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SFT.F,CTMEN'S MEETING
November 14, 1966
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
heldin the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on
Monday evening, November 14, 1966, at 7:30 F.M. Chairman
Cole, Messrs. Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee were
present. Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works,
Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, and the Acting Clerk were
also prevent.
Mr. Gray reported receipt of e. letter today from
Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, which he read to the Board.
Mr. Legro enclosed a copy of letter to Mr. Cronin
requesting the Board of Assessors to abate the pro rata
share of the 1966 taxes on the land taken from Lexland
Construction Co. Inc , andalso requesting the Selectmen
to abate the unpaid balance of the sidewalk betterments
as follows:
Sidewalk account 321, Map 46 Lot 28:
Abatement Unpaid balance 1966 apportionment $5.06
Unpaid balance 1966 interest 2.63
12 years future apportionmetts Ca3 7.43 89.16 $96.85
Sidewalk account 228, Map 46 Lot 31:
Unpaid balance 1966 apportionment $5.82
Unpaid balance 1966 interest 2.57
10 years future apportionments Ca3 85.67 $94.06
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to aba#e the unpaid balance of the sidewalk betterments
as outlined by Mr. Legro.
Mr. Gray stated he had a bill from the Waltham
Chemical Company in the amount of $195 for work
Public performed as per agreement, together with a letter from
Works William A. Halsey requesting that $50 be withheld from
Building this amount as part had not been impregnated as the
Bill sill is not yet in place.
Mr. Cataldo explained that they were requested
to give a recommendation of what to do, that they
guaranteed to take care of the termites now and in
the future. All the old wood is being treated.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to authorize payment of this bill in the amount of $145;
$50 being withheld from the total of $195. till a future
date when the work will be completed.
Mr. Gray read a letter from the Boston and Maine
Railroad in reply to his letter relative to the rail
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schedule of passenger and freight trains going through
Lexington. His request was in connection with a letter
from the Playground Committee of the Adams F.T.A. in Adams
which they requested a fence be erected. School fence
Mr. Gray said the Boston & Maine could not give
any definite information as to the freight train going
through Lexington, as the schedule is for one a day,
Monday through Friday, but they have no way of knowing
if it would come through Lexington except when the
freight assignments were out here.
Mr. Sheldon stated he thought the real question
was brought up previously, that is, can a fence be
run in such a way as to do any good.
Mr. Carroll stated he had some information on
the cost of a fence. He said from this endof the
field toward Arlington, it would be 300 feet of fenee
to the Tennis Court; 450 feet to the bushes which they
couldn' t get around, 750 feet in all A six-foot
fence, $6.00 a foot.
Mr. Cataldo stated he hadlooked. at Muzzey and
Adams, and he had had telephone calls with regard
to it, and he had talked with parents. They agree,
that because of the land being the way it is, the
tracks being above the playground, the main job is
to teach the children some responsibility and.
discipline, that the fence would cure nothing, even
going the whole 700 feet. The East Lexington
playgreA d is below tie grade pf the railroad tracks
and no ball is going there He felt the Board
should talk with the School Department, and ask if
it were their land, would they recommend a fence.
He stated he couldn't see the need for a fence, and
suggested that a letter be written to the School and
ask them that specifixally.
The Chairman stated that a letter be written to
the School Committee, citing the facts , and asking *f
this were their land, would they erect a fence.
Mr. Carroll stated he had a note from Lee Tarbox
regarding the Visitors' Center. He reported that on
the 5th of November there were-164 people; the 6th, 22, Visitors'
on that weekend a total of 186. Over the long weekend., Center
256 on the 11th, 45 on the 12th and 65 on the 13th
466 in all. He stated they had extended the closing
on these weekends, and asked if be was to keep it open.
Mr. Gray informed the Board that the transfer was
granted by the Appropriation Committee, and the question
was asked in view of that fact, could it be kept open.
Mr. Sheldon asked if it could be run for two more
weeks, and Mr. Carroll replied he did not know, that
he would not like to go over his account and ask for
any more money.
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The Chamber of Commerce wanted the big signs,
and it was felt the building should not be closed.
It was the consensus of the Board that it be
kept open for two more weeks.
Mr. Carroll stated that last year he hired some
college students where they paid 10% of their salary.
