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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-03-15-BOS-min 12 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 15, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 15, 1976, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kassler, Mr Bailey, Mr Busa, Mrs Battin and Mrs Miley; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present Organization The meeting was called to order by the Executive Clerk, who declared of the that nominations were in order for the election of the Chairman of the Board Board Dr Howard M. Kassler was nominated and the nomination seconded. There were no other nominations Upon motion duly made and seconded, nominations were closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, Dr Howard M Kassler was unani- mously elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year Dr Kassler I address myself to the Selectmen and the people of Lexington I am somewhat reluctantly accepting the chairmanship of this Board with strongly conflicting emotions I am, naturally, deeply honored. I am also acutely aware of my own limitations and the enormous responsi- bilities of the position I now hold I recognize the significance of my assuming the chairmanship and trust that I will be a fair and responsive representative for all of the citizens of Lexington I ask for your patience, your understanding and your help, and I prom- ise to do the very best I can to serve you well NET&T Co Chairman Kassler opened the hearing on the petition of the New Eng- Conduit land Telephone Company for the installation of conduit to service #421 421 Lowell Lowell Street St. Notices were sent to abutters listed on the petitioner's plan, and also filed with the Public Works Department Dr Kassler read a report from the Director of Public Works stating that the petition had been reviewed and approval is recommended subject to the condition that work does not commence until weather permits Mr Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company This conduit will feed the new bank that is being constructed there and it is most desir- able to feed underground into a bank rather than overhead It increases security and is easier to maintain No one else being present in favor or in opposition, Chairman Kassler declared the hearing closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company for the following location of conduit Lowell Street On the westerly side, approximately 150+ feet north of Woburn Street, from existing Telephone conduit, north- erly approximately 30+ feet, thence easterly approximately 50+ feet to private property #421 Lowell Street, approximately 80+ feet of conduit 13 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Chairman Kassler opened pe ed the hearing on the petition of the New Eng- NET&T Co land Telephone Company for the installation of conduit to service East Conduit - Village. Mass Ave / Notices were sent to abutters listed on the petitioner's plan, and East Village also filed with the Public Works Department Dr Kassler read a report from the Director of Public Works stating that the location had been reviewed and approval is recommended subject to the conditions that (a) No work shall commence until weather permits; (b) No excavation will be permitted within the roadway Due to the fact that only a short length of conduit is required to reach from the exist- ing telephone manhole in Massachusetts Avenue to a point behind the curb- ing, we will require this to be tunnelled Mr Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company This conduit will feed an 11-unit development and all utilities are underground. Noone being present in favor or in opposition, Chairman Kassler de- clared the hearing closed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Company for the following location of conduit, subject to the conditions of the Director of Public Works Massachusetts Avenue On the northerly side opposite Locust Avenue, from manhole 54/23 to private property known as East Villege, approxi- mately 12+ feet of conduit Chairman Kassler read a petition of the New England Telephone Co and J/O Pole - the Boston Edison Company to transfer Boston Edison Pole 58/10 on Lowell Lowell St Street to joint ownership A report from the Director of Public Works stated that the location had been reviewed and approval recommended Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the peti- tion for joint ownership of the New England Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company of Pole 58/10 