HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-05-05-BOS-min 265
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
May 5, 1969
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the
Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 5,
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.
Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison
Company tolocate one pole, guy wire and anchor on Hartwell Avenue.
Notices of the hearing were mailed to the petitioner and
owners of the property as listed on the petitioner's plan, and
also filed with the Town Engineer
Mr Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, said that
the petition is for the line going into Instrumentation Laboratory
and there is need for a pole with a guy in order to hold the line
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 appgove
the following location, as petitioned by the Boston Edison Company-
Pole Hartwell Avenue, southeasterly side, approximately 855 feet
Locations northeast of Wood Street - One pole, guy wire
and anchor
Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England
Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company to locate one pole
at East Street, southerly side, at Ridge Road.
Notices of the hearing were mailed to the petitioners and
owners of property as listed on the petitioners' plan, and also
filed with the Town Engineer
Mr Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, said that
the petition is to eliminate two poles from private property and
eliminate a wire crossing at Ridge Road There is an existing
pole and Mr Buss wants two poles removed
The Chairman read a recommendation from the Town Engineer
which recommended that the petition be denied as there was insuf-
ficient detail on the plan provided by the Boston Edison Company
to determine the proposed location in the field; it appeared that
the new location would be too close to the corner of Ridge Road.
After discussion, it was agreed to instruct Mr Pratt to
talk with his engineering department and submit a new location.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny
the joint petition of the New England Telephone Company and the
Boston Edison Company to locate a pole on East Street, southerly
side, at Ridge Road
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Mr. Gray informed the Board that M DeMatteo Construction
Company had supplied a surety bond, in the amount of $25,000, for
the 1967 project on Lincoln Street. He requested the Board to re- Surety
lease the bond, as the project has been completed Bond
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to release
the surety bond supplied by M DeMatteo Company, in the amount of
$25,000
Mr. Gray informed the Board that a letter has been received
from Mr. Stolz of Brewer and Lord Insurance Agency regarding the
inquiry concerning accident insurance for Boy Scouts. There are
three plans available. Mr Gray said that the Boy Scouts working
on Town property should be covered in each Council. From the
Town's standpoint, we would have to survey all of the lands in-
volved and this would entail quitea bit of work.
It was agreed to write to the Planning Board informing them
that each group of Boy Scouts working on a project involving Town
land must be covered by accident insurance and, if so covered, the
Board of Selectmen would endorse the projects
Mr Gray informed the Board that Mr Essarian had contacted
the Town regarding the sale of four tax title lots on Grandview
Avenue. Mr. Ryan of Eastern Avenue has also offered to buy one
of these lots to enlarge his property, and Mr Rleeburg of Eastern
Avenue is interested in buying the other three Mr Gray showed
a plan and a copy of the proposal submitted by Mr Essarian, which
was approved by the Planning Board Mr Essarian had originally
offered $1,000 and now offers $1500 Tax Title
Mr Greeley said that he wants to enlarge the lot on Carmel Grandview
Circle so that it is large enough to sell. Avenue
The Chairman asked if we had the right to close off Grandview
Avenue?
Mr Gray said that he had told Mr Essarian that if the Board
did approve the sale, he would only be able to sell the lots in
question
The Chairman asked if the Planning Board is recommending that
we buy a piece of land from him; he owns the whole subdivision.
Mr. Greeley said that the Planning Board made Mr. Jenkins and
Mr Outhet leave room for Carmel Circle with the expectation that
Mr. Essarian develop the land He originally talked that if he
could get this land at the Circle, he would be happy to sell the
land at the water tower
The Chairman said that Mr Gray can find out the thinking of
the Planning Board on buying the land Maybe we can satisfy both
people by selling one lot to Mr Ryan
Mr. Gray said, apparently, Mr Essarian feels that he would
need this lot
The Chairman instructed Mr Gray to talk with Mr Zaleski on
the status of this part of Grandview Avenue and, also, swapping a
111 piece of land with Mr Essarian, and report back to the Board
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Mr Gray informed the Board that the Traffic Safety Committee
Mass Ave had a meeting to discuss Worthen Road and Massachusetts Avenue in-
Worthen Rd tersection He reported that there were no recommendations at the
Traffic present time, but additional traffic counts are being taken; he
will report back to the Board with recommendations.
