HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-01-29-min SELECTMEN'S MEETING
January 29, 1963
A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was
held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on
Tuesday, January 29, 1963, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Adams,
Messrs. Richards, Cole, Burnell and Brown were present.
Miss Murray, Executive Clerk, was also present.
Chief John W. Rycroft introduced Mrs. Anne T. Gelinas,
33 Fottler Avenue, an applicant for theposition of Police-
woman.
The Chairman reported that Mrs. Gelinas had been
employed in the Public Works Department for several Appointment
years.
Mrs. Gelinas stated that she has a car and that
her mother would take care of her youngest child, and the
others would be in school.
Mrs. Gelinas retired at 7:40 P.M.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to appoint Mrs. Anne T. Gelinas a Policewoman for school
traffic duty, the date for her to assume her duties to Dog Officer
be determined by the Chief.
Chief Rycroft returend to the meeting and Mr. Brown
asked if he had anything to report relative to the Dog Dog Officer
Officer. The Chief said he would liktto have Officer
Forten meet with the Board next or the following week.
Chief Rycroft retired at 7 45 P.M. , and Mr. John
Carroll met with the Board.
Mr. Legro mentioned the warrant for the Annual
Town Meeting, and it was agreed to go over the proposed Articles
articles on Thursday, at 1:00 P.M.
Mr. Legro reported that four petitions have been
received for assessment of damages in the dump site and
stated th_t no work has bean done by way of appraisals.
He said he thought something should be done Appraisals
The Chairman said this is beyond asking for a fee dump site
and is for damages .
Mr. Richards asked if the appraisal would be only
for those who have the assessment of damages or for the
whole site
Mr. Legro replied that something should be done
fairly soon as two are returnable February 4 and two
March 4. He said he should have something to go on to
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establish a value, and if there are to be negotiations ,
there should be an appraisal.
Mr. Legro was authorized to have an appraisal
made whenever he feels he needs one.
Letter, dated January 21, 1963, was received from
Articles the Planning Board listing eight articles to be included
in the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting.
Mr. Legro referred to bids received for the New
Girlst Dressing and Locker Room Building at the Center
Playground.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to go into Executive Session for the purpose of discus-
Executive sing, deliberating or voting on a matter which, if made
Session public, might adversely affect the public security, the
financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of
any person.
Following report from Mr. Legro and a discussion
relative to the bids, it was voted to resume the open
meeting.
The Chairman read a letter from James C. Mallen,
Contracting Officer, United States Air Force, Bedford,
with reference to the new schedule of water rates effec-
tive May 1, 1962. Rdtresentatives of the Air Force would
like to meet with the Board and discuss those parts of the
Air Force revised rate that are causing them difficulty
water rates The Chairman reported that in his conversation
with General Terhune, he asked that he submit in writ-
ing what he wanted.
Mr. Carroll reported that he called Mr. Stevens
who suggested that the Board write and make it clear that
it wants the two contracts discussed separately; that it
would discuss the old contract and explain, under the
terms of the new contract, the Board would not give them
any information because the contract does not call for it
It was agreed to refer the letter to Mr. Stevens
for reply.
Mr. Mercurio Dankese's request for an offer of
settlement of damages to property at 87 Lincoln Street
was held over.
Mr. Carroll presented a plan and reported on the
meeting last Thursday with a group of State officials
Route 2 & relative tothe interchange just south of Route 2 and
Spring St . Spring Street. He said that he understood the ramp
the Town requested, going in an easterly direction onto
Route 2 is definitely out , and most of the meeting was
about the design the State has and how it could be im-
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11 proved. He said one of the suggestions made was to ask
the State if it would permit a gate to be placed across
the twenty-five foot connector road an the answer was
that if the Town so requested, they would go along
with something like that. He said the possibility of
eliminating the Concord Avenue connector by having the
ramp come on the inside of the hill or having it come all
the way around outside of the hill. Mr. Hue, the State
Engineer, suggested that instead of having a temporary
barrier that perhaps the traffic could be eliminated by
no right turn on Spring Street going towards Lexington.
