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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-11-04-BOS-min 97 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 4, 1974 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, November 4, 1974, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs Buse and Brown, Mrs Battin; Mr O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present The Board welcomed three new Firemen, Allen Campbell, Donald Martini, New and Donald Worthington, and wished them success as new employees of the Firemen Town Mr Zenner, Chairman of the Town Report Committee, and award win- ners of the Municipal Photography Contest conducted by the Massachu- setts Selectmen's Association, met with the Board. The Board congratulated all present who had participated in the contest and made it possible for the Town of Lexington to receive recog- Photo- nition for outstanding achievement in the following categories Third graphy Place in Category 1, Municipal Buildings; First and Second Place in Awards Category 11, Events of Public Interest; Second Place in Category 111, Action; First and Third Place in Category V, Candids; and Overall Best Picture of the Municipal Photography Contest II/ A Certificate of Award was presented to the following Gerald Gilmore, Raymond Barnes, Robert Hickey, Diane Holzheimer, Samuel Kitrosser, and Thomas Curran Chairman Kenney Three silver bowls were presented to the repre- sentatives of the Town at the Massachusetts Selectmen's Annual Meeting on last Saturday, and will be on display when the Lexington Room at the Library is opened in May The Board discussed appointments to the Town Report Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the fol- Town lowing as members of the Town Report Committee Louis A. Zehner, Chair- Report man; Edith Cheever, Harold T Handley, Richard W Hoover, Shirley Stolz, Comm John E Taylor and Hal Singley Appts Captain Robert Marrigan of the Lexington Minute Men, Inc met with the Board Captain Marrigan During the next few weeks, we will be making a Minute concerted effort to acquaint all the people in Lexington with our plans Men for establishing the Lexington Minute Men Museum. The support of the Museum Board of Selectmen is vital to the success of our project Funds are available from several Trusts and Foundations; however, written proof of Town support is a prerequisite for obtaining funding approval The Charter explains, also, that citizens may donate funds We would be pleased to have the Board of Selectmen endorse a Resolution I 98 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Reso- lution to endorse and support the establishment of the Sanderson House as the Lexington Minute Men Museum to serve as a permanent memorial to the Bicentennial, and that all citizens be urged to support this his- toric achievement during the 200th year of independence for the United States of America Mr O'Connell informed the Board that the Cary Trustees would like Cary Hall the sign for the Isaac Cary Memorial Hall to be done in 9-inch raised Signs black letters The signs would be made when funds are voted for the cost, which has not, as yet, been determined There is a question of whether the standing sign in front of Cary Hall would remain If re- moved, the appearance of the circle would be improved The Board requested Mr O'Connell to ask the Trustees if they felt that the sign should be removed. Members of the Recreation Committee, Daniel Busa, Chairman; Vincent Hayes and James Dhimos met with the Board Chairman Kenney As agreed last year, we would like to go over your capital budget requests with you. You are requesting a total of $155,000; Recreation Ball Field Lighting-$35,000; Old Res Bathhouse and Fence-$55,000; Bike Capital Path Program-$7,000; 4 Tennis Courts-$50,000; Neighborhood Playground Im- Budget provement-$3,000; Riding Ring and Bocce Court-$5,000 Mr Daniel Busa Let's not talk figures but talk about the need We have met five times since I have been Chairman to try and evaluate the programs for the need and why the need is more this year than last year Ball Field Ball field lighting We are aware of the energy crisis and under- Lighting stand it was a bad time because of this but, because of pressure from the softball players for the need, we would light one field and we will live under that particular expenditure Chairman Kenney What is your season and how often do you use them? Mr Daniel Busa It says "ball field lighting" and takes in quite a scope - Pop Warner, girls' field hockey, soccer, etc and, as you know, we have four lighted courts for tennis It is not only for softball but could serve a lot of areas that could be lit We have Pop Warner in the fall and, at this time of year, lighting could be essential for this pro- gram. Chairman Kenney They (Pop Warner) are now going to the Air Base? Mr Hayes We utilized the field to capacity Mr Daniel Busa On each one of our