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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-06-05-BOS-min 388 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 5, 1972 A regular meetingof the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Meeting Room on Monday evening, June 5, 1972 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Buse, Brown, and Mrs. Riff in; Mr. Legro, Town Counsel; Mr. O'Connell, Town Manager; Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Mr. Zehner, Town Treasurer, met with the Board to request ap- proval to borrow $2,500,000 in anticipation of taxes. The State is behind in its payments to us and we need money to meet the Town' s obligations. The notes will be dated June 15, 1972 and payable on November 6, 1972. Considering the amount of money we have had to borrow, we are fortunate to have received a mate of interest that is better than a year ago. Chairman Kenney asked about receipts from excise taxes. Mr. Zehner: We have received no excise tax bills on 1972 car purchases and haven't received all of 1971 yet. You may have read in the paper of the distress of many towns, and Governor Sargent has been asked to take action; this may be in the mid-summer or in the Treasurer fall . Mr. O'Connell: I have discussed this with the Registry of Motor Vehicles and it is the result of the State having a practice of farming out, by competitive bidding, all of the punch card work for computer processing. The work was given to a firm in Texas and it created a disaster. Mr. Zehner recommended that the contract be awarded to the lowest banks. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract to borrow $2,500,000 in anticipation of tax revenue on a loan dated June 15, 1972 and payable on November 6, 1972 as follows: The First National Bank of Boston $250,000 2.38% 250,000 2.40% 750,000 2.45% Harvard Trust 250,000 2.39% 250,000 2.44% Newton-Waltham Bank & Trust Company 250,000 2.39% 250,000 2.43% State Street Bank and Trust Company 250,000 2.42% 389 Mr. O'Connell recommended that the contract be awarded to Grandview Contracting, Inc., Roslindale, who was the lowest bidder on sewer con- Sewer struction. The authority for this work is under Article 20 of the 1971 Construc- Annual Town Meeting. tion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award- contract Contract 71-4-E to Grandview Contracting, Inc., Roslindale, for sewer lateral construction on East Street and York Street, in the amount of $125,348.50. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that 20 of the 27 candidates took the Fireman's test last Saturday morning. The results are in and in- New terviews will be set up shortly, after which the candidates will be Firemen ranked and given agility tests. It is hoped to have the new men by early July. Mr. O'Connell discussed the request from the Lions Club to allow the 4th of July carnival to be set up on Thursday, June 29. This would mean that the workers would stay on the grounds for six nights July 4th instead of five. Carnival Mr. Bailey What kind of security is provided at the area? Mr. O'Connell A watchman would be provided that they would pay for. My main concern would have to do with the noise and is this some.. thing that would be acceptable to people residing in the area. Last year, we gave them the same restriction of coming one night before, but they arrived before the scheduled time and we had some complaints about the noise. We could give them the additional evening, with the understanding that special precautions be taken for the workers to be quiet. The Board agreed that the carnival workers could arrive on Thursday, June 29, with the understanding that a 9 00 a.m. curfew would be enforced. Chairman Kenney read a petition from the New England Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company for the relocation of a pole on Vinebrook Road; no hearing is necessary as the relocation is within the property bounds of the owner. Vinebrook Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per- Pole mission to New England Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company for Location the following location: Vinebrook Road Approximately 341 ft. northeasterly from Waltham Street, one ( I) pole, also remove one ( 1) pole. (This is at the subscriber' s request and no hearing is required) Chairman Kenney read a petition from the New England Telephone Long- Company and the Boston Edison Company for the relocation of a pole on fellow Longfellow Road. No public hearing is necessary as the relocation is Rd. Pole within the property bounds of the owner. Location 390 Longfellow Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis- 9 sion to the New England Telephone Company and Boston Edison Company Road Pole for the following location Location Longfellow Road Approximately 950 ft. southeasterly from Burlington Street, one ( I) pole, also remove one 'CI) pole. Chairman Kenney read a notice from Secretary Davoren informing all cities and towns of the amendment on the jury service question- naires to include "Do you wish to waive any exemption from jury Jury service to which you may be entitled by law?" Question- Chairman Kenney The questionnaire we sent out includes this nacre question whereby women with minor children may waive the exemption. We will shortly publicize our new method of jury selection, and will also make public the results of the suit against the Selectmen. Mr. Legro It hasn't been dismissed yet. The Board agreed to await the outcome of the suit- before publi- cizing the method of jury selection. Chairman Kenney read a request from Ralph H. Hall, 1656 Massa- chusetts Avenue, for permission to use the Lincoln Street Dump site for tethered' be l loon flights. Mr. O'Connell Mr. Hall contacted me again this year for Permission and this request is as a result of my suggesting that he Request ask the Board. 