HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-08-12-BOS-min a CC
SELECTMEN'S MEETING 1
August 12, 1968
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held
in the Selectmen's Room Town Office Building, on Monday
evening, August 12, 1968, at 7:30 F.M. Chairman Cole,
Messrs . Cataldo, Mabee, Kenney, and Greeley were present .
Mr Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Burke, Superintendent of
Public Works , Mr. McSweeney, Town Engineer, Mr Wenham,
Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs . McCurdy,
Executive Clerk, were also present .
Hearing was declared open upon the application of the
Boston Edison Company to lay underground conduit on Bedford
Street at Carol Lane
Notices of the hearing were mailed to the petitioners,
and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works and
the Town Engineer
Conduit Mr Louis Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company,
Location said that the conduit is necessary for a new development.
No one was present in favor or in opposition, and the
Chairman declared the hearing closed .
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
approve the petition and sign the order for the following
conduit location: Bedford Street at Carol Lane, a distance
of about 50 feet
Hearing was declared open upon the application of the
Boston Edison Company to lay buried cable, conduit and man-
holes on Massachusetts Avenue.
Notice of the hearing was mailed to the petitioners ,
owners of property as listed on the petitioner' s plan and
also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works and the
Town Engineer.
Mr. Pratt representing the Boston Edison Company, said
that this is a conduit going from the right of way from
Massachusetts Avenue to the Lincoln-Lexington line to feed
the Concord station. He also stated that he had received a
letter from Mr. Zerby of the National Parks Service, which
said that they have no objection.
The petition was approved by the Town Engineer.
No one was present in favor or in opposition, and the
Chairman declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
approve the petition and sign the order for the following
conduit and manhole location: Massachusetts Avenue, south-
easterly from the Lexington Lincoln town line, a distance
of about 1415 feet - buried cable, conduit and manholes .
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Representatives of the Minute Man National Park came
into the meeting.
The Chairman declared the hearing re-opened, and asked
if they had any objection to the location of the under-
ground cable and conduit on Massachusetts Avenue.
A representative replied in the negative and said,
because of their interest in the location, they felt they
should be present at the hearing.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
close the hearing.
At the request of the Town Clerk, two jurors were
drawn, as follows : Jack P. Underwood, 3 Burroughs Road Jurors
and Sidney G. Lindsley, 45 Eldred Street.
Mr. Burke said that bids had been taken on August 5,
1968 for sewer lateral work and recommended that the con- Lateral
tract be awarded to Daniel D' Onfros & Sons, 712 Main Sewer
Street, Leominster, in the amount of $111,953. Contract
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
award the contract for sewer lateral work to the lowest
bidder, Daniel D'Onfros & Sons , in the amount of $111,953.
Mr. Legro requested the Board to sign the contract
for sewer lateral work which had been awarded to Daniel
D'Onfros & Sons , in the amount of $111,953
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
sign the contract for sewer lateral work which had been
awarded to Daniel D'Onfros & Sons, Inc. , in the amount
of $111,953
The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health,
requesting permission to conduct a screening clinic for
respiratory diseases on September 16-20, 1968; a "Mini
Bus"' equipped with two Wright-flow meters for testing
would have to be parked in the circular driveway in front
of Cary Hall. Respiratory
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Disease
grant permission to the Board of Health to conduct a Clinic
screening clinic for respiratory diseases on September
16-20, 1968, with a "Mini Bus" to be parked in the circu-
lar driveway in front of Cary Hall.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
authorize the Chairman to sign the Liquor Identification I.D.
Card for Florence Maclnnis , 38 Middle Street Card
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Cert of
sign the Certificate of Incorporation for the following, Inc.
w_
satisfactory character references having been received from
the Chief of Police :
Richard S Beal 130 Burlington St.
Robert H. Sproat 6L. Prospect Hill Rd.
"The Boston University Club, Inc."
