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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-01-29-BOS-min 305 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 29, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen ' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, Jan- uary 29, 1968, at 7:30 P M Chairman Cole , Messrs . Burnell, Cataldo, and Mabee were present. Mr Legro, Town Counsel, Mr Gray, Executive Assistant and Acting Super- intendent of Public Works , Mr. Wenham, Assistant Superin- tendent of Public Works and Mrs McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate poles Mr Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, was present and explained that these were new poles to be set on Marrett Road four to the east and five to the west of Massachusetts Avenue They were to be set according to a plan under the Commonwealth of Massachusetts No one appeared in favor or in opposition and the Chairman declared the hearing closed on the following pole location Marrett Road, southwesterly side, southeasterly from a point approximately 1, 022 feet southeast of Mass Avenue , - Pole 9 poles, guy wire and anchor on fifth and sixth poles . loca- Mr Pratt presented a petition to locate poles on tions Massachusetts Avenue , northerly side, easterly, from a point approximately 101 feet east of Marrett Road , 8 poles and Massachusetts , southerly side, easterly, from a point approximately 1027 feet east of Marrett Road , 8 poles . No one appeared in favor , but Mr. Zerby, head of the Park Department, voiced an objection He read a letter from the Departmert of the Interior stating that an agreement had been made with the owners of the land and options to purchase had been secured by the National Park Service The agreement granted only the right of entry to construct a road through the respective properties by the Department of Public Works and authority to transfer the maintenance and operation of that highway to the Town of Lexington if desired No other right was given over the land within the road right-of-way that was purchased in fee simply by the National Park Service The National Park Service therefore, has the sole authority to grant permission for any use of the land other than for the construction and mainten- ance of a road It is the policy of the National Park Service not to grant permits for the construction of utility lines across park lands unless they are placed underground This policy covers new lines and the rehabilitation of present 06 co �f s overhead lines with the exception of ultra-high voltage lines ( 59,000 or larger) which at this time are impractical to place underground This policy with reference to utility lines is of such importance to the National Park Service that authority for the negotiation with all utility companies is retained exclusively in the Director ' s Office. Mr Nickerson said he agreed with Mr Zerby, did not want poles set up at almost the exact Eastern End of the Park Mrs . Riffin, Chairman of the Planning Board , said that the Planning Board felt that all wires should be underground Mr Pratt said he would inform his company and the Engineering Department of Boston Edison would make a survey. The Chairman said that both petitions would be under advisement, and the hearing was declared closed Mr. Gray recommended an abatement for Robert C and George T. O 'Brien, Sr. in the amount of $39 04; charged Abatement excess frontage for sidewalk betterment . Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to grant an abatement to Robert C and George T. O'Brien, Sr in the amount of $39.04. The Chairman read a letter from Donald K. Irwin, Building Inspector, requesting Richard Soule substitute for him during vacation period of February 20 through Building February 26, 1968 . Inspector Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to appoint Mr Richard Soule as Building Inspector during February 20 through February 26, 1968. Mr Gray requested that authorization be given Mr. Legro for a sewer easement for Hartwell Avenue and Sewer Volunteer Way Easement Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to authorize Mr Legro, Town Counsel , to proceed . The Chairman read a letter from Mr John E Ward regarding the problem of egress from Eldred Street to Traffic Bedford Street during commuting hours It was agreed to refer the letter to the Traffic Study Committee and a letter to be sent to Mr. Ward informing him that the full area is under study I 307 The Chairman read a letter from Patrolman Inspector George C Barry requesting the Board accept his resigna- Resigna- tion, effective April 6, 1968 tion Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to accept, with regret , the resignation of Patrolman Inspector George C Barry, effective April 6, 1968 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to sign Second Class Agent ' s license for Morris Motors, License 308 Marrett Road The Chairman read a letter from the League of Women Voters, requesting the Board consider methods by which all voters might be made aware of the fact that a Town Charter has reached the final draft process The Chairman said that the Board could make a Hearings statement that all citizens are urged to attend public hearings to voice their feelings This would be a major change in our form of government and they should be aware of the ramifications Suggested it could be given a leading position in the newspaper to help draw public interest in the hearings scheduled for February 1, and February 7, 1968 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign I D cards for I.D. card. Mary Ann Palumbo 19 Spencer Street Douglas Witthus 505 Lowell Street Robert Douglas MacLean 32 Young Street Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the Minutes of the Selectmen ' s Meeting held on November 22, 1968 The Chairman said that we have a vacancy for the position of Superintendent of Public Works and the Board had been interviewing candidates Superin- Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted tendent to appoint Mr Joseph F. Burke as Superintendent of of Public Public Works, effective March 11, 1968, at an annual Works salary of $13 ,611, as of AP it 1, 1968, his salary will be $14,319.00 The Chairman showed the Board sketches of the Selectmen drawn by Mrs James D Lynch to be used in Town the Town Report Report JUb It was agreed to use the sketches in the Town Report Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, Executive deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, Session might adversely affect the public security, the finan- cial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person Following discussion regarding personnel, it was voted to resume the open meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted that the polls remain open from 7:00 a m to 8:00 p m. on election day, March L , 1968 The Chairman said that he had received a letter from Mr Robert Jeremiah requesting a substitute Wire Inspector during his vacation from March 1, 1968 to March 22, 1968 . Wire Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted Inspector to appoint Mr Edward Burke, 7 Ewell Avenue, Lexington, as substitute Wire Inspector for the period of March 1, to March 22, 1968 After discussion of Articles for the Warrant, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 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, February 5, 1968, at 7 30 F.M - ) f1 I