HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-04-01-min 22
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SELECTMEN'S MEETING '
April 1, 1963
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on
Monday, April 1, 1963, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Adams,
Messrs. Cole, Brown, Burnell and Cataldo were present
Mr. Gray, Executive Assistant, Mr.Legro, Town Counsel,
Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and Miss
Murray, Executive Jerk, were also present.
Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the
Board for the drawing of five jurors. The following
Jurors individuals were drawn for jury duty: Gerald Boghosian,
10 Green Lane, Carlton W. Batson, 56 Adams Street,
Charles I. Ramsdell, 28 Ewell Avenue, Anthony Mazza,
12 Green Lane, and Donald E. Flannigan, 335 Marrett Road
Mr. Carroll retired at 7:33 P.M.
On March 28 students from the junior and senior
classes of the High School were elected to the positions
of Selectmen and the successful candidates conducted
Student the meeting and discussed the subjedts of municipal
Government parking meters and the inclusion of the Common in the
Day Minute Man National Historical Park. The student
meeting adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
John A. Corbett, 26 Bedford Street, and John A
Graham, 47 Bedford Street, met with the Board to re-
Guides ceive their Guide licenses and badges which were pre-
sented by the Chairman who made a few appropriate
remarks.
The two boys retired.
The following department heads met with the Board:
Messrs. Irwin, Finneran, Cronin,Nickerson, White, Fitz-
gerald, Robbins, Whitney, Belcastro, Rycroft, Collins
and Mrs. Oliva.
The Chairman explained that the Board had engaged
Mr. Albert Gray, Jr. as Executive Assistant and dis-
tributed &opies of a memo for Mr. Gray. He stated
that the oard would like all department heads to under-
stand what the Board wants and their cooperation in work-
ing out a brief procedure. He explained that one of Mr.
Gray' s first projects is toimplement the salary policy,
figure out the salary rates, etc He said that Mr.
Evans, of the Evans Associates, will spend some time
with Mr. Gray and go over the policy the Board has adopted
Mr. Nickerson asked if the Board was going to take
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over the actual hiring of help and if so, he would hope
that if it becomes necessary to engage a clerk for the
Board of Appeals, one who could take court stenography
would be considered.
The Chairman replied in the negative and explained
that the Board has, in the past, heard a new name and
never knew anything about the employment of a new girl
or the salary.
The Chairman asked Mr. Gray how he felt about the
subject and he replied that this is a problem he would
have to discuss with the Chairman and a court stenographer
may be t“classification that will have to be changed
He said he would not want to give an answer now, but
he would look into it and determine whether or not a
change is justified. He said he thought what the Board
had in mind was knowing that an individual has been hired
and the rate of pay.
The Chairman said it is just good business that this
all be coordinated, and it is the board' s general approach
to establish better relationship with all departments.
He explained that it is not the intent of the Board to
interfere. He said when it comes to budget time, very
often the Board does not have sufficient information
of the need of the departments and their operation. He
felt that it was most important .for the Board to know
how the budgets are being used durillg the year.
Mr. Gray stated that in three days, he has not had
much opportunity to go into this, but the general idea
it for him to keep the Selectmen informed as to what
is going on more than a monthly or quarterly basis. He
said he did not think any attempt was being made to ex-
ercise any authority or to take away any authority, the
idea being for him to keep the Board informed as to what
is going on in the various departments.
The Chairman explained that Mr. Gray' s authority
would be that delegated by the Board.
The Chairman explained that the Board does not in-
tend to establish a complete purchasing system but items
such as stationery could be handled in such a manner that
would result in the saving of money.
There were no questions from those present and the
group retired at 8:25 P.M.
Mr. Charles Babcock met with the Board.
The Chairman stated that the Board is considering
an appointment to the Board of Assessors and asked if
Mr. Babcock had any experience in appraising.
Mr. Babcock relied that he had in estimating.
