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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-04-08-BOS-min :359 SELECTMEN'S MEETING April 8, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 8, 1968, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Cataldo, Mabee, Kenney, and Greeley, 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 . Mr. Gray read a letter from Mr. Sherman requesting the installation of sewer service at 14 Ridge Road, in exchange for a sewer easement. The Board agreed to have the letter put on file Sewer for discussion at a later date. read Mr. GrayAa letter from Mr. Legro, requesting a transfer of $575.00 from the Reserve Fund, to settle Transfer claims on Blossomcrest Road . Mr. Legro stated that the appropriation for alteration and relocation of Blossom- crest Road under Article 59 of the Warrant for the 1967 Town Meeting had been exhausted by the payment of apprai- al fee, engineering fee, and construction costs. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Ccmmittee to transfer the sum of $575.00 from the Reserve Fund to Article 59 of the Warrant for the 1967 Annual Town Meeting. Mr. Gray read a letter from Whitman and Howard regarding the force main from the Brooks Street Pumping Station. The letter stated that construction must be under way by June 1, 196ti or the Town faces loss of the Federal Aid allotted for this program. Mr. Gray said that he had talked with Mr. Legro and asked him to call Mr. Greeley, Division of Water Pollution Control, and discuss the situation with him. Force Mr. Gray said that the original application for the Main grant had been signed by Mr. Carroll and the present plans differ somewhat from the original plans; a 20" pipe is to be installed pkrt way and then a30" pipe is to be installed. Mr. Gray requested the Board to authorize Mr. Burke, Superintendent of Public Works, to sign a new application setting forth new specifications. The application is to say that Bedford is involved. The Chairman said that this would be the first order of priority and asked about the time element. Mr. Gray replied that as soon as the permit is received from Mr. Greeley we can advertise immediately. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Burke to sign a new application for the force main from the Brooks Street Pumping Station. Mr. Gray read a letter from Whitman and Howard regarding sidewalk construction on Pleasant Street, Middle Street and Tufts Road. Mr. Gray said that there was not enough money available to do Pleasant Street but suggested that if the Board felt that it had high enough priority, this year' s money could be used. Pleasant The Chairman asked if there was any way we could Street get a transfer of funds, as there are other sidewalks to be done this year. Mr. Gray recommended that Pleasant Street be deleted and put back to next year; Pleasant Street has third priority. Mr. Greeley said that postponing Pleasant Street for one year is not going to solve the problem. The Chairman asked how much time was involved before acting on the bids and Mr. Gray replied that, legally, the Town has thirty days before the contract . Mr. Cataldo said that he felt it should be referred to the Traffic Committee with the recommendation to put out one contract for two years' budget. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer the construction of sidewalks on Pleasant Street to the Traffic Study Committee . The Committee is to report to the Board on next Monday evening. Mr. Gray said that Mr. Burnell was interested in Lots 98 and 99 Taft Avenue. When the original deed was written, the two lots were to be combined with lots 100 to 1014. to make 150' frontage. In 1958, the Board of Selectmen voted to make two 75' lots, but the deed written then does not so specify. Mr. Burnell requests that the deed be changed to indicate two 75' lots . Taft Ave . The Chairman said that a previous Board had made Lots a coimaitment for two 75' lots and asked Mr. Gray to check with the Planning Board to see if there was any reason for it to remain a 150' lot. If the Planning Board sees no valid reason, the Board will agree to two 75' lots. Mr. Gray read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce asking about clarification of the law regarding Friday, April 19th. 1 361 The Chairman requested that a letter be written to the Chamber of Commerce informing them that, although April 19th is a legal holiday in Massachusetts, the Sunday closing laws do not apply. The Board has no 19th of legal way to require business establishments to be April closed. If a store wishes to remain open there is nothing the Board can legally do about it, except to ask their cooperation to help celebrate this holiday. Mr. Gary of the Buckman Tavern Committee met with the Board. He said that the Contractor had completed the work on Buckman Tavern and it will be open on April 19th. After the McCarthy Construction Company and the Consultant ' s fees are paid, there is a balance of $1740.00. During the winter same additional damage was revealed and the Consultant recommended that repairs be made; funds are available to take care of them. Mr. Gary requested approval of a bid in the amount of $1490.00, submitted by Paul E. Dutelle and Co. , Inc . for the additional repairs . If approved, the Consul- tant' s fee will be $149.00. Of the $25,000 appro- priation, there will be a balance of $101 .00. Mr. Gary said that the kitchen ceiling is in a weakened condition and it will be less than $200.00 to repair it. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for repairs to the Buckman Tavern to Paul E. Dutelle and Co. , Inc. in the amount of $1490.00. Mr. and Mrs. Pisiello and their attorney, Julian Soshnick, met with the Board. Mr. Soshnick said that Mr. Pisiello owns some dogs and, on March 20, 1968, he received a letter from Officer Carlson ordering him to restrain the dogs from running at large when off the premises and also to immediately suppress the barking of said dogs both Pisiello day and night . Mr. Soshnick said that this appear- Dog ance before the Board was in the nature of a complaint; that no one spoke to Mr. Pisiello about the dogs; he had just received a letter in the mail. The Dog Officer did say that there were no complaints in writing. The Chairman said that, normally, on a dog hearing all parties are notified, the Dog Officer is present, and the complaining parties . Mr. Soshnick showed photographs of the clogs behind the fenced-in area which had been built to restrain them. He said that, occasionally, a dog does get loose. The Chairman asked if Mr. Pisiello knew whether the Dog Officer had made any attempt to get in touch with him. Mr. Pisiello replied that the Dog Officer had sent a patrol car to tell his wife about the complaint on the evening of March 19th and the letter from the Dog Officer arrived on the next day. 362 The Chairman said that the key to the situation is a written complaint to the proper people, the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Soshnick said there would have to be a written complaint. He felt that the Dog Officer was over- zealous; he didn' t take the trouble to talk with Mr. Pisiello, he had made an independent determination. Mr. and Mrs. Pisiello did not have the opportunity to say agything. The Chairman said that it was the Board' s pre- rogative to talk with the Dog Officer and request a review. Mr. Soshnick said he suggests that the order be rescinded. The Dog Officer was only attempting to do his job, that he didn' t doubt that he has the authority to restrain the dogs. Some of the neighbors will say that the dogs do not bother them. Mr. Gray said that he had talked with the Dog Officer and was told that there was a complaint, not a written complaint, from a woman who had a sick child. The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to get a full report on the case . A group of residents of Bridge Street met with the Board. Mr. Benjamin Cohen said that the original petition was submitted about a year ago. Only 500' from Valley- field to Waltham Street has not been paved, and it was their understanding that the street would be paved this year. The Chairman said that there are certain limits Bridge placed on everything we do in Town, sewers, sidewalks, Street streets. We can' t do many streets. Does not deny that it needs to be done; comes down to judgment at the time, the percentage of people that want it and the number of vacant lots; there are eight vacant lots on this street. Mr. Lindell said that there are no vacant lots now; the last two lots have homes on them but are not sold. 100% of the residents want the street paved. Mr. Greeley asked how many people had signed the original petition and Mr. Lindell said that there were eighteen signatures. The Chairman said that in order to build streets, we have to go through the formality of layout. It is unlikely that we could do it this year; have used up all the money available this year. The facts as they are not presented would lend it favorably for next year. Mr. Ray Townsend said that he understood that 3G3 1 Grassland Street is to be done. He felt that if you bring heavy equipment into this area, why not do Bridge Street; it would cut down costs if home owners pay for the street. The Chairman said that they don ' t, not even half. The Board agrees that it is a bad street; wish we could do more but the appropriations of money preclude us doing this. There would have to be an Article in the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Kenney said that Bridge Street would have high priority next year. We have a limited budget