TOWN OF ARLINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 18, 2004
7:15 p.m.
Present: Mrs. Mahon, Chair, Mr. Hurd, Vice-chair, Mrs. Dias, and Mr. Lyons.
Also present: Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Maher and Mrs. Krepelka.
Absent: Mr. Greeley.
FOR APPROVAL
1. Minutes of Meeting: September 20, 2004, October 4, 2004
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
2. Request: Captain Joseph Grant Memorial
William McCarthy, Veterans Services
Mr. McCarthy requested to memorialize Captain Joseph Grant who was awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously in January 1967. The combined
Veteran’s Clubs of Arlington would purchase the plaque and requested that the
Town erect and place the memorial stone at the corner of Appleton Street and
Mass. Avenue.
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Hurd reminded the Board these matters are referred to the Public Memorial
Committee. Mrs. Dias suggested the Board refer this recommendation to
the Committee.
Mrs. Krepelka will write the referral letter.
LICENSES & PERMITS
3. Request: Use of Publicity Board from 12/27/04-1/18/05
Janice Bakey, Chair, MLK Committee
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
4. CITIZENS OPEN FORUM
There were no matters presented for consideration of the Board.
TRAFFIC RULES & ORDERS/OTHER BUSINESS
5. Approval: Health Insurance Rates 2005
Brian F. Sullivan, Town Manager
The Manager reported that the renewal rates are good compared to the last
several years. The concern is with the higher enrollment from the school side.
The projected figure was 20 with a 75% sign up; the actual figure was 86 with an
unknown percent of sign up.
Mr. Lyons requested that the Manager meet with the Chairman of the Finance
Committee and the Superintendent to discuss the impact on health benefits
($450,000.). Mr. Lyons wants to know if the Town is ending the year with a
positive cash flow and wants a report back at the next meeting.
Mr. Hurd moved approval of the Manager’s recommendation. SO VOTED (4-0)
6. Discussion: Recognition of Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin
Mark Rosenthal
Mr. Rosenthal requested that the Board help record that the electronic spreadsheet
was invented in Arlington. He requested it be listed on the website with a link to
The Bricklin Website.
Mr. Lyons moved to refer this request to the Town Manager. SO VOTED (4-0)
7. Discussion: Finard & Company v. Arlington Conservation Commission
John G. Maher, Town Counsel
(tabled from 10/4/04 meeting)
Mr. Maher reported the decision of the Conservation Commission regarding the
flood plain parameters on the Mugar/Finard site were upheld by the Court.
The appeals period to the SJC is not over yet and this will be followed carefully.
The next step is the determination of the flood plain by FEMA.
Mr. Lyons moved to receive the report. SO VOTED (4-0)
8. Discussion: BOS 2005 Meeting Schedule
Mr. Hurd moved to table until the November 8th meeting.
After discussion regarding other meetings the Board decided:
1. November 15th the Board will meet for purpose of discussing capital planning
budget item requests including the renovations of three fire stations.
2. December 6th the Board will meet for operating budget discussion.
Mrs. Mahon asked the Town Manager to furnish as much information before hand
to help prepare the Board for the meetings. She will also make budget
preparation an agenda item on the November 8th meeting for the Town Manager.
Mrs. Krepelka will confirm these meeting dates with Mr. Greeley.
Mr. Lyons requested monthly spending figures for the Town and Schools for
these meetings.
Correspondence Received
Joseph Albanese Assistance with Eagle Project for Boy Scouts Be Rec’d
34 Apache Trail
Mr. Lyons moved approval of Mr. Joseph Albanese’s request regarding the Eagle Scout
project of collecting unusable American Flags. SO VOTED (4-0)
Anthony & Fair water bill and fairness in rating Be Rec’d
Matilda Kallas
5 Venner Rd.
Mrs. Dias moved that Mr. and Mrs. Kallas’s fair water bill correspondence be referred to
the Town Manager. SO VOTED (4-0)
Richard Maimone Notice of retirement Be Rec’d
Fire Chief
Mrs. Dias thanked Chief Maimone for his many years of service and stated his retirement
is a significant loss to the Town of Arlington. All of the Selectmen expressed thanks to
Chief Maimone and wished him well with this retirement. Mrs. Mahon stated the Board
would do something fitting for the Chief’s retirement.
Adele Gillis Overnight parking ban Be Rec’d
28 Pondview Rd.
Mrs. Dias moved to refer Ms. Gillis letter to the Police Chief for report and
recommendation. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Hurd moved receipt of correspondence.
NEW BUSINESS
Mr. Hurd moved to refer the Churchill Ave. correspondence to the Transportation
Advisory Committee. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mr. Hurd thanked Mr. Alison for his work on the recycle committee and Mrs. Alison
for her efforts in fundraising for the Fox Library. Mrs. Mahon reminded Mrs. Dias to
appoint the recycle vacancy.
Mr. Lyons asked Town Counsel to give the Board feedback on whether the Board has
power regarding the correspondence received from the Open Space Committee and to
share it with said Board.
Mr. Lyons made a motion to refer to the issue to Town Counsel. SO VOTED (4-0)
Mrs. Mahon referred to Town Counsel the Bullfinch letter and asked for a report back
next week or the week after. Mrs. Mahon is concerned that by MEFA granting the
waiver then publishing it in the Environmental Monitor it opens the door to future
precedents like O’Neil and Mugar. Mr. Maher said he would give a detailed
description of what Arlington can do but reminded the Board that this is only the first
phase and there will be many steps at which Arlington can be heard. He will explain in
writing the process and Arlington input times. Mrs. Mahon expressed that she would
like some protections for Arlington in the development.
Mrs. Krepelka reported that the concerns of The League of Women Voters were being
addressed prior to the November 2nd election.
Mr. Maher reported that he, Mr. Lyons, and Mr. Hurd are meeting with the Archdiocesan
to discuss these items:
1. Understand the parameters for the disposition of properties.
2. Communicate that Arlington is very interested in respecting the neighborhoods—
would prefer a church to remain on the property.
3. Arlington’s willingness to work with the Archdiocesan to obtain these goals.
Mrs. Mahon asked that the May Center be given as much notification as possible on if
and when they would need to move.
Mr. Sullivan reported that the coalition bargaining is still proceeding with good progress.
Mr. Hurd announced the Fox Library Fundraiser on October 24th at 2:00PM at the Capital
Theater. The proceeds will help with operating expenses.
Mr. Hurd also stated that at the new Reed’s Brook Park ball field is 15 feet short
according to the Little League and that he hopes the Planning Dept. could correct
the situation.
Mrs. Mahon reported that about 40 people attended the American Dream meeting.
Mrs. Mahon would like the Town Day Committee to report at a future meeting. She also
thanked the DPW for all their help and effort on Town Day.
Mrs. Mahon requested an update on McClennan Park at the next meeting.
Mrs. Mahon thanked Mrs. Krepelka and Mr. Sullivan for all their work regarding the
Sister City visit in October.
Mr. Hurd moved to adjourn the meeting at 9:35 p.m. SO VOTED (4-0)
A true record: Attest:
Marie A. Krepelka
Board Administrator
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