Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-08-25-BOS-min 393 IIISELECTMEN'S MEETING August 25, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Boom, Town Office Building, on Monday, August 25, 1975, at 7: 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey and Busa and Mrs. Battin; Mr. O'Connell, Town Manager, Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Miss Casey, Assistant Executive Clerk were present. Mr. Louis A. Zehner, Town Treasurer, reported to the Board Bond that the bond issue has sold very readily and requested author- ization for the use of facsimile signatures on the bonds. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the use of facsimile signatures on the bonds. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Lexington Mr. Kenney to sign the Annual Contributions Contract MAAO-6-E067-011 Housing of the Lexington Housing Authority. Contract Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Paul O'Brien regarding Sewer - the sewer at Summer Street, requesting abatement of the sewer Summer 111 betterment assessment. Mr. McSweeney pointed out that Summer Street Street is a State Highway and the Public Works Department had gone to a great deal of time and expense to finalize a contract with the State to complete the sewer. He felt that this portion of the sewer line would go through easily as test borings did not show any ledge as experienced in the rest of the line. This would complete this end of the Town as far as sewerage is concerned. It was suggested that the sewer be completed and Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Farnham be given a deferment. Mr O'Brien asked what the implica- tions of this would be. It was explained that it would be granted on the condition that the lots in question would not be built upon Both Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Farnham stated that they felt that the lots were not buildable. Mr. Kenney asked what the cost was to do the 200-230 feet in question. Mr. McSweeney said about $2,000. Mr. Kenney asked why spend the money if the people don't want the sewer anyhow. Mr Busa pointed out that it would Dost twice as much, if at a later date, it was to be serviced and the Public Works would have to, again, get a con- tractor and contract with the State It was suggested that if Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Farnham would give the Town a perpetual easement so that no building could be done on the lots, they would stop the sewer at Haskell Street as requested by Mr. O'Brien and Mr. Farnham. 1 394 Selectmen's Meeting August 25, 1975 Both gentlemen felt that this could affect the sale of their property. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to finish the sewer as stated in Mr McSweeney's report -- if no ledge, finish to the end -- if ledge, stop at Haskell Street If the sewer is completed, Mr. O'Brien and Mr Farnham will be given deferments. Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- mission to Carl A. Pitha to hold a block party on Friday, September 5, with a rain date of Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7 at Longfellow and Hawthorne Roads. Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- mission to "Five Fields, Inc." to hold their annual Labor Day square dance on Saturday, August 30 with a rain date on Sunday, August 31, at the intersection of Barberry and Field Roads. Highway Mr. Kenney read notification of the Annual Highway Hearing Hearing for Middlesex County. Mr. McSweeney stated that on Tuesday of this week he and Mr. Chase were to meet with Mr. John Kiernan, District 4 State Aid Officer, and report to Mr. Kenney on the status of Hancock Street. He will submit a report and recommend- ations as to what project the money should be assigned to. State Mr. Kenney read Mr. O'Connell's memo relative to State Assist- Assistance ance from the Office of Local Assistance with regard to their letter of July 30. Mr. O'Connell conclusions were that the possible benefits outweigh the negatives and that the Town should apply and find out where it places us. His major reasons are as follows: 1. This is a continuing relationship being initiated, and not just a one-time project matter. 2. Lexington's status in meeting the Selection Guidelines as favorable-4; questionable-5; negative-2. 3. Assistance with our program of overall long range community development planning would be the best match of need vs. type of assistance offered. We have an effort underway and have same funds provided which gives us matching funds capability now. This should be a large plus in our favor. 4. Qualification requirements are low income housing oriented. This is admittedly one of Lexington's high priority problems. Getting the State involved on an assistance basis should improve our overall relationship with the State on housing issues. 5. We have little to lose by trying. The initial application requirements are not severe, although Wayne Torkington has cautioned me that the completeness with which we do the initial application will be a major consideration. I Selectmen's Meeting August 25, 1976 6 The Dukakis administration claims that it is more sensi- tive to local community problems and wants to demonstrate its capability and sincerity They deserve a chance to show what they can do. Mr O'Connell is to get together with Mr Briggs and develop initial application Mr Kenney read a letter from Mr. Colangelo regarding his Hinchey request to have permission to remove earth material from Hinchey Road Road from Hartwell Avenue to the top of the hill, the former location of the Brucchi house and the Carota house. The houses have been removed. Mr. McSweeney's report was read which stated that while he deemed the request of Mr. Colangelo practical and even desirable, he questioned the legality of off-hand permission to do so as the portion of Hinchey Road he wishes lowered in a Town way. He suggested the following two possible courses open to him 1. A public hearing could be held in which the Town proposes to lower the road and restore it to Town standards. The cost would be borne by Mr. Colangelo. 