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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-02-15-min co Q' et SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 15, 1965 A regular meeting of theBoard of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, Februcry 15, 1965, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Brown, Burnell, Cataldo and Sheldon 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. Carroll told the Board he would like to take bids March 8 on the garbage contract and would like to continue on the basis of June 1 because it commences the summer season The Board had no objection to the date, June 1, and instructed Mr. Carroll to aske for bids on the basis Garbage of one, two and three years . contract Mr. Carroll said the present contract had worked out very satisfactorily and asked if the Board wanted to make any changes in it. Mr . Legro said he did not think of any changes as the Town has been operating all right on the present contract . Mr. Carroll referred to the house owned by the Town and located at 561 Massachusetts Avenue and re- 561 Mass ported that the tenants have moved, and the house is Avenue in very poor condition He reported bids had been received for tearing the building down - $595.00; $1150; $1500; and recommended that the low bidder, DeFelice, take the building down. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the bid of $595.00 and that the building be taken down Mr. Carroll referred to a letter received by the Board last week from the Lexington Historical Society with regard to the condition of three historic signs; Historic two on the common and one on Clarke Street He said signs the first sign, the site of the Daniel Harrington House, on Harrington Road , could be repainted by the Towrr Mr. she ldon asked if this could be done without destroying the lettering, and Mr Carroll replied in the affirmative Mr. Carroll said the second sign, a hanging sign on the edge of the Common, Massachusetts Avenue side, has cut in letters. He reported he had obtained a price from the Newton-Norman Co. , Inc of $600 00 for 19 letters carved into the background ( l4" mahogany) and a price of $175.00 for painted letters on painted background. Mr. Sheldon observed that there is no conformity in the signs. Mr. Burnell said two of the three signs, to which Mr. Worthen referred in his letter to the Historical Society, are incised letters Mr. Sheldon asked if this type were necessary Mr Carroll explained the sign won't last any longer, but the lettering will. Mr. Cataldo asked if there were any Trust funds avail- able . Mr. Carroll replied he did not look into this but said there might be some funds that could be used for this purpose. Mr. Cataldo said there is no question but that it would be a better looking sign if the letters were incised. Mr. Carroll said the other sign, the one on Clarke Street at the foot of Belfry Hill, should be done over; that it cannot be repaired He reported he had obtained a price from the same company on this sign of $450.00 for letters carved into background (14" mahogany) and a price of $90.00 for painted letters on painted background Mr . Cataldo said he felt the signs on the Common should be uniform. Mr . Burnell pointed out that the sign on the Masonic Temple is in bad condition. Mr. Carroll said Mr. Worthen has also mentioned two direction signs ; one located at Waltham Street and Massa- chusetts Avenue directing tourists to the Battle Green, and the other on Massachusetts Avenue directing tourists to the Colonial Cemetery. The Chairman said these should be considered at the same time Mr. Carroll stated his department could take care of these. He suggested that the Board write the Trustees of Public Trusts to find out whether any of the various Trust Funds could be used to have the signs on the Common repaired Mr. Burnell said he thought the signs on the houses should be the same and the signs on the Common should be the same. Mr. Carroll referred to the letter received by the Board Janua y 4, 1965 in regard to lighting the passage- way from Massachusetts Avenue to the Aunicipal Parking Area, and reported the Town has a right of way but the Savings Bank owns the alley. He has contacted Mr.Duncan, Treasurer of theBank, and explained the situation to him, and he expects to receive a letter from the Board stating Cc: 20 et i it is not in favor of putting a light in the passageway. Savings Mr. Carroll said it was his understanding there is Bank no liability, and from the standpoint of pedestrians, Passageway there is no need for a light. Mr. Duncan did not realize this was bank property. It was agreed to advise the Lexington Savings Bank that thetBoOrd feels it might be considered the province of the Bank to install a light if it wants it . Mr. Carroll said there will be an auction held Thursday morning in Chelmsford and his mechanics would like to go to it to get a transmission jack and a porta-power; the two items being worth $500.00 new. Equipment Upon motion duly made and recorded, it was voted to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $250 for this advertised equipment if the mechanic believes it to be worth the money The Chairman read a letter from Soule Brothers, Inc . , 640 Lowell Street, with further reference