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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-05-08-BOS-min 34 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 8, 1972 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select. men's Meeting Room on Monday evening, May 8, 1972 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Busa and 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 Legro requested the Board to sign the contract awarded on April 24, 1972 to W.H. Hughes, Inc., Watertown, for the installation Traffic of traffic signals, in the amount of $14,315. Signals Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the con- tract with W.H. Hughes, Inc. for the installation of traffic signals in the amount of $14,315. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that he and Mr. McSweeney had discussed with Commissioner Campbell the number of traffic signals within the Town for which Town Meeting had authorized funds, and the possibility of qualifying under TOPICS for reimbursement of $14,000. Commissioner Campbell suggested going ahead with these and to try later on for reimbursement Mr. Legro This could also qualify under the special highway funds but they are going to be used for resurfacing. Mr. Legro informed the Board that he had prepared the instrument for the abandonment of the portions of sewer easement and temporary Easement construction easements in the Saddle Club Road section adjacent thereto Abandon- in the lands of Frederic S. Cohen, Chaires K. Chiklis, Peter F. Mercian, ment Allen I . Shiner and Carl J. Kasabian which are no longer required by the Saddle Town. This was voted by the 1972 Town Meeting under Article 86. Indi- Club Rd. vidual releases for individual owners were not prepared and it was not felt necessary. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the in- strument for the abandonment of portions of sewer easement and temporary construction easements in the Saddle Club Road area, as voted under Article 86 of the 1972 Annual Town Meeting Mr. Legro said that he had written to the Board about the need for a plan of the Bevington-Stankard land. A plan is not needed to exer- cise the option but it is needed to complete the transaction within Bevington 45 days. Stankard The Board agreed to instruct Mr. McSweeney to prepare a plan Exercise immediately. of Option Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to exercise the option to purchase the land of Alfred J. Bevington, Jr. and Mary E. Stankard containing ten acres, more or less, situated southerly of Marrett Road, subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the option. 3o0 Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that the total cost of the Presi- Presidential dential Primary on April 25 was $7,950. Ballot counting required 10 Primary to 14 hours and people were on duty from 6 00 a.m. on April 25 to Expenses 10.00 a.m on •April 26. This was well conducted because of advance planning and involved 84 people with approximately 14 per precinct, including Policemen. Broken down $850 for construction of temporary voting booths; $350 for DPW services in setting up and tearing down election set-ups; $5,000 for salaries of election workers, in combina- tion with regular and extended time basis; $100 for food; $400 for school custodians; $110 for tally sheets, $150 for miscellaneous ex- penses; $1,000 for special duty Policemen. A typical cost for this day would not have exceeded $2,000, so we have incurred about $6,000 in added costs for a paper ballot primary. This has confirmed what everybody knew, but we had no choice but to carry it out this way Chairman Kenney You may recall when you brought us the estimate of the cost of voting booths, I asked you to notify the Appropriation Committee so that we may be on record. Mr. O'Connell The salaries will appear on the Town Clerk' s election account; the voting booths and Special Policemen, on the Selectmen' s election account Chairman Kenney Give the Appropriation Committee the breakdown. Mr. O'Connell agreed. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that bids have been received"on the purchase of road machinery, as approved by Town Meeting under Article 11124. We will hold the hydraulic driven sanders. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the following contracts Bids - Road Machinery One 1972 Four-Door Sedan $ 3,751.40 Awards Rowe Chevrolet Less Trade-in 727.40 33 Bedford Street, Lexington Net delivered 3,024.00 One 3/4 Ton Pick-up 4,012.95 International Harvester Less Trade-in 1 ,232.56 340 Mystic Avenue, Medford Net delivered 2,780.39 Four 1/2 Ton Pick-ups 14,837.88 (for four) International Harvester Less Trade-in 4 504.84 340 Mystic Avenue, Medford Net delivered 10,333.04 One Sprayer - Trailer mounted 11 ,500.00 Hartney Spray Corporation: Less Trade-in 1 ,200.00 Pleasant Street, Norwood Net delivered 10,300.00 One 3/4 Ton 4-Wheel Drive Dump Trk. International Harvester Co. 340 Mystic Avenue, Medford Net delivered 4,909.58 351 One Vacuum Sweeper - May I . 