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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-08-24-min 34 SELECTMEN'S MEETING August 24, 19644 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday evening, August 24, 1964, at 7 30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs . Burnell, Brown, Cataldo and Sheldon were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, andtthe Acting Clerk were also present . The Chairman discussed the date for the second meeting in September with the Board. The next regular Meeting meeting is to be held on September 2, and the following date week being Labor Day week, it was voted to hold the next meeting on Monday, the fourteenth of Septe.nber. Mr. Legro stated he wished to speak on the matter of the sewer betterment assessment levied against the Abatement Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. sewer He said some time ago in 1963, sewer was installed in betterment Percy Road and the Church was assessed on Percy Road. assessment There is a parcel of separate lots which have been com- bined into one. He believed the amount of the better- ment was $650 and he felt it should be abated Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the sewer betterment assessment levied against the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the amount of $650. Mr. Carroll reported on bids taken on Traffic Signals at Worthen Road and Bedford Streets and Hill and Bedford Traffic Streets on Monday, September 17, 1964. Signals ' There were three bidders: Municipal Signal & Supply bid Co. , $7,624.00; R. W. LeBaron, Inc. , $7,027.00; and N. E. Traffic Signals, Inc. , $5,980.00. Mr. Carroll stated he had checked and found out they had done considerable work and that they are an acceptable bidder . On this basis, Mr. Carroll recom- mended that the bid be awarded to N. E. Traffic Signals, Inc. , at the bid price of $5,980.00. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract to N. E. Traffic Signals, Inc. , at their bid price of $5,980.00. Mr. Carroll reported that he wa taking bids on Sewer bids the third and last sewer contract on Tuesday, September 8, at 4 P.M. c„R` Mr. Carroll presented a plan for extending the water main on the Frontage Road 775 feet, and he figured 885 feet. He stated he had figured some Water main costs and had three proposals to offer, which he Spring St. outlined to the Board on the plan. On proposal #3, if the Town and Cabot, Cabot & Forbes share one half of the cost, it will amount to $8,407.50. He stated he feels definitely that enough money should be appropriated to go the entire length. Mr. Cataldo said if Ehn #3 didn't go through, to take plan #2. Mr. Carroll feels the whole way is a better way to do it. Mr.Legro was in agreement and the Board took the matter under advisement . Mr. Carroll presented a report on the closing of the dump and the opening of Hartwell Avenue on September Dump 20. He stated that the dump will be filled by then. The biggest recommendation is the new closing on Sundays Mr. Carroll wanted peripission to place ads in the September 10 and September 17 issues of the Lexington Minute-man to give residents notice of the change. Mr. Carroll spoke of Housing for the Elderly. He stated there is a piece of land over by Park Drive ' Housing which could be considered, containing a little over for the three acres, and pointed out the location on a plan Elderly The School Department is in favor of it He stated he would give the information to the Housing Authority. Memorandum of Agreement, in duplicate, for work Chapter 90 in the Town of Lexington under Chapter 90 of the General Agreement Laws on Waltham Street, 2200 feet, was signed by the Board. n Letter from the Boston Edison Company requesting "Leave to leave to withdraw" its petition, dated June 12, 1964, withdraw" to install conduit , manhole and pole connection on Lowell request and Summer Street, was read by the Chairman. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Anna M. Gardner, Drainage 342 Waltham Street, relative to the drainage problem on Wachusett Dr. Wachusett Drive. Mr. Carroll stated it is a bad condition but felt a catchbasin was not the answer, that it would take pretty extensive drainage, a large grate across the 349 intersection, as there is no place the water is channelled He stated it would cost thousands of dollars. Mr. Sheldon asked if the condition would be elimi- natedif the street were accepted. The Chairman asked if Wachusett Drive were finished, would it create a traffic hazard Mr. Burnell said the residents were not interested in having the street accepted, but it is almost impossible to get up there . He asked if the street were accepted, would it be built all the way to Fair Oaks Mr. Carrollreplied it could be built to the last paved portion; that they could construct any part of it. Mr. Burnell asked if it would be a traffic hazard if it were constructed, coming out of the woods so near a major