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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-07-13-min C10(.2 e7 C7.. SELECTMEN'S MEsT ING July 13, 1964 A regular meetingrof the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen 's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, July 13, 1964, at 7:30 P.4. Chairman Cole, Messrs . Brown , Burnell and Cataldo were pres nt t Mr Legro, Town Counsel, Mr Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present Mr. Benjamin Nickerson, 81 Gleason Road, applicant for a Guide License, met withthe Board. Statement was received from Chief Rycroft and John J. Garrity advising License that Mr. Nickerson had passed the test and qualified. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant Mr. Nickerson a Guide License and the Chairman presented him with a Guide 's badge Mr. Nickerson retired Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company and the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one pole on Rawson Avenue, northeasterly side, approxi- mately 117 feet northwest of Rindge Avenue Mr. Serverson, representing the Boston Edison Company, Mr. Joseph Vitale, and Mr. Vitale 's son-in-law were present at the hearing. Pole Notice of the hearing was mailed to the petitioners , location owners of the property as listed on the petitioners ' plans and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works. Mr. Serverson explained that the petitioners have a line coming down Rawson Avenue and cutting down to Bow Street , The pole is presently being pulled and they would like a guy across the street to prevent the ser- vices from being pulled. The Chairman aeked if the pole would be on Town pro- perty, and Mr. Serverson replied in the affirmative. Mr. Vitale asked if the only place for the pole was fifteen feet from his door . Mr. Serverson stated it would be on the property line and the petitioner does not have a second post to guy this to He explained the proposed location on a plan Mr. Vitale asked if this was the only place the pole could go, and Mr Serverson stated if the pole.As not placed there, the service wires to the House will have to 11be replaced 299 IIMr. Vitale said he did not like the pole there. Mr. Serverson said it was moved to the lot line to make it as inconspicuous as possible Mr . Vitale said he did not want the pole there and felt the petitioner could find other means of placing it Mr Carroll reported that Mr Higgins had looked at p gg the proposed location, and from the Town ' s standpoint , there is no problem Mr . Cataldo -sked about the other property line. Mr. Serverson stated that the company does not have to locate the pole if Mr. Vitale objects but ex- plained that there will be interruption of services The Chairman asked how many homes would be affected and Mr. Serverson replied all tha hous „s on Bow Street . The Chairman asked if there was any danger of the pole falling Mr. Serverson stated that the service wires are getting tighter and tighter and will eventually pull off He said it will be a continuous process of replacing them Mr. Cataldo asked if Mr. Vitale would rather have the ptle on the other side of the house Mr Vitale asked to have the pole put on the other side of Rawson Avenue Mr. Serverson explained that there has to be something on Mr. Vitale ' s side of the street Mr. Carroll sutgested a bush brace Mr. Serverson said they could try it but a bush brace would not look as well and it would be a heavier pole. He said the company could petition the Town for a bush brace or let it go and see what happens The Chairman declared the hearing closed and stated that the Board would take the matter under advisement The Chairman sugge ted, and the Board agreed, that the petitioner be requested to contact Mr. Vitale to see whet er or not something can be worked out that would be satisfactory to him Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Tele- Guy wires graph Company for permission to locate guy wires and & anchors anchors on Lincoln Street Mr. Serverson, reprcs nting the Boston Edison Company, was the only person pres nt at the hearing Notice of the hearing war mailed to the petitioners , owners of the property as listed on the petitioners ' plans and also filed with the Superintendent of Public Works. Mr Serverson indicated the proposed locations on a plan and explained this is where the petitioner has to cross over Route 128 300 Mr Cataldo asked if it as on the Concord side and Mr. Serverson replied in the affir:uative Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the follow- ing guy wire and anchor locations: Lincoln Streit, from a pole located on boutherly side approximately 315 feet west of Weston Street, -- Three guy wires and anchors Lincoln Street, from a pole located on southerly side approximately 565 south of Weston Street ,-- Three guy wires and anchors . Mr. Serverson retired at 8:1i P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycrcft rela- tive to appointment of a Policewoman for school traffic duty to fill a vacancy caused by a