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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-05-20-BOS-min 423 SELECTMEN'S MEETING May 20, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 20, 1968, at 7:30 p.m. Acting Chairman Cataldo, Messrs, Mabee and Kenney were present , Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant , 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. At the request of the Town Clerk, one juror was drawn, David J. Harrigan, 41 Williams Road. Juror Mu .. Battin met with the Board to discuss informa- tion regarding staff changes since Town Manager form of government in Arlington, Concord, Andover, Danvers and Wilmington. In Arlington, there is a Selectmen ' s secretary, male and three clerks - one clerk has been added. Ac- cording to the Town Manager, they had two secretaries and an Assistant Manager who handled the purchasing. Purchasing is now being taken care of by the Department of Public Works. They plan on getting an Assistant Manager in June. In Concord, one-half full time clerk for Seleetmen- Town Manager has been added; they have had an Assistant since 1965. In addition to the Manager, part-time clerk typist, and , in the future, an Administrative Assistant to the Town Manager. Structure In Andover, no increase in the staff with the of Town Manager. Govt. In Danvers, a new Town Manager and Assistant Town Manager, and they need a new girl. The Assistant Town Manager will be paid $10,000 and will assume his duties in June. In Wilmington, new position of Town Manager Admin- istrative Assistant. Using the receptionist and cleri- cal staff there. There is a need for another girl for purchasing and personnel. Mr. Kenney said that there are two secretaries in Arlington. Mrs. Battin said that they had not hired anyone, there was no additional clerical help. Mr. Kenney said that was not what he was told. Mrs . Battin said that she had talked to the Manager and he said that they had an Assistant Manager and used two secretaries. Haven' t had an Assistant Manager for a few years; have turned purchasing over to the Office Manager of Department of Public Works. 424 Mr. Kenney said that his point was, if the Manager takes from one job to another, he has to fill the position that was vacated. The Selectmen' s office increased. Mrs .Battin said that it had increased one . Mr. Kenney asked Mrs. Battin when the final draft of the Selectmen-Town Manager report will be ready. Mrs. Battin said that it is practically ready now. Mr. Legro has made several other suggestions. When he and Mr. Hardy are agreed, I will take it to M. I.T. in a few days. If M. I.T. can' t do it, we will wait. Mr. Gray read a letter from Mr. Legro, Master of Simon W. Robinson Lodge, A.F. & A.M. , requesting per- Permit mission for a public procession from the Masonic Temple of Lexington to the Church of our Redeemer on Sunday, June 9, 1968. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Simon W. Robinson Lodge, A.F. & A.M. , for a public procession from the Masonic Temple to the Church of our Redeemer on June 9, 1968 . Mr. Gray read a letter from the Director of Veterans' Services stating that James F. Stevens, Jr. of Lexington was killed in Germany in World War II, but his name is not on the placque at the Lexington High School. Mrs. H. L. McKay, Mr. Stevens' sister, would like to have his name included on the placque. The Honor Chairman said that, according to the letter, there is Roll a certified war record. We will see how much money is involved to have his name put on the Honor Roll. Mr. Mabee asked if the Board could do it, and how it could be done if the committee in charge of the Honor Roll is now defunct. He asked who would have the jurisdiction. Mr. Legro said that the money was turned over to the School Committee to be reserved for the Memorial. The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to take care of the matter. Mr. Gray said that he would check out Mrs. McKay's request that her brother, James F. Stevens, Jr. , be included on the Honor Roll and see that it is done. Mr. Gray said that bids were received by Public Works for one Carrier Mounted-5/8 yd. Hydraulic Backhoe. Backhoe He submitted the bids and suggested that the Board look over the specification sheets and discuss at next week's meeting. 425 Mr. Gray said that Mr. Burke had submitted a report Sanitary on the operation of the sanitary land fill and suggested Land Fill that it be discussed at next week' s meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Bond No. 91..-02-91+ for Mrs. Doris Barclay, Bond in the amount of $18,000. The Chairman read a letter from the County Com- missioners requesting a petition for the relocation of Lowell Street, from Winchester Drive and Maple Street northerly and northwesterly to Woburn Street, be signed by five inhabitants of the Town and returned Petition to their office. Lowell St. