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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-01-31-BOS-min C.J ct SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 31, 1966 A regular meeting of the Board of Seleehean was held in the Selel.tioteee Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 31, 1966, at 7:30 P.M Chairman Cole, Messrs . Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present. Mr Gray told the Boad he received a report from Mr Norman Stolz, of Brewer & Lord Insurance Company, advising that the insurance on the Cary Memorial Library fire will be paid in full as per the estimated damages . Library He explained the check will be made out to the Town of fire Lexington and the money will go into the Excess and damage Deficiency Account. He reported material destroyed has to be replaced and the ceiling repaired. He 're- quested, and received from Mr. Nyren, a breakdown of the funds required Mr Nyren asked to have the fire insurance check distributed, $5,020.28 Expenses, and $396.23 Salary The salary amount will be added to the part-time budget . The expenses amount will be used to pay the various bills for purchasing materials and paying for labor. He said he would like to go to the Appropri- ation Committee this evening and request that this ameunt of money be transferred to the library budget The Bard bad no objection. Mr. Gray said he received a report from Temple Emunah for permission to hold an auction on a Sunday afternoon in May, an activity which they held last year. Sunday The Chairman said the Board' s usual answer is that Auction it has no objection. He said, at this point, in time, the Board has no objection. However, it may choose a specific date and give them final action. Mr. Gray said he received a new Blue Cross contract, Blue Cross effective April 1, and he explained the increases in rates contract of 52,E in the family plan of which the Town pays half, and 200 a month in the individual plan of which the Town pays half. He explained there are sufficient funds in the budget and suggested that the agreement be referred to Town Counsel. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement when approved 1 529 by Town Counsel and certified by the Town Accountant (No copy was left with the Board) Mr Gray reported receipt of a petition, signed by merchants in Lexington Center , requesting the Board to reverse the decision to ban parking on the odd numbered side of the street in the Center Mr. Cataldo asked if Mr Gray talked to the other merchants and he replied in the negative The Chairman asked if the Board was to rescind the "No Parking" ban Mr. Mabee said he would like to have this referred toMr Kolovson and see what his peaetion would be . Mr. Cataldo said, in all fairness, he thought the Lexington ban should remain. Center Mr Sheldon said perhaps Mr. Kolovson should be Parking advised if the Board wants to discuss this with him next Monday night He said the question he would ask Mr. Kolovson, if he were present, is that this was done for a certain reason, have they found out what they wanted to know. Could anything be done by going any further Ghd Chairman said the parking ban and the condition of the streets due to the snow all occurred at the same time. He asked if the results would have been the same IIif there hadn't been any snow Mr. Sheldon said even without the ban, Mr. Carroll would have tied the center up for a while for the removal of snow. The Chairman said the petition was signed by a whole group of people who have had every opportunity to be heard previous to this . He said there may be some exceptions but most of these people never came forth at the proper time when the informal hearings were going on to voice their objections. Mr. Sheldon suggested that the petition be forwarded to Mr Kolovson so he can be thinking about it during the week and find out whether or not they want it to con- tinue He said he would like to know if they will have any more evidence if this is continued. It was agreed to invite Mr Kolovson to meet with the Board next Monday night. Mr. Gray said he received a request from the Veterans' Agent No provisions were made for expenses, which he listed, and he wants money to attend seminars for Massa- chusetts Veterans . He is also asking for $25 for associ- ation subscription and $100 for transportation to be added to his budget . Mr Gray skid he thought this would be particularly beneficial to the Agent where he is new in the position 530 cr et Upon motion duly made and seconded, itwas voted to increase the Veterans' Agent Expenses budget $100 and approve a total amount of $450 00 Mrs. George P. Morey, President of the Lexington Historical Society, and Mrs. Williams, met with the Bead. She said at the Library Committee meeting the other night, at which most of the members of the Board were present, they heard about having a showing of Mr Ripley' s pictures at Cary Hall She said she has consulted the owners of the pictures, and Mr Nyren also wanted to get them for the library. She said she thought it would be tremendous for Lexington to have the first showing outside of Worcester where the pictures are owned She said the proposal is that it be done under the sponsorship of the Historical Society, Trustees of the Library and the Arts & Crafts Society The Arts & Crafts will lend man power/ They would like to have the dates from May 17 to May 25 On Thursday night, the 19th, there would be a real nice party at Cary Hall where Mr Ripley would be in attendance and the pictures shown; a reception for Mr and Mrs Ripley She said the details of the evening is something that con- cerns them very much There are expenses concenned with putting on a public showing They would like to run it from Thursday through the following Tuesday, the hours to be determined They would like to be able to have the Thursday evening a subscription party because there will be expenses even though the hall is free. They want black tie optional and make it a nice party The rest of the time there would be no obligation . She asked if they required the subscription to kttend Thursday night would it mean they would have to pay Thursday night for the hall She said at any such party refreshments are served and they would like to have this done very nicely They want to know if they could serve refreshments of one nature or another at such a party Mrs Williams said they would have punch and cookies anyway but would like to have champagne for sale The Chairman stated the Board' s past actions have been if admission is charged and it is not open to the public , there should be a charge for the use of the hall. He said on the question of champagne, this has changed along with the Boards at different times Mrs Morey said a charge like $1 00 for a glass of champagne would not lead to any type of a rowdy party Mrs . Williams said she has been to openings at the museum and that is where she got the idea Mr. Sheldon said he was wondering what the Board' s legal rights are , serving anything like that in one of the public buildings He questioned whether the Board had the right to do thiel . 