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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-07-26-min 2 48 ClMra aa. SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 26, 1965 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, July 26, 1965, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. 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. Mr. Arthur E. Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, met with the Board, and stated he had given the Board all he could say in writing. The Chairman asked what he had requested an appoint- ment with the Board for, and he replied he needed funds. The Chairman said he read the letter (all members Civil received a copy at their homes ) what really is needed Defense is a request for a transfer of funds. (transfer Mr. Burrell said he was suggesting to the Board that it might be prudent to step things up a little bit and they can't be stepped up without money. Mr. Cataldo asked if Mr. Burrell had some men who had gone to that school Mr. Burrell replied in the affirmative and stated a man on the Fire Department. Neither he or the man feel it would be smart to have him teach. He does not want to teach and he does not think he is competent . He said the one who strikes him as attractive at this point is one of the Auxiliary Firemen. He said he has talked to him and he is willing to go down. He has a background. The Chairman said he thought if Mr. Burrell got the money, he had the personnel to draw from. Mr. Burrell said the problem is getting someone with time to teach. The Chairman asked how Mr. Burrell justified a re- quest for a transfer of money for the Civil Defense program, and stated, speaking as an individual, he thought it was justified. Mr. Cataldo asked if the warning gystem was all set. Mr. Burrell replied this was originally on there for the cost of leased telephones. He held back $200 hoping he might be able to spend it in November or December. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $1,685.50 from the Reserve Fund to the Civil Defense Expense Account . 249 111 The Chairman suggested that a copy of Mr. Burrell 's letter be sent to the committee with the request for the transfer Mr. Sheldon suggested that Mr. Burrell meet with the committee. Mr. Mabee abstained from voting. He said he did not see the necessity for a transfer now. He said the question was one of timing and he wanted to know why this could not be done at the Annual Town Meeting. He asked why this was not included in the budget last year . Mr. Cataldo stated that Mr. Burrell explained in his budget request that it was enough money to maintain the present level. Mr. Mabee said he was not opposed, but he wished to be recorded as abstaining. Mr. Burrell said these are long-need items.If they are needed in December there won't be enough time. Mr. Sheldon said Mr. Burrell has not asked for any- thing until he felt it was necessary and stated he thought Mr. Burrell had done an admirable job all the way through. Mr. Mabee said the report is good and what Mr. Burrell is trying to do is good, but he would rather take no stand at this time on a transfer and that is why he wished to be recorded as abstaining. Mr. Burrell retired at 7:L5 P.M. Mr. Legro stated he had prepared a contract between the Town and John W. Eagan Company, Inc. for painting Cary Memorial Hall. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Contract to sign the contract as submitted by Town Counsel. signed Mr. Carroll reported on bids received for street and drain work Contract No. 2, and recommended that the con- tract be awarded to the low bidder, Belli Bros., Newton- ville. Contract Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted awarded to award Contract No. 2 for street and drain work to Belli Bros. , the low bidder, in the amount of $129,757.50. Mr. Carroll reported on bids received fon sewer work Contract No. 3, and recommended that the contract be awarded to Fantoni & Bitsoli Co. , Inc . , the low bidder. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award Contract No. 3 for sewer work to Fantoni & Bitsoli,Co. , Inc. , the low bidder, in the amount of $86,006.00. co 250 cl x. Mr. Legro, referring to both previously mentioned contracts, said he had the same comment to make on both; a provision in the contract has to be corrected and this is in the process of being done. He asked the Board to Contract sign the contracts which he would hold. awarded Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a contract, prepared by Town Counsel, between the Town and Fantoni & Bitsoli Co. , Inc . , Contract No. 3 for sewer work, the contract to be held by Town Counsel until it is in proper form. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a contract, prepared by Town Counsel, between Contract the Town and Belli Bros. , Contract No. 2 for street awarded and drain work, the contract to be held by Town Counsel until it is in proper form. The Chairman referred to a memorandum received from Attorney General, Edward W. Brooke 's Office, regarding the Conflict of Interest Law. Mr. Legro stated he had also received a copy. The Chairman said it was information for the Board at the moment and Mr. Legro agreed. Mr. Legro explained it makes another exception which does not affect the Board . The Chairman requested that a copy of the memorandum be sent to each member of the Board. The Chairman read a letter from the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company requesting permission to place three stub poles andthree anchor guys on Town Stub poles property. and guys W. Carroll advised the Board he had looked into this with a representative from the telephone company and Mr. Mazerall. He reported the trees are dead and the guy wire should come off, but the Board should make it known to the telephone company that permission is temporary. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company to place three stub poles and three anchor wires on Town property, land located on Lincoln Street formerly used as the Town dump, with the under- standing that permission is granted on a temporary basis and may be changed when the Town decides to use the area for any purpose. Request was received from Robert R. Williams and Theodore E. Neale , Ward Street, for installation of sewer to serve their homes. 251 The Chairman said Mr. Carroll would follow the usual procedure on this and send out a petition, the Sewer project to be included in the budget for next year. The Chairman read a letter from Metropolitan Building Movers, Inc. for permission to move a build- ing from 1284 Concord Turnpike to 917 Massachusetts Avenue. Permit Mr. Carroll reported he had discussed this with Acting Chief Corr who advised everything was in order He stated a building permit has already been issued. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request subject to the usual provisions . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, deliberating or voting on matters, which, if made public, Executive might adversely affect the public security, the financial Session interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following discussion with Alan Silverman, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Request from Dr. Harold S. Lebow, 28 Oakmount Circle, for a street light was read by the Chairman. Street Mr. Carroll said he would take care of it. light The Chairman read a letter from Aiden L. Ripley requesting an extension of time on the house at 572 Massachusetts Avenue. The Chairman said the group was given thirty days which are about up. He asked how many members of the Board had looked at the house. Mr. Cataldo had looked at it; Mr. Sheldon looked at it about thirty days ago and Mr. Mabee looked at it from the outside only Mr. Sheldon asked if the house was as reasonably protected as it could be from vandalism, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative. He said he had not removed the shed because the Board had not discussed it with him. Mr. Sheldon said even though this house is an eyesore, in view of historic districts, he would be inclined to go along with Mr. Ripley's request . Mr. Mabee said he felt the same way. Mr. Cataldo pointed out no one has come up with a concrete offer, and they want the land fcv ppactically nothing. He said the house is not a good looking house to begin with, even if restored. A lot down the street sold for $8,000 so the lot is worth at least that . Mr. Sheldon said he thought the man would pay that 252 C, Mr. Cataldo pointed out no one has said so. Mr. Sheldon said Mr. Ripley could obtain a firm offer Mr. Cataldo asked why these people who are interested did not find a lot and move the house. Mr. Sheldon stated some of thegroup wanted it to go across the street and to keep it in the immedite neighborhood. Mr. Cataldo said the Board is asking Mr. Cummings to remove his unsightly building, but the Board is doing the same thing. Mr. Sheldon asked if Mr. Cataldo would go along with an extension if the man will pay $8,000. Mr. Cataldo replied in the negative. He said if this man says he has some place to put the house on, he would be willing to sell it and have it taken away Mr. Mabee asked why the Board wanted to keep the land. Mr. Cataldo replied the Town is purchasing land every year and this way the avenue can be kept clean. He said if it were a good 7toki.ng house, he could see it. Mr. Sheldon said Mr. Cataldo was not in favor of the location across the street regardless of what the man wants to pay for it and Mr. Cataldo said that was correct. Mr. Sheldon mentioned if theman would, within a reasonable time, find land somewhere else. Mr. Cataldo said he would not want this to go on for a year. Mr. Sheldon said theBoard gave the impression, not that this was acceptable, but that it would be con- sidered He said the Board did not charge this committee to find another lot and it should give them a chance. Mr. Cataldo asked what if it were left there and turned down by Town Meeting. Mr. Mabee said there would then not be any problem. The Chairman asked if the four members of the Board could agree, if they could find another lot somewhere else the Board would have no objection to them having the house Mr. Legro advised that the Board has the power to demolish the house and has the power to sell it. Mr. Sheldon said they may need sixty days rather than thirty. Mr. Cataldo stated if the house had good lines, good architecture he would say yes, but just because it was built in 1860 he could not see keeping it there. He said the Board could agreed that if they dont same back at the end of sixty days with a concrete proposition, the house would be torn down. Mr. Mabee said he would go along with that first. He said he would subscribe to thirty or sixty days. Mr. Sheldon said Mr. Ripley is on vacation. 1 253 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend the time for thirty days, and within that thirty-day period, the group interested in the preser- vation of the house is to come back to the Board with a concrete proposal to move it to another piece of private land, with a willing buyer. The Chairman read a letter from the Metropolitan District Commission with reference to distribution of water problem during periods of high draft Water Mr. Carroll explained there is no problem in Lex- ington as there is sufficient water for two and a half years, but there is a problem with the aqueduct and the Sudbury River. Mr. Catd.do suggested that the paper ask for a voluntary curtail of the use of water Mr. Carroll said he could ask for a voluntary curtailment on outside sprinkling. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Chairman issue an appropriate statement. Mr. Carroll said he would confer with the Chairman on the statement for the paper. Mr. Carroll reported a telephone call he received from the gas company Friday about a problem. He asked for a ]atter, but Mr Stockwell from the Mystic Valley Gas Company is present. Mr. Stockwell said this summer the company was putting in a new gas main on Massachusetts Avenue before the street was built. At #465 the company had a service that went into the house. A new line was placed on the opposite side of the street into the house . This line was damaged by the contractor. At that time the company had to abandon that pipe. They intended to go in after the excavation was completed and put in another gas line, but the second gas line was never put in before the street was resurfaced. The company is now asking per- mission to come up the sidewalk area or the grass plot area from #445 to serve #465. He said the sidewalk or grass plot would be restored. Mr. Cataldo said #465 is Mr. Cummings ' property. Mr. Stockwell said that was correct . The Chairman said it was his understanding all utilities were notified well in advance Mr. Carroll said a service was put in which was broken by the contractor. In the confusion, the company forgot. Mr. Sheldon said the error was on the part of the gas company and Mr. Carroll said that was correct. 254 c cl Mr. Stockwell said the first time it was ripped out by the contractor and they intended to go back and put in a new gas line. However, when someone thought of it again, the street had been resurfaced and the house now needs a gas service. Mr. Carroll said his feelings are exactly as they were on Blake Road. The Chairman stated on Blake Road the Board made an exception and said it would not set a precedent . Mr. Mabee asked if Mr. Carroll recommended going up the sidewalk. Mr. Carroll replied he did not think it is any more satisfactory today than it was on Blake Road. Mr. Stockwell retired, but returned later in the meeting with Mr.Cummings. He said he learned from Mr. Cummings there is a man, his wife and four children living in the house and gas is the only way they can cook, heat water or heat the house. As far as Mr.Cummings knew, he thought the gas had only been turned off . He called the gas company last Wednesday to have it turned on. In checking into it, they found the service had been ripped up and not replaced the second time. Mr. Cummings said these people can't heat water or bathe. He had the gas company put in a new gas heater in the cellar and put in a new gas stove. He said the company notified him that the line coming into the house was broken by the builder, but by that time the people were already living in the house. He said it was not his fault that the line was ripped out. Messrs. Stockwell and Cummings retired at 9•:05 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny the Mystic Valley Gas Company's request for per- mission to install a gas line in the sidewalk or grass plot area from #Li45 Massachusetts Avenue to serve #x.65 Massachu- setts Avenue. Further consideration was given to the sale of tax title lot 217 Spring Street. Mr. Legro said if the Board would tell him what it wants to do he would straighten the matter out in preparing the deed. He stated if the Board wants to convey the entire Tax title parcel to the two families, and this is acceptable to them, the only restriction it would want to have placed in the deed is it will not be built upon. If it wants to divide the lot and sell to each of the two owners, then there will have to be a restriction that the two parcels are to be combined with the existing lot. He said he would recommend that they be required to furnish a plan showing the division of the lots . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sell andconvey tax title lot 217 Spring Street ; half of 255 which will go to John P. and Jane M. Doherty, 29-31 Spring Street, Lexington, and the other half to Annellie Flynn, 35-37 Spring Street, Lexington, for $500.00 each half with the restriction on the land that it shall be annexed to the present lots owned by Doherty and Flynn, that the land will not be built upon and that a plan of the land be submitted to the town. Mr.Legro said he would like Mr. Gray to tell these people that he would like their title reference on the property they now own. Upon motion duly madeand seconded, it was voted to certify the characters of Charles Francis Mahoney, 110 Cert. of Pleasant Street and A. Leonard Fires, 2L. Buckman Drive, Inc. both individuals having applied to the State for a Certificate of Incorporation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate ambulance bill #182 charged to Thomas L. Flannery, 4 Winston Street, in the amount of $7 .00, the Chairman Ambulance having explained the bill was made out in error. bill Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Stanley Hill Post #38, American Legion, the use Use of of Cary Memorial Hall on Sunday, September 19, 1965, for hall Installation of Officers, free of charge . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Taxi Driver License to Richard Khachadoorian, License L42 Waltham Street, satisfactory character reference having been received from Acting Chief Corr . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a Liquor Purchase I.D. Card Identification Card for Robert J. Ploof, 759 Marrett Road, satisfactory evidence having been submitted that he is over twenty-one years of age. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign a Liquor Purchase Identification Card for Karleen Boerner, 35 Shirley I.D. Card Street, the card to be held until satisfactory evidence is submitted that the applicant is over twenty-one years of age. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held Minutes on July 12, 1965. I W 256 el Classification of boards, committees and commissions was held over. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discussing, Executive deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public , Session might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following discussion relative to salary category, with Mr. Carroll, and legal matters with Mr. Legro, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 10:00 P.M. A true record, Attest: •?✓�'' / Exe ive/Clerla, Select 0w V