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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-06-21-BOS-min 13 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 21, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, June 21, 1976, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kassler, Mr Bailey, Mrs Battin, Mrs Miley; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present Rev Harold T Handley, Director of Guides, introduced eight candi- Guides dates for appointment as official guides of Lexington On behalf of the Board, Chairman Kessler congratulated each one and presented a Bicentennial Guide badge with best wishes for a most success- ful tourist season Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following as official guides of Lexington for a term expiring June 1, 1977 Lynn Binstock Frederick H Hagedorn Stewart A. Sutton Julia Davies Peter Miller Tom Youngren Bill Fine Brad Schulz Richard John, Head Guide, recommended that Lexington Minute Men not Battle be allowed to fire muskets while the guides were conducting tours on the Green - ' Green and, also, that the DPW cut the grass early in the morning or late Min Men & in the afternoon DPW The Board to request the Minute Men to cooperate with the Guides during exercises on the Green, and to request DPW forces to schedule the grass cutting at a more convenient time for the guides Mr O'Connell requested the approval of the Board for him to appoint Appt Mrs Sara B Chase, 1 Grassland Street, to fill the vacancy on the Historical Historical Commission Commission Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the appointment of Mrs Sara B Chase by the Town Manager for a term of office to expire on April 1, 1979 Mr O'Connell updated the Board on increasing the insurance on Buckman Buckman Tavern It would be to the Town's advantage to have 80% cov- Tavern erage in the event of a total loss and it would be $120,000 in com- Insurance pany insurance, with an increase of $227 over the previous policy Mr O'Connell read a recommendation from DPW of the discontinuance Trees - of removing trees with dutch elm disease from private properties Pre- Dutch Elm viously, this was done as a means of protecting the Town's elm trees but Disease a current injection program has been carried out with very good results It was pointed that no other city or town still carries out this practice of removing trees on private property This, however, would not eliminate the need for spraying elms; the control measures for dutch elm disease, as it now stands, is 90% by sanitation work and 10% by spraying The dis- continuance of this policy will allow DPW to do more pruning of Town trees, I _ 136 Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 which have been neglected for many years Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the rec- ommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering to discontinue the policy of removing trees with dutch elm disease on private properties, with the exception of particular instances where such trees would be in close proximity and have a detrimental effect on Town trees Town Mr O'Connell advised the Board that problems reported by the Fence Fences Viewers have been acted upon It is under the jurisdiction of the Build- ing Commissioner to follow up and resolve the matter of a fence at 61 Bow Street which should be repaired and put in good condition Also, the fence at 674 Waltham Street should not have been erected and must be re- moved; this is under the authority of the Town Manager and will be taken care of July 4 Mr O'Connell informed the Board that it is necessary to have Sunday Carnival- licenses for games of chance at the Lions Club carnival on Sunday, July 4 Sunday The local authority may grant a Sunday license, subject to written approval Licenses of the State Department of Public Safety The statute says that a fee up to $10 00 may be charged; the State fee is $2 00 There are 38 concessions involved Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Sunday licenses for 38 concessions at the Lions Club carnival on July 4, 1976, at a fee of $2 00 each, and to authorize Chairman Kassler to sign each license, subject to approval of the State Department of Public Safety 1976-1977 A list of jurors was submitted to each board member for approval Jurors Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the 1976- 1977 list of jurors for the Town of Lexington, which is to be submitted to the Middlesex Clerk of Courts 1976-1977 Chairman Kassler requested the decision of the Board regarding the Election list of 1976-1977 Election Officers, as submitted by the Town Clerk