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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-03-22-BOS-min 54.E SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 22, 1967 A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 22, 1967, at 7:00 P M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Burnell, Cataldo, Mabee and Kenney were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works , and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present . Mr. Carroll reported a telephone call received from Mr. Lyon, on behalf of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, advising that the Chamber would like to have the Visitors' Center closed on Easter Sunday. He said he had no object- ion Visitors' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Center to close the Visitors' Center on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967. Mr. Francis W. K. Smith, of the Conservation Com- mission, met with the Board and stated he was acting as temporary chairman because Mr. Sussman is out of town. Conser- He referred to Article 79 and stated it was his under- vation standing they were going to move for indefinite post- Article ponement, but there is a motion with an appropriation of $11,000. Mr. Cataldo said the Board feels it should be indefi- nitely postponed, but each time the Board approached the Commission, that group appeared to change its mind. Mr. Smith said the Commission had no grief with the Board and would move for indefinite postponement . Mr. Mabee said the Board was going to postpone the New Amsterdam property and held it over until it had an opportunity to discuss it with Town Counsel. Mr. Smith said the Commission' s motion was for indefinite postponement. The Chairman said tiff there was any change, the Board would let him know. Mr. Smith referred to Article 78, additional funds for Whipple Hill, and said he understood a figure was to be obtained by the Board, an appraisal. He said the motion has been prepared and there is no figure in it. Mr. Gray said the Appropriation Committee is using $65,000, and stated that he had notreceived the appraisal prom Reenstierna. He said he may have it by Monday night 1 co LV Mr. Smith referred to Article 80, Kingston Homes, and said the Appropriation Committee has $25,000 and the Commission had an option of $24,000. He assumed the additional was to cover appraisals and acquisition costs. He said he would like to do the same on the 7.9 acres on the other side of Grove Street. The Chairman explained the Board of Selectmen has problems with the Kingston Homes' property as com- pared to the New Amsterdam property, and the cause could be hurt in an eminent domain taking. Speaking personally, he said he did not know if the Board should even take that one by eminent domain. He said the way it stands, he assumed the Board would have to oppose the Kingston Homes. Mr. Smith retired at 7:15 P.M. The Chairman said at the Information Meeting, Erik Lund was there while four members of the Board were present. He wanted to talk to Mr. Cohen concerning the New Amsterdam property, but the Board decided it wanted to consult with Town Counsel first. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Cohen stating following discussion with the Board , he spoke to Mr. Cohen who gave him oral commitment that his clients would sell the property for a total price of $37,000, provided the Selectmen notify him in writing on or before April 17 that the Town intends to purchase the property at that price, and that the Selectmen in their letter of notifi- cation specify a closing date of no later than June 1, 1967 for the transaction. The Chairman said the members of the Board did say they wanted to talk to Town Counsel and he thogght the Board should discuss this with Mr. Lund. Request was received, similar to one received last year, from Mrs . desley A. McSorely, Bird Chairman aof the Bird Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, relative to pro- Sanctuary claiming Willard Woods to be a Municipal Bird Sanctuary. It was agreed to advise Mrs. McSorely that, while the Board appreciates the intent, it is something beyond the scope of the Board' s authority. Letter was received from T. S. Stern, Captain SC, Picture of USN, inquiring about a glossy color picture of the Minuteman Minuteman Statue to be used as a symbol in the Savings Bond Program. Mr. Gray said he would obtain a picture . Mr. Gray referred to an application received from Use of the John Birch Society for permission to show a Civil ball Rights' film in Cory Hall and reported this is a Chapter 547 composed of Lexington people and others from out of town. The local representative is Charles Ward of Lexington. He reported the Society is not listed with the IRS as a tax-exempt organization It was agreed to advise the applicant that the hall is not available to political or religious organizations and ask in what category the Society classifies itself. Notice was received from the Middlesex County Select- men' s Association of Ladies ' Night meeting to be held on Ladies' April 5, 1967 at Igo' s, Cambridge; Social Hour, 6:30 P.M. , Night Dinner, 7:30 P.M Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign Requisitions to the Civil Civil Service Department for a promotion from Sergeant Service to a Lieutenant and appointment of a Lieutenant . The Chairman read a letter from Richard K. Eaton, Town Meeting Member, Precinct 4, to the Board of Assessors with reference to discrepancy between the assessed value Assessors of properties the Town is authorized to acquire and the amount the Town is asked to appropriate. The TMMA would like to have a member of the Board of Assessors present at Town Meeting to answer questions . The Chairman said the main point to get across is the Assessors are appointed by the Selectmen and become officers of the State. They do not have to report to the Selectmen and they are not political. The Chairman said the Board could agree to lay Article 14 on the table in deference to the Appropriation Committee Sewers which has differences with the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Cataldo pointed out that the streets depended on these sewer laterals. The Chairman said he did not know whether the Board could defer action on this Article. Mr. Gary said it was all right . Mr. Grant asked if there was any way the street and sewer articles could be left open. He said if Town Meet- ing votes unfavorably on Conservation Articles, the Com- Streets mittee may feel differently. Mr. Cataldo said the Conservation money was not too large. Mr. Kent advised if the Board starts changing the number of articles too much, people are going to wonder what is going on. Mr. Cataldo said as much as the Board would like to cooperate, he did not see how it could . 548 2C Ct The Chairman said the Board has a serious problem on the Lloyd property. Lloyd land Mr. Legro reported he was told the area contemplated to be acquired was about fourteen acres. The Article malls for 9.6 acres, plus two lots. He said he could aee no justification within the scope of the Article to talk about fourteen acres plus in the motion. He said he had not seen anything on this except a draft motion which was seat to him. Mr. Mabee said the Lloyds would like to sell the land to the Town in two pieces. Mr. Kenney referred to the Article on the Junior High School and said he thought they are overbuilding it; it concerned him greatly. He said the Board has a great duty to the citizens of the Town not to rush into this and asked if it could be postponed until June . The Chairman explained this has the backing of the Appropriation Committee, Capital Expenditures Committee and the School Committee. Mr. Mabee pointed out the Board of Selectmen is already committed. The Chairman said he was willing to ask if they would be willing to postpone this until the June Town Meeting. Mr.Mabee read an excerpt from the Executive Session of the Selectmen' s Meeting with Mr. Grush which he said he would like to read to Town Meeting unless the Board objected. Mr.Legro mentioned, other than checking with Mr. Grush, there was only one statement he would question and the Board agreed to delete that particular item. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 7:55 F.M. A true record , Attest: �ec iv Cler . , Selec en I