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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1967-03-06-BOS-min X20 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 6, 1967 I A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 6, 1967, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee, 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. Richard G. Gillespie, 4 Grassland Street, appli- Guide cant for a Guide License, met with the Board . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue a Guide License to Mr. Gillespie. Mr. Legro stated he had a release from a sewer betterment assessment of that part of the land owned Partial by Sheldon R. & Selma L. Roen, 37 Peacock Farm Road, Release that was taken for Route 2. Upon motion duly made and,aeconded, it was voted to exercise the Instrument of Partial Release. Mr. Carroll referred to Route 2 and Watertown Street and the questions submitted to the State and the Route 2 statements the Board made to the State by letter of and February 14, 1967 from the Board. He said the Board Watertown asked the State to consider the limit of construction Street of Watertown Street be extended to the Belmont Line and that the State take over the jurisdiction of 560 feet. He reported the State will accept the maintenance and jurisdiction, but it will not construct it under the present contract. He said the Board requested no left turns on ramp D, and the State has agreed they will not be able to make a left turn on this route. He said the Board requested sidewalks on both sides and the State will only approve the east side. The State will install a section of pipe through the bridge, and the Town will have to pay the difference in the size of this which will carne to $500. Mr. Carroll stated Mr. Zaleski, Planning Director, asked him to look at this a little while ago. The Planning Board has come up with the idea of having a connection from the Maney property and the adjacent Maney pro- properties which would go out to Revere Street as a rear perty access and take some traffic off Bedford Street . One connection scheme is a road off Bedford Street which would be the new entrance to the Town barn. The other scheme is to run a long deadend in from Revere Street to the back of the properties. 4 521 Mr. Carroll said he felt, in regard to Scheme one, that he is 100% opposed to it, and pointed out highway traffic will be mixed with public workst fic. He said the ng other scheme, he thought, talkibout the barn, the Board should be concerned abojrt'- a area it has there. He stated the Planning Board- is recommending a strip 70' x 2001 and it becomes, as far as he is concerned, an important area. He said on that basis alone he thought the Board should tell the Planning Board this is not something it will go along with. He stated first of all, it involves a house taking on Revere Street and he did not think it would relieve the traffic enough to warrant this kind of an expenditure. Mr. Cataldo pointed out no one knows how that land is going to be developed and until it is known what is going to develop in there at the Maney property, this should be deferred. Mr. Carroll said he did not think this is the solu- tion to the traffic problem. The Chairman said at this point in time the Board of Selectmen is not prone to Lo along with this. Mr. Carroll said he would tell Mr. Zaleski. Chief Corr presented a gift to Mr. Sheldon, his last night as a member of the Board, with a gift as a token of esteem from the members of the Police Department. He Gift expressed the department' s appreciation of what Mr. Sheldon has done for the Town and to the department on behalf of the Town. Mr. Franklyn Crosby said he fell and if he fell on Town property, he had no intention of making a case out of it. Mr. Gray said Chief Corr wanted him to bring to the Board' s attention that Mrs . Ryan, a school crossing guard, Mrs . pyran b has been out of work for quite a while as a result of a sick serious accident. He would like permission to pay her leave an additional thirty-day sick leave. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Chief Corr to extend Mrs. Theresa Ryan's sick leave for a period of thirty days. Mr. Gray reported some changes in the Blue-Cross - I Blue Shield, namely the Master Medical Program and said he would like permission to talk to the department heads Blue Cross and employees regarding this program. He said it appears Blue Shield this could be increased with no extra cost. It was agreed not to take any action until Mr. Gray investigates and determines whether or not this program II . has any merit. 522 co N n Mr. Gray said he had a bill from the Town By-Laws Committee and Mr. Green, Chairman of the Committee, said Town By- there were no funds in the account to cover it. The Laws ' Comm. balance in the committee' s account is $68.00, leaving a bill balance of $181.60 for which there are no funds. The Chairman said the bill is dated this year and asked why it couldn' t be paid out of the appropriation the committee is requesting this year. It was agreed to wait until after Town Meeting, and when funds have been appropriated for the committee , this bill can then be paid out of those funds. Letter was received from Mrs. Margery M. Battin, Chairman of the Structure of Town Government Committee, with a motion the committee plans to present under Article 73. MOTION The Chairman said the Board received a motion from Town Counsel which is now in proper form. The Chairman reported a member of the TMMA asked him for the Board' s position on several of the articles. He said the Board had not taken a position, so he gave the member of the TMMA his own feelings . Notice was received from the State Department of Highway re- Public Works relative to a hearing on March 9, 1967 for classifi- the purpose of reviewing and commenting on the proposed cation plan.highway classification plan for the Town. Mr. Carroll said someone from his department would attend the hearing. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board stating it is the unanimous opinion of that Board that Blossom- the laying out and construction of Blossomcrest Road from crest Road Worthen Road to Meadow Brook Avenue and from Allen Street 723' westerly forms an essential link in the Town' s street system. The Planning Board strongly recommended that Blossomcrest Road be laid out and constructed as proposed. The Chairman read a letter from William Reed, 14.6 Golden Avenue, who is opposed to making that street a through way to Winter Street. The Chairman asked if, actually, that connection Golden Ave. was rather difficult . Mr. Carroll replied it was not as 'difficult as he thought it was going to be. The Chairman asked if Mr. Carroll thought the Board sho old look at this again. Mr. Carroll said all the neighbors were opposed to 1 523w this connecting to Winter Street. He said the Board would have to get the State to agree and the Town would definitely cut across the golf course green. Mr. Cataldo said at this late date, the Board would have to go in and tell the State either it wants this or it doesn' t want it. Mr. Carroll said the job is going out for bid on March 20. He said on the basis of what these people told him, a letter was written to the State and the statement made this was the official stand of the Board. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to recon- sider its position and asked if there was enough addi- tional information to warrant it. Mr. Carroll said even though these people feel they want to live in Lexington, once this is built, they will be so divorced from Lexington they will have to go to Belmont or Arlington. He said if this road is not built now by the State, the State will never do it two years from now. He said theseeo le know the facts which were presented to them. They were told about the possi- bility of becoming residents of Belmont or Arlington. They felt being on a deadend street was more important than being in Lexington. He said he felt the Board should leave this alone. The Board agreed not to change its previous position. Letter was received from Mrs. Arlene Stiglitz, 23 Turning Mill Road, requesting installation of sidewalks on Turning Mill Road between Demar Road and Robinson Road and on Robinson Road from Turning Mill Road to the Estabrook School. Sidewalks Mr. Carroll said he did not think the Board made a decision in regard to Mr . W )itman ' s request and Mrs. Stiglitz is asking for what Mr. Carroll said would be asked for. `i►h'e Chairman said there is nothing that can be done specifically he wanted it this year, but would like to have it some time. The Chairman read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce requesting the use of the Visitors' Center the third Wednes- day evening in each month for meetings of the Board of Direc#ors. Mr. Cataldo said he thought the Chamber of Commerce Visitors ' should be given consideration. Cente ' The Chairman said he would be in favor of granting the use without a custodian. Mr. Cataldo felt a custodian should be on duty. Mr. York, 1st Vice President of the Chamber of Commence, asked the purpose of a custodian, and Mr. Sheldon explained this is Town property. 52.4 C) Mr. York said he thought the Chamber could afford to pay a custodian . Visitors' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Center to grant the Chamber of Commerce use of the Visitors ' Center the third Thursday of each month for the Board of Directors' meeting, sub4ect to a charge for custodian ' s overtime services. Mr. Kolovson, Mrs. Scharfman, of the Lexington Implementation Committee, and the landscape architect, met with the Board. The Chairman, a member of the Committee, stated the committee has gone ahead with the beautification Lexington aspect and the plan, posted on the wall, is the unani- Center plan mous recommendation of the committee. Mr. Frey explained the overall master plan of the whole avenue and said as he understood it, the Town has only enough money to do the Hunt Block and the Baker Block. He said he thought he should do the master plan from the Minute Man statue all the way to the Town Offices. There will be fifty-five ears on both sides of Massachu- setts Avenue . This is a compromise plan agreed upon by the Selectmen earlier . In order to get the parking in, they had to eliminate the double row of trees in some places. They have not gone into the details of the ex- act material of the street, but it will be a different color asphalt, concrete, or cobblestones. He explained the plan as presented. He also explained the model placed on the Selectmen ' s table. The Chairman said he wanted to make it clear that no final decisions had been made. Mr. Cataldo asked if the second row of trees in front of the Post Office would be on Post Office property or Town property. Mr. Frey replied it is all the Massachusetts Avenue right of way. Mr. Cataldo asked what the cross sections would look like in front of the Post Office. Mr. Frey said there will be no pots, only the raised planting pieces. Mr. Cataldo asked the width of the sidewalk and asked if there would be trees on each side. Mr. Frey said there will be the curb. The trees are about twelve feet apart and six feet from the curb. The sidewalk from the street to the grass is about fifteen or ,sixteen feet. He said the existing curb line would be moved out. He said in front of the Post Office it will be moved out by only about five feet. Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board could have a cross section with dimensions, and asked why they were going to a single row of trees in Depot Square. IIMr. Frey replied mostly to get the number of cars in. 52,E The Chairman explained the Board did direct the com- mittee to maintain fifty-five places. In order to maintain the fifty-five places, this was the only place the committee could get the extra places. Mr. Cataldo asked why he did it aesthetically. Mr. Frey stated it was felt the activity area where the space is needed is in front of the store; adding more trees to the park did not seem so important as it did along the commercial area. Mr. Cataldo asked what was going to happen at the Central Block and if Mr. Frey felt, aesthetically, the Board should take this approach. He asked what Mr. Frey thought, supposing that nothing is done with the Centril Block for twenty years. Mr. Frey replied he really could not say, as he had not thought about it in that way. He said this is a master plan but it has not been approved. Mr. Cataldo