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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1965-02-01-min 1 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 1, 1965 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 1, 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 At the request of Miss McDonough, Temporary Town Clerk, five jurors were drawn. The individuals drawn Jurors were as follows : Gerald E. Cowperthwaite, 67 Bridge Street, Theodore A. Haddad, 36 Reed Street, Donald P. Noyes, 261 Waltham Street, Duane A. Haugen, 15 Normandy Road, Ford D. Brown, 1 Belfry Terrace, and Millard G. Owen, 39 Reed Street Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to install about Conduit III 15 feet of conduit in Westview Street location Mr. Serverson, representing the petitioner, was the only person present at the hearing Notices of the hearing were mailed to the peti- tioner, owners of property as listed on the petitioner ' s plan and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works . Mr. Serverson explained it is intended to go from a pole to a manhole going into Itek. The hearing was declared closed, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the peti- tion and sign the order for the following conduit lo- cation o- cation Westview Street, at Maguire Road, a distance of about 15 feet - conduit Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one pole in Massachusetts Avenue, at the intersection of Follen Road and Pleasant Street Mr. Serverson, representing the petitioner, was Pole the only person present at the hearing. location Notices of the hearing were mailed to the peti- tioner, owners of property as listed on the petitioner 's Ill plan, and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works . co 2et AP Mr. Serverson said the pole location will light the intersection and is being located where Mr. Carroll, Superintendent, had requested it . The hearing was declared closed, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the re- quest and sign the order for the following pole lo- cation: Massachusetts Avenue, in traffic island, at inter- section of Follen Road and Pleasant Street, -- One pole . Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate one pole Pole on Sylvia Street. location Mr.Serverson, representing the Boston Edison Com- pany, wa:, the only person present at the hearing. Notices of the hearing were mailed to the peti- tioners, owners of property as listed on the petitioners ' plan and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works . Mr. Serverson explained the request is to set one pole to service two new homes. The hearing was declared closed, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the peti- tion and sign the order for the following j/o pole lo- cat ion: Sylvia Street, southeasterly side, approximately 1. 70 feet southwest of Massachusetts Avenue, -- One pole Mr. Legro and Mr . Gray left the meeting to go over the warrant articles. Mr. Carroll reported, with reference to the North Lexington Force Main, that he and Mr. Gray met with a Mr. Greeley, of the State Sanitary Engineering Depart- Sewer ment, last Wednesday in regard to the force main and the Winter Street trunk sewer. According to Mr. Greeley, the force main project will be eligible for 30% aid after funds have been appropriated and application made . The Winter Street sewer will not be eligible Mr. Carroll referred to a question raised at a previous meeting in raged to the possibility of extending the water main along the so-called Frontage Road, and said he had prepared some figures for the Board. He presented 3 a plan and indicated the property in question. He ex- plained the total betterment that could be assessed would be $1596 on one side of the street and 0334 on Water the other side. He said the Board is talking $35,000 main for or $40,000 to extend the main so the return of better- Frontage ments is small. He suggested the same arrangement used Road with Cabot, Cabot & Forbes and advise the people inter- ested in rezoning that if this was proposed the Board should talk about ge' ting one-half of this cost back which would be something like $9.00 a foot, total cost . The Chairman asked if they accepted a half and half formula how much the Board would get back Mr. Carroll replied a little over $4,000, and it will cost the Town the same He said the Board should be thinking about getting this into a State contract. The Chairman said it is important that the Board approach them and try to reach an agreement . Mr Carroll referred to the article on the so-called Scott land and said a decision has to be made as to ex- actly what the Board wants to give up in terms of juris- Scott land diction. He presented a plan entitled "Plot Plan of High School", and indicated the area involved. He had outlined in red what he thought the Board might consider. The plan as submitted was basically approved. The Chairman read a letter from John A. Bellizia, on behalf of the Pine Meadows Country Club, dated January 25, 1965, relative to a water bill he received and claimed to be excessive . A copy of the communi- cation had been sent to Mr . Carroll. Mr Carroll reported that Mr. Bellizia paid the old bill on July 13, which was $241.01. The bill for the period between April 16, 1964 to September 16, 1964 