Mr. Alan Adams met with the Board. Mr. Adams said that
during the rainstorm on August 7, the Minute-Man publications '
Building had a serious flooding condition; the water was so
high that it burst a window in the cellar. The catch basins
are on railroad property and every winter and spring there is
continual flooding in the area. He had asked the Superintend-
ent of Public Works if something can be done to cure the
Drainage situation. There are many new drains but there are still a
lot of old ones .
Mr. Greeley asked Mr. Burke if this , apparently, is
because of inadequate mains beyond the clogged catch basins?
Mr. Burke said that the 12" mains were increased to
1$" in the section south of the railroad tracks ; we don't
know the size of the main in front of Mr. Adams ' building as
the record is not clear.
Mr. Adams said that Mark Moore wanted to put a drain at
the bottom of that light-well. He was pretty sure that no
work had been done for some time.
Mr. Greeley said that they fixed that
Mr. Adams said that a section of the drain was renewed
and I am quite sure, from my memory, there has been no work
done.
Mr. Greeley asked how long the water was flooding the
street, a couple of hours?
Mr. Adams said that it wasn' t that long.
Mr. Greeley said that there was a gully along the rail-
road tracks , and that didn't help the situation.
Mr. Adams said that all he asked was, if the drain was
inadequate, something should be done about it
The Chairman asked if there was any information available.
Mr. Burke said that there were no records .
The Chairman asked how many feet of drain would have to
be replaced to correct the situation.
Mr. Burke said that until an Engineering study is made,
they would not know how much piping is needed.
The Chairman asked Mr. McSweeney how much time and
money an engineering study would entail?
Mr. McSweeney replied that it would be aout a week' s
work for one man; the salary for one man for one week.
The Chairman asked Mr. McSweeney if, the way his
schedule is now, could he accomplish this in the reasonable
future?
I
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Mr. Cataldo said that we are going to design the
parking lot and asked if these drains would serve the
same area?
Mr. McSweeney said that, from his knowledge of this
area, it would be difficult to explain.
Mr. Greeley asked if the Episcopal Church property
drains into that drain?
The Chairman,said that one drain and one catch basin
drain into the Episcopal Church drain.
The Chairman said that the problem exists and Mr.
McSweeney can integrate this with the parking area.
Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the
Gulf Oil Company, Frederick K and Marjorie S. Johnson for
license for below ground and above ground storage at the
station located at 39 Bedford Street.
A notice of the hearing was inserted in the August
1, 1968 issue of the Lexington Minute-Mand and sent by
certified mail to the abutters , as listed on the records
of the Board of Assessors .
Application was approved by Chief Spellman of the
Fire Department . Gasoline
Attorney Frederick J Conroy, representing the peti- Hearing
tioners , explained that the Board of Appeals, on July 23,
1968, had granted permission to demolish the front portion
of the existing building and to construct a new building
for use as a gas service station, oil and greasing station,
sale and installation of tires and other automobile ac-
cessories, and the maintenance and repairs of motor vehicles .
By increasing the storage capacity from 15,000 to 18,000
gallons, fewer deliveries will be made.
No one was present in favor or in opposition, and the
Chairman declared the hearing closed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
issue a license to the Gulf Oil Company, Frederick K. and
Marjorie S. Johnson for below ground storage of 18,000
gallons of gasoline, 550 galtons of waste oil and 550
gallons of fuel oil to be used to heat the building. Also,
for above ground storage of 250 gallons of motor oil and
150 gallons of anti-freeze, to be stored in metal containers
or steel drums ; 75 gallons of gasoline to be stored in tanks
of motor vehicles in the lubritorium, on the premises lo-
cated at 39 Bedford Street .
Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector met with the Board .
The Chairman informed Mr. Irwin that he had indicated
some displeasure about the fees for electrical, gas and Building
plumbing permits , and asked if he would like to elaborate Department
on it. The Chairman asked if be felt that with this sort Rate
of fee, compared to the fee in other towns , if people
would do these jobs without a permit
Mr. Irwin said that the jump from $1.00 to $5.00 is
circumventing the primary purpose; the fee jump will tend
to encourage the "do=it-yourselfP worker. To repair a
gas water heater in your home, you need a plumbing and
$as permit; previously it would cost $2.00, today it is
10.00. The Gas Company has been allowing $30.00 for
installation. Repairs on an electric heater requires a
permit for electrical work and plumbing. The same would
apply to the installation of two of the small outlets,
Building $8.00 for the cost, plus $5 00; this is quite a jump. I
have no fault to find with the cost of the larger jobs .
