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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-11-01-min 363 e2 SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 1, 1965 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, November 1, 1965. 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 . Request was received from the Town Clerk for three Jurors jurors The following individuals were drawn for jury duty Robert C. Lindsay, 97 Burlington Street, Edward C Johnson, 45 Baskin Road and Frederick Jackson, 9 Webster Road . Hearing was declared open upon petition of theBoston Edison Company for the location of one pole on Vine Street Notice of the hearing was mailed to the petitioner, Pole owners of property listed on the petitioner 's plans and locations also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works . No one was present at the hearing in favor or in opposition. Mr. Serverson explained the proposed location is to 11 clear a driveway to a new home Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, approved the proposed location. The hearing was declared closed, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it wa voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole location: Vine Street, southeasterly side, approximately 566 feet northeast of Hayes Lane, One pole (One existing pole to be removed ) Mn. Serverson retired. The Chairman read a letter from Miss McDonough, Town Treasurer, relative to borrowing $50,000 to cover the second payment in connection with construction of the Borrowing Moreland Avenue School Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bid of 2.25% submitted by the New England Merchants Nations Bank of Boston. Mr. Gray reported receipt of a letter fromMr. James Collins , Director of Public Welfare, relative to a transfer to cover Disability Assistance payrolls through December, 1965. 369 3 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Department of Public Welfare to transfer Transfer the sum of $4,000 from the Medical Assistance for the Aged Account to the Disability Assistance Aid Account Mr. Gray reported receipt of an application from Edward McDonnell for the position of maintaining and clean- ing the new Public Facilities Building. Mr. Gray also reported he had received two appli- Public cations for the position of Veterans ' Agent, Thomas W. Facilitie; Connor, 273 Woburn Street and Joseph Bailey, Wahington Building Street, Arlington. He said he would set up a file and send copies to the members of the Board for its study Mr. Gray reported a conversation he had with Mr. Zaleski, Planning Director, and stated the Planning Board is going to propose some changes in the Zoning By-Law and wishes to acquaint the Board with the proposed changes . Zoning He had a letter from Mr. Zaleski on the subject and said he could have copies made and mailed to the members of the Board . The Chairman asked if Mr. Zaleski wanted the reaction of the Board of Selectmen before the hearing and Mr. Gray replied he presumed thatthe Planning Board might . Mr. Gray said, in discussing the position of the meter maintenance man who will take care of the voting machines, the voting machine company maintains a school to train these men The school is free but the Town has Voting to pay the man's expenses while he is at school and it • Machines will cost about $150 The school is in Jamestown, New York, and lasts four days He explained the school runs continuously and the Board can send a man anytime . This, however, is out of State travel and he did not know whether the Town Clerk had such an appropriation. He said the Board would have to ask for a transfer The Chairman asked how many' men she planned to send and Mr. Gray replied only one. 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 Elections - Transfer Jurisdiction Town Clerk Account for Out of State travel Mr. Legro stated he had an agreement between the Town and John W Castoldi regarding the loam on Parcel A Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute the agreement in the following form: (See Selectmen 's f iles for 1965) 370 cr Mr Carroll referred to the MDC Relief Sewer Project He reported the contract has not been advertised and it is doubtful that it will be advertised in this calendar year , MDC or at least get the work stetted inthis calendar year Relief He said he did not know if theBoard a d the Appropriation Sewer Committee is counting on this $150,000 but if so, he sug- Project gestedchecking on this again at the end of the month. He said the Federal people could be contacted to find out whether or not the Town could get some kind of a concession from them Mr Sheldon felt t his approach should be made Mr Gray advised that the Board was not counting on this as an income factor for this year 's budget . Mr. Carroll said he would do his best on this . Mr. Carroll reported on the Lowell and East Street Construction construction and advised the Board he would have four police officers working on the detour and would do his best to have Lowell Street open at night Mr. Legro stated the contract between the Town and Bernard J Lazaro, Inc for sidewalk construction