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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-09-25-BOS-min 162 C, SELECTMEN'S MEETING September 25, 1967 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 25, 1967, 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 the Executive Clerk, Mrs . McCausland, were also present. At the request of the Town Clerk, six jurors were drawn as follows: Jurors David E. James, Jr. 9 Phinney Road David M. Link 4 Gerard Terrace Gary J. Fallick 4 Diehl Road Thomas H Kelley 55 Bertwell Road Richard E. Barthelemy 34 Grant Street John L. Grant 23 Butler Avenue Mr. Leslie York met with the Board relative to fig- ures requested by the Board at its meeting last week for the base of the Diorama, and which he quoted he had re- ceived from the Universal Cabinet Company in Arlington as $900.00 to $1,000.00. He stated he had given the same sketch to Bob Custance of Custance Bros. , and his Diorama price is $1,350.00, and said Mr. Custance stated the Universal Cabinet Company' s price is very good value, and he could not give any price less than he quoted Mr York said he would like to get the exact figures of what is in the balance and make sure there is enough money. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. York to proceed as outlined to the Board for the base of the Diorama in the Visitor' s Center. Mr . Legro reported he had an Order of Taking of Lot A, Peacock Farm Section 6, option obtained under vote of Article 65, Annual Town Meeting. He said a motidn was in order to sign, that he had sent a confirmatory deed to the owner and expects it back in a few days. Order of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Taking sign Order of Taking of Lot A, Peacock Farm Section 6, as prepared by Mr. Legro. (All copies taken by Mr. Legro ) Mr. Gray stated last Friday morning, bids were opened for the laying of approximately 750 square yards of brick sidewalk for the Lexington Center Project. One bid only Bid was received - Vincent Scardino Construction Co. , Inc. , 25 Brookfield Terrace, Framingham, Massachusetts in the amount of $9,750.00 163 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract to Vincent Scardino Construction Co. , Inc. , 25 Brookfield Terrace, Framingham, Massachusetts, for 750 square yards of brick sidewalk for the Lexington Center Project at the bid price of $9, 750.00. Mr. Gray read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce relative to a question raised by its Directors as to whether or not the parking alcoves now under construction in the Center of Lexington were sufficiently deep to accom- modate a standard automobile without it hanging out into the street a couple of feet. Mr. Gray said a few days ago, he had received a call Parking from Mr. Conroy with regard to this, and he had informed Lexington him that it was not an error, that the design had been ac- Center cepted by the Board and it had been published in the Lexington Minute-man, that it was known what the situation would be. It was agreed to inform the Chamber of Commerce that no error had been made, that it was being constructed ac- cording to design. Mr. Gray read a letter received from Mr. and Mrs. Edward Domings, 8 Dunham Street, relative to the purchase of Lot 3, Valleyfield Street. Mr. and Mrs. Domings had requested this lot previously in 1965, and at that time, the Board turned down all the bids, but stated they would deal with the abutters He Tax stated the betterments are $517.52 for sewer and $100 for Title water, and there will be a street assessment The Chairman stated it has been the policy of the Board to have the opinion of the Planning Board, and he read the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting of October 1j , 1965. He stated Mr. and Mrs. Domings are buying it for a building lot , to be added to their present lot . Mr. Cataldo stated if they are buying it as a separate lot, it should be advertised The Chairman said they don't want anyone building on it. Mr. Burnell said if it was a small lot, but since it is a buildable lot, he felt it should be advertised . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sell lot 3, Valleyfield Street to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Domings, 8 Dunham Street, at the price of $2500, plus the outstanding betterments, with further restriction it be combined with the present lot. Mr. Gray reported a conversation with Mr. Gary regarding Buckman Tavern, and asked what the Board wished him to do Buckman with regard to it . Tavern 1b The Chairman stated the Board of Selectmen is the awarding and contracting authority, and said he felt rather than appoint officers of the Society, it would be better to appoint individuals Mr. Cataldo stated they know what is going to be done, they know more than we do, and ask them to submit three names . The Chairman said Mr. Gary is President, and to con- tact him and they would be the building committee under the Board of Selectmen. It is the Board' s intention to appoint a committee of three and ask that they submit three names. The Chairman read a letter from the Town of Concord relative to the study being conducted by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council regarding airport needs in Eastern Massachusetts. The Chairman stated, as the Board probably