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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1966-01-10-BOS-min CJ 484 cr ret SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 10, 1966 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 10, 1966, at 7:30 P M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. 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. At the request of the Town Clerk , the Board drew four Jurors jurors. Those drawn were John R. Butler, 55 Meriam Street, Leo W. Kritzick, 33 School Street, Clement H. Cleary, 15 Ellison Road and Charles W. Adams , 12 Unmoor Terrace. Mr. Gray reported he received a bill from William A. Halsey, Architect for the Public Works Building, for Architect ' s $2,000, which has been approved by the Committee. bill Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bill and authorize payment of $2,000. Mr. Gray reported he had a petition, signed by fifteen residents , requesting insertion of an article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, re- questing the Town to pass an ordinance requiring fencing of swimming pools. Mr. Sheldon said he knew nothing about this article Article but there is a qudstion of legality. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert the article , subject to the verification of the signatures by the Town Clerk . Mr. Gray areported that the Public Works Building Committee held a meeting last Friday morning with the architect, Mr. William A. Halsey, and the committee is recommending the figure of $325,000 as the amount to be requested at the Town Meeting. Mr. Gray reported receipt of a letter from the Board of Fire Commissioners requesting insertion of an article in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting to cover reno- vation and modernization of the fire alarm system, and an appropriation of $36,000. Mr. Sheldon said he would like to know if this can be done over a three-year period and how much of it can be done now to be effective. He said he supposed the 485 Article could be inserted and discuss this part of it later. He said he did know there is a need for this, but he was under the impression it could be done on a three-year basis Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert an article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert all articles seasonably filed with the Board Articles of Selectmen with the proper number of valid signatures in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1966 Mr. Gray stated that the Lexington Lions Club would like permission to use the enclosed field on July 2, 3, Enclosed and L , 1966. field Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the request be granted. Mr. Carroll said, with reference to articles in the warrant, he would like the Board to consider expanding Drainage the scope of the article usually included for drainage. Article It now gives the Board the right to install drains in such unaccepted or public streets as the Board may deter- ' mine He suggested that the article include widening and deepening channels in public lands as the Board may determine . He reported that Town Counsel has agreed this can be done. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to enlarge the scope of the drainage article as recommended by Mr. Carroll. Mr. Carroll referred to the property at $72 Massachu- setts Avenue, recently demolished, and said three or four 572 Mass . months ago, he took out the hot water tank and all the Avenue plumbing facilities and stored them in the barn. He has had two people look at the items and their opinions are that the total aaount Of higaliabf-is not cobra than $100. Mr. Cataldo said, as far as the electric heater is concerned, the Red Cross is looking for a hot water system for its building, and he suggested that the Red Cross be advised that the heater is available if they can use it. Mr. Carroll said he thought he could use the hot water heater in the Calgon pits. Mr. Cataldo suggested, if Mr Carroll cannot use the heater, that the Red Cross be contacted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that if the Town has any use for the hot water heater, and other items, they are to be used by the Town; failing that, 486 cr ct they are to be given to charitable organizations such as the Red Cross. If the organizations are not interested, Mr. Carroll is to take bids and obtain the beat price he can to dispose of them. Mr. Wilbur Jaquith, Chairman of the Historic Dis- tricts Study Committee, met with the Board and said he would like to present an article for the warrant for the 1966 Annual Town Meeting dealing with the present Historic Districts and the addition of new districts. He said the proposed program is the same one discussed with the Board last spring. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert an article to petition the General Court for the enactment of legislation amending Chapter 447 of the Acts of 1956, as amended by Chapter 185 of the Acts of 1956, to provide for the creation of an additional Historic District and extension of the existing Historic District. Letter from Mrs . Franklyn L. Jones, Chairman, Re- creation and Education Committee of the Minute Man Associ- ation for Retarded Children, Inc. , relative to programs Retarded for the retarded children, was held over children Mr Gray reported he discussed this with Dr. Fobert, Superintendent of Schools, and he was familiar with the program. He will have Dr. Mundy get in touch with Mrs. Jones. Dr. Fobert told him they have a committee that receives many requests for a change in curriculum and this is probably the way to handle this . He told Dr. Fobert the Board of Selectmen would wait to hear from him. Mr. Gray said he talked to Mrs. Jones today and she is going to contact Dr Mundy The Chairman asked if it was understood by all con- cerned now that this is in the proper place Mr. Gray replied in the affirmative, and said Mrs . Jones understands it. The subject of the. Act pertaining to Hospital, Surgical, Medical