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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-09-09-BOS-min 5 5q` SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 9, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday even- ing, September 9, 1968, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Cataldo, Mabee, Kenney and Greeley were present. Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. BurkeSuperintendent of Public Works, Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer, and Mrs. McCurdy, Execu- tive Clerk, were also present. At the request of the Town Clerk, three jurors were drawn as follows: William F. Sarles 54 Ledgelawn Avenue Jurors Alvin Cronig 7 Deering Street A. Thomas Ferry 23 Columbus Street Mr.-Gray read a letter from Mr. Irwin, Building In- spector, which stated that the Municipal Building Officials Conference would be held at the Univer3ity of Massachusetts Bldg. and, as he would attend, he suggested that Richard Soule be Dept. appointed Substitute Inspector. The Chairman said that an Assistant Building Inspector should have been appointed by October. Mr. Gray said that the Appropriation Committee has ap- proved a transfer for the lease of additional voting ma- chines and the Town Clerk has submitted some figures to be discussed, The cost for the rental of seven used machines (these have been used twice) with an option to purchase, is approximately $1330. A new machine costs $2019 and a used machine, $1798. The rental for one day is $300. At the present time we have forty-two machines and the Voting ma- chine Company recommends fifty-four machines for the number of registered voters in Lexington. With the rental of the Voting seven used machines, we will be only five machines short of Machines the recommended number. The Chairman said that we have been trying to stay with the State requirements for the number of voters per machine and we have problems. With the amount of money available, we can rent them with an option to buy. Mr. Gray said that we would have the use of them for a year. If we decide to buy them we will get full war- rantee. We could put an Article in the Warrant and Town Meeting could vote approval or not on this. U 5 60 CLc Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant approval to the Town Clerk to rent seven used vot- ing machines, with an option to purchase, for approxi- mately $1330, including delivery to Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the order for assessment of betterments for the Sewer & sewer construction on Holmes Road, Thoreau Road, North Water Street, Burroughs Road, Graham Road, and Worthen Road, Orders and for assessment of water betterments on Meadow Brook and Wellington Lane Avenue. The Chairman read a letter from the ABC regarding the sale of liquor on Primary Day, September 17, 1968, which stated that hotels, restaurants, taverns, clubs, and package goods stores shall not sell or deliver al- Liquor coholic beverages during polling hours unless they are authorized to do so by vote of their respective Local Licensing Authorities. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that motels and package goods stores may sell and de- liver liquor during the regular hours on Tuesday, Septem- ber 17, 1968. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to I.D. Card authorize the Chairman to sign Liquor Identification Cards for Ann Linnell, 285 Lowell Street and Elizabeth M. Chatel, 122 Grove Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Permit grant permission to the residents of Benjamin Road to hold a square dance on September ].L., 1968, from 6:00 P.M. to 11:30 F.M. The Chairman informed the Board that a petition had been received requesting a Policeman at Bedford and Eldred Streets. The Chairman said that he didn' t know if the Police Department is in a position to handle these requests. I Petitions have also received a request for a crossing guard at for cross- Adams Street and Coolidge Avenue; the sight distance is ing guards small at that intersection. The normal procedure would be to refer these requests to the Traffic Study Committee. The people on Eldred Street are aware that a traffic study is being made but they are in a hurry to have something done. Mr. Gray said that, because of kindergarten, we have five or six requests for school crossing guards. The traffic Committee is trying to come up with some criteria and set of standards; we hope to report back to the Board very shortly. L The Chairman said that he has been called by citizens; this one seems to have more merit than most. Mr. McSweeney said that Chief Corr has pointed out that there is a problem. If the crossing guard is out be- cause of illness, etc. , he has to cover with an officer. If there were five or six out on the same day, he would be in trouble. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the petition for a policeman at Bedford and Eldred Streets and the request fbr a crossing guard at Adams and Coolidge Avenue to the Traffic Study Committee. Mr. Kenney said that sidewalks would help. Some loca- tions have precedence over others, such as Adams and Coolidge Streets. The Chairman said that we are losing sight of the fact that at the time of budgets, on sidewalks you have more pressure than we can cover. Mr. Gray said that a lot can be solved with short ex- tensions of sidewalks on the other side of the street. The Chairman said that parents are concerned for the safety of their children, whether one or fifty children. We get requests for areas where only two or three people use them and we say there isn' t enough traffic to warrant it. Mr. Kenney said that a little sidewalk money spent would cure some of these problems. We might use as a basis next year that another $20,000 for sidewalks and we won't have to hire policemen. Mr. Gray said that we could also mention the school bus, it costs $900 a day for busses. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ap- prove the Minutes of the Selectmen' s jesting held on August Minutes 26, 1968. Mr. Gray requested the Board to sign the contract for highway maintenance for resurfacing the streets awarded to George Brox, Inc. in the amount of $59,300. Mr. Gray said that Mr. Legro is not satisfied with the corporation vote Resur- and asked that the contract be signed, subject to Mr. facing Legro' s clarification of this point. Contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the contract awarded to George Brox, Inc. , subject to the clarification of the corporate vote by Town Counsel. Mr. Gray said that Mr. Burke, Mr. McSweeney and he would like to present a problem on the streets to be re- Resurfac- surfaced. ing Mr. Burke said that in connection with resurfacing Lowell - work, $15,000 was appropriated for Lowell Street from the Woburn St I 562 L^ northerly end, Laconia to Woburn Street, Looking at the project and the program, we found that a sewer is proposed for a section of Lowell Street, Oak Hill, and this surface will have to be torn up, when the sewer is installed. The trunks are going in this year and we could hold $15,000 and resurface the street afterwards, or, looking at Woburn Street, we propose doing Massachusetts Avenue going toward Lowell Street; there are 320' of sewer in the street; we can get pretty close to Utica Street. The Chairman said to resurface the street and then put the sewer in would aggravate the people in Town. Mr. Cataldo askod if the repaving budget is greater than last year. Mr. Burke said that it is $40,000, plus the money ear- marked for Lowell Street. Mr. Cataldo asked if Woburn Street was to be paved next year; if we don't get an extra $15,000 next year, we would have lost nothing. If we pave Lowell Street this year, we would get Woburn Street. Mr. Burke said that we could only do part of Woburn Street, the section that has no sewer. The Chairman asked about laterals. Mr. Burke said that they had knocked out over a mil- lion dollars. Mr. Gray said $1,3001000. The Chairman said that he would be surprised if the requests were less than $1,300,000. We should put more money in sewers. We met with the Appropriation Committee and asked to get the same number of feet. Mr. McSweeney said that by next spring, we would have opened up a number of areas of sewer laterals. The Chairman asked the Board' s feeling regarding Mr. Burke' s proposal to pave Woburn Street this year. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to pave Woburn Street in place of Lowell Street. Mr. Taylor, Chairman of the Permanent Building Com- mittee, met with the Board Mr. Taylor said .that there was a problem on the Bowman School playing field area; it is so wet that it Bowman- is unuseable. The Park Department can' t cut the grass Clematis and there is some settlement. The School Department is Brook upset and so are the parents; they have met with the PTA on it. We are at a loss on how to remedy the situation. As you know, that area was not the best school site. We were given the job of building and the peat was excavated and refilled. Studies indicated that the water level was low - the studies were made during a dry spell; the water I 563 cane up gradually and in the spring, it is like a sponge. It can't be used and it can' t be mowed . We have had some studies made and it has settled. We have money and could build and bring it up to grade but there is a solution proposed by our Architect to lower the water level in the area by 2' and it would eventually dry out. The Chairman asked how he proposes to lower the water table. Mr. Taylor said that we have bad a profile made on Clematis Brook. There are some obstructions and if cleaned out, it would let that area drain out and it would lower the water in the area. We have had a meeting with Mr. Mc- Sweeney and there is a general agreement with that situation. If we did this, we would have a useable playing field. The Chairman asked where Clematis Brook runs . Mr. Greeley said that it runs from Swenson Farm to Waver- ly Oaks to the Charles River. The Chairman said that in order to do something like that we are going to be involved with the Hatch Act or special legislation to allow