1972 $27,600.00 Dyar Sales & Machinery Co. Less Trade-in 2,500.00 247 Third Street, Cambridge Net delivered $25, 100.00 Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that he is in the process of appointing William Scouler to the Permanent Building Committee. I had hoped to bring it up to the full compliment of five members but Permanent have just received notice of the resignation of David Marshall due to Building the pressure of business I am also looking into the voting member- Committee ship being advanced to seven members, due to the fact that we have Appt. three significant work tasks over the years. I will have more to re- port to the Board after I have the opportunity to study the matter. Police coverage at Eldred and Bedford Streets was discussed. Mr. O'Connell I have talked to Chief Corr and he admits there have been some mornings when there has been late coverage as the man assigned has to be a special duty man because of the schools; it is not a duty that is signed up for eagerly. They are watching the area Eldred to get more consistent coverage. Chief Corr has confirmed that there Bedford are periods in the morning of a back-up of cars when Eldred Street is Streets being cleared, and if there is a signal installed, it could only be for a short time cycle for this reason. Chairman Kenney Impress upon Chief Corr to have that intersec- tion covered; it points out the validity of the proposal we discussed last week to have a southbound road on Hartwell Avenue going into the connector road. The Board agreed. Mrs. Thomas of Ivan Street was present and asked if, as a result of the hearing at Cary Hall on Eldred and Bedford Streets, hours had been set for coverage at this location. I truly understand why no- body wants that detail . I said at the hearing that we prefer to have no coverage at all rather than have an on and off thing Are there any particular hours? Mr. O'Connell It was my understanding the hours are from 7 30 to 9 00 a.m. The Board agreed that Mr. O'Connell is to talk with Chief Corr to have coverage from 7 30 to 9 00 a.m. at Eldred and Bedford Streets. Chairman Kenney requested the Board to sign the taxi and livery licenses. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the following taxi and livery licenses, for a period expiring May I , 1973 Taxi & Lexington Cab Co. Inc. 81 Wobuh St. Corporation Livery Licenses Taxi 4208 #1 Taxi 2269 #4 Taxi 4209 2 Taxi 2271 5 Taxi 4210 3 Taxi 5305 6 352 Lexington Cab Co. , Inc. 81 Woburn St. Corporation. Livery L35-057 # 7 Livery PI9-706 #13 L35-058 8 " U57-950 14 " L35-059 9 " 655-91K 15 L35-060 10 " 656-01K 16 " L35-061 ti656-IlK 17 ft 573-78Y 12 " 573-83Y 18 " P67-626 19 Intelligence Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the License Chairman to sign the Intelligence License (employment agency) for Starrett Associates, Inc., 2 Militia Drive. Chairman Kenney read a request from Temple Isaiah Youth Group for the use of the old dump on Lincoln Street for a garage sale on Sunday, May 21 , from 9 00 a.m. to 5 00 p.m. Chairman Kenney I have talked with the Town Manager regarding requests that come in that are quite routine and we agree that rather than have two channels of authority, we would refer them to the Mana- ger and so notify the petitioner. Mr Bailey I would be interested in having the Manager routinely Temple tell us whatever action he takes. Isaiah Youth Chairman Kenney The Manager has agreed that if he had a request Request of particular consequence he would bring it to us. Mr Busa Also, when permission is granted for the use of the Buckman Tavern grounds, to inform them to keep away from the walkways. The Youth Employment Service of the High School had it last week and they set up on the walkways and disrupted the tourists going into the Visitors' Center People were going into the Center to try on gar- ments that were for sale. Mr. O'Connell There have been a number of questions raised concerning this particular event The President of the Chamber of Com- merce came in to see me to get them straightened out. In the future, we will make it clear that permission is granted only for the things that are requested; their plans have gone beyond this. The Board agreed that routine type requests will be handled by the Town Manager. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the request of the Temple Isaiah Youth Group to the Town Manager. At 8 00 p.m , Mrs. Arda Bogosian, 20 Blossom Street, and residents of Blossom Street met with the Board. Mrs. Bogosian We have requested this appointment to discuss the sewer problem on Blossom Street. We represent the majority of the resi- Blossom St. dents and will try to impress upon you the need for a seiner. Many Sewer residents are forced to make multiple use of bathroom facilities before Request flushing and cannot use their washing machines; laundry has to be sent out or done by hand. We can only have a limited number of guests be- cause of limited capacity. Pumping is useless and results in an over- flow in a short time. We hope you will give us top priority as these conditions are deplorable and merit prompt attention. 