Department Mr. Greeley asked if someone wanted to repair a gas
Rate water heater or outlets, for $8.00 do you have to inspect
to see if everything is O.K. ?
Mr. Irwin said that it doesn't pay. Certain ser-
vices are being rendered here and I don't think you can
make the fee pay. All normal installations require in-
spection. As a home owner, you can wire in your own home,
a great many people do this . A permit is required and
inspection.
Mr. Mabee asked how many people put in electric heat-
ers themselves, now that the fee has been raised?
Mr. Irwin replied that he didn't know.
Mr. Cataldo asked if they have to have a permit if
they are going to be reimbursed from the utilities company.
Mr. Irwin replied that the Mystic Gas Company allows
$30.00 for installation and they won't book it up until
the inspection ticket is put on.
The Chairman said that it is unlikely that anybody is
circumventing in that respect . He asked Mr. Irwin if he
had a list of fees in the surrounding town
Mr. Irwin said that the list could be made available.
Mr. Cataldo asked what Mr. Irwin felt the fee should
be.
Mr. Irwin said that his original suggestion was for
a $2.00 minimum; this did gut apply to the electrical fee,
Electrical is based on the cost of the job. Plumbing and
Gas are so much per fixture. The people that are being
affected are those with $50.00 jobs .
The Chairman said that if we keep the minimum of $5.00
per building, reduce electrical, gas and plumbing to $3.00,
is it going to decrease the problem?
Mr. Irwin said that it would; he has had comments from
plumbers and electricians .
Mr. Greeley said that if you did this at $2.00 minimum. . .
Mr. Irwin said that, under the old system, the electrical
fee was based on $1.00 up to $50.00; from $50.00 to $300.00
it was $3.00. Under the new system, it is $5.00 minimum and
$1.00 per $1.000.
Mr. Mabee said that you feel that this is too much .
Mr. Irwin said that people are complaining.
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Mr. Mabee asked if it was the owners or contractora?
Mr. Irwin said that owners come in and when they Building
find out the fee, they say that they won' t do it. We Department
don' t know if they do. Rate
Mr. Mabee asked if they would say that if the fee
were $3.00 instead of $5.00?
Mr. Irwin replied that he could't say; there has
been no decrease in the amount of revenue received .
Mr. Mabee asked if he felt that everybody is getting
used to the new fees?
Mr. Irwin said that he would rather see them lower.
Mr. Cataldo asked how many people say that they won't
do it?
Mr. Irwin said that he has, personally, heard two or
three people say it
Mr. Mabee said that he felt it would do more harm to
change it back now.
Mr. Cataldo said that our mistake was that we didn't
have a jump in between a few years ago.
Mr. Greeley said that by having such a high electrical
fee, we are encouraging the "do-it-yourself" worker. If a
man wants to put in four outlets , he ought to feel he could
get someone to do it right.
Mr. Cataldo said that this fellow should feel it is
worth $5.00 to make sure the installation is proper.
The Chairman asked Mr. Irwin if he felt that the Board
would be making a mistake if they reduce the fee at this
time?
Mr. Irwin replied that unless they have more objections
than he has had, they would be making a mistake to reduce
the fees at this time. He added, if you had reconsidered
this at the time of the first proposal, I feel a reduction
would have been in order.
Mr. Mabee said that Mr. Irwin is saying that it is
passe, why not forget it and continue along.
The Chairman said that we will consider the matter
closed.
It was agreed to continue with the building electrical,
gas and plumbing fees, as voted on April 15, 1968.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go
into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, de-
liberating or voting on matters which, if made public ,
might adversely affect the public security, the financial
interest of the town, or the reputation of any person,
After discussion concerning the application for the
position of Assistant Building Inspector and matters in-
volving litigation, it was voted to resume the open meeting.
