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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-08-09-min 257 Selectmen's Meeting August 9, 1965 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, August 9, 1965, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Burnell, Cataldo and Mabee were present . Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Higgins, Assistant Town Engi- neer, Mr Colells, Assistant Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, and the Aoting Clerk were also present. At the requert of the Town Clerk, two jurors were drawn. The following individuals were drawn for jury Jurors duty: Joseph E. Belcher, 65 Williams Road, and Warren W. Johnson, 5 Dane Road. At 7 :35 P.M. , hearing was declared open upon appli- cation of Shell Oil Company for permission to maintain underground tanks for the storage of 16,000 gallons of gasoline, 500 gallons of waste oil and 500 gallons of fuel oil, to be used to heat the building, and for stor- age above ground 1,000 gallons of motor oil and 500 gallons of antifreeze, to be stored in metal containers Shell Oil or steel drums. hearing Notices of the hearing were sent, certificate of mailing, to the petitioner, owners of the property deemed to be affected as they appear on the most recent tax list, and also advertised in the July 22, 1965 issue of the Lexington Minute-man The application had been submitted to and approved byChief Engineer, B. J. Belcastro. Mr. Harold E. Stevens, Attorney for the Shell Oil Company, and one other gentleman were the only persons present at the hearing. Mr. Stevens stated this is the present Shell station at the corner of Marrett Road and Lincoln Street , which was operated by Mr. Lowry, and only this year one of his sons Who took over, passed away suddenly. The property has been leased to Shell, who will remove all the exist- ing equipment and erect a new building at 286 & 266 Lincoln Street which is in the C-1 zone. This is the same sort of modernization Gulf Oil is using now, 18,000 gallons . Shell is only asking for 16,000. The trucks are now built to carry over 8,000 gallons and the common practice is 8,000. They make fewer deliveries. Shell has included, as is customary, 1,000 gallons of motor oil, and 500 gallons of antifreeze, so that the permit can cover every- 258 c, thing and there will be no question. This permit will be in lieu of all prior permits . The Chairman asked if there were any other proponents who wished to speak, and then asked if there were any present in opposition. A gentleman who did not give his name asked if the petition in opposition was received, and the Chairman replied in the affirmative, stating it would be incorpo- tated in the record. The Chairman also asked if he had anything he would like to say, and he replied in the negative. Mr. Cataldo asked if there were any reasons given for the opposition, and the Chairman replied in the negative. The Chairman asked if there were any other objections. Hearing none, the hearing was declared closed. The Chairman stated it would be taken under advisement and that the Board would announce its decision. Mr. Burnell stated that this would change the area considerably, and the Chairman stated a permit was given to Gulf Oil, and if one was given a permit, the Board would have to give it to others. Mr. Burnell also stated that the Board was aware of the traffic problem at Five Forkk, and Mr. Cataldo felt that had nothing to do with it . Mr.Mabee stated Shell was using land that was residential even though zoned for business; it was resi- dential before. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a license to the Shell Oil Company to maintain underground tanks for the storage of 16,000 gallons of gasoline, 500 gallons of waste oil and 500 gallons of fuel oil, to be used to heat the building, and for stor- age above ground 1,000 gallons of motor oil and 500 gallons of antifreeze, to be stored in metal containers or steel drums. Herring was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate conduit in Waltham Conduit Street, approximately 270 feet southwest of Worthen Road location a distance of about 10 feet. Mr. Serverson stated there is a small piece of conduit going to service the new apartments . The Chairman asked if the Board had any questions. No one appearing in favor or in opposition, upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to approve the following conduit location Waltham Street, approximately 270 feet southwest of Worthen Road, a distance of about 10 fees - conduit . 