Since then, Mr. Caleb Warner's group has writte a letter
to the Planning Board in which they suggested f ur alternatives.
One was a deadend on Concord Avenue beyond Benj min Road;
two, that Old Shade Street be left alone and th State
permit temporary access to Route 2 and open the median
strip on Route 2 as an emergency opening; three a similar
type of emergency access at the end of the culd sac and
four, that the Concord Avenue connection be lef a gravel
road. He said his feeling was that the people in the
area would be protected if the no right turn was made and
then eliminating the connector Bl.
Mr. Warner said these suggestions represent the
opinion of fifty-five families, and the people on Benjamin
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Road are generally in favor. He said the fifty-five
families who presented this plan are against any zoning
that may come up in this area until it is
cleared up..
Mr. Carroll reported that the State will proceed
with this design unless it heard from the Town, and a
decision will be made within two weeks.
Mr. Carroll said if it is the Board's opin_on
that there should be two means of getting into the area,
a temporary road is not satisfactory. He said he has
seen this type of arrangement and when the time comes
for the gate to be used, it is locked, the road is not
plowed out or is impassable.
Mr. Warner said that Old Shade Street would have
to be maintained, and that is a private way.
The Chairman said this subject would be in4].uded in
the agenda for a decision next Monday night .
Mr. Warner retired at 8:45 P.M.
The Chairman read a letter from Mr. H. Sta.aley
Cullington, 11 Smith Avenue, asking the Board t,)
advise him why sand was not placed on the street the
morning of January 18. Sanding
Mr. Carroll reported that by the time the Letter
was received, the street had been sanded.
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It
The Chairman said he would reply to Mr. Cullington' s
letter.
The Chairman read a letter from F. Roy Milton,
Assistant General Manager of the Middlesex & Boston
Street Railway Co. , stating that on Janu:,ry 18 the
buses could not move on several streets because of
Sanding icy conditions.
Mr. Carroll explained that the Department has been
sanding major streets, secondary street and then areas .
He plans to try and do the hills and intersections first
and then go back to the areas. He said he would work
something out with Mr. Milton .
Further consideration was given to Mr. Walter T.
Gavan's request for permission to move a house from
140 Cambridge-Concord Turnpike to Eldred Street .
Permit to Mr. Carroll reported that he with Mrs.
move house Gavan this past week and he understood that an
alternate route, going through the Air Base and out
onto Hartwell Avenue was being worked out. The Chief
and Mr. Carroll measured the house and the road and
Mr. Carroll said he was opposed to moving it during
the day. The Chief is opposed to moving it at night .
Mr. Carroll said with the snow on theground, it woi1d..
be impossible for a car to get past the house.
It was agreed th advise Mr. Gavan that, as a result
of Mr. Carroll's conversation with Mrs. Gavan,. it is
presumed that an alternate route is being worked out.
Letter was received from the State Department of
Public Works tentatively approving 4i22,900 for Chapter 90
Dh.apter 90 Construction and $1500 for maintenance. Mr Carroll
stated that he would like an appropriation of at least
$50,000 for construction.
Pole The Boston Edison Company's request for a pole
location location on Locust Avenue was held over .
The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. Robert
McDonough, 61 Dexter "oad, stating that the roots of
Sewer a tree on town property blocked the sewer system into
her house causing the sewage to back up. Enclosed
was a plumbing bill in the amount of $46.25.
Mr. Carroll stated that he did not think the Town
should be expected to pay it, and the Board agreed.
Mr. Carroll reported that there has been a number
of frozen meters and he has charged $1i .00 for repairing
a frozen meter and he felt a flat charge of $15.00 should
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be made of the actual cost of repairinE„ the meters. He
reported that in every instance, it has been the fault Frozen water
of the ?ane owner because the meters were not protected. meters
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to adopt a policy of charging the actual cost of repair-
ing frozen water meters.
The Chairman reported that there is a large shelter
sign on the front of Cary Memorial Building.
