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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-03-14-BOS-min 5S_1. SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 14, 1966 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen ' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 14, 1966, at 7:40 P.M. Messrs. Cole, Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon, and Mabee were present. Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present . The meeting was called to order by the Executive Clerk, who stated that nominations were in order for nomination of Chairman. Upon mot on duly made and seconded, Mr. Lincoln Organization P. Cole, Jr. , was nominated for tahairman. Upon motion duly made and seconded, nominations were declared closed. Motion was duly made and seconded to elect Mr. Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , Chairman , and the Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Lincoln P. Cole , Jr. , Chairman of the Board of Selectmen for the ensuing year. At the request of the Town Clerk, two jurors were drawn for jury duty. Those drawn were Klaus H. Jurors Schaeffer, 58 Forest Street, and Joseph J. Marrone, 60 Cary Avenue. Mr. Gray mentioned letter, received from Leon A. Burke, Jr. , Guide Director, requesting reappointment Guides of Guides for the 1966 season. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following Guides for terms ending April 1, 1967: William G. Nowlin, Jr. , 29 Maple Street; Robert Cherney, 252 Lincoln Street; John Graham, Jr. , 47 Bedford Street; John Corbett, 26 Bedford Street; Maribeth Leonardo, 27 Cottage Street; Ted Cody, 8 North Street and Stephen Choate, 10 Childs Road. Mr. Gray reported a conversation he had with Chief James F. Corr relative to the New England Police-Community Relations Institute to be held at the Newton College of The Sacred Heart in Newton from Sunday, April 24, 1966, Police through Tuesday, April 26, 1966. Community Mr. Gray was asked to investigate further and find Relations out what benefit such an institute would be to the Town Institute and Police Department. . 582 �, Mr. Carroll referred to Article 22 of the warrant for the AnnualTown kseting Chapter 90 construction, and Chapter 90 said he thought the Board would want to increase the Approp. amount to $95,100.82. This is due to the fact an addi- tional $17,000 will be received from the State. The Chairman asked Mr. Carroll to explain the amounts to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Carroll said he has discussed this with Town Counsel. Mr. Carroll referred to the Snow Removal item in Snow Article 4 and reported he has already spent $79,000 Removal this year. The Appropriation Committee recommended, in its report, ancappropriation of $80,000. He said he thought an extra $20,000 should be carried and the total appropriation should be $100,000. The Board agreed and asked Mr. Carroll to speak to the Appropriation Committee. Mr. Carroll said he had been notified by Mr. Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, that there is a 3/Lb yard backhoe that can be acquired for $125.00. It is a 1954 machine in good condition and he recommended that the Backhoe Board purchase it. He explained it is not something he needs, but something the department can use. He said he would put the machine up at the dump and excavate peat, and use it to cover the dump and get grass to grow. He said he has $7,000 to repair the Erie shovel and perhaps he could spend $1,000 on this used machine anu have a better shovel. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Carroll to purchase the 1954 3/4 yard backhoe for $125. Mr. Carroll referred to a pay telephone at the Public Facilities Building and reported the telephone company wants to do what they did with the telephone in Public Fac. Cary Building. They will make it a semi-public tele- Building phone. This means the Town pays for the installation telephone charge and guarantees them a monthly payment of $10.50. If the telephone is making money for the company, it will give the Town a commission and install a public telephone. Mr. Sheldon said he thought a telephone was very necessary wn that building and the Board agreed. Mr. Burnell said the Board should give some thought where the telephone is to be located. The Chairman said this is something Mr Carroll could work out with Mr. York. Mr. Cataldo said the telephone should not be out front. I 58 Mr. Carroll said also, in regard to the Public Facilities Building, the committee has set aside $200 for the purchase of some bricks for a walk. He said Public Fac. it is his intention to build a brick walk from the Building building to Meriam