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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-10-25-min 357 SELECTMEN tS MEETING October 25, 1965 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectments Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, October 25, 1965. Chairman Cole, Messrs Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee were present . The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7 :30 P.M. and declared a recessz The Board met at 7 :38 P.M. Mr . Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant , Mr . Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Execu- tive Clerk, were also present Mr Gray stated several weeks ago, he had some bids on tax title property. He contacted the abutting owners and gave them until today to let the Board know if they Tax title were interested in acquiring the property He said it seems most of the abutters are interested so he now has more people interested than those who originally asked for them. The Chairman said if there is more than one person he would suggest that the Board put the lots out for bid Mr. Gray said the individual who made the original bid is interested, in some cases one of the abutters and in others both abutters are interested It was agreed to authorize Mr. Gray to advertise for bids . Mr. Gray suggested that the Board write the Civil Service Department and request that an examination be held for the position of Lieutenant and also an exami- Lieutenant nation for the position of Sergeant . & Sergeant The Chairman asked if the BoaA created a position exam not now in existence would an examination have to be held, and Mr Gray replied in the affirmative . The Chairman st ted in trying to build up this Police Department, it should have a Chief, one Captain and two Lieutenants . Mr. Gray stated his suggestion would not interfere with this The Chairman said he thought this whole problem has to be approached in toto The Board should decide at this time if it wants to create another position and then it could request the examinations Mr. Sheldon stated the decision before the Board this evening is for this specific examination which will C', 358 a• not affect the position the Chairman was speaking of. The Chairman asked which examination was being re- quested now Mr . Gray replied one for Lieutenant and one for Sergeant Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Division of Civil Service to hold an examination for the posit-Lon of Sergeant in the Police Department . The Chairman said he hoped the Board would give some thought to the creation of a new position of Captain in the Police Department . Mr. Legro reported he had a deed from the Town to the Trustees of The 1775 Realty Trust for Parcel A, Depot Deed Square . He said he would hold it for a few days until 1775 Realty he received two releases from the owners Trust Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute the deed subject to the conditions being met to Mr. Legro 's satisfaction. Mr. Carroll reported on bids taken October 6, 1965 for a shovel Three bids were received, as follows : BMG Equipment Company, $20,900 net; Perkins Machinery, $21,700 net; International Harvester Company, $22,900 net He stated all machines had been examined and all three machines were demonstrated together He said in his opinion, the best purchase for the Town would be the 955-H Caterpillar from the Perkins Machinery Company. The Chairman asked if all three bids met the speci- fications Mr. Carroll replied the one that came closest to meeting the specifications was the company he recommended. Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted to accept the net bid of $21,700 submitted by the Perkins Machinery Company Mr. Carroll informed the Board that some easements had to be taken, one of which is between Melrose Avenue Melrose and Cummings Avenue . He submitted a plan and indicated Avenue the location of the proposed easement and said he would easement like the Board to authorize Town Counsel to prepare an instrument to take this easement which is in conjunction with constructing Melrose Avenue. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Town Counsel to prepare the instrument neces- sary to make the taking. 359 Mr. Carroll said an easement on Churchill Lane is also needed for sewer construction this year . He sub- Churchill mitted a plan and indicated the location of the proposed Lane Ease- easement and reported he has worked with the three people ments involved who are all willing to grant easements to the Town at no expense to the Town. He explained all three people understand they will have to pay a sewer betterment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Town Counsel to prepare the instruments necessary to make the taking. Mr. Carroll said something came up today. John Costello, a police officer, wants tommove a garage from 918 Waltham Street to his property. He has been told Permit by the State he can buy it back Mr. Carroll said he could see no problem at all as it is a fairly small garage and he recommended the Board 's approval. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to Officer John Costello to move the garage to his property Mr. Carroll reported he met with George Kolovson and his group and Chief Corr. Basically, he and Chief Corr agree th& t if the Board decides it wants to go along with "No Parking" on Massachusetts Avenue, he and the Chief would be reasonably happy with a cross section on the street He explained there would be two 11-foot lanes in the Center On the outside would be two more 11-foot lanes and toward the curb taere would be additional 6-foot lanes He said only the center lane end the first two 11-foot lanes would be painted. This would permit traffic to stop in case of an emergency. He explained the total width of the street would be 56 feet He said this would be a compromise on both sides as the group would have to give up a little of the sidewalk it is talking about. He stated this is assuming the Boni decides it does not