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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1977-08-08-BOS-min 536 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 8, 1977 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, August 8, 1977, at 7 30 p m Chairman Battin, Mr Bailey, Mr Busa, Mrs Miley, Mr Kent; Mr Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present Traffic Mrs Elaine Dratch of the Transportation Advisory Committee met Hanscom with the Board to discuss traffic congestion in the Hartwell Avenue, Area - Bedford Street and Route 2A areas near Hanscom Air Base The Committee FEA recommended that attention be given to promoting ride-sharing in order Workshop to reduce the amount of traffic The Federal Energy Administration has recently taken a strong interest in promoting van-pooling and has sponsored workshops throughout the country, and the Hanscom area is a natural for van-pool promotion because of the thousands of workers in the area Therefore, the Committee recommends that the Board of Select- men support an FEA workshop for the employers in the Hanscom area Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sponsor an FEA van-pool workshop to be held in Estabrook Hall on September 19, 1977 from 9 00 a.m to 12 00 Noon, and to invite all employers in the Hanscom Air Base area to participate in this program Guide Mr Richard John, Senior Guide, met with the Board and recommended the appointment of Yvonne Swann as an Official Guide of the Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Miss Yvonne Swann, 6 Audobon Road, as an Official Guide of the Town for a term expiring June 1, 1978 Chairman Battin welcomed Miss Swann and presented her with a Guide badge and her license Battle Green Mr John referred to DPW forces mowing the grass on the Green Mowing during tour guides, and he requested that a mowing schedule be given in advance so that tours would not be interrupted Mr McSweeney explained that Mr John had been in touch with Mr Mazerall and there is a problem weatherwise, plus the fact that there are so many areas to be mowed within the Town, i e , the Library, etc The Board agreed that Mr John will talk with Mr McSweeney and try to work something out Traffic The Traffic Safety Committee, Mr Friedman of the Planning Board, Safety and Mr Wadsworth of the Board of Appeals met with the Board Committee Chairman Battin said that the joint meeting has been arranged to Role discuss the role of the Traffic Safety Committee and the implications on what other Boards do - the Planning Board and the Board of Appeals To re-define the role and determine how other Boards will make use of the Committee X37 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Mr McSweeney said that the Traffic Safety Committee has grown in size and the Board of Selectmen has changed considerably, and we thought it time to reaffirm the Committee's position as it seems that the work is getting more complex Mr Hutchinson said that he thought there was a danger of the Committee being used as a strawman There was one recent case of it being sent to them for observation, and they are not a Committee to do in-depth studies - it is up to the Boards involved to do in-depth study and it could be reviewed by Traffic Safety If you tell the Committee to review, i e , Alexander Estates, the Committee is not geared to re- spond It was designed originally for streets and traffic The Com- mittee is prepared to do what the Selectmen tell them. Some things might be beyond the scope of the Committee Chairman Battin said that you are saying that they request the proponents to do the traffic study Mr Hutchinson agreed Mr Bailey said that he would reaffirm the fact that the Committee is a creature created by the Board of Selectmen, and to accept assign- ments only from the Selectmen There are certain instances where we are going to ask them to do inspections When we have a new developer need- ing information, we should be careful about asking the Committee Mr John Blackwell, Traffic Safety Committee member, reminded the Board that, in the beginning, it was a Traffic Safety Advisory Committee In response to Mr Hutchinson, these are really part of the Planning function Traffic Safety's function is not Town planning Mr Friedman responded that they don't have the staff to handle much more It is a planning function and we have to be concerned with traffic generated by any subdivision Chairman Battin said that we told you our Committee was avail- able but we shouldn't have to do that if you do the functioning Mr Friedman said that he hoped they can get to doing a map of streets by identifying streets accepted and identifying the capacity of the streets This is definitely one of their concerns Chairman Battin stated that if our Committee is ready to review, you will ask through us Mr Wadsworth stated that it is the feeling of the