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the petition for the relocation of Lowell Street from Winchester Drive and Maple Street northerly and northwesterly to Woburn Street. The Chairman read a letter of resignation from the Conservation Commission from Leslie H. York. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Resigna- to accept Mr. York' s resignation from the Conserva- tion tion Commission with regret . The Chairman read a letter from the Town Cele- brations Committee recommending that the Board appoint a committee for the celebration of the Bicentennial of the 19th of April, 1975. Bicenten- It was agreed to discuss the recommendations of nial the Town Celebrations Committee at a future date. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the street betterment assessments for the Street following streets: Kendall Road, Laconia Street, Betterment Valleyfield Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the sidewalk betterment assessments for the Sidewalk following streets: Blossomcrest Road, Kendall Road, Laconia Street, and Valleyfield Street. Mr. Gray said that bids had been received for the resurfacing of four tennis courts at the Center Play- ground . Mr. Burke has recommended that the contract Tennis be awarded to the low bidder, Berkshire Tennis Court Courts Construction Company of Lee, Massachusetts for $2, 777.00. Mr. Kenney asked if the Berkshire Company had been checked out. r 4126 Mr. Burke said that they have had large and small projects in the area and the work has been of good quality Mr. Mabee said that he would like to know what work they have done around here. Mr Burke said that he would get a list of where they have worked The Chairman said that the Board would take the matter under advisement. The Chairman said that Chapter 90 funds should be discussed. Mr. Gray said that it is recommended that Lowell Street, the section between Maple and Woburn Streets, be designated this year. At the Annual Town Meeting we discussed the need of additional funds for Lowell Street. If we do not allow, we lose Chapter 90 funds, $39,000. Chapter 879 funds may be received and are in the Town Treasury. At the Annual Meeting in 1969 Chapter 879 funds may be allotted to another street. Mr. McSweeney said that this is in addition to the Chapter 90 funds that you had for Lowell Street in 1967. Mr. Mabee asked if a second allotment were per- missible. Mr Gray said that on a Chapter 90 road, if and when the road is completed, surplus funds revert back to the State and County. On this basis, it seemed ad- visable to the Town that two roads by designated . If Chapter any surplus, it can be used on the second road. Worthen 90 Road should be designated as a second road; the money would be used on sections of Worthern Road through Town owned property. If we have $7,000 or $8,000 from Lowell Street, it doesntt revert back Mr McSweeney said that they have checked on Worthen Road and it could be accepted for Chapter 90 funds . Mr. Mabee said that there was one piece, about 40 feet near Marrett Road. Mr. Gray said that there were also 600 feet through school property. Mr. Kenney asked if there was a time limit to hold funds and Mr. Gray answered in the negative. Mr McSweeney said that, if this approved, we would have to come up with a plan for the DPW as to what we would expect to do with Worthen Road at a future date Mr. Mabee said that we could spend that on Waltham° Street and Worthern Road. Mr. Gray said that $32,000 of Chapter 879 funds are left on Massachusetts Avenue Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that Chapter 90 funds be designated for Lowell Street and Worthern Road . 427 The Appropriation Committee met with the Board . The Chairman said that the purpose of the meeting is to go over the Articles for the Warrant The Engineering Budget was discussed , Mr. McSweeney said that he is carrying the same figure of $17,000. He requests the four people he had asked for at the pre- vious Town Meeting. There is one change - when I first came here there were no students hired, but after dis- cussion with Professor Pratt of Northeastern, he will send a Senior student who will come up through the ranks in our department. If the budget is approved, it will give me a third man to work in the department on design; in the summer, he would be out in the field . I am re- questing an Assistant Engineer, Senior Engineer, and a Junior Engineer for inspection. In the past, the Town Engineer was also the Superintendent of Public Works. Today, there is a Town Engineer, but no assistant Engineer; one Junior Engineer carries the office load; there are two draftsmen, but no design Engineer. As a result, I have two men carrying the whole inside operation. I have adequate survey people; inspection section of two men carrying over $500,000, and bonded subdivision also; Engineering carrying $2,000,000 on Town construction. We feel that Budget the Town can' t get their money' s worth. By the time we give the Consultant the preliminary work, we can't