Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-11-03-BOS-min 464 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 3, 1969 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, November 3, 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 Wenham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works; Mr McSweeney, Town Engineer, and Mrs . McCurdy, Executive Clerk were also present. Mr. Gray requested the Board to approve the request for a transfer of $1,000 to the Police and Fire Medical Transfer Account #1125; a fireman had been injured during the year and medical expenses have been very high; another injured fireman is still going back for checkups . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the. Appropriation Committee for a transfer of $1,000 to the Police and Fire Medical Account #1125. Mr Gray informed the Board that the sale of tax title lot S3 Valleyfield Street, Assessors ' Map 24, has been advertised and two bids have been received . The ad stated that the condition of sale was that it must be combined with an existing lot and not used as a separate building lot One bid was received from Anthony P Luongo, 42 Valleyfield Street, for $1500; he felt that this is a fair bid as the betterments would Tax Title be approximately $859 and Land Court title cost would 53 Valley- be approximately $700 or $800. Mr. Luongo is an abutter field St. and has a 50 foot lot and would like to buy this 50 foot lot because he would like to add to his land and, per- haps, add a garage to his house. The other bid was from Mr. and Mrs Edward Domings , 37 Valleyfield Street, for $2,000. Mr. Kenney asked if it was a level lot? Mr. Gray did not know Mr. Kenney asked if the Assessors have put a value on this? Mr. Gray said that they don' t do tax title lots Mr. Kenney asked Mr. Gray to find out what the valuation of Mr Luongo' s lot is and to see if this lot is comparable to his Mr Mabee asked why Mrs Domings would bid on a lot if she knew that the condition was that it must be com- bined with en adjoining lot. 465 Mr. Gray said that Mrs Domings had indicated to him that she had bid on this lot previously and all bids had been rejected She knew about the conditions as advertised, at that time, Mr Luongo' s lot was va- cant, but still granted to put in a bid Mr Kenney asked how big the lot is? Mr. Gray said that it is 15,180 feet; 288 feet on one side and 214 feet on the other, with a 50 foot frontage Mr Kenney said that we are selling this at ten cents a foot. If I think the price is too low, I wouldn't sell it to him; he must pay what we consider to be a fair price. The Chairman asked him what he considered a fair price? Mr. Kenney didn't know. Mr Greeley said that if Mrs Domings bids more than Mr Luongo, we should explain this to her Mr. Gray said that he had explained it to her. The Chairman said that he would look at the lot. Mr Gray was instructed to talk with Mrs . Domings and ask her where her lot is ; to find out what the ad- jacent property is sold for as this is a good indication of what the land is worth in the area Mr. Gray informed the Board that the building at the rear of the Douglass property will be torn down to- morrow Douglass The Chairman asked him if he had set up a traffic Property pattern and parking conditions? Mr. Gray replied that there is a traffic pattern set up as an exit and entrance at Clarke Steet Mr Gray reported to the Board that he had dis- cussed the fence for the Baskin playground with Mr Wenham and 150 feet of fencing is needed; the area be- yond , 75 feet to 100 feet out to Route 128 is all swamp. The price to install the fence would be $358 and there are sufficient funds in the Article to take care Baskin of it. Playground Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the installation of 150 feet of fencing at the Baskin playground . Mr. Gray informed the Board that he had written to Mrs Woodward regarding her request to use the former Hennessey land for a permanent riding ring and the use Hennessey of the stable by the I+H Club and the Lexington Light Land Horse Club. 466 He has received a reply from Mrs . Woodward stating that she has referred our letter to Mr. Lloyd of the Lei Club and, also, to a representative of the Lexington Light Horse Club. Mr. Gray said that we will do nothing until we hear from them. Mr. Wenham informed the Board that he had met last week with the plowing contractors and we dis- cussed the new rates to be established. Basically, they are asking for an increase of $4.00 per hour. Last year, on the bigger trucks they received $13 00 and they are asking $17. 