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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-04-20-BOS-min 64 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 20, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, April 20, 1976, at 7 30 p m. Acting Chairman Busa, Mr Bailey, Mrs Battin, Mrs Miley; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr Coscia, Acting Director of DPW/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Conduit - Acting Chairman Busa opened the hearing on the petition of N E.T & T Concord Ave. Co for the installation of conduit and one handhole on Concord Avenue, beginning at the intersection of Waltham Street and Concord Avenue Notices of the hearing were sent to the abutters, as listed on the petitioner's plan and also filed with the Public Works Department Mr Daniel Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company, said that this request is to provide service to the Minute Man Condominium Corpora- tion and will provide access to the aerial pole on Concord Avenue Mr Bailey I don't understand the plan This condominium would be served from Concord Avenue? Mr Yauckoes At this location, it was a question of replacing con- duit to the first pole, 21/1, on Concord Avenue and increasing the size of cable directly to pole 21/4 and branching off to the new development. It was either replacing or tying into the cable on Concord Avenue and, due to the ultimate design, the underground was judged to be necessary Acting Chairman Busa read a recommendation from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommending that permission be granted for the installation of the conduit and handhole, subject to the condition that in the event of damage to the bituminous concrete sidewalk on Concord Avenue, the entire length of said sidewalk shall be patched and resurfaced No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the hearing was de- clared closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company for the following installation of conduit, subject to the condition that in the event of damage to the bituminious concrete sidewalk on Concord Avenue, the entire length of said sidewalk shall be patched and resurfaced Concord Avenue On the northerly side, beginning at existing man- hole 54/48 at the intersection of Waltham Street and Concord Avenue, easterly, 420+ feet to proposed handhole 54/525, thence easterly 45+ feet to a dead end; also, from said handhole, 70+ feet to existing pole 21/4 on the southerly side of Concord Avenue; approximately 535+ feet of conduit and one (1) handhole J/0 Guy At 7 33, Acting Chairman Busa opened the hearing on the petition from Wires/ the N E.T &T Co and the Boston Edison Company for the installation of two Anchors anchors and guy wires on Allen Street Notices of the hearing were sent to the abutter, as shown on the peti- tioners' plan, and also filed with the Director of Public Works/Engineering ti Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 Acting Chairman Busa read a report from the Director of Public Works/ Engineering recommending that permission be granted for the installation of two anchors and guy wires on pole 2/1 on Allen Street near Waltham St Mr Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company, and Mr Chisholm, representing Boston Edison Company, were present Mr Yauckoes We have placed conduit to this first pole and one an- chor guy, running parallel to Allen Street, is required to make fast the pole. The second is required to eliminate the aerial pole guy running across the Crones' property, which they asked the Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company to remove Acting Chairman Busa We had this petition before us some time ago and we asked that an agreement be worked out Mr Bailey Is this arrangement completely satisfactory to the Crones? Mr Yauckoes Yes No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the hearing was declared closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company for the following installation Allen Street On the westerly side approximately 95+ feet north of Waltham Street, two (2) anchors and guy wires At 7 36 p m. , Acting Chairman Busa opened the hearing on the petition 3/0 Pole/ from the N E T &T Co and Boston Edison Company for the installation of one Anchor Guy stub pole and anchor guy on Bedford Street Bedford St Notice of the hearing was filed with the Public Works Department Acting Chairman Busa read a recommendation from the Director of Public Works/Engineering that permission be granted for the joint installation of pole 6/98S and one anchor guy on Bedford Street, with the understanding that a permit be received from the State DPW The purpose of this work is to support an existing pole on Westview Street and a new line of poles on Hartwell Avenue, previously approved by the Board of Selectmen on March 1, 1976. Mr Yauckoes At this location, Boston Edison is going to place a temporary pole line along Hartwell Avenue, and they have permission from the Town until such time as they can complete underground work This stub is necessary and is being placed in location where we can properly rein- force the guy to the pole line on Westview Street There is an existing one to Drummer Boy condominiums and the pole is not in an ideal location now and provides a direct counterpull No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the hearing was declared closed At 7 39 p m. , Acting Chairman Busa opened the hearing on the petition Conduit- of the N E T &T Co for the installation of 476+ feet of conduit on Hart- Hartwell well Avenue to private property at 101-113 Hartwell Avenue Avenue - Notices of the hearing were sent to abutters, as listed on the peti- Chandler tioner's plan, and also filed with the Public Works Department Leasing Bldg W.1 Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 A report was read from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommending that permission be granted for the conduit installation, subject to the condition that permanent patch for driveways leading into Chandler