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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1963-01-21-min 117 SELECTMEN'S MEETING January 21, 1963 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, TownOffice Building, on Monday, January 21, 1963, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Adams, Messrs. Cole, Richards, Burnell and Brown were present . Miss Murray, ExecutiveClerk, and Mr. Charles M. Evans were also present. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk and Treasurer, met with the Board to discuss 1963 budgets under his jurisdiction. Mr. Evans reported that the Personal Services figures were relatively correct. Budgets were acted upon as follows: Requested Approved TemmA1.erk & Treasurer Personal Services $14,894.68 $14,894.68 Town Clerk Expenses 1,809.72 1,809.72 and Treasure Elections 500.00 500.00 budgets Vital Statistics 100.00 100.00 Parking Meters 150.00 150.00 Out of State Travel 250.00 250.00 Town Clerk - Personal Services 5,000.00 Town Treasurer " " 5,000.00 Registrars - Personal Services 3,500.00 3,500.00 Expenses 1,000.00 1,000.00 Mr. Carroll stated that he would not argue the amount submitted for his own personal service. He re- tired at 7:45 P.M. Mr. Legro, Town Counsel, and Mr. Carroll, Super- intendent of Public Works, met with the Board. Mr. Carroll referred to a request received from one Walter T. Gavan for permission to move a house from 140 Cambridge-Concord Turnpike to Eldred Street, and Permit to said the people involved were present this evening. move house Attorney Gavan, State .Department of Public Works, said he was representing his brother, Walter T. Gavan, on his application for a permit to move a house which he purchased from the State. He said he understood the difficulty was the selection of a route, and stated that the route he has in mind would be to come down the 118 MC w. ramp on Waltham Street, travel on Waltham Street a dis- tance of a mile and a half, then onto Worthen Road for a distance of 1.10 miles , then on Bedford Street for a distance of 1.7 miles . He said he understood the main objection was that both Waltham Street and Bedford Street are thirty feet in width. The width of thehouse is twenty-five feet and the overhang brings it to twenty- seven feet. He said he has been informed that the trailers travel at a speed of about fifteen miles an hour. That being so, it would take about six minutes on Waltham Street and less than seven minutes on Bedford Street . He said he has been over this route andcoould find no obstruction except on BedfordStreet near the McCarthy Funeral home where there are a couple of trees that arch over the roadway. He said one limb from the trees would clear the path. He stated that the mover is prepared to put up his bond in the sum of $5,000, and his equipment is of A-1 character because it has been used in many moving operations throughout the State. He reported that his brother has invested close to $10,000 in the purchase of the house and land. After the pur- chase of the land, he found there was a lot of peat there. He had it sounded and it ran from eight to ten feet. All the peat was excavated down to hardpan. Then he found the hardpan was below the water table so he hadto refill with gravel and then the foundation was poured. The Chairman asked why Mr . Gavan did not find out about obtaining a permit first. Mr. Gavan, the attorney, said he left that to the mover. He said he did not think there would be any difficulty with wires. He said there are a few tele- phone wires on Waltham Street that could be lifted to permit the passage of thehous.;. He said if, for any reason, this route is not acceptable , he would be will- ing to go along with any suggestion that may be made to get the house up there . Mr. Burnell asked if he understood Mr. Gavan to say there would have to be a limb taken off the trees . Mr. Gavan replied in the affirmative and said it was near the McCarthy Funeral Home, the lower branch on each tree. Mr. Richards asked if there would be any problem turning off Worthen Road onto Bedford Street, and Mr. Gavan replied in the negative Mr. Carroll reported that he told Mr. Gavan, his brother and wife that he and the Chief had looked over the route and would recommend to the Board that the request for a permit be denied because of the width of the house is such that it will not permit vehicles go- ing by most of the time it is on Waltham Street and most of the time it is on Bedford Street . He explained that 119 I they felt that if there was an accident or fire, the Town would be in serious trouble. Mr. Cole asked about the time element involved and Mr. Carroll said he felt it would be an hour on Bedford Street anyway. Attorney Gavan said the fifteen miles an hour in ideal conditions would mean being on Bedford Street six minutes. He said he would be willing to move the house in slack hours, after midnight. He