us to do it. Mr. Taylor said that the Hatch Act is involved with filling. The Chairman said that the Hatch Act was involved several years back, we had to have special legislation to work on Kiln Brook. Mr. Greeley said that we ought to operate within the terms of the Hatch Act. Mr. Mabee asked if dredging and fill will do the job. Mr. McSweeney said that we reviewed the situation. We can lower that brook 2' . There is a tremendous amount of rubbish work to be done to relieve the problem as it exists now. We propose to have the contractor clean it out. I don' t believe it is the final solution as far as the playing area is con- cerned. The Chairman said that you are looking for a permanent solution, aren't you. Mr. _Taylor said that the Architect believes draining would support enough fill to bring it up to grade. His feeling was there was a dry crust of peat. Mr. McSweeney said that he finds this questionable. We have been out there twice and have been standing in water. It is hard to believe with all this peat. The Chairman asked if he would fill over what is there? Mr. McSweeney said that there are boulders and the water reaction is pushing it right up to the top. Mr. Cataldo asked how much gravel fill he was thinking of putting in. Mr. McSweeney said that some areas have sunk and it drops off in other areas; it is not gold as a playing field. Mr. Cataldo asked, you are not thinking of raising it? Mr. Taylor said, no; if you could get a dry crust . . . C.� 5bt f': Mr. Cataldo said that you have to get a deep enough crust. Mr. Greeley said that he felt that lowering the water table was desirable . Mr. McSweeney said to lower it 2' ; we are talking about relining the brook vertically. Mr. Greeley asked if we do this much, is it a wasted step? Mr. McSweeney said that it would not be. The Chairman asked what effect it would have on Belmont. Mr. McSweeney said that this would be part of the inves- tigation if we go ahead. We would be just putting a proper profile through the brook. Mr. Greeley asked if there was an estimate of cost. Mr. Taylor said that Mr. McSweeney gave a rough esti- mate of $8500. The Chairman asked if the cost would come out of their funds. Mr. Taylor said that we had investigated doing it with our funds but Town Counsel told us that you would have to get Town Meeting to transfer funds. The problem is we have an unuseable playing field; if we wait until next year, it will be another year that we have been unable to use it. The Chairman said that Mr. McSweeney and the Architect are not in complete agreement. Mr. Taylor said that they don' t know of any other solu- tion. The Chairman said that you weren' t on the Committee when the site was selected. There was some question of the .site at the time. Mr. Taylor said that he was on the oommittee and they were told to build there. Everyone knew it was a bad site; a lot of money was spent to dig out the peat. At this point, I don' t know wb t else we can do. Mr. Mabee said that their own specifications were writ- ten for the playing field area and asked if it was his feel- ing that it was a calculated risk as to the useability when they put it out to bid? Mr. Taylor said that there was a low water table be- cause of dryness - we didn't anticipate this. It shouldn't be hung on the Architect when you get into sites like this . Mr. Mabee said that a lot of money would have to be spent on it. Mr. Taylor said that a drainage system would have to be put in or take out the peat. We want to let you know that the situation is out of our hands if it involved the brook. The Chairman said that you are resigned to living with it for another year? Mr. Taylor said that they had told the School Depart- ment that we weren' t going to get it solved. ' 563 II Mr. Greeley said that the School Department didn' t se- lect this site. They didn' t want the Oak Street Hill as it was not centrally located. They asked the School Sites Com- mittee to pick a site, which was done. Mr. Taylor said that the ultimate selection was made by the School Committee. The Chairman said that we can' t do nothing. If you are asking us to have the Engineering Department look into it, if this is a feasible way of solving the problem, we would go along. Check it out. Mr. Mabee said that if we lower the brook 2' , what other advantages and benefits would there be. Mr. McSweeney said that there are mosquitoes and the children can' t leave the paved area and step on the grass; even the ball fields overflow. = will bring up the point with Mr. Crimp that I don't believe that he can go in with gravel and expect that we are going to have ball fields. I think that they are going to sink right into the peat. Mr. Greeley said that we proved this to ourselves. Mr. Cataldo asked how many feet of peat? Mr. McSweeney said that he knows it would be 1' . There should be a soil study. Mr. Mabee said that for the surrounding areas to be moved and kept up, we might as well solve this and do it now. Mr. Taylor said that if we can accomplish this, it would be a great step. Maybe we can move the building and put