53t Mr Burnell said he did not think the Board should give permission The Chairman said Mrs Morey had posed the problem in what she would like and asked when she would like an answer. Mrs. Morey replied they would like the answer as soon as possible It is two and a half months away but they would like to know whether there will be a charge that night there would be a subscription. She said this would be pay- ing their expenses . Mrs. Williams said they did not know what the custodian' s fees would be Mr. Harrington says they must have a guard on duty all the time when the hall is not adequately covered. He will pay for the guard They would like a4.long table in the center of the hall that night with punch bowls and refreshments and they- would also like to have some music. Mr. Sheldon asked if the subscriptions would be made in advance, so theoretically there would be no charge . Mrs Morey replied they would like to have the sub- scriptions in advance and have people who are friends and admirers of Mr Ripley give them a little money Mr. Sheldon said_the subscriptions would take care of the expenses . He said if they are not charging admission at the door, that wouldput it in a little different category Mrs Morey acid only those who subscribed would be ad- mitted that Thursday night public It would not be open to the The Chairman said the best course is for the Board to take it under advisement and when it finished its agenda, it would come to a decdsion and so inform Mrs. Morey Mr. Mabee asked how long they would need a guard Mrs Morey said Mr Harrington will pay for the guard and he wants the guard all night long. Mrs. Morey and Mrs . Williams retired at 8:00 P M Messrs . Irwin, Finneran, Cronin, Chief Corr and Deputy Chief Spellman, met with the Board. Mr. Carroll suggested that the discussion to follow be in Executive Session. The Chairman said Mr Carroll was familiar with what is in Executive Session and some member of the Board may move it If the Board finds it is something that should not be in Executive Session, he would open it to the public Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting n matters which, if made public , Executive might adversely affect the public secuiity, the financial Session interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person Following discussion pertaining to salaries, it was voted to resume the open meeting . 32 cr ct Mr Legro submitted a plan and explained an article submitted by the Planning Board asking to exchange a parcel of land on Marrett Road Mr Carroll indicated on the plan the situation in- volving a water main. Mr Legro said he was merely calling to the Board' s attention that Mr Stoico said the exchange of land is worthless to him unless he makes provision for the sewer,! Mr Carroll said Mr. Soico intends to construct the sewer, and an easement would have to be granted for Stoico the drain. land ex- Mr Cataldo said all the Board has to do is have change Mr Stoico agree to give the Town an easement Mr.Mabee said he thought the Planning Board would want to know more about what he is going to do. Mr. Legro said if the Board is willing to have this article in the warrant, now is the time to do it Mr. Cataldo said the Board should have more information from the Planning Board He said he would not want to exchange land and incur other problems . Mr.Legro said he would take the subject up with the Planning Board this evening Letter from Attorney Herbert P Sfax, representing Mr. A. Purney Acker , requesting the Board to make an Claim offer in settlement for damages sustained by him as a result of the taking of property on Massachusetts Avenue, was held over for one week . This will give Town Counsel an opportunity to advise the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board stating that the articles relative to Laconia Street need not immediately follow each other, but should appear in the following sequence : 1. Acquisition of the Lexland Realty land by Town. Laconia St 2. Rezoning of the parcel from Cl to N. article 3 Laying out of Laconia Street to Lowell Street over Kelly land. 4. Taking by Town of rights in the tEresent location of Laconia Street at Woburn-Lowell Streets corner. Mr. Legro said he had information this was the same order the Selectmen preferred He explained Mr Carroll's feeling is no matter what arrangement is made down there, the Town should undertake the work of relocating the water main. He does not want anyone else doing the work involv- ing a water main of the Town This will be a matter of getting reimbursement, and Mr. Carroll will need more money in his budget. 