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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-09-11-BOS-min 44 4 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September II , 1972 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men' s Meeting Room on Monday evening, September II , 1972, at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Busa and Brown, and Mrs. Riffin; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present The Board presented a certificate to Mr. Arthur E. Burrell , Civil Civil Defense Director, who has recently completed a special State seminar on Defense Emergency Preparedness. The Board extended its congratulations to Mr Louis A. Zehner, 1971 Town Chairman of the Town Report Committee, for his outstanding work on the Report 1971 Town Report, which won second place in Class I of the State Town Report Contest Mr. O'Connell recommended that the Board award the contract for Contract painting the standpipe located off Morgan Road Paint Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award Con- Standpipe tract 72-8-E, for painting the standpipe, to Nick Drywall Construction Co , Inc., 217 Elm Street, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, in the amount of $7,400. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that Mrs Florence Bernier of 296 Bedford Street has written to him requesting that the D.A R. be given permission to plant a tree on the Buckman Tavern lawn for the Tree on Bicentennial, and to have a plaque on it calling it the Liberty Tree. Buckman She asks whether the Town would allow it, and would designate the Tavern Lawn spot, also, could the Public Works Department transplant the tree, which is now on her lawn. Mr. O'Connell asked the Board to consider the policy question as to whether the Board would wish to grant permission for planting the tree. After discussion, the Board agreed that Mr. O'Connell is to come back with more information Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board that there is a serious dog- Dogs napping problem at the dog pound. Many dogs have been stolen and action will be taken to prevent this Mr. O'Connell reported that debris from the demolished Mobil Dumping Station at the corner of Marrett Road and Waltham Street has been Violation transported, without the necessary Town permission, to private I i 47 J III property at the end of Valleyfield Street. This is a violation of the Board of Health and the Hatch Act The Board of Health is pursuing the matter of the violation of dumping and intends to take lction to have the debris removed because it is not proper fill Mr O'Connell reported to the Board that mailing the real estate tax bilis is 1 to 2 weeks ahead of schedule We have recei.ed Tax Bills $356,000 as of September 6, which is almost double the amourt received at this point last year Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Stephen Politl :4tating that if the Board re-establishes a Tax Legislation Advisory Committee, Mr. Politi he would be interested in becoming a member. Advisory The Board agreed to inform Mr. Politi that a committee would not Committee be considered at this time as it is kept informed by the Ma!sachusetts Selectmen's Association, the League of Cities and Towns' As�;ociation, and the Massachusetts Taxpayers' Foundation. Chairman Kenney read a request for a block dance on Se tember 15, 1972. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to gr nt permis- Permit sion to the Estabrook Neighborhood Association for a block ance to be Block held at Hawthorne Road and Longfellow Road on September 15, 1972 from Dance 7 00 p.m. to II 00 p.m. IChairman Kenney read a request from Mr George W. Forten, 388 Concord Avenue, for permission to install a I-inch water line along the north side of Lawn Avenue from Webster Road to lots 240 and 241 Concord Avenue. A report from the Director of Public Works was read stating Forten that a preliminary investigation indicates that there is an inade- Request quate number of fire hydrants in the area and the matter is being Water investigated. If the preliminary findings prove correct, w4 would Main recommend that a 6-inch main be extended up the street with a fire hydrant installed for increased fire protection. The Board agreed to inform Mr Forten that decision is withheld until a final report has been received from the Director of Public Works. Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Chester Duval s ating that hazardous conditions exist in the sidewalk in front of 3 Bo Street. Bow St A report from the Director of Public Works was read st ting that Sidewalk hazardous conditions exist and a work order has been issued for temporary repairs to the sidewalk. This area will be inclu ed in the 1973 capital expenditure budget for sidewalk reconstruction Chairman Kenney read a request from the Tax Collector o rescind Welfare the vote of April 18, 1972 to abate the sum of $160 for rental of the Rent 1 476 former Welfare Quarters at 12 Clarke Street. The Board voted on April 18, 1972 to abate the sum of $480 for rental of Welfare Quarters at 12 Clarke Street during April, May and June, 1972, at $160 per month Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to rescind the vote of April 18, 1972 to abate the sum of $480 for rental of the former Welfare Quarters at 12 Clarke Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the sum of $320 for rental of the former Welfare Quarters at 12 Clarke Street, Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the sum of $100 for rental of the former Welfare Quarters in the Town Offices in 1970. Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Manfred Friedman suggest- Friedman ing that a full time Town employee is needed to administer the request for Conservation, Recreation and Park maintenance programs. Town Emp. After discussion, the Board agreed to inform Mr. Friedman that the matter is taken under advisement, pending a report from the Town Manager The Board discussed the list of recommended streets submitted by Mr McSweeney, Director of Public Works Estimate Grassland St - 2,050 ft from Payson St. to Valleyfield St $100,000 Holland St - 200 ft. from Taft Avenue Northeasterly 10,000 Kimball Road - 200 ft. from Reed St. to Hickory St 10,000 Laconia St. - 1 ,600 ft from the accepted portion of 1973 Laconia St to Lowell St. 80,000 Streets Tavern Lane - 600 ft. from Percy Road to Eliot Road 30,000 Fern Street - 80 ft. at the intersection of Pleasant St 4,000 Mr McSweeney reports that Grassland Street was submitted by Attorney Norman May at the request of the abutters There was 100 percent participation. Holland Street is not recommended It noes the installation of sanitary sewer. Kimball Road' s petition was not returned by the abutters. Laconia Street' s letters of petition for drainage were received because of the number of drainage problems during the wet season and the continuation of the drains on the accepted portion of Rumford Road through an easement on Lowell Street. Tavern Lane is being considered for petition at the request of the abutters I 477 IIIFern Street' s letter of request from a resident to review the laying out of Fern Street at its approach to Pleasant Street, requires the taking of a long triangular piece of private property Chairman Kenney Mr McSweeney does not recommend Holland Street and Kimball Road. Mr Buse If you take out Holland Street - There has never been a request for a sewer in that area, all they want is a passable street. Chairman Kenney I wouldn't want to recommend more than $100,000 I recommend that we take this matter under advisement and Mr McSweeney will present more information to the Board next week The Board agreed to discuss the 1973 streets next week Mr. Graf of the Street Advisory Committee met with the Board. Chairman Kenney to Mr McSweeney Has the Street Advi ory Com- mittee reviewed the list of streets you submitted? Mr McSweeney Mr. Greeley said they reviewed the sid walk plans. Mr. Graf I haven't seen East Street, but I have seen Spring Street. Chairman Kenney What is the time element? I East Mr. McSweeney On East Street, Mr Kiernan of the Stale DPW is Street waiting for us to come back with the answer Sidewalk bids will be opened on next Thursday We have one problem with School S reet - the request came from area residents because of traffic pro lems in I crossing at the end of the street We have three trees because of the 40 ft. right-of-way and, with the size of the pavement in there now, these trees have to go. Of the five residents that abet these trees, three are not for it. On School Street, we 'don't wart to have a tree hearing; it has been reviewed by the Traffic Committee. Mr. Graf As a member of the Street Committee, I don't see how we can do anything but take them out; there is a 30-inch elm tree there and I don't think they will last much longer. Something should be done there for a sidewalk. As an engineer, trees or no trees, it should go in (the sidewalk) Mr. McSweeney Mr. Greeley raised no objection? Chairman Kenney These sidewalks were all rated in priority by the Traffic Committee. As far as the Board is concerned, you will proceed with the sidewalks on Bow Street, Brookside Avenue, Massachu- setts Avenue, School Street, Turning Mill Road, and Winchester Drive. Mr. McSweeney and Mr Graf agreed. l Mr. Brown informed the Board of a meeting which is to be held by Spring residents of Spring Street who are opposed to the 30 ft pavement and Street the loss of trees by the construction of the sidewalk. The Board discussed East Street Chairman Kenney As you know, this was passed by Town Meeting East Street for the reconstruction under Chapter 90. We want to proceec, and the next phase has to be passed by Town Meeting 478 Mr McSweeney The Board discussed this on September 5 and it was a 1973 Chapter 90 request We were limited to do 80 ft. Chairman Kenney We are not limited to 80 ft ; it was to go the least distance. It is our feeling to give Mr Eisenberg of the Street Committee a few days to look at it, and then go back to the State DPW. The Board agreed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Sewer Betterment Assessments for the following streets Sewer Barberry Road Outlook Drive Waltham Street Betterments Benjamin Road Rogers Road Field Road Concord Avenue Rolfe Road Old Shade Street Fessenden Way Stonewall Road Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Director of Public Works to abate sewer betterment assessments for the following Leonard S & Ann M. Notkin I Field Rd. $135. 