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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-05-20-BOS-min 542 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 20, 1974 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, May 20, 1974, at 7 30 p.m Chairman Kenney, Messrs Bailey 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. Reverend Handley, Director of Guides, met with the Board to request Guides the appointment of Guides for the coming season, license to expire on June 1, 1975 Chairman Kenney welcomed the Guides and the Board voted to appoint the following as Official Guides of the Town of Lexington Appointments Re-Appointments Bowers, Ellin Bass, Harvey Nichipor, Mark Coates, Norma Dyer, Julie O'Shaughnessy, Paul Gerrig, Richard Fine, Marjorie Sauermann, Claudia Helgeland, Ellen Golden, Brad Wachman, Alan Kocher, Tom John, Richard Wang, Cheri Leary, Colleen Kahne, Daniel Keeler, Paul Warshawer, Steven Lucas, Jeff Wishney, Pam Ryan, Carolyn Miles, Robin Ryan, Kathleen Morgenstern, Vicki Sullivan, Terri Moskow, Jeff Mr O'Connell requested the Board to sign release of all claims, as requested by the Sentry Insurance Company, Boston, in return for full Accident settlement of claim involving an accident at Massachusetts Avenue and Claim Waltham Street which resulted in damage to the traffic signal lights. Release The Insurance Company settled for $551 25 and the owner of the vehicle involved gave a personal check for $121 89 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the re- lease of all claims against the Town of Lexington concerning a motor vehicle damaging a traffic signal at Massachusetts Avenue and Waltham Street At 7 45 p.m , hearing was declared open upon application of Johnson Johnson Bros for permission to install three additional 10,000 gallon under- Bros ground tanks for the storage of #6 bunker oil on the premises at 31 East #6 Oil Street, Lexington. Chairman Kenney Notice of the hearing was published in the Lexing- ton Minute-man on May 9, 1974, and the applicant notified all abutters of the hearing by certified mail Fire Chief Spellman approved the location} of the three new underground tanks and informed us that a capsule is not necessary as there has been no problem with the other tanks b43 Selectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 Mr, William J. Wilson, Manager of Johnson Bros , was present and ex- plained that, due to the energy crisis, delivery sometimes might be delayed and this extra storage would allow them an extra week's supply of oil to heat the greenhouses Mr Paul Keeler, 79 East Street Does this have anything to do with the petition granted last fall for expansion of the greenhouses, at which time it was stated that no facilities were needed for the expansion? Are they related? Mr Wilson Times have changed since then because of the energy crisis No, we are not planning on building greenhouses; this is just for supply of oil Chairman Kenney You are saying that the fuel crisis is the major reason? Mr. Wilson: Fuel tanks get low and at times we wondered if we would make it until the next delivery Mr Keeler It was stated before the Planning Board and the Board of Appeals, and in the petition, that no additional facilities would be needed. Is this another means towards expansion of the boiler room? Chairman Kenney Is there any intention of expanding? Mr Wilson No, there is a sufficient amount of boilers there but this is to guarantee the supply of oil Mrs Battin Are all the greenhouses going to be built already here? Mr Wilson Yes Mr Weinmayr, 49 East Street I am a direct abutter to the opera- tion. As long as this expansion of oil tanks is not for the construc- tion of greenhouses, I have no objection It is adjacent to the Fiske School and there might be requirements for safety You mentioned that the Fire Chief said there would be no requirement for a capsule Chairman Kenney Chief Spellman has investigated and his recommenda- tion is that there is no need for a capsule here Mr Weinmayr I am registering myself as being present and interested No one else being present in favor or opposed, Chairman Kenney declared the hearing closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue the license to Johnson Bros for permission to install three additional 10,000 gallon underground tanks for the storage of #6 bunker oil on the premises at 31 East Street Mr O'Connell informed the Board that the Treasurer had advised him that tax anticipation notes are being paid off and, as of tomorrow, the Town will be an investor instead of a borrower Mr O'Connell For the information of the Board, we had scheduled Firemen's the Firemen's examination on May 25 We had expected between 25 and 30 Exam and there were approximately double that number of applicants 544 Selectmen's Meeting May, 20, 1974 Mr Brown You mean there were 50 applicants for two positions? Mr O'Connell Yes Some were remote from Town and outside the age limit Chairman Kenney How many were from Lexington? Mr O'Connell From approximately 30, I would say there were 20, all within a five-mile radius Mr O'Connell Congressman Cronin has requested the use of the Barnes' property on Memorial Day He is coming by helicopter to speak Use of in Lexington He is a federal official and we are not granting permis- Barnes' sion to land but it would be proper to grant the use of public property Property Mr Brown I would hope a public announcement will be made If people know about it, we don't get complaints Chairman Kenney Yes Also, alert Chief Corr Mr O'Connell The National Honor Society at the High School, in connection with the Arts Festival on June 1 and 2, would like to stage a bicycle race for 50 - 100 participants, starting and ending near the High School Three routes have been suggested, but they all involve Waltham Street, which is dangerous on Sunday at 10 00 a m Mr Brown Do we have any traffic Committee comments? I have bi- cycled on Sunday