resignation. Appointment Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint Mrs Eleanor Casey, 318 Lowell Street, a Police Traffic Woman for school traffic duty, effective September 10, 1964 Mr. Legro stated that he had an Order of Taking of slope easements on Waltham Street in connection with the Order of widening, relocation of Waltham Street Taking Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute the Order of Taking in the following form COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS MIDDLESEX, SS TOWN OF LEXINGTON At a meeting of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Lexington held on the 13th day cf July, 1964, it is ORDERED: Whereas the Selectmen are the board of officers authorized to take land by eminent domain under Chapter 79 of the General Laws in connection with the laying cut, widen- ing, altering or relocating of a public way in Lexington, and Whereas the Selectmen have determined that it is necessary to construct slopes in certain land hereinafter described abutting on Waltham Street in Lexington, in order to protect the land within the locations of said public way NOW, THEREFORE, we, the undersigned, being a majority of the Board of Selectmen of said Town of Lexington, duly elected 11 301 and qualified and acting as such, do hereby, under and by virtue of the provisions of Section 32B of Chapter 82 of the General Laws and of the provisions of Chapter 79 of the General Laws , and all acts in amendment theieof and in addition thereto, and of any and every other power and autiority us hereto in any way enabling, take in the name and on behalf of said Town of Lexington the temporary rights and easements to enter upon the strips of land hereinafter described and construct such slopes from the boundaries of the location of Waltham Street, a public way in said Lexington, as may be necessary for the protection of the sidewalks and street to be constructed within the location of said public way, said strips of land being situated on the southeasterly and northwesterly sides of Waltham Street , and being shown on a plan entitled "Plan of Slope Easements Waltham St. Lexington, Mass . " dated May 19, 1964, John J. Carroll, Town Engineer, to be recorded herewith. When the Town enters upon th above described strips of land, it shall be the obligation of the Town to e_eove all surplus material and to leave the surface of the premises in reasonably as good condition as Shen the entry was made . Any trees upon the land included within the above de- scribed strips of land are ncluded within the taking The land in which the aforesaid temporary rights and easements are taken is believed to belong to the following named parties, but if the names of the owners of any of said land or of any interest therein is not stated or is not correctly stated, it is to be understood thatsuch land or interest is owned by an owner or owners unknown to us Southeasterly side of Waltham Street Lots as Indicated Owner On Aforesaid Plan Donald R . Williams, Trusteee of Williams Realty Trust Lot 3 Leona_ d Victor Short Lot 2B Louis Ricci, Joseph Ricci, Fred Ricci and Charles M. Ricci Lots 1 and 2A Louis Ricci, Joseph Ricci, Fred Ricci and Charles M. Ricci Unnumbered lot Arthur DeVincent and Raymond DeVincent Lot B Charles R . Mennella and Helen G. Mennella, husband and wife Lot A 302 Southeasterly side of Waltham Street (cont 'd ) Lots as Indicated Owner On Afcresaid Plan Beatrice M. Miner Unnumbered lot Dorothy A. Coburn, Trustee of Coburn Real Estate Trust Lot 6 Alice F. McDevitt Lot 5 Abbott Spray & Farm Equipment Co. Lots 3 and L Northwesterly side of Waltham Street Owner Lots as Indicated On Aforesaid Plan Vito Cannalonga and Elizabeth Cannalonga, husband and wife Unnumbered lot Lexington Lodge #2201 of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America Inc Unnumbered lot Rocco M. Frasca Unnumbered lot and right of way John F. Paino and Anthony J. LaCava Lot 8 John F. Paino and Anthony J. LaCava Lot 7 John F. Paino and Anthony J. LaCava Lot 5 John F. Paino and Anthony J. LaCava Lots 3 and 4 No betterments are to be assessed for this improvement . And said Board, having considered the question of damages, hereby determines that no damages have been sustained and none are awarded WITNESS our hands at Lexington aforesaid this 13th day of July, 1961 TOWN OF LEXINGTON By /s/ Lincoln P. Cole, Jr /s/ Otis S. Brown, Jr /s/ Levi G. Burnell /s/ Robert Cataldo Majorityof the Boa: d of Selectmen 303 COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSITTS Middlesex, ss. July 13, 1964 Then personally apleared the above-named Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , Otis S. Brown, Jr. , Levi G. Burnell and Robert Cataldo, known to me to be a majority of the duly elected, qualified and acting Selectmen of the Town of Lexington, and severally acknowledged the foregoing instrument to be their free act and deed, before me, /s/ D )nald E. Legro Notary Public My commission expires March 141 1970 Mr. Legro stated that he had a contract for the re- pair of tennis courts. Tennis Mr Carroll reported that he had taken bids, only court bids one