TOWN OF ARLINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Monday, September 29, 2003
7:15 p.m.
Present: Mr. Greeley, Chairman, Mrs. Mahon, Vice Chair, Mrs. Dias, Mr. Hurd, Mr. Lyons.
Also Present: Mrs. Galkowski, Mr. Maher, Mrs. Krepelka.
1. For Discussion: Vision 2020 Diversity Month
Jane Howard
Mr. Greeley thanked her for her report and encouraged everyone to attend the
diversity events.
2. For Discussion: Selectmen’s Communication
Joe Miksis, Acting MIS Director
Mr.Greeley started a discussion about bringing the Selectmen’s Communications
Technologies into the 21st century. Two technologies were discussed:
Nextel cell phones
Laptop computers
The discussion was tabled to be a future agenda item until after a communications study is available. It was also agreed upon that usage policies must be in place.
3. Request for Funding to Upgrade School District Fiber Network
Steven Mazzola, Arlington Public Schools Telecommunications & Tech. Dept.
(from 9/15/03 meeting)
Mr. Maher suggested that the Data Processing Advisory Board and Cable TV
Advisory Committee recommendations be sought before answering yes to Mr. Mazzola’s request. He also suggested if it isn’t critical to the school system, it should be added to a wish list for negotiations with Comcast this year.
Mr. Lyons moved approval.
SO VOTED (5-0)
FOR APPROVAL
4. Minutes of Meeting: September 15, 2003
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mrs. Dias abstained from voting because she was not present at the September 15th meeting.
5. Verizon Petition - #D03-50
Place a new pole number 812/2A in the sidewalk, at a point 41/5 feet (±) southeasterly of existing pole number 812/3, and 78 feet (±) northwesterly of pole number 812/2
(all abutters notified)
Mr. Lyons moved approval with correction to abutters’ addresses and subject to Mrs. Krepelka’s notification to St. Paul’s Cemetery.
APPOINTMENTS & REAPPOINTMENTS
6. Appointment – Vision 2020 Standing Committee
Leslie Mayer
Mrs. Mahon moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
7. Reappointment - Historical Commission
Pamela Meister
(term to expire 9/10/06)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
8. Reappointments – Historic District Commissions
Beth Cohen
Michael Logan
John L. Worden III
(terms to expire 9/06)
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
9. Reappointments - Board of Registrars of Voters
William Forristall
Florence McGee
(terms to expire 9/06)
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
LICENSES & PERMITS
10. Request for Extended Business Hours from 7am-10pm to 7am-12am Daily
Alef Gutierrez, Walgreens, 324 Mass. Ave.
Mr. Hurd moved to table until after abutters are contacted and a police report presented.
SO VOTED (5-0)
11. All Alcohol Club License/Change of Manager
Arlington Elks, George M. McCarthy, 56 Pond Lane
Mr. Lyons spoke of the many loud complaints from the neighbors. He said if the
loudness does not improve than at time of license renewal, the Board will look
at reducing the operating hours. Mr. Lyons asked that Police Chief Ryan and Mr. George McCarthy meet to discuss said complaints.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0-1)
Mrs. Dias abstained from voting.
12. For Discussion: Class II Auctioneer Wholesaler and Non Premise Automobile Sale License
Jack Ciulla, 1322 Mass. Ave.
(from 6/9/03)
Mrs. Dias moved no action. SO VOTED (4-1)
Mr. Greeley voted in the affirmative.
13. CITIZENS’ OPEN FORUM
Mr. Andrew Fischer reported that a few months back he had a conversation with Charlie Foskett regarding the Symmes project and in that spirit he wanted to share with the Selectmen a few remarks that he wanted passed onto the Arlington Redevelopment Board. He had an opportunity to talk with the CEO of Winchester Hospital on camera at a Jay Kaufman Open House at the Museum of Our National Heritage and again after a similar televised forum in Woburn. Mr. Fischer stated that the CEO of Winchester Hospital had looked long and hard at Symmes and there is a lot of good about the site, but apparently there is a contract conflict between doctor groups of Lahey and Winchester Hospitals. In his comments, during and after the Woburn High School program, he stated that Winchester Hospital is trying to build an
addition to their emergency room, because it was built for a capacity of 22,000 emergency visits per year, and it is handling 45,000 visits per year resulting in frequent diversions. This addition has been in the works for three years, but it is now in land court. Winchester Hospital is also extremely short of operating room space. They would like to rent operating room space at Symmes, and look forward to working with Lahey.
Mr. Fischer asked if he (CEO of Winchester Hospital) would be willing to talk with any of the proposed Symmes developers if they called him and he said yes. He also said if a developer can make it so that Lahey will work with them at Symmes, he would rent space there.
Mr. Fischer commented that as far as he knows, this is the first time that one of our hospital leaders has come out and said that he wants to rent space at Symmes, and the only thing holding them back is that they can’t work with Lahey. Mr. Fischer feels it would be a shame if the ultimate use of the Symmes property is not the best it can be only because the area hospitals were unable to work with each other.
Mr. Fischer, also, stated that we have this CEO of Winchester Hospital and the president elect of the Mass. Medical Society spending their time in the evenings going around and speaking to the public at such Forums as Jay Kaufman’s open house, trying to raise awareness that we are in a crisis level shortage of hospital space and that shortage is going to get worse. Their Massachusetts Health Data Consortium, whose members include the Mass. Hospital Association, the Business Roundtable, Mass Medical Society, the State Nurses Association, and several others, spent money to print up “Why Care” pamphlet which was distributed to board members. Another focus of the pamphlet is that health care constitutes 14% of the Massachusetts economy, with more jobs than the manufacturing sector. On page 12 of
the pamphlet, it says that perhaps the most severe crisis facing health care in Massachusetts is the shortage of hospital space. It is at a crisis level now. It will be quite severe in 2006 or 2007 when the demand will exactly equal the number of beds available. He stated that the operating rooms themselves are already running until midnight and there is a focus on 2015 when the baby boomers will be reaching their mid sixties.
