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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-02-25-BOS-min 451 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 25, 1974 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 25, 1974, at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Mr. Brown, Mrs. Riffin; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. At the request of the Town Clerk, five jurors were drawn, as follows Jurors John W. Broderick, Jr I Barrymeade Drive June E Corsetti 45 Greenwood Street Charlotte E. Kitchell 49 Parker Street Frank D Ricci 8 Fair land Street Charles H. Proctor 12 Welch Road Chairman Kenney opened a hearing on the application of Louis Cannizzo Gasoline for permission to install an approved 2,000 gallon underground tank for Cannizzo the storage of gasoline on the premises at 331 Concord Avenue, Lexington. Notice of the hearing was advertised in the February 14, 1974 issue of the Lexington Minute-man, and all abutters were notified by certified mail by the applicant. A report was read from Fire Chief Spellman stating that he had in- spected the premises and approved the location of the tank. Mr. Louis Cannizzo was present and said that he uses a number of trucks, tractors, roto-tillers, etc. in the daily operation of his business as a landscape contractor and, therefore, it would be to his advantage to supply his own gasoline Chairman Kenney Is this in a commercial zone? Mr. Cannizzo No, I bought it twelve years ago as a little farm. I am in the landscaping business and have trucks on the property. Chairman Kenney In the past, we have recommended that the tank be encased in a plastic bag as an added protection Mr. Cannizzo It would be protecting our property, too I would have it installed by a regular gasoline firm. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the license for the installation of an approved 2,000 gallon underground tank for the storage of gasoline on the premises owned by Louis Cannizzo at 331 Concord Avenue, Lexington. Mr. O'Connell recommended approval or requests to the Appropriation Transfer Committee for transfers from the Reserve Fund to Account 1900-Elections, Requests Town Clerk in the amount of $2,400 to replace funds used for the Decem- ber 3 special election, also, to Account 5550-Traffic Regulations in the amount of $5,000 to cover additional Edison costs of $3,000, addi- tional signs and materials over and above those planned in the budget. 1 452 Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 The third request is for a transfer of $16,000 to Account 5450-03; this is entirely due to the increased cost of gasoline and oil. A year ago, we were paying 22 or 230 vs. 430 a gallon under contract; diesel was in the low teens and we are now paying 350 a gallon. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request to the Appropriation Committee for transfers from the Reserve Fund to• the following accounts; Account 1900-$2,400; Account 5550- $5,000; Account 5450-$16,000. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that he had received a request Marine Corps from the Marine Corps for permission to move the recruiting sign from Sign in front of the Post Office to the middle of the island at Waltham Street and Worthen Road. The Board agreed that Mr. O'Connell is to inform the Marine Corps that the location of a recruiting sign at Waltham Street and Worthen Road would affect the visibility and would not be appropriate in a residential area. Mr. O'Connell A request has been received from the Superinten- Minute Man dent of the Minute Man National Park Service to hold a public meeting National on March 13 or 14 to discuss an environmental assessment of the plans Park for North Bridge and a portion of Fiske Hill. The Board agreed that Mr O'Connell is to suggest the auditorium of the Clarke Junior High or the Science Lecture Hall Chairman Kenney read a recommendation from the Director of Public Works/Engineering to sign the letter of application to the State DPW Traffic for a traffic signal permit at Massachusetts Avenue and Marrett Road Signal at the Minuteman Regional Vocational School. If approved by the Minute Man State, these signals will be paid for and installed by the School. School Mr Brown if they turned down the Eldred Street request for a signal , they will turn this down because everyone will be going to 1 the Minute Man National Park during the Bicentennial and traffic will back up. It seems to me we ought to point this out to the State. Chairman Kenney No. We feel if it meets with their approval , then we will tell them about Eldred Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the letter of application to the State Department of Public Works for a traffic signal permit at Massachusetts Avenue and Marrett Road. Buckman Tay. Chairman Kenney read a notice from Secretary Davoren that the Measachu- Mass. Historical Commission has allocated $6,600 for the Buckman setts Tavern Development Project. Historical Chairman Kenney: We should ask the Comptroller to follow up and Commission make sure that we get the check. The Board agreed. 