259 ' Mr. Higgins stated that bids were opened this morn- ing for Traffic Signals . The low bidder, New England Traffic Signals, Inc . , Traffic $1 ,340.00; R. W. LeBaron, Inc . , $4,370.00; Municipal Signal bid Signal & Supply Co. , $4,780.00. Mr. Higgins stated that the New England Traffic Signals, Inc . installed the signals at Worthen Road and Bedford Street and also at Hill and Bedford .treets, and Reed and Bedford Streets. He recommended that the bid be awarded to them. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the bid for Traffic Signal-II to the New England Traffic Signals, Inc. , at their low bid price of $4,340.00. The next item Mr. Higgins had was for approval of a sewer easement . He stated this is for the first sewer contract this year. It includes two properties, the Sewer property of Longfellow Road and one off Longfellow Road easement and Red Coat Lane. The location of this sewer has been made and the people contacted, and they are in agreement . He stated they would like a vote of approval so that the final plan can be worked up. This is for tentative approval, as this is not the final plan. Upon motion duly made and secohded, it was voted to grant tentative approval for sewer easements on two properties, one of Longfellow Road and one off Longfellow Road and Red Coat Lane. The next item Mr. Higgins had was on the second sewer contract . He stated it would be necessary to detour for about three weeks at Route 2 and Pleasant Detour Street. The State has been contacted, and they expect their approval. The State has certain regulations, and the Town has to have a Police Officer, and it will be advertised. Mr. Higgins reported he had an announcement that the Federal Government has given the Town a grant of a Pumping Sewage Force Main for the Brook Street Pumping Station Station hot to exceed $49,800.00 Mr. Higgins reported on Federal Aid on the Wood- haven Trunk Sewer . The Federal Government originally set up four stipulations before Federal aid wcald come through. 1) The Woodhaven Sewer had to be completed; 2) The laterals had to be started; 3) The Deer Island Treatment plant had to be complete : 4) The Arlington- Lexington Relief Sewer had to be complete but now it has to be under construction. The Federal Government says we will not get money for our trunk sewer until it is complete. co 260cr et 211. The Chairman stated he had given approval over the 'phone for Mr. Canfield, 51 York Street, to meet with the Board. Mr. Canfield stated he was at the meeting in con- ' nection with a short piece of road which adjoins his property at the upper end of Woodland Road where it joins York Street , which is a private way and has never been accepted. It is fairly heavily traveled and is disintegrabing rapidly He said the roadbed on Woodland Road is due for a resurfacing and his concern is that it should get first aid before winter . He stated in ten years the section has never been touched. Mr. Higgins stated it will be fairly expensive to repair it. The Chairman said his understanding is that the Woodland Town has no right to go on private ways and it is an Road unaccepted street and will need Town Meeting actioh. Mr. Legro said that was substantially correct. Mr. Canfield asked what procedure to follow to put it before Town Meeting. The Chairman stated a petition should be sent to the Board of Selectmen asking to have it accepted as a public way. An article is then inserted in the warrant, and if Town Meeting approves it, the Town constructs it . The question was asked about the other abutt4rs , 1 and Mr. Canfield replied Mr. Wark and Mr. Little, but Mr. Little did not use theroad as he and Mr. Wark do, and said the street should be considered for acceptance. Mr . Burnell asked if this would have to be recon- structed, and Mr. Higgins replied reconstructed and widened. Mr. Burnell stated if it were accepted, a new base would have to be put in. Mr. Canfield retired at 7 :55 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Ross Furniture Company, 1789 Massachusetts Avenue, relative to the Damages taking of the punt Block and requesting the Board to submit an offer in settlement of damages . The matter was referred to Tbwn Counsel, who stated he would give the Board an answer on it . The Chairman read a letter from Peter C. and Mary M. Rommmell, 15 Bennett Avenue, relative to accept- Land ance of the offer of $20.00 for land damages due to damages the taking necessary for the layout of Bennett Avenue. Town Counsel stated he would prepare a confirmatory deed and send it to them for signatures, awarding damages in the amount of $20.00. 2 61. IIThe Chairman read a letter from Mr. John M. Ingraham, 35 Hayes Lane, relative to a sewer betterment on his property and requesting that a deferment be granted The Chairman said the Board was familiar with the Sewer location. betterment Mr. Higgins stated that the betterment has not been assessed on it The Chairman stated no action could be taken until the assessment has been made. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign two copies of Memorandum of Agreement, Chapter 90 Agreement Maintenance, Lincoln Street . Chairman referred to the release from the MDC, copies of which were sent to the Board. Mr. Colella stated he talked to Mr. Toole with tegard to the ban on watering, and with regard to Cities and Towns coming out and ordering a ban. They expected a 10% decrease in consumption, and unless it goes to 10% less Release than it is now, they will ask for a ban. He reported from MDC the Town had ceased to water public grounds last week. The Chairman stated every effort should be made in II the conservation of water, and the Board agreed Mr. Adams will have a statement in the paper asking the citizens to use discretion The Chairman read a petition of Boston Edison Company and New England Telephone & Telegraph Company for three poles on Concord Avenue, and asked if the Board had any Pole questions locations Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the fdlow- ing i/o pole locations : Concord Avenue, northeasterly side, northwesterly from a point approximately 170 feet northwest of Waltham Street, -- Three (3) poles (Three existing JO poles to be removed. ) The Chairman read a letter from the State Department of Public Works relative to plans for the section of Route 2 from a point 2000 feet west of Park Avenue westerly to Route 2 the vicinity of Watertown Street. Mr. Cataldo reported they had a meeting with Peacock Farm and they have released the traffic figures. He II stated they will set up a meeting and report back to the Board. 2 62 CI The Chairman read a list of Election Officers for lection the 1965-1966 term, expiring September 1, 1966. Officers Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that these officers be reappointed. let The Chairman read/rromrthe Massachusetts Selectmen's "Jimmy Fund" Association, relative to the "Jimmy Fund", He stated that the Board could urge fellow townspeople to support this worthy cause Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue a Liquor Purchase Identification Card to I.D. Card William H. Spiers, 185 Lowell Street, satisfactory identification of his age having been presented in the form of a birth certificate, and to authorize the Chairman to sign the same. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue a Liquor Purchase Identification Card to I.D. Card Linda R. Johnson, 18 Saddle Club Road, satisfactory identification of her age having been presented in the form of a birth certificate and to authorize the Chairman to sign the same Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on July 26, 1965. Mr. Harry King, 6 Scotland Road, met with the Board with reference to his sewer easement . He stated he had a sewer pipe going through his property, and he did not feel any betterment charge Sewer should be put on, as the sewage pipe left it worthless easement to them; they cannot build on it, there is a manhole cover at the end of the property so the land has not been put back the way it should be. He questioned why they should pay a betterment when the land was taken from them. Mr. Cataldo asked if this is off Woburn Street. Mr. Higgins showed the plan of the property. The Chairman stated Mr. King was connected to the sewer so he had received some betterment . The Chairman asked how much the betterment was, and Mr.King replied $739.00. Mr. Burnell asked if there was a sewer in Scotland Road, and looking at the plan stated this is the only way the Town could come in and was the most economical. Mr. Cataldo asked where Mr. King's driveway was. Mr. King stated it was supposed to be a 5' trench but it is 15 ' 2 ti3 Mr. Cole said Mr. Higgins would check this out. Mr. Higgins stated when they originally want down and talked about a sewer easement, it is 15 ' and 5 ' on the next property. It was decided by the Board that the sewer had to go in that location. He stated Mr. King was very cooperative. He was told what the better- ment charge was and asked if he wanted to connect to the sewer and he said, no. Later on, he was asked again if he wished to connect, and he did, so they were assessed a betterment. They are connected and they have been assessed $739.96. Mr. Cole suggested that Mr. King talk with Mr. Legro and come back to the Board with his recommendations. Mr. Legro stated he hadn't considered this at all. Mr. Cole reported the Board would have a recommendation and advise Mr. King. Mr. King retired at 8:20 P.M. Mr. Gray reported he had a bill from the Architect for the Public Facilities Building, Mr. Harry Erickson, which was in proper form, in the amount of $7,346.35. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Certificate to authorize theChairman to sign the Certificate for of Payment Payment to F. Chiavarini & Son Construction Company, Pub. Facil, Inc . , in the amount of $7,346.35. Building Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize payment of the bill of Harry C. Erickson, Architect, for fees, in the amount of $381.27. Mr. Gray reported he had a telephone call from Mr. Nicksay, Clerk, Arlington Board of Selectmen, relative to that Board meeting with this Board, and the date Meeting - Mr. Nicksay suggested was August 23. Arlington The Chairman stated he talked with Joe Greeley, Board of Chairman of the Arlington Selectmen, and had some Selectmen talk on the Great Meadows, showing them the line of procedure. The Board will know when it meets with them on the 23rd. Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted to cancel the Selectman's Meeting scheduled for August 16, and to hold a regular meeting on August 23, 1965. The Board will meet with the Arlington Board of Selectmen on August 23, at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Gray reported that the American Legion had requested permission to use 600 feet of snow fence and the reviewing stand for their Labor Day affair on the Parker Field. He stated as regular procedure Mr. Carroll does not let this equipment out . 264 o cr cl The Chairman stated it is to be a ('ountry Fair It is a matter of policy, not on the merits of the organization but on the policy. Mr. Cataldo stated that the Board has gone along with organizations. American Mr.Mabee suggested charging a maintenance fee. Legion Mr. Colella stated it is an expense to put the sections Country of the reviewing stand together. Fair Mr. Cataldo questioned if they would bring it back, that it is a good deal of work. The Chairman asked if it was policy for the Town to rent any of its equipment, and the answer was, it has to be a new policy. Mr. Cataldo stated the Town does not rent anything any more. The Chairman stated he would like to help the Legion out, and Mr. Cataldo said let them take it without charge; the Board should decide, and asked how it could stop. Mr. Mabee suggested setting up a policy with the understanding that a charge be made, a nominal fee. Mr. Burnell asked about the wear and tear, and Mr. Colella said it could be trampled over. The Chairman asked in what part of the Town would it be necessary to use the snow fence, and Mr. Colella replied it was used at Kennecott Copper on Spring Street, to protect new grass, to extend the fence at the Lincoln Street land fill, etc Mr. Cataldo asked if it was stored at the barn. Mr. Mabee suggested that it could be rented somewhere. If it was the Board 's decision to make, he would not re- commend it. The Chairman asked for a check to see if they had 600 feet, and Mr. Colella thought only about 350 feet, and that would not be sufficient, and the reviewing stand is stored away for next year. The Chairman stated that this answer be given them. Mr. Flynn, Commonwealth Service Corps, met with the Board at 8:30 P.M. The Chairman stated the Boerd had received his letter, together with the enclosures . Mr. Flynn explained this is a new State Agency, formed about one year ago, with five regional offices . It was founded with $116,000.00 to hire a staff to get technical assistance towards the goal of community action councils . Watertown, Arlingt9n, Waltham, Belmont, Newton, Lincoln, Weston and several other towns in this area are in the process of working into the action of appointing councils. He suggested a group of citizens designated by the selectmen tla 111 concerned with social welfare to work into the needs of Lexington, developing; special programs. He stated Lexington probably would not have many provisions of poverty provided by the Act, but programs could be carried out with other councils in the regional area, at Federal expense . Mr. Flynn talked at length on the merits of the service corps, the Chairman referred him to Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant to the Board, t,ho he said would go over the literature . Mr. Flynn could then report back to the Board on what would affect Lexington most bene- ficially. Mr. Flynn retired at 9 :20 P.M. Classification of Employees was held over until Classifi- all members of the Board were present. cations Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discus- sing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made Executive public, might adversely affect the public security, 'ession the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following a report of Mr. Gray on Town Accountant, and discussions with Mr. Legro on legal matters, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 9:50 P.M. A true record, Attest: Act ' • Clerk, Selectmen a.) tril (1)