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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-12-02-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING December 2, 1963 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, December 2, 1963, at 7 :30 P.M. Chairman Cole, Messrs. Brown, Cetaldo and Sheldon were present Mr Legro, Town Counsel, Mr Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, were also present. Miss Mary McDonough, Assistant Town Clerk, met with the Board for the drawing of three jurors The Jurors following individuals were drawn for jury duty: Ivar A. Nielsen, 16 Vine Brook Road, Lawrence Miller, 14 Tavern Lane, Joseph D. Schantz, 7 Unmoor Terrace Miss McDonough retired. Mr. Legro presented a deed to tax title lots 631 through 634 Freemont Street wnich the Board voted to sell and convey to Cyril R. Pratt Tax title Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to execute the deed conveying tax title lots 631 to 63L1 , inclusive, on Freemont Street, to Cyril R. Pratt and Muriel I. Pratt, 765 Marrett Rodd, Lexington. Mr. Legro stated that he had seven copies of the contract between J. D'Amico Incorporated and the Town of Lexington for the Woodhaven Trunk Sewer Project. Woodhaven He said there are some insurance certificates missing sewer con- and some items in the contract he will check. In tract order to save a week's time, he recommended that the Board sign the contract which he will retain. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the contract between J. D 'Amico Incorporated and the Town of Lexington, in the amount of $530,810.00 for construction of the Woodhaven Trunk Sewer, all copies of the contract to be retained by Mr. Legro. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen 's Meeting held Minutes on on November 25, 1963. Three letters from Mr. Norman Stolz of Brewer & Lord, regarding package policies, burglary insurance Insurance and property damage, were held over until all members of the Board would be present . 586 3t w- The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Karl Nyren, Director of Cary Memorial Library, advising that the Board of Trustees asked to have two capital expendi- tures placed on the warrant for the next Town Meeting The items were 1) application of aluminum siding to the East Lexington Branch Library, $2,626, and 2) landscaping the front of the main library, including grad- ing, wall and iron fence, $2,000. Mr. Cataldo asked if there would be sufficient funds to cover the cost of painting and doing whatever work might be necessary on the trim. It was agreed to insert an article in the warrant as requested and to obtain the answer to Mr. Cataldo 's question from Mr . Nyren. Letter was received from Laura Wharton, on behalf of the High School Senior Class, requesting permission to suspend a banner across the Center or near the First National; suspend a banner or standing sign in Emery Park The Chairman reported that Miss Wharton called him this evening and he told her he did not think the Board would vote to grant permission to have a banner suspended Sign across Massachusetts Avenue . The Board had no objection to a standing sign in Emery Park, providing Mr. Mazerall approved. It was also agreed to advise Miss Wharton that approval should be obtained from the Historic Districts Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Fire Fighters Association to use Cary Memorial Hall on January 3, 17, 31 and February 7 for Record Hops, subject to the established fees. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the following Common Victualler Licenses : Licenses Baker Avenue Variety 14 Baker Avenue Pine Meadows Country Club 232 Cedar Street The Chairman read a letter from Mark Moore, Jr . , Director in charge of Christmas lighting for the Chamber of Commerce, requesting permission to install a 5" sleeve Christmas in the sidewalk adjacent to the traffic light in front lighting of the Colonial Drug Store Mr. Carroll explained difficulties the group was having in hanging the decorations and stated that the only solution is to drill a hole and put up a post. Be suggested that a sleeve be put in so it can be used each year I 5E37 Mr. Sheldon asked if the Chamber of Commerce would pay the entire cost, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative. He stated that he had no objection. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the request and to authorize Mr Carroll to have the hole drilled in the sidewalk and the sleeve installed. the Chamber of Commerce to be responsible for any costs involved. Mr. DiGiovanni, representing the Mystic Valley Gas Company, met with the Board relative to the location of 3700 feet of 6" gas main in Winchester Drive He stated the location has been worked out with the Town Engineer and is 12 feet off the pavement on the northerly side. Gas main He explained this is to serve the development at the Winchester-Lexington line, where approximately L.8 houses are to be built . Mr. Carroll reported that the gas main will not be serving Lexington people at all. The company wants to start work now and the Town will have to be prepared to accept the fact that the property in the area will not be restored until spring. Mr. Sheldon asked if Mr. Carroll anticipated any snow removal problems, and he replied in the negative. Mr. DiGiovanni said with good going, they could do 500 or 600 feet a day, about two weeks for the entire job. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant permission to the Mystic Valley Gas Company to locate 3700 feet of 6" welded steel gas main in Winchester Drive, subject to specifications and approval of Mr. Carroll. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into Executive Session for the 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 brief discussion pertaining to Mr. Rushton's request to connect to the Air Force 8" water main to service his house on Marrett Street, it was voted to resume the open meeting. Mr. Robert Rushton met with the Board at his own Water request, and said he had a question to ask the Board Rushton and that he wanted the answer on the records. He Marrett st said when he met with the Board two weeks a,o, he asked the Board to meter the water off the Air Force main and deduct it from the Air Force bill. He said that re- quest has not been officially denied. 