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Mr. Legro said that at the informal hearing with the
Labor Relations Commission on last Thursday, August 8,
Counsel agreed that, subject to approval of the Board of
Selectmen, we would stipulate that in the original peti-
AFL-CIO tion the designation would read "American Federation of
State, County and Municipal Employees, Massachusetts
State Council AFL-CIO and its affiliate, Local 1703" ;
and would further stipulate that the complaint of pro-
hibited practice would be dismissed on the entry of that
first stipulation. Mr. Legro said that this gives specific
designation of the Union' s specific entity.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Legro stating
that the Board had agreed in the settlement of the claim
of John H. Asadoorian and Jeannette A Asadoorian, 1 Todd
Asadoorian Road , in connection with a taking for the widening of
Claim Grant Street, to abate the sidewalk betterment in the
amount of $150.00 He requested the Board to vote the
abatement and request the Tax Collector to submit to
Town Counsel a certificate dissolving the lien for the
betterments.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
abate the sidewalk betterment assessed to John H. Asadoorian
and Jeannette A. Asadoorian in the amount of $150.00.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
request the Tax Collector submit to Town Counsel a certi-
ficate
dissolving the lien for the betterments
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Abatement approved water and sewer house connection for Stratven
Realisy, Inc , 298 Marrett Road, in the amount of $527.11.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Minutes approve the minutes of Selectmen' s Meetings held on March
4, May 6, June 17, and July 29, 1968.
Lexington Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
Theatre approve and sign the license issued to the Lexington
Theatre, 1794 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington
Jury Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
List approve the Jury List.
Upon motion duly made and seconded; it was voted to
Order of authorize Town Counsel to prepare the Order of Taking on
Taking the property of Mr. Frank Allia and Mrs. Mary E. Connolly
with an award of damages in the amount of $250.00.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
authorize Town Counsel to prepare the Order of Taking on
the property of Philip L. Tropeano and Mary E. Tropeano
with no award of damages
J�1
Mr. Belcastro, Veterans ' Agent, met with the Board.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr Belcastro, re-
questing the sum of $21,000 be transferred to the
Veterans' Account because of an increase in medical ex-
penses and an increase in recipients on a temporary Veterans '
basis as a result of labor disputes . The letter further Dept
states that his department ' s request for $45,000 for this
year had been deleted by $10,000
Mr Belcastro said that, rather than get in the same
predicament as last year in November and December, he
would ask for the full amount now and the Board would
know what he needs and make some provisions . Last year
the total was $35,345 and that doesn't include the amount
received from the Trust Fund
The Chairman said that his budget figure of $45,000
was more than justified .
Mr. Mabee said that Mr. Belcastro was cut back on
the basis that if be needed more he would come to the
Board.
Mr. Belcastro said that be will need more money the
first part of September
Mr. Kenney asked if this was caused by the Telephone
Company strike?
Mr. Belcastro said, partially, we have spent $2,000
on the strike I have bills to pay; one fellow was dis-
charged from the hospital that I knew nothing about, it
was investigated by the State. Last year we had to go
into the Trust Fund because people didn't get checks at
Thanksgiving and Christmas .
Mr. Cataldo said that, basically, if we ask for $21,000
on your account, there is only $70,000 in the Reserve Fund
and I feel we should ask for $10,000, making arrangements
for the Trust Fund earlier. This is not even the middle
of August and we will be without money
Mr. Kenney said that we didn't plan on a $20,000 trans-
fer.
The Chairman suggested that $10,000 be requested.
Mr. Belcastro said that anything put through on the
Trust Fund would have to come from the Selectmen, rather
than his office.
Mr. Cataldo said that if the money is available in
the Trust Fund .
The Chairman said that it has to be a specific case
on Trust Funds .
Mr. Belcastro said, he didn 't want anybody using it
that wasn't eligible.