is lacking in some insurance coverage certificates and requires some changes in the bond, but if the Board Sidewalk signed it this evening, it would save some time . contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the sidewalk contract between the Town and Bernard J. Lazaro, Inc. , to be retained by Town Counsel until the insurance certificates have been received by him and the changes made in the bond tohis satisfaction. The Chairman read a letter from Douglas T. Ross offering to pay the Town $200 to compensate for any differ- ence in value of the two parcels of land to be exchanged. Mr. Sheldon said it suited him all right, but he sup- posed the Board would have to go back through the Planning Board Mr . Mabee stated the Planning Board has already approved Ross land this . exchange Mr. Cataldo said he did not think anyone ever put a price on this . He asked who was going to let this out , and who was going to pay for the transfer Mr. Sheldon suggested that the Board approve the $200 subject to kir Ross assuming the necessary expenses Mr Cataldo pointed out Mr Ross would have to have this laid out on the ground Mr Sheldon said there would be the surveying, the deed and title search. Mr. Legro reminded the Board this would have to be presented to a Town Meeting 371 ' The Chairman asked Mr . Gray to check with Mr. Ross , stating this offer would be accepted subject to Town Meeting approval and subject to him assuming the costs involved Mr. Legro advised that the title was the Town 's problem He said he had no idea what might be involved . The whole question is whether it is of value to the Town. He said he did not think there is any basis on which the Board can arrange for Mr Ross to absorb the cost of an examination of the title . Mr Sheldon asked if the Board added $50 to the $100 would it take care of it . Mr . Legro replied S100 might Mr . Cataldo said if the Board agrees the land is worth $200, it should add whatever it thinks it will cost . It was agreed to go along with S300; the $200 offer plus $100 . Letter was received from the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company re- Pole lo- questing "Leave to Withdraw" a joint petition dated cation August , 1965 to relocate one pole on the easterly side petition of Allen Street, approximately 904 feet north of Blossom withdrawn Street , and to install one pole on the westerly side of Allen Street, approximately 928 feet north of Blossom ' Street . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitioners ' request for "Leave to Withdraw" Notice was received from the Department of Public Utilities of a public hearing to be held November 8, 1965, relative to rates and charges made by Railway Express Agency Incorporated Hearing It was the opinion of theBoard that it would not be necessary to have the Town represented at the hearing. Letter wa , received from Mr . Irwin advising that the Institute of Municipal Building Officials of New England would be held from November 15 through November 18 at the Building University of Con ecticut . He said if there is no Inspector objectir.n, he would contact Mr. Richard Soule to fill in during his absence . The Board had no objection The Chairman read a letter from Alan G. Adams sub- mitting his resignation as a member of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept Mr Adams ' resignation with regret . Resignatior. The Chairman submitted the name of Roland B. ureeley for the Board 's consideration 372 Cr CZ Upon motion duly made and seconced, it was voted to appoint Mr. Roland B. Greeley to the Metropolitan Area Planning Council to fill the vacancy caused by Mr. Adams ' resignation Mr. Robert Lyon and Mr Vincent J. Catania, Presi- dent of Famous Foods Inc , met with the Board . Mr . Lyon stated they requested the meeting to discuss a cornice overhanging on the building, formerly occupied by Couette 's real estate office Mr . Catafiia submitted a plan showing an exterior view of what is proposed Mr. Louis Scibelli, architect, arrived at the meeting . Mr . Lyon said the inc ease in the overhang is measured in inches and it seems this is more an architectural imbellishment Mr. Scibelli explained it is not a wall and not a roof, but just a feature . The Chairman stated the Board would take the matter under advisement Messrs . Lyon, Catania and Scibelli retired at 8 :17 P.M. Later in the evening, further consideration was given to the subject Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Famous Foodi Inc . request for permission to have the cornice on the building, where it proposes to locate a Pewter Pot Muffin House, overhang one foot beyond the building line . Letter was received from the School Committee inform- Schools ing the Board that the new Middleby Road school has been named the Bridge School and the new Moreland Avenue School has been named the Bowman School Letter was received from David A. Gibson, Executive Director, Massachusetts Chapter of the National Cystic Fibrosis Research Foundation, requesting permission to conduct a door-to-door drive on Sunday, November 7, 1965, from 1 :00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request. Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted License to grant a Common Victualler license to Check M Yee , 177 Massachusetts Avenue, satisfactory character refer- ence having been received from the Chief of Police . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on October 25, 1965 373 Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted to adopt Orders for the installation of sidewalks in Sidewalks Adams Street, Bow Street, Crescent Hill Avenue, Fern Street and Smith Avenue . At $ :15 P.M. , Mr. Richard Michelson, representing the Jaycees, met with the Board relative to the Act passed by Congress authorizing the Town to fly the Ameri- Plaque at can Flag on the Common twenty-four hours a day. He flagpole stated the Jaycees propose placing a plaque at the base on Common of the flagpole and submitted a sketch for the Board 's consideration. The Board suggested a change in the wording to read "This flag is flown twenty-fours a day by an Act of Congress , 1965 " The Board had no objection to having the plaque placed, and Mr . Mabee suggested that the Jaycees discuss the subject with the Historic Districts Commission. He also suggested that Mr. Michelson discuss the proposed word- ing in regard to illuminating the flag with the Commission. Upon motion duly made andseconded , it was voted to grant the Jaycees permission to place a plaque at the base of the flagpole, the wording to be as suggested by the Board . Messrs . Gardiner Maxey, Lee Tarbox, Lester York and George Kolovson met with the Board The Chairman stated there is the question of staffing and control of the new Public Facilities Building and also who assumes the financial responsibility. He asked what Public the Chamber of Commerce was prepared to do. Facilities Mr. Tarbox informed the Board there is a committee Building to take care of the setting up and staffing The infor- mation booth has bee operated from ten in the morning until five in the afternoon each day and from one to five on Sundays That was during the tourist season. The Chamber has discussed this new building area with an information booth in there and there a e two questions . What the Chamber should do and what it can afford to do . It seemed to him and Mark Moore thatthey would like, if possible, to have , during the winter, a lday individual on a forty-hour basis during the off season. During the on season, they felt an information booth should be open from nine until five and that would be six days a week and from one to five on Sundays . This would be from the information booth standpoint only He said he did not know how the Board felt about tie toilet facilities and what hours that would be open. He said if they could get it to forty hours a week during the off season, they thought from ten in the 374 n morning until five in the afternoon six days a week On the on season, they would have it from nine to five, six days a week, and one to fi e on Sundays, a total of fifty-two hours . He explained this is taking into con- sideration just the information booth The Chairman asked Mr. York for his thoughts on what hours the building should be open other than from the information aspect . Mr. York replied he thou,,ht those hours would give a high percentage of coverage which is necessary He said it certainly would be an increase over what they have had . He said there is nothing open now during the winter months and this coverage would be fairly satisfactory The Chairman asked if Mr . York thought that the facili- ties other than information should be open the same hours as the information facilities Mr . York replied that is what he had always considered it to be . Mr. Tarbox said, with reference to the lady in the information booth, she has not had requests enough for toilet facilities so there has been any problem. She feels no matter how many hours the toilet facilities were open, young people of the Town would take advantage of it She has not felt the necessity for it was too great . The Chairman asked the members of the Board for their comments in regard to the hours of operation Mr . Cataldo said there is no question they go together He said the building was designed for the comforts of the visitors and they have to go together. Mr Tarbox stated the Chamber of Commerce is prepared to take care of the portion for the information booth for those hours and assume the expenses . The Chairman said the only department the Board would put this under would be the Public Works Department . Mr. York asked if this didn't come under the Park Department. The Chairman explained the Park Department is part of the Public Works He asked Mr. Carroll if the Park Department had enough men to take oh this added burden .without any more men Mr. Carroll replied he would like to look at it and decide what is involved. Mr . Cataldo mentioned there would be janitorial services involved. Mr . Sheldon said there was also heating and lighting. Mr . Cataldo asked if the group felt the building should be open longer than five P.M. Mr. York said the Board would find five is about the deadline on these historical buildings . Mr . Sheldon said it would be up to