want parking on the avenue He reported the problem of snow removal was discussed but no final decision was made He suggested in order to determine whether the spaces now along the avenue are or are not servirig;;a purpose that the Board use the League of Women Voters , divide the Center in sections , number the parking spaces and have a count made of the turnover in spaces and find out where the people are going. Mr. Gray said this is the only way the Board can have some concrete evidence as touwhbther these spaces are needed Mr. Sheldon said the proposal would be to survey from the Edison Building through to the park or just the area under discussion. CZ Mr. Cataldo replied their eventual plan is to do away with parking on Massachusetts Avenue, and once the Board starts, it is committing the Town to this concept. He said he thought something should be done. These people have dome in with a recommendation to do away with the parking but have nothing to support it . He said he did not think the Town should have to go out there and do it. He mentioned that $13,000 of the Town's money has been spent and the Board has not been told anything, no concrete evidence has been presented . Mr. Sheldon said he felt the Chamber of Commerce owes the Board some information and it should have a statement of yes, no, or perhaps from every merchant He said the League has a represen ative at the meeting and perhaps she could present this to the League Mrs Lieb, the League 's representative, said she would convey this information to the League of Women Voters The Chairman said if he were going to do this, he would choose a Friday evening and a Saturday. Mr. Cataldo said the Board should lay down the ground rules because it is the Board who is responsible for it He pointed out that these people neve' contacted the Chief, of Police or Superintendent of Public Works and came in with a recommendation they wanted the Board to accept Mr. Mabee asked Mr. Cer_•oll what kind of information he would expect from a survey that would tell him that he did not need parking, and what information he would get that would tell him he did need parking on Massachusetts Avenue . Mr. Carroll replied he was not sure the results of the survey would provide a final answer. Mr. Mabee asked what types of questions would be asked Mr Carroll eplied he was thinking of the number of times the spaces on the Avenue turn over, into what stores the people go, and how many times . He said he thought there were different types of businesses in the Center that would attract customers to the Center rather than take the time to drive around . A motion was mode that the Chairman be authorized to consult with whomever he wants to, including the Traffic Study Committee, after hich an outline of the type of questions would be prepared for the League of Women Voters Mr. Mabee stated the type of questions asked will determine the type of answers that will be received . Mr. Cataldo said this is what the Economic Development should be doing and they are being paid for it Mr. Carroll said the Board should consult with EDA, tell them it is going to make a survey and ask them what they want in terms of information. 361 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to consult whomever he thinks advisable, including the Traffic Study Committee . Motion was made toauthorize the Chairman to write the Chamber of Commerce, stating the Board would like a concrete statement from the group showing the opinion of each and every merchant of the project plans . The Chairman asked the Board to leave this to him as he knew someone was designated to get the information from the merchants . He said he would write the com- mittee to get this information Mr. Mabee asked why the survey could not be made and then the questions be made out. He said he would like the merchants ' gpinions but he thought they would be more available if they had the results of the survey. Mr. Sheldon stated he thought every merchant should, at this time, be able to express an opinion and he did not think the merchants should need a survey to tell where the business is coming from. The Chairman suggested that the merchants ' reaction be obtained first ^nd then when the survey is made, the Board would show them what the survey has shown and ask for their opinion. Mrs Lieb stated Mrs . Leon Groisser, 510 Concord Avenue, is President of the League of Women Voters. The Chairman read a letter from Norman Schuler, 49 Dexter Road, requesting permission toconnect to the storm drain to take off water in his cellar. Drain Mr. Carroll reported he had looked at the property and there has been some serious da t.age dome to the cellar and garage He recommended that the Board allow Mr Schuler to make the connection at his expense . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Mr. Schuler 's request for permission to connect to the storm drain at his expense. Mr. Legro referred to Memorandum on proposed lease of premises at 572 Massachusetts Avenue to Mr.McGirr for renovation of the property which was submitted tothe #572 Mass Board last week by Mr. Ripley. Avenue He reported to the Board that the statute that authorizes the lease of such property is limited to not more than five years . He said he thought it would be clearly wrong for the Town to make any substantial ex- pense to make the building suitable for renting and that the terms of the proposed lease was a devious way to spending money. He said there is a serious question whether CJ 36`l a the Town could do this . Mr .Sheldon said the reduction of the land and the ultimate sale of the property becomes a consideration and in becoming a consideration, Mr. Legro questioned it . The Chairman said Mr . Legro had written a letter which he would have copied for each member of the Board so it could discuss the subject further next week. Mr. Cataldo said if the Board is not going along with the leasing concept , it should tell them to move the house or tear it down. He said the date is October 28 Mr. Legro explained that in the terms of the lease , the lessee has a right to move the building but did not say where it is going. He pointed out one of the major arguments was th- t the building emain in the area. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Legro, dated October 25, 1965, in regard to the proposed lease . Mr. Mabee said he would be in favor of making a motion to eliminate leasing. He would give them a week, two or three, and vote this out if thayddid not come up with something, because of advice of Town Counsel. The Chairman reported Mr. Ripley called him hoping the Board would protect him to the extent no action would be taken until this has been explored . Upon motion duly made 0,nd seconded, it was unani- mously voted to eliminate the possibility of leasing the property Upon motion duty made and seconded, it was voted to grant one final extension of time to November 22, 1965 within which time Mr Ripley 's group is to submit a con- crete proposal, acceptable to the Board, for the removal of the building. The Chairman polled the Board and the vote was unani- mous . The Chairman read a letter from Diran M. & Rebecca E. Semonian, 504 Lowell Street, requesting an extension of the deferment of the water betterment on part of Lot A, Water Laconia Street . Upon motion duly made and seconded , it was voted, under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950, to extend the time for payment of $450 water betterment assessment levied against part of Lot A, Laconia Street, owned by Diran M Semonian and Rebecca E Semonian, without interest, until the land or any part thereof is built upon, sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; pro- vided,. however, that this extension of time shall termi- nate immediately if the facilities of the water main are used for said part of Lot A. 363 Revised copies of Standards for School Zones, received from the State Department of Pu-lic Works, was referred Traffic to the Traffic Study Committee at Mr Gray's suggestion. The Chairman read a letter received from John F. Collins , Mayor of Boston, requesting that a letter be written to the U.S. Ataomic Energy Commission expressing ABC site endorsement of the site in Haverhill. The Chairman said if the Board had no objection he would write the necessary letter. Letter was received from John C . Flynn, Senior Community Action Technician of the Commonwealth Service Corps, with reference to a meeting in Arlington on October 27 for the purpose of discussing the meaning and mechanics of regionalization Mr . Gray explained this is on the Committee for the Aging and he has talked with the Director . Commissioners have been established by Boards inserting an article in the warrant requesting authorization to create such a council. The Chairman asked Mr Gray to attend the meeting and the Board had no objection Invitation to attend Veterans ' Day services in Bedford was received from S.P. LaCerva, M.D. , Hospital Veterans ' Director of the Veterans ' Adaminstration Hospital Day The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health requesting permission to pay a bill of the Dental Clinic in the amount of $85.70 by transferring this amount from the Health Department expense account Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to forward the request to the Appropriation Committee Transfer without any recommendation Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the amount of $85.70 from the Fund to the Dental Clinic Expense Account if the approach suggested by the Board of Health is illegal . Letter was received from the Lexington Arts and Crafts Society stating the society will hold its annual fair on November 12, Friday, and Saturday, November 13. The letter called the Board 's attention to police regu- lation of traffic in the area During the fairs in previous years, there was considerable traffic and neighbors complained. One of the conditions under 364 , a4. which the organization was granted a Building permit was I/traffic regulation during peak activities . Mr. Sheldon informed the Boa .d he talked to Charles Traffic Bowker, Chairman of the Fair, about this and suggested that he write the letter Mr Cataldo said a police officer has been paid by any organization he knew of running a fair. The Chairman explained the only exception is traffic control at the churches on Sundays for which there is no charge He said the request should go to the Police Department and Mr . Bowker should be so advised He should also be told that any officer assigned to traffic duty would have to be paid the prevailing rate The Chairman read a letter from Leo M. Gaughan, 32 Liberty Avenue, applying for the position of Director Cemetery of Veterans ' Services Director & He also read a letter from William C. Goodland, Veterans ' 24 Sandy Brook Road, Burlington, applying for the posi- Agent tion of Director of Cemeteries The Chairman stated the Cemetery Director comes under the Cemetery Commissioners and at the present time, the two jobs are combined as one He asked if it was the Board ' s wish to have these two positions separated. Mr. Gray reported it is Mr. Graham's feeling that one of the men now working for the Commissioners in the Cemetery Department could handle the work of the Director of Cemeteries . Mr. Cataldo said in that case the Board is free to advertise for a man to fill the position of Veterans ' Agent . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advertise for an individual to fill the position of Veterans ' Agent which position will be available January 1, Veterans ' 1966, and further that Mr. Gray be permitted to go to Agent the Appropriation Committee for additional funds if neces- sary to pay the individual appointed for three weeks prior to the present Agent 's termination of services with the Town. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the Lexington Sea Scouts permission to conduct Use of hall a dance in Cary Memorial Hall on Saturday, November 27, 1965, subject to the established rulEs and regulations governing the use of the hall Mr Mabee suggested that a notice to be inserted in the local newspaper in regard to Hallowe 'en. Mr. Cataldo said the police would have to be out both nights . 