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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-12-22-BOS-min 1023 `' SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 22, 1969 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, Decem- ber 22, 1969 at 7 30 P M Chairman Cataldo, Messrs Mabee, Kenney, Greeley and Bailey were present Mr. Legro, Town Counsel ; Mr Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Burke, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer and Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present Mr. Gray informed the Board that a request has been received from the Lexington Motor Inn for an extension to 2 00 A.M on New Year' s Eve for the sale and serving of liquor Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Lexington permission to the Lexington Motor Inn to serve liquor until 2 00 Inn A M. on New Year' s Eve in the function rooms, not in the Cracker Barrel Room or the dining room unless the dining room is re- served for a function Mr. Gray read a request from the Comptroller to change the anniversary date of January I for the Life Insurance Policy of Town employees to April 1 , to coincide with the anniversary date of April I- for Blue Cross-Blue Shield coverage. Insurance Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to change the anniversary date to April I for the Life Insurance Policy for Town Employees. The Chairman discussed the Town Manager and said, as you know, we have been interviewing for some time and have received sixty-nine applications, after evaluation, we narrowed that num- ber down to twenty and three withdrew applications; we person- ally interviewed eight and narrowed it down to five and eventually to three and, after interviews, to two candidates. We have to get someone here and get squared away; if we are Town going to appoint someone other than Mr Gray, we have to have Manager someone here shortly as there is a transition period. What is the Board' s feeling? We should make it clear at this time that regardless of what happens after the appointment is made, we will make a complete and full report to the Town as to how we handled it and the final appointment Mr. Otis Brown addressed the Chairman and said that he would like to speak to the Board As a former member and Chair- man of the Board, he was speaking on behalf of Mr. Gray as he was a member of the Board responsible for hiring Mr Gray at the time as Executive Assistant He said that he knows nothing J524 about the other candidates but does feel strongly about Mr Gray as he has the qualifications and is fully suitable for the posi- tion of Town Manager, and respectfully requests the Board to consider him as Town Manager. The Chairman said that he would hope that regardless of the appointment or who the appointee is, you would know that the Board did evaluate Mr. Gray in great length knowing his capa- bilities and we gave him the consideration he deserved. We labored long and hard on his application and there are going to be some unhappy people regardless of which one is appointed. We appreciate your coming in and saying how you feel The Chairman asked the feeling of the Board? Mr. Mabee said that we advertised extensively and approached several schools that graduate Town Managers. He moved to appoint Walter C. O'Connell as Special Assistant to the Board at an an- nual rate of $ 18,000, effective January 5, 1970; and further moved to appoint Walter C. O'Connell to the position of Town Manager at the annual rate of $21 ,000 effective March 2, 1970. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to appoint Walter C O'Connell as Special Assistant to the Board at the annual rate of $ 18,000, effective January 5, 1970 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unanimously voted to appoint Walter C. O'Connell to the position 6f Town Manager at the annual rate of $21 ,000, effective March 2, 1970 The Chairman submitted a health report on Mr. O'Connell , who was examined by Dr. Treat and found to be in good health Later on in the meeting, it was agreed to rescind the pre- vious votes. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to re- scind the vote to appoint Walter C O'Connell as Special Assist- ant to the Board at the annual rate of $ 18,000, effective January 5, 1970. Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to rescind Manager the vote to appoint Walter C O'Connell to the position of Town Manager at the annual rate of $21 ,000, effective March 2, 1970 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Walter C O'Connell to the position of Special Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, effective January 5, 1970, without financial compensation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Walter C. O'Connell to the position of Town Manager, effective March 2, 1970, subject to appropriation therefor by the 1970 Annual Town Meeting, to establish the compensation for services of the Town Manager for the period March 2, 1970 through Decem- ber 31 , 1970 at $2050.00 per month. It is the intention of the Board of Selectmen to establish such compensation effective January I , 1971 not in excess of $21 ,000.00 per year. The Chairman informed the Board that the Town Clerk requests a transfer of $890 to lease four voting machines. He read a letter from Miss McDonough which stated that in 1968, the Town leased for a year, with an option to purchase, seven used voting Transfer machines. The 1969 Town Meeting amended the Article from seven machines to three machines to be leased. We have the four machines here and if we send them back to New York, there is a shipping charge of approximately $ 120 and if Town Meeting approves seven machines in 1970, there will be a return shipping charge of $ 120. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the request of the Town Clerk to ask the Appropriation Committee for a transfer of $890 from the Reserve Fund to Article 32 - 1969 Annual Town Meeting The Chairman read a request from the Assessors for a transfer of $ 100 to Assessors Account #3000 for miscellaneous office sup- plies and expenses. Transfer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $ 100 to the Assessors' Account #3000 The Chairman informed the Board that due to illness of the Clerk in the Tax Collectors' Office, it was necessary to hire 111 temporary help and, therefore, the sum of $200 is needed in the Clerical Pool Account #1075 Transfer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $200 to the Clerical Pool Account #1075 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reap- point F William Smith as Assessor for a three year term expiring Appointment January I , 1973. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reap- point Mrs. Georgia H Williams as an Associate Member of the Appointment Historic Districts Commission for a five year term expiring January I , 1975 The Chairman read a letter from the ABC regarding the rules and regulations for Christmas Day, December 25, 1969 and New Year' s Day, January I , 1970 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that Pack- ABC age Goods Stores are to remain closed but Motels and Clubs may serve from 12 00 N to specified closing hour on Christmas Day, December 25, 1969 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that Pack- age Goods Stores are to remain closed but Motels and Clubs may serve from II 00 A.M to II 00 P.M on New Year' s Day, January .1 , 1970 Il 526 The Chairman read a letter from the Comptroller recommend- ing that the balance of $32,388.30 in the Sale of Lots fund be used to reduce the amount of borrowing necessary for the Town Town Office Building addition Office Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ap- Building prove the recommendation of the Comptroller that $32,388 30 in the Sale of Lots fund be used to reduce the amount of borrow- ing necessary for the Town Office Building addition, and to so inform the Appropriation Committee The Chairman read a letter from the Building Inspector Electrical recommending the establishment of an Electrical Maintenance Maintenance Permit and a fee of $50 00 Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ap- prove the recommendation of the Building Inspector to estab- lish an Electrical Maintenance Permit, with a fee of $50.00 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Flint, Executive Secre- tary of Lincoln, regarding the proposed Route 2A from Route 128 Route 2A to interchange with proposed new Route 2 The letter states that a meeting had been held with officials of National Park and the Town of Lincoln and the areas of general agreement are as follows I Route 2A should not be a limited access highway and should provide access to any abutting properties where the need may some time exist ( Its width should not exceed four lanes or two lanes with a breakdown lane ) 2 Mill Street should not be developed to join the pro- posed Route 2 as presently shown by the DPW, but should be dead-ended short of this route. 3 That there be developed at the time of construction, roads servicing the Lexington Inn, the Boston Edison plant, and Lexington' s commercial areas 4 That the complexity of the interchanges be simpli- fied to the greatest possible degree. Mr. Kenney asked if the Planning Board is aware of these pro- posals The Chairman said that we have just received the letter and didn't want to send it to them until the Board had decided on it. Mr Greeley said that he would like to hear from the Plan- ning Board before we go on record. It was agreed that Mr McSweeney would review the proposals and submit the letter to Mr Zaleski on next Monday 527 ✓ �5 Representatives of the Red Cross met with the Board Mr. Jack Slowey, Chairman of the Board of Directors, said that we are concerned about the building at 9 Hancock Street that the Lexington Chapter occupies, this building is the property of the Town of Lexington A month or so ago, we noticed the ceiling was buckling and we asked our board member to look at it and possibly suggest what we could do to repair it He looked at it and said that, obviously, it was something more than just the ceiling, that the problem was due to settling We also have rotting sills and he thought we ought to have a professional look at this and tell us what to do We took his advice and contacted Donald Muirhead, who is an authority with respect to old buildings and is the man who did the planning for the restoration of the Munroe Tavern. He came out and confirmed our fears after making a report, not a de- tailed study, of the building Our purpose, tonight, is to call this matter to your atten- tion, this is not the most urgent matter, but is something that certainly should receive attention The Chairman said that we own the building and it must be shored up, we will have the Public Works Department do it the first chance they get