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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-09-08-BOS-min 401 c SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 8, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, Sept- ember 8, 1975, at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Buse, Kessler, and Mrs. Battin; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. Martin, Assistant Town Engineer; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present At the request of the Town Clerk, the following jurors: were Jurors drawn. Robert H. Thomas 28 Burroughs Road Thomas F O'Brien 3 Ellison Road Andrew Nigrini 17 Highland Avenue E. Michael Allen 5 Fuller Road Martha J. Lima 40 Vaille Avenue Peter Alex 20 Lawrence Lane David W. Currier 15 Deering Avenue Mr. Louis A. Zehner, Treasurer, met with the Board to request Treasurer approval of a $50,000 bond anticipation loan from the lowest bidder, the Harvard Trust Company, at 2 25 percent Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Treasurer for a bond anticipation loan from the Harvard Trust Company in the amount of $50,000 at 2.25 percent; notes to be dated September 12, 1975, and maturing on March 12, 1976, with the privilege of prepayment. Mr. Zehner informed the Board that he will submit ten photo- Municipal graphs to be entered by the Town in the Massachusetts Selectmen's Photography Municipal Photography contest Contest The Board expressed appreciation to Mr. Zehner for his efforts in personnaly selecting the photographs. Mr. Zehner reported that he had received a check for $442,000 State which is reimbursement by the State for the subsidy due the Town Reimbursement last May when we advanced the funds for the fund interest on the High School High School Chairman Kenney requested approval of the Board for a transfer Transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Selectmen's Account 1050 in the amount Request - of $4,913.88 for the balance of the cost of the State Census. Funds State Census were not budgeted for this census and we were able to absorb $3,186.22 Acct 1050 in the FY 75 budget; $4,913.88 must be returned to FY 1976 Account 1050. The total cost of the State Census was $8,100 00.* III *With reimbursement by the State of 25 cents per person. 402 Selectmen's Meeting September 8, 1975 li Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request approval of the Appropriation Committee for a transfer from the Reserve Fund to Selectmen's Account 1050 in the amount of $4,913.88, representing the balance of the cost of the 1975 State Census. Mr. O'Connell thanked Mr Thomas Wenham, Assistant Assessor, for the excellent job performed in directing the operation of the Census Appropriation Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that the Appropriation Committee Committee would like to have Mr Perry, Comptroller, as Secretary of the Committee; Mr. Perry is an ex-officio member with no vote in accordance with the Town By-Law. They would still keep the paid recorder and Mr. Perry would be secretary in name only The Board had no objection. Mr. O'Connell reported on extensive damages to Town build- Vandalism ings as a result of vandalism. There was major damage as a Schools & result of a fire at the Westview Cemetery garage building and Cemetery evidence points to arson. If the criminal is apprehended, he Building would strongly advocate the greatest punishment so that the youths or adults would be aware of the serious crime of arson. There is no estimate of the damages but they will be signif- icant. Also, Harrington School has been a particular target for vandalism all summer and over the weekend, and 13 or 14 large windows were broken at the Maria Hastings School. He will discuss the question of whether emergecny measures can be taken, and will report back to the Board after taal'JLing with involved departments. Mr. O'Connell advised the Board of a violation of the By- By-,Law Laws by a Boston furrier whohasbeen using the Battle Green, Violation Minuteman Statue, Belfry Hill and Buckman Tavern in his adver- Battle tisements in the Boston papers. He pointed out that, in one "ad," Green, etc. a model is standing on the monument. The Board agreed that Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel, is to confer with Mr O'Connell and then send a letter to Mr. Kakas informing him that the Board is displeased with the unauthorized use of historical places in Lexington and to point out that he is in violation of the Town By-Laws. DPW Mr O'Connell discussed the purchase of DPW equipment, two ' Equipment sedans and a grader DPW had invited four area dealers to bid Sedans on the sedans but Rowe Chevrolet was the only bidder. He had reservations about it as he felt we could acquire more suitable cars for general use at less than $5,150 per vaiicle before trade-in allowance. 111 403 Selectmen's Meeting September 8, 1975 He had questions of what the difference in cost would be for a smaller two-door model and, after comparisons were made, he now recommends the purchase of 8 cylinder Cheielles with 350 cubic inch engines, four doors The Board questioned the purchase of two cars with 8 cylinder vs 6 cylinder engines, and Mr. O'Connell is to return next week with additional information on the need. Mr O'Connell recommended the purchase of a used grader for DPW Grader $20,000. It was formerly owned by the International Paper Company and, according to DPW it is in excellent condition and after being cleaned and painted it could be put into operation immediately Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Manager to purchase a used grader for $20,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table Munroe the request from Munroe School P.T.A for a pedestrain crossing School signal pending a meeting on next Monday with the P.T A. P T A. Chairman Kenney read a report from Mr McSweeney, Director Colangelo of Public Works/Engineering, stating that he had met with Mr Hinchey Michael Colangelo on August 27 to discuss the matter of Hinchey Road Road. The following were agreed upon 1. Mr. Colangelo would like the road lowered to an elevation of 134 feet 2 Mr. Colangelo is not interested in the acquisition of the property at this time 3 Mr Colangelo would not lower or remove the fill at his own expense. 