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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-12-27-BOS-min 385 SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 27, 1966 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held on Tuesday evening, December 27, 1966, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee were present. Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, and the Acting Clerk were also present. Mr. Gray reported he had a bill for $76.00 cover- ing the testing of concrete for the Public Works Building. He stated it had been approved by Mr. Cataldo. Public W Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Works to pay bill from William A. Halsey, Architect, in the Building amount of $76.00, for testing of concrete for the bill Public Works Building. Mr. Gray stated he had a request for a transfer for the Veterans' Agent, Aid & Expenses. He read the letter of explanation to the Board, the amount being Transfer $200.00. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $200.00 to the Veterans" Services - Aid & Expenses Account. The Chairman read a letter from the School Committee in reply to the Board's letter to them with regard to the establishment of Kindergartens. Kinder- garten He statedcthis was just for the Board's information. Mr. Cataldo stated he had talked with Dr. Fobert, and was meeting with him on Wednesday, and would ask just what the Kindergartens would mean to the tax rate and what the figures are for the budget, and alternatives if the Town does not have Kindergartens. Mr. Sheldon asked if Kindergartens are not approved, could the Munroe and Hancock Schools be closed. Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board wished him to represent it at the meeting, that he had talked with Mr. Viano but he needed to talk with the Superintendent; that this in- formation would be accepted by them as information. 3S6 3 Mr. Ma$e? felt Mr. Cataldo could represent the Board, and the Chairman stated as a matter of policy, it should be Board to Board. Mr. Sheldon said this Board is interested in the figures and he thought Mr. Cataldo should represent the Board; that he felt it should be an official request. The Chairman stated he had a communication from the Fire Department which he read to the Board. This letter requested an opportunity to have a short meeting with the Board to discuss further the Department's manpower Fire requirements. Fife Department Mr. Mabee said he felt they should be allowed to Department straighten out their difficulties, and the Chairman said he likes to give people the idea that they have had every chance to submit their cases, and in all fairness, asked for the Board's feeling as to what amount of time to give them. The Chairman stated the Board would meet at 9:00 A.M. on Saturday morning with the Fire Commissioners. Mr. Carroll stated he had requests for transfers because of snow removal in the amount of $7500. - Personal Transfer Services Account 4900, for the snowstorm of December 24 & Trans- 25, and cleaning up on the 26th, to carry them through fer the year. He stated on Snow Removal they need $16,300. That would leave them with $500 or $600. under Snow Removal. He said in an emergency, it could be taken out of any fund. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $7500. to the Personal Services Account #4900 and the sum of $16,300 to the Snow Removal Account. Mr. Carroll reported he checked with Mr. Gardner today, and he has had no chance to do anything on Pleasant St Pleasant Street and Worthen Road. He submitted a plan Pleasant St & Worthen for the Board's information with regard to Route 2 and & Worthen Road Watertown Street. He said Abbott Engineering was the Road consultant for the DPW. He said at the present time there is a piece of 6" pipe under Route 2. That main has never been connected. He stated the State should be asked to put a piece of water main in the new bridge for whatever length is needed, 300 feet, at no cost to the Town. He felt the State should do something, an 8" Route 2 pipe, the Town to pay the difference. He stated on Route 2 II & Watertown the other side of Route 2, there is a section of Water- & Water- St. town Street, Bowman and Golden. It is an unaccepted town St. 387 street. Under the new setup, he felt the Town should look seriously to taking this piece and giving it to Arlington. Golden Avenue and Bowman both receive water from Arlington and pointed the areas out on the plan. The Chairman asked how many citizens lived there, and Mr. Carroll replied six or eight houses. Mr. Carroll stated it is a problem that should be considered and a decision made. The question was asked what services the Town was now giving, and Mr. Carroll replied snow plowing, and stated in the future it will be almost impossible. Mr. Cataldo stated snow plowing is the least important of all the services. The Chairman stated the Board should approach these people and asked Mr. Carroll set up a meeting, and he