1 have discussed this with the Hanscom Airport Balloon Manager as this is under the jurisdiction of the FAA, but their Plights traffic is such that they couldn't allow it. The Police have said that his flights, when using the land on Waltham Street and Route 2, have resulted in traffic congestion. The Police point out that a more severe problem of traffic would exist on Lincoln Street be- cause cars couldn't pull off the road when this event attracted the people. My recommendation is to deny the use of the Lincoln Street area, but to leave it open for Mr. Hall to discuss other areas in Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request of Mph H. Hall for permission to use the Lincoln Street dump site for tethered balloon flights. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go Lnto Executive Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or Session voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of a matter of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. NOW-Women Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Lexington Unit of the Appoint- National Organization for Women regarding the appointment of more meats women to Town Committees. J1 P7 After discussion, the Board agreed to Inform NOW that it is the policy of the Board to make appointments on the basis of the individual qualifications and experience of the particdlar person involved, and the Board wished to continue that policy. However, the Board encour- ages that they submit the names of some women who may be interested in an appointment to a Committee or Board, listing quallfications and particular experience or interests,. These would be taken into consider- ation for future appointments. Chairman Kenney read reports from the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission regarding a letter received from Benjamin A. Greene, Merrimack, New Hampshire, asking about the Town being inter- ested in the purchase of his property located at Route 2 and Spring Street. The Planning Board letter states that It had inquired of Mr. Greene whether the offer is divisible so that some, but not all , parcels or portions of land could be bought by the Town. Mr. Greene replied that they have under consideration the possible sale of the six parcels of land; said six parcels being completely free of any encumbrance; with taxes paid for the year 1971 . Greene The Planning Board believes that the decision of the Town to ac- Land quire the Baldwin-Hamilton land on the other side of Spring Street Rte. 2 and Concord Avenue largely meets the needs of the Town for open space in this area. The Board does not believe that a need exists in this area for a purchase of land at market prices for any Town purchase, end eecdmmends -thet ereene be advised to consider other buyers for his land, unless he is willing either to donate some part of his land or to sell it considerably below the market price. Mr. Greene should also be advised that the Planning Board isnot in favor of changing the zoning of the land to increase its value and marketability. The Conservation Commission report states that it had discussed the Greene land and while it feels it may have some merit as a picnic area or a small local park, it does not feel it fits into any overall Conserva- tion plan for the Town. The Board agreed to inform Mr. Greene that the Town would not be Interested in purchasing his property at this time. Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Board of Appeals that a hearing will be held on a request of Adolph Cuccinello, 92 Bridge Cuccinello Street, to subdivide his land. It points out that the Board of Land Selectmen granted partial deferments on July 19, 1971 for a period of three years. The Board agreed to inform the Board of Appeals that it is only interested in being informed if the land is sold; therefore, the de- ferment would no longer apply. Chairman Kenney read a letter of resignation from Charles T. Resigna- Abbott as a member of the Board of Appeals. tion Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the Board of resignation of Chartfes T. Abbott as a member of the Board of Appeals. Appeals 392v Chairman Kenney read a letter of resignation from Duncan E. Resignation MacDonald as an Associate Member of the Historic Districts Commis- Historic sion. Districts Chairman Kenney He was a nominee of the Cary Library. The Board agreed to write to the Trustees of Cary Library and request that a nomination be submitted for an appointment to the Historic Districts Commission. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffic Committee regard- Arlex Auto ing a request of the Arlex Driving School, 19A Depot Square, for a Parking reserved parking space. The Traffic Committee recommended against granting the request because the use of on-street parking by one particular business would reduce the total parking space available to the public, making an already bad shortage even worse. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Committee and to deny the request of Arlex Automobile School for one reserved parking space. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Board of Health regard- Common ing the renewal application from Alexander's Pizza, 180 Bedford Street Victualler stating that an inspection made on June 3 Showed that they had com- License plied with the regulations for proper garbage disposal and had pro- vided separate and adequate garbage disposal facilities after a violation notice had been issued. It is recommended that their Common Victualler' s license be approved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Common Victualler's license for Alexander's Pizza, 180 Bedford Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes minutes of the Special Selectmen's Meeting held on May 25, 1972, as amended. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Liquor I .D. Chairman to sign the Liquor I .D. Card for Wayne Douglas Johnson, 231 Bedford Street. Chairman Kenney read-a letter from Mrs. Amy Samoylenko of the Lexington Mews Trust regarding the possibility of Mr. Bonano, pre- spective tenant at the Lexington Mews, obtaining a liquor license for 00 Lexington his general store in order to sell wine for the convenience of his ', Mews Request customers in selecting cheese and wine at the same time. Liquor Selectman Busa abstained and did not participate in the discus- License sion. Mr. Legro The statute makes no provision for this type of license in connection with a general store. The Board agreed to inform Mrs. Samoylenko that the only type of liquor license which the Board is authorized, by vote of the Towns- people, to issue is the full liquor license. Also, the Board is not accepting additional applications for liquor license at this time; his request will be kept on file and he will be notified if applica- tions are re-opened. 393 III Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mayor Clark of Waltham regarding proposed Ancillary Manpower Planning Boards throughout the State. He sts that several individuals be nominated to serve on a board or subcommittee. Mayor Clark, as the chief elected official of the largest city or town within the planning area, is ex officio chairman of the Ancillary AMPS. Since the board cannot be composed of more than 33 members, and Manpower there are 16 communities, not everyone recommended will be able to Planning serve on the board but could possibly serve on its subcommittees. Board After discussion, the Board agreed to recommend Enrico Mongiello, Management Systems Analyst with the Town under the Emergency Employ- ment Act, and to contact Ephraim Weiss, Secretary and member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Technical Professions, Inc., to see if he would be interested in serving on the Ancillary Manpower Planning Board. Chairman Kenney read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. John D. Bentley, 47 Hosmer Street, Watertown, asking for information regarding tax title lots and scattered site housing in Lexington. After discussion, the Board agreed to inform Mr. and Mrs. Bentley that a I-year moratorium has been instituted on the sale of any tax title lots which could be used under the scattered sites housing plan, Bentley but to contact either the Housing Authority or the Lexington Commis- Scattered sion on Suburban Responsibility for further information. Sites Mr. Benjamin H. Golini , 35 Balfour Street, was present at the meeting and asked about his request to purchase the tax title lot adjacent to his home. Chairman Kenney Mr Golini had applied in 1968 and the Planning Golini Board recommended against the sale for the purpose of re-subdivision Tax Title and the creation of an additional substandard building lot. He again Lot applied and met with the Planning Board on February 14, 1972. It was the decision of the Planning Board to again oppose the sale because of the previous decision and, also, because of the policy relative to the use of tax title lots for scattered housing. Mr. Golini My proposal at that time was from my present lot to the adjacent lot, to bring it up to approximately 91 ft., a total of approximately 8500 square feet. If you look at the adjacent lots in the area, there are lots of 8100 sq. ft., and 8500 would be close to the norm. I re-applied earlier this year and it was referred to the `t Planning Board again. I now hear that these lots are available for building sites. Chaiirman Kenney Building sites only under a building plan and a proposal , none of which have been brought to the Board. That lot is one of the 38 lots put on the list by the Planning Board of possi- ble sites for building under scattered sites. The Board voted a moratorium of one year to allow