pos- sibly keep up. Bob Adam' s Junior Engineer, is the only one who has anything to do with it. He sets up add gives it to the Consultant. The budget is $2,700,000. We are talking of $92,850 which we would need now. I would like to extend it to $106,000; have averaged $131,000 going to Consultant' s fees . We should be given an opportunity to use a portion of these Consultant' s fees . The Chairman said that we have joint work being done and work being missed , can you cite the money it has cost us because of lack of inspection and the area you are con- tinuing to do this Mr . McSweeney said that they had talked today about the Phijaip Road sewer. There are two Consultants in con- flict. Before we can build, we have a series of meetings We are talking $12,000 or $13,000. Mr. Gray said that one problem arose, to get Philip Road into the new school. We found out the problem with the sewer line that had sunk, it had acted as an inverted syphon. It was put back to the proper grade and we had the Contractor gravel Philip Road as access road to the school. There is a question as to where the responsibil- ity lies when the sewer sunk in about a year. There was no Inspector on the job. There have been meetings with the School Architect . This may lead to Mr. Legro, Town Counsel; a problem of inspection. Mr. Gary asked if there was a Town Engineer would it have happened and Mr. Gray said that he couldn't say. T2J Mr. McSweeney said that we tell the Consultant what we want and give them the job to do; we start on another. We don't have the opportunity to sit down and review. At Hartwell Avenue, the Contractor said that the pipe was not in and after reviewing the plan, the pipe was there. We said that we woEild get Whitman and Howard, and it took a day or so. The fellow was down 32 feet and we wanted a decision. On a contracting basis, a man only gets paid for what he does We sent someone to the Department of Public Works . Mr. Gary said it was made clear tht even with the additional people, they don't plan on going to 100 per- cent inspection. On this particular Article, the Select- men read the figure add incorporated these additional funds which you are asking for again. The Appropriation amendment carried it. Now you are bringing it to Town Meeting again, three months after it was denied . This is not a new proposal. Mr. Kenney said that Mr. McSweeney was originally talking about doing away with Consultants . It got quite confusing on the Town Meeting floor. Mr. McSweeney said that from his point of view at the previous Town Meeting he had gone about this in the wrong way. The Chairman said that since March, looking at the work load and projects , it is even more important for us to get these people, even more strongly than in March. We must get them the work load is not going down. If we want to get our money' s worth, we need them. Nobody wants to take the responsibility of a mistake Mr. Gray said that we don't realize the amount of time that John Carroll spent involved in Engineering. Mr. McSweeney is involved as he was ; there is no one in the office to take care of street layout, sidewalks, conservation, etc. There just isn't the personnel to take care of these things . We don't have an Assistant Engineer now Mr. Gary said that the first proposal was for planning the expansion of the Engineering Department . Do you want to divorce this proposal from the long range plan? Mr. McSweeney said that he is looking for the same four people with different classifications, for the same reasons as before. The Chairman said that the last time we said it was for the beefing up of the department; no further move was made until this was evaluated and straightened out. Mr. Gary said that the Appropriation Committee wanted to see a better assimilation of their jobs, and rationals . 429 The Chairman said that they want, aside from in- spection, a general organization of the department . There is an Engineer who can record a plan, next is a Junior Engineer We must have some in-between. Mr. McSweeney is asking for: Assistant Town Engineer S4,712, July 12 Senior Engineer S4,322 " " Junior Engineer 54,076 " " Student Engineer 82,860 " Mr. Grant asked which had the greatest priority. Mr. McSweeney said that he would start at the top and work down . We would be looking forward to an.tAssiat- ant Town Engineer Mr. Grant asked about a Junior Engineer for in- spection. Mr. McSweeney said that he would need a lot of con- struction background . He would work with the other two inspectors, so would the student engineer in the summer time. Mr. Grant asked if Mr. McSweeney had to establish priority, which one would he select. Mr. McSweeney said, Assistant Town Engineer, Junior Engineer, and Inspector, Senior Engineer, and the Stu- I II dent Engineer. Mr. Grant asked to what degree of responsibility is there in reporting back to you. We pay a Consultant to design the work and inspect. Mr. McSweeney said that on water and sewer