TOWN OF ARLINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 15, 2003
7:15 p.m.
Present: Mr. Greeley, Chairman, Mrs. Mahon, Vice Chair, Mr. Hurd, and Mr. Lyons.
Absent: Mrs. Dias
Also Present: Mrs. Galkowski, Mr. Maher, Mrs. Krepelka.
Mr. Greeley opened meeting by congratulating the Town Day Committee, especially, Renee Pace Tsoukalas, Kathleen K. Darcy, and Sandy Chamberlain, Town Day Co-Chairs, and all volunteers, businesses and corporations who contributed to the success of another spectacular Town Day.
FOR APPROVAL
Minutes of Meeting: September 15, 2003
KeySpan Petition
To install and maintain approximately 400 feet more or less of 4 inch gas main in Massachusetts Ave., Arlington from the existing 16 inch main in Highland Ave. @ Massachusetts Ave. Easterly to Schouler Court and to install 275 feet, more or less of 4 inch gas main in Schouler Court North to Arlington High School
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
2. Avenue of Flags
Jane Lyman, Mgr. of Government Relations for Comcast and William Armstrong, Armstrong Ambulance
Mr. Greeley presented Bill Armstrong with an Arlington mirror showing four pictures of historic landmarks as a small token of appreciation for all the generous contributions including the flags and holders that line Mass. Ave. Mr. Lyons commented on his generosity as a corporate contributor to Arlington and as “a true Arlingtonian”. Mr. Hurd, also, thanked Mr. Armstrong and stated he is probably the first person to get a letter and request for a donation from every organization in Town. Mrs. Mahon praised Mr. Armstrong and commented that Mr. Armstrong never wants to be thanked for anything he does.
Mr. Greeley asked the Board Administrator to write a formal thank you to Mr. Armstrong and Comcast for having the flags in place for the 9/11 celebrations.
APPOINTMENTS & REAPPOINTMENTS
3. Appointments – Arlington Cultural Council
Betsy Campbell
Jean Yoder
(terms to expire 8/06)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
4. Reappointment – Historic District Commissions
Stephen Makowka
(term to expire 9/06)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
5. Reappointment –Redevelopment Board
Barry Faulkner, 38 Kimball Road
(term to expire 9/14/06)
Mr. Lyons commented that Mr. Faulkner is an outstanding public servant
as a member of the Redevelopment Board and is grateful that he willing to continue
to serve as a board member.
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
6. Reappointment –Personnel Board
Rebecca Blair, 104 Cutter Hill Road
(term to expire 8/20/06)
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
LICENSES & PERMITS
7. Request by Arlington Catholic for 3 All Alcohol Licenses
Patricia Donovan Leonard Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser, 10/4/03, 7:00 pm-12:00 am
Harvest Fest Fundraiser, 10/18/03, 7:00 pm-1:00 am
Football Reunion for ACHS football players, 10/25/03, 7:00 pm-12:00 am
(All events will take place in the ACHS gym)
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
8. Request for One-Day Beer & Wine License, Brackett Elementary School, 11/01/03
Francesca Coltrera, Co, Chair, Brackett Silent Auction
Mrs. Galkowski stated that the Town of Arlington did not have the necessary liability insurance on the above property to cover a one-day beer and wine license.
Mr. Lyons asked Mrs. Galkowski to look into insurance for all school buildings since most schools will be doing fundraising in order to maintain extra programs at said schools.
Mr. Hurd moved to refer above to Acting Town Manager Galkowski and report back to Board at a later date. SO VOTED (4-0)
9. Request for One Day All Alcoholic Beverage License, 10/19/03
Gaetano Catanzano, President, Retired Men's Club of Arlington
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
10. Automatic Amusement Licenses (5)
American Legion Post #39, Joseph R. Mattaliano, Mgr., 370 Mass. Ave.
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM
There were no matters presented for consideration of the Board.
TRAFFIC RULES & ORDERS/OTHER BUSINESS
11. Request for Suspension of Resident Only Parking on Tufts & Foster Streets
Deanne Benson, Leslie Ellis School
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
12. Request for Handicap Parking – 60 Magnolia St.
Arthur McWhinnie
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
13. Request to Park on Pleasant Street for Registration 10/03/03, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Barbara Tosti, Staff Counselor, Arlington Youth Consultation Center
Mr. Greeley exited meeting for a short time and turned gavel over to Mrs. Mahon.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (3-0)
14. Request for Funding to Upgrade School District Fiber Network
Steven Mazzola, Arlington Public Schools Telecommunications & Tech. Dept.
