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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-08-26-BOS-min 29 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 26, 1974 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday August 26, 1974 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs Bailey, Buse, Brown and Mrs. Battin; Mr. O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering and Miss Casey, Assistant Executive Clerk were present. At the request of the Town Clerk, seven jurors were drawn as follows Ruby O. Fawcett 511 Marrett Rd. William H. Copp, Jr. 95 Bridge St. Elizabeth Rose O'Neil 905E Mass. Ave. Edward J. Ferri 10 Colony Rd Ivadelle M. VanWingerden 21 Oxbow Rd. Daniel I. Murphy 54 Gleason Rd. Timothy J. Quinlan 2 Eliot Rd. Mr O'Connell read a letter from Mr. Patrick F. Jones, Jr. , Presi- dent of the Lena Park Community Development Corporation quoted in part as follows: "On behalf of the Lena Park Community Development Corporation I herewith express our sincere thanks to you for your cooperation in Lena Park making our visit to Lexington an enjoyable and meaningful affair. It is the unanimous feeling of the more than 600 youths and adults who attended and participated in the day's events that Lexington is a fun place. While we all enjoyed the scenic and picturesque landscape, we were equally fond of the sort of easy ''no hassle' style which seems to exude your Town and its citizens Anytime you care to exchange or spend a day or so in a different atmosphere, we will try to accommo- date your wishes. Would you be kind enough to thank the personnel of the Estabrook School as well as firemen, park employees and others who made the day such a success. Sorry I cannot remember all of the names." The problem of police enforcement of the By-Laws regarding land removal was discussed. Mr Bailey pointed out that the police need specific guide lines and that they should be published in the local newspaper. The Board concurred that the Town Manager should take Land steps to publicize the rules. It was also agreed that the building Removal inspector would meet with the owner of the property that Mr. Wathen- Dunn was questioning and impress upon the owner the necessity to make the property more presentable 3U Selectmen's Meeting August 26, 1974 The Board of Assessorshad set or advised by letter that they a the tax rate at $70.40 which was approved by the State last Friday. The new Tax Rate rate represents 800 per thousand over the 6 months tax bill and 600 in- crease over the 1973 annual tax bill. This amounts to approximately 1% increase in the tax rate. Mr. O'Connell Looking back over the last five years, Lexington's tax rate increased from $65.00 to $70.40 which represents less than 11% increase over the five-year period. During that period Lexington did not receive much relief from Federal revenue sharing. Surrounding communities have increased by 10-12% per year. I wonder if the Town understands and appreciates. Lexington's valuation is approximately 90% -- it is extremely higher in Lexington than other places. Lexing- ton Taxpayer is carrying his own weight. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that the State. Office for Children had advised the Town that pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 28A of the General Laws, they were going to rescind to all delegated cities and Day Care towns the authority to issue licenses to Day Care Centers. The Lexing- Centers ton Board of Health has served under the auspices of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health as the licensing authority within Lexington. In 1972 Chapter 875 of the Acts of 1972 replaced the Department of Public Health with the Office of Children. The licensing procedure remained essentially unchanged. This change in licensing procedure will become effective as of November 1, 1974. Mr. O'Connell It appears that there are two things to do. One, Simply have the Board of Health extend the licenses to the end of the year at no charge or the alternative to make a full renewal charge. September 15 is the annual renewal date for the licenses for our Day Care Centers. The annual rate iS $15.00. We have about ten daycare centers. The Board of Health would appreciate ;having it expressed that they be authorized to handle it They have expressed in a meeting with Dr. Cosgrove and George Smith that they will question day care centers that they believe are below the size that is appropriate. They may be told by the State that they do not plan to renew their licenses. Mr. Kenney We will be pleased to do this. Maybe they would do well not to charge the additional fee The Board agreed not to charge the additional fee. Mr. Kenney read a letter from Mrs. Morash regarding the parking Parking problem at Wilson Farm Stand at Fern and Pleasant Streets. Enclosed Wilson Farm were pictures showing cars parked on the sidewalk at this location. Stand This letter had been referred to the Traffic Safety Committee for a report. At their meeting of August 6, the Committee discussed the letter and noted that the construction at this location had not been com$leted when the picture was taken. Therefore no clearly defined edge of roadway had been provided. Since then, construction has been completed and a berm has been provided, and in order to park on the sidewalk a motorist must mount this berm, a bump he cannot help but notice. The Committee has requested the Police Department to check for violators during peak business hours at Wilson Farm Stand. 