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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1964-02-24-min 7 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February196 24, 4 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 24, 1964, at 7 :15 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Brown, Burnell, and Cataldo were present. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, Mr Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present The meeting was called for 7 :15 P.M. by the Chair- man of the Appropriation Committee in compliance with Article XIII, Section 2 of the General By-Laws . Members of the School committee, Standing School Building Com- mittee, Board of Assessors and Cemetery Commissioners By-Law were present. meeting Mr. Noyes, Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, expressed the view of his committee with reference to articles pertaining toschools and advised that at the moment, it appears the tax rate will be $40.80 Following an informal discussicn, the group re- tired at 7:50 P.M. Mr. Carroll reported that a layout has been made of the proposed traffic light installation at Worthen Road and Bedford Street . He also had an estimate made for the cost of installing the lights the way the State Traffic dictates they must be installed, the estimate being lights $7500. He said he indluded an item of $6,000 for lights Worthen at Lexin ton Center and there was some question on these. Road & The Traffic Study Committee feels they should be in- Bedford stalled at Worthen Road and Bedford Street Street Mr . Burnell explained that for $7500, the Town will receive traffic control at Worthen Road and Bedford Street, but not pedestrian control, which will cost $2,000 later on. Mr. Gray explained that the $7500 provides for a signal all set for pedestrian control. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to increase the Traffic Control budget by $1500, as re- commended by Mr. Carroll Mr . Carroll explained the necessary measures to be taken in connection with the construction of Massachusetts Mass. Ave Avenue. He reported that the State has informed the construe- County that Massachusetts Avenue ,s top priority, but, tion 1 U s •, c° butwhen he checked, he learned that nothing has been done . He suggested that the Board write or telephone the County Commissioners and ask them to exert pressure on their own • force and see that the work is done . Mr. Cataldo said he would discuss the subject with John Dever, County Commissioner. The Chairman said he would also write a letter. Mr . Carroll reported that up to the present time, Snow he has, as near as he can determine, spent $46,431.49, removal not including labor, on snow removal. He pointed out that even if there are no more snowstorms, this does not leave but very little money to spend from now until December 31, and he recommended increasing the appropri- ation to the original figure of $75,000. Mr. Brown asked if $13, 500 would carry him through and then if it becomes necessary to request an additional appropriation, it can be done at a Special Town Meeting. Mr. Carroll said if it is necessary to have money, he would prefer to ask for it at the Annual Town Meeting. He suggested waiting another week or two before taking any action. Mr . Carroll presented a plan of a cross section of Worthen Road between Bedford Street and Massachusetts Avenue . He reported that people are beginning to build along Worthen Road and are asking about curbing and side- walks. He said he would like the Board to adopt the cross section and would also like tosee granite curbing Worthen on thFt section of the road Road The Board agreed that curbing shoiid be installed. Mr. Brown suggested that the Planning Board take installation of curbing into consideration. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt the cross section as shown and explained by Mr. Carroll. The Chairman, referring to item #9 on the agenda, said he spoke to Mr . Carroll earlier in the week about plowing Plowing Turning Mill Road and he wa willing provided the Board Turning so instructed him. He reported that he had received Mill Road telephone calls from the people up there requesting that the street be plowed Mr. Carroll presented a plan, which he explained was the same one ha had presented two weeks ago and indicated the sidewalk involved. Mr. C2taldo pointed out that there are other areas in town hwere the children have to walk to school. Mr . Burnell said he thought the Board would have to renew its policy. 109 Mr. Cataldo called the Board 's attention to Taft Avenue where about 300 houses empty onto Massachusetts Avenue and the school buses do not go up there . Mr . Carroll said if the Board so instructed him, he would plow Turning Mill Road , but hefblt it is now an emotional problem, and said there is very little traffic out of this ar a. The Chairman suggested referring the problem to the Traffic Study Committee. Mr . Carroll said he did not believe plowing this road would eliminate school buses . Mr. Brown suggested that Mr. Carroll find out how many hmmmm there are on Turning Mill Road. Mr. Gray said he thought , after Town Meeting is over, the Board would have to come to some concrete decision on plowing sidewalks Mr. Brown suggested that the people be notified that the Board will take the matter of plowing all side- walks in Town under consideration. The Chairman asked Mr . Carroll to get the number of miles of sidewalks involved and the cost of plowing them in an average storm. Mr. Carroll pointed out that the cost involved is purchasing another sidewalk tractor . Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany for location of three poles on Wood Street . Pole Mr. Carroll reported there is some question about location one of the poles and Mr . Higgins suggested that it be moved closer to the road . He said he would follow through on the request . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign an order for the follow- ing j/o pole locaton, approved by Mr. Carroll : Grant Street, northwesterly side, northeasterly from a point approximately 82 feet northeast of Massa- chusetts Avenue, -- Three (3) roles. Mr. Carroll referred to Route 2 and said he had a couple of meetings with the State and they are working up some estimates of costs of utilities that he thought the Town should put in with the rebuilding of Route 2. Route 2 He said the Board would have to write a letter requesting anything it wants to have done or anything it does not like about the plans. I 110 at i He called the Board 's attention to the fact that there is some question as to the adequacy of the culvert sizes that are being put under Route 2 and he feels they should be larger. He stated he would put this in a letter form for the Board' s signature He referred to the Wellington Lane connector and said the State is providing access to the houses on Wellington Lane through*Blossomcest _Road. He has already asked the State to build Blossomcrest Road and it has been agreed. He asked them to rebuild a section of Blossom Street to the Wellington Lane connector and the State will consider it if fhb Board requests it . The Board felt it should be built and that the State should be so requested. Mr. Carroll pointed out a connection which he feels is poorly designed and stated that it is his opinion the house, which he indicated on the plan, should be moved. The Board also agreed to this . Mr. Carroll said he has asked the State to build the roads to Town specifications . It will build Blossom- crest Road to his requirements, but it does not plan to build the Wellington Lane connector according to Town specifications . He said he felt it should be, with a closed drainage system and raised shoulders on either side The Board agreed to request this also. Mr. Carroll recommended the installation of water mains which he explained would be in the best interest of the Town. Mr. Carroll referred to Spring Street, and said he would like to have the water main in the road that is to be a Town road, and he would also like a 12" main the entire length, at an estimated cost of $3,000 to the Town. He said he would like to come back to the Board with how much money he wants for water and sewer and would write a letter for the Board 's signature on the major items . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Stanley Hill Post, American Legion, ,April 20 to operate a refreshment booth at the corner of Meriam booth Street and Massachusetts Avenue on Monday, April 20, Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Paper Drive to grant permission to the Church of Our Redeemer to con- duct a paper drive on Sunday, April 12, 1964 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant request received from the Greek Orthodox Church ITen Mile of Cambridge, for permission to hold its Fourth Annual Race Ten Mile Race on Saturday, March 14, 1964, beginning at the Captain Parker statue at 1:00 P.M. , to Arlington Blossom Street and through Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted tto o6approve the minutes of the meeting held on February 17, Minutes At 8:30 P.M , Officer Allen M. McSherry, Jr. , his attorney, Paul J Cronin and attorney Edward M. Viola, Chief John W. Rycroft , Lieutenant James F. Corr, Jr. , Lieutenant Paul E. Furdon, Sergeant Edmund B. Morelli, Sergeant William G. Dooley, Mrs Mildred E. Whitney, Executive Stenographer, met with the Borrd Session The Chairman said, there having been no request in this matter, he would entertain a motion to go into Executive Session. Deputy Chief Benedict J Belcastro ' s request for retirement was held over from the last meetin,. Belcastro Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted retirement to retire Chief Engineer Benedict J. Belcastro at 65% of his last annual salary, effective June 1, 1964 (The percentage submitted to the Board by Mr .Gray.) Letter from the Fire Commissioners requesting an additional $2,000 in the 1964 budget for replacement Air tanks of the air tanks at Cary Memorial Building was held at Cary over. Mr. Gray read a report, (the original of which is attached to the Commissioners ' request) , and recommended a joint meeting with the Fire Commissioners and Civil Defense Director. Letter fromMr. Samuel P. Snow, pertaining to a sketch and proposed recreational scheme for the Center Mr. Snow playground was noted and placed on file. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to certify the character of S. G. Stinson, 26 Marrett Cert. of Road, who has applied for a Certificate of Incorporation Inc. satisfactory references having been received from the Chief of Police. Letter from Alden W. Jefts, Chairman of the Lex- ington Science and Engineering Scholarship Fund Committee, was noted and placed on file. Fund Mr. Brown advised that he had tickets to the dinner dinner to be held in Cary Memorial Hall on March 12, 1964 at $10 per person. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request of the League of Women Voters for Use of permission to use Estabrook Hall on April 8, free of hall w 1.1 2 4,; Cr charge, subject to a fee of $3.46 per hour for janitor 's overtime services Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request of Premiere Performance Company Use of for permission to use Estabrook Hall on March 28, free hall of charge, subject to the fee of $3.46 per hour for janitor 's overtime services 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 discussion relative to employment of a custodian to replace Mr. Rochette, who retired, men working overtime during snow removal operations, it was voted to resume the open meeting. The Chairman read a letter from Miss Edna G. Sanford, School Adjustment Counselor, applying for financial as- sistance through the Bridge Charitable Fund for Mrs . John W. Trust Guppy, 1 Revolutionary Road. Fund Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to forward the request to the Trustees of Public Trusts with a recommendation that favorable action be taken on the request for assistance. Mr. Allen L. Emery's letter in regard to a request to the Fire Commissioners to move out of Town, was held over. Mr. Gray read a report, the original of which is attached to Mr. Emery's letter. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to take no action, it being the opinion of the Board that this particular matter is one to be settled between Mr. Emery and the Board of Fire Commissioners. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 P.M. A true record, Attest : 41 / eC 1ve Ale r1 , SelecT jlen /11). I