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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-04-07-BOS-min 238 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 7, 1969 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 7, 1969 at 7 30 P.M Chairman Cataldo, Messrs. Mabee, Kenney, Greeley and Bailey were present Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr Burke, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr McSweeney, Town Engineer, and Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present. Jurors At the request of the Town Clerk, five jurors were drawn as follows Robert M Earsy 67 Harding Road Charles J. Pelkey 4 Daniels Street Chih-Chung Wang 9 Gould Road Louis A. LoCicero 26 Melrose Avenue Lawrence F. Covert 42 Clematis Road Mr Gray read a letter from Chief Corr requesting that the Board approve a request to the Appropriation Committee for a transfer from Transfer the Reserve Fund of $1,000 to equip a new cruiser with siren, dome, light, resuscitator, first aid kit, etc Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer from the Reserve Fund to Account No. 3800 the sum of $1,000. Mr Gray informed the Board that a date must be set for the Special Town Meeting in June. The Chairman asked about the Articles to be inserted Mr. Gray said that there would be one from the Library and the June Town Town Office Building Meeting The Chairman asked if Mr Greeley had heard anything on the school amendment? Mr Greeley said that they want to get a by-law Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold the Special Town Meeting on June 2, 1969 at 8 00 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to close the Warrant for the Special Town Meeting on May 2, 1969 at 4 30 R.W. Spring St Mr. Gray informed the Board that the Telephone Company is all Undergr set to put the conduit underground in Spring Street. He will talk Conduit with Kennecott Copper Company and the other companies in that area. Mr. Burke informed the Board that Mr Wenham Was been notified Public today that he was accepted as a member of the group to attend the Works seminar of the American Public Works Association of Illinois on April 13 to April 18, 1969 G :9 I Mr Burke requested the Board to appoint Mr. Wenham as Acting Superintendent of Public Works during his vacation of April 20 - 26, 1969 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Thomas M Wenham as Acting Superintendent of Public Works from April 20 to 26, 1969 Mr McSweeney said that he would like the Board to consider approval of an Order of Construction for drain purposes on Reed Sty from LUreI St, to Cater St, drainage wab aithdriaed itt,1968. It would go down past Myrtle Street and drain into Town land, at a Order of cost of $12,000 Also he would like approval of an Order of Taking Construction in a private way on Reed Street, which is not accepted beyond Laurel St. - Center Street Center St The Chairman asked if he had a plan and Mr McSweeney said that he does have one. Upon motion duly Made and seconded, it was voted to approve the preps-ration of the Order of Construction, for drain purposes, Laurel Street to Center Street Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Order of the Order of Taking on Reed Street from Laurel Street to Center Taking Street 100' beyond Myrtle Street, for drain purposes. Mr. William Hamilton met with the Board. The Chairman said that Mr Hamilton has requested this meeting III because he was disappointed in the action taken at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr Hamilton said that Town Meeting spent so much time on the School Article that his attorney had only ten minutes to speak. As he presented the Article, thirty people walked out of the meet- ing. He felt he had received unjust treatment. In the original proposal, he said that five acres of land would be given to the Conservation Commission but, now, he has withdrawn his offer. He had originally talked with the Selectmen in December and the Board Hamilton had sent him a letter stating that they would consider re-zoning Land for Office Park use That particular use of the land was the same basic use that has been tried piecemeal on this land. I have asked residents to write letters to the Selectmen favoring re-zoning. He felt that the pressure from the people of Five Fields was not justi- fied; they are completely protected because of all the changes in Route 2, the traffic flows around them. He said that he would like to put the Article in the Warrant for the June Town Meeting and would like it put in before the School Article. He has tried to give all of the facts to the Board; the houses in the Cloverleaf will not be taken down, they will be moved. The Chairman said that it has been the policy of the Town to insert the citizens Articles after the other Articles. The Board knew that it was not the place to put it but they had no alterna- tive Once it was submitted as a Citizens Article, we had no IIIcontrol. As far as members leaving the meeting, we have no 240 control over that situation. We agree with you that coming up when it did, your Article did not get the consideration it normally would. Mr. Hamilton said that he would like to request that the Board split the zoning Articles away from the general business of the Town and put them in at the Special Town Meeting The Chairman said that the Board has been looking at this, but it wouldn't help him now. Mr. Hamilton asked how many Signatures he would need for ,l , Citizens' Article for the Special Town Meeting. The Chairman said that he would need 100 signatures. Mr Hamilton requested that his Article come up first Re asked if he could get the Selectmen to commit themselves The Chairman said that Mr. Hamilton is asking that the Board support his proposal and will we insert the Article? We will go over them and get in touch with you. Mr Kenney asked about his withdrawal of the offerAo the Conservation Commission Mr Hamilton said that he will include the same area as a buffer Conservation didn't want it I will take the land and use it as a buffer zone; it will always be a buffer. Mr Hamilton showed a plan of the sewer for Five Fields; he had told Engineering to get the line around the trees% the trees that are there are good trees Five Fields is getting the