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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-12-26-BOS-min ;270 SET.E CTMEN'S MEETING December 26, 1967 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Tuesday, December 26, 1967, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs, Burnell, Cataldo, Mabee and Kenney were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant and Acting Superintendent of Public Works, Mr Wenham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs. McCurdy, Executive Clerk, were also present. . Hearing was declared open upon the application of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate conduit and poles . Notices of the hearing were mailed to the peti- tioner' s, owners of the property as listed on the petitioner' s plans and also filed with the Superin- tendent of Public Works Mr. Pratt, representing the Boston Edison Company, Conduit- was the only person present at the hearing No one pole appeared in favor or in opposition and the hearing location was declared closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the following locations: Lincoln Street, at Pheasant Lane, a distance of about 20 feet - conduit . Lincoln Street, at Birch Hill Lane, a distance of about L..5 feet - conduit . Hartwell Avenue, northwesterly side, northeasterly from a point approximately 165 feet northeast of Wood Street -- Seven ( 7) Poles, guy wire and anchor on 7th pole. Wood Street, northerly side, in island at Hartwell Avenue, -- one (1) pole, guy wire and anchor . At the request of the Town Clerk, the following jurors were drawn; Frank L. Jones, 11 Red Coat Lane Edward T . Swasey, 7 Jackson Court Jurors Peter L. Richman, 22 Barberry Road Edwin R. Johnson, 4 Watson Road 271 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following Common Victualler licenses , Common having been approved by the Board of Health: Victualler Countryside Delicatessen - 321 Woburn St. Howard D Johnson - Route #12$ Notice of a public hearing by the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission was read by the Chairman with regard to repealing one of its Regulations, No. 15B, which reads : Hotels and Restaurants shall not on Sundays illuminate any exterior sign or part of a sign to advertise alcoholic beverages. The illumination on Sundays of that part of any exterior ABC sign upon which appear words ordinarily used to hearing designate establishments wherein alcoholic beverages are sold, is also prohibited. Mr. Legro informed the Board that Town Sign By-Laws set the control of illuminated signs . It was agreed that Mr. Gray would attend the hear- ing, and if he was unable to be there, the Chairman would represent the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was agreed to approve the minutes of the Selectmen ' s Meeting held on December 18, 1967. Minutes Mr Legro read a letter written by him to the Comptroller regarding Special Counsel fees . It was Special agreed that the request should be made by the Board Counsel of Selectmen R. Fees Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the request of Mr Legro is further requested by the Board of Selectmen on the matter of carrying over Special Counsel Fees Account #1850. Mr. Legro read a letter written by him to the Board of Selectmen enclosing an Article, prepared at the request of the Planning Board, for the purpose of obtaining a Town Meeting vote to ratify the acceptance of a deed from Mr. Ernest E. Outhet, conveying a parcel of land of Warrant- approximately seven acres . Woodside Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Acres to accept the deed from Mr. Outhet. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert the Article in the Town Warrant. The Chairman read a letter of resignation from Mr. Legro, Town Counsel. The Chairman said that the Board of Selectmen well knew how diligently Mr Legro had applied himself, how reluctant they are to see him leave, and were most appreciative of all of his efforts . Resignation 272 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept, with regret, the resignation of Donald E. Legro, Town Counsel. Mr. Gray informed the Board that Mr. Storer was unable Warrant to meet with them to discuss petition to be inserted in the Warrant involved the acquisition of land behind Wilson' s Farm. Mr. Gray read a letter from Chief Corr, recommend- ing Mrs . Margaret McCarthy be promoted to the position Appointment of Principal Clerk on Step S9-E at an annual salary of $5633.00. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to promote Mrs. Margaret McCarthy to the position of Principal Clerk of the Police Department . He showed a plan and explained that with a partition, and rearrangement of furniture, it could be done. Town Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Engineer that Mr. McSweeney have an office in the Engineering Department. Mr. Gray presented an estimate of cost of trunk sewer off Bedford Street; $89,000 of $250,000 appro- Bedford priation. A Road report was checked out ; (1) to go by Street gravity, (2) use pumping station. Would like the Engineering Department to proceed with design work. Mr. Cataldo asked if it went from Bedford Street to Revere Street, along Revere Street to subdivision, and where it would be pieked up; if doing it this way Liberty Mutual would be picked up. Mr. Gray replied it would be back of Town property. Mr. Burnell said this picks up Moore' s new sub- division and Maney' s. Mr. Gray said to do it this way, rather than build any more pumping stations. The Chairman asked if it would run along Bedford Street and Mr. Gray answered it would stop above Maney' s Mr. Gray said he would present the entire report next week. Mr. Gray told the Board he had figures on the fringe benefit problem. There are 216 employees, Fringe those with over ten years' service are not getting Benefits three weeks ' vacation. The Chairman said that 66 employees would qualify for four weeks' vacation next year. It was agreed to put aside for discussion later. 