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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-11-27-BOS-min 244 Yl r r SELECTMEN"S MEETING November 27, 1967 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, Novwmber 27, 1967, at 7 30 P.M Chairman Cole, Messrs, Burnell, Cataldo and Kenney were present . Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant and Acting Superintendebt of Public Works, and Mrs. McCausland, Executive Clerk, were also present, and Mr. Wenham. Mr. Gray reported receipt of a bill for payment from Tocci for the Public Works Building on Bedford Street. He stated the checks were being prepared in accordance with instructions ; that the amounts were broken down into three categories , and two checks Public are to be held by Mr Legro subject to receipt of re- Works leases from Tocci . Building Upon motion duly made arra seconded , it was voted bill to approve payment of bill in the amount of $45,342.00 from John Tocci & Sons , Inc for work at the Public Works Building Mr. Gray stated quotations had been taken on flooring at the Public Works Building, and only one was received from McGee Floor Covering in the amount of $997 00 for furnishing and installing Armstrong Flooring vinyl asbestos floor tile in the General Office Areas. Public Works Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Building to accept the quotation of McGee Floor Covering for furnishing and installing Armstrong vinyl asbestos floor tile in the General Office Areas of the Public Works Building in the amount of $997.00. Mr. Gray reported on a complete dispatcher con- tract for the Public Works Building consisting of formica covered cabinets and desk top area in the sum of $995.00 from Sydney-Edwards Company. Contract- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted radio dis- to award the contract to the Sydney-Edwards Company patch office for equipment in the radio dispatch office of the Public Works Building in the amount of $995 00 . 1 245 Selectmen' s Meeting -2- November 27, 1967 Mr. Gray stated Mr. Legro had sent him drafts of agreements for engineering services on the Instructional Pool, and these have been forwarded to Camp Dresser & Agreements McKee. As soon as these have been returned , he will report to the Board . Mr. Gray reported receipt of a letter from Cary Memorial Libraty relative to the insertion of an article Article in the warrant for work to be done at the East Lexington Branch Library. The Chairman stated as was the custom of the Board , an Article will be inserted in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March Mr Gray read a letter from George H Lawless rela- tive to an extension of time for the demolition of the property at 465-475 Massachusetts Avenue, and also read a letter with regard to the same property from Mr Don- ald Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals , request- ing that the Board consider the matter of an extension of time before demolition would take place The Chairman said he had been keeping in touch with 465-475 everyone concerned , and he didn' t know what Mr Tilling- Mass . Ave hast ' s plan was , but felt it must have merit to be con- sidered by the Board of Appeals He said he would recom- mend that the Board give an extension Mr Kenney asked if the Board would give another thirty day extension, and Mr Cataldo replied thirty days is not up for another ten days, and stated to see what Mr Lawless does and he would be willing to go along with it Mr Kenney suggested that this be postponed till next 'Week Mr Burnell said he was in favor of giving a thirty day extension providing he does what he says he will The Chairman said , all things being equal, at the Board ' s next meeting, the new buyer having done what he says he will do, the Board will go along and the extension of time will be considered at that time Mr. Gray reported a letter from the Junior Chamber of Commerce relative to the annual burning of Xmas trees , Xmas and stated he doubted if there would be any room for this tree type of operation at the dump, that there is no area avail- burning able. He said last year they used private property Mr. Cataldo stated last year they didn' t want it and used C C & F. property 246 itl Selectmen ' s Meeting -3- November 27, 1967 Mr. Kenney asked if Mr. Gray had any other site in mind, and he replied not public land , and the onus is on them to find the place Mr Gray felt the request was made by a new member who did not know where they had it last year, but he will check. Mr. Joseph Trani and Leslie York came into the meeting regarding the parking situation in Lexington Center Mr. Trani said they had done a little bit of work. He stated much of the free parking is being used by all-day parkers. He said the area in back of Depositors Trust is filled to capacity including the filled in part towards Grant Street, perhaps 135 cars on the finished part and forty to fifty on the unfinished , filled all day long He stated behind the Bargain Barn and Vinebrook Bottle Shop they have hired a police of- ficer to keep it free for their customers to park, and dome of the merchants are 'vehement about the parking. He said the parking lot behind Woolworth ' s is not al- ways full, the parking lot behind the Savings Bank is partly full, and he felt finishing the parking lot Center towards the tracks would perhaps alleviate the situation . Parking 11 Mr York said it was their suggestion for the Board to look ahead to next year' s budgets and the beautifi- cation of the Center is arriving much on schedule and as the Board works on the request for next spring Town Meeting, something has to be done , that each day it is getting worse, each week as time goes on He said some- thing has to be done where the Harvard Trust has the property, and they were suggesting that consideration be given to continue the parking area from Depot Square