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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976-02-23-BOS-min 586 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 23, 1976 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 23, 1976, at 7 30 p m. Acting Chairman Kenney, Messrs Busa, Kessler and Mrs Battin; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Miss Casey, Princi- pal Clerk were present Mr Spiers Mr O'Connell introduced Mr Richard E Spiers, the new cemetery super- Cemetery intendent who has been working for the Town for 16 years Mr Spiers began Superin- working for the Department of Public Works in 1960 as a laborer at $1 61 an tendent hour In May, 1963 he was promoted to tree climber in the park and tree division and in July, 1966 he was appointed foreman for the highway and sewer division Mr Spiers, his wife and three children were also intro- duced. Mr Kenney pointed out that it was a very interesting time in terms of development at the cemetery as there are many changes expected in the next 10 years Mr Kenney stated that he was confident that under Mr Spiers management we will continue to be proud of Westview Mr Mark Mr Mark Moore, Jr came before the Board to request a reconsideration Moore, Jr of their decision of February 2 regarding the installation of Town & Coun- try lamps on Lois Lane Mr George Kenney of the Boston Edison accompanied Mr Moore and presented a plan showing the layout of the Center Village and explained the lighting locations and power of the lamps Mr Moore stated that he felt that Lois Lane was not a major street in the town and that 90% of the people using it lived there He felt that by using the traditional street lamps it would take away from the traditional atmosphere and charac- ter he has tried to develop During the course of the discussion it was brought out that each house has two outside lights that are on timers from dusk to 1 30 a m. which, in Mr Moore's opinion, would supplement the street lights Mr McSweeney, Director, Public Works/Engineering pointed out that the placement of the lights was all on one side of the street, and that there was a definite tunneling effect, and a loss of distribution because of the decorative type of lamp Dr Kassler asked Mr Kenney of the Edison if they had any requests to remove this type of lamp in other communities where they had been installed Mr Kenney stated that they hadn't, but they did have maintenance problems After further discussion, Mr Busa moved that the matter be taken under further advisement Chairman Kenney requested a list of streets in other towns that have the Town & Country type of lighting so that they can be inspected by the Selectmen The matter was tabled pending further investigation by the Board Youth Mary Rockwood, Chairman of the Youth Advisory Commission add!essed the Advisory Board with the concerns of her group relative to the lack of communication Comm. between the Selectmen, the Drug Advisory Committee and the Community Rela- tions Committee She stated that the Commission feels that it is not opera- ting to its fullest potential and that several members have considered dis- banding Mr Kenney pointed out to Miss Rockwood that the Board had invited i87 Selectmen's Meeting February 23, 1976 the Youth Advisory Commission to meet with the Selectmen on October 27, 1975 to have open lines of communication so that any concerns could be expressed He pointed out that no concerns were expressed at that time He said that the programs that were outlined at that time were considered of value by the Selectmen especially the establishing of a youth employment program. He reassured Miss Rockwood that through Dr Kessler, the Community Relations Committee and through Mrs Battin, the Drug Advisory Committee would keep in mind that the Youth Advisory Commission does exist and will be consulted by them on pertinent matters Mrs Battin stated that she was on the orig- inal ad hoc committee that set up the Commission and felt that perhaps now would be the time to sit down with other members of that committee and the Youth Advisory Commission and talk out the problem. Mr Busa, who also was a member of the ad hoc committee, pointed out that the youth wanted it to be a youth organization; youth run Mr Politi, on his first report showed many things that had been accomplished, but after a good start, the Committee has gone down hill Mr Busa also pointed out that, unfortunately for the Committee, Mary Rockwood had a very good opportunity to go to Washington this year and the Committee had to come up with a Vice Chair- man Miss Rockwood stated that they felt that they needed more outside guidance After further discussion, upon recommendation of Mrs Battin, that he would set up a meeting to include Mrs Battin, Dr Kessler, Mr Politi, Miss Rockwood and some members of the original ad hoc committee He commended the youth who have remained active on the Commission, noting that some adults have not been as faithful He suggested that the Commis- sion survey other towns in the area to see how they are approaching youth- related problems Mr Kenney addressed the group "You said you're here to serve, and we're here to help you do that " Mr O'Connell informed the Board that he had a request from the