on Lowell Street Chairman Kassler read a petition to transfer eleven existing jointly Bos Edison owned poles to Boston Edison Company, only Poles - A report from the Director of Public Works stated that the location Access Road had been reviewed and approval recommended. Marrett St Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the peti- tion to transfer eleven J/O poles to Boston Edison Company, only Access Road On the northeasterly side, approximately 115+ feet northwest of Marrett Street, two poles #242/1 and #242/2 Marrett Street On the northerly side, at the intersection of Access Road (formerly Nelson Road) nine poles #174/8 through #174/16 Chairman Kassler read a petition from the New England Telephone Co Pole - III and the Boston Edison Company for the relocation of one pole and anchor North Street guy due to the relocation of a driveway at 113 North Street 14 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 A report from the Director of Public Works stated that the location had been reviewed and approval recommended Mr Yauckoes, representing the Telephone Company Mr Alden Webster has made renovations on his home and the existing pole is in the driveway The Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company propose to move it Mr Alden Webster was present and in favor of the pole relocation 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 location North Street On the southerly side, approximately 274+ feet east of Adams Street, one pole One pole to be removed Guides Reverend Handley, Director of Guides, presented the Lexington Guides for reappointment Chairman Kessler welcomed each Guide and, on behalf of the Board, ex- pressed appreciation for outstanding performance, which has been an inspira- tion to citizens and visitors throughout the years Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint the follow- ing Guides for terms expiring June 1, 1977 Guides - 1976 Renewals Barringer, Joan 22 Deering Avenue Campbell, David 100 Bertwell Road Carroll, Ann 28 Young Street Eleutherios, Evanthia Farmer, Thomas 9 Chandler Street Gabriel, Jay 10 Winchester Drive Gerrig, Richard 44 Eldred Street Helgeland, Ellen 52 Liberty Avenue Hill, Jennifer 159 Burlington Street John, Richard 19 Saddle Club Road Kahne, Daniel 15 Dewey Road Kocher, Tom 4 Nickerson Road Lucas, Jeff 11 Summit Road McKenna, Stephen W 47 Bridge Street McKibben, Bill 32 Middle Street Michelson, Eric 54 Asbury Street Phillips, David 12 Trotting Horse Drive Ryan, Carolyn 44 Eastern Avenue Ryan, Kathleen 44 Eastern Avenue Sauermann, Claudia 14 Russell Road Soparkar, Charles 12 Saddle Club Road Spencer, Jeffrey 32 Hancock Street Sutton, Richard 37 Winthrop Road Takacs, Jim 7 Elena Road Wachman, Alan 10 Diamond Road Buchinskas, Karen 8 Saddle Club Road 5 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Chairmans Ka sler read a recommendation from Chief Corr for the ap- Special pointment of Special Police Officers for terms expiring March 31, 1978 Police Mrs Battin I have heard no convincing argument to appoint for Officers two years, and move to appoint for one year Mrs Miley seconded the motion Mr Bailey I don't think there was any problem in the past, but it would cut down on the paper work Is there any specific concern, Mrs Battin? Mrs Battin None in particular; one year would give an opportunity to regularly review the names Mr. Busa I concur with Mr Bailey regarding the paper work I am sure if there is an undesirable on that list, at some future date the Board of Selectmen can recall him. Chairman Kassler Can this be recalled? Mr Bailey We have always operated on the premise that the Select- men give and can take away Mrs Battin The Board of Selectmen does not customarily recall appointments Mr Busa Everyone on the list has to be sworn in, and the Clerk's office is already overloaded Mrs Battin Why hasn't the workload been an issue previously? Mr. Bailey- I don't think it is worth holding over for another week unless the maker of the motion and the seconder wish to talk with the Chief Mr Apollo Bougas, Precinct 4 Town Meeting Member These are honorary positions only? Mr Busa Yes Mr Bougas Is it inappropriate at this time that I would like to be considered as a Special Policeman? Chairman Kassler A letter should be written and people should go first to the Police Department The Board customarily acts on the recom- mendations of the Chief Motion has been made and seconded to vote for a term of one year Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint individ- uals on the list of Special Police