Leasing shall consist of 2-1/2" binder in the trench brought to the existing grade and a 1" surface course placed over the entire area from the property line to the existing gutter line of Hartwell Avenue Mr DanielYauckoes, representing the Telephone Company, was present No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the hearing was de- clared closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company for the following installation, sub- ject to the above outlined condition Hartwell Avenue On the northerly side from manhole 54/122 at Hartwell Place, westerly 461+ feet to manhole 54/302A, thence northerly 15+ feet private property #101-113 Hartwell Avenue, approximately 476+ feet of conduit Conduit Acting Chairman Busa opened the hearing on the petition of the Hartwell N E T &T Co for the installation of 84+ feet of conduit on Hartwell Avenue Avenue from existing manhole 54/118 to private property Notices of the hearing were sent to abutters, as listed on the petitioner's plan, and also filed with the Public Works Department. A report was read from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommending that permission be granted for the conduit installation to service a new office building at 14 Hartwell Avenue Mr Daniel Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company, said that this location is requested to provide service to the new building which is under construction at this time No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the hearing was declared closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company for the following installation Hartwell Avenue From existing manhole 54/118 located on the north side approximately 340+ feet west of Westview Street, southeasterly to private property Approximately 84+ feet of conduit Buckman Mr Roland B Greeley, President of the Lexington Historical Society, Tavern met with the Board to request permission to convert the present electric Heating heating system to an oil-fired hot water system in Buckman Tavern He System informed the Board that the present system was installed only three years ago and it has never been satisfactory Attempts to get substantive assistance from the Edison Co or the design engineers proved fruitless during the first heating season Since then, we have become discouraged in our hopes for improvement One main argument for the electric system was its inconspicuousness We now find that improvements in hot-water systems make it possible to 657 Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 install such a system just as inconspicuous as the electric system is A second argument was the degree of zoned control; this has not worked well We are convinced the hot-water zoned system can work better than the elec- tric system has The third major argument was that, with adequate storm windows, the electric system would cost little more to operate than an oil- fired system. This has proven to be quite fallacious as the cost of heat- ing Buckman has roughly tripled over the cost of the replaced inefficient oil system, whereas cost of heating our other two historic houses, and some private oil-heated residences, has less than doubled since 1971-73 We see no likelihood that electricity will, in the foreseeable future, be nearly so inexpensive as oil in heating houses such as ours Carefully prepared engineering estimates indicate that the annual cost of heating Buckman, as we wish to do it, would be just about half of the present cost, and thus we could pay the cost of conversion in 4 or 5 typical years of operation We are prepared to pay for the conversion without cost to the Town, as part of our maintenance responsibility, if the Town will allow us to do so We will, of course, carry out the conversion to the satisfaction of the Town engineers We have a proposal from Arlex Oil Corporation for $6,916 50, and I think it is a bargain price as it includes removal of the present system and the complete installation of a forced hot water system, using six zones and 1,000 gallon fuel oil tank After discussion of statistics showing substantial reduction in costs of oil vs electrical system, the Board agreed to approve the conversion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Lexington Historical Society to award the contract to Arlex Oil Corporation, in the amount of $6,916 50, for conversion of the present electric heating system to an oil-fired hot water system in Buckman Tavern, subject to the understanding that the project is to be under the general supervision of the Engineering Department Mr O'Connell informed the Board that the celebration on April 19 April 19 was most successful and trouble-free, except for cases of heat exhaustion He proposed to write to the Town Celebrations Committee and Town depart- ments congratulating them for a job well done, and asked if the Board members wished to add their sentiments The Board unanimously agreed that Mr O'Connell is to add their appreciation and thanks to all involved in the celebration Mr O'Connell recommended that the Board grant approval of the Lions Lions Club Club carnival to be held on July 1 through July 5, 1976, subject to the July 4th detailed plans submitted by the Lions Club in 1975 One additional re- Carnival striction which went into effect last year but was not included in the conditions is the prohibition of sale, or used as prizes, of living ani- mals; also, the concession operator is to be asked to agree in writing that no person shall make any temporary connection or in any way make temporary alterations to a water system. Hose connections may be made at any available faucet and, if there are any problems, to contact the DPW water department 68 Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Lexington Lions Club to conduct a carnival, subject to the recom- mendations set forth by Mr O'Connell, on the following dates Thursday July 1 6 00 p.m. to 12 00 Midnight Friday July 2 6 00 p.m to 12 00 Midnight Saturday July 3 10 00 a m. to 12 00 Midnight Sunday July 4 2 00 p m to 10 00 p.m Monday July 5 10 00 a m. to 12 00 