and other Health Insurance (Medicare) was held over. Mr. Gray said it was going to require a lot more analysis . He explained the State is trying to set up a program whereby it will give the employee over sixty-five the same program he now has at a lesser cost. Part of this has not yet been enacted by the Senate. The Chairman said the billl would have to be refiled or admitted as a late filed bill with a 4/5 vote. Mr. Gray said he did not think there was any action to be taken by the Board at this time. A radio Communications Cost Study, submitted to the Board at its last meeting, was held over. 487 Mr. Gray read a letter from the Fire Commissioners. Mr. Gray reported that Chief Corr is anxious to have an article in the warrant to revamp the radio system. Mr. Sheldon said he also discussed this with Chief Corr and be understood leaving the Fire Department out Radio Com- does not affect the Police and Public Works Departments . munication These two departments can come in at a later dare and Cost Study this reduces the request by $11,000. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert an article in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, 1966, to provide for revision of the present readio system. At 8:00 P.M. , Mr. Gabriel Baker and Mr. Mark Moore, Jr. , met with the Board The Chairman, addressing Mr. Baker, said he knew this has been in negotiations with his attorney and with the Town Counsel and asked if anything was going to be discussed pertaining to anything between the attorneys. Mr. Baker replied in the negative. He said he and Mr. Moore would like to know what the timetable is for demolishing the building He said they did not want to lose any business and the tenants would like to know the time. Mr Moore said when he knocks the front of the store down, Mr Baker will lose some business and be does not want to lose it until he has to. He said he wants the maximum time before he has to have the twenty-seven feet knocked down. He asked how long Mr. Baker could stay there as he is . He said Easter is coming up and Mr. Baker wants to buy now. He was supposed to go down to New York last week. He asked what the time was the Board could give him before he knocks the front down. He said Mr. Baker did not want to knock it down and then have it sit there . Mr. Cataldo moved for .Jcecutive Session. The Chairman said Mr. Baker was not represented by Counsel, Town Counsel was not present, and rather than take chances of violating any action of the Town Counsel or Mr. Baker' s attorney, the Board would go into Executive Session 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 further discussion with Mr. Baker and Mr Moore, it was voted to resume the open. meeting. 48S C/ Mr. Gray reported that he received a call from the Executive Committee of the Town Meeting Members Association regarding the content of the Town Report. The Chairman said this is a proposal by the Town Meeting Members that next year there be a committee appointed Town by the Selectmen to review the Town Report to find any Report possible ways to facilitate its publication and make re- commendations as to its content. He said he understood the Board had no objection to appointing such a committee, and they suggested several names. Mr. Cataldo said the Board agreed with the Committee. He suggested that the Board get a list of names together and go over it some night when the agenda is not as long as it is this evening. The Chairman said this would not have any effect this year and suggested that the subject be held over for another week He said he would review the names again. The Chairman read a letter from the Itek Corporation informing the Board it plans to enlarge the parking area at the rear of its facilities at Maguire Road as part of a facilities expansion program. Itel] Parking Mr. Carroll informed the Board this is under Chapter 220 of the Acts of 1965 and within ten days after receipt of a proper application, the Board of Selectmen has to hold a hearing. The Chairman said the hearing could be held at a Board meeting providing all parties concerned are notified. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 220 of the Acts of 1965, to hold a hearing in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, January 17, 1966, at 8:00 P.M. relative to plans of the Itek Corporation to enlarge the parking area at the rear of its facilities at Maguire Road, Lexington, Massachusetts, as part of a facilities expansion program. Mr. Carroll' s proposed rates for Contract Plowing, a 1Contract copy of which was submitted to each member of the Board Plowing rates lat week, was held over. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following rates for Contract Plowing sub- mitted by Mr. Carroll: 1 ) That the hourly rate for 10-wheel trucks would be $11.00 per hour. (Our present rate schedule contains a basic hourly rate plus a longevity amount of 50 per hour per year. Therefore at present we are paying for 1-wheel trucks at rates ranging from $10 30 per hour to $11,05 per hour. The present average rate for 10-wheelers works out to be $10 76 per hour. Since we hire 13 of them, we are increasing the total amount to be paid 221 Hour for plowing by $3.12. 489 2. ) That 10-wheel trucks would be paid $12.50 per hour for overtime hours These hours would be 5 p.m. to midnight and from midnight to 8 A.M on weekdays and all day on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. (This rate is obviously made up of the $11.00 in Section 1. ) plus $1.50 per hour to compensate for overtime that the contractor will pay to his drivers. I would like to point out here that the con- tractors requested that this figure be $1.68 per hour which is one-half of the union truck drivers' hourly rate of $3.35 per hour . However, I told them that since most of the contractors did not pay union wages that it would not be fair to ask the Town to tie itself to union wages. They agreed to the $1.50 figure. ) 3.) An hourly rate of $10.00 per hour for hauling snow. (The present rate is $9.50 per hour. The con- tractors requested that they be paid $1.50 per hour for overtime work on hauling - or above the $10.00 - but I told them that I could not in good conscience request this of the Board because this work is relatively easy on the trucks) . 