Mr. Cole explained that it is a State Civil Defense
sign indicating that the building is a shelter. Civil
The Chairman objected to the looks of the sign Defense
and said he though the Board should have been advised Shelter sign
before it was placed there.
Mr. Burnell suggested that Mr. Uarroll work some-
thing out with Mr. Burrell.
Mr. Carroll retired at 9:05 P.M.
Mr. Charles M. Evans met with the Board and re-
ported that he has gone through the personal services
budgets for extension3of figures as well as the rates
and presented each member of the Board with a printed Budgets
report of his findings. He explained that man y of
the errors are due to the fact that there was a mis-
understanding in the departments as to how to proceed.
It was agreed to submit a letter to the department
heads, whose budgets were found to be incorrect, to-
gether with a memorandum prepared by Mr. Evans . Mr.
Evans agreed to prepare the letter to be sent out.
The Chairman reported that Mr. Clarke, Chairman of
the Appropriation Committee, felt very strongly that the
recommended increase in the Board of Assessors' budget
should not be put into effect. He said that the delay Assessors '
in getting the tax bills out cost the Town $17,000. Mr. budget
Clarke questioned how an increase could be recommended
for a department where the work was not done and resulted
in a substantial cost tothe Town.
Mr. Cole said that the increases are not recommended
for the personnel but for the position.
Mr. Evans explained that the recommendation was
3-19 and if the incumbent belonged to an Association,
S-20 was recommended. He said the additional grade
could be withheld.
It was agreed to invite the Board of Assessors to
meet with the Board next Monday; the Chairman to make
it clear that the Clerk should not be invited to attend.
The Board of Fire Commissioners met with the Board.
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The Chairman reported that the Selectmen had not
approved the amount in the personal services budget for
two new privates and reduced the request for Inspection
and Extra Duty to $8,000. He explained that the holi-
day pay had been refigured and the correct amount for
the budget is now $267,550.00.
Mr. Evans said the amount requested for paid holi-
days was $8,947.70 and he recomputed it at $5,931.00.
He referred to the supporting statements by the Fire
Commissioners that the increase was due to the dis-
cussion which they had with him. He recalled the
discussion and said he did not remember that such a
conclusion was arrived at, and proceeded to explain
the method used in arriving at his figure. He said
he did not think the Town should be expected to pay
more than twenty-four hours for one post on a holidyy
Mr. Fitzgerald reported that about two months ago,
the Commissioners asked the privates to form a committee
to meet with the Commissioners monthly. One of the re-
quests that came to the Commissioners, the committee
representing both privates and officers, was for a 50.4
hour work week. The request was discussed and the
Commissioners pointed out that this should have been
brought before the Board of Selectmen in October or
November, that the budget had been submitted, and as
a Board the Commissioners were not going to change the
budget requests. However, the department as a whole
submitted in writing a request to the Commissioners,
with the approval of the Chief of the Lepartment, that
this be brought before the Board of Selectmen. He
stated th ►t every man in the department, with the ex-
ception of the Chief, has signed a request for a 50.1.E
hour work week. The Chief has signed approval and
knowledge that this is being submitted to the Board of
Selectmen. Mr. Fitzgerald explained that if this is
put into effect, it will require six additional men to
complete the nine man shift . With the proposed schedule,
the men will work three days from eight in the morning
until six at night. He said the Commissioners would
bring the petition and the work schedule in for the Board
and stated that one of the reasons for the privates com-
mittee is because of talk about a union.
Mr. Evans explained that the present rates are com-
parative With towns where the prevailing work week is
fifty-seven hours.
Mr. Richards asked when a union would negotiate with,
and said that neither the Selectmen nor the Commissioners
had the authority. He said he wondered how a union
would work in a town where themembers have to go to a
Town Meeting for their money.
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Mr. Fitzgerald asked the Board to send the Fire
Commissioners a letter on the paid holiday policy.
The Chairman referred to the Fire Commissioners'
capital outlay request . Fire Dept.
