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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-08-13-BOS-min 213 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 13, 1973 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the SelEct- men's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, August 13, 1973 at 7 30 p m Chairman Kenney, Messrs Bailey, Busa, Brown, and Mrs Riffin, Mr O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/En- gineering, Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present At the request of the Town Clerk, twelve jurors were drawn, as follows Frederick B Rosenberger 42 Locust Avenue Stanley A Casazza 96 No Hancock Street Dante DiMambro 22 Moreland Avenue Howard D DeShon 36A Worthen Road Jurors Charles B Walters 19 Oakland Street James H Farrell 33 Philip Road Hervey P Beaudoin 175 Lowell Street Walter Gudzinski 107 Shade Street Marjorie Modoono 285 Woburn Street Lora M Wallis 25 Woodcliffe Road Ethel A Miller 11 Outlook Drive Catherine J Sullivan 40 Earl Street Mr O'Connell recommended that Mrs Greta Glennon, Veterans' Agent be appointed as the Town liaison with the organizations for the eldelrly Mrs Glennon could refer people to the proper agencies and, also, have Liaison contacts with state agencies Officer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the for recommendation of the Town Manager to appoint Mrs Greta Glennon as Elderly liaison for the elderly in the Town of Lexington Citizens Mr O'Connell informed the Board that bids have been received for the Sanitary Landfill compactor State Equipment Corp , Burling-I ton, for a Hyster-$46,920, Powered Equipment Corp , Newton Highlands, for a Rex-Factor-$49,500, Hedge & Mattheis Company, Needham Hts , for Compactor a Buffalo-Bomag-$52,385 $80,000 was appropriated by Town Meeting, $45,000 from Revenue Sharing Funds and the remainder from the DPW budget Public Works is setting up plans for further demonstration and feels that a medium sized compactor, such as the Hyster, is ade- quate to meet their needs We will be informed of the demonstration date Mr O'Connell informed the Board that a request has been received Munroe from Mr McSweeney to ask approval of the Trustees of Public Trust for Cemetery $325 from the Munroe Cemetery Fund to repair one of the tombs Fund SII 214 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request ap- proval of the Trustees of Public Trusts for $325 from the Munroe Cemetery Fund for repairs to a tomb in the Munroe Cemetery The Board discussed the appointment of Reverend Harold Handley Bicenten- as a member of the Bicentennial Committee to act as liaison between nial local churches and the committee Appoint- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint ment Reverend Harold Handley a member of the Lexington Bicentennial Committee Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Orders for Construction of Sewer on the following streets ADAMS STREET from North Street a distance of 520 feet, more or less, Northerly to Lexington-Burlington Town line LOWELL STREET from Laconia Street a distance of 130 feet, more or less, Southerly, and from Laconia Street a distance of 465 feet, more or less, Northerly RUMFORD ROAD from Woburn Street a distance of 1580 feet, more or less, to Laconia Street Orders for Sewer Con- WOBURN STREET from Rumford Road a distance of 610 feet, more or less, struction Easterly Sign Orders of Sewer Taking on the following streets FOURTH STREET from Young Street a distance of 206 feet, more or less. Southeasterly, to the end LACONIA STREET from Lowell Street a distance of 2030 feet, more or less, Southerly and Westerly to existing sewer MYRNA ROAD & from Adams Street, a distance of 950 feet, more or less, CARL ROAD to North Street YOUNG STREET from Rumford Road a distance of 180 feet, more or less, Southwesterly to Fourth Street Buckman Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Tavern Chairman to sign the agreement with Boston Edison Company for the in- Elec Ser stallation of electrical service for Buckman Tavern Mr O'Connell discussed the proposal from Educational Service Pro- Audio grams, Inc , of New York for installation of an audio system in and System around the Battle Green He advised the Board that there is a policy Battle matter to consider and should give an indication of where it would like Green ' 215 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 to place the responsibility He had talked with Mr Michelson and Rely Handley as this would be the first service on the Green for which there would be an established fee Everything we have on the Green, except for Buckman Tavern, is without charge. The rental for headphones would be 35 cents for children, $1 00 for adults, and a group rate for conducted tours Rev Handley