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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-09-05-BOS-min 46,5 SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 5, 1972 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held it the Select- men' s Meeting Room on Tuesday evening, September 5, 1972 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Selectmen Riff in, Brown and Busa; Mr Legro, Town Counsel; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works; Mrs. Mascetta, Acting Executive Clerk, were present. At the request of the Town Clerk, four jurors were drawn as follows Berkey Amiralian 353 Woburn Street Robert M. Shields 25 Sherburne Road Jurors Norman P Harvey II Marlboro Road Max Levine 19 Hathaway Road The Drainage Construction Contract was prepared and submitted by Mr. Legro for signature. The Contractor is P. Gioioso d Sors, Inc., Drainage Dorchester, Mass, for construction of drainage on Meriam Street, Oak- a, Con- mount Circle, Hancock Street, Wood Street, Fletcher Avenue ead Hayes structiom Lane. Contracts Motion by Selectman Riff in, seconded by Selectman Busa and unani- mously voted to sign the contract for construction of drainage in the amount of $79,240 on Meriam Street, Oakmount Circle, Hancock Street, Wood Street, Fletcher Avenue and Hayes Lane. It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to adopt the following Orders of Taking Orders of Sewer Easement - East Street to Brown Road in the amourt of $200 Taking to Mr. Bertolini . No award of damages to other Sewer Ease, owners ments and Drain - East Street to Ridge Road No award of damages. Easements - Drake Road No award of damages. Drain Easement - Hayes Lane No award of damages. Mr O'Connell reported to the Board that there were three bids received for the new fire station equipment Worcester Fire Equip- Bids-Fire ment Sales - $64,461 , Mack Truck - $66,500; Maxim Motor Division - Station $66,026. Equipment Mr. O'Connell explained that all bids as submitted were above the amount appropriated. The bid called for substantial equipment; deter- mination could hot be made because of over-bidding. Specifications 466 were reduced and recommendation by Mr. O'Connell is made on the basis of necessary re-adjustments Mack Truck provides close-by repair service; Maxim provides repair service in Worcester. Mack Truck offers a more reasonable delivery date. Mr O'Connell recommended to the Board that the bid be awarded to Mack Truck on the base bid price of $54, 145, plus $2,855 for extra equipment, total bid to be awarded in the amount of $57,000. it Is his contention that Mack Truck supplies are of proven product and service. Mr O'Connell pointed out the need for 3 gas masks (new State requirement) . These must be on the truck and the cost would be in the vicinity of $900. It is his intention to ask for transfer pro- cedure directly Upon motion by Selectman Buse, seconded by Selectman Brown, it was unanimously voted to award the contract for the new fire station equipment to Mack Truck in the amount of $57,000; base bid $54, 145, extra equipment $2,855 as follows Deck Gun $ 875 Radio Equipment 879 (estimate) Battery Conditioner 250 Soft Suction Hose 230 Pump Siamese 235 Hydrant Gates 220 Booster Nozzle 96 Ziamatic Brackets 70 $2,855 111 Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board of the vandalism at the Munroe Cemetery. The report of the Fire Chief indicated that the extent of the damage by fire has rendered the building "destroyed". Munroe Mr O'Connell. There is a $2,000 insurance package policy on Cemetery this building The value of the building exceeds this amount and it will cost more than this to repair the building There may exist a need to seek trust funds to make necessary repair. Bridge Mr. O'Connell reported on the receipt of a letter of apprecia- Oak Park tion and recommendation with regard to the recent closing of the bridge at the Oak Park Sub-division The bridge was closed primarily because of its poor condition and age. Mr O'Connell reported on the status of the Mass. Trash matter. Their interest in locating in Lexington has dwindled, they aro now Mass. Trash looking into other areas. Mr O'Connell They were not willing to provide satisfying solutions to our requests. They are seeking a town in which to lo- cate that will accept their program as they are presenting it. Their program was found to be unsatisfactory for our Town and they were not willing to make any changes that might have made them more acceptable to us 467 The Board reviewed the request of Kingston L. Howard, Criairman of the Bicentennial Committee requesting the appointment of the follow- ing to the Lexington Bicentennial Committee Dr Rudolph J. Fobert, Bicen- Mr. Anthony L. Mancini and Mrs Miriam W. Butts. tennial Upon the recommendation of Mr. Howard, it was moved by Select- Committee man Brown, seconded by Selectman Busa and unanimously voted to appoint Appoint- the following to serve on the Lexington Bicentennial Committee; Mrs. ments Miriam W. Butts, 116 Burlington Avenue to assume the responsibilities in the capacity of Cultural Affairs, Mr. Anthony L Mancini , 115 Reed Street, to assume responsibilities in the capacity of the Legal and Administrative Affairs; Dr. Rudolph J. Robert, 25 Winthrop Road, to assume responsibilities in the capacity of the School Departnent Liaison. The Board received an invitation to the Graduation Exercises and Dedication of the FBI National Academy, United States Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Capt. Chairman Kenney advised the Board that Captain James Lima of J Lima the Lexington Police Force has completed the course and is graduating FBI from the Academy on Friday morning, September 15, 1972. Selectman Academy Busa will attend the graduation exercises as representative of the Board. A letter of request was received from the British Broadcasting Corporation for permission to use the Lexington Green to film the opening and closing sequences of their program which is of an his- Filming toric nature aimed to give a portrait of the thirteen colonies on on Green the eve of the Revolutionary War British Mr O'Connell indicated that this type of activity can cause Broad- potential problems There are sometimes particulars involved in casting their choice of manner of filming It was unanimously agreed to grant permission to the British Broadcasting Corporation to film on the Lexington Green under the Supervision of the Town Manager. Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. Berman, Manager of the Berman' s Liquor Mart, relative to the new ruling from ABC allowing liquor stores to remain open on holidays. It is Mr. Berman's desire Package to be recorded as requesting that in the future the liquor stores in Goods Lexington be permitted to have the option of remaining open, or Stores closing, on these holidays, (April 19th not with-standing), subject Holidays to any changes in the law and according to individual needs and dictates Selectman Busa I hope that if the Licensing Board should re- quest that the package goods stores rennin closed on Patriots Day, April 19th, that all will co-operate. Chairman Kenney The new ruling from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission means simply that package goods stores are to 468 remain closed only on Sundays, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. It will be the request of the local licensing Board III I that the package goods stores in Lexington remain closed on Patriot§' Day, April 19. This has been our past policy as we consider such closing to be an appropriate part of the observance of our principal local holiday. The joint Arlington-Lexington Great Meadow Study Committee sub- mitted to the Board a report and their recommendations for the use of Great the Great Meadow Land area. Meadow Selectman Riff in Perhaps this report should be referred to Study the Planning Board. Committee Chairman Kenney We should investigate the forming of some sort of protective zoning There seems to be a difference in the report relative to the course of action. Perhaps we should submit this to the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission for their recom- mendation as to whether or not such a committee should be established. Is the Board in agreement? The Board agreed Mr. McSweeney submitted a proposal relative to the 1973 Highway Improvements - Chapter 90 Construction and Chapter 90 Maintenance Appropriations Chairman Kenney reminded the Board that this would be Phase 2 1973 of Chapter 90 Appropriations. Highway It was moved by Selectman Buse, seconded by Selectman Brown Improvements and unanimously voted to adopt the recommendation of the Director Chapter 90 of Public Works, Mr. McSweeney, and approve the proposal of $60,000-Chapter 90 Construction, East Street from the Woburn City Line to Lowell Street, an approximate distance of 850 feet It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to approve the proposal of $6,000-Chapter 90 Maintenance (Resurfacing), Pleasant Street from Massachusetts Avenue, a distance of approximately 2,000 feet. The Board received a memorandum from the office of the Secretary of State, enclosed with the memorandum is a copy of the Procedures Mass. and Duties from the Massachusetts Historical Commission outlining the Historic matters concerning historic preservation and coordinate preservation Commission planning locally and within the Massachusetts Historical Commission. One of the main duties of the Commission will be to "conduct re- searches of places of historic value". This will be a federal pro- gram and it is indicated that most of the work will incur little or no budget expenses. Mr. O'Connell Lexington has already done a good deal of re- search In preservation land. The Town is in a good position on that stand-point. I believe this past research will be -very important since there is a dead-line to meet - June 20, 1973. Basically, this I t 469 is late notice for a Town to form such a Commission especially if Town Meeting vote is required to bring this about. I would like to urge the forming of such a Commission; monies will be routed through the State. I would recommend that a thorough discussion be held with theII Historic Districts Commission and that the Board might consider the forming of a special commission to direct their efforts in tiis line If a group from the Lexington Historic Districts Commission were to prepare necessary data prior to the approval of the Town Meeting, Lexington should be in a good starting position because of the previ- ous inventory that we already have. Chairman Kenney It would be wise to see its effect on the Historic Districts Commission. Do the members of the Board wish to talk with officers of the Historics Society? Selectman Riff in if the Commission were to include members of the Historic Districts Commission and the Historical Society , they- could hey-could coordinate their efforts and compile the •necessary I ni orma