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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-09-20-BOS-min 194 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 20, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, September 20, 1976, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kessler, Mr Bailey, Mr Busa, Mrs Battin and Mrs Miley; Mr Perry, Acting Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present Jurors At the request of the Town Clerk, eight jurors were drawn Walter Luscombe, 53 Simonds Road; Sandra A Jones, 11 Downing Road; Maria Bartolotti, 1132 Mass Avenue; Walter E Pedroli, 4 Great Rock Road; Frank E Rymes, 68 Outlook Drive; Haig Sarian, 3 Pheasant Lane; Paul R. Smith, 31 Tyler Road; Norman E Coates, 30 Donald St Voter Chairman Kassler read a request from the League of Women Voters to Registra proclaim the week of September 28 to October 5, 1976 as Voter Registra- Week tion Week; also requesting permission on October 2 for a 6 ft table with a Register to Vote banner across it on the grass or sidewalk beside Town Hall Mr Busa had no objection to the proclamation but had a strong ob- jection to a banner in front of Town Hall as the policy was drawn by the previous Board of Selectmen that no banners were to be hung near the Town Hall Also, he felt it was in infringement of the By-Law Other Board members had no objection as the banner was to be on a table Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to proclaim the week of September 28 to October 2, 1976 as Voter Registration Week Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 to grant per- mission to the League of Women Voters for a 6 ft table to be set up with a "Register to Vote" banner across it, to be located in the grass area so that traffic would not be impeded on the widewalk Mr Busa voted in the negative Choate Dr Cosgrove, Chairman of the Board of Health, met with the Board Hospital- to discuss the Choate Hospital/Mystic Valley Mental Health Clinic agree- MVMH ment Dr Cosgrove Federal funding is for staff salaries, only I con- tacted Mr Downey, President of Choate Hospital Trustees, who said that the cause of the trouble was that, after the agreement was signed, Choate only received 1/3 of the inpatients from Mystic Valley Those with money were referred to hospitals outside the area, such as Mt Aburn, while 38% of those referred to Choate were non-paying patients Once they got the grant, M V phased out the "5 days a week" clinic and that left the Woburn area without an outpatient clinic When asked if the certificate of need had been denied, he replied that it had been tabled for the next _ 1J Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 meetingThese were the only reasons Mr Downey would give outside of a clash of personalities Dr Cosgrove suggested that a member of the Board of Health and the Board of Selectmen from each town meet with Choate Hospital Trustees and also with Mystic Valley in order to hear both sides of the story Mrs Battin and Dr Cosgrove are to represent the Town of Lexington Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that arrangements be made for a meeting to be held with a member of the Board of Health and a representative of each of the towns involved in the Choate Hospital/ Mystic Valley agreement in order to resolve the current situation Mr Perry, Acting Town Manager, discussed the Board's request for a FY 77 5% reduction in FY 77 expenditures He explained that if there was a Budgets general 5% reduction, on next June 30, the balance would go in E & D and be certified by the Bureau of Accounts It would be available in FY 78 to reduce the tax levy in FY 79 The only impact this year would possibly be in the area of some articles by putting a hold on them. Mr Bailey asked about spreading this year's capital budget over two years Mr Perry That would have an impact After discussion, it was agreed 1 On September 27, Mr Perry is to submit a tabulation of the re- ports from department heads regarding the Board's request for at least a 5% reduction in FY 77 expenditures 2 On September 27, the Board will review the list of FY 77 capital and operating budget items submitted by Mr McSweeney for possi- ble delay 3 Mr Perry and Mr McSweeney are to reassess projects which would be eligible for the Public Works Unemployment Act During the discussion, Chairman Kassler recommended that the Board Munroe proceed with a decision on the installation of traffic signals at the School Munroe School on Massachusetts Avenue Traffic Mrs Miley informed the Board that she had received a call from Lights Mrs. Melcher asking that the Council on Aging be recorded in favor of the installation of the traffic lights because of the elderly residents in the area It is so noted in the record Mr Busa recommended that the Board also go forward on the instal- lation of traffic signals at Waltham Street and Worthen Road Mr