sees no problem of competition with th? guides and feels the service would be particularly helpful during the off-season when no guides are on duty The Historical Society and the Bicentennial Committee think it would be a good service to augment guide service if we have a large volume of tourists during Bicentennial years Mr Brown Would the Town receive any of the money? Mr O'Connell The contract would be between this agency and the contracting party that the Town designates, and the contracting party!, shares in a percentage of the gross income Therefore, the Town, under contract, would have the right to designate where that money went Chairman Kenney Would they have a full time employee? Mr O'Connell The implication is yes They would want to in- stall the equipment in the Visitors' Center, a console about 5 feet long, and to provide the service there An employee would have a desk in the lobby and would sell the use of earphones to tourists, with a deposit, re- quired They would handle the system The proposed contract is for 5 years but there is an escape clause after two years Mr Busa I would like to pursue it with more information than' we have now to see whether it is feasible and worth the trouble it might', cause l Mr Brown We have no information on the quality of the sound Mr O'Connell i understand that the Historical Society is not interested in operating it and the Board may be interested in having the Chamber of Commerce handle it If they don't want to do it, then Tow: government would have to do it - and I can see administrative headaches to go with it Chairman Kenney Obviously, the only advantage is the revenue; is it sufficient to warrant going into it? I doubt if that company could afford to have a person there during January, February and March - orido we have that responsibility? Mr Bailey I would like to have an understanding with the Chamber of Commerce and get them on record as to the responsibility Mr O'Connell You always have the opportunity to give them the management and let the contracting parties share in the gross income 11 The Chamber of Commerce is interested in doing it and assuming we find the quality satisfactory and maintenance is free, it would be worthwhile moneywise Chairman Kenney Regarding the quality of the service, we would have to investigate one of the other areas that have it Mrs Riff in Several of the groups using it have been using itl, for four and a half years It might be well to write to the Smithsonian Institute and inquire about it 2 16 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 The Board agreed that Mr Brown is to check with the Smithsonian Institute for information on the audio system, and Mr O'Connell is to talk to the Chamber of Commerce as to what purpose they would put the income A letter is to be written to Mr Jones of Educational Service Programs, Inc informing him that the matter has been taken under ad- visement. Mr Alan H Green was present at the meeting and informed the Board of an Urban Technology Conference at Hynes Auditorium in Septem- ber by the American Association of Astronauts and Aeronautics with a program on balanced transportation, energy problems, etc Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffice Committee regard- ing a notice from the Department of Public Utilities that signs at Lexington railroad crossings have not been maintained in accordance with Chapter 160, section 142, of the General Laws RR Crossing Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to inform the signs Department of Public Utilities that the Director of Public Works/Engineer- ing is to make arrangements to install warning signs as soon as possible at the following locations Street Side Location Meriam Street Southeasterly 25' Northeasterly of Mass Ave Hancock Street Easterly 250' Southerly of rail- road tracks Harrington Road Southeasterly 250' Southwesterly of railroad tracks Bedford Street Southwesterly 250' Northwesterly of (State Highway Section) railroad tracks Chairman Kenney informed the Board that approval has been re- Grove St ceived from the State Department of Public Works regarding Speed Regula- Speed tion 825 certifying the regulation of the following speed limits Regulation 30 miles per hour on Grove Street-Northbound beginning at Burlington Street 30 miles per hour on Grove Street-Southbound beginning at the Bedford Town line Chairman Kenney read a report from the Director of Public Works/ Engineering in reply to a complaint from Mr Edward E Domings, 37 Domings Valleyfield Street, of flooding conditions from the brook that passes Flooding through his property The report states that Clematis Brook had been cleaned and Mr Domings had been informed that this would not be the I 217 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, _973 