the ball fields there, I don' t know. The Chairman said that the Engineering Department will investigate the possibility of this solution and, if it is feasible, to take the necessary steps from there. Mr. Cataldo said that our Engineering Department has looked at it. He wants to know who isBo B in to pay?? Is it P your position, if we can use your money . . . . The Chairman said that it requires a vote from Town Meeting to transfer money. Mr. Cataldo asked if there is no way we can take that money and use it. Mr. Taylor said that you can' t do it without a transfer, without Town Meeting. Mr. Cataldo said that this is the time of year this should be done. We know the brook can be cleared, we know it is an advantage. The Chairman said that Mr. McSweeney feels that this isn't exactly so. Mr. McSweeney said that we can do this, but don' t think it will end it. If you are looking to clear the brook, it is time to start drainage; we have to go in with pada. Mr. Cataldo said to say that Town Counsel is to use their money and do it. riii6 Mr. Taylor asked if there is any way you can do the work this winter, before Town Meeting? The Chairman said that the only way is to convince the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Greeley said that we should go ahead with clearance under the Hatch Act and Town Counsel is to find a method to pay for it. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go ahead with clearance under the Hatch Act and Town Coun- sel is to find a method to pay for it. Mr. Gray said that Mr. Bond is here tonight to dis- cuss the bids on the swimming pool. There have been a lot of problems . The original estimate was $20,000 and we bad to ;go back to Town Meeting when it went to $30,000. When John Carroll hired Camp, Dresser and McKee for the design work, the contract was for $5500. Bids were received in May for $51,747 and $60,900; these were rejected. The present bid of $36,600 included tying in the existing wad- ing pool with the new pool; there is an existing difference in elevation between the two existing pools and difficulty with control of the water. It was our recommendation to delete the tying in of the pools and also the concrete aprons for $2500, but not to delete the electrical work at $3500. We are now talking about a bid for $30,300 to in- clude the filtering system and electrical work. Our sug- estion is to ask the Appropriation Committee to transfer $5800• if we don't get it, we cant go any lower. We have 424,500; we have paid Camp, Dresser and McKee $3500 and have revised the specifications three or four times. Mr. Kenney asked how the bid went from $60,000 to $36,000. Mr. Gray said that a pit, 12' x 1B' , to house the filtering equipment cost $18,000; we knocked that out and put the equipment above ground. The Chairman said that the estimates are so far off. Mr. McSweeney said that the same people who brought in the original estimate of $22,000 came in with the esti- mate of $55, 000. We reviewed the site and did away with the house, took off $20,000 or $25,000 and brought it to $30,000. We altered the filtering system and eliminated the structure and asked them to bid; the same people came in with a bid of $30,000. The Chairman said that if our operating budgets were looked at, the money would be in the Reserve Fund. Mr. Bond said that be bad spoken to Mr. Carroll about not hiring Camp, Dresser and McKee as he felt that the job should go to a Pool Company. The Consultant at Camp, Dresser and McKee is not as qualified to discuss this as the fellow from the Pool Company. 561 The Chairman said that it is normal for an Engineer to have confidence in an Engineering firm. It was agreed to request $6500 instead of $5800. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee for a transfer from the Reserve Fund in the amount of $6500. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Shepp of the Lexington Tennis Association requesting a timetable of the proposed tennis facilities for the Town. Mr. Mabee said that they want to know if it is true that there would be two more tennis courts at the Center Playground and ten or twelve at the Lincoln Street dump site. Tennis The Chairman said that, this year, the Recreation Com- Courts mittee proposes two new courts for the Center Playground and there are plans to illuminate some of the courts. Twelve new courts are to be constructed upon the completion of the Lincoln Street dumpsite. It is not possible at this time to give a timetable. It was agreed that a letter be written to Mr. Shepp in- forming him of the plans for the tennis courts. The Chairman said that interviews should be arranged for the positions of Dog Officer, Assistant Town Engineer, and Assistant Building Inspector. Mr. Gray said that interviews for Assistant Town En- gineer have been scheduled for Wednesday, September 11, Interviews and he will set upinterviews for Dog Officer on Monday, September 16, 196 . The Chairman said that the Board should talk with Chief Corr and get his approach to the problem of whether the Dog Officer should be in the Police