McSweeney explained that the bids have not been received yet Mr Perry recommended that the contract for the installation of traffic signals at the Munroe School be awarded to the lowest bidder, New England Traffic Signals, Inc , Winthrop, in the amount of $6,870 The next two low bidders were Traffic Systems Co , Inc , Clinton, at $7,155; Healey Bros , Inc , Norwell, at $7,454 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award Contract Ill 77-9-E to New England Traffic Signals, Inc for the installation of traffic signals at the Munroe School in the amount of $6,870 196 Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 H 3023 Mr Perry advised the Board that House Bill 3023, an Act relative Food to the distribution of food stamps through City and Town Treasurers' Stamps offices, has been amended and he recommended that no action be taken at this time The Board agreed Tax Title Mr Cohen recommended that the Board sign the deed conveying tax Sale - title lot 26, Assessors' Map 24, located on Valleyfield Street Mr Valleyfield and Mrs Masciulli understand the condition of the vote of the Board on Street June 7, 1976 that the garage attached to their home would overhang no more than 14 feet on the new lot A check for $1,243 99 has been re- ceived, including $500 00 for the lot, $500 00 for street betterment, and $243 99 for sewer betterment assessment Arrangements have been made for payment of taxes for the portion of the year remaining after the date of conveyance Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the deed conveying lot 26, Valleyfield Street, to Ralph J and Mary E Masciulli of 59 Valleyfield Street This conveyance is made subject to easements and restrictions of record, if any, so far as are now in force and appli- cable to said land This conveyance is made subject also to the restric- tion that said lot shall be combined with the adjacent lot owned by the grantee and that for a period of ninety-nine years from the date hereof no building shall take place on said lot except for the construction of a garage attached to the existing dwelling on the adjacent lot, such garage to extend onto such lot no more than fourteen feet plus any over- hang and to be in compliance with all rules and regulations of the Town of Lexington Poles - Chairman Kessler read a petition from the New England Telephone Co Hinchey Rd to abandon nine poles on Hinchey Road. A report from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommended that approval be granted as this work was necessitated when the Kendall Corporation received permission from the Town to remove Hinchey Road and to proceed with the development of the area Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company to remove and abandon poles in the following location Hinchey Road Westerly side approximately 98+ feet south of Bedford Street, nine poles Pole - Chairman Kessler read a petition from the Boston Edison Company and Concord Ave the New England Telephone Company to relocate one pole on Concord Avenue Min Man A report from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommended Ridge that approval be granted to relocate pole #21/18 on Concord Avenue op- posite Blossom Street because of the construction of the roadway to Minute Man Ridge, Section 2, subdivision Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone Company for 197 Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 the relocation of one pole at the following location Concord Avenue on the southerly side, approximately 19+ feet west of Blossom Street one pole; One pole to be removed. Chairman Kessler read a request from the 5th grade students at the Willards Fiske School to conduct an archeological investigation at the old stone Woods fireplace in Willards Woods Mrs Miley- I received a call from one of the teachers regarding this project, and then talked with Mr Bertini, Recreation Director His comment was that Recreation was concerned with above-ground activi- ties but the Selectmen have jurisdiction on requests concerning below the ground Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion to the 5th grade students at the Fiske School to conduct, under supervision, an archeological investigation at the old stone fireplace in Willards Woods, subject to the condition that the Recreation Committee be advised of the date the project is to commence Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the re- Sewer quest of Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering, to sign Betterments sewer betterment assessments on Grant Street, Grove Street, Haskell Street, Morris Street, Peachtree Road, Pleasant Street The Board agreed that Mr McSweeney is to report on September 27 on Chap 90 the recommendation of a Chapter 90 street, to be submitted to the County Hearing Commissioners at the hearing on October 5, 1976 Chairman Kessler read a request from Ingersoll-Rand Company, New