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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-04-03-BOS-min 99 SPECIAL SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 3, 1973 A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Meeting Room on Tuesday, April 3, 1973 at 7 30 P.M. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey and Brown, Mrs. Riffin; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager, Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works/Engineering; Mr. Perry, Comptroller; Mr. Furash, Chairman, Messrs. Mitchell , Moore, Blaisdell , White and Mrs. Flynn of the Appropriation Committee; Chairman Silverman, Messrs. Kingston and Whitman of the Capital Expenditures Committee; Mr. Michelson of the Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Clarke of the Planning Board; Police Chief Corr and Representative Cole, Moderator , were present. In accordance with the statutes, the Board voted to certify the Varian sewer betterment assessment to Varian Vacuum Associates, 611 Hanse Way, Vacuum Palo Alto, California, for lots 6 and 20 Hartwell Avenue ( 121 Hartwell Hartwell Avenue) in the amount of $4,080.81. Avenue The pros and cons of metering the Meriam Street parking lot were discussed in preparation for the presentation to the Town Meeting rela- tive to Article 39. Mr. Moore stated that metering would be a capital asset and would return funds to the Town. Mr. Silverman said that last year the Town Meeting spoke clearly to the point that metering is favored. Chairman Meriam St. Kenney indicated that the lot is running almost full , and he is con- Parking Lot cerned that the lot would not be as fully used if metered. Mr. Furash believes that if a free lot is to be provided, there should be a method for paying for it - other than with Town funds. Mr. Clarke favors metering, plus enforcing parking controls on the streets. Mr. Michelson said that the merchants do not want free parking for shoppers, but they want to provide off-street parking for all-day parkers. Mr. Silverman stated that the Capital Expenditures Committee accepts the fact that more spaces are required but asks how we are to pay for them. The Board of Selectmen has received complaints from mothers whose children attend the Nursery School at the Baptist Church stressing the need for short term parking on Massachusetts Avenue. Post Office em- ployees park as follows 30-40 on Massachusetts Avenue, 19 on Meriam Street, 8 on Grant Street, 5-7 on Sherman Street. Chief Corr believes that people will not use the spaces in the Meriam Street lot if they are metered. He stated that the present system is working beautifully, but a substantial increase in spaces is needed. Mr. Furash suggested increasing assessments in the Center to pay for increased free parking. Mr. White suggested spending a minimum JO) Special Selectmen' s Meeting April 3, 1973 amount of money to expand the lot and see whether it fills up. Mr. Kingston believes that Center assessments are high enough and should not be raised. Mr. Silverman stated that the Capital Expenditures Committee interpreted the Town Meeting vote of last year to indicate that the members favor metering, and he urged putting it to a vote at Town Meeting this year. Mr. Furash inquired as to why the Board of Selectmen had not prohibited parking on Massachusetts Avenue previ- ously? Mr. Kenney replied that the Board was waiting until new spaces can be provided. Mr. Blaisdell suggested spending a minimum amount in order to expand the lot. Mr. Kenney stated that the Selectmen can offer the Town Meeting three alternatives ( I) $38,000 expenditure with no meters; (2) $38,000 with meters; (3) No appropriation with minimal work by the Department of Public Works. Mr. Kingston said he favored the expenditure of $38,000 without metering." The Board of Selectmen stated that they would discuss the matter further. The members of the Capital Expenditures Committee, Mr. Michelson, Mr. Clarke, Chief Corr, and Representative Cole retired from the meeting. Mystic Valley The members of the Appropriation Committee and Board of Selectmen Mental Health agreed not to move reconsideration of Article 52, which provides funds Center for the Mystic Valley Mental Health Center. The members of the Appropriation Committee retired from the meeting. The Board voted to go into executive session. A Natalie H. Riffin Acting Secretary