sewer and other pepp}e are getting the traffic. I am seri- ously considering giving an easement to the Town; if the Selectmen support the Article, I would give an easement to the Town Mr Greeley said that at the Town Meeting it was alleged that the proposed change in zoning included the top of Juniper Hill If we went out there and stood on the top of the hill, it would look different if an Office Park was built on the top of the hill We recognize a factor as to whether or not the top of the hill will be developed Mr. Hamilton said that if he could, he would develop at Juniper Hill. He asked the Board to consider his proposal and he would be glad to work along with them. Mr Hamilton retired Later on in the evening, Mr Hamilton's proposal was dis- cussed Hamilton Mr Kenney said that he would like to see what kind of an Lend offer Mr. Hamilton would make to the Town. Mr. Greeley said that we must decide whether this is to be a citizen's Article and put at the end of the Warrant or whether we elect to decide that he didn't get fair treatment and we agree to put in our own Article earlier in the meeting. Mr Legro said that perhaps we could accede to a request to move it forward in time and take it up thed, 24 Mr. Mabee said that he felt if the Planning Board wants to bring it in . . Mr Greeley said that we know the answer as far as the Planning Board is concerned. The Chairman said that if Mr Hamilton submits a Citizen's petition, we will support the policy that has been in effect. He asked the Board's feeling on the splitting of the Articles; as far as supporting the proposal, you want to see the form? Mr Greeley said that it resolves on whether we support him Mr Kenney and Mr Mabee agreed Mr. Mabee asked why he doesn't go to the Planning Board for a hearing? Mr. Greeley said that he knows he won't sell them Mr Greeley suggested that the Board give Mr Hamilton another ap- pointment; we owe it to him. Mr Kenney suggested that the Board send Mr Hamilton a letter and tell him that we feel he should go to the Planning Board. Mr. Mabee said that if the Planning Board came in this June and it was their Article, the way it was, even though they are another Board I think it is too soon I am against coming back every three months. The Chairman said that he had tried to explain that to Mr Hamilton The Board will write a letter to him - a Citizen's Ill Article, to be handled the same Joseph Trani and Leslie York, representing the Lexington Center Merchants, met with the Board Mr. Trani presented a petition requesting reconsideration of the design of Massachusetts Avenue with respect to the present construction and proposed construction It states that the pres- ent design on the north side of the Avenue has resulted in diffi- culty in parking and driving away from the parking slots because of the protrusion of the sidewalk and curbstone and loss of park- Lexington ing because of protrusions; also, great difficulty in snow Center removal Mr Trani also presented a letter from Mr Lyon, Trustee of Central Lexington Real Estate Trust, which states that they would be opposed to anything that would further limit the parking in the center or would diminish existing parking spaces, impede the present flow of traffic or make it more diffi- cult for anyone to get in or out of a parking space. Also, they feel that the center would be more attractive with a new building where the Central Block now stands Mr. Trani said that four years ago he was against the plan for the center but, because there were to be four lanes for traffic, he voted for it. He said that Routes 4 and 225 go right through Lexington Center and all of this traffic comes from Arlington through to Bedford. Chief Corr agrees with them as the juts are not marked and people go over them. We feel that if the protrusions were excluded and parking were reinsti- tuted, it would be better TVA! Mr York said that there may be disagreements over the light posts but, on paper, this looked to be very excellent; there is no question about the brick sidewalk as it adds charm to the Town. You lose six or seven parking spaces by the existing protrusions; they should be the same way as those at the 5 & 10 store. There is no question about the problem we are having with traffic and with parking, and it is going to get worse We are here to plead that you review very carefully before you finish the rest of the sidewalk from the Harvard Trust down to Edison Way I don't think it is quite a success as the Architect's plan showed. Mr Greeley asked if he had supported the acquisition of the Douglass land at the recent Town Meeting? Mr York said that he didn't vote for it as the words used were for Library use only; he would have supported it if it had stayed the way it was There was no motion made for parking and I voted against it Mrs. Morey said that she hail been concerned about the center of Town as the traffic situation is very bad and also the parking. She feels that if they straighten the curbs by Joe Trani's and carry it straight down the Avenue, the situation would be allevi- ated The pictures of the center made the buildings look beauti- ful but there were trees only on one side and she was told there would be some trees put on the other side In the report of the Beautification Committee, we did say that the center looks better but we felt there should be a review of the program before pro- ceeding with the exact, same program. We have shown what was wrong, if the sidewalk is widened in front of the 5 & 10, when the Telephone Company opens up Massachusetts Avenue, there would be no room going by. The Chairman showed the plans of the center and asked for comments Mr York said that he would eliminate the double row of trees Mrs Morey said that it should be straightened out by re- moving the juts Mr Greeley said that, with these changes, six trees would have to be taken out and there would be room for three more ears with the juts removed The Chairman said that you want us to cut off the serrations We should go back to the original concept of 1965 when we asked for the money to take out the Hunt Block. The Chairman thanked the merchants and Mrs. Morey for meet- ing with the Board and said that their suggestions would be taken under advisement Later in the meeting, the center was