Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-10-14-min 41.1 SELECTMEN'S MEETING October 14, 1964 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town o0ff ice Building, on Wednesday, October 14, 194, 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, Superinntendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present . Upon request of Mr. James J. Carroll, two jurors were drawn for jury duty, being Frank A. Guild, 50 Asbury Jurors Street, and Fred Parker, 10 Lantern Lane Mr. Carroll stated, with reference to reconstruction of Massachusetts Avenue, consideration of the low bid by Massachu- the Commissioners would be October 15 and he would have setts a letter by Friday so the Board can make an award next Avenue Monday. Mr. Carroll stated during his absence on vacation, a woman came in from Adams Street about the sidewalk beyond East Street He advised the Board he felt the erection cf concrete guard posts would not be satis- Sidewalk factory becal.se of the expense and also because it would not look well. He also felt putting in a curbing would be a waste of money and explained a hot top curbing would narrow the strEet and a granite curbing is not needed permanently. He suggested, as a temporary measure, paint- ing a yellow line along the edge of the pavement to indi- cate where the sidewalk is in relation to the street, and the installation of some light metal posts with reflectors to indicate to truck drivers the sidewalk and street area. He said if the Board thinks it is necessary, some money would have to be spent next year to push the sidewalk back and it can be moved back at least three or four feet. The Chairman asked if there would be curbing, and Mr. Carroll replied he did not know at the present time. Mr. Burnell asked if Mr . Carroll meant an aspnalt sidewalk, and he replied in the affirmative. Mr. Cataldo asked why Mr. Carroll felt cement posts would be expensive Mr . Carroll replied that, as a temporary measure, he thought it would be very expensive Mr. Cataldo explained the Board was going on the basis b rn that there are used posts at the a 412 1,6) z crn GC Mr. Carroll said second-hand posts would look horrible, but there are some at the barn. He explained the permanent solution is to push the sidewalk away from the street and create a grass plot and said the present condition has existed for many years. He said indicating where the sidewalk is would keep the trucks and cars away from it ; the problem being drivers do not know where it is . Mr. Brown felt there would be ample time for the Board to do something more effective if the reflector lights do not prove satisfactory. The Chairman ing4ilas to the cost of moving the sidewalk back, and Mr/ advised it would be at least $3,000. The Chairman asked if funds were available. Mr. Carroll explained it would be impossible to do it this year as slope easements will be involved and there will be some driveway problems Mr. Sheldon said he would like to have the reflectors tried and observed, and in the meantime include an amount in the budget for a permanent solution in the spring if the reflectors do not prove effective. Mr. Carroll said he thought the sidewalk is dangerous and that the Board should consider relocating it in the the spring Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted as a temporary measure to aut«orize the Superintendent of Public Works to paint a yellow line along the street at the edge of the sidewalk and to erect light metal posts with reflectors. Mr. Carroll reported that rubbish is being deposited in the Sanitary Land Fill on Hartwell Avenue which does not originate within the Town, and cited instances he per- Dumping sonally observed. He suggested that the Board write a letter to all person with permits indicating to them that the Police Department has been requested to enforce the rules and regulations . He explained he has already discussed the subject with Chief Rycroft who is willing to co-operat4 He reported the major problem is commercial collectors . The Board accepted Mr. Carroll's recommendation The Chairman read a letter from Evangelical Covenant Church of Cambridge, owners of approximately 40.85 Pitres of land along Allen Street, requesting extension of the water to serve a new church and to determine lotting of a subdivision. Mr. Carroll explained by a sketch just what is in- volved and advised that Allen Street should be laid out first. 413 Mr. Cataldo pointed out that if this group intends to erect houses, there wouldn't be much sense in having two streets. Mr. Carroll suggested a possible exchange of land. It was agreed to request the church to submit a plan to the Superintendent of Public Works showing the proposed location of the church, explaining that there is a distinct possibility that parts of Allen Street may be relocated and reconstructed in the near future and that the Board would not want to install a water main which would be inconsistent with the future layout of the street Letter from Lawrence F. Covert, 42 Clematis Road, requesting permission for the Water Department to fill his swimming pool, was held over . Mr. Carroll reported that the pool is concrete Mr. Brown pointed out this would mean the Town would be requested to fill the pool every year until a water Swimming main is extended. pool Mr. Carroll ,'ecommended that the request be denied. It was agreed to advise Mr. Covert that it is not the practice of the Town, through the Department of Public Works, to fill swimming pools and to state, however, the Auxiliary Fire Department may be willing to if approached through the Board of Fire Commissioners. Request from Porter & Desmond for a permit to move a dwelling from 804 Waltham Street to 291 Concord Avenue Permit was held over as the Superintendent of Public Works did not have an opportunity to make an investigation. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Mystic Valley Gas Company to Permit extend a 2" welded steel gas main in Oak Street to serve gas to Mohawk Drive Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Mystic Valley Gas Company to Permit extend a 6" welded steel main in Worthen Road to serve gas to Grace Chapel. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the fol- lowing j/o pole locations : Worthen Road, northwesterly side, southwesterly from a point approximately 60 feet southwest of Bedford • Street, -- Four (4) poles . 