said a fire truck could be stationed at the other end of the road. The Chairman said the Board would let Mr. Gavan know its decision. Mr. and Mrs. Gavan and attorney Gavan retired at 8:00 P.M. Mr. Carroll said he would be willing to go along if the Building were moved at midnight . Mr. Burnell asked if they had any right to saw off tree limbs, and Mr . Carroll said permission would have to be granted by the Tree Warden. The Chairman said it was Mr. Gavan's responsibility to work out a route that would be acceptable to the Board. It was agreed to approve the move at midnight pro- viding Mr. Gavan makes all the necessary arrangements , and the Board has approval from the Chief of Police and Superintendent :of Public Works. Mr. Carroll said the State made a taking from the Town up on Massachusetts Avenue, right at the bridge, over a year ago, August 29, 1961. The Town was offered $1.00 and the Board asked him Lo work with the State. He presented a plan entitled "Plan of Road in the Town of Lexington Altered and laid out as a State Highway by Settlement the State Department of Public Works", He indicated for land the area of 2,471{. square fee, that was taken and sub- taken by mitted a Land Damage Agreement in the amount of $175.00 State coviering the parcel taken by the State. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept settlement in the amount of $175, and authorize the Chairman to sign the Land Damage Agreement. Mr. Carroll referred to a letter written last July to Cabot, Cabot & Forbes relative to an exchange of land and indicated on a plan what land the Town was to acquire and what land Cabot, Cabot & Forbes was to acquire. He asked if the Board wanted to include an article in the Article re Warrant for the Annual March Meeting. land exchang The Chairman said he thought an article should be inserted in the warrant and Mr. Richards said there would have to be a plan to abandon. 120 zifir It was agreed that first, Mr. Carroll would pre- pare a plan and seco„d, submit the plan to Cabot, Cabot & Forbes, after which he would contact Mr. Legro rela- tive to an article. Mr. Carroll asked about a name change on Massachu- Mass. Aver.L..:setts Avenue, the westerly side of Route 128 where name change it has been relocated. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Carroll write the Planning Board. Mr. Carroll referred tothe Woodhaven Trunk Sewer and reported that Mr. Higgins has contacted most of the people involved. One individual, Mr.Hinds, owns 40 acres of land north of Route 2 up to the Woodhaven development. The sewer will be located through his property in two places, which he indihcated on a plan. Order of He reported that Mr. Hinds wrote to him and also wrote taking to the Planning Board stating that he would go along Woodhaven with the easement if the property is zoned for industry Sewer Mr. Carroll recommended that a taking be made. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to adopt an order of taking of land believed to be owned by Mr. Hinds, as indicated on a plan by Mr. Carroll, for the Woodhaven Trunk Sewer. It was agreed to meet Saturday morning at 9:15 A.M. to continue work on budgets. Letter from Robert R. Rich, attorney for Mrs . Willis, Dump Site Webber, accepting an offer of $75 in settlement for land lot taken for the Refuse Dump Site was referred to Mr. Legro. The Chairman read a letter from Mercurio Dankese, 87 Lincoln Street, referring to an order of taking, in- volving temporary easements, requesting an offer in settlement of damages for sewer easement taken in his property. Mr. Carroll explained thatthere was a taking made on either side of the existing water main. He indi- cated the Dankese property, the existing water main and Easements the taking that was made. He explained any damages would be from the temporary easement and said he thought the temporary easements should be staked out and deter- mine to what extent the damages to the area are . The Chairman said the board should have more in- formation from Mr. Carroll. The Chairman read a letter from Francis E. Burke, attorney for the owners of the property at 904 Massachusetts �' 121 Avenue, relative to damage caused by a Town drain. Mr. Carroll stated that the problem could be Claim solved by putting in a couple of loads of gravel. Letter was received from Allan Green, request- ing installation of a street light on Barberry Road. Street light Mr. Carroll reported that he has already placed an order for this light . Letter from Eugene B. Hamilton requesting that a Traffic sign be erected to prevent parking within seventy-five feet of the corner of Ledgelawn Avenue and Bedford Street was referred to the Traffic Study Committee. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the following pole locations: Bellflower Street, easterly side at Balfour Street, -- One (1) pole. Pole Homestead StreLt, southerly side, approximately 23 feet locations east of Bellflower Street, -- ' One (1) pole . (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) The Chairman read a letter from the State Depart- ment of Public Works with reference to access to and egress from modern highways . The Clerk was instructed Highways to send a copy to each member of theBoard and to have one published in the LexingtonMinute-man. Letter was received from the Board of Health list- ing sewers in the order of urgency based on deficiencies and problems and encountered by that Board. Sewers The Clerk was instructed to send a copy to each member of the Board Before the meeting Saturday Messrs . Carroll and Legro retired at 8:30 P.M. The Recreation Committee met with the Board to discuss budgets for 1963 Mr. Evans said the amount for supervision and instruction was a lump sum and he assumed it was figured according to the schedule, andMr . Kelly stated that it Recreation was. budgets The Chairman asked how much of the increase in the budget was due to the new items, and Mr.Kelly replied 122 C- that the entire increase is due to the new program. The Chairman explained that if the Board feels it necessary, $700 will be approved for janitorial instead of $850 and $10,010 will be approved for supervision and instruction instead of $10,975. Mr. Kelly stated there is nothing mandatory and to a large extent janitorial money Comes back. The Chairman asked if the new soccer program was highly desirable but not essential, and Mr. Kelly replied in the affirmative. Mr. Kelly referred to the Expenses budget and said it included items that are merely recommendations and it is up to the Board whether or not these items are to be transferred to the Public Works Department. The Chairman said the Board would discuss these with Mr. Carroll Saturday morning. Mr. Kelly said he would like to bring up the subject of the Baskin land and explained that the Committee feels it should use the $10,000 appropriated as far as it will go and that the Public Works Department should be author- ized to undertake this area in the spring. Mr. Richards asked if it would cost $9,310, the balance in the appropriation, to build the proposed play area, and Mr. Kelly said the idea would be to do as much as can be done for the amount of money available. The Board agreed with the Committeets recommendation. The Recreation Committee retired at 9:05 P.M. Chief Rycroft and Mr. Burrell, Director of Civil Defense, met with the Board. The Chairman stated that the Board had invited Chief 'Rycroft and Mr . Burrell in this evening to dis- cuss Auxiliary Police. He said that Mr. Burrell, in Auxiliary going over the organization, has given some study to Police the Auxiliary Police and recommended that the present force either go through a Civil Defense course in training or be abandoned. Mr. Burrell said basically, that was it. He stated that as a Civil Defense Director he could not take other than the position that an auxiliary depart- ment is• desirable and necessary for a Civil Defense disaster. He said he recognized there will be many problems involved, and if there is going to be an auxili- ary department, it should be trained. However, if there is not going to be an auxiliary department, it should be recognized, and he can make his plans . The Chairman explained that the Board had not made any decision. Chief Rycroft said he had previously discussed this with the Board and explained that some of the men have 13 been in the organization since 1928. He said he could get forty-five out of sixty-five men out on Halloween' , and from the limited amount of damage, it was evident that they do a good job. He said these are the ones he is thinking about. The Chairman said that the present force has been successful as Special Police and not as Civil Defense . Mr. Burnell said the men in the group the Chief was talking about are aging and the Chief agreed Mr. Burnell said it will not be long before these men will not be effective at all. The Chatif explained that he has some young men in the group and asked how one approached an individual who had been in the group for a number of years. The Chairman skid the present group has worked out for what the Chief wanted, but Mr. Burrell wants auxiliary police that have been trained in Civil Defense procedure. Mr. Burrell said he was not too sure what is being talked about would not be the same thing. He said there are forty-two or forty-three buildings in Lexington that could house a substantial number of people; 200, 300 or 1,000 in a particular building, and there has to be some police protection in these places. He said he was concerned about these individuals understanding the job II they are supposed to do. He stated that the Civil De- fense law is quite specific in the use of Auxiliary Police The Chairman asked if this could be settled by a certain number in the group taking Civil Defense training. Chief Rycroft asked