Station; he is go- ing to be responsible to the Chief, but appointed by the Board. It would be well to schedule an appointment with Chief Corr for Monday night. The Chairman read a letter from Attorney Sullivan, who represents Dr. Titlebaum of Concord Avenue . Mr. Sullivan requested a hearing with the Board regarding the loud barking of a dog owned by Frank Bussey, neighbor of Bussey Dr. Tttlebaum. Dog The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to schedule a hearing on next Monday night, September 16th. Mr. Cataldo said that Donald Noyes had informed him that a vacancy exists on the Salary Study Committee and Frank Parrish had been suggested to fill the vacancy. Appoint- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ment appoint Mr. Frank Parrish a member of the Salary Study ' Committee. 51)6 Mr. Cataldo informed the Board that on land Articles, part of the problem is the survey■ to make the taking. He suggested that a list be compiled of those that need sur- - veys made and Mr. McSweeney hire somebody to do the survey and turn the information over to Town Counsel. The Chairman said that Mr. Gray has a list of all the property to be done. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that where engineering surveys are necessary, the Engineering Department is authorized to hire somebody to survey the land. Survey Mr. Gray requested further authority to have the ap- praisals updated. The Chairman said that we must have it done and asked if it would serve any purpose to check with the School Committee to see if they are interested and if they have lost all interest; if so, it is rediculous to go ahead and make the takings. Mr. Gray said that he will call Dr. Fobert and talk to him. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that authorization be given to update the appraisals , when it is necessary. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing., Execu- deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, tive might adversely affect the public security, the finan- Session cial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person. Following discussion concerning matters pertaining to negotiations, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Order Upon motion du],y made and seconded, it was voted to Of instruct Town Counsel to prepare the Order of Taking. for Taking the Lloyd land. The Planning Board met with the Board. Mrs . Riffin, said that they would like to know which method you would like used in order to have the Zoning By-Laws posted; you could have them posted in the precincts of the Town or published in the newspaper for three consecutive weeks. The Chairman said that we have taken advantage of posting in the precincts; there is no question which is Zoning the least expensive way. By-Like The Chairman said that we will check with Town Counsel. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to post the Zoning By-Laws in the precincts of the Town, sub- ject to the ruling of Tarn Counsel. Mrs. Riffin said that a preliminary subdivision plan has been submitted to the Planning Board. There are 22 acres and this area abuts the Bowman School. It is an 5 et excellent opportunity for the extension of Worthen Road; there is a means of access from a cul-de-sac. The Board will get together with the developer and resolve the responsibility for this section. Mr. Greeley said that if they built the whole of it, we agreed to pay for the access . Mr. Zaleski suggested that it may be possible for them to build if the School Committee permits them. It would mean Town Meeting action to lay out as a public way. The Chairman said that the Planning Board should mot make a stand on this . Those are people opposed to the extension of Worthen; there is an alliance between Emerson Road and Worthen Road. Mr. Worrell said that a couple of years ago we wanted to extend Blossomcrest; some of this road plus Worthen would provide that access. Mr. Mabee said that the only thing they were talking about was the width of the road. The Chairman asked if the School Committee knew about this? Mr. Mabee said that from a practical point of this, nobody will object if proposed 40 feet. Mr. Powle asked how we would proceed to construct this road. The Chairman said that if the Town is paying for any portion of this road we will need Town Meeting action in advance of construction. Mr. Cataldo said that, normally, if the subdivider is willing to pay we will reimburse for some part. The Chairman said that we 'will have to have an Article for more money on that, you can't avoid it. After much discussion, it was the unanimous feeling of the Board to support the Planning Board on the approval of the Worthen Road layout. It was the feeling of the majority of the Board to support a 70' layout. Mr. Kenney was re- corded in favor of a 50' layout. The vote of the Planning Board was that four members were in favor and one abstention, Mr. Worrell. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ad- journ at 10:10 P.M. A true record, Attest: 4:e.e.,4„„ (1 �� Executive Clerk* Selectmen ,per