Mr Gray gave a report on the Reservoir. *He said that he,
Mr Burke, Mr. Certell and Mr. Taylor had met to discuss the pro-
ject It will cost between $3500 and $4000 for the installation
of overhead electric service to the bathhouse; the electrical
controls would be down near the dike; they also want a 12 per cent
guarantee on the use of power, which would be a $450 or $500 guaran-
tee. Last Wednesday morning, there was a meeting at the Reservoir
to discuss the location of equipment It was left that Mr Cortell
would make contacts on one piece of equipment and Mr. Burke on the
other. Mr Burke called the distributor and was told that they are
no longer manufacturing this piece of equipment, as it has not
proven satisfactory Mr. Cortell felt that this information was
wrong and efforts. were made to contact the factory. It was found
that the reason it Is no longer manufactured is that there is no
demand for it, and the company is going into more lucrative fields.
Mr. Cortell is attempting to procure three of these units, two for
Lexington and one for Arlington from Goodwin Hydrodynamics, Weirs
Beach, New Hampshire, and expects an answer on the availability some-
time tomorrow or. Wednesday. He was also informed that there was one
unit in Needham, manufactured by Avco Company, a much larger and
heavier unit; it can only be used during non-bathing periods; the
unit is detrimental to youngsters, as the pressure is too great.
The original proposal was for $2400 each and he is checking the cost,
plus availability of the equipment
Mr Gray said that we have been putting in sand and the cost
is between $7,000 and $8,000. It has been discussed with Mr Cataldo
as to whether we should continue the sand operation if the equipment
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isn't available; if we don't have it available, we won't be able to
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use the Reservoir
Mr. Burke said that Mr. Cortell said if the equipment is not
available, he could supplement its use by aeration equipment; this
is in addition to what is to be procured from Goodwin $500 for a
unit that provides oxygen for circulatory equipment from Hinde En-
gineering Company of Illinois.
Mr Burke was asked if this is hard to get?
Mr Burke said that it is something that is not in demand, it
is a water moving equipment powered by a five horsepower engine and
is supposed to circulate 1500 gallons of water.
The Chairman asked what the estimated costs are?
Mr. Gray said the costs are broken down as follows $10,000,
building; $4,000, electrical services; $8,000 sand; $4,800 for two
pieces of equipment, plus $500 for the compressor; $3400 for sewer
and water; $1,000 equipment
The Chairman said that if we can't get these two pieces of
equipment, the area is not going to be used Do we want to spend
$10,000 for it to just sit there?
* He said that the Board had voted to hold up on the
advertising of the rest room building.
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Mr Gray amid that, without some kind of equipment to move the
water, the State is not going to let us use the Reservoir.
Mr Burke suggested continuing with the sand operation and hold
the advertising of the building; if we get a positive answer from
Mr. Cortell. we can go ahead
The Chairman said, what is the advantage, you age going to lose
the sand
Mr. Burke said that we can leave the water level down; if we
get the sand down, we can leave the gate partially open Last Novem-
ber, it was $1 25 on sand and it has gone up 50 a ton; the same thing
will happen next year
Mr Mabee said that he would go along with Mr Burke; put the
sand in and hold it at that point
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to continue the
sand operation and hold at that point until figures on the equipment
are received from Mr Cortell.
The Conservation Commission met with the Board.
The Chairman said that the Board would like to discuss the re-
quest from the Commission to place an article in the Warrant to in-
crease the size of the Conservation Commission from five to seven
members. We would like to keep the Warrant down to a minimum and
ww would rather put in the bare necessities
Mr Smith said that, as far as the Board's approach to keeping Conserva-
Town Meeting short, if the Selectmen agree with us, it wouldn't tion Comm.
