HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-08-23-min 266
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING '
AUGUST 23, i€5
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building,
on Monday, August 23, 1965, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman
Cole, Messrs . Burnell, Cataldo, Sheldon and Mabee
were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll,
Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Execu-
tive Clerk, were also present
Mr. Stephen Choate, 10 Childs Road, Lexington,
applicant for a Guide 's license, met with'the Board
The Chairman explained that the applicant had
passed the examination and was certified by the Acting
Chief of Police.
Guide Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to issue a Guide 's license to Stephen Choate, 10 Childs
Road, for a term expiring April 1, 1966 .
Request for four jurors was received from theTown
Jurors Clerk. The following individuals were drawn for jury
duty: James G. Cassani, Jr. , 28 Barbell Street; John M.
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Colman, 14 Chase Avenue; William Hall, 38 Kendall Road;
Francis L. Bradley, 6 Farmerest Avenue .
Letters from Miss Lillian Jones , 8 Buckman Drive,
and Mrs . Percy H.. Lanpher, 7 Buckman Drive, requesting
the installation of additional street lights on Buckman
Street Drive
lights A copy of the letters had been submitted to Mr .
Carroll who advised the Board that he had taken care
of these requests
The Chairman read a letter from David H. White,
5 Whittier Road, requesting that some action be taken
to properly indicate the division of Graham and Whittier
Street Roads.
signs Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Burnell had mentioned
this to him two days ago and he has already written a
work order.
Letter was received from Frank Sandy, 353 Emerson Road,
requesting installation of street lights at the
Street intersection of Emerson and Angier Roads.
lights A copy of the letter had been submitted to Mr.
Carroll who advised the Board that he had taken care
of the request
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Petition wPs received requesting the Board to make
an investigation of the traffic flow conditions at the Traffic
intersection of Great Road and Hartwell Avenue
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to refer the subject to the Traffic Study Committee
At the request of Acting Chief Corr, upon motion
duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Special
Arthur E. Burrell, 2 Thoreau Road, and George Freeman, Police
13 Grant Street, Concord, Mass. , Speck]. Police Officers
for terms expiring March 31, 1966
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted World Law
to proclaim September 13, 1965 World Law Day. Day
Mr. Adams, a former member of the Board of Select-
men, suggested that he elaborate on the subject of the
police force and law enforcement in connection with the
World Law Day
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to authorize the Chairman to sign Liquor Purchase Identi-
fication cards for the following, satisfactory evidence Liquor
of their ages having been submitted : Carol Wheeler, 31 I.D. Cards
Sylvia Street ; Robert E. Coyne, 3 Sheridan Street and
John Kelley, 1 Kendall Road.
Letter was received from Charles F. Sisk, Adjutant,
requesting permission, on behalf of the American Legion,
Stanley Hill Post No. 38, Inc . , for permission to hold Horse Show
a Horse Show at Willardts Woods on October 10, 1965, from
10 :00 A.M. until 6 :00 P.M.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the request .
Letter was received from Mrs . Aaron A. Galvin, 15
Barberry Road, requesting permission to conduct a labor Square
Day Weekend square dance on Barberry Road (at #26) on dance
Saturday, September 4, or Monday, September 6.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the request
Letter was received from William R brohalon, 14 Square
Benjamin Road, requesting permission to conduct a square dance
dance on Benjamin Road, Saturday, September 18, 1965.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the request
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to certify the character of Frank L. Shunney, 24 Revere
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Street, an applicant for a Certificate of Incorporation,
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Cert . of satisfactory references having been received from Acting
Inc . Chief Corr.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to certify the characters of Michael A. Miller and
Cert . of Annette L. Miller, 5 Partridge Road, applicants for a
Inc . Certificate of Incorporation, satisfactory references
having been received from Acting Chief Corr.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the following licenses :
Lexington Theatre, Inc . 1794 Mass . Avenue renewals
John C. Lyons Cook St . , Pinehurst Taxi
Licenses Herbert R. Rowe Lexington Street, Woburn Taxi
Gerald J. Umina 46 James St . , Lexington
Edward Foley 22 Lakeview St . , Arlington "
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
Use of hall to grant the Lexington Choral Society the use of Cary
Memorial Hall on December 3, 4 and 5, subject to the
established regulations .