588 MC The Chairman said Mr. Rushton talked to him on the telephone. Mr. Rushton said he had a letter from the Board which said his request to connect to the Air Force water main had been denied. He also said that the Board has no jurisdiction over that main and he wanted to be denied on the meter or O.K. 'd. The Chairman said the Board would give it to him in writing, that this letter would be corrected in writing. Mr. Rushton said then there would be nothing in doubt. The Chairman said that was right . Messrs . Rushton, Carvoll, and Legro retired at 8:19 P.M. Messrs . Noyes, Blaisdell, Kingston, Carlson and Parrish, Appropriation Committee, and Mr. White, an Ex-Officio member, met with the Board. Town Report The Chairman said the Board was wondering if the and Appropri- Appropriation Committee report and the Town Report ation Report could be put out to bid together. He said the Board realized the time element . Mr. Noyes said the time element is critical. He stated that the warrant is tied in with the Appropri- ation Committee report and he thought whoever did the warrant, should do the Appropriation Committee report . He explained that it would be better for his committee, if whoever did the warrant also did the Appropriation Committee report, and he thought there would be a saving to have the same person do both. Messrs . drown, Viano, Page, Mrs. Clark of the School Committee, Mr Spiris and Mr. Poehler met with the Board The Chairman stated that the Board had called this informal meeting, so to speak, to see if there could be a meeting of the minds in the direction the Boards are going budgetwise. He said the Selectmen feel they should do everything in their power to hold the tax rate where it is, or, if possible, reduce it ; not that they want to tell another committee what to do, they just want to have a meeting of the minds to see that everyone goes in the same direction. He said he felt that with the free cash from last year and what will be on hand this year, the same tax rate may be maintained for the next two years . Mr. Noyes said that the rate could possibly be held at least for this year, but he would not want to go on record as saying it could be held for two years He said there are salary increases and the firemen are look- ing for an increase, changing the hours with the same rate, 5b.� a request for more money. He said this was not a criti- cism but already a breakthrough is showing. He said the year after next may open the whole salary scale . The Chairman said if the Boards can try and work it so they can plan for two years, this would be desirable. He said there are many items which the Board cannot con- trol nor can the School Committee control. As the number of children increase, there will be more schools, teachers and larger school budgets Mr. Brown said the school budget process is one that keeps going for a long time, and the committee has been discussing different budgets for the past six weeks . The process has been that the budget is made up by the School principal and the request is sent to the administrators The administrators produce a budget after they have decided what things are absolutely necessary, those that are highly desirable and those items that are desirable. The committee is presented with these three categories This year they also have the Teachers ' Association working on a salary guide He explained that the committee has not voted its final budget, but wants to be as financially responsi- ble to the Town as any public board wants to be . He said he did not have the figures on how much the requests of the principals were cut From the request of the Teachers ' Association for a better salary guide, the committee cut $50,000. The Administrators cut $125,000 from the budget request and at its meeting, the committee voted a cut of $135,68 . The budget at present shows an increase of 12.9% over 1963. Mr. Viano explained that the committee allowed only essential items in the expense budget. The Chairman asked if the Appropriation Committee had any idea what the assessed valuation might be, and Mr. Noyes replied in the negative The Chairman asked how much the increase in the school budget was this year, and Mr Brown replied about half a million. Mr Brown said the estimated increase in pupils is 4.6%, and the increase in the expense budget is 4..8%. He said the committee is under very strong pressure to improve the salary schedule The Chairman asked if it would be possible, by judicious use of the free cash, to take the increases in the school budget and possible increases in budgets under the jurisdiction of the Selectmen and maintain the tax rate Mr. Noyes said he thought it could possibly be figured out . The Chairman said he took it that those present were in accord with the Board in making an attempt to hold the rate for two years 590 C- Mr. Brown said, speaking for himself, he thought the committee could not continue not to improve the school system He said he thought having pressure to keep the rate down and haling to keep the same level of education, is a mistake. He said one cannot stand sti_l in an area as competitive as education. The Chairman said the School Committee has a diffi- cult position, and, speaking for himself, he was not asking the committee to cut the excellence of the schools to maintain a lower tax rate. He said this was the committee 's domain and he would not get into it. He said the Board does not in any way want to in- terfere with the School Committee or its operation. Mr. Cataldo asked if the figures Mr. Brown read earlier included staffing the high school, and he replied in the affirmative. The Chairman asked if the committee found it diffi- cult to get teachers due to the salary schedule Mr . Poehler said there is no problem in getting teachers . Last year they had over 1700 people apply for positions . He said the difficulty is finding competent teachers. The schools could be staffed by just sitting in the office, but it is going out and working hard and not just taking thoses who come in. He said the other difficult part is when the beginning salary is lower than say Needham, Wellesley, Winchester Brookline and Natick Mr. Noyes mentioned the possibility of transferring money to a Stabilization Fund and said this would be a good time to consider