Officers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following Election officers for a term expiring September 1, 1977 DEMOCRATS Mrs Lorraine C Baron 236 Worthen Rd Mrs Ann M. Baum 4 Wright St Mrs Gloria J Bresnihan 14 Holton Rd Mrs Mary C Casey 22 Valley Rd Miss Marguerite A Cronin 96 Emerson Gardens Mrs Elizabeth F Downey 1 Stimson Ave Mrs Eileen J Fradette 35 Grapevine Ave Mrs Helen G Garten 11 Fairview Ave Mrs Catherine F Hooper 50 Valleyfield St Mrs Helen M. Hoyle 7 Marshall Rd Mrs Mary C Joseph 32 Eldred St Mrs Rita E Kiley 37 Wachusett Dr 137 Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 DEMOCRATS (Continued) Ms Evelyn T Lawson 63 Woburn St Mrs Edna Marshall 18 Oxbow Rd Mrs Joan H McDonough 123 Grant St Mr Henry P Meade 17C Roger Greeley Mrs Marjorie Modoono 285 Woburn St Mr L Francis Murphy 5 Bennett Ave Mrs Mary G Oliver 610 Waltham St Mrs Margaret M. Potter 4 Lawrence Lane Mr Joseph 0 Rooney 222 Waltham St Mrs Helen C Rooney 222 Waltham St Mrs Dorothy A. Shine 11 Utica St Mrs Marie T Walton 5 Spencer St Mrs Anne C Williamson 150 Grant St REPUBLICANS Mrs Gloria D Colbert 6 Tewksbury St Mrs Mildred M. Cronin 14 Utica St Mrs Caroline F Deloury 99 Spring St Mrs Florence M. Downe 112 Bedford St Mrs Norma E Ebbs 5 Brent Rd Mrs Ida B Fisk 10 Spencer St Mrs Carol A. Goldthwait 30 Baker Ave Mrs Rose J Grant 16 Hillcrest Ave Mrs Agnes Heimlich 796 Mass Ave Mrs Sally S Hooper 282 Bedford St Mrs Mary F Irwin 6 Grove St Mrs Winifred C Ivester 56 Woburn St Mrs Caroline P Johnston 8 Wilson Rd Mr Harold W Josephson 97 Emerson Gardens Mrs Alice G Marshall 9 Independence Ave Mrs. Mary G McCauley 75 Spring St Mrs Irene Norcross 50 Forest St Mrs Helen L Perry 16 Ellison Rd Mrs Dorothea J Russo 580 Lowell St Mrs Dolores M. Swan 18 Bedford St Mrs Elinor M. Vassallo 145 Grant St Mrs Virginia M. Warner 71 Adams St Mrs Margaret S Wilson 103 Meriam St Mrs Marjorie E Wirpio 22 Bartlett Ave Chairman Kassler requested approval of the Board of the Assistant Bond- Town Clerk's bond. Asst Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bond Clerk of the Assistant Town Clerk in the amount of $2,000 Mr Robert Bicknell, representing the Lexington Chapter of the AFS AFS Request International Scholarships, met with the Board to request funds for bus trips for visiting students Mr Bicknell We are to be the host for thirty-five students coming Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 to Lexington and we are talkingabout havingone bus for three different 9 days to take trips to Cape Cod, Boston, Concord and Lexington environments Assuming that we would use a school bus, the general cost would be about $100 a day We would appreciate anything you could do to help us set up our program. After discussion, it was agreed that the Lexington AFS Chapter should contact Lexington service organizations for donations, with the full co- operation of the Board Taxicabs Mr Alan Aronson, owner of Lexington Transportation Co , met with the Board for a discussion on the condition of his taxicabs Chairman Kassler I am a little bit puzzled as I thought the Board was pretty direct in its feelings the last time we talked We do not feel very comfortable granting a license to a cab that is dirty, unsafe and un- fit to ride in We thought you were going to do something about it Mr Arsonson. i did. Chairman Kassler Not according to the report from Chief Corr It is the feeling of the Board that it would be very difficult to get a cab in Lexington that is clean and up to standards Also, those bald tires concern me Mr Aronson It does me, too We go through tires Chairman Kassler That is your business Mr Aronson May I point out that you have one of the finest in New England; you are looking at it rather narrow Granted they are dirty at 2 00 or 2 30 p m. In the year we have been in Lexington, there has been not one resident of the Town who has been hurt, and you have not received one complaint in Town Chairman Kassler We have received lots of complaints of taxis being dirty and unfit to ride in in Lexington I feel sure that we can get another taxi company that will keep them clean and safe - and that means tires that are not bald It takes less than a minute to clean out obvious trash On occasion, I think you might have justification for incidents, but when six cabs are inspected and six cabs are found wanting, I don't think there is justification You have plenty of time to have them cleaned. It has been suggested to the Board that we grant one more probationary period, during which time we will ask Chief Corr to make inspections and, if there is one more violation, we will decline to issue licenses and get another cab company We