morning and there is no traffic there Mrs Battin How about Lincoln Street? From Waltham to Lincoln Bicycle Street is about two miles Race Mr Bailey Check with the Temple as they do have Sunday School Mr O'Connell We will give the High School children the problem of working out a route, subject to approval of the Police Department The Board agreed Mrs Battin informed the Board of a meeting held with Justin Gray Associates concerning a preliminary plan for the proposed development Middlesex of County-owned land surrounding Middlesex County Hospital I attended County the meeting with representatives of the Planning Board, Recreation Com- Hospital mittee, Housing Authority and the Conservation Commission They (JGA) Land explained what they are doing and wanted our input There is a time schedule now and they would like the Board's suggestions and reactions to go to the Planning Director this week, and the Planning Board will discuss it and send a letter to Mrs Finegold, the Middlesex County Land Use Project Director for JGA Chairman Kenney We have had no official request from them until this week Mrs Battin They are talking about a written report in which they hope to incorporate our recommendations, hopefully after we consult with Waltham. As long as we indicate that we are seriously considering their report and plan to send in our recommendations they are willing to delay getting it to the printers until they have our input Q Selectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 Zone Land Use 1 Existing use to remain 2 Subsidized or private housing, public services uses 3 Open space, parkland/conservation 4 Open space, parkland/conservation land bank 5 Subsidized or private housing, public services uses Mrs Battin A constraint placed on all the land is that no matter who acquires and/or operates it, the entire region must be served Zone three has the best possible open space Our own Conservation Commission had written to Justin Gray asking them to consider adding this to our Conserva- tion land Zone four is also a potentially favorable acquisition for Lexington as it could be used for general recreation purposes for Waltham and Lexington as well as for Conservation open space Zone five in Wal- them has been proposed by the Hospital as an area in which the multiple handicapped could live with their families and get backup medical and social services from the Hospital The other land in Lexington is Zone two for which subsidized or private housing has been considered, such as community residences or halfway houses for the handicapped or elderly (Abutters in Waltham are reported to be terrified of this ) Mr Brown Do I understand that number five is all inside Waltham? Mrs Battin Yes Under 667, you can build housing and the Depart- ment of Community Affairs could give the money They do want input; the Planning Board wants our reactions Mr Brown Is Area number two the only one including housing in Lexington? Mrs Battin Yes Mr Brown As you know, we have problems with our state liquor li- censes because of the number of adults that live within the Town If you add Area number two how many people do you have to add to the requirements for a liquor license? Mrs Battin It would depend on how many housing units they could put in They didn't talk about numbers, but did talk about 35 units Mr Bailey What is your fear if we are entitled to more licenses? Is it that someone would bring suit? Is there any likelihood the Select- men would be forced to give a license? Chairman Kenney No Mrs. Battin How many actual units that would be put in would deter- mine the number of people Mr Cohen As more people come in, you add them, and you are eligible for another liquor license Chairman Kenney We will request the Planning Board and Conservation Commission to come in with recommendations on May 29 The Board agreed 5416 Selectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 Chairman Kenney read a letter of resignation from George C Sheldon as a member of the Board of Appeals Board of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with Appeals deep regret, the resignation of George C Sheldon as a member of the Board of Appeals Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Logan Clarke, Jr a member of the Board of Appeals to fill the unexpired term of Mr Sheldon until January 1, 1975 Chairman Kenney read a report from Town Counsel Norman P Cohen regarding land which had previously been voted to be acquired "The following parcels of land have been acquired Land Acqui- a Land on Valleyfield Street voted under Article 75 of the warrant sition for the 1965 annual town meeting for playground purposes Report from Town b Baldwin land - Junniper Hill voted under Article 79 of the war- Counsel rant for the 1970 annual town meeting and 57 of the warrant for the 1972 annual town meeting for conservation purpsoes c Conservation buffer strip along the Burlington-Lexington line voted under Article 10 of the warrant for the 1971 special town meeting d Ashley land voted under Articles 58 and 59 of the warrant for the 1972 annual town meeting for town and conservation purposes e Baskin gift voted under Article 95 of the warrant for the 1970 annual town meeting f Harris gift voted under Article 48 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting g Porter land voted under Article 55 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting for conservation purposes h Cataldo land voted under Article 60 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting for conservation purposes i Gift of land from Metropolitan State Hospital voted under Article 62 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting j Living and Learning Center conservation easement voted under Article 63 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting k Mason Street walking easement voted under Article 77 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting The following parcels