would meet with Mr. Carroll as well and explain the situation to them, and let them know what the problem is. Mr. Legro said it would take Town Meeting action by both Towns. At 8:00 P.M. , Messts. Russian, Adams, Bryson and Mrs. Battin, members of the Structure of Town Government Committee, Messrs. Greeley, Barnaby, Fisher and Mrs. Clarke, School Committee, met with the Board. Mr. Bryson submitted copies of Draft of Proposed Structure Article for Town Meeting, and stated this had been dis- of Town cussed with the Planning Board. He said articles were Government brought in which involved planning of the Town and Committee Center that had not been included, and were referred to them for a report. He stated this is a tentative draft. Mr. Cataldo questioned if this was the type the Government Committee should be getting into. He stated the Town has a by-law committee, and wondered if this was the intent of the Government Committee. Mrs. Battin replied Physical Planning, that they were not to revise the by-laws but get them in order. She said the committee would like to come in with the whole package; it seemed a step which should be taken now and not wait for two years. The Board discussed the various items. Mr. Cataldo stated he could not see anything that is not being done now, and Mr. Mabee said most of these are done automatically. Mr. Greeley said to put it on record and people would be aware that it is accepted procedure. 385 en Mr. Adams stated he thought it might take two years; that conservation acquisition is important. Mr. Russian stated this committee is charged with an operation to see how the Town can be governed. Structure talks about substance of procedure. This is a substance of procedural step. Mr. Sheldon stated there are two propositions: One might be termed informative and one restrictive. He stated he had no objection to the informative, that it should be done more effectively. He stated at the moment he did not like the restrictive part. Drainage is imposing a restriction on us, if you feel that restriction is needed. Going back to the informative portion, that position is very well taken, no Planning Board should be left in ignorance. The Chairman asked if the committee would say communi- cation between the Boards has improved over the years, and the answer was in the affirmative, that it is a sincere effort on the part of the committee and it feels these should be hard and fast rules. Mr. Adams stated he thought the Board should look at it that these are not set up for any present Boards. This is for future planning, that Boards do change. Mr. Cataldo asked if this should be done now, if there was any immediate need at the present time. Mr. Greeley stated he thought this is a desirable piece of codification to see how procedures work. The Chairman stated that he had every hope that practices would continue for another year, and asked if this is really of an emergency measure now. Mr. Russian stated he felt the draft made sense. Mr. Cataldo asked what areas should change which are not being done now. The items were discussed separately. Mr. Russian stated he could agree that 1 or 2 are not in any way meritorious, but he could see no major reason for not adopting it. Mr. Adams referred to item 6 and spoke of the recent meeting with the residents of the area of the North Lexington Brook. He stated this could make a definite change in the whole area. The Chairman said even on tax title, the Board advertises and checks with the Planning Board, and asked where the Planning Board was not considered. He stated he felt the Board had a good rapport. He felt none of , the items were germane at the present time, that the Boards are going to change next year. 389 Mr. Greeley stated if it is a move of good govern- , ment to proceed, it does make sense to do it sooner; if you are going to codify, the sensible thing is when you have a meeting of minds to do it before you get into trouble. Mr. Mabee said put it on paper, adopt it and then you have it. Mr. Russian said if there is a concept before you that has worth,- he said the committee is trying to do what is in the best interest of the Town. The Chairman stated he had no objection to any article whether he agreed or not. Mr. Cataldo stated he did object to including it in this form. The Chairman stated the first five are definitely Town Meeting. In the case of 6, the Planning Board should be aiprised. The Chairman stated 6 and 7 were deleted. He stated he didn't care whether the Planning Board gave a report to Town Meeting, that he would not oppose it. He said as far as putting an article in the warrant, he would vote to put the article in. He stated he would delete 6 and 7 from it. He would like to see 2 more clearly defined, that he agreed to 4. Mr. Legro stated with regard to 4, any change in that makes it impossible unless ways are laid out way in advance before budgets are prepared. Mr. Bryson suggested that the alterations would be to omit 4 through 