TOWN OF ARLINGTON
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 23, 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
1. Keyspan Petition: MN #144-8502-370204
To install and maintain approximately 425’ more or less of 6” gas main in Everett St. from the existing 6” gas main in Broadway @ Everett St. north to house #130 Everett St.
(all abutters notified)
Mr. Lyons moved approval subject to conditions set forth. SO VOTED (3-0)
2. Discussion: 2005 Menotomy Minuteman Battle Re-Enactment
Fred Sennott
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (3-0)
3. Update: Town Day
Renee Tsoukalas/Kathleen Darcy, Co-Chairs
Mrs. Tsoukalas reported that Friday night there will be activities for kids, food
sales by non-profits, and fireworks at dusk. Saturday begins at 5:30 am – the
committee could use more volunteers for set up. Expenses are up dramatically,
although the committee is trying to keep booth costs down. Town Day has to pay for itself and next year the committee will discuss cutting back a little. Mrs. Darcy stated center stage activities will begin with a 911 commemorative ceremony.
Mr. Lyons recognizes that costs and the amount of time the staff puts in have increased. He’d like Town Manager Sullivan to creatively look at cutting down on some of the cost. Cost containment is important and would like to know how much local businesses have contributed from the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Lyons moved receipt of report. SO VOTED (3-0)
4. Update: Parking Stickers
John Bilafer, Town Treasurer
Mrs. Dias moved to support Mr. Bilafer’s suggestion for signage and painting for parking. SO VOTED (3-0)
Mrs. Mahon arrived at this time.
5. Update: Symmes Redevelopment Associates, LLC
Edward T. M. Tsoi, Chair
Mr. Choi reported that on the Symmes property status they’ve reached a
Milestone by agreeing on the Land Disposition Agreement to be signed by
tomorrow. The sequence of events to follow is:
Education sessions
Go to Finance Committee- september
Go to Town Meeting- end of september
Apply for special permit- november
Close on deal/start after January 2005
All Selectmen agreed on the hard worked involved in this land agreement and thanked everyone involved for their effort and the countless hours.
Mr. Fish spoke to the Selectmen telling them his first job he got in 1960 was through his father remodeling the men’s bathroom at A.H.S. He stated his company understands and loves the construction business and is ethically and morally involved in the business. The company has never failed to complete a job they started. He thanked everyone for his or her hard work.
Mr. Foskett stated that the Board made an excellent decision picking the Fish plan. He also stated the Board was very creative lowering the cost of the medical office building, which broke a logjam in negotiations. He believes it’s a good project for the community.
Mr. Lyons moved receipt and approval of the documentation of the Redevelopment Board. SO VOTED (4-0)
APPOINTMENTS & REAPPOINTMENTS
6. Appointment: Arlington Preservation Fund
Kevin O’Brien, Director, Planning and Community Development
(term to expire 8/07)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
6a. Appointment – Tree Warden
James Dodge
(term to expire 8/07)
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
7. Reappointment: Arlington Preservation Fund
Andrew Fischer
John L. Worden III
(terms to expire 8/07)
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
8. Reappointment: Redevelopment Board
Roland Chaput
(term to expire 9/20/07)
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
9. Reappointment: Open Space Committee
Ann LeRoyer
(term to expire 9/20/07)
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
10. Reappointment: Historical Commission
A. Michael Ruderman
(term to expire 9-20-07)
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
11. Introduction: Field User and Maintenance Committee
Stephen Moniak and Kevin Wall
Mrs. Dias moved to table until the 9/20/04 meeting. SO VOTED (4-0)
LICENSES & PERMITS
12. Request: Food Vendor License
Anthony Milano & Anthony Ciarenza, A&A Inc. d/b/a Sapori Italian, 475 Summer St.
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
13. Request: 15 Minute Parking and Signage
Theodore Wilson, Schools for Children
Mr. Lyons moved approval for parking. SO VOTED (4-0)
The signage will be turned over to the Town Manager for action.
14. Request: Contractor/Drain Layer License
William Hryniewich, Rhino Construction, 171 Newtown Rd., Acton
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
15a. Request: Waiver of Parking, 10/17/04, Noon –5:00 p.m., Tufts & Foster Streets
Pamela Shanley, Arlington Center for the Arts
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
15b. Request: Placement of Sandwich Board @ Mass. Ave. & Rt. 60, 10/10-10/17
Pamela Shanley, Arlington Center for the Arts
Mr. Hurd moved approval subject to recommendations of the Town Manager. SO VOTED (4-0)
16. Request: Drain Connection to Town’s Storm Drain @ 60 Margaret St.
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
17. Request: One-Hour Performance @ Jefferson Cutter House, 8/29/04
Zeev Ben-Shachar
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
18. Request: Permission Lions Club Eyemobile, Russell Common, 9/1/04, Noon-6 pm
Lyman Judd
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
19. CITIZENS OPEN FORUM
There were no matters presented for consideration of the Board.