4 If the Town wants to do it, Mr. Colangelo would give them access over his property in order to lower it 5. The Town would remove the guard rail at its own expense. If the Board approves, (a) the Town Engineer will stake out the area by Hewlett Packard about 80 feet going up; Ib) The Town would put guardrails across the bottom by the toe of tl}e slope and also use fill in the area behind the guard- rails; (c) Mr Colangelo stated that there would be no problem starting if the Town completed their part by mid- September. This department concurs with the lowering and would recommend its removal and discontinuance. This would be accomplished by using the funds available in Account #5850 for "fill cover." If the Board concurs, we will make the necessary arrangements for its removal and transportation to the Hartwell Avenue Sanitary Landfill 404 Selectmen's Meeting September 8, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendations of the Director of Public Works/Engineering regarding Mr.C6Iangelo and Hinchey Road, subject to the under- standing that, before any work is begun, Mr. McSweeney must re- ceive written approval of Mr. Michael Colangelo and the owner of Hewlett Packard, abutter. Article - Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert Hinchey Road an Article in the Warrant for the 1976 Annual Town Meeting for the discontinuance of a section of Hinchey Road. Norton Rd. Upon motion duly made and ssconded, it was voted to sign the Paul Winter form for abatement of 50 percent on the sewer betterment assessed Sewer to Mr Paul Winter, 6 Norton Road, in the amount of $274.03 Assessment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Sewer the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Betterment to sign sewer betterment commitment sheets for Blossom Street, Commitment Concord Avenue, Davis Road, Demar Road, Gould Road, Green Lane, Sheets Grimes Road, Hayes Lane, Holland Street, Jeffrey Terrace and Laconia Street. Theatre Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to renew Licenses - the Theatre licenses for weekdays and Sundays for Cinema I, Cinema I 1794 Mass. Avenue; Cinema II, 10 Muzzey Street, and to sign and II the application to the State Commissioner of Public Safety for Sunday Theatre licenses for Cinema I and Cinema II. Ch. 90 - Chairman Kenney read a report from Mr. McSweeney regarding Hancock St. Chapter 90 Hancock Street reconstruction, stating that Mr Chase, Town Engineer, had contacted Mr. John Kiernan, State Aid Engineer, to discuss the matter in relation to the Annual Highway Hearing Annual scheduled for September 30, 1975. When asked if the State is still Highway willing to design and reconstruct Hancock Street within its ex- Hearing isting layout and at its present roadway widths, Mr. Kiernan stated that, in his opinion, these conditons can be met even though not completely desirable to them from a design and roadway safety point of view. He further stated that the State DPW has no desire to change the character of Hancock Street and there are no arbitrary rules yhich the Town must accept contrary to its wishes. He feels it is the duty of the State DPW to design a safe road and, in his opinion, it can be done. He did, however, point out that due to the narrowness of the existing roadway pavement, the State DPW would not put in vertical curbing on both sides of the street Only mountable curbing, either sloped edging or berm, would be permitted. This stipulation is made strictly for safety purposes This department (Lexington DPW) finds this stipulation acceptable 4()yi Selectmen's Meeting September 8, 1975 The report further states, inasmuch as the State DPW is still willing to design and reconstruct Hancock Street within its existing layout and at its present roadway widths, the Town DPW/Engineering department recommends that the Town present an identical request at the annual hearing to that of last year, namely - Hancock Street with an alternate of East Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering that the following information be submitted at the Middlesex County Annual Highway Hearing on September 30, 1975 Chapter 90 Construction Hancock Street from Bedford Street to Adams Street, approximately 2,750 feet; estimated cost $192,500 and estimated Town expenditure, $60,000. Alternate East Street from near Lowell Street to Woburn Town line., approximately 665 feet; estimated cost, $50,000. Chapter 90 Construction Various Chapter 90 roads, estimated cost, $12,000; estimated Town expenditure, $6,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Water the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Abatement to abate the following water bills incorrectly sent as the water was off and the meter had been taken out on 11= 9-74 Mr Alfred Busa, 351-353 Mass Avenue-$11.25 Mr. Daniel Busa, 351-353 Mass Avenue $11.25. Selectman Buas abstained. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Sutton Place the request of Mr. Joseph M. Connolly, Manager, for an extension Hours of of hours, under the Sutton Place Common Victualler license, to Operation 6:00 a.m. rather than 7 00 a.m. Henceforth, hours of operation will be 6:00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. at the restaurant located at 399 Lowell Street Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Permit permission to New England Jogabouts to conduct handicap relay races in Lexington on Saturday, October 4, 1975, subject to approval of the route by Chief Corr Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of Elihu Petnov, 73 Laconia Street, who has applied for Certificate of Incorporation, "Self-Helf Knits, Inc." 406 Selectmen's Meeting September 8, 1975 Tax Title The Board discussed requests to purchase tax title lots. Lots - Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Planning Director that Lot 57, Assessors' Map 88, be offered to the Conservation Commission because it connects James Street to a Gormley section of conservation land being donated to the Town by the Lot 57 developers of Drummer Boy Green. James St. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request of Mr. Goerge C. Gormley to purchase tax title Lot 57, James Street, Assessors' Map 88. Notice to be given to the Conservation Commission that Lot 57, James Street, it to remain as Town-owned land. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Planning Director MacDonald that Lot 82, Skyview Road, Assessors' Map 90, has been acquired Lot 82 by the Lexington Housing Authority for scattered site housing. Skyview Rd. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to inform Mrs Joanne C. MacDonald, 33 Skyview Road, that Lot 82, Skyview Road, has been acquired by the Lexington Housing Authority and, therefore, is not available for sale. Dr Kessler recommended that decisions be held on the remainder of the requests to pruchase tax title lots pending reports from the Recreation Committee and the Housing Authority. The Board agreed. Sheraton Chairman Kenney informed the Board that the extention of Lexington hours to 1 00 a. m. for the Sheraton Lexington Motor Inn term- Motor Inn - inates September 30 Hours It was agreed to write to the Manager of the Sheraton LexingtonMotor Inn that, as of October 1, 1975, the hours will revert to closing at 12 00 Midnight Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating Session or voting on matters, which if made public might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters of financial interest and personnel, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 05 p.m. A true record, Attest Executive Clerk, Selectmen