Board of Selectmen |
March 29, 2010 |
Regular Meeting |
Selectmen’s Hearing Room, Town Hall |
Present: |
Robert P. MacKendrick, Chairman |
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Arthur J. Bourque III, Selectman |
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Al Merritt, Selectman |
Chairman MacKendrick called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Interview – Robert Milano, Conservation Commission
Robert Milano of 99 Crest Road appeared before the Board as an applicant for an open position on the Conservation Commission. He is a Pillings Pond abutter who has resident in Town for 10 years and owns his own business as a flooring contractor. He said he is hoping to bridge a gap between the Conservation Commission and pond abutters that has arisen. All three selectmen agreed that this goal is a worthy one. Town Administrator William Gustus aid that Mr. Milano’s candidacy is supported by the Conservation Commission.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, Robert Milano was appointed to a vacant three-year term on the Conservation Commission expiring on June 30, 2010.
Closing of special town meeting warrant
Chairman MacKendrick announced that the Board planned to close the April 26, 2010 special town meeting warrant this evening. He said the proposed warrant includes four articles (see attached exhibit). They are a balancing article addressing line-items in the current fiscal year budget; an appropriation from the Emergency Medical Services enterprise fund; an appropriation from the Golf enterprise fund; and an amendment to the zoning bylaws to establish a municipal district that would include cellular communications towers as a permitted use.
Selectman Bourque said that the neighbors of the Messiah Lutheran Church on Chestnut and Lowell streets are opposed to the placement of a 150-foot tower on the church property. He said this warrant article would give the Town an opportunity to work with T-Mobile on finding another site for the tower, where it would not affect residential areas. She said he hopes a quorum is achieved at town meeting so the Town can move forward.
Selectman Merritt agreed that the neighbors’ concerns were valid, and credited Planning Board member Alan Dresios with bringing this matter forward. He said passage of the zoning amendment would have the longer-term benefit of guiding future communication towers away from residential areas.
Chairman MacKendrick agreed that the measure is needed for future communications tower
On the motion of Selectman Merritt, seconded by Selectman Bourque, the Board voted to close the special town meeting warrant as presented.
Quorum issue
Chairman MacKendrick said that while there are no contested races for Town office it is important that voters turn out to exercise their civic duty, as the proposed charter amendment reducing the quorum for town meeting from 150 to 100 will be on the ballot. He said it costs the Town a substantial amount of money every time it has to reschedule town meeting due to a failure to achieve or retain a quorum. He also said that the quorum issue interferes with the proper operation of Town government and inconveniences those who do turn out faithfully only to be sent home. He was opposed to the change for several years but now realizes a reduction is necessary.
Selectman Merritt said that while voters rejected an attempt to eliminate quorum, they seemed comfortable at town meeting with reducing it to 100.
Selectman Bourque said that it is frustrating to have some people attend and send them away. He said that other communities have seen a rise in attendance as a result of reducing the quorum. He said voters will attend when interested in the articles, but the quorum is hard top achieve without any controversy. As a result, this fall town meeting could not act on two non-controversial but important articles regarding a stormwater management program that is required by the federal government.
Mr. Gustus reminded all voters that all four precincts will be casting votes at Lynnfield High School on Essex Street. Chairman MacKendrick said he has received some inquiries about the Town’s costs for notifying all voters by first-class mail of the change in polling places. Mr. Gustus said that the Town mailed the change along with a required notice about the ballot question on the quorum to save costs. He said state law requires that voters be notified by mail of the change in polling place.
Capital budget
Mr. Gustus presented a revised proposed capital budget of Fiscal Year 2011, based on information from state government officials on the likely amount of local aid, which should not decrease by more than five percent. He is comfortable with consolidating the two capital lists he had prepared for the previous Board meeting and recommend its funding (see attached exhibit).
Mr. Gustus explained some of the items on the list. He said that the Town will be taking advantage of its new blade server system’s capabilities by purchasing terminals rather than more expensive desktop computers. He said that funds in the DPW capital budget for energy management will be used for a study of the existing system and new software. The budget also includes $200,000 for the replacement of one of the Town’s three ambulances, which is over ten years old and will be retired. The total budget is $782,266, which Mr. Gustus said is a major improvement over the current years’ funding level. While the budget is still lean, it will allow the Town to move forward in some important areas.
