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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-10-02-BOS-min 170 co cl SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 2, 1967 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building on Monday evening, October 2, 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. McCausland, Executive Clerk, were also present . Mr Gray reported Mr. Gary had submitted the names of persons to serve on the committee for reconstruction of Buckman Tavern. The Chairman said Mr Gary is president of the Buckman Lexington Historical Society, and he read the letter to Tavern the Board The names suggested are as follows : Committee Robert Cataldo 14 Aerial Street Charles H. Cole II 4 Franklin Road Robert M Gary 29 Highland Avenue The Chairman stated, as the Board remembered, it agreed to contact the Historical Society for the names, and these are the names they apparently suggested . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint these three individuals members of the Com- mittee for the Reconstruction of Buckman Tavern. Mr. Gray stated he had three requests for transfers: One for $3,000 for Maturing Debt; one for $1,500 for In- terest on Debt, due to insufficient funds; (both the Transfers Comptroller and the Appropriation Committee are aware of these) ; and one for $11,000 for the Veterans' Ser- vices account He stated there is not sufficient money to carry the expenses for the rest of the year. Mr Cataldo asked if the Board hadn't transferred some funds to that account previously, and Mr. Gray replied that Mr Belcastro has had many requests from widows of Veterans. The Chairman asked how much has been approved this $year, and Mr. Gray reported approximately $50,000, that 75,000 was appropriated for the Reserve Fund . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $3,000 for the Maturing Dept; $1,500 for Inter- est on Debt, and $11,000 to the Veterans' Services A & E account. 17t ' Mr. Gray read a letter from Mr Legro relative to Mutual Aid Agreement with Arlington, in which Mr . Legro suggested that the Board advise the Fire Commissioners it would execute the agreements with the Town of Arling- Agreements ton for mutual aid and fire fighting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Mutual Aid to advise the Board of Fire Commissioners that the Board Arlington of Selectmen would execute the agreements with the Town of Arlington for mutual aid and fire fighting. Mr. Gray read a letter from the Massachusetts State Council, American Federation of State, County and Muni- cipal Employees, A.F L. - C.I.O for the purpose of negotiating an agreement for the employees of the Public Works Department as provided in Chapter 763 of the Acts of 1965. The Chairman asked if a vote had been taken by the employees to form a Union. AFL-CIO Mr. Gray replied a notice had been posted on the Bulletin Board a few webks ago explaining the purpose of the Union to the employees, but no vote had been taken by the employees . The Chairman asked if it wouldn' t be correct to first have a vote and have someone represent the em- ployees involved . Mr Legro stated it can be done either way; whether this organization represents the majority of the em- ployees and can put petition before the Labor Relations Commission which will then determine an appropriate bargaining unit. The Chairman stated he was not aware of any vote being taken . Mr. Cataldo said they did have a charter ten or fifteen years ago. Mr. Legro asked who had a charter, that he had no idea what it was like Mr. Gray said there was a charter, that he had found out by talking to one of the older employees, but how valid it was, he didn' t know. Mr. Legro felt it might be advisable for the Board to go through the formality of an election, appropriate a bargaining unit, which might be helpful. The Chairman said in the Board' s opinion, it has no reason to believe that the employees desire a union or any particular union. Mr Legro said he would insist that they represent the employees before giving them an appointment I i72 w Y, Mr. Gray said he had a request to tie a drain in private property into one of the Town' s small sewer Drain drains between Hickory Street and Vaille Avenue , going from a low spot into an 18" sewer drain. He said there was no objection but it takes a vote of the board . Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to allow the request as outlined by Mr. Gray Mr. Gray said he had a request from Tony Silva to tie into the storm drain from his driveway with a small 6'r drain. He said he has a driveway that slopes, goes Drain to a dry well and the water is going into his house. He said there is no objection to this connection. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to allow Mr. Silva to tie into the storm drain as sug- gested by Mr. Gray. The Chairman read an application from the Common- wealth of Massachusetts , Outdoor Advertising Division, relative to permit to locate a billboard 8' by 12' on Route 128 on Railroad Embankment South Side North Lane by the Battle Green Motor Inn. The Chairman stated it appears that the Board could raise objection or not, as it sees fit, that there are no other billboards in Lexington. Mr. Mabee questioned the location, and the Chair- Billboard man explained where the railroad crosses through Meagherville . Mr. Mabee said When Raytheon applied , it was on its own property, on Route 2, and they had to go to the Board of Appeals Mr. Legro said that was not a billboard , that it was a free-standing sign. Mr. Mabee said the Board of Appeals asked them to make it smaller. Mr. Legro said he had some history on similar situ- ations in his files and would make it available to the Board . Mr. Gray said the Board has thirty days . The Chairman suggested getting the information from Town Counsel, and Mr. Cataldo asked what type of information he had in mind Town Counsel replied on the procedures of Town opposition. Mr. Mabee stated apparently the law has changed, and Mr. Cataldo said the only thing changed is that the Town has the right to have some say in the matter. The Chairman said now it has local approval. 1.7: Mr. Kenney felt outdoor advertising would be a dangerous precedent . Mr Cataldo suggested having Town Counsel come up with a recommendation, and Mr. Legro said it might be helpful to the Board . The Chairman said this would be held up for one week and then formal action would be taken on this matter. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to approve pole location as follows: Pole Location East Street, southerly side, approximately 3L.3 feet west of Burroughs Road, -- One (1) pole . (One existing JO pole to be removed . ) The Chairman read notice from the Alcoholic Bever- ages Control Commission relative to the provisions of the Liquor Control Act insofar as they relate to the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages on Columbus Day, Thursday, October 12, 1967, and asked if there would be any restrictions. Mr. Cataldo stated he had talked with Mr. Trani but he (Mr. Trani) , had not had a chance to compose a letter. Liquor He said Mr. Traini stated the group feels it would like Columbus to stay open when the holiday comes on Thursday, Friday Day or Saturday. The Chairman said the Board would adhere to the ruling of the ABC for this time Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Board would notify the Package Goods Stores and Motels as to the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages in conformance with the ruling of the ABC Letter from the Board of Health requesting a trans- fer of $3,100 to Expenses Account was received. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the Transfer sum of $3,100 from the Reserve Fund to the Board of Health - Expenses Account. The Chairman referred to the list of appointments of Election Officers, copies of which had been sent to Election each member of the Board Officers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following Election Officers as approved by Miss Mary McDonough, Town Clerk: 174 czs Letter from Miss McDonough, Town Clerk, relative to transfer requested, and denied by the Appropriation Committee, to Registrations - Personal Services, was Transfer held over from the last meeting of the Board, and was Registrars referred to Town Counsel. As Town Counsel had had no opportunity to look up the ruling on this, it was held over for another week. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Cert. of to certify the characters of Terry A. Ryan, 36 Ward Inc. Street, Lexington, and John F. Groden, 12 Summit Road, Lexington, satisfactory character references having been received from the Chief of Police Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted I.D. Card to authorize the Chairman to sign an I.D. Card for Judith Gould, 1 Thoreau Road, Lexington, satisfactory evidence of her age having been received . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Minutes approve the Minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on September 25, 1967. At 8:00 P.M. , the Capital Expenditures Committee, Mrs Rawls, Chairman Hugh Chapin Messrs . Van Boughton, Cogan, Mitchell, met with the Board . Mr. Chapin said he hoped that the Board had re- ceived copies with the letter so that each member would have a copy He said the committee' s counsel is to get started early in view of the fact that the Town Capital has no Superintendent of Public Works, which is a major Expendi- board of the budget, and he wished to get the benefit of tures the Board' s thinking in that area. His committee wishes Committee to know what is happening, things that it may not know about; that they would also like to know any new ideas the Board has . He said he thought new ideas coming up in February don't get the benefit of consideration of any committee, and are very limited to be amenable. The Chairman spoke of the items marked with a cross beside them, those are the ones primarily they wish to ask about, and asked if it would be possible for their committee to meet with Mr. Gray, the Executive Assistant and Acting Superintendent of Public Works. He said taking all the items all the way down, this information can be procured by talking with Mr. Gray 1 13A IELECTION OFFICERS 1967 - 1968 R Ilda J. Field R Marjorie E. Wirpio 30 Chase Avenue 22 Bartlett Avenue D Helen