365 The Chairman said the Board should request the townspeople, and particularly the children, to cele- Hallowe 'en brate Hallowe 'en on Saturday Discussion on guides was opened by Mr. Sheldon who proposed the only way to bring order was for the Board to appoint someone to be in charge of the guides He suggested that this be on a part-time basis and could involve a town employee He also suggested that an Guides item be included in the budget for this and that the rules and regulatio..s be lived up to . He said someone should be in charge and be responsible to the Board. He said once the Boa d has selected a good man, it could then write rules and regulations and thatguides who violate the rules should be discA.arged. Mr . Cataldo suggested that the individual appointed to be in charge of the guides could also be the Veterans ' Agent Mr Sheldon said he wanted someone in charge who would be responsible to the Board . Mr. Cataldo asked if the Board could pay enough for another part-time job and get the individual it is looking for Mr Sheldon said he tnought the job could be done by paying $1,000 or $1,500 if the man is a Town employee, someone presently employed by the Town. Mr Mabee said he did not see why this had to be a part-time job. He suggested that a senior citizen might be _interested. Mr Cataldo said if this person is paid, the Board can demand what it wants , and he felt that whoever it is should be paid, regardless Mr Sheldon suggested that the Board think about this for a week and have the subject on the agenda for next week. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the m .nutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held Minutes on October 18, 1965 The Chairman referred to a progress report received from the Traffic Study Committee and said in view of the number of telephone calls he receives , people around Town are concerned. He suggested that the report be released to the paper. Mr. Burnell agreed and Mr. Cataldo suggested that the report be signed so people will know who is on the committee Mr. Leslie York of the Public Facilities Building Com- mittee, met with the Board The Chairman explained to Mr. York that the Board has 366 cr el att. hard and fast rules that twelve o 'clock noon on Friday is the deadline for getting on the agenda Mr. Burnell said he suggested that Mr York meet with the Board . The Chairman explained exceptions are made in cases of emergencies Mr. York stated all he h. d in mind was a progress report on the Public Facilities Building . The contractor said the building will be complffted by November 15 He is about ten days behind his schedule . He said the committee would like to place a sign out on the sidewalk and he thought this would come under the Selectmen's jurisdiction. He asked if the Board wanted to design the sign The Chairman explained this would have to satisfy the Historic Districts Commission Mr. Cataldo stated it would also have to go before the Board of Appeals . Mr. Sheldon suggested that the committee be delegated to approach both Boards . The Chairman stated the Board would delegate responsi- bility to the committee and it could meet informally with the Historic Districts Commission and then return to the Selectmen and show it to them. Then an application could be filed with the Historic Districts Commission and the Board Be Appeals for regular hearings . He told Mr. York that the Superintendent of Public Works would assist him on the type of sign. Mr. York said the committee would be arriving at a problem as far as take over of the building is concerned. He asked how far the Board wanted the committee to carry on after the bualing is completed. He said there would be the problem of custodian and supplies . He said the Chamber of Commerce would man the information counter Mr. Cataldo suggested that the Board invite the Chamber of Commerce to a meeting and state exactly what is going to be done He pointed out someone will have tp pay for heating the building The Chairman said he would write to Gardiner Maxey, President, and ask him to meet with the Board next week. Mr. Carroll asked where money was coming from to heat the building this winter The Chairman replied this would be determined next week Mr. Burnell said the Chamber of Commerce would staff the building but will not provide janitorial services or pay for the heat . The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Logan Clarke, 19 Burroughs Road, relative to traffic speeding on Burroughs Road. 367 The Chairman asked Mr. Carroll how much longer he expected the detour to be in effect and Mr. Carroll replied about four weeks Traffic Mr. Carroll explained he put up some temporary "Slow" signs in the street and Chief Corr said he was going to assign an officer over there . Mr. Gray reported the police have been spot checking. Mr Carroll pointed out the statistics in Mr. Clarke 's letter would apply to any street in Town The Chairman said all the Board can do is to ask the Chief if he can place an o'ficer over there more often. Mr Cataldo pointed out this is a temporary condition Mr . Carroll explained these people have never had this volume of traffic andare not used to it The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to check with the Chief and see if there is anything mo e he can do. Upon motion duly made andseconded, it was voted to go into Exe utive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters which , if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial Executive inter-st of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Session Following discussion with Town Counsel relative to the 1775 Realty Trust, a discussion with Mr. Carroll rela- tive to sick leave for an employee, and a police matter, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10 :05 P.M. A true record, Attest 44- x-ec ive lerk. Select 1