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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-10-24-BOS-min 299 SELECTMENTS MEETING October 24, 1966 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, October 24, 1966 at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs . Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present. At the request of the Town Clerk, three jurors were drawn. Those drawn for jury duty were Lewis R. Kerlin, 54 Albemarle Avenue, Stanley Abkowitz, 32 Jurors Lillian Road, and Channing D. Morrison, 8 Diamond Road. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs . C. B. Walker, reporting injuries received when she stepped on a three-foot square steel grate covering the fountain pipes Accident at the Center tennis courts. claim Mr. Legro reported he had reviewed this with Mr. Carroll and also had some pictures. He stated the accident occurred on May 14 and advised there is no liability on the Town. He said, in fact, he did not even think there was a defect. The Chairman asked Mr. Legro to reply to Mrs. Walker' s letter . Chapter 90 contract between the Town and Belli Bros. Inc. , was held over for one week to give Town Chapter 90 Counsel and opportunity to go over the contract. contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve requests received from Mr. Carroll, Super- intendent of Public Works, and Mr. Bernard J. Belcastro, Transfers Veterans ' Agent, for transfers from the Reserve Fund to the Street Signs Account and Veterans' Services Aid & Expenses Account. All three copies of the applications were given to Mr. Parrish, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. The Chairman read a letter from Erik Lund, 19 Ellison Road, stating he had been under the impression for some time that the former dump site on Lincoln Street would be developed as a town playgranbd.land recreation Dump site area, and for reasons not explained, the Board of Lincoln Selectmen had taken this land out of the jurisdiction Street of the Recreation Committee . 300 CI 11.0 The Chairman stated the Selectmen did have the Sehool Committee and Recreation Committee in over a period of time. and finally came to an agreement on a specific plan developed by Sam Snow, consultant for the Board. At that time, Septembdr 2, 1961 , the Boards were in agreement and for many reasons, the whole area has not been developed. The land is still settling and the Board did not feel buildings could go on it. Mr. Cataldo said this is definitely going to be used for recreation. Ttie COadrman said rig}t npw, Wits land is ander the Jurisdiction, of the Board of Selectmen. Even if it asked the Recreation Committee to come in with a plan, the land is still under the Selectmen' s jurisdiction. Mr. Sheldon pointed out that land still has a lot more settling to do because of the type of fill. Mr. Carroll advised a field could be put on it and propably there would be some settling but nothing serious. The Chairman asked how much longer it would take to be able to put fields on there without settling. Mr. Carroll replied 80% of the settling takes place in a couple of years in a sanitary land fill area. Mr. Sheldon said he never had any other purpose in mind for this area but recreation. The Chairman said he was in sympathy with the thought expressed in the letter that the Town does need more re- creational land. Mr. Cataldo recalled that the Board did agree with the School Committee and Recreation Committee it would be a minimum of three years before it even began to think about across the street, and in the second place, nothing could be done without a plan for that area across the street. Mr. Mabee said he was in sympathy with this and thought something should be done. He said a plain, green grass field was needed. Mr. Sheldon suggested that the Recreation Committee do something. Mr. Mabee suggested that the Board ask the Recreation Committee to come up with a plan. Mr. Cataldo felt before the Board did anything ont ►at side of the street, it should sit down with the School Com- mittee. He said money is also needed. The Chairman asked, if the Selectmen have been holding the land for recreation purposes, why wasn' t that committee the one to ask for some ideas. He suggested that the Re- creation Committee be asked to come in with recommendations for defeloping this land for recreation purposes. Mr. Mabee advised that the committee should be reminded the land has been settling for two years and by the time : o ! they come up with a plan, it would have been settling for three years. The Chairman said the Board could do this and assure Mr Lund the Board feels the same as he does about re- creation. Mr. Mabee suggested sending a copy of the letter to the Recreation Committee to Mr. Lund. Mr. Sheldon said Mr. Lund could be informed that the Board has requested the Recreation Committee to give the matter some study and report to the Board. Mr. Cataldo said the period of two or three years had nothing to do with the settling; it was money and a plan. He said for the Recreation Committee to come up with a plan by itself is not the answer. Mr. Mabee saidthen it should be coordinated. The Chairman said the Board has to alert the Recreation Committee to come up with its thoughts for the use of this area and the School Committee has to be involved. He said he could see nothinggwrong with