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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-06-27-BOS-min 149 1 SELECTMEN"S MEETING June 27, 19(06 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen! s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, June 27, 1966, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs . Burnell and Mabee were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Execu- tive Clerk, were also present. Mr Gray asked the Board to request the Appropri- ation Committee to transfer $200 for the Police Department Expenses Account to operate the Xerox machine. He ex- plained so many departments and committees have been using this machine the Chief is running over the appropriation in his budget. Transfer Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $200 from the Reserve Fund to the Police Depart- ment Expenses Account. Mr. Gray asked the Board to request the Appropri- ation Committee to transfer $1,000 to the Clerical Labor Pool, and explained an extra girl has been hired to work on the switchboard during the vacation months . He ex- plained additional funds are needed in this account for Transfer the clerical help in the Veterans' Department . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $1,000 from the Reserve Fund to the Clerical Pool Expenses Account. Mr. Gray reported that a representative of Dunn & Bradstreet, Inc. , discussed a Degree of Risk service that would cost about $570, and asked the Board to consider it for next year' s budget. Mr Carroll said he thought it would be a great help to him and other departments He said he could obtain a 100 ratings a year and thought it would be worthwhile for the Town t have the service Mr. Mabee asked if a low bidder could be excluded if he had a low rating in the Dunn & Bradstreet report. Mr. Gray replied the Board would know where it stood. He asked if it wouldn't pose a problem to exclude the low bidder in fact because he had a low rating. He stated I/ 150 he subscribes to Dunn & Bradstreet in his own business and finds it interesting, but of no help. Mr. Adams, present at the meeting, agreed with Mr. Mabee. The Chairman asked if there had been instances when the Town has had trouble, and Mr. Carroll replied there have been contractors who have given some trouble on the Degree of job. Risk Ser- The Chairman asked if this could have been avoided, vice and Mr. Carroll replied he did not know, but thought the Board should consider the service. The Chairman said the Board would defer action until it discusses budgets. Mr. Mabee suggested that, in the meantime, all possi- ble arguments be obtained because he has not found the service to be very helpful. Mr. Gray submitted a bill for $1,000 received from Architect' s the architect on the Town Barn and stated it is the final bill payment for work done previous to the bidding. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize payment of $1,000 to William A. Halsey, architect, for professional services rendered to June 17, 1966 - final statement under Article 2A of Agreement, dated ninth of May, 1966. Mr. Gray reported the Police Department has received the cruisers, and the car that will be used in the Building Department is being checked out by the chief mechanic of Inspectors' the Town. This car will be assigned to the Building De- Car partment to be used by the Plumbing Inspector, Wire In- spector and Assistant Building Inspector when one is appointed by the Board. The Chairman said a letter to this effect should be written to the departments involved. Mr. Gray stated he would write such a letter tomorrow. Mr. Gray reported that the Town Barn Committee unani- mously agreed that the contract should be awarded to the low bidder, John Tocci & Sons, Inc. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for the alterations and additions to the Public Works Building to John Tocci & Sons , Inc. , 550 Pleasant Street, Watertown, Mass. , the low bidder, in the amount of $347,658.00. Mr. Gray asked the Board to approve signing the con- tract, subject to approval as to form. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the contract between the Town of Lexington and John Tocci & Sons, Inc . , for alterations and additions to the Public Works Building, in the amount of $347,658.00, subject to Town Counsel ' s approval of the contract as to form. 151 Mr. Legro explained the contract would not be pre- sented until signed by the contractor, insurance certi- Barn con- ficates are ready, etc. tract Mr. Mabee asked if the contractor wanted a letter awarded of intent, and Mr. Gray replied he wanted a letter that the contract has been awarded. Mr. Gray said he had some Blue Cross-Blue Shield Srms to be signed which he would refer to Town Counsel. Blue Cross He explained these are amendments due to Medicare. Blue Shieli Mr. Carroll reported on the bids taken on sewer work, Contract #2, and said the low bidder was Crognale Construction Co. Inc . He recommended that the Board Sewer award the contract to the low bidder. contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for sewer work, Contract #2, to Crognale Construction Co. , Inc. , at its bid of $73,376.50. Mr. Carroll had three pictures taken of the property on Worthen Road, and suggested that the Board write a First Nat'l letter to the First National Stores asking that the area Store area be landscaped. The Chairman said there is no legal obligation on their part. Mr. Carroll agreed and said he would suggest that the Board write a letter. Mr. Carroll asked that the Board allow him to hire two part-time girls for the summer. He said he has had a problem with sickness and vacations , and he could Add' 1. help use two more girls. He said he has sufficient funds Public Work in his budget. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Carroll to employ two part-time clerks for the summer months. 