particular items, we plan to follow up with specifics and reports Mr Dhimos I would expand by saying that, unfortunately, this has been listed as softball lighting and that is incorrect in a sense We will call this area lighting of the complex that is bounded by Worthen Road and Park Drive We would like to see the entire complex with light- ing for football and all other activities We have the Little League and the softball program from May through August If the fields were to be lighted, hopefully the program would be expanded by another 20 teams 99 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Chairman Kenney Are they all Lexington teams? Mr Dhimos Not all of them but the requirement is a team con- nected with Lexington, such as Rowe Chevrolet team The whole area could be utilized for baseball programs for boys and girls, by the American Legion, Inner City Industrial League, Minute Men League The entire program would serve about 1200 people over a 2-year period after we get the other area lighted Mr Hayes Another aspect is that you are getting into another age group in softball Mr Daniel Busa To elaborate further, there has been high school use for practice; this is also a need The end result could be func- tional to the high school Chairman Kenney You are assuring the Town that the area would be used. Mr Daniel Busa There is no question We have surveyed other towns that have been lighted for 20 years Chairman Kenney The next item is the Old Res Bathhouse for Old Res $45,000 and fencing for $10,000 Bathhouse Mr Daniel Busa This was initially put in the Town budget 5 years ago and put out for bid and design for the bathhouse was $15,000 The longer we put it off, the more it will cost With the number of people swimming there, there would be unsanitary conditions Chairman Kenney How many thousands go there? Mr Daniel Busa 11,249 used it Chairman Kenney The program is well received by the Town and the time is coming when, ultimately, we will have to do it Mr O'Connell We have $2,000 a year in the operating budget for temporary arrangements; we are operating at the tolerance rate Chairman Kenney You have listed a backstop at Garfield Court. Play- Mr. Daniel Busa The area is in need of a backstop, and others grounds also We don't want to be locked into just Garfield as there are others in Town for just a neighborhood need Mr Hayes We established these play areas and loam and seem them; as the need comes up, we get petitions for basketball courts Chairman Kenney On Town bike trails, we appropriate $5,000 each Bike year to continue the program to complete 10 miles and get areas con- Trails nected. We have the Town working in Willards Woods to finish off that bike path We are trying to look at the situation between Town bike trails and motor bike trails There is one, now, at the present dump site Mr Brown I thought the bike trails were there, but not for motor bikes Mr Daniel Busa There are particular ones listed for motor bikes They will not run motor bikes on a regular bike trail We might put up signs now or in the spring Chairman Kenney Is there any particular reason why you want from $5,000 to $7,000? Mr Daniel Busa Only because we had the new bike path along with the motor bike trail 1U(1 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Tennis Chairman Kenney What about the request for four tennis courts? Courts Mr Daniel Busa: We have a need for practice boards, especially in the center We feel there are areas in the Town for tennis courts - Diamond Junior High was recommended. As you know, the need for tennis courts is essential for towns, and we are average as far as population. There were no questions on tennis courts Chairman Kenney For new projects, you are requesting $5,000 Mr Daniel Busa Our committee has often discussed what recrea- tion really is, and it is for the entire Town There are areas in Town where people own horses, and we have groups asking for horse rings Riding Ring for horse shows There is a need where people should go into a parti- Bocce Court cular area A horse ring is not an expensive item. We could have one at Willards Woods, Harrington School, and we have thought of the former Hennessey property Harrington would be good Also, we have literature on bocce courts Of the $5,000, it would be $3,000 for bocce court and $2,000 for a riding ring Mr O'Connell These figures are quite preliminary Mr. Hayes Several years ago, we presented a program for the Har- rington School area. I believe the base is all laid for that area Mr O'Connell Regarding the tennis courts, $50,000 provides for practice bangboards There is a possibility we will have money left out of the $31,000; if so, this figure becomes somewhere between $45,000- $50,000 Mr Daniel Busa To update you, we have joined with the Planning Board in the survey money for recreation They are meeting to carry forth in the Town on recreational programs The Selectmen should be aware