to drainage, Lowell St . of Lowell Street, suggesting that the work be done in two drainage stages; the drainage this year and construction of the road next year. Mr . Carroll said this was done a couple of years ago to remedy another situation. Mr. Sheldon inquired about the drainage cost, and Mr. Carroll replied it would bein the vicinity of at least $5,000.00. Mr. Sheldon asked if any portion of this work was done, would any of the money be wasted when the entire job was done , and Mr. Carroll replied only a small amount would be thrown away Mr. Sheldon asked if, in Mr. Carroll ' s opinion, this drainage work could wait or not . Mr. Carroll replied the property was purchased with the existing situation. The Chairman said the amount involved is $5,000 and it is not in the budget Mr. Carroll explained the only way to take care of the drainage this year would be to defer some other drainage item already approved . The Chairman asked if there was any drainage project Mr. Carroll could defer, and he replied in the negative . Mr. Cataldo asked what this existing situation did to hamper Soule Brothers . Mr. Carroll replied the water spills onto their pro- perty and lays across the road Mr. Sheldon said the Board has gone over Mr . Carroll's projects very carefully and Mr. Carroll feels he should not 21 sacrifice one, and therefore he would be in favor of let- ting Soule Brothers wait another year The Board agreed The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board recommending that the developer, Emerson Gardens Realty Developer Corporation, be reimbursed the amount of $2,257.70 as reimburse- provided for in General Laws, Chapter 570 of the Acts ment of 1962. The Chairman asked if Mr. Carroll had checkec this, and he replied in the affirmative. Form letter was received from the State Department of Public Works, Division of Waterways, in regard to future waterways projects . Waterways Mr . Carroll explained this is a general letter and projects the Town is not involved with any project with the Div- ision this year. He stated it is hoped that the Kiln Brook project will be out this year. It is now in design and money is available . Mr. Tropeano 's letter, on behalf of his client, Warren T. Ferguson, regarding a sewer betterment assess- ment levied on property located on Fairbanks Road , was Ferguson held over . betterment Mr. Carroll presented a plan and referred to two lots, 358 and 357, which he stated were built in the Cary Acres ' subdivision, Section One. He stated the time this was built, ne sewer was available . A few years later, there was Cary Acres, Section Two, and this lot , which is referred to as 119 or 319, was built as the last lot and there was sewer here . The contractor in- stalled a sewer main up the stre-t, which was approved, and then ran an illegal sewer main to serve two lots . At the time it happened, Spinelli, the contractor, was immediately told the sewer would not be approved because the Town had not seen it and had no easement . Mr. Ferguson was informed that if and when a sewer was put in Fairbanks Road, he would have to pay a betterment Mr. Stevens told him if he would pay a sewer betterment, assuming the Town could get Spinelli to take up the sewer and make sure it was all right, the Town would take the sewer and Mr. Ferguson would not be assessed a betterment Mr. Ferguson went to Spinelli and said he would have to protect him, and Mr Spinelli agreed to protect him. Last year, the Town put a sewer in Fairbanks Road and assessed Mr. Ferguson. Mr. Ferguson came in to see him and said he was willing to pay the $600 if the Town would take over the sewer easement. He said he talked to this gentleman "here" and discussed this situation. Mr. Ferguson 1 co 22 xp has an easement over Loury's property and he will grant the Town an easement . He said this letter from Mr. 111 Tropeano was written after Mr. Ferguson came in to see him, and Mr Tropeano is not representing Mr. Ferguson at all. He is representing Spinelli, and his idea of protecting Mr. Ferguson is getting the sewer betterment abated. Mr Ferguson wants the Board to understand Mr. Tropeano is not representing him The Chairman said Mr. Ferguson was willing to pay the betterment provided the Town takes over the service and it is possible to do so because it can get an ease- ment from Lowry without cost to the Town. Mr. Legro said the Town would want to examine the pipe . Mr. Burnell asked how much it would cost to inspect the line in there now, and Mr Carroll replied $100 maxi- mum, and said there has been some minor difficulty with the sewer Mr. Cataldo asked if it was all lawn where the sewer is located, and Mr. Carroll replied he thought it was . He said if he encountered any difficulty, he would come back to the Board. The Chairman read a letter from Arnold Stern, 11 Woodcliffe Road, advising that, in his opinion, the Board 's offer of settlement for a sewer and drain ease- Stern ment was too low settlement Mr. Carroll said the Board should wait until spring before it did anything about this. He said he did not think the contractor has put the drain in yet and sug- gested that the Board wait until the prOect is completed and then talk to Mr. Stern The Chairman said the think to do is reaffirm the Board 's offer of $25.00 