proceeding with it. Mr. Carroll reported that the Traffic Study Committee discussed the problem of the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Rjoad. The committee voted unanimously to request the Board to extend the trial period for one more month. Traffic Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request of the Traffic Study Committee and ex- tend the trial period for traffic control now in effect at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Worthen Road for one month. Mr. Carroll reported a meeting with Mr. John Kiernan, State Department of Public Works, relative to 1967 Chapter 90. One of the thoughts suggested was to use the money for Lowell Street from Woburn Street to Maple STreet. He said he had in his mind continuing with Town money because the rest of Chapter 90 it was done that way. He thought maybe he could build some section of Blossom Street and Allen Street. Mr. Kiernan said these sections of street would not be eligible. Mr. Carroll submitted a plan and explained the areas of Blossom Street and Allen Street, and asked the Board to think about the possibility for 1967 of building Blossom Street from Allen Street a point 800 feet west; rebuilding a piece of Allen Street from Blossomcrest Road to its present widened portion and also to consider building a section of Blossom- crest Road easterly to the school driveway or to Worthen Road. He said the money he was talking about is the whole project and would be between $50,000 and $60,000. There is $17,000 coming to the Town from t e State, due December first and that can reduce this amount. The State said this money could be used for this. He said he thought he could do all of Lowell Street. 302 2C Ct Mr. Carroll reported a meeting with the Bedford Bedford group last Friday and said they were coming up with some Sewer dollar amounts he would like to discuss with the Board at its next meeting. He said a meeting had been scheduled in Bedford next Wednesday, and because the group is not quite ready, and Whitman & Howard' s representative will be away for a couple of weeks, they would like both Boards to postpone the meeting until N vember 23, 1966. The Chairman said postponement was justified. Mr. Carroll said, with the 1966 curbing money, he was going to do Meriam Street from Massachusetts Avenue up to the railroad tracks and he would like to spend the Curbing rest on Bedford Street from Revere Street to Larchmont Lane on the easterly side, and if there is anything left over, to go on the westerly side. The Board had no objection. Mr. Louis Zehner, Town Report Committee, met with the Board. A draft of Mr. Zehner' s report for the Board of Town Selectmen was mailed to each member of the Board. Report The Chairman read a letter from Leslie H. York, Chairman of the TMMA Executive Committee, urging the Board to reconsider its decision on the size of the Town Report. The Chairman also read a letter from Mr. York urging the Board to carry out the recommendation of the Town Re- port Committee to publish the annual report in two sections. Mr. Zehner stated the Appropriation Committee does not see it in the way of sending it to every householder in Town. As it stands, Mr. Parrish indicated the amount would be $600 left unexpended from last year' s report, plus approxi- mately $3!}00 Mr. Sheldon said he assumed if Mr. Zehner wanted an answer this evening, the Board would have to go into Execu- tive Session. Mr. Zehner said he wanted counsel as to additions and subtractions. He said his purpose for asking this was to get this into the work so he would have more leverage to the other Town Committees and Departments. Mr. Sheldon stated he thought everyone involved is in agreement on the report as presented by Mr. Zehner. There are two questions; the size and the number of copies to be given to the Town at large. He asked if Mr. Zehner needed an answer to these questions tonight. Mr. Zehner replied not to the second, and he understood the decision was firm as to the size. Mr. Cataldo said Mr. Zehner should get a clear indication where to go and he will have to spend some money before budget time. Mr. Zehner stated it was understood the committee would have the $600 left from the previous report and up to a total of $1500 in a transfer if this was neces- sary. Mr. Cataldo asked if this was agreed upon by the Appropriation Committee, and Mr. Qehner replied in the affirmative. 303, Mr. Sheldon said the matter of general distribution could wait and Mr. Zehner has enough money to do what he needs to do. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unani- mously voted to approve the report as submitted by Mr. Zehner. Mr. Zehner asked if he could tell the departments and committees that the Selectmen have done their work and have them get their reports in. He said he had an idea the report would be out late in February or eatly in March. Mr. Cataldo said the Board should instruct Mr. Gray to send out a memo supporting Mr. Zehner' s stand and get these reports in by November 15, He said he realized some departments cannot be ready by November 15. He said Mr. Gray should work with Mr. Zehner in getting the reports. The Chairman said the Board had a specific request from the TMMA relative to the Board' s decision on the size of the 1966 Annual Town Report, and asked if any member of the Board was of the mind to move