23 Mr. Warren W. Fox and Mr. Milton F. Hodgdon met with the Board to discuss the possibility of the purchase of the land known as the Poor Farm by the Lexington Golf Club. Mr. Hodgdon said he felt that the Town would not want the land developed for housing and the Club would like to expand the Course; would like to have eighteen holes; the club is financially strong and could improve it by adding to holes; need a few changes - a practice area. The Club is willing to pay a fair price for the land The Chairman asked if it abuts Pine Meadows and Mr. Hodgdon replied in the negative but at one time tried to conceive combining the two courses . The Chairman asked if some of the land includes the old Veterans' lots . Mr Hodgdon showed map of the land and pointed out Lexington L0' entrance. He said the Club had purchased the 9th Golf Club hole from the Town, then 100' strip. They are not in- terested in access or egress . Abuttors on Hill Street have 1000' lots The Chairman said that at the present time Golf Clubs are R-1 . If Club acquired this and at some later date desired to give up the Club, the land could be sold . Mr. Cataldo said the land should revert back to the Town. Mr Hodgdon said it would be to their advantage to buy without strings ; feels they are strong enough to continue for many years . The Chairman asked Mr. Adams about the history of this land and Mr. Adams said that the actual set-up was to sell to veterans at normal fee, to register lots when sold; understanding was that the Town would put in roads . The Town looked into severing these lots. Since that time, little or no interest. The Chairman asked if this was voted by Town Meeting specifically for that purpose. Mr. Adams replied that it was not known what the vote was . The Chairman said it would require Town Meeting action, and asked if the Club would want it done within a year. Mr. Hodgdon said they would like to put it on Town Warrant , if the Town is interested. The Chairman asked how many veterans might be in- terested in exploring this . Mr. Hodgdon waid they hadn 't considered the possibility of developing it for veterans. The Chairman asked if the wording was for veterans or World War II veterans. 27+ Mr. Legro said he would look at the various statutes. He felt it would be well to look at Town Meeting vote before anything is done. He asked if this is the land that was discussed back in 1956, 1957 or 1958. Mr. Hodgdon replied it was the same lead. Mr. Legro asked if the Town Meeting voted on an article at that time. Mr. Hodgdon said that it was not on the Warrant and he never knew what happened. Mr. Fox said he goes back six years and, at that time, there was no decision from the Board. Mr. Hodgdon said that they are improving the Club, is it to their benefit? They would agree to stipulations restricting, if there is a definite use for it. Mr. Cataldo asked if they had a concrete proposal to make to the Board. Mr. Hodgdon replied in the negative, should be an agreed negotiated price. The Chairman said that in order to sell to the Club, the Board would have to state that the purpose for which the land was acquired no longer exists. This Board suggests it be taken under advisement. Mr. Hodgdon said the Club wanted to know if there was a possibility of acquiring the land and asked if the Board would like a definite proposition. The Chairman replied in the affirmative regarding the definite proposition. Mr. Fox asked if the Board would be voting on a specific proposition. The Chairman replied that normally the Board recommends a price, preferably it should be in the amount agreed upon. Mr. Fox asked before it goes on the floor. Mr Kenney said it should be referred to other Boards . The Chairman said it should go to the Planning Board and perhaps the Board of Appeals Mr Mabee said it should go to the Board of Appeals as Golf Course is R-1, would have bo be voted because of new zoning. The Chairman said to make an offer subject to restrictions . Mr. Hodgdon asked what the restrictions would be. The Chairman said the Town was interested in the* Club relinquish the property for any reason. Mr. Mabee said to check the vote of particular Town Meeting. * right to regain the property should the Lexington Golf I 2 Z5 Mr. Fox and Mr. Hodgdon thanked the Board and retired. Mr. Mabee referred to Oakmont Circle and said that the Board had talked about the water problem there. Mr. Burnell asked how the Board stood on this. Mr. Mabee said that pressure readings have been taken and there should be a loop at a place other than Meriam Street. He suggested putting an amount of money necessary to take care of the problem in the budget to inform the people involved that this will be done. The Chairman said he was in favor of solving the problem. Mr. Burnell said it was the only spot in the Town with this situation Mr. Gray said that it was getting worse . Oakmont Mr. Burnell said that the Town had hired Circle consultants. Mr. Kenney asked how much money was involved Mr. Gray replied $5,000.00 to $8,000.00. The Chairman said that the figures should go into the budget. Mr. Gray said that he would ask Mr. McSweeney to check Whitman and Howard figures . Mr. Gray said that he would call Mr. Fox and inform U him of the Board ' s decision to take care of the water problem at Oakmont Circle. 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 financial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person. Following discussion concerning personel,it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold the next meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Selectmen's Wednesday, January 3, 1968, at 7:30 F.M. , instead of Meeting January 2, 1968 Mr. Gray requested a transfer of $1500.00 to Police and Fire Medical Account to take care of bills of over $1100.00 incurred by a Firemen who had an operation. The Chairman said that the Appropriations Committee would have to admit unforeseen circumstances, and asked Mr. Gray to inform the Appropriations Committee . Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to request the Appropriations Committee to transfer the amount of $1500.00 to the Police and Fire Medical Account. 276 h. Snow Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Emergency declare a snow emergency as of December 26, 1967. Mr. Cataldo said that he would like to withdraw the request to fill in the North Street pit. Mr. Burnell said that it was too late. North Mr. Cataldo said that DeMatteo Company could not Street guarantee enough material to fill the pit. The Pit Planning Board was in favor of filling it, but not with this material. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to withdraw the request to fill in the North Street pit . Mr. Cataldo said that the Planning Board should be so informed. The Board of Selectmen voluntarily accepted $40 00 Selectmen' s rather than $50.00 due them by the By-Laws of the Town Expenses due to the shortage of funds in the Selectmen' s Expenses . The Board retired at 9:30 P.M. A true record , Attest: xecutive Clerk, Selec men The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Wednesday evening, January 3, 1968, at 7:30 P.M. F 1