Street with his own forces . sidewalk )lr. Carroll referred to the brook at Tophet swamp and said he was going to have a hearing on it, but did not have time to get the notice in the paper. In talking to Mr. Legro, he agreed there is no need for the Board to hold a hearing when it is relocation Brook re- of a brook and the Hatch Act does not apply. He said location as far an Mr. Legro is concerned, the Town can locate a brook if it wants to, having the legal right to do so. The Chairman asked if there was an Act that covers this, and Mr. Carroll replied the Town is covered by a special drainage Act and this is on Town property. The Chairman said the Conservation Commission might take issue on this. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Carroll to proceed with the relocation of a brook on the north side of the Boston and Maine Railroad in Tophet Swamp. Mr. F. William Smith, 59 Forest Street, met with the Board. The Chairman stated Mr. Smith had been recommended to the Board for t he position of Assessor and did come Assessor highly recommended. He said at the present time, Mr. Smith was employed by Niles Co. , Inc. Mr. Smith said he was Assistant Vice President and Manager of the Cambridge branch office. This is a Boston ompany with two or three branch offices. The business is real estate. It is a management company and does consulting and appraising work and other related fields to real estate. The Chairman asked how much management they have in Lexington, and Mr. Smith replied only the Battle Green apartments. He said Mr. Grush did not feel this would involve a conflict. Mr. Smith said he was newt o the Town and lived here fifteen months. Mr. Cataldo asked about his appraisal work, and Mr. Smith stated at times he may spend weeks and other times he may not be at it for two or three weeks. He said appraising comes into the office as a matter of course. The only two people appraising are Mr. Niles and himself. It involves all fields, commercial, residential. Mr. Mabee asked if there was an area served by the Cambridge Office. IIMr. Smith said the Cambridge office handles every- thing west of Boston and most of the company holdings are in Cambridge itself, 90% of it is in the City of Cambridge. GJ 584 Mr. Sheldon said he assumed Mr. Smith had some idea of the amount of time he had to give the Town. Mr. Smith said he did discuss that with Mr. Grush. Mr. Sheldon asked if he felt he could fit this in his schedule. Mr. Smith replied he honestly believed he could and if he can' t , he would have to be honest and say so. Mr. Mabee asked if he were a Selectman in some town, and Mr. Smith replied Walpole. Mr. Mabee asked if he had something to do with a newspaper, and Mr. Smith replied he had a short time at that work, Mr. Gataldo asked how long he had been associated with Niles, and Mr. Smith replied four and a half years. Mr. Smith said he did not seek this appointment. Mr. Grush discussed this with him and he has never walked away from a position of responsibility and if Mr. Grush thought he could do it and there was no conflict, he would be happy to take it. Mr. Smith retired at 8:17 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr. F. William Smith, 59 Forest Street, to the Board of Assessors for an unexpired term ending January 1, 1967. Mr. Anthony Sperduto met with the Board, said he had a petition and would like to ask the Board to consider it and give its endorsement in carrying out the citizens' committee program. The Chairman said the People-toPeople Program is one whereby one city in this country adopts a city in another country as a sister city. It has been proposed by the committee that the Board adopt the town of Dolores Hidalgo in Mexico. He said his just lends the prestige of the office of Selectmen tothe program. He explained it is necessary to have a letter from their Mayor, or equivalent position, to the corresponding position in that city. Mr. Sperduto said the committee is asking the Board to endorse this program which should be followed by a resolution by the Selectmen which the committee is preparing showing its endorsement of the program. He stated there is no responsibility on the Town or the officials but it is required that the Board of Selectmen endorse it in order to make it official. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to endorse the proposed program, submitted by the People-to People Program Committee adopting the Town of Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, as a sister Town. Mrs . A. R. Doherty, 41 Meriam Street, three teenage of e boys and a girl met with the Board, relative to the use Cary Hall on March 10, 1966, for a dance. 