Board of Appeals that the Planning Board is responsible for the Town in the future Mr Busa said that the Board of Selectmen understands what the Committee's function is and what they were formed for This meeting clarifies our position on the role of the Committee He added that it is good to have a Committee come in and clarify the role Mr McSweeney said that he hoped the Planning Board and the Board of Appeals know that part of their function is traffic; the same way with the Police Department As it was said at the outset, the Committee is only to advise you and if you end up with a traffic problem, hopefully we will assist you in those matters Chairman Battin said that it is up to the Planning Director to 111 use you as the Administrator 538 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Mr Wadsworth said that everybody gets a copy of our hearing notices and if anybody has anything to say, let us know and it is read into our records Mr Briggs said that we have always gone to the Committee but the problem is in subdivision traffic coming out onto the streets Traffic cannot be a reason for turning down a subdivision, although we did turn one down because of the Traffic Safety Committee's recommendation Mrs Joan Crothers, Sewer Advisory Committee, said that from what she had heard, she hoped there would be engineering input for troubled areas We have something established which we would like to have Agreement appeared to be reached on the following points 1 The Selectmen have the ultimate responsibility for rectifying traffic problems which may be created by the decisions of other Town Boards The Selectmen are, therefore, very inter- ested in ensuring that all Boards understand the potential traffic implications of the decisions they make 2 However, the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, as currently constituted, has only the time and the expertise to advise the Board of Selectmen on existing traffic safety problems which are brought to the Selectmen's attention Tradition- ally, this has included the areas of signing, striping and signalization, as well as citizens' requests for such items as "Stop" signs, "Caution Children" signs, crosswalks, centerlines, no parking areas, loading zones and traffic signals This appears to continue to be the proper role of the traffic signals This appears to continue to be the proper role for the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee and, as advisory to the Selectmen, all work should be assigned to it only by the Selectmen 3 The serious problem does remain, however, that both the Board of Appeals and Planning Board often need traffic studies on proposed developments in order to make informed decisions All present at Monday's meeting appeared to agree that in-depth studies are properly the province of the Planning Board and should be regularly addressed by them If necessary, the Planning Board can require the developer to contract for in-depLh traffic studies The Selectmen could then, if requested, have such studies critically re- viewed by the Traffic Safety Committee It was also noted and agreed to by those present that all Town employees on the Traffic Safety Committee are available and should be used administratively as needed for traffic studies by the Planning Director in their capacity of Town Engineer, Chief of Police and Traffic Engineer Bedford Street Mr Blackwell said that there is a problem of consequence to every- Traffic body in the room having to do with traffic flow on upper Bedford Street' 539 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 between Route ut 128 and Westview He would like a working group put to- gether to re-examine what are the alternatives already engineered Chairman Battin said that the Board turned it over to the Trans- portation Committee and suggested that we start out with them Traffic Safety Committee, Mr Friedman and Mr Wadsworth retired from the meeting The Board discussed appointments of Democratic and Republican Election Election Officers Ms Emily Frankovich, Chairman of the Democratic Officers Town Committee, was present Chairman Battin said that under G L Chapter 54 s 12, we re- quested the Chairman of each political party to file, not later than June 1, 1977, with the Board of Selectmen a list of enrolled members who desire appointment as Election Officers of the Town These appoint- ments are to be made by the Selectmen during the period of July 15 and August 15, According to the Town Clerk, twenty-seven Eledtion Officers from each party are required The Democratic Committee submitted a list of thirty-three nominees but there was no response from the Republican Committee Therefore, the Town Clerk submitted a list of twenty-eight Republicans for the Board's consideration Mr Busa said that he would like to go on record and notify the citizens that two names have been dropped from the