HomeMy WebLinkAbout1970-06-15-BOS-min (li
SELECTMEN"S MEETING
June 15, 1970
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select-
men's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, June 15, 1970 at
7:30 P.M. Chairman Cataldo, Messrs. Mabee, Kenney, Greeley and Bailey
were present Mr Legro, Town Counsel ; Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager;
Mr. Burke, Superintendent of Public Works; Mr. McSweeney, Town Engi-
neer, and Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present.
At the request of the Town Clerk, two jurors were drawn as follows
Charles B. McAllister 105 Gleason Road Jurors
Leon D. Michelove 1 Cooke Road
Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Shell Oil Com-
pany for a 14cense for below ground and above ground storage at the
premises located at 46 Bedford Street.
A notice of the hearing was inserted in the June 4, 1970 issue of
the Lexington Minute-man and sent by certified mail to the abutters,
as listed on the records of the Assessors.
Application was approved by Chief Spellman of the Fire Department
Mr. Thomas A Turner, Construction and Maintenance Supervisor for
the Shell Oil Company, was present and explained that this application
was for an additional 6,000 gallon underground tank to increase the
storage to 23,000 gallons from 17,000 gallons of gasoline presently
approved. The reason for this is to help cure air pollution by instal-
ling a tank for unleaded gasoline; otherwise, they would have sufficient Gasoline
storage tanks The present cars on the road are not equipped to use 46
this gasoline but the new models coming out in the fall of 1971 will be Bedford
designed to burn this unleaded gasoline.
The Chairman declared that part of the hearing closed.
No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the Chairman declared
the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis-
sion to the Shell Oil Company to install an additional 6,000 gallon
underground tank on the premises located at 46 Bedford Street, Lexing-
ton; to issue a new license as follows to grant permission to keep,
store and sell 22,000 gallons of gasoline, 500 gallons of waste oil ,
and 500 gallons of fuel oil to be used to heat the building, all in
underground tanks, 1,000 gallons of motor oil and 500 gallons of anti-
freeze, to be stored in metal containers or steel drums above ground.
100 gallons of gasoline to be stored in tanks of motor vehicles in
the lubritorium
Hearing was declared open upon the petition c6 the Shell Oil Com-
pany for a license for below ground and above ground storage at the
premises located at 1095 Massachusetts Avenue.
(Pi
A notice of the hearing was inserted in the June 4, 1970 issue
of the Lexington Minute-man and sent by certified mail to the abut-
ters, as listed on the records of the Assessors
Application was approved by Chief Spellman of the Fire Depart-
ment
Mr Turner explained that this application was for an additional
6,000 gallon underground tank to increase the storage to 22,000
gallons from 16,000 gallons of gasoline presently approved and would
Gasoline be for the storage of unleaded gasoline.
1095 Mass The Chairman declared that part of the hearing closed
Avenue No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the Chairman de-
clared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per-
mission to the Shell Oil Company to install an additional 6,000
gallon underground tank on the premises located at 1095 Massachusetts
Avenue, Lexington; to issue a new license as follows to grant per-
mission to keep, store and sell 22,000 gallons of gasoline, 500
gallons of waste oil, and 500 gallons of fuel oil to be used to heat
the building, all in underground tanks. 1 ,000 gallons of motor oil
and 500 gallons of anti-freeze, to be stored in metal containers or
steel drums above ground. 100 gallons of gasoline to be stored in
tanks of motor vehicles in the lubritorium
Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Shell Oil Com-
pany for a license for below ground and above ground storage at the
premises located at 286 Lincoln Street
A notice of the hearing was inserted in the June 4, 1970 issue
of the Lexington Minute-man and sent by certified mail to the abut-
Gasoline ters, as listed on the records of the Assessors.
286 Lincoln Application was approved by Chief Spellman of the Fire Depart-
Street ment.
Mr Turner explained that this application was for an additional
6,000 gallon underground tank to increase the storage to 22,000
gallons from 16,000 gallons of gasoline presently approved and would
be for the storage of unleaded gasoline
The Chairman declared that part of the hearing closed.