The Chairman asked if he would be interested in
the appointment, and he replied in the affirmative. He
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c.
said he would like to take some part in the Town.
Mr. Burnell asked if he was an appraiser and he
replied that he does estimates for builders
The Chairman asked if he had any local connections
and he replied in the negative.
Mr. Cataldo asked what he presently does and he
Assessor replied that he is self-employed designing houses,
artshitectural drafting and design. He said he has
lived in Lexington for nine Sears
Mr. Brown asked if the time requirement would be
a problem and he replied in the negative.
Mr. Babcock said he was project superin.,endent for
nine years, general superintendent for five years and
he had, as general superintendent, much to do with
residential, clubs, and large structures
Mr. Burnell stated that there is a substantial
amount of work to be done in administration as well
as the technical work and the Board wants to make cer-
tain it appoints a man who has both.
Mr. Babcock stated that he has had in-office as
well as field work.
Mr. Babcock retired at 8:30 P.M.
Mr. Legro submitted an original and two copies
of the Agreement, effective April 1, 1963, between
the own and the Massachusetts Hospital Service, Inc .
Blue Cross and Massachusetts Medical Service, referred to as
Agreement Blue Cross and Blue Shield. He advised that the
Board could execute the agreement to be held until
he contacts Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk and Treasurer.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to execute the agreement.
At 8:40 P.M. , Mr.John McCurdy met with the Board.
The Chairman explained that the Board has an ap-
pointment to make to the Board of Assessors and his
name was suggested.
Mr. McCurdy stated that he is interested in Lex-
Assessor ington and like everyone else, is interested in assess-
ments. He has lived in Lexington about ten years He
said that he is responsible for the management of
about $1,000,000 worth of property and for a budget of
$6,000,000 a year, and that he has the background on
real property. He said he has been in this end of the
business with the telephone company for seventeen years
and has some knowledge of real value.
The Chairman explained thatthe Board of Assessors
meets weekly during the active season.
Mr. McCurdy said he would be available weekends
and he thought he could devote the necessary time during
the week.
Mr. McCurdy retired at 8:45 P.M.
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Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant permission to the Mystic Valley Gas Company Gas main
to install a 6 inch welded steel gas main in Worthen
Road, verbal approval having been given by Mr. Carroll.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the following j/o pole location, approval Pole
having been given by Mr. Carroll: location
Lowell Street, westerly side, approximately 880 feet
north of Woburn Street, --
One pole.
(One existing j/o pole to be removed. )
The Chairman read a letter from Robert Townsend,
265 Bedford Street, with reference to a previous letter
relative to prohibiting vehicular traffic from parking Traffic
at the corner of Bedford and North Hancock Streets .
Mr. Burnell explained that the Traffic Study Com-
mittee has a meeting scheduled for this week and would
consider this problem at that meeting.
The Chairman mentioned traffic conditions at the
corner of Sherburne and Winthrop Roads and it was agreed
that the Traffic Otudy Committee would consider this Traffic
area also.
The Chairman read a letter from Frank Sullivan,
73 Grant Street, offering $500 for tax title lot #1
Round Hill Road.
Mr. Carroll presented a plan, indicated the lot
and recommended that the Town should not become in-
volved in this lot, the major reason being that there
is no water main to service it . Tax title
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to reject Mr. Sullivan's offer, it being the Hoard' s
opinion that it would be in the best interest of the
Town to retain ownership.
The Chairman read a letter from Harry J. Palladino,
29 Rice Street, Wellesley Hills, advising that he is
interested in selling a parcel of land located at the
rear of Spencer Street, bordering the Great Meadows. Offer of
Mr. Carroll indicated the parcel on a plan and it land
was agreed to refer the offer to the Planning Board
for consideration and recommendation.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings Minutes
held on March 25 and 27, as amended.
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The Chairman read a letter from Mitchell J. Spirts
with reference to a previous letter asking the Board
to consider the inclusion of funds for burglary and/or
theft insurance for the thirteen school buildings .