democratic list, Mr and Mrs Joseph Rooney He didn't know about the criteria to be on the list but his information is that all you have to be is a member of the democratic party It seems unfortunate that their philosphy is not what the governing body of the democratic committee wants or needs The Board agreed to appoint all on the submitted lists Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint thirty-three Democratic Election Officers, recommended by the Demo- cratic Town Committee, and twenty-eight Repuplican Election Officers recommended by the Town Clerk RECOMMENDED DEMOCRATIC ELECTION WORKERS FOR THE 1977-1978 Mary C Abegg, 261 Waltham St Mary N Ayvazian, 11 Dexter Rd Lorraine C Baron, 236 Worthen Road East Ann M Baum, 4 Wright St Gloria J Bresnihan, 14 Holton Rd Mary C Casey, 22 Valley Rd Elizabeth H Clarke, 29 Moon Hill Rd Alice A Coletta, 26 Volunteer Way Marguerite A Cronin, 96 Emerson Gardens Elizabeth F Downey, 1 Stimson Ave Eileen J Fradette, 35 Grapevine Ave Emily W Frankovich, 19 Dewer Rd Helen G Garten, 11 Fairview Avenue Hilda D Glaubman, 9 Blueberry La 54() Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Herbert A. Glucksman, 67 Laconia St Bruce S Gordon, 19 Wachusett Dr Catherine F Hooper, 50 Valleyfield St Helen M. Hoyle, 7 Marshall Rd Mary C Joseph, 32 Eldred St Rita E Kiley, 27 Wachusett Dr Evelyn T Lawson, 63 Woburn St Edna Marshall, 18 Oxbow Rd John H McDonough, 123 Grant St Henry P Meade, 17C William Roger Greeley Village Joan Melcher, 10 Winthrop Rd Marjorie Modoono, 285 Woburn St Ann M Pace, 9 Wildwood Road Margaret M Potter, 4 Lawrence La Marie E Roberts, 53 Monroe Rd Jean E Rubenstein, 18 Dewey Rd Dorothy A Shine, 11 Utica St Suzanne H Spencer, 32 Hancock St Anne C Williamson, 150 Grant St RECOMMENDED RHPUBLICAN ELECTION WORKS FOR THE 1977-1978 Shirley E Bullock, 17 Longfellow Rd Gloria D Cobert, 6 Tweksbury St Mildred M Cronin, 14 Utica St Edith L Bernardi, 27 Fairlawn La Caroline F Deloury, 99 Spring St Norma E Ebbs, 5 Brent Rd Carol A Goldthwait, 30 Baker Ave Agnes Heimlich, 796 Mass Ave Sally S Hooper, 282 Bedford St Winifred F Hubbard, 114 Emerson Gardens Mary F Irwin, 6 Grove St Winifred C Ivester, 56 Woburn St Caroline P Johnston, 8 Wilson Rd Harold W Josephson, 97 Emerson Gardens Sidney G Lindsley, 45 Eldred St Norma B Jervis, 111 Adams St Mary G McCauley, 75 Spring St Irene Norcross, 50 Forest St Helen L Perry, 16 Ellison Rd Dolores M Swan, 18 Bedford St A. Estelle Szalajeski, 3 Myrna Rd Elinor M Vasallo, 145 Grant St Virginia M. Warner, 71 Adams St Margaret S Wilson, 103 Meriam St Marjorie E Wirpio, 22 Bartlett Ave Barbara M Collins, 79 Hill St Joseph S Siders, 31 Buckman Dr Kenneth R T Covey, 17 Patterson Rd 4 541 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Ill Chairman Battin read a request from Town Counsel to sign an Order Order of Takin@ of Taking for sewer easements on Marrett Road Marrett Rd Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order Sewer of Taking for sewer easements as shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Sewer Easement from Existing Sewer Easement to Marrett Road, Lexington, Mass , dated July 27, 1976, James E Chase, Town Engineer " Selectmen Bailey, Chairman of the Auditing Committee, read the re- Auditing port of the Auditing Committee, which was appointed by the Board of Committee Selectmen on April 25, 1977, had met four times, and submits the Report following 1 The Town advertised and solicited proposals from public accounting firms to perform an audit of the Town's fi- nancial accounts and records for the period August 1, 1973 to June 30, 1977 All responding firms were also requested to submit an estimate of the fee for an audit of the period July 1, 1977 to June 30, 1978 Eleven firms submitted proposals, including the so-called "big eight " 2 Following analysis of the proposals and discussions by the Committee, four firms were selected for interview Base Fee Estimate FY78 Fee Estimate Arthur Andersen & Co $ 8,000 $8,000 Coopers and Lybrand 8,500 6,500 Laventhol & Horvath 10,500 7,500 Touche Ross & Co 16,500 9,500 These firms represented four of the five lowest estimates It was apparent from the estimate - and acknowledged by the firms - that the very low base estimates were the result of these firm's interest in securing the Lexington engagement, even at a potential initial loss All four firms indicated that the estimated fees would not be exceeded unless the scope of audit or management services were changed Inter- views were conducted on July 25 and 26, 1977 3, The Auditing Committee at its meeting on July 26 unanimously voted the following a To recommend that the Selectmen authorize the Town Manager to engage the firm of Arthur Andersen & Co to perform the audit voted in Article 9 of the 1977 Annual Town Meeting b To recommend that the Selectmen designate the Town Manager as primary working liaison