31 Selectmen's Meeting August 26, 1974 Mr. Bailey Wilson's is getting to be a problem. The police have to be heavy-handed. Wilson's will have to provide mere parking places. Mr. Kenney Would it help to paint it yellow? Mr. Bailey Talk with this lady and see if she still has complaints. Mr. Kenney We don't want the entrance to the street blocked. Mr. McSweeney, please talk with Mrs. Morash and get back to us with a report. The Board of Selectmen had received a request from Mr. White of 8 Sunnyknoll Terrace to be connected to the Town sewer system. Mr. Kenney Sewerage read a report from the Health Department that stated that Mr. White did Sunnyknoll need to have sewerage to his property. The 1975 sewer budget was dis- Terrace cussed. Mr. Bailey: How are we doing on next year's line-up? Mr McSweeney There are half a dozen of these We will come back with the availability of the funds and a run-down of needs Four or five bids will come in on Thursdaao The Board agreed to accept Mr McSweeney's recommendations On July 22, 1974, Mr. Domenic J DeFronzo had written a letter to the Board of Selectmen regarding the traffics-conditions on North Hancock Traffic Street. This was referred to the Traffic Safety Committee for a report. No Hans, Mr Kenney read the Traffic Safety Committee's report. It was their cock St. feeling that although geometrically North Hancock Street is in the minor street category, its volume and usage characteristics place it in an arterial street capacity. As North Hancock Street exists, it is difficult for the Police Department to cite speeders due to the lack of any approved speed zoning. It was their recommendation, based on usage and effective enforcement considerations, that North Hancock Street be studied for the posting of speed zones The Board agreed to the pro- posal. Mr. Kenney read a letter from the St Jude Children's Research Annual Hospital for permission for their organization to conduct the Annual Danny Danny Thomas March on October 5-6 throughout Lexington Thomas Mr. O'Connell I suggest that you be sure the police know about March it. It was agreed that permission be granted and the police be so notified. Mr. Kenney read a letter from the Muscular Dystrophy Associa- Muscular tions of America, Inc. requesting permission to conduct the Annual Dystrophy Appeal Funds Drive on Sunday, October 27, 1974 throughout Lexington. Funds It was agreed that permission be granted and the police be so Drive notified. I 32 Selectmen's Meeting August 26, 1974 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes minutes of the Selectmen's meetings held on March 11, 1974 and May 16, 1974 Mr Brown requested one correction in the minutes of the March 11 meeting Reference to the "Minute Man statue in stone" be changed to "Minute Man statue in bronze " A request from the Vine Brook Corp. for permission to move to 52 Vine Brook Bedford Street was read. Corporation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set up a public hearing for September 9, 1974 for permission for the Vine Brook Corp. to move to 52 Bedford Street. This would be advertised in the Minute Man on August 9, 1974. Mr. Busa abstained because of his family relationship with members of the corporation Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mrs. McGrory regarding a parcel of land at Washington and Warren Streets that was alleged to have been Canon Rock used by General Percy during the Revolution. It was suggested that the Lot Town acquire the property. Chairman Kenney The Bicentennial Committee has decided not to par- ticipate in the acquisition of the property Mr. O'Connell If it is acquired essentially out of its historic value we could consider the appropriateness of using conservation funds. but don't make it next year. Mr. Bailey What are the funds available right now. Mr. O'Connell Public Trust Funds are available. Chairman Kenney The feeling is that the general public partici- pation might be more appropriate for this piece of land. Try trust funds as one source. We should instruct Town Counsel to take proper action. Mr. Brown The problem is that there is no absolute evidence that this land was ever used by General Percy. The placques on Massachusetts Avenue were removed at Mr. Worthen's insistence. There seems to be no real evidence. Mr. Bailey Still, keep it on ice. Chairman Kenney We should accept the recommendations and instruct Town Counsel to file notice of claim. General public participation would be most appropriate. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the licenses The Flicks for week-days and Sundays for the Lexington licenses for the Minuteman Cinema, Inc. d/b/a the Flicks, 10 Muzzey Street, Lexington. It was agreed to hold the licenses until the State license for Sundays and the remit- tance fee was received from the Flicks 1 33 Selectmen's Meeting August 26, 1974 Mr. O'Connell stated that the Department of Public Works planned to renew the Sanitary Landfill permits for two years beginning October 1. Sanitary He requested the Board to authorize the Department of Public Works to Landfill extend the existing permits up to the end of October to give an over-lap Permits period, and continue the $1.00 nominal fee so that the residents would get two years for one fee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend the Sanitary Landfill permits to expire on October 1, 1976. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Neil Guide Mager, 1 Berwick Road an Official Guide of Lexington. Mr. O'Connell requested the Board to authorize abatement in the amount of $60.00 for July and August for two months' charges against Abatement Hanscom Field for the dog shelter. The contract expired the end of June Dog and they said they were pleased to renew The new contract was forwarded Shelter to them and they responded they did not want to extend the contract. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the two months' charges against Hanscom Field for the dog shelter. Mr. O'Connell stated that he had noticed, for quite some time, numerous violations of the By-Law regarding the use of the Battle Green. He pointed out that visitors have no way of knowing any of the rules as they are not posted. Battle Mr. O'Connell: i would like to know if the Board felt desirous Green to authorize the posting of a few signs calling attention to what is permitted and have these rules posted on the 30 minute parking signs Mr Kenney Do you think it is going to be a problem in 1975? Mr. O'Connell It is not a big problem now but it will increase in 1975. Mr. Kenney: We will attempt to provide picnic areas for visitors. Mr. Bailey We could post the regulations at the Visitors Center and on the Green. We have to have them out somewhere Mr. Kenney: One thing we would not like would be a cook-out on the Green. It is only fair to the visitors to make the rules available Mr Busa Rules and regulations are posted in other parks. Mr Kenney We would be negligent not to do so. It was agreed to post regulations on the parking signs regarding the use of the Battle Green. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Execu- tive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public secu- Executive rity, the financial interests of the Town, or the reputation of a Session person. After discussion of 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 15 p.m. A true record, Attest k94"4 Assistant Executive Clerk Select�man Alla/ �j