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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-12-01-BOS-min 4198 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 1, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, On Monday, December 1, 1975, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Bailey, Messrs, Kenney, Buse, Kessler, and Mrs. Battin; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Execu- tive Clerk, were present. Kenney Chairman Kenney requested the Board to accept his resignation as Resignation Chairman Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the resignation of Allan F Kenney as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen The Executive Clerk declared that nominations were in order for the elction of a new Chairman Mr Fred C Bailey 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, Mr Fred C Bailey was unani- mously elected Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the remainder of the ensuing year Chairman Bailey Anyone who has ever sat on this side of the table is acutely conscious of the honor that goes with being Chairman of the Board I think I see my job, as long as I am Chairman, that the Board thinks as five but acts as one. It has been tremendous serving under Allan, and I hope I can leave things in as great shape. Treasurer Mr Louis A. Zehner, Town Treasurer, met with the Board to request approval of an addition to an old resolution designating the Shawmut County Bank as the depository of the Town and authorizing the Treas- urer and Assistant Treasurer to sign checks for notes approved by the Board Commercial banks may now accept savings accounts for munici- palities and he would like to add, "and savings accounts" to the resolution Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the resolution establishing savings accounts, in addition to checking accounts, at the Shawmut County Bank J/0 Poles- Chairman Bailey opened the hearing on the petition of the New Eng- ' Rolfe Rd land Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company to install two new Fessenden poles and one guy wire and anchor on Rolfe Road and Fessenden Way Way Abutters had been notified of the hearing and notice was filed with the Public Works Department Chairman Bailey read a recommendation from the Director of Public Works that permission be granted for the two poles, guy wire and anchor Mr. Pinault, representing the Telephone Company, and Mr. Kelley, representing the Boston Edison Company, were present 499 Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 Mr. Pinault This petition is for the installation of two new poles 395/5 and 395/s-with guy wire and anchor to service two new homes at the end of Rolfe Road. No one el$e appearing in favor or in opposition, Chairman Bailey declared the hearing closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion to the Nei' England Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company for the following location: Rolfe Roadt: On the northerly side, approximately 223+ feet west of Fessenden Way, two poles and one anchor and guy wire. On behalflof the Board, Chairman Bailey presented Mr. Raymond B. Photography Barnes, Chairman of the Town Celebrations Committee, with an engraved Contest - pewter plate, which was awarded by the Massachusetts Selectmen's Asso- Barnes ciation for 1st prize in the candid's category of the Municipal Photog- raphy Contest. Mr. Bails Ray Barnes has been winning many prizes for taking pictures for the Town. In last year's contest, open to all cities and towns, he tooktwo first and one second prize; this year, he won another first prize with the candid shot of Rev. Handley It gives me a great deal of pleasure to present this pewter plate to him. Mr. Barnes expressed his thanks and retired from the meeting. Mr. O'Connell introduced Lieutenant Edward Gilman, who was re- Fire Dept. cently promoted from a Private in the Fire Department. Chairman Promotion Bailey pinned Lt Gilman's badge on his uniform and the Board con- gratulated him and wished him success in his new position Mr. O'Conil:ell: As of this evening, I am releasing the list by the Selection Review Board. Of the 19 Privates who took the exam- ination, 9 are qualified to be Lieutenants Edward Gilman, who has been appointed, John Quinlan, Arthur Washburn, Kenneth Kelley, Jr. , Richard Sullivan, Theodore Setterlund, Richard Rycroft, Robert F. Walton, and John Flaherty. The list will remain active until Dec- ember 1, 1978 and is then subject to review for being further extended for three years. An appointee must pass a physical examination. The Selection Review Board was highly pleased at the quality of the entire field and, especially, by the calibre of the men we have been hiring in the Fire Department Mr O'Coniell requested approval of the Board of the appointment Conservation of Mrs. Shirley Stolz as a member of the Conservation Commission, ef- Appointment fective December 22, 1975, to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Gary Larson Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Manager to appoint Mrs. Shirley Stolz as a member of the Conservation Commission, effective December 22, 1975. 