III take more than three or four minutes at the Town Meeting. We feel
that, with seven members, we could delegate different areas of con-
cern to members and the Chairman could say that this is in this
member's province. Other areas could use additional help; you raised
the possibility of Associate Members and the question was raised that
if a conflict of interest should arise if we wanted to disqualify
ourselves, we could; it is good and works with the Board of Appeals
but the more we discussed it, we don't seem to operate that way; we
don't have a hearing setup We are a working Board for every meet-
ing for ten meetings and we don't feel that Associate Members would
work as we can't step aside and bring in a new member; our problems
are making decisions as much as carrying them out and we feel that
seven members are better than five
Mr Mabee asked if the Conservation Board was unanimous on
this?
Mr Smith said that we feel that if there is an objection to
seven members, we will discuss it We are a statutory commission
and can have from three to seven members; we voted to have a com-
mission of five and have to go to Town Meeting to increase it.
The Chairman said that he, personally, felt that there would
be more headaches with seven than five members
Mr Smith said that as long as there is objection frog the
Selectmen, we ought to sit back and think about them and come back,
Mr Kenney said that we have no objection to going to Town
Meeting; he personally, didn't think it is a good idea; we really
111 should think about it
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Mrs Frick said that she felt there should be Seven mem-
bers as they are operating insufficiently and they need more
people.
Mr. Kenney said that if they feel they are operating
insufficiently, try re-organization, first.
Mrs. Frick said that if they had a couple of more people
working, they could work together
The Chairman asked if the Conservation Commission is with-
drawing the Article?
Mr Smith said that they would discuss it and give their
answer later on this evening.
Later on in the evening, the Conservation Commission re-
quested that the Article be withdrawn.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to app
prove the request of the Conservation Commission to withdraw
their Article for the June Town Meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign
Abatements the abatements for 1968 ambulance bills which are uncollectable
according to the Tax Collector, in the amount of $139.00
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the
Chapter 90 Memorandum of Agreement between the State DPW and the Town of
Lexington, in the amount of $4,501 00, for Chapter 90 maintenance
work for 1968
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant
Permit permission to the 4-H Club of Lexington to hold the annual horse
show at Willard's Woods on June 8, 1969, subject to the restric-
tions of the Superintendent of Public Works and Chief of Police.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to write
Permit the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Lexington Post' No 3007, that
the Board of Selectmen has no objection to the sale of poppies
in the Town on May 22, 23 and 24, 1969
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign
Cert of the Certificate of Incorporation for Neil L Chayet, 272 Concord
Incorp Avenue, "The Boston Family Institute, Inc "
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
Bond Bond No 93-51-96 for the Assistant Town Treasurer, in the
amount of $25,800.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve
Minutes the Minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings held on April 7 and
April 24, 1969
The Chairman read a letter from Mr Brooks of the Youth Em-
Y.E S. ployment Service of Lexington High School, requesting permission
for an Arts and Crafts Sale in fronttof the Visitors" Center on
May 31, 1969 from 9 00 A.M. to 4 00 P.M
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It was agreed that Mr Gray is to talk with Mr Brooks to
III find out who would be responsible for the group if a permit is
granted Mr Gray is to report back to the Board at the next
meeting
Thehairman informed the Board that annual appointments
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must be made to various Boards and Committees
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to make
the following annual appointments
Board of Appeals George P Wadsworth March 31, 1974
Board of Appeals Ruth Morey March 31, 1970
Associate Members Robert H Farwell
Logan Clarke, Jr
John J Blaisdell
George W. Emery
Woodruff M Brodhead
Gammel Legacy Income Trustee James E Collins March 31 , 1970
Standing Plumbing & Building
By-Law Committee Richard W Souza April 30, 1972
Recreation Committee Robert E Bond April 30, 1972 Annual
' App'ts.
Town Celebrations Committee Eleanor B Litchfield April 30, 1972
Mrs Haskell W Reed
James Fenske
Registrar of Voters Reed Kingston Taylor March 31, 1972
Mr Lincoln P Cole, Jr met with the Board.