Mr. Mabee suggested that we do all the buildings of this type at the same time, such as the Visiting Nurses and the School Administration Buildings Mr. Greeley said that we do not own the Visiting Nurses' building Red Cross The Chairman said that we should take one step at a time, first, to authorize the Public Works Department to shore this building. Mr Mabee said that he is in favor of this but would like to take a look at all the buildings Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct the Superintendent of Public Works to make arrangements for shor- ing work to be done on the building occupied by the American Red Cross on Hancock Street The Chairman said that if the Board feels we are to keep this building, we should explore the area of historical value, what it would cost to restore it and what part the Red Cross would play if we did this - would they leave if we didn't restore the building and if they moved, what would we do with it? Mr Greeley asked what arrangement we have with the Red Cross as far as responsibility? The Chairman said that they maintain it, they pay their own light bill , when they had a problem with drainage and, another time, with the fireplace, they took care of them; the Red Cross paid for this initial study Mr Kenney said that in order to establish the historical value we would need a report from the Historical Society and we need an estimate of what it would cost to restore the build- ing Mr Slowey said that Mr Muirhead would have to make a more detailed examination but he did make a rough, and high, figure of $ 18,000 Our Board did vote to undertake to pay for this $ 1200 study if the Board of Selectmen have a mind to pursue the matter The Chairman didn't think they should spend $ 1200 for this study unless we go to Town Meeting for funds to restore the building Mr. Greeley said that as he understands it, the Red Cross is saying they think this is important enough to them that they would spend money for the study. Mr Slowey said that the Board did vote to do the shoring work, which is the immediate problem If you ask the Historical Society to report on the historical value of the building, we will wait until that report is available and you have had an opportunity to evaluate it The Chairman asked how long the Red Cross felt the building was adequate for their purposes? Mr Slowey said that they have no compelling reason at the present time, short of the building being torn down, for leaving these premises Mr Greeley asked if they had $ 18,000 to spend, would the Red Cross get something better? Mr Slowey replied that it is their feeling that the build- ing is worth saving, quite apart from the Red Cross He didn't know about the history of it but is almost certain that it is not revolutionary or pre-revolutionary; the location, age and aesthetics are such that he would think the Town would want to keep that building from falling down. The Chairman said that the Board wants a report from the Red Cross as to where they would move and what are the advan- tages of this building to you as a Red Cross function When that report comes in, we will ask the Historical Society for a report. In the meantime, Mr Burke will make arrangements to have the building shored up The Red Cross representative retired from the meeting The Chairman read a letter from the Director of Civil Ser- vice which stated that Richard E. Lupo is eligible to become Sealer of Sealer of Weights and Measures, as he was the only person to Weights and take this examination Measures Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Richard E Jupo as Sealer of Weights and Measures, effective February 2, 1970, at a monthly salary of $ 125.00 1st Class Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign License the First Class License for Rowe Chevrolet, 41 Bedford Street 1 529 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of Selectmen' s Meetings held on December I and 15, Minutes 1969 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Common Victualler licenses for the following (renewals) Common Arno Associates, Inc 321 Woburn Street Victualler Friendly Ice Cream Shop 66 Bedford Street Licenses Hancock Market 6 North Hancock Street Renewals Powder Horn Golf Course 40 Walnut Street Regent Delicatessen 1729 Massachusetts Avenue Woodhaven Country Store 424 Marrett Road The Chairman informed the Board that the Tax Collector has submitted a list of uncollectable ambulance bills totalling $463 00. Ambulance Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to turn Bills the list of uncollectable ambulance bills over to Captain Furdon for possible collection The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board which recommended payment to A Busa, Trustee of Busa Realty Trust, in the amount of $2,381 .25, as reimbursement for the extra width of Busa Sub- Emerson Road division Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve payment to A Busa, Trustee of Busa Realty Trust, in the amount of $2,381 .25, as reimbursement for the extra width of Emerson Road subdivision Dr Cosgrove and Mr Heustis of the Board of Health met with the Board The Chairman said that you have requested $ 1 ,000 to do a study on fluoridation and the Board has questions of you. Mr Mabee said that his major question is, since we had the legal right to fluoridate why is it that we are waiting until now to move ahead and getting it done in time, why didn't we go Fluoridation to