He stated requests have to be in early for next summer,
College in order to get the 10%, and after August, it will be
students 25%. He said they applied to ten colleges and ended
up with two people; stated they would like to apply.
Mr. Sheldon asked what classification, laborers,
clerical or what.
Mr. Carroll stated the problem is that you just
don' t get the people.
Mr. Mabee moved that the Board authorize Mr.
Carroll to apply.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to authorize Mr. Carroll to apply for college students
as requested.
Mr. Carroll reported that up in front of the Hunt
Block, Trani' s and Baker' s, the Hunt Block is going to
be done very soon as well as Trani' s . There is 26 feet
which is filled with gravel, and he felt something
should be done to provide some sort of access to these I/Hunt Block stores To _pave the entire 26 feet wide from Depot
paving Square to Baker' s with hottop would cost roughly $750
to $1,000.
It was stated that there is no choice in the
matter, it should be done to protect the Town.
Mr. Cataldo asked if it would take a lot of work
to take the curbing out, and Mr. Carroll replied it
would be a lot of work taking it out.
The Chairman suggested fixing it up.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to provide access to these stores as suggestdd by
Mr. Carroll.
The Chairman read a letter from Robert E. Mortimer,
8 Tricorns Road, relative to a request for street lights
Street and inquiring about snow plowing during the winter.
lights & The Chairman stated these are normal procedures.
snow The letter was referred to Mr. Carroll, Superin-
removal tendent of Public Works, who stated these matters
would be taken care of.
Letter from Mr. Salvatore Ferraguto, 145 Laconia
Street, was read by the Chairman, in which Mr.
Ferraguto referred to his letter to the Board of
October 6, 1965 with regard to questions he had con-
cerning Laconia Street.
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The Chairman explained the context of the letter
and asked if there had been a reply. Laconia
Mr. Gray reported that both he and Mr. Carroll Street
missed the letter, that in the minutes of that meeting
it stated he and Mr. Carroll were to see Mr. Ferraguto.
The Chairman stated he would write and inform
Mr. Ferraguto that he regretted he had not been
contacted previously, but that Mr. Gray and Mr. Carroll
would be in touch with him very shortly.
Letter was received and read by the Chairman from
Donald R. Marquis, Town Manager of the Town of Arlington,
relative to the Board' s letter of November 15., 1966 to Maple Street
him with regard to the sewer betterment assessment on Sewer
Maple Street. betterment
It was suggested that a letter be written explain-
ing that the Town of Lexington can only legally defer a
assessments for a period of three years, and at the end
of the three year period, it was certain that the then
Board of Selectmen would consider a request from Arlington
for a deferment from the Town of Lexington.
With reference to the Civil Service Certifications
for eight patrolmen, Mr. Gray explained that the Board Civil
had received the Somerville list, that there are twenty Service
names of individuals who are interested. They will
have to be checked out, and suggested that the Civil
Service be requested for a two-week extension.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
request a two-week extension, to be signed by the
Chairman and mailed.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to
sign Memorandum of Agreement (in duplicate) , two contracts
A, 1965, and B, 1966, for Chapter 90 work in the Town of Chapter 90
Lexington. contracts
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to sign the Election Returns as requested by Miss Election
McDonough, Town Clerk. Returns
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was votdd
to sign renewals of the following liquor licenses, Liqud►r
subject to the approval of the Alcoholic Beverages licenses
Control Commission:
Berman's Market, Inc. 55 Massachusetts Ave.
Buse Bros, Liquors, Inc. 131 Massachuse is Ave.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held Minutes
on November 14, 1966.
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Mr. Gray referred to the passage of the referendum
on liquor licenses. He stated he called the ABC, and
this goes into effect January 1, 1967 for a two year
period.
Referendum Mr. Cataldo requested that a copy of the bill
be procured, and asked what should be charged for a
license; that the facts should be known.
The Chairman stated the people of the Town want
Hotels and Motels to serve liquor with their meals
and in the rooms, and he thought any owner who put in
a lounge would be in violation, as it would be like a
tavern.
Mr. Sheldon stated he would like to see the
legislation, that the Town has rights in the legislation;
it would be spelled cut, that the law sets forth the oper-
ating proceddrey There had to be a certain number of
beds.
Mr. Mabee said he would like to hear from Town Counsel
and see what the Board should do in granting licenses.
The Chairman felt there would be no problem.
