MINUTES
TOWN OF BELMONT
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FACULTY ROOM
CHENERY MIDDLE SCHOOL
Monday, June 1, 2009
6:00 PM
CALL TO ORDER
A regular meeting of the Board was called to order in Open Session at 6:03 pm by Chair Leclerc in the Faculty Room at the Chenery Middle School. Selectmen Jones was present; Selectman Firenze arrived later. Town Administrator Tom Younger and Assistant Town Administrator Jeff Conti were also present.
QUESTIONS FROM TOWN RESIDENTS
Chair Leclerc invited residents in the neighborhood of the new Beech Street Center to share their concerns regarding the building’s generator. Mary Hitchcock said that the generator negatively impacts property values and quality of life for the neighbors and asked when it will be removed.
Selectman Firenze joined the meeting.
Judith Sarno, Town Meeting Member from Precinct 3, said that the generator is only 5 feet away from the property line. Even a smaller generator in this location would be a mistake. If this is the only possible location then perhaps the Senior Center does not really need an emergency generator. This type of issue can affect residents’ attitudes toward future development projects. But in this case the mistake can be easily resolved by removing the generator.
Karen Pressey, Chair of the Senior Center Building Committee, said the Committee is still in the fact-finding process regarding the status of the generator. She noted that the project submission to the Planning Board called for a 100KW generator - the generator that is currently in place is 150KW and the Committee is trying to establish how that happened. She noted that the generator is sitting on top of its fuel tank which has caused it to be of greater height than anticipated. The Committee has asked the architect what the impact of not having a generator would be. She concluded by listing the various generator types at other Town buildings.
Jennifer Fallon, Chair of the Planning Board, stated that the Planning Board held extensive hearings on this project. If the conditions under which the Planning Board approved the project for a special permit are not met – including the generator - Glenn Clancy as the Town’s Building Inspector cannot issue an occupancy permit for the building. The Planning Board had approved a 100KW generator surrounded by a 6 foot tall fence.
Mr. Clancy confirmed that with the current generator in place he would not be able to issue an occupancy permit for the building. A change this significant would have to go back to the Planning Board for approval.
The Selectmen agreed that an alternative solution must be found. Selectman Firenze noted that the Planning Board hearings allow for the residents to have input into the process, but because this change was not part of the submission to the Planning Board that input was not possible. He said even if the generator met all the legal requirements, the impact on the neighborhood is unacceptable.
OTHER
Proclamations
The Board moved: To sign a proclamation in honor of Superintendent of Schools Pat Aubin on the occasion of her retirement.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
The Board suggested minor corrections to proclamations honoring Lydia Ogilby and Richard Cheek.
The Board moved: To sign proclamations (as corrected) honoring retiring Historic District Commission members Lydia Ogilby and Richard Cheek.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Soccer Association Agreement
The Board moved: To approve a Memorandum of Understanding with the Belmont Soccer Association and Belmont Second Soccer.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
ACTION BY APPOINTMENT
Outdoor Seating Policy
Selectman Firenze recused himself on this item.
The Board discussed a draft policy for outdoor seating on public sidewalks. It was clarified that only establishments holding a Common Victualler’s license would be eligible under this policy (excluding convenience stores, for example.)
The Board moved: To approve the outdoor seating policy, and to approve the request of Dunkin Donuts at 52 Church Street for outdoor seating in the public way subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the policy.
Motion passed unanimously (2-0).
Il Casale – Planters in Public Way
Representatives from Il Casale restaurant appeared before the Board with a request to allow them to place planters on the public sidewalk bordering their outdoor seating area. Chair Leclerc said that customers should not place their drinks on the planters and servers should be trained to keep alcohol away from them. Glenn Clancy asked that one of the planters be pushed back to ensure a 5 foot clearance for pedestrians. It was agreed to place this planter at an angle to create the necessary space.
The Board moved: To approve the request of Il Casale to place planters in the public way.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Selectman Firenze raised the issue of CVS continuing to place their trash on the sidewalk near Il Casale’s outdoor eating area. CVS needs to abide by the agreement that was reached for them to keep their trash in back of the property. Mr. Clancy and Health Director Donna Moultrup will follow up.
Town Meeting Issues
The Board discussed a budget amendment offered by Anne Mahon to spend an additional amount of free cash in FY10 toward the school budget.
The Board moved: To oppose the amendment.
The motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Article 22: The Selectmen discussed a letter being distributed to Town Meeting members by the VFW and suggested items that should be clarified.
The Board discussed a proposed amendment to Article 23.
The Board moved: To oppose the amendment.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
The Board moved: To support all remaining Articles on the Annual Town Meeting Warrant.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
The Board moved: To approve Articles 2, 3, and 4 on the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
OTHER
Metropolitan Planning Organization Election
The Board moved: To support Bedford to represent Belmont’s interests on the Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Motion passed unanimously (3-0).
Selectman Firenze said that several “Vote Yes” signs have been placed on public property on Waverley Street and Winter Street. Mr. Younger will have the signs removed.
The Board recessed at 7:12 PM to reconvene at Town Meeting.
Town Meeting convened at 7:30 PM in the Chenery Middle School Auditorium.
The Board recessed at 11:40 PM to reconvene at the continuation of Town Meeting on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:30 PM.
The Board reconvened at 7:20 PM on Wednesday, June 3 at 7:20 PM in the Chenery Middle School Auditorium. The Board discussed whether Joe Barrell should be a voting member of the Wellington Building Committee or just a non-management liaison. Pat Brusch said the Building Committee is OK with Joe having a vote provided that he attends the meetings regularly.
The Board moved: To recommend that Joe Barrell be appointed as a voting member of the Wellington Building Committee subject to his willingness to participate fully and follow the rules of said committee.
Motion carried unanimously (3-0).
Town meeting resumed at 7:40 PM. The Board adjourned at 10:30 PM.
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Thomas G. Younger, Town Administrator
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