85 The Chairman said he understood the group wanted to have a repeat of the program they had two weeks ago and they wanted the dance March 19 from e: 00 P .M. unti 11:30 P.M. , charging admission by invitation only. Mrs . Doherty said it was just the high school. Use of The Chairman asked how many police they had at the hall last dance, and Mrs . Doherty replied four. She said she would not be sponsoring this had she not highly approved. There will be chaperones to cover all the doors. The Chairman asked how this dance on March 19 would affect the Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said there is always the problem of whether the hall should be cleaned up Sunday or Monday and it seemed to him sensible to clean it up on Sunday, although it could be done on Monday. The Chairman asked why the group wanted to use Cary Hall with so many schools in Town and one of the boys replied the schools insist that the boys wear ties. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the use of the hall, subject to a fee of $35.00 plus 3 .65 per hour for custodians' overtime services andP olice to be assigned by Chief Corr . Mr. Gordon Steele, Chairman of the School 'bites Com- mittee met with the Board. II He explained the committee asked him to check with School oard on the Holt property. The question came up site mainly would the Selectmen expect possibly to build a driveway down to the proper location of the school or continue Highland Avenue down to that point. He said he supposed this had to do with the acquisition of the Holt land in relation to betterments, etc. He stated no price has been agreed on as to what Mr. Holt will be paid. There was some talk about the extension of Highland Avenue t hat would make two lots available to him. The thought has since been expressed the Board might prefer just a driveway to the school property. He said he did not know how to answer this now and the Com.aittee thought he should mention it. Mr. Sheldon said that is not a condition of negotiation at the moment and Mr. Steele said he would say not. Mr. Sheldon said this question does not have to be answered as far as Town Meeting action is concerned. He said, speaking for himself, he would not like to see that made a condition of the negotiations. Mr. Steele said his personal feelings are that this is something that could be negotiated at the time the land is acquired. The Chairman asked if Mr. Steele was going to carry this at Town Meeting, and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if everything else was in order on this. Cr 2. Mr. Steele said everything else is in order. Judge Cotton will not oppose, but has not decided what he thought his land was worth. Ashley does not think the committee' s figure is enough. She would not oppose the sale if the right price comes up. Mr. Gray reported he talked to Mrs. Morey and Mr. Abbott about this and they both agreed the cost of better- ments was far too high to made any agreement . Mr. Steele said the committee felt the Board could be acquainted. Mr. Mabee asked if this was exactly the same land the committee had in the original motion. Mr. Steele replied in the negative, and submitted a plan stating it is essentially the same with a slight variation of the line. The acreage remains the same. The Chairman asked when Mr. Steele would have an amount of money to put in the motion. Mr. Steele replied as it is now the committee is saying $70,000. Based on the appraisal the committee believes it should not cost more than that and hopes it will be less. Mr. Cataldo said the last time the committee met with the Board nothing was resolved. He read in the report that the Selectmen had recommended the $70,000. He said he did not think this was true at all. Mr. Steele said this was written while he- was away and the word "Selectmen" should be taken out. Mr. Cataldo said the Board has no proposition under consideration as far as it is concerned; it has nothing. Mr. Steele said he would call the committee and see why that sentence is in there. Mr. Cataldo said the Board did not, at any time , dis- cuss what it was going to do . He said he did not think ent there was sufficient information to make an intelligent decision, but he did agree the Town should acquire the land. Mr. Sheldon asked how many sites the committee now has. Mr. Steele replied the committee is asking for dismissal possibility this site. There is a p y that the School Com- mittee thinks it shouldg et one more site . The committee has Laconia and Woburn, Meagherville, Tarbell Avenue, Vine Brook ji Road. a also mentioned the Swenson Farm and Woburn Street and Webb Street. Mr. Cataldo asked what the acreage requirement is for