7. Mr. Greeley felt it would be more advantageous, rather than cutting everything out, to come back later, that there would be nothing left; that there were things that affect the long range land use. Mr. Cataldo asked if this landause were left in woulc it exclude conservation lots, and Mr. Legro replied he would think it was broad enough to include it. Mr. Cataldo said they can set up rules and regulations over which there is no control. Mr. Legro said land use relatas to zoning primarily; that there is no need of leaving that in, that there is nothing in 5 that isn't already controlled by law. The Chairman asked if they still feel they wanted to put an article in, and Mr. Russian replied, yes. Mr. Mabee suggested coming in with a modified tentative draft. Mr. Russian stated they would come in with a revised article. 90 co Mr. Russian said the other item the committee wished to discuss was the permanent building committee; to see if the Town will provide for appointment of a permanent building committee, a general kind of article same as the Town has previously inserted. He stated the motion Permanent has to be a great deal more specific. The committee has Permanent Building had a meeting with the representatives of the School Building Committee Committee. The feeling was they had a good working Committee relationship with the Standing School Building Committee, and that some of the members should remain on as long as they deal with school problems, as they are people who have had experience in building schools. He stated the Town Office Building might be designed, and having members of the Appropriation Committee on it could cause criticism. He said this is not really the important item, that the Town will get more for its money, can handle a lot of detail, a job on permanent basis. To have a committee skilled in recreational activities, could save a lot of money by having qualified part time or full time Clerk of Works who could be valuable. So the committee has drafted the article. The details of power controls and the total matter of the motion would have to be ironed out to satisfy the concept and the major boards involved. He read the draft of the warrant article. He stated he thought the Planning Board is concerned with the lack of recreational facilities. Mr. Cataldo asked what is stopping them now. Mr. Bryson stated there is no implementation agency now. He said the committee had discussed this with,the Recreation Committee and they are in favor of it. Mr. Cataldo said he didn't think the committee should get into it. The Chairman said he would like to ask the School Committee if they were satisfied with the Standing School Building Committee. Mr. Mabee said a long range program excluding everyone here now, not concerned with the building programs going on today, but building programs in the Town; it makes a lot of sense. All on one committee, whatever it may be, din the long run, will be valuable. Mr. Sheldon said he felt the recreation confuses this problem. An overall building committee is not the way to do it. He said he would like to throw out recreation. He said he felt the school committee wants to have people building schools who have been on before, 1 391 Mr. Bryson said to have a committee of five, a specific committee. Mr. Adams said at the meat Town Meeting, a Junior High School, finished in 1971, will be in the warrant and stated if there is going to be a general building committee, it should be started now. The Chairman asked could the Standing Building Committee take care of this, and the reply was what was being done could not possibly be cleaned up until 1968. Mr. Fisher stated I think in ten years, the Standing School Committee has done about $11,000,000 to $12,000,000. worth of schools and has proved its worth. The School Committee would like to have them available for another school. Mr. Adams felt there should be a general building committee to handle all buildings. He stated a lot of time is spent in educating a committee, but stated Ad Hoc Committees could be used for political purposes. Mr. Russian stated a permanent building committee makes sense. He said it had worked out well in Wellesley. The Chairman said you are also agreeing how things handled in Lexington have worked out well, and stated if something is working well now, why do we have to go into something because it is working in any other Town. Mr. Russian stated this would be a committee that would reflect greater confidence of the Town; to show what kind of operation the Town is going to set into existence. Mr. Cataldo said the Board would give you the specifications, special requirements it needs, and you would go out and build, and Mr. Russian stated the committee feels as far as it is concerned, it would save the Town some money. Mr. Sheldon said there is no compelling reason for this. If there were a compelling reason and things hadn' t been done well, but to make a change just for the sake of making a change. Mr. Adams said everything has been done practically perfect, but he thought if it were examined, there have been jobs that have not been done well, and this committee could do a better job more efficiently. The Chairman asked who was carrying this article, and asked if the committee will insert this in the warrant, II that the Board didn' t care whether it was for or against it; it would put it in the warrant. Mr. Mabee stated the committee wants support. 