the solution to his problems as he had built his home and developed his site in a low, wet marginal area with his cellar floor and driveway below the flood level of the brook. Mr Domings refuses to face these facts and continues to believe that the Town is responsible for his mis- take The records show that a number of people on Grassland and Valley- field Streets have built homes after Mr Domings and those that placed their cellar floors above the level of the brook and the sill of their houses above the centerline profile grade of the street are not experi- encing any flooding problems It was agreed to inform Mr Domings that it was the conclusion of the Board that his home is set below the flood level of the brook and, as this is a private matter, the Town has no further obligation The Board discussed an amendment to the Traffic Rules and Orders concerning parking regulations at the Lexington Senior High School Chairman Kenney We wrote to the School Committee to see if these regulations met with their approval and told them it involves the High installation of 67 signs at an estimated cost of $15 00 per sign, in- School cluding the post We do not have the money but the School Committee is Parking willing to pay for the signs Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders of Lexington, adopted by the Board of Select- men on November 13, 1967 as follows Location Side From To Type Parking Sec "A" Northerly Waltham Street 600' Westerly No Parking Anytime Sec "A" Southerly Waltham Street 600' Westerly No Parking Anytime Sec Both Northerly Side 40' Northerly No Parking Anytime "A-1" of Sec "A" Sec "B" Northerly A distance of 300' No Parking J.nytime Sec "B" Southerly Section "A" 120' Westerly Staff & Vis tdr Parking Sec Both Northerly Side 120' Northerly No Parking Anytime "B-1" of Sec "B" Sec "C" Easterly Northerly Side 125' Northerly No Parking Anytime of Sec "A" Sec "C" Easterly 190' Northerly 300' Northerly No Parking 45 a.m of the North to 2 45 p.m erly Side of Sec "A" 218 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Location Sec "C" Westerly Northerly Side 500' Northerly No Parking Anytime Sec "D" North- A Distance of 120' (In front No Parking westerly of Main Office) Sec "E" Easterly Easterly Side 100' North- No Parking Anytime of Sec "C" easterly Sec "F" Easterly Section "C" 350' North- SCHOOL BUS AREA easterly No Parking 7 45 a.m to 2 45 pm Sec "F" Westerly Section "C" 350' North SCHOOL BUS AREA easterly No Parking 7 45 a.m to 2 45 p m Sec "G" North- Section "F" 100' North- No Parking Anytime easterly westerly Sec "G" North- 150' North 150' North- No Parking Either easterly & westerly of westerly Side 8 00 a.m to South- Sec "F" 2 15 p.m westerly Muzzey Both Park Drive 175' South No Parking Anytime Street westerly Sec South- Park Drive 150' South No Parking this Side "H-1" easterly westerly Sec "H" Both Sec "H-1" 850' to End No Parking Beyond this point, ON or OFF Pa,ement Sec "D" Service Vehicles Only Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to table the re- Taxi quest of the Lexington Taxi Co , Inc for increased rates pending addi- Rates tional information from the Town Manager regarding rates in surrounding towns The Board discussed a policy statement regarding garage and yard sales in the Town Garage & Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the Yard Sales following policy regarding Garage and Yard Sales, as recommended by the Town Manager 1 219 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Garage and Yard Sales Policy Statement Despite some complaints, the Board of Selectmen desires to continue to allow private citizens and civic groups to con- duct private sales (such as garage, yard, flea markets and similar) provided they are carried out in a manner which does not create violations of Town by-laws or cause neigh- borhood nuisances Lexington citizens are advised that the following restrictions apply 1 Sales cannot be conducted on Sundays or Holidays where the Sunday law applies 2 Any signs involved must be in compliance with applicable by-laws. Citizens are reminded that a permit issued by the Board of Selects men is required to post any signs on or in the public way (Article XXIV, Section 17) Citizens should check the by-laws regarding the posting of signs on private residential property All signs must be removed upon completion of each sale 3 Conduct of such sales on frequentcontinuingbasis an-1 a and/or c not be permitted, since it may take the activity out of the private sale category and produce a requirement for a transient vendor and/or junk dealers license or zoning variance Willingness of neighboring residents to tolerate these sales cheerfully can only be expected if they take place infrequently 4 Care must be taken to avoid creating