Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-09-11-BOS-min 145 SELECTMEN'S MEETING 1 September 11 1967 7 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, September 11, 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. Wonham, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, and Mrs. McCausland, Executive Clerk, were also present. Hearing was declared open upon the petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate conduit on Lincoln Street. Notices of the hearing were mailed to the petitioner, owners of property as listed on the petitioner' s plan, and also filed with the Acting Superin- tendent of Public Works . Mr Stickney, representing the Boston Edison Company, and Mr. and Mrs. George F. Vadala, owners of property at the corner of Birch Hill Lane and Lincoln Street, were the only persons present at the hearing. Mr. Stickney stated this is for connections in the Conduit IInew development from two poles on Lincoln Street. location Mr. Vadala questioned how they were going to locate the pole on Birch Hill Lane and Lincoln Street , as he was interested in the trees there and whether they would be taken down. The Chairman stated if the trees were on Town property they could not be taken down without a hearing. He said there are no plans to take down trees, that the tree would have to be posted and a hearing would be held; that the trees are usually replaced by the Town with other trees, but he felt it very unlikely that the trees will be touched; that the decision can be made conditional as to the status of the trees. No one else appearing in opposition, the hearing was declared closed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following conduit locations, subject to the preservation of the trees: Lincoln Street, at Birch Hill Lane, a distance of about 20 feet - conduit. Lincoln Street, at Pheasant Lane, a distance of about 25 feet - conduit. At the request of the Town Clerk, Miss McDonough, two 146 C jurors were drawn as follows : Jurors William J. Wiles, 21 Deering Avenue George W. Greenlaw, Jr. , 176 Grant Street Mr. Gray reported receipt of a letter from Mr. Donald E. Legro, Town Counsel, relative to the agreement between the Town and Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company for the completion of the Public Works Building contract . Public This contract was rewritten to incorporate changes he had Works Bldg. made and has been signed by Hartford. Agreement Mr. Legro requested in his letter that this Agreement be signed by the Board, and the duplicate copy be returned to him to be forwarded to counsel for Hartford . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Agreement between the Town and Hardford Accident and Indemnity Company as requested by Town Counsel. Mr. Gray reported on bids for a Sidewalk tractor as follows: Timberland Machine Co. $5,081.30 Bids H.F. Davis Tractor Co. 5,782.00 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the bid to the low bidder, Timberland Machine Company in the amount of $5,081.30. Mr. Gray also reported on bids taken on a truck mounted compressor as follows: Bids Automotive Service Company $ 9,797.00 GMC Lexington Auto Sales 11,350.00 Mr. Cataldo asked about the size of the two compres- sors and Mr. Gray stated they are both the same size. Mr. Gray also stated that there are sufficient funds in the Article to cover this compressor. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the bid to the low bidder, Automotive Service Company, in the amount of $9,797.00 Mr. Gray stated Mr. Vitale, Sons of Italy, had asked him to have the date changed on his permit to hold a Permit "Kids' Party' from September 10, 1967 to September 17. The Board had no objection Mr. Gray read a letter from Whitman & Howard relative to Philip Road and stated this had been checked out; that 147 this is the best way to handle this matter at the present time , that the sewer is operating as a syphon sewer and it will operate sufficiently well through the winter months. Mr. Cataldo asked who will pay for this. Philip The Chairman asked what the time limit is on this Road and Mr. Gray replied the Town is eo'ered as far as time is concerned . Belli Bros. will continue on the other streets, leaving this to the last one to be done Mr. Legro will be kept informed. Mr. Gray stated he had discussed with Mr. Legro the drainage problem at Mr. Hamilton' s property at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road, whether, if this was a natural water course, the Town had the right to construct the drain and dump surface water in it . Mr. Cataldo asked if there was a catch basin at the bottom of the hill, and Mr. Gray stated he would check it out, all the old records. Mr. Conroy retired at 7:50 P.M. The Chairman stated the people on Hawthorne Road wished to have a block party on Friday, September 15, from 5:30 P.M. to 12. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Block that permission be granted for a block party on SeptemberParty 15, 1967 from 5:30 P.M. to 10:30 P.M. , subject to the Hawthorne Police Department approving the area Road The Chairman read a letter from Mrs Celia Donnellan, Secretary to the Superintendent of Public Works, who has retired, due to illness He reported that he had taken a silver Paul Revere bowl to her last week Mr. Gray read a letter from Chief of Police Corr relative to Mrs. Ann Manley' s sick leave stating the expiration of her accumulated time will be .September 20, Sick 1967. leave Chief Corr requested that this period of sick leave be extended, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend sick leave for Mrs . Manley for a period of thirty days . Request from the Boston Edison Company for permission to install one pole on Valley Road running from Centre Pole Street was read by the Chairman. location Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign this permit for one pole on Valley Road running from Centre Street . 