contracts, they are responsible for inspection. In the field , the Clerk of the job sees that they perform the work accord- ing to specifications . These plans are not reviewed and we didn't get into this type of problem before. Mr. Mabee said that he had served on the Permanent Building Committee and the practice was to retain an Architect who draws and brings a set of the plans. The Architect shall inspect and supervise as they go along. We hired an on-the-job Inspector all the time to make sure the Architect is doing it right, and the Contractor. We hired a Consulting Engineer to lay out. We rely en- tirely on him to see that the contract is put in if difficulty arises . When an error is made, there is nobody there on be- half of the Town, to look out for our interests. Mr. McSweeney wants and needs a third party for inspection. Mr. McSweeney said that when he first came to the Town he reported the Housing Authority project to the State and asked who had designed it; he sb_ opped the job. Mr. Williams would vouch for the job the Engineering Department has done in the last four months, the design and the thought that went into it. 431 w_ Mr. Grant asked if the Consultants have been told their work is unsatisfactory. The Chairman said that one example was Lowell Street; it must be repaved, it is buckling. Mr. Kenney said that we are not talking about tak- ing over for outside consultants , we are convinced. Mr. McSweeney said that we are not going to elimin- ate Consultants . Out of $131,000 going out., we will get $17,000 back. Mr. Grant said that the figures Mr. McSweeney gave for the four men do not add up to $17,000. The Chairman said that Mr. McSweeney needed $90,050 and $89,000 was appropriated ; $1,050 added to the 15,4970 for the four additional men is a total of $17,020. Mr. Grant said that these are six months figures . The Chairman said that the Engineering Department must get help between the Town Engineer and the Junior Engineer. As we know, there are Federal programs in- volved and a Junior Engineer can't be held responsible for them. Mr. Blaisdell said that you are asking for $9,400 for tin. Assistant Town Engineer and asked Mr. McSweeney if he felt he would be better off paying more, $11,000. Mr. McSweeney said that he would be. Mr. Blaisdell asked why he didn't ask for htm. The Chairman said they would go through the appli- cations of S-20-C They were looking at other towns and what assistants were being paid Akked if they were trying to hire. Mr. Blaisdell said that Mr. McSweeney felt that $9, 00 was an adequate salary and asked what he was go- ing to do with the $1,500. Mr. McSweeney said that it was already scheduled for salary for personnel he now had . Mr. Blaisdell said that there was an error in com- puting and told Mr. McSweeney that there was an error in computing and told Mr. McSweeney that he would be akking the Appropriation Committee or Town Meeting for $1,500 Article 5, $60,000 for Chapter 90 roads . The Chairman said that the Board voted to allot this year' s Chapter 90 money to Lowell Street, from Maple to Woburn Street, and Worthen Road . Any funds re- Article 5 maining oft Lowell Street will be applied to Town owned land on Worthen Road . We have $60,000 assigned to Lowell Street, a 1967 appropriation. The State estimates at the time that the Lowell Street project will be about $95,000 j.ast year' s Chapter 90 plus Chapter 879 money. would hate of this . We feel that it is in the beet interests of the Town to allocate this year' s Chapter 90 431 money to Lowell Street and use the Chapter 879 money on some other street . In this way, Chapter 879 money can be used on any other street to Town specifications be- cause the Town designs the street and not the State. Also, Chapter 879 money is sent to us directly and it is in our treasury; therefore, we can spend it on other streets . Mr. Gray said that Town Meeting has a decision to make, whether they want to appropriate the money or fore- go Chapter 90 funds; we will lose $39,000. Mr. Grant asked why we would appropriate $60,000 more. Mr Cataldo said that we are talking $95,000 for Lowell Street . If we appropriate $120,000, designating two streets, any money left over from Lowell Street would be available to us for the other street . If we didn't use two streets, the money would revert, back to the State and County. We can' t use Chapter 879 money without a Town Meeting vote Mr Mabee said that there was a small piece of land , 100' deep, north of Matrett Road on Worthern Road Mr Carl Blake asked about Bedford Street being con- sidered Mr. Gray said that if we went to the State, they would say to widen it . Mr Mabee said that it was a pointed issue. Mr Gary asked if Waltham Street could be substituted He added that it wbuld save a lot of trouble Mr Blake asked who determines the width of Chapter 90 roads and Mr McSweeney said that the State determines Mr Grant asked if Worthern Road was satisfactory to the State Mr. Gray