for reconsideration. No motion was made to reconsider. Mr. Zehner retired at 8:15 P.M. Letter was received from L.M.Titlebaum, M.D. who is building a house at 246 Concord Avenue, requesting in- Street stallation of a street light across from #247. light Mr. Carroll informed the Board he was checking this out. Letter was received from Arthur B. Cicero and Marilyn B. Cicero, 11 Cooke Road, listing facts relative to petition for sanitary sewers in Cooke Road, Douglas Road, Fulton Road, Lowell Street, East Street and Laconia Street. Sewer The Chairman said this should be attached to the petition for consideration in the 1967 budget. Petitions, copies of orders and plans were received from the Boston Edison Company for conduit and manhble locations in Saddle Club Road and Todd Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the follow- ing oonduit locations: Conduit locations Saddle Club Road, northeasterly from Todd Road, a dis- tance of about 800 feet -- conduit. 304 CI Todd Road, northwesterly from Saddle Club Road, a dis- tance of about 370 feet - - conduit. Letter was received from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company requesting permission to place an Anchor anchor guy in the grass plot of island at Maple and Lowell guy Streets. Mr. Carroll had no objection. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Metropolitan Building Movers Permit Co. to move a building from Arlington to Grassland Street subject to approval of the Chief of Police, Superintendent of Public Works, and filing a bond of $5,000. Letter was received from Mrs. John Frankovich, Sewer 19 Dewey Road, with reference to petition for the installation of a sanitary sewer. The Chairman said this would be avail- able when the Board is discussing budgets. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Edwin B. Worthen, requesting that the Board have the vines stripped from the Monument Revolutionary Monument on the Common. It was agreed that the members of the Board would. take a look at the monument before making any decision. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Jack L. Mitchell requesting permission for the Voters Service Committee of the League of Women Voters to distribute non-partisan in- formation and also park a vehicle in front of the Lexington Food Market. The Board had no objection. Letter was recilived from the Board of Fire Commissioners Budget relative to budgets for 1967. The Chairman said he would put it in with the budgets so the Board can consider it at that time. Letter was received from the Lexington School Committee advising the Selectmen that the Committee voted unanimously Kinder- to establish kindergartens, effective September, 1967. A gartea copy of the communication was sent to each member of the Board. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of Sam H. Sherman, 8 Winchester Cert. of Drive and John Blackwell, 7 Bennington Road, applicants Inc. for Certificates of Incorporation, satisfactory references having been received from the Chief of Police. 305 Invitation was received from the Veterans ' Adminis+ Invitation tration to join with the Town of Bedford in the observance of Veterans' Day, Friday, Novemberll. Notices were received from the Alcoholic Beverages Commission relative to the sale and delivery of alcoholic beverages on Tuesday, November 8, 1966. "Package Goods" Stores shall not sell or deliver alcoholic beverages during polling hours unless they are authorized to do so by vote Package of the local licensing authorities. Goods On Veterans' Day, "Package Goods" stores may sell and deliver alcoholic beverages between the hours of 1:00 P.M. and 11:00 P.M. on the holiday, and until 11:30 P.M. the night before. On Thanksgiving Day, "Package Goods" Stores shall not sell or deliver alcoholic beverages during the entire day but may sell and deliver such beverages until 11:30 P.M. the night before. The Chairman said the Board would go along with the rules of the Commission and that the "Package Goods" Stores were to remain closed during the polling hours on Tuesday, November 8, 1966. Mr. Alan G. Adams stated that the Board had granted his request for permission to close off Depot Way during the construction of his new building for a thirty-day period which would expire October 31, 1966. He requested another Extension extension of thirty days. of time Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Depot Ilk to grant Mr. Adams' request to extXnd the period of time thirty days from today. Mrs. Riffin, Messrs. Fowles Worrell of the Planning Board, and Mr. Zaleski, Director, met with the Board. Mrs. Riffin said the Planning Board felt there were Recrea- some items the Planning Board is thinking about and they tion, wanted the Selectmen to know. The first has to do with Planning recreation planning and design committee. The Planning & Design Board' s Director felt there should be a committee of the Comm. Planning Director, Recreation Director and Park Superin- tendent that would be a Selectmen's Committee and would report back to the Board of Selectmen. This committee would meet once a month and submit to the Selectmen reports, plans. If there should be a need for contracting outside services, the commtbttee should receive prior approval from the Board of Selectmen. The Chairman stated earlier in the evening, the Board had discussed the