towards Grant Street The Chairman said it had been put off, and Mr York stated it looks as though it could not be done much longer. Mr. Trani stated it stunts any further growth plans that anyon_ might have, unless they could be guaranteed a number of parking spots , there is no interest . He said he did not feel at the present time that the park- ing meters should be taken out, that they are just penny meters, that most towns charge five and ten cents . Mr York said it means a shifting, that there has been some shifting, all day parkers going in there, and stated when the snow cones , it will cut down the parking spaces that much more. 247 The Chairman stated the Board has heard their request, it is considered each year and they could be assured it will be given consideration this year Mr. Trani and Mr York retired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Gray said while the Board was discussing the parking problem, he would like to mention the parking in the rear of the Town Office Building. He stated there is a considerable problem, that the circle in front of Cary Memorial they try to keep clear, but there were twelve taxicabs parked in the rear this morning, and all of the Post Office carriers, which presents problems He said it was a public parking lot , but this problem was brought up six or eight months ago . The Chairman felt it could be controlled Mr Cataldo agreed and said it was getting to be a problem with the Post Office Mr. Y,enney asked if it could be restricted to Town employees, that signs could be put up Mr. Cataldo suggested having a talk with the taxi company and the Superintendent of the Post Office to make some of its lot available to the carriers He said the parking lot out back should be redesigned , and possibly ' there could be another line of autos . Mr. Adams stated some of the cabs are parking in the Meriam Street lot as well Mr. Gray stated he would contact them, and will re- port back to the Board next week Mr. Cataldo spoke of the requests for transfers The Town Office Building Committee has a request from the Planning Board for additional space They met last Friday, and felt that the Weights & Measures office downstairs should be turned over to the Planning Board for additional files, etc. But they didn' t recommend the door to be cut, but would more or less turn the space over to the Planning Board without the installa- tion of the doorway. He said they also discussed the space for the Town Clerk and for the new Treasurer, and came up with a 68" banker' s partition. He drew a sketch on the board showing the suggestions they had for the layout of the office , which he said , was satis- factory to everyone . He said there was only one drawback; $1, 000 for partitions which includes one upstairs, and there is no money left in the Town Office and Cary Build- ing maintenance account ; that a transfer would have to be requested, and this is what they recommend on the Clerk- Treasurer Offices . He stated upstairs in the Comptroller ' s office, they recommend taking the room now called the water billing room, making this a machine room and put all the machines there , the stamp-meter machine in the Collector' s " 48 Office as well, all the Town Office machines . He said they would take one clerk out of the Public WO ,Ls office and place the desk in the corridor, and she would be a receptionist . Put the table out here from the Comp- troller' s Office, point to the sketch, and there would be two clerks out here. There would be no par- titions upstairs except in the Comptroller' s Office for his private office He said this would accomplish two things , it would keep the public out of the office that there would be two or three benches in the .hail. He said it would cost $1,000 for the partitions, some money to buy the incidentals for the Treasurer, $500. So they would ask for $1500 to implement the work. Mr Gray stated they had to purchase two desks and two chairs but wouldn' t have to buy any office machines ; there were enough typewriters, just money for partitions and furnishing the building Mr. Kenney asked how long it would take, and Mr Gray replied four weeks after the order is placed . Mr. Cataldo said the equipment would have to be paid for this year. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee for $1500 for the Town Office and Cary Memorial Building maintenance account. Mr Rae and Mr. Sparrow, Great Meadows Committee, met with the Board . Mr . Sparrow stated they were being pressured by the Arlington Selectmen, and asked what was the Board ' s recommendation The Chairman said the committee had done every- Great thing it had been asked to do, and it was now up to the Great Meadows two Boards of Selectmen He stated if there was any Meadows reason for dissension, it came out of that meeting. He said there had been many misunderstandings along the way pertaining to Town Counsel, and the statements made at the meeting were discussed . Mr. Legro stated he would like to know who put the statement in the paper that he would be present at the meeting. He said he would like to make a public state- ment that before any official puts anything in the paper with regard to Town Counsel, he at least talk with him first He said there was no basis for it whatsoever from either him or the Board of Selectmen as far as he I 249 knew; that it looked- as if the Town Counsel didn't bother to appear, and said no one had any right to expect he was going to appear . Mr. Sparrow asked if Town Counsel was advised not to come, and Mr. Legro replied that it was im- material. Mr. Sparrow said it was considered to be a fact . Mr. Legro said , he said he would not appear, that is the answer. Mr. Adams said they take authority from people they think are reliable . Mr. Legro said the comments were not very helpful. This is not Town Counsel' s job, and it would be physically impossible