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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1968-01-15-BOS-min 294 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 15, 1968 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen ' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, January 15, 1968, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole , Messrs Burnell, Cataldo, Mabee and Kenney were present Mr Gray, Executive Assistant and Acting Superintendent of Public Works , Mr. Wenham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs McCurdy were also present At the request of the Town Clerk, two jurors were drawn Those drawn for jury duty are Philip L Jurors Levins, 25 Munroe Road , and Paul M. McCarthy, 56 Harding Road Mr Legro said that he had received five accident Town reports involving Town vehicles but no indication as to Counsel whether Insurance Companies are involved The Chairman said they are to be referred to Mr Gray. I.D Card Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to approve I .D. card for Karen Morrall, 1556 Mass . Ave. The Chairman read a letter from the Commonwealth stating a tentative grant, contingent upon legislative appropriation and local action, had been made under Chapter 90 for Adams Street The Chairman read a letter from the DPU regarding a public hearing to be held on petition of Bertini Hearing Motor Lines, Inc. , of Burlington on January 25, 1968, for charter bus service The letter was referred to Mr. Gray Mr Gray said that the Water Department would like a change in water billing The recommendation is that Water the billing be $8. 75 from 0 - 2500 cubic feet every six Billing months, instead of $17 50 per year Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend from $17.50 per year to $8. 75 from 0-2500 cubic feet every six months. It was recommended that a fine be added on all bills unpaid after 30 days . 1 2 '7 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted that a $1 00 fine be levied thirty days from date of water billing. Mr. Gray mentioned the fifty flags to be loaned to the Boy Scouts for a celebration event to be held in Bedford . Mr. Richard Soule will assume liability for the Flags flags; flags are to be hung from the ceiling, not band carried . The Chairman said that under these conditions , the flags not to be hand carried and Mr. Soule to assume liability, permission is granted to the Boy Scouts . The Chairman said that Town Meeting date must be set and suggested that March 18th be set with recommendation that adjourned sessions be held March 20, 25 and 27, 1968. Town Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted that Meeting Town Meeting be held on March 18, 1968 with adjourned Dates sessions March 20 , 25 and 27 . The Capital Expenditures Committee met with the Board . Mr Chapin, Mr. Mitchell and Mrs . Rawls were present . The Chairman said that in your last report you have Capital changed some recommendations, you have pushed the Town Expendi- Office Building back a year, brought the Library up one tures year. What ' s the logic behind this? Committee Mr. Chapin said , in the absence of any definite plan by the selectmen or their Building Committee, the pro- spect of so much school space being available, we felt it best to go this way The Chairman said that you know our need, for space is immediate, we are expanding Town Operations all the time. We have not expanded our space. Mr. Cataldo said we know there is no question that we need more space in the Town Hall complex We have suspended the idea of the complex temporarily until we see what Town Meeting does with the Town Manager form of government this year, plus we wanted to get the Treasurer and Clerk' s office split . We wanted to get the Engineer- ing Department set up, completely separate from Public Works and enlarge upon it Until all these moves are made and definite decisions made in all areas that would affect the space problem_ As you know, we hayp $2,000 available to us for professional help. It is the Board ' s feeling as soon as all available information is compiled , we will go forward and retain professional help to recommend concept to the 1969 Town Meeting and, at that time, ask for final plans and specifications . Mr Chapin said that he and his committee felt that the Permanent Building Committee should evaluate all available 4 space and come up with the recommendation for its use, including use for Town Office space Mr Cataldo said we have already appointed a member of the Permanent Building Committee to the Town Office Space Committee to give us the advantages of their think- ing I also cannot see why your position is to evaluate all the space for Town Office space Why are you precluding some of the space to be used as Library space, instead of just recommending an addition to the Library? I think this should be evaluated just like everything else I feel very strongly that the need of the Town office space is much greater for the efficient operation of the Town than the Library at this time. Our space problem certainly is affecting our efficiency. Mr Chapin said that they have no great justification for moving the two projects and, if nothing else, they accomplished the fact of bringing it out in the open and having it discussed , and there is no reason that a supple- mental report cannot carry this Mr Cutaldo said there is no question in the Board ' s mind that we can be ready with a concept to recommend to the Town Meeting in plenty of time to have the complete evaluation by all Boards Trunk sewer construction was discussed . Mr Kenney said there was some sort of misunderstand- ing. Trunk sewer construction could never be accomplished in one year. Mr. Chapin said they had sent a letter. Trunk Mr Cataldo asked if they agreed that the money