No one appearing in favor or in opposition, the Chairman de-
clared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis-
sion to the Shell Oil Company to install an additional 6,000 gallon
underground tank on the premises located at 286 Lincoln Street, Lexing-
ton, to issue a new license as follows to grant permission to keep,
store and sell 22,000 gallons of gasoline, 500 gallons of waste oil ,
and 500 gallons of fuel oil to be used to heat the building, all in
underground tanks; 1 ,000 gallons of motor oil and 500 gallons of anti-
freeze to be stored in metal containers or steel drums above ground.
Mr Leon Burke, Director of Guides, met with the Board. He in-
Guide troduced Noreen Webb, 39 Locust Avenue, and informed the Board that
she had successfully passed the examination and qualifies as a Guide
of Lexington. He requested the Board appoint her
109
' 1
The Chairman welcomed Miss Webb and said that as representative of
Lexington, we look to her to project the image of Lexington while con-
ducting visitors on a tour of the Green
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint
Noreen Webb as a Guide of Lexington for the coming season
Mr. Legro informed the Board that on May 4, 1970, the Board
adopted two Orders of Taking relating to two parcels of land off Utica
Street owned by Mr. Steeves. At that time we found substantial encum-
brances and thought it ought not be recorded. That situation no Steeves
longer exists and he has prepared two new Orders of Taking as of June Land
15, 1970. He requested the Board to sign the Orders of Taking
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the
Orders of Taking for two parcels of land off Utica Street owned by
Walter Steeves, which were origianlly drawn on May 4, and re-drawn
as of June 15, 1970
Mr Legro informed the Board that a hydrant had been struck on
January 20, 1970 and he requested the Board to sign the release, in
the amount of $533 05, which is the full amount of the claim of the Barstow
Town against Marilyn L and George Barstow Release
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the re-
lease in the amount of $533 05, to be paid to the Town for damages to
a hydrant struck on January 20, 1970 by Marilyn L and George Barstow
Mr. Legro informed the Board that he had received the sewer lat-
eral contract awarded to McNeice Corp , 8 Fencourt Road, Canton,
Massachusetts, in the amount of $ 132,500 Mr. Legro has not been McNeice
able to review the contract because he had just received it this Sewer
afternoon The principal problem was, as usual , with the insurance Contract
certificates; he suggested that the Board could vote to sign it sub-
ject to his approval
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the
sewer lateral contract awarded on June 3, 1970 to McNeice Corp , 8
Fencourt Road, Canton, in the amount of $ 132,500, subject to the ap-
proval of Town Counsel
The Chairman congratulated Mr O'Connell , Town Manager, for
the excellent job he had done in moving the Town Office departments Town
into other quarters, due to the renovation of the office building Manager
The Board agreed with the Chairman and commended Mr O'Connell
and his staff for the well-planned relocation of Town Offices
Mr. O'Connell informed the Board that he had received a letter
requesting permission for the Order of the Arrow to have a public
show of Indian Dance Teams on the Battle Green on Wednesday, June Permit
24, from 6 30 P.M to 10 00 P.M The parade would start at St.
Brigid' s Church and go to the Battle Green A request has been made
for microphones and setup
Mr. O'Connell said that he had talked to Bruce Ward and Eli
Campbell and had indicated that the Board might want them to hold it
in some other area.
Ito
Mr. Greeley suggested the Visitor' s Center and the Chairman sug-
gested Depot Square.
It was agreed that Mr O'Connell would talk to the boys and sug-
gest other locations, without microphones.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant per-
mission to the Order of the Arrow to have a public show on Indian
Dance Teams on Wednesday, June 24, 1970 from 6 30 P.M. to 10'00 P.M ;
location to be at either the Visitor' s Center or Depot Square accord-
ing to the decision of the Town Manager.
Mr. O'Connell reported to the Board that a drowning had occurred
at the "old res" this afternoon. Anthony DiPietro, 16 years of age,
had gone swimming with another yound man and had evidently suffered
a disability; his friend had tried to help him but was unable to
A department of Public Works man was across the reservoir working in
connection with the circulators, as this is the first day of the
trial operation of the circulators The "res" was scheduled to open
on June 22 The accident occurred in a place removed from the
planned beach area.
Mr Bailey said that if lifeguards had been there, they would
not have been permitted to swim over there.