Officers, as submitted by Chief Corr, for a term of office expiring March 31, 1977 Mr Busa abstained Mr Bailey As I start to sign the commissions, I notice they are typed up for a two-year term to 1978 Mr. Busa moved for reconsideration of the vote for a one-year term. Mr. Bailey seconded the motion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the vote for a one-year term Mrs. Battin and Mrs Miley abstained Mr Busa There are over 100 commissions that would have to be re-typed and I move that they be appointed for two years Mr Bailey seconded the motion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint individuals on the list of Special Police Officers, as submitted by Chief Corr, for a term of office expiring March 31, 1978 Mrs Battin and Mrs Miley abstained lb Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 III SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS Acheson, Eugene A 2634 Massachusetts Ave Resident Barry, James E 10 Crescent Hill Ave Resident 1 Bailey, Fred C 48 Coolidge Avenue Selectmen Ballou, Sidney R. 38 Highland Avenue Resident Barnes, John E 15 Eagle Drive, Salem, N H M I T /Lincoln Lab Barnes, Raymond B 59 Gleason Road Resident Barrett, Elliott J 2 Bushnell Drive Resident Barrett, Paul F 175 Mystic St Ext , Medford M.I T /Lincoln Lab Barry, George 36 Forest Street Resident Barry, John M. 34 Forest Street Resident Battin, Margery M. 15 Paul Revere Road Selectwoman Belcastro, Francis 174 Wood Street Firefighter Briggs, Kenneth G 100 Blossomcrest Road Town Planner Brogna, Francis C 14 Hadley St , Malden M.I T /Lincoln Lab Brown, Otis S Jr 3 Bond Road Resident Brucchi, John W 31 Duren Avenue, Woburn Firefighter Busa, Alfred S 38 Circle Road Selectmen Busa, William A 38 Circle Road Resident Callender, Marcus W 158 Electric Ave , Lunenburg M.I T /Lincoln Lab Carlson, Norman C 12 Springdale Road Police C S 0 Casey, William P 1063 Massachusetts Avenue School Dept I Cataldo, James 43 Rindge Avenue Firefighter Cataldo, Robert 1970 Massachusetts Avenue Resident Chalpin, Peter M. 11 Freedom Road, Woburn Traffic Engineer Cole, Lincoln P 16 Hill Street State Representative Connolly, Charles E Jr 67 Cedar Street Resident Corazzini, Richard M. 40 Phillip Road Police Cadet Corr, James F III 8 Park St Resident Corr, Steven A 55 Vine Street Police C S O. Coscia, Emanuele, Jr 6 Millbrook Road Public Works Costello, Thomas F 36 Allen Street Resident DeFelice, Dominic J 17 Larchmont Lane Resident Dooley, Henry W 77 Baker Avenue Resident Doughty, George Jr 75 Paul Revere Road School Dept. Driscoll, Robert V 30 N Broadway, Haverhill M I T /Lincoln Lab Emery, Alan 441 Lowell Street Firefighter Empey, Warren A 3 Eldred Street Public Works Ernst, Karl 37 Eldred Street Resident Freeman, George 13 Grant Street, Concord Police employee Gilman, Edward M 56 Bloomfield Street Firefighter Gilman, Philip 129 Burlington Street Resident Goulart, Edward G 6 Rindge Terr , Cambridge M.I T /Lincoln Lab Grenier, Louis F 147 Maple Street Town Employee Hadley, Herbert R. 6 Fern Street, Chelmsford M.I T /Lincoln Lab Ham, Richard W Jr 7 Roosevelt Road Police Cadet Horsman, John T 22 Water Street, Ipswich M.I T /Lincoln Lab I Hruby, Albert W 36 Williams Road Resident ET Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS - Continued Jackson, Lee B 62 Bow Street Resident Jefferson, Charles E 8 Alcott Road Civil Defense Jones, Leonard N 71 Lowell Street Town Employee Kessler, Howard M 11 Winchester Drive Selectmen Kelley, Kenneth P Jr 54 Ward Street Firefighter Kenney, Allan F 10 Frost Road Selectmen Kenney, Walter T Jr 16 Dane Road Resident Lamb, Harry B 219 Littleton Rd , Westford M.I T /Lincoln Lab Littleton, Barry W 40 Cold Spring Rd , Westford Dog officer MacArthur, Lillian 33 Charles Street Citizen MacLean, Ralph D 9 Spring Street Resident Marshall, Joseph 110 Woburn Street Fire Chief Martin, William J 31 Babicz Road, Tewksbury Public Works Martinez, Daniel C 4 Macintosh Road, Bedford Citizen Mazerall, Paul 20 Wilson Road Park Superintendent McCarron, Francis 5 Hillside Terr Firefighter McSweeeney, John 99 Cedar Street, Braintree Dir , Public Works Meaney, John L 49 Ward Street Police Cadet Mercer, Charles R. 6 Park Street Resident Michelson, Richard 54 Asbury Street Resident III Muller, Eugene T 24 Ewell Avenue Firefighter Muller, Leonard E 19 Fairbanks Road Firefighter Maloney, John W 157 Emerson Road Citizen Maloney, William E Jr 59 Albermarle Avenue Citizen Manfredi, Vincent A. 28 Taft Avenue Resident Miley, Mary W 29 Robinson Road Selectmen O'Connell, Walter C 57 Emerson Gardens Town Manager