knew, he had been in touch with the Port Authority and the Military Airport at Hanscom, and they feel there is nothing to worry about Study regarding the expansion of Hanscom Field He thought it might be a good idea to have someone to work with the Towns to monitor the study Mr. Cataldo said Mr Walmsley was quite concerned about this, and the Chairman said he had told him what he had been told by the Port Authority, and said he thought they were putting one of their Selectmen on the Study, and the Board should keep abreast of the situation. Paul McBride says there are no plans for the expansion. Mr. Cataldo asked if there was a member of the Board who would want to serve, and the Chairman stated he would be on it temporarily. Letter from Mr Richard M. Perry.y Comptrolller, rela- tive to Section 6J of Chapter 40 of the General Laws, was read by the Chairman. The Chairman said evidently it is not a serious prob- Article lem, that he felt it had merit and the Board should insert an article in the March Town Meeting to accept this Section, and it was so voted . The Chairman read a letter from Richard M. Perry, Comp- troller, relative to an application form for reimbursement Woodhaven for the years 1968 through 1984 based on a percentage of the Sewer Bond principal payment on the Woodhaven Sewer bond, which he had Reim. certified, signed and returned to the Division of Water Pol- lution Control. The Chairman said this refers to the Woodhaven Sewer and was for the Board ' s information. 165 1 I Request from the Lexington Arts & Crafts Society, Inc. , relative to permission to conduct its annual Buckman Tavern Show on Sunday, October 8, 1967 from 12:00 noon un- til 5:30 P.M. on the Buckman Tavern Grounds, and in case Permit of inclement weather, to hold it on the following Sunday, October 15 was read by the Chairman . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request . Letter was received from J. Marshall Duane, 16 Meriam Street, complaining about dogs and asking if there is any Dog way to restrict a dog' s freedom. Complaint The Chairman asked if the Town' s Dog Control Law pro- hibits them from being out at night, and the reply was in the negative, only if it is a nuisance. It was suggested that this letter be referred to the Dog Officer for his investigation. Letter was received from Mary R. McDonough, relative to transfer requested for $300 to Registrations-Personal Services Account, which was denied by the Appropriation Committee , and asking for Town Counsel' s ruling Mr. Legro reported he had done a bit of work on this Transfer today, as a copy of the letter had been sent to him. Mr. Cataldo suggested talking with the Appropriation Committee Mr Kenney stated the intent is such that it should be granted, that it would save time. It was the consensus of the Board that some member would go to the Appropriation Committee next week. Letter was received from the Planning Board relative Tax to request of Mr Peter Scopa for the sale of town-owned Title lots 23 and part of 22 Moreland Avenue and for which the Board had requested that Board' s recommendation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advise Mr. Conroy, Attorney for Mr Scopa, that the Board of Selectmen and Planning Board agree it is in the best interest of the Town not to dispose of this lot at the present time. Letter from Minot, DeBlois & Maddison, relative to parking regulations at the rear of property at 1733 to Parking 1753 Massachusetts Avenue, was read by the Chairman. Regula- The Chairman stated the intent was good, but he felt tions to ask a law-enforcing agency to do other than what it is charged with doing, is something the Board cannot agree with. Mr Kenney said he felt the Chief of Police should be asked for his comments on this. The Chairman said the Board sets the rules and it is the Police Department' s job to enforce them. 166 It might lead to changing the type of meters Mr. Mabee said he would like to know if the Chief thinks it can be solved in some other way, and Mr. Cataldo said meters versus no meters He might have a recommenda- tion If they are all day parkers, it is another matter, who and what are the infractions . Mr. Cataldo said to see if these meters should be kept, what they are doing for the Town or if they are hurting us, no meters or some other type of enforcement The Chairman said it is the consensus of the Board that while it does not agree with the approach of Minot, DeBlois & Maddison, we do think we could revaluate the parking and get the Chief' s reaction on it; that there are problems . Mr . Michelson, who was present at the meeting, stated the meters are serving their purpose of keeping all day parkers out , but it had been suggested to have an attendant punching a ticket, and the Chairman said it would mean pay- ing a man to collect the money and raises the cost of main- taining a parking lot. The Board will pursue this further with the Chief of Police. The Chairman read the letter from the Planning Board relative to invoice submitted by Partridge Associates and recommending the payment of $12,269 00 as compensation for extra work enumerated in the invoice dated July 27, 1967. Partridge Mr. Cataldo asked if this bill is paid, has he the Assoc right to shut the road off as far as the acoess to the Invoice school is concerned , and Mr. Legro replied there is the grant of easements so that it will be taken care of, and it is as important to him as it is to the Town. The Chairman asked if the bill were not paid, would the Town be in any different position, and Mr. Legro re- plied it has nothing to do with the check. Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to pay the invoice for 12, 269.00 as requested by the Plan- ning Board in its letter of September 20, 1967. Request was received from Mr Wilbur M. Jaquith, Chair- man of the Historic Districts Commission relative to re- quest for transfer of $4.25.00 for funds for the Commission' s operating expenses for the period October through December, Transfer 1967 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $425.00 from the Reserve Fund to the Historic District Commission' s Expense Account I 167 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted Minutes to approve the Minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on September 18, 1967. The Chairman reported he had talked with Mr. Nickerson regarding the Minute Man National Park and he is particularly concerned with the 1975 celebration. Minute The Chairman said he told him that the Town Celebrations Man Committee had already been charged with this. He stated Nat ' l. Pk a committee could be formed to act as a liaison committee Council with him and the National Park, and to this end, he had Liaison suggested two names . He said his name came into the pie- Comm. ture on the committee of three, Harold Stevens and Ruth Morey He said it would be a bit of a problem what the charge would be, and directions would have to be given by Mr. Nickerson. Mr. Cataldo nominated the appointment of the three individuals as the Minute Man Council Liaison Committee. The Chairman also reported he had been receiving com- plaints about the fenee on Adams Street, the one put in last Thursday, that they don' t like it at all. He asked if any of the members had seen it, and Mr. Kenney replied in the affirmative Mr. Cataldo said it is galvanized metal, a dull finish Mr. Mabee suggested it could be darkened up. Mr. Kenney said this is a very dangerous corner, and the only thing is, the day is rapidly approaching when the curve would have to be fixed, that it will not be of that Adams St. permanent nature Barrier Mr. Cataldo said this was figured by John Carroll and it would cost in the vicinity of $100 ,000 00; the layout was from East Street to North Street to the Burlington line, a tremendous figure Mr. Kenney asked if this could be Chapter 90, The Chairman said the posts have points on them, and Mr. Gray replied they could be ground off. It was suggested that this guard be painted a darker color, and the reply was that it would then not be seen, that i h t would defeat the whole purpose. Mr. Cataldo stated that it had solved the case of the children, that this was foremost, not whether the appear- ance is not as good as it should be The Chairman suggested that the Board all take a look at it . Mr. Cataldo referred to the OeMatteo agreement which runs out October 1, and stated the work would not be _6S Y j finished. He said one of the big problems being the areas DeMatteo that brought :up to grade, the whole Lincoln Street dump Agreement has sunk four to six feet, more than they anticipated . From forty trucks down to twenty. The Chairman asked how much of an extension is neces- sary and Mr . Cataldo said they are trying to get 45 trucks a day and suggested extending the agreement for thirty days. He felt he should sit down with DeMatteo and put the pres- sure on them to get 75 trucks to finish within thirty days , that a lot more material was needed than anticipated. Mr. Kenney asked what percentage was finished and Mr. Cataldo replied, 85000 yards, 120 originally and now this has sunk. He said some is up to grade Mr. Mabee asked if they would run out of material, and Mr Cataldo replied Mr DeMatteo feels there will be enough to do the job, that trucks are at a premium. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to extend the agreement with DeMatteo for filling and grading the Lincoln Street dump. Mr. Cataldo referred to Baskin Road grade, that it is Baskin very steep grade and should be a more gentle slope as far Road as draining to stay on the Town1s land; that there is no objection to a change in the grade . Mr Cataldo spoke of the seeding up to Hartwell Avenue. The question was asked how much loam, and Mr. Cataldo replied 6" of gravel and 6" of loam, that a rougher seed was being used this time Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliber- Executive ating or voting on matters which, if made public, might ad- Session versely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person. Following discussion relative to Laconia Street, legal issues with Town Counsel, personnel, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Pursuant to Chapter 87, Section 14. of the General Laws, Trees upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to ap- Laconia prove the removal of the trees on Laconia Street numbered Street 21, 24, 25, 27, 28, 38 and 45. 1 69 ' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:22 P M. A true Record, Attest: /(.°)/ 1 E cutive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, October 2, 1967, at 7:30 P M I