was Sewers put to good use If we had spent most of money, would you consider raising it up to $250,000 again. Mrs. Rawls said she thought it a one-shot deal; every year adding $250,000 is not something they subscribe to. The Chairman asked how much have we committed and Mr Gray replied, three projects , about $180,000 for these three Mr Mitchell said that no increased rate of con- struction allows you to get ahead , money left over from last year Mr. Mabee said , good idea to keep ahead ; this year committed $180,000. The Chairman said it was to help sewer new subdivision- to help them by getting sewers in them now. Mr. Mabee said that if we had $25, 000 and committed $180,000, get more to raise it back to $250,000. Mr Mitchell said , $250,000 shared between develop- ments going in and connecting existing problems. Mr. Gray said $250,000 appropriation was for three subdivisions this year, two would have been built with septic tanks , other, pumping station. 297 Mr Gray said the normal now is $270,000 Enough people want sewers ; people need sewers Mr Chapin said, Articles for trunk sewers for 1968, money left over, should be working on projects right now. Mrs Rawls said , trunk sewers will be finished by 1978. Mr. Mitchell said the point is by 1980, by spending $250,000 a year, in all areas joint sewers would be available. The Chairman said it :eras a basic, false assumption. Mr. Mitchell said , asking to accelerate. Mr Mabee said it had $250,000 every year in reserve, would save money for Town over the long run Mrs Rawls asked, in two or three years earlier, completion of trunk sewers? Mr. Mabee answered in the affirmative Mr Gray said that any trunk will service whole area, never get back what it costs to install The Chairman said that we would be able to put money into laterals . Mr. Cataldo said last year we recommend bonding. Mr Chapin said , reserved only for future subdivisions, should have been warned last year Mr Mabee said to forget last year, we would like $250,000 reserve ( $180,000 in the till) ? ?? Mr Gray said we might not get any subdivisions next year Mr Chapin, have money for advanced engineering Mr Cataldo said we could design for $70,000. Board has history, cut it back $200,000 Mr. Mabee said, agree on level. The Chairman said he thought from Capital Expenditures ' point of view, a saving on laterals . Mrs Rawls said , if you don' t bond , you are adding $1.00 to tax rate Can you think of bonding $20 ,000? Maybe next year another $200 or $250, 000. The Chairman said , requests for $1, 399,000 laterals . Mr Chapin said , Class A,B,C Same Article every year The Chairman said that last year, $1,600,000 At this point, somebody thinks there is health hazard Mr. Cataldo said, to show need . Last year we felt strongly on certain ones not absolutely necessary Committed on last years need Board of Health agrees with it . Mr Gray said there were petitions from people willing to spend money for sewers Mr Cataldo said , with this figure, taking what Town Meeting turned down, this money is gone Mr Mabee said a new home gets sewer right now, others ten years Put $500,000 Mrs Rawls asked if there was to be a Warrant Article in for "x" money The Chairman replied it was the usual thing to try to eliminate controversy on Town Meeting floor. 20 Sn Mr Chapin said , sometimes how fast a rate should we be going? Sewers , should Town be spending money, etc Value of controversy on Town Meeting floor The Chairman said we would like to discuss the Lincoln Street project with you There is a difference of opinion within the Town, many people feel we should accelerate our Recreation program. Planning Board feels we should defer major recreation projects and buy land instead The School Department and Recreation Department say that they need this area desperately The combined Boards have talked of approaching the Lincoln Street area on a three year basis We have available to us, from the School Department, a $1,000 to come up with a preliminary concept of the area We have appointed a Committee which includes a member of the Board of Selectmen , a representative of Planning Board, representative of the School Committee, representative of the Recreation Committee, Mr. Gray, Mr McSweeney, our Town Engineer The function of this committee is to come up with preliminary concept to be presented for the consideration of the Selectmen , Planning Board, School Committee and Recreation Committee As far as the Board of Selectmen' s position is concerned , the need is strictly for the 'Recreation Department and School Department Therefore, we only support their needs . As far as the condition of the area is concerned and the type of material we have had trucked in, we feel there are no problems whatsoever in regard to construction of the field on a three year program. Mr Chapin said that his committee felt, in the absence of professional plans and specifications, this project should be postponed It has been stated that the area has settled as much as 5' in some areas and they have no evidence before them that the area has stopped settling. Mr Cataldo said it would be the Board ' s intention to come up with a preliminary concept and cost estimates with the money available to the Board now an3ask the 1968 Town Meeting for final designs and specification money and some construction money. The Board also feels very strongly that if we do not adopt a three year development program for this area, we should fulfill our commitment to the people of Lincoln Street and do some improvement to maintain the area in such a way not to create dust problems, mud problems, and unsightly area We recommend just to seed with basic hayseed to keep the dust down, clean up the area The School Committee, Planning Board and Recreation Committee met with the Board The Chairman