2 The discontinuance of Hinchey Road could be proposed to the 1976 Town Meeting. If Town Meeting agreed to the proposal and an agreement was reached between Mr. Colangelo and Hewlett- Packard, the only two abutters, the former road could be lowered by the two new owners of the land upon which Hinchey Road sat, again, at no expense to the Town. Mr. Bailey suggested that Mr. Colangelo be asked to come and talk with Mr. McSweeney about it. It was agreed that this was the best course to take and Mr Kenney is to write to Mr. Colangelo. A request from Mrs. Mary Collins, 39 Fottler Avenue relative Water to an adjustment of water rates for senior citizens was discussed. Rates Mr. McSweeney's report stated that a review with the MDC Water Senior District, from whom we purchase the water, and other cities and Citizens towns including Boston, revealed that no one to date has provided financial relief from a minimum water usage charge. He presented the following two proposals for consideration by ..he Boards 1. One is just to charge or change our present rates as approved by the MDC Water District by adding a flit rate of 45 cents per hundred cubic feet for "senior citizens '. 3 a Pc ((,� s Selectmen's Meeting August 25, 1976 2. Allow only those persons over 65 and 70 who qualify for real estate tax abatements on their homes to pay the water registered through their meters. Mr. McSweeney pointed out that the disadvantages with proposal #1 are that it would be a tremendous bookkeeping and qualifying procedure by age of the senior citizen to make sure that they not only qualify by age but are living at the home in Lexington. This would be similar to the procedures used in issuing permits for the Sanitary Landfill. Proposal #2 could be implemented whereas we already have certain legal procedures set down by the Board of Assessors through real estate tax abatements that qualify people, that is, annual income, age, dependency, etc. This category presently has approximately 175-200 homes that qualify for such an abate- ment This would also require the Board of Selectmen to get approval of the flat rate of the MDC Water District. Mr McSweeney also pointed out in his report that, getting into the question of hardship -- are we truly setting aside one particular group from paying their proportionate share of municipal services. A survey revealed that 90% used less than the minimum rate. This would be a possible abatement of $3.13 semi-annual. It was agreed by the Board that the matter should be referred to the Council on Aging. Request The Board discussed the request of Mrs. Joanne C. MacDonald for 33 Skyview Road to have her house connected to the Rangeway sewer Sewer system instead of Skyview. Mr. McSweeney pointed out that this Connection is the best physical and financial route for her to take, but it would require a sewer easement across Town-owned land. Mr. Cohen pointed out that the Selectmen don't have the authority to grant an easement and it would have to be voted at the next Town Meet- ing. After further discussion it was voted to table the matter. Belfry Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Terrace the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Contract to sign Contract 76-2-E to take temporary construction easements on Belfry Terrace. Munroe Chairman Kenney read MS. McSweeney's report relative to lithe School gap study made as a result of the request of the Munroe School Traffic PTA for traffic signals for non-school hours under the School- Signals Crossing Warrant. There was considerable discussion of the re- port and Mr. Bailey felt that the matter should be tabled until there was more time to study the whole file. 1 397 Selectmen's Meeting August 25, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the request of the Munroe School PTA for traffic signals for non-school hours. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify Certificate the character of the following who have applied for Certificate of of Incorporation Incorporation Anna Corapi 21 Sanderson Road "Self-Help Counseling Institute, Inc." Robert C. Scott,Jr. 32 Woodland Road Sally Terrell Scott 32 Woodland Road Milliard P. Grush 32 Colony Road "Center for Productivity Motivation, Inc." Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the Order of recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering to sign Taking the Order of Taking for sewer easement on Concord Avenue at Waltham Concord Ave. Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept Water the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Abatement to abate the following water bill U.S. Dept. of Interior 760 Marrett Rd. 11 25 - Meter taken out The Board discussed requests from the following people to Tax Title purchase tax title land Lots August Schumacher - Lots 82 and 83, 84 through 91 Colonial Heights Joanne C MacDonald - Lot 82 - Map 90 -- Skyview Road James R. Bartell-Harry A. MacKay - Orchard Street Dean H. Curtin-David A. & Susan Rogers - Lot #184, Map #72-Reed Street Claire Meaney - Lots 23 through 25 -- Map 72 - Earl Street George C. Gormley - Lot 57 - Map 88 -- James Street After preliminary discussion, it was brought out that the Planning Board had not submitted maps and sufficient information to make a final decision by the Board. It was agreed to set up an appointment with the Planning Director and clearly define the lots. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the matter. 39S Selectmen's Meeting August 25, 1975 Dog Hearings Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the dates for the following dog hearings September 17, 1975 8 30 a.m. - Mrs. Janne Reagan(Kealy) Mrs Nancy C. Bacon September 17, 1975 9 30 a.m. - Mr. Elliott I. Mishara Dr. Edmund J. Buchinskas Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold the Selectmen's next regular Selectmen's Meeting on Sepember 8, 1975. Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- House mission to Donald G. Gordon, Inc. to move a house from Sunnyside Move Land in Lincoln to Route 2A, along Route 2A to Marrett Road, to Waltham Street to Blossomcrest Road, Lexington. Permission was granted subject to the conditions set forth by the Public Works and Police Departments and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Works 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 personnel and the financial interests of the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 20 p.m. A true record, Attest ) 47.11' Asst. Executive Clerk 1 t49 [ I 6 \ L:, \,1 \I 0 \ O I 400 I VOID 1 I