4. ) That contractors who supply their own plows be paid $2.00 per hour above any plowing rate. (The present rate is $1.50 per hour. The con- tractors also requested that the Town be responsible for the repair of their - the contractors - plows. On this I emphatically said "NO" I However, I do feel that the $2.00 figure is very fair as far as the Town is concerned The inc±ease will total up to only $3.00 per hour because only 6 trucks supply their own plows.) The Chairman read a letter from the Standing Plumbing and Building By-Law Committee requesting the insertion of Articles five articles in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Building & Mr. Carroll said he had written two letters to the PILU bing Board in regard to changing the Plumbing By-Laws to re- By-Law quire installation of garbage disposals in new homes. The Chairman said he thought this was a matter to be followed up, but he did not believe it would be ready for this warrant . The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Cemetery Commissioners with reference to changes in the Personal Services budget 490 cr et The Chairman said this letter does not give the Bard any more information than it originally had. Cemetery Mr Gray said he left it that Mr. Graham would budget let him know when he could meet with him to discuss this budget Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Cemetery Commissioners to meet with the Board on Monday, January 17, 1966, at 9:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from the Cemetery Com- missioners requesting a transfer of $346.00 from the Cemetery Estimated Receipts Ledger, credited on March 22, 1965, Bill to the Cemetery Department Expense Account to enable payment of a bill rendered by the Security Fence Company for repairs to a damaged fence., Mr. Gray stated it was his understanding that the Appropriation Committee had recommended that the Com- missioners pay this bill, and if the expense account was short, a transfer from the Reserve Fund would be con- sidered The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to check this . The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, advising the Board that the Lexland Construction Corporation filed, on January 7, 1966, plans for a one-story commercial building on Lots 3-C and 1.4.-C, which will be numbered 420 Lowell Strdet . Providing all requirements are met, he assumed it would be proper to issue a permit for this building . The Chairman skid he would answer the letter and say his assumption was correct He said he did not think this was any different than the plans by Lexland for the first building. The Chairman read a letter from the Town Treasurer, together with a list of bids received for the $1,510,000 Moreland Avenue School loan. Mr Cataldo said, in view of the information received relative to 376 empty spaces, he thought the Board should discuss the subject with the Standing School Building Com- mittee and the School Committee, to find out whether or not this Moreland Avenue School should be built He said he could not see building a second school this year knowingit will be more than half empty He suggested that the School Committee review its enrollment and see if this is the thing to do. The Chairman asked if the bond bids were subject to the same time restrictions as construction bids Mr. Gray replied he did not think the Board would have more than a week at the most. 4[91 Mr. Mabee said if the Board handles this on the basis of holding it up, it would probably be rejecting the bids. Mr Cataldo explained he was not saying this is the action to take, but he would like more information Dr. Fobert and Mr Viano, Chairman of the School Committee, met with the Board The Chairman explained that the Board had received bids gor the Moreland Avenue school ieonstruction and the question arose as to the necessity of this school at the present time. Dr Fobert explained there was a misunderstanding because of what was written in the paper . He said people thought there would be 370 empty sapees but this is not the fact. There was a lengthy discussion on the subject, follow- ing which the Board voted unanimously to approve the bid of 3 50% at 100 303 submitted by Kidder, Peabody & Co. and Associates for the $1,510,000 Moreland Avenue School Loan, Messrs . Fobert and Viano retired at 9:10 P. M. Mr. Stephen Ells, Conservation Commission, met with the Board The Chairman said he had another petition for articles in the warrant . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to insert the Conservation articles in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting in March, subject to the varifineation of signatures Mr. Ells said the article to which the Chairman re- Article ferred relative to the Old Reservoir on Marrett Road, was a citizens' article and not a Conservation Commission article. The Commission expects to discuss this with the Recreation Commission. He said if they feel it is not a worthwhile project, they would withdraw the article, but would like an opportunity for the Recreation Committee to see it between now and Town Meeting . Letter from the Conservation Commission, with reference to the Kingston Homes' subdivision adjacent to Willard' s Woods, was held over. The Chairman said the Commission thought it was within the Board' s power to deny this by using the Hatch Act. Mr. Ells said if the petition was severe enough, he believed the Board could deny the request for a subdivision. He stated usually the Hatch Act is to impose conditions Kingston to protect in the interest of flood control The regu- Homes sub- lation provides an alternate procedure for the developer. division The Chairman said normally subdivisions go before the Planning Board and they have not applied to the Selectmen. 