500 Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 Mr O'Connell We hope to have the continuingassistance of Mr. Larson and two or three other qualified professionals to serve in the capacity of advisers to the Conservation Commission on wetlands, to be done on a project basis Therefore, the time demand will be only a fraction of what it would be as a full time member Perm.Bldg Mr O'Connell also requested approval of the appointment of Mrs. Appointments Mary Louise Touart and Mr. Herbert Grossimon as members of the Perma- nent Building Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Manager to appoint Mrs. Mary Louise Touart and Mr. Herbert Grossimon as members of the Permanent Building Com- mittee, effective immediately. Mrs. Touart's term of office expires on April 1, 1978 Mr. Herbert Grossimon's appointment is to fill the unexpired term of Otis Brown to April 1, 1977. Mr O'Connell: I am hoping that Mr DiNapoli, who has done a great job, will be willing to serve the committee on a structural design capacity 1975 Town Mr O'Connell updated the Board relative to anticipated funding Report Costs assistance from Bicentennial Services for the 1975 Annual Town Report. The proposed plan is for the report to be, in effect, a Bicentennial edition and serve as the Town's main report on the history of what went on. There would be eight color pages of the Bicentennial, plus the cover done in living color. Of the $12,000 appropriated, we have encumbered $1,100 for minor expenses and professional services. The estimated cost, of regular quality and the allowance of 3% overrun, is approximately $1,100 Other costs are associated with the color edition $284-credits; $500-design and layout costs associated with the color section; $4,500-4 color, 8 page Bicentennial section; gross cost of $14,400 with a modest contingency of $600 - total of $15,000. We have $10,000 available, and a deficiency request up to $4,100. We hope that this could be handled as an item of the Bicentennial program costs, and not be a new item. Mr Busa The Bicentennial Corporation might look favorably on covering some of these expenses. We meet tomorrow and I will be back to you next Monday. The Board agreed to await a report from Mr. Busa. Sewer & Water Mr. O'Connell informed the bids had been received on Contract Contract 76-4-E for sanitary sewer and water main construction He recom- 76-4-E mended, with the concurrence of Mr. McSweeney, that the contract be awarded to the lowest bidder, United Construction Company of Somer- ville in the amount of $64,470 13 Included in the project are Hartwell Avenue and existing easements through Pleasant Street to Moon Hill Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award Contract 76-4-E to United Construction Company, Somerville, for sanitary sewer and water main construction, in the amount of $64,470.13. Authorization 501 Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 is under the appropriation for Article 18-1975 Water Mains; Article 20-1975 Lateral Sewers; Article 22-1975 Trunk Sewers. Mr. O'Connell discussed the snowplowing and hauling rates for Snowplowing & 1975-1976 winter season and recommended, with the concurrence of Mr. Hauling Rates McSweeney, that the rates be approved. These rates are still far 1975-1976 below those being given by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, public authority and private industry Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the rates for hired equipment for snowplowing and hauling during the 1975-1976 winter season, as follows DPW RATES FOR HIRED EQUIPMENT - WINTER SEASON - 1975-1976 PLOWING HAULING G.V.W. EXISTING RATE PROPOSED RATE EXISTING RATE PROPOSED RATE 4,000 - 10,000 $12.00 $13 25 G.V.W. 10,001 - 16,000 15.00 16 50 $10 50 $11.50 16,001 - 23,000 17.00 18.75 10 50 11.50 23,001 - 34,000 19 00 21 00 10.50 11.50 34,001 - 46,000 21.00 23.25 12.00 13.00 46,001 - 60,000 24 00 26 50 17.00 22.00 18.00 Trailers 24.25 Loaders--Tire Mounted - 1-3/4 yds to 2 yds. 25.00 27.50 2-1/2 yds. and over 40 00 44 00 On Plowing Only The following rates may be added if they apply Owner furnishes own plow - existing rate @ $3.00 - Proposed Rate $3 50 Owner furnishes own helper existing rate @ $2 50 - Proposed Rate $2.75 Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that he had discussed the holiday Holiday schedule with the School Department and recommends that Town Offices be Schedule closed all day on Friday, December 26, 1975 This would include all employees, except the Police and Fire Departments It was agreed that DPW employees could have the option of December 26 or January 2 because of uncertain weather conditions. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to operate Town Offices on December 24, December 31 and January 2, 1976; to close Town Offices and Public Works Building on Friday, December 26, 1975. Mr. Cohen left the meeting at 8 15 and returned at 8 35 p.m Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board that a tentative and proposed Min.Man.Reg,. budget of the Minuteman Regional School District has been received School FY 77 They are requesting $3,769,000 for FY 77 operating budget, representing Budget Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 an increase of 48% 67% ? over FY 76 (which was increased over FY 75) . It is rather alarming that, in two years, it has multiplied 2-1/2 times. The FY 75 tax burden was slightly over $1 50; FY 76, $2 10; FY 77, $2.80 to $3 00. Virtually, no details are available and there is no reference to a Capital budget. Chairman Bailey Are you making any headway in getting supporting material? Mr O'Connell I was told that the information the Board got last week was out of date, and new information is being transmitted to the Regional Finance Committee. They are relying on the advisory group. There is no material justifying the increase and, also, there is a dif- ficult timetable problem The Board may wish to take action as a public hearing on the budget is scheduled for December 16, The budget far ex- ceeds the budget forecast! The Board agreed to invite Mr. Donald White, Appropriation Committee School representative, and Gen. Zeoli, Lexington's representative on the Minuteman Regional School District, to attend the meeting next Monday to discuss the budget CATV Chairman Bailey read a letter of resignation from Mr. Ira Stephanian Resignation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with re- gret, the resignation of Mr Ira Stephanian as a member of the Advisory Committee