92- CAD The Chairman stated the committee has strong feelings, and the majority of this Board is Apposed, but it is willing to put this article in the warrant. Mrs. Clarke stated it would be a more efficient use of the Town' s human resources, and felt the committee has done a good job. She was sure there had been a great deal of time given. The Chairman asked if the committee wishes at this point a vote to put this in the warrant, and Mr. Russian replied work out the mechanics of the motion, and asked if the Board would be willing to sit down with the committee, and find out how the Permanent Building Committee would function, it& makeup and who would have appointive powers, then the Board of Selectmen might support it. The Chairman said let us assume that what we worked out would be agreeable. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert an article in the warrant to authorize appointment of a permanent building committee, providing the article meets the Board' s approval. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board relative to the installation of a pedestrian walk in Pedestrian Stedman Road (a "paper" street) between Marrett Road and walk Franklin School. iStedman Rd. Mr. Carroll reported that he has it listed in his budget for 1967. Mr. Legro stated this would be a layout as a public way. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board relative to the appointment of a representative to the Appoint- Metropolitan Area Planning Council, and stated that sent Mr. Roland B. Greeley did not wish to be reappointed. It also recommended that Mrs. Natalie H. Rif fin be appointed as Lexington' s representative. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Natalie H. Rif fin as Lexington's representative to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. Letter from Robert Drainoni,. 479 Waltham Street, relative to his sewer betterment assessment, was read by the Chairman. Mr. Carroll stated this matter had been discussed Abatement before by the Board and it had agreed to abate the betterment. ¢yc Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the sewer betterment assessment in the amount of $254.69 and advise Mr. Drainoni that if at some future time he wished to connect to the sewer, the charge of $254.69 will have to be paid in full. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Hugh Y. McLeish, 44 Fair Oaks Drive, relative to the installation of a Street street light at the intersection of Fair Oaks Drive and light Outlook Drive. Mr. Carroll stated he would take care of this. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Sanborn Brown, 37 Maple Street, relative to traffic control and parking in the driveway to the Adams School between the East Traffic Lexington Branch Library and side of the church buildings. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer this letter to the Traffic Study Committee for its consideration. The Chairman read a letter from "Tell it to Joe" relative to the stop signs at Worthen Road and Massa- Traffic chusetts Avenue. The Chairman asked that Mr. Carroll compose the reply. Letter from Mrs. Alan B. Wade, 524 Concord Avenue, relative to the need for sewer in the area, was read by the Chairman. Mr. Carroll reported he had talked with her, and Sewer advised the Board that the Trunk Sewer and Laterals are in the budget for 1967. The Chairman stated she would be advised of any further developments. Notice from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Natural Resources, relative to the appropri- ations for Insect Pest Control and Dutch Elm Disease, Insect for Lexington, was read by the Chairman: $8,000.00 for Pest Insect Pest Control and $15,000 for Dutch Elm Disease Control Control. Letter from Jerome S. Kornreich, 102 Outlook Drive, relative to installation of a street light on Fair Oaks Street Drive and Outlook Drive, was read by the Chairman. light Mr. Carroll advised this matter would be taken care of. :194 NQ Petition, together with plan, from the residents of the Richard-Robbins-Plymouth-Tower Road area relative to the erection of "Children - Drive Slowly" signs was read by the Chairman. This letter was referred to the Traffic Study Committee for its consideration. Letter from the Planning Board relative to changes Planning in its Rules and Regulations Governing Subdivision of Board Land was received. subdivision The Clerk was instructed to send copies of this Regulation letter to each member of the Board. Letter from Mr. Leonard Notkin, 1 Field Road, relative to the installation of sewer in her section Sewer of Town, was read by the Chairman. Mr. Carroll reported this sewer is in his budget for 1967 for consideration. Letter from the Planning Board relative to lands it wishes acquired by the 1967 Annual Town Meeting, was Acquisition read by the Chairman. of lands This letter was referred to Mr. Gray who was requested to discuss it with Mr. Zaleski. Mr. Legro stated to get a specific area of land so that an article can be prepared. 