4 a c T Of) Peter Ronchetti , 4 Blossom Street The conditions are all she says. Take a tour of our neighborhood and see that social life is out. Every time we flush the toilet it overflows. I have five children and limit them to showers. I made an effort to alleviate the situation by putting in a new cesspool to pick up the kitchen and laundry. People here put toilet paper in a plastic bag and burn it. The priorities in the Town are wrong and everyone has to fight for a sewer; we are going to spend millions of dollars and the Library could be put off, also, Conserva- tion land. The Town should be completely severed. I might have to put an outhouse in the rear of the garage. Chairman Kenney We are aware of certain sewerage problems in the Town. We are operating in the vicinity of $600,000 a year which is almost as much as we engineer and construct in one year. Mr. Bogosian Are there any other streets in Lexington like ourt? Chairman Kenney Unfortunately, there may be. How long have you had this? Mr Bogosian We have been there for six years. Chairman Kenney Have you had this problem for six years? Mrs. Bogosian No; we have no children. Mrs. Harry McDonald, 25 Blossom Street, and Mrs. Maloney, 18 Blossom Street, explained conditions around their grounds and asked that they be alleviated. Chairman Kenney pointed out that this is the first time they have applied and there are other people in Town with similar problems that have previously applied. Mr. Patteeson, 21 Blossom Street, asked what steps should be taken? Chairman Kenney Send us a letter in the fall when we are consid- ing the areas for 1973 If you have a documented version of your prob- lem, I am sure we will be impressed. Mr. Richard Corazzini said that when the petition was sent out last year; we failed to sign it because of the high cost of sewer as- sessment. We have a greenhouse and it would amount to $8,000 or $10,000 for our share unless we can get some sort of deferment. I have learned that we can for agricultural uses. Chairman Kenney At the appropriate time, you could apply for a deferment. Mr. Busa I was in the Blossom Street area and I concur with these people, but I also informed the residents that there are other areas in Lexington which have been requesting sewers on demand, and the earliest time we could give them would be in July or Augutt or next year They will have to live with it or make alleviations. Chairman Kenney asked Mr. McSweeney about the installation of a sewer Mr. McSweeney: One can run parallel to Route 2; there is one going up to the Temple and one going on Concord Avenue; a gravity sewer all the way. The residents agreed to make a request in September, and all re- tired from the meeting. 354 Chairman Kenney read a request from the Massachusetts Knights of Pythias to conduct Kiddie Kamp Tag Day throughout the Town on Saturday, Permit May 21 , from 9.00 a.m. to 5 00 p.m. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Board has no objection to Tag Day being conducted throughout the Town but the Knights of Pythias are to inform Chief Corr of the names and ad- dresses of the adult supervisors responsible for the solicitors. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the Cert, of characters of the following who have applied for Certificate of Incor- Incorp. poration Ruth R. Budd 117 Kendall Road "Day Care Consultation Services, Inc." Isabel Besecker 8 Eastern Avenue Gordon D. MacKay ISO Grove Street Thomas G. Taylor 64 Marrett Road "School Volunteers for Boston, Inc." Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Muzzey Junior High School Advisory nominating Heather Dayton as a member of the Advisory Youth Commission Youth Comm. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Appt Heather Dayton a member of the Advisory Youth Commission representing Muzzey Junior High School . Mrs. Riff in reported that no action had been taken in response to her request for a nominee from the Boy Scouts for an appointment to the Youth Commission. She nominated William C. Hays as a repre- sentative of Attic. Mr. Busa Mr. Hays was on the original list submitted and was bypassed. We have been waiting to hear from the Council of Congre- gations. If approved, we now have Re-Place and the Attic. I have no objection but I think we should have a greater cross-section on the Commission. Chairman Kenney We have given them time to reply and time has about run out. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint William C. Hays a member of the Advisory Youth Commission as a repre- sentative of the Attic. Chairman Kenney read an invitation from the Town Celebrations Committee to attend Memorial Day ceremonies on May 29, 1972. Memorial Chairman Kenney will attend and read the Governor' s Proclamation; Day Board members plan to participate Chairman Kenney read a request from Thomas W. Keefe, Auctioneer Public from Dracut, to conduct a public auction on May 20 (rain date May 27) Auction at the home of Mrs. George Howe, 68 Colony Road, from 10.00 a.m to 400 p.m. C � Upon motion duly Made and seconded, it was voted to approve the re- quest of Thomas W. Keefe to conduct a public auction at the home of Mrs. George Howe, 68 Colony Road, on May 20 (rain date of May 27) with specific hours of 10.00 a.m to 4 00 p.m. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffic Committee regard- ing a request from Mrs. Arline A. Burns, 37 Cliffe Avenue for a Stop sign and Slow-Children sign in the area. The report states that investigation indicates that traffic vol- Traffic umes on Cliffe Ave. and Fottler Avenue do not meet the State warrants Traffic Cliffe for a Stop sign. The problems of the poor sight distance and the Cliffe Avenue - change of Fottler Avenue into an unimproved street are recognized by Avenue the Committee and it is recommended that a warning barrier be erected to the standards of the Massachusetts DPW in a location where it would be visible' to the motorists approaching Cliffe Road junction on Fottler Avenue. The Committee does not recommend Slow-Children signs because such signs are ineffective and only lead to a false sense of security for the parents and the children, and because practically all streets in Lexington are used by children walking to school or to a school bus stop and should be treated equally, unless