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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-29-BOS-min 426 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 29, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, September 29, 1975, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kenney, Messers. Bailey, Buse, Kessler, and Mrs. Battin; Mr. O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present NET&T Co. Chairman Kenney opened the hearing upon the petition of the Conduit - New England Telephone Company to install conduit on Massachusetts Mass. Ave. Avenue at Charles Street. Charles St. Notices of the hearing were sent to the abutters and also filed with the Public Works Department. Mr. Roland Pinault, representing the Telephone Company, was present. A report from the Director of Public Works/Engineering recommended approval of the request for installation of conduit. Mr Charles Bowker, 172 Mass. Avenue, asked how much digging is required? Mr. Pinault The trench will be 1 ft in width. I have 111 talked with Mr. Sullivan, an abutter, and explained the project. Mrs. Dimson, abutter at the corner of Charles Street, and Massachusetts Avenue, asked how long it will take? Mr. Pinault They will be in and out of your corner in a day. Restoration will be done according to requirements of DPW and will be under the supervision of the Town. Mr. Sullivan There is no possibility of the utilities being shut off. Mr. Pinault No. No one else appearing in favor or in opposition, the hear- ing was declared closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone Comapny for the follow- ing location: Massachusetts Avenue, from existing manhole on southerly side,30 feet west of southeast corner of Charles Street, easterly 102 feet more or less to existing pole 57/10. Photography Mr. Zehner, Chairman of the Town Report Committee, re- Contest ported to the Board the results of the Selectmen's Association M}micipal Photography contest Third prize to Mrs. Anne Scigliano in the events of public interest category for her picutre of Presient Ford and Chairman Kenney :at the Minute- man Statue on April 19th. First and third prize to Mr. Raymond 427 Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 Barnes in the candid category for the picture of Rev Handley and the Minute Man Band. The Board thanked Mr. Zenner for his efforts in selecting and submitting the pictures to the contest. The Board also thanked Mr. Zehner for volunteering to 1975 Town serve as Chairman of the Town Report Committee and compile Report the 1975 Annual Town Report. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that Mr. Charles Cook has Personnel assumed his duties today as Personnel Administrator Administrator Chairman Kenney We can now go forward with the first meeting of the Compensation Review Board, with Mr Cook as a member. It was agreed to arrange the meeting on October 7 at 4 00 p.m. Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board that three access Sidewalk ramps have been installed around the Battle Green and are Ramps working out splendidly There is another one to be installed at Buckman Tavern Chairman Kenney This is the first step in the sidewalk 111 ramp program. The law requires these ramps and we want to install them elsewhere in the Town at major intersections. Mr. McSweeney agreed. He said that they will definitely be included in new construction, and one area will be done downtown. Mr. Buse: I memtioned to Mr O'Connell that there should be a ramp in the back of Town Offices and a sign put up. Mr. Edward Furash, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Appropriation met with the Board. Committee Agreement was reached that the first session of Town Meet- ing is to be held on March 22, 1976; to adhere to the budget Town Meeting schedule set up by Mr. O'Connell; no new capital budget items after January 1; Articles 4 and 5 to be segregated by personnel increases and collective bargaining; Mr. Shaw is to draw up guidelines on submission of citizens' articles; citizens' articles are to be inserted in the warrant after a subject article;BLaw changes at the end of the warrant; members of the Appropriation Committee to work with the Town Manager on key issues and major goals after Town Manager/Board of Select- men workshop sessions. Mr. Furash retired from the meeting. 42b Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 & Mr O'Connell reported that there. has been some improve- Saltment on price stabilization Bids taken on sand and salt are Sand $2 10 vs $2.12 last year; $16 34 vs $15.34 last year on salt Mr O'Connell recommended that MBTA waiting rooms be in- MBTA stalled on Marrett Road/Lincoln Street intersection and at Shelters Countryside. These locations were reviewed today with Rep. Cole, who suggested that the shelters be installed immediately. The Mass. Ave /Taft Ave. intersection has been investigated but there is no place in the area that it could be placed on public property. Chairman Kenney suggested that Historic Districts Com- mission be invited to inspect the shelters. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Town Manager for the installation of META shelters at Marrett Road and Lincoln Stret and at Country- side. Mr. Cohen recommended that the Board sign a conservation Gift of restriction given to the Town by the Planning Office of Urban Conservation Affairs and Pine Grove. He explained that he has not had a Easement - chance to review it as he had just received it late today. Pine Grove Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the receipt of a deed of a conservation restriction given to the Town by the Planning Office for Urban Affairs, Inc on the following premises Beginning at a point in the southeasterly sideline of Worthen Road at land of the Lexington Home for Aged People, which point marks the northwesterly corner of said parcel; and THENCE running by Worthen Road NORTH 62-40-48 EAST 150 feet to other land of said Grantor; THENCE running by the last named SOUTH 27-19-12 EAST 150 feet to a corner; THENCE running by the land last named SOUTH 62-40-48 WEST 150 feet to a corner; THENCE running by said land of the Lexington Home for the Aged People NORTH 27-07-10 WEST 150 feet to the point of beginning 1 429 Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 Said easement is shown on a "Plan of Land, Lexington, Mass.", dated July 1, 1975, by Albert A. Miller & Wilbur C. Nylander, Surveyors and Engnineers, re- corded with Middlesex South District Registry of Deeds in Book 12864 at Page 152. The above vote is subject to approval by Town Counsel. Traffic Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Traffic Safety Signs - Committee to approve the request of Mr. Bruce B. Henry, 35 Locust Locust Ave. Avenue, for theA*nstallation of signs on Locust Avenue. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee for the in- stallation of two "Caution Children" signs on Locust Avenue, one at the Mass. Ave. end and one at the Follen Road end. Mr. McSweeney was instructed to make arrangements for the installation of the two signs Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Traffic Safety Stop Signs Committee to approve the application to the State Department of Theresa/ Public Works for Stop signs at the intersection of Theresa/Fottler/ Fottler/ Ill Hillcrest Avenues. Hillcrest Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request Avenues the State Department of Public Works to approve the following That the Traffic Rules and Orders of Lexington, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on November 13, 1967, are hereby amended - Sy adding toe Article 8, Section 22, Schedule 7, the following STREET LOCATION REGULATION Theresa Avenue Northeastbound at Pottier Ave. Stop Hillcrest Avenue Southwestbound at Fottler Ave. Stop Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffic Safety Com- Traffic - mittee concerning a request from Mr. hnd Mrs Dean Curtin, Downing Rd. 29 Downing Road, for"Caution Children"sign on Downing Road and 15 MPH posting The Commmttee recommends that no action be taken as the fundamental speed law applies to Downing Road it is not currently posted and, without a study, it could not leagally be posted at 15 MPH. Also, the Eng- ineering Division has applied the warrants for the sign and it was found that the warrants are not met. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that no action be taken on the requests of Mr. & Mrs. Dean Curtin. 1 4130 Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Director Street of Public Works/Engineering that additional lighting is not Lights - necessary on Forest Street between Clarke Street and Waltham Forest St. Street, as requested by Mrs. Lea DeGuglielmo, 9 Forest Street. Tree trimming is recommended to improve existing lighting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering that additional street lights on Forest Street are unnecessary. DPW is requested to trim the trees in the area. Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Director of Street Public Works/Engineering to install three street lights and Lights - two "Curves Ahead" signs on North Street, as requested by Dr. North St Michael Erdos, 79 NOrth Street. Tree trimming is also re- commended. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept Traffic the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Signs for the installation of three additional street lights and two "Curves Ahead" signs in the area. DPW is to be requested to trim the trees in order to improve the effectiveness of the existing lights and recommended street lights. Mr. McSweeney is to contact the Boston Edison Company regarding the time- table for installation of the street lights. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Director of Public Emerald St Works/Engineering concerning the construction of sewer on Sewer Emerald Street and Edna Street ( which must be installed in order to service Emerald Street) . The report states that approximately one-half the lots on Emerald Street and all of those on Edna Street front on paper streets. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the matter to Town Counsel and the Planning Board for further clarification of the point that "the installation constitutes a sufficient degree of improvement to change the street class- ification and thereby allow buillding to proceed contrary to the desires of the Town " Revolutionary Chairman Kenney read a report from the Director of Public Monument Works/Engineering regarding refinishing the Revolutionary Battle Green Monument on the Battle Green, stating that %he proposal was to wash, clean, and wire brush the marble plaque, seal it with a Shawsheen Sealer, and paint the 1200 letters with a gray shadow Lithochrome paint specially made for granite work This was done but, after six coats of sealer, the workmen found that this method appeared to be unsuccessful 4:i_ Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 and took it upon themselves (after testing various sections with black paint and finding the marble still porous) to paint the entire plaque black to give it the appearance of slate, with further intentions of hand rubbing it with stone, followed by suitable lettering. Their reason for this was because of its age and type, and being in such poor condition that it would not withstand any method that would require any stress to the plaque without the possibility of it crumbling the lettering and/or splitting the stone Mr McSweeney The firm told us in the beginning that it might happen. Mr. Bailey It is still a 1799 plaque and it has been abused Mr McSweeney Would you consider a new stone? Mr. Bailey If we had known, we would have gotten a new one and brought the old one inside. We ought to leave it alone, but if we were to try and get it back the way it was, I would ask you to inquire around at other places. In the meantime, don't let them near the mounument: Mr. McSweeney agreed. Mr. McSweeney discussed lowering of the top mast of the Flagpole - flagpole on the Green and agreed to came back to the Board with Battle additional information on accomplishing the task. Green The Board agreed to make arrangements for meetings with Selectmen's subcommittees on an update of goals and objectives Dr. Kessler asked about the appointment .of citizens to the Traffic Traffic Safety Committee. Safety Chairman Kenney requested that nominees be submitted. Committee - Citizens The Board agreed to publish a notice in the Lexington Minute- man of a meeting to be scheduled with the Lexington Housing Lexington Authority to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Albert Housing Rhuby. Authority Vacancy Mrs. Battin suggested consideration of the Board of a column in the Minute-man each week on what is happening at Town Hall, Notices of including notices of committee meetings to be held the following Committee week. There could be progress report on articles voted by Town Meetings, etc. Meeting. In this way, citizens could be informed on what is going Lexington on in Town Government. Minute-man It was agreed to defer discussion until a representative of the Minute-man is present at the Selectmen's meeting. 43 Selectmen's Meeting September 29, 1975 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 public security, the financial interests of the Town, or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters of a general nature, it was voted to -go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 35 p.m. A true record, Attest )1frA) E ecu�EClerk, Selectmen I