Mr O'Connell said that lifeguards would have been unable to
do any more than the DPW man did to help and they would not have
prevented the accident; if a guard leaves the beach for these boys,
he is leaving the beach unprotected. He had been at the "res" this
"Old Res" afternoon and had spoken to boys in that area that they were not al-
lowed to swim there; these two boys arrived within minutes after
Mr. O'Connell had left there. He recommended that the "res" be
closed to all swimming indefinitely.
The Chairman said that it was supposedly closed today.
Mr. Bailey asked if this has happened in the past that there
were swimmers there?
The Chairman said that it was closed to swimmers. The
cruisers would go by and would stop them from swimming there; whole
families were there on Sundays. It is not a swimming area there as
it is a mud bottom. Unless there is a policing of the whole area,
he felt people would continue to swim there. He would vote to close
the area.
Mr. Greeley moved to defer the opening.
The Chairman added, and police it as such; to station somebody
there to keep them out.
Mr. Mabee said that Mr. O'Connell had said that there would
have to be somebody on 24-hour watch and gave a suggested figure of
$5,000 to do it for the season.
Mr. O'Connell said that was correct, but the watch was to pre-
vent vandalism. Today, we had a man there, which was equivalent to
the man we talked about and the boy drowned within sight of our man
who heard the second boy call out and he was unable to reach him;
it is illegal swimming on the Marrett Road side where the lifeguard
can't reach the swimmers.
111_
Mr. Mabee asked if he was prepared to say it is a bad place?
Mr. O'Connell said that he is saying we do not have a control
plan to allow safe swimming and recommends that we not open. We
will study it and will come up with some plan.
Mr. Bailey didn't think we could enforce a no-swimming plan.
Mr Greeley said that we have to either drain it or police it
Mr. Kenney said that a chain link fence all around it would be
costly.
The Chairman said that they would climb a tree, swing over it
and into the res. If there were a fence there today, they would
have done this; what good is a fence?
Mr. Mabee agreed the matter needs further study; he was willing
to go along with the motion for indefinite opening until we decide
what to do.
Mr. Greeley moved to defer opening the "res" until we can come
up with an adequate plan for policing. He said that until we are
satisfied we can do it, we have to leave it shut.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to defer the
opening of the "old red" until the Board has received an adequate
plan for policing the area, either to open it or keep it closed.
Hearing was declared open in accordance with the provisions of
General Laws, Chapter 131, section 40, the Hatch Act, regarding a
notice of intent to alter certain inland wetlands of the Stratvern
Realty, 16 Appleton Street, Waltham, located at 41 , 43 and 49
Valleyfield Street, Lexington
Mr. Joseph LeLievre and Attorney Gerald Cournoyer, representing
the Stratvern Realty, were present. Attorney Cournoyer said that
Mr. LeLievre proposes to relocate an existing brook and pipe a por-
tion of the water course to make two buildable lots. The brook Stratvern
runs across 172 and 171 Valleyfield Street and he proposes to relo- Realty
cate it in the brook, using the pipe presently used for this brook,
and pipe it to an existing 24" Town drain by way of a manhole.
Mr. LeLievre has expressed a desire to grant an easement over the
area the pipe will be buried in; the pipe will be buried approxi-
mately two feet below the surface.
The Chairman asked if the Conservation Commission had any
questions.
Mr. Stanley Brown looked at the map of the area. He said
that this was first brought to our attention by the abutting owner
who felt that if the brook were filled it would cause the water to
back up and spill over his property.
The Chairman said that the Engineering Department will give a
report on that; your remarks should be from a Conservation point of
view.
Mr. Brown said that from a Conservation point of view, we would
prefer to see the brook remain open. Tonight is the first time we
have seen a plan.
The Chairman asked Mr. Brown to submit a report on this to the
Board
II _
112
Mrs. Lois Brown, representing the Planning Board, was present
and said that the Planning Board has no position to take tonight.
The Chairman asked if anyone present had a question?
Mr. Edward Domings, 37 Valleyfield Street, said that Mr
LeLievre is going to put in a pipe the same size as the culvert and
when he pipes this, he has to come back to my property and it will
be at an angle.