Mrs. Dias asked that Mr. Fischers’ concerns be referred to the Redevelopment Board.
TRAFFIC RULES & ORDERS/OTHER BUSINESS
14. For Approval: City of Toledo for Observance of National Bible Week, 11/23-30/03
Mr. Lyons moved no action. SO VOTED (5-0)
15. For Approval: Permission to Display Dallin’s Chief Washakie in East Garden
Geri Tremblay, Chair, Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
(East garden located adjacent to Jefferson Cutter House)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
16. For Discussion: Flag Policy Upgrade
The Selectmen agreed to keep the current policy until the Town Manager formulates a written policy on the lowering of flags. The Board will review the new policy at the October 27, 2003 meeting.
17. For Discussion: Verizon Double Poles
Peter Bowman
Verizon updated the Board about reducing the number of double poles. When a telephone pole is replaced, each utility company must come in a specific order to move their wires to the new pole. The old pole is connected to the new pole and either remains
standing or is cut from the base to just under the wires. As a result, double poles are not attractive and can sometimes pose a safety hazard to the public. Mr. Bowman stated that Verizon controls the poles and is responsible for their replacement. Mr. Bowman stated he is willing to meet with Town Officials to create a priority list. Mr. Bowman explained it was a matter of competition of resources-put them in or take them out.
Mrs. Mahon moved to accept the report. SO VOTED (5-0)
18. For Discussion: NStar
Bill Zamparelli
Mr. Zamparelli reported NStar is moving forward on the electric delivery system. He said his company has to take some of the blame with the double poles issue in town. As part of the town-wide power grid upgrade, new taller poles are being added throughout the town. When the project is completed, NStar will have added more that three hundred (300) new double poles. Everyone agreed that this summer’s outages were far less than past years. Mr. Hurd and Mrs. Dias asked Mr. Zamparelli when they could expect a report from Ms. Kelly, the consultant that NStar paid for to review all work that has been done to date by NStar. Mr. Zamparelli stated that Ms. Kelly would be attending the October 27th Selectmen’s Meeting to give her report.
Mr. Stephen D. Mahowka, 17 Russell Street, asked Mr. Zamparelli about the transformers that were installed on Mystic Street near his property. He stated that although NStar erected a sound barrier, the noise was still disturbing the neighborhood.
Mrs. Galkowski will have the Board of Health check out the noise level in accordance with the noise ordinance. Mr. Zamparelli will review matter.
Mr. Lyons moved to accept the report. SO VOTED (5-0)
19. Request for Sunday Opening, 10/19, 12 noon-5 pm
Request for Waiver Resident Parking/Tufts & Foster Sts., 10/18-19
Pamela Shanley, Arlington Center for the Arts
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
20. Request for Insertion of Board of Assessors Elderly Exemption Warrant Article for Special Town Meeting
Kevin F. Greeley, Chair, Board of Selectmen
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
21. Request for Permission to Park at Hurd Field, 10/24-10/26
Joanne Burns, Irish American Club
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (5-0)
Correspondence Received
Kristin Olsen Homeownership units in Russell Place Be Rec’d
DHCD
Jane Gumble Symmes Arlington Conservation and Improvement Project Be Rec’d
DHCD Amendments #1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Approved
Mr. Lyons suggested better communication with the Redevelopment Board concerning the Symmes project before a final decision is made. He would like to make sure that the five principles are being used as criteria in making the final decisions concerning Symmes. Mr. Lyons also wanted to know if work force housing has been thoroughly explored, a very important opportunity for Arlington. Mrs. Galkowski will get reports from the Redevelopment Board. Mrs. Mahon wants to know the process used by the Redevelopment Board and involvement of the Board of Selectmen.
Mr. Lyons moved receipt of correspondence.
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Mahon would like to receive the Town Manager’s Report regarding early retirement. She also wanted to notify the Selectmen of future Retirement Board meetings:
Thursday, October 21, 2003 5:00PM
Thursday, November 20, 2003 5:00PM
Thursday, December 18, 2003 5:00PM
Mrs. Mahon reported on the Cambridge CSO project. The comment period had been extended to October 31, 2003. She would like the Board of Selectmen to take a serious stand on enforcing Cambridge to push for 100% separation. Mrs. Dias suggested the Board write a letter along with the consultants and Mr. Sanchez on why Arlington needs 100% compliance and wants the letter to summarize everything in the strongest language. Mr. Lyons volunteered to help Mrs. Mahon and Mrs. Dias in this effort.
Mr. Greeley asked for a moment of silence for Mr. Thomas Rawson, a former member of the Board.
Mr. Greeley gave some updated Town Manager search information:
September 12, 2003-20 applicants
September 29, 2003-31 applicants
He announced the dates of December 6th and 7th as the interviewing dates for Town Manager.
Mr. Greeley announced that the Chamber of Commerce awarded the Town Employee of the Year Award to Marie Krepelka, Board Administrator of the Board of Selectmen’s Office.
Mr. Lyons moved to adjourn at 10:10 p.m. SO VOTED (5-0)
A true record: Attest:
Marie A. Krepelka
Board Administrator
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