HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-02-03-BOS-min 170
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
February 3, 1969
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on
Monday evening, February 3, 1969 at 7:30 p.m. Chairman
Cataldo, Messrs. Cole, Mabee and Greeley were present.
Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer,
Mr. Burke, Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs.
McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present., and Mr.
Wenham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works.
Mr. Gray said that Washington's Birthday will be
Selectmen'scelebrated on Monday, February 17, and asked what
Meeting evening the Board would meet that week.
It was agreed to meet on Wednesday,.'February 19,
1969.
Mr. Gray said that he had received a request to
purchase tax title lots on Rangeway. The Planning Board
recommends against the sale and it is our recommendation
that the Board go along with their decision.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
not to sell tax title lots 29-32, incl. on Rangeway to
Mrs. Bernard Levinson, 10 Coach Road, Lexington.
Tax Mr. Gray said that he had received a request to
Title purchase tax title lots on North Street. The Planning
Board recommends against the sale and it is our recom-
mendation that the Board go along with their decision.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
not to sell tax title lot 99 North Street to Russell A.
Williamson, 343 Woburn Street, Lexington.
Mr. Gray informed the Board that Mr. Taylor had
called him regarding the application to the State for
the entrance to the new junior High School. Mr. Taylor
suggested that he include the proposal they had originally
made and the recommendation by the Traffic Safety Com-
mittee and ask the State to approve the one they like.
Jr. High Mr. Gray felt that we should stick to the recommendation
of the Traffic Committee.
Mr. Greeley said that it is putting the decision
before the State, rather than before the Town. We have
two choices - to make a decision now or have Mr. Taylor
come before the Board. I feel that in fairness to them,
they should come back to the Board.
Mr. Gray said that the position of the Board is to
get in touch with Mr. Taylor, The Board will make one
recommendation and if they wish to come back to the
Board and discuss it, come back. If not, the Board will
take the recommendation of the Traffic Safety Committee.
Mr. Gray informed the Board that the Sons of Italy
didn't realize that the hours on Saturday would be from
4:00 to 11:00 p.m. and requests the hours of 12 Ni to
11:00 p.m.
The Chairman said that the application has gone to
the ABC and we will have to check with them to see if Spns of
it requires another hearing. We could vote now to amend Italy
the hours and check with the ABC.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to amend the hours from 4:00 to 11;00 p.m. on Saturdays
to 12 N. to 11:00 p.m. on Saturdays on the Club Liquor
License issued to the Sons of Italy.
Dr. Ellicott and Sumner Perlman of the Drug Abuse
Committee met with the Board.
Dr. Ellicott presented a report to the Board which Drug
stated that early in 1968 a group of interested citizens Abuse
of the Town, at the suggestion of Dr. Fobert, formed a
committee to take a unified look at the drug problem in
Lexington. One purpose of the Drug Abuse Committee was
to act as a clearing house for information, films,
speakers, etc. relating to the drug problem. Another
purpose was to determine what facilities are available
for support and treatment for those involved in drug
usage or potential usage. The purpose of this presenta-
tion this evening is to obtain funds from the Town for
a part-time Social Worker-Drug touhscillov. In addition
to the salary for this person, other expenditures are
a telephone and office space. The requirement for a one-
year period is $7,100 which would be, Salary-$1}500;
Office and Misc.-2,000; Telephone-$600.
Dr. Ellicott said that we are advised by other Towns
that a sort of office front would be the best place.
Our problem is that young people who are invdived would
not go into an authoritarian place. We would have to
have an office and a social worker. We have had ten
meetings with about twenty people attending and are
planning programs for P.T.A. meetings.
Mr. Greeley asked if he visualized there would be
many contacts between the Social Worker and client?
Dr. Ellicott said that the only indication is
what Wakefield has done. About two and a half years
ago, because of the increasing number of drug problems,
a Consultant was hired; she is very busy and told us
that she would get four or five phone calls from a
person before meeting with him.
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Mr. Greeley wondered if they would use a store front
or a covert place.
Dr. Ellicott said that a store front on a main street
might be too open and too expensive; if we could find a
home where the front room would be available. . .
Mr. Greeley asked if the Visiting Nurse Association
would be available?
Dr. Ellicott said that they had thought about it.
Mr. Greeley said that it is out of the way.
Dr. Ellicott said that Mystic Valley Health and
McLean Hospital have offered us a roof, but there is
a certain stigma attached in going to a health agency.
We have worried a lot about what to do if we run into
knowledge of crime and not report it; at the front, they
would try to encourage the person to pass it along to
the Police. We would always have a person who would
work discreetly.