intersection. The Board decided to write Mrs. Gardner that until such time as Wachusett Drive is accepted as a public way, the only alternative is sanding of the street in winter and sweeping in the summer. Mr. Pratt, Boston Edison Company, met with the Board at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Dunn, New England 'N.ephone and Tele- JO poles graph Company, also came into the meeting. Worthen Mr. Pratt referred to the poles on Worthen Road to Road feed the new Battle Green Apartments, a hearing for which would be held later. He stated that the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Com- pany had been held up, and the apartments had people coming in on September 1, and they need the mtilities, and Mr. Carroll recommends it. He stated Mr. Dunn is here for the same question, as they are joint poles . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant their request. Mr. Dunn, New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, referred to the hearing held on July 13, 1964 for the lo- cation of one pole on Rawson Avenue: northeasterly side, approximately 117 feet northwest of RindLe Avenue. At that hearing Mr. Joseph Vitale opposed the location. Mr. Dunn reported that he had been to see Mr. Vitale to see if they could satisfy him as he seemed to think he Pole would be agreeable to them using the Edison stub pole. location Mr. Dunn went earlier this evening to see him and now Mr. Vitale doesn't want a pole at all, and the pole is necessary. They have not been able to resolve the problem. Mr. Dunn stated if the Board would table the petition for a week or so, they might be able to reach a solution Mr. Cataldo offered to go down and see what could be done . Mr. Dunn asked to have the petition tabled for a week and the New England Telephone Company and the Boston Edison Company would be working on it as well. r 2/ The Chairman read a letter from C. Russell Smallman, 31 Glen Road Extension, relative to it being made "One Way" . Mr. Carroll stated the Town should not become in- volved with this matter at all, that it is a private way and the residents have sole control of it It was agreed to write to Mr . Smallman stating that Glen Road Extension is a private way and as such, does not come under the Town as far as traffic control is concerned. Letter from residents of Golden Avenue relative to the condition of Golden Avenue was read by the Chairman Mr. Carroll stated he had been contacted previously; that this street abuts Arlington, and he thought possibly Golden the Board might contact the Arlington Board of Selectmen Avenue and work out something to make the proulem easier Mr. Sheldon suggested that this matter be referred to Mr. Gray. The Chairman read a letter from Harvey W. Newgent relative to tax title lots #41, #55 and #56 on Wood Tax title Street opposite Patriots Forest . lots Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer this matter to the Planning Board for its11 consideration Letter from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Water Department of Public Works, relative to the proposed Spring St water system on Spring Street, was read by the Chairman No action was taken, and the letter was placed on file. The Chairman read a letter from Miss Florence Armstrong, 34. Summer Street, offering Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) for the purchase of a strip of land Tax title located between Lots 1 and 2 (#31} and #28 Summer St. ) lots and #34 is shown on Town Plan as Lot 2. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to refer this letter to the Planning Board Request from Mr. Vincent N, Bellizia, Conservator for John A. Bellizia, relative to water bill in the amount of $241.01 used at the Pine Meadows Country Club during the period ending April 16, 1964 , requesting abatement, was received Mr. Carroll stated there was no negligence on the part of the Town as they were notified as soon as the Twwn was aware there was a leak. 351 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to inform Mr. Bellizia that due to the fact there was Abatement no negligence on the part of the Town, it having notified them as soon as it was aware of the leak, the Board feels that no abatement is due, Petition from residents of Chadbourne Road with reference to a sign to be erected signifying that it Street is a "deadend" street, was read by the Chairman. sign Mr. Carroll stated that a sign would be erected. Letter from Mrs George P. Morey, 90 North Hancock Street, relative to the meeting of the "Human Relations Human Study Group", authorized by the Board on August 10, to Relations organize, was read by the Chairman. meetibg She stated Mr. Norman Richards was elected Chairman and Mrs. George P. Morey, Secretary. The group will be meeting again on August 26. The letter was placed on file. Letter from Mr. William R. Whalon, on behalf of the residents of Benjamin Road, requesting permission Square to hold a square dance on a portion of Benjamin Road Dance on Saturday night, August 29, 1964, between the hours of seven and twelve P.M was read by the Chairman. The Board had no objection and the request was granted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held Minutes on August 10, 1964, as read. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of Horace M. Besecker, Jr. , Cert. of 8 Eastern Avenue, satisfactory character references Inc. having been received from the Chief of Police. Applications for uses of Cary Hall by the Cary Lecture Committee, were read by the Chairman. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Cars Hall to grant permission to the Cary Lecture Committee for rentals use of Cary Hall on Friday, October 16, 1964, and on Friday, November 27, 1964, from 8:00 P.M. until 10:00 P.M. free of charge; but a charge will be made for janitor's overtime services at a fee of $3.46 per hour. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following licenses: Licenses Lexington Theatre 1794 Mass. Avenue Theatre IS It Douglas Bruce McDowell 53 Simonds Road Sunday moviesTaxi Driver cbC" ( eJ w sem. Q'2 Letter from the Stanley Hill Post #38, Inc. , The American Legion, requesting permission to conduct an auction Sale at Post Quarters, 3 Fletcher Avenue, on Auction Saturday, September 19, 1964, at 2:00 P.M. , was read by the Chairman. The Board had no objection and it was voted to grant their request . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following pole and conduit locations, all having been approved by Mr. Robert Higgins, Assistant Town Engineer Adams Street, southeasterly side, approximately 115 feet sout hwest of Meriam Street, -- One (1) pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) Pole & Brown Road, easterly from a point approximately 26 feet Conduit east of Burnham Roadm -- locations Five (5) poles. Burroughs Road, southeasterly from a point approximately 155 feet southeast of Thoreau Road, -- Fifteen (15) poles. Lowell Street, southwesterly side, northwesterly from a point approximately 20 feet northwest of Woburn Street, -- Five (5) poles. (Five existing JO poles to be removed ) Todd Road, southeasterly from Grant Street, a distance of about 795 feet- conduit . Saddle Club Road, southeasterly from Grant Street, a distance of about 1045 feet - Conduit Bowser Road, northeasterly from Todd Road to Saddle Club Road a distance of about 1000 feet - Conduit At 8:30 P.M. , Mr. Ernest Outhet met with the Board relative to a subdivision on Marrett Road. Outhet Mr. Outhet stated this is a small subdivision. subdivision Mr. Carroll stated this property can be severed by a lateral from Follen Road, profile by Miller & Nylander, which he showed to the Board; a subdivision similar to one of Mark Moires. He stated there is no sewer at the end of the subdivision and the Town would have to extend the main on Marrett Road. He said if money is available from this ear 's budget , it can be used, or if not, the y g . II Board could recommend that money be appropriated next year, approximately $11,000. Mr. Cole asked if the Town should do this, and Mr. Carroll replied that the Town will receive a small amount in betterments and Mr. Outhet will pay for the cost of the sewer in this subdivision, and it will be done once and for all Mr. Outhet stated there will be six lots in there; it is just preliminary, that he might start this fall. Mr. Carroll stated there would not be any sewer in there until next summer, and Mr Outhet stated it will be two or three months before it goes through the Plan- ning Board. Mr. Cole stated if we have the money, the Town will go ahead; if not, the Board will recommend it to Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll stated if they have the money, he will add it to the last contract. Upon motion duly made and seconded, the Board so voted Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis- cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which., if Executive made public, might adversely affect the public security, Session the financial interest of the Town, or the reputaticn of any person. Following discussion cf the Christian Brothers High School and a complaint received by the Police Department, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Mr . Legro, Town Counsel, referred to the Moreland Avenue School property. The question he brought up was of sufficient area to avoid putting in an access driveway. He stated this land is land of the Town that was acquired Moreland from the Tower Trust, and the question is whether it is Avenue legally feasible to do this. The acquisition was made School for playground, street and sewer purposes, using a 100-foot strip as an extension of Philip Road. Mr. Legro feels this could be done properly, if the Board wishes to_*i just by authorization. He stated at some time this might become unnecessary when Worthen Road is laid out . Mr. Jules Sussman, members of the Recreation Committee, Mr. Paul Mazerall met with