special condi- tions dictate otherwise Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendations of the Traffic Committee and to so inform Mrs. Burns. The Director of Public Works is to be instructed to install the warn- ' ing barrier. Chairman Kenney read a report from the Traffic Committee regarding the request of the First Baptist Church, 1580 Massachusetts Avenue, for the reservation of three to four parking spaces for cars delivering children to the day care center at the church. The report states that Traffic the child care center is not a part of the religious activities but First rather a legally separate non-profit entity which charges for the day Baptist care provided and to which the church leases space. Up to 20 children Church between 2 and 6 years of age attend the center. Rev Peterson did not Request feel that the reservation of one car space would solve their problem. There is no off-street parking on the propetty of the Church for use of the day care center and other employees. Under the circumstances and bearing in mind the critical shortage of all-day parking space in the center generally, the Traffic Committee recommends that the re- quest of the First Baptist Church be denied. If granted, it would set a dangerous precedent for other enterprises of non-profit or commercial nature requesting assigned on-street parking space Mr. O'Connell As a suggestion, they have an aide there under the Emergency Employment Act and perhaps she could function out there un- loading the children. Chairman Kenney There is a crosswalk there and people could come into our circle and let the children off if there were someone there to take them across Massachusetts Avenue. 5Ea The Board agreed to deny the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Traffic Committee to deny the request of the First Baptist Church for three or four parking spaces on Massachu- setts Avenue The Lexington Planning Board, Lexington Planning Director, Alexander Zaleski , Arlington Planning Director Leo Young, Cambridge Planning Director Robert Bowyer, Peter Hopkinson and Miss Sima Osdo0y of the Boston Transportation Planning Review, Representative Cole and Mr. Dunham of Arlington met with the Board. Chairman Kenney The purpose of this joint meeting is to research the possibility of the extension of the MBTA to Arlington at Alewife Brook Parkway or extending it through Lexington to Route 128. We have invited several interested people with expertise. I would ask Mrs. Brown to introduce them. Mrs. Brown, Chairman of the Lexington Planning Board, introduced the above mentioned persons and said that this meeting results from a meeting I attended in Arlington. You have been alerted to it by a memo from me and Arlington has expressed interest in where the extension would be planned. It is an effort in fact finding on the part of Lexington and the points of view from people to advise us; to explore all angles so that any position the Lexington Board comes to would be based on information. I would like to ask Mr. Young to explain Arlington's MBTA interest and why; /to ask Mr. Bowyer to give some ideaof what techni- Extension cally to consider on the rapid transit terminus; to ask Mr. Hopkinson what the BTPR's thinking is. Then, to question and explore any angles that seem fuzzy, and the pros and cons for Lexington - special prob- lems and advantanges - and would like to know the thinking of the community of having it between here and Harvard Square. Mr. Young I just came from a meeting in Arlington between the Selectmen, the Redevelopment Board, four State Representatives and a representative elected by the Selectmen regarding a position paper of Arlington and Belmont. We hope Lexington will join in requesting the BTPR study on the technical problems of extending rail rapid transit beyond Alewife. We have been working in Arlington on problems and are concerned that the META and BTPR continue to talk about Alewife. We think it bad from Arlington's view and the view of the northwest corridor We hope Lexington would consider extending it to Route 128. Technical studies of the northwest corridor have been done and found to be comparable to the northeast corridor; we believe the northwest corridor is growing fast, if not faster, than the southeast corridor. Route 2 dies at the circle and the traffic on Route 2 is abominable. We are concerned at this stage that Alewife would present so serious a problem of traffic filtering in through the community and Arlington would not be properly served. We want rail rapid transit to Route 128, nothing less; this is what they intend to push for. We realize Lexington was not consulted but we are here tonight to get rail rapid 357 transit extended. We have buses on Massachusetts Avenue every 2 or 3 minutes and people fight like animals to get on buses at Harvard Square. We don't have satisfactory rapid transit service in Arlington; it is adequate but does not meet 1972 standards. We think Lexington should consider possibilities of rail ; it would arrive at Alewife with inter- mediate stations; at that point we believe ( I) there is a right of way to put two tracks to Route 128, without taking buildings; (2) we be- lieve, leaving Alewife, it could be put into open cut and cover to where the demands of roads occur. In Lexington Center, you might want to consider the possibility of cut and cover through Ma Center; (3) we believe the cost is reasonable enough to come through Lexington and possibly to