O'Leary, Joseph R. 171 Lincoln Street Police C S 0 Ormiston, Wallace W. 38 Charles Street School Dept Ormiston, Steven 476 Bedford Street School Dept Pekins, George 28 Chase Avenue Firefighter Pezzulo, Michael 247 Marrett Road School Dept Prescott, Robert 2 Forest Street Resident Redmond, James F 9 Utica Street Firefighter Rooney, Joseph O. 222 Waltham Street Resident Rudd, John J 47 Bloomfield Street Police Cadet Ryder, Howard D 2 Wilson Road M I T /Lincoln Lab Samuel, Frank T 8 Burnham Road Resident Saunders, Robert W 295 Marrett Road Resident Scigliano, Anne R. 3 Augustus Road Resident Savage, David T 9 Manley Ct Firefighter Smith, Howard A. 16 Childs Road Resident Stevens, Edward P 4 Chandler St , Salem School Dept Stucke, Alden F 31 Hancock Street Resident Swan, Duncan F 24 Bedford Street School Dept III Swan, Robert J 18 Bedford Street Police Cadet Swanson, Patricia A. 36 Charles Street Resident is Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 III SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS Continued Sweet, Frederick B 133 Russell Street, Waltham Town Employee Thyng, Slade A 46 Munroe Road Police Cadet Trani, Joseph A 11 Slocum Road Resident Weisinger, Wallace 193 Bedford Street Resident Wenham, Thomas 1 Francis Road Town Employee Whiting, William 341 Lowell Street Firefighter Wright, Glenn 67 Simonds Road Resident Zuppe, Joseph 12 Albermarle Ave , Waltham Library custodian Permit Chairman Kessler read a request for a Bike-a-Thon on May 2, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to grant permission to the Arlington High School Student Council to conduct a Bike-a- Thon on Sunday, May 2, 1976, from th Arlington town line along Massachu- setts Avenue to Lexington Center to ute 2A to the Concord town line, commencing at 1 00 p m. , subject to he condition that bicyclists ride not more than two abreast and in gro ps of two or three sections Resignation- Chairman Kassler read a notification from the Town Clerk that the res- Hist Dists ignation of Mr Donald Shaw had been received Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with regret, the resignation of Mr Donald J Shaw as a member of the Historic Districts Commission, representing the Historical Society, effective March 31, 1976 III Animal In response to a request from Mr George Smith, Director of Public Shelter Health, the Board accepted the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Com- Signs mittee for installation of signs at the new Animal Shelter Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recom- mendation of the Traffic Safety Committee for the installation of three signs at the Animal Shelter on Westview Street "Vehicles Entering Right" and "Vehicles Entering Left"; "Animal Shelter" sign to be installed in front of the building Mr McSweeney was requested to make arrangements for the installation of these three signs Traffic Chairman Kassler read a report from the Traffic Safety Committee in Signs - response to a request from Mr Blouin, 30 Brandon Street, for traffic sig- nals at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street The report states, "In the interim between now and the implementation of the recommendations of TAMS under TOPICS program, "Stop" signs should be in- Pleasant St stalled on Follen Road and Pleasant Street in order to eliminate some of Follen Rd the confusion, by formally assigning the right-of-way Relative to Mr Blouin' s request to improve pedestrian crossing capabilities at this in- tersection, the Committee feels that it would be inappropriate to install any pedestrian crossing aids at this time, as they are part of the proposed TOPICS improvements and our choice, now, could conceivably conflict with the final design " III 19 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 An additional recommendation from the Traffic Safety Committee recom- Winthrop Rd mends the installation of "Stop" signs at the intersections of Woburn St Mass Ave and Mass Avenue (east of the island) , Winthrop Road and Mass Avenue; Woburn St plus the installation of a "Yield" sign at Woburn Street and Mass Avenue (west of the island) Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders of Lexington, adopted by the Board of Select- men on November 13, 1967, as follows By adding to Article 8, Section 22, Schedule 7 STREET LOCATION REGULATION Winthrop Road Northeastbound at Mass Ave Stop Mass Avenue Northeastbound at Woburn St Stop Woburn Street Southwestbound at Mass Avenue Stop Pollen Road Southeastbound at Pleasant St Stop Pleasant Street Northeastbound at Mass Avenue