Mr Cole said that the Center Committee has had two meeting on
the Center and the following is a report of our findings:
1 The Committee believes that the present plan is the best com-
promise that could have been achieved considering all interests
and that this plan was the one of which the Town Meeting was
aware at the time of appropriating the money for the center
2 The Committee recommends, therefore, that the present plan be
implemented
If the Board of Selectmen cannot accept our recommendation,
then,
3 Any major revision of the plan should be the result of a new
study and presentation to the Town Meeting In the opinion of
the Committee, any such re-design would necessarily require
the elimination of parking for at least 200 feet either side of
Waltham Street along the north side of Massachusetts Avenue.
ArI
Mr Cole said that, since he is no longer a member of the
Center Comm Board of Selectmen, he would like to be relieved of his duties
Resignation as a member of the Center Committee. Re recommended that the
Chairman, or his designee, become a member of the Committee.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Cole for serving on the Committee
and for all the time and effort spent on behalf of the Town.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept
the resignation of Lincoln P Cole, Jr as a member of the
Lexington Center Committee
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go
into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliber-
ating or voting on matters which, if made public, might ad-
Executive versely affect the public security, financial interests of the
Session Town or the reputation of any person
After discussion of matters concerning a Committee of the
Town, it was voted to resume the open meeting.
The Lexington Commission on Suburban Responsibility met
with the Board.
The Chairman said that he would like to get the ground
rules on our relationship and operation of the Commission squared
away I am sure Mr Greeley brought back to you that we feel
that things should be handled differently. The Commission is an
Advisory Board to the Selectmen; you may do all the research you
want, in any area, and we will help in any way we can In the
line of communications, if you have a recommendation to make or
a project to attempt, come to the Board and make the recommenda-
tion. If the Board feels that this is the direction you should
go and would endorse it, we could then put it forth If, on the
other hand, the Board doesn't want you to pursue, the Commission,
as such, will no longer be involved, but members, as individuals,
could do as they see fit; but not as a Commission any longer.
L.C.S.R Mr Skov said that they have been having informal meetings
in homes with teachers and METCO parents, and asked if they
should have cleared this with the Board?
The Chairman said that research in any area is fine If,
as a result of research, you wanted to do something, then come
to the Board and we will discuss it, such as the recommendation
for supporting the appropriation of money for bussing The
Board wrote the Congressional leaders to support your position
Mrs. Skov asked about fact-finding; this is an affair of
action
The Chairman said that any action you take to make a change
should come to the Board You requested the Planning Board to
insert an Article in the Warrant and that sort of request should
come here; if the Board said not to put it in the Warrant, the
Planning Board might. Any research, discussion groups, fine, bit
a formal change, come to the Board
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Mr Edgar Smith said that he was confused as they are not
supposed to be acting individually; what are we in terms of re-
lationship not only to the Board of Selectmen but other areas?
The Chairman said that, as originally set up, you are an
Advisory Commission to the Board of Selectmen
Mr Smith said that you are saying that the Commission can-
not act independently of the Board
Mr Greeley said that the Commission may not commit the Town
from the point of view of the Commission, or do something; it can-
not speak for the Town as a matter of policy or action.
The Chairman said that we look to the Commission as speaking
for the Town during research, you are talking for the Town and we
don't want you to take the position that you are an official leg
of the Town, we appointed you and expect you to be a representa-
tive of the Town
Mrs. Skov asked if, as a Commission, they have a position
on an issue and present it to the Board of Selectmen with a re-
quest to go forward, would we be going forward on a Commission
matter of Selectmen's matter, ours or yours?
The Chairman said that it would be a combination of both,
the recommendation of the Commission, supported by the Board
If you came in with the recommendation to go forward on the hous-
ing on Woburn Street, we would have asked the Planning Board, At
any meeting you would be representing the Board of Selectmen. We
would like to have a definite understanding and we could be of
more help to you under these conditions, rather than go separate
ways
Mr Greeley said he hoped that the members of the Commission
would ask questions Somehow, the zoning amendment for housing
on Woburn Street got before the Planning Board without coming to
the Selectmen; it would have been more in line to have requested
the Selectmen to do it On the school, it was important enough
to ask the Selectmen.
