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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1975-02-24-BOS-min 229 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 24, 1975 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, Feb- ruary 24, 1975, at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Buse and Brown, and Mrs Battin; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager, Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineer- ing; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present At the request of the Town Clerk, the following jurors were Jurors drawn John D Berry III 83 Cary Avenue George B. Percy 17 Spring Street William H Watson 55 Shade Street Robert E Smith 42 Cary Avenue Stanley J Solomon 4 Whittier Road Concetta M. Martenelli 59 Williams Road June Tutin 9 Revere Street Mr William Page, Chairman of the Cable Television Advisory CATV Committee met with the Board Members of the Committee and Attorney Stewart Graham of Palmer & Dodge were also present Mr Page discussed the Article in the Warrant for Town Meet- ing to authorize the Selectmen to appoint a Committee on Cable Communications which shall review the preliminary report of the Advisory Committee to the Selectmen on CATV, to conduct further studies, and hold public hearings concerning the operation of community antenna television systems, including municipal owner- ship; and an appropriation of funds Mr Page explained that the reason for bringing the matter to the Board was to bring the issue of what the committee could do into the public view and to get the endorsement at Town Meet- ing for a way of proceeding In the discussion, Mr Page recommended that the committee consist of 9 members, while the Selectmen felt that there should be 5 members, but might concede to having 7 members Mr. Cohen We assume this committee will be advising the Selectmen on what would be most advantageous to the Town of Lexington As far as having money in the motion, I will wait to see what the Finance Committee says Mr Page We understand there would be contingencies It was agreed that Mr Page is to make the presentation at Town Meeting All concerned parties retired from the meeting 230 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 Heitman Mr. and Mrs John Heitman, 34 Rockville Avenue, met with Philip Rd. the Board to discuss the street betterment assessment on their Assessment lot on Philip Road. The Board had referred the matter to Mr McSweeney and Mr Cohen and it was agreed that the amount of $940 00 is due and payable to the Town Mr Heitman When we bought the house our attorney had taken care of it and there was noting in Town files to in- dicate there was a betterment for work done on the street eight years ago Two years after we are in the house, we get a bill Mr Carlson I sold the property to them. Back in 1962, Joseph Cary wanted to develop Section 4 to Minuteman Highlands _ and he had to hart access to the property so I sold it to him. This was long before the Bowman School went in and the street was called Moreland Avenue He now had two accesses They moved the street over 20 feet and built it up to Rockville Ave- nue. This street was put in under bond Mr McSweeney If the street was constructed under the subdivision, and at no cost to the Town, then we can't assess the betterment That is what I am going to find out The Board took the matter of the Heitman Street assessment under advisement SILC Mr Paul MacKenzie, Lexington's representative on the Sub111 - region Intertown Liaison Committee, met with the Board Mr MacKenzie The committee is meeting on Thursday and I have been asked to report on the feeling of the Selectmen on the continued operation of SILC Chairman Kenney Some of us had the feeling that, as a member of SILC, we are on the fringe area The Planning Board concurs with us After discussion, the Board agreed to write a letter to SILC stating that the declining participation of SILC in subjects of regional concern would indicate that the grouping of communit- ies in SILC lacks planning commonality in current times The Lexington Planning Board concurs that problems of multi-town impact will generate communication among those concerned. We support your alternative that the establishment of regional planning initiatives be left to the affected towns Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Board of Selectmen that SILC, having achieved its original purpose, be disbanded Mr. MacKenzie agreed to attend the SILC meeting and present the position of the Board Valleyfield Mr. Daniel McCabe, 11 Grassland Street, met with the Board Footpath to discuss the Article in the Warrant for a footpath from Valley- field Street to Waltham Street 231 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 Chairman Kenney We have heard from abutters who are opposed to this footpath. Some people feel if a culvert were built and improvements made in the area, maybe that would be acceptabele Mr McSweeney was asked if it would be possible to take a 50 ft wide strip of land from the "so-called owner unknown" for conservation purposes or other general purposes, and not layout the Valleyfield footpath but to simply improve Y P P Y mP the access