Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978-12-04-BOS-min 388 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 4, 1978 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, December 4, 1978 at 7 30 P M. Chairman Battin, Mr. Busa, Mrs Miley, Mr Kent and Mr Crain;. Mr Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mr Norman Cbhen,Town Counsel; Mrs Banks, Assistant to the Town Manager; Miss Casey, Principal Clerk, were present Boston Chairman Battin opened the meeting with a hearing on the Boston Edison Edison petition to install guy wire and anchor on pole 195/99 on Waltham Street at Guy Wire Hayden Road and Notices of the hearing had been sent to the abutters as listed on the Anchor petitioner's plan and filed with the Public Works Department. A report from Emanuele Coscia, Jr , Acting Director or Public Works/ Engineering was read recommending approval One abutter present requested an explanation of the term "guy wire and anchor" and just where it would be located Mrs Carol Clinton of the Boston Edison explained the term and pointed out the location to the satisfaction of the abutter Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Boston Edison Company for the following location Waltham Street, easterly side, opposite Hayden Road - One (1) guy wire and anchor N.E TEL Chairman Battin opened the hearing on the New England Telephone Company & TEL for permission to install one pedestal terminal on Hastings Road and the in- Conduit stallation of conduit on Massachusetts Avenue at Hastings Road Mass. Ave Notices of the hearing had been sent to the abutters as listed on the Pedestal petitioner's plan and filed with the Public Works Department Hastings Several of the abutters were in attendance and expressed concern for the Road trees in the area plus some expressed concern regarding visability for motor- ists driving into and out of Hastings Road Mr. Pinault and Mr Yauckoes, representatives of the Telephone Company went over the plans with the abutters, and after considerable discussion, it was felt that the abutters were satisfied that all precautions would be taken to preserve the trees and visability in the area It was also pointed out by Mr Pinault that the Telephone Company would be responsible for any damages incurred. A report from Mr. Coscia stating that he had reviewed the revised re- quest from the New England Telephone Company and he felt that the Telephone Company's answers and his department's inspection of the proposed pedestal were in order and recommended approval. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for the following location Mr. Crain abstained: Massachusetts Avenue on the northerly side, starting from exist- ing manhold 54/82 located approximately 137'+ (feet) west of Hast- ings Road, to point A, thence northwesterly on Hastings Road approxi- mately 224'+ (feet) to existing pole 340/5, and again from point A 389 Selectmen's Meeting - 2 - December 4, 1978 III southeasterly on Hasings Road approximately 128'+ (feet) to new manhole 54/82A thence 75'+ (feet) to existing pole 43/2, then from point B. westerly 50'+ (feet) to existing pole 75/159 approximately 614'+ (feet) of conduit Hastings Road on the easterly side approximately 80'+ (feet) south of Massachusetts Avenue, one (1) manhole and one (1) pedestal terminal Chairman Battin called upon Mrs Nancy Banks who addressed the Board Human and stated that she and Ralph Halperin of the Boston College Interns were Services to present a brief preliminary report on their study of human services in Report the Town of Lexington. She explained that the team has been here since Boston September and would have a completed report ready for the Board on Decem- College ber 18 She explained that the team had done three surveys a citizens Interns survey, agencies and Town Meeting Members surveys and had obtained hard data as to just what the human services needs are in the town and what is now being provided. As a result of the data that had been obtained, the team felt comfortable with the preliminary report as presented. They had also met with a task force of citizens Mr. Halperin explained in detail the report that the Selectmen had received and explained that more collating of data will be done before final recommendations can be made He suggested the need for a human re- sources commission that would be a formal and permanent committee, made up of representatives of the Council on Aging, Youth Commission, School Committee and Recreation Committee and also five citizens chosen at large Selections would be made by the Town Manager and approved by the Select- men Essentially, the conclusions of the team were that Lexington does not have adequate capacity for addressing human services needs, that there is no coherent framework or policy for human services in the town although the town does provide services, agencies look at specific needs and how to fill them, but no one looks at broad social development, the town hasn't developed the capacity to be an "equal partner"with state, federal and private human services providers, the town government needs a monitoring and evaluation program for human service delivery and that human services provision is growing at every level of government and should be controlled with rational planning Mr Busa felt that the report had a built-in bias as the students were all graduate students in social work and that Lexington is already providing human services Mr Crain stated that he felt that the report was objective inasmuch as the students' relationship with the community was concerned, and not their major fields of study, and pointed out that the Board has allocated funds for many of the activities surveyed He felt that the interns may provide hard data with which the Selectmen can make judgments on allocations After further discussion, Mrs Battin thanked Mrs Banks and Mr Halperin for their time and efforts in compiling the report Mrs Banks and Mr. Halperin retired from the meeting 3900 Selectmen's Meeting - 3 - December 4, 1978 Use of the The Chairman read a request from the Lexington Minute Men for the Battle Green use of the Battle Green in April, 1979 for the battle reenactment Lex. Min.Men. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant approval for the use of the Battle Green in April, 1979 for the reenactment of the battle Abatement A request from fire Chief Bergeron for abatement of an ambulance Ambulance bill was read by the Chairman. bill Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the following ambulance bill NAME AMOUNT WHY ABATED Donna Bellino $2 50 Incorrect amount Certification The Chairman read a request for a Certification of Incorporation ex- of Moor- plaining that it was merely a mail drop off poration Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Greater Boston Association of Black Executives, Inc. for the location at 26 Taft Avenue Liquor Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Licenses following liquor licenses for the year 1979 Common Victualer Lee Ann's Restaurant and LeBellecour Restaurant Innholder Sheraton Lexington Motor Inn Elks extension The Chairman read a request from the Lexington Elks Club for an ex- of hours tension of hours under their Club Liquor License until 2 00 a.m on Liquor Lic New Year's Eve New Year's Mr Busa moved that the license be extended to 1 00 a.m. as granted Eve in previous years Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the hours on the Club Liquor License of the Lexington Elks Club be extended to 1 00 a.m on New Years Eve. Sewer Defer- The Chairman read a request from Five Fields, Incorporated for a ment further deferment of sewer betterment on property fronting on Concord Five Fields Avenue and Barberry Road In response to a question by Mrs Miley as to what other communities do with similar requests, the Town Manager explained that it is customary to grant such deferments and recommended that the request be granted sub- ject to the conditions stipulated by the Board of Selectmen Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a further deferment of a sewer betterment charge of $300 60, on land owned by them fronting on Concord Avenue and Barberry Road, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is further developed, sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever occurs first;provided, how- ever, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if said land or any portion thereof is further developed or sold 391 Selectmen's Meeting - 4 - December 4, 1978 A letter of resignation from Frank H Totman, Jr. as a member of Resignation the Town Report Committee was read by the Chairman Frank H. Totman Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with Town Report Comm. regret, the resignation of Frank H Totman, Jr as a member of the Town Report Committee. A recommendation from the Co-Chairmen of the Town Report Commit- Appointment tee submitting the name of Robert B Sawyer to replace Mr. Totman. Robert B. Sawyer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr Robert B. Sawyer to the Town Report Committee for a term of office to expire May 31, 1979. The Chairman read a letter from David Reiner, Chairman of the Appointment Lexington Democratic Town Committee submitting three nominees for the Lilah H office of Registrar of Voters Groisser Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Registrar of Lilah H. Groisser, 510 Concord Avenue, Registrar of Voters to fill Voters the unexpired term George E. Williams, to expire March 31, 1979 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approves the Minutes minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting of August 28, 1978. The Chairman read a memo from the Co-chairmen of the Town Report Town Counsel Committee requesting that a report from Town Counsel be submitted for report for the town report giving the general picture of the Town Counsel's role Part I of and an idea of the cost of his services Town Report Mr. Cohen agreed to submit the report as requested The Town Manager submitted the proposed municipal budget calling Town Manager's for total spending of $32,655,661 ($712,262 more than last year) an Proposed increase of 2 2% He pointed out that this does not include the Municipal school budget as the School Committee was still in the process of re- Budget viewing its budget and some increase may be anticipated subject to 1979-80 whatever policy decision they make Additional assessments for State and County Government against the town or reduction of State aid would further increase his proposed tax rate of $89.20 or $1 00 less than last year's rate of $90.20 He pointed out to the Board that he is required by law to submit .a tax rate at this time, but it is subject to change He pointed out that efforts of cost containment by the town and school system have provided available surplus within the E & D Fund which has available funds of $1,680,000 which is $685,282 over last year He feels that this revenue combined with estimated limited economic growth will help to control the tax rate. He briefly