L. Perry R Alice G. Marshall 16 Ellison Road 9 Independence Avenue D Michael Lovezzola R Sally S. Hooper 242 Waltham Street 282 Bedford Street R Mary E. Clifford R Edna R. Anderson 54 Chase Avenue 21 Leonard Road D John McDonough D Eileen J. Fradette 54 Woburn Street 35 Grapevine Avenue D Randall W. Richards D Joseph 0. Rooney 67 Farmcrest Avenue 222 Waltham Street D Mary G. Oliver R Dolores M. Swan 610 Waltham Street 24 Bedford Street I D Elizabeth F. Downey D Mary J. Ferry 1 Stimson Avenue 50 Downing Road D Henry P. Meade D Mary A. Spellman 6 Raymond Street 24 Shirley Street R Ida B. Fisk R. Mary G. McCauley 10 Spencer Street 75 Spring Street R Florence M. Boone R Virginia M. Warner 112 Bedford Street 71 Adams Street D Marjorie Modoono R Irene Victoria Fenerty 285 Woburn Street 529 Marrett Road R Agnes Heimlich D Alice Lillian Osgood 796 Massachusetts Avenue 573 Marrett Road R Mary F. Irwin D Mary V. Spencer 20 Clarke Street 8 Cary Avenue I L. top N C'} I \I 0 \ 11\I l T6 Mrs. Rawls said she would talk with Mr. Gray, and he said he could go over the items very easily The Chairman said if that was agreeable to the com- mittee, it would be handled that way Mr. Chapin said he would like to talk very definitely on one specific item relating to the sewer construction, Article 17 of the 1967 Town Meeting, $250,000 and get the Board' s thinking on this . He stated the committee was wondering, planning for next year, the services of Engineer and Superintendent not being available, will change their field a bit, and said maybe this should be made part of their budget . The Chairman stated the positions will be filled as soon as possible. The Board hopes to have these filled, but it should have $250,000 for this purpose. Mr. Gray stated , at the present time, the Town has three subdivisions pending, which will come out of the $250,000; they will make a pretty sizable dent in it, really put a big hole in it Mr. Van Boughton asked if it was the Board ' s idea that this sum would be held in the bank for unexpended use, a rotating fund, if you will, always one notch ahead of the game. The Chairman said if these developments materialize, what their committee' s thoughts were keeping it a revolv- ing fund . Mr. Cataldo said he thought the Board should come back and see what will be left He suggested $500,000 a year instead of $250,000 The Chairman said every year the School budget goes up for a reason. There are more children in the system, more teachers, and costs have gone up. There are more homes and there must be more services, and their budgets should be upped , that more money would have to be appro- priated . Mr. Cataldo said as far as this budget is concerned, only $100,000 has been spent, but if we have to spend $200,000 with more subdivisions coming in, put more money in thiE account The Chairman said the Board has to think in larger terms in these areas, that there are many older areas in this Town which have problems Mr. Chapin said the engineering reports from Whitman & Howard read it seems to be in order. Mr. Cataldo said the Board would hate to see sub- divisions go in with Septic Tanks, that there are real serious problem areas and streets should not be con- structed without sewers; that more money would be needed . 1 1.76 The Chairman said he thought this problem could be overcome with our own staff or with consultants. Mr. Kenney said, if we only spent $100,000, O.K. We should put more money in there Mr. Mitchell said $250,000 for trunk sewers, appro- priate 1/2 million dollars, $250,000 for the future, $250,000 for industrial areas. Keep an appropriation for $250 ,000 for facing current problems, for getting mains. The reply was $250,000 is not enough to get properly sewered Mr. Mabee said more money is needed all the time, and we should have it ahead for meeting the needs as they arise in the Town. Mr Van Boughton said to continue the same rate of expenditures we would keep rolling this same amount of money each year but we would be planning construction two years hhead Further discussion was held with regard to trunk sewers and laterals, and the Chairman asked if when the budgets come in this year, could the committee sit in with the Selectmen and see how much would be adequate. Mr. Legro retired at 7:45 F.M. 1 Mr. Cataldo suggested submitting a figure of $4.00,000 for laterals , and Mr. Mabee added, a definite increase. Mr. Chapin referred to the Road Machinery Account, and asked what were new major items . Mr. Cataldo spoke of the Lincoln Street dump area, and stated there was need for a survey, and need for money for construction to do a portion of it . He said that the Board had asked the Trustees of Public Trusts for money for design and stated that the Board will give all the information. Mr. Van Boughton asked why the Lincoln Street in- stead of Harrington School area, and said Lincoln Street should be a separate project . Mr Cataldo explained the settlement of six feet; 20 acres, and not the whole area would be done, just a section of it, for play fields, and bringingit up to finished grade. He said he felt basically 150 ,000 would finish the job. He said the contractor, DeMatteo, had saved the Town $3,000 or $4.,000. Mr Chapin felt this was something that should be considered this Fall 177 Mrs. Rawls mentioned a bridge or tunnel for Worthen Road. Reference was also made to an article for Center Parking, Massachu- setts P ng, and Mrs . Rawls asked what the rest of M ss chu- setts Avenue Beautification would cost Mr. Gray replied by budget time, the Board should know what it will cost, that within two months, they would be able to tell them. The question was asked if the parking meters would be done away with, and the Chairman replied , this was being considered at the present time; if the Town didn' t have meters, people abuse the parking privilege The Capital Expenditures Committee retired. 