TOWN OF ARLINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Monday, March 3, 2003
7:15 p.m.
Present: Mrs. Dias, Chair, Mr. Hurd, Vice Chair, Mrs. Mahon, Mr. Greeley, Mr. Lyons
Also Present: Mrs. Galkowski, Mr. Maher, Mrs. Krepelka
1.Minutes of Meeting: December 10, 2002, January 27, 2003
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED 5-0)
2. CDBG Applications
Mr. McClennen reported this is the 29th year of Arlington receiving CDBG funds. He
would like interested applicants to submit applications. He cautioned not to take
municipal functions that have been funded in the past and fund through HUD. A
summary of the requests are as follows:
? Fidelity House $12,000.
? Affordable Housing-2 family conversion program $600,000.
Residential Rehab. Program $400,000.
Fair Housing $50,000.
? Public Services $256,000.
? AHS Athletic $5,000.
? Adult Day Care Scholarships $13,000.
? Arlington Assistance program $10,000.
? Arlington Little League request not submitted yet.
? AYCC $20,000.
? Arlington Youth Hockey $5, 500.
? Boys & Girls Club $15,000.
? Community Outreach $5,000.
? Dial-A-Ride $67,850.
? Jobs, Jobs, Jobs $25,000.
? Health and Wellness for aging $13,562.
? LifeLine $5,000.
? Meals on Wheels $2,000.
? Menotomy Manor Homework support $6,000.
? Menotomy Manor Outreach (Fidelity House) $12,000.
? Recreation Scholarship $15,000.
? Volunteer Service Coordinator $36,600.
? Public Facility & Improvement $50,000.
? Boys & Girls Club dehumidification system $65,000.
? Crosby School tennis court $150,000.
? Waldo playground $150,000.
Mr. Greeley moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
3. Town Manager Search – Initial Steps
Caryn E. Cove, Personnel Director
Ms. Cove presented an initial recruitment timetable March 2003-November 2003 for the town manager search. The Board voted Mr. Greeley as the Selectmen designee to the search committee for the Town Manager search. Mr. Lyons requested the Acting Town Manager add $20,000. to the Board of Selectmen's Budget to pay for a consultant to help with the Town Manager search.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
LICENSES & PERMITS
4. Request to Hang Banner on Town Hall “Arms Around Arlington-A Day of Connection and Support for those touched by Cancer”, 3/29/03
Cindy Bouvier, Carlene Newell, Mary Lewis Sheehan
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
5. Request for Permission to Hold 7th Annual Farmers’ Market @ Russell Common, 6/25-10/22, 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Oakes Plimpton
Mr. Plimpton was unable to be at meeting.
Mrs. Dias tabled until the March 24, 2003 meeting. SO VOTED (5-0)
6. All Alcohol Club License/Change of Manager
VFW Post, Philip Mouris, Manager, 600R Mass. Ave.
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
7. Request to Hang Banner on Town Hall
Sheri Baron, Arlington Human Rights Commission 10th Anniversary Celebration, April 3, 2003. Due to a conflict with "Arms Around Arlington" banner, the Board approved the banner to be hung across Pleasant Street.
Mr. Greeley moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
CITIZENS OPEN FORUM
The following matters were presented for consideration of the Board:
Amy Cohen, 101 Dow Ave. urged the Board to support an override to help the schools.
Steve Moniak from the Arlington Soccer League presented a proposal for trial that
the Thorndike & Magnolia fields are used only for all of Arlington’s soccer needs. In
return, the Soccer Club will pay the direct maintenance fee of $13,500. He asks that the
Soccer Club has the say on who gets permitted for the fields. Mr. Moniak contends that
lacrosse playing creates a packed field that is not good for soccer. The concerns of the
Selectmen are as follows: need to see recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Commission; exclusive rights of a public field; and the maintenance fee may be higher. Joe Carabello, Chairman of Parks & Recreation, reported that Mr. Jalbert is looking into different scenarios such as:
Thorndike & Magnolia fields be used as game only fields and possible field user fees
similar to hockey ice fees to collect the $174,000 maintenance fees needed this year.