17 Incorrect calculations Howard H. & Jean LeVaux 11 Shade St, 81 .25 Incorrect calculations The Board discussed appointments to the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility. LCSR Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Natalie H. Riff in a member of the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility, representing the Board of Selectmen for a term expir- ing June 30, 1973. Mrs Riff in nominated Mr. Frank I . Michelman as a Member-at- Large on the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr. Frank I . Michelman a Member-at-Large on the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility for a term expiring June 30, 1973. Mrs. Riff in nominated Mrs. Elizabeth Clarke as a Member-at-Large on the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility. The Board agreed to hold the appointment until next week. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following members of the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsi- bility for a term expiring June 30, 1973; NAME REPRESENTING Robert M Shaw Chamber of Commerce Dr Robert Mann Council of Congregations Clarence D. Turner Lexington Interfaith Corp. Mrs. Keith Butters League of Women Voters 479 Dr. Eric T. Clarke Planning Board Mrs. Lois W. Brown Metropolitan Area Planning Council Richard Eaton School Committee Captain Edward Silva Town Employee James H. Hathaway Lexington Teachers Daniel E. Power Lexington Housing Authorit} Chairman Kenney When we receive nominees from the Tom Meeting Association, two members will be appointed, next week, we will make the appointment of the Member-at-Large Mrs. Riff in The Principal of the High School will soon submit nominees to be considered for the appointment to the ComnisEion as representatives of the High School students Chairman Kenney discussed the sidewalk in front of the new building at Massachusetts Avenue, Meriam Street and Depot Square. Last week, we discussed a policy decision on putting the sidewalk back as it was be- Central fore, or to put in a new brick facing. The owners are willing to Block cooperate and we have money because of the cancellation of the Lillian Sidewalk Road sidewalk. Mr. McSweeney was instructed to put in a brick side- Mass. Ave. walk. Also, Mr. McSweeney has had calls asking if there would be & Meriam openings for trees; the Design Advisory Committee offered to have one of their people advise where the openings would go. The Board agreed to have openings in the sidewalk for planting trees. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that Mr. McSweeney advises that September 15 is the cutoff date for filing petitions for 1973 1973 Sewer sewers; formal petitions which are sent out are to be returnad to the Petitions Engineering Department by October 15, in order to be included for con- sideration in the 1973 capital budget Chairman Kenney informed the Board that he had received a call from the Executive Assistant to the Arlington Board of Selectmen re- Great garding the possibility of a meeting regarding the feasibility of a Meadows golf course in the Great Meadows; this meeting would not be cJlaired by the Arlington Board of Selectmen but by some other Arlington Committee. Arlington is to have a Special Town Meeting on October 10, and there is an Article in the Warrant for a 9-member committee to be Formed. A letter has already been sent to the Arlington Board stating that our position has not changed to keep the Great Meadows in its open, natural state. The Board agreed not to meet with the Arlington Board, and would wait until after October 10, 1972, Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go nto Exe- cutive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting Executive on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public Session security financial interests of the Town or the reputation o1 a person. After discussion of personnel matters, it was voted to go out of Executive Session and resume the open meeting 480 The Planning Board met with the Selectmen to discuss parking in Lexington Center. Mrs. Lois Brown informed the Board that Dr. Clarke would make the presentation on the need for more public parking. Dr. Clarke As of last spring, we lost 10 percent of our park- ing spaces because of several new buildings and no parking on Vine- brook Road. We have little specific information as to who parks in the Center, but