traffic congestion and/or area parking, conditions which would cause serious neighborhood problem All applicable traffic laws must be observed 5 Those responsible for conducting such sales must limit the hours and control the conduct so as to avoid unreasonable noise or cause a neighborhood nuisance 6. Continuation of these rules will be contingent upon favorable ex- perience The Board discussed the appointment of Election Officers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint 1973- Election 1974 Election Officers as follows Officers I I Democrats Republicans *Mrs Ann M Baum Mrs Edna D Anderson 4 Wright Street 21 Leonard Road II 220 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Democrats Republicans Mrs Mary C Casey Mrs Mary E Clifford 22 Valley Raod 54 Chase Avenue Mrs Elizabeth F Downey Mrs Mildred M Cronin 1 Stimson Avenue 14 Utica Street Mrs Mary J. Ferry Mrs Florence M Downe 50 Downing Road 112 Bedford Street Mrs Eileen J Fradette Mrs Ilda J Field 35 Grapevine Avenue 30 Chase Avenue Mrs Helen G Garten Mrs Ida B Fisk 11 Fairview Avenue 10 Spencer Street Mrs Rita E Kiley Mrs Rose J Grant 37 Wachusett Drive 16 Hillcrest Avenue Mrs Edna F Marshall Mrs Agnes Heimlich 110 Woburn Street 796 Massachusetts Avenue Mr Henry P Meade Mrs Sally S Hooper 17C Wm. Roger Greeley Village 282 Bedford Street Mrs Marjorie Modoono Mrs Mary F Irwin 285 Woburn Street 6 Grove Street Mr L Francis Murphy Mrs Winifred E Ivester 5 Bennett Avenue 56 Woburn Street Mrs Mary G Oliver Mrs Alice G Marshall 610 Waltham Street 9 Independence Avenue Mrs Maude A O'Neill Mrs Mary G McCauley 6 Independence Avenue 75 Spring Street Mrs Alice Lillian Osgood Mrs Helen L Perry 573 Marrett Road 16 Ellison Road Mrs Randall W Richards Mrs Dolores M Swan 67 Farmcrest Avenue 24 Bedford Street Mr Joseph 0 Rooney Mrs Virginia M Warner 222 Waltham Street 71 Adams Street Mrs Mary V. Spencer Mrs Margaret S Wilson Cary Avenue 103 Meriam Street Mrs Anne C Williamson Mrs Mildred M Cronin 150 Grant Street 14 Utica Street 221 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of the following who have applied for Certificate of Incorpor- Cert of ation to be located at 13 Pine Knoll Road Incorp Merion M and Julius C Ritter Marguerite A Cronin Elizabeth E Ward Ethel L. Wright "Lexington (Mass ) Chapter #1533 of American Association of Retired Persons, Inc " Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Town of Theatre Lexington licenses for Weekdays and Sundays for the Lexington Theatre: Licenses also to sign approval of Lexington Theatre application to the State of Massachusetts for a Sunday license. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the con- Celco tract with Celco Corp. for the Interceptor Sewer, in the amount of Contract $32,855 55, subject to approval of Town Counsel as to form. Sewer The Board discussed slope easements on Waltham Street, Grassland I Street, Holland Street, Fern Street, and Brookside Avenue Slope Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted the intent to make the takings for slope easements on Waltham Street, Grassland StreSt, Holland Street, Fern Street, and Brookside Avenue Easements Chairman Kenney advised the Board that the meters have been removed from the area behind Craft Cleaners and it is now available for all-da Parking parking Rough grading has been done in the Meriam Street parking lot k Meters and we are in the process of installing meters behind Depositors Trustr Mr O'Connell discussed tax title lots 124 and 125 , Sunset Avenue which were voted on September 21, 1970 to be sold to James A Pallis for $1,000 This transaction has never been consummated, although the Board had written to Mr Pallis' attorney, Mr Russian, informing him Pallis of the vote to sell the lots Former Town Counsel raised the question Tax Title of the status of the title to these lots and Mr. Russian now has the information that the Town does have registered title; so the tax title information has been established and Mr Pallis would like to pay $1,000 for lots 124 and 125, plus the pro forma tax and recording fees Mr. Russian had raised a question on lot 128 but my suggestion would be to consider the old request and not the new one Mr Kenney Is this lot on the list prepared by the Planning Board? Mr O'Connell No Mr Brown This new lot is not contiguous to lots 124 and 125? 