that three members of our committee and three members of the Planning Board are going to meet to go over it Has there been any discussion on the recreational center (Ralph Lord's proposal)? Chairman Kenney We haven't taken any position as it appeared to be an expensive program. The way we look at budgets this year and in past years, I don't think we could give it consideration We would love to have it but, in terms of priorities, that sets it back a bit Mr Daniel Busa Is there anything to take back to my committee? Chairman Kenney Nothing specific We did want to afford you the mutual opportunity of giving additional input before we went into the initial capital budget slicing Mr Daniel Busa The Recreation Committee feels strongly that we would like to work closely with the Selectmen Chairman Kenney It is the consensus of the Selectmen that a capi- tal expenditure of $155,000 is unsatisfactory If possible, you may be able to catch up in some areas Mrs. Battin Have you looked into the possibility of using the facilities of the Minute Man School? Mr Daniel Busa We will look into it Messrs Busa, Hayes and Dhimos retired from the meeting U 1_01 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Mr Cohen discussed the St Brigid's housing proposal Last week, my associate was called by Paul Counihal as to whether or not St Brigid's we would be willing to consent to the Planning Board intervening I said I would have to discuss it with my client, the Board of Appeals I polled them and the Board of Appeals unanimously said that I should not consent. Chairman Kenney What would your normal procedure be? Mr Cohen Normally you are representing a client and if they wanted to intervene you would not consent to it Mrs Battin What happens now? It will go to the Judge? Mr Cohen He will make a motion to intervene If we consent, he would make a motion for the other side Mrs Battin We aren't the other side Chairman Kenney The Selectmen voted to instruct Town Counsel to represent the Board of Appeals and, if they won't consent, the attorney for the Planning Board has ample opportunity to present his motion to the Judge Mr Cohen agreed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the re- quest from Secretary Davoren to certify the character of Levi Burnell, Vernon ' Jr , Logan Clarke, Jr , Chester C Duval, Rudolph J Fobert, Albert W Page Hruby, and Anne R. Scigliano, who have applied for a Certificate of In- Incorp corporation to be known as "Vernon C Page Memorial Fund, Inc " Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Sewer Con Order for Construction of Sewer on Wingate Road, from Leeland Terrace Orders 340 feet, more or less Wingate Rd Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Sunny Order of Sewer Taking on Sunny Knoll Terrace from existing sewer to Knoll #3, #5, #8, #10 Wingate Rd Terrace Chairman Kenney read a request from James J Gordon Inc , Movers, Hingham, Mass to move the Hancock-Clarke House across Hancock Street Hancock on November 16, 1974 The move would require closing Hancock Street, Clarke in the area of #35 Hancock Street, from 8 00 a m. to 4 30 p m. on this Move day Mr Brown Would we lose any trees? Chairman Kenney One was cut down and there would be no others Mr McSweeney came into the meeting Mr McSweeney We had a hearing on the one tree and there will be some high trimming on others The street will be closed during the move and the Police will set up recommended detours Otis Brown, Chief Corr and I will meet again to discuss the streets to be shut off It is my understanding that Time Magazine will have full cover- age on the move Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- sion to James J Gordon Inc to move the Hancock-Clarke house across io2 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Hancock Street on November 16, 1974 during the hours of 8 00 a m. to 4 30 p m. , subject to the conditions that the move be made under the direct supervision of the Director of Public Works/Engineering and with the cooperation of Police Chief Corr Contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the 75-5-E request of Mr McSweeney to sign Contract 75-5-E, awarded on October Clarke & 15, 1974 to Santorelli Construction, Inc for sidewalk construction, Muzzey Sts $59,986 50 Theatre Upon motion duly made and secondeS, it was voted to sign the Licenses Weekday and Sunday licenses for the Lexmil Theatre, Inc d/b/a Cinema Cinema II II, located at 10 Muzzey Street Also, to sign the application to the State for approval of the State Sunday License The Board discussed Flood Insurance Flood Mr O'Connell Since we last reviewed it, the Army Corps of Insurance Engineers has reviewed it The danger isn't any greater now than be- fore There are almost no buildings that exist in the areas shown, "spring flooding of the brooks " The federal government is putting stress on and would deny monies so we may be forced to "qualify " It is quite improbable