over the culvert. He responded that this would require different type of Article from what we now have We did vote to lay it out but we are willing to discuss it further Mr MacKenzie, Planning Board The Planning Board supports, in principle, the concept of pedestrian paths for children How- evur, we feel that before the Town undertakes a specific project, it should have the support of the neighborhood, and particularly the neighbors who abut the path and are therefore more directly affected There should be a clear statement by the school dqr- partment and Town Government as to what effect, if any, the con- struction of a more direct pedestrain school route would have on the busing of school children from this neighborhood From a land use point of view, the Planning Board has no objections However, neither of these requirements have been adequately met and, therefore, the Planning Board cannot actively support the Article Mr McCabe The way the Article is worded now is to acquire land for a footpath and the footpath would be put down to minimal standards If McSweeeny could put in a culvert for kids to go from one side to the other, this would give us a safe way Why can't we do it now? Chairman Kenney We don't have access now Also, there is the question of liability Mr McCabe We didn't ask for macadam, and we don't want a beautiful footpath Is a footpath the only way it can be done this year? Chairman Kenney Yes Right now, my feeling coincides with that of the Planning Board, and to recommend postponement of the Article The Board agreed to recommend indefinite postponement at Town Meeting on Article 50, the Valleyfield footpath. The Board discussed a statement in the Minute-man by the Appropriation Committee that "we have asked the Board of Select- App. Com. men to exercise substantial restraint in wage increases granted Budgets within and without collective bargaining We have before us a expense budget which shows a net increase of nearly three per- ' cent over last year's While this may seem modest, it is the result of sharp increases in operating expenses offset by sub- stantial reducation in debt servicing and cost of elections Consequently, we have asked for a significant further reduction in operating expenses " 232 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 Chairman Kenney The Appropriation Committee is only an advisory committee to the Board, not a policy-making board It is the Selectmen working with the Town Manager, and if we feel the requirement of the necessity for upgrading services, we have an obligation to present it to Town Meeting in as clear and precise manner as we can Mr O'Connell submitted a prepared statement to the Board replying to the Appropriation Committee The follow- ing statement was endorsed by the Board and will be published in the Minute-man "Work on the FY 76 budget started last October It has been subjected to intensive management review on both a line item and program basis It has received three rounds of re- ductions as a result of these reviews It contains no new programs Our aim is to continue to deliver all essential public services at or near the present level as near to the 1975 cost level as possible, despite the continuing rise in cost of materials and pruchased services The Board feels it is a major accomplishment to be able to recommend to Town Meeting an expense budget of approximate- ly $4 4 million, representing an increase of only 2 4 percent over FY 75 on an equivalent basis It will present a difficult challenge to the operating departments when we note that we are experiencing such annual materials cost increases as bituminous concrete, up 50 percent; corrugated metal pipe, up 60 percent; copper pipe and fittings, up 60 percent; tires, up 34 percent; paper, up 70 percent Despite this patters, we have structured a FY 76 budget in which the controllable items are up less than 7 percent over 1975 Recommended increases come only in the two emergency services departments - police and fire Except for increased manpower required to offset reduction in work schedule, there has been no increase in Police Department strength since 1965 Fire Department strength has not yet been restored to the level it operated at just prior to the reduction`of work week from 51 to 42 hours in 1971, following authorization by the voters The Board of Selectmen advocates adding one position in the Police Department par ent and partially staffing it with three men starting in January, 1976, and the remaining two men needed for full staffing at a later date Similarly, in the Fire Depart- ment we recommend the addition of one firefighter position and staffing one man at a time starting in January, 1976 In summary, the Board intends to exercise every possible constraint in limiting both the personal services and expense budgets consistent with meeting the essential needs of the Town " 2:33 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 I III Mr O'Connell discussed the State Census to begin on March State 1, 1975 He recommended that Mrs Mary Hadley be appointed Census Census Director as the Town Clerk is unable to take on the added work- load because of Town Meeting Mrs Hadley has indicated that she is