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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-07-25-min 66 N SELECTMEN'S MEETING July 25, 1960 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, July 25, 1960, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs . Ferguson, Cole and Richards were present . The Executive Clerk was also present. Mr. Adams arrived at the meeting at 7:145 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meetings held on July 11, and 18. Mr . James J. Carrell, Town Clerk, met with the Board Jurors for the drawing of two jurors. The following individuals were drawn for jury duty: Richard J. Gilbert, 20 Win- chester Drive and Gregory Milona, 2L8 Waltham Street. Mr. Carroll retired. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two poles on Sherburne Road. Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company, Messrs . Charles F. Kitching, Joseph Leto, Louis Ferracane, Edward T. Martin, and William J. Flux were present at the hearing. Mr. Mahon explained that a plan was submitted once before and the hearing held on June 27, 1960 . At that time it was found that the names of the abutters as indicated on the plan were in error. He explained that the proposed poles are for service to reach the property Pole of Mr. William Flux, a new home owner. locations Mr. Charles Kitching protested and said he already has one pole on his lot line and 100 feet down from that he will have another. He stated that tie pole would be in the view of his picture window. Mr. Mahon explained that the first pole on the existing line is the first proposed pole in the exten- sion of an existing line . The second pole is proposed at the applicant ' s lot line in order to run the tap from the pole to his home . He said that all the poles are located on property lines as they should be . He ex- plained that down through the years this street was not always a public way and he negotiated may years ago for the poles now existing, to bring the service to the gentlemen who just spoke . Now the company wants to 67 extend the line to the new applicant ' s house . He said this is accepted practice with the Edison Company as it is with all utilities . Mg. Kitching stated that his house was built Etter the pole was erected in front of it and the service was brought to a house across the way before his was built. He said the pole was not there to service his house . Mr. Mahon stated that from a constructiongnint of view all utilities, telephone, fire alarm, street light- ing, desire so far as they can to keep the line on one side . Mr. Leto questioned the location of the pole on his lot line and asked why a second pole is being erected. Mr. Mahon reported that he had seen Mr. Leto and had explained to him that it was the company's intention in running this particular line out, to extend the line to one pole and run a tap service . He said that Mr. Flux wanted the service tocome in the left side of his house and that is the reason for setting the second pole . He explained that fire laws do not permit running wires in front of a house at that angle . Mr. Kitching said he wished to call attention to the fact there is a pole on the corner of Mr. Leto' s property and Mr. Mahon explained that to run from that pole to Mr. Flux's lot line would result in running wires across Mr. Leto' s land. He said this is a main line that feeds many, many people and it is not the policy of the company to run wires over private property, particularly when there is a public street in which to work. Mr. Leto asked if it would be feasible to put a pole up between the property of Mr. Flux and Mr. Martin and then across the street to the pole which now feeds Mr. Martin. Mr. Mahon explained that the line is running the other way. Mt.. Kitching said that because the house needs service from the left side rather than from the right, he felt it decreased the value of his property. Mr. Mahon said that his only interest is establish- ing service for Mr. Flux as he would any applicant who applies; to the co pany. He said he looked at the area today and from what he saw, the pole is about thirty feet away from Mr. Kitching's home and about forty feet away from his picture window. He said the pole does not interfere in any way with Mr.Kitching' s prof perty or N . Ferracane 's property. He stated that Mr. Ferracane is some sixty feet away from the proposed pole . He explained that if the proposed pole presented any ob- struction to a driveway, walk, hydrant or street, or there was some substantial reason for the pole not go- 6C'f ti C') Cin ing in, he thought it could be arranged. However, in this case it is just extending the line one section as has been done in five cases on the existing street. Mr. Kitching said that his house is only fifteen feet from the lot line and he could not understand how the pole would be thirty feet away. He said the fence may have mislead Mr. Mahon. The Chairman stated thatthe Board would take the petition under advisement and declared the hearing closed. Mr.Mahon and the other five gentlemen retired at 7:55 P.M. Motion was made and seconded to grant the petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate two poles on Sherourne Road; one On the easterly side , approximately 225 feet north of Winthrop Road and one on the westerly side, approximately 125 feet north of Winthrop Road. Mr. Ferguson and Mr. Richards voted in opposition. Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, and Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, met with the Board. The Chairman reported that Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, had presented a petition received by him requesting the insertion of an Article in the Warrant for the next Town Meeting, relative to a change in zoning on the easterly side of Waltham Street . The eleven names on the petition were determined by Mr. Carroll to be qualified registered Article voters. It was agreed to return the petition inasmuch as 100 signatures are required to insert an Article in the Warrant for a Special Town Meeting and to advise that a public hearing must be held by the Planning Board before any change in zoning can be acted on by Town Meeting. Mr. S evens explained that the time for passing papers on the land on Pollen Hill, to be acquired from the Trustees of the Tower Trust, was extended to August 1st. The plan is not ready as the surveyors had some difficulty with the exterior line and he had prepared an instrument to extend the time until September 15. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign an instrument extending the time for delivery of the deed of a certain parcel of land to be acquired from the Trustees of the Tow,' Trust to September 15, 1960 . 1 Mr. Stevens reported that he had redrafted the pro- posed agreement between the Town and the M.D.C . , and will submit it to the M.D.C . this week . The Chairman suggested that the Special Town Meet- ing tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 20, 1960 be definitely set for Monday, September 26, 1960. She explained that Town Meetings have always been held Town on Monday and she felt that it would be better not to Meeting change the day. Upon motion duly made and seconded,it was voted to definitely establish the date of Monday, September 26, 1960 for the Special Town Meeting. Mr. Stevens said that he would be away for the month of August, except for the week of the ]4bh, and stated that Mr. Carroll will have some contracts to be signed. Letter was received from Mr. Stevens reporting that title has been acquired from Donald K. Irwin to approximately 14. nAtts of land situated on Grove Street. The 1960 'TBwn1 seting authorized acquisition of the land for playground and recreational purposes and he suggested that the Board might want to inform the Recreation Committee that the property has been Acquisition acquired. of land on The Chairman said that, while the Town has ac- Grove Street quired this land, it is not ready for recreational purposes, and suggested that the Board proceed slowly until such time as there is a plan for the use of the property. She suggested just advising the Committee * has ideas for the development of it . Mr . Ferguson said the Committee should be advised so it will have an opportunity to make plans. He said he understood that the Board had agreed, on the acquisi- tion of land for recreational purposes, to notify the Police, Fire, Superintendent of Public Works and any other interested party. Mr. Stevens explained that he had notified the Board of Assessors, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Chief of Police . He said the Recreation Com- mittee ' s function is to operate and it would seem ap- propriate for it to know about the acquisition so plans can be prepared to submit to the Board. Mr. Stevens retired at 8:25 P.M. Mr. Carroll reported that bids were opened today for sidewalks on Burlington Street and Winchester Drive . that the land had been acquired, and perhaps the C ommitsee 70 ti.. G7 The low bidder was Qiintin Vespa Co. , Inc. , with a bid of $26,771+.20. He said that ordinarily he would ask the Board to award the contract next week and have it Sidewalk signed the following week. He said this is a reputable contract contractor and he would like to have the contract awarded tentatively on the bid of $26,774.20 and have the con- tract prepared Mr. Stevens could have them ready Friday and they could be signed by the Board next Monday or a week from Monday. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to award the contract for sidewalk construction to Quintin Vespa Co. , Inc. , the low bidder, at the bid price of $26,774.20, subject to a satisfactory check of the bids. Mr. Carroll reported that bids were also opened for drains and the low bidder was C . DiMartino & Sons, Inc. , with a bid of $58,350.00. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Drain to award the contract for drains to C . DiMartino & Sons, contract Inc . , the low bidder, at the bid price of 058,350.00 subject to a satisfactory check of the bids. Mr. Cole brought up the subject of sand blowing from a vacant lot on Burlington Street . The Chairman reported that a letter had been sent to the owner of the lot, a copy of which was mailed to Nuisance one of the individuals who signed the complaint: It was agreed to notify the Board of Health and request that some action be taken to eliminate the nuisance . Letter was received from Mr. M. Bezreh, 32 Sky View Road, relative to a street betterment assessment . Mr. Carroll presented a plan and explained the assess- Abatement ment. He recommended an abatement of $227.74 which represents the distance of 38.02 feet referred to in Mr. Bezreh's letter. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to abate the street betterment assessment levied against Mr. Mitchell Bezreh' s property by the amount of $227.74. Mr. Carroll reported that he had discussed the pro- posed vacation and sick leave policy with Mr. Spirts Sick leave & and he is in accord with the recommendations . vacation The Chairman said that it is now up to the Board policy of Selectmen to review the proposed policy and arrive at a decision. Mr. Ferguson inquired about the water ban and Mr. Carroll stated that watering is permitted every other day, no restriction as to the time . Mg. Carroll retired at 8:50 P.M. 71 Mr. Donald K. Irwin, Building Inspector, met with the Board, and presented a report of complaints received by him during the period from June 27 to July 25. The subject of Building and Zoning By-Law violations was discussed arra the Chairman said that it would appear that about all Mr. Irwin can do is to follow up in the new developments to make certain something new is not Zoning started. violations Mr. Irwin said that he did not think a policy had ever been established relative to the sale of Christmas trees in residential areas . He mentioned the Follen Church property and the annual DeMolay sale , plus all the farm stands . Mr. Adams said he thought advance notice should be given that permission must be obtained from the Board of Appeals. Mr. Ferguson asked why there was ever any question raised. If the sales are made in an area not zoned for business, it is in violation of the Zoning By-Law. He said news items in the paper woultLbe all right, but he did not think the Selectmen shoul7put in the position of advocating that people apply for a variance of the Zoning By-Law. The Board agreed that the sale of Christmas trees should be limited to business zones and any individual or group desiring to sell them should apply to the Board of Appeals. Mr. Richards said he thought the approach would be extremely difficult, if not impossible , for Mr. Irwin to start out and go over each piece of land and business. He said he thought Mr. Irwin would have to follow up on the complaints and obvious displays or breaches should be investigated He said information could be given out through the Board of Appeals or press that violations will not be tolerated. He stated that Mr. Irwin should have the support of theBoard as far as correcting all of th3 obvious violations are concerned, following through and if necessary, prosecuting with the assistance of Town Counsel. Mr. Ferguson said that if people realize the Board is being more emphatic about enforcement, they will be more careful. He said he thought Mr. Irwin should take complaints even though the people making them do not identify themselves. Mr. Irwin retired at 9:25 P.M. Mr. Edward B. Cass, Chairman of the Board of Assess- ors, Mr. William I. Burnham and Mr. Cornelius Cronin met with the Board. The Chairman referred to a meeting with the Board I2 early in June at which time the subject of tax bills was discussed. She said the excise tax bills have gone out to some extent, that is as many hs have been com- mitted to Mr. Cronin from the Registry. The real Tax bills estate tax bills hA ve not gone out at all. She said the Selectmen feel it is the obligation of the Assessors ' Department, when the tax rate has been established, to concentrate on getting the tax bills out . Mr. Cronin reported that the Collector had letter A and B and will have C in a day or two, which is 20% of the bills . The Chairman said that once the tax rate has been established, there should be a concentration on getting the bills out . The Board understood that one girl was work- ing on tax bills and one on excise taxes. Mr. Cronin stated that the three girls are now work- ing on real estate taxes. Mr. Richards said that it costs the Town money to borrow money and this year the borrowing has had to be more than it has in the past. He said it is difficult to say how much money would be saved if thebills were sent out early. The majority of the money does not come in until October when the banks pay in the large sums. He said prior to that time, there are home owners who pay their bills and there is a considerable amount of money that comes in prior ter0ttober-3st. He' sa.idLthe Board had to float a loan of x$1,000,000 which will cost the Town about $5,000. He said it is unfortunate that tax bills come in the summer and asked if additional help would assist the Assessors. Mr. Cass replied that another year the Assessors would like to have one additional girl for six months from January 1st. Mr. Cronin said he has received hundreds of transfers of property from the Registry, about 1,000 a year, and there are 275 new houses a year . He said if the bills were made out in July, the Department could start correct- ing its control cards for 1961. Mr. Cole asked how soon the bills would be out if the Department had an extra girl from January 1, 1961 and Mr. Cronin replied that he thought they could be out by July 10th or 15th. The Chairman said that this year the tax rate was set on May l6th_iand for six weeks after that no work was done to get the tax bills out. Mr. Cass said that the Selectmen feel the real estate tax bills should go out before the personal and excise tax bills . He stated that this was a change in procedure done in the office without the Assessors 73 knowing much about it. He said it was a matter of office routine in the hope money would come in faster, and he thought the tax bills could be sent out within a month after the tax rate had been established if there was another girl to help. Mr. Cronin said that if the Department has an additional girl the first six months