Rain- Request bow Girls for permission to paint the fire hydrants in the Center as a to Paint Bicentennial project Mr McSweeney said that the Water Department had Fire expressed the same idea a few months ago and stated that there are kits Hydrants that are available depicting different characters It was brought out that the Historic Districts Commission would have to be consulted before anything like that could be done Mr McSweeney is going to pursue the matter further The Town Manager read a list of his pending appointments as follows Town Mgr Recreation Committee, 2; Board of Assessors, 1; Permanent Appts Building Committee, 1; Board of Health, 1; Conservation Commission, 2 Mr O'Connell distributed to the Board a memo regarding the Permanent School Building Committee's role in the School Department's Building closing pro- Phasing gram in which he stated that he felt that the School Committee deserved Out public commendation and strong support on their decision to go forward Program with plans to close certain schools He stated that he felt that those in General Government owe them full cooperation and assistance in help- ing to determine what the Town will do with these "to be surplused" facilities 588 Selectmen's Meeting February 23, 1976 Mr O'Connell had met the the PBC and asked them to consider taking on the responsibility of representing all General Government interest in the matter In General Terms, the major tasks seem to be as follows 1 Provide information and any assistance possible to the School De- partment with its plans and decisions 2 Determine the future building space needs of Town Government, and any public service agencies (such as Red Cross) whose role is such that the Town may be willing to consider use of public building space The work would include surveying and evaluating these needs and developing a space requirements report with recommendations This includes the complete liasion with all interested or involved Town Departments or agencies, for example the Goals and Objectives Group on the future utilization of these resources to meet future Town require- ments Among the potential needs already identified which deserve con- sideration are A community center providing facilities and services to serve both the youth and elderly citizen segments of the Town Facilities and space to headquarter the Recreation Department and provide for many non-athletic recreation programs such as the Chess Club, sewing classes, exercise programs and similar General Government office and committee meeting room space We are already at the overflow point and we need permanent space for new agencies such as the Council on Aging Replacement space for the Red Cross The present building is in poor condition and probably should be demolished (or sold) rather than renovated. Conversion of a school building into housing, preferably for low/medium income family needs These are only illustrative, we can expect that there will be numerous other uses or tenants worth consideration which will emerge from citizen interest Mr Kenney stated that he had discussed the matter with Mrs Swanson, Chairman of the School Committee and it would be quite appropriate to have a joint meeting with the School Committee, Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen and anyone else that would have appropriate input associated with the closing of the schools The effect of this is community wide and should have a broad base Mr Kenney is to formally write to the School Committee and set up the meeting Hayes Lane A status report on funds due under the Hayes Lane sewer Federal grant Sewer revealed that that $36,000 will be forthcoming in 6 or 7 weeks Personal Mr O'Connell's report on the Recreation Personal Services Budget was Services given to the Board and he suggested the following actions in order that Budget the personal services budget can be finalized Recreation 1 Review the Director's recommended revisions in users fees, accept and authorize them or make such revisions as the committee determines are appropriate 2 Review the recommended program increases or extensions and deter- Selectmen's Meeting February 23, 1976 mine which if any it approves of and any other program additions or reduc- tions the committee feels are appropriate Priorities should be established 3 The FY 77 budget level can then be established The additional in- come represents the maximum operating budget increase allowable Priorities will determine what program increases should be approved up to the funding limit We must take the expense budget increase into consideration also I have analyzed below the total operating budget picture which represents my recommendation to the Board of Selectmen and Appropriation Committee on the maximum which should be allowed for FY 77 It involves adjusting of the FY 76 expense budget to a "normal" year for measurement purposes because of the change in handling Old Res water costs and elderly recreation bus trans- portation Mr O'Connell stated that he felt that the budget and the policy under which it is established will come under attack from citizen groups who are advocates of much more free recreation services He pointed out that the Recreation Committee is obligated to submit its recommendations