Insurance Mr. Brown reported thatit could cost a substantial
amount to provide this type of insurance.
It was agreed that Mr. Brown, Mr. Cole and Mr. Gray
would look at the overall insurance program and make
recommendations to the Board.
The Chairman read a letter from Chief Rycroft ad-
vising that Civil Service has informed him that the
names of William P. Hardy, Jr. , 753 Waltham Street and
Civil Anthony Busa, 52 Lowell Street, appear on the list as
Service having passed the Civil Service examination and are
now certified.
It was agreed that a requisition be sent to Civil
Service .
Decision relative to Mr. Franklyn J. Crosby' s pro-
Youth Aid posed Youth Aid Program was held over.
Program The Chairman agreed to draft a letter for the
Board's approval.
The Chairman read a letter from Noel G. Posternak,
relative to a fair being planned by the Temple Emunah
to be held on April 19 at 1508 Massachusetts Avenue.
Temple Inasmuch as the fair is to be held on private pro-
Fair perty, the Board had no objection but agreed to point
out the fact that no vehicular traffic will be able
to move during the parade and parking in the area will
be greatly restricted
The Chairman read a letter from Raymond B. Barnes,
Chairman of the Battle Green Chapter Order of DeMolay,
requesting permissifn to sell ice cream from a stand
on April 19, 20 and 21. The stand will be on the lawn
April 19 of the Masonic Temple and sales will be made to spec-
tators in the area immediately adjacent tothe Common
and on the Common proper.
The Board had no objection to the group selling
from a stand to be located on the Masonic Temple pro-
perty but voted to deny permission to sell on the
Common.
The Chairman agreed to represent the Board at a
Meeting meeting of the League of Women Voters to be held in
Estabrook Hall on Wednesday morning, April 3.
Memo was received from the Massachusetts Select-
men ' s Association relative to a hearing on Governor
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Peabody' s proposed tax bill to be held in the Gardner
Auditorium at 10:30 A.M. on April 3. Hearing
The Chairman read a letter from C. Seabury Ward
requesting permission, on behalf of the Lexington
Chapter of the John Birch Society, to allow an American
Opinion Bookmobile to come into Lexington during the Bookmobile
celebration of Patriots ' Day for the purpose of selling April 19
books and distributing free to the general public 3000
American flags.
Before arriving at a decision, the Board felt it
should have more definite information as to the exact
time and places of operation. It was agreed to ad-
vise Mr. Ward that, as a matter of policy, the Board
has not granted permission to an itinerant vehicle to
be used for selling purposes on that holiday and would
much prefer that such installations be placed on private
property and that the selling be done in that location.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant a Taxi Driver 's license to John Bateson, 10
Welch Road, satisfactorycharacter reference having License
been received from the hief of Police.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant permission to the Little League Inc. to con-
duct a meeting in Estabrook Hall, on April L , from
7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant permission to the N tional Secretaries Associ- Use of hall
ation to conduct a supper in Cary Hall on April 27 from
7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. subject to the established regu-
lations
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to go into Executive Session for the purpose of dis-
cussing, deliberating or voting on a matter which, if
made public, might adversely affect the public security,
the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation Executive
of any person. Session
Following a discussion pertaining to the Air Force
water supply, it was voted to resume the open meeting.
Mr. Carroll reported that there was a break in the
18" cast iron sewer line at the rear of the Gold Ribbon
Farms Nursery off Massachusetts Avenue . He said that Break in
it looks as if it might be an expensive job to repair sewer line
it, and estimated the cost to be about 51,000, but said
he would report later because it might be that more
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pipe was broken or had gone out of line . He also
said he would investigate as to what caused the settlement
and breaking of the pipe and report at the next meeting
of the Board.
The meeting adjourned at 10:15 P.M.
A true record, Attest
eottivei Clerk(, Select n
44)
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