Route 128. This is the goal for Arlington - rail rapid transit extending out so people at this corridor can get good rapid transit service. Chairman Kenney I understand you mean it would come out and through Lexington. Mr. Young If it were Arlington Center or nothing, I suspect they might compromise. Right now, they are talking Route 128 or bust. Mr. Bailey They would use the existing B & M right-of-way? Mr. Young MBTA will actually be designing the line and work with the communities. We in Arlington are going to push for a cooperative agreement with the MBTA on where the line will go. Mr. Bowyer I am speaking in behalf of Cambridge. There are 100,000 people that live in Cambridge. Of that 100,000 there are 50,000 who hold jobs elsewhere and 25,000 in Cambridge; 75,000 people who work there do not live in Cambridge but come in large numbers from the northwest corridor. There have been proposals for the exten- sion of Route 2 on the Inner Belt through Cambridge and Somerville and it has been put to rest. Route 2 to Cambridge would take homes and both communities are adamantly opposed to the extension and pre-. fer that it stay at Dewey and Almy because they don't see how highway congestion can be resolved. The city is too densely built up to shove an expressway through. The Red Line to the northwest corridor is important because we have to get vehicles off our streets. Harvard Square is the worst possible place for a bus transfer station and issatisfactoryeconomicdevelop- ment, not for a terminus. In terms of - e p ment, Cambridge is moving towards office space, apartments and commer- cial areas; all of which are necessary to assist the beleagured taxpayers of the city. Cambridge is now in a revenue sharing posture and Cambridge is paying more in charges on the Cherry Sheet. That dramatized some of the tax base and that is related to economic development, and that is related to accessibility. The extension to the northwest corridor is the No. I imperative transportation policy. If Alewife, the area is immediately southeast of Arthur D. Little, steel mills, etc. , a station location is subject to considerable further review. In conjunction with Arlington, they'have a develop- ment just across Route 2, the Mugar property and that would assist that development and bring additional tax return to Arlington. I s F J0 The method of construction by which rail transit would be ex- tended to the west, and specific design criteria for the two stations, with modifications to the existing station, would permit us to solve problems. The traffic count at Fresh Pond Parkway is 56,000 a day', to make a significant in-road would require a fantastic number of parking spaces. One proposal for 7,000 automobiles would take a large chunk of land. We feel it is in Cambridge' s interest and those ,com- ing into Cambridge and Boston to have some means of access further on out in the northwest corridor, and not at that congested point at Alewife. Therefore, while Cambridge would probably be satisfied with an extension to Alewife, it is Cambridge' s position to have it further out, commutation in a 2-way direction. In terms of providing employ- ment opportunities, the ability to get to Route 128 is an important consideration. Mr. Hopkinson I would like to discuss the Planning Review and its role to date and its objectives in the semi-distant future. The Planning Review was put together by the Governor in response to con- troversies over a major expressway. We have been dealing with facilities in the Metropolitan area; on the Northwest, we have gone through phase I study and dropped the Inner Belt and have dropped almost everything to do with the Route 2 extension. We kept in the study the possibility of dealing with traffic at the end of Route 2 tirh Fitchburg right-of-way; they all have to go into the Fitchburg right- of-way to get to Boston. Phase I has some of the alternatives for rapid transit and highways and will remain under study to use existing rights-6f-way both for commuter and rapid transit; to particularly include the study of rapid transit beyond Alewife and also the prob- lems that exist at Alewife in terms of development potential and parking and access problems. The subject of rapid transit to Route 128 came up many times and I am happy to hear the official response from the Towns in the Northwest Corridor to look into rapid transit. We will be studying the options and characteristics of commuter rail , and should it appear that rapid transit is the thing to do now, or in the future, we would like to do something to boost the service as far as commuter rail and the possibility of a dual powered vehicle, similar to a Budd car. The one used on the Quincy line has a turbine generator and is able to go under its own steam. It is a vehicle offering an alternate opportunity for pretty good service in this area. As far as rapid transit to Route 128, I think the Planning Review would be interested in opinions of Lexington in regard to this. There are a number of problems raised by Cambridge and Arlington as far as extending to Route 128; access is surely one of these problems. If it went to 128, it would have the accessibility that 128 offers it. We would hear how this might fit into plans for 1976 as far as getting people out here. What is the development of time for a full rapid transit and how to accomplish it by 1976, and what are the alternatives to boost service pn the Bedford line for the ultimate use of rapid transit? 