The Chairman said that he would hate to have them go to the
School Committee and say that we recommend this and that This
Board should know about all areas in which you are involved,
especially expensive areas, and we can get something accomplished.
The Chairman said that in regard to the Warrant, because of
the lateness of time, we agreed to put the two Articles in, whether
we supported them or not. What do you expect to accomplish with
two separate Articles?
Mr Michelson said that one of these Warrant Articles is in-
tended to support a motion directed specifically to the Junior
High project and would have simply authorized the Permanent Build-
ing Committee to oversee the execution of that project to enter
into negotiations with the contractor; that contractor would agree
to engage in increasing the number of minority people A motion
which that article could cover might intend to authorize the Per-
manent Building Committee on these negotiations to treat specific
requests it might make by the contract change order and the possi-
bility to add on to the contract price and make the appropriation
some specified sum of money; that is Article A
274
The other Warrant Article is intended to make an addition to
the General By-Laws of the Town. It is different in tenor and
significant to the other one; it doesn't apply to one single con-
tract but to all the Town might make. It is a By-Law to continue
in a comprehensive way the Town's business. The motion would ask
to amend the By-Laws by authorizing but not requiring them to
conduct business in a way similar to what we had in mind with the
Junior High School, with the general qualification subject to
support; specific agreements made on specific occasions, made at
Town Meeting
The Chairman said that your intent is if we have a sewer job
and no appropriation as such on Exhibit A, this does not apply
Mr Michelman said that the Department of Public Works would
be authorized to bargain with the contractor; unless Town Meeting
had made an appropriation, it would not have authority to spend
for town funds for their training
The Chairman said, your interpretation is, if $250,000 is ap-
propriated and $10,000 is not added, it would not apply; this is
your intent?
Mr Michelman answered in the affirmative.
He said that the second paragraph, summed up, this is a re-
quirement, a mandate, to the Town Boards There is an important,
and specific relationship between exhibit A and paragraph 1 of
exhibit B the legality of exhibit A and part of the proposal for
town funds spent in my view, under home rule amendment of the con-
stitution, it can at least be said that the probabilities of that
expenditure of town resources be held authorized by home rule will
be significantly increased.
It is important to have not only a specific authorization
given in connection with the Junior High but a By-Law which gives
a general and continuing way to appropriate funds.
Mr Bernier said that he has talked with Mr Hemingway's
office and Mr White Mr White has instituted a permanent pro-
gram with contractors and unions in Boston and they asked us if
we would look at all other metropolitan towns toward negotiation
on this Out of fifteen towns, eight would provide information;
there are between 163 and 200 blacks; it is a great opportunity
for this group to earn $180 00 a week, if the trade offered to
blacks without higher education. Contractors and unions have
started to work together to institute this and it is not easy
The contractor who bid on the Junior High, which was rejected,
has an affirmative action program of sorts and he would like it.
The Chairman said that you realize that the By-Law change
would not be in effect if the Junior High School is successfully
awarded; it would have no bearing until you get approval of the
Attorney General You should take one step at a time
Mr Michelman said he didn't think it was so much of a flying
leap; Paragraph 1 of this By-Law does simply authorize the Town
Boards to engage in negotiations; it is correct that the By-Law
does not become effective until the Attorney General approves it.
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In my judgement, Town Meeting will have voted it in these general
terms to authorize these activities at the same time that it makes
the appropriation for the High School; it will enhance the posi-
tion withstanding any possible legal attack. We feel that it is
the part of prudence with respect to the Junior High to bring it
up as an amendment, to make it clear to all concerned, Town
Counsel, Contractor, etc. , that the vote on this appropriation
and the vote on the Junion High are two entirely different trans-
actions.
The Chairman said, we agree. This bothers us, the general
language in the second Warrant Article, the language subject to
the appropriation It is probably your intent if we go to court,
the general language would get us into trouble. It is not going
to have an effect this year and I would be reluctant to- go in
and support this document you have here
Mr Michelman said that he didn't think it would be difficult
to re-write.
The Chairman said that Town Meeting is on June 2nd
Mr Michelman said that he could make the change now If exhi-
bit A is voted, funds may not be spent that they are not entitled to
or authorized; to be specific on the High School with general author-
ization - continuing authorization with the most specific limitations.
