HomeMy WebLinkAbout1988-04-05 Board of Selectmen MinutesA oomtinued 4.'57
article on the warrant for town meeting to authorize the purchase of land for a new elementary
school, which he is in favor of, but added that the Planning Bd. has not token a formal vote on
this article. All parties agreed to meet once again on April llth at 9:00 at the High Soho
to continue the review of the Plan,
Catherine J. Hicks, Administrative Assistant****
The Board held a regular session on this date with all members present: Chairman Charles A.
Salisbury (arriving 20 mins. into the meeting), Kenneth C. Crouch, Christine M. Smith, Robert
Ercolini, Francis Dugan; Town Manager Paul D. Sharon. Theminutes of March 18th were tabled.
~tton of Sur~
Board reviewed a list of surplus property intended to be auctioned off on Saturday,' April
Motion by Smith, seconded by Ercolini, to declare the property as surplus and approve the
auction.
Closin~ of Middlesex St.
A press release announcing the closing of a portion of Middlesex St. for the period May 16 to
June 17 was reviewed. The purpose of the closing is to assess the impact of a proposed t
closing.
Traffic: Sro Si s
Based on the recommendation of the Police Chief Richard Stanley, the Board voted to place stop
signs on Lyman and Putnam Rds. at the intersection of Young Rd.
Plannin Bd. A ointment
In accordance with the Charter, Town Manager Paul Sharon requested ~he'.concurrance of the Board
for his appointments to the Planning Bd.: reappointment of Eric Nitszche for 3 years and new
member Mike Leery for 3 years. Motion by Dugan, seconded by Smith, to confirm the appointments.
Community Contort'Guidelines for Use
Draft guidelines for the use of the Community Center were discussed; 'and it was noted that they
were agreeable to both the Recreation Council and the Youth Services Director. It was agreed to
review the guidelines at the next meeting..
~!.CENS~NG COMMISSIONERS
~qusine Lfcensin Polio
~fhe r-ecom~endation of Police Chief Richard Stanley concerning access to criminal records'was
discussed. Voted to instruct the Town Manager to draft a standard form to be signed by1 -'.
applicants, authorizing the release of information.
Traffic: Commonwealth Ave.
Town Manager Paul Sharon .reported on letters of complaint from residents of Commonwealth Ave.
concerning employee parking for Lawrence Savings Bank. He reported that a letter has been
received from the bank reporting that they have encouraged their employees to park in a rented
area across the street at another business; and we are awaiting the recommendation of the
Police Chief.in this regard.
New Elementary School
Selectman Crouch raised the' issue of some members of the Conservation Commission and Planning
Board seeking an alternate site for tbs construction of a new elementary school, andit was
agreed that the SBC's proposal is the best possible and the Board should stand behind it at
MeeCing.
At this point, the Selectmen adjourned their meeting to the High School to meet with the School
committee,. School Buildingand Advisory BoardJ.Those present from School Committee: Joe Walsh,
Supt. Blaisdell, Brian Donahue, John Gaffny, Assr. Supt. Ed Martin, Diane Betel; from the School
Building Committee: Bill Brush, . . from the Adv. Bd.: Eric Bakerman, Frantic
Lindon," ~ ~i ,.: ., ~ Also present, Finance Director Fred Mansfield and Town
Manager Paul Sharon.
tic Bakerman of the Advisory Bd. reported, that the budget for FY 89 is balanced and supports
he CIP. Additionally, the Adv. Bd. supPorts'the af1~icle requesting an appropriation towards
the feasibility plan. Bill Brush of the School Bldg. Committee reported that the Committee
supports the Selectmen's article for the use of Town Farm as the final determination would be
made by the professional design team and the architect and proposed to the Selectmen. ~chool
Committee Chairman'-Diane Betel responded to concerns raised by Chairman Salisbury that the Town
may not he all the oowvinced of the overall need. She stated that the educational preparation
for an override must'be run like a campaign., educatingthe people. M~ny agreed that the way to
sell the' override is to ha~a:eomplete,e0mprehensive packageaddres~ing all th~' needs of the ....
community so that everyone knows what is intended to be done over the next 5 years and what it
will cost the taxpayers. Selectman Ercolini suggested that a committee be formed to look at all
possible extraordinary expenses the Town will incur in the future and identify all available
funding sources. Many agreed that the Town has staff with the expertise to develop such a
financial plan. The Board voted 4-0 to endorse Phase I of the Feasibility Plan and the
for determining the need for two new schools.