Permit Hampshire, to travel over Bedford Street to Massachusetts Avenue to the Oversized Arlington line with an oversized shipment of eleven pulp washer cylinders Shipment Reports from Public Works, Fire Department and Police Department Through indicated there were no objections but Police Chief Corr requested that Town his department be notified by the company of the exact date and time the truck would be travelling through the Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to Ingersoll-Rand Company, 150 Burke Street, Nashua, New Hampshire, to transport an oversized shipment of eleven pulp washer cylinders through the Town of Lexington from Bedford Street, left to Massachusetts Avenue through Lexington Center to the Arlington Town Line, subject to the con- dition that Public Works, Fire and Police Departments be notified of the date and time of transport Chairman Kessler read reports from the Planning Board, Traffic Safety Great Committee and the Conservation Commission regarding the request from the Meadows- Town of Arlington to install a 30 ft driveway opening to service a pro- Maple St posed gravel parking area to be located off Maple Street in Lexington at Parking Lot the Great Meadows The report from the Conservation Commission states that it supports a parking facility to encourage proper use of the land. The joint Arlington- 198 Selectmen' s Meeting September 20, 1976 Lexington Great Meadow Committee had inspected the area and although gt P the traffic problems are potentially serious on Maple Street, the visibility of access to the Great Meadow would seem to outweigh this problem. The Planning Board supported the position of the Conservation Commis- sion The Traffic Safety Committee had reviewed the area and would not oppose the granting of permission if consideration is given to adequate access and egress, along with proper site distance in the design Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Town of Arlington for the installation of a 30 ft driveway opening to service a proposed gravel parking area to be located off Maple Street in Lexington to provide access to the Great Meadows, subject to the condition that the Arlington Engineering Department contact Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering, for discussion and final approval of the plan Resigna Chairman Kessler read a letter of resignation from Mr Donald E Bd of Nickerson as a member of the Board of Appeals because he is moving to Appeals Florida Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with regret, the resignation of Mr Donald E Nickerson as a member of the Board of Appeals Mr Busa suggested that an appointment be made on September 27 to fill the vacancy The Board agreed. Appts The Board discussed a memo from the Youth Advisory Commission recom- Youth mending nominees for appointment to the Commission Advisory Chairman Kessler suggested that one or two Police Officers be ap- Commission pointed as ex-officio members in order to keep the Police involved Mrs Miley agreed and recommended Officers John Shine and Daniel Hoag Mr Busa asked that Chief Corr be approached for his comments before those appointments were made He also questioned the list and said, to his knowledge, it had not been voted by the entire commission but only two members Chairman Kessler replied that the list was submitted as a result of the Board's joint meeting with representatives of the Commission and the League of Women Voters, and he assumed that it was approved by the rest of the Commission Mr Bailey pointed out that, at this stage, it is only a fragmented committee He moved that the Board appoint those on the list and, later on, to appoint others Mrs Miley mentioned that a father and son were included and perhaps the Board might prefer not to have two people from one family participating on the same committee The Board agreed to contact the father and ask for a decision as to which one would be willing to serve Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the follow- ing members of the Youth Advisory Commission for a term of office expiring 199' Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 September 30, 1977 Adult Members Mary W Miley, Stephen Politi, Robert R. Gower, Mary Fran Anderson, Winston E Flynn, Millie A. Stevens Lexington High School Seniors Ellen Boyle and Nancy Abelmann Juniors Laura Gallant and Patti Lynah Sophomores Jeffrey Spencer Jr High School Jonas Clarke Martha Eddison Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to remove from the Appointment table the list of nominees, compiled by the Board, for appointment to the Criteria Appointment Criteria Committee Committee After discussion, it was agreed to make the appointments Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the fol- lowing members of the Appointment Criteria Committee, who will review the qualifications and submit recommendations to the Board of Selectmen