45P`- Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 Chairman Kenney read a letter of recommendation from the Town Meeting Members Executive Committee regarding the scheduling of Town Meetings. TMMA - After discussion, the Board agreed to recommend to Town Meeting that Town adjourned sessions be convened at 7 45 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Meetings Thursday, with the proviso that no new Article be submitted, after 10 30 p.m. Three meetings would be held for the first two weeks, after the opening of Town Meeting on April I , to recess for the April school vaca- tion week and re-convene on Monday, April 22, 1974. The opening of Town Meeting will be at 8 00 p.m. Mrs. Joyce Hals, Chairman of the Environment Quality Workshop of Recycling the League of Women Voters, Mr. Zabin and Mr. Marshall met with the Trash Board. Pickup Mrs. Hals We have a proposal on recycling that we hope will meet the recycling needs of the Town. We would like to discuss how Lexington is getting trash to the landfill and the cost, According to DPW, the cost was $110,000. Of 9,000 families, 3,000 have the trash taken by collectors at $48 per family, 6,000 take it to,the dump themselves and, according to ALA, the cost of oil and gas for 5,4 miles for the average car multiplied by 6,000 families going to the dump once a week, this comes to about $78,000. The schools also have a private contractor daily and we have included that in the cost of town-wide collection. It cost residents $346,000 for solid waste, and we recycled 9% of 640 tons last year; approximately 16,000 tons are dumped at the landfill. Those items not being put in the dump were estimated at $6.00 per ton and sales of these recyclables were worth $9,000 in 1973. Of the 16,000 tons a year, we estimate that 7,000 could be recycled. This system is going to ask for twice a month trash pickup, and we believe it can all be put into the same barrel. Once a month, we would like a truck to go around and pick up glass and cans on the same day. This is possible for a compartmentalized truck. This whole pack- age would includsgoing to schools and, also, to ask businesses to leave corrugated paper out. This would also include leaf pickup and we could send the trucks around on separate days. We estimate the whole package at $250,000 in 1974 vs. $380,000 we are now paying. By having curb pickup, we felt it would average about $25.00 on the tax rate, and another $5.00 per family if it is not curbside Mr. Brown I have a question about going to the dump every week. If you go every two weeks, you would divide the $91 ,000 in half? Mrs. Hals The average family goes every week. The answer is yes. Mr. Brown If you go to the dump and get composted leaves, that would be a plus to the Town, and it might average out the cost to go to the dump. Mrs. Hals I don't know if the Town would give compost free. Chairman Kenney First, you are taking Tway the private individual 's right if he wants to go to the dump. If this is put on the tax rate, 45 Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 ' people won't like it. It is unsightly to have barrels on the street. Is there a market for 7,000 tons a• year for recyclables? I thought we were having trouble to get a fellow to take it away. Mr McSweeney Our experience in the last 6 months has been ex- cellent I think I should point out that EPA figures of last year were $3.28 per ton for 80 tons. Mr. O'Connell I have heard this matter debated for years and I think the matter hinges on people. We have complaints now of people putting garbage in with trash I can't see the average citizen separat- ing it, and the Town will end up with the mess. Persons won't conform with the sanitary landfill regulations now. It might end up on the street and would also be an expense to have to monitor it. Mrs. Hals We would like to have the Selectmen endorse a question- naire to be taken to 200 households by interviewers. This would deter- mine whether or not there is support for curbside collection of rubbish and recyclable materials. Mr Brown I think it is a good idea. Chairman Kenney I concur with Mr. Brown The Board agreed to take the matter under advisement. Vacancies Mr Frank Michelman met with the Board and he and Mrs. Riffin sub- on School mitted a report on methods of filling a vacancy or vacancies on the Committee School Committee and the Board of Selectmen. & Board of Mrs. Riffin Only 15 percent of the people turned out for the Selectmen special election of a School Committeeman in December, at a cost of $5,000. We had two meetings and explored several schemes that were suggested by various people. There are two possible solutions election by Town Meeting until the next annual election, or the restrtcted method of appointment by a majority of the members of the Board of Selectmen and School Committee and the Moderator. This is the most economical method, but not as democratic. The first method, the most democratic, would require up to four weeks for preparation of having a one-article warrant for the special Town Meeting, printing and mailing would cost $1 ,000. Chairman Kenney Do you feel that the Selectmen-Town Manager Act could be amended? Mr Michelman You would have to go back to the Legislature for a Special Act. We felt that to do this by Town Meeting route would be more democratic. Mr Cohen Would it be done by secret ballet? Mr. Michelman Probably by roll call. Mr Cohen If you limit it to "until the next annual election" . . Mr Michelman We had that in mind He would then have to run in the next annual election. Chairman Kenney The second one is restricted. You could end up with a "caretaker." 