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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1974-01-21-BOS-min 400 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 21 , 1974 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 2I , 4974, at 7 30 p m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Busa, Brown, and Mrs. Riff in; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Buckman Tvn. Mr. inf v non storm i ormed the Board that anInvitation to Bid 0 Storm windows for the Buckman Tavern is to be advertised in the Lexington Windows Minute-man this week. Mr. O'Connell recommended that the Board vote, on behalf of the Town, to accept G.L. C.32, s. 16. This law was passed in 1973 and, Harvard when accepted, makes it possible to offer the services of a health Community care organization to municipal employees. In this particular case, it Health is the Harvard Community Health Plan which would be available with the Plan employees bearing the entire cost Single-$16.50 and Family-$47.50 per month. It can only be offered with Blue-Cross/Blue Shield through an insurance carrier. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept G.L. C.32,s. 16. Met. State Mr. Cohen informed the Board that the Town has now acquired the Hospital land on Concord Avenue from the Metropolitan State Hospital. Land The Board agreed to write to the Hospital Trustees expressing the gratitude of the Town. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffic Committee in reply to the petition from the Minuteman Associates Association for a study Traffic by the Registry of Motor Vehicles on Goffe Road, Dudley Road, Barrett Minuteman Road, Philip Road, and Worthen Road from Pleasant Street to the Bowman Associates School. The report states that the Committee sees no problems in the area; the streets are residential streets used almost exclusively by neighborhood residents and those with children attending Bowman School. There has only been one accident during 1973 and this could not be attributed to speed. Mr. Brown Is it possible, Somehow, to persuade these people that it is their neighbors driving too fast and it is a neighborhood problem? If we can persuade them it is true, they can solve their own problem. Chairman Kenney It might be interesting if we set up tests with our own radar. Mr. McSweeney was requested to make arrangements for tests and to report the results to the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the re- quest from the Minuteman Associates Association pending the results of tests in the area. 401 Selectmen's Meeting January 21 , 1974 I III The Board discussed a request from Mr. George Wolf, 38 Peacock Farm Road, that traffic signs be erected in the area. Traffic Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the Signs recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee that signs be erected on Peacock Peacock Farm Road and to instruct the Director of Public Works/Engineer- Farm Rd. ing to make arrangements for the installation of "Slow Children" and "Dangerous Curves" signs at locations to be determined by the Engineer- ing Department. Chairman Kenney requested the Board to sign the notice to the Town Constable regarding the intent to lay out streets and to conduct street hearings. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the notice to the Town Constable to deliver the notice to abutters of the intent to Intent to lay out the following streets. Also, the notice of street hearings to Lay Out be held in Estabrook Hall on February 6, 1974 at 7 30 p.m. 1974 Streets Subdivision Streets Nickerson - 16331± from Massachusetts Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue. Carmel Circle - 446'± from Nickerson Road Southerly to end. Betterment Streets Tewksbury Street - 305'} from Bedford Street Southwesterly to Roger Greeley Village. Wachusett Drive - 5901± from Prospect Hill Road Easterly. Wachusett Circle - 2301± from Prospect Hill Road Northeasterly to Wachusett Drive. Prospect Hill Road - 380'+ from the accepted portion of Prospect Hili Road Northwesterly to Outlook Drive. Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Sheraton Lexington Motor Inn liquor informing the Board of a new General Manager, Meredith Dobson. License Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a new Sheraton liquor Innholder license showing the new General Manager, Meredith Dobson. Lexington Also, to sign the application to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commis- sion for approval of the new Manager. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the 1974 Common Victualler license for the Sheraton Lexington Motor Inn. 4[2 Selectmen's Meeting January 21 , 1974 Chairman Kenney read a request from Friar Tuck Trust for a Lodging House license for 6 Raymond Street. Friar Tuck A report from the Building Inspector was read stating that the request for former owners have had roomers but on a modest scale. The Zoning By- Lodging House Law of the Town permits taking in four roomers or boarders by a family License resident therein. Of the 13 rooms, 9 could be used for rental purposes. From the information presented to the Building Inspector and from his observations, the new proposal , operated at its fullest capacity would require a permit or a variance from the Board of Appeals. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to withhold the decision to issue a Lodging House license for 6 Raymond Street and to suggest to the new owners that if it is planned to utilize the premises to full capacity they should apply to the Board of Appeals for a permit or variance. Chairman Kenney read a request foom Sansone Motors, Inc. , Norwood, Common for a license to travel over Lexington Roads to pick up and discharge Carrier passengers at the Varian Company on Hartwell Avenue. License Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the license to Sansone Motors, inc. , 100 Broadway, Norwood, for operating a common carrier for the transportation of passengers from Norwood to the Varian Company, Lexington, over the following route Along Route 128 between Waltham and Bedford; along Hartwell Avenue between Great Road to the Varian Company. Chairman Kenney read a request from the Eastern Star to hold a spring fair on itek property on Maguire Road on May 18 from 10 00 a.m. itek to 5 00 p.m. Spring Fair A report from the Town Manager was read stating that approval of the Board is not necessary since the fair is being held on private property, but recommending that there could be a need for a Policeman for traffic duty and a permit from the Board of Health if there is to be a snack bar. It was agreed to accept the recommendation of the Town Manager and to so inform the Eastern Star. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Director of Public Works/ Sanding Engineering in reply to a letter from Mrs. Lora Green, 17 Moon Hill Road, School concerning sanding of sidewalks in and around schools. Sidewalks A report was read from the Director of Public Works/Engineering stating that it is his understanding that the School Department is re- sponsible for the maintenance of school property, namely, buildings, grounds, and parking areas. Our sanding operation includes all these areas except sidewalks. Sidewalks are sanded outside the business area, as needed, by hand from a truck as time and manpower will allow. With 46 miles of sidewalks to plow, it is not practical for us to in- clude sanding them without special equipment. The Board agreed to inform Mrs. Green - 03 Selectmen's Meeting January 21 , 1974 1. Most of the sidewalks in front of the schools are on school property. The exceptions are Adams, Muzzey, Munroe and Parker; these are on public ways. 2. We do not have the manpower to implement a major sidewalk sanding program. We feel that the areas directly in front of the schools should be sanded by the school custodians in the same manner as the Town's custodians do the Town Office Building and the Police Station, etc. There is an abundant amount of sand available for this purpose at the Department of Public Works garage. 3. In the event that there exists an extremely dangerous ice condition, then the School Administration would consider the advisability of calling a "No School" day Chairman Kenney read a request from the State Department of Chapter 90 Public Works for the Board to sign the contract with Cetrone Compa Cor- East St. poration for the reconstruction of a section of East Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to- Sign the con- tract with Cetrone Compa Corporation for the reconstruction of a section of East Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to rescind the Ambulance vote of November 26, 1973 to abate the ambulance bill of Richard Bill Wilson, N.Y. , for $10.00 bill has been paid. The Board discussed and unanimously voted the following resolution "On behalf of the citizens of Lexington, the Board of Selectmen wishes to express our gratitude to Professor Eric Mo110-Christensen for Mr. Mollo- the fine way in which he served as the Town's representative to the Christensen Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School Committee Voc. School His tireless effort, great dedication and personal expertise were a major motivating force in the establishment of both the District and the building of the school. The people of the Town are in his debt. In this simple, yet sincere way, the Selectmen say 'thank you' for a job well done." A letter is to be sent informing Professor Molio-Christensen of the vote of the Board The Board discussed the violation by the Burlington Arcade Associ- ates Trust in removing fill from Lexington land at the Burlington town Burlington line. Arcade Chairman Kenney We instructed Town Counsel to go to court, if necessary, to get a cease and desist order Mr. Cohen met with the developer and, as a result, the following letter from Palmer 8 Dodge was sent to the owner's Attorney 404 Selectmen's Meeting January 21 , 1974 "This letter will confirm our understanding as to the course of action to be followed in trying to resolve the dispute which has arisen as a result of the removal of fill from Brulington Arcade Associates' property in Lexington on January 5 and 7, 1974. As you know, it is the Town's position that the removal of fill from the Lexington portion of the property to the Burlington portion is a violation of both the Zoning By-Law and the Earth Removal By-Law, and cannot be done except in accordance with a special permit issued under the Earth Removal By-Law by the Board of Appeals In the event of enforcement proceedings, the Town would seek a mandatory injunction ordering that the fill which was removed from the Lexington portion of the property be returned or replaced. On Mr. Bernard's representation that Burlington Arcade Associates will in the near future apply to the Board of Appeals for a permit under the Earth Removal By-Law to remove the fill which has already been removed as well as to show how it proposed to grade and finish off the site, and will pending a decision on that application refrain from any further earth removal activities on the Lexington portion of the property, the Board of Selectmen is agreeable to delaying the institu- tion of enforcement proceedings until the Board of Appeals has had an opportunity to act on the application. If the Board of Appeals grants a permit on conditions which are acceptable to Burlington Arcade Asso- ciates, then presumably the dispute will have been resolved. If the Board of Appeals does not grant a permit or grants a permit which Burlington Arcade Associates refuses to accept, then presumably the dispute will go to litigation. Pending a decision by the Board of Appeals, Burlington Arcade Associates will take such action as it deems necessary to secure the safety of the site. Such action shall not include the removal of any further fill from the Lexington portion of the property. If such action will involve earth moving with heavy equipment on the Lexington portion of the property, notice thereof shall be given to the Lexington Building Inspector." The Board agreed to write to the Planning Board and request that the Design Advisory group look at the situation as it now stands and to prepare a recommendation as to what the Town!s position should be at the hearing held by the Board of Appeals; in particular, what requirements should be made of the developer in order to make the area as presentable as possible from our point of view. Also, if necessary, the Engineering Department will assist the Design Advisory group upon request. Bedford St. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that a meeting has been arranged Hartwell in Commissioner Campbell's office on February 13, at 2 00 p m. to dis- Avenue cuss Bedford Street and the Hartwell Avenue connector. Connector It was agreed to invite Planning Director Briggs and Representative Cole to accompany the Selectmen to the meeting . 400 Selectmen's Meeting January 21 , 1974 The Board discussed the Cary Lecture program and agreed to inform the Cary Lecture Committee that the programs scheduled for February 10 Cary and March 23, 1974 could be held in Cary Hall. Lectures Mr. Bailey: I would encourage the Cary Lecture Committee to discuss the matter with the Board before they set up their schedule for next year. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that he would not be present Acting at the next two Selectmen's meetings Chairman Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Fred C. Bailey as the Acting Chairman until Mr. Kenney returns from vacation. 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 such 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 litigation and personnel matters, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 30 p.m. A true record, Attest S"-41 )27 Executive Clerk, Selectmen