He said that he felt that the probability of- the safe watering would
enhance it
Mr Greeley said that you are saying there is no specific sta-
tute authorizing for appropriating funds for the kind of thing in
exhibit A and therefore, in order to remove some element of doubt
if authorized, you would like a By-Law that it can adopt such a
policy
Mr Mabee said that we have to write our own legislation on
home rule
Mr Greeley asked, how do you take appropriate measures to dis-
cover what?
Mr Michelman said that this is where the work in Hemingway's
office is significant; one can simply ask the contractor to submit
a kind of report of what his activities have been in this area; if
asked to fill in, you could run afoul of the anti-discrimination
law because the statute does go against the prohibition requiring
records.
Mr Greeley asked who determines what measures are appropriate?
Mr Michelman said, two principal legislative bodies, Board and
School, would make their own rules
Mr Greeley asked if it would not be open to a taxpayer's suit?
Mr Michelman said that he would be very surprised. The ap-
proach with State and Federal is only when the Federal Government
has an enforcement agency to determine what they are doing There
is no provision to set up an enforcement agency The Board of Se-
lectmen and School to check this with respect to this kind of thing
we have done We have found out what is being done by the Mayor's
office, by work going on between black agencies and general con-
tractors, and it is a considerable amount of work I have as-
surance of a number of groups in the Roxbury area that they can
help us if we have an action program; we can find responsible
people and help them Such programs are being carried out with
these agencies
The Chairman asked why the Rte. 128 Express isn't working
out?
Mr Weinstein said that part of the group of electronic
agencies recruit, supporting this bus This is the basic pur-
pose of keeping the express bus I have read the statement put
out by the Federal Reserve Bank and I think that putting out
such statements is a fallacy The Employment Express helped 150
people, 25 per cent of them white, most of these people leave the
Employment Express and get into car pools The problem of keep-
ing it filled is assumed by groups on 128; they flow on as fast as
they get off; it is not an. easy area; we feel there is a signifi-
cant opportunity in the suburbs that does not exist in the city
The Chairman said that it costs $10,000 a month to keep it
going and there are two or three on the bus
Mr Weinstein said that you are talking about the southern
route; the northern route is much more successful
The Chairman said that this is an expensive means to accom-
plish an end; there is such a spread in the type of employment
to all of these plants, I would think that the bus would be
jammed You say that core city had tremendous amounts of people
to help us out in the building trade
Mr. Weinstein said that he never had said that there were
tremendous amounts of people We are talking about training a
small number of people. The percentage of increase you could
achieve in the building trade in Lexington would be a 35 per
cent increase; there are other groups in Town that stand ready
to help
The Chairman said that the Board questions proposal #2 on
the basis of the language and not going to take effect for the
contract for the Junior High; in essence, you will not be affect-
ing any job Come back with an answer. It is our general feel-
ing that #2 in the form it is presented, presents a lot of
problems and would not gain any support at Town Meeting
Mr Michelman suggested a simple language change and said
that there is a possibility that the Commission would consider
a language change in the Warrant Article relating to the pro-
posed By-Law amendment He would change the seventh line of
paragraph 1 to add specifically designated, crossing out for
such purposes after to expend Town funds, specifically appro-
priated for that purpose, and to substitute "therefor", to read
"to expend Town funds therefor" He said that, in his judgment,
it would be useful to have part 1 as the Town's enabling measure
we are recommending for the Junior High; it would be well worth-
while to have paragraph 1 without the rest of it, it can coher-
ently stand by itself
277
The Chairman said that, before, it read that any part of the
appropriation could be used for this use
Mr Weinstein said that the question seems to be, why worry
about the By-Law amendment now as it seems it will take time to be
reviewed by the Attorney General He said that he would like to
point out that if we wait until March, any other program would be
in the same position
The Chairman said that if there is an agreement on what the
language should be, we hope to have a Fall Town Meeting; it would
affect nothing but the By-Law as such Ordinarily, this would be a
citizen's article if the Board didn't agree with you
Mr Smith asked, concerning the example of $250,000 for a
sewer, does it mean if you appropriate funds for a sewer, you may
or may not propose to add funds?