with Arthur Andersen & Co c To recommend that Arthur Andersen & Co be instructed to address all informal and formal oral and written reports to the Board of Selectmen and the Manager d To recommend that the Board of Selectmen invite the Appro- priation Committee (or its representatives) to attend meetings at which the auditing firm is presenting reports and recommendations e To recommend that the Board of Selectmen dissolve the Auditing Committee upon acceptance of this report 542 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Respectfully submitted, The Auditing Committee Fred C Bailey, Chairman Margery M Battin Norman P Cohen Edward E Furash Robert M Hutchinson, Jr Richard M Perry, Secretary Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the report of the Auditing Committee and to approve the following recom- mendations included in the report under Item 3 a To authorize the Town Manager to engage the firm of Arthur Andersen & Co to perform the audit of the Town's financial accounts and records for the period August 1, 1973 to June 30, 1977, in accordance with the vote of Article 9 of the 1977 Annual Town Meeting b To designate the Town Manager as primary working liaison with Arthur Andersen & Co c That Arthur Andersen & Co be instructed to address all informal and formal oral and written reports to the Board of Selectmen and the Manager d To invite the Appropriation Committee (or its representa- tive) to attend meetings at which the auditing firm is presenting reports and recommendations Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to dissolve the Auditing Committee Mr Cohen recommended th±Lthe Board of Selectmen sign the letter of agreement with Arthur Andersen & Co Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the letter of agreement with Arthur Andersen & Co , 100 Federal Street, Boston, to perform the audit of the Town's financial accounts and records for the period August 1, 1973 to June 30, 1977 Traffic Chairman Battin read a report from the Traffic Safety Committee in Safety response to a letter from the Cary Memorial Library Trustees concern- Committee ing problems with parking in the general part of the Library parking Library lot The report stated that the recommendation of the Committee now, I Parking Lot as it was when the new lot was being planned, that the entire general part of the lot should be metered and included in the Traffic Rules and Orders Without this, the lot cannot legally be monitored by the police, and the purported problem of all day parkers will continue with no means by which to stop it being available to either the Library or the police Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee that the entire general part of the Library parking lot should be metered and included in the Traffic Rules and Order of Lexington 543 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 11 Mr Bailey reminded the Board that the letter from the Library Trustees also mentioned a problem with the lot not being snowplowed last winter, which is so essential as the Library is open except during extraordinary conditions Mr McSweeney explained that the Library parking lot was missed during the last couple of snowstorms but he assured the Board that the lot will be high on his list of priorities next winter The Board accepted Mr McSweeney's explanation, with the under- standing that Mr McSweeney establish the high priority of snowplowing the Library lot The Library Trustees will be informed by letter of the above de- cisions of the Board Mrs Miley mentioned that a left hand turn may now be made onto Clarke Street from the Library Parking lot, thereby avoiding the Center Mrs Miley also suggested that information has been received from people in the area, and she would like to have the parking lot behind Depot Square metered Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the matter of metering the parking lot behind Depot Square to the Traffic Committee for a recommendation Chairman Battin read a recommendation of the Traffic Safety Com- Traffic mittee in response to a petition from residents of Spring Street re- Signs - questing "Caution Children" signs The report stated that the Com- Spring St mittee discussed the petition and agreed that warrants are met for such signs on Spring Street and it is recommended that four signs be installed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee to install four "Caution Children" signs on Spring Street, and to instruct the Director of Public Works to make the necessary arrangements for the installations The Spring Street petitioners are to be so informed Chairman Battin read a letter from Mr George H Pierce, Jr , Lot 44 63 Valleyfield Street, stating that in 1976 the Town had advertised Valleyfield for bids on Lot 44 located on Valleyfield Street He and Mr Masciulli Street of 59 Valleyfield Street had signed a legal agreement