This matter was tabled until September 29th.
15. For Approval: "2004 Annual Town Election Information and Calendar"
Corinne M. Rainville, Town Clerk
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (3-0)
16. For Approval: Request to Acknowledge UN Day on 10/24/03
United Nations Assoc. of Greater Boston and League of Women Voters of Arlington, Clarice B. Gordon, Co-President
Mr. Lyons moved approval and requested Board Administrator to issue a Proclamation
on behalf of the Board of Selectmen. SO VOTED (3-0)
17. For Approval: Rates for Veterans Memorial Rink
Nancy Galkowski, Acting Town Manager
Mrs. Galkowski commented on the good job that the Recreation Department and user groups did in making more time available schedule wise without increasing the cost per use especially with the increasing girls hockey schedule. Mr. Hurd commented on the improvements made to the rink, the new manager Dan Brothers, and how he looks forward to good things this year. Mrs. Mahon congratulated Mr. Jalbert for working with the leaders of the user groups and hopes the AHS Girls Hockey Program can get more ice time.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (3-0)
Mr. Greeley returned to the meeting.
18. Report Municipal Relief Legislation
John Maher, Town Counsel
Mr. Maher reported the following on relief legislation:
The Town Manager may raise fees subject to approval of Board of Selectmen.
The State is forming a task force for alternate school funding.
A provision of implementation of a bi-weekly payroll system yet there may be bargaining consequences.
A provision that would reduce payments for unfunded liabilities in FY04 and 05 up to an amount not more than the State aid reduction for FY04.
A provision outlining an option to offer Early Retirement similar to the ERI approved by the Legislature the previous year.
Reduce payments for so called Municipal Local Option Unfunded Liability Pension Holiday- to be reviewed by Contributory Retirement Committee.
Mrs. Mahon made a motion to accept the report and after the Retirement Board meets to have them present their comments at a future Board of Selectmen’s meeting. (SO VOTED (4-0)
19. Request for Payment of Bills
Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Correspondence Received
Gov. Mitt Romney Letter of thanks in support of climate protection Be Rec’d
William Shosho Overnight parking concerns in municipal lots Be Rec’d
78 Woodside Rd.
Winchester
Mr. Hurd noted that under the rules established by the Overnight Parking Committee as well as the recently formed New Revenues Committee, the property in Arlington did not meet the criteria for a waiver and the registered owner of the property would be notified of same.
John F. Maher News Racks Study Committee Capital Planning Request Be Rec'd
Town Counsel
Ranthus B. Fouch, P.E. Revisions to Environmental Notification Form Be Rec'd
EIEA #13086 – Shaft 7 to WASM Connecting Mains
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
Stephen H. Kaiser, PhD Final Variance Report for Alewife Brook Be Rec'd
Citizen Engineer
Mrs. Mahon noted that Mrs. Kaiser’s remarks pointed out that the MWRA CSO Plan cited three different sources regarding water-flooding levels and asked the Town Manager to have its consultant, Weston & Sampson, review and comment.
Dept. of Environmental Protection Public Notice Tentative Determination to extend the Be Rec'd
Variance for the MWRA CSO Control Plan, Lower Charles
River Basin and Alewife Brook/Upper Mystic River Basin
Mrs. Mahon reminded Board that EOEA/MEPA will accept public comments regarding
the Belmont Office/R&D Building FEIR Project until the close of business on Thursday,
September 25th.
Mrs. Mahon reported that she and Mrs. Dias would be attending the DEP Public Meeting With the MWRA on Tuesday, September 23rd at 7: 00 p.m., Town Hall, to discuss the Class B-CSO Variance for the Alewife Book in connection with the Combined Sewer Overflow plan; and the Mystic River Watershed Association will be reporting its water quality information and other experts will speak about their findings.
Ellen Moriarty Retail License Application Fee Increase Be Rec’d
Executive Director
ABCC
Mrs. Mahon moved approval to receive correspondence. SO VOTED (4-0)
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Greeley asked the Board to consider a Special Town Meeting to discuss amending the Town Manager Act by eliminating the residency requirement for the Town Manager. Mr. Greeley came to this decision after consulting with Dick Bennett (Consultant for Town Manager Search) and Caryn Cove (Personnel Director) that there had been little response to the search and recommended that the residency requirement be changed. Mr. Greeley had originally felt that the Town Manager should live in Town but has now reconsidered his opinion. The consultant has informed him that potential candidates do not want to uproot their families.
