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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-03-13-BOS-min 276 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 13, 1972 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, March 13, 1972, at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Kenney, Messrs. Bailey, Buse and Brown, and Mrs. Riff in; Mr. Legro, Town Counsel; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer and Acting Superintendent of Public Works; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Tele- phone Company and the Boston Edison Company to move one pole on Dewey Road. Notices of the hearing were mailed to the petitioner and owners of the property as listed on the petitioners' plan, and also filed with the Town Engineer. Mr. Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, was present and Pole said that the petition was at the request of the former owner, Mr. Dewey Duckman, of 2 Dewey Road who wished the relocation of the pole in order Road to widen his driveway. Mr. Asano, the new owner is present this evening. Chairman Kenney to Mr. Asano Are you in favor of the pole relo- cation? Mr. Asano Mr. Duckman told me that the pole was going to be moved because it was located by mistake. Currently, we have no plans to build a garage or driveway so I would like to request that this petition be dropped without prejudice, because we might need to petition again. My neighbor called up and said she was concerned about the relocation and if we did not have a plan to go ahead she would rather have it as it is. 1 have no objection to that. Mr. Pratt 1 will withdraw the petition and send the proper papers on "Leave to Withdraw". Chairman Kenney declared the hearing closed. At the request of the Town Clerk, two jurors were drawn as follows Jurors Emile W. Si nge lai s 14 Scotland Road Allen E. Laudenslager 77 Emerson Gardens Bonds Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Town Clerk bond for the Town Clerk in the amount of $2,200. Tax Collec- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the for bond for the Tax Collector in the amount of $ 124,400. Water Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Abatements request of the Superintendent of Public Works to sign the water abate- ment for Henri Vetter, 30 Woodcliffe Road, in the amount of $101 .70. 277 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Auctioneer licenses for Robert N. Cann 4B Hancock Street Auctioneer William A. Sennott 10 Douglas Road Elaine S. Myers 27 Outlook Drive Harry J. Myers 27 Outlook Drive Chairman Kenney informed the Board that the application from Lexington Enterprises, Inc., Marguerite Brasco, Manager, for a Common Victualler Liquor License is in proper form and the procedure Liquor is to set the date for the hearing. Transfer of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to set the date Anthony' s for the hearing on March 27, 1972 at 7 00 p.m. on application of Restaurant Lexington Enterprises, Inc. for a transfer of Common Victualler Liquor License from Anthony Bevilaqua, owner of Anthony's Restaurant, 27 Waltham Street. Chairman Kenney read a request from the Lexington Rotary Club for a one-day permit to post a sign at the intersection of Meriam Street and Massachusetts Avenue advertising the Pancake Breakfast on April 17, 1972. Mr. O'Connell The reason for the request is that people do not Permit know where the breakfast is being held. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Lexington Rotary Club for a one-day permit for a sign in the area of the intersection of Meriam Street and Massachusetts Avenue,, subject to the rules and restrictions of the Town Manager, and subject to his approval of the design. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order for Construction of Water Main on Sheridan Street from Sherman Water Street, a distance of 395 feet, more or less, to existing 8 inches Main Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Order for Construction of Sewer on York Street from Grant Street a dis-Once of 545 feet, more or less, to end of York Street acceptance. York Street from end of private way a distance of 140 feet, Sewer more or less, to house #39. Construc- tion Bridle Path from Pleasant Street a distance of 440 feet, Orders more or less, westerly to house #18. Valley Road from limit of Valley Road acceptance northerly to 150 feet, more or less. I 278 East Street from Emerson Road a distance of 2547 feet, more or less, to Lowell Street. North Street from Adams Street a distance of 177 feet, more or less, to house #I13. Revere Street from numbers 7 and 8 to numbers 21 and 22 a distance of 770 feet, more or less, at B & M R.R. Wingate Road from Lee land Terrace a distance of .200 feet, more or less, easterly. Larchmont Lane from house #I5 a distance of 460 feet, more or less, to Revere Street Hill Street from Diana Lane a distance of 365 feet, move or less, northeasterly Hill Street from Cedar Street a distance of 665 feet, more or less, to easement. Lee land Terrace from house #3 a distance of 200 feet, more or less, northwesterly to Wingate Road. Chairman Kenney read a. report from the Traffic Committee on the proposed areawide TOPICS plan, as follows I . In the opinion of the Traffic Committee the plan shows ex- cessive emphasis on the use of stop signs, flashing beacons and traffic signals. While appropriate or necessary in some instances, TOPICS these traffic control devices are frequently less effective (and more expensive) than channelization and marking, that is geometric design which leads, rather than directs, the traffic. In many In- stances the proposed traffic signals or stop signs would not meet the warrants of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works. 