was S420 83. He said he thought Mr. Bellizia repaired the leak some time after the reading was made in April so the excessive use continued beyond the last reading. He said the club never had a bill anywhere near this amount before . He said the reference made in the letter was to an abatement the Board granted Mr. Bradford Giddings, and tills case is nothing like that . He reported that the meter was checked today and there is no leak The Chairman said this comes down to who had the best chance of discovering the leak. The Town had no chance because it was on the other side of the meter and it was on his property. Mr. Cataldo said he could not see how anyone could have a leak in the house and not become aware of it and said the Board did grant Mr Giddings an abatement . Mr. Carroll said the Club 's meter was read in April, at which time it was told the bill was high. Then the co 4 cr et o. meter was read in September. The Chairman said there is more use of water at the Golf Club during that period, and asked if Mr. Carroll would be prepared to make a recommendation. Mr. Carroll replied on the basis of the information he has now, he thought the bill should stand Mr Cataldo said he agreed there should be no abate- ments beyond the meter, regardless Mr. Burnell said he thought this sAould be a policy of the Board. Mr. Sheldon suggested no action. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to deny Mr. Bellizia 's request for abatement Mr. Cataldo was recorded in opposition Mr. Sheldon asked if he thought this case was com- parable to the other one . Mr. Cataldo replied he thought it was identical, that the Board was wrong in the first place and never should have started this Mr. Brown stated the abatement granted on the other requet was on the second six-month period. The Chairman read a letter from Harold G. Wilson, 112 North Road , Bedford, relative to an open ditch between Eldred lots 411 and 110, near the intersection. of Eldred and Street Justin Street. ditch Mr. Carroll advised that Mr. Wilson is building some houses on Eldred Street. He presented a plan and pointed out the ditch to which Mr. Wilson referred Mr. Wilson came to him and suggested that the Town cover the brook He said he told Mr. Wilson he did not think the Board would go along with this because it would benefit only two people Mr. Wilson then sug,_ested that if the Town would lay the pipe, he would supply it Mr. Carroll said this would cost him at least $3,000. He said there is a possibility that it may not be possible to put a sixty inch pipe in there and it may be necessary to put in twin pipes which would cost him more money. He said the Town would have to lay the pipe, which would not be easy, and the amount involved is between $1,000 and $2,000 for the Town. The Chairman asked if the Town had ever done any- thing like this before, and Mr Carroll replied in the affirmative. He explained that Mr. Massimilla on Bow Street supplied the pipe and the Town installed it. He said Mr Wilson is willing to grant a permanent easement to the Town. The Chairman said thre would be agitation to have the remaining part of the brook covered. Mr. Sheldon said if there is vacant land down stream, sooner or later someone else will want this covered e Mr. Carroll said if the Board does decide to have this ditch piped, he would not recommend reimbursing the builder for the cost of the pipe- Mr. Cataldo mentioned it would cost the Town a total of $20 or $25 a foot including labor The Chairman said this is a problem of a private developer and not a problem of the Town Mr. Carroll pointed out that six months from now the builder may be gone and have sold the houses which will be fifteen feet from the open dith Mr. Sheldon said he agreed there was a problem when the houses are occupied, but there is another problem coming up down the line . Mr. Brown said he would be opposed to this because it is for a developer and he was sure the purchase price was based on the condition of the land. Mr. Sheldon asked where the Town's liability began and ended if nothing is done, this land is developed and flooding occurs Mr. Carroll replied there will be no flooding here because the Town is cleaning out this brook and there will be a good brook system there. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to pipe the ditch The Chairman read a letter from Soule Brothers, Inc. , 640 Lowell Street, in regard to a water condition on the street . Flooding Mr. Carroll recommended that, if the situation has on Lowell existed as long as it has, it could wait one year . He Street proposes to build that section of the street next year , at which time the street will be crowned and there will be drainage. He said this would take care of the entire problem Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to take any action on the matter until next year, and to advise Soule Brothers that it is the Board 's in- tention, in connection with the reconstruction of Lowell Street, to do this portion next year, at which time drainage will be installed. Mr. Alfred P. Tropeano 's letter with reference to sewer betterment assessment levied against property of Sewer Warren T. and Elizabeth Ferguson, Fairbanks Road, was betterment held over at the request of Mr. Carroll for another week Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign forms, submitted by Mr. Carroll, identified as Chapter 90 Memo No. 21513 and 22158 upon request of J. J. O 'Brien & Sons, Inc. , to sublet certain items of work in the Chapter 90 Street Contract. iT et The Chairman read a letter from Mary R. McDonough, Temporary Town Clerk, together with bids received on School the Middleby Road School Loan. loan Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the bid of 3.00% at 100 .4056 submitted by the Smith, Barney & Co. , Inc for the $1,345,000 Middleby Road School Loan. Letter from the Minuteman Council, Inc. Boy Scouts Shoveling relative to shoveling hydrants after winter storms was hydrants referred to the Fire Commissioners School Minutes of the Joint School Committee and Adminis- Salary trator Salary Advisory Committee Meetings held on meetings January 20, 1965 and January 27, 1965 were received. The Chairman suggested that the members of the Board familiarize themselves with the minutes . Report of the Advisory Committee on Human Relations Report was held over for one week. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Jaycees April 19 relative to location for a refreshment booth on April 19, booth It was agreed to follow the same procedure established last year. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to Dump issue Yearly Dump Permits to the following: H. F. Green & Sons , Inc . , 257 Northern Ave. , Boston Arthur G. Mitchell, 58 Old Lowell Road, Westford At 8 :22 P.M. , Messrs . Abbott, Lund and Mrs Morey of the School Sites Committee, members of the School Committee, Standing School Building Committee, Appropri- ation Committee and Capital Expenditures Committee met with the Board. Mr. Abbott distributed financial information entitled "Comparative Costs (Revised 2/1/65)" with reference to A.-Morland Avenue school site ; B.-Pleasant otreet (School Committee Estimate Corrected) ; C.-Pleasant Street (Sttes Committee Estimate ) The Chairman explained the joint meeting was to hear the results on the investigation of the various school sites; either Moreland or something in place of Moreland He requested that all questions be directed to Mr Abbott. School Mr. Abbott explained that Mr. Steele, Chairman of the sites Committee, is in Florida and stated that the Committee had prepared new sites here with the correction on the amount on Moreland which was originally estimated for $30,000. He stated at the time the Committee made its report, the architect had not figured what was already spent Now they come up with a figure of $10,830 instead of $30,000. Mrs. Morey suggested that the figure of $30,000 be dropped from each of the three columns on the Comparative Costs explanation Mr. Cataldo said the $30,000 for land acquisition has been appropriated but has not been spent, and the purchase price is not known Mr. Abbott advised that approximately half the land has been acquired. Mr. Gray reported the Town has made the taking, but has not settled the price. Mr. Abbott reported he called the Lucky Penny Trust todayand they recently purchased the last of this land for 5,000 an acre . They don't want to sell the land The Town would have to take it . If it is taken, they assume they have a layout for 36 lots , the final location of EMerson Road might take two or three lots . If they have thirty-three lots they feel they are worth $10,000 each. Mr. Fenske asked if they would be interested in ex- changing for Tarbell. Mr . Abbott replied they would be losing a school site The Chairman said the Board of Selectmen was to in- vestigate other sites, but the final decision was to be left with the School Committee, Standing School Building Committee and School Sites Committee. He said he did hear that all three were unanimous in keeping the Moreland Avenue site. Mr. Abbott said they had a discussion meeting The Chairman said the Selectmen are interested in a site if it would cost less money and be good for the Town, but it is not the Selectmen's jurisdiction but that of the School Sites Committee to come in with a recommendation Mr. Fisher said this last figure was something they did not nave before they came in, and if it costs the Town this muci, this puts another light on this . He said the School Cmmmittee, had it been given an option of Pleasant Street o ' Moreland Avenue in the beginning, would have picked M)reland Avenue in the beginning, and it still does not consider Tarbell agood site . The School Committee does not feel Tarbell is a good site now or in the future . He said with these costs figures, he did not think the School Committee's point was so strongly in the picture on Pleasant Street He said as far as the operation is con- cerned, ;he committee prefers Pleasant Street to Moreland Avenue b3cause it would be easier He stated that for the Plea3ant Street very few children would have to be I cc 8 cr bussed. It is not known how soon the Carroll and Swenson property will be developed so there will be a period of time for bussing. He said if this land is going to cost $230,000.00, unless the Town would like to include it in pur- chasing open land or it could be swapped for Tarbell, these other arguments lose some of their weight . Mr . Cataldo, referring to the $230,000.00, said the Board woaldn't even consider the price. The last purchase that went through, although they paid $45,000.00 an acre, it was $2500.00 a lot for the land they bought and the thirty-six lots would bring it up to $90,000.00. He pointed out they established this value themselves He stated this $90,000.00 would be what the Town would be hit for b by going to Court. The School Sites Committee has an article in connection with obtaining 30% Federal aid. He said, with reference to Moreland Avenue, if the school were built now, the only access would be Philip Road Three years from now, when Worthen Road is built, another access would have to be built . Then there would be 1542,000.00 for the development of Worthen Road for the school site. He said this is what the Capital Expenditures is carrying. Then an access would have to be built from Worthen Road to the school and asked if anyone had these costs Mrs . Morey referred to the figure of $90,000.00 and said the committee has not discussed an access from Barbell Because of the bad traffic on Pleasant Street, there would have to be an elbow. She said the Planning Board has in mind, when Emerson Road is built, the corner will have to be cut off. She said building at Pleasant Street would precipitate the widening and make it immediate, an expense the committee has not figured. Mr. Cataldo said it is not known where Emerson Road is going. Mr. Abbott said there is a plan for Emerson Road, approved by the Planning Board, and it goes right through this property Mr. Cataldo said this was not so in the layout the Board had . He said the plan Mr. Carroll had here would not affect the layout of the school or the road Mr. Abbott said Mr Carroll estimrted it might cost the Town $60,000.00 Mr. Cataldo said no one knows if Emerson Road will ever be built . Mr. Abbott said it is difficult for the Sites Com- mittee because it has outlived other committees It started with committees who approved Tarbell The Chairman said he would just as soon forget Tarbell and hope that something could be agreed on. Mr. Fenske stated Town Meeting objected to $341,000 00 for site development. He said land values should not 9 be given consideration in this because no matter where the Town goes to purchase land, it is going to be ex- pensive He suggested that the cost of land at Pleasant Street should not enter into this at all. Mr. Noyes said these two committees were supposed to get together and possibly this discussion was a waste of time Mr. Abbott said the Sites Committee thought the Build- ing Committee and School Committee agreed with the Sites Committee . He said the Sites Committee has not cnanged its mind and is unanimously in favor of going ahead with Moreland and not going ahead with Pleasant The Chairman said it was his understanding that the three committees ha< met and were unanimously in favor of one site Mr. Cataldo said this was true, but new figures have come up since. The Chairman said it was in order for these three committees to get together . Mrs. Morey said there was a meeting on January 11 or 19, and at that time , Mr. Steele had talked to White who said the early figure was wrong and that is why the com- mittee put $90,000.00. She said the committees all came together with certain dollars and when the meeting adjourned that night, the Sites Committee thought all were in agree- ment and it was settled Then came a letter from Mr. Via no and then a letter from the Board Mr. Barnaby said they did agree on Moreland Avenue as a site. Other facts have come in, an exchange of Tarbell for Pleasant Mr. Fisher said the School Committee wanted to be sure all the facts and opinions had been agreed on and apparently they have not , and dealing with estimates makes it very difficult. He said the School Committee agreed to Moreland as a site and would have been happy to have Pleasant if it were available . The Chairman suggested that the three committees and the Capital Expenditures Committee resolve the figures and come up with a recommendation that they can all live with. Dr. Fobert suggested that the Appropriation Committee go over the figure Mr. Blaisdell said such things as streets, access, sidewalks and everything involved has to be taken into consideration. He said, with reference to the Appropri- ation Committee becoming involved, it is too busy at this time and he did not think it was the Committee 's province to go out and search for the facts He proposed a com- mittee come in with a statement of facts and not theoretical figures which they have now. He said the Sites Committee Io CC CP did procure Moreland. It can procure Pleasant Street The School Committee has said either site Now the question is of getting together the facts and what it will cost Mr. Abbott said these figures are not as far different as Mr. Blaisdell thought . He explained A and B are the same as the School Committee figured. Mr. Blaisdell said he did not think all the points involved had been taken into consideration such as the difference between the cost of sidewalks on the two sites, what it will cost to develop a road at Pleasant Street and these are real costs to the Town. He said the $30,000.00 for land has already been spent Mr. Barnaby said, depending on the Swenson develop- ' ment, they may need Pleasant as well as Moreland in that area The Chairman asked if the School Sites Committee was prepared to answer Town Meeting with these figures. Mr