Midnight Health Mr O'Connell discussed employees' Blue Cross/Blue Shield insurance Insurance Now that Town Meeting has approved 75/25 sharing, we would like to pro- ceed with plans for rebidding and restudying the health and life insur- ance, plus additional insurance, from qualified carriers He recommended the establishment of an Insurance Procurement Advisory Committee, con- sisting of the following representatives Personnel Advisory Board, representing the Selectmen on fringe benefits; Appropriation Committee, representing the financial intersts, employees, staff, and two or three persons representing Town Meeting and citizens' interest. Several people with expertise in insurance matters have expressed interest Acting Chairman Busa I have no objection, and it would relieve some agents in Town that we are opening it up and giving them an oppor- tunity to bid. The Board agreed Mr O'Connell is to come back to the Board with further recommen- dations Mr O'Connell advised the Board that he will submit specific recom- mendations on the bids received on the ambulance rescue vehicle The Board agreed to discuss the matter at a future meeting Art 62 The Board discussed Article 62, an appropriation for the Conserva- Conservation tion Fund, with Mrs Frick, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, Fund Mrs Hagedorn and Mr .Levingston of the Appropriation Committee, and agreed to support the Article at Town Meeting for an appropriation of $15,000 CATV Mr O'Connell informed the Board of a meeting to be held on May Seminar 13-14 at Boston City Hall, dealing with revision of existing CATV fran- chises and new federal regulations The fee is $75,00 and, unless the Board feels otherwise, he did not recommend sending a representative of the Town Mr Bailey suggested that the information be sent to Mr Page, Chairman of the Town's cable television committee, for his possible interst The Board accepted Mr O'Connell's recommendation not to partici- pateP in the organization of International Union of Local Authorities, with annual dues in the amount of $100 00 45, 9eelectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 Mr O'Connell recommended that the Board a rant request received Permit 9 for filming historical sites on May 5, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion to the United States Information Agency, in cooperation with a 3- man Romanian team, to film historical sites in Lexington on May 5, 1976, subject to Town supervision throughout the filming Prior permission has been granted by the Historical Society Mr Richard Michelson met with the Board to discuss the flagpole Flagpole project Acting Chairman Busa We have made arrangements with the Engineer- ing Department that the Bicentennial Corporation would produce the money and we will give you a memo on the amount of money needed at the comple- tion of each stage of the project We have talked with Mr Cohen and Mr Coscia and this arrangment is agreeable Checks will be made out to the Town of Lexington Mr. Bailey This contract includes the installation of a steel flagpole on the Green in the location of the present flagpole? Mr Busa If possible; if not possible, I don't think they are going to remove the foundation Mr Howard Levingston, Appropriation Committee Do you know what the alloy is on that steel flagpole? Mr Chalpin, Town Engineer I don't believe it gets down to specifics Mr Coscia, DPW Manager This will be reviewed and Mr Michelson will update you Mr O'Connell We can get that information Mr Cohen If the contract is being signed tonight, the Board will sign it but it won't be delivered Mr Chalpin This is the only way the contractor will order the pole, and he is to supply insurance certificates covering any physical work on the Common Mr. O'Connell Perhaps it would be in the public interest if we ex- plained that the price of $25,866 would be incurred but it will be some- thing less than the $30,000 for the project Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the con- tract with B A Larson & Company, Bedford, Mass for the complete in- stallation of a steel flagpole, and all appurtenances, on the Battle ¢reen in the amount of $25,866, subject to recommendations and approval of Town Counsel Payment for the work is to be made at the completion of each stage of the project Acting Chairman Busa discussed the request of Mr Ralph Masciulli, Masciulli- 59 Valleyfield Street, to purchase Lot 26, Assessors' Map 24, located Valleyfield on Valleyfield Street St Lot Mr Busa Mr Masciulli requested the purchase of this lot back in 1971 and, at that time, we voted a moratorium on the sale of Town- owned lots as they could be used for scattered sites We have asked in- terested Town agencies for recommendations on the sale of Lot 26 and the Conservation Commission recommends that the Town not sell it as it is Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976' wet and low but, if the Board votes to sell it, it is recommended that this lot be included in an abutter's parcel and be restricted to any building on the lot The Planning Board voted that the lot could be sold to the petitioner, to be combined with his lot and no additional building to be constructed on the lot The Housing Authority and School Department have informed us that they have no interest in the lot I would recommend that if members of the Board agree to sell it, that it be advertised for bid, with the provision that it be sold to the petitioner and that it be added to and not separated from the lot at any time in the future Mrs Miley What is the size of the lot? Mr Busa 10,000 sq ft ; 50 ft across Mr Cohen What about the price as it is not an auction? Mr Bailey We reserve the right to reject the bid if the price is not right Mr Busa The only reason the Board is putting it out for bid is to inform both neighbors of our action Mr Bailey- It would be appropriate if Town Counsel reviews it first. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advertise for bids on Lot 26, Assessors' Map 24, located on Valleyfield Street, with the condition of sale that the lot must be combined with an existing lot and that it shall not be built upon at any time either as a separate lot or in combination with an existing lot The Board of Selectmen re- serves the right to reject any or all bids The Board agreed that Lot 26 would not be advertised until Town Counsel reviews and approves the condition of sale Baseball Acting Chairman Busa read a request from Mr Ralph Lord for ap- Pitching proval of the installation of an electrical line at Parker Field for a Machine- pitching machine This would be done at no additional cost to the Town Parker and would be under the supervision of Mr Coscia, DPWManager, who would Field donate his time to the project Mr O'Connell I have reviewed this with Mr Coscia and would strongly recommend that the baseball team be commended for raising the money for this project Also, the School Department should be informed of the action of the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of Mr Ralph V Lord for the installation of an electri- cal line from the main switchbox at Parker Field to the pitching mound for the pitching machine, at no cost to the Town and under the super- vision of Mr Coscia, DPW Manager Lions Acting Chairman Busa discussed a letter from Mr Daniel McCabe, Club Gift- Chairman of the Lions Club Civic Betterment Committee, regarding the Curb Cuts gift of $2,000 for curb cuts in Lexington Mr Busa I talked to Mr Coscia and Mr Chalpin and it was agreed that this should be referred back to DPW/Engineering, under the super- vision of Mr Chalpin, so that the Board would know what the agreement Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 11 was between Mr McCabe and Mr McSweeney Mr O'Connell The Town is most appreciative of the gift but I PP would point out that the Selectmen, acting as the Board of Public Works, would have to approve the design of anything that is done in a public way, and not be tied to any limitations by a gift There should be an agreement to a review by DPW and the Board to see what the project cost would be DPW would have many thousands of dollars in labor and the Board of Public Works would have to approve Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the con- struction project of the Lions Club gift of $2,000 for curb cuts at various locations in Lexington to the Public Works and Engineering De- partments for recommendations Acting Chairman Busa read a request from the Board of Retirement Teacher for approval of the retirement of Mr Janusas, Teacher, effective Retirement July 1, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Board of Retirement for the retirement under G L.S 58B, c 32 of Mr John C Janusas, Teacher, as of July 1, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Common recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering to sign the Carrier Common Carrier license to the Bedford Local Transit for mini-bus trans- Licenses portation of passengers over Bedford Street to Hartwell Avenue; Hart- well Avenue from Bedford Street to Wood Street; Maguire Road from the Bedford line to Hartwell Avenue Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Common Carrier license for Birmingham Bus Service, Milford, to travel on Route 128 from Waltham City line to Burlington Town line-No Stops-for the transportation of N E T ST Co employees from Peabody to Framingham. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes minutes of Selectmen's meetings of March 31, 1976 and April 5, 1976 Acting Chairman Busa read a report from the Traffic Safety Com- Traffic- mittee regarding the request from Mrs Margaret Hartery, 12 Cary Avenue, Marrett Rd for a caution light at Marrett Road and Middle Street We had written Middle St to Mr Mistretta of the Mass DPW and his response stated that the area was properly signed but made no mention of any horizontal or vertical defects, and included nothing pro or con regarding the request for a caution light. There, we can only conclude that Mass DPW is in agree- ment with the Traffic Safety Committee that the roadway, when properly driven, presents no unusual hazards We recommend that Mrs Hartery's request be denied, and have requested that the Police Department con- tinue strict enforcement of the speed limit in this area Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee to deny Mrs Martery's request for a caution light at Marrett Road and Middle Street Selectmen's Meeting April 20, 1976 Municipal Acting Chairman Busa read a report from the Traffic Safety Committee Parking Lot in response to a request from the Chamber of Commerce for additional Meriam St lighting in the unpaved portion of the municipal parking lot on Meriam Street; plus reinstallation of the eleven parking meters adjacent to the railroad tracks Chamber of The recommendation is that the Engineering Division investigate Commerce the installation of additional lighting and to prepare the necessary documents for the Board' s approval Regarding the request for eleven meters, the Committee feels that no determination should be made until the new restaurants have had an opportunity to become established, and until the Committee has observed whether or not a problem has been created. Therefore, it is recommended that the Board await reports from the Engineering Division and the Traffic Safety Committee before taking any action of the requests Lex Golf Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the re- Club quest of the Lexington Golf Club for an extension of one hour to 1 00 a.m. on April 25, 1976 under the Club liquor license It is hereby recorded that Scott Levingston of the Lexington Boy Scouts, Troop 139, was present at a portion of the Selectmen's meeting to earn credits towards a merit Scout badge Executive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, 4-0 by roll call Session vote, to go into Executive Session to discuss the reputation of two persons and to discuss strategy with respect to collecting bargaining and litigation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 1010 p m A true record, Attest 11911i - "9Th c CX Executive Clerk, Selectmen