tion.. Chairman Kenney Perhaps officers of the Historical Society should be contacted to meet with the Board of Selectmen as soon as possible, at which time we will request their assistance in this matter. The Board agreed Chairman Kenney read a request from Marilyn Cravis, 6 Rogers 111 Road, for permission to hold a block party on Rogers Road on Saturday, September 23, from 6 00 p.m to II 30 p.m , (rain date, Oct. I ). Plans to include the following neighborhood streets; Marshall Road, Fessenden Way, Rolfe Road and Rogers Road The Police Chief has re- ported that he has no objection to this request ' Permit Selectman Busa I believe that the usual hours allowe< by the Board for such block parties are up to 11 00 p.m. It was moved by Selectman Brown, seconded by Selectman Busa, and unanimously voted that permission be granted to hold a block party on Rogers Road on September 23 from 6 00 p.m to II OC p.m., (rain date Oct I , 1972) The Board received a letter from Mr J L Strominger, 030 Massachusetts Avenue, requesting that a fence be placed bet en his Request for property and the Center Playground to discourage trespasser and Fence Mr provide privacy. Strominger It was agreed that Mr Strominger be advised that the Board has referred the letter to the Director of Public Works for review and recommendation and that he will be contacted upon receipt of the report from Mr McSweeney. Chairman Kenney read a request from Mr D.A McArthur, request- Request for ing installation of sewer on Adams Street in order that he be able to Sewer construct a dwelling on a portion of Lot #23 It was noted that, Adams St III , 470 that parcel of land is almost on the Burlington Town line The Chair- man suggested that the Board include this request on the 1973 sewer budget requests It was agreed by the Board that Mr McArthur be so notified Chairman Kenney read a request from Secretary Davoren to Certify Certificate the character of persons who have applied for Certificate of Incor- of Incor- poration. poration Upon receipt of confirmation from the Chief of Police, it was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Riff in and unani- mously voted to certify the following for Certificate of Incorporation Vivian R. Lynch and Mervin D. Lynch, 7 Carnegie Place "Minuteman Feline Fanciers, Inc." To be located in the Town of Canton. Recommendations on Sidewalk Slope Easement Damages for Winchester Drive as per plans submitted August 22, 1972, were presented to the Board by Mr McSweeney. The Board reviewed them favorably and it was moved by Selectman Easements Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to adopt the Sidewalk intent and request the preparation of order of takings and award +bf Slope no damages for Slope Easements as described on plan dated August 22, 1972 on Winchester Drive as follows Joseph F & Margaret B Troisi 291 Lowell Street - no damages Abraham & Marion G Wise 3 Winchester Dr.- no damages It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the Liquor Identi- l .D. Cards fication Cards for the following Dorothy R. Collentro 43 Harding Road Diamantina Feeney 23 Crescent Hill Road Sandra A. Jones II Downing Road Christopher Stolz 2139 Massachusetts Avenue The Board reviewed the lists for Water Abatements and Commit- ment of Water Charges as submitted by the Director of Public Works. Water It was moved by Selectmen Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown Abatements and unanimously voted to sign the Commitment of Water Charges and Water Abatements as follows Charles Chicarello 34 Taft Avenue $14.35 - Wrong reading Leroy Hebert 18 Bowker Street 31 .31 - Wrong reading Joachim Sinek 7 Dunham Street 6.97 - Wrong reading John Porter 455 Lowell Street 9.45 - Wrong reading r 7 Motion by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Riff in -o approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting, regular and executive session, Minutes of August 7, 1972; unanimously voted It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman B own, and unanimously voted to sign the Orders for Construction of Sew r as follows Mill Brook Road - from Westwood Road a distance of 765 feet, more or Orders for less, northwesterly to Suzanne Road Sewer Construction Suzanne Road - from Mill Brook Road a distance of 1660 97 feet, more or less, to the limits of the accepted portion. Westwood Road - from Mill Brook Road a distance of 240 feet, more or less, northeasterly. It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to sign the Orders for Sewer Takings as follows Suzanne Road - from Emerson Road a distance of 303 feet, More or Orders for less, northeasterly. Sewer Takings Brent Road - from Emerson Road, southerly a distance of 653 feet, more of less. Emerson Road - from Suzanne Road a distance of 328 feet, rpore or less, easterly to 661 feet, more or less, westerly of Suzanne Road It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to sign the Orders for Sidewalk Construction as per attached engineering specifications, as follows Bow Street - Easterly side from a point opposite Cliffe Avenue 235 feet Orders for Bow Street - Easterly side from a point opposite Fottler Avenue Sidewalk 715 feet. Construction Brookside Ave. - Southerly from Waltham Street - 585 feet Mass Ave - Southerly from Jean Road - 2145 feet School Street - Easterly from Eastern Avenue - 560 feet Turning Mill Rd.