Stop By adding to Article 8, Section 23, Schedule 7 Woburn Street Westbound at Mass Avenue Yield A request for approval of above amendments is to be forwarded to the State Department of Public Works, District #4 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bond Bond for Miss Mary R. McDonough, Town Clerk, in the amount of $6,000, and to authorize the Chairman to sign the certification to the Department of Corporations and Taxations for this amount of the bond Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on March 1, 1976 Chairman Kassler read a request from Mr Peter Rommel, President of Liquor Lic the Lexington Little League, for a one-day liquor license One Day Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a one-day liquor license to the Lexington Little League for a dinner dance at the Lexington Armory on April 24, 1976 from 7 00 p m. to 12 00 Midnight, subject to a Police Officer on detail On behalf of Norman P Cohen, Town Counsel, Mr Bailey submitted an Napoli Land Order of Taking for conservation purposes a parcel of land owned by Off Lincoln Catherine A Napoli, with an award of damages in the amount of $200,000 and Middle The Board previously voted this taking on January 26, 1976 but, due to Streets difficulties in getting a description of the land, the recording date expired Mr Cohen requests that the new Order of Taking be signed Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to signthe Order Po of Taking, by eminent domain for conservation purposes, a parcel of land owned by Catherine A. Napoli, with an award of damages in the amount of 20 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 $200,000, as authorized under Article 44 of the 1975 Annual Town Meeting Certificate 63697, Book 425, Page 581 Bicycle Mr O'Connell discussed the letter from Miss Rosamond A Halley of Tour Guide Wellesley relative to a proposed bicycle touring business in the Town He Business informed the Board that Miss Haley plans on conducting a tour guide busi- Request ness for bicyclists between Lexington and Concord and hopes to acquire the use of parking space Later on, she might rent bicycles Miss Hayes was requested to get in touch with the State to inquire about a license and then come back to the Town to see if a local permit is required (It usually is, as part of an inter-town agreement ) She will also inquire about signs After this procedure, if Miss Haley is still interested, she may come back to the Town Visitors' Mr O'Connell submitted to the Board a proposal made by the Lexington Center - Historical Commission that the Visitors' Center by included in the National Nat'l Register of Historic Sites. The application requires approval of the owner Register The significance is placed not so much on the building but being a building within the Lexington Green Chairman Kessler I note there are no restrictions on the owner's action regarding the property unless federal funding is involved and, ob- viously, it isn't I assume that we would have no added liability Mr O'Connell Not now Mr Bailey. It is interesting that a 15-year old building qualifies as an historical place Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the application to the Massachusetts Historical Commis- sion for consideration of the Town Information Center, Lexington Green (as part of Lexington Green District) for the National Register of His- toric Places Patriots' Mr O'Connell asked for the opinion of the Board regarding retail Day - stores remaining closed on April 19th Stores Mr Bailey- The law is clear that they may remain open on that day? Closed Mr O'Connell Yes Chairman Kessler Shall the Board reaffirm its preference that we would like the owners of retail stores, including package goods stores, to keep them closed? Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reaffirm the posi- tion of the Board that retail stores, including package goods stores, re- main closed on Monday, April 19, 1976 A letter is to be written to the Chamber of Commerce and the five package goods stores according to the above vote Mr Busa abstained Towing Police Chief Corr met with the Board to discuss the Towing Policy Policy Mr O'Connell The Board has a question as to whether or not the list (towing operators) was a qualified list Chairman Kessler The question was whether this was in accordance i Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 with the Board's suggestion and desire, and whether this was a fair use (of the list) Chief Corr You ask me whether these people qualify, and the answer to the question is, "What is