The Chairman read a letter from the Town Clerk
iesignation advising that Haskell W. Reed had resigned from the
Committee on the Revision of the General By-Laws .
The Chairman read a letter from the Town Clerk
advising that the Moderator has appointed Mr. John F.
Appointment Cogan, Jr. and Mrs. Ruth Morey to the General By-Laws
Committee to fill vacancies caused by the resignation
of Mr. Haskell W. Reed and Mr . Robert E. Meyer.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held
on August 9, 1965.
Invitation was received from the Stanley Hill Post
Invitation No. 38, American Legion, to attend the Installation of
Officers on Sunday, September 19, 1965, at 4:00 P.M.
in Cary Memorial Hall .
Mr. Alden L. Ripley met with the Board at 7 :45 P.M.
for further discussion relative to an extension of time
House at for demolition of the house at 572 Massachusetts Avenue .
572 Mass . The Chairman stated that the second extension Mr.
Avenue Ripley had would run out on August 26and asked what
progress had been made .
Mr. Ripley replied when he came to the Board be-
fore, that is the last time , all of the people who were
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interested in trying to do something with it were more
or less tied because of the fact they were then talking
almost entirely of getting it onto a lot of land owned
by the Town on the opposite side of the street . He
said he asked at that hearing, that the protection for
the house be continued until the next Town Meeting when-
ever that might be. The Board did not want to extend
it that far because it appears there may not be any Town
Meeting this fall; yet nothing could be done until a
Town Meeting. He said he was at the meeting this
evening on the same problem. There are now two people
definitely interested in putting this house on a private
lot of land if they can clear the house . He said it is
not easy to do these things in a month or two or three
On one of these lots, the land, the question of clearing
the title. The owner is more or less willing to go along
and more or less agreeable on the price. The title has
to be cleared up. He said he was asking at this time
that the Board extend it for another thirty days . At
the end of that thirty days , he may be back and ask for
another one if it cannot be cleared up in the meantime .
Neither of these sites are very far away from the present
site of the house . He said from the point of view of
the historical interest, the house would not be miles
away. In either case, the house would be completely
renovated and in one case, lived in by the owner, and
in the other, the owner will rent it
The Chairman asked if the prospect would be willing
to buy the house now. He said he would have it and the
Board would give a certain length of time for him to
move it.
Mr. Ripley asked if he understood that the Board
would actually give away the house to get rid of it .
The Chairman said the Board might charge a dollar.
Mr. Ripley said anyone would give a dollar.
Mr. Legro said he just wondered what would happen
if he did not perform his agreement .
The Chairman said it would revert to the Town. He
said the Board wants to dispose of the house. Some
people think it is of value. In order to cooperate with
these people , the Board could vote to sell it.
Mr. Legro said he supposed the Board would like to
have an agreement to have it moved from the present site
to another site Until the man has a site, it would
be difficult to enter into such an agreement .
Mr. Ripley asked if Mr . Legro meant this would be
more of a protection, a token transaction
Mr Legro replied he raised the question whether
the agreement would really perform anything.
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Mr. Sheldon slid the man has to be sure he has a
place to put it .
Mr. Ripley said that is what he is not sure of at the
present time . He said he has gone over ten or twenty
lots of land within a half a mile in that area . He
said he could not see that thirty days, and possibly
another thirty days, can make much of a difference in
the life of this house.
Mr. Sheldon suggested that the Board give Mr. Ripley
and his committee another thirty days with the thought
in mind that at the end of that time he will be far
enough along with his project so a reasonable amount of
time can be arranged for the removal of the building.
He said at the moment he thought a thirty-day extension
would be indicated because from what Mr. Ripley says, he
is making progress
Mr. Burnell said he would agree to a thirty or
sixty day extension and would agree to an extension to
the next Town Meeting which may be March. He said Mr.
Ripley would certainly have plenty of time to do all
that is necessary to handle the situation; also, Town
Meeting could approve it, if necessary He said if
nothing is accomplished by that time, he would favor
demolishing the building.
The Chairman explained the Board has authority to
dispose of the house now.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to extend the time for thirty days to take effect begin-
ning August 26, 1965
Mr. Legro advised the Board he had prepared a deed
conveying th Irene B. Graziano all that part of Lot 354
lying within the Town of Lexington that is included in
Lot 3 on plan entitled "Plan of Land in Winchester, Mass .