the Superintendent 375 of Public Works to include the necessary items in his coming budget ; heating, lighting and janitorial services Mr Tarbox asked if there were going to be other things in the building Mr. York said there is a very nice room upstairs that could be used He said it is Town property and if someone wanted to use it for a meeting place, it is there and there is no eason why it could not be used. It is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Selectmen. Mr. Burnell said there are two rooms . Mr. Cataldo mentioned the fact the Board was thinking of headquarters for the guides Mr. York said there is a locker in the lower level which could be used by guides Mr. Tarbox stated if there are going to be too many other things in the building, it will be very difficult for the Chamber of Commerce woman to take care of these other things He said the Chamber does not want to be responsible for the whole building It will be responsi- ble for manning the information booth, but if there are any other activities, it will be up to the Board of Select- men to be responsible for them Mr. Handley inquired as to the duties of the Trainer of the G ides The Chairman replied that the Board has not come to II any concrete decision as yet Mr. Handley said there are two stairways up and two stairways down and a ba k entrance . He said he hoped it would be possible to keep the public from roaming around Mr. York stated it was intended to put a barrier across the stairways Mr . Gray said if this building will be used in the evening, some thought should be given budgetwise to fur- nishing these two rooms Mr. Tarbox stated the present attendant is concerned about the supervisions, police supervision of the children as they come out of school who probably will be going over there If a gang of girls andboys come over, she would like to know there is some police supervision because she will be there by herself Mr. Sheldon stated if this building separates the volume that It may, there will have to be a man supervise the building because the woman giving out information can't be expected to keep the place orderly or handle the super- vision. He said it may be necessary to have a man on duty Mr. York thou;_ht possibly one janitor could take care of this building and the library Mr. Handley pointed out the library has two full-time janitors csa 376 The Chairman said, using one janitor for two buildings , this would run into having two different authorities Mr. Tarbox asked if there were facilities for proper lighting around the building Mr. York replied they did not spotlight it because they did not want to detract from the Buckman Tavern. He said there will be two lights on front and one in back. The Chairman said he thou ht much would depend on Mr. Carroll's investigation. He said the Board would have to set rul, s and egulations for the use of the building by organizations . Mr . Tarbox said there can be many uses made of the buildin, and it could be used for many small meetings . The Chairman pointed out until the building is equ pped, it can't be used, and that won't be until after Town Meeting He said Mr. Carroll would look into this and the Board will make a decision. Mr. Tarbox said the Chamber of Commrrce could like the privilege of closing at four if it finds in the winter there is no one there after four Mr Cataldo asked when they planned on opening. Mr. Tarbox replied as soon as it is ready Mr. York said he thought the middle of November it would be ready for use Mr. Cataldo asked when the building woL.ld be turned over to the Board to assume the cost of heating. Mr. York replied it should be heated right away, and it is heated by gas. The group, with the exception of Mr. Legro and Mr. Carroll, retired at 8 :55 P M The Chairman reported to the Board that he had Town talked with Mr Gray during the week so he could familiar- Accountant ize himself with the position so he can help the comptroller , if one is hired Mr Cataldo said Mr. Gray should go to the Accounting Office and see what has to be done, and, if necessary, get someone up there to bring things up to date The Chairman said he was taking one step at a time, and this is the direction he thought the Board should go Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to deny Mr. Robert P. Grinnell' s application for a Taxi License Drier License The Chairman said the Board agrees that the guides should be cnntrolled and it is within the Bnard 's province Guide to provide this control He said last week, the Board Director did agree the e should be some supervision but did not decide if it should be on a paying basis or non paying 377 and he did not think the Board decided about the duties. Mr Sheldon said the Board agrees supervision is necessary and whoever it will be will be under the Board 's supervision with complete control. He said there would be a manual setup of the talks the guides are to give which will meet with the Board ' s approval and be adheredto, and should be uniforms He said all these things have not been done and this is what the Board has to do He felt it is a part-time job and since budgets are being