The Chairman asked Mr LeLievre if the plan showed the recom-
mended location on Stratvern property and if it crossed Mr. Domings
property in any way?
Mr. LeLievre said that he was picking it up at Mr. Domings'
lot line.
Mr. Domings said that he also had a brook behind him and it
will make a 180° angle; it is filling his land now.
The Chairman assured Mr Domings that the Town Engineer's re-
port will show that it would be picked up at his lot line.
Mr. Tony Gelzinis, 73 Valleyfield Street, said that these peo-
ple don't realize what happens when conditions like this happen
Across the street the builder blocked the ditch and built; whenever
they do something like this, it is at our expense, regardless.
The Chairman declared that part of the hearing closed.
No one appeared in favor of the request for relocation of the
brook.
The following were recorded in opposition:
Mrs. Hooper 50 Valleyfield Street
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Domings 37 Valleyfield Street
Mr. Tony Gelzinis 73 Valleyfield Street
Mr. Clarence Smith 76 Valleyfield Street
The Chairman said that a report will be submitted by the Plan-
ning Board, Conservation Commission and the Engineering Department
and the Board will evaluate them and in turn forward them to the
Department of Natural Resources. We have no control over what the
DNR: rules but we make the recommendations and will lay the Condi-
tions down strongly and hope they are followed.
The Chairman declared the hearing closed.
Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England
Telephone Company to lay and maintain 230' of underground conduit
on Massachusetts Avenue at Lexington Center.
Mass Ave Notices of the hearing were hand delivered to the abutters by
Conduit the Engineering Department.
Mr. Robert Dunn, representing the Telephone Company, said that
this is a request from the Town of Lexington to lay this conduit
before work is begun by the Town in the Center. There will be twenty
ducts for the manhole and it will be installed 10' off the property
line. We expect to have the job done in five days, weather permit-
ting.
The Chairman asked if any member of the audience had any
questions?
11 3
' Mrs. Morey asked if the manhole in the middle of the street would
be eliminated? Why can't they have an underground walk and come up in
the sidewalk2
Mr. Dunn said that this is still within the sidewalk area; we
build manholes to put ducts in and this is planned for twenty-five or
thirty years.
The Chairman said that Mrs. Morey is saying she would like that
manhole eliminated from the location because whenever it is opened
up, it slows down the traffic. He asked Mr. McSweeney if this is the
best solution?
Mr. McSweeney replied that it was.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permis-
sion to the New England Telephone Company to lay underground conduit
in the following location
Massachusetts Avenue Fran M.H 34/ I23A, southwesterly,
approximately 230' of underground
conduit
The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Babior of 24 Mason Street re-
questing a new bus stop for the Arlmont bus to pick up and discharge
passengers on or near Pleasant Street
Mr. Legro said that the Board of Selectmen establish the bus Bus Stop
stops with the approval of the Department of Public Utilities.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the
request of Dr Babior to the Traffic Safety Committee for a recom-
mendation.
The Chairman read a notice fran the DPU that a public hearing
will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 1970 at 2 00 P.M. upon petition of
the C & W Transportation, Inc of Lexington for a license to render
charter service on trips originating within the Town of Lexington
The Chairman felt that the Board should take a position to grant
this request as it would be good insurance for us if the MBTA did not
continue to go on record as recommending the company that has the C&W Trans-
school bus contract now. portation
Mr Kenney was concerned about the details. Permit
Mr. William Maloney said that the purpose of the permit is to
have permission for this bus line to take passengers from the hous-
ing site, clubs, etc. People call and look for buses and there is
no charter service in Lexington.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that it is
the position of the Board of Selectmen to grant this request of the
C & W Transportation, Inc. for a license to render charter service on
trips originating within the Town of Lexington. Mr O'Connell is to
write a letter to the DPU to this effect.
The Chairman read a letter from the Bedford Board of Selectmen,
enclosing a petition received by them that a committee be formed to Bedford
scrutinize all industrial contracts and admonish G.C.A. for testing Permit
lethal nerve gas in a tank in a populated area.
The Board agreed that Mr. O'Connell is to talk with the Bedford
Selectmen.