The Chairman said that Mr Michelman is making this very expli-
cit; none of this money may be used except that which is specifically
designated
Mr Kenney asked what the thinking was regarding money in Arti-
cle A
Mr Bernier said that he was confused; he was under the assump-
tion that people brought relevant thinking to the commission and
would try further communication; he had tried to help support it as
head of the task force This is a model for the State of Massachu-
setts - if I put five blacks on and others do it, it is worthwhile
employment; it might be eliminating riots and eliminate millions of
dollars in welfare
The Chairman said that regarding a model, if it works, fine; if
not, you haven't accomplished a thing When we look at a proposal,
we can't look at one side of the issue; it has an effect on the whole
Town - what the overall results will be if we adopt it and go in a
certain direction You are looking at one specific accomplishment
We have to say, what is our mission - to build the high school or
train five people We must come up with the best way to build the
Junior High School and train at the same time; sometimes, you lose
sight of the rest of the Town operation You might say we are
short-sighted or not as enthusiastic as you. There is a question
on how many of these provisions will be enforced in detail, how
the agencies will work What we are interested in is resolving
certain obstacles; two members express doubt of the legality on
what is necessary; if nothing else is accomplished than a test
article ... . .if everything were confined to the people sitting
here, but other people disagree; when we make a decision, we have
to take this into consideration; it doesn't say that everybody
will accept this
The language was discussed and the approval of the Attorney-
General.
Mr Legro said that the Attorney-General decides questions
and it is a matter of going to him as it is; even if he approves
the By-Law, it is just the first step; it is subject to test in
court, our judicial court and, maybe, Washington.
278
Mrs Skov asked, don't we avoid that by separating the
Articles?
The Chairman said that he wasn't referring to the Junior
High He may accept this but the other 33,000 people may not.
Mr Kenney asked about the money for the Article
Mr Greeley said that, originally, it was $20,000 but now
it is $10,000; the Commission feels that anything less than that
is too small to be meaningful ; we recommend an appropriation of
$10,000
The Chairman said that there was no question on the money;
if the Junior High is going along and the program is working and
the money is used up and you ask for more, I am sure you would
get it; the amount of money is secondary
Mr Greeley said that the Commission is meeting on Thursday
and he would ask that they discuss this and come back and say '
whether it wants to insist on the courtesy of putting in not only
A but B or the inclusion of part of B
The Chairman asked if it could be set up in such a way that
it can be deleted?
Mr Legro said that there are a number of changes; "employ-
ees" used in many places and he couldn't conceive that they meant
to authorize and require employees of the Town to have powers;
what happens if they don't "jointly agree".
"To take appropriate measures" isn't a matter to be determined
by the Board of Selectmen these are the problems we try to elim-
inate before Town Meeting
Mr Michelman said that if the resolution were made to include
only paragraph 1 , some of your problems would be taken care of
Mr Greeley asked if it is clear to whom the Building Commit-
tee is responsible
Mr Mabee replied, to Town Meeting
Mr Kenney said that, in an attempt to wind up, to ask members
of the Commission if they agree if the Selectmen were to support A
and B, including paragraph 1 ?
The Chairman said that he would want to discuss it with the
Town Counsel
Mr Conroy said that we fully expect and hope that the By-Law
will be challenged; this is another consideration for not asking
for a sum of money; we should keep it in mind
Mr Michelman said that it should insulate it against success-
ful attacks
Mr Graham suggested, if it would assure the Selectmen's will-
ingness to see "A" be an Article and "B-1" an Article, he would
recommend we go along
The Chairman said that if Town Counsel feels it would not af-
fect it ..As I interpret it, unless Town Meeting made a specific
appropriation to a specific project, then the money would not apply
If this is so, I would support it
Mr Legro said that it can be made perfectly plain. On affect-
ing a project, any project begins on Town Meeting floor and any time
you argue appropriation, there must be some effect on it.