00 this year; on some trucks they received $12.00 last year and are asking $16.00 this year; the smaller trucks were $10.50 last year and they are asking $11..50 this year. If the owner furnishes his own plow, they add $2.00 an hour; if the owner furnishes his own helper, they add $2.50 an hour For each 24-hour period, 11 hours will be deducted for breakfast, lunch and supper. This will be in effect on plowing and hauling. No overtime will be paid for any plowing; last year the Town paid an overtime rate of $2.00 per hour between the Snow hours of LE:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. On snow hauling, Plowing the Town will pay the Massachusetts DPU rate of the truck when the owner furnishes proof of such. Some of the trucks have a $13.00 rate while others have a $12.00 per hour rate . If a truck does not have proof of the $13.00 rate, he will receive the $12.00 rate, same as last year. The contractors would like the overtime rate of $2.00 per hour be paid on snow hauling from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Last year we paid no overtime for snow hauling. When a contrac- tor is notified to prepare for a storm and later on the weather changes so that the equipment is not used, the contractor will be paid at his normal plowing rate for two hours time . Mr Wenham had checked the sur- rounding towns and the rate for the coming year in Cambridge is $18.00; Newton, $16.00; Watertown, $19.50; Belmont $16.50 and Arlington, $19.00. Mr. Mabee said that the proposed new rate sounds high to him; he was in favor of $14.00 with $ 2.00 per hour overtime. The Chairman asked Mr. Wenham what the attitude of the other towns is on plowing vs hauling? Do they let them haul at all to give them that rate? Mr. Wenham didn't know. The Chairman said that it would make a difference hauling is the gravy. Mr. Mabee asked Mr. Wenham if he and Mr. Burke were recommending these new rates? 467 Mr. Wenham replied, no; he was upset at what the contractors were asking and they said that we need them. I don't go along with the rates; I don' t buy the over- time on the hauling rate. I told them that I would talk with the Board. Mr. Greeley said that one of the things you have to build into the recommendation to us is what you are going to pay to get them. Mr. Wenham said that he had told them that he wasn't happy with it. The Chairman asked if, basically, we would get the same fellows as last year? Mr. Wenham replied in the affirmative; they were all at the meeting, except Mr. Cassella who usually gives us two trucks . The Chairman told Mr. Wenham that he would like to know how many towns have bid; at what range did they bid; what is the setup on hauling; is this just for plowing or no hauling? If we get these answers, we will discuss this matter at the meeting on next Monday evening. Mr. Wenham is to have the information for the Board for next Monday. Mr. Gray informed the Board that Mr. Burke had re- ceived a letter from Walter Burke, Attorney for Donald 111 Zani of the Zani Excavating Company regarding the award of the contract on September 22, 1969 for two tennis courts. Attorney Burke had enclosed copies of two quo- tations which had been sent to Mr. Zani from the sub- contractor, Putnam contracting, Inc. One letter of October 20, 1969 quotes a price of $3,440 "to lay a Zani one and one-half inch layer of Laykold tennis court mix Contract over an asphalt surface prepared and furnished by you. this layer will be spread over the surface of two tennis courts in accordance with Chevron Asphalt specifications. This quotation does not include net posts, nets, fencing or any finish surfacing or resurfacer, color coating or line painting." The other letter received by Mr. Zani from Putnam Contracting, Inc . , dated October 21, 1969, quotes a price of $6,575 and states "We propose to furnish all of the labor and all of the material to lay a one and one-half inch layer of Laykold tennis court mix over an asphalt surface prepared and furnished by you. Over this surface we propose to spread two coats of resurfacer and one coat of wearcoat all in accordance with the specifications . The final coat will be color coat green with one and one-half' white lines painted on the surface." I Attorney Burke ' s letter says "Zani states that as a result of all this he could not possibly perform this contract without a severe financial loss . He, therefore, hopes that the Town of Lexington will be willing to relieve him of his obligation and re- advertise the project for bids." Mr. Legro presented a suggested letter to Attorney Burke and Mr. Zani which states that they have not executed the contract with the Town or the required bond within the ten days after September 22, 1969, the date on which the Board awarded the con- tract to them. Also, that the Town will extend to November 10, 1969 the time within which Mr. Zani may submit in five copies the contract and bond duly executed in prescribed form. There must be full com- pliance with the requirements of the contract docu- ments and all applicable laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. If there is failure to fully comply with the foregoing at or before 4.:30 P.M. on Novem- ber 10, 1969, the bid deposit will be retained by the Town of Lexington pursuant to the invitation to bid and the proposal. The Chairman said that this will give them an opportunity to clarify whether they are seeking to get out from under the contract. Mr. Mabee said that he was afraid that Zani would build the tennis courts rather than default and he will not do a good job Mr. Legro said that Zani is going to give a performance bond. As far as he knew, the contract documents were not sent to him. It was agreed to send the letter suggested by Mr. Legro to Attorney Burke and Mr. Zani. Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to go into Executive Session, for the purpose of dis- Executive cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if Session made public, might adversely affect the public secur- ity, the financial interests of the Town or the reputation of a person. After discussion of matters of financial inter- est to the Town, and interviews for position of Assistant Town Engineer, it was voted togo out of Executive Session and resume the open meeting Mr. McSweeney discussed the Hamilton drain situ- ation on Massachusetts Avenue. He said that he was Hamilton able to locate second-hand pipe for $1.00 a foot and Drain it would be $150 for 150 feet of pipe and our men could put it in; if there is enough pipe available, an additional 250' could be installed to go across to the pipe system, this work could be done with the con- dition that Mr. Hamilton grant the Town an easement. ; 9 Mr. Legro said that if he gives us an easement in the brook, we should go all the way. Mr. Gray said that we will get the easement and pipe this part of it. Mr. Legro asked if there was any possibility that we might flow this land? Mr. Gray replied, no more than before. Mr. Legro said that he might give us flowage rights. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to install 150 feet of pipe in the land owned by William H. Hamilton, 2045 Massachusetts Avenue, sub- ject to his granting of an easement of the complete area. Mr. Gray requested the Board to award the con- tract for the resurfacing of Massachusetts Avenue from Mass . Ave. Route 128 to Cedar Street, under Chapter 90 ma.inten- Resurfacing ance, to the Massachusetts Broken Stone Company, Contract Weston, Massachusetts, in the amount of $6,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for the resurfacing of Massachu- setts Avenue under Chapter 90 Maintenance, to the Massachusetts Broken Stone Company, in the amount of $6,000. Mr. Gray reported to the Board that Mr. Zimmerman of the Lexington Cab Company had made a request for other locations for taxi stands and the Traffic Commit- tee has no objection to locations at East Lexington in Lexington the vicinity of Craft Cleaners, Five Forks, and Hart- Cab Co. well Avenue. We will check out the locations and, after talking with Mr. Zimmerman, Mr. Gray will come back to the Board next week on specific locations and set the rates. Mr. Gray reported that he had received a call from Mr. Flint, the Executive Secretary of Lincoln and they would like a Selectman to attend the meeting on Route 2A November 4. to discuss Route 2A. The Chairman said that he would attend the meeting. Mr. McSweeney discussed the abatement of sewer betterment assessments of William H. Duckham, 2 Dewey Road, and Louis .T. Howard, 4 Dewey Road. He recommended that they be granted abatements with the stipulation Duckham & that if, in the future, sewer lateral is provided that Howard would permit them to connect, at that time a charge in Abatement lieu of betterments will be made. CI () Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant an abatement of sewer betterment assessment in the amount of $923.62 to William H. Duckham, with the stipulation that if, in the future, a sewer lateral is provided that would permit Mr. Duckham to connect, a charge in lieu of betterments will be made. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant an abatement of sewer betterment assessment in the amount of $706.03 to Louis N. Howard, with the stipulation that if, in the future, a sewer lateral is provided that would permit Mr. Howard to connect, a charge in lieu of betterments will be made. Sewer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Const. to sign the sewer construction orders for Diana Lane Orders and Hill Street. The Chairman read a letter from the Recreation Com- Hunting mittee, notifying the Board that Gary Margolius has been Committee appointed to serve on the Hunting Committee. The Chairman read a letter from Attorney Frank Lien on Smith requesting the Board to dissolve the lien on the 157 Lowell property at 157 Lowell Street. and to authorize the Tax Street Collector to issue the proper certificate. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to dissolve the lien on the property at 157 Lowell Street and authorize the Tax Collector to issue the proper certificate. The Chairman read a letter from the Metropolitan MDC District Commission stating that they have approved Sewer our request to accept 15 feet of 27 inch sewer from Acceptance the Town of Lexington and have it become part of the Metropolitan Sewerage System; the necessary papers will be prepared and sent to us. The Chairman explained to the Board that the Town would save $35,000 for the transfer of this one connec- tion to the MDC. Because of the MDC design, there are two connections at this location and we feel that we should only pay for one . The MDC agreed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings held on October 15 and 20, 1969; the minutes of the meeting of October 27, 1969 were approved as amended . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: Executive Clerk, Selectmen