bidder, the Dennis Driscoll & Company, Inc. , who bid $12,595 which is below the amount a-propriated. He stated it is a reputable firm and hs took it upon himself to have the contract sent out, the bond executed and in- surance certificate completed and sant it to Mr. Legro. Upon motion duly made and seco 'ded, it was voted to award the tennis court contract work to the Dennis Driscoll & Company, Inc . , in the sum of $12,595 Mr. Legro reported that he jus , received the con- tracts this afternoon and these aie one or two minor Tennis items he would like corrected. He stated that in view court of the completion date, it would be proper for the Board contract to sign the contract to be held by him until these items have been corrected Upon motion duly made and secoided, it was voted to execute contract between the Tow) and the Dennis Driscoll & Co Tany, Inc. , in the sum of $12, 95. Upon motion duly made and seccided, it was voted to execute the second sewer lateral contract between the Sewer Town and P Gioioso & Sons in the amount of $114,605, to contract be signed upon approval of the contact by Town Counsel. Mr Carroll eported that he to )k bids on a front end loader The e were seven bidd:rs and he had some 304 s� cc Bids demonstrations Friday and there will be two more tomorrow He said he would not be able to make any recommendations to the Board for two weeks Along the same lines, Mr Carroll said he would like to get the feeling of the Board in regard to the next piece of equipment to be purchased for his department which is a trailer He received a call from a contractor Equipment who is going out or business and offered for sale a combi- nation trailer-tractor which is in very good condition He has $7700 in his budget for the equipment . The con- tractor will sell it to the Town for $9500. He asked if the Board wished him to pursue this further . It is a 1960 Ford tractor with 64,000 miles . The trailer is in good condition with 1+,000 miles and is two years old. He said he thought it would be a very good buy for the Town and is not asking for more mnoney as the bids on the loader were lower than he had estimated so the total amount of money in the budget will not be decreased. Mr . Cataldo said if he intended to purchase a detach- able gooseneck, this is the way to do it He said he would like to take a look at it . He asked how many tons, and Mr. Carroll replied a twenty-five ton trailer . Mr. Cataldo asked if the equipment could be used for snow removal, and Mr. Carroll relied in the negative. Mr Burnell said he would also like to look at the equipment Mr. Carroll referred to the construction of Waltham Street from Concord Avenue to the Waltham line and said more water pipe, about 800 feet, is needed before the Water main Street is paved. He stated the water should be installed before the road is paved and there is sufficient pipe in stock so he did not think he would be involved in any ext-a money Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to extend the installation of the water main on Waltham Street from the existing terminus to the Waltham line, a distance of 800 feet, more or less, subject to the as- sessment of betterments . Letter of June 23, 1964 from Jo eph G. Bramberg, attorney for the Pine Meadows Golf Club, requesting partial release of a betterment assessment in connection with settlement made with the Commonwealth for damages caused Golf Club by the widening of Route 128, was held over . release Mr. Legro said back in March when the first communi- cation was received from Mr. Bramberg, Mr. Carroll had some question as to whether the betterment assessed for the sewer affected the golf course land. He said he talked to Mr. Bramberg and asked for certain information on the recording but has not received a reply He said he would contact Mr Bramberg again . 3r The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stephen Rus ian, attorney for Roger L. Spearin, owners of a parcel of land that formerly had frontage on Bedford Street In 1960 and 1961, the Commonwealth, in the process of widening Route 128, took a large part of this land The takings Land offer resulted in a small parcel without any access onto a ed to Town public way Mr . Spearin is offering this parcel to tha Town as satisfaction in full of outstanding tax bills Mr. Legro said he would talk with Mr. Russian. He explained that if the Town is to acquire this parcel, it would have to be by permission of a Town Meeting and the land would have to be acquired for a purpose . Mr. Cataldo said the purpose is to deed it to the Town in lieu of taxes These people are not going to pay the taxes anyway. Mr. Legro pointed out that there is an orderly way for the Town to acquire land and an orderly process of taking land for taxes and Mr. Russian 's letter does not come under either of these . It was agreed to have Mr. Legro contact Mr. Russian and discuss the subject with him. Letter from James E. Carrig, requesting evidence of the fact that the existing sewer betterment is not a 111 lien on that portion of the land taken b y the State, was held over. Carrig Mr Legro explained that Mr. Carrig could apply to sewer the Tax Collector for a certificate dissolving the lien, betterment or he may want a cope of the abatement Mr. Brown suggested that Mr Gr ,y contact Mr. Carrig and find out exactly what he wants as evidence. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign tiie orders for the follow- ing pole locations, all having been approved by Mr. Carroll: Fulton Road, southerly side, westerly from a point approxi- mately 30 feet west of Douglas Road, --Four poles Fulton Road, northerly side, approximately 83 feet west Pole of Cooke Road, --One pole locations Volunteer Way, northwesterly from a point approximately 95 feet northwest of Coach Road, -- Four poles. Baskin Road , westerly from a point approximately feet west of Loring Road, --Eighteen poles Letter was received from Anton S . Morten, 3 Rolfe Road, with further reference to a peat locket at the rear of his lot 366 cr cl No reply was received from the Board' s letter to Waymint Realty Trust , developer of the area, and the Chairman suggested that a fo11ow-up letter be sent to the Trust Letter was received from Dr. Rudolph J. Fobert , Superintendent of Schools, in regard to providing police- Police pro- women for the schocl crossings during the six-week period teaction of the Pre First Grade Summer Program. The Chief of Summer Police is willing to provide the protection if the Select- School men authorize him to do so and vote the necessary funds, approximately $1500. It was agreed to consider the subject when the 1965 budgets are being prepared for presentation to the Annual Town Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of Robert Lenk and Marjorie Cert. of Lenk, 59 York Street, who have applied to the State for Inc. a Certificate of Incorporation, satisfactory references having been received from the Chief of Police Revision of the Rules and Regulations goverhing the Cary use of Cary Memorial Building was held over pending re- rentals ceipt of Mr. Carroll 's report and recommendations for reimbursement to the custodians for overtime services . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of the Lexington Choral Use of Society for the use of Cary Memorial Hall on Friday, hall December 11, 1964, from 7 00 P.M. until 11.00 P.M. free of charge, but subject to overtime pay for the custodian Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the application of the Morning Study Group, Use of Lexington Field and Garden Club, for the use of Esta- hall brook Hall on April 13, 1965, from 9:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. free of charge. Mr. Antonio Busa, 4 Lillian Road, met with the Board. He said he was meeting with the Board to dis- cuss something that happened last fall. He presented a letter to the Chairman which he read, which referred Drainage to a strip of land left from Section 8. The letter stated that Mr. Carroll wanted to straighten the brook and asked Mr. Busa for permission to do the job without delay. He said the piece of land had some value to him because he intended to plant 400 or 500 evergreens which would have been profitable in four or five years. Mr. 307 Busa is willing to deed the land tothe Town for $1.00 but he wants the Town to bring the sewer line across the brook and leave it . He also wants to reserve the right to tie into the sewer line at that point with the Town's permission. Mr. Carroll said the problem was that a year or two ago, he received a letter from the people on Lillian Road, lots 9 and 10, that the cellars were flooded every time it rained and this was caused by the fact the brook was caused by a culvert put in by Mr. Busa Last year he asked Mr. Busa if the Town could widen the brook on his property and clean it. Mr. Busa granted permission. Now he wants to give the Town this parcel A which has 29,200 square feet. Mr. Carroll said he thought it would be a good thing for the Town to acquire this land as protection for the brook, and felt an easement would be adequate but there would be more protection if the Town owned the land _in fee. He said there is also an MDC line through it. Mr. Busa has two lots he intends to let go for nonpayment of taxes and this will mean the Town will own the land between the Christian High School pro- perty right down to the Town of Arlington property. Mr. Busa indicated the sewer line on a plan and also indicated the point to which he wanted the Town to bring the line. He would take it from that point when he needs it in the future. He requested permission to tie into the line. The Chairman said if Mr. Busa wants to sell this to the Town for $1,00, it would require Town Meeting action. Mr. Legro said that was correct. The Chairman asked if Mr. Carroll recommended the package as presented. Mr. Carroll said he thought it would be a good thing for the Town to own it . The Chairman said the Board could decide on every- thing except the transfer ofthe land to the Town which the Board can recommend to Town Meeting for approval. He said the Board would discuss it Mr. , Carroll said he would like to get easements on as