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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-08-11-BOS-min 3( Yea SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 11, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, August 11, 1975, at 7:30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messers. Bailey, Buse, Kessler, and Mrs. Battin; Mr. O'Connell, Town Managers Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. At the request of the Town Clerk, the following jurors were Jurors drawn: Ronald B. Peabody 88 Emerson Gardens Roy L. Parsons 143 Cedar Street Freeman W. Fraim 39 Plymouth Road Clarence W. Johnson 9 Battle Green Road Francis M. Volanti, Jr. 16 Saddle Club Road Hazel E. Haugh 44 Simonds Road Leo J. Hurley 4 Carville Avenue Mr. Louis A. Zenner, Town Treasurer, met with the Board. MA Rating Mr. Zehner Mrs. Rath Corson of Moody Rating Service came to Lexington and, after a short conference with Mr O'Connell and Mr. Perry, I took her on a tour of the Town. I made no commitments but she seemed impressed. Subsequently, we heard that if additional information were submitted it was possible we would have a AAA rating. With the information that Mr. Perry and Mr. Donahue pulled together on final income and ex- pense figures and pro forma balance sheets, we got the AAA rating. With this higher rating, we can borrow to greater advantage and we have the endorsement of a nationally recognized investment firm for having a prudently administered Town Govern- ment. There are only six other towns with AAA rating and we are now top drawer and big league. The 5 percent rate we hoped for may now be available on the delayed sale of bonds, which is to- morrow. Chairman Kenney: Speaking for the Board and the Town, we are extremely happy that Moody saw fit to raise us to AAA. The im- plications are far reaching and this rating shows that our house is in good order. I specifically want to thank you for your great efforts and, also, Mr. O'Connell and Mr. Perry. Mr. Zenner: The Selectmen, the Appropriation Committee, the Town Manager and Town Meeting worked together as a happy team. 386 Selectmen's Meeting August 11, 1975 111 Chairman Kenney This is a culmination of efforts that have gone on for years and reflects the attitude of citizens, boards and Town Meeting. We thank you individually and collectively. Mr Zenner retired from the meeting. Teachers' Mr Richard M. Perry, Comptroller and member of the Board Insurance of Retirement met with the Board to discuss retired teachers' Bill insurance Mr. Perry Rep. Cole is unable to be •here tonight but would like you to know that he might have trouble with the bill to rescind the vote of the Selectmen, and approved under Article 76 at Town Meeting to petition the Legislature for approval to return to the Town from the State Insurance Commission the re- tired teachers' insurance. Commissioner Burke of the Mass- achusetts Insurance Commission spoke to Rep. Cole about throw- ing the bill out, and he would like your comments. I have re- viewed our figures for the Town to handle it and they came out higher than the $6,500 estimated before Town Meeting but would be $7,000 vs. $13,000+ for the State; for that amount of money we could have our own clerk. There might be an adjustment on our insurance rate as the teachers are a higher risk. Mr. O'Connell: I agree completely with MR. Perry, both on the analysis he has, done and the practicality of the situation. Base on the representation given to us by the Insurance Commission, we, in good faith-supported it but we find it is not as they in- dicated. The bill to allow the Town to pull the teachers back is quite appropriate, and I think the Town should be entitled to handle it. Mr. Cohen: I believe Tewksbury and Plymouth had their Acts peeked to take the teachers' insurance back. Chairman Kenney: The Insurance Commission is afraid there is going to be a stampede and then there would be no need for the Commission. We will communicate with Rep Cole to act as soon as possible on that bill. The Board agreed. Mr. Perry retired from the meeting. Administrative Mr. O'Connell introduced Mr. Jeffrey A. Shaw, the new Ad- Assistant ministrative Assistant. He said that Mr. Shaw comes to us from the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns and was the Manager of Office Operations for the past year. We are delighted to have him and we look forward to him being of great assistance in the Town Manager's office and the Selectmen's office. 1 3 i Selectmen's Meeting *August 11, 1975 Ill Mr. O'Connell recommended that the Board sign a release of Sganga damages in the amount of $83 00 received from Amelia Sganga Payment of of Cambridge as a result of her vehicle damaging the Town fire Damages hydrant. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was ovoted to sign o the release of damages in the amount of $83,00 received from Amelia Sganga of Cambridge. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that certification has been received from they Director of Accounts of the Town's free • cash, as of July 1, 1975, in the amount of $1,399,230. That is about 6 percent of the operating budget. It signifies the Town's very healthy financial status. The motor vehicle tax income has exceeded our Board of Assessors' estimates. We suffered deficiencies for three years and we are now beginning to catch up. Also, our water bill income is exceeding our actual estimates that we used for the basis of establishing the water rates. Chairman Kenney How much to E & D7 Mr. O'Connell: $381,000. $100,009 was provided for tax anticipation, which was not needed, plus snow removal and per- sonnel. Chairman Kenney read a request from Mrs. Russell Morash Morash for a sewer connection to service the property at 41 Pleasant Moon Hill Street, recently purchased from Miss Bartlett. She understands Sewer that it might be possible by tying into the proposed Moon Hill Connection trunk sewer. A report from Mr. McSwenney states that the Engineering Division has reviewed the request and anticipates no difficult- ies. The betterment for the connection is being prepared and will be included in the overall Moon Hill plan. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering to include the property at 41 Pleasant Street in the Moon Hill sewer project. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Water the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering Abatements to abate the following water bills J D'Amico Inc. Emerson Road $48.74 Joseph Gainnall 504 Waltham Street 3.15 Emery Park 1813 Mass. Ave. 330.75 (Town of Lexington) i 388 Selectmen's Meeting August 11, 1975 111 Town-Owned Chairman Kenney read a request from Town Counsel to sign Land - the deed conveying land on Wood Street to the Lexington Housing Lexington Authority as authorized under Article 62 of the 1975 Annual Housing Town Meeting Warrant. Authority Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Wood Street the deed conveying all rights, title and interest now owned by the Town of Lexington• to the Lexington Housing Authority on land - SOUTHEASTERLY: 75 feet more or less by remaining land of the Town of Lexington and old Wood Street; SOUTHWESTERLY: 270 feet by lots 322 through 314 as shown on plan of Colonial Heights, dated March 1910, by H.A. Milihouse, Civil Engineer; NORTHWESTERLY 13 feet more or less by old Wood Street; NORTHEASTERLY: 276.9 feet more or less by Wood Street as now laid out,containing about 11,880 sq. feet more or less. 1),ei its - Chairman Kenney read a request from Mr. Harold Shuster, Battle Connecticut, for permission to use a metal detector on the Green Battle Green. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- mission to Mr. Shuster to go over the Battle Green with a metal detector but to deny digging of any type or disturbance of the turf in any manner. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request of the Lexington Minute Man for the use of the Battle Green on Sunday, September 7, 1975, from 1:00 to 3 00 p.m. for install- ation of officers. Certificate Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify of the character of the following who have applied for Certificate Incorporation of Incorporation: Jerry Wacks 1 Winthrop Road Robert D. Patterson Blossom Street "Hunter House, Inc. Permit - Chairman Kenney read a request from the American Cancer Bike-a-Thon Society for permission for a Bike-a-Thon. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- mission to the Minuteaaaari Branch of American Cancer Socity to conduct a bike-a-thon on September 21, 1975, rain date September 28, sub- ject to the condition that the route be submitted to and approved by Chief Corr. , Selectmen's; Meeting August 11, 1975 Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Boland B. Greeley, Lexington President of the Historical Society, stating that the Walking Tour Walking of Lexington is completed and all markers are in place, the Guide Tour Booklet is on sale at the Visitors Center and Buckman Tavern Gift & Shop. The basic research was conducted by Vision, Inc. of Cam- Markers bridge, the idea was conceived by Dan Fenn, VP of the Historical Society and co-sponsored by the Society and the Lexington Bi- centennial Committee; the project was jointly financed by four Lexington banks, the Chamber of Commerce and the Massachusetts Council on the Arts and Humanities. Posts for the markers were furnished by Boston Edison and installed by