to discuss every need with every interested person in the Town. He said thousands of questions come up every year, and a great many are not within the scope of his duties . He said 150 people taking pot shots at ridiculous solutions . Mr. Adams asked why he hadn' t heard of this sooner, last Monday night , that he liked to know promptly, and he asked if there was a question of a mistake being made, that he knew Mr. Legro' s policy. Mr. Adams said they did not make up the story, and wished he had known it . The Chairman said the next step is to talk to the Arlington Selectmen and is up to the combined Boards of Selectmen; Mr. Rae and Mr. Sparrow retired at 8:30 P.M. Dr. Tryon, present at the meeting, asked what was the source of this information to Mr. Adams , and the reply was, Citizens of Lexington Conservation . Mr. Adams said he would like a statement from the Board on this . Mr. Legro said as long as things such as this don' t happen again, that it is done with. If it can be leareed from this, and as long as it doesn' t happen again. Mr. Adams said this has come up many times , and he would like a statement regarding this matter, a clear statement . 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 finan- Executive alai interest of the Town or the reputation of any per- Session son. Following discussion pertaining to litigation with Town Counsel, and personnel, it was voted to resume the open meeting. � l 250ze 472 The Chairman referred to the Christmas and New Year' s Day meetings, and asked if the Board would Selectmen meet on December 26 and January 2, 1968 . Meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold a Selectmen' s Meeting on December 26, 1967 and the first meeting in January, 1968, on the second . Mr. Gray asked if the date for the closing of Warrant the warrant could be figured out. Letter from Mr. Manfred P. Friedman , in answer to the Board' s letter requesting a resume, relative Conserva- to the position on the Conservation Commission , was tion received . Commission The Clerk was instructed to send a copy to each member of the Board. The Chairman read a notice from the Middlesex County Selectmen' s Association relative to its Annual Ladies Ladies Night to be held at the Meadow Brook Golf Club Night in Reading, and said if any of the Board wished to attend, to make reservations with the Clerk. The members of the Planning Board and Recreation Committee met with the Board. Mrs. Riffin said they had a very interesting meet- ing with the Recreation Committee, and there were two or three items they would like to discuss with the Planning Board. They would like to know the Selectmen' s plans Board for development of the old dump site; what their thoughts are fpr the development of the area. She said they were also concerned about six acres of land ad- jacent to the Harrington School which the Recreation Committee and the Planning Board feel should be pur- chased by the Town, and wondered how this could be handled . She said they also had other areas they would like to discuss for the coming Town Meeting that they would like to know more about . The committees feel these should be discussed in Executive Session. Mr. Cataldo asked if these are the same areas, and Mr. Zaleski replied, these, plus additional . The Chairman said as far as the dump site is con- cerned, he would let Mr. Cataldo talk about this . Mr. Cataldo said basically they are looking for some money to come up with the master plan of the area, and until they have that, there is no way to tell how much money will be needed, that it is a big project. 251 He said there was more than one problem to contend with, that there is a big drainage problem, drains along Lincoln Street to the other side of the dump. He said this is work that should be done before anything else is started . Then we have the problem of the gas being generated from the old sanitary land fill. We also have the problem of parking to consider. Access roads and parking lots have to be con- structed. He said, he would say it would probably take $400,000 or $500,000, and they should look to a three-year program once they get the master plan, that this is the most logical approach. Mr. Lund asked if this amount of money would include a stadium. Cataldo said this is strictly playing fields, and $500,000 seems a lot, that there were twenty acres of land to deal with. A water main should run through the middle: a foot of gravel and six inches of top soil, 32,000 yards of gravel, $4.0,000 to $45,000. The loam, 16,000 to 20,000 yards of loam. The problem has to be dealt with to get rid of the gas. It was suggested that the whole area be covered with sand and then a thick sheet of polyethylene. This is not necessary. What I do recommend is to get an auger and drill a 20-inch hole every two hundred feet square and fill with crushed rock. This would let the gas escape as it forms. I would make the following recommendations: 1. We consider Lincoln Street our major project and do it on a three-year basis . 2. We find some money to do a master plan. We requested the School Department to make avail- able $1,000,00 but they declined. 3. A committee be formed consisting of representa- tives from the following - Selectmen , Planning Board , School Committee, Public Works Department, Town Engineer and Mr. Gray. 4. This committee and a Consulting Engineer design a master plan of the area. 5 Estimates of cost be forwarded to Selectmen for appropriations. 