Mr. Lyons made a motion to extend the application deadline to November 15, 2003 and to finish interviews by the end of the year 2003, with the new Town Manager being offered an employment contract and hired by January 28, 2004. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Lyons also made a motion to call for a Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, October 15, 2003, at 8:00 p.m. SO VOTED (4-0)
The Special Town Meeting Warrant will open September 22, 2003 at 8:00a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m.
Mrs. Mahon commented on the following:
Expressed condolences to the family of Mike Polston, former member of the Police Department, who recently passed away.
Mrs. Mahon thanked the Advocate for the correction reporting her attendance with the Arlington School Committee.
Mrs. Mahon thanked the Town Day Committee for a great Town Day Event, indicated the CoChair Renee Tsoukalas would report to the Board at the September 29th meeting, but asked the Town Manager to please make sure in the future that no large events, such as, weddings are booked at the Whittemore Robbins House on Town Day. It is too confusing trying to open streets, provide access to parking, and have the area and street cleaned before 5:00 p.m.
Mrs. Mahon also stated that in memory of Lynne Smith, former Pop Warner Cheerleader Coach, there would be a fund-raiser event at the Sons of Italy on October 10, 2003.
Mrs. Mahon thanked the Parks & Recreation Board for all their work, and asked for a defined process in which organizations and clubs can make donations towards fields etc. The Arlington Soccer Club was again unsuccessful this year in donating funds for the purpose of maintaining Arlington fields.
Mr. Hurd commented on the following:
Mr. Hurd stated the Field User Committee would meet and report back to the Board.
Mr. Hurd stated that the Transportation Advisory Committee is drafting and will present bylaws at the future Board of Selectmen’s Meeting.
Mr. Hurd reported that he represented the Board at the Robbins Farm/Skyline Park grand opening, which was a great success showing that when private groups and the Town work together utilizing community grants/bills and private fund-raising it benefits the residents.
Mr. Hurd stated there is a Fox Library fund-raiser planned for October 18, 2003 at the Town Hall. At Town Day $1,000.00 was raised to help pay for the library to open three days. In total $10,000.00 has been raised out of $21,000.00 needed to support the Library being opened 3 days a week.
Mr. Lyons commented on:
Mr. Lyons’ intent is to be at as many meetings as possible through out the year but as President of the National League of Cities he’s very busy at out- of-state meetings. His position in this organization will benefit Arlington in many ways.
Mr. Lyons reported Chief Ryan and he attended a meeting in Washington with the Office of Homeland Security. Chief Ryan presented an EMECON grant proposal to establish in Arlington a radio communication systems that would enable emergency communications throughout Eastern Massachusetts with 3 emergency centers as controls. He coordinated this effort working with 100 different communities for this 5 million-dollar grant opportunity. Mr. Lyons praised Chief Ryan on how well his presentation went and how proud he was of Chief Ryan.
Mr. Lyons also extended his condolences to the Polston family on their loss.
Mr. Greeley commented on the great job Mr. Lyons was doing in using his influence in the National League of Cities to help Arlington.
Mr. Greeley stated that he would like to have a budget workshop where Board members will hear from department heads and officials. The purpose of the workshop will be to talk to Board members about the current estimates of revenues and what major expenditures we should expect for 2005. Selectmen Greeley would like to have said workshop because of last year’s difficulties and he wants the Selectmen to have more control over the budgets. The Board agreed to have a kick-off meeting to start budget planning on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, at 5:00 p.m., Selectmen Chambers. Mrs. Galkowski will invite all department heads and Board Administrator will invite the Kay Donovan, Supt. of Schools, Suzanne Owayda, Chairman of School Committee, Robert Greeley, Assessor, John Bilafer, Town Treasurer, Ruth Lewis, Comptroller,
Corinne Rainville, Town Clerk, Al Tosti, Chairman, Finance Committee. Board members were asked to submit questions to Mrs. Galkowski that they are interested in having answered.
Mr. Greeley stated that after the workshop, the Board will meet on Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. to set priorities and goals for ensuing year and a “statement of principles” will be voted on November 24th. After the Board’s meeting on November 24th, the information will be directed to the Acting Town Manager and Department Heads to begin the budget process.
Mrs. Greeley also extended his condolences to the Polston family on their loss.
Mrs. Mahon moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 p.m. SO VOTED (4-0)
A true record.
Attest:
Marie A. Krepelka
Board Administrator
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