many of these brooks in Town as he can. Mr. Cataldo said if the Board is going this far, it should loointo the other two lots. Mr. Carr 1 asked if Mr. Buse. would have any ob- jection to giving those two lots to the Town. Mr. Busa replied in the negative and said there are outstanding taxers for one year of $7.00 each. The Chairman explained to Mr. Busa that this would have to be presented to Town Meeting and the Board would rec. °r Busa and Mr. Legro retired at 8:30 P.M. 308 ; Cr Mr. Samuel P. Snow met with the Board, and presented 111a plan of the center playground area which scheme he said the Recreation Committee, School Committee representatives, Mr. Carroll and he had worked on, and is the result of a good many conferences. He said he was unable to put on Center the plan all the elements that the School Committee asked playground for, the major problem being in the area for tennis courts. The Chairman asked if there was general agreement on the plan. Mr. Gray stated that there had been a final meeting last Friday and what Mr. Snow is presenting this evening is generally agreed upon. He said the Committee wanted twelve tennis courts but with the amount of land available, it is impossible unless the hill is taken down. The general agreement was to take the hill down, but it comes under the jurisdiction of theSchool Committee and Mr. Fisher, representing that Committee, was adamant about not taking it down. Mr. Snow said they wanted seven play areas instead of six but it is not practical to move the stands or the goal posts. Mr. Gray said they can 't have all the fields they want because there isn't enough land. He said he and Mr. Carroll agreed that this scheme being presented by Mr. Snow is the best scheme for the area. Mr. Cataldo stated that with this plan they are losing tennis courts and one play area. Mr. Snow said they are losing eight tennis courts and one play area. Mr. Cataldo asked if this plan had been presented to the School Committee. Mr. Snow replied that Austin Fisher said he would go back and report to the School Committee. The Chairman said the thing to do is for theBoard to present this to the School Committee and if they want these additional facilities, the only way is to take out the hill. Mr. Cataldo pointed out that a substantial amount of money will be spent and the Town should receive the maximum use of the money spent. However, the purpose is to satisfy the School Department. It was agreed to invite the School Committee, Re- creation Committee and Mr. Snow to meet with the Board on July 27, at 8:30 P.M. 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 whiic , if made public, Session might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Followingdiscussion pertaining to the Law Department, and requests for transfers from the Bridge Charitable Fund, it was voted to resume the open meeting 309 Mr. Robert Kent, Mr. and Mrs. Sanford Brown, Mr. Carl Blake and several other individuals met with the Board to discuss further the subject of future race relations in Lexington, a previous meeting having been held on May 25, 1964. Mr. Kent stated that they were present with a some- what smaller group, not because their colleagues are less interested, but they are out of Lexington for a while. He said he would like to review the group's understanding of the last session. He said on May 25, they asked the Board to consider the formation of a Bi-racial Committee for Lexington, Bi-racial which was suggested by President Kennedy a year agol He Committee said the group believes now is the time for the establish- ment of such a committee by the Board, that the Committee needs the Board's leadership in achieving good relations in this community. The cosmopolitan character of this Town is one of its greatest assets but brings with it something in the way of tensions, and the increasing cosmo- politan character of the community is going to continue to raise problems as well as bring benefits to the community. He said the community needs to recognize the character of these problems and do so on an official basis. He said the Chairman of the Board called him and expressed the willingness of the Board to appoint a study committee but the Board felt a little vague and the group was a little vague. He suggested therefore that the group meet again with the Board and try to be more specific . Mr. Kent said they are not suggesting that the Board of Selectmen set up a committee to study the need for a Human Relations Committee. The group would like the recognition of the need of the committee to be the start- ing point. He said it would be helpful to the Town if the Board would appoint a study committee with a decla- ration of the basic principle and problem; a restatement of the proposition that the health of a Town such as this is dependable upon the attitudes of the Town; very depend- ent to give each individial an equal place in the sun, and that the problems of the Town show the need for a Human Relations Committee and that a study committee by appointed to draft the charter for a Human Relations Com- mittee. Mr. Kent