2:22 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1974 Mr O'Connell No If the Board agrees, I can inform Mr Russian that before any consideration of lot 128 is given, we would include consideration of the present and future status of adjacent lots 126 and 127 The Board agreed to refer the matter to Town Counsel to update the figures for the pro forma tax and to make arrangements to complete the transaction Mr O'Connell is to notify Attorney Russian of the decision of the Board Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Execu- Executive tive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on Session matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, fianacial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person After discussion of personnel matters, it was voted to go out of Executive Session and resume the open meeting Messrs Greeley, Michelson and Politi of the Lexington Bicentennial Committee met with the Board Chairman Kenney We would like to have a mutual discussion on the proposed executive committee for the Bicentennial Committee We have received a request from Mr Howard for six members Bicentennial Mr O'Connell My feeling is that the Bicentennial Committee ought Committee to first determine what the best operating split is for getting the job done - to reorganize it into an executive board and have up to nine pro- ject divisions Mr Greeley That is about what we have on our organization chart. I think we are in agreement regarding most of the functional committee, but it is the Executive Cutuuittee and how we pin it down as far as pro- cedure Chairman Kenney We would appoint the Executive Committee We are saying we would like to appoint an Executive Committee comprised of the committee heads, and let you refine it plus the Chairman, program and finance, and meet again to discuss delineation and responsibility We are going to have the logistics operational portion in the hands of the full-time professionals in the Town. Mr Greeley The major part is the membership of this committee and for each to individually understand the area of responsibility The manager has asked us how we want him to be active in this and also fit in the new people Mr Greeley We can meet with you on the 27th with a resolution of the manager's recommendations and our recommendations for an execu- tive committee and the structure of it The other aspect is the status of the recommendation of a new executive type to pull the strings to- gether, and we hope it will be resolved Chairman Kenney It was generally agreed on the need and we would look into several of the major corporations in Lexington to see if it is possible to provide us with a staff administator We have funds and will be talking with the Appropriation Committee and beyond_ that we will hire 223 Selectmen's Meeting August 13, 1973 Mr Greeley It seems there is ambiguity on decisions that have been made and there should be some clarification of responsibility of policy and program decisions Chairman Kenney It is the intent of what we are trying to do and we did agree with the broad, outlined program you presented to Town Meeting as far as the goals of the Bicentennial Committee went We are asking for a review of the reorganization Mr O'Connell There have been questions raised concerning the ex- pense associated with the possible presidential visit I have made in- quiries and the current policy is that the federal government pays all costs relating to transportation and security of the President; it includes hotel costs of any people staying overnight On communications, the federal government has contact with the Telephone Company and Western Union for facilities that accompany the President With respect to traffic details, crowd control and any similar problems generated by the visit, they must be provided locally but to the specifications of the secret service It was acknowledged there may be unique problems and there can be some fringe-type costs Chairman Kenney As I understand it, this would be coordinated with Concord and the opening of the Minute Man National Park Mr Michelson Concord will ask the President for April 19 and our invitation would be for April 20 Mr O'Connell There would be three invitations which would be con- solidated Washington asks what do you want the President to come to Lexington for? Chairman Kenney In other words, they want a more specific message as to why he is being invited. Mr Greeley, Mr. Michelson and Mr Politi agreed to inform the Bicen- tennial Committee members of the discussion and to meet with the Board again on August 27 Mr Busa informed the Board that plans to repair the rear shed at the Buckman Tavern are now being drawn and the estimated cost is $7,000 Buckman Regarding the installation of electrical service, Boston Edison will lay Tavern a direct cable from Massachusetts Avenue around to the rear of the build- ing but requests that the Town dig the trench as there is no backhoe on the job The Board agreed to instruct Mr McSweeney to make arrangements to dig the trench to install electrical service to Buckman Tavern Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 45 p.m A true record, Attest ��` y�12.�„G U ' J1-1, Executive Clerk, Selectmen