Abbott said without going into sidewalks and all the engineering details which they did not have to do. Mrs . Morey said the School Sttes Committee does not like the location of Pleasant Street which is too close to Adams and too close to Tarbell; Moreland Avenue is better spaced from Adams and Franklin. The development it sees is in that area of Dailey, Meek, Walker and maybe 1 the Swenson farms from which to draw children. As for the Pleasant Street area, the Tr-ff is will always be there The Chairman said he understood the School Committee has no strong feeling . Mr. Fisher said the committee agreed to the Moreland Avenue site. Mr. Barnaby said the committee would build wherever it is asked to . Mr. Lund said there will be a saving at the Pleasant Street . It is not possible to say there will be a saving at another site There may be a saving or a loss and he asked why go ahead with a site that could be a loss Mr. Noyes asked if there was an article in the warrant to purchase another site Mr. Abbott replied there pre two school sites articles One they have for another site and one fcr this site if the Town wants to put it in. If not, the committee has another site which it hopes to work on. There are three sites in- volved, and Pleasant Street is the third one. Mr . Noyes said if Pleasant Street is in as an article, the report makes some sense The Chairman said the Town Meeting asked a question and the Board is not obligated to put in an article if in the wisdom of the committee it decides there should not be an article, but the Town is still entitled to an answer. Mr Fisher said the Town raised the question and there must be an answer because if not, and the committee comes 11 back in the fall to build a school on Moreland Avenue, it may be too late to answer the question to prevent a reaction against the school. He said he thought Moreland apparently was the best site according to the committee and this should be told to the Town well before it comes in for Moreland Avenue as a site. He said the School Committee would operate the school, regardless It would prefer Pleasant Street, but the important factor is to get the school next fall. Mrs. Morey said the Town voted two schools . Mr. Barnaby said the money was voted for construction of the Moreland Avenue site . There was a gentleman's agreement that the construction would be delayed by six months or a year Mrs . Touart said it was also agreed to make some explanation to the Town Meeting She said there should be an explanation to each Town Meeting Member . Mr Mabee recalled that the question was raised, not by the Town Meeting, but by the committee in pre- senting the article . He said they were not satisfied with the article and said it would take another look at another site. It was the committee ' s proposition to the Town. The committee was not satisfied with Moreland either after the bids came in. Mr Cataldo asked if it was the School Committee 's position it does not want Tarbell. Dr. Fobert replied it is the least desirable. Mr. Cataldo asked if the School Sites Committee was still considering Tarbell Mr. Abbott replied in the affirmative. He said if the Committee gets a school site and hes approval of the School Committee, and it is then turned down, the Com- mittee will have a site. He said there just is not enough land. The Chairman said as he understood it , the School Sites Com,Attee is willing to support its recommendation The group retired at 9 :13 P.M. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, and Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works , returned to the meeting. The Chairman referred to a telephone call he received from Mrs. Rhoda Gelles, 30 Turning Mill Road, about plow- ing the sidewalk He said the Board agreed to plow on Sidewalk Turning Mill Road but it is not plowing from #30 down to plowing #1. Mr. Carroll explained there is no sidewalk there He said Mrs. Gelles may feel the Town should plow where a sidewalk will be, but he did not recommend it The Chairman asked Mr. Gray to contact Mrs. Gelles . 12 et Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following uses of halls : 111 Uses of Lexington Lions Club Cary Hall Glaucoma Clinic Halls free of charge, but subject to custodian' s overtime service charge. Lexington Science & Engineering Cary Hall Dinner free of charge, but subject to custodian's overtime service charge. Stanley Hill Post American Legion Cary Hall Magician Show free of charge, but subject to custodian's overtime service charge . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to lay out as town ways the following: Albemarle Avenue Cutler Farm Road Skyview Road (alteration) Hudson Road Frost Road Columbus Street Saddle Club Road Bennett Avenue Todd Road Chase Avenue Turning Mill Road Melrose Avenue Bruce Road Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meetings held on January 23, 25 and 27 Mr Legro referred to the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting and said as he understood the situation, Articles there is no need in this Town Meeting to have any refer- ence for the sale of the Old Fire Station Site on Meriam Street. The Chairman said he could see no reason for put- ting it in. Mr. Gray reported that the Fire Commissioners had requested that the fire alarm article be taken out and