the last Town Meeting, or what is the big rush that we need the transfer? Dr Cosgrove said that it is a health measure and the sooner it is in action the better off you are When we first ordered the Board of Selectmen to fluoridate we figured our responsibi- lity was down; then I contacted James Dunning who carried on a campaign and got the water fluoridated; 1 asked him and he said when it was voted in they ordered the water department to fluor- idate and they took over. I also contacted the Board of Health in Winchester and his answer was the same; they ordered fluori- dation and the water department took over A short time ago, 530 the Board of Health was told that a survey would have to be made and I contacted the State Board and was told we should get an appropria- tion of approximately $ 1,000 to make the study In a Town like this, in two or three places where the water supply came into the Town, in such places equipment would have to be put in each of these supply places Then we put in an application for $ 1 ,000 as all of this was news that it was necessary Mr Heustis said that it was common in other towns, once the Board of Health orders fluoridation, the concerned department in the Town Board of Public Works or the Water Department takes over. The survey they required is to come up with definitive plans, the State must approve the plans In reading the Minute-man, there was a dis- crepancy in what I reported The Board requested a preliminary survey of $ 1 ,000 for engineering fees, going out to bid, etc For a definite survey, Whitman and Howard suggested $4,000; with drawings, and implementation, it would be beyond $4,000 The paper implied that $4,000 would put the program in operation which it wouldn't The Chairman said that you want $ 1 ,000 for a preliminary survey and $4,000 for filing plans and specifications; if you got $ 1 ,000 now and do the preliminary survey, you will ask for $4,000 in March? Mr. Heustis replied, yes The Chairman asked how long it would take to do the final plans and specifications% Mr Heustis replied that he didn't ask, Whitman and Howard said January for preliminary plans Dr Cosgrove asked if they could ask that $ 1 ,000 be appropriated for this original survey? In the meantime, Winchester wants to talk with us, they have a system in since 1956 and it meets with the specifications of the State. It is possible to stall things until Public Works can meet with them. Mr. Mabee suggested that they ask for $6,000, $ 1 ,000 for Whitman and Howard preliminary plans and go out for final plans to be ap- proved by the State, and have construction, too The Chairman said, construction at $25,000. Dr Cosgrove said, that was just a guess. The Chairman said that his approach would be that we would hate to spend $ 1 ,000 and come in in March and have Town Meeting turn this down, we have lost $ 1 ,000. If you have to go back to Town Meeting for money, you should get initial approval of what we are faced with Dr. Cosgrove agreed. The Chairman asked Dr Cosgrove to send a letter to withdraw this request and it could be covered in one Article and Mr. Legro will draft it Mr Legro said that we need to know what you want to accomplish Mr Heustis and Dr Cosgrove agreed to submit the letter with- drawing the request for $ 1 ,000. The Chairman discussed the Animal Inspector He said that the Animal recommendation is to leave him in the same classification and give Inspector additional compensation for lab work. Mr Heustis said that position hasn't had an increase in years 53 tv II/ Mr Heustis and Dr Cosgrove retired from the meeting Mr Kenney informed the Board that permits and fees had been discussed at the TMMA meeting Fee changes have been voted but com- mercial vehicles to carry rubbish to the dump have not been set. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to change the fee for commerical vehicles to carry rubbish to the dump from $25 to $ 100. Dump Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the fee Stickers for a commercial vehicle to pick up his own material at his house and take it to the dump would be $ 1 Mr. Kenney said that the question was raised at the TMMA meet- Betterments ing about the 4% increase charge on betterments Is there any feeling for legislation to change? Mr Legro said that the interest rate is 4% per year; if you change the legislation, it could say up to 6% or not exceeding 6% It was the concensus of the Board not to change as it would take an Act of Legislature to change it. 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 affect the Session public security, the financial interests of the Town, or the reputa- tion of any person After discussion of matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to go out of Executive Session and resume the open meet- ing. The position of Town Manager was discussed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Walter C. O'Connell as Special Assistant to the Board of Selectmen, effective January 5, 1970 Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Manager Walter C O'Connell as Town Manager, effective March 2, 1970, sub- ject to an appropriation therefor by the 1970 Annual Town Meeting, and to establish the compensation for services of the Town Manager for the period March 2 through December 31 , 1970 at $2050 per month Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at II 00 P.M A true record, Attest N+' Executive Clerk, Selectmen Al 7t �1 I