that one party would bid for the lot and then convey to the other party one-half of said lot abutting his property Such division would allow both par- ties the opportunity to build a garage The lot was sold to Mr Masciulli and, for reasons of his own, he did not make known to the Selectmen the existence of this agreement The deed granted to Mr Masciulli gives him the right to construct a garage on Lot 44, which he has already done, but specifically prohibits any other construction on Lot 44 for a period of Nine-nine years Mr Pierce requested the Board to remove this ninety-nine year restriction so that he, too, may 544 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 ontheofthe lot that abutts his property construct a garage half p p Y The Board agreed to write to Mr Pierce and inform him that be- fore any further discussion could be held, he is requested to submit a copy of the legal agreement with Mr Masciulli plus a sketch plan showing the proposed location of the building which he wished to con- struct on Lot 44 Chamber of Chairman Battin read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce re- Commerce questing the consideration of the Board of providing a hall and a Request for speaker for the New England Secondary Principal Association's field Hall trip next May Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the matter to the School Committee as the more appropriate Town Committee to handle the request of the New England Secondary Principal Associa- tion, with the understanding that the School Committee could refer back to the Selectmen for reconsideration of Cary Hall or other Town facility being made available to the group Bike-a-Thon Chairman Battin read a request for a bike-a-thou Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- mission to the American Cancer Society for the annual Bike-a-Thon to be conducted on Sunday, September 18, 1977, beginning at 1 00 p.m , subject to the regulations of the Police Department Smith Dog Mr Busa informed the Board that he had conducted a dog hearing Kapiris on July 27, 1977 on the written complaint of Mrs Georgia Kapiris, 405 Marrett Road, concerning a Doberman Pinscher named Pancho, owned by Mr Peter Smith of 433 Marrett Road All involved parties testi- fied under oath and Mr Barry Littleton, Animal Control Officer, read his report stating (in part) that for approximately eighteen months he had received various and regular complaints from several people about Pancho running loose and being a general nuisance It would be fair to say that Mr Smith has been unable or unwilling to control (or have controlled) his dog Mr Busa said that Mr Smith agreed at the hearing to remove the dog from Lexington as soon as he could find someone to take the dog This was also suggested by Mrs Kapiris The recommendation is to inform Mr Smith that he either keep the dog continuously leashed or remove the dog from Lexington within 30 days of receipt of the letter This would give him the option of doing one or the other Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that a hearing having been conducted on July 27, 1977 in conformance with G L Chapter 140, s 157, upon the written complaint of Mrs Georgia Kapiris against a dog named Pancho, owned by Mr Peter Smith, it is the finding of the Board of Selectmen that said dog is declared a nuisance by reason of running loose in the area of the gas station at 433 Marrett Road, and it is therefore ordered that Pancho is to be continuously leashed or removed from the Town of Lexington within 30 days of the receipt of the order 545 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Chairman Battin read a letter from the Board of Selectmen of Chelmsford Chelmsford proposing that Boards of Selectmen/City Councillors in each Jt Meetings/ City/Town in the Fifth Senatorial District meet on a regular basis Selectmen (every month when necessary) to discuss any problems they may have with their State Senator, or to discuss any questions they may have of their State Senator, in the hope of improving communications with the local communities and the State Senate The meeting locations could vary with each meeting and meetings held on evenings other than regu- larly-scheduled meetings of the Boards of Selectmen/City Councils in the communities involved The Board agreed to support this effort to establish better communications between communities and the State Senate and designated Selectmen Kent as the Board's representative to meet with representa- tives of other interested Cities/Towns to set up a process and time- table for joint meetings Chairman Battin read a memo from the Town Clerk that Mrs Ruth Resignation Adams had submitted her letter of resignation as an Associate Member Historic of the Historic Districts Commission, representing the Lexington Districts Arts & Crafts Society, effective August 1, 1977 