The Chairman said that you have on your report that
Dr. Fobert instigated this.
Dr. Ellicott said that he isn't the only one who
felt the need.
The Chairman asked if they are asking to insert
this in the Warrant?
Dr. Ellicott said that they had asked the School
Department but they said that it couldn't be done.
Mr. Perlman said that this is pretty much a problem
that is not limited to kids in school; there are kids
who have dropped out of school.
The Chairman said that it is under the school
jurisdiction.
Mr. Mabee didn't think this would be an Article
in the Warrant, but thought it would be under the Health
Department; this is an operating type of budget thing,
the Health Department is a member of this Lexington group.
The Chairman asked if they were figuring on this
person being an employee of the Town and we would have to
rent space - a lease and under Article 4?
Dr. Ellicott answered in the affirmative.
The Chairman said that you know we have a tremendous
space problem.
Mr. Mabee asked about the Visiting Nurse Association.
Dr. Ellicott said that they haven't explored this at
all.
Mr. Greeley asked if the youth would think of this
as inhibiting, if they would think of them as gossipers?
Dr. Ellicott said that most of them don't know they
exist.
Mr. Greeley said that it should not have an institu-
tional appearance and not be on a main street.
The Chairman asked if they had talked with the Board
of Health?
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Dr. Ellicott replied that when Dr. Cohan was alive,
he talked to Mr. Heustis, but not directly to the Board.
These individuals know what we are up to.
Mr. Mabee felt that the Visiting Nurse Association
would be the natural place to have it.
The Chairman asked how it is handled now?
Mr. Gray said that the Visiting Nurse gets it from
the Board of Health.
Mr. Legro said that the Mystic Valley Mental Health
Association is an Article in the Warrant, under the
jurisdiction of the Health Department; it has been carried
on by recommendation of the Appropriation Committee.
Dr. Ellicott said that he was surprised that they
haven't been asked how big a problem this is. They have
been advised by outside organizations to try to get a
grant for two years, all at once, because once-polling
we can keep going.
The Chairman said that you can't do this for two
years, we have an annual budget. I think the Board is
very aware of the problem, the question is, how to imple-
ment it.
Dr. Ellicott said that, in Wakefield, they are not
sure they have done some good as the problem is growing
so fast.
The Chairman advised them to discuss it with the
Board of Health.
Mr. Greeley said that he would like them to come
back to the Board after a little more exploration with
the Board of Health and the Visiting Nurse Association.
The Chairman said that there was not much time.
Dr. Ellicott said that the Board of Health said
last spring that they didn't have the money.
Mr. Mabee said that if the Board of Health sub-
scr&bes to the idea that it does fall under their baili-
wick and would add to their budget, this is the place to
come.
The Chairman said that if you approached people last
spring and you don't get to the Board until February,
you are putting yourself in a bad position to get the
ground-work laid. We are about to sign the Warrant and
you come in with a new program on February 3rd.
Mr. Mabee said that there was no question but what
this is a serious problem; I'm sorry that they didn't
come in six months ago. Brookline had appropriated
$15,000 for this and, according to an article I read,
they are talking in terms of increasing it another $15,000.
He added that perhaps the drug situation hits urban towns
at different times and Brookline's problem was more acute
but got started late.
The Chairman advised Dr. Ellicott and Mr. Perlman
to meet with the Board of Health, the Visiting Nurse
Association and Chief Corr and come back to the Board.
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Mr. Greeley said that he would rather it come on
Town Meeting floor as an amendment to Article 4; this
is an item for Town Meeting to discuss; I don't want to
put another Article in the Warrant.
Dr. Ellicott said that we can talk with members of
the School Department.
The Chairman said that the School Committee turned
you down.
Dr. Ellicott said that he was told that, for the
present fiscal year, they can't sacrifice something else.
We as much as told them that they got us into this.
We will come back to the Board after talking with the
Board of Health, and the Visiting Nurse Association.
The Drug Abuse Committee retired.
Mr. McSweeney said that he would like to discuss
Woburn Street and Commissioner Ribbs.
Mr. Greeley said that we have applied for a permit
to open and install sewers on Woburn Street.
The Chairman said that he had talked to Commissioner
Ribbs and had told him that we couldn't give a bond; he
said that he will accept a letter.
Mr. Legro said that it was left that you were going
to inquire with Commissioner Ribbs; I am a little sur-
Woburn prised that he is willing to accept a letter. I don't
Street think a letter is within your authority.
