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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1980-09-15-BOS-min \ft\ '7// SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 15, 1980 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, September 15, 1980, at 7 30 p m Chairman Miley, Mr Busa, Mrs Battin, Mr Kent and Mr Crain; Mr Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mrs Banks, Assistant to the Town Manager, Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Miss Casey, Executive Clerk, were present Chairman Miley, convened the meeting and called upon Mr Fred Rosen- LEXPRESS berg, Chairman of the Transportation Advisory Committee Mr Rosenberg informed the Board that it was the first anniversary of LEXPRESS The problem of parking in the Depot Square area was, again, discussed Mr Rosenberg stated that Mrs Arnold had talked with the abutters in the area and the only ones that had objections to the bus parking were Ski and Sport and the Depositors Trust He said that they objected because of the narrowing of their parking spaces in front of the bank and the use of its spaces by other people He stated that there was congestion in Depot Square Mrs Miley stated that it -was het observation that the busges did hot create the congestion and that it was an excellent place for the bus terminal Mr Busa felt that it was too congested and that it was becoming very dangerous and felt that the patrons of the busses were boarding and leav- ing the busses on the wrong side He felt that the busses should be moved into the B & M right of way in the area He felt that ridership would not suffer from this move He stated that the bank was willing to donate the parking spaces to the Town that they now lease for $1 00 per year if the bus stop was moved Mr Kent stated that he felt that the Town was not in a position to assume usage of the land over the railroad tracks in backof the bank immediately to the right, because it still remains a right-of-way of the Boston & Maine He asked if the Transportation Committee had considered Mr Busa's alternative or the possibility of putting the bus stops out in Mass Avenue along the border of Emery Park? Mr Rosenberg said the the Emery Park location presented a problem with the turning around of the busses on Mass Avenue He stated that the railroad way location might be possible to get four busses in, but it caused a problem of turning around in a narrow space He felt that having large foot traffic in the area was, in fact, good for the busi- nesses in the area Mr Kent asked if the businesses in the area had been notified of the discussion and decision to be made this evening Mrs Arnold stated that she had mentioned to the business people in the area that it would be discussed in September but gave no specific date Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table a decision on the permanent location of the LEXPRESS busses until all of the busi- ' ness people in the area were informed of a specific date when the decis- ion would be made by the Board - 2 - Mr Rosenberg informed the Board that part of the increased cost of operating LEXPRESS was the cost of the vehicles He felt that it might be possible to obtain Federal money through the State to purchase vehicles and then contract out the operation of them There is such money available that has never been used in the State for this purpose Mr Kent felt that, even if the money were obtained, it presented sub- stantial difficulties to the town in maintaining and replacing them in the future It was agreed that a letter should be prepared requesting such a grant and the Chairman would sign it subject to further study Mr Rosenberg requested permission to prepare a transportation guide listing all the transportation services, public as well as private, in the town and the availability to transportation that people might have such as Red Cross, Medicade etc He stated that the Committee would like permis- sion to contact the providers of such services and get it through the news- papers of the availability of such services and for funding for the print- ing The Board agreed Mr Rosenberg informed the Board that figures for the annual report were not complete because of the fact thatthe closing date was on Saturday and the total was not available It will be a few weeks before it will be ready He stated that ridership was considerably higher than expected and the money appropriated in `79 had not been fully expended The Chairman thanked the Committee for the work that had been done during the year and they retired from the meeting Executive The appointment of the Executive Clerk to the Board of Selectmen was Clerk made Appt Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Beatrice M. Casey as Executive Clerk to the Board of Selectmen effective August 25, 1980 to Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve the following items Permit- March Request from the March of Dimes to conduct a Walkathon through Lex- of Dimes ington on Sunday, October 19 (to be coordinated with the Police Chief) and to proclaim Sunday, October 19, 1980 as "March of Dimes Sunday in Lexington". Water Request from Warren A Empey, Acting Director, Public Works/Eng to Abatement sign water abatement for Cary Hall in the amount of $4 05, account ad- justed to deduct minimum charge Sewer Request from Warren A Empey, Acting Director, Public Works/Eng to Commitments sign Sewer Assessment Commitment sheets for Boulder Road, Lowell Street, Middleby Road, Moon Hill Road and Moreland Avenue Permit- Request from Arlington-Lexington Hadassah to conduct a "Walkathon" Arl/Lex on Sunday, October 26 from 1 30 to 4 30 p.m route to be coordinated with Hadassah the Chief of Police - 3 - : 3 Selectmen's Meeting September 15, 1980 Request of Town Manager to approve request of Tax Collector to abate the following betterments recorded between the years 1957 through 1968, beyond the statute of limitations for collections originally town owned and since sold without making the buyer aware of recorded betterments STREET BETTERMENTS Map/Lot