Mr. Kevin Greeley asked to speak because he needed to leave the meeting. He told the
Board it was his intention to come in with a recommendation for an override date
at the next meeting on March 24, 2003. He suggests all Board members think about a
June 26, 2003 override date. Mr. Greeley stated that waiting until June 26 for a vote gave the Town the most time to consider the matter and come to a solid dollar amount for the request. Mr. Greeley said the delay allows for more money to be found by the town to help mitigate the gap in the budget.
Mrs. Mahon suggested moving the referendum up a few weeks. Mrs. Mahon stated such a move would allow the town more time to address layoffs and other matters before the new budget year starts. Also, she stated the sooner the override date the better for handling “pink slips”. Mrs. Galkowski reported that Monday, March 10th, she would have the final figure with budget recommendations.
TRAFFIC RULES & ORDERS/OTHER BUSINESS
8. Request to Extend No Parking Zone on Hopkins Rd.
Glenn Koenig, 16 Hopkins Rd.
The Police have clarified that the current Traffic Rules and Orders sets forth “No
Parking” on the South side of Hopkins Road for 175 feet, Easterly of Pleasant St.
This covers the area the petitioners are requesting. Public Works needs to change the
signage to reflect this. Acting Town Manager will notify Public Works Department
regarding change.
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
9. For Discussion: Yellow Cab Concerns
Mr. Carabello reported concerns with the Yellow Cab Company determining fares by the vehicle odometer. The Commonwealth’s Division of Standards told Mr. Carabello
the company was in violation and to contact the Town’s licensing authority. Mr. Maher, Town Counsel, recommended asking Mr. Bonney, owner of Yellow Cab, to appear before the Board of Selectmen at its next meeting for a show cause hearing. At the present time Mr. Bonney appears to be in violation of Section 26 of the Hackney Carriage Rules. Mrs. Dias asked the Board Administrator to send violation notice to Yellow Cab requesting that he appear before the Board of Selectmen regarding said violation.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
10. Warrant Article Hearings
Article 7 - Warrant Mailing
Mr. Greeley moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
Article 27 – Amend Town Manager Act/Town Manager Qualifications
Mr. Tosti spoke to the fact that mandating the Town Manager to be a resident is a
hindrance that reduces the number of good candidates applying for the job.
Mr. Greeley is in favor of amending the qualifications requirement but is not in favor
of amending the resident requirement.
Mr. Hurd would prefer the Town Manager live in Arlington, but thinks we need to have more discussion on this subject. He would like the Town Manager to live in closer proximity when problems do occur.
Mr. Lyons would like Town Counsel to change wording on the qualification
requirement to be something like “someone who has significant experience in municipal management or administrative experience".
Mr. Lyons recommends offering the Mt. Gilboa property at an affordable rate to help make an attractive packet while maintaining the residency requirement.
Mrs. Mahon is in favor of amending the qualifications requirement but wants to keep the
residency requirement. Would like more discussion on Mt. Gilboa.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
Article 9 - Bylaw Amendment Dog Parks
Roselyn Smith reported the Arlington Redevelopment Board has a plan for a dog park but wants dogs off leash and loose.
Lesley Maher reported the group FOCCA established with the Park Commission a
confined area for dogs. Dogs may be off-leash but not until they are in the confined
area.
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Article 10 - Bylaw Amendment/Leash Law
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Article 12 - Bylaw Amendment/Historic District Commission
Beth Cohen reported that there is a district of 6 properties that can’t get a member to
represent this area. She proposes to open up the membership to any resident.
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Article 14 - Bylaw Amendment/Assistant Moderator
John Worden explained that in an unlikely event he was not available for a Town
Meeting an assistant moderator would allow the meeting to proceed time out of the There is no financial implication to this article.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Article 20 - Home Rule Legislation/Police Age Waiver
George White requested that the Board allow him the opportunity to petition for a Police
Age waiver. He took the exam and has placed high on the list.
