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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-03-09-min ir AL 5 SELECTMEN'S MEETING March 9, 1964 A regular meeting of theBoard of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, March 9, 1964, at 7 :30 P.M. Messrs. Cole, Brown, Burnell, Cataldo anc Sheldon were present . Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present The meeting was called to order by the Executive Clerk who stated that motions were in order for the election of a Chairman. Upon motion duly made and seconded, Mr. Lincoln P. Organiz- Cole, Jr. , was nominated for Chairman. ation Upon motion duly made and seconded, nominations were declared closed. The Clerk cast one ballot for Mr. Lincoln P. Cole, Jr. , who was unanimously elected Chai*main of the Board for the ensuing year Mr. Carroll said the first item he wished to dis- cuss was the policy the Board has already decided upon to eliminate the Town's installing water and sewer Water & services on private property. In this connection, Mr . Sewer Carroll drafted a set of rules and regulations for the Services operation of the Water Department or Water Division, and Rules and Regulations for the nper.atibnn of the Sewer Division. He presented each member of the Board with a copy of the draft and suggested that it be dis- cussed at the next Heard meeting. He asked if the Board would decide on an effective date this evening. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted not to accept any more applications for the installation of water or sewer services on private property after April 15, 1964. Mr. Carroll referred to water billing and stated that the Bo& d was interested in looking into the possi- bility of having someone outside handle the water bills. He reported that he and Mr Gray have been discussing the subject with a representative of the Recording & Statistical Co. An estimate of the cost, basically for the initial setup is $1100. There will be a charge of approximately 11700 or $1800 a year for twice a year billing. He explained that for the year 1964, he would e ,til r-� tr have to pay $1100 for the setup, once and forever. Then he would pay approximately $900 in August and $900 in February of 1965. Mr. Sheldon asked about the offsetting savings. Mr. Carroll explained that he has one girl on the billing full time and her salary is roughly $3600. There is another girl in the department part time., He is spending at least $5,000 a year and there are periods of a slowdown because of the semiannual billing. Mr. Gray said the proposal would release a girl and a half. He also advised that the water department room could be converted into a machine room and get the machine out of the Accountant 's Office. He said if the Assessors were in this building, their machines could be put in this same room. Mr. Sheldon asked where the funds would come from and Mr. Carroll replied from the Water Maintenance budget under Afticle 4. Mr. Sheldon asked, in order to try this system out, how long Mr. Carroll would have to obligate himself. Mr. Carroll replied the first $2,000. Mr. Cataldo said the Town could obligate itself to the point where this concern is going to deliver the bills. If it does not work out , no money will be paid. Mr. Carroll said he could use the two girls, now in the water billing department, in the Public Works Depart- ment as there are things that should be done but there has not been the time. The Chairman asked if these two girls could be used in other departments . Mr. Carroll replied that Miss Richards would not adjust at all and she might just retire, and he would want to keep the other girl anyway. The Chairman asked what this would do to Mr. Carroll's budget, and he replied that it would increase it $2,000.. Mr. Sheldon said on the assumption one girl would retire, no adjustment of the budget would be necessary Mr. Carroll said he could not be sure that she could not be sure that she would retire, and that she has been an excellent employee. Mr. Gray said one of the reasons this sytem of water billing was looked into is the fact Mr. Carroll will have to have additional help in his department . The answer they came up with was to relieve a girl and a half from the water billing and defer hiring additional help. Mr. Carroll said he asked the representative if there would be any problem in getting this for the July 1st bill- ing, and he was assured there would be none The Chairman said if the Board agrees to do this, it would have to let the Appropriation Committee know and increase the Water Maintenance budget by $2,000 . 1 F. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to increase the 'nater Maintenance budget $2,000 and to enter into a contract with the Recording & Statistical Co. for twice a year billing; the personnel involved in the Water Department to be absorbed in other departments. It was also agreed to advise the Appropriation Com- mittee . Mr. Carroll again brought up the subject of the Snow Removal appropriation. Mr. Brown reported that Mr. Noyes, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, advised that his committee would Snow prefer to go along with the Balance of $12,000 and make Removal a transfer later in the year if necessary. The Board of Selectmen agreed to go along with the $12,000 balance. Petition was received from residents of that portion of East Street extending from Lowell Street to the Lex- ington-Woburn Line, with reference to a surface water problem. Mr. Carroll reported that there is a real problem in Drainage the area, and he suggested that the drainage work on East Street be extended this year to the affected area. Mr. Sheldon asked how much of the $40,000 drainage funds the Eat Street drainage would take, and Mr . Carroll replied roughly $8,000. He said he would prefer to elimi- nate some other area and finish East Street while he is at it The Chairman asked if, in his best judgment , this would be the thing to do, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . The Chairman read a letter from Roger W. Kaufman, 14 Larchmont Lane, suggesting that a Morgan Memorial depot be established at the dump. Morgan Mr. Sheldon explained that items taken to the dump Memorial would have to be separated and this would take some policing. depot He also pointed out this man was referring to individuals dumping and asked about the contract collectors . The Board w•�s in sympathy with the suggestion, but due to the unfavorable aspects, it was voted not to enter into such an arrangement. Letter was received from Rudolph J. Fobert, Super- intendent of Schools, advising that the School Committee School has voted that the Moreland Avenue property be the site of the next elementary school. Letter was received from the Planning Board, to which was attached a letter from the Planning Boad of the City of Cambridge requesting support of House 1157, a bill 128 tz calling for the extension of the Harvard Square Subway to the Alewife Brook - Route 2 area. Rapid The Planning Board is generally in favor of the ex- Transit tension and urged that the Town support it. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advise the State Representatives that the Board of Selectmen is in favor of supporting this bill providing no assessment is to be levied against the Town of Lex- ington The Chairman read a letter from the Concord Board of Selectmen with reference to plans under way by the State to move the Air National Guard Wing stationed at Air Nat 'l. Logan International Airport to Hansoom Field. Guard Wing The Concord Selectmen feel, in view of the fact there are two excellent alternate sites, that Select- men of surrounding towns should oppose the move by notifying the State Representatives, as well as His Excellency the Governor. The Board concurred with the Concord Selectmen and agreed to go on record as being opposed to location of the Air National Guard Wing at Hanscom Field. Letter was received from the Massachusetts Federation of Taxpayers Associations suggesting caution inpurchasing Voting voting machines in view of hopeful proppects in the field machines of electronic data processing. The Board felt that Lexington's position relative to the acquisition of addit onal voting machines would not be affected. The Chairman read a letter, addressed to Mr. James Carroll, Town Clerk, relative to the purchase of six additional voting machines Voting Mr. Sheldon recommended that the subject be placed machines on the agenda for a Special Town Meeting which may be heldin May The Chairman reported thst Mr. Carroll had assured him there would be no problems getting the machines. The Chairman read a letter from Blair L. Perry, 11 Bellflower Street, asking for the details of the election of four members of the Lexington Housing Authority. The Chairman said he would reply to Mr. Perry Upon request and recommendation of Mr . Arthur E. Civil Burrell, it was voted to appoint Mr. Joel Resnick, 1 Defense Barberry Road, as assistant Radiological Defense Officer in the Lexington Civil Defense Organization. X29 The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Arthur E. Burrell, requesting appointment of Mr Donald K. Irwin as Shelter Officer. He also recommended that Mr. Irwin be authorized to attend the Civil Defense Training School in Brooklyn, New York, for the purpose of partici- pating in a five-day course of training. The cost of Shelter the course would be borne jointly by the Department of Officer Civil Defense and the _Civil Defense Out of State Travel budget . The question as to who would substitute as Building Inspector while Mr. Irwin was away came up and Mr. Gray was requested to discuss this matter with Mr. Burrell. Letter was received from Secretary of State, Kevin H. White, calling attention to the State Census to be Census taken during the year beginning on January 1, 1965. Mr. Gray was requested to discuss this with Mr. James J. Carroll, Clerk to the Board of Registrars . Questionnaire was received from the Massachusetts League of Cities and Towns, the purpose of which is to Question- gauge the extent to which municipal officials believe naire increased state financial assistance to cities and towns was necessary and for what purposes. Mr. Sheldon said, in connection with one question, that he would be in favor of a limited sales tax. Mr. Gray suggested that the Chairman write a letter stating the oard's views rather than answer the specific questions Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the characters of Stephen Tavilla, 17 Burroughs Road, Joseph P. Tavilla, 8 Benjamin Road and Ernest B. Cert. of Tavilla, 2 Blodgett Road, who have applied to the State Inc. for a Certificate of Incorporation, satisfactory character references having been received from the Chief of Police. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Minute Men reque3ting permission to locate a food booth somewhere near Woburn Street . Mr. John E. Ward was present and spoke on behalf of the request. Booth Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Lexington Minute Men to locate a food booth on Town property at the corner of Fletcher Avenue and Woburn Street onMonday, April 20, 1964. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington Jaycees requesting permission to erect a booth on the Library driveway April 20, 1964. Booth 13 0 z tr C7 The Board assumed that the Jaycees would like to use the Douglass Funeral Home driveway, es in the past, and if so, had no objection. If, however, they do mean the library driveway, further consideration would have to be given to the request Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held on March 2, 1964. Mr. Gray reported that Mr. Irwin, Building Inspector, discussed elevator inspection procedure with him. There are nineteen elevators in Town and the State law requires annual inspections. The State will assume the responsi- bility for inspection if the Board will submit a request Elevator in writing to Mr. Frank Giles, Commissioner of Public inspections Safety. It was Mr. Irwin 's recommendation that the State be requested to take over the inspection duties . Mr. Gray explained that there would be no expense involved. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request the Commissioner of Public Safety to take over the annual inspection of elevators in the Town. Mr. Cataldo said he understood the League of Women Voters is willing to take over any given project. He suggested that the League or some organization obtain a ' Town map, the size of the one on the wall in the Select- men 's room, and pinpoint every house and every business in Town in three categories; those up to $20,000 assessment in one color, $20,000 to $30,000 in another color and $30,000 to $40,000 in another color, the business estab- ilshments to be in a different color. He said this would give the Board an idea of the value of properties involved in the Route 3 taking. Mr. Sheldon suggested presenting this to the League as a project and ask a) if it would agree, and b) how it would present it Mr . Cataldo explained his reason for bringing the subject up was for permission to approach the League of Women Voters Mrs. Yagoda, a representative from the League, was present at the meeting and said she would present it to the League and explain the project at its next meeting. Mr. Cataldo asked if the League was looking for projects, and Mrs. Yagoda replied that there is a long list of projects they are working on and there may be someone particularly interested in this . The Chairman said he would write an official request The Chairman called the Board's attention to a report Report of the Lexington Executive Park Development Committee. r0 W Upon motion dulymade and seconded, it was voted P to go into Executive Session for ,.he purpose of discussing, deliberating, or voting on matters, which, if made public , Executive might adversely affect the public security, the financial Session interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. Following a discussion with Mr. George Regan, Captain of the Auxiliary Fire Department , discussion with Mr. Carroll re overtime pay for snow removal, and a communi- cation from Miss Pearl Stearn, 46 Fletcher Avenue, it was voted to resume the open meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Rich, Collector of Taxes, with reference to a sewer betterment assessment levied against property of William G. Young, Pleasant Street . Mr. Legro explained that in order to receive payment from the Commonwealth in settlement of a claim for a taking made, Mr. Young has to pay off the sewer better- Young ment in full or obtain a partial release from the Town . sewer He said it has been the practice of the Board to grant release partial releases under such circumstances. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr. Legro to prepare partial release to be 111 executed by the Board. Mr . Legro suggested a meeting with Mr. Charles E. Ferguson, Moderator, on Saturday morning at nine o?clock Meeting to go over the motions for the Annual Town Meeting on Monday, March 16. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: c c�itivfi/ Clerk, Sele en