the Telephone Com- pany. Thanks are extended to the Town Department of Public Works for help in cutting the posts to dimension and for in- stallation. The Board of Appeals and Historic Districts Co- mission were helpful in approving design and location of markers, and we are indebted to Town officials for permission to locate many of them on Town property. During the two years when the markers will be in place, we hope they will provide helpful and informative to many Lexington residents and countless tourists. The Board agreed to write a letter of appreciation to Mr. Greeley for the accomplishment of such a tremendous project. U Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Minutes the minutes of the Selectmen's meeting of December 16, 1974, and May 19, 1975. The Board discussed perambulation of Town boundaries and it Boundary was agreed that Mr. McSweeney is to make arrangements to contact Perambulation the Boards of Selectmen of the abutting towns for a convenient date in the fall to walk the boundaries. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the Tabled Item request from Mr. McSweeney to rescind the vote of June 30 con- Conduit cerning the installation of conduit from Bedford Street on the westerly side of Winter Street. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that a formal request for Dog Hearing a dog hearing has been received from Dr. Edmund J. Buchinskas on the dog owned by Elliott I Mishara, 193 Grant Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to conduct a dog hearing on the formal complaint received from Dr. Buchinskas on the dog owned by Mr. Mishara. Date to be set later pending information as to a convenient time for Dr Buchinskas' attorney to be present. i 390 Selectmen's Meeting August 11, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Order of the request of the Director of Public Works/Engineering to sign Sewer the following: Construction Grant Street Order of construction of sewer on Grant Street from East Street a distance of 675 feet, more or less, southerly, abutting the premises designated as Lots Pt. 62/5, Pt. 62/5, "A," "B", 1, 2 on the Assessors' plans. Order of Order of Sewer Taking on Haskell Street from Summer Sewer Taking Street, Easterly 150 feet, more or less, abutting Haskell Street the premises designated as Lot "A" on Assessors" plans. Bicycle Mr. McSweeney informed the Board that the Lions Club has Racks given approval of providing bicycle racks at six locations in the Town. The locations have to be approved and we will bring a sketch plan to the Board. Chairman Kenney: When we approve the locations, we should be sure to have publicity on the project. Mr McSweeney reported to the Board that a barrier will be Willards erected at the Willards Woods entrance in approximately three 111 Woods weeks. For now, a cable will be put across it. After the gate is installed we will grade the road and the parking area. Chairman Kenney: Put some reflector tape on the cable. When you finish the project, we will put a notice in the paper that it has been closed off. Sidewalk Chairman Kenney read a request from Mrs. Nancy Sorensen to Vinebrook Rd construct a brick sidewalk in front of her home at her own ex- pense. After discussion with Mr. McSweeney, the Board agreed to refer the matter to him with the understanding that he would contact Mrs. Sorensen to resolve the construction of the brick sidewalk in front of her home at 1 Vinebrook Road. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that the Board has been State Aid - requested by the State Department of Public Works, District #4, Highways to sign the "notification in writing" of the amount that will be incurred as the actual cost during Fiscal Year 1976, for Section 14, Chapter 497, Acts of 1971. I 391 Selectmen's Meeting III August 11, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the certification to be submitted to the Massachusetts Depart- ment of Public Works that the amount of $561,250.00 will be incurred by the Town of Lexington as the actual cost during the Fiscal Year 1976 for construction, maintenance, and polic- ing of streets and road in accordance with Section 14, Chapter 497, Acts of 1971. The Board discussed Wild Acre Inn, Inc. , 50 Eercy Road, and Wild Acre agreed to invite the owner, Dr. Bernard Yudowitz, to the next Inn 1 meeting on August 25 regarding the operation of the Inn. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or Session voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial inerests of the Town, or the reputation of a person After discussion of matters of financial interest and policy, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:00 p.m. A true record, Attest: ecu" Extive Clerk, Selectmen