the definition of qualifications?" The question then is whether or not they are qualified to tow all types of vehicles, such as large trucks I don't think there was ever a time that the Police Department tried to distribute towing equally I don't think that was ever our aim. We have tried to clean up the accident scene as quickly as possible Mr Bailey I want to make it clear to the Chief the context in which this came up First, somebody, either the Manager or you, address yourself to the policy - and that the work is divided fairly Chief Corr I doubt I would argue with that part as I don't believe it is distributed evenly Mr Bailey We said, "fairly " Chief Corr If you take the two companies on the top of the list, they have received more of the calls from the Police Department I take you back 10 or 15 years, maybe those companies were not on the list; maybe the Police Department has not distributed evenly Over the years, we have called these agencies which have made themselves available and have done a good job Two have equipment to do the job properly, and we find no fault with them. I don't look at it on the basis of making ' money but on the basis of clearing the accident scene I don't think all the people on the list can do it Mrs Battin We did adopt a policy and criteria, by which to judge if a company qualified to be used for "Police Ordered Towing " We are really asking why, since that time when it was adopted, hasn't it been fairly distributed I am asking if we were given a list of all the qualified companies? Chief Corr• The list you got on March 5, I was only advising you of the companies that towed in the last three months Many of those probably were used because it was probably communicated to the Police Department of the agency they wanted to tow You see that Rowe Chevrolet as towing a vehicle in December; I was unaware that he had a tow truck Someone on the street probably said that he wanted George Rowe The same for Shell or Pete' s Getty Dr Kassler Is it a fair statement to say that the Board is unani- mous that any Lexington firm that is willing, capable and able to handle towing, and not disqualified by any reasons the Chief would give, should be given a fair share? Is that the Board's feeling? Mr Busa Are we talking a rotation system? Dr Kassler We should get the concept first Do we want to get a Lexington firm that is willing and capable? Do we then want to say that this firm should have a fair share? Mrs Battin I would agree to the concept When we asked for the list, we were asking for a record of "Police Ordered Towing" over the last three months from the list of qualified companies Chairman Kassler Does anyone disagree? 2`! Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Mr Busa What is "fair share?" Mr Bailey I have no quarrel with the policy we adopted on Septem- ber 22, 1975 I don't think this Board should get into the business of a Monday or a Wednesday Chairman Kassler We agreed not to Mr Bailey Then, it is a question of defining "fairly " Mrs Battin That is what I want to find out Mrs Miley I have a question as to what is meant by a "Lexington- based" firm? Chairman Kassler I think it rather unlikely if a firm in Medford decided it wanted a share of Lexington business that it could respond fast enough On the other hand, if a firm in Lexington decides it is qualified and can meet all regulations as set forth by Chief Corr, it should be brought into the rotation Chief Corr Assume that six agencies can qualify, you are putting us in a position of towing agencies towing vehicles Chairman Kassler Are there six? Chief Corr I just wonder where you want to draw the line One of the problems being generated is to put five or six vehicles on the road - tow trucks on the road with radios - and that would require a considerable amount of money I wonder how many agencies we would give to before we have the capacity for towing agencies Chairman Kassler The answer is, the law of supply and demand. Chief Corr They would have to go 'round the clock Mr Bailey I don't think that anybody here has suggested outright to you that it has to be a 1 to 1 operation Chief Corr That would be a mistake Mr Bailey You can use it to supply what is fair distribution, and the Board is saying, "Could you pin these down for us?" Chief Corr It sounds as if someone on the Board has someone that might be complaining Mrs Battin I would consider "Lexington-based" as those who pay ex- cise taxes to and have storage facilities in Lexington Chairman Kassler Is there anyone in the room who wishes to speak or