such an article. The money could be put in the Fund and when the Middleby Road School comes along, the funds will be available Mr. Kingston said he thought Mr. Cole wanted to see if the tax rate could be held. He asked if, from a point of view of Town policy, it wouldn't be better to have the tax rateo up $1.00 now and $1.00 next year rather than $5.00 or $7.00 in one year The Chairman said if necessary, it should go up in easy stages and should be planned. Mr. Kingston said it should be on a pay as you go basis . Mr. Noyes said one thing to consider is the in- dustrial building. There may not be much as of January 1, but the following January there may be a building or two . Mr . Noyes said the Town has spent $250,000 for trunk sewers and laterals and it now faces the Woodhaven sewer. He said it might be worthwhile to hold back on the trunk and he did not think the Town needed another trunk sewer . Mr.Noyes asked about the Selectmen's budgets The Chairman stated that the Fire Commissioners are 591 coming in with a request for eight new men and the Board will be discussing the budget with the Commissioners a week from Saturday. Mr. Brown said the major problem again is personal services . The group retired at 9 :10 P.M. Messrs. Tropeano and Nylander met with the Board to discuss the possibility of extending water and sewer to 10 acres of land off Hartwell Avenue. Tropeano Mr. Tropeano stated the land is zoned for light land-Hartwell manufacturing on both sides of Hartwell Avenue and the Avenue water is on Wood Street some 1500 feet from his land. He said he did not know where the sewer was located but again there are interveiing property owners. He said his tax bill is better than $3,000 a year on vacant land, He stated Meredith & Grew, Inc . are exclusive agents and they have one concern looking for ten acres . One of the questions is when will sewer and water be available. Mr . Nylander presented two plans, one, he explained, was a general plan of the whole area all the way from Wood Street to Bedford Street. He stated that he has discussed this subject with Mr. Carroll who indicated where a trunk line would come across . and his statement was that it would come about any place they wanted it. Mr. Carroll thought it would be extended along Route 128 up to Hartwell Avenue and then extend laterals . The Chairman asked how many acres they owned, and Mr. Tropeano replied approximately sixty. He said they went ten acres for a two-step situation, and it will go over a milli,n dollars. Mr. Sheldon asked if they would be spending a million dollars on the building, and Mr. Tropeano replied, ulti- mately. Mr. Brown asked if a large outfit interested in the property next door where the house is, did not follow through because of the lack of services . Mr. Tropeano said that Cabot, Cabot & Forbes had an option on it , but did not want any more land in Lexington for development and they did not hold it . There was no sewer. Mr. Cataldo asked if everything was all set to go depending on the water and sewer. Mr. Tropeano said he did not know. They are looking for a date . The Chairman said this would be a trunk sewer. Mr Tropeano said it would be the same thing the Town put in for Raytheon Mr Cataldo asked if the Board said this would be next year, this was the only thing holding them up 592 Mr . Tropeano said he could not answer that, as he has not been talking to them directly. Mn. Cataldo said the Board would not want to plan on running a trunk up there and then have no one to connect. Mr. Tropeano said if the trunk was there , in two or three years someone would connect. Mr. Brown asked if Mr. Tropeano would sell this firm ten acre parcels if they made a definite commitment, as laid out on this tentative plan Mr. Tropeano said he would try to follow this Plan as much as possible Mr . Cataldo said he tnought this plan would be diffi- cult to live up to, and Mr. Tropeano said it is only a suggestion. The Chairman said this is a capital expenditure and that committee is interested in talking to the Board. Mr. Cataldo said it would take a year to erect a million dollar building. The Chairman said all the Board cold do is to dis- cuss this with the Appropriation Committee and the Capital Expenditure Committee in line with budgets for the coming year and see if anything can be done this year or if it will be next year Mr. Sheldon said this would be an outright expense and not something that the Town recovers . Mr. Tropeano said he realized that , but the same thing was done for Raytheon and Cabot, Cabot & Forbes . Mr. Sheldon asked how long these people would wait for a decision. Mr. Tropeano said he did not know. Mr. Sheldon said this is a feeler for the moment, and Mr. Tropeano said it is definitely more than a feeler. Mn. Sheldon asked if there was anything pending other than what the Board has been told. Mr. Tropeano said he has referred two inquiries to Meredith & Grew Mr. Sheldon asked if Meredith & Grew would say that things would move fast up there if water and sewer were available. Mr. Tropeano said if he could go back and say it will be two years, he expected they won't be interested in selling the land. Mr. Cataldo asked if it was the type of company that must have a large sewer, and Mr. Tropeano replied that everything in the area must connect to a sewer. Mr. Nylander said it is an electronic firm and there would be some manufacturing, and he thought it would be plain sanitary sewer rather than industrial. Mr Tropeano said he thought the potential in the land was greater than $6,000,000 . 590 ' Mr. Sheldon said the Town could say it is going to spend X number of dollars on sewer and water, but the possibilities are that in two, three or five years, the money will be recovered Mr. Cataldo asked if Mr Tropeano would be willing to put a pumping station in the basement. Mr. Tropeano replied that would not solve the problem He said if it means a pumping station, it would be better to design a pumping station for the whole area. Mr. Cataldo said his thinking was that if the Bogy d could not come up with something for him for three or four years. Mr. Tropeano said he would get a better guidance from Meredith & Grew and submit the figures to the Board in the form of a letter The meeting adjourned at 10:11 P.M. A true record, Attest: ive Fr Select n