what the training is. Mr. Burrell replied that there is a course, with which he is not too familiar, but it does give fundamentals that anyone should know, and is given by qualified in- structors, who are usually officers in the local police department . He said he thought people in the police department could qualify and would be certified by the State to teach the course . He said the limitations are important and some understanding of what their area of responsibility might be as far as Civil Defense emergency is concerned. He said there has to be some policing power in each one of these school buildings. Mr.Richards said Mr . Burrell feels a Civil Defense police force is needed and Chief Rycroft feels the auxil- iary police are satisfactory. He asked what the Civil Defense police force would do and what kind of training they need. Mr. Burrell replied they have to have some police knowledge. Mr. Richards said a man who had been a police officer could take the Civil Defense course to qualify and asked where the men would come from, how they would be recruited 124 and how the police force would be maintained. Mr. Burrell replied that first of all a man feels he is contributing something to his community. He said usually as these things get organized there is a fellow- ship that develops which appeals to the basic American character. There are some people who are attracted to the Police Department. Mr. Richards asked how Mr.Burrell would get this started and Mr. Burrell replied by going out and telling people the group is being formed. He said he did not think it was necessary to have a large group; a small group of twenty or twenty-five would be better than one hundred. Mr. Cole asked if those who have Civil Defense uni- forms are special police, and Chief Rycroft replied in the affirmative . Mr. Richards asked, if Mr. Burrell set up what he is trying to set up, how the men are obtained. Mr. Burrell replied that right now he has the re- sponsibility of organizing and training such a group and there is no point unless it is acceptable tothe Police Department. Mr. Richards asked what the course consisted of and how would Mr. Burrell go about training the risen. Mr. Burrell replied that maybe he would talk with the Chief and if there was someone in the department that would look like he would be the person, he thought it would be better to have a man in the department do this . Then they would have to go to the State 1oadquarters and obtain approval that this individual would teach the course. He said this is not a big thing and it won 't happen overnight . They should get together once or twice a month and in six months or so be at the point where they could be given an emergency assignment. He said the problem is trying to take seventy-six people under stress of emergency and get them in a place where they should be of some benefit . Mr. Cole said as he understood it, Mr. Burrell wanted a decision from the Board as to whether or not there is to be an auxiliary police force and who is going to train them. Mr. Burrell said Civil Defense cannot be activated except by request ofthe Chief of Police. The Director cannot activate them or use them and the only thing he is responsible for is organizing them and training. The Chairman slid it is obvious that the board has to make a decision and would let Mr. Burrell and the Chief know. Chief Rycroft and Mr. Burrell retired at 9:25 P.M. rA � 45 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advise the Chief of Police that Mr. Burrell be given authority to organize and train, in Civil Defense mat- ters only, those volunteers in the existing Special Police organization. The Board of Assessors met with the Board to discuss budgets for 1963. Assessors' Mr. Evans reported trot the personal services rates budget were correct . The personal services budget was approved in the amount of $22, 305.52; Expenses approved in the amount of 822,427.87 and Out of State travel approved in the amount of 8100. The Chairman referred to a letter from the Addresso- graph-Multigraph Corporation relative to items recommended to complete the billing system. Mr. Cronin explained that these items were in the Assessors original quotation, but Mr. Staples did not think there billing was enough money to purchase them. He said it would system not cost the Town anything to take the equipment with- out a door and exchange it for a cabinet with a lock. He said it would not be a trade-in, but an exchange. Mr. Cole reported that no funds had been carried over and the purcha:;e of the equipment was therefore disapproved. The Assessors retired at 9=55 P.M. The Chairman reported that Mr. Nickerson, Chairman of the Board of Appeals, had called relative to a de- cision on his request that the Clerk to the Board be re-classified. Board of Mr. Evans advised that the Clerk works twenty hours Appeals ' a week which is $270 a year and the Board of Appeals Personal proposed $440. He said $2.22 would make an increase of Services $440. The Chairman asked if Mr. Evans was recommending the S-3 classification and he replied in the affirmative. He said he believes the job is not entitled to any higher rating. Mrs. Norma Babcock's resignation as a School Traffic Duty Policewoman was accepted and placed on file. Resignation Officer George Forten 's resignation as Dog Officer was held over. Notice from the County relative to a course of Dog Officer instruction for Dog Officers was also held over. # The Board decided th-t, to be consistent, it had no alternative but to accept Mr. Eyelid recommendation. 