the Boad relative to the Harrison land on North Street and the Old Reservoir Site . Harrison Mr. Sussman, being spokesman for the Conservation land Commission, stated that Mr. Smith met with Mr. Harrison during the past week, showed him the appraisal and asked Te. Cbeirman stated that two jurors would be drawn and the following individuals were drawn for jury duty.: Jurors Theodo 'e Roberts, 356 Marrett Road ;Clinton M. Roth, Jr. , 6 Blinn Road. 3 54 da, him to reconsider the price Mr. Harrison called him the following afternoon and reduced his price from $3,500 to $3,000, which he said is final The appraisal was $400 an acre, $2,000 for five acres. The Commission, just before coming to the meeting, moved to recommend to the Selectmen that this be purchased and that the Selectmen put an article in the Warrant for the purchase The forms will then be sent into the State for approval. The ap- praisal was made on the value of house lots, and they feel it is worth the price as an addition to Willard' s Woods, and the Commission is in favor of it. Mr. Cataldo asked if the State had appraised it, and Mr. Sussman replied in the negative, but stated they will as soon as the forms are sent in. Mr. Brown asked if this would be definite if the State comes back with an appraisal of $2,000. He stated that the Board would approve it subject to the approval by the State. Mr. Cataldo questioned paying over 10%. Mr. Sheldon stated it depends on how much something is wanted, that an appraisal is helpful Mr. Cataldo stated he was not in favor of buying the land with the appraisal the Board has . Mr. Cole stated Mr. Berglund appraised the land at $400 an acre, and asked if it was possible to have it developed for house lots Mr. Sussman replied in the negative and stated if the land directly behind him should be developed, then entrance could be made through that land providing there was a street Mr. Cataldo stated that this appraisal was high Mr. Cole asked if the Conservation Commission was convinced this was a final figure, and Mr. Sussman replied in the affirmative and stated that if they push Mr. Harrison further, the land will disappear off the market and in two, three or five years, it would come up for more money The Chairman stated the Board is unanimously in favor of purchasing the land, the only question is the price. He stated there is some justification for Mr Cataldo' s approach to it. He asked if Mr. Sussman thought it helped or hindered the cause to show Mr. Harrison the appraisal Mr. Sussman stated this particular piece of land is ideal for an arboretum, science park. Mr. Mazerall was a.ked to speak and he stated it would give the Town more skating in the winter with part of the pond included. The question was asked how much was paid for Willard' s Woods, and the answer was $60,000. ; 0. 3 . II Mr. Aiden Ripley stated if this land was acquired, it would control one small waterway and this might be able as the years go by. Mr. Burnell asked if the Town could get an option to buy, have it in detail. He stated he was in favor of buying it as cheaply as possible. Mr. Brown inquired as to the price of an outside appraisal survey, and the reply was that it would cost around $500.00. Mr. Carroll suggested that the land be acquired by deed, and later on the Town's Engineering Department could do the work Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Board of Selectmen recommends the purchase of a certain parcel of land, known as the Harrison land on North Street adjacent to Willard' s Woods, containing five acres, more or less, subject to the condition that the seller shall survey the land and further-, that there shall be State participation Mr. Cataldo was recorded in opposition. Mr. Sussman referred to the 'Old Res" site After much discussion relative tothe feasibility of the four major ponds for a swimming pole, the "Old Res" lends itself the most desirable. The Commission made this resolution That Mr. Cortell be retained for $1,000 to establish the feasibility of this being a "Old Res" swimming hole. This would be an ideal swimming hole Site for three to five hiendred people, Mr. Sussman stated. Mr. Jason M. Cortell is a biologist who would make a study of the weed growth, bacteria, etc . Mr. Vincent Hayes, Chairman of the Recreation Committee, stated that the Recreation Committee would like to make sure once this is open it will be open all season, and asked if there were three to five hundred people , would it become contaminated If their Committee could get a clean bill cf health, they would be glad to go into it, and he felt they could get the $1,000. Upon motion drily made and seconded, it was voted that an article, sponsored by the Recreation Committee, would be inserted in the Warrant for the Annual Town Meeting after due consideration by the Board of Health The group retired at 9:55 P.M. The meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M. A true record, Attest Acting Clerk, Selectmen