1. Land of Lloyd, 10 acres, more or less, off Freemont Street for recreation. 2. Land of Bianchi, 2.8 acres, more or less, off Spring Street for recreation. 3. Land of D'Augusta, 8 acres, more or lesin at Railroad and Great Meadows for recreation. 4. Land of Lidberg at Adams Street for Emerson Road connection. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board relative to Zoning Changes which it wished to have acted upon at a Special Town Meeting. The Chairman stated basically, there would be two Town Meetings. Mr. Sheldon felt it was not a bad idea. Mr. Cataldo stated the Board had a previous discussion and the plans and specifications for the Town Office can be at the Special Town Meeting. The Chairmansaid the regular one in March, recovery from that not until the first of April, and he thought May 1 is too early, that June 1 is more practical. 3 9,j Mr. Mabee questioned rezoning every year. If the June Town Special Meeting is June, the Board will subscribe to Meeting it. The Chairman said it is the sense of the Board to have a Special Town Meeting in June, the March meeting, and Special on June 5, primarily for zoning. He stated basically the Board concurs but it does agree on the date of June 5 as being more realistic, and will give The Planning Board a definite date at its next meeting. Copy of letter to the Planning Board from Dean E. Nicholson, relative to a pedestrian easement leading from the proposed development of Ernest E. Outhet entitled "Woodbridge Estates" to Estabrook Road, was read by the Chairman. Pedestrian Mr. Legro stated this is one of three easements easement - he is considering and has given considerable thought Woodbridge to. He stated what the Chairman read is correct, it Estates has been approved; there has been a grant to the Town subdivision of a pedestrian easement running between the develop- ment and Estabrook Road, and across land of the sub- developer. One side abuts on Weiss' land. He stated there is the possibility of accepting the easement at Town Meeting, an article to be put in. Letter from Mr. Burrell, Civil Defense Director, enclosing a copy of report relative to the Natural Disaster Emergency Operating Center Exercise held in Civil October, wad read by the Chairman. Defense The Chairman requested the clerk to send copies to the Board, Public Works, Fire Commissioners and Chief of Police. Mr. Legro reported on the request for a Common Victualler license by Virginia Coleman, Wild Acre Inn. Comm. Vict. He stated he could find nothing specific in his files license as to the reason a Common Victualler license was denied her, last year. The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to check this with Mr. Finneran, Board of Health Director. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following Common Victualler licenses, Licenses both having been approved by the Board of Health: Geoffroy's Pharmacy 411 Waltham Street Comm. Vict. Pewter Pot Muffic House 1710 Mass. Ave. Comm. Vict. 4496 CO Minutes Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on December 19, 1966. Mr. Carroll referred to the letter from C.F. Mistretta, District Highway Engineer, relative to Chapter 90 Construction, Massachusetts Avenue, copy of which was sent to the Selectmen. Mr. Carroll stated the job has been cut back so it doesn't include the area where the tree is, over 100 feet. The question is whether or not this means the Town is going to get Federal aid for the gap. If the Town expects to share in the cost, there is a tree which they consider hazardous, which the Selectmen won' t take down. He stated all they are saying is they have ordered the construction to be done at the present time, and are not going to build the road the 100 feet, leaving out the gap. They will begin north of the tree which lengthens the gap to 600 feet for which the Town is asking Federal Aid. They are not going to recommend Federal Aid an it. Mr. Cataldo stated this is something to think about. He said he would like to see the project completed. Mr. Carroll stated he was against putting in a 14' wall, and wou'd like to get it done right. He said he was against putting in a concrete wall, it should be terraced. The Chairman asked that it be put on the agenda for the next meeting. 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. Following discussion relative to a pedestrian easement, it was voted to resume the opening meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:35 P.M. A true record, Attest: e/4;:, ,/ ting Cl4.rk, Slectmen('