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, Executive might adversely affect the public security, the financial Session interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following discussion with Mr. Legro pertaining to certain legal agreements, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Messrs. Giroux, Brown, Adams, Robert Neiley, Mr. Leitch, met with the Board. Mr. Neiley said they are designing a building to go 152cc at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Meiiam Street; it covers all of the block. He submitted a plan and said 111 the problem is a wooden telephone pole with wires, etc. , which he indicated on the plan. He said there is also a pole up the street where Mr. Cole' s building is. They would like to see the wires on these poles put underground. They have talked about this with the Boston Edison Company and received a price quoted which is quite high. He said he thought he better not give the price which depends on Underground how much concrete conduit has to be constructed and hose many wiring feet. He said there would be a good deal of money involved. Mariam St. He said if some way could be found, through the office of the Town, to get this done, hh would appreciate it. Mr. Carroll said he had talked to the Boston Edison Company and this is being investigated. He has been in- formed that the Town will have to pay for it . The Chairman said in order to consider this at all, the Board would have to know something about the cost and the degree of cooperation the Board could expect from the property owners. Mr. Burnell said he thought the Board should get some figures on this . Mr. Adams said the Board had established a precedent by putting the wires underground in Lexington Center. The Chairman said he thought the sense of the Board is it would like more information to be obtained by the Superintendent?:of Public Works. He said he would like more facts and figures. Mr. Carroll said he is working on that now. The group retired at 8:20 P.M. The Chairman read the letter, received last week, from Nrs, Hahhatil Conner in which she expressed dissatisfaction Conner with the award the Board made in connection with a taking claim made on April 25, 1966. Mr. Legro submitted a plan and indicated Mrs. Conner' s property. He suggested that the Board defer any action until Mr. Carroll has given him move information. The Chairman read a report, dated June 24, 1966, re- ceived from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, in regard to Bavel L. Cummings' property at 1465-475 Massachusetts Avenue. Cummings ' The Chairman said the Board held a hearing, of which property Mr. Cummings had been notified. He did not attend the hearing but received a copy of the minutes. He asked what action the Board wanted to take. Mr. Legro advised the Board must make a determination that the building is a nuisance and dangerous to the public. He said he thought the Board would want to consider first, specifying what work is to be done to make it safe, and if 1 ,J ) he does not do that, demand that the building be torn down. He suggested that the Board hold the matter over for one week, and asked that a copy of Mr Inwin' s report be mailed to him. Notice of Intent was received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Natural Resources, rela- tive to increasing the storage capacity of Hobbs Brook Reservoir, primary source of water supply for the City Hobbs Brooli of Cambridge, to compensate for loss of storage due to Reservoir highway construction. The Chairman said the City of Cambridge intends to do some excavating and enlarge the reservoir. The City of Waltham is, or has had, a hearing on this Mr. Legro reported that the City Council is meeting tonight to discuss this. The Chairman said the problem is whether the Board wants to follow the same procedure as Waltham and set up a hearing. He said it would be his suggestion to hold a hearing in the morning if possible, and if the Board was agreeable, he would schedule a hearing for July 5, 1966, at 9:00 A.M. He said he would also notify the Planning Board and Conservation Commission. Messrs. Grant, Jaquith, York, Straw, Mrs Morey and Mr. Tarbox met with the Board. Mr. Grant explained the meeting had to do with the signs on the Buckman Tavern grounds . The Historic Dis- tricts Commission, received a request from the Public Facilities Committee for permission to erect an additional sign at the foot of Meriam Street. The commission wondered at the time how many signs should be around the Battle Green grounds He said that request for a hearing was continued while the commission came in to talk with the Board. He said a suggestion was made that an effort be made to reduce the number of signs as much as possible by erecting a new, sign at the corner or Meriam Street which would serve to direct people to the new building and to the parking area. He said recently the commission received a request from the Town for permission to erect a sign "Public Facilities and Information Building" in one size lettering and then under- neath an arrow and in smaller type of the same design directions to the Episcopal church and the Greek Orthodox Church. Mr. Tarbox, representing the Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber thought it advisable to have a sign at the foot of Meriam Street. There was considerable discussion pertaining to signs and locations of signs. Mr. Mabee suggested that a committee be formed to study the subject of signs. 