TRAFFIC RULES & ORDERS/OTHER BUSINESS
20. Request: Permission to Temporarily Park Cars Overnight on Mass. Ave.
Seona Standard, Lee Terrace homeowner
Mr. Hurd moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Discussion: National League of Cities, America’s Cities and Towns Working Together to Resurrect the American Dream
Mr. Lyons asked everyone to participate on September 28th on how to resurrect the American Dream first through home ownership and second through higher education. The NLC’s focus this year is home ownership.
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
22. Discussion: Comcast Community Access Project
Charlotte Pierce, Coordinator, Arlington Spanish Network
(from 7/19 agenda)
Previously voted on at prior meeting.
Robin Sites reported that about 100 people/parents helped to come up with ways to keep the Spanish program in the schools even though it is not included in the
curriculum.
23. Discussion: Reprogramming of CDBG Funds
Brian F. Sullivan, Town Manager
(tabled from 7/19/04 meeting)
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
24. Discussion: Arlington Recycling Week
Gordon Jamieson, Recycling Committee
Mrs. Dias moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
25. Request: Payment of Bills
Cyrus E. Dallin Art Museum
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
26. Discussion: Health Insurance
Brian F. Sullivan, Town Manager
Mr. Lyons moved approval. SO VOTED (4-0)
Correspondence Received
Arthur Holcombe Request for recognition of United Nations Day Be Rec’d
Martha Goldsmith Commonwealth’s Search for Lease Space Be Rec’d
Office of Leasing
And State Office
Planning
Frederick Laskey Restoration of $10 million in funding for Sewer Be Rec’d
MWRA Relief Fund for FY 2005
Cheryl Hemenway Fundraiser conducted by Performing Arts Parents Be Rec’d
Pat Tassone Association
Tracey O’Shaughnessy Request for memorial path on Bike Path Be Rec’d
Bisbort
23 Quelll Court
Cheshire, CT
Alexander Salipante Memorials for Margaret Spengler, Robert Walsh, Be Rec’d
Chair, Public Mem. Barbara Sweet, Robert Frankston
Com.
Mrs. Dias moved receipt of correspondence. SO VOTED (4-0)
NEW BUSINESS
Mrs. Krepelka announced there would be a 911 service on Town Day at 9:30 am with Chief Maimone and the Honor Guard.
Mr. Maher advised the Board to plan a meeting the week of the 6th perhaps the 8th to discuss the Symmes revenues so that the project never hits the tax rate.
Mr. Lyons stated the goal should be to have a substitute article for the advisory committee from Ed Choi-the Selectmen should be proactive. Mr. Maher will coordinate with Ed Choi.
Mr. Sullivan reported that the Board of Health is looking at a new aggressive health inspection campaign of restaurants.
Mrs. Dias made a motion to support a draft concerning the Cambridge Discovery Project.
It would allow the tri-community group to solicit funds to study the project. It is a draft report-still developing. Mr. Lyons stated he thought it was not a good agreement because it is Cambridge and Belmont who are developing the area with consequence to Arlington. He believes the joint tri-community group should share tax revenues from this development. Mrs. Mahon will set this topic, as an agenda item for an October meeting-it is a very important issue.
Mr. Maher reported that a meeting has been scheduled for the Grove Street neighborhood either 8/30/04 or 8/31/04 regarding the failure to be notified of the change in construction hours. The project is behind schedule and they need the weekends to catch up prior to school opening.
Mr. Hurd brought to the Town Manager’s attention the sidewalk in front of St. Agnes needs repair and that a couple of people have fallen.
Mr. Hurd also announced that The Children’s Room now at 1210 Mass. Ave will be opening 9/15/04 or 9/16/04-all Town Officials will be invited.
Mrs. Mahon sent out heartfelt sympathy to the family of Bob Deavanogue concerning his death.
Mrs. Mahon announced Sandra Chamberlain’s retirement from the Selectmen’s Office. She thanked her for her outstanding service and wished her much luck in her new marriage.
Mr. Lyons confirmed the future meetings for: Sept. 8th 7:15 pm; Sept. 20th; Oct. 4th and Oct. 18th.
Mr. Maher announced the need for Executive Session in regards to evaluation of Town land.
Mr. Hurd moved to adjourn at 10:25 P.M. SO VOTED (4-0)
Executive Session
A true record: Attest:
Marie A. Krepelka
Board Administrator
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