asked if he was recommending the same variety of trees that are there now. Mr. Frey replied either that or a honey locust, which is an excellent street tree with low maintenance. The Chairman said the committee does unanimously recommend this layout . The details as to the sidewalk material and where different things are going to go has not been decided. He said the basic layout of the trees is the committees recommendation and it needs approval of the Board at this point. He explained all the com- mittee is asking this evening is approval of the basic layout on the trees and the curb line. Mr. Cataldo said before accepting it, he would like the Board to take it under advisement because there are a number of things he would like to discuss. Later in the meeting Mr. Cataldo said he had very strong reservations in his mind, only to the point, where the Board is going into one section somehow, somewhere it is going to change. He said if he could get some strong assurance that it would not change, he would not object to it. He said he could not understand the movement of the cars. He said he was very skeptical of this being the final plan in the final analysis, and did agree everyone has very good intentions . The Chairman said this was the unanimous vote of the committee; this is it. Mr. Cataldo said the attitude of the committee is not one of complete cooperation with the Board. He said he was afraid the Board would accept this at this point and next year come in and make some changes for the second section. Mr. Burnell asked where the changes would be made. Mr. Cataldo replied between the front of the Post Office and Depot Square. He said he understood the 26 CI number of cars are the same, but after listening to the reasons for placing some of these trees, he had very strong reservations, and he would like to see this cross section. He said he did not think this was all coming out as the Board thought it was going to come out. Mr. Gray said Mr. Frey could prepare that. The Chairman said he could see no problem with that, and the cross sections could be obtained. He asked if Mr. Cataldc would feel any better if the committee gave him its vote. Mr. Cataldo said this is what the Board is accepting but who could say it would not change . Mr. Burnell suggested, before voting on it, to get the cross sections of the two ends. The Chairman said this plan is after much discussion by the committee and is one upon which the committee was able to agree. Mr. Cataldo said he could not see why they went from four to three cars in one area. He said after going into a meeting and listening to some of the comments made, he was very reluctant. The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to follow this through and get the cross sections for next week' s meeting. Further consideration was given to an offer received for the purchase of tax title lot 56-199 Round Hill Road. Mr Cataldo reported he lookedat the lot and asked if the Board sold the lot and it was divided between the ,Tax title two abutters if they couldmake it a part of their lots. He said the lot has 400 foot frontage Mr. Legro said he assumed the Board would put a re- striction in the deed requiring that it be combined . The Chairman said if the Board puts the proper restrictions in the deed , the offer of $600 would be a fair price. Mr. Cataldo stated there is no street or facilities. Mr. Carroll agreed to look at the street and the decision was held over for another week . Letter was received from the Lexington Post V.F.W. requesting permission to hold a carnival at Parker Field Carnival from May 17, 1967 through May 20, 1967. Mr. Gray pointed out this activity would be held during the school term and might interfere with the athletic program. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the request. Letter was received from Mr Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, advising that his clerk will be on sick leave for an extended period beginning March 10. Mrs. Hall II 527. who has been working for him part time, will fill in full time and he requested permission to charge her salary for Clerical the month of March, $267.00, to the Selectmen' s Clerical Labor Pool Labor Pool. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Mr. Burrell' s request. Notice was received from the TMMA regarding a warrant information meeting on Wednesday, March 1$, 1967, at 8:00 P.M. in the Science Lecture Hall at the High School. The Chairman reported that in line with previous practice, he had asked the Chairman of the Board of Appeals and the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, for recommendations to fill vacancies on these two Boards. He said he received a letter from Mr Nickerson, Chair- man of the Board of Appeals, recommending appointment of Mr. Howard H. Dawes Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to appoint Howard H. Dawes a regular member of the Board of Appeals for an unexpiredterm ending March 31, 1968, Appointmeni to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Lewis L. Hoyt. The Chairman said he had not received a recommendation from the Board of Assessors. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held. on Minutes February 27, 1967. The Chairman said Buckman Tavern is in deplorable shape . He read a letter from Town Counsel in regard to the subject and concluded that if the Historical Buckman society and the Board of Selectmen want a bill presented Tavern to the Legislature seeking authority to appropriate money for the repairs without terminating the lease to the Society, he would be pleased to assist in the preparation of a petition for such legislation The Chairman asked if the Board was requesting its Representative to file legislation It was agreed to insert an Article in the Warrant for the June Town Meeting Mr Legro agreed to discuss the subject with the Director of Accounts. The Chairman said he received a petition, presented to him this evening, from people in the Freemont Street Lloyd land area, urging favorable action on the purchase of lots 222 and 223 and the 916 acres of land owned by Paul B. Lloyd.. Il t_ 52.8 Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted to adjourn at 10:35 P.M true A record , Attest: iv�jalei7, Selec en