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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-12-28-BOS-min 33 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 28, 1970 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Bird Room, Cary Memorial Building, on Monday evening, December 28, 1970 at 7 30 p.m. Chairman Cataldo, Messrs Mabee, Kenney, Greeley and Bailey were present; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager; Mrs McCurdy, Exe- cutive Clerk, were also present The Chairman informed the Board that a legal hearing had been scheduled at the request of Anthony' s Restaurant for a liquor license Liquor to sell all kinds of alcoholic beverages but the application has been Anthony' s withdrawn because of the lack of sufficient information to present to Restaurant the Board this evening. A new application is to be made and will be properly advertised for a future date for a hearing Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board that the Town has received an abatement from the Town of Burlington of the 1970 tax bill for Burlington property owned by the Town of Burlington He has written to thank Tax Bill the Town of Burlington and also asked for an abatement of the 1969 tax bill . Mr. O'Connell said that he has two requests for transfers from the Reserve Fund One is from the Police Department for $4,000, Police which is needed for the remaining year' s expenses on gas, cruiser Transfer repairs and the cost of outfitting three new employees. He has care- fully watched and examined the Police budget and feels they have done a good job on financial control . The cruiser damage has improved this year and the 1971 insurance payments go directly into E & D instead of direct payments for damages, if the payments had gone directly to the garage, there would have been a reduction of $4,000 in the 1970 bud- get Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee for a transfer from the Reserve Fund to the Police Account No. 3800, in the amount of $4,000. Mr O'Connell said that the second request is for a transfer to the snow removal account of $46,490, needed to balance out the ac- count for the rest of the year. As of the last storm, we went in minus $6,761; and during the series of storms we incurred $4, 133 for Snow sand, $4,800 for salt; $20,000 for added cost of hired equipment; Removal $ 10,000 for Town equipment; miscellaneous, $584 Transfer Mr Greeley asked what was the balance in the account in Novem- ber? Mr. O'Connell replied that it was $19,079 as of November 30 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee for a transfer from the Reserve Fund to Public Works' Accorint No 5500 in the amount of $46,490 3 3,2 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Common Victualler Licenses for the following (approved by the Board of Health) 111 Common Victualler Alexander' s Pizza 180 Bedford Street Minute Man Restaurant 1715 Mass Avenue Wardrobe Pharmacy 807 Mass Avenue Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on December 14, 1970. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Sewer Order for Construction of Sewer on Orders Fessenden Way Rogers Road The Chairman said that a hearing was held on the Parker land on Woburn Street last week and we have received comments from the Town Engineer, Conservation Commission, Planning Board and the Board of Parker Health. In essence, they all say it has been filled in and they don't Land see any further problem of flooding as long as no additional fill is used Our letter to the Department of Natural Resources should incorp porate the thinking of all concerned. Mr Greeley said that we should remind Mr Parker that he is to do no more filling The Board agreed that Mr Greeley is to draft a letter to be sent to the Department of Natural Resources. The Chairman informed the Board that two reports have been re- ceived regarding the Harrington House. The Appropriation Committee said it would act on anything we would submit, but did not say whether or not it would support it. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board stating that it is not a high priority for the large expenditure of money. Harrington The Chairman said it was his feeling to go ahead - to look at House the building and ask Joe Lund to do the appraisal , which would cost between $500 and $ 1 ,000. Our position should be if we feel it is the thing to do, we should go ahead. Mr Mabee said that before we spend $500, he would like to know the real value and the uses of the land. The Chairman said that he had written to the Church and we have not received an answer Mr. Mabee asked how would it be used for the Library? The Chairman said that we should consider shutting off Clarke Street at Raymond Street Mr. Greeley said that there is a time sequence here. The Church is having a parish meeting on January 5 and this isn't on the call for the meeting. Do you want me to get them to discuss this and come back to the Board? 