BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES Draft DONALDSON ROOM Monday June 12, :30 P.M.

Transcription

1 BOARD OF SELECTMEN MEETING MINUTES Draft DONALDSON ROOM Monday June 12, :30 P.M. PRESENT: James Craig (Chair), Jennifer Glass, Jonathan Dwyer STAFF: Timothy Higgins, Town Administrator; Peggy Elder, Administrative Assistant WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: Mr. Craig opened the meeting and reviewed the agenda. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ms. Glass announced that this Wednesday at 7:00PM at the Brooks Gym, the School Building Committee would be holding its kickoff meeting. Mr. Craig extended his thanks to the School and to the Lincoln Police for their support of the Bike to School event held on June 9 th. APPOINTMENTS: Planning & Preliminary Design Committee (PPDC) Sarah Chester, Jim Cunningham, Katherine Corbin, and Bill Stason joined the meeting interviewing for this new committee. Mr. Craig thanked them for volunteering. Each candidate provided a brief summary of their professional and volunteer backgrounds, and the skills that would lend themselves to the work of the Committee. Sarah Chester explained that she was encouraged by Dan Pereira of Parks and Recreation to apply for the Committee. She is aware of all the stakeholders needs and is comfortable working with diverse groups to ensure that stakeholder needs are met. Jim Cunningham explained that he grew up in Lincoln and is familiar with Bemis Hall, the Council on Aging and Town Offices and what the Town s needs are. Jim also felt that his engineering and systems background would be helpful. Katherine Corbin spoke about her experience as part of the team that completed the Town Offices renovation. She explained that she developed a mission statement for the project. She started with a concept for the project and took that concept into programming. Bill Stason is a long time Lincoln resident and has been active on many committees over the years. He expressed his opinion that this project is extremely important as it will provide a social space for residents of all ages. Mr. Craig thanked all of the candidates for their interest and underscored the importance of keeping good people involved regardless of whether they end up receiving formal appointment to the Committee. All three Selectmen then proceeded to ask questions of each candidate. The Board concluded by stating how gratifying it was to have so many qualified candidates but also personally disappointing to not be able to appoint everyone. Thornberg Family Patrice Thornberg (Mr. Thornberg s wife) and Maureen Crocker (his sister) introduced themselves to the Board and thanked the Board for making time to meet. Mr. Craig began by again extending the Board s condolences to the family for the loss of Eugene Thornberg who was killed in a cycling accident that occurred on June 16, Mr.

2 Craig stated that as a result of the accident, the Town has taken a closer look into what actions it can take to make cycling safer on our roadways. The formation of the Cycling Safety Advisory Committee (CSAC) was a direct response. Detective Ian Spencer gave a brief history of the Ghost Bike and its symbolic value to create awareness about the importance of cycling safety. The Thornbergs expressed their appreciation to the Town for the way it, especially its Police Department, has been supportive throughout the family s ordeal. The family hopes to honor the memory of Eugene by donating a ghost bike that would create public awareness about the importance of cycling safety. The Chief and Detective Spencer summarized their discussions with the family about the proposed ghost bike and various locations that were considered. Locating the ghost bike along the town s roadways would be problematic in that the roadways are narrow and the lack of adequate space and other factors could create a safety problem. The most appropriate site that was identified is the lawn of the Public Safety Building where other public service type announcements are sometimes advertised. Mr. Craig thanked the Police Department and the Thornbergs for the collaborative way in which the discussions have occurred. After thanking the Thornbergs for their generosity, and recognizing that there appeared to be consensus among his colleagues to proceed, Mr. Craig moved to accept the gift and to authorize its installation at the Public Safety Building site, subject to coordination by the Chief with the family and with a Town landscape professional. Ms. Glass seconded the motion, and with Mr. Dwyer also voting in the affirmative, the motion was unanimously adopted. The installation of the bike is likely to happen in late summer. Chief Kennedy offered his thanks to CSAC for their hard work on this issue. Housing Commission The Housing Commission joined the Selectmen to jointly interview and appoint candidates to fill two elected seat vacancies on the Commission. Mr. Craig asked Mr. Higgins to clarify the process for filling vacancies in elected positions. Mr. Higgins reviewed the statutory requirements which result in the need for a joint interview and appointment by the remaining members of the Housing Commission and the full Board of Selectmen. Allen Vander Muelen (Housing Commission Chair) gave a brief overview of the Commission s duties and responsibilities. Candidates Bijoy Misra and Evan Gorman joined the meeting provided a brief synopsis of their experience and skills that would make them good additions to the Commission. Mr. Gorman explaining his experience as a landlord and the contractor skills that would be useful for the Commission. Mr. Misra shared his extensive work volunteering in various communities and felt this background and experience would have value for the Commission. Mr. Vander Muelen gave the Housing Commission s endorsement of the nomination of Evan Gorman and Bijoy Misra to the Housing Commission. Ms. Glass moved to nominate Evan Gorman and Bijoy Misra to the Housing Commission. Mr. Dwyer OPEN FORUM: None TOWN ADMINISTRATOR S REPORT: Town Meeting Votes - Community Center Planning Process Mr. Higgins reported that he and Mr. Dwyer are planning in anticipation of the first meeting, which they hope to get scheduled the week