reported a conversation with the Executive Director of the Providence, Rhode Island, Muman Relations Commission. According to the Director, there are over twenty-five Human Relations Committees, most of them in the northern part of the country. He gave Mr. Kent a copy of the charter of the commission which he proceeded to read. He said that he felt, in the last few days, as far as working out plans, there is much experience 310 �P6 CI and material available on the subject . He said Town leadership needs to take the incentive in dealing with the problems and tensions. He said this is the point he would make. This group does not come from the Civil Rights Committee, but are members of the committee. The role of the Civil Rights Committee is a very different role than one set up by the Town. He said there have been enough overt episodes so they feel an official committee is needed to deal on the tensions as the tensions arise. He said they think the ultimate Human Relations Committee should make a number of surveys and one of the things would be the employment practices here in Lexington, public as well as private. He said he thought the study would reveal a very good deal. He said a survey in free housing in this Town would be useful. He said they thought the Com- mittee could do a great deal with determining what happens in this Town to the negro as far as his acceptance, one he comes here. The Committee could determine what affect in an area there is, if any, on the value of property. He said they thought it would be good fur the Town to know there is a group available for consultation and advice - anti- cipation of problems. He said most of this does depend on the character of theP eople on the committee. He said the Town would want people on a study committee and a Human Relations Committee who have a commitment to the principle of equality and equal treatment, and people who have the respect of the citizens of the Town. The Chairman said the first time the group met with the Board,the Board understood this would be a group that could be in conflict with the Civil Rights Group. He said it would be a group that might alleviate the tensions and keep everything in its proper perspective. Mr. Kent said he thought the Human Relations Committee in a given situation, would have as one of the problems it is dealing with at the monent, the attitude of a group such as the Civil Rights Committee. He said the goals of both groups a_ e essentially the same. He said the question is in going about these things; frictions develop and his group feels the Town does need an official body. A Human Relations Committee should represent a broad cross-section and this would apply to the study committee as well. The study committee should be people who have the confidence of the Town. The Chairman asked how large Mr. Kent thought the study committee should be. Mr. Kent replied from five to seven. Mr. Brown suggested a committee of five. The Chairman said he thought a nine man committee had been suggested. Mr. Kent said if there is anine-man committee, it might conceive a broader range of coverage. If the Board charges e 31 .1 them with a specific goal, the job will get done better with five than nine. He said he had no strong feelings. Mrs . Brown said the committee should be small enough to operate Mr. Blake said the more on the committee, the less it gets done . Mr. Brown stated that the study committee is not the Human Relations Committee and therefore, it did not need too big a segment of the Town. Mr. Cataldo said care should be taken not to create tension. He said, in his own mind, the first time the Board was approached, and the answer came out in the paper, we did not feel the need. Then, there was a letter in the paper from Reverend Lindsay written with- out any approach to the Board. He said this is some- thing that might continue to happen without any basis of what had really transpired. The Chairman said this committee could be one to ease tensions that could be created by action of the Civil Rights Committee. Mr. Kent said he thought the Human Rights Committee should promote the welfare of the community in this area; the tensions this might involve, the taking of positions, and the making of statements by the Human Rights Committee They should not always take the middle ground between pre- judice and equality. It should bring about acceptance of the basic principle in as harmonious a manner as possible. He said there are people hostile in the community to negroes moving into Town. It seemed to him that a Town Human Rights Committee predicated that the negro or anyone else should not be discriminated against, would be a group whose functions are to work on lessening of tensions. The Chairman asked if he was recommending a five-man committee for a study committee to come in with the assign- ment for the Human Rights Committee . Mr. Kent said this committee to come in is appointed in response to the Board's belief that such a Human Rights Committee can be a useful institution in Lexington. The Chairman said the Board should have a