The Chairman said that Commissioner Ribbs wanted
something that we acknowledge the fact that we have a
liability for damages. We have to accept the fact that
there is a possibility and we have to acknowledge it to
him. We will write to Commissioner Ribbs, stating that
the Board has. voted to assume any additional costs to
the State Department of Public Works for any delay in
the start of the State' s project to reconstruct Woburn
Street in Lexington, which is supported by documentary
evidence due to the failure of the contractor employed
by the Town of Lexington to complete his work on Woburn
Street by May 15, 1969.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
authorize the-^Chaif+man to li ite d letter to Commissioner
Ribbs regarding the application for a permit for the
Woburn Street Sewer Construction Project.
Waltham St. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Sewer sign the Order of Construction of Sewer on Waltham Street.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Street sign Street Orders for Bridge Street, Hillcrest Avenue
Orders (from Circle Road to Albemarle Avenue. ), Manley Court,
Stedman Road, Ewell Avenue, Grassland Street, Hillcrest
Avenue, Vaille Avenue, Elena Road (entire length), Sander-
son Road (turn-around at the southeasterly end) .
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The Chairman informed the Board that the order to
relocate the sidewalk on Cedar Street will be handled Cedar St.
like a new street layout for the hearing on February 13, Sidewalk
1969.
The Chairman informed the Board that a letter has
been received from Rev. Harding, Council of Churches,
requesting that a proclamation be issued declaring Siafran
February 14-16 of Brotherhood Week as Biafran Relief Relief
Weekend. Weekend
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to issue a proclamation declaring February 14-16, 1969
as Biafran Relief Weekend.
The Capital Expenditures Committee met with the
Board.
The Chairman said that we have requested that
further consideration be given on the street budget;
you have discussed it and come back with the same sit-
uation of $135,000. You have allotted us $943,000 and
the question is, although we disagree in some areas,
some we could possibly postpone with less problem.
Would we get support for $943,000, and let us set the
priorities?
Mr. Mitchell said that if you would like to shift
funds, we might listen; sewers should not be cut. Capital
The Chairman agreed. Expenditures
Mr. Mitchell said that they would not like to set Committee
the precedent to appropriate some $900,000 to bedivided
as determined by the Board of Selectmen.
The Chairman said that we are not that far out of
proportion with the projects; we feel we can postpone
some items effectively and others we have to get accomp-
lished; there are priorities on $50,000. Sewers, we
have to maintain; streets are a big problem. You have
allotted $135,000 and in order to do three streets, we
need $172,500, without Stedman Road which the School
Department asked us to do; we are not including it.
Sub-divisions, $20,000; Chapter 90; water mains - you
have allotted $20,000 and we asked for $25,000, on the
basis of Hayden Avenue.
Mrs. Rawls said that you gave us the figure of $20,000.
The Chairman said that, originally, it was $20,000
but to extend that water main we need $25, 000.
Mr. Mitchell said that they didn't get that request;
their understanding was $20,000.
The Chairman said that you said that it didn't make
any difference, $20,000 or $25,000. Sidewalks, we are
recommending $46 400; the Planning Board recommendations
would have been $75,000 and you came back with $45,000.
Curbs, $5,000, we are maintaining that. Public Works
Equipment, we asked $70,000; we are reluctant to add new
equipment and could come up with a saving. Traffic Conto3,,:
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$8,000, we want to maintain this for the traffic device
at Winchester Drive and Lowell Street. Basically, we
are not that far out of proportion. We could use money
out of equipment and a little out of drains and come
close. We are trying to stay in your budget. The
reason we say drains is that people made requests and
we though we were going to put them in, but now the
people don't want it piped, they just want the brook
maintained. No one area is going to suffer as far as
budget is concerned. We ask $943,000 and let us give
priority; we will give you the final numbers.
Mr. Mitchell said, that you are asking $172,500
for streets; working roughly, $45,000; out of equipment
and drain budget, $35,000.
The Chairman said that we won't pull that much out.
You can fight us on the overage.
Mrs. Rawls asked how much overage?
The Chairman said that we are going to make every
effort to find that $10,000.
Mr. Greeley said that he didn't think we are going
to come out without $10,000 or $15,000 over.
Mr. Mitchell asked if there were two streets from
last year?
The Chairman said there were four streets; Philip
Road and three bad streets; it is not much for a street
building program. It is a bad situation and we are
fortunate that people haven't sued us. We need $15,000
more for Philip Road than we have appropriated.
Mrs. Rawls asked how urgent Stedman Road is, and
if it is to go to the Franklin School from the Junior
High?