- Northerly from Robinson Road - 760 feet Winchester Dr - Southerly from Lowell Street - 212 feet 472 Chairman Kenney The Board has received a letter from Mr. Mistretta, District Highway Engineer, in reply to our request of June 7, 1972 for a re-evaluation and study regarding the possi- bility of installing traffic control signals at the intersection of Eldred Street and Bedford Street in Lexington. Mr Mistretta indicated that he had analyzed data in some de- tail , as furnished by Chief Corr, which included detailed reports of the accidents that have occurred in this area during 1970-1972 to date. It was his suggestion that for a 30 day trial period, the left turns be eliminated from Eldred Street onto Bedford Street and require a mandatory right turn. Left turns would then be permitted at the end of the jug handle at Hartwell Avenue in order that traffic may proceed southbound onto Bedford Street. Traffic Pending the concurrence of the Board on the above suggestions, Signal the District #4 maintenance personnel will erect the necessary signs Eldred & and will advise us of the effective date of this 30-day trial period. Bedford Mr. Legro This intersection is totally under state control Streets Mr O'Connell After these lights are installed, can we then relieve duties of the traffic officer in this position; it is pres- ently done as an "extra duty". Chairman Kenney We will look into this. Selectman Riff in I feel that we should want this 30-day trial . Will this installation require a change in the present existing lights? Mr. McSweeney I feel that as it is not a good signal , it should be changed. Peter will meet with the District Engineer, Mr. Mistretta,. for further instruction. I suggest that the Chairman set up another meeting with Mr. Mistretta to request information regarding support of their action 111 It was agreed that Chairman Kenney contact Mr Mistretta and schedule a meeting Chairman Kenney read a letter of congratulations from the Massa- chusetts Selectmen' s Association on the success of the Town of Lexington as a winner in Class I of the 1972 Town Report Contest. Town Certificates to be presented at the Association' s Annual State-Wide Report Town Meeting on Saturday, October 21 , in Hyannis, Mass. It was re- quested that six copies of the winning report be forwarded to the Massachusetts Selectmen' s Association to be entered in the New England Council Town Deport contest. Selectman Busa Mr. Zehner should be informed immediately, and congratulated. Mr. O'Connell Should members of the Board be unable to attend the presentation of the Certificates of Award, I will be happy to attend as representative of the Board. The Conservation Commission requested authorization by the Board Articles of Selectmen to prepare Articles 57, 1972 and 79, 1970, Hamilton- Conservation Baldwin (Concord Avenue), as proposed by Barnes Engineering Co., Inc. Commission It was moved by Selectman Busa, seconded by Selectman Brown, and unanimously voted to authorize the preparation of plans for Article 61 , 1972 - Munroe Brook; Articles 57, 1972 and 79, 1970, Hamilton- Baldwin (Concord Avenue) . 47 Mr McSweeney discussed the installation of a portion of sidewalk along Massachusetts Avenue Previously there was an Article to appro- priate monies for the widening of this section of sidewalk Mr McSweeney reported that Mr Matheson has expressed a desire to have the brick sidewalk continued in this area and has agreed to contri- bute $5,000 as his share towards the purchase of brick and tie curbing The Town would cover the remaining cost of brick and the installation of same. It may be requested to transfer the Lillian Road sidewalk Brick funds to cover expenses of this project Sidewalk Mr McSweeney indicated that he has acquired necessary bids and Massachu- quotes and asked of the Board direction as to the next step cf proce- setts Ave. dure. Chairman Kenney It is my feeling that this portion of sidewalk should be of brick. It was moved by Selectman Buse, seconded by Selectman Brown and unanimously voted to authorize this installation of brick sidewalk, as presented to the Board by Mr McSweeney, along Massachusetts Avenue at Depot Square and Meriam Street, around the Old Central Block. Chairman Kenney The Committee established under Article 76 of the 1971 Town Meeting to look into the establishing of a Special Com- mission to develop- a Master Tax Plan and Program for Taxation has Master Tax submitted their final report on their findings and recommendations Plan Com- My question is, do we wish to set up and appoint such a committee? mission Copies of this report will be sent to each Selectman for review and comment. The Board reviewed the plan submitted by Mr Kearnan of the State Department of Public Works relative to the additional allow- ance of approximately 110 feet in the construction of East Street, East Street Grant Street to Lowell Street. Construction Mr. McSweeney is to notify the Board when the area described on the plan is staked out, that they may view the necessary procedure. At 9 05 p.m. it was moved, seconded and unanimously voted that the Board go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might ad- Executive versely affect the public security, the financial interests Df the Session 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. Chairman Kenney noted that the Board will resume their regular weekly meetings to be held on each Monday evening at 7 30 p n., un- less otherwise indicated. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to adjourn at 9 45 p.m A true record, Attest � J t;,� Acting Executive Clerk, electmen