reviewed the report that had been given to the Select- men outlining the goals, operating expenses, capital expenditures and mandatory recycling and trash collection The budget will be reviewed in detail with Department Heads, Town Meeting, Appropriation Committee, Capital Expenditures Committee and other interested groups at a later date. 392 Selectmen's Meeting - 5 - December 4, 1978 He informed the Board that he felt that to obtain tax stabilize- tion and meet the goal of no tax increase, forces beyond our control must be influenced by the Board and citizens, namely, the Legislature in the area of charges to the Town for State services He feels that there should be no cut back in revenue supporting services that the State mandates He feels that the Town is moving in the direction of tax stabilization for the next several years if those forces can be addressed Mr Kent informed the Manager that he had difficulty in one area and that was the proposed tax reduction of $1 00 He felt that it might possibly be misinterpreted by the citizens at the present time and a $1 00 reduction in the tax rate would be expected while there is still much work to do before the final figure is obtained Mr Crain agreed that no prediction should be made at this time The Manager agreed with Mr Kent and Mr. Crain and pointed out that he had stated that the school department budget figures were not in and that an increase was expected which would affect the budget pointed out that by law he must submit an estimated tax rate at this time The Manager informed the Board that the Recycling Committee has requested permission to insert another flyer in the water bills re- lative to the curbside pickup Recycle Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to authorize the Flyer Recycling Committee to insert flyers in the water bills requesting Water Bills citizens to participate in the Curbside pickup of recyclables Fire Dispatchers The Manager requested that the salaries of the fire dispatchers Increase be raised by $500 00 to place them at a salary more competitive with surrounding communities He said that he has completed a review of six towns and felt that the starting salary of Lexington was low Mr. Crain stated that he felt that the Personnel Advisory Baord should be consulted in the matter before a decision was made. It was agreed that a decision would be deferred until after the Personnel Advisory Board had reviewed the problem. Sewer The Manager informed the Board that he was in the process of Hearing updating the report of the sewer hearing that was held on Thursday evening The Sewer Advisory Committee will be submitting its report. Mr. Hutchinson stated that it will be recommended that certain streets be deleted from the program. He stated that he hoped that some under- standings could be reached if the Board decides to delete these streets that we do not intend to come back at a later date for the extension of sewer line The Selectmen's hearings will be held on December 11, at which time complete reports from the involved committees will be avail- able Revenue The Manager informed the Board that he had held the Administrative Sharing hearing that he is charged to do on the revenue sharing and the proposed Hearing use of monies He stated that $525,000 was expended last year on various 393 Selectmen's Meeting - 6 - December 4, 1978 human services and other traditional line services He stated that he expects to receive less this year or about $420,000 It was agreed that the Selectmen's hearing would be deferred until after the closing of the warrant. The Manager informed the Board that he had contacted the Department Village of Public Works regarding the maintenance problem at Village Circle and Circle the letter that was sent in by the residents in that area The entire area is to be seeded in the spring which should resolve the problem The Board and the Manager discussed the goals for the next five Goals and years and the Manager referred to spread sheets which he said would have Procedures to be updated It was brought out that there have been significant fluctuations in the tax rate in which there was no systematic pattern as one in dealing with outside forces such as State and County assessments. He informed the Board that he will be meeting with Mr. Crain, Mr Brown and Dr. Lawson to discuss the school budget which has significant impact on town spending Mr Hutchinson pointed out that there are many areas that have a great influence on town spending He brought out the point that the taxable list- ings have been growing at a rate of 2% and the town's expenses have been increasing at a rate of 5%. Mr: . Battin suggested that each member of the Board try to figure out the areas in which he saw the greatest need and most pressing problems and have that discussed and from that agree on four or five and set goals on those for the next discussion of the goals and procedures There will be a further discussion regarding the goals and procedures to meet these goals again in a few weeks. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted by a 5-0 roll call Executive vote to go into Executive Session, with no intention of resuming open Session meeting, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation and to consider the purchase, exchange, lease or value of real property After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upc.n motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 45 P M. A true record, Attest (� \ " ded_L:cx, 577 0 Principal Clerk Selectmen (! 1