(General Residence ) owned by Irene B. Graziano", dated
June 1963 and all that part of Lot 355 lying within said
Town of Lexington that is included in said Lot 3
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to execute the deed as submitted by Mr. Legro.
Mr. Legro stated he had a contract for traffic
signals at Massachusetts Avenue and Waltham Street
which is in good form except the insurance certificates
Traffic have not been received.
Signal Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
Contract to sign the contract , as submitted by Mr. Legro; same to be
held by Mr. Legro until the certificates have been received.
Mr. Legro stated he had a contract between Whitman &
Howard and the Town of Lexington for engineering services
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on the various streets as listed in the contract Engineering
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Contract
to sign the contract as submitted by Mr . Legro .
Mr. Carroll referred to the ban on the use of water
and said, as he understood it, the Board took some action
over the telephone last week r,ecause of the fact the NDC
came out with a ban the middle of the week. He said
he had a vote, a copy of which he submitted to each
member of the board, which he hoped the Board would
consider He said, at the present time, he was try-
ing not to use Town water at the Buckman Tavern and
the Common. He is using water from the reservoir and
brooks which is working out very well.
Mr Sheldon suggested that the vote be printed in
the paper because of the resentment on the part of some
of the citizens.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, the following
vote was adopted :
Due to the continuing drought and the serious de-
pletion of the reserve in the Sudbury Reservoir
in the Metropolitan District Commission water dis-
tribution system which has caused the State Depart-
ment of Health to declare that an emergency exists
under G. L. Chapter 40, Section 41A, the Board of
Selectmen, acting as a Board of Public Works, does
hereby vote to place the following restrictions on
the use of water in Lexington:
A) The use of all automatic sprinkling systems
B) The use of hoses for washing motor vehicles,
watering lawns and gardens, washing down
driveways, sidewalks and highways
C) The use of water-cooled air conditioning
equipment , swimming pools, bathing pools,
wading pools and fountains - any of which
are not equipped with water recirculating
devices
The following uses are excepted from this ban:
1) Vegetable gardens (not flower gardens) .
2) Golf course greens (not fairways ) and
other commercial uses such as nurseries,
farms , etc . , to which the use of water
for sprinkling is vital
3) Lexington Common and Buckman Tavern grounds
which are National historic Shrines .
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4) Cases which are not covered in L and 3 above
but which in the opinion of the Superintendent
of Public Works are special in that they
would cause considerable hardship or substan-
tial monetary loss to occur if watering was
not allowed.
Special exemption permits must be applied for by ap-
pearing in person at the Superintendent of Public
Workst Office in the Town Office Building
Mr. Carroll referred to Federal aid for the Brook
Street pumping station and stated the Department of Public
Health is prepared to make an offer of S1.49,800.00 and have
Brook sent forms which have to be filled out . He mentioned, with
Street reference to the Woodhaven trunk sewer project , that the
Pumping Board authorized him to be its representative.
Station With reference to Federal aid for sewer force main
for the Brook Street pumping station, WPC-Mass-142,
upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt
the following resolution:
1. That the construction of said project is essential
to and is in the best interest of the applicant, and to the
end that said project may be constructed as promptly as
practicable it is desirable that action preliminary to the
construction thereof be undertaken immediately;
2. That John J. Carroll, Supt. of Public Works, be
hereby authorized to file on behalf of the applicant an
application (in the form required by the United States and
in conformity with 33 U.S.C.466e) for a grant to be made by
the United States to the applicant to aid in defraying the
cost of construction of the sewerage treatment works de-
scribed above;
3. That if such grant be made, the applicant agrees
to pay all the remaining cost of the approved project,
over and above the amount of the grant;
4. That if such grant be made, the applicant agrees
to make provisions satisfactory to the Surgeon General
of the Public Health Service for assuring proper and efficient
operation and maintenance of the treatment works after com-
pletion of the construction thereof;
5. Th at the said John J. Carroll, (Supt. ) is hereby
authorized to furnish such information and to take such
other action as may be necessary to enable the applicant
to qualify for the grant;
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6. That the said John J. Carroll (Supt ) is hereby
designated as the authorized representative of the appli-
cant for the purpose of furnishing to the United States
such information, data, and documents pertaining to the
application for a grant as may be required; and other-
wise to act as the authorized representative of the appli-
cant in connection with this application;
7. That certified copies of this resolution be
included as part of the application to be submitted
to the United States , for a grant .