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. Executive Following discussion with an applicant for the posi- Session tion of Town Engineer, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Mr. Gray referred to the Lincoln Street dump, and stated a drain line had to be put in here, explaining the location on a plan he submitted; that they had to have Drain catch basins and run a drain line on Town property, that Line there was a problem with water. He stated this can be Lincoln St done with the Town' s own men, that the pipe would have Dump area to be purchased. Mr. Cataldo said it should be designed in total Mr . Gray said this is a means to clean up this situation and it has to be done before winter. He said this was just a matter of information for the Board Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board voted to approve the drain as outlined by Mr. Gray Mr. Gray stated he had interviewed Mrs. John F McCurdy, 16 Sutherland Road , Lexington, for the position of Senior Clerk in the Selectmen' s Office, and said Appoint- she was present at the meeting here tonight He said ment he would like to recommend that the Board appoint her at a salary of $5,413.00 per year, that her raise will be adjusted . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs John F. McCurdy as Senior Clerk in the Selectmen' s Office at a salary of $5,113.00, effective October 16, 1967 I X78 Mr. Gray reported that he would be away Friday to Thursday, and he would like the Board to appoint Mr. Thomas M Wenham to the position of Acting Superintendent of Public Works in his absence. Appoint- Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ment appoint Mr Thomas M Wenham to the position of Acting Superintendent of Public Works in his absence for the period of October 6 through October 12, 1967 Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board was going to vote to tear the Cummings' building down. Mr. Gray said that Mr. Lawless was still working on his prospective clients . 465-475 Mr. Cataldo asked how much Mr. Lawless was asking Mass. for it . He stated he felt the Board should send him a Avenue letter, registered mail, informing him he had one week, or the Board would tear it down. The Chairman stated whatever was done would have to be followed up. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to write Mr. Lawless a letter, registered mail, in- forming him that the Board has voted an extension of thirty days in which to take the building down, or under Chapter 139, Section 3, the Board would take it down. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to purge the Selectmen' s Meeting, Executive Session, Minutes of September 25, and release the following: Salary Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that in consideration for added responsibility during the emergency period to compensate Emanuele Coscia, Jr. , $75 00 a month, retroactive to September 20, 1967. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis- cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if Executive made public, might adversely affect the public security, Session the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person Following discussion relative to position of Town Engineer, it was voted to resume the open meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to increase the salary of Mr. Albert Gray $135 00 a Salary month retroactive to August 14 in consideration for his added responsibilities L 1:79 The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Natalie Riffin, relative to Hanscom Field . He asked Mr . Gray to kindly look it over The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board requesting the Board to ask Town Counsel re sub- Sub- division of the Pond Realty Trust off Reed Street, en- division compassing Augustus Road and over parts of Hickory Street and Vaille Avenue. The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Town Counsel. Mr. Leslie York came into the meeting relative to requesting permission for the Conservation Commission Concer- to use the Visitors ' Center for its meeting, and he vation stated Paul Mazerall, who is on the committee, would be Meetings at the meetings and would act as a custodian. They would like to use a room for the executive work. The Board had no objection. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:50 P.M. IIA true record, Attest: a ecutive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, October 9, 1967, at 7:30 P.M. c_