414 gid, z Dunham Street, southerly side, westerly from a point approximately 165 feet west of Edmund Road, Four (4) poles. Guy wire and anchor on 1st pole. Request was received from the Pilgrim Congregational Paper Church to hold a paper drive on November 28. Drive The Board had no objection. Letter was -eceived from Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Resignation Clerk, advising that he had received a resignation from Gail W. Smith as a Cemetery Commissioner. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following Taxi Driver Licenses, satis- factory character references having been received from from Chief Rycroft : William P. Brenchick, Jr 48 Lincoln Street Charles T. Cosgrove 307 Wood Street Robert E. Ross 7 Harris Circle, Arlington Earl Shwartz 11 Garfield Street Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted License to deny application for a Taxi Driver License filed by denied Peter R. Pettingell, 8 Marlboro Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted License to deny application for a Taxi Driver License filed by denied Paul Brian McCauley, 75 Spring Street. Mr. Gray mentioned the fact that several years ago, a previous Board autnorized the Clerk to issue temporary taxi driver licenses, but now this is becoming a problem. He explained that even on a temporary basis, the requests Taxi for licenses are referred to the Police Department and it driver takes time to get a report back In the meantime, these licenses applicants call at the office two or three times a day looking for a license . He pointed out the fact that licenses are not unduly delayed and recommended that no further temporary licenses be issued. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to discontinue the practice of granting temporary taxi driver licenses . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minttes of the Selectmen's Meeting held October 5. 415 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs. Elizabeth C. Severance, 93 Gleason Road, Appoint- to the Town Celebrations Committee for an unexpired term ment ending April 30, 1966. Mr. Cataldo said last week the Board discussed ap- pointment of a town barn committee, and after giving it some thought and consideration, he felt th .re should be an article in the warrant for the November Meeting re- Town barn questing funds for preliminary plans and specifications for remodelling or enlarging the present building. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Article to insert an article in the warrant for the November 23 meeting requesting funds for preliminary plans and speci- fications for expansion of the Public Works Building. The Chairman, in refcrence to Mr. Smith's resig- nation as a Cemetery Commissioner, said he would like to submit the dame of Robert Sherman. Mr. Sheldon pointed out that la t week Mr. Smith had mentioned Louis Zehner and ne would recommend hire. Appoint- Mr. Cataldo said the Board had Mr. Zehner ' s name ment on the committee to study rezoning in general and he would rather have him on this committee. Mr. Sheldon said he assumed Mr. Zehner could do both and was interested in the Cembtery Commissioners It was agreed to defer actual appointment until the Chairman contacted Mr. Zenner and discussed the subject with hire. Further discussion on appointment of a rezoning committee was held and the following navies considered: Harry Berglund, Gardner Ferguson, Frank Samuel, Louis Appoint- Zehner, Paul Yewell. ments The Chairman agreed to contact Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Zenner and the appointments were held over until the next meeting. Mr. Legro arrived at the meeting at 8 :25 P.M. Mr . Legro advised that there al.e a number of articles for the Special Town Meeting warrant on which he will need more information Mr. Legro referred to Parcel 93T on which the Board signed a release of damages for the Commonwealth some time ago. He explained that the Commonwealth wanted a Release Town Meeting vote and he has received the old release and prepared a new one for the Board 's signature. 416 �"i CZ a, Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute a new release of damages in regard to Parcel 93T, Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Letter from John J. McHugh, attorney for Harry M. Sullivan, 38 Maple Street, was referred to Town Counsel. Mr Legro reported that he talked to Mr. McHugh Sullivan before the letter was written and he was concerned be- claim cause the year in which to file a claim was passing. -It was agreed to have him send a letter to the Board. I,.) He explained thrt the ]atter involves a claim of damages for taking a drain easement which was in the valley, Winter Street, a private way. He stated he would talk to Mr. McHugh and see if he can resolve this and with the f Board 's permission, his position would be there are no damages for taking of the drain easement but there are damages in the layout of Volunteer Way. Letter from the Arlington Board of Selectmen rela- Drain tive to a 15' Basement which would be taken by eminent ( Easement domain for drainage purposes from Circle Road to the Great Meadows was referred to Town Counsel. 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 a discussion relative to painting the standpipe, eminent domain procedure and discussion with Chief Rycroft on traffic, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Mr. Gray reported he received a letter from Ethel Wright regarding a school employee about to retire in Retirement April. He explained that, under the provisions of the retirement act, employees must retire in the month of their seventieth birthday. The School Department is anxious that this particular employee be permitted to complete the school year. Mr. Gray stated this is something over which the Board has no jurisdiction and comes under the Retirement Act . He suggested thrt it be referred to the Boerd of Retirement Mr. Gray reported that he received a letter this afternoon from Albert Wilson, 1 Baskin Road. He was requested to obtain more information and bring the matter up at the next Board meeting The meeting adjourned at 10 :00 P.M. A true record, Attest : Lit f. 164 edt iv C.ler{k Sele men