Street (old Lot #) Charges Date Committed 21/95 Theresa Ave (152 - 153) $450 00 12/07/59 24/3 Valleyfield Street (166) $500 00 05/20/68 24/3 Valleyfield Street (167) $500 00 05/20/68 32/38A Grapevine Avenue (38) $315 00 12/31/57 58/109A 58/110A 58/110B Asbury Street (243-258 and $2,400 00 02/06/61 58/263 238-242) 58/264 58/264A 58/110A 58/110B Asbury Street (238-242) $750 00 02/06/61 58/110B Freemont Street (234-242) $930 00 11/06/64 58/136 Freemont Street (631 - 634) $800 00 11/06/64 84/16A Ivan Street (59) $378 00 12/31/57 84/16A Ivan Street (60) $378 00 12/31/57 WATER BETTERMENTS 13/149 Tarbell Avenue (146-147) $ 90 00 11/07/50 58/103 58/110A Freemont Street (234-237 and $150 00 9/14/59 58/110B 238-242) 58/109A 58/110A 58/1108 Asbury Street (243-258 and $480 00 9/14/59 58/263 238-242) 58/264 58/264A 58/109A 58/110A 58/1108 Asbury Street (243-258 and $150 00 9/14/59 58/263 238-242) 58/264 58/264A 58/136 Freemont Street (631-634) $120 00 9/14/59 58/103 58/110A Freemont Street (234-237 and $150 00 9/14/59 58/110B 238-242) I - 4 - lq Selectmen's Meeting September 15, 1980 Map/Lot Street (old Lot 4P) Charges Date Committed 8/39 Off Pleasant Street (7A) $609 58 6/18/62 24/3 Valleyfield Street (166) $258 76 11/28/66 24/3 Valleyfield Street (167) $258 76 11/28/66 25/162 25/164 Spring Street (217) $160 18 09/12/55 33/18 Marrett Road (131) $248 49 10/14/52 33/19 Marrett Road (132) $142 81 10/14/52 51/1 Mass Avenue (4) $267 09 2/17/58 51/1 Mass Avenue (5) $230 87 2/17/58 58/109A 58/110A 58/263 58/264 Asbury Street (243 - 258) $1,593 66 10/19/59 58/110B Asbury Street (238 - 242) $498 02 10/19/59 58/183 Hamblen Street (69 - 72) $506 26 09/28/59 58/184 58/185 Bellflower Street (64. - 68) $562 50 09/14/59 72/1 Garfield Street (23) $137 25 12/21/59 72/187 Reed Street (19) $113 36 11/03/58 72/191A Reed Street (7) #113 36 11/03/58 72/350 Reed Street (1 & 2) $175 00 03/04/57 72/506 Reed Street (Block D - Lot 78) $ 20 40 11/03/58 MAPC A95 The Board discussed the MAPC A95 application relative to the Boston Prop- application erties Proposed Office Park Development on Bedford Street Boston Prop- Mrs Battin informed the Board that she had met with Mrs Frick, MAPC erties representative from Lexington and Mrs Nichols of the Planning Board as Mrs Frick felt that there were areas that had not been adequately des- cribed in the environmental impact statement particularly traffic,noise and air polution and she would rather have the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board should make the decision They felt that it was important to bring to the State's attention the problem of traffic on Bedford Street The purpose of the form is to get information for the DOEA and if there is sufficient concern by various interested parties they then will request a full environmental impact statement Mr Kent expressed concern that this might countermand the decision of the Board of Appeals that had already granted a permit He felt that this might create a roadblock that another agency had authorized to go forward After further discussion it was decided that Mr Hutchinson will get in touch with the MAPC to determine what is expected from the town on this particular proposal and have the information for the next meeting Street Open- Upon moiton duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request ing Com- of Warren A Empey, Acting Director of Public Works/Eng to sign commitment mitment per- sheet for street opening permits for the month of August, 1980 mits Chapter 90 The Board discussed the list of streets submitted by the Town Engineer to be included in this year's designated list for Chapter 90 It was agreed that East Street, from Lowell Street to the Town Line 775+, Hancock Street, from Adams Street to Burlington Street 2800+, Woburn Street from Mass Avenue to Lowell Street 6,400+ and Marrett Road in the vicinity of the Minuteman Regional Vocational School be submitted - 5 - Selectmen's Meeting September 15, 1980 The Chairman opened the hearing at 8 00 p m on the petition of John R. Parker Clark & Associates for a Special Permit under Section 9 3 of the Zoning By- School Law for the conversion of the Parker School into 28 condominium units Hearing Representing John R Clark & Associates were Attorney Russian; Mr Dennis O'Driscoll and Robert E Powers, Contractors; Mr Anthony Casendino, Architect Report and recommendations on the application were submitted to the Se- lectmen by the Planning Board There were twelve areas of concern reviewed by the Planning Board i e placement of buildings, major topographic changes, provision for waste disposal, surface and groundwater drainage, protection against flooding and inundation, prevention of water pollution and environ- mental damage, erosion control, parking areas, loading area, maneuvering areas, driveways and location of intersections of driveways and streets The Planning Board felt that there was insufficient information on several im- portant facets of the proposal, and recommended that the Selectmen require the developer to submit the missing information in a timely manner to the Planning Board for review so they could issue a supplementary report to the Selectmen before they issued the special permit During the discussion that followed, the representatives of John R Clarke & Associates addressed some of the items and Mr Russian explained that there were some conditions the developer was not prepared to totally re- solve at that point as they would have to be addressed in the field II/ The Town Manager recommended that the permit be granted subject to Building Commissioner and Town Engineering approval of the plans He stated that he had talked to the developer who felt that this was the way toIpro- ceed as some things have to be resolved in the field even with the best of plans Concern was expressed as to further delay of the project by Planning Board recommendations that the developer submit the information to them for review and compilation of a supplementary report to the Selectmen Mr Kent raised the question as to what relationship there was between