MINUTES
Page 1 of 3
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
DECEMBER 28, 2004
REGULAR SESSION
Call to Order
The Board of Selectmen convened in regular session at 7:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Meeting Room of Town Hall. Dr. Solomon and Mr. Brownsberger were in attendance; Mr. Firenze was sick and did not attend this meeting.
Questions from Town Residents
Mr. James Tricomi, a Bartlett Avenue resident, informed the Board about CVS’s failure to address visual impact issues created by the new sign on Trapelo Road, as requested by the Board of Selectmen who recently granted approval for this new sign. He noted the signs are emitting light that is disruptive to the neighboring homes and believes that these signs might be adjusted to reduce the impact.
The Board agreed to forward this concern to the Director of Community Development for his resolution.
Police Officer Ehler appeared before the Board to inquire about a recent letter from City of Cambridge Police Commissioner relative to the filling of vacancies in the Cambridge Police Department.
Dr. Solomon stated that he will engage in a discussion on this subject with Police Chief O’Malley.
Action by Appointment
Public Hearing on Utility Petition
- Verizon Petition for Pleasant Street
The Board convened a public hearing for conduit installation by Verizon at Pleasant and Moore Streets. Verizon representative Daniel Fitzgibbon appeared in support of his petition.
The Board moved: to approve the Verizon petition D04_92 at Pleasant and Moore Streets, conditional upon Verizon meeting the following requirements:
1) That Verizon backfill and patch the trench daily and all work will be accomplished as weather permits;
2) That an additional 3-inch pipe be installed from both conduit runs from pole #41 on Pleasant Street which shall be designated for municipal use; and
3) That Verizon undertake this project as soon as possible, given that time is of the essence with respect to the Town Hall Complex Building project.
The motion passed unanimously (2-0).
Discussion of Demolition Project for New Fire Station Headquarters
The Board of Selectmen discussed a memorandum from the Public Works Director regarding costs related to the demolition and clean up of the Trapelo Road site. The Assistant Town Administrator indicated that the original appropriation will not be sufficient to cover these costs and recommended that these costs be encumbered against the Town’s Facility and Life Safety Account until the fire station building project bids are opened in late January.
The Board moved:~ to approve and to authorize the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen to execute the per ton revised price proposal, dated December 23, 2004 as submitted by McConnell Enterprises, Inc. for the removal of contaminated soils from 295/297 Trapelo Road; and further that this cost shall be encumbered from the Town’s Life Safety Account.
The motion passed unanimously (2-0).
Transition Period Administrative Issues
Mr. Brownsberger related some feedback he received from the Town’s bond adviser Peter Frazier, and from members of the Warrant Committee following his recent presentation of a financial model during a working group session on long term financial issues held on December 17, 2004.
Mr. Brownsberger suggested that a discussion be scheduled in late January to address and discuss this feedback with the same working group.
Action by Consent
Approval of Minutes (12/03/04, 12/06/04, 12/08/04, and 12/09/04)
The Board moved: to approve all the minutes of the Board of Selectmen for December 3, 2004, December 6, 2004, December 8, 2004, and December 9, 2004.
The motion passed unanimously (2-0).
Approval of Modular Units Purchase Agreement
The Board of Selectmen reviewed and discussed the contract terms between the Town and Vanguard Modular Building Systems in the amount of $279,440.
The Board moved: to approve and execute the agreement between the Town and Vanguard Modular Building Systems in the amount of $279,440, subject to review and approval by Town Counsel.
The motion passed unanimously (2-0).
The Board agreed that Mr. Firenze shall coordinate issues related to maintenance of the modular units to his satisfaction with Mr. Looney, Manager of Building Services.
Other
The Board noted an email from Town residents requesting an update on the status of the McLean development.
Dr. Solomon said that he would contact Town’s McLean Land Management Committee Chair Ellen O’Brien Cushman and ask her to present a report to Town Meeting to address Mr. McLaughlin’s concerns.
Mr. Brownsberger suggested holding a joint meeting of the School Committee on January 18, 2005 to have both budget presentations made simultaneously. Dr. Solomon agreed to contact the School Committee Chairman to coordinate this meeting.
The Board also agreed to postpone a discussion on appointing a new member to the Zoning Board until its next meeting, when Selectman Firenze will be present.
The Board of Selectmen moved: to enter executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations with non-union personnel, litigation, land acquisition and collective bargaining issues; and further that the Board shall not return to open session.
The motion passed unanimously (2-0), by roll call vote.
The Board adjourned its open session at 7:45 pm.
______________________________________
Dr. Paul Solomon, Chair
Board of Selectmen
| 