said that Worthern Road has been checked out and it was satisfactory to the State Article 8, sewer mains , $62,000 Woburn Street, $40,000; Hartwell Avenue, $12,000; Worthern Road, $10,000 Mr Grant asked for the reasons for the three expenditures Mr Gray said that the State plans to reconstruct Woburn Street from Lowell Street to Five Corners When they do this, we can ' t construct on the street for five years . We want to put in the sewer lateral on Woburn Street to the Woburn line, a dry sewer Mr. Cataldo said that the State had already held the hearing. Mr. Gray said that the extension of the sewer on Hartwell Avenue is to service Itek, $1,000,000 build- Article 8 ing The sewer is on private property on an easement. The extension of the sewer on Worthern Road is to ser- ' vice a new subdivision Mr Grant asked about betterments Mr Kenney said that we get back 40 percent on bet- terments 432 Mrs Rawls asked what is available in the Select- men' s sewer fund and the Chairman replied that nothing is available We have already committed $248,000 for laterals . We are going to do well to get the streets ; Adams Street is not included . Mr. Gray said that there were citizen' s petitions for the sewers Article 9. $45,000, 10 9 acres of land on Utica Street; to be taken at the same rate as the original Conservation package None of this land for Conserva- Article 9 tion. Mr. Legro said it is for general Town purposes . The Article reads for street, playground and recreation purposes Article 12 $1,000. $1,000 to be used strictly for the design of a memorial for veterans of all wars . Mr Gary asked about the Article for the Honor Roll at the Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Cataldo said that was an Honor Roll for Vietnam Veterans . This memorial will be for all wars If this Article 12 is acceptable to Town Meeting, there is space at Emery Park for a memorial. Mr. Gary said that at the regular Architect' s rate, this would be fifty hours of work. Mr. Mabee said that the Article should be in and Town Meeting vote to accept or defeat it . Article 13. $4,600. Civil Defense Warning System. Mr. Mabee said that the recommendation of the Ad- visory Committee is the same as last March Article 13 Mr Gary said that it is coming up again at Town Meeting and I question the propriety of bringing it up later. The Chairman said that the Advisory Committee' s position that they would come back in June with further explanations Mr. Gray said that Mr. Burrell was not there at Town Meeting Article 14. No figure assigned yet Mr. Grant said that the Appropriation Committee had the impression that Mr Clarke did not know it was in Article 14 Mr. Gary asked if this Article is worded as precisely as it was last March. Mr. Legro said that the Article in March asked for a temporary surface Mr McSweeney said that $1,000 was appropriated We brought someone in to design a parking area; bad domeone for a survey, and someone for boring; will come in with cost estimates and we will work borings in with it 433 Article 15, $765 00. Mr. Grant said that they have a letter from Bob Sherman for overalls and work clothes They did not fight for the money on Town Meeting floor. Article 15 Mr. Mabee said that we haven' t changed our position. Article 16 $23,000. Mr. Grant said that he had received the figure from Bill Smith of Conservation last night. The land is on the other side of Route 128, between Grove and Bedford Streets . There is an option for agreement for $2300 an acre. Article 16 The Chairman said that they are carrying $23,000, ten acres at $2300 an acre; this is more than the Chandler land at $1 ,600 an acme Mr Kenney asked if there was a sewer The Chairman said that there was one, it gobs through the Chandler piece of land , right by the ditch Article 18. Transfer of General Funds . Public Article 18 Works ' bulldozer burned . Article 19 Citizens ' Article on the Reservoir. Mr. Bond has called a meeting for May 2L1. as the Article 19 citizens have not submitted cost figures. Article 20. Dog Leash Law. The Chairman said that Mr. Gray will compile the Article 20 information as to what the recommended budget abould be. Mr. Grant said that the proponents should present the Article The Chairman said that Vernon Page had requested that the Chairman of the Board of Selectmen read the motion. Mr. Grant said that he felt that Citizens ' Articles should be read by citizens . Mr Gray said that the person who had submitted the Article did not have a figure The Appropriation and Capital Expenditures Committees retired . 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 financikl interest of the Town or the reputation of any person. Following discussion relative to land appraisals, it was voted to resume the open meeting I 434 M 4 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:50 F.M. A true record, Attest: Executive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, May 27, 1968, at 7:30 F.M. c ac) Q,or t� I I