Mr. Maher asked the Board if they wanted to hear from the Town Manager and Police Chief before taking any action.
Mr. Hurd supports the request to allow the opportunity to apply for the exemption and
made a recommendation to Mr. White’s integrity.
Mrs. Dias does not support the request due to setting a bad precedent for the future.
Mrs. Galkowski would like to talk to the Police Chief and then come back to make
comments to the Board.
Mrs. Mahon supports the request to allow the opportunity to apply for the exemption and
believes the age requirement is discriminatory.
Mr. Lyons supports the request to allow the opportunity to apply for the exemption and
points out that Mr. White has to follow certain protocol before being accepted on to the
Police Force. This request is just for the opportunity to go to the next level.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (3-1)
Mrs. Dias voted in the negative.
Correspondence Received
Jane Wallis Gumble Units-Only Local Initiative Program Application Be Rec’d
DHCD
Timothy Murnane Comcast Contact Changes Be Rec’d
Comcast
Mrs. Mahon moved receipt of correspondence.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Dias announced a March 12, 2003 Warrant Articles hearing meeting at 7:00PM.
Mr. Maher reported there are 41 articles (7 were done tonight). He plans to go through
half of the articles on the 12th and the remaining half of the articles on the 24th. There
is the possibility another meeting will be needed to talk about the “tabled” articles.
Mrs. Galkowski discussed four items:
1. Mt. Gilboa will be leased on a month to month basis
2. The Governor’s state budget was e-mailed out and it is not as devastating yet is still not final.
3. The formula has changed drastically and is not favorable to Arlington regarding transitional aid, which will be cut 7.6 million by FY’05.
4. There will be a meeting arranged with the Governor’s staff to voice Arlington’s concern.
She will come up with final numbers soon.
Mrs. Mahon asked Mrs. Galkowski to find out the estimated date of completion on the Town Hall auditorium floor. She also wants to know what the committee’s recommendation is for usage of the auditorium?
Town Meeting changes were discussed and Mrs. Mahon would like to know what is the next step? Mr. Maher will post changes in the agenda for Town Meeting members.
Mrs. Mahon made a motion to inform Town Meeting members of information on changes to Town Meeting.
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Hurd commented that he wants and expects the Town Hall auditorium to be used more often with no limitations. He also wants to talk to Mrs. Galkowski about a letter concerning sledding at Waldo Park last week. He announced a meeting on Saturday 3/8/03 at 9:00am in the Selectmen’s Hearing Room on potential revenue.
Mr. Hurd asked for Lt. Serson to comment on an East Arlington Crime Watch. Lt. Serson reported the Crime Watch group on Silk St. was going well. There is a meeting 3/13/03 at the Police Station Public Room to develop a mission statement for crime watch groups and talk about training. He would like to see crime watch groups all over town.
Mr. Lyons reported that the Romney administration recommends that Arlington get the greatest decrease in State Aid over the next 2 years in the Commonwealth. He feels it’s an absolute disgrace, and that Arlington needs to make sure the proposed formula is not enacted into law.
Arlington’s biggest problem is the proposed change to Chapter 70. The formula assumes there are commercial and industrial taxes.
Mr. Lyons makes a 3 part motion: 1) oppose formula changes as proposed, 2) oppose the non-grandfathering Chapter 70 formula until there is a state wide task force, and 3) ask legislatures to make the local aid retention for the Town of Arlington the highest priority.
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Lyons requests a meeting Tuesday 3/18/03 on Special Ed with the sub-committee and Mrs. Donovan in the School Committee Room before or after the Special Ed school meeting. Mr. Lyons asked Mr. Maher to call the Medford City Solicitor to ask about the by-laws and rental inspections to possibly use in Arlington.
The Board thanked Mrs. Krepelka for the large amount of work she and her staff does.
Mr. Lyons moved to adjourn at 9:30 p.m. SO VOTED (4-0)
A true record: Attest:
Marie A. Krepelka
Board Administrator
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