492 co' cz Mr. Ells said approval for the Hatch Act does not come via the Planning Board. He said some towns have held joint hearings with the Planning Board so as soon as the Planning Board is aware there is a Hatch Act involved, they inform the Selectmen and have one joint hearing with the Conservation Commission, Board of Health, Planning Board and Selectmen. Mr. Sheldon inquired as to the status of this appli- cation with the Planning Board. Mr. Carroll said they have filed a preliminary sub- division plan. The Chairman, addressing Mr. Gray, suggested that he act as agent for the Board of Selectmen and see that this is coordinated. He asked that he contact the Planning Board and the Building Inspector. He said before the Planning Board makes any decision on this, Mr. Gray should see that the procedures on this are followed. Mr2 Ells gave the Chairman a check for $1500, received relative to the Town' s acquisition of the Harris land Mr Mabee asked how different the Kingston Homes sub- division was from many others in Town. The Chairman replied this is a new Act. Mr. Sheldon said this is the first time the Act may apply Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Premiere Performance Company Use of hall to use Estabrook Hall for a workshop on Saturday, Janu- ary 22, 1966, from 7:00 P.M until 10:00 P.M , subject to the established rules and regulations governing the use of Cary Memorial Building Application for renewal of a Common Victualler License • was received from the Trinity Pharmacy, 162 Bedford Street The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health stating the Trinity Pharmacy has not applied to the Board of Health for a Food Service Permit and the manager has stated tht he does not intend to operate during the coming year The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to check this Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted License to grant a Second Class Agent' s license to Morris M Bloomberg,d b a Morris Motors, 4.00 Waltham Street Letter was received from the Planning Board ask- ing the Board to consider raising theP'lanning Director' s salary by two grades. He is currently at S-25 level, grade II, ($9950) and the Planning Board would like him raised to grade IV ($10,790 ) 493 Mr Franklyn Crosby said he talked to the Director and he had no knowledge of this letter. Mr Crosby said Planning he did not think at this time it would be appropriate Director ' s to grant a raise as he had not been here this 1®ng. salary The Chairman said this is purely administrative and would be forwarded to the Appropriation Committee for ap- propriate action. Appointment to the Board of Assessors was held over Appointmen for one week . 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 pertaining to a local matter, budgets, articles and Lexington Center, it was voted to resume the open meeting Chairman Parrish, Messrs Clarke , Zehner, Gary, Carlson, Kenney and Mrs. Souza of the Appropriation Com- mittee, met with the Board to discuss 1966 budgets on which the Committee had some questions . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted tp reconsider the action of the Board taken on the Fire and Police Medical budget . Budgets Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the sum of $500 as recommended by the Committee. It was understood that the Committee would consider a transfer from the Reserve Fund if it became necessary. With reference to the salary for the Planning Director , the Chairman stated it has been the Selectmen' s policy not to give any individual increase . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the action of the Board taken on the Health Expenses budget Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve $1,000 for Tuberculosis Care and to approve the total budget amount of $8,125 00 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the action of the Board taken on the Town Offices and Cary Memorial Building Expenses budget. Mr. Cataldo suggested that the item of $23,600 for air conditioning the Town Offices and Police Building be deferred until suhh time as it has been determined what, if any, alterations are to be made in the present Town Office Building 494 c� el At the recommendation of the Appropriation Committee the item of $10,000 for a generator was taken out of the budget and submitted as an article in the warrant . It was agreed by both groups to include $400 for a public address system for Cary Hall. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the Public Welfare Personal Services budget. Following discussion relative to the employees in this department being under the Civil Service Salary Plan, the rate of $9,351.00 ($179 83) per week) The Appropriation Committee retired at 11:10 P M. The Chairman said the Board received a letter from the Fire Commissioners asking the Board to reconsider Fire Dept. its vote on the Personal Services Budget. He said the budget original request was for five additional men The Board approved one new man to fill vacancy caused by promotions Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to reconsider the action taken by the Board on the Fire Department Personal Services budget Mr. Sheldon moved for one man the Board originally voted for, to take care of the vacancy as a result of promotions , plus one additional man, a total of two. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unani- mously voted to approve two additional men for the Fire Department . Mr. Gray was requested to refigure the budget and notify the Board of Fire Commissioners and the Appropri- ation Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Articles to insert sixteen articles in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting as submitted by the Planning Board. Mr Sheldon suggested that Leon Burke , Director of Guides, meet with the Board some time within the next thirty days . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11:35 P.M A true record , Attest: €7_, eve le , Select