111 333 The Board agreed not to have an appraisal at this time but an in- spection of the building will be made, if possible Mr Greeley is to talk with the members of the Parish Committee and report back to the Board on January II , 1971 . The Chairman asked if there were any other Articles to be dis- cussed? Mr. Greeley said that Mr Michelman had drafted something the LCSR would like to be considered The issue is whether or not the Board, at the request of the Commission, would be willing to insert either or both of two Articles dealing with the use of funds for mino- rity training purposes. The way the Articles had previously been worded, the one for $ 10,000 and the By-Law change, they didn't specify the money would be used for transportation Conversations with labor people and the contractor suggest that some of the money may best be spent on providing money for transportation facilities. We would like to add, for transportation during training We are not asking for more money but a re-definition of how the $10,000 may be expended. LCSR The Building Committee does approve if the Comptroller and/or Town Minority Counsel would allow that to include transportation. Mr. Michelman. afd Article Mr Taylor have worked on the wording of this and it is their wish that it be included in the Warrant The Chairman said that he would hate to see them spend money this way Mr Greeley said that the purpose hasn't changed; the question is whether we were too narrow in wording it. The purpose is to get trainees on the job. Mr Kenney said that in discussions on the Town Office Building, this was one area we went into and it can be a problem In essence, he felt it should be included. The Board agreed that Mr Greeley is to check it out with the Comptroller and Mr Legro. Mr Greeley said there is a question, also, whether the By-Law on the use of sidewalks should be changed. The Chairman said that in talking with Mr. Legro on the report By-Law of changing the By-Law, he isn't ready because of his workload. I Change feel I should talk with Mr. Cogan and explain this to him and suggest that he consider it for the next Special Meeting The Board agreed that the Chairman is to talk with Mr. Cogan re- garding the amendment to the By-Laws on the use of sidewalks. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr Adams of the Minute-man has requested that a copy of the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings be Adams submitted to him Minutes Mr. O'Connell said that Mr. Adams had discussed his concern as he didn't think he was getting proper material on the meetings. I have volunteered to brief him and Mrs Scigliano and I feel he is getting the information. After discussion, the Board agreed that the Minutes would be avail.- III able to Mr. Adams at the Selectmen' s Office after they are approved 334 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Minutes of the Selectmen's meetings would be available to Mr Adams, after they are approved by the Board. The Chairman informed the Board that Mr Max Straw' s term of Appointment office es a member of the Historic Districts Commission expires on Historic January I, 1971'. Districts Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to re-appoint Mr. Max H Straw a member of the Historic Districts Commission for a five year term expiring January 1, 1976. The Chairman informed the Board that a letter has been received from Mr. Whitcomb, State DPW, stating that the Federal Bureau of Route 128 Roads has approved the concept we have asked for regarding an addi- Interchange tional interchange on Route 128 in Lexington between the existing interchanges at Route 2A and at Bedford Street, providing a satisfac- tory arrangement of collector-distributor roads can be worked out as proposed. Howard Needles has not finished the study from Route 3 to Route 2 but Mr. Whitcomb sees no problem that it will be approved. Mr Blake, Mr Kingston and Mr Whitman of the Capital Expendi., tures Committee met with the Board The following budget figures were discussed The Chairman said that we have $450,000 for laterals and $100,000 for trunk sewers, but we haven't voted it Mr Blake said that unless there are some specifics, we feel this is more than should be put in. The Chairman said that we have always had $600,000. Sewers Mr. Blake said it is the strong recommendation of the Appropria- tion Committee, and we accept it in concept, that we hold back We anticipated less than your total figure of $ 1, 109,000 The Chairman said that it is a reduction of about 23% this year. Mr. Blake said that is a step in the right direction I am dis- appointed you don't have specifics for laterals and trunks. The Chairman said we have $900,000 in requests and we will have a major construction job in one area, but we also have some problem: areas. We are going to assign priorities on the requests received. Mr Blake said if you had specifics, we would like to know what they are We did have a session with the Board of Health. We have heard of these emergencies but when we follow up on them to find out what happened, we find that the people that cried the loudest for service didn't connect on once it was made available. We had come up with a figure of $400,000, and hoped to come in under a million dollars Mr. Kingston asked to talk about Public Works; there is a carry-over of $431 ,000. The Chairman said the money is all committed. We have $80,000 as a contingency account because we have two problem areas, one of peat and one of ledge. The Five Fields' sewer is a $600,000 job; 335 we arestill carrying that job and we are holdingthe moneybecause we Y 9 think we will have trouble in Five Fields because of the ledge. The money has been spent but not paid Mr. Kingston asked what is the status of the $ 150,000 carry-over on trunk sewers The Chairman said it is for Bates Road, the Schumacher farm area, and is under design now. $ 100,000 is being asked for; it will come up through the Green and White land, northeast of Woburn Street into Young Street area. If we consider sewering that at all, this trunk would go in that area We see no money for subdivisions. On Storm Drains, $36,000, there are two areas of drains, one at Storm Marrett Road and one at Wood Street Drains Sidewalk Construction, $45,000, basically, it is to finish up Side- Hill Street; Winchester Drive when the pedestrian light goes in walks Street Construction; we are asking for $25,000 for design sur- vey, final plans and specifications of Spring Street; we are not look- Sewer Con- ing at it as Chapter 90; we are going to design Spring Street for struction reconstruction. 