that anyone would want to build a building in the areas shown Conservation is seeking easements along the brooks The Board agreed to request further information from the Plan- ning Director The Board discussed the island at Village Circle Chairman Kenney We met with the Planning Board and, at that time, there was an initial estimate of $10,000 to rectify the matter Village The Board agreed with the Planning Board that we would support an Circle Article for the 1975 Town Meeting Mr. Buse: I agree that we would support it to some extent but I want to see to what extent they upgrade that island There are others owned by the Town We should clean it up but I don't think we should make any major project out of it Mr McSweeney This is one of the first to be considered and I think the issue should be settled with the developer If we do this one, there are a number of them in Town We can talk with the devel- oper and come back with more positive information Chairman Kenney Mr Briggs' memo gives an estimate of $7,230 Mr O'Connell I believe Mr Briggs' estimate was based on a complaint of a property owner of the possibility of a child drowning The real hazard is the brook behind the property Mrs Battin I think that person hoped that money would be waived for a sidewalk and could be used for the circle We have to rectify the situation and I would urge that the developer participate I 10:3 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Mr Busa Once you get into the neighborhood and ask what they want, you can get it up to $50,000 Chairman Kenney We will ask for minimal improvements We will ask the Planning Board to do some additional work on it. Meanwhile, the Article spot is there Mr Busa reported on the progress of the Trash Committee to col- lect and recycle newspapers Four Churches and two Temples will parti- cipate in a weekly collection and, at some place in Town, there will be a collection each week There will be a dumpster and a trailer each Trash weekend and we have to find out whether Miller and Shaeffer disposal Companies companies are willing to participate in this type of program If so, the first collection of newspapers would be taken up during the second week of December Chairman Kenney Good Will it cost us anything? Mr Busa I don't think it will; the money will go to the Church or Temple and the disposal companies that hawl it away Mr Brown This is a substitute for paper at the dump? Mr Busa No, in conjunction with. Mr Brown Does this include glass? Mr Busa No, this is a pilot program. Chairman Kenney You are attempting to see citizens' participa- 11/ tion in terms of tonnage? Mr Busa Yes. If it doesn't work out, one of the collection trucks would go from street to street one day a week If 80% partici- pation, we could save 40% of the newspapers going into the sanitary landfill Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Execu- tive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on Executive matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public secu- Session rity, the financial interests of the Town, or the reputation of a person After discussion of matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session and resume the open meeting Mr Cohen retired from the meeting The Board discussed the Capital Budget requests, as submitted by Mr O'Connell, and agreed to carry, on a preliminary basis, $1,684 000 Capital Budgets Trunk sewers and sewer laterals-$650,000; Trunk Sewers Concord Avenue from Waltham Street about 1800 feet through Lexington Conser- vation Land to Concord Avenue, to service homes on Concord Avenue be- tween Blossom Street and Waltham Street Moon Hill Road from existing sewer in Mason Street about 1730 feet through private land to Moon Hill Road to sewer part of the Moon Hill Area I 104 Selectmen's Meeting November 4, 1974 Water Mains-$25,000; Storm Drains-$50,000; Master Drainage Studies- and Sewer System Inflow Study-$25,000 $750,000 Improvement of Public Property and Ways-$246,000 Street and Sidewalk Construction-$175,000; Chapter 90 Street Construction and Maintenance-$66,000; Curbing-$5,000 $246,000 Equipment-$207,000 DPW Road Machinery-$200,000; Fire Department Ambulance Rescue-$5,000; Police Special Service Vehicle-$2,000 $207,000 Technical Services-$21,000 Community Development Studies-$10,000; Mosquito Control Services-$11,000 $ 21,000 Buildings-$50,000 is recommendation of Town Manager $ 50,000 Land Acquisition and Development-$250,000 is recom- mendation of the Town Manager (Board agreed not to sup- port Cannon Hill ) $250,000 Recreation-$132,000 Ball Field lighting-$35,000; Old Res Bathhouse/Fence-$55,000 Bike Path Program-Riding Ring111 - 4 Tennis Courts (Mr McSweeney is to discuss the cost of tennis courts with the Recreation Committee ) $132,000 Board agreed not to support bocce courts Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 05 p m. A true record, Attest 227 Executive Clerk, Selectmen