the intention in the future not to use that 5% for borrowing costs of large ticket expenditures. At the request of Caleb Warner, Mr. Enrich offered to speak at the first fall meeting of the TMMA Executive Board on September 8. Hanscom Litigation Fund Mr. Enrich reported that the Town has received contributions totaling $575 thus far to assist in the Hanscom Litigation efforts. Mr. Enrich indicated he will be putting an article in the Minuteman concerning this matter after Labor Day. 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 a collective bargaining matter with no intent to resume open session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:20 p.m. A true record, Attest: Phyllis A. Smith Executive Clerk