we have the Post Office employees who use the Town's parking facilities, and others fill Massachusetts Avenue and resi- dential side streets. The Douglas lot is used by all-day parkers, probably 10, 20 or 30 parkers. The Library has asked to be provided with 15 reserved spaces for employees, and there has been no conclu- sion on that request. The unmetered part of the Meriam Street lot is generally used quite a bit. There has been a point made by the bank that people are using their lot who do not go to the bank. Last year, we considered the Medical Center's wish for rezoning so the Medical Building could share the lot with the rest of the com- munity. The new Medical Building 'contributes a fair amount of parking but the owners have asked for spaces that are specifically allocated for their people. In the future, the Central Block will create more parking re- quirements There is a need for immediate coordination of all plans for parking and circulation in the area because of the Library ex- pansion and the Lexington Mews. The final requirements for the Bicentennial are hazy. There will be parking requirements because of Vinebrook Village housing for the elderly, and the construction Center of commercial buildings. 111 Parking We have been looking into three areas. Waltham-Muzzey block, Clarke-Muzzey block, and the expansion of the Meriam Street parking lot. There is the question of whether all-day meters will prevent old or new sections from being used by the experiment of installing some all-day meters along the other side of the tracks behind the Woolworth Building. There was a proposal years ago by EDA, and we should see if a parking structure would make any sense. We could consider a device, or a lot controlled by an attendant vs. metering. We propose looking into it to see if the merchants would help subsidize it. On the Clarke-Muzzey block, we had word they would be interested in contributing land at the back We have difficulty with the Car- roll property, which is not subject to negotiation at this point in time,; we would like to re-open that and see if we can get an option on it. The Federal Savings Bank now has its own parking and we would see if there is interest in a common area for all . On Meriam Street, we feel Town Meeting rejected the expansion of the lot because of insufficient information and we would like a figure of the cost of paving before the Planning Board would make recommendations We would like the determination of the need for all day parking on this side of the Railroad tracks, to see if any- body would use it, and it would save us a fair amount of money for metering the back part 431' For the Bicentennial , we should consider the possibility of land behind the Church of Our Redeemer and provisions for parking in the more general areas around the Center. There is the question of whether Town-owned parking space should be used for everyone or we should property reserve them where it is proper to do so. We feel it is the Taunts responsibility for pro- viding adequate parking for visitors Our last position wan that the Meriam Street parking lot should be extended because we need the park- ing it would offer to us. Do you agree with our posttion? Chairman Kenney We intend to come into the next Town Meeting to present Meriam Street again Mrs. Brown There are ways to get this thing discussed as a whole at Town Meeting; people are hostile to pieces, but if they could see the overall plan of the Center. Mr. O'Connell I would suggest that it would be more practical to do it with an attendant rather than meters, for a trial period, do it with an attendant . I think it could be done at a modest cost Mrs. Brown I think it is important to give it wide publicity. We feel the urgency of getting on with it. The Planning Board feels plans should be gotten into; with its present staff, we can' t produce information at the present time Mr McSweeney A parking study is being included in our TOPICS program concerning the Central Business District, and parking struc- tures are included. This is funded 50 percent by the State and 50 percent by the Federal Government You have approved phase 2 and part of it is traffic and the Central Business District. Wo could get in touch with TAM to review this in the 3rd phase There is your professional staff for the study you are looking for Mr. McSweeney agreed to investigate the status Of the TOPICS pro- gram and to come back to the Board with a report. The Board of Selectmen and the Planning Board agreed to further discuss and come to an agreement on how to approach a solut on to the parking situation in Lexington Center. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that, as of October I , 1972, Mr. Legro will be appointed Special Counsel and Palmer and Dodge - Town Mr. Norman Cohen will be Counsel for the Town of Lexington, Counsel Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10.35 p.m. A true record, Attest �. �.� Exennt i ve Clerk, Se l ectnien foi