discussed and Mr Greeley said that he felt that the matter should be referred to the Planning Board for their recommendations. The Chairman said that Mr Sasaki has written to the Board offering to replace the yews as he feels they are the wrong type; those already planted will grow fifteen to twenty feet 24 high and he recommends Taxus Densiforma which has a 24" spread. The Chairman said that he would like to get the project started but I III it should be referred to the Planning Board and we would await their reply Chief Corr has a definite feeling on the layout and would like to talk with the Traffice Committee. It was agreed that Mr Gray is to set up a meeting with the Design Advisory Committee and the Traffic Committee on Friday morn- ing, April :25, and a meeting with the Center Committee on Monday morning, April 28, 1969. The Chairman read a letter from the ABC regarding the sale of liquor on Patriot's Day, April 21, 1969 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request ABC all Package Goods Stores to remain closed on Monday, April 21, 1969 Motels may serve liquor during the usual hours, The Chairman read a letter from the President of Arts and Crafts Society, requesting permission to use the grounds at Buckman Tavern for an art show on Sunday, May 18, 1969 from 12 00 noon to 6 00 P.M Permit Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Arts and Crafts Society to hold an art show on the grounds at Buckman Tavern, subject to the conditions of the Superintendent of Parks The Chairman read a letter from the President of the Arts and Crafts Society, requesting permission for the sale of pottery at the Arts and Crafts Center on June 7, 1969 from 10.00 A.M to 5 00 P.M Permit It was agreed to write to the Arts and Crafts Society, saying that the Board has no objection to the sale of pottery at the Arts and Crafts Center on June 7, 1969 from 10 00 A.M. to 5.00 P.M Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings held on March 24 and March Minutes 31, 1969 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Sewer sewer betterment assessment for Burroughs Road Assess Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Guide Guide License issued to Jayne Gillespie, 4 Fairland Street, License The Chairman read a letter from the Town Celebrations Commit- tee, inviting the Board to march in the morning parade on April 21, Patriot's 1969, Day Parade The Board agreed to participate in the morning parade 244 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the orders for street construction for the following streets Ewell Avenue Bridge Street Hillcrest Ave - from Fottler Ave Elena Road Orders of to Circle Road Carriage Drive Construe- Grassland Street Coach Road tion Vaille Avenue Sheila Road Manley Court Circle Road Hillcrest Ave - from Circle Road Worthen Road to Rawson Avenue The Chairman read a letter from Stanley Robbins, which stated that he did not wish to be reappointed as Fire Commissioner. Fire Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to write a Commis- letter to Mr Robbins, expressing the thanks of the Board for the sioner time and effort he has spent as a member of the Board of Fire Commissioners. The Chairman mentioned the Concord parade on April 19, and asked how many members planned to attend Concord It was agreed to write to the Co-ordinator of the Concord parade Parade that Mr. Bailey, Mr. Greeley and Representative Cole will participate in the parade The Chairman said that he has met with Mr Wells regarding drug abuse and he would like to have a joint meeting of the Board, the Drug Drug Abuse Committee and the Council of Churches. Mr Wells feels Abuse that the problem is real and the Council of Churches should be in- volved; this program should be expanded and they should be part of it, Mr Gray was instructed to set up a meeting, other than the regular Selectmen's meeting, with the Drug Abuse Committee, Council of Churches, and the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman asked Mr Greeley when the Suburban Responsibility LSRC Commission could meet with the Board. It was agreed that the Suburban Responsibility Commission would meet with the Board on April 14, 1969 The Kingston Homes land was discussed The Chairman said that there will be no problem with parcel 3 of the Kingston Homes' land; we will vote to make a taking and an sward of $14,900 Kingston Mr Kenney said that we will instruct Town Counsel not to file Homes the Order of Taking until he is further requested by the Board of Selectmen. Mr Greeley said that it shouldn't be filed until they get a letter of consent from HUD. 245 4111 Mr. Gray said that they have received consent from HUB and, since that letter is in the mail, it can be formally filed If the Board is voting to take this, you are instructing Town Counsel to prepare this, and this will take a couple of weeks. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct Town Counsel to prepare an order of taking on parcel 3 of the Kingston Homes property, with an award of $14,900 Mr Legro came into the meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public might adversely affect the public security, the financial interests of the Town or the Executive reputation of any person Session After discussion concerning matters of financial interest to the Town, it was voted to resume the open meeting Mr. McSweeney asked the Board to approve the amount of damages to be awarded on a taking on the land owned by Joseph F Dattoli After discussion, it was agreed to award damages in the amount of $900.00. Dattoli Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct Land Town Counsel to prepare an order of taking on the land owned by Joseph Dattoli, with an award of damages in the amount of $900.00 Appointments to the Conservation Commission were discussed Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Mrs Angela E Frick as a member of the Conservation Commission Conservation for a term of three years, expiring April 1, 1972. Commission Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Stanley A. Brown as a Member of the Conservation Commission for a term of three years, expiring April 1, 1972 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10.35 P.M. A true record, Attest; X t &eet---1-4-4" f, Executive Clerk, Seleetme rJ