Mr. Fred Beckmeier, 65 Sherburne Road, with his
Mother and Father, met with the Board relative to his
Cary Hall application for permission to conduct a dance in Cary
rental Hall on December 10, 1966 from 6:30 P.K. to 12:00
midnight.
Mrs. Beckmeier stated they had found out late
this afternoon there was going to be a large affair
at the school on that date, and asked if the following
week were available, December 17.
The Chairman asked what the purpose of the dance
was, and Fred Beckmeier stated that his brother has a
group in New York, and he had an idea of bringing them
up here and get some publicity and interest in the group.
The Chairman asked if this was a Rock and Roll
Group and he replied in the affirmative.
Mr. Sheldon inquired if he was just applying for
this one date, and he replied at the moment he was.
It was asked if this would be confined' to Lexington
couples, and Fred replied they would issue mimeographed
invitations which would be distributed at the High School.
The Chairman explained that the Board had to be
careful, that he was not sure that Lexington groups
caused the trouble in the past .
Mr. Sheldon asked about supervision, and Fred
answered that they had a committee in school of several
people and parents.
The Chairman stated they would have to have
adult sppervision, that there were several entrances
to the dance floor, in fact six, and they would also
have to have police officers.
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Mr. Sheldon added they would have to have at
least a do' en chaperones, and Mr. Cataldo asked if they
had talked with the Chief of Police.
The CFairman stated Fred would have to set the
date and t: lk to the desk sergeant. He asked how many
were expected to be at the dance, and Fred replied
about thre:- hundred.
Mr. S eldon stated they would have to have at
least four police officers.
Mr. C. taldo explained to them that Cary is a
beautiful ' all, and Mrs. Beckmeier stated they hare
run dances before and always found it wise to ttake
out a polity for twenty-four hours' duration.
The q estion was asked what type policy she referred
to, and sh replied a general short-term policY.
The Chairman said they would have to pick up after
the dance, coke bottles, etc.
Mr. Cataldo said they should have a number of police
officers and chaperones, and the Board should have the
list of adults.
Mr. Mhbee asked if the insurance covered the physical
damage that might occur , and also whatever kind of
detrinlenta_ activity which might reflect on the Town; that
the Board had something at stake and wanted assurance that
the dance w ould be run in an adult fashion.
Mr. Sheldon stated the Board had tried to be liberal,
that it would affect a lot of other groups.
The question was ad.ked if there is any kind of
general insurance on the hall that would be in effect
against unforeseen trouble, and Mr. Gray replied in the
negative.
The Chairman explained the charges for the hall,
#35.00 plu;a the custodian' s fee, and requested that the
Beckmeiers come back next Monday night, and if everything
was satisfactory to the Board, it would be approved.
It waa again stated that this would be by invitation
only, and Mr. Sheldon said no newspaper publicity was
planned, that if they had all the assurances, it would
be acted on very quickly.
Fred Beckmeier inquired if the date would be held
for them pending these requirements, and the Chairman re-
plied in the affirmative.
The Chairman reported on Item four on the agenda,
the meetin;3 with the Planning Board, and stated that the
Planning BDard was unable to get a quorum so they would Planning
not be in. Board
The C:aairman asked if there was anything to be
brought up in open session.
Mr. Mabee inquired if there had been an opportunity Worthen
to meet with Commissioner Ribbs and having met with him, Rood
was there any report with regard to Worthen Road.
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The Chairman replied there was still an exchange
of letters, and Mr. Cataldo stated the Board is awaiting
a letter from the Commissioner.
Mr. Sheldon mentioned the budget meetings on Saturday
Budget mornings, and the Chairman stated they would not be
Meetings meeting this coming Saturday.
Mr. Mabee asked how the reports were coming in and
Town Report Mr. Gray reported he had about six, and Part A was coming
in; also some of the budgets had been received.
The Chairman voted a recess of five minutes, at
which t line they would go into Executive Session.
Mr. Carroll retired at 8:25 P.M.
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,
Executive id made public, might adversely affect the public
Session security, the financial interest of the Town or the
reputation of any person.
Following discussion with the Board of Fire
Commission rs relative to promotions, the Chairmants
reference to a meeting on Public Works ' Salaries, and
discussion on collective bargaining, it was voted to
resume the open meeting.
A true record, Attest:
ca-f-. 14,1
!at ' f1> C ,erk, Selectmen
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