Mr. Carroll said he was in the process of having
Cary Memorial Building painted inside and the floors done
over, and explained, up against the stage, there is a Cary Mem-
series of hardwood floor doors that can be lifted out for oriel
storing risers which he felt should be replaced with a Building
permanent section of floor. Mr. Douglas has submitted
a bid of $433.56 and he has sufficient funds in his budget
to cover this additional expense . He said he would like
to make a permanent floor.
The Board had no objection.
Mr. Carroll said he planned to take his vacation
next week
The Chairman said there would not be another meet-
ing until September 13.
Mr. Carroll said he had some trouble on easements
but thought they could be handled.
At 8:00 P.M. , Messrs . Greeley, Bilafer, Homer and
Feeley of the Arlington Board of Selectmen, met with the
Board for the purpose of discussing the Great Meadows .
Mr. Greeley said they had a committee named "Tne Great
Great Meadows Committee", but that committee has been Meadows
abandoned. The whole Board was to attend the meeting
this evening and hear the Lexington Selectmen's story.
He said he did not want to raise the Board 's hopes or
those of the Town of Lexington. He said he would like
the Chairman to tell them the story of what he believes
can be done and how it will be helpful to both towns.
The Chairman stated that Mr. Greeley and he talked
the Great Meadows to some extent . They both agreed that
the Town of Prlington owned the Gr-at Meadows , and it
being in the confines of Lexington. He said Lexington
would like to own it and have it in the confines of the
Town. He said he understood in Arlington many people
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regard the Great Meadows as a watershed and some agree-
ment would have to be made so nothing could be done to
destroy it as a watershed. He and Mr. Greeley agreed
that if each Town had a committee of three and worked as
one committee, not necessarily the Selectmen, it could
work out whatever details . He said his feeling would
be that the Town of Lexington could purchase the property
and it could be done under conservation, even He said
the Town could, he thought, be reimbursed to some extent
and it would always be for conservation purposes. If it
were open to people of Arlington and Lexington, Arlington
would have the use of the land and it would not be paying
taxes . He said it would not be destroyed and would be
kept as a conservation measure. He explained there are
restrictions on conservation land .
Mr. Greeley said they come into the condition of
certain officials in the Town being very strongly against
this. Some of them believe this is still a watershed,
although he does not . He said tae land value of the Town
could not be considered . He stated it would be with the
understanding that Lexington would keep it in its natural
state or develop it into a park but there would be no
thought to selling to a developer. He said he was op-
posed to giving the Town of Lexington $1600 a year for
taxes for something Arlington has nothing to gain. He
explained he was only speaking as one member of the Board.
He told the other members as they came in here, they would
listen to the Lexington Board and take it back as presented.
One of the men said the Chairman cited the long-range
viewpoint, from the standpoint of the Town of Lexington,
would be to leave this in its natural state
The Chairman said Lexington would not destroy the
natural state.
Mr. Sheldon explained if this were acquired under
conservation, the Town would have no right to sell any
portion of it or to divert t to any other use . He said
he was sure these problems could be examined by all, and
the protection is quite adequate ..
Mr . Greeley mentioned the possibility of developing
the land into a golf course.
The Chairman said it could be some form of recreation
and all these things would be in an initial agreement . He
said if Lexington acquires the land, it would expect the
price to be in keeping with the benefits to both towns .
One of the men said when the Planning Board met with
them, the point brought up at that time is still strong
today. On the books of the Town of Arlington having
spent money for the Great Meadows, he believed the figure
to be one million or one and a half million that has stood
the Town of Arlington. Arlington had to buy the land for
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a watershed. He stated there was a water company and the
Town purchased all its visual equipment , plus the land .
This amount of money has been brou5ht before the Town
Meeting.
The Chairman said if this money was spent to protect
the watershed, and they are still going to have the water-
shed, wouldn't that dispose of it .
One of the men said people in Arlington are looking
at it as saleable property. It is a dangerous position
for any official of the Town of Arlington to be put in.
The Chairman said it was his understanding there was
at least a very vocal group in favor of retaining it the
way it is .
Mr. Greeley said that was pretty much correct .
One of the men said there has been no commitment to
selling.