Mr. Fitzgerald reported that two years ago, they Capital
had a motor job done on Engine #4 and a little over a Outlay
year ago they decided to request a replacement of Engine
#5 and continue to use #4 because so much money was spent
on it. He said that is why Engine #I} is in for replace-
ment now. He reported that Diamond T is going out of
business, being moved out by the toll road and therefore
Parts will be difficult to obtain. He said the hand
pump is a 1945 pump and the last time they had to send
to Chicago to have it rebuilt . He stated that the Com-
missioners feel Engine #4 at the present time is a second
line piece, mainly a brush fire wagon. He said the Com-
missioners would be willing to go along for another year
and try to get by.
Mr. Richards said White bought out Diamond T and he
would check as he thought they could guarantee partsffr
five years.
The Board of Fire Commisioners and Mr. Evans re-
tired at 10:50 P.M.
' Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to approve the minutes of the Selectmen's Meeting held Minutes
on January 21, 1963.
Letter was received from Mr. Alan Wade, 524 Concord
Avenue, referring to problems involved in rebuilding
Route 2 and the problems involved in the proposed Spring Route 2
Street rezoning.
The Chairman suggested that Mr. Wade be informed
that the Board has discussed the subject with Mr. Caleb
Warner and insofar as endeavoring to resolve the pro-
, blems through Washington, the Board would co-operate in
any way possible .
Law Department budgets were held over until the Law budget
next meeting of the Board.
Invitation was received from the Lexington Detach-
ment of the Marine Corps League inviting the Board to
attend Installation of Officers on February 9.
Mr. Cole agreed to represent the Board.
The Chairman read a letter from Carolyn Frocks,
1765 Massachusetts Avenue, rega ding the sign which
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the Board advised her was in violation of the Historic 11
Districts Act.
Sign It was agreed to advise them to apply immediately
for a hearing with the Historic Districts Commission.
The Chairman read a letter from the League of Women
Voters stating that figures indicate five of the six
precincts will require additional voting machines by
Voting the next general election inNovember, 1961 .
Machines The Chairman will advise the League that the
Board understands the situation and believes that
an article for additional voting machines will be
included in the warrant for the 1964 Annual Town
Meeting and that the machines will be available for
the November election, 1961..
The Chairman read a letter from the Planning
Board with reference to Mr. Alfred P. Tropeano's let-
ter of January 4, suggesting the extension of Worthen-
Worthen Road. The Planning Board has included thesame ex-
Road tension in its study plans for some time but no detailed
location or construction study has been made for the
reason that other matters have been considered more
urgent
It was agreed to send a copy of the letter to Mr.
Tropeano.
Letter was received from Mrs. John M. Reed, 92
Parking North Street, relative to parkin meters installed
meters in the municipal parking lots.
The Chairman is toadvise Mrs. Reed that before
making the decision to install meters in the parking
areas, the Board carefully investigated the situation
and thoroughly discussed the phase of abuse of the
areas and the evidence did not seem to warrant any
other solution than the installation of meters.
Letter was received from Noel G. Posternak, re-
questing permission, on behalf of Temple Emunah, to
Temple conduct a Country Fair on Sunday, April 21, 1963.
Emunah Fair There would be approximately thirty booths set up on
the property and an auction of all merchandise not sold
by six o'clock.
The Chairman said he would acknowledge the letter
and tell Mr. Posternak that the Boyd would prefer
that the activities be confined to the afternoon.
Letter was received from Mrs. C. R. Smallman
requesting permission, on behalf of the Committee of
Troop #29, Battle Green Neighborhood Girl Scouts, for
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permission to sell the 13-star United States flag on
April 19. April 19
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the request.
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to grant the following licenses:
Licenses
Ronald Fracas Taxi Driver
V. Donald Foster It 't
Robert Thomas Bancroft tt
Trinity Pharmacy Common Victualler
Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted
to accept with regret Mr. Leo Po3lawskis resignation Resignation
as a member of the Town Celebrations Committee.
The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M.
A true reoord, Attest :
ec ivevCler Select n
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