the granting of the special permit and the deeding of the property by the town to the developer Mr Cohen stated that a special permit can be granted with conditions and then convey the property at that time, and the conditions in the special permit must be adhered to Mr Kent suggested that the developer draft proposed conditions based on the Planning Board requests and submit them to the Planning Board as soon as possible, the Selectmen would review it and decide what conditions should be written into the special permit without waiting for a supplementary re- port from the Planning Board Mr Russian is to have the draft ready for the Planning Board by Wed- nesday and the Selectmen will review and make a decision at its next meeting The Manager informed the Board that Mr Hanlon, Town Engineer has Garrity agreed to serve on the Garrity House Conversion Committee when it is formed House He suggested that the Historical Commission and Building Committee be re- Committee presented and that the Housing Authority is making an effort to see if it can be used for housing - 6 - Draft Policy The Manager informed the Board that he is still working on the "Draft Streets - Policy on Streets of Adequate Grade and Construction" and will be meeting Grade & with the Planning Board regarding the issue as it ties in with the long Const range development and planning concerns of the town He will have the docu- ment upgraded and present it to the Board at a later date The Manager reported to the Board on the following items Tax Rate The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Revenue, has certified the tax rate for the Town as submitted by the Board of Assessors at $92 00/ $1,000 or approximately a 5% increase over the current $87 60 Gypsy Moths Mr Mazerall has attended a Gypsy Moth Program and is getting additional information on the types of chemicals to be used for control He is to re- port back at a later date with more details The State reports that the gypsy moth damage is expected to be much worse next year School St / The crosswalks are in at School Street/Wilson Road area and crosshatch- Crosswalks ing has been completed Police Sen- Mr Hutchinson has been interviewing officers who have been involved in sitivity the Police Sensitivity Training and has received more positive information re- Training garding the program than initially perceived He suggested a meeting with Dr Beck and Officer Flynn to review this Pension Mr Alan Fields has agreed to serve as the Selectmen's representative Committee on the Pension Committee Visitors Plans are to proceed, consistent with the direction of the Historic Center Districts Commission, with the recommendation it made on the installation Roof of the new roof on the Visitors Center Traffic The Board discussed the make-up of the Traffic Safety Committee and Safety agreed to accept Mr Kent's draft Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the following Charge "There shall be a Traffic Advisory Committee, advisory to the Board of Selectmen, consisting of seven (7) members The Police Chief or his designee, the Superintendent of Public Works or his designee, the Planning Director, four (4) citizens appointed by the Board of Selectmen The Board of Select- men shall designate the Chairman The Committee shall study problems relative to traffic and report thereon its recommendations to the Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager Items shall be placed on the agenda of the Committee a By reference from the Board of Selectmen b By the Town Manager c By vote of the Committee The Town Manager shall report to the Board of Selectmen itesm placed by him upon the agenda The Committee shall report to the Town Manager and the Board of Selectmen the vote of any item to its agenda prior to institu- tion of a study thereon In the selection of personnel for this Committee, consideration shall be given to the acquisition of experience and expertise in traffic control and safety 1 - 7 - Selectmen's Meeting September 15, 1980 The Manager requested, and received, the approval of the Board to Tax Bills insert in the tax bills a letter to taxpayers outlining where the tax dollar goes as he did last year Mrs Battin reported to the Board that the Center Revitalization Com- Center Re- mittee will not be able to have its definite plan until March because the vitalize- economic analysis and market analysis will not start until then It has tion defined its charge and identified the problems It intends to critique Committee all the past studies of the Center and the Planning Director is getting a list of short-term parking measures that may be taken and then come to the Board with a recommendation Mr Busa reported that the Energy Committee had met last week and Energy through the Manager's Office had put in an application for technical Committee assistance in the evaluation of the town office building, public works Report building, police station and Cary Hall The School Committee has sub- mitted an application for four of the elementary schools for a computer system to control the heatad a#rco£td%ting systems through the schools If the grant is eived, tbi ge ral government can tie into the same system He reported that literature had been received from the Department of Energy of Massachusetts that the bulk of the approximately $3,000,000 went to private schools and little, if any, went to towns or cities that applied He felt that the municipalities were not receiving a fair share of the grants After discussion, it was agreed to have a breakfast meeting on Breakfast October 10 with the chairmen of the Town boards and committees to discuss Meeting the Selectmen's goals Oct 10 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call Executive vote - Mrs Miley, Mr Busa, Mrs Battin, Mr Kent and Mr Crain - to go Session into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing collective bargain- ing with no intention of resuming open session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 1015 p m A true record, Attest OC(A-P-Ad_ Executive Clerk I I VOID