Mr. Greeley said that they question whether it is
feasible to delay the improvement between Brookside and
the Franklin School for another year; as far as need is
concerned, it could be deferred. There is a question if
it would bother Town Counsel to lay out and not do it;
there is no urgency.
The Chairman said that we feel it could be in next
year's budget.
Mr. Greeley said that there are two parts of Stedman
Road; one is the access road.
The Chairman said that it was not in this money.
Mr. Mitchell said that the School Committee never
mentioned this. We discussed this the last time, and
you are not pushing it.
The Chairman said that we will lay it out and insert
it in the Warrant and it is up to them to convince you
to give them the money; we are doing everything that is
legal to get it accomplished.
Mr. Mitchell said that he felt it did not have pri-
ority last fall, and not now. It is used by contractors
and, if laid out, they can go through mud. One part must
be used regularly to get to the school from Brookside into
the school site itself.
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The part to the Franklin School has no more use in eighteen
months than today. Does anybody live in that section,
the piece they need to go into the property?
The Chairman said that there were two homes there.
As far as access is concerned, they have to build off
Marrett Road anyway. I don't think they should use a
residential street for that type of construction.
The Chairman said that we are desperate to gat these
three streets constructed and are willing to make some
postponements, if you will give us the flexibility of
the whole capital budget.
Mr. Mitchell said that you are specifically asking
to "up" the budget by $10,000 or $15,000? We are talking
about the flexibility in their water mains, public works
equipment, and drains wherein $35,000 maybe derived and
$10,000 added; we go to press around February 24th.
The Chairman said that we will getthe figures to
you. We know What you are trying to accomplish and we
understand the problem.
The Capital Expenditures Committee retired.
Mr. Joel Resnick of Barberry Lane met with the Board
to discuss the sentinel site in Andover.
Mr. Blake of the Capital Expenditures Committee Sentinel
introduced Mr. Resnick to the Board and said that Mr. Site
Resnick would like to talk about anti-missile defense;
he and I work in the group components system and I am
sure that you are all well aware of the installation
and facilities installed at Camp Curtis. This is some-
thing that has concerned me for some time; we are both
working in the area and we are very knowledgeable. We
need to focus on the role that the Selectmen have to
play at this time - do you deploy when things done have
an influence on the town, does it have to be this way,
is it the best way, what is the purpose of the system
which is being installed and in conformity with that,
does this have to be where it is? Joel is probably the
foremost authority in this area and he speaks with a
great deal of authority.
Mr. Resnick said that he lives in Lexington and
is here to discuss the safety and security of the Town.
The concern is for the threat and effects that could
occur and he is offering a course of action - a letter
to the Secretary of Defense. He has composed a letter,
which he suggests would be most effective. This letter,
would point out the fact that the safety and security
of Lexington and the entire Boston area are being need-
lessly jeopardized by the deployment of a Sentinel ABM
site within suburban Boston, and the possibility of an
accidental detonation of the Spartan nuclear warhead,
which would totally destroy a several mile radius
populated region around the site and would damage
buildings and start fires throughout the town. The
local fallout could affect almost any of the major
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cities in New England, depending on the wind direction
and velocity.
The Chairman said that Edward Brook, Ted Kennedy
and Brad Morse have well taken this position. I under-
stand Mr. Brooke requested Westover Field and their
answer was no.
Mr. Resnick said that the decision has been made
where the site shall be.
Mr. Greeley asked what distance from Boston it
could be and still give protection.
Mr. Resnick said that 200 or 250 miles would not
be an unreasonable distance. Philadelphia is 100 miles
away from the nearest site, New York.
Mr. Gray said that if it was at Westover Field, the
people in Springfield would not like it.
Mr. Resnick said that it should be in Northern New
Hampshire or Maine. Mr. Laird can direct the Army to
review in the Boston area and come back with recommenda-
tions.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
write the Secretary of Defense, informing him that the
Board has voted unanimously to urge him to immediately
halt construction at the Boston Sentinel site and to
review the rationale for selection of this Sentinel site.
Following his review, if he decides that the U. S. should
deploy the Sentinel System and that a New England site
is necessary, the Board would urge that he order the Army
to select a site far from populated areas.
The Chairman read a letter from the ABC regarding
the rules and regulations for Package Goods Stores and
ABC - Motels on February 17, 1969.
Feb. 17 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
that Package Goods Stores shall be closed on Washington's
Birthday, February 17, 1969. Motels may serve liquor
during the regular specified hours.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Popula- sign the form received from the ABC, certifying that the
tion estimated population of Lexington, as of July 1, 1969,
is 34,000.