has information that should be made public? No one Mrs Battin Can we ask for a list of these that qualify? Mr Bailey• Are you asking for someone (employee) to go through the excise tax list to see those that qualify? Chairman Kassler People that feel they qualify and desire to get on the list and, out of fairness, if they do qualify, we would expect they get a fair share, based on your decision If they don't qualify, the Board would like to know why Chief Corr- I am unaware of anybody that wants to get on Mr Bailey When I was Chairman of the Board, I was approached by B & R Towing as not getting their fair share Chief Corr agreed to give a report on B & R Towing as soon as possible Chairman Kassler It would be specifically B & R Towing Any other firms who feel they have a similar problem are to let the Board know Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Chairman Kassler discussed the reappointment of the Town Manager Town Manager Chairman Kassler Mr O'Connell has informed me that he plans to Reappoint- leave Lexington in six months I would entertain a motion on the reap- ment pointment of Mr O'Connell for a term of six months Mrs Battin moved and Mrs Miley seconded the motion to reappoint Mr O'Connell as the Town Manager for a term of six months Mr Bailey I am sorry to hear that I was on the Board when Mr O'Connell was appointed six years ago He sort of created the role of Town Manager and he has been without parallel in managing and collective bargaining, and as part of the great team of appointed boards and depart- ment heads His record speaks for itself His accomplishments were made during the economic crunch, and Mr O'Connell will be sorely missed Mr Busa to Chairman Kassler You say that it is the desire of the Town Manager to leave the Town in six months? Chairman Kassler I thought I said that he informed me that he "plans" to leave Lexington in six months If that is not what I said, that is what I meant to say The motion is on the floor There was no other discussion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Mr Walter C O'Connell as Town Manager for a term of office for six months (September 15, 1976) Mr Busa abstained ADDENDUM TO MINUTES OF MARCH 15, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted at the meeting held Town on March 29, 1976 to add the following to the open meeting minutes of Manager March 15, 1976 for the purpose of clarification Mr O'Connell Regarding the minutes of March 15, 1976, I would re- quest that the minutes be amended with the addition of certain information for clarification and completion Everything stated is accurate At the time of the Town Manager's reappointment, I didn't know whether I was al- lowed to speak at that time, but I did bring it up in Executive Session and did ask to have it put in the open minutes At this stage, the Execu- tive minutes are not yet open I would appreciate it if the Board would agree to adding to the open meeting minutes of March 15 - 1 A majority of the Board of Selectmen was unwilling to re- appoint for a normal term. My proposal for a one-year reappointment was also unacceptable 2 In view of the above, the Town Manager proposed a six-months reappointment The Board voted on March 15, 1976 to reappoint to September 15, 1976 Chairman Kassler As far as I am concerned, it is accurate 24 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Mr O'Connell I understand and appreciate that the Chairman's moti- vation was to handle the matter delicately and to express the matter in the manner in which you did There has been some confusion and I would like to clear it up Chairman Kassler When the minutes are published, there was also some question of wording, which will be clarified Town Cele- Mr Raymond B Barnes, Chairman of the Town Celebrations Committee, brations met with the Board Comm.- Mr Barnes I am here tonight to ask for some more money and, in that Add' l respect, the general feeling of the Town, at least our interpretation was Funds - that last year would be the celebration of the Bicentennial, and this year April 19 would be a normal Patriots' Day There is no doubt but that we have money to provide a parade and it would be a rather small parade Indications from the Chamber of Commerce are that a number of people are interested in coming to Lexington and that number would perhaps be as large, if not larger, than last year Last year, we paid approximately $5,400 for marching units, and there was a military contingent from Hanscom Field This year, there has been no indication from them, and, this year, it