Mr . Greeley said they have never put a price tag on
the land. He said he thought it makes a great difference
if one is Belling the land to a neighboring town who intends
to keep it in its present state
One of the men said the strength of the whole argument
will be if the use of the land will be of value to Arlington.
The Chairman said the Board accepts the fact that this
land in its entirety is of value to the Town of Arlington
and the Board would do nothing to take that value away. He
said this could be spelled out in an agreement.
Mr. Greeley said this is something that will not be
easily handled They have the Town Manager. He would
like to develop it and thinks it would be a great idea
for another Symmes Hospital, but he, personally, was op-
posed to spending money in Lexington.
One of the men asked if the Board had looked into
the legal aspect as to whether or not Arlington has the
right to sell the land .
The Chairman said it may take an Act of Legislature,
but he did not know He stated if Arlington owned it
and is willing to sell it , and Lexington is willing to
buy it, Arlington would be willing to vote to sell and
Lexington would be willing to vote to buy, he was sure
the representatives in Arlington and he could get the
Act through.
One of the men said it was deeded to the Town of
Arlington for the express purpose of a watershed .
The Chairman stated this is why he suggested that a
committee be appointed, and charged with the investigation
of all possibilities . Then they would repot back and
the Board would take action from there
Mr. Greeley said he believed the Board of Selectmen,
acting as the Water Commissioners, has the right to sell
the Great Meadows
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Mr. Legro stated it was acquired by several deeds
and by some takings . There have been at least two
special Acts of the Legislature relative to the Town
of Arlington's powers in using the Great Meadows. He
said he has read them, there is a history, and it will
take more careful study than a guess of what was read
some months ago
Mr. Greeley said they wanted to go back to the Board
and discuss this at great length. If it wants to name
that committee, it will notify Lexington's Board and that
is it . He stated there are people in Arlington who are
just as much opposed to selling as there are in favor
This title was searched four or five years ago.
One of the men said it was only the boundary. He
said right now he would not be for the sale to the Town
of Lexington. He said this may be too much in the future .
He said it is Lexington's thought if this takes place, the
Great Meadwos would come under the Conservation Commission's
control.
The Chairman said it could and might be desirable that
it would. He said at this point he is not sure. He said
he would want to go slow and make sure the Town of Arlington
and the Town of Lexington both benefited
One of the men said it is possible with a sufficiently
strong presentation of advantages to Arlington that some-
thing
could be worked out. He said until they have a
concrete proposal that it would work to the benefit of the
Town of Arlington, Lexington would not get anywhere .
The Chairman stated that is why he suggested a com-
mittee to report to both Boards.
One of the men said any committee appointed would be
an exploratory committee.
The Chairman said that was correct. The committee
would be given a proper charge and the Board would want it
to find out if it is possible to do it . The Arlington
group would present the reasons in opposition. The Lex-
ington group would present the reasons for and against
from Lexington's gtandpoint
Mr. Greeley said they would discuss this before the
Board. He said Lexington's feeling is that in its wisdom
the Arlington Selectmen should name a committee of three
to study and investigatd and report back.
The Chairman said he did not think either town stood
to lose anything in naming a committee
The group retired at 8:30 P.M.
Letter was received from Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector,
together with a letter he received from Barry B. McGinnis,
14 Cottage Street, complaining about Mr. John Daley, 20
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Cottage Street, parking a commercial truck overnight on
' Cottage Street .
Mr. McGinnis was present at the meeting and said Zoning
this is his third complaint . complaint
The Chairman said he thought this had to be referred
to the Building Inspector for action.
Mr. McGinnis said the Zoning By-Law says garaging of
commercial vehicles in an R-1 district on a person's
property is illegal.
Mr. Mabee asked if he was talking about a zoning
violation.
The Chairman said the only thing the Board can do
tonight is refer this to the Building Inspector and go
over previous correspondence .
Mr Mabee asked if Mr. McGinnis felt this was a
zoning infraction and he replied in the affirmative .
The Chairman read a letter from the Town Treasurer
advising that it is necessary to borrow $300,000 in anti-
cipation of taxes . The letter also included a list of Borrowing
bids received for the borrowing.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to borrow the sum of $300,000.00 in anticipation of taxes
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to approve the bid of 2.02% discounted received from the
New England Merchants Bank of Boston.