1 would comment, we concur with the issues raised by Cambridge and Arlington and feel these are the things which need some extra study. Alewife is a complicated beast and I would foresee 309 Illsome time passing before a resolution appears on access:; development, potential parking structures and a road into it at Route 2. These have a principal effect on Arlington, and Lexington's rapid transit will take some time to accomplish, and good service on this line should he looked at in terms of evolving service. What is here now, and what would happen to Arlington Center, and when would rapid transit, even to Alewife be a reality, and what happens in between? It is the hope of the Planning Review to put it together, starting upwards and boosting the existing service. Miss Osdoby• I have been asked to represent Somerville's interest in the Red Line, to take a look at the possibility of 'in- cluding Davis Square. There are several under study; one goes directly to Harvard Square to Alewife by Garden Street; one goes on Massachusetts Avenue and cuts across. What Somerville has suggested, and META agreed, is to study it to include Davis Square above Porter Square, looking at the cost alignment. Somerville is concerned that it doesn't miss the boat, and they see the Red Line as a possibility. The other is a proposed rapid transit Green Line to go over to West Medford and cut through Somerville. Somerville is trying to keep its options open. One-half of the commuters head either for Camb- ridge or Somerville and Somerville is in somewhat a similar situation as Cambridge with commuters and they are concerned. Mr. Hopkinson As far as deadlines, Alewife engineering and characteristic study should be completed by the end of July. We hope to produce an issue paper by the end of a few weeks and by June I , engineering plans and profiles on Alewife, with no understanding of costs yet but by mid July or the end of July unless unforeseen prob- lems come up, by getting soil data.. The engineers that have a contract for the META foresee very good costs The Planning Review -will do studies of Alewife and by having reliable information by July, will have the implications of going to Alewife by that time. We have already done an environmental and we will, be evaluating some of the alternatives that come up in a study on this basis. Also, concurrently study the use of rail rights-of-way in the Northwest Corridor and the implications of commuter rail service, and improved bus service. We will have a pretty good view by mid July and a re- port in the next couple of months. The Planning Review will be phased out in January of next year We are pleased that Lexington is interested and hope you will join us on a fairly regular basis for information because you are tied in with other cities, Cambridge and Somerville. Chairman Kenney I understand you wish to get the feeling of Lexington. We have to, without being parachial about it, consider the impact of where the terminus would be. You are talking about the Boston and Maine line to Route 128, and we already have prob- lems-on access and swampy conditions Nobody is escaping these. We are interested in the type of cut, which grades, which streets. Without certain attributes to the Town, we must investigate and not make snap judgment. I 360 Mr. Hopkinson I would hope we would be able to set up continu- ing meetings and exchange information on a relatively detailed scale. You would need detailed information. The best thing to happen at this particular time would be for you to articulate your concerns. Mrs. Brown Our Boards have not discussed this together. Mrs. Riff in I am concerned to know how you would accommodate large numbers of cars? What would you envision at the end of the Railroad. right-of-way? What would the impact be? How many cars could be accommodated. Mr. Graham There are 6,000 at the Burlington Mall ; about 2,000 at the Logan Airport Garage. Mr. Young The garage in Quincy can hold 800 cars; it fills up early in the morning and, after that, they get on the Southwest Ex- pressway. We looked at it and find they have experienced no traffic problems as a result of the rapid transit line. I can't stop point- ing out that the Southeast and Northwest Corridors are comparable in problems, and they solved the problem in Quincy and it has helped the community in Quincy. Mr. Clarke What is the role we would play in it? Mr. Hopkinson That will have to come from the study; the use of that right-of-way is really going to have to be examined for its potential to carry people. Considering the condition it is in, how much money is it to fix it up; there are problems of grade crossings, signals, etc. , and what you finally get after you have committed money for commuter rail service. The answer really lies in how it most usefully uses the right-of-way right up to the time it goes to rapid transit. Mr. Clarke It still requires the use of the right-of-way by the Railroad? Mr. Hopkinson I don't know if there is room for three tracks. Mr. McSweeney Is the Boston Transportation Planning Review representing the MBTA? Mr. Hopkinson The Planning Review was put together to review the Expressway and the transit project to Route 128. Mr. McSweeney Is the MBTA proposing anything on the Northeast Corridor? Mr. Graham Since I make my living at the MBTA, I will have to abstain from participating in the policy made by the Planning Board. It is one of two agencies sponsoring it. The Planning Review is doing our