decision two weeks from tonight. The group retired at 9:50 P.M. Mr. Arthur Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, met with the Board and reported he had received three bids on radios for seven units - General Electric, $3,913; Radios RCA, $4,515; Motorola, $4,888. The Chairman asked if they all met the specifi- cations, and Mr. Burrell replied that, in his opinion, RCA failed to meet them enough so he would not want to +r 312 r„.!; C7 al consider it. He said Motorola and GE meet the specifi- cations; Motorola co;apletely, and GE is out in one area He said Motorola is a superior unit, and there is a signifi- cant difference between the two, $150 a unit. Mr. Cataldo said he thought the Town was buying five units. Mr. Gray reported that only five were provided for in the budget. Mr. Cataldo mentioned thatthere is a brand new unit in the Chief's car. Mr. Burrell understood the Town was buying six and a spare. Mr. Cataldo said his understanding, as far as the Police Department is concerned, was that the Town was buying five. Mr. Burrell explained his figures are on the basis of seven units. He said the Board should consider that there is a new type radio that just came out last week which is far superior to any of these involved in this bid. There is a new development to eliminate tubes entirely and all relays. The price of this unit is 950, plus installation, which would run about $30 or $35. Mr. Cataldo asked if the units were fifty watt, and Mr. Burrell replied not on the frequency under which the Town is now operating. The Chairman asked if the Board wanted to go for the newer model radios and said if so, this would entail going out for bid again. Mr. Burrell said it would entail two months' delay to get to the point where he is now Mr. Cataldo asked about delivery, and Mr. Burrell stated that most of them are available in forty-five days. The y he Chairman asked if the Board wanted to go through this action toet the newer models or if the radios h were needed badly enough to take them now. Mr. Cataldo said the Board did not have to take the GE units anyway. He said an effort is being made to set the Town up on Motorola. Mr. Gray mentioned the fact that Mr. Carroll, Chief Rycroft and the Fire Chief have Motorolas and thL.y are working satisfactorily. Mr. Burrell said the new unit is the same price now as what Chief Ryoroft and Mr. Carroll paid for theirs, $1,000. The bid on the same model they have now is $690 and he said he was talking about $300 a unit. The Chairman asked if the Board would be making a mis- take to go to Motorola if the GE units meet the specifi- 1 cations and a saving of $1,000 can be realized. Mr. Burrell presented a smaple of both units. 313 The Chairman asked Mr. Burrell for his recommendation. Mr. Burrell said he was convinced that there are two choices; one to take the high bid or to reject them and go out for the more modern set. He said even though it is going to mean another ninety days, in the long run, five years from now, the Town would be better off with the latest type set. He said he had permission from Chief Rycroft to state that he would be willing to wait. Mr. Burrell reported that the State matching funds representative recommended rejecting the bids and ad- vised that upon acceptance of this project, the previous application would be cancelled and he did not anticipate any problem. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Bids to reject all bids. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to invite new bids based on new specifications Mr. Burrell retired at 10:10 P .M. Mr. Gray reported that Mr. Jules Sussman of the Conservation Commission, was under the impression that the Board approved $700 an acre for the land on Grove Street offered to the Town by Mr. Burton Harrison, 29 Harrison North Street. He said he would like permission from land the Board to obtain an appraisal of the property from Mr. Harry Berglund. He said he dd not think the Con- servation Commission should get an option until an ap- praisal has bean made. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Gray to obtain an appraisal of the parcel of land offered to the Town by Mr. Harrison. Mr. Gray referred to the Burroughs ' business machine in the Assessors' Office and asked for permission to move it to the Accountant 's Office once the tax bills are out . He said even if it has bo be moved back to the Assessors for five weeks, it would be worth it. Business He said if the Board approved of moving the machine, he Machines would like to ask Mr. Carroll to have a partition built in the Accountant 's Office and would have an estimate of the cost for the next meeting. It was unanimously agreed to authorize Mr. Gray to move the Burroughs' business machine from the Assessors ' Office to the Accountant' s Office, the subject to be dis- cussed with the Board of Assessors before any move is made. It was also agreed that Mr. Gray should have an estimate of the cost of the partition for the next meeting. The meeting ac}journed at 10:35 P.M. t A true record, Attest: y� ) 'Executiv /Clem, Select en