prepared, he would recommend $1500. He said if this could be done for less, it would be done for less but he thought this was vitally important He said the Board has received letters that the job has bean poorly done and many people don't write and just go away with a bad impression of Lexington Mr Gray reported, as a resultof the article in the Minute-man, he received a telephone call from Leon Burke who is interested in guides and the proper function of the guides He would be willing to assist in instructing the guides and supervising He said Mr. Burke has ideas of what he thinks will help the situation at the Common and would be willing to discuss this with him or the Board and present what he thinks is a program that would take care of the situation The Chairman reported he received a call from Mr Buckley at the library who is interested, and this presents the problem of using a full-time employee as a part-time employee also Mr. Mabee said he would like very much to hear what Mr Burke has to say Mr. Sheldon suggested that Mr . Gray meet with Mr Burke and have this on the agenda for next week The Chairman said the only problem is, budgets are coming up. Mr. Cataldo felt this would not change the Board ' s approach and it would be a summary of what the so-called director would do . The Chairman said the Board could arrive at the decision tonight to create the position. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to create the position of Director of Guides and to estab- lish the compensation at the rate of $1500 per year. Mr. Burnell said it is the Traffic Study Committee 's recommendation th, t the Board change the Traffic Rules and Regulations so Grant Street on the easterly side from Massachusetts Avenue to Sherman Street, and Grant Traffic Street on the westerly side from Massachusetts Avenue Rules & for a distance of 225 feet northerly have parking pro- Regulation hibited The Chairman reported he has received complaints because they are not letting them park there now. He 37 8 Cr said he did rot know parkin- had been stopped Mr. Burnell said this is being done so there will be better site distance from Massachusetts Avenue Letters have been received from some citizens complaining about this Mr. Sheldon asked if the committee was sure it wanted to ban p^rking altogether With reference to no parking on the easterly side from Massachusetts Avenue to Sherman Street, Mr. Gray reported the Chief recommended there should be "No Parking" from the Post Office driveway because of the narrowness of the street He said parking on both sides of the street with the curve at the underpass is dangerous The Chairman asked how strongly the committee felt about this and Mr. Burnell replied the members are all in favor Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to change the distance on the westerly side of Grant Street from Massachusetts Avenue from 225 feet northerly to 100 feet northerly. Upon motion duly made mad seconded, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations as follow sI AMENDMENT TO THE TRAFFIC RULES AND REGULATIONS TOWN OF LEXINGTON, ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, NOVEMBER 1, 1965 ARTICLE V, SECTION 2 (No Parking) By adding to this section the following: Grant Street . On the easterly side from Massachusetts Avenue to Sherman Street Grant Street On the westerly side from Massachusetts Avenue for a distance of one hundred (100) feet northerly. Lincoln Stre t On the southeasterly side from Worthen Road for a distance of one hundred and seventy-five (175) Adopted November 1, 1965 feet southwesterly A true copy, Attest /s/ Lincoln P. Cole , Jr ii/ Hazel J Murray Executive Clerk, Selectmen I. H. Msbee Board Robert Cataldo of Levi G. Burnell Selectmen George C. Sheldon 379 The Chairman said each member of the Board had received the EDA propos=als which does have a turnover figure on traffic spaces He said he had held off contacting the League of Women Voters and asked if the Board wanted the League to get the concensus of the merchants at this particular time Mr. Cataldo asked if the Chairman did not think this should be part of the EDA report EDA Mr. Burnell said that is where it belongs, but that proposal is not the way the Board talked about it last week Mr Cataldo said this was supposed to enter into their final declaim The Chairman said the merchants were remiss in not attending the meeting. Mr. Cataldo said where they were paid by the Town he thought it was the responsi ility of the EDA to get the information it should have . The Chairman asked if there would be any objection to the EDA preparing the questions and the League of Women Voters implementing it Mr Cataldo replied not as long as the Board receives the information The Chairman said he would check again with the com- mittee and with the EDA. Upon motion duly made sndseconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or vr.ting 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 police vacation, it was voted to resume the open meeting Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to ad ji urn at 9 29 P.M A true record, Attest ,, / -14x-e'cut ivevClerk Selectm