The Chairman said that if this is the interpretation and
this is the understanding, I will support it.
It was agreed to insert Article A and Article B-1, deleting
paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, as submitted by the Lexington Commission on
Suburban Responsibility
Mr Burke informed the Board that bids have been received on
resurfacing the tennis courts. Boston Black Top Corporation was
the lowest bidder at $3532 00, but Dennis Driscoll & Co. , Inc ,
50 White Street, had an alternate bid on the Valley Road Courts;
this bid was for $3,558 00, replacing pavement, $50.00 alternate Award for
for Valley Road Courts, $288 00 - total of $3,896.00 He recom- Tennis
mended that the bid be awarded to Dennis Driscoll & Company as Courts
they have done other work in the Town and it has been very satis-
factory.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award
the contract for resurfacing tennis courts to Dennis Driscoll &
Company, Inc , in the amount of $3,896 00.
Mr Burke informed the Board that bids have been received
for curbing He recommended that the contract be awarded to
Barretto Granite Corporation, Oak Street, Milford, New Hampshire,
,
for the bid of 9.. x 18., curb at $3 20 per foot,*curved at $4 50 Awaltd for
per foot; 2" radius corners, $16 00 each, 3" radius corners, Curbing
$30,00 each.
' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award
the contract for curbing to Barretto Granite Corporation, Mil-
ford, New Hampshire
Mr Burke said that he was approached last week by Perley F.
Gilbert, who designed Temple Isaiah, who proposed erecting a new
building on the other side of the easement, to be connected by a
canopy which would be over the easement, Mr Burke said that we
could agree, if we needed to get in there, to take down the canopy.
The Chairman said that we should get an instrument to say Temple
this Isaiah
Mr Burke said that the area is now all black-topped,
The Chairman said that we can prepare an instrument giving
enough protection to us to allow them to do this
Mr. Legro said that he didn't know if we would be exempt from
liability
The Chairman asked if we would be giving up part of our ease-
ment
Mr. Legro said that he thought we would
The Chairman asked Mr Legro to give it some thought - if we
can do it, we certainly want to
Mr. Legro requested the Board to sign the contract for the
interceptor sewer, force main and pumping station, awarded to P Gioioso &
Gioioso & Sons in the amount of $125,050. Sons
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the
contract awarded to P Gioioso & Sons, in the amount of $125,050
*6" x 18"
Mr Gray informed the Board that he had written to the Air 111
Air Force Force regarding the leasing of the 14" force main for $4,000 a
year and he has not heard from them.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert
the following Articles in the Warrant for the Special Town Meet-
ing, June 2, 1969
Town Office Building
Articles Junior High School Building
Two Articles submitted by the Suburban Responsibility
Commission A and B1
Cemetery Commissioners' request for a building
Douglass Property
West Suburban Regional Refuse Committee
Traffic Study - Planning Board
Land Swap - Junior High School
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the
Cons Article submitted by the Conservation Commission, which requested
Comm that the Commission be increased from five to seven members, be
withdrawn
Mr Gray informed the Board that the Traffic Study Committee
has reviewed the plan for the Center; this review concerned it-
self
only with the traffic problem He said that the latest traf-
fic counts indicate that approximately 18,000 cars per day pass
the intersection of Waltham Street and Massachusetts Avenue and
Lexington approximately 3,000 pedestrians This traffic count indicates
Center the need for three lanes of moving traffic in each direction at
the intersection, to allow for turning movements Based on this,
it is the recommendation that all projections within 200 feet of
the intersection be removed and no new ones be constructed; no
parking should be allowed within the above 200 feet. Several of
the items used in arriving at the above recommendations are Slowing
of traffic due to the difficulty to negotiate the backing movement
into the parking bays; the parking bays are not functional; storage
of snow from the street in the winter has become a problem in re-
stricting traffic
Mr Mabee moved to do it according to the plan originally
recommended by the two committees; the Planning Board recommended
leaving it as originally planned and the Center Committee also
recommends this
Mr Cataldo was recorded in opposition
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn
at 11 45 P.M.
A true record, Attest
Executive Clerk, Selectmen
•