Board of Selectmen |
October 19, 2009 |
Regular Meeting |
Faculty cafeteria, Lynnfield Middle School |
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 6:35 p.m.
Review of warrant articles awaiting recommendations
The Board took up the two warrant articles going before town meeting on which the Board had not issued a recommendation.
Mr. Gustus provided a list of proposed budget transfers and funding sources for Article 2, the Fiscal Year 2010 budget article (see attached exhibit). He said the transfers addressed public safety personnel and staffing changes, as well as changes to local aid and net cherry sheet adjustments made after the April town meeting. Mr. Gustus said an additional $100,000 in changes reflected an anticipated further reduction in state aid. He said this estimate is probably a little low, and said a similar course of action taken last year proved to have served the Town well.
Selectman Merritt asked if any personnel cuts would be made as a result of these changes. Mr. Gustus said that a vacant full-time position in the treasurer’s office is being reduced to half-time. He said this position should be filled due to anticipated staffing issues in that office.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to recommend the adoption of the budget changes presented by Mr. Gustus.
On Article 5, the funding of a preliminary design study for a high school addition project, Mr. Gustus said that further consultation with the Massachusetts School Building Authority has indicated it would be prudent to put off this issue to a future town meeting. He said the School Department would support a motion to indefinitely postpone the article.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to recommend indefinite postponement of this article.
Administrative matters
The Board received a letter from Robert Senk, who is resigning from the Conservation Commission as he has moved out of Town.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to accept Mr. Senk’s resignation with regret and directed that a letter of thanks be sent to him.
The Board received a letter from the Recreation Commission seeking the use of the Common on Saturday, December 5 for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to approve the request.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2009 meeting as presented.
Reconsideration of warrant article recommendations
Selectman Bourque asked whether information provided by resident on Article 6, the expansion of the groundwater protection district, had changed his fellow Board members’ opinion on the matter. The Board had previously voted to recommend approval of the article.
Mr. Gustus explained that the article would amend the zoning bylaw and map to extend the Groundwater Protection District in order to protect areas feeding new wells under Department of Environmental Protection guidelines. The article has been approved by the Lynnfield Center Water District and the Planning Board. It would limit the number of bedrooms in houses built in the district based on the square footage of lots. Existing homes would be affected only if an addition is planned. Their septic systems could be replaced, but not expanded.
Selectman Bourque said that this would have an impact on homes on streets such as Hutchins Circle and Beaver Avenue, as the house lots there tend to be smaller. Mr. Gustus said the homeowner could seek a variance. Selectman Bourque said that it would difficult to demonstrate a hardship unless the family had grown. Mr. Gustus said he could not speak to how the zoning lines were drawn.
The consensus of the Board was not to revisit its endorsement of this article.
On the motion of Selectman Bourque, seconded by Selectman Merritt, the Board voted to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
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