recreation problem in the Town and the- teere iln ?favor+4-PorelicrealPioriaLl tits and of expanding them. He said he would see that a copy of Mrs. Riffin' s statement was sent to each member of4Ohe Board. ValL N C"3 Mrs Riffin said the second item was a town-wide beautification program for Lexington. Mr. Zaleski has listed several points which are interesting. She ex- plained if asking for Federal Funds is to be considered, Lexington has to be considered as a whole. The Chairman said he would have copies of this made also and sent to each member of the Board. Mrs. Riffin said on December 7, there will be an in- formation meeting and the TMMA is sponsoring an information night in the Science Hall at the High School. It will be beautification and steps of implementing the plan EDA has Planning drawn up, plus step proposals for rezoning along Bedford. Board Street. This will be an informal king of discussion where option Town Meeting Members and interestedcitizens would be in- fund vited to come and give their reactions. Mrs. Riffin said the last subject was budget items for a year -`'round student and also the possibility of obtaining again for the Planning Board an option fund. Mr. Zaleski will bring to the Board figures for proposed budget items. The Planning Board would like to become involved with the Student university plans so it could have a student full-time when he is not in school. She mentioned $3,000 or $4 ,000. The Planning Board would like to have an option fund again so it could have funds available. The Chairman said the option fund did exist at one time and the Selectmen had one. It was the understanding that the option fund the Selectmen has is available to the Planning Board'. Mrs. Riffin said some land became available to the Planning Board and it was referred to the Conservation Com- mission and came to the Selectmen through the Commission. If the Planning Boadd had the fund, it could have taken the option. Mr. Cataldo asked what would have changed. He said the Planning Board had an opportunity to prnohase some land but did not come to the Board where the fund is, but went to the Conservation Commission. He said this should have come dire#tly to the Board. The Chairman said he was not aware of any difficulty in getting options from the Selectmen. He asked if Mrs. Riffin was aware of any difficutly, and she replied she was not. Mr. Fowle said he was not aware it was a Selectmen' s Planning Board option Bund. The Chairman said this was discussed at Town Meeting. Mr. Fowle said it is their feeling they would like to have its own fund. Mr. zaleski said the way the article is now worded, it does not make any mention of the Planning Board. He said he always assumed it was the Selectmen' s Fund . The Chairman explained the idea was to consolidate the fund and it woud.d be under one Board and this was agreed. 37 Mr. Zaleski said that was in 1962. Mr Legro explained the original Planning Board option required referral to the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Cataldo said no matter who goes to purchase a piece of property, it always ends up with the Selectmen going to Town Meeting, and the Selectmen should have it all squared away before going to Town Meeting. He stated it is not just having another fund. The Selectmen have to make the final purchase anyway. Mr. Fowle said that was true. It is not necessary. Mrs. Riffin asked if the Planning Board could be in- cluded in the article. The Chairman said the Board would honor the request and discuss it again with the Planning Board. Mrs. Riffin suggested that the article include the Planning Board and. Selectmen. The Planning Board retired at 8:55 P.M. Mr. Cataldo, with reference to question D on the ballot, said he thought the Board should find out or make some statement for the townspeople as to what this entails. The Chairman reported he talked with the Attorney General' s office today. That office told him they have not received the official request for a ruling yet from Question the ABC. The Attorney General' s office said the intent D on of the law was clear and they would resolve it. It was ballot left that if the Chairman felt the Selectmen should. request a ruling, he would so proceed. Mr. Cataldo said some time back, the Board agreed to have Paul Revere bowls for retiring women and visiting dignitaries. He said the Board was supposed to come back with suggestions as to a gift for men. He submitted a sample box with fountain pen which he had made up as a gift. The Board was unanimously in favor of Mr. Cataldo' s suggestion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on mattMrs which, if made public, might adversely affect the public Security, the finan- cial interest of the Town or the reputation of any person/ Following discussion with Chief Corr, letter from Executive attorney Daniel F. Lynch, and legal claims with Town Session Counsel, lots on Grassland Street with Mr. Carroll, a communication from Mr. Perry, and a communication from Miss Monahan, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and secodded, it was voted to appoint William C. Petrino, 14 Grapevine Avenue and Roy J. Murphy, 7 Cherry Street, Patrolmen, Lexington Police Department effective November 11, 1966 . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:25 P M. -34r//61) � A true record, Attest : / " eu iv Cler , Sele en