time for the several organizations interested to have a proposal . Mr. Golini : The request was made before scattered sites. You are now saying there will be no decision until there Is a plan. 394 / Mr. Bailey It was made clear to you in 1968 when an inquiry was entertained. Chairman Kenney: We have voted a I-year moratorium and you may re-apply in one year. Mr. Golini If I could have that in writing.. . The Board agreed to defer action on Mr. Golini 's request to purchase the tax title lot adjacent to his home on Balfour Street. In the event no action has been taken on the lot within the coming year because of scattered site housing, Mr. Golini may re-apply to the Board. Chairman Kenney read an invitation to attend open house of the Charles River Watershed Association on June 7, 1972. No member of the Board is able to attend. Chairman Kenney read a request from Chief Corr to appoint Special Special Police Officers. Police Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the Officers following as Special Police Officers Louis F. Grenier, Leonard N. Jones, William E. Maloney, Jr., John W. Maloney. Mr. McSweeney, Director of Public Works, showed a graphic sketch of the extension of the parking lot on Mariam Street and said that this area was staked out at the request of the Board. It should be Mariam St. of some assistance in considering the Chamber of Commerce' s request Parking Lot for additional parking. It will be necessary to remove a small amount of trees and brush, and to provide approximately 200 to 300 yards of gravel for grading and filling. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was was voted to approve the concept of the extension of the Mariam Street Parking Lot, as proposed by the Director of Public Works. Summer The Board discussed the summer schedule and it was agreed to meet Schedule on June 26; July 10 and July 24; August 7 and August 21; September 5. Mr. Legro discussed the vote of the Board on February 19, 1969 to accept Chapter 174 of the 1968 Acts and Resolves. The Board had re- ceived a request from the Retirement Board asking that the Selectmen approve acceptance of Chapter 174, of the 1968 Acts and Resolves, as Retirement Lexington had not accepted the veterans' sections 56-59 of Chapter 32. Act Legislation enacted in 1968 forces us to pay our proportion of retire- ment of any person who worked for a time in Lexington and may retire from another city or town. There has been another Act since 1968, Chapter 143 of the Acts of 1971 , that Sections 56-59 be approved by a majority vote, provided it was done by January I , 1972. The problem is whether the action taken by the Board on February 19, 1969 can be resolved as it does not specifically state approval of sections 56 through 59.- Mr. Legro is to check further and come back to the Board. 39 The Board discussed appointments to the Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility. Mrs. Riffin: The Commission is going to make some recommend*- LCSR tion regarding the composition of the commission or the method of selecting the nominees. The Board agreed that Mrs. Riffin is to come back with a recom- mendation of the LCSR. Mr. McSweeney requested the extension of the time period on the dump stickers from June 30 to September I , 1972 in order to allow for Dump additional time to study the effects of the sticker procedure. Stickers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend the expiration date of the permits for the Hartwell Avenue Sanitary Land- fill from June 30, 1972 to September 15, 1972. The Board briefly discussed a proposal from Daniel Small regard- ing public Transportation. Public The Board agreed to refer the proposal to the subcommittee Transp. representatives to the Boston Transportation Planning Review, Selectmen Brown,, Donald Graham of the Planning Board, and Peter Chalpin of the Engineering Department. Mr. Brown is to set up a meeting to discuss the proposal with Mr. Small . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the Executive public security, the financial interests of the Town or the repute- Session tion of a person. After discussion of matters of general interest, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. The Board discussed the request from William H. Ryan, Trustee of Central Lexington Real Estate Trust, for a transfer of stock of Vinebrook Corporation, formerly known as Connors Bros., Inc., to Daniel P. Busa. Vinebrook Upon motion duly made and seconded, It was voted to approve the Corporation request of William H. Ryan, Trustee of Central Lexington Real Estate Trust, owner of all issued and outlitandtngsstock of Vinebrook Corpora- tion, 1700 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, Massachusetts, for permis- sion to sell and transfer all said stock to Daniel P. Buse of 86 Lowell Street, Lexington. Also, to approve the New Manager, Daniel P. Buse. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request approval of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission for the above transfer of stock and approval of the New Manager, Daniel P. Buse. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 30 p.m. A true record, Attest 1 e a! ' ecutive Clerk, Select