533 Mr. Carroll said theTown could end up building Laconia Street and installing the water main or Kobrick a could end up doing it. He said, with reference to the water maih, he definitely wants the Town to install it To do this, he will need an additional $2,000 in this Water Con- struction article and the budget should be increased $2, 000, making a total of $21,400 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the Water Construction-Sundry Streets ' budget in the sum of $21,400, an increase of $2,000, which is the estimated cost of relocating the water main in Laconia Street. The Chairman said there are some areas of disagree- ment with the Planning Board in regard to the Laconia Street proposals. Mr Legro said there will have to be money in the article for construction of Laconia Street and at best it will be a reimbursement proposition Mr. Carroll said he thought the Board could figure on $4,000 for Laconia Street Mr. Legro retired at 9:00 P M Mr. Carroll said he thought he owed the Board an explanation of the snow removal because of the telephone calls being received by the Board The Chairman said he did not think Mr. Carroll owed the Board an explanation He said he drove around, and Lexington was in no worse condition than the surrounding towns. He said he knew the hours Mr Carroll put in, and as far as he was concerned, the first couple of days of the storm, things were not as good as the townspeople are used to, but he thought they had been corrected He asked if any member of the Board disagreed, and Mr. Mabee said he would like to hear what Mr. Carroll has to say. Mr. Carroll said they got out a little late, a matter of misjudgment He said none of them realized the snow was packing down. He said there was an unusual number of pieces of equipment break down. He said they just had a poor storm, but did as well as a lot of towns. This past Sunday, the equipment was out in sufficient time During the past week, they worked many hours trying to correct the situation on the streets In many cases, they went into the areas with front end loaders and scooped out driveways . Thursday morning at ten o'clock, there was a water main break on Bedford Street at Route 128 He said he worked 100 hours and some of the men worked 126 hours. Today there are eleven men out sick. 534 C2cr Mr Carroll said that Mrs Barbara Harvell, of the Tax Dollar Committee, requested a copy of his budget. Budgets Mr. Gray said last year the committee was given the items that were approved by the Board Mr. Cataldo suggested giving her the information on the same basis it was given last year, and the Board so agreed. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the follow- Pole ing pole location: locations Chase Avenue, northwesterly side, southwesterly from a point approximately 105 feet southwest of Bennett Avenue, -- Two (2) poles . The Chairman said he had a letter from Henry J. Application Mascarello, 29 Lincoln Street, recommendifig someone for the position of Comptroller. He said it would be placed on file . The Chairman said there were some bills for Opinions of Value obtained bythe Coservation Com- ' Conser- mission. sThe first one of 1}5. 00 was for Harry vation bills Berglund' s opinion of value on certain parcels of land, and the second, $175.00, was for Mr. Berglund' s opinion of value on two other parcels . Upon motion duly rade and seconded, it was voted to approve the bills for payment. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Howard B. Asarkof, Secretary, Hancock School PTA, urging a sub- stantial increase in the number of men on the police PTA urges force . He said he would notify Mrs . Asarkof of the more police action the Board has taken in the budget and would also send a copy of her letter to the Appropriation Committee. The Chairman asked Mr. Gray ato represent the Board Hearing at a hearing to be held on February 7 by the Massachu- setts Bay Transportation Authority. Letter was received from the Alcoholic Beverages ID Cards Control Commission inquiring as to the number of ID Cards the Board has issued and what comments it had regarding this law The Chairman said he would reply that it is a good law and there have been nineteen cards issued. 535 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Donald E. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, relative to appointment of a member to that Board Board of Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Appeals to appoint Mr. George C Sheldon to the Board of Appeals for an unexpired term ending March 31, 1970 Mr. Sheldon will fill the vacancy on that Board caused by the resig- nation of Mr Alden L. Ripley Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Lexington Lions Club to hold a Heart Seminar in Cary Memorial Hall on February 9, Use of 1966 from 7:30 P. until 10: 30 P.M , free of charge, hall subject to custodian' s fee for overtime services Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Vegetable Growers Association, Inc. , permission to hold its annual banquet Use of in Cary Memorial Hall on March 26, 1966 from 6:00 P M hail until midnight, subject to a charge of $35.00, plus over- time fee for the custodian The Chairman mentioned the possibility that the Annual Town Meeting could be adjourned more than two sessions Mr Cataldo said the Board should have an opittihn on what the April 1st deadline is Town The Chairman suggested, and the Board agreed, should Meetings the first session be adjourned, that the Board move to adjourn to the following Wednesday, March 23, thence the following Monday, March 28, thence the following Wednesday, March 30, if it is necessary to hold adjourned sessions Mr. Carroll retired at 9 25 P .M Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmeb' s Meeting held Minutes on January 24, 1966. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Taxi Driver license to St;phen J. Nicoli, 292 License Woburn Street, Lexington With reference to rules and regulations governing the use of the Public Facilities Building, Mr. Cataldo said he thought, before any rules and regulations are Public adopted, the Board should take a look at the building Facilities Building as it exists, and see what it is actually suited for . 536 a e2 as Mr Sheldon said he agreed, but if anyone has any ideas the Board should consider them He said he thought the Board should have a statement in writing from the Chamber of Commerce as to exactly what it proposes. Mr York said the Chamber of Commerce is waiting to find out whatthe Board of Selectmen is going to do. Mr Sheldon said that is part of the picture, and the Chamber of Commerce should state what it is going to do Mr York said he would talk to the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Cataldo said the Board should also discuss this with the Director of Guides. Mr Gray was requested to obtain a statement from the Director of Guides. 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 secufity, the financial Session interest of the Town or the reputation of any person Following report of a meeting with representatives of Itek, Town Report and Plumbing Inspector, it was voted to resume the open meeting Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:00 P.M A true record, Attest : A E ve ler Selectm L L