planning work. MBTA does have additional funds and they are doing additional work. We have a bonding operation that permits us to spend up to $2M. for engineering for a line at Alewife, pro- vided we get matching funds, and received matching funds for engi- neering analyses and methods of construction between Harvard Square and Alewife. Beyond Alewife, it is a Planning Review matter. At this time there is no authorization for planning beyond Alewife. Mrs. Brown Alluding to 1975 and 1976, a lot of interrelation- ship is possible and I am pleased that the Boston Transportation Planning Review is thinking about it also. It is recorded that Lexington has a considerable interest in these matters also, on how people can go to a place they can park to get to where the action is. 361 Chairman Kenney: A special liaison between the Town and the BTPR should be maintained closely. Mrs. Brown What participation would you like for other than the Planning Director? Miss Osdoby Arlington, for example, has a Selectmen's Transpor- tation Study Committee. We have met with them and commuter groups at their request. In addition to maintaining contact with them, Cambridge and Somerville both have somebody representing them on the BTPR Steering Committee, a working Committee which meets weekly. It is open to Lexington participation. It is a policy and procedures group and State agents are involved in studies and private groups. I can offer you assistance in drafting a position. We can 'schedule meetings with you to take off from this if more information is needed. Towns-can do it with Just citizens or a sub«committee on the Northwest Corridor. Cambridge, Arlington and Somerville have already been meeting pretty regularly. Mr. Hopkinson We would greatly prefer that you participate in the position paper. It makes our work much simpler when cities and towns concur on a position and also understand each other' s problems, which are complex, through airing problems and goals and objectives and does make for a resolution of complicated facilities. Mr. Young I hope we don't get a 3-day warning from the BTPR on a position paper before the Governor. The last time we reacted to it, the BTPR didn't get a valid reaction, and Arlington is going to insist we get more working time. We felt highly indignant to have coordinated on a position paper and we don't want it to happen again. Chairman Kenney We want the two Boards to meet to decide how we can best further this discourse. Mr. Bowyer From the point of view of Lexington, it seems to me that Cambridge is trying to move the Harvard Square problem to Alewife. Arlington doesn't want it at Alewife and wants to move the Harvard Square problem to Route 128. Lexington should think about where it is located Commuters come dwon the Northwest Corridor and, to a degree, using our streets; another consideration is the degree of development to load up the environs with apartments, office build- ings and the like. Another consideration is the service to people living in Town; a large percentage of Lexington population is employed out of Town that could be served by a transit system. 'Think about the number of residents going to 4-year colleges in Boston for which transit access may be desirable. The Selectmen and the Planning Board agreed to meet on next Mon- day evening to further discuss the matter and, also, the Hartwell Avenue connector road and the alternate proposal given to the Board by Commissioner Campbell . The Chairman thanked each person for meeting with the Board to discuss the possible extension to Route 128 and the Planning Board, etc., retired from the meeting. 3' The Board discussed the request of the Arts and Crafts Society Arts & to hold an annual sale of pottery items on its own grounds on Crafts Saturday May 13, 1972, from 10.00 a.m. to 4 00 p.m. The Board had no objection and will so notify the Arts and Crafts Society. Chairman Kenney read a request from the Chamber of Commerce for a sign at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Waltham Street, to be seen es one is emerging from Waltham Street, indicat- ing ndicat-ing theta left turn is necessary to reach the "Historical Sites." Chamber of Also, a request to sell street maps similar to those sold at the Commerce Selectmen's Office. Request Mr. McSweeney It is pretty well congested at that intersec- tion now to put up another sign. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request Mr. John McSweeney to discuss the matter with the Traffic Committee and come back to the Board with a recommendation on the sign. The Board had no objection to the Chamber of Commerce selling maps. Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on April 24, 1972. The Board agreed to appoint Gaynor K. Rutherford to the Bridge Bridge Charitable Fund. Charitable Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Fund Appt. Gaynor K. Rutherford to the Bridge Charitable fund Committee for a term expiring March 31, 1975. The Board discussed the invitation from Governor Sargent to Meeting attend the Conference on Metropolitan Development to be held at the Hotel Lenox on May II . Selectman Brown is to attend to represent the Town. The Board discussed the request from John M. Kirschner, Project Engineer, on behalf of the Aldrich Company, Inc., 321 Commonwealth Road, Cochituate, for an extension of the Town sewer system on Hartwell Avenue to service a new building. Mr. McSweeney This request is for a proposal ;i-o make arrange- Aldrich Co. ments