The Chairman read a letter from the Alcoholic Seiner-
ages Control Commission with reference to the sale and "Package
delivery of alcoholic beverages on Labor Day, Monday, Goods`
September 6 , 1965, which is a legal holiday in Massachu- stores
setts "Package Goods" stores shall not sell or deliver
alcoholic beverages before one o 'clock P.M.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to close all "Package Goods" stores the entire day.
Mr. Leslie York, Chairman of the TMMA, met with
the Board and extended an invitation to the Board to Meeting
attend a meeting of the Executive Board on September 8
at Mrs . Touart 's home, at 8:00 P.M.
Mr. York asked the Board 's approval of request to
obtain a copy of the Selectmen's agenda every Monday. Agenda
The Board had no objection.
Mr. York, representing the Public Facilities Build-
ing Committee , said the committee originally had a con-
tingency of $2500.00. There have been some savings, so
now the amount is $3760 .00 . He said the Committee would
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like to have terrazzo floors in the building. They have
a figure of $1900.00 for this but it is a change in the
contract and therefore it is necessary for him to come
Public before the Board.
Facilities Mr.Mabee mentioned that contingencies come in at
Building the end
Mr. York said they are pretty well along and this
has been discussed with the contractor.
The Board wa in favor, and upon motion duly made
and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman of
the Board to sign the change order, as submitted by Mr.
York, on behalf of the Town
The Chairman read a notice from the Office of the
Attorney General, Edward W. Brooke, rlative to a meet-
ing on September 34, 1965, Gardner Auditorium, State
Milk House, at 11 :00 A.M. It stat$.d the importance of repre-
hearing sentatives of all departments concerned with the purchase
of milk attending the meeting.
The Clerk was instructed to forward a copy of the
communication to the School Department.
With reference to classification of boards, com-
missions and committees , Mr. Legro said there are certain
exemptions given to special employees that are not given
to a regular employee, and in some instances he can make
disclosures that a regular employee could not do
The Chairman said he understood that special employees
of the Town doing business with other departments than
his own has to make a full disclosure of his interest in
the transaction and how much he makes on the transaction.
Mr. Legro said first of all, it prohibits all employees
except as to special employees it only applies to a particu-
lar matter in which he has at any time participated as a
municipal employee or which is pending before nis particu-
lar municipal agency. There is no requirement of dis-
closure to a special employee except in those particular
matters. The participation provision of the statute
makes no distinction between a special and regular.
Neither are permitted to participate in such a particular
matter.
The Chairman asked if he, if he were a special em-
ployee, could sell insurance to the School Department,
not being on the school board.
Mr. Legro replied so long as he did not participate
in any manner in the transaction as a municipal employee
or so long as it was not a part of his official responsi-
bility at that time or he was prior to that.
The Chairman said the Board feels the special employees
should know the limits beyond which they can't go and would
like to give them a statement.
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Mr. Legro advised that any employee on finding
the conflict may make a full disclosure and dispose of
his interest He said if one has a 10% interest in a
corporation doing business with the Town and finds out
about the conflict, he disposes of the 10% interest in
the corporation.
The Chairman said if he did not dispose of the 10%,
hewould be in conflict . He asked if there was some-
thing the Board could give the special employees to make
them aware of the possible conflicts.
Mr. Legro asked if the Board wanted him to digest
the law. He said they have the right to ask the opinion
of the Town Counsel which should be based on the particu-
lar facts.
Mr. Sheldon asked if Mr. Gray could take some of the
burden off Town Counsel and get a letter which he would
ask Town Counsel to approve that could be reasonably
complete , and then send it out with the Chairman's signa-
ture .
Mr. Legro said it might be helpful if an abstract
of the statute was made, naming triose things that are
prohibited.
The Chairman said the onus is on the employee to
initiate whether he has a conflict or not.
Mr. Legro advised it is on all employees.
The Chairman stated the Board is trying to protect
the employees and say there is a statute on the book,
take a look at it, and if there is any doubt, find out.
Mr. Legro said he could set up the three particular
sections naming the things prohibited; a statement that
all municipal employees are regular unless classified
special by the Board of Selectmen
The Chairman said he thought it would be helpful
and Mr. Legro said he would be glad to do it He said
if the problem becomes burdensome , he thought a form
should be submitted to the department heads.
Mr.Legro said a special employee is exempt if he
files a statement with the Town Clerk, a statement of
his interest and those of his immediate family. If the
Selectmen approve his exemption of his interest from
that action.
