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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1973-01-22-BOS-min 33 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 22, 1973 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 22, 1973 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs Bailey, Busa, Brown, and Mrs. Riffin; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. Cohen, Town Counsel ; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Mr. O'Connell discussed polling places for the nine precincts and said that he had been asked to look into possible alternate locations Polling for the Clarke Junior High School and the problem of storing and truck- Places ing voting machines. Prior to submitting his list of schools to the Board, he had talked to School Principals and they were not concerned with the use of the schools but only about outside parking and storage of the voting machines. Chairman Kenney We wrote to the School Committee and asked if they would consider the possibility of closing for a state or national election as this would solve the parking problem. We have received a reply stating that it would be inappropriate to close all fifteen schools because seven are used as polling places Also, requesting that consideration be given to the use of other Town buildings to re- duce the number of schools. The School Committee is concerned about storage of voting machines within the schools and suggests that some arrangement be made to deliver the machines to all schools and remove them from all schools immediately prior to and after Election Day. Due to traffic and parking problems at Clarke, it was suggested that it not be used as a polling place There should be police service to control traffic and parking so as to minimize inconvenience and insure greater safety of children. After discussion, the Board agreed to hold the decision on a polling place for Precinct 3 pending a report from Mr. O'Connell on the possible use of a private building or church building Chairman Kenney read a request from the Lexington Minute Men, Inc. Lex. Min. for the use of the Battle Green during the summer for demonstrations lien Summer and firing of flintlocks. Demonstra- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission tions to the Lexington Minute Men, Inc. for the use of the Battle Green on the following Sundays from 100 p m. to 5 00 p m. for demonstrations and firing of flintlocks June 10 and 24; July 8 and 22; August 12 and 26. This permission is granted with the understanding that in the event one of the scheduled performances is in conflict with any unforeseen church services in the area, it would be necessary to cancel the exercises. I 34 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 1973 M.V Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Tax Collector expressing Excise concern that motor vehicle excise tax bills have been arriving very Tax Bills late from the Registry of Motor Vehicles. After discussion, the Board agreed to inform Governor Sargent of the late receipt of the motor vehicle excise tax bills and to urge him to use whatever means at his disposal to assist the Registry of Motor Vehicles in putting out the bills in a more timely and efficient manner. Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Permanent Building Com- ' Library mittee regarding the parking plan for the Cary Memorial Library, and Parking s6gge§fIrig that the Trustees of the Library be involved in planning Spaces for the allocation of use of the parking area. The entire area now blocked out as the library site must be available to the contractor during the construction period. Upon motion dilly made and seconded, it was voted to concur with the arrangements for setting up a parking lot for the Cary Memorial Library as outlined by the Permanent Building Committee. It is under- stood that the Contractor will be using the Library parking space during construction but not other muncipal parking spaces. Representative Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. and Kingston Howard, Chairman Bicentennial of the Lexington Bicentennial Committee, met with the Board. Committee Mr. Howard We would request the appropriation of $50,000. In March of 1972, we had a projected program of events and also a budget of $100,000. Based upon this documentation, the 1972 Town Meeting voted an appropriation of $ 10,000 towards the required $100,000. If our request for $50,000 is approved, that will give us $60,000 towards the $100,000. There is strong feeling in our committee that $100,000 may be rather substantially understated but there is a possibility that federal subsidiesmay be available to us; we are pursuing all sources of funding at state and federal levels. Eighteen months from now, we might have the opportunity in 1974 to have an appropriation of the net balance necessary. We decided to request $50,000 in March of 1973 and we would have an adequate fix on what the subsidies would be. Our primary purpose tonight is to ask approval of our request for an Article and the appropriation of $50,000. Chairman Kenney As you know, we have inserted an Article and the Board has supported $50,000. Mr. Howard We have prepared a progress report for the Board and it will be available for the Appropriation Committee and Town Meeting Members. We have been provided with a list of military units, recommended for invitation on Patriots'Gay, by the coordinating com- mittee of Hanscom Field. This list has been reviewed by the Town Celebrations Committee and has been accepted in every respect. Concord has already acted on that list and every unit on that list has been extended an invitation by Concord's Board of Selectmen. Our question 35 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 1973 is do you wish the invitation to go out on your letterhead or is it something the Bicentennial Committee is to handle? Mr Brown My understanding is that the Town Celebrations Com- mittee would have the actual function of arranging the parade Mr. Howard That is correct; we have entered into a memorandum of agreement with them. Chairman Kenney Generally speaking, you people are running it but Town Celebrations will be in charge of that particular parade. Mr. Buse We should have a clarification at a later meeting on whether the Board will send out invitations to groups that are asso- ciated with the Board. Chairman Kenney Occasions may arise when invitations may go out under the Board of Selectmen. We will play it by ear Mr. Buse I was thinking of the President and the Vice President. Me. Howard There is a Middlesex Bicentennial Liaison Council and Mr. O'Connell has suggested that Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs and heads of Public Works should be organized on a regional basis to plan within their areas and to cooperate where necessary This will involve planning and working through 1975. We want to clear this with you, as we did last year and which led to the organization of this council and we should have another meeting in anticipation of 1975 Chairman Kenney We obviously concur with any efforts you wish to make along those lines. Are you going to hire a Director full time? Mr. Howard It depends on the kind of executive assistance we get from the state. The workload in 1975 is for the towns being inundated for all sorts of accommodations, camp sites, restaurants, etc We have been getting encouraging conversation from