to connect to an existing private sewer owned by, and servicing Sewer Instrumentation Lab. We do not approve of servicing two lots with Request one service, due to some of the legal and maintenance ramifications that it entails. We estimate the cost of $13,000 to extend the sewer to the property and recommend insertion of this amount in the 1973 preliminary budget. If the developer wishes to discuss this matter further, he can contact my office. Mr. Kirschner was present and said that we would like to start construction on June I and finish construction by February 15, 1973. We have an appointment with -the Board of Appeals on May 23 and have an appointment with the Planning Board. The Town Engineer told me the problem because of money; we could build the connector for you or if the developer wanted to put it in, would it be possible to put it in? 363 Chairman Kenney Have you discussed this as far as connecting on Hartwell Avenue? Mr. Kirschner The Town Engineer is not in favor of tying into 9 Y 9 that. Mr. McSweeney We think we should talk to them and then come back to the Board. The request was tabled pending a meeting between Mr. McSweeney and Mr. Kirschner. Chairmen Kenney read a report from Mr. McSweeney regarding the request from Mr. ls'Vaux, II Old Shade Street, for consideration of his sewer betterments of $900 and $1243.71 . The report states that the average charge for connecting to the sewer on Old Shade Street is approximately $210; however, Mr. LeVaux's property abuts a cul-de-sac and would have required an addi- tional manhole at a cost of about $600 to bring the main to a nominal distance from his Sideline. This, however, would have created the same cost problem for the abutter on the opposite side of the street. Mr. LeVaux's problem is caused mainly by the odd configuration :of Old Shade Street, and is compounded by the location of the main. It may LeVaux Sewer be pointed out that lots located on cul-de-sacs of standard design Betterments normally require a 60 ft. service to reach the lot line. Using this criteria, it would follow that Mr. LeVaux's service would normally cost $720; therefore, if the Board sees fit to reduce the service charge, we recommend that the $720 figure be used. This would be a reduction of $180 in the charge, and would be in line with the normal charge for a lot of this type.. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the recommendation of the Director of Public Works to reduce the charge to Mr. Howard A. LeVaux, II Old Shade Street, by the sum of $ 180. Chairmen Kenney informed the Board that Mr. Zaleski , Planning Director has submitted a list of foreclosed tax title lots which was used as the basis for Article 83. Mr. Zaleski states that he will be adding information on assessments and elevations for transmittal to the Lexington Housing Authority, as requested by them, and this inform- Tax ation will be complete, except that some research may be necessary to Title complete the information on foreclosures. Arti-cIe 83 The Board agreed to accept the list. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order for Construction of the following streets Orders for Street ABERNATHY ROAD - a distance of 661 feet, more or less, from Construction Ingleside Road easterly to end. BIRCH HILL LANE - from Lincoln Street a distance of 948 feet, more or less, northeasterly to end. 364 CLYDE PLACE - from Ingleside Road a distance of 296 feet, more or less, southerly to end. CONESTOGA ROAD - from Wood Street a distance of 794 feet, more or less, easterly to end. DUDLEY ROAD - from Goffe Road a distance of 901 feet, more or less, southeasterly to Philip Road. EMERSON ROAD - from a distance of 140 feet, more or less, east 'of the center line of Maureen Road- to a distance of 393 feet, more or less, west of the center line of Maureen Road. GOFFE ROAD - from Worthen Road a distance of 777 feet, more or less, easterly to Philip Road. HERITAGE DRIVE - from Volunteer Way a distance of 1753 feet, more or less, southerly, easterly, and northerly to Volunteer Way. INGLESIDE ROAD - from Maple Street a distance of 2232 feet, more or less, northerly to Clyde Place. MAUREEN ROAD - from East Street a distance of 503 feet, mere or less, southerly to Emerson Road. PHEASANT LANE - from Lincoln Street a distance of 1066 feet, more or less, northeasterly to Birch Hill Lane. WORTHEN •ROAD - from Pleasant Street a distance of 2069 feet, more or less, northwesterly to the limit of the previ- ously accepted portion of Worthen Road. Upon motion dilly made- and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order to Alter and Relocate the following BOW STREET - on the easterly side from a distance of 54 feet, more or less, south of the center line of Mill Brook Drain Easement northeasterly to a distance of 180 feet, more or less, northeasterly of the center line of Mill Brook Drain Easement. MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE - from the westerly side line of Depot Square a distance of 137 feet, more or less, westerly to the easterly side line of Meriam Street. .65. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Execu- tive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on Executive matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public Session security, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters of financial interest, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at II 10 p.m. A true record, Attest �.� Executive Clerk, Selectmen I