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with regret, the resignation of Mrs Ruth Adams as an Associate Member of the Historic Districts Commission, effective August 1, 1977 It was agreed to request the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society to submit a nominee for appointment by the Board to fill the vacancy on the Associate Membership of the Historic Districts Commission, representing the Society, for a term expiring January 1, 1979 Chairman Battin requested the Board to sign three taxicab licenses Taxicab for the Arlex Taxi Corporation She explained that on May 2, 1977, the Licenses Board had licensed six taxicabs, with the understanding that three more licenses would be issued when the cabs were acquired and passed in- spection by the Police Department Captain Lima has informed us that inspections have been made and recommends that the three licenses be issued Mrs Miley commented that we are fortunate in having Mr Tippett (owner) as. he has been doing a good job for us The Board agreed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign three taxicab licenses for Arlex Taxi Corporation d/b/a Lexington Cab Co , expiring May 1, 1978 Registrations 6876, 6877, and 6886 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes of Selectmen's meetings held on February 28, March 7, March 11+, March 23, March 28, March 30, April 4, April 6, June 20, 1977 Chairman Battin read a request from Mr McSweeney, Director of Contracts Public Works/Engineering, to sign contracts awarded on July 11, 1977 78-1-E 78-2-t 546 Selectmen' s Meeting August 8, 1977 Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to signContract P 78-1-E awarded on July 11, 1977 to Soil Exploration Corporation, Stow, Massachusetts for Test Borings, in the amount of $4,470 00; authoriza- tion under Article 33 of 1975 and Article 20 of 1977 Annual Town Meet- ing, subject to Town Counsel's approval as to form of contract Also, Contract 78-2-E awarded on July 11, 1977 to Starrett Paving Corp , Marlboro, Massachusetts for Street Resurfacing on Concord Avenue and necessary drives, in the amount of $29,777 50; authorization under Account 5400, Highway Maintenance for FY 78 and FY 79 Town Office The Board briefly discussed the use of space in the Town Office Conference Building by State Senators and Representatives , and it was agreed to Rooms defer the matter to a later meeting At Mr Hutchinson's suggestion, it was agreed to honor the commit- ment made to Senator Amick for the use of office space for approximately two hours on one morning and one evening a month Appointments Mr Hutchinson requested approval of the Board of his appointment Youth of members of the Youth Commission Commission Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following members of the Youth Commission Jack Sarmanian 330 Bedford Street 1978 William Henderson 33 Freemont Street 1978 Margaret Cole 9 Belfry Terace 1960 John J Shine, Jr 11 Utica Street 1979 Marcia Feakes 6 Juniper Place 1980 Mary Frances Anderson 3 Loring Road 1980 Patricia Falconer 130 Grove Street 1980 Committees- Chairman Battin requested that the Board dissolve the Youth Discharge Advisory Commission, the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility, and the Drug Advisory Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to dissolve the Youth Advisory Commission, the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility, and the Drug Advisory Committee Recycling Mr Hutchinson discussed the recycling program and informed the Board that the proposal from the Mass Wholesalers of Malt Beverages, Inc had not materialized because of a deadline given Mr McSweeney said that meetings had been held with them to dis- cuss their proposal and, at the last minute, they gave us a time schedule so we had to postpone it We will be ready by the end of the month if we can come up with a proposal acceptable to the Board and the Manager Chairman Battin said that the Recycling Committee has been sched- uled to meet with the Board on August 22 for discussion on the entire project The Board agreed to continue discussion on August 22 54 Selectmen' s Meeting August 8, 1977 Mr Hutchinson informed the Board that quotations were received Sanitary from three firms on the installation of observation wells in and Landfill around the Hartwell Avenue Sanitary Landfill, in accordance with the Test Borings requirements of the Mass Department of Environmental Quality Engi- neering as a prerequisite to the forthcoming closing plan We are working with Whitman and Howard and implementation would start immediately upon award of this contract; we should start to see the results of the water quality testing within a week to ten days Based on the review of the proposals, it is recommended that this work be awarded to Bay State Test Boring, Inc , the lowest bidder, in an amount not to exceed $10,970 