154 2E Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint a committee to study the subject of signs, consisting of Mr. Tarbox, Chamber of Commerce; Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works; Mr. Jaquith of the Historic Distorics Commission; Mrs. Morey, Lexington Historical Society; Charles Parks as an interested citizen. Mr. Jaquith said he would like this committee, or some other committee, to try and eliminate some of the signs around the Common. The Chairman said it would be his hope that the only thing this committee would do is the Public Facilities Building sign. upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize an extension of time within which the Ext. of Historic Districts Commission has to act upon the time Hist. application of the Town of Lexington for a certifi- Dist. sign cate of appropriateness relative to the erection of a sign at the corner of Meriam Street and Massachusetts Avenue , until July 29, 1966. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs . Franziska Porges Hosken, 187 Grant Street, relative to a tree posted for removal in connection with the proposed construction of a sidewalk on Grant Street. Mr. Carroll said he had personally looked at the tree. There are five other trees in front of Mrs. Hosken' s Tree property. He said he could get the sidewalk around the removal tree but it would definitely be on her property and in his opinion, the Town would not be getting a first-rate job, and it could be dangerous to the children. He said a hearing was held and Mrs. Hosken was advised she could petition the Board within twenty-four hours and the Board would have to make a decision. He said his recommendation is that the tree come down. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go along with Mr. Carroll' s recommendation and authorize the Tree Warden to remove the tree Petition relative to the proposed construction of Lowell Street, between North Street and the Burlington line, was held over from the last meeting of the Board. Lowell St . Mr. Carroll reported he is planning to remove construction twenty-two trees. If he was to move the road five feet easterly, it would save only four trees and would cost considerably more money. He said he felt very strongly the road should be laid out as shown on the plan. 155 The Chairman read-a letter from the Planning Board, with refrence to Minute Man Highlands, Sec. IV Dudley Street, advising that the Planning Board had approved bill received from Partridge Associates in the amount Partidge of $3,697.39. Associates' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted bill to approve for payment bill received from the Partridge Associates in the amount of $3,697 39 and to authorize Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works , to process the bill for payment. Letter from the Adams School P T.A. signed by Mrs. Howard S. Yaffee, et als, regarding erection of a Adams P T.A fence to protect the children from the railroad tracks, fence was referred to Mr. Gray and Mr Carroll The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from the Town Clerk to which was attached a copy of resignation School from Charlotte R. Lichterman as a member of the School Committee Committee resignation The Chairman said it would be his intention to call a meeting for the purpose of filling this vacancy. The Board has to give the Committee seven days ' notice and the Committee told him it would waive the seven days ' notice . It was agreed that the Chairman would contact Mr. Viano, Chairman of the School Committee, to determine when a meeting of the two groups can be held. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted License to deny application for a Taxi Driver license received denied from Vincent Fay, Jr. , 11 Bacon Road, Bedford. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Yearly Dump Permit to Living Alum Co. , Newton. Dump permits Upon motion duly made and seconded, It was voted to grant a Yearly Dump Permit to Republic Rubber Co. , Inc. West Newton. The Chairman said Mrs . Morey had just given him a note in regard to spppointments to the Historic Districts Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Max H. Straw a regular member of the Historic Appointment Districts Commission for a term expiring January 1, 1971. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reappoint Mrs Ruth Bevan a regular member of the Historic Districts Commission for a term expiring January 1, 1970. 156 co Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the following Sewer Orders: Sewer Orders Wright Street Cushing Street Winter Street Grassland Street Bridge Street Valleyfield Street Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on June 20, 1966. The Chairman reported receipt of a telephone call this evening from Mrs. Battin and she wanted to know if the Board had taken a stand on the report of the Structure Town Gov't. of Town Government Committee. report It was agreed that each Selectmen would act inde- pendently and send whatever comments he may care to make directly to Mrs. Battin. The Chairman said Mr. William L. Ivarson, Jr. , 26 Cottage Street, was present at the meeting. He was denied a Taxi Driver license about two weeks ago. Taxi Driver The Chairman explained bakically the reason for license denying Taxi Driver licenses is because the applicants do not have a good traffic record. He said the Board is charged with the protection of the public. Mr. Ivarson said he was working as a dispatcher and would like a license to drive a taxi if he has to. The Chairman said Mr. Ivarson' s request for the Board to reconsider would be taken under advisement. No motion was made to reconsider. Mr Carroll submitted proposed amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders prohibiting parking on certain Traffic sections of Massachusetts Avenue, Worthen Road, and Bedford Street. Formal amendments to the Traffic Rules and Orders will be prepared for the Board' s signature. Mr Charles Parks returned to the meeting and said the committee appointed earlier in the evening to consider signs would like an extension of time to report from July 11 to July 25. The Chairman suggested that the committee use all possible dispatch to arrive at a decision by July 11. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:50 F.M. A true record, Attest: _FskecUtivevOlerk,( SelectBen