Mr. Sheldon suggested that the Board tell Mr. Stern that it would discuss the subject with him again in the spring when the project is completed The Board agreed Form letter was received from the Massachusetts Federation of Taxpayers Associations, Inc. , in regard Counting to Vote Counting Systems votes Mr. Gray said this was in reference to voting machines and electric systems for counting votes, and calling attention to the fact there are rapid changes being made that will be available for counting votes. This is general information Letter was received from the League of Women Voters TMMA to which was attached a copy of the League ' s 1964-1965 Yearbook Letter was received from the Lexington Visiting Nurse LVNA Association, inviting the Board to appoint a representa- tive to the Association's Boadd of Directors . It was agreed, as has been the custom for a number of years, to defer this appointment until after the Annual election, March 1 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mr. James E. Broderick, 15 Maple Street, a Appointmen member of the Town Celebrations Committee to fill the vacancy caused by Ar. John Rudd 's resignation. TheChairman read a letter from the Town Celebrations Committee relative to a Lexington Day during hhe 1965 program of the New York World 's Fair, and said #1, the Lexington $1500 has been added to the budget He said the Board Day at could not do much about this until the money has been Worlds Fai, appropriated and asked the Board to give some thought to the appointment of a sub-committee . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following individuals Auxiliary Firemen as requeed by Mr. Arthur Burrell, Director of Civil Appoint- Defense ments Kenneth M. Knobel, 37 Percy Road, promoted from Lieutenant to Captain; Richard Kimball, 60 Gleason Road, promoted from Private to Lieutenant , Robert J. Warner, 39 Bertwell Road, promoted from Lieutenant to Captain; Daniel A. Whitney, L . Fletcher Avenue, private; Douglas I. Nickerson, 214 Massachusetts Avenue, Private Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Church of Our Redeemer to Paper Drive conduct a paper drive on Sunday, May 2, 1965. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Yearly Dump Permit to Esco Builders, 26 Permit Hallmark Drive, Woburn Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to renew the Common Victualler 's License for the Colonial Licenses Coffee House, Depot Square. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to issue a Common Victualler License to Clinton F. Schwamb, new owner of the Village Variety Store Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Taxi Driver License to Timothy John Quinlan, Licenses 67 Vine Street, Lexington. 24 cr ct Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant a Taxi Driver License to Carleton H. Mabee, 25 Highland Avenue, Lexington. Upon motion duly made snd seconded, it was voted to grant the Lexington Choral Society use of Cary Mem- Uses of oriel Hall on Friday, May 14, 1965; Saturday, May 15, halls 1965, and Sunday, May 16, 1965, free of charge, subject to a fee of $3.46 per hour for custodian's overtime services Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny application for use of Estabrook Hall for a Use of meeting of the Fthical Society of Boston due to the hall fact the proposed use (religious ) does not conform to the permitted uses, as stipulated in the will of the donors of Cary Memorial Building. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign Notices of Intention to lay out Massachusetts Notices of Avenue from a point approximately 382 feet, more or Intention less, southeasterly of Meriam Street and extending southeasterly 235 feet, more or less Depot Square extending southwesterly 105 feet, more or less, from the westerly end of Edison Way Edison Way from Depot Square and extending easterly 85 feet, more or less . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discuss- Executive ing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made Session public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Trown, or the reputation of any person. At 9 :35 P.M. , Chairman Blaisdell, Messrs Noyes, Gary, Parrish, Clarke, Zehner and Mrs . Sousa of the 1965 Appropriation Committee, met with the Board Appropri- Following discussion pertaining to 1965 appropri- ations ations, it was voted to resume the open meeting. The Chairman reported that he had talked to Carl Blake, President of the TMMA, who wants additional Meetings informational meetings . He told Mr. Blake the Board would like a meeting March 3 and 4 Mr. Gray submitted a plan and stated "This is a request from the Planning Board. A subdivision is going in here . There is a subdivision that possibly 25 can come in here and empty out on Marrett Road. The Planning Board would not like to see the subdivision empty out on Marrett Road They would like to have two entrances This little piece of land here has to be acquired . The Planning Board would like to know the Selectmen's thinking about taking this . John feels it would ha,re a definite benefit to the Town not to empty the traffic out on Marrett Road . " The Board had no objection. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 P.M. A true record, Attest : ; xec tive lerk Selector n 7 ks c f I