1 48ze The Chairman read a letter from the Department of Public Utilities relative to an inspection made by that Crossings department with regard to crossings which were not being maintained in accordance with Chapter 160, Section 142 of the General Laws. Mr. Gray was authorized to check these crossings and prepare a letter to be signed by the Chairman. The Chairman read a letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Public Works, relative to Pedestrian the new law, Chapter 405 of the acts of 1967, with re- Traffic gard to Pedestrian Traffic Control. Control The Chairman stated the Board had passed this previously and no action was necessary. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Fire Department relative to Mutual Aid Agreements with Arlington. Mutual Aid Mr. Legro , Town Counsel, has found these to be with correct as to form. Arlington Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the Mutual Aid Plan with Arlington. The Chairman read a letter from the Chairman of the Lexington Fire Department, relative to the plaque for the Veterans' Memorial Ambulance Ambulance The Fire Department voted to mount a cast bronze plaque plaque, approximately ten inches by four inches, in the patient ' s compartment of the ambulance bearing the following: "Town of Lexington - Veterans Memorial Ambulance'. Letter was received from the Town of Bedford, Board of Selectmen, relative to petition concerning sewer Bill for construction for the next legislative session. Bedford The Chairman stated this can be filed seasonally, sewer that it would not be necessary to submit a late filed billing, that Mr. Legro will be working on it Request was received from the American Legioc , Stanley Hill Post, No. 38, Inc. , relative to conducting Permit a Horse Show at Willards Woods on Sunday, October 8, 1967, from 10:00 A.M. until approximately 7:00 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission subject to the approval of the Park Superintendent, Paul Mazerall. Letter from Frederick J. Conroy, on behalf of Peter Tax Title J Scopa, 8L1. Bow Street, Le:tington, relative to the purchase of Lot 42A, Assessors Plot Plan Map 15, was read by the Chairman. 149 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer this to the Planning Board for its report and recommendation. The Chairman read a letter from Joseph J. Napoli Middle St. relative to sidewalk installation along Middle Street. Sidewalk Mr. Gray was authorized to take care of this. Letter from Mr. and Mrs . Walter Donahue, 4 Laurel Street, relative to the condition of Laurel Street, was Laurel St. read by the Chairman. The Chairman stated he thought the only answer would be that it is an unaccepted street. Mr. Gray stated he would answer the letter. Notice from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Hearing Department of Public Works, relative to a public hearing on Public Roads, to be held in the Court House, Cambridge, on Wednesday, September 20, 1967, at 2:00 P.M. was received. Mr. Gray stated he would attend. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to sign Certificate of Incorporation on behalf of Cert. of James Saunders, 62 Oak Street, Lexington, satisfactory Inc. character references having been received from the Chief of Police. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign I.D. Cards for the following, satisfactory evidence of their ages having been received : William E. Barnes 47 Somerset Road, Lexington Mary H. Fletcher 79 Bedford Street, Lexington I.D. Cards Carol B. Brussard 382 Concord Avenue, Lexington James L. Kugler 1347 Massachusetts Ave. , Lexington Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on Minutes August 28, 1967. The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from Donald M. Graham, 4 Mill Brook Road , relative to hazardous walking and driving conditions in the vicinity of 80 to 92 Adams Street. He stated they had an appointment this evening to meet with the Board, but he had talked with them instead . Mr. Charles F. Gallagher, Jr. , 118 Adams Street, was present at the meeting. ZE C- 471 The Chairman said primarily they would like a barrier as at the present time, there is no protection. Mr. Gray reported he had checked this, and granite curbing is available, and he would like the Board to Adams St . authorize the Public Works to install granite curbing in sidewalk this area as far as the curbing is available. He drew a sketch explaining how it can be done. He said if a sidewalk should be put in, it should be put in right, there is a difference in elevation. A guard rail was suggested and it was stated with that, a sidewalk would not be needed . Mr. Gray said the Chief discussed this with him, and he was not enthusiastic about a curbing; with a guard rail the cars would bounce off, but curbing would help. Mr. Kenney felt a barrier would be a difficult thing to have in front of a home, that it was a very definite situation at the present time. Mr. Gray stated it wouldntt be in for two or three weeks anyway. Mr. Charles Gallagher stated the big problem is the sidewalk, that it is a very bad corner and he was afraid someone would be hurt. Mr. Cataldo stated the Town might as well do it right and get it over with, to .et the most for the money. y Mr. Gray said Adams Street would have to be relocated eventually, but it would be there for several more years. Mr. Kenney suggested to have a barrier if the Town can afford it . The Chairman stated the time element is roughly the same, and there is money to do this. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Superintendent of Public Works to obtain prices and proceed to install the barrier. Mr. Leslie York, Chamber of Commerce, met with the Board relative to the Visitors' Center. He stated they still have a balance of $867.89, of which there is one project to be done. He said it was agreed that the diorama should be fixed up as it should Visitorst be; that they had talked with Mr. Nickerson and he did Center not want to be involved with it, and had suggested a man to do it. Mr York stated he would like to have authority to get some figures. The Chairman suggested having a table with a narrative on it instead of the tape. Mr. York stated they have the tapes in many places, at Woods Hole they have the same thing, a continuous tape, that he could look into the expense of it. 1 151 Mr. Cataldo suggested that it be set up differently, that Mr. Nickerson had a drawing, and he would change it. Mr . York stated it is all different kinds of wood , that it was a patched-up deal. He said they would have to look to the Board for more money. Mr. Gray stated there are two bills which almost equalled the balance in the account, according to Mr. Perry, but he would check this out. The Chairman said for Mr. York to come back next week with figures. Mr. Kenney spoke of the lack of signs and wondered if the Chamber of Commerce might be willing to give some thought to this. The Chairman stated a committee had been appointed for signs, and it had been resolved, that they had one more than the Historic Districts wanted . Mr. Kenney stated this was for people from out of town coming in to find the local areas, and the Chairman said it would have to be discussed with the Historic Districts Commission, as they had all the Commission would allow. Mr. Joel A. Kozol, representing the National Cable- CATV vision, Inc. , met with the Board to discuss permission System for the installation of a CATV system in the Town of Lexington. Mr. Kozol stated he was an attorney with the firm of Friedman, Atherton, Sisson & Kozol, 30 State Street, Boston. He stated the National Cablevision, Inc. was organized in Delaware for the sole purpose of CATV service. Actually they have been in New Jersey, directly opposite from New York. He said this company holds the franchise to bring it to Hoboken, Hudson County, New Jersey, also other areas in New Jersey. In eastern Massachusetts where they have applications in practically every city and county. Thus far he said they hold only one signed franchise, Salisbury, but had twelve applications already drafted, but not signed . Mr. Kozol related in detail the workings of the CATV, system, installation, costs, etc. , the time element for installation of the system, which he stated would take about eighteen months to install, two years to put the system in, at a cost of one-half million dollars, with the tower. Mr. Thomas Hutchinson and Mr. Clancy, Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, met with the Board relative to the drain on Hartwell Avenue which they would like to put across somewhere near SDC. 1.52 o Mr. Gray showed plans which the Board discussed in detail, and stated the Town would not be involved, there would be no maintenance. He stated he had discussed it with Mr. Legro, water and sewer are all in now, but what might be necessary in the future. He said the State took the fee in Hartwell Avenue. He said the Town probably would not have the right to put a struc- ture on State property. He said it was Mr. Legro' s feeling to get permission from the State, that the Town would not have the right to give anyone permission to put a structure in there. Mr Gray said he would check and discuss it further with Mr. Legro to make sure the Town is right; to see if it can be done engineeringwise. Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Clancy retired at 9:10 P.M. The Chairman said some weeks ago he met with the Arlington Selectmen and they thought it would be in the best interest of both Towns to hold a meeting on the Great Meadows in Lexington To let them run the open meeting, answer all the questions and what they propose Great to do. He said the Board would notify Mr. Rae to have Meadows a meeting next month, an open meeting, that this would be open to the public. Mr. Mabee said to outline the uses of the land. Mr. Kenney asked if any money would be appropriated for this study, and the Chairman replied there would be no problem meeting legislation. Mr. Cataldo stated Arlington wants to show that both towns are interested in the area and are acting in good faith; that we are still in agreement that it is a mutual problem. Sewer The Chairman read a letter from Ginn and Company, Extension relative to the new building on the Fuller Hill site, Spring St. construction scheduled to start early in 1969, and completion scheduled for September or October 1970 They request the Town to extend its sewage facilities to and along Spring Street. The Chairman asked what the Town plans are to go along Spring Street. Mr. Gray stated it could be in the 1968 budget or 1969, depending on their schedules, and it is in the best interest of the Town to extend it along the access road . The Chairman stated the onus is on the subdivider or the owner. It was suggested that this be checked with the Planning Board, and the Chairman replied that the ac- ceptance of public streets is the province of the Board of Selectmen. 