3 of June 19 th. - Wang Property Implementation Mr. Higgins reported that he will be presenting the bonds for the Board s signature later this evening. He continued that the rating agency confirmed our AAA rating. He anticipates mid-june closing. - Landfill Solar Next Steps Mr. Higgins reported that the Solar Working Group has retained a consultant to perform what we hope will be final due diligence on the proposed financial terms. He added that they remain in contact with Rep. Stanley who is working to expedite passage of the Article 97 legislation. Mr. Higgins reported that he and Tom Gumbart (Conservation Director) testified before the legislative committee to which the Bill has been assigned last week. South Lincoln Planning & Implementation Committee (SLPIC) DPW Site Feasibility Study Mr. Higgins reported that SLPIC has formed four separate teams to focus on specific aspects of South Lincoln planning. One of the four is focused on reviewing zoning changes that might spur development. As part of its work, the subcommittee recommended that SLPIC seek authorization from the BOS to proceed with a DPW site feasibility study to assess how and where the DPW s operations might possibly be consolidated and replicated to make the site available for future potential development, consistent with overall objectives of South Lincoln development plans. The sub-committee will be asking SLPIC to vote, when it meets next, to forward this request to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Higgins anticipates that this will occur in time for the matter to be taken up during the June 19 th meeting. Route 2 Ribbon Cutting Mr. Higgins reported that the MDOT has confirmed the date for the Route 2 Ribbon Cutting/Project dedication is Friday, June 16 th, 10:00 a.m. at The Commons. The event is being coordinated by Lincoln, Concord and MDOT. The Town s goal is to celebrate the terrific state-local partnership that was formed, and to acknowledge the efforts of Lincoln s officials and volunteers who worked tirelessly and persistently for more than two decades to demonstrate the need, lobby for funding, develop a Lincoln-appropriate design, and see to it that the project was constructed as planned. Proposal for Modernist Homes Amendment to Historic District Mr. Higgins reported that the Friends of Modern Architecture (FOMA) is requesting a slot on the fall, 2017 State of the Town Meeting agenda to make the Town aware of its intended proposal to amend the Town s Historic District Bylaw by expanding it to include specific modernist homes. The proposal will be submitted to the Historic District Commission for its review and a recommendation to Town Meeting. Historic District Bylaw amendments require a 2/3 Town Meeting vote of approval.

4 DISCUSSION: EDAC Mr. Higgins referred to Director of Planning and Land Use, Jen Burney s May 31st memo, summarizing efforts to launch the Board s contemplated Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). Unfortunately, although early indications were that key members of the for-profit and not-for-profit business communities were willing to play lead roles in getting the EDAC launched and sustained, the actual response was not as enthusiastic as was expected. Mr. Higgins added that he and Ms. Burney urge the Board to consider tabling the appointment of an EDAC at this time, and instead consider hosting annual or bi-annual business breakfasts/roundtables to provide an opportunity for ongoing discussion between town and business leaders. This issue can be reconsidered in the future if it is determined that there is more of an interest and willingness to step up and lead. Mr. Craig agreed with Mr. Higgins summary and urged the Board to support a less formal approach at the start, with a focus on annual or bi-annual breakfast meetings. The Board agreed and asked that stakeholders be so advised. Liaison Reports - HATS Mr. Dwyer reported that Representative Tom Stanley attended the most recent HATS meeting and updated the group on the financial condition of revenue at the State level. Rep. Stanley also reported that he has been working to increase the amount of money coming in to the State for CPC projects and added that he is fully behind this but at this point it had not been voted on. Mr. Dwyer continued that the issue of bans of plastic shopping bags and plastic bottles is becoming a hotter topic at the State level. Both the State and Industry are looking to simplify the process with the goal of taking action toward that end. ACTION ITEMS: Conservation Commission Appointment Mr. Craig moved to appoint Larry Buell to the open Conservation Commission seat. Ms. Glass Wang Property Acquisition Bonds Ms. Glass moved to sign the Wang Property acquisition bonds as recommended by Town Finance Director Colleen Wilkins. Mr. Dwyer seconded. It was unanimously approved. Kids Triathlon Ms. Glass moved to approve the road closure from the 5-way intersection on Lincoln Road to Ballfield Road on June 7, 2017 from 8:30AM-10:30AM for the kids triathlon. Mr. Dwyer Special Officers Mr. Craig moved to appoint Robert Surrette to the position of Special Officer. Mr. Dwyer

5 Mr. Craig moved to appoint Michael Harriman to the position of Special Officer. Mr. Dwyer DPW Crewmember Mr. Dwyer moved to appoint Scott Swanson to the position of DPW Crewmember. Ms. Glass Summer Business Hours Ms. Glass moved to approve Town Office Summer Hours. Mr. Dwyer Meeting Schedule Mr. Higgins mentioned that he would like to have DeCordova and Codman Farm in for a meeting just to touch base and update the Board on what they are doing. CORRESPONDENCE: Ms. Glass requested that a thank you letter go out to Mr. Sugar for all of his good work over the years in relationship to the Minuteman Building project. MEETING MINUTES: May 8, 2017 Ms. Glass noted that on the section noting the composition of the Coordinating Committee, it should read Chairs and designees and also it should read a preference for at-large members. Mr. Dwyer moved to approve the minutes as amended. Ms. Glass May 22, 2017 Mr. Craig moved to approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Dwyer A motion was made by Ms. Glass to adjourn. Mr. Dwyer seconded. It was unanimously approved. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 P.M. Submitted by Peggy Elder