following the policy guidelines regardless of whether they agree or not as a committee with the policy Also, the Recreation Committee using its judgement on what is in the best interests of Lexington is free to concur or disagree with the policy He felt that it was a fair and sound budget policy, but would like to see it have more flexibility Mr O'Connell reported to the Board that he had reviewed an insurance Insurance policy submitted by Alexander & Alexander on Public Official Liability In- surance. He pointed out that it had very favorable features over the policy previously submitted The Board still had several questions regarding the °overage provided and Mi O'Connell is to look into the matter further Mr Kenney read a letter from the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Town of Burlington expressing their concern about the diversion of Lexington's raw Burlington sewage which flows into the Vine Brook, their main water shed area They Complaint listed incidents in October, 1972, February, 1973, and January 28 and 29, 1976, stating that it is a serious health menace and that Lexington has been aware of this problem for years The letter contained the sentiments that Lexington' s handling of the subject emergencies has been completely unsatisfactory and that the State Pollution Control and Burlington's Town Officials, such as the DPW, Board of Health, Conservation Commission and Board of Selectmen have learned abou the pollution, after the fact Mr Kenney requested Mr McSweeney's comments regarding the complaint. Mr McSweeney, when questioned by Mr Kenney, stated they they did pump into the brook to relieve two of the houses that were affected Mr McSweeney stated that he had notified the Town of Burlington, the MDC and the local Board of Health of the problem and all were contacted by noon He referred to his complete report that had previously been submitted to the Board. Mr McSweeney is to reply to the Town of Burlington relative to its complaint. A request from Police Chief Corr, to appoint Special Policemen was Special read. Because of administrative problems associated with one-year appoint- Police 590 Selectmen's Meeting February 23, 1976 ments, he requested that the appointments be for two years A list of names was submitted with the request Dr Kassler suggested that the matter be tabled until there was a full Board to sign the Certificates Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Special Police Certificates on March 15, 1976 Cary Hall A letter from the Lexington Theatre Company, formally requesting the Mr Gurman use of Cary and Estabrook Halls was read by the Chairman The group agreed to pay whatever portion of the custodial fees the Board deemed necessary as well as any fees for police protection on the nights of the production Dr Kassler said that he had met with Mr Gurman and explained the cost of custodial services and pointed out to him that the Town is donating a great deal if they do give the hall rent free Mr Busa reiterated his previous sentiments regarding his questions of where the money is coming from, what fees they are charging and what happens to the profits Mr O'Connell informed the Board that he had talked to Mr Forrester, also a member of the group, and from this conversation gathered that this is to be a "theatre in the round", which requires special lighting that Cary Hall is not equipped to provide Mr Busa pointed out that Masterworks Chorale pays rent Dr Kassler stated that he felt that it would be an admirable thing for the Board to grant this request this year, giving them the oppor- tunity to get started After further discussion, it was agreed that Dr Kassler is to again get in contact with Mr Gurman and invite the group to come before the Board next week and answer the questions that have been brought up Water Bill Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the rec- Abatements ommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering for abatement of the following water bills Robert F. McSweeney 27 Constitution Road $ 15 75 Frank Allia 154 Bedford Street 36 90 John Peters 51 Ward Street 63 45 W H Larsen 27 Skyview Road 13 50 Peter Bochnak 69 Spring Street 62 10 Lionel Lynch 98 Spring Street 138 60 James Evans 196 Burlington Street 50 85 Lex Hist Soc 36 Hancock Street 140 85 Pramod Handa 12 Brandon Street 11 25 Sidney Alport 14 Lisbeth Street 83 70 Deeds Land Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request to Cons of Town Counsel to sign needs transferring Town owned land to the Conserva- Comm. tion Commission as authorized under Article 49 of 1974 and Article 81 of 1975 Cary Hall Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request of the Town Celebrations Committee for the use of Cary Hall on April 18 from 2 30 p m until 4 30 p m as an alternative in case of rain for the exercises scheduled by the Lexington Minute Men and Girl Scout Drum and Bugle Corps on the Green 591 Selectmen's Meeting February 23, 1976 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 or litigation as an open meeting may have a detri- mental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the governmental body, 9 15 p m Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 45 p m. A true record, Attest . Principal Clerk