153 Mr. Mabee said the site has to be approved by the Planning Board Mr. Gray referred to the Town Report Committee for 1967 Town Report. He asked the Board if the personnel should be changed or what they wished to do, getting all the material for the Town Report . The Chairman felt the same policy should be continued, and Mr. Burnell stated he would like to see it repeated this year. Mr. Zehner was the Chairman of this Committee , and this Board does want the committee to proceed same as last year. The Chairman suggested writing the School Committee and ask who they wish to represent them. Mr. Cataldo referred to appointment to the Town Wide Beautification Committee, and said he would like to nomi- nate Paul E. Mazerall to represent the Board on this committee. He stated he knows the Town, costs, and land- Appoint- scaping. ment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr. Paul E. Mazerall as the Board' s representative on the Town Wide Beautification Committee Mr. Cataldo referred to Lincoln Street, and stated they were going to have enough material to finish the job, and would go to Town Meeting to do something up there, ask to finish part of it. The Chairman stated the Town would have many projects and asked about the Appropriation Committee . Mr. Cataldo recommended taking some money out of the fund that Mr. George Morey spoke of and get the master Lincoln plan done--a beautification fund . Street Mr Mabee asked what kind of plan, and Mr. Cataldo replied to get a master plan for baseball field, Little League Field , etc. Mr. Burnell said Mr. Snow worked on a plan all one summer. Mr . Kenney asked what type of consultant they would need, and the Chairman asked if they were in the field of a landscape architect . Mr. Cataldo suggested interviewing people, that the four committees should be working together. It was stated that this has been used as a snow dump and to utilize it so it can still be used as such, but the first step is to find the money The Chairman suggested writing to Mr. Morey to see how much money is available, what amount can be had . Mr. Mabee said for laying out and designing additional 1_ 54 w_ parks and playgrounds, to have a detailed design on a portion of that. It was decided to review the old plan, and to use the money to come up with a concrete plan, to write to Mr. Morey and see what money is available for use. Mr. Kenney referred again to Worthen Road and stated the anxiety of the citizens has to take precedence. He asked if there was anything new. Worthen Rd. The Chairman reported the State was out on traffic counts but nothing had been received from them as yet. He said if at this point, this Board said we are not going further with Worthen Road, it would not lessen the fears of these people that they have in the street. He stated he did not agree to take this to Route 2. Mr . Kenney asked, do we as a Board, pursue a policy to having the Town build Worthen Road. If it answers no, it can forget about the hearing. All these people want to know. Mr. Cataldo stated the Town would look into finishing Worthen Road if the State requires it to connect Worthen Road to Route 2. Mr. Kenney stated Ribbs will not build a connection unless the Town builds the road. These people were pro- mised some hearing, and he felt the Board had waited long enough Mr. Mabee said the original concept was to go to Route 2. The State said we could have only three connec- tions and Worthen Road was not one of them. Mr. Cataldo said to wait for the figures to come through. The Chairman said he would call Commissioner Ribbs in the morning and see what information is available at this time, and he would report next Monday night . The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health reporting on the resignation of Mr. James West, and Resignation recommending Dr. Charles Colburn 82 Hancock Street to serve in his place. Mr. McQuillan stated Dr. Colburn is willing to serve, and is al Doctor, Associate Chief of Staff at the VA Hospital. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Appointment appoint Dr. Charles Colburn, 82 Hancock Street, a member of the Board of Health for a three year term expiring June 1, 1970. Mr Cataldo referred to the Town Hall Building Com- Town Hall mittee, and stated there are two vacancies. Building It was the consensus of the Board that the Capital Committee Expenditures Committee should be contacted to see if they 155 would like one of their members as a replacement. The Chairman stated when a reply is received , the position would be filled . Mr. Cataldo mentioned Wednesday night as being John Carroll's dinner, and asked if any thought had Gift been given as to a gift. It was agreed that Mr. Gray and Mr. Cataldo would attend to it. 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 made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following discussion relative to various departmental matters, and a legal matter, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:10 P.M. A true record , Attest : xe tive Clerk, Selectmen The next regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen will be held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, Monday, September 18, 1967, 7:30 F.M.