and have more requests than money. Mr. Cohen said that he had a petition, drafted by all residents of Bridge Street, and presented it to the Board. The Chairman said it is the first petition to be submitted for the 1969 budget, and informed them that they will receive another petition stating what assessment would be on each home owner. Mr. Cohen asked if everyone would have to agree to this to get the street. The Chairman said there was no question that the condition of the street is a good case in point. The Street will cost $18,000; the Board recommends putting in sidewalk on one side, particularly if it hooks up to a street near a school. Mr. Mabee said that the right of way was 50+ ; there was plenty of room for a sidewalk. Mr. Cuccinello said that when they put the sewer in about a year and half ago he watched the workers. When they backfilled, they dumped the same material back in. He asked the inspector why they weren' t using gravel instead of putting the same material back. He said the inspector answered that the gravel was too expensive. The Chairman asked if the pipe was covered. Mr. Cuccinello said that very little gravel was used. The Chairman said that when the vote is taken on intent to lay out , you have top priority. Mr. Greeley asked if there was a need for drainage on Bridge Street. Mrs. David Poynton said that the culverts were removed. Mr. Cataldo asked who had removed them and Mr. Poyntonsaid that the builder had removed them and never rSplaced them; now we have no drainage on our lots. In front of his home there was a hole 141/2' to 5' deep. It was very dangerous and he asked the Town to fill it in. 111 The Chairman said that the solution is proper construction and drainage . 3" a Mr. Greeley said that it was an Engineering Problem. Mr. William Copp said that the Town maintains that they have no control over the traffic; people use Bridge Street as a cutoff for Marrett Road. When it is paved, the traffic will be heavier. The Chairman agreed and said that this is a problem that occurs when many streets are paved. Mr. Cuccinello said that he didn' t understand why, if Bridge Street is a private way he could not park his car in the street during the winter without getting a ticket. The Chairman explained that the law is that no parking in the street is allowed because of snow removal; the Town plows unaccepted streets . Mr. Cohen asked about additional lighting and if they had to petition; there are two lights on the street now. The Chairman said that there is a certain amount for street lighting; this year we only had $2,000 to spend. Mr. Greeley asked the Clerk to make a note that a request was made for street lights. A request was made for a street sign. Mr. Mabee said that a sign could be put up marked "Private Way" . Mr. Gray agreed. The Bridge Street group retired. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted lI Auctioneer to sign the Auctioneer' s License for William A. Sennott, 229 East Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Polls that the polls will open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, 1968 for the Presidential Primary. Special Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Police to appoint Special Police Officers for terms expiring Officers March 31, 1969. (See list at end of Minutes . ) The Chairman read a letter from Dr. Israel Mirsky, 20 Mason Road, requesting permission to connect a cellar drain to the existing storm drain on Mason Road. Dr. Mirsky Mr. Burke and Mr. McSweeney have inspected the Drain property and Mr Burke recommended that the Board Connection grant the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to Dr. Israel Mirsky, 20 Mason Road, to connect a cellar drain to the existing storm drain on Mason Road. 365 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to sign abatements for water to the following: Gerald Meadows, $75.95; Pasquale Luongo, $8.75; Allen B. Wilson, $8.75; James Mahoney, $60 00; John Peterson, $8.75; Martin Abkowitz, 57. 75; Abatements Abatements John Taylor, $30 22; Lee Najarian, $22.03; Harry Farrington, $8 75; Patrick McLaughlin, $29.10; Richard Reckard, $19.32; Annie Hopkins , $3.15; Frank Busa, $8.75; H. W. Smith, $30.09. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the Minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings Minutes held on April 1, and April 3, 1968 . Upon motion duly made and secondee, it eras voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town or the Executive reputation of any person. Executive Session After discussion affecting the reputation of a Session Town employee, it was voted to resume the open meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Peckham of the Cary Lecture Committee, inviting the Selectmen Invitation to attend the Cary Lecture Program on Saturday, April 20, 1968. It was agreed that the Board of Eelecbmen would attend. Mr. Kenney said that we now have $10,000 for the Great Meadows and Arlington has $10,000. The Chairman said that there has to be an Great agreement between the two Boards of Selectmen, and Meadows asked Mr. Gray to get in touch with the Chairman of the Arlington Board. Mr. Russian, Mr. Bryson, Mr. Adams and Mrs. Relman of the Structure of Town Government Committee met with the Board . Mr. Russian said that the Committee is here to make a formal request for assistance. The Article that was presented at the Meeting in March will come up at Town Meeting in June . He had received a letter from Mr. Legro that there was a need to go over the proposed Article. Need for Special Counsel and , obviously, we can' t as there is no money, no authority. If we are going to meet the deadline, we ask that Special Counsel be provided. The Chairman asked, how much money? 366 Mr. Russian replied, $500 or $1,000. Mr. Cataldo said that the amount of money is secondary; present Town Counsel or former Town Counsel . . Mr. Mabee said that, when writing a portion of the Structure By-Laws, Mr. Stevens was then Town Counsel. He felt that he did eve the time and recommended that we get Speciar o shape up, get in order. Special Counsel worked the redoing of the By-Laws, then he got together with Mr. Stevens . Mr. Hardy was the Special Counsel; ygu have mentioned him as a possibility. Mr. Russian said that he was a first-rate man. Mr. Mabee said that Mr. Legro has found problems, without having him spend too much time on it . . Mr. Russian said, if Town Counsel feels Special Counsel should be provided . . . Mr. Greeley said that they must get the job done . Mt. Cataldo asked if it was their feeling that Town Counsel hire someone for other things and he con- centrate on this. Mr. Russian said that they suavest you give us the legal assistance that is necessary. Mr. Mabee said that he wouldn' t have any objection on this particular issue to have two heads instead of one; have talked about Mr. Hardy. Mr. Kenney questioned if they were asking authoriza- tion up to $1,000. Mr. Russian said that they were not seeking $1,000. The Chairman asked if it were the Board' s opinion that we approach Town Counsel that counsel be provided and await his recommendation so that we may appoint him. Mr. Cataldo said that either Mr. Legro does it or he has an assistant. Mr. Adams said that where the Legal Department is in a state of change, of Town Counsel submitting his resigna- tion, he might not want to get into it. Mr. Russian said, additional request is a time factor. The Chairman said that the Committee will have Counsel . We will explore during the week with Town Counsel. Mr. Kenney said that there are varying opinions re- garding the proposal . Many areas of common agreement are better in order to have a more united front. Do you still have an open mind? Mr. Russian said that it is important for the Board to be backing regarding the administrative change. We have some adjustments from our initial draft; I think there is room for changes. Hope we can continue to hold open discussions . If two or three of us could sit down with the Chairman v . . we 44,ect to come back and talk to you. Mr . Kenney said, can' t support you now, would like to talk with you. 367 Mr. Adams said that it would be helpful if anyone had questions . Mr. Kenney said that he hoped it leaned more to Executive Secretary; downgrade Manager and upgrade Secretary. Mrs. Reiman suggested a list be made - talk in terms of specifics. Mr. Greeley said that he would like to see the particulars in writing. In principle, there is a possi- bility of compromise . Mr. Cataldo said that, in the final analysis, some substantial changes will be made. It will go in, regardless of what we think individually. Mr. Russian said, if we get Special Counsel, will pick up from there. Mr. Adams suggested that a special meeting be held some evening. It was agreed that a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen and Structure of Town Government Committee be held on Thursday evening, April 25, 1968 at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Mabee mentioned that money had been appropriated for the water main for Oakmont Circle. Oakmont Mr. Gray said that Whitman and Howard will be Circle coming to make pressure tests . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:45 p.m. A true record: Attest : Executive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, April 15, 1968, at 7:30 F.M. rt 41 r l,)L I� 4363 c A... SPECIAL POLICE OFFICERS 1968-1969 0 Acheson, Eugene A. 2631+ Mass. Ave. Resident11 Adams, Adam A. 23 Charles Street Resident Adams, Alan G. 15 Somerset Road Resident Adams, Bertram H. Jr. 127 Wyoming Ave . , Malden M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Anderson, Carl 41 Ledgelawn Avenue Civil Defense Baker, Ramon C. 14 Stratham Road Resident Bailout Sidney R. 38 Highland Avenue Resident Barnes, John B. 26 Kenmore Road, Malden M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Barnes, Raymond E. 59 Gleason Rd. Resident Barrett, Elliott J. 92 Middle Street Resident Barry, John M. 34 Forest Street Resident I Belcastro, Francis 1714. Wood Street Firefighter Bentley, Thomas F. 2614. South Road, Bedford Custodian Bevington, Alfred 130 Marrett Road Firefighter Blodgett, John 15 Hilltop Avenue School Department Bluteau, Joseph 21A Flint St. , Som. School Department Burke, Joseph F. 10 Totman Drive, Woburn Supt. Public Works Burke, Thomas M. 151 East Street Firefighter Burrell, Arthur E. 2 Thoreau Road Civil Defense Bussey, Francis 216 Concord Avenue Firefighter Casey, William P. 1063 Mass. Ave. School Department Cataldo, James 43 Rindge Avenue Firefighter Cataldo, Robert 14 Aerial Street Selectman Cole, Lincoln P. Jr. 16 Hill Street Selectman 1 Cousins, Lyman S. 6 Bancroft St. ,Waltham School Department Dearborn, Horace N. 16 Stratham Road Civil Defense Delfino, Nicholas J. 1 Forest St. , Stoneham School Department Dooley, Henry W. 77 Baker Avenue Resident Doughty, George Jr. 75 Paul Revere Road School Department Driscoll, Robert V. 30 No. Broadway, Haverhill M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Emery, Alan 441 Lowell Street Firefighter Eriksson, E. Alden 41 P_ .e4Con Road Resident Ernst, Karl 37 Eldred Street Resident Ewers, Joseph E. 12 Old Coach Rd. , Weston M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Finney, Charles A. 36 Albemarle Avenue Resident Flaherty, William 4 Spencer Street Firefighter Foley, Harold J. 11 Freemont Street Firefighter Freeman, George 13 Grant St. , Concord Police Employee Fullerton, Dennis 2400 Massachusetts Avenue Firefighter Gallagher, Edward T. 8 Spring Lane, Maynard M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Garland, John A. , Jr. 54 Gleason Road Resident Gilman, Edward M. 56 Bloomfield Street Firefighter Greeley, Roland B. 1359 Mass. Ave Selectman 369 Special Police Officers 1968-1969 ( const) II Goodfellow, Arthur L. 12 Edge St. , Ipswich M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Goulart, Edward G. 6 Rindge Terr. , Camb. M. I.T. " Lab. Gray, Albert, Jr. Harvard Road, Stow Executive Asst. Heimlich, Oscar 796 Mass. Ave. School Dept. Jefferson, Charles E. 8 Alcott Road Civil Defense Jones, Cecil 36 Woburn Street Civil Defense Kelley, Kenneth, Jr. 11 Cedar Street Firefighter Kenney, Allan F. 10 Burnham Road Selectman Lewis, Raymond E. 11 Hancock Avenue Civil Defense Mabee, Irving H. 25 Highland Ave . Selectman MacDONALD, Charles 211. Bernard St . Civil Defense MacLean, Ralph D. 9 Spring Street Resident Mazerall, Paul 20 Wilson Road Park Supt. McCARRON, Francis 5 Hillside Terrace Forefighter McDonald, Walter 14 East Street School Dept. McDonnell, Edward T. 62 Elm St. , Bedford Cary Library McSweeney, Leo M. 6 Bancroft St. , Waltham School Dept. Mercer, Charles R. 6 Park Street Resident II Moretti, Joseph A. 8 Rindge Avenue Civil Defense Muller, Eugene T. 24 Ewell Avenue Firefighter Muller, Leonard E. 19 Fairbanks Road Firefighter Nickerson, Douglas I. 44 Paul Revere Road Firefighter Nutt, Alfred 45A Ridge Road School Department Ormiston, Wallace W. 38 Charles Street School Dept. I Pekins, George 28 Chase Avenue Firefighter Pezzulo, Michael 247 Marrett Road School Dept. i Pierpont, Wilfred D. , Jr. 4 Taft Avenue Civil Defense Potzka, Joseph G. 14 Banks Avenue School Dept. Prescott, Robert 2 Forest Street Resident Ratcliffe, Howard I. 5 Chester St. , No. School Dept. Reading Redmond, James J. 9 Utica Street Firefighter Richardson, Earl W. 18 Winter Street Resident Ryan, Thomas 53 Vine Street School Dept. Ryder, Howard D. 2 Wilson Road M. I.T. Lincoln Lal Samuel, Frank T. , Jr. 8 Burnham Road Resident Saunders, Robert W. 295 Marrett Road Resident II Savage, David T. 9 Manley Court Firefighter Spellman, Walter 267 Mass. Ave. Fire Chief 371 Special Police Officers 1968-1969 ( Const . ) 1 Spiers, William L. , Jr. 185 Lowell Street M. I.T. Lincoln Lab. Stevens, Edward P. 4 Chandler St. , School Department Salem Stevens, Raymond Treble Cove.Rd. School Department Stucke, Alden F. 31 Hancock Street Resident Sullivan, Ricbtrd 137 Bedford Street Firefighter Sullivan, Thomas 17 Curve Street School Department Swan, Duncan F. 24 Bedford Street School Department Turner, Gerald C. 9 Hillside Terrace Civil Defense Walsh, John 10 Ames Avenue Firefighter Walton, Robert E. 5 Spencer Street Firefighter Washburn, Arthur E. 1061 Mass . Ave. Firefighter Whiting, William 31.1 Lowell Street Firefightexy Wright, Glenn 67 Simonds Rd . Resident Yewell, Paul 6 Leeland Terrace Resident Young, Stanley R. 86 Winter Street Resident 1 I