an elementary school, and Mr. Steele replied normally eighteen or nineteen acres. Mr. Cataldo asked how Vine Brook Road would conform. Mr. Steele replied this was acquired some previous time and the State will, under certain conditions, accept less. Mr. Mabee asked how large that site is, and Mr. Gray replied about eleven acres . Mr. Steele said the committee thought if it asked to be dismissed as a committee, a land-use committee would take care of another site if it is necessary. He explained the figure of $70,000 is based on the committee' s conver- 587 sation with the three owners and it is a reasonable figure. Mr. Cataldo said this is fair as their asking price. Mr. Steele said asking and what the committee believes they will take. It is a little higher than the committee thought it should pay. Mr. Cataldo said there is no frontage on any street and he personally could not see that amount of money. Mr. Steele said he thought there would be no problem in getting fair and reasonable cooperation on the part of the three owners. Mr. Cataldo adked why the committee was taking so much of the low land of Ashley and leaving so much of the good land of Cbtton. Mr. Steele said the closer they get to Marreit Road, the more they will have to pay for the Cotton land; the greater the damages will b e . Mr. Mabee asked if the Committee was unanimous, and Mr. Steele replied in the affirmative. Mr. Steele said the committee thinks it would be unwise to use a figure of $60,000 and then find it had to pay $70,000. He said based on their conversation, they feel $70,000 is a fair figure. Mr. Steele retired at 8:45 P.M. Letters from Mrs. Helen B. Baker, 46 Grove Street, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest B. Johnson, 45 Grove Street, and Rev. Ernest B. Johnson, Jr. , Braintree, with reference to the proposed sewer in Grove Street, were held over from the last meeting of the Board. Grove St. Mr. Carroll submitted plans and indicated the pro- sewer posed location and also pointed out the land owned by Rev. Ernest B. Johnson. He stated the two parcels on the east side should definitely not be sewered. He recommended that Mr. Johnson be advised the Board is going to assess a betterment on his property and after the betterment has been assessed, if Mr. Johnson can prove his land cannot be sewered, the Board will consider abating the betterment. With reference to Mrs. Baker and Mr. Ernest B. Johnson, Mr. Carroll explained these people feel they do not need the sewer. He recommended that these people be advised the sewer is going to be installed, that the lot upon which the house is located will be assessed as well as the other lot, but if Mr. Johnson would make a request for deferment on this lot, the Board would consider it. Letter from Mr. Francis L. Barry, 36 Paul Revere Road, relative to an overcharge of seventy cents in his water Barry bill, was held over. water bill Mr. Carroll agreed to draft a reply for the Chairman' s signature. Letter was received from George A. Lawrence, Executive Secretary, Labor Relations Commission, in regard to MCR-36- Cr Town of Lexington and International Association of Firefighters Local 1491. The commission will hold a hearing on Wednesday, March 23, 1966, at 10:00 A.M. , at the offices of the Commission located at 20 Somerset Street, Room 206, Boston. The Chairman read a letter from the Fire Commissioners advising that Private Angus McIver has been returned to Fireman limited duty and if after a trial basis, he has no further complications , he will be returned to full duty. Notice was received from the Middlesex County Select- men' s Association relative to Ladies Night, March 23, 1966, Selectmen ' s at Framingham Motor Inn. Association It is expected that the Monday night session of Town Meeting Meeting will be adjourned to Wednesday which precludes any member of the Board from attending the Selectmen' s Associ- ation meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Barbara McSorely, State Bird Chairman of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Bird relative to a proclamation proclaiming the Town to be a Sanctuary Municipal Bird Santuary. The Chairman said he would discuss this subject with Mrs. McSorely. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Senior Wing Girl Scout Troop to use a conference room, Cary Memorial Building, every Thursday evening from March 17, 1966 through April 21 or 28, for the purpose of conducting safe boating courses . No charge will be made for the use of the room, but there will be a fee for custodian's overtime services. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Taxi Driver license to Paul M. Ferry, 360 Marrett License Road, satisfactory character references having been re- ceived from the Chief of Police. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Meetings to hold the Selectmen' s Meetings at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, March 21 and Monday, March 28. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to make the following annual appointments for terms ex- piring March 31, 1967, unless otherwise noted. Building Inspector Donald K. Irwin Director of Civil Defense Arthur E. Burrell Director, Veterans' Benefits & Services Bernard J. Belcastro, Jr. Executive Assistant, Selectmen Albert Gray, Jr. Executive Clerk, Selectmen Hazel J. Murray Fence Viewers Rev. Harold T. Handley John J. Garrity 589 I Field Drivers James F. Corr Carl A. Carlson Insect Pest Control Paul E. Mazerall Lockup Keeper James F. Corr Measurer of Bark and Wood Harold I. Wellington Park Department, Superintendent Paul E. Mazerall Public Works, Superintendent John J. Carroll Public Works, Assistant Superintendent Guy V. Colella Registrar of Voters (3-year term) Raymond E. Lewis Sealer of Weights & Measures Ralph E; Chadwick Town Counsel Donald E. negro Town Engineer John J. Carroll Town Engineer, Assistant Robert L. Higgins Tree Warden Paul E. Mazerall Veterans' Graves Officer Bernard J. Beloastro, Jr. Board of Appeals (5++year term) Charles T. Abbott Board of Appeals, Associate Members ---- Ruth Morey Howard J. Dawes Munroe H. Hamilton Robert Farwell Board of Public Welfare Howard H. Dawes Robert K. Taylor Robert P. Trask, Jr. David F. Toomey II Old Age Assistance Martin A. GilmanHoward H. Dawes Robert K. Taylor Robert P. Trask, Jr. David F. Toomey Martin A. Gilman Conservation Commission (3-year term) --- Stephen F. Ells John J. Garrity The Chairman stated, in the absence of any positive statement in writing from Mr. John B. Byrne, Plumbing Inspector, another letter should be written. It was Plumbing agreed to write Mr. Byrne stating that in not hearing in Inspector the affirmative, the Board must assume the negative unless otherwise advised by Friday, March 18, 1966. At 9:30 P.M. , Mr. Joseph Campbell, Chairman of the Planning Board, met with the Selectmen , and submitted a report of the Planning Board on Article 65 in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. He stated the Board, by a voce of three to two, supports this article. He said the basic argument is, there is adequate land zoned. The Chairman read the majority report of the Planning Board and he also read the minority report of the Board. Mr. Campbell retired at 10:00 P.M. IIChairman Sussman , Messrs . ells, Smith, Ripley and Garrity, of the Conservation Commission, met with the Board. co 500 Cr Mma The Chairman said what the Commission is interested in is the Board' s backing of the Commission' s articles. He said as usual, at his time of the year, the Board is at the point of getting information. He asked if there was any part of the discussion the Commission wanted in Execu- tive Session, and Mr. Sussman replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if there was any part that could be in open meeting. Mr. Sussman said the parts in open meeting will be presented Wednesday night. The Chairman said the Board would wait until Wednesday night to see those that are routine . Mr. Carroll retired at 10:05 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, 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 the Conservation Commission relative to conservation articles, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Chairman Fitzgerald, Messrs Robbins and Bailey, of the Board of Fire Commissioners, met with the Selectmen. The Chairman asked the Commissioners for the total amount of money requested under Article 40. Mr. Fitzgerald replied $36,000. The Chairman stated that the Appropriation Committee Fire Comm. at this time is completely negative. It is approving re Art. 40 $37,000 on the communications. He s id, as he understood it , the Commissioners are opposed to doing this in steps. Mr. Bailey said this is the kind of thing that is very easy to do in one fell swoop, and the Commissioners are very much in favor of doing it all at one fell swoop. Mr. Sheldon asked why they couldn't separate this $18,000, $18,000 or $19,000. Mr. Bailey said it could bedone this way but would cost more in the long run. Mr. Sheldon said the final $19,000 would be structural changes, shifting the rooms aroung. Mr. Bailey said if anything is spread over a three-year span, one has to look for an increase, and the Commissioners' preference is to do it all at once. The Chairman asked if the Fire Commissioners were going to carry this article, and Mr. Bailey replied in tbi*. affirmative. The Chairman asked if this was in the capital expendi- tures, and Mr. Fitzgerald replied in the affirmative. Mr. Cataldo asked if it would make any sense to wait Fire Dept. until next year and do it all at once article Mr. Fitzgerald replied they have waited a year and there is a battery situation up there that the Commissioners cannot prolong much longer . 