on Cable Television Traffic - Chairman Bailey read a report from the Traffic Safety Committee in Bedford St./ response to a request from Ms Janet Hogan, 15 Dee Road, for a traffic No Hancock monitor at North Hancock Street to assist children crossing for the Parker School. The report states that a check of the sidewalks on both sides of Bedford Street between North Hancock Street and Simonds Road revealed that they were in good condition This being the case, the committee can see no reason why children coming from the East must cross Bedford Street before they reach the crossing guard at Simonds Road. Aside from limiting their freedom of choice as to where to cross Bedford Street, we find no drawbacks in the children walking on the east side of Bedford Street to Simonds Road Further, as the School Department conducts programs of traffic safety in the schools, we recommend that Ms Hogan's comments be referred to them Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee regarding the inter- section of North Hancock Street and Bedford Street It was agreed to refer the matter to the School Department for consideration during a study of traffic safety locations Cary Hall Chairman Bailey read a request from Mr Robert E Ward, 6 White Concert Plain Lane, for the use of Cary Memorial Hall for a benefit jazz con- cert on Saturday, April 3, 1976 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion for the use of Cary Memorial Hall for a benefit jazz concert on OtliS Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 111 Saturday, April 3, 1976, with the clear understanding that the Lexington Friends Community Residence is to pay custodial, policeman and fire- man fees, plus $35 00 for the use of Cary Hall Chairman Bailey read a letter from Mr Alan S. Menne, 6 White Pine Fraenkel Lane, requesting a hearing on a "vicious and noisy" dog owned by Mr. Dog Hearing and Mrs William Fraenkel Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to conduct a dog hearing on Wednesday, December 10, 1975, at 9 00 a.m. on the receipt of a formal complaint against the dog owned by Mr and Mrs. Fraenkel. Mr. Cohen returned to the meeting at 8 35 p m. The Board discussed the bill signed by the Governor on November 24 Town Election enabling Towns to change the Town Election date without calling a special Presidential Town Meeting. It was agreed not to change Lexington's date of March 1, Primary 1976 However, consideration was given to the additional workload in the Town Clerk's office for two consecutive voting days - March 2 Presi- dential Primary - and Mr O'Connell assured the Board that he would make arrangements for assistance in procuring additional voting machines and associated problems which might arise Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to change the date of March 1, 1976 for the Annual Town Election. Mrs. Battin voted in the negative. The Board agreed to make the appointments to the Personnel Advisory P.A.B. Appts Board at the meeting on next Monday upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order Colangelo of Construction of Sewer on Hartwell Avenue, from Westview Street to Sewer & Water Hinchey Road, a distance of 830 feet, more or less Construction Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order of construction of Water Main on Hartwell Avenue, from Westview Street, a distance of 830 feet, more or less Mr. Buses left the meeting at 9 52 p.m Chairman Bailey informed the Board that applications have been re- 1976 Liquor - ceived for renewal of liquor licenses for Busa Bros Liquors, Inc. and Package Stores Vinebrook Corp. Licenses Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the 1976 Package Stores licenses for Buse Bros Liquors, Inc and Vinebrook Corp., and to request approval of Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Chairman Bailey informed the Board that a request has been received Yeomans from Mr. Frank Yeomans, 956 Massachusetts Avenue, for an extension of Dog two weeks on the order of the Selectmen to remove his dog from Lexington The Board agreed to grant an extension of time to Mr. Yeomans, with the understanding :that the dog must be removed from Lexington on or be- fore December 19, 1975. 504 Selectmen's Meeting December 1, 1975 Acting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appointoint Select- Chairman man Allan F Kenney as Acting Chairman of the Board on December 8 and December 9, 1975 due to the absence of Chairman Bailey. Algonquin Chairman Bailey read a request from Attorney T. E. Leen, on behalf Gas Co of the Algonquin Gas Transmission Company and the Travelers Indemnity Release Company for release and discharge of all liability under indemnity bond of Bond #116871 in the amount of $15,000 for eminent domain taking of easements over 11 parcels of land in Lexington in April, 1966 Mr Norman P Cohen, Town Counsel, recommended that the Board sign the release Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the re- lease in connection with the cancellation of the bond with the Travelers Indemnity Company for eminent domain takings in April, 1966 by Algonquin Gas Transmission Company of easements over land in Lexington Paint Chairman Bailey informed the Board that a letter has been received Striper - from Mr Francis X. Colleton, Director of the Governor's Highway Safety State Bureau, authorizing the expenditure up to $5,000 for a paint striper, Approval subject to 100 percent reimbursement in accordance with our application Executive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Session Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the 111 public security, the financial interests of the Town, or the reputa- tion of a person. After discussion of matters of possible litigation, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 12 p.m. A true record, Attest xecutive Clerk, Selectmen I