Mr. Cataldo asked if a special employee could go
before his own Board and get this exemption.
Mr. Legro replied he can't go before his own Board.
He explained he has to be exempted by the Board of
Selectmen who are regular employees .
Mr. Cataldo said a special employee could not deal
with his own Board under any conditions .
Mr. Legro said that was correct unless he disposes
of his conflicting interest
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The Chairman said the Board would proceed in this
manner and Mr. Legro would get something together to
be sent out to all departments.
The Chairman said he felt the Board of Fire Com-
missioners should not be regular employees and asked
if the Board had any other Boards.
Mr. Cataldo said anyone signing contracts for the
Town or entering into agreements for the Town; just
confine it to the Board of Selectmen. He asked why
the Fire Commissioners and Cemetery Commissioners should
be regular and the School Building Committee spending
millions of dollars be special .
Mr. Mabee explained the sums of money the School Sites '
people and the Standing School Building people spend are
not done on the basis of an annual appropriation of a
Town Meeting where they have a budget and are expected
to purchase regular items. They are expected todevelop
some kind of plans , obtain bids and then go before Town
Meeting before any money is spent . This is in contrast
to the Fire Commissioners and School Committee
Mr. Cataldo said this is where he disagreed. They
are spending millions of dollars in one short contract .
Mr. Legro said, in his opinion, it is a distinguish-
ing factor as is the notoriety the given Boards have
through open meetings and Town Meeting. He said he
thought a number of factors were involved; the number of
people hired and employed, the frequency of purchase, the
difficulty of getting competent people who will be affected,
by the Conflict of Interest law.
The Chairman said the School Building Committee goes
to Town Meeting and gets a blank check for so much money
and administers this money. They have within their power
to do business with the architect and contractor. There
is very little control.
Mr. Legro said except for architectural services, it
is all subject to competitive bidding and they are pro-
hibited from having any interest The Fire Commissioners
have a budget which may be 90% personal services but in-
volving a lump sum appropriated at Town Meeting and spend
as they see fit for their department. The Standing School
Building Committee gets an appropriation for architect 's
service and construction, original furnishing and equipping
of a school for particular purposes and in carrying out
functions that may be required.
Mr. Cataldo said they are still spending large sums
of money. On individual contracts, most contracts are
purchasing off the shelf items The Board does not know
the specifications to begin with He said he would put
anyone negotiating for the Town or entering into contracts
do a regular basis '
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The Chairman said all boards should be treated
the same way and should all be special employees . He
said he thought the Board owed something to the special
employees so that they were aware of the problems .
Sheldon asked if the Fire Commissioners, School
Committee and Cemetery Commissioners were to be made
special rather than regular
Mr. Cataldo replied he was in favor of putting them
all regular or none.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to classify the Board of Fire Commissioners, School Com-
mittee and Cemetery Commissioners as Special Municipal
Employees.
The Chairman reported that Mr Jeremiah wants to
take a six months ' leave of absence so he can go to
another part of the country. If granted, there would
be an interim Electrical Inspector .
Mr. Sheldon reported Mr. Jeremiah had called on
him. He said there have been situations in departments
before, to wit, the Fire Department . A man wanted to
take another job, and if he did not like it, he was a Wire
fireman again. He asked if a precedent were being Inspector
created. Generally speaking, if a man wants to leave a
job and take a chance, he should take the chance. The
fact it is done this time, it might come up again.
Mr. Cataldo said he thought the Board should know
whether or not someone competent can be employed.
Mr. Burnell said there is a question in his mind
whether his recommendation of a substitute for the
interim period can do the work
The Chairman asked if a full-time fire or police-
man could be a part-time Electrical Inspector
Mr. Legro said he did not see any involvement of
the Conflict of Interest law.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
that Mr. Robert Jeremiah, the Wire Inspector, on a
part-time basis, be granted a six months ' leave of
absence providing a suitable replacement can be found.
Mr. Carroll retired at 9 :34 P.M.
Mr. Alfred Busa met with the Board and stated he
had received an agreement from Mr. Legro, Town Counsel,
with reference to the lots on Circle Road. He explained
there are some changes he would like to make. He mentioned
lots in the process of tax title which he said Mr. Legro
advised are in that stage but can't be written in the
agreement. The question of all lots being no less than
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seventy-five feet This was agreed upon by Mr. Busa
but he would like to have ap ortion of lots . If someone
wanted eighty feet, he would like to cut them in half
g y
and give one person eighty feet He stated no lot would
be less than seventy-five feet.
