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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-03-11-BOS-min 335 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 11, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday evening, March 11, 1968, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Cataldo, Mabee, Kenney and Greeley were present . 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. The meeting was called to order by the Clerk who stated nominations were in order for nominating a Chair- Organiza- man of the Board. tion Mr. Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. was nominated and the nomination seconded. There were no other nominations . Upon motion duly made and seconded, nominations were closed. Motion was duly made and seconded to elect Mr. Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , Chairman of the Board for the ensuing year. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one pole on Marrett Road. Notices of the hearing were mailed to the peti- tioners, owners of the property as listed on the petitioners' plans and also filed with the Superin- tendent of Public Works . Mr. Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, and Mr. Dunn, representing the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, were present and it was explained that Pole a request had been made by the abuttor to relocate the Location pole to give more clearance at this driveway. No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the Chairman declared the hearing closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the follow- ing pole location: Marrett Road, southwesterly side, approximately 386 feet southeast of Waltham Street,-- one (1) pole. One (1) existing JO pole to be removed. At the request of the Town Clerk, three jurors were drawn. Those drawn for jury duty are: John Sylder, 9 Foster Road; David G. Stevens, 48 Grove Street; and Jurors Donald B. Sparrow, 26 Wyman Road. le The Chairman introduced Mr. Joseph F. Burke, our Supt. of new Superintendent of Public .'lorks, as of today, and Public publicly welcomed him to the Town Staff. Works Mr. Gray read a letter from the Commissioner of Corporations and Taxation stating that certification must be received by him of the amounts for bonds for the Treasurer, Town Clerk, and the Collector of Taxes. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Amounts to sign the specified amounts for the following: of Bonds Mr. Paul G. Yewell, Treasurer, $96,000; Mrs. Doris E. Barclay, Collector of Taxes, 102 ,400; and Miss Mary R. McDonough, Town Clerk, $2,000. Mr. Gray said that the Public Works Department had taken bids for copper tubing and when all bids Copper were read and checked; George A. Caldwell Company was Tubing lowest bidder at $4,455.00. He recommended that the Contract contract be awarded to George A. Caldwell Company. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for copper tubing to George A. Caldwell Company, SB Street, Hyde Park, Massachusetts for $4,455.00 Mr. Gray said that bids had been taken for Permarod Permarod boxes; bids may be taken under the by-law which allows Box Con- quotes under $1,000.00. When bids were read, C. A. Turner tract Company was the low bidder at $875.14. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract to C. A. Turner Company, 6 Marshall Street, Leicester, Massachusetts, for $875 .14. Mr. Gray said that the Town has had a public hearing on streets and the Board should act to lay out these streets. He said that the Planning Board had sent a letter recommending that three streets not be accepted as town ways at this time . The letter states that Street their action is taken on the recommendation of Town Hearing Counsel, as Ingleside Road is not completed for its entire length and has no approved second exit ; Clyde Place and Abernathy Road are dead-end streets which can be reached via Ingleside Road only and should not be accepted until Ingleside Road is accepted . The Chairman said to give the list of streets to Mr. Kenney. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to lay out the following streets: Carriage Drive, Circle Road, Coach Road, Sheila Road, Ewell Avenue, Grassland Street, Hillcrest Avenue and Vaille Avenue. L. 337 Mr. Gray said that he would like to discuss Blue Cross; he has been informed that the basic rate of Blue Cross is being increased, going up $1.46 a thousand, 50% Blue Cross of premium now being paid by the Town. We should add $7500 to Article 4 to cover. He said that he felt the Beard should know about the increase. Upon motion duly made are seconded, it was voted to sign an I. D. Liquor Card for Merilee Gail Schulz, I.D. Card 2 Vine Street. Mr. Gray said that the proposed trunk line sewer along Vinebrook will come out of the 1967 appropriation of $250,000; existing trunk is along Vinebrook into proposed subdivision. Mr. Gray showed the point on the map where Vinebrook Mr. Busa will pay costs. Sewer Mr. Gray said they have a dry sewer in for Laconia Street. This will connect to trunk under Article 16, connecting this trunk with Lowell Street . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant approval to go ahead with project and put out for bid the trunk sewer for Vinebrook Street . Mr Gray said that he had received a request from Mr. Busa asking that he put the drain in at 38 Circle Road under Town supervision. Mr. McSweeney said that he felt that subdividers should be restricted to a sill elevation; this situa- Circle tion would be settled by a catch basin. Road The Chairman said that it could be taken care of on subdivision. Mr. Greeley said that there should be control of sill elevation; would refer to the Planning Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Bond No. 92-40-53 in the amount of $2,000.00, covering Miss Rita J. McNamara as Assistant Town Clerk. Bond Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Bond No. 89-81-91 in the amount of $3,000.00 covering Constable John J. Shine, Jr. The Chairman read a letter from the Woman' s American ORT requesting permission for a door to door campaign for funds on Sunday, April 7, 1968. Woman' s It was agreed that a letter be written to Amer. ORT 'Mrs.Levins of the Woman' s American ORT stating that the Board has no objection to a door to door campaign for funds on Sunday, April 7, 1968. I 3:05 z 14 ad The Chairman read a statement from the Commonwealth, Department of Public Works, regarding Chapter 90 main- tenance for the year 1967 in the amount of $11.397.L1.2. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the statement for Chapter 90 maintenance for the year 1967 in the amount of $1.397.4.2 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. and Mrs. Ciccarelli stating that they oppose Articles 86 and Articles 87, (for Garden Apartments, Blossom Street) and are not in favor of a zoning change. The Chairman said that the letter is on the agenda for information. The Chairman read a letter from the AFL-CIO stating that as a result of the recent election on March 5, 1968 by the Town employees at the Public Works building, they request a meeting with the Board to discuss procedure and ground rules prior to collective bargaining. Mr. Cataldo asked if an official count had been received from the Department of Labor, and Mr. Gray replied in the negative. Mr. Kenney suggested that Mr. Gray be designated as Bargaining Agent. AFL-CIO The Chairman said that we could ask them to forego until after Town Meeting Mr. Cataldo said that he felt Town Counsel' s advice would be to say nothing until the count has been certified. Mr. Kenney recommended having a sub-committee. The Chairman said Mr. Gray 'has worked on salaries. Mr. Mabee said, perhaps a couple of members from the Salary-Revud Board.* The Chairman said that after certification comes in get in touch with the Department of Labor Industries, and set up a meeting with the AFL-CIO. The Chairman read a letter from Town Celebrations April 19th Committee inviting the Board of Selectmen to march in the parade on April 19, 1968 at 7:00 a.m. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. A. R. Turcotte, Jr. , USN Ret. , requesting permission for the USS Lexington Minuteman Club to use the Battle Green on Sunday, May 5, 1968 at 2:00 p.m. for Permission exercises honoring the men who lost their lives in for the sinking of the USS Lexington. Battle Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was Green voted to grant permission to the USS Lexington Minute- man Club to use the Battle Green on Sunday, May 5, 1968 at 2:00 p.m. * Mr. Gray said he would rather see a committee made up of the Board of Selectmen, not necessarily the whole Board. 33.E Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Minutes meeting held on February 26, 1968 . The Chairman read a letter from William H. Hardy, Managing Editor of Ford Farming stating that he had been informed that the Town has purchased 2,000 acres of land to be kept as open undeveloped space. He would like some information as to the future plans and benefits expected from this development . The Chairman referred the letter to Mr. Gray. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was Annual voted to make the following annual appointments. appoint- (Quote) . * See page 341. ments Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant abatements for water rates to the following: John Casey, $21.53; Drummer Boy Corp. , Abate- $8.75; Lucy Balekones, $6.65; Charles Clerk, $2.80; ments William Ash, $8.75; Frederick Fish, $8.75; Normal Merrill, $8.75. The Chairman read a letter from James Storer regarding Article 90, Peacock Farm land, which states that an estimate had been made for $38,000 and it is felt that the usefulness of the land to the Town is not sufficient to justify this expense; their motion on Town Meeting floor will confine itself to the purchase of a smaller portion of land which would provide access to the West Farm property via Mason Street, at an estimate of $3,300. Mr. Kenney asked if the alternative had been issued by the Planning Board . Mr. Greeley said that it had not been discussed by the Planning Board and they should be informed. The Chairman said that a copy of Mr. Storer's letter would be sent to Town Counsel. Mr. Greeley said he was impressed by the copy of the annual Town Report. The Chairman said he was very much impressed; the Committee and Chairman does a tremendous job, Town if we don' t get first prize this year. Report Mr. Gray said that the Reports are to be delivered to residents of the Town by the Boy Scouts. The Chairman said it would certainly be in order for the Board to make a statement of its appreciation for the job Mr. Zehner has done, and added, that he would highly endorse it . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to notify Mr. Zehner of the great apprecia- tion of the tremendous job he has done . 410 le c, The Chairman entertained a motion to go into111 Executive Session for the purposes of discussing matters affecting the finances of the Town, and Mr. Adams said that he felt that, unless it involves land, the meeting should be open; budgets should be in open meeting. The Chairman said that budgets have been con- Executive ducted in executive session. Session Mrs. Angela Frick, League of Women Voters, asked when she could see copies of executive session minutes and when they would be taken out of executive. Mr. Cataldo replied that the School Committee discussions were removed from executive minutes and added that there are many discussions that will never come out. The Chairman said that we will go into executive session whenever it is expedient; there are areas where, in the best interest of the Town, it is not wise to discuss in open meeting. Mr. Adams said that the law says that it is not to be in executive session after the purpose for what it was intended has gone; he felt that it should be reviewed in detail. The Chairman said that we have Town Counsel and asked if Mr. Adams agreed that the Board should be responsible for all previous records. Mr. Adams said that most of the cases dealt with land, negotiations on land, and matters of litigation. Mr. Greeley asked if it has been the practice to announce the issue to be discussed; he felt it a reasonable thing to do. At open session, you can ask if it should be released; if these people come back three weeks later and ask, can you release? Mr. Cataldo said that there are many subjects you cannot go into because of litigation. There are no votes taken in executive; final consideration and final vote done in open meeting . Mrs. Frick said that it leaves her with the feeling that she is being pushed out . Mr. Greeley said that there is no reason why Mrs. Frick should feel offended; we don ' t have an option of discriminating between open and closed. Mr. Mabee said that he could give an example where you would change your mind 100% - it wouldn' t be in the best interest of the Town. Mr. Kenney said that he felt that, where the Board could be more explicit, they ought to try. The Chairman said that we have tried to exercise the best possible judgment if the Chairman has knowledge that it could possibly hurt somebody. If we err, we err on the side of caution. 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 pub- lic, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person. After discussions with the Recreation Committee and Appropriations Committee, it was voted to adjourn at 12:15 p.m. A true record, Attest: oO 7,1 g16----"-^" )97 (10. Executive k lJ APPOINTMENTS (Terms expiring March 31, 1969, unless otherwise noted) Building Inspector Donald K. Irwin Wire Inspector Robert K. Jeremiah Director of Civil Defense Arthur E. Burrell Director of Veterans' Benefits & Bernard J. Belcastro, Jr. Services Executive Assistant, Selectmen Albert Gray, Jr. Executive Clerk, Selectmen Eleanor M. McCurdy Fence Viewers Rev. Harold T. Handley John J. Garrity Field Drivers James F. Corr Carl A. Carlson Appointments Insect Pest Control Paul E. Mazerall Lockup Keeper James F. Corr Park Department Superintendent Paul E. Mazerall Public Works Assistant Superin- Thomas M. Wenham tendent Registrar of Voters (Three year term) Ralph H. Elvedt Town Engineer John J. McSweeney Tree Warden Paul E. Mazerall 342 co w. Veterans' Graves Officer Bernard J. Belcastro, Jr. Forest Warden - May 1, 1969 William P. Fitzgerald Dog Officers - April 1, 1969 Dr. Howard A. Smith Sgt. Carl A. Carlson Superintendent of Public Works Joseph F. Burke Sealer of Weights and Tip Measures Bernard J. Belcastro, Jr.