Selectman Merritt said that the Town is fortunate to have funding available for these purposes, and noted that the current year budget provides only for school technology. He said the school energy management system, is very important, given the unhappiness with control over heating and cooling systems. Funding for this item will come from the Capital Facilities Maintenance Fund; funds for the ambulance purchase will come from the Emergency Medical Services enterprise fund.
Selectman Bourque said he was pleased the Town can fund the full list, including replacement for some equipment in the Department of Public Works, school technology, a fingerprinting machine for the Police Department, and the energy management system in particular. He said that the Town was compelled by state law to use the low bidder on components of the school building project, which resulted in different heating and cooling systems in the schools. The result will be a better environment for students and the faculty, and there will be long-term savings of fuel costs.
Chairman MacKendrick said that while the Town has been constrained in its capital spending, this budget is a start. He said the Town should address long-range infrastructure issues such as streets, buildings and drainage, which will be costly but are critical needs.
Selectman Merritt said that $25,000 for Pillings Pond maintenance plans will help make the pond functional and clean, which the neighbors deserve. Chairman MacKendrick also noted that the Town has applied for a grant to help pay for these maintenance efforts.
On the motion of Selectmen Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board approved the capital budget as presented.
Fire Chief Search
Chairman MacKendrick noted that Chief Paul Romano retired almost one year ago and that the Town has been served by Francis Lennon as interim chief since that time. He said the residents and the Board feel the Town should move forward,
Selectman Bourque said the residents spoke clearly at town meeting last year, when they rejected an effort to remove the Police Chief position from Civil Service, that the Town should try to find good management candidates within its departments rather than outside it. He said a job description consistent with the needs of the department and the Town should be created, and that internal candidates should be considered. If no qualified candidates come forward, the search could be expanded to outside candidates.
Selectman Merritt said the Town has a very special resource in its Fire Department, which provides a benefit to the Town financially through its hybrid regular and call operation. He said the next chief must understand the culture of the operation and that the Town should try to find a strong in-house candidate.
Chairman MacKendrick said that in his discussion with Mr. Gustus, they explored the alternatives, including a full-time or part-time chief, and one selected from inside or outside the department. He said the department has a number of people with are qualified and have the requisite experience and education.
Selectman Bourque asked Mr. Gustus to have a job description ready by the April 12 meeting.
One-day liquor licenses
On the motion of Selectman Merritt, seconded by Selectman Bourque, the Board approved one-day liquor licenses for the Knights of Columbus for April 24, 2010 and May 1, 2010.
Use of Common for Geraniumfest
The Board received a request for the use of the Common by Townscape, Inc. for its annual Geraniumfest on May 15. Selectman Bourque commented that Townscape contributes greatly to the “feel” of the Town. He thanked the volunteers and the students from the High School who assist in this effort, and noted proceeds go to buy shade trees for the Town. He also credited the work of the Department of Public Works in this effort, and urged residents to contribute to the group.
Mr. Gustus noted that through the efforts of the DPW and the Tree Committee, the Town will be nominated by the National Arbor Day Foundation to be a Tree City USA. He said there has been good cooperation between the Tree Committee and Public Works Director Dennis Roy.
Selectman Merritt commended Tree Committee member Jane Bandini for her leadership on this issue.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board approved the use of the common on May 15, 2010 for the annual Geraniumfest.
Seasonal liquor license renewals
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board approved the renewal of seasonal liquor licenses for Sagamore Golf Course, Main Street, and Reedy Meadow at Lynnfield Center Golf Course, Summer Street.
Response to recent rainstorm and flooding
Chairman MacKendrick praised the Fire Department and Department of Public Works for its work He said the Town pulled all but one board from the Pillings Pond dam to lower the water level. He said the Town is facing some longer-term drainage problems and is working toward solutions. Some people will have to live with the annoyance, as the solutions may take time. The DPW has been out keeping storm drains clear.
Selectman Merritt said that the DPW has been working weekends and nights and that the Fire Department has been pumping basements. He noted more rain will be coming, and said that Reedy Meadow is among the long-term issues the Town is facing.
Selectman Bourque said Yorkshire Drive and the King James Grant area have had problems with flooding. Three years ago, DPW workers were chest deep in water clearing blockages. The brooks have been cleaned. Rourke Lane has re-emerged as a drainage issue. Town Engineer Charles Richter is looking at solutions to these issues, and the Board and all relevant Town officials are acutely aware of the seriousness of these problems and the need to find cost-feasible solutions.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to adjourn at 7:38 p.m.
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