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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1972-02-23-BOS-min 259 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 23, 1972 A Regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men' s Meeting Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday evening, February 23, 1972, at 7 30 p.m Chairman Cataldo, Messrs. Kenney, Bailey, and Buse, and Mrs. Riffin; Mr. Legro, Town Counsel; Mr. O'Connell, Town,Manager; Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were present. Mr. Legro reported to the Board that the contract for the Wood Street trunk sewer has been received and approved, except for a change Wood St. in the insurance certificate The Board will be requested to sign the Trunk contract next Monday evening Sewer Mr O'Connell informed the Board that formal notification has been received from Waltham, the sub-agent under the Emergency Employment Act, of approval for a Teacher' s Aide at the Child Center for Lexington, at E.E.A. a monthly rate of $260 for seven months, and a Building Engineer at the monthly rate of $903 for five months. We now have authorization to pro- ceed. This time period represents funds which were appropriated by Congress and the intent is to appropriate new funds. , Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that applications for permits for booths on April 17 are being received and shall the Town Manager pro- Booths teed as in past years to approve the permits? April 17 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Town Manager shall approve applications for permits for refreshment booths on Patriots' Day, April 17, 1972. Chairman Cataldo read a petition from residents requesting that the Board consider 'setting aside a parcel or parcels of land from the Tot Lots Great Meadow Area in the vicinity of Brandon Street and Fottler Avenue Brandon & for the development of a fenced-in playground or playgrounds for little Fottler tots in the area. Avenue Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer it to the Recreation Committee for a recommendation. Chairman Cata l do read a letter from Sater i a le & Pre lack, Inc , in opposition to the proposal of the Saddle Club Area Swim Club to pur- Article chase a parcel of Town-owned land. Saddle Chairman Cataldo As I understand it,, this Town Meeting Article Club is being withdrawn, but as a Citizens' Article, they would have to go Pool to Town Meeting to do it. We shall answer the letter and inform Mr. Pre lack. 1The Board agreed. Chairman Cataldo read a letter from Mayor White of Boston request- Fluorida- ing support of House Bill 3242, an Act designating the Metropolitan tion H3242 - 3O Water District as a District for the purposes of fluoridation. This Bill would clarify the status of the Metropolitan Water District with respect to the Massachusetts fluoridation law. Fluoridation of this major water supply would be authorized and directed through fluori- dation orders promulgated by the Boards of Health of a majority of the cities and towns in the district Chairman Cataldo Basically, this year, we have held up our fluoridation program. We should get a copy of this bill to see what it is committing us to. What is the Board's feeling? After discussion, the Board agreed with the general intentfthe Bill, but to withhold a letter supporting this until a copy of the bill is received Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that it is the position of the Board to favor the general intent of House Bill 3242. Chairman Cataldo read a request from Mr. Stan Ivy of Jackson, Mississippi for comments of the Board on No Fault Insurance. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to forward Mr. Ivy' s letter to Representative Cole and request that he reply to him. Chairman Cataldo read a request from the Governor's Highway Committee to support the Pedestrian Safety Inventory Program of the A.A.A. American Automobile Association. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request Chief Corr to complete the questionnaire and forward it to the American Automobile Association. Town Mgr. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Bond bond for the Town Manager in the amount of $50,000. Chairman Cataldo read a notice from the State DPW regarding the Annual Rivers and Harbors Hearing to be held on April 6, 1972 at 10 30 a.m at 100 Nashua Street. Chairman Cataldo to Mr. O'Connell Do you know of 'any projects we might have? Mr. O'Connell I know of none. The Board agreed that it is not necessary to have representa- tion at this hearing Chairman Cataldo read a letter from Attorney Sumner Darman, Trustee of Heritage Realty Trust, requesting that the Citizens' Petition be withdrawn to change the zone of a parcel of land on Zoning Bedford Street from its present CH zone to CG general business Article district. Bedford The Board agreed -to inform Attorney Darman that this is an Arti- Street cle on the warrant and it would have to be brought to Town Meeting. The Board would move indefinite postponement at Town Meeting. if Attorney Darman requetted it. 2€i t Chairman Cataldo read a request from the Group Insurance Commission for formal acceptance of Section 11E, G.S. C32B (Retired Teachers)- Transfer of insurance coverages of presently retired municipal teachers and for teachers upon their future retirement out of local group into Teachers one statewide group administered by this Commission. Group _Mr. O'Connell I would like to discuss this with the Comptroller Insurance I believe this is being widely done. Upon motion duly glade and seconded, it was voted to refer it to the Town Manager for his recommendation. Chairman Cataldo read a notice from the Town Meeting Members Asso- ciation that meetings,Wiflbe held on March 1, 8 and 15. Chairman Cataldo We should discuss the recommended schedule of Town Town Meeting dates. The first session is on March 20 at 8 00 p.m. Meeting We usually meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, but Wednesday, March 29 is Passover. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to recommend that the Town Meting schedule be March 20, March 22, March 27, April 3, all meetings to start at 8 00 p.m., to eliminate the meeting on Merch 29 because of Passover. Chairman Cataldo discussed the intersection at Bedford and Eldred Streets. As you know, we had the hearing on February 16 and a set of six questions was presented. I made the commitment that we would discuss them tonight. These six questions would take some re- search on the part of the Town Engineer. They requested a police officer on a temporary basis during peak hours for that intersection. We have received a report from the Traffic Committee that it does Traffic not recommend a traffic officer be posted at the intersection as, Bedford & Eldred I . This wouldcreate a precedent and similar demands for other Streets intersections would be more difficult to refuse. There are several intersections in Lexington which have an equal or a greater claim for the use of a traffic officer, both in terms of safety (accident record) and in terms of the complexity of traffic movements. 2. It is our understanding that a traffic signal will be ap- plied for and that the traffic officer would be assigned to the Eldred Street junction temporarily pending the installation of the signal. The officials at the district office of the Massachusetts DPW have indicated that our application will probably be turned down. This would make any temporary assignment into a permanent one, as it would be difficult to withdraw the officer. 3. In our opinion the problem at this intersection should be solved only by redirecting a major portion of Bedford Street traffic (such a$ the proposed Hartwell Avenue connector), widening Bedford Street to increase its capacity or providing a new exit at or nearer the ' jughandle' at Hartwell Avenue or some combination of these measures with a traffic signal . 262 Mr. Bailey What do we do until then? Chairman Cataldo Basically, I think we should put an officer` there ( 1) We would finally find out If the State DPW's-position Ts valid; with some sort of control at the intersection, would it back up traffic at Route 128? {2) I am not that pessimistic that th6 application would be turned down, it would be treated with as much fight as we put into it and how we present the case will make'qhe difference in the final analysis when they do Consider our request. Mfrs. Riff In What hours would the policeman be there? Chairman Cataldo 1 would rely on the recommendations of the Traffic Committee or the Chief of Police; 7 30 to 9 00 a.m. and 4 00 to 5 30 p.m Mr Bailey That seems long enough. Mr Kenney The reason the Traffic Committee gave was that 11+0 would establish a precedent; the time may come when we may have to spend more money along these lines. It should serve sufficiently to put an officer there. Mrs. Riff in: How long would it be before we receive an answer from the State? Would pressure hasten it? Chairman Cataldo Would the Board authorize me to write the formal application tomorrow? The Board agreed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct-the Town Manager to make the necessary arrangements with Chief Corr to have a police officer stationed at the intersection of Bedfoitd and Eldred Streets on a temporary basis, the hours to be set by the Town Manager and the Chief of Police. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize - the Chairman to request the State Department of Public Works ferlhe installation of a traffic control signal at the intersection of Bedford Street and Eldred Street Chairman Cataldo informed the Board that Mr. Kingston-Howard had ` reported on a meeting of the Bicentennial Committees of the surrounding Bicenten- towns on February 17 in Estabrook Hall . A resolution was voted cailing nial for a joint meeting with a representative of each town or city on or Committee before April I, 1972 for the express purpose of organizing their format and that until a chairman is elected, it be requested that this meeting be moderated by the Chairmen of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington or his appointee, and assume the responsibility of commurfl a- ting this resolution to the respective communities. Mr. Howard is to draft a letter to be sent out to the other towns. Chairman Cataldo informed the Board that a request has been re- ceived to issue a proclamation declaring March 15 as ORT Day in ORT Day Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the proclamation declaring March IS as ORT Day in Lexington. 2 3 The Board discussed the strip of land at the Lexington-Burlington line. Chairman Cataldo The strip is surveyed as the strip exists down to the area where they want to widen; the Wright and Garcia land is where the strip widens andat that point we will be making a partial Lexington taking. There are two problems to resolve before a final determina- Burlington tion is made. We have landlocked about 5 acres of land, 24 acres of Strip each parcel, and we should be prepared to talk with these people. The next step is to draw the orders of taking. It is my feeling to request Town Counsel to order the title searches and discuss these two parcels before we make a final determination. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request Town Counsel to draw the necessary documents to make the takings as shown on the plan submitted by the Town Engineer; final instructions to be given at next Monday' s meeting. Chairman Cataldo addressed Mrs Scigliano of the Minute-man and informed her that the Street Procedures Committee did not keep the Spring St appointment with the Board this evening regarding the Spring Street questionnaires. When they are received, the Board would like to have the evaluation and results published in the newspaper. Chairman Cataldo informed the Board that all letters on the Youth Youth Commission nominations have been sent to the organizations. Commission Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Exe- cutive. Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting Executive on matters, which if made public, might adversely affect the public Session security, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters pertaining to land and water, it was voted to go out of Executive Session. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9 05 p.m. A true record, Attest 4t e Executive Clerk, Selectm I