The Chairman informed the Board that a letter has
been received from Mr. Whalon suggesting that a full
Mr. time Town Counsel should assist in the prosecution of
Whalon certain criminal cases in the District Court.
Copies are to be sent in the Board and the letter
will be discussed at a future date.
Conser- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
vation to grant the request of the Conservation Commission and
Articles delete the Articles for the Morrow land and the Carroll
land from the Warrant.
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Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Group
' sign the Group Insurance Policy G-12, issued by the Insurance
Arlington Five Cents Savings Bank.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
sign the water and sewer abatements for the following:
Bridge Street, Hillcrest Avenue (from Circle Road
to Albemarle Avenue), Manley Court, Stedman Road, Ewell
Avenue, Grassland Street, Hillcrest Avenue, Vaille Ave- Abatements
nue, Elena Road (entire length), Sanderson Road (turn-
around at the southeasterly end) .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Housing
to delete the Article requested by the Housing Authority Article
for Village Road.
Mr. Gray informed the Board that with the layout of
Cedar Street as it is, we have to make a taking. There
is a real problem as there is a 14' to 15' paved road- Cedar
way and we have recommended to put a 40' layout with a Street
sidewalk on the East side. On the right side there are
twelve trees and ten on the left side; we have to have
it within the layout if it is going to be on a public
way.
The Chairman said that we are going to handle it
like a street; we have to present it to them at the hear-
ing and have it legally ready to go if we are going to
do it.
Mr. McSweeney said that if we are going to recon-
struct the sidewalk, we are throwing money away.
Mr. Greeley said that we hoped we might be able
to get some kind of an easement; there are a lot more
trees on the East side.
The Chairman said that it boils down to - do they
want the sidewalk or not.
Mr. Greeley said that Mr. McSweeney says they have
to take the trees down; to lose the trees for the side-
walk means this year instead of three years from now.
The Chairman said that if we don't put the side-
walk in, we don't go into Cedar Street at all.
Mr. Greed said that we are going to leave the
pavement alone, it might be put back and miss a lot of
the trees.
Mr. McSweeney said that in order to go around the
trees, we have to have an easement. We could make it
50 feet and save the trees.
The Chairman said that we could have the layout
line constant but the sidewalk could be like Grove Street.
Mr. McSweeney said that we want everybody to under-
stand this.
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The Chairman said that you have a plan, described as
40 feet; have the hearing and people will say whether
they will accept a wider layout and put the sidewalk
behind the trees; we can' t do it with the present layout.
Mr. Gray said that the Article says 40 feet, not
50 feet. If they are in accordance with 50 feet, do it
next year.
The Chairman said that we have to make a decision
on how the Article for the Town Office Building is
going to be worded. It was our understanding when we
supported the Structure of Government and the Permanent
Town Building Committee that any project started would stay
Office where it was started.
Article Mr. Greeley asked how the Permanent Building Com-
mittee felt about it.
The Chairman said that he had talked with Mr.
Mitchell and Mr. Brown and we are supposed to set up
a meeting. I don't see it as a problem but some people
feel this way.
Mr. Mabee said that he would put it in the Select-
men's; he thought that once the Permanent Building
Committee started new projects, they are picked up by us.
Mr. Greeley said to tell them that Mr. Taylor would
say that he doesn't think it would make any sense to
take it over.
The Chairman said that the Committee feels very
strongly that they should continue.
It was agreed that the Selectmen would be authorized
to construct the Town Office Building.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
election set the hours for the polls to be open on election day,
Day March 3, 1969, as 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M.
The Chairman asked the Board to discuss dates for
Town Meeting. He said that at the Junior High informa-
tion meeting, it was requested that the meeting start at
7:30 P.M. rather than 8:00 P.M. We should discuss this
Town request with the Moderator. The Board usually has a
Meeting meeting at 7:00 P.M. We could set the time for 8:00 P.M.
for the first meeting, and Town Meeting change to 7:30
for the following meetings; this is their prerogative.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
have the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, March 17, 1969
at 8:00 P.M. with adjourned sessions on March 19,
March 24 and March 26, 1969.
Article Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
delete Sanderson Road from the Warrant
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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, Executive
might adversely affect the public security, the financial Session
interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person.
After discussion concerning the finances of the Town,
it was voted to go out of Executive Session.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
adjourn at 11:55 P.M.
A true record, Attest:
8Lef-404-)4/ .�
Executive Clerk, Selectme
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