will give you another two week period We are not asking for anything unreasonable and would like to see some safe, clean cabs in Lexington If you can't provide them, we will get somebody who will In two weeks, we hope there is a satisfactory report Mr Aronson Summer employment is made up of young men out of college You people are very strict in your requirements Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant an exten- sion of the current taxicab licenses until July 6, 1976 Mr Aronson retired from the meeting Square Chairman Kassler read a request for a square dance on July 3, 1976 Dance Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission 139 Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 ' to Five Fields Inc for a Jul square dance on (rain date q Y 3 July 4) from 7 00 p m. to 1 . 30 p m , subject to the regulations of the Police Department. Chairman Kessler read a request from the Library to conduct a pet show Library Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the re- Parking quest of Mr Robert Hilton, Library Director, for permission to use the Lot parking lot behind the Library for a pet show on July 29, 1976 from 12 00 Noon to 4 00 p m. The Board discussed a request from Mr Charles J. Collazzo, Jr , Collazzo 2360 Massachusetts Avenue, for an abatement of his sidewalk betterment Mass Ave assessment because he feels that the sidewalk was not properly constructed Sidewalk to meet engine ring standards Assessment After dis.ussion, it was agreed to inform Mr Collazzo that according to a report re. eived, Mr McSweeney had written to him on October 18, 1973 stating that t e sidewalk was professionally designed and constructed with proper supervision in compliance with the best engineering practices, stan- dards and spec fications Also, that the wall was repaired shortly after it had been re;.•rted by Mr Collazzo, and this was accomplished by a work order dated Ap it 25, 1975 Therefore, after careful consideration, the Board agreed t -t the sidewalk had been constructed in accordance with Town standards and to reject your request for an abatement of the side- ' walk bettermem assessment As of June 30, 1976, the amount of $184 74 is due and payable to the Town of Lexington The Board of Selectmen accepted the list from the Town Clerk of 867 Unlicensed unlicensed dogs in the Town of Lexington Dogs Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Warrant to the Animal Control Officer to seek out, catch and confine all dogs within the Town not duly licensed, collared, harnessed and tagged, accord- ing to G.L Chapter 140 Dr Kassler discussed the Old Res and the hazards of unauthorized Old Res swimming until is is officially opened He requested Mr McSweeney to make certain that it is properly posted to inform the public that it is not open until next week Mr McSweeney agreed to talk with the Recreation Committee Mrs BattLn recommended that the Board approve the membership-dues Human of $25 00 to join the Local Officials Human Service Council She ad- Services vised that if we become a member, it would be a means of communicating Membership with other towns on common problems Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve payment of $25 00 for membership on the Local Officials Human Service Council Mr Paul MacKenzie, Chairman, and members of the Planning Board met TOPICS with the Selectmen to discuss the hearing on June 22 on the TOPICS pro- , jects Mr MacKenzie On the Marrett Road/Waltham Street intersection, we I40 Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 reviewed the proposed re-designs of those of last Februaryand we don't P P 9 see any significant changes except straightforward widening of the street on the Gulf Station side and there would be no land taking One point We raised was the curb at Dunkin Donuts and, with re-design, evergreen plant- ing could take care of that Mr McSweeney. The plans you saw were submitted for the capital bud- get for the installation of traffic signals Comments will be forwarded to the State DPW and, in two weeks, they will hold a hearing Tomorrow is an invitational hearing and engineering will put in their comments Chairman Kessler- Do you intend to change some of the design between now and two weeks? Mr McSweeney Yes, and submit them back to DPW Mr Bailey Are these hearings to be held by the Board of Selectmen as the Board of Public Works? Mr McSweeney Yes Nothing will go out unless we all agree Mr Bailey This Board would feel a lot more comfortable if we had all the questions addressed Mr MacKenzie We pointed out in February that Mass Ave at Pleasant Street was an unusual intersection because of high concentration - a school and two churches The previous proposal was for residents to use Locust Street or Independence Avenue We have asked the Design Advisory Committee to look at it Where does the final design approval lie? Chairman Kessler Right here with the Board of Selectmen Mr MacKenzie We are convinced that you will listen to us Chairman Kassler to Mr McSweeney We will let the contract? Mr McSweeney Final approval is with the Selectmen Center Chairman Kassler discussed the petition of the Cambridgeport Savings Banks Bank to the Banking Commission to establish a branch office at the loca- tion now occupied by the International Melting Pot Mr MacKenzie We have drafted a letter to the Banking Commissioner that land use of the Center must meet the requirements of tourists and we pointed out that we now have six banking facilities in the Center This is an unusual concentration of banks One of us will go to the hearing Mrs Battin In our letter, instead of saying that we do not want another bank we could say that the Melting Pot is a valuable asset to the community Mr Bailey I think it inappropriate for this Board to take action but, as individuals, that's the way to do it It is not appropriate for this Board to get involved. Mrs Miley- Perhaps Mr Cohen could comment Mr Cohen My own feeling, originally, was that the Planning Board could very appropriately send a letter to the Banking Commissioner but I think that the Town should be careful not to interfere with private busi- ness relationship Mrs Battin It's not that we don't want banks out but that the Melting Pot is an economic asset Mr Zabin, Planning Board The Planning Board does not have the in- fluence nor the clout of the Board of Selectmen I disagree with Mr Cohen 1AI Selectmen's Meeting June 21, 1976 It is not aestion qu of interfering with private business but discharging our duty to the community as a whole There are private economic activi- ties which are good and economic activities which are bad for communities It is perfectly proper to make its influence felt in the interest of the community as a whole, and I would hope there would be a spokesman there for the Selectmen either in writing or present, or both Mr Bailey Part of the problem here is that you aren't saying exactly what you mean to say You are saying that the Melting Pot should stay where it is It seems to me I read somewhere that arrangements would be made to keep them in Lexington If that' s what you mean - if you mean to say that the Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board want it to stay in Lexington Chairman Kessler We would say that the Board feels that the Melting Pot is an asset to the community and an asset to the business district, without saying anything further Mr. Bailey• Mr MacKenzie said that we don't need any more banking Mr Cohen I agree with Mr Bailey It is very difficult as the Board has no idea of what the rent is - perhaps the owner could go bankrupt There are all sorts of economic conditions here and the Board should not get involved in that Mr. MacKenzie We could draft a letter not referring to what is there but say that we don't need another bank but a diversity of interest Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the follow- ' ing statement to be presented to the Banking Commissioner "The Board of Selectmen is of the opinion that the Melting Pot International is an asset to the Lexington Center business area and that there are presently more than enough banking offices in Lexington Center " Mrs Battin agreed to attend the hearing and to present the Board's statement to the Banking Commissioner Chairman Kassler read an application for a Common Victualler's license Common Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue a Common Victualler- Victlaller's license to Chadwick's, 903 Waltham Street, with Mr John Ward Chadwick's as Manager; hours of operation from 11 00 a m to 11 00 p m , subject to periodic inspections by the Board of Health Chairman Kassler discussed the Lexington Light Horse show He felt Horse Show that the Board should agree on follow-up procedures as permission had been granted for one show and the matter should be reviewed after the show has been conducted. The Board agreed to a review before permission is granted for another horse show Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted 4-0 by roll call Executive vote to go into Executive Session to discuss strategy with respect to Session collective bargaining and litigation, the reputation of a person, and personal services After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 35 p m A true record, Attest /` V hC L Executive Clerk, Selectme