Mr. Legro informed the Board he has already discussed
these and said he would recommend them to the Board of
Selectmen.
Mr. Busa said he would like to extend the time to
June, 1968. This would give him time to look at the lots .
He said the other thing bothering him is paragraph 4 which
states that on or before the time of the delivery of the
deed c6hveyibg the lots, the trustee agrees to transfer to
the Town a surety bond in form of security satisfactory
to the Town in the penal sum of $30,000.00 This is a
performance bond which Mr. Legro felt he should have. Mr.
Busa said he would like to have it read "at or before the
commencement of the work", the Trustees agree He said
he did not want to put up a performance bond tonight or
next week if the Board signs the agreement tonight and
then take six months looking up the title of the lots.
He said he would like the Town to give him the deeds and
in the deed state he would not build, sell or construct on
these lots until a performance bond had been approved.
Mr. Legro stated Mr. Busa just discussed this with
him this evening. This is a draft agreement he prepared
some time ago. He said he did not think the Board has
even seen this agreement
Mr. Busa said Mr Zaleski told him this had to be
signed this eyeing.
Mr. Legro explained the Planning Board will require
the construction of Circle Road, sewer, water and drain
to be under agreement and bond given before it approves
the subdividion plans for the contiguous subdivision.
The Planning Board may have said it would not give this
approval until the agreement was signed. He said he
could see no objection to the parts of lots as long as
the seventy-five foot frontage is retained. He said,
with reference to the bond for construction of the way
and utilities, this was agreed to before and it would
cost money to put up the bond now. On the other hand,
the basis on which the Town is selling these lots is
that Circle Road be constructed. He said the bond is
security to the Town
The Chairman asked, if this is an agreement and it
has to be redrafted, wouldn't it have to go to Mr. Legro
and be redrafted
Mr. Legro replied the normal procedure would be for
Mr. Busa to bring this to him and he would go over it and
redraft it for the Board. He explained there are eight
2S3
or ten grants of easements to be obtained in Circle Road
before this agreement would have any binding effect
Mr. Busa gave the copy of the agreement and proposed
changes to Mr. Legro.
Mr. Busa retired at 9 :45 P.M.
Mr. Burnell said the Board of Appeals will hold a
public hearing on petition of Avon Realty Trust. He
said the Board would recall that a couple of months ago
it directed the Traffic Study Committee to make a study
of Five Forks and come up with recommendations as might
be needed to correct the traffic situation that exists
there. For this reason, he was bringing this to the
Board 's attention tonight . He understood that on this
property it is proposed to build the first floor to be
used for food store and the upper floor as office build-
ing. The Planning Board probably would be in favor of
no parking in front of the building. If this is so, it
would appear to him that the Board may be faced, in a
little while, with parking on the street, parking be
required in order to take care of the store customers
He said it would seem to him as a result of this study,
that sooner or later on the street parking would have to be
prohibited in that area.
Mr. Sheldon asked if there would be land around the
store.
The Chairman replied it is limited.
Mr. Burnell said the point he would like to make is
the Board should make a recommendation to the Board of
Appeals or at least bring to their attention the possi-
bility that they give consideration in their determination
so as not to force on the street parking which , it seemed
to him, the Selectmen would have to eliminate Then the
property owners will have a double problem. He stated
he would like to bring this up so the Board could write
to the Board of Appeals , recommend through the Planning
Board, that this be given consideration.
Mr. Sheldon said Mr . Burnell wanted to alert the
Board of Appeals so it will not grant this without any
misunderstanding on the parking.
The Chairman suggested that, as Chairman of the
Traffic Study Committee, Mr. Burnell attend the Board
of Appeals ' meeting. He said a member of the Board of
Selectmen could explain the situation and ask the Board
of Appeals to take it into consideration.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to have Mr. Burnell attend the Board of Appeals ' hearing
as a representative from the Board of Selectmen.
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Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis-
cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if
made public, might adversely affect the public security,
the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation
of any person.
Following discussion pertaining to legal matters, it
was voted to resume the open meeting.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to adjourn at 10 :13 P.M.
Atrue record, Attest :
, ( eq iv Cle k, Select
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