6. The Town should definitely do a strip along Lincoln Street next spring to relieve the problems of dust and dirt for the abutting owners. Mr. Kenney said if the area is really developed , there would have to be a bridge across Worthen Road. Mr. Cataldo said this is a separate issue . When it is developed, the Town should consider it then. 252 y Mrs. Riffin said they were setting up a recreation planning committee consisting of Mr. Bertini, Mr. Zaleski and Mr. Mazerall, who would be consulted for any design, actual development in the school areas. Mr. Cataldo said the problem is money. Basically to lay out and design of the areas, and said hh felt there should be a consulting engineer, but not Whitman & Howard. Mrs. Riffin said they were interestea in the timing and the long range plan. Mrs. Riffin said they were interested in what the Board' s reaction was to the Cortell report, Marrett Reservoir for swimming. The Chairman asked where is the money for it. Mr. Cataldo stated that he had read the report, and he feels the figure is low, not beginning to scratch the surface for what it is going to cost the Town and Hanscom asked where the money was to be spent - fixing Lincoln Field Street, Reservoir, Harrington Playground - spend that much on Lincoln Street and get it done, at least get one thing done. The Chairman said there was only one copy of the report and asked Mr. Gray to have some reproduced. The Chairman spoke of the meeting scheduled for Mr. Mooney, Port Authority, and said the Board had been trying to reschedule one but Mr. Mooney had been in Washington, that he was very tied up, and he felt it would be in the best interest of all concerned to wait until he could come. He said he would keep in touch with him and have him out , but as far as he knew, there are no plans to use Hanscom Field as a commercial air- port. Mrs. Riffin said if the Board met with Mr. Mooney the planning Board would like to attend. Reference was made to the three year plan to be worked out, and asked what the plan would be and if the Board was in favor of the arrangement for develop- ment of playground and recreation. Mr. Cataldo replied to let Town Meeting decide what they want to buy Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Executive to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis- Session cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public secur- ity, the financial interest of the Town or the reputa- tion of any person. Following discussion relative to land acquisition, it was voted to resume the open meeting. L _ 25' The Chairman read a letter frau Mrs. Ethel t-„ Riehi Collector of Taxes, stating that she would not run for re-election in March, 1968. Election The Chairman said a letter would be written thank- ing her for her services. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign copies of Motel Innholder' s License, AD Innholder Realty and Development Corp . , d.b.a. Battle Green Inn, License for the year 1968 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign "Package Goods Store" Licenses for the following, all having been duly advertised: Berman' s Market , 55 Massachusetts Avenue ( renewal) Joseph Trani, Inc. , 1775 Massachusetts Avenue " Licenses Vinebrook Corporation, 1700 Massachusetts Avenue " Package Goods Stores Letter was received from George B. H. Macomber Company requesting a meeting with the Board to discuss the possibilities of rezoning 44 acres of land situated southeast of the intersections of the Concord Turnpike and Spring Street to Zone C3. The Clerk was requested to make an appointment Appoint- for next Monday night . ment Mr. Cataldo said this was on the Five Fields ' s side of Spring Street. The Chairman said they would meet with the Planning Board first, and then with the Selectmen. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign I.D. Cards for the follow- z D ing individuals, satisfactory certification of their age Cards having been established : Barbara Ann Dolan 346 Woburn Street Peggy G. Feistel 29 Burroughs Road Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to grant a Common Victualler License to Pine Meadows Common Golf Club, satisfactory report having been received Victualler from bhe Board of Health. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held Minutes on November 20, 1967. Mr. Cataldo suggested that the house on Clarke Street be rented to Mr. Wenham, Assistant Superin- tendent of Public Works, for fifty (50) dollars a property month, and Mr. Wenham is to supply Nil the utilities, heat, light, and water, etc . Mr. Wenham said he would like to move as soon as possible, probably by December 15. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to rent the Newell property on Clarke Street to Mr. 2 5 4 WA Wenham on a temporary basis , at the price of $50.00 a month, Mr. Wenham to supply all the utilities , i.e. , heat, light , water, etc. Mr. Gray stated the next items concern the Salary Schedule. He referred to the new Town Treasurer and he needs a new clerk so they are taking from the Assessors' Office, Mrs . Sullivan. Mrs. Gauthier is going to take Mrs. Sulli- Salaries van' s place, and Mrs. Ryder, from the Building Department , is taking Mrs. Gauthier' s place, and he questioned how these people would be paid. He said two clerks from Miss McDonough' s office are going upstairs in Mr. Perry' s office. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Assistant that Mrs. Eleanor Sullivan be appointed Assistant Town Town Treasurer, effective November 27, 1967, at an annual Treasurer salary of $5365, S-9 category. Mrs . Gauthier is to be S-9. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis- Executive cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if Session made public , might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person . Following discussion relative to land acquisition it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Eleanor M. McCurdy, Executive Clerk to Appointment the Board of Selectmen at an annual salary of $6593.00, effective December 1, 1967, S-15 Category. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest: 6.)44 2. J i ecutive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectmen ' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evenit/ng, December 14., 1967, at 7:30 P.M.