2 The intersection design at Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street (Rte 4-225) should have a high priority within the first group, and the intersections of Massachusetts Avenue with Maple Street and Marrett Road (East) should be coordinated with the Pleasant Street intersection. 3. Subject to the above comments, which should be considered in implementing the recommendations of the areawide TOPICS plan, the Traffic ,Committee approves the areawide TOPICS plan and recommends that design and implementation of Project I commence. It should be noted, that the grouping of Project I items has been changed in ac- cordance with Traffic Committee recommendations from the earlier proposals which had Bedford Street at Eldred Street, Hartwell Avenue and Rte. 128 in group II 279 4. The Traffic Committee believes that its familiarity with the specific problems at various locations will be of particular value in the review of specific detailed design proposals in the forthcoming Project I report. i t The Board agreed to the recommendations of the Traffic Comm t ee and Mr. McSweeney and Mr. Zaleski are to present them at the meeting of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Boston Metropolitan Area Transportation Study to be held on March 14, 1972. Chairman Kenney read a letter from the Town Celebrations Commit- tee stating that it is in favor of a recent proposal from the Lexington April 19 Junior Chamber of Commerce to have bleachers for spectators at the Bleachers Patriots' Day parade, and also feels it would be an excellent pilot program for the 1975 celebration. After discussion, the Board agreed to forward the letter from the Town Celebrations Committee to the Town Manager for his recommendations. Chairman Kenney read a request from the Easter Seal Society for the Board to declare March 30 as Coffee Day in the Town of Lexington. Easter Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the proc- Seals lamation declaring March 30 as Coffee Day in the Town of Lexington Chairman Kenney distributed copies to the Board of the annual appointments to be made and it was agreed to discuss them at a later Appoint- ' meeting. ments Chairman Kenney discussed appointments to the negotiating teams of the Town Unions. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Alfred S. Busa to replace Robert Cataldo, a member of the negotia- ting team with the Department of Public Works Union, Local No. 1703. Union Mr. O'Connell is to serve with Mr. Busa. Negotia- Mr. Kenney and Mr. O'Connell are to continue to serve on the ting negotiating team with the Police Betterment Association. Teams Mr. Bailey and Mr. O'Connell are to continue to serve on the negotiating team with the Fire Fighters Union. Mr. Kenney informed the Board that he had met with Dr. Kessler, Chairman of the Conservation Commission, regarding negotiations on land articles in the Warrant. Dr. Kessler was told that the onus Conserve- belongs to the Conservation Commission to put these together as a tion package; if he is willing to spearhead the project, we would be Land willing to put one of our Board members on to assist him. Articles Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that Mr. Bailey is to assist the Conservation Commission with the Porter land nego- tiations; Mrs. Riffin is to assist with the Ashley negotiations, and Mr. Busa is to assist with the Pinard negotiations. 280 Drug Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Committee Natalie H. Riff in a member and Chairman of the Drug Advisory Com- mittee. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that since the Town Office Town Building is completed, the Committee should be dissolved. Office Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to dissolve Building the Town Office Building Committee and to instruct the Chairman to Committee write a letter of appreciation to the members. Extension Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint of Hist. Sanborn C. Brown a member and Chairman of the Committee to study the Dist. Comm. Extension of the Historic Districts in the Town. Tax Study Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Committee Sanborn C. Brown a member of the Master Tax Plan Study Committee, to replace Robert Cataldo. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that he had met with Kingston Howard of the Bicentennial Committee. Mr. Howard requests that the Bicentennial Board call a meeting for April 6 and invite a representative of all Committee cities and towns which had taken part in the events of 1775. The Meeting Chairman of the Lexington Board of Selectmen will chair the first meeting The Board agreed to send out invitations for April 6, 1972. Chairman Kenney said that Mr. Howard requests the appointment of Donald M. Graham to the Lexington Bicentennial Committee and a representative of Lexington to the regional 1975 Celebrations Appt. Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Donald M. Graham a member of the Lexington Bicentennial Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Donald M. Graham a member of the regional 1975 Bicentennial Committee. Chairman Kenney informed the Board that the Board must vote Mystic to adjust the figure for the Mystic Valley Mental Health appro- Valley priation. Mental Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Health the recommendation to Town Meeting under Article 27 for the appro- Approp. priation of $18,376 to the Mystic Valley Mental Health Clinic. Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that bids were received on March 6 for the sanitary sewer construction. The authority for Sewer this work is contained in Article 20 of the 1971 Annual Town Construc- Meeting Warrant-Sewer Lateral Construction. The three low bidders tion were Grandview Contracting Inc., $ 104,559.50; Nicholas J. Bonanno, $107,471 .30; T.D. Sullivan d Sons Co., $112,616.95. The Recommend- ation is to award to the low bidder, Grandview Contracting Inc., for $104,559.50. G� Mr O'Connell discussed snow removal and recommended a change in the budget figure by adding an increase of $35,000 for snow removal and $20,000 in the D.P.W. Overtime Personal Services budget. We had Snow hoped to have a $60,000 budget, but because of the recent snow Removal storms our costs have been heavy. We spent $48,000 on hired equipment and $30,000 on material$, including salt and sand. The additional ,$35,000 would make it $95,000 leaving a balance of $14,000 for the rest of the year. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the recommendation of the Town Manager to add $35,000 to the snow removal budget and $20,000 in the overtime personal services budget. Chairman Kenney said that Mrs. Vohl of 27 Partridge Road can- celled her appointment with the Board this evening to discuss the Needles' report on Town highways. Needles' The Board agreed to request comments from the Planning Board on Report the effect on Route 2, also to talk with Representative Cole for his comments. Mr. Bailey informed the Board that residents of the Eldred Street area have reiterated their interest in having a representative accom- pany us to the meeting with the State Department of Public Works to discuss a traffic signal . They raised the question of the lack of a policeman in the evening at Bedford and Eldred Streets. I explained that the situation is being reviewed by the Police Department. Has Eldred St. there been any change? Traffic Mr. O'Connell: No, the feeling of the police is that most of Signal the traffic coming off and going on Eldred Street turns right. Captain Lima is to watch it for a few weeks and if this is not the case the understanding is we would have to add an officer in the evening. Cha i,rman Kenney We have received a reply. from the State DPW that we could arrange a meeting to discuss the situation. Mr. Bailey agreed to set up a meeting with the State DPW and a representative of the Eldred Street area is to accompany him. Mrs. Riff in informed the Board that Mr. Jenkins, subdivider of the Ashley land, met with Dr. Kessler of the Conservation Commission Ashley- and me and is meeting with the Planning Board. He offered to meet Jenkins with the Board to see if we are interested in the two layouts. Land Mrs. Riffin reported to the Board on the meeting she had attended at the Northeast Region Educational Center in North Andover on March S958 School II regarding Senate Bill 958-an Act to equalize fiscal ability for d Municipal support of schools and other municipal services. There was an open Reimburse- forum and various experts were there. Under the present bill , we get ment $240 per student, and we get $290 per student under S958. There is a factor in it to pay for children and some money for municipal ser- vices, to be raised by an increase of I percent in the sales tax. 282 I also attended the hearing today held by the joint Committee on Taxation The Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns and the Depart- ment of Education are in favor of S958. I made two points ( 1) that` we approve of increasing funds coming to cities and towns for children and for relief of municipal services in order to defray the impact of the high property tax, (2) that the formula for reimbursement for Regional Vocational Schools must be kept at the present reimbursement level . Mr. Buse As I remember, Mrs. Riffin was supposed to get the feeling of Mr. Mello-Christensen. Is he in fates' of it?' Mrs. Riffin He was to call me and I haven't heard from him. Chairman Kenney We discussed the broad outline while on the bus tour yesterday, and it was the consensus that since the hearing was today, Mrs. Riffin was to be our representative and would indi- cate that we have some reservations and, hopefully, the tax rate would be adjusted down. Mr. Busa I have no objection, but not to have Mr. Mello-Christensen' s opinion of the bill where his committee opposed it... The Beard agreed that Mrs. Riffin was to talk with Mr. Mollo- Christensen to obtain his views on S958. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or Executive voting on matters which if made public, might adversely affert the Session public security, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person After discussion of matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. The Board discussed the orders of taking adopted on February 28, 1972 for the Woburn Street school site and the land adjacent to 'the Harrington School . Mr. Legre advised that the order be rescinded regarding the land adjacent to the Harrington School and a revised order be adopted. Order of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to rescind Taking-Land the vote of February 28, 1972 to adopt the order of taking of a par- Adjacent to cel of land, 4.4 acres off Woburn Street for playground and recrea- Harrington tion purposes, adjacent to the Harrington School, with an award of School damages in the amount of $13,000 to Benjamin Franklin Homes. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adept e revised order of taking of a parcel of land, 4.4 acres off Woburn Street for playground and recreation purposes, adjacent to the Harrington School , with an award of damages in the amount of $13,000 to Benjamin Franklin Homes. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it Was voted to adjourn at 12 08 p.m. A true record, Attest l c�4 xecutive Cle k, Selectmen