the state as one of the areas they can be of assistance. They are talking of centralized computerized services. If the state comes forward, there may not be a need for a full time administrative head in 1974 We will talk with private in- dustries on whether they would provide the services of administrators We are hoping that this will not be entirely necessary but we dont know yet until we know what services we can get from others. There is a great deal of concern on our committee that the recon- struction of Route 2 seems to be constantly delayed. We think that Route2 and all the aspects that have to be coordinated are going to be extremely vital in 1975. At our last meeting, the committee received a presentation by Roland Robbins, who is responsible for the Hancock Clarke House excava- tion, and he indicated what might lie beneath the soil of the Battle Green. He hasoffared to do some probing of the soil with a rod in such a way that he can very effectively predict what is under that soil. He is certain he can find the foundation of the Old Meeting House. We feel there shouldprobably be no probings made until permission is given. Would it be permissible for Robbins to probe? Mr. Cole When he has done previous probings, he can predetermine what is under there and in one day have it returned to its original state. Chairman Kenney Would he probe with a rod? 36 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 1973 Mr Howard Yes and there would be no visible indication that anything had transpired. Mr. Bailey Who would fund it? Mr. Howard the preliminary one would be at his expense. There are three areas he is interested in, the Meeting House, Belfrey and the old School House. He would also like to work with school children as part of an education project. Mr. O'Connell I would respectfully suggest that the area thought to be the cemetery be excluded. Mr. Howard agreed. Mr. Busa When he does the actual probling, he should notify the authorities that he is doing the probing. Chairman Kenney He is to call the Town Manager and the Director of Public Works. Mr. Howard agreed Chairman Kenney en a permanent memorial , is there some way you can tie into Buckman Tavern? Mr. Howard We have already made available the services known to us relative to funds, so certainly this would be considered a very important permanent memorial My understanding of Article 43 of 1972 was that we are required to give a report to Town Meeting, and we are requesting a report of our subcommittee in February. We have received a letter from the Chamber of Commerce that they intend to make some requests relative to the Visitors Center. What- ever the needs of the Bicentennial Committee may be between now and 1975 for secretarial help can be worked out with the Chamber of Commerce. Keep in mind the Bicentennial Committee is going to need office supplies in 1975 Chairman Kenney It is so noted. Mr. Brown Regarding Route 2, Commissioner Campbell has set up task forces; 1 am a representative of the Board and Peter Chalpin of Public Works is also a member We are going to meetings once a week and you should be aware of the fact that Lexington is not disregard- ing Route^but we are trying to bring expertise to this problem. Mr. Howard Our concern is can it be done prior to 1975 or after? Mr. Brown 1 can't say but people are aware of the necessity of doing something before 1975 Mr. O'Connell Question- it is correct that the Board has taken a position on the request for the capital budget of $50,000; it is clear that the Board is not taking any position as to the specific items? Chairman Kenney I think the matters are separate; we are look- ing at a finished picture of $100,000. Mr Cole We are right in assuming we have the support of the Selectmen for $100,000? Chairman Kenney Correct; $10,000 last year; $50,000 this year and$40,000 in 1974. The Bicentennial Committee retired from the meeting. Representative Cole informed the Board of a hearing to be held MBTA- on January 24 and asked for the position of the Board regarding Bill 4603 Bill 4603, an Act authorizing the MBTA to issue bonds in the amount of $25,000,000. for improvements to commuter railroad passenger ser- vice facilities in Eastern Massachusetts. 37 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 1973 Chairman Kenney We have had a request from our SILC represent- ative, Thomas Costello, for our position on this. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to unanimous- ly support Bill 4603 and to request Representative Cole to present this position at the hearing on January 24, 1973. The Board discussed an amendment to the Traffic Rules and Orders raffic by adding stop signs at Hayes Avenue and Meriam Street les Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend the top Traffic Rules and Orders of Lexington adopted by the Board of Select- igns men on November 13, 1967 by adding to Article V111 , Section 22, riam St. Schedule #7,the following Street Location Regulation Hayes Avenue Southwestbound at Meriam St. Stop Hayes Avenue Northeastbound at Meriam St. Stop Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the I .D Card Liquor Identification Card for Ellen Carroll Carter, 1444 Mass. Avenue. The Board discussed the appointment to the Buckman Tavern Recon- 3uckman struction Committee. Because Mr. Robert Cataldo had declined the Tavern appointment, a vacancy exists on the committee and it was agreed to Recon- appoint Mr. Robert Custance. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint struct Committee Mr. Robert Custance a member of the Buckman Tavern Reconstruction 1ppt Committee. Chairman Kenney read a request from the Director of Public Works for abatement of water bills. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the following water bills Margaret Jackson and C. Belliveau 22-24 Charles Street $49.85 Wrong reading-meterman Water Edward & Helen Aubrey 12 Hilltop Avenue 7.00 " " " Abate- Eric Olson 3 Brigham Road 48.06 " " " ments W. T. Cowing 24 Spring Street 74 55 " " put in book Robert M. Craig 9 Lincoln Terrace 7 35 " " sent in Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on December 4, 1972. Minutes Chairman Kenney We have received a copy of the School Committee's minutes of our joint meeting held that evening regarding School Administrators' salaries, and they have requested a copy of our minutes The Board agreed to send a copy of the Selectmen's minutes of December 4, 1972 to the School Committee 38 Selectmen's Meeting January 22, 1973 Mrs. Riff in informed the Board that at the last meeting of the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility, it was recommended Lexington that the Board of Selectmen be requested to invite the Lexington Lex.Housing Housing Housing Authority to a Joint meeting to discuss a progress report Authority Authority on scattered sites. The Board had declared a moratorium on the sale LCSR Joint LCSR Joint of these lots and the Commission felt the time has come for a report. Meeting Meeting The Board agreed to set up a joint meeting with the Lexington Housing Authority and to invite members of the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility to attend. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or Executive Session voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect Session the public 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 30 p.m. A true record, Attest; Executive Clerk, Selectmen q ,yY