5 5 Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 Mr Michelman I think the appointment method is the acceptable one Mr. Brown I agree, if one is appointed with new, fresh views, but 9 I don't like pulling out old Selectmen and School Committeemen. The Board agreed to take the matter under advisement for a week. Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mrs. Anita Bonasera of Precinct I requesting a "Welcome to Lexington" sign at the Arlington-Lexington line. Sign Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the request to the Director of Public Works for his recommendation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of the following who have applied for a Certificate of Incor- Cert of potation Incorp. Nancy Greenleaf 49 Colony Road "Alternate Home, Inc." Joan Everett 182 Folien Road Marjorie Phillips Trotting Horse Lane "Friends of Young Artists, Inc." Ruth Wheeler 31 Moon Hill Road "Dance Collective/Mass Movement, Inc," Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's meeting of October 9, 1973. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the follow- Auction- ing Auctioneer's licenses eer's Licenses William S. Sennot 10 Douglas Road (Renewal ) Joseph C. Tropeano 12 Revere Street Lawrence W. Graham, Jr 23 Baker Avenue Chairman Kenney read a letter of resignation from Roland B Greeley Resigna- as a member of the Street and Sidewalk Advisory Committee. tion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept With regret, the resignation of Roland B. Greeley as a member of the Street and Sidewalk Advisory Committee, effective upon adjournment of the 1974 Annual Town Meeting. The Board agreed to discuss at a later meeting the letter from Nason Whitney, 21 Woodland Road, regarding a mural hung in the Bicen- tennial Center for the District of Columbia. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the re- Burling- port of the Design Advisory Committee regarding the Burlington Arcade ton encroachment Arcade 45 . 6 Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 Chairman Kenney read a report from the Chairman of the Traffic Traffic Safety Committee on parking on Raymond Street. Upon investigation, Raymond St. it was found that the Southwesterly side of Raymond Street from Parking Clarke Street to Muzzey Street is currently signed as a No Parking Zone. However, this signing is illegal as no regulation has ever been adopted. The Committee voted to request the Board to adopt an amendment to the Traffic Rules and Orders. Also, after observing the area, the Committee voted to recommend that a "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVE- WAY" sign be erected adjacent to the driveway at #7 Raymond Street, to facilitate the inhabitants' entering and exiting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Traffic Rules and Orders of Lexington, adopted by the Board of Selectmen on November 13, 1967, are hereby amended as follows By adding to Article V, Section 2, Schedule #1 , the following Location Side From To Type Parking, Raymond Stc2c Southwest Clarke St. Muzzey St. No Parking A letter is to be written to the State Department of Public Works for approval of this amendment. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct the Director of Public Works/Engineering to make arrangements for the in- stallation of a "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY" sign adjacent to the driveway at #7 Raymond Street. Chairman Kenney read a recommendatmon from the Planning Board Subdivision that Emerson Gardens Realty Corp. be reimbursed in the amount of Reimburse- $7,498.70. ment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Emerson recommendation of the Planning Board that, in accordance with G.L.C. Gardens 570, Acts of 1962, and Section 7. 1.2 of the Rules and Regulations Governing the Subdivision of Land in the Town of Lexington, Mass. , Emerson Gardens Realty Corp. , developer of Emerson Gardens, be reim- bursed by the Town of Lexington the amount of $7,498.70, this being the unpaid remainder of the total amount originally recommended by the Planning Board as reimbursement for the installation of municipal services in and the construction of Emerson Road from Stations 10+64 to 15+96, a distance of approximately 532 feet, at a width greater than necessary for the subdivision alone, as required by the Planning Board when the definitive plan for this subdivision was approved. $5,515.91 to be paid under the appropriation for Article #34 of the 1969 Annual Town Meeting $1 ,982.79 to be paid under the appropriation for Article #30 of the 1970 Annual Town Meeting. $7,498.70 Total c57 Selectmen's Meeting February 25, 1974 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 Session security, 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. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at II 05 p.m. A true record, Attest ecutive Clerk,,YV) selectmen