114
The Chairman read a letter from HUD Workable Program Division
advising us that the Town' s application for recertification of its
Workable Program does not meet their review specifications with
Workable sufficient detail ; that the submission fails to indicate the loca-
Program lity is carrying out an effective program of enforcement under its
housing code, etc.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Zaleski , Planning Director,
stating that our application was submitted with the knowledge that
we did not meet the requirement of a part-time housing inspector
but hoped it could be waived because of Lexington' s character. We
do not have slum or blighted areas and this was clearly stated on
the application; also, there is no need for relocation plans as no
families or businesses have or are expected to be displaced by gov-
ernment action.
The Board agreed to hold the letter from HUD and discuss it with
the Planning Board
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the
Minutes minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on June 9, 1970
The Board agreed to hold the minutes of the meeting of June 3,
1970 for further discussion.
The Chairman read a letter from Walter F. Stafford, 81 Princeton
Claim Avenue, Waltham, claiming that a raised manhole cover on Lowell Street
had caused damage to his 1968 Oldsmobile on June 2, 1970.
The Board agreed to refer the letter to Town Counsel .
The Chairman read a letter from the State DPW advising the Town
Worthen Rd. of the assignment of $29,700 for the improvement of Worthen Road-
East St. East Street on condition that at least $14,850 be contributed by the
Chapter 90 Town and $ 14,850 by the County
Maintenance The Chairman read a letter from the State DPW advising the Town
of the assignment of $2,000 for the maintenance of Chapter 90 roads
in Lexington on condition that at least $2,000 be contributed by the
Town and $2,000 by the County.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize
License the Chairman to sign the intelligence license for Starrett Associ-
ates, Inc., 2 Militia Drive.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize
I .D. Card the Chairman to sign the liquor I .D. card for Joan Cafarelli , 51
Eldred Street and Kendra McGrath, 14 Winter Street.
The Chairman informed the Board that he had received, tonight,
Vocational from Vernon Page a copy of the agreement on the Technical and Voca-
Regional tional Regional School . We are asked to comment before June 18.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the
agreement to Mr. O'Connell , Town Manager.
I
11 5
Mr. Francis W.K. Smith met With the Board. He said that he owns
four lots of land which he had put under agreement in March to sell
to a developer and he understands the Board has sane questions con-
cerning this. He asked if the delay was because of Meagherville and
if that wasn't the case, is it a policy not to let a private devel-
oper extend a sewer along an unaccepted street?
The Chairman asked if he was referring to Colonial Builders?
Mr. Smith replied in the affirmative. Colonial
The Chairman said to draft a letter on this Builders
that Mr. Legro is
Mr Legro said that the letter has not been drafted; you people
should show to the Town all the necessaryrights for us to grant
9
this. These are the same ones we have discussed for the past three
years.
Mr Smith thought they were all settled once Hickory Street was
accepted; to extend the sewer 250' would benefit not only these lots
but other lots.
Mr Greeley said that the rights have to be straightened out.
Mr. Smith said that the builder is all ready and I was anxious
to put it through.
Mr. Smith retired from the meeting, with the understanding that
there is still a question of rights to be resolved.
The Chairman welcomed former Selectmen of the Town, who were
present for an informal gathering on this last meeting in the present
Selectmen's roan due to the renovation of the building. Present were
Alan Adams; Otis S. Brown, Jr , Phillip M. Clark; Rep. Lincoln P.
Cole, Jr.; George W Emery; Gardner C Ferguson; Raymond W. James;
William E. Maloney; Ruth Morey; Donald E. Nickerson; Hazel Murray Former
Potter; Haskell W. Reed; Norman J. Richards; A. Edward Rowse; Selectmen
Harold Stevens.
The Chairman read the minutes of June 19, 1928 and pointed out
the remarkable coincidence between the agenda then and this evening.
The Chairman presented one of the chair pillows to Mr Adams as
a token of all the meetings he had covered for the Minute-man.
The Chairman presented a plaque to former Selectmen Phillip
Clark and said that each of the other former Selectmen will be given
a similar plaque, made from the wood paneling of the Selectmen's room
The Chairman invited all to enjoy the refreshments and an evening
of reminiscence.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at
8.35 P.M.
A true record, Attest c
Executive Clerk, Selectmen
�IV
I