50 Mr. Mabee said he would be in favor of $18,000 and $18,000. Mr. Cataldo said if the Appropriation Committee knew this, it would support the two-year project. The Chairman said if the Selectmen and Fire Commissioners could come to a meeting of the minds here on the $18,000 or $19,000, the Commissioners could go to the Appropriation Committee and explain the battery situation. He said it is $18,000 this year and $18,000 next year, or $19,000, depend- ing on possible increase in price. Mr. Cataldo asked if it could be finished next year, and Mr. Fitzgerald replied in the affirmative. The Selectmen and Fire Commissioners agreed on $18,000 and $18,000; the Commissioners to explain the subject to the Appropriation Committee. The Fire Commissioners retired at 10:35 P.M. Mr. George Kolovson and Mr. Arthur Bryson met with the Board. The Chairman said the Board now comes to the beauti- fication of Lexington Center and stated the Selectmen have not taken a stand as yet. He said he had looked at the information Mr. Kolovson put out, and he thought many members of the Board are in favor of the project. Some members would like a more definiteve idea of just exactly what is Beautifi- going in. He asked if it was not possible to have this cation of presentation at Town Meeting so everyone will know exactly Lex. Cantor what they are getting. Mr. Kolovson said the Chairman was asking them to fulfill one on the items included in the $60,000. Mr. Cataldo replied some specifications for landscaping. Mr. Bryson stated part of the $60,000 is going to be for the architect ' s plan . The Chairman asked if the Board of Selectmen was going to have to decide where the sidewalks and shrubs are going. Mr. Kolovson replied a plan has to be approved by either the Selectmen or the Planning Board. Mr. Bryson said he thrught keplan would be laid out by the landscape architect and brought in for approval. Mr. Cataldo said this is so vague that he thought the Town Meeting had a right to see what they are spending money on. He said his feeling is that people should know what is going to be there, and there should be no question in anyone' s mind. The Chairman said the Board of Selectmen is unani- mously in favor of the beautification of Lexington Center, but some members are questioning the details. Mr. Kolovson said the Board does not want people to come back and say this is not what they t hought the Center was goLng to look like. Mr. Bryson said this is what he intended to mention. The picture is a preliminary presentation. X92 a The Chairman said the Planning Board was going to state there will be so many trees, so many benches. Mr. Bryson said he did not think he wanted t o say so many benches Mr. Cataldo said when the detail plan does come up, it will not look like the idea people have now. The Chairman said it should be presented as the total of what is planned but at this time, the Board can' t tell them exactly where the trees, benches and shrubs will go: This will be done by a landscape architect whose renditions will be subject to the approval of the Board of Selectmen. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the proposal. Mr. Bryson and Mr. Kolovson retired at 11:05 P.M. The Chairman said he had a letter from Frank J. Ordile, 21 Woburn Street, requesting permission to farm the Swenson Farm. Mr. Cataldo pointed out the Board does not have authority Swenson to lease the land and it would have to be rented on a yearly land for basis. He said for $100 rental he questioned the advis- farming ability because of possible liability of the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was votud to deny Mr. Ordile' s request to rent the land acquired by the Town from Mr. Anthony Cataldo. Upon motion duly made and seccnded, it was voted to support Article 65, a proposed amendment to the Zoning By-Law Section 4, (h) 0-3-Special Commercial Districts. Mr. Mabee abstained from voting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to support Articles 63 and 64, proposed amendments to the Zoning By-Law R 1-One Family Dwelling Districts to a C-3 Special Commercial District. Mr. Mabee abstained from voting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it w a voted to adjourn at 11:30 P.M. A true record, Attest: vs / ve �%lerk, Sel®ctmery� � U I