on criteria for all Selectmen-appointed Boards and Committees Dan H Fenn, Jr. , Chairman, Guy W Doran, John To Harvell, Judith B Marshall, Frank H Totman, Margot Tutun, and Weiant Wathen-Dunn Chairman Kassler informed the Board that the question has been raised Political again on the policy (voted on August 26, 1974) of prohibiting any polit- Tours of ical activities within the Town Office Building; specifically, tours of Town Office the building or distribution of political material Building Mrs Miley expressed her feeling that if a person wanted to go through the building quickly, without distributing political material, she would have no objection Chairman Kassler, Mr Bailey and Mr Busa agreed to reaffirm the present policy Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 to reaffirm the vote of the Board of Selectmen on August 26, 1974 to prohibit any polit- ical activities within the Town Office Building Specifically, there are to be no tours of the building or distribution of political material Chairman Kassler read a request from Mr McSweeney, Director of Pub- Intent to lic Works/Engineering, to vote an intent to take temporary construction take constr easements for the installation of the sidewalk on Forest Street easememts Mr McSweeney assured the Board that all abutters will be notified Forest St of the intent and, being a short stretch, he anticipated no problems Sidewalk with shrubs and bushes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted an intent to take temporary construction easements for the installation of the sidewalk on Forest Street The Board discussed two bids received for printing the Warrant for Contract Election Day, November 2, 1976 Lexington Press, Inc bid $590 for 8- Nov. 2 pages and $880 for 12-page warrant; Maran Printing Service, Inc bid Election $535 for 8-pages and $640 for 12-page warrant 2.0 0 Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract to Maran Printing Service, Inc , Arlington, for printing the warrant for Election Day, November 2, 1976 9500 copies of 8 page warrant $535; 9500 copies of 12 page warrant $640 Polling Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the polling Hours hours of 7 00 A.M. to 8 00 P M. on November 2, 1976 Nov 2 Mrs Miley mentioned the problem on election days of cars parking in Estabrook the Estabrook School circle and Grove Street School Mr McSweeney agreed to review it with the Traffic Safety Committee Parking at the meeting tomorrow morning Town Mgr Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Bond Chairman to sign the $50,000 bond release for Mr Walter C O'Connell Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bond of Mr Richard M. Perry, Acting Town Manager, in the amount of $50,000 Permit Chairman Kessler read a request for a relay race on October 9, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Jogabouts for a relay race to be conducted on October 9 from Fiske Hill to Massachusetts Avenue to the Battle Green, subject to the usual regulations of the Town Manager and the Police Department Permit- Chairman Kassler read a request from the producer of the Good Day Battle Television Program to film the Sweet Adelines singing on the Green Green It was the concensus that absolutely no commercials are to be associated with any filming of the Minuteman or the Green. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion to the Good Day Television Program for the use of the Battle Green while filming the Sweet Adelines singing group on Wednesday, September 22, 1976, from 7 00 A M to 12 00 Noon, subject to the conditions that the producer is to contact Mr Perry, Acting Town Manager, to discuss the de- tails; Chief Corr regarding the traffic situation; the Department of Public Works for a permit to go on the Green Town Mgr Chairman Kessler read a memo from Mr Charles Cook, Personnel Admin- Search istrator, enclosing estimated travel expenses for Town Manager candidates Expenses in the amount of $3,020 and expenses to date of $1,875 If approved, the estimated total of $4,895 is to be paid out of Personnel Expense Account #1350, and the actual monies expended to be transferred from the Reserve Fund The Board approved the recommendation that expenditures for the search for Town Manager candidates are to be paid out of the Personnel Expense Account #1350 with the understanding that the actual total amount is to be transferred from the Reserve Fund Executive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 5-0 by roll call Session vote, to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to 2 Cl Selectmen's Meeting September 20, 1976 collective bargaining and litigation, personnel matter, and the reputa- tion g � tion of a person After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session ' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 10 P.M. A true record, Attest F)/(--dte--?-))2/ )2C gxecutive Clerk, Selectmen