will be quite small Ordinarily, $2,500 would go to pay for marching units but we would like to have 26 units, and the total would be $6,200 We were allocated $5,500 and the Committee would like to transfer $4,000 from Bicentennial funds Mr O'Connell I believe if the Board desires to provide additional funds, it would not involve a transfer, just approval of certain expendi- tures to be charged to the Bicentennial account Mr Bailey What problems do you expect next year? Mr Barnes We would go back to normal The $4,000 would be ex- clusively for marching units Mr Joseph Rooney We only got two free units this year Time is of the essence, and we have tried to work in the best interests of the Town by moving the route back to the old route Mr O'Connell There is between $40-45,000 unencumbered in the Bi- centennial account Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the re- quest of the Town Celebrations Committee for the sum of $4,000 for march- ing bands participating in the parade on April 19, 1976; such funds to be expended from the appropriation under Bicentennial Article 34 of the 1974 Annual Town Meeting Mr Barnes retired from the meeting App Comm. - The Appropriation Committee met with the Board to discuss Articles Articles Article 6 Mr Furash. We approved transfer requests for $44,500-Group Insurance, $2,670-Workmen's Compensation, and $2,250-Police & Fire Medical It was mutually agreed there would be no motion for funds under Article 6- Supplementary Appropriations transferred from E & D Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 Article 5 Mr Furash If 75/25 passes (group insurance) , Article 5 shouldn't be $308,000 but $277,000 Mr Bailey The gross cost of Article 5 is $308,000 and if 75/25 is voted, the cost is $31,000 Mr Furash Are there any operating expenses coming up in Article 5? Mr O'Connell There are pension accounts and those subject to the outcome of collecting bargaining Mr Furash. In reading Article 5, there should be two separate items - the personal services number and the pensions Mr Perry Article 4 has the 5% cost of living increase Mr Furash Then there is nothing in Article 5? Mr O'Connell Not unless 5% is changed Mr Furash In Article 4, you have a 5% increase for pensioners Mr O'Connell I would have no objection to adjusting those in Article 4 to be the mandated amount Mr Furash Is the pensioners' increase mandated by the State? Mr O'Connell We interpret the State as saying there shall be some action taken Mrs Hagedorn, App Com. I thought Article 4 was to contain what we had before, and Article 5 to show an increase in salary Why not show the pensioners, also? Mr Bailey Pensions are not personal services Mr Furash In Article 4, we will reduce the 7800 account from $492,692 to $472,192, and introduce in Article 5 - Account 7800 @ 5%, $20,500; Account 7825 @ 5%, $7,550 The Board agreed Article 8 Mr Furash We are proposing $150,000 in the Reserve Fund, to come out of overlay surplus We cut tight in snow and energy Article 12 Mr Bailey We signed $50,000 in notes for the No Lexington pumping station and we won't receive federal reimbusement for that amount until July 1 Mr Cohen advises that we appropriate the money and when the grant comes in it will go into E & D Article 14 No funds requested under appraisals and options Mr O'Connell We have $3,300 available, so we don't need them. Article 30 Mr Furash We have had further information on the flag pole on the Battle Green and have taken the matter under advisement Article 40 Bids will be opened on March 24 for the baseball lighting field We are still carrying $32,000 Mr Furash What are you recommending on Conservation Articles? Chairman Kessler The Board agreed to listen and caucus Mr Furash We want clarification as to whether or not certain parcels are to be taken for Town purposes The Board agreed Article 62 Mr Furash Our position on the Conservation Fund depends on how many Conservation Articles are approved Article 105 Transfer of Available Funds - It was agreed to carry $1,400,000 II/ The Appropriation Committee retired from the meeting 26 Selectmen's Meeting March 15, 1976 111 Mrs Battin asked the status of research on the public drinking ban in surrounding Towns, and Mr O'Connell agreed to submit the information to the Board as soon as possible 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 litigation, the reputation of an individual, and the termination of a public officer After discussion, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 00 p m A true record, Attest Executive Clerk, Selectmen 1 1