said the problem is the Lincoln Street area At the previous meeting with the Planning Board it was the Planning Board ' s position that we should spend money for acquisition of open space, rather than for 299 construction of recreational areas. We felt that the School and Recreation Departments should be given the opportunity to present their side of the story. Mr Clarke said that he had some material prepared by Director of Athletics ; we now have 26 different teams playing on 14 fields His forecast is that we would need 16 additional fields . The School Committee would like to see this area developed as rapidly and extensively as possible ; 1970 will be our peak year The Chairman asked if one-third of this area was voted on this year, how much of your problem would be solved? Mr Clarke answered , that the first 3rd ; anxious to get all of the space as readily as possible; one-third is the absolute minimum, require 26 fields right now, in addition to what we have for the fall Mr. Worrell asked if the money you would like to get would be just for the Lincoln Street area? Mr. Clarke answered in the affirmative and said that they need fields laid out right now. Mrs . Rawls asked, if you need 26 fields right now, what do you need when you get rid of the 9th grade? Dr Fobert sai® that we would need same number, as we are transporting Muzzey-8th grade there now The Chairman asked Mr Cataldo if he had been working with some professionals in Town Mr Cataldo said , we have been working with our own Town Departments and the Committee that has been appointed by the Board is about to start interviewing some landscape architects for professional help. We have held up interviewing until the joint meeting was held so that we could get a meeting of the minds and see in which direction we should go Should we come up with a plan for this. Town Meeting, or were we going to wait? Mr. Bond said that the Recreation budget is $30,000 a year . 4e are asking ` 4700 for back stops We have delayed committing the rest of the money for we felt if no other money was available, this money could be used for Lincoln Street Mr Greeley asked if there was enough time to come up with proper plans and specifications to present to the Town Meeting Mr Cataldo answered in the affirmative and said if we get the final "go-ahead " Mr Greeley said , two different items ; one, prepara- tion of working plans and specifications and two, con- struction money He felt it should be two separate Articles He could not see spending any money on Lincoln Street unless the final plans were drawn and specifications to be started He felt any money spent would be wasted 300 Mr Cataldo said this was not true. We wanted to spend some money to ,fulfill our commitments on Lincoln Street and whatever money was spent would not be wasted, just be added to it at a later date on final construction. Board of Selectmen willing to go along with no development money this year other than that; up to School Department and Recreation Committee to fight for construction money for the complete package Mr. Clarke said , interested in number of people; 2600 people participate in the activities in the center playground This certainly points up the need one moves or not . The Chairman said that basically you are saying the School Committee feeling is an Article should be placed in the Warrant for money for the final plan and specifi- cations and money to implement Mr. Greeley said, I would say that the need is so imminent to go ahead with conceptual plan before Town Meeting if we are accepting the three year concept, we ought to go ahead with master plan as fast as we can. Mr. Fowle asked if there were going to be any structures on the Lincoln Street area. Mr Cataldo said the concensus of opinion at our last meeting was to recommend the enclosed field to stay where it is . Therefore, there would be no stadium, so called. Mr Clarke said that we want as many relatively level playing fields just as quickly as we can get them. Mr Fowle said he thought we should go ahead and come up with conceptual plan Mr Lund asked if it could include engineering. Mr. Cataldo said it would show basic drainage, access , and gas problems worked out Mr Chapin said he cannot agree going ahead without concrete engineering study Mrs Rawls said that we cannot afford additional $100,000 in the budget; the only way they could go along is to cut it in some other area Mr Chapin said that they had sad experience before, especially on swimming pool where estimates were wrong. Mr C etaldo said that we both know professional estimates can be wrong. You were on Baru Committee so you know what I mean There is no question we will get preliminaryfigures on concept Before we do anything, ,g we should rave ag ood idea as to whether it would cost $1,000,000 or $1j00,000 on preliminary ideas Mr Chapin what amount needed for conceptual plan. Mr Cataldo said that if you are talking final plans and specifications , talking $10,000 The Chairman said that concensus of opinion that Capital Expenditures Committee would not go along without professional plans and specifications 301 The Chairman asked the School, Recreation and Planning Board if they are prepared to go ahead notwithstanding Capital Expenditures ' opposition I think these controversial items should go before Town Meeting and let them decide. The last question is who is going to carry this to Town Meeting? Mr Clarke said , would discuss with Recreation Committee and they would decide. We would like a decision to get moving The Chairman said it will be placed in the Warrant. The Board will decide whether it will be one or two articles Upon motion duly made and seconded it was voted to adjourn at 11:15 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 January 22, 1968, at 7 30 P .M. p � 1