the communications appropriation be increased by $3,000. The Chairman said that article would be out. Mr. Legro said there are three proposed Planning Board articles ; one relative to contracting with plan- ning consultants for financial needs and resources of the Town; one that requests an appropriation for con- sulting planning for a study and approval to make appli- cation for Federal funds under "701". He said it would depend on the outcome of the Planning Board meeting � 3 Mr. Gray said he thought the "701" was out as far as this warrant is concerned, what will happen at another meeting is something else again. Mr. Legro said he thought he could work with the Planning Board relative to contracting with Planning Consultants, etc , was concerned. Mr. Legro asked the Board if a decision had been made this evening in regard to #1 Baskin Road. This was sale of land to Albert Wilson Mr Gray reported that he would know definitely tomorrow. He said he did not think Mr. Wilson wants the land now Mr. Legro said if anything is to be done about this, it is on the edge of time. Mr. Legro advised that the Board should have a vote from the School Committee in regard to selling this parcel of land, and Mr . Gray explained that such a vote had been received. Mr. Gray reported that he contacted Douglas Ross with refe--ante to possible exchange of equal parcels of land at the end of Dawes Roac , originally requested by Mr. Ross . He said Mr Ross wanted to make an offer but felt there are circumstances which would provide that he should not. It was mutually agreed not to insert an article in this warrant He will meet with the Board at some future time to discuss an article for another Town Meeting. Mr. Legro reported he has nothing on school articles . Mr. Gray advised the only one Mr. Steele discussed with him for this To)an Meeting was the Cotton land. Mr. Legro reported he had nothing on the new school sites or anything else Mr. Gray said he was going ahead with the one Mr. Steele told him about and the Engineering Department is compiling the necessary information on this one. Mr. Cataldo said the closing date of the warrant was extended to January 8 for them and anything that is not in will not go in the warrant . The Board agreed to include an article on the acqui- sition of the Cotton land Mr .Legro said he had to know what the Board proposes to do in regard to the Hunt Block before he can possibly prepare an article Mr. Cataldo said there will be two articles ; one for the front taking and the second one would be the permission to sell it back co cr rt Mr. Legro said the Board might propose to exchange the 111 rear land in part payment for front land. Mr. Cataldo said that was correct . Mr. Legro explained since it is not part payment, the Board will not be setting a minimum price for it, which the Statute requires, so some consideration will have to be given to that Mr. Cataldo asked if Mr. Legro thought this should be put in as an exchange. Mr. Legro said he did not think it was going to work out that way because the front land has a building on it and the rear land does not, so it can't be an exchange. He said some thought will have to be given, assuming that the rear land was acquired, by some way other than purchase He said the rest of it appears to him, from the plan he has seen, to be within the location of Depot Square and he has no knowledge of how that was acquired and neither does anyone he has talked to. He said it may be necessary to set a minimum value t.rere. He said there is a question as to the location of the line because a taking of Twenty-six feet would leave about a four-foot offset from the present building line. He said twenty-six feet is four feet less than the building line taking at that point . Mr. Cataldo said if they are going to enlarge the building, it might . Mr .Legro said this might be in much the same posi- tion as the fire station lot . As he saw it, the taking line would run from the common boundary of the Investment Real Estate Trust of America and the northwesterly boundary line of the Hunt property. This would be an acquisition of that to acquire the land bhe building or portion of buildings within that area He said it would have nothing to do with the question of the layout of Massachusetts Avenue which will necessarily come later because there is not enough time left. Mr. Gray reported he received a call from the Jayvees regarding charging for the enclosed field They have Use of applied for theuse of the field for a circus . The enclosed question has come up because of a charge on recreation field property He said this is a broader question than just the enclosed field It is charging for anything on pro- perty owned by the Town acquired for recreational purposes Mr. Legro advised it is generally held that admission cannot be charged. The Chairman said then the Board cannot give the Jaycees permission to use the field and charge admission He asked Mr. Gray to so advise the Jaycees Mr. Legro retired at 10 :18 P.M. 15 ,~ Upon motion duly made end seconded, it was voted to recommend an appropriation of $213,500 .00 for Sewer Sewer Construction - Sundry Streets Construc- It was further voted not to recommend installation tion -- of sewers this year in Burlington Street, Cushing Street , Streets Demar Road and Turning Mill