126 it The Chairman read a letter from the Chamber of Commerce advising that the Road of Directors would like to see an article in the warrant for the next Annual Town Meeting to appropriate funds to supplement the Christmas lighting in the Center. Christmas Mr. Burnell said he thought this was a project lighting that the Chamber of Commerce would be responsible for rather than the taxpayers . He also pointed out that there would be shopping areas other than the center, and these people would feel they were entitled to ask for funds. The Chairman said he t ought the Chamber of Com- merce should have had an article in the warrant, under the signature of ten or more registered voters. Mr. Cole said the Board is trying to cut costs in the way of service andhe would therefore not be in favor of something such as this. The Board felt that in view of its effort to keep appropriations to a minimum this year, it could not recommend such an expenditure this year. Law Decision relative to the Law Department budget was budget held over until the budget meeting Saturday morning. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town as follows: AMENDMENT TO THE TRAFFIC RULES AND ORDERS, TOWN OF LEXIN^TON, ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN, JANUARY 21, 1963 ARTICLE VII Traffic Rules Section 1 (One way) and Orders By striking out the following description: Raymond Street - easterly, from Clarke Street to Muzzey Street. Article VII, Section 1 is further amended by adding the following new description: Raymond Street - westerly, from Muzzey Street to Clarke Street . Adopted January 21, 1963 /s/ Levi G. Burnell Lincoln P. Uole,Jr. Selectmen a true copy, Attest: Otis S. Brown, Jr. of Lexington January 22, 1963 10 January 22, 1963 Then personally appeared the above-named Hazel J. Murray, Executive Clerk, Board of Selectmen, and acknowledged the foregoing to be her free act and deed, before me, /s/ James J. Carroll notary rubric AMENDMENT TO TH,' TRAFFIC RULES AND ORDERS, TOWN OF LEXINGTON, ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF SEL SELECTMEN, JANUARY 21, 1963 ARTICLE VIII Section 11 (Stop signs) By adding to this section the following: Southeastbound drivers on Harding Road at Simonds Road. Southeastbound drivers on Gleason Road at Simonds Road. Northwest bound drivers on Gleason Road at Simonds Road. Southeastbound drivers on Dexter Road at Simonds Road. Northwestbound drivers on Dexter Road at Simonds oad. Southeastbound drivers on Bertwell Road at Simonds Road. Northwestbound drivers on Bertwell Road at Simonds Road. Northwestbound drivers on Preston Road at Simonds Road. Southeastbound drivers on Blake Road at Simonds Road. Northwestbound drivers on Blake Road at Simonds Road. Northeastbound drivers on Preston Road at Simonds Woad. /s/ Levi G. Burnell Lincoln P. ',ole Jr. Selectmen Otis S. Brown, Jr. of Lexington Adopted Januay 21, 1963 A true copy, Attest : /s/ Hazel J. Murray Executive clerk, Selectmen January 22, 1963 Then personally appeared the above-named Hazel J. Murray, Executive Clerk, Board of Selectmen, and acknowledged the foregoing to be her free act and deed, before me /s/ James J. Carroll Notary Public 128mc rzi Applications for the position of Executive Assist- Applications ant were received from William A. Sommers, Somerset, New Jersey, and John H. Harding, Weston . The Chairman agreed to arrange appointments for both applicants to meet with the Board on Saturday morning. Upon motion duly made and seco ded, it was voted Notices of to sign notices of intentions to lay out the follwwing Intention streets; hearings to be held on January 30, 1963: Alcott Road Fulton Road Ames Avenue BaskiniRoad Freemont Street Eastern Avenue Bowser Road Jeffrey Terrace Manning Street Brown Road Lillian Road Winter Street Burroughs Road Oxbow Road Todd Road Constitution n oad Roosevelt Road Douglas Road Cooke Road Ross Road Drew Road Saddle Club Road Upon motion duly made and secondeu, it was voted Meeting to hold a regular meeting of the board on Tuesday, January 29, 1963, at 7:30 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectments Meetings held on January 12 and 14. The meeting adjourned at 11:10 P.M. A true record, Attest : ilk G ` ' ec iv SelectOan lerl�, } r