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for the installation of observation wells in and around the Hartwell Avenue sanitary landfill to the lowest bidder, Bay State Test Boring, Inc , Avon, Massachusetts, in an amount not to exceed $10,970 Authorization contained in Article 33 of the 1975 Annual Town Meeting Mr Hutchinson informed the Board that he had reappointed Mr Appointment Willard Grush a member of the Board of Assessors for a term expiring Board of 1980 Assessors Mrs Miley discussed the sanitary landfill and said that her Landfill - recommendation would be that we not accept any commercial goods Commercial in the landfill from now on However, she felt that might be a Trucks little severe for people disposing there now and it might be a prob- lem for citizens having it picked up She suggested that the Manager and Mr McSweeney meet with some of the companies involved Mr Hutchinson agreed and asked the Board to give him more infcrma- tion on what they feel is necessary for the group to discuss Mr Hutchinson said that the Board of Selectmen has received Hancock correspondence from the School Committee asking for a date when the School Selectmen will officially take over the Hancock School and site as Acceptance Town, rather than school property He recommended the date of Date September 1, 1977 subject to arrangements being made regarding insurance Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize acceptance of the Hancock School and site, for Town purposes, as of September 1, 1977, subject to the completion of necessary arrangements regarding insurance The School Committee will be notified of the above vote Mr Hutchinson read a request from the Planning Director for Master Plan the Board of Selectmen to reaffirm the vote of December 20, 1976 Recreation/ regarding the Lexington Master Plan for Recreation and Open Space Open Space in order to receive consideration for funding 54 Selectmen's Meeting August 8, 1977 Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to reaffirm the P vote of December 20, 1976 and to write the following letter to the Secretary of the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, Division of Conservation Services "The Board of Selectmen has reviewed the Master Plan for Recreation and Open Space, which has been submitted to your agency On December 20, 1976, the Board of Selectmen has reviewed the Master Plan for Recreation and Open Space, which has been submitted to your. agency On December 20, 1976, the Board of Selec- men voted to accept the recommendations set forth in the order of priorities and timetable The plan was then filed with the State Board of Recreation for eligibility for funding It is our under- standing that the filing of this report was late but the position of the Board of Selectmen remains the same, accepting the recommendations of the Master Plan We hope that funding will be available to assist us in the implementation of this plan " Equaliza- Mr Hutchinson asked for direction from the Board regarding corre- tion of spondence received from the Massachusetts Municipal Associations- ' Education Joint Legislative Office regarding the equalization of education They ask the Town to join in a suit challenging the constitutionality of the method of financing public education in Massachusetts, which would provide a means for getting action from the legislature to solve the problem. If successful, it would be an effective way of breaking out of the present impasse If we participate, it would cost $300-$400 Chairman Battin said that she had requested Mr Kent to review it and take it to the School Committee for preliminary discussion, and then the two Boards would get together The Board agreed to write to the School Committee and enclose a copy of the letter from the Mass Municipal Associations The School Committee would be informed that the Town Manager recommended, the Board of Selectmen concurred, that the School Committee is the proper Town Committee to initially review this proposal in order to determine if, and how, Lexington should become involved Also, that Selectmen Robert B Kent was designated to work with the School Committee and Mr Alfred Vigderman, a Lexington resident and member of the Staff of the Mass League of Cities and Towns , to gather and analyze the necessary information that both the Selectmen and the School Committee will need in order to make an informed decision for Lexington Executive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 5-0 by roll call vote to go into Executive Session, with no intention of resuming the open session, for the purpose of discussing strategy with respect to litigation After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session and adjourn Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 0 10 p m ' 549 Selectmen' s Meeting August 8, 1977 A true record, Attest Executive Clerk, Selectmen