of the year, he thought kork on the tax bills could be started earlier. Mr. Richards asked if part-time help would be of gny value during the billing period. Mr. Cronin stated that with a billing machine the policy is for the Assessors to run it in the morning and the Tax Collector to run it in the afternoon. There would be a steady production and he thought the 4th of July deadline could be met with a machine . Mr. Cass said the department would need the extra girl and the machine . Mr. Adams inquired about the cost of the machine , and Mr. Cronin stated that he thought it would be..between $1.,000 and $5,000. He said that with a machine the Tax Collector would not have to type up the bills and they would all be done by the Assessors. He said in prior years, a machine had been discussed but at the time the volume of work did not seem to warrant the expenditure . However, now it has reached the point where it is probably necessary to mechanize the operations. He said if the Assessors have a girl for half the year and a machine , the bills can be sent out early. Mr. Cass said that it is his impression that about 80% or 90% of the bills are not collected until October or November because the banks all hold out . He asked how much money would actually be collected if the bills were sent out early. The Chairman said that perhaps other towns should be asked how much they borrow in anticipation and when the tax money starts to come in. She said that every company with a peak work period has to concentrate on the work and get it done before vacations . Mr. Cass said that Miss Pierce went July 8th and Mrs. Sullivan was taking two weeks beginning August 1st. He said he wondered what their reaction would be if they were told they could not go. The Chairman said that the subject had been mentioned in early June and in previous years a letter had been written, and the Board is sorry it did not have more effect . Mr. Cass said it is difficult to tell a girl she cannot go on vacation and questioned what could be ac- complished. The Board of Assessors retired at 10:15 P.M. 74 - c, Request was received from the Mystic Valley Gas Company for permission to install a gas main in Bowker 111Street. The proposed location having been approved by Mr. Carroll, it was voted to grant permission to the Mystic Gas Main Valley Gas Company to install a 2-inch welded steel high pressure gas main in Bowker Street, it being under- stood that the installation is to conform to Mr. Carroll' s specifications . Letter was received frau Mr. Lurvey listing five Sewage homes that have serious sewage problems because of lack >roblems of room, ground water, etc . Letter was received from Mrs. Owans, 16 Adams Street , Swimming relative to fencing swimming pools, and referred to Mr. pools Richards . Letter was received from Dr. Keith E. Winnard, ad- vising that he would serve on a committee to consider the subject of swimming pool fences . Letter was received from Chief Rycroft advising that Mrs . Ruth Oley, school traffic woman at the Harring- Policewoman ton School, has resigned. He recommended appointment of Mrs . Eleanor G. Russo. It was agreed to advise the Chief that the Board would like to interview two or three applicants if they are available . Report of the Dog Officer for the months of April, May and June was noted and placed on file . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a Certificate of Incorporation application on be- Cert . of half of Joseph 0. Rooney, et als, satisfactori character Inc . references having been received fromthe Chief of Police . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a Certificate of Incorporation application on be- Cert . of half of Frank T. Parrish, Jr., satisfactor',i character Inc . reference having been received from the Chief of Police Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to appoint the following Election Officers for terms expiring September 1, 1961: 75 ELECTION OFFICERS 1960 1961 R George E. Foster R Alice G . Marshall 10 Plainfield Street 9 Independence Avenue R Ilda J. Field R Otis S. Brown, Jr. 20 Chase Avenue 11 Diana Lane D Edna F. Marshall R Sally S. Hooper 110 Woburn Street 282 Bedford Street D Micha el Lovezzola R Edna D. Anderson 242 Waltham Street 21 Leonard Road R Mary E. Clifford D Clarence E. Delp 54 Chase Avenue 18 Dexter Road D Annie H. McDonnell D Joseph 0. Rooney 7 Curve Street 51 Grant Street Lena Rochette R Elizabeth Fardy SR 370 Marrett Road 140 Preston Road D Randall W. Richards D Mary J. Ferry 67 Farmcrest Avenue 50 DowAtjg Road D Mary G. Oliver D Carroll J. Ryan 610 Waltham Street 10 Bedford Street D 'Elizabeth F. Downey D Mary A. Spellman 4 Farmcre s t Avenue 24 Shirley Street D Henry P. Meade R Caroline F. Deloury 1813 Massachusetts Avenue 99 Spring Street R Nellie I. Batstone R Mary A Hallett 49 Bartlett Avenue 2270 Massachusetts Avenue The Chairman reported that she had looked at a tax title lot on Rangeway Road for which Mr. James Harrison, 33 Sky View Road, an abutter, offered 1300. Tax title It was agreed to advise Mr. Harrison that the Board would consider a more realistic offer. 76 CD Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to hold a Special Meeting on Monday, Aggu8t 1, 1960 at 5 P.M. for the purpose of signing contracts, the Chair- man to advise the members of the Board if any other business is to be considered at that meeting. The meeting adjourned at 11:05 P.M. A true record, Attest: i f ice/ e • t ive/C le rk Sells c f 1