hoed, Dewey Road, Grandview Avenue, Meriam Street, Redcoat Lane, Sullivan Street, Winter Street, Wright Street and Wyman Road. Mr. Carroll retired at 10 :45 P.M. Mr. Gray reported that Anne Barnes, Clerk in the Building Department, is leaving her position to be married and will be living out of Town. He said that he and Mr. Irwin thought there might be a Junior Clerk already working for the Town who would be interested in applying for this position If there is no indication of interest, he will advertise It was agreed to make the vacancy known to the employees . Mr. Gray referred to the projected pay plan ap- proved by the Board for the sixth step and longevity He said there was no discussion at the time the plan was proposed in regard to employees being paid on a flat rate, such as the Civil Defense Director, Veterans 'Agent, and the Inspectors Salary The Chairman asked if the individuals to whom he policy referred were part-time employees, and Mr. Gray replied in the affirmative Mr.Sheldon said he did not think this group should participate, as the plan was intended for full-time employees Mr Burnell said the Board decided not to include any part-time employees Mr. Cataldo said this wa discussed Saturday, and it was decided to take each case individually Mr. Sheldon said longevity does not apply to part- time employees. Mr. Gray said he assumed longevity does not apply to elected officials. Mr. Burnell said he could not see how they would come under this Mr. Gray said, as he understood it, the policy applies only to full-time employees and does not apply to elected officials for either the sixth step or the longevity. Mr. Cataldo said there are part-time employees who do not have to be here every day, and there are others who have to be here every day Mr. Sheldon said that is a matter of an individual co 16 cr et Aw The Chairman said, to the best of his memory, the Board had not considered part-time employees in this program Mr Edward Gourdeau, fireman, met with the Board and said as of this date, he has not received any notice in regard to his retirement except what he has read in the minutes of the Selectments Meeting and read in the Minute-man He said he has letters from seven doctors Gourdeau he could return to light duty work and letters from five Retirement doctors at the Symmes Hospital saying he could return to light duty, but he has never received any official notice. He reported he went to the East Lexington Fire Station and the Commissioners stated the Selectmen had submitted his resignation to the Retirement Board for processing. He said he felt it was unjust and the letters submitted to the Retirement Board were an in- justice to him. He said he was discharged from the hospital on January 15 and is qualified to return to duty The Board of Fire Commissioners said the process was going through and they would wait for theState and Town doctors . He said this would take about two and a half or three months . He said he has asked to be returned to light duty until this procedure has come up before the Retirement Board. He said he is paid each week but would like to return to duty. He was injured at a fire and the Fire Commissioners said tonight they will not allow him to return to duty. He said he feels he should be permitted to return until the process goes through. He called the State and was told this would take three months . He told the Fire Commissioners he would report for duty at 8:00 A.M. in uniform ready for duty every morning. The Commissioners said he would be told to return home . He said he understood if the process goes through and he has to retire, there is nothing he can do about it. The Chairman said this is now going through process Mr. Gray said this retirement is being processed. Thi request was initiated by the Fire Commissioners and the Selectmen are carrying on the initial request. He said the Selectmen have received nothing verbal or written that this process should be stopped, and any change will have to be initiated by the Fire Commissioners . Mr. Cataldo said Gourdeau is questioning the right to go back to work in the meantime. Mr. Sheldon said that is up to the Fire Commissioners and there are four or five men on limited duty which be- comes involved in the shifts and is very complicated . He said if the Commissioners feel this would create a problem, it is their decision, and he would be adamant in reversing any decision the Board of Fire Commissioners have made. 17 The Chairman asked if the Selectmen had the right to reverse the decision. Mr. Sheldon said he would not consider it . Mr. Cataldo asked if the Commissioners had the right to stop Mr Gourdeau from working, and Mr. Sheldon replied they certainly do. They determine whether a man should or should not work The Chairman said Mr. Gourdeau had heard this was under the jurisdiction of the Fire Commissioners who initiated the request and which the Board of Selectmen approved. Mr. Gourdeau said exceptions have been made and he was willing to go back to work. The Chairman explained if there are any exceptions, they will have to be made by the Fire Commissioners and not by the Board of Selectmen Mr. Gourdeau retired Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adjourn at 11:10 P.M. A true record, Attest : __aced y Clerk, S lee c men l I G * fix( � uf