The Chairman said that a time element was involved .
Mr. Cataldo said that rather than wait until we are
broke, any case that qualified from June to December we
should go after.
53Q
The Chairman said that, in the meantime, he goes
without $10,000; suppose we get the transfer now, can
you give us cases you want to use for the Trust Fund?
Mr. Mabee asked how much money be bad used from the
Trust Fund?
Mr. Belcastro replied , over $7,000.
Mr. Mabee asked why he couldn't use the same cases?
Mr. Belcastro replied that we are leaving the specific
Veterans ' Veterans ' program, you don't get reimbursed on Trust Funds .
Dept Mr Cataldo asked how many Veterans ' eases were paid
out of the Trust Fund?
Mr. Belcastro said that all cases were paid out of
the Trust Fund at the end of the year. Are you suggest-
ing that we take them off the roll and put them on the
Trust Fund?
Mr. Cataldo said , 50 percent of a figure.
Mr Mabee said, if we don' t ask the Appropriation
Committee now . . .
Mr. Cataldo said if we run out of funds and can't
pay at all . . .
Mr. Mabee said that the Appropriation Committee should
get the whole story. Tell them they have to come up with
20,000; next year at budget time we are in a better position
to argue.
The Chairman said that he was in favor of the Trust
Fund.
Mr. Belcastro said that he wanted a blanket sum that
he could draw off and they wouldn't do it.
Mr. Kenney said that he wanted them to know it would
cost us 50 percent.
Mr. Greeley suggested that the Trust Fund situation
be investigated with Mr Morey.
Mr Mabee said if Mr. Morey knew that 50 percent is
reimbursed by the State . .
Mr. Belcastro said that you can borrow the money, a
bond issue.
The Chairman said that could only be done by a City
Council.
Mr. Cataldo said that we should vote a request from
the Appropriation Committee and sit down with George Morey.
Mr. Belcastro said that he would have to have all the
signatures and asked who they were.
The Chairman said, Mr. Morey, Mr. McEwen and Mr.
Rutherford
Mr. Cataldo said that someone should go and sit with
them.
The Chairman asked if it would be agreeable at this
time, to amend to $10,000 and serve notice and meet with
Mr. Morey. Mr. Belcastro and I will be there When you
get legitimate welfare cases, they need the money and
need it in a hurry.
531
Mr. Mabee said that he didn't see why the Trust Fund
should pay for it . He asked Mr. Belcastro if the money
he got from the Trust Fund last year was used specifically
for Veterans?
Mr Belcastro answered in the negative.
The Chairman said that whatever you spent last year
was in addition to what you got from the Trust Fund .
The Chairman said that the motion should be to ask
the Appropriation Committee for $21,000 and talk to the
Trustees of Public Funds and acquaint them with the nature
of the problem.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
request the Appropriation Committee for the sum of $21,000
to be transferred to Veterans ' Account No. 7200.
Thb Chairman said that the Selectmen would like to re-
quest the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of
$2,000 to the Clerical Labor Pool Account. Transfer
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of
$2,000 to the Clerical Labor Pool Account No. 1025.
Mr. Burke informed that bids had been received for
two 1/2-ton pickup trucks from the Automotive Service Co. ,
Inc. for $3,996.66 and Lexington Auto Sales, Inc. for
$4,095.00. Mr. Burke recommended that the contract be
awarded to the low bidder, Automotive Service Co. , Inc.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Pickup
award the contract for two 1-ton pickup trucks to the Trucks
Automotive Service Co. , Inc. , 22 Sunnyside Avenue,
Arlington, Massachusetts, in the amount of $3,996.66; one
Model CS1590D and one Model CS1570D, including trade-in
of three old vehicles .
The Chairman read a letter from the Town Engineer re-
garding a traffic study meeting to be held on August 21, Traffic
at Itek Corporation. It was agreed that Mr. Cole, Mr. Study
Cataldo, and Mr. McSweeney are to attend the Meeting. Hartwell
Mr. McSweeney is to contact Mr. Zaleski and inform him of
the meeting.