1971 Chapter 90 funds are going to be used on Marrett Road to Sherburne Road. Water Mains, $35,000; a continuation of Hayden Avenue and Spring Street Mr. Whitman asked why didn't you put in the main in Hayden Avenue Water when you built it2 Mains The Chairman replied that the Board requested money for installa- tion of water mains in Hayden Avenue when it was originally constructed and Capital Expenditures and Appropriation Committee recommended against it and Town Meeting accepted their recommendation. We put it half in last year and want to continue on and loop that system for Raytheon, Kennecott Copper and the people on Waltham Street Photogrametric Survey & Maps, $30,000. The Chairman said that, basically, this shouldn't be in the Capital Expenditures' budget but Photogra- the last time it was done was in 1958 or 1960 and we want it updated. metric In laying out our roads, we need a lot of information and we have Survey been getting it in bits and pieces We hope this will pay for itself Road Machinery, $60,000; the usual replacement schedule Rd. Mach Recondition Calgon Vaults, $ 15,000. Mr. Whitman said that in previous discussions, it was said this could wait until next year The Chairman said that regardless of what happens to the fluori- Calgon dation program, this would have to be done. Vaults Mr. O'Connell said that if we go forward in 1971 with fluorida- tion, the program would include calgon injection and the indication from Whitman and Howard is that the present calgon vaults would not sur- vive without renovation; regardless, two vaults wouJd. baya to be re-done 336 Recreation, $20,000. The Chairman said we are reluctant to spend any more money on the Harrington School until we decide on that Recreation school site We should have a master plan drawn. Mr O'Connell said that the Recreation Committee originally aske asked for $40,000. This figure is $12,000 for playground expansion; $ 1,000, riding ring, $ 1,000, facilities for the elderly, $4,000 tot lot; the remainder for the improvement of the lighting at the Center basketball courts Lincoln Lincoln Street area; $25,000 The Chairman said that we feel Street we should clean it up General Government Town Office Building Parking Area, $25,000 Mr Blake asked if you are putting back the parking lot, and TOB the access never was part of the Contractor' s agreement? Parking The Chairman replied in the affirmative Area Mr. Blake asked why was it not included in the original appro- priation? The Chairman replied because we didn't know where the entrance and access would be We have some preliminary sketches; we know the whole traffic pattern will have to change Mr. Kenney said that the only question that came up was whether there would be sufficient parking left and the answer is, we could expand behind this area The Chairman said that this is the concept we have already gone through Police Station Air-Conditioning Equipment, $27,000 The Chairman said that if one building in the complex is air- conditioned, the whole complex should be. The second floor of the Police Station is for administration offices Police Mr O'Connell said that the utilization of space on the second Building floor is much higher; we have further restriction of the air flow in that area and last year temperatures were recorded well above 100°. Mr Kingston asked why it was not in the original appropriation? Mr Kenney said it could have been. It was pointed out by the Architect to allow for changes and put in the proper power This is for the whole building. Mr. O'Connell said that the system proposed on the Police Sta- tion is for a packaged air-conditioning unit, a room-type of cooling system Town Office Building - F.E. & F - $ 10,000. Mr. Kingston said that $5,000 was the original figure TOB Mr. Kenney said that we said if we needed it, we would come back F.E. & F. for more money. We ran into difficulty with burned out wiring Mr. Whitman said that it was the general feeling of Town Meeting they were voting the total amount and didn't believe there was going to be further additions. 337 Mr. Kenney said that we may have to come back in one year on the furniture On the air-conditioning, we didn't at that time in- tend to do it On the parking area, it had to be changed. Mr. Whitman said these are expenditures beyond the total cost Mr. Kenney said we specifically said we would be back on the furnishings. We kept that appropriation request at a minimum Automatic Data Processing Equipment, $ 10,000. Mr. O'Connell said there is a change in my recommendation based en something we had experienced recently; one major machine expired and it would be $3,000+ for minimum repairs or $8,500 to buy a ma- chine. This machine is 8 to 9 years old We could adjust our future data processing plans so we do not have to buy another machine like this one. If we procure data processing, we could make part of that Data contract the temporary furnishing of an equivalent piece of equipment. Process- It will be $32,000 in 1971 instead of $40,000 spread over 1971 and ing 1972. Mr Blake asked if the machine could be revived for $3,000? Mr. O'Connell said it would have to undergo a major overhaul, plus a rental cost while this is being done. Mr Blake asked if it