willing to accept the position Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs Mary Hadley the Census Director for the Town of Lexington for the 1975 State Census Mr O'Connell I have talked with Secretary Guzzi and told him that our Town Census will be completed in February, and asked about the possibility of updating this by mail for the State Census Secretary Guzzi said that it might be possible, subject to approval of the Census Bureau Mr O'Connell informed the Board of a request from Mr Turning McSweeney for an additional amount of $5,000 to cover the eco- Mill Rd logical monitoring of the Turning Mill Road sewer The contract Ecology with C. E Maguire, Inc of Waltham was for $10,000 but the add- itional amount is needed to complete all inspections This is covered under Article 21, 1973; the original estimate was be- tween $15-$20,000 The Board agreed to authorize Mr McSweeney to make the necessary arrangements Chairman Kenney read a list of street light requests from Street Mr McSweeney Springdale Road (new subdivision street) ; Tower Lights Road and Richard Road intersection; Hayden Avenue-Waltham Street to Spring Street Mr McSweeney recommended that all but Hayden Avenue be approved because of the high cost of installation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering not to install street lights on Hayden Avenue-Waltham Street to Spring Street, but to approve the installation of street lights on the following streets, subject to the Boston Edison Company's recommended locations Springdale Road Underground installation consisting of five 3,500 lumen mercury lights at $109 08 $545 40/year plus fuel adjustment Tower Road and Richard Road intersection Replace four incandescent lamps with six 3,500 lumen mercury lights Total additional cost = $76.80/year plus fuel adjustment. 234 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 Permits Chairman Kenney read two requests from the Lexington Youth Baseball League, and the Board agreed to grant permiss- ion for both events Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Lexington Youth Baseball League for the annual parade to be held on Saturday, May 3, 1975, at 1 30 p m. from the Muzzey Junior High School to the base- ball field. Arrangements will be made for a police escort and a fire engine to participate in the parade Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Lexington Youth Baseball League for the annual candy sale drive to be conducted throughtout the Town beginning Saturday, April 26, 1975 LeBellecour Chairman Kenney requested the Board to sign the applica- New Mgr tion to the Alcoholic Beverages Commission for approval of a new manager at LeBellecour Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the application to the Alcholic Beverages Control Commission for approval of Jean Alain Dupon as the new manager of Le- Bellecour, Inc (formerly Raymonde Friberg) . Green Chairman Kenney read a request from the Lexington Minute Lex Min Men, Inc to conduct the annual summer exercises on the Green Men Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Lexington Minute Men, Inc for the use of the Battle Green on the following dates June 1, 22; July 6, 20; August 10, 17, 1975 Innkeeper Chairman Kenney informed the Board that an application Lex Chalet for a renewal of the Innkeeper license has been received from the Lexington Chalet Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the 1975 Innkeeper license for the Lexington Chalet, Inc , 440 Bedford Street, expiring December 31, 1975 Planning Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Planning Board Board recommending the acceptance of the layout of streets for 1975 Streets the Annual Town Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Planning Board accepting the layout of the following streets for the 1975 Annual Town Meeting Columbus Street, Kendall Road, Sherburne Road, Worthen Road, Springdale Road, Emerson Road, Bushnell Drive, Village Circle, Militia Drive I vie. Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 The Planning Board recommends the acceptance of the lay- Belfry out of Belfry Terrace, 350 Ft from Forest Street to the end, Terrace with (1) the elimination of the sidewalk, (2) a slight re- alignment of the street at the intersection of Forest Street and Belfry Terrace in order to save a large red maple tree at that location Chairman Kenney read a petition from the residents of Belfry Terrace requesting the Selectmen not to include a side- walk in the street construction of Belfry Terrace. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Planning Board and the residents of Belfry Terrace to delete the construction of a sidewalk on Bel fry Terrace. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table Planning the report from the Planning Board regarding the TAMS recommend- Board ation on intersection of Massachusetts Avenue/Pleasant Street/ Mass Ave Pollen Road Pleasant St The Board discussed a letter from Mr Robert I Tarlin, Bicentennial Bicentennial Director, for approval of the proposed permanent Permanent memorial for Lexington's Bicentennial Commemoration, outlined Memorial as follows PROJECT 1 Location and determination of the original foundation of the second Meeting House (stood on the Common during the Battle of April 19, 1775) 2 Determination of the location of the Belfry during the Battle of April 19, 1775 3 Location and determination of the original foundation of the School House that stood on the Common during the Battle of April 19, 1775 4 Marking, at ground level, with fieldstones placed in concrete, the original foundations as follows (a) Exact location to be determined by Archeologist Roland Robbins, Lincoln, Massachusetts (b) Original foundation size both in area and width (c) Plaques of bronze on granite to be placed in the foundation area (also at ground level) indicating the purpose of and/or significant words spoken from within these buildings 236 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 PROCEDURE 1 Probing of the Common in the estimated locations (Work was approved by the Board of Selectmen in 1974 and much has been accomplished) 2 Open of the Common at the exact locations determined by the Archeologist so as to prove findings and to enable masonry work 3 Placement of concrete footings, fieldstone and plaques (complete restoration of the Common completion) SCHEDULE 1 Roland Robbins has many facts and determination from both historical knowledge and probings as to the approximate locations. 2 Roland Robbins will proceed with paperwork and plans of the Common from March 1, 1975 3 Upon approval from Board of Selectmen and Historic Dis- tricts Commission, work will take place immediately in the gound of the Common 4 Completion of the project for the Meeting House will be prior to April 19 , 1975 and will be part of our Re- dedication, April 20, 1975 5 Completion of entire project prior to July 4, 1975 with possibility of completion by April 19, 1975 FINANCE 1 Funds to be paid, with approval of Lexington Bicentennial Committee from the funds of the Lexington Bicentennial Corporation 2 Matching grant to be applied for from State Bicentennial Grant Fund 3 Services of Roland Robbins to be donated I 237 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 RESULTS A "Walk into the Past," rememberance of the original site of the First Battle of the American Revolution for the benefit of Local Residents and the numerous tourists that will visit our Town for years to come Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Bicentennial Committee for a pro- posed permanent memorial for Lexington's Bicentennial com- memoration, with the understanding that a request for approval is to be submitted to the Historic Districts Commission Chairman Kenney discussed a request from the Conserv- Transfer - ation Commission for a transfer to their expense account He Conserv informed the Board that he had met with Mrs Frick regard- Commission ing the original request for $825 00 and explained the Board's Expenses position that Conservation stay with their budget Since that conversation, Conservation is re-applying for a request for a transfer of $700.00, with the explanation that their secretarial workload has increased tremendously because of the new Hatch Act regulations, plus the fact that the second half of the year is when most of the Hatch Act hearing are held Mr O'Connell I would suggest that the Conservation Commission be asked to submit a list of services they are having Mrs. Greene perform, as the Appropriation Committee winwant it when the transfer is discussed Chairman Kenney Yes, and we will also ask if the Conservation Administrator can take over some of these tasks Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to re- quest the Appropriation Committee for approval of the transfer from the Reserve Fund in the amount of $700 00 to Account 2460- Conservation Commission Expenses. Mr Brown discussed the Governor's Hanscom Task Force Hanscom He explained that they are attempting to get the endorsement Task Force of the Towns - Bedford, Concord, Lincoln and Lexington - to continue the work by having a group similar to the Task Force but dealing with area-wide problems $1 million worth of plann- ing projects are uns1e wa' or propsed but. they are disconnect- ed, uncoordinated, with gaps, no comprehensive perspective, no process for involving towns and agencies in developing this 10,000 acre subregion in an integrated manner We have received the endorsement of the Town of Bed- ford of the formation of this new group, plus the promise of $2,000 as its share of the funding The Governor's Hanscom Task Force would probably continue for a year until a master plan is produced 238 Selectmen's Meeting February 24, 1975 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was vote to inform the Governor's Hanscom Task Force that the Board of Selectmen strongly endorses the need for a permanent group to replace the Governor's Hanscom Task Force This group should have a broad make-up similar to the Governor's Hanscom Task Force and should deal with area-wide problems The Board of Select- men would seek to provide up to $2,000 as Lexington's share of the funding for staff support 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 personnel and matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11 05 p m. A true record, Attest 'i^- 71 eArt,7_,,,, � //1 I ExecutiveClerk, Select I