Mr. Worrell of the Planning Board met with the Board
to discuss the list of sidewalks to be approved . He said
that when we compare this to the list of things to be con-
sidered first priority, I don' t find a dingle one of the Sidewalks
streets listed such as Lincoln, Middle Street, Waltham
Street . . .
The Chairman said, Massachusetts Avenue from Worthen
Road to Cedar Street will be paved.
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Cm:
Mr. Worrell said, on Eldred Street, Bedford to Ivan
Street - I have occasion to walk that section - that sec-
tion has a footpath on each side and in the winter, the
north side is closed and a person bas no way of staying off
the pavement. Any arterial road should have a sidewalk on
each side - the safety problem taken care of by the footpath.
The Chairman asked if the Planning Board has taken a
stand on the sidewalks?
Mr. Worrell said that the Planning Board had instructed
him to ask questions - streets we recommended for sidewalks
are streets that have no way of people walking in the winter
time. The first two blocks of Cedar Street have a severe
pedestrian problem, would rather see it paved .
Mr Cataldo said that there was an issue here; it was
true on Cedar Street; the problems are not only sidewalks
Lincoln Street has to be reconstructed and widened .
Mr Worrell said that section of Lincoln Street can be
widened ; you can't widen Cedar Street, if you did , you would
have the pavement up to people's steps It' s a different
order of magnitude to the abutter, it is a lot preferable
than having the sidewalk at his front step
Sidewalks Mr. Cataldo said it would mean complete redesign.
Mr. McSweeney said that it wasn't a ease of ignoring
Cedar Street - it involves Cedar, Hill and Concord Avenue
and the cost eliminated Concord Avenue and Hill Street .
Mr. Worrell said that the Planning Board would like to
suggest that the Selectmen consider at the next Town Meeting
bringing in articles for the taking of necessary land
Mr. Greeley said that the Planning Board could come in
with recommendations .
Mr. Worrell said that he had wiitten a letter that we
should consider spending more money on sidewalks to improve
our program.
Mr. Cataldo said that he had talked to Capital Expendi-
tures twice.
The Chairman said, sewers, streets, and sidewalks, Capi-
tal Expenditures won't like it . Can't you see that on
Concord Avenue and Hill Street, it would be $20,000 on each
one?
Mr. Worrell said that you substituted other things; I
know why you couldn't do Cedar Street.
Mr. Greeley asked Mr. Worrell if he agreed about Middle
Street. He said that was one of your recommendation - you
got one. What is the priority on Tufts Road?
Mr. Worrell said, none; that the Selectmen agreed with
the desirability of early action on this .
Mr. Cataldo said, on Lincoln Street, we thought it was
going to be developed
Mr. Mabee said that we are going backwards, as Mr.
Cataldo said; we should increase the amount of money.
533
The Chairman said that the Board is sympathetic with
your priorities . The Traffic Committee had done the best
it could , under the circumstances In the future, it is to
the advantage of all of us that we stick together - the
town is growing and we are not . The budget should be increased
to at least keep up with the increased construction costs
Mr. Worrell said, on Lincoln Street , defer until rede-
sign; Middle Street, last year► s appropriation; Cedar Street,
deferred; Concord Avenue, deferred; and Simonds Road you have
included.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ap-
prove the following list of streets for the construction of
sidewalks , out of the 1968 budget:
1. Massachusetts Avenue - Worthen Road to Hastings Road .
Also, 145, at the intersection of Cedar Street and
Massachusetts Avenue.
2. Coolidge Road from Adams Street, Hancock Street to
Adams Street.
3. Eldred Street - Bedford Street to Ivan Street.
4. Reed Street - Bedford Street to Augustus Road.
5. Simonds Road - Preston Road to Burlington Street.
6 Robinson Road - Turning Mill to the school.
In addition to this list, Middle Street and Tufts Road
will also be included in the same contract, out of the 1967
Budget.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
adjourn at 10:30 P.M.
A true, Attest:
Executive Clerk, Selectmen
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