have not been acquired 54 Selectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 1 Land in Meagherville voted under Article 45 of the warrant for the 1963 annual town meeting If the Selectmen wish to pursue this, I suggest that a meeting be set up with John McSweeney 2 Land along Vine Brook voted under Articles 75, 82 and 83 of the warrant for the 1969 annual town meeting for conservation purposes I believe that one owner has agreed to convey an easement to the town and negotiations are proceeding with other owners 3 Land of William Hamilton voted with b above it is my under- standing that Mr Hamilton's son will give a gift of a conservation ease- ment to the town 4 Land of Cooke on Massachusetts Avenue voted under Article 63 of the warrant for the 1971 annual town meeting This acquisition is tied up by legal proceedings 5. Land along the Munroe Brook voted under Article 61 of the warrant for the 1972 annual town meeting for conservation purposes It is my under- standing that one owner has agreed, although papers have not been signed 6 Land of Lexington Associates, Inc voted with d above Acquisi- tion of this land for town and conservation purposes is imminent. 7 Woburn Street School Site - The Selectmen should decide what to do about the small remaining pieces that were not acquired A meeting at the site might be in order 8 Oneida land voted under Article 83 of the warrant for the 1966 annual town meeting for conservation purposes Frank Smith advised me that the town may eventually get this small piece as a gift No action should be taken at this time 9 Land of Waymint Realty Trust voted with g above I understand the Conservation Commission has had some discussion with the owners 10 Land of Lucky Penny Trust voted under Article 57 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 11 Land of Johnson voted under Article 58 of the warrant for the 1973 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 12 Gift of land from Concord Avenue Realty Corp voted under Article 33 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting I am in contact with the lawyer for the donor 13 Gift of land from Baskin voted under Article 45 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting I shall contact the donor 54S Selectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 14 Graziano land voted under Article 46 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 15 Marco Realty Trust land voted under Article 47 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 16 Hillside Avenue land voted to be acquired and transferred under Articles 48 and 49 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 17 Land along Vine Brook voted under Article 52 or the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting for conservation purposes 18 Elliott land voted under Article 53 of the warrant for the 1974 annual town meeting for conservation purposes " Mr Brown Let the record show that the Board compliments Mr Cohen of Palmer and Dodge Chairman Kenney I agree, and say that we have excellent communica- tion, which is another significant area of progress Chairman Kenney read an invitation from the Burlington Board of Selectmen to attend a meeting on May 23 to discuss establishments serving Liquor alcoholic beverages to minors Chairman Kenney to Mr O'Connell Do we have any problems concern- ing serving liquor at our establishments? Mr O'Connell No, our problem is on parking and acquisition at package stores The Board agreed that it was not necessary to have a representative at the meeting in Burlington Cert of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the Incorp character of William Anthony Sommers, 7 Hunt Road, who has applied for Certificate of Incorporation, "Massachusetts Municipal Center, Inc " Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's meetings of January 3 and January 7, 1974 Bicenten- Chairman Kenney read a request from Vynebrooke Village and Greeley nial Village residents for a grandstand during Bicentennial activities The Board agreed to reply that the Bicentennial Committee is work- ing on their request Brook St Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Pumping recommendation of the Director of Public Works/Engineering and to sign Station the contract with Hall Pump Sales & Service Corp for Brook Street Pump- Contract ing Station Control System Revisions, in the amount of $43,202 00; con- 111tract approved as to form by Town Counsel )49 IIISelectmen's Meeting May 20, 1974 Chairman Kenney informed the Board that a meeting had been held with 115 Kendall Corporation Mr Colangelo agreed to request the Board of Appeals for an extension of one more week Tektronics, Inc came into the picture and they talked about problems with traffic They will have a representative at the meeting on May 29 on the widening of Bedford Street 115 Kendall Chairman Kenney to Mr Cohen What happens to Hinchey Road? Corp Land Mr Cohen I don't have all the facts on Hinchey Road as discon- Hinchey Rd tinued by the State That may have been completely discontinued It is very hard to figure out Mr McSweeney If they come in later for the five acres, that par- cel will eventually have an opening there I would like to investigate the merits of it traffic-wise I talked to TAMS and they would be happy to add it This would be part of the service road we are proposing and it would have to go to the Planning Board Chairman Kenney We would urge you to further explore it The Town's intention would be to get rid of Hinchey Road and change the grade Mr Cohen Mr Colangelo said he has an agreement with one and the best way would be to urge him to give agreements with the other three home owners If Mr Colangelo is making efforts in selling that piece of land, you can't do it unless you get an agreement with the people I hope to talk with him Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 23 p.m. A true record, Attest executive Selectme� 1 � executive Clerk,