were possible to rent one? Mr O'Connell replied in the negative. Mr. O'Connell was asked for a breakdown of the $32,000 and he replied that $6,000 to $7,000 would be for systems development work and $24,000 to $25,000 for a small business computer to replace all of the current machines the Comptroller has. Mr. Blake asked how he is solving the immediate problem? Mr. O'Connell said we are limping along with a loaned machine from Burroughs, at no cost. We would have to move fast with the manufacturer to solve this problem. Five voting machines, $ 10,000 Mr O'Connell said this is at the recommendation of the Town Clerk. The recent change of the voting age to 18 years will in- Voting crease the number of voters and not later than September, 1972, the Machines Town will need five voting machines. We might have to wait as long as a year for delivery and the whole idea is to have them for the 1972 September primary. We would need five more machines to meet the local requirement. Local Disaster Preparedness-Civil Defense, $5,000. This would Civil be for relocation to some place other than Cary Hall . Defense Land - Concord Avenue Playground Area, $30,000. Planning Board Concord originated at the request of the Conservation Commission. Avenue Land - Worthen Road area, $50,000 We are carrying a number of $50,000 and this is to buy land between Marrett Road and Sherburne Road. Worthen There has been no decision yet as to how it will be divided up. Road Mr Kingston said if we don't buy this, we can't build that road. The Chairman agreed 33b Harrington Land - Harrington House The Chairman said we don't knew what Land the figure will be Westview Westview Cemetery Expansion, $8,000. The Chairman said this is transferred from the Trustees Mr O'Connell informed the Capital Expenditures Committee that I Conserve- the Conservation Commission hasn't given anything to the Selectmen tion to consider Mr Blake asked if there were any other outstanding committees Bowman and boards expected to submit something? School Mr O'Connell said there is the roof of the Bowman School . Mr Kingston said we can assume there are no capital expendi- Fire De- tures for the Fire Department partment The Chairman agreed. Mr Blake said that his committee had talked about a cut-back; we would be happy to go along with you but we don't think they need to be that high The Chairman asked him to go over the figures with the commit- tee and come back to the Board. The Chairman discussed Article 4 of the January Town Meeting. Article 4 He said that what we need is authorization for an expenditure of January Town $750,000 This would take an amendment to the 1968 Article to in- Meeting crease the authorization from $550,000 We would still reduce the amount of the bond by the monies from the Air Force, Water Pollu- tion Board and the Town of Bedford. We should have the amounts worked out by next Monday The Capital Expenditures Committee retired from the meeting. The Planning Board and the Conservation Commission met with the Board The Chairman informed them that a letter has been received Route 128 from Mr Whitcomb of the State DPW that the concept we have asked for regarding an additional interchange on Route 128 has been ap- proved. Howard Needles has not finished the study from Route 3 to Route 2 but Mr Whitcomb sees no problem that it will be ap- proved Parker The Chairman said that the Conservation Commission sent an Land accompanying letter with the recommendation on the Parker Land for the report to the Department of Natural Resources The Com- mission asks what rules and regulations are followed by Town employ- ees regarding Mr Parker' s statement that he had permission to erect a sign asking for solid fill The Chairman said that no one got permission to put the sign up. We have no rules and regulations and can't issue a permit; we couldn't if we wanted to 99 The Chairman said we should talk about Worthen Road and how we should go about it The Beard voted to lay out Worthen Road from Marrett Road to Sherburne Road and use 1969, 1970 and 1971 money In Worthen order to do that, we have to buy the land. We will have two separate Road Articles, one for Conservation and one for general purposes Are there any questions? Hearing none, the Chairman said we will insert the Article as such Mr. Lund said that he had received a request regarding the possibility of obtaining maps of the Town The Planning Beard is Photo- delighted to support the request for the photogrametric survey but grametric they didn't want it to be reflected in any of the budgets Survey Mr Worrell said that with the traffic generated by the Meagher- ville project down Reed Street, we hope the Selectmen would consider reconstructing the remaining part of Vail le Avenue and Sunny Knoll Avenue and suggest the Selectmen consider having it on the agenda The Chairman said that we have declared a moratorium on streets Streets This year, we are asking for $25,000 for design money for Spring Street; what you are saying is two years away, if the Board sees fit to accept it next year Mr. Worrell said even if Meagherville is accepted, we would like it considered for 1972 The Chairman asked if they have any streets coming in? Mr. Zaleski said yes, one or two The Chairman said thay you know we have to hold the hearings. Up®n motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or vot- Executive ing on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect 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. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at II 30 p.m A true record, Attest Executive Clerk, Selectmen