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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-06-01-min 592 SELECTMEN'S MEETING June 1, 1960 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Town Accountant ' s Office on Wednesday, June 1, 1960, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs Adams, Ferguson, Richards and Cole were present . Mr Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Execu- tive Clerk were alsop resent . Mr William G. Potter met with the Board and explained that he had requested an appointment to report dumping on the side of the road. He stated that he was not registering a complaint but merely calling the matter to the Board' s attention. He said the location involved was State land adjacent Roadside to his farm, the properties being divided by a stone- Dumping wall. Approximately twelve or fourteen cartons of bottles, tin cans, newspapers and magazines were dumped. He noticed the rubbish Sunday morning, and from the tire marks, it appeared that a truck was used. All the covers of the magazines or the corners where the name and address would have been, were missing. However, one magazine , the May 21 issue of theSaturday Evening Post, was found with the name of Gloria M. Ferro, 365 Marrett Road. Some of the boxes came from stores and these , too, had the name torn off Mr. Adams suggested referring the subject to the Police Department Mr Potter explained that the rubbish was dumped on the left-hand side of Walnut Street, going up from Concord Avenue towards Trapelo Road. Mr. Potter retired at 7:45 P.M. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Police Department . Mr. Carroll referred to Worthen Road from Wal- tham Street into Baskin Road, and reported that a permit had been issued to the owner of thehouse on Bldg.Permit the corner of Waltham Street and Worthen Road to Worthen Rd. build a garage , to be located in the back of the house The owner intends to put a driveway out on Worthen Road. Mr Snow called the matter to Mr. Irwin' s attention and Mr Irwin called Mr. Carroll Mr. Carroll reported that Worthen Road is merely a blacktop pavement thirty feet wide on a lot the Town owns and through some school land. He explained that no layout of Worthen Road has ever been made . He said Mr. Snow is concerned and feels that if a driveway goes 594 1.4 out to the road on one side , the Board will be more or less committed to not limiting access to the road Mr. Carroll said that personally he thought the man should be allowed to proceed, in view of the fact the permit was issued to build He explained that the Building Inspector did not know about it and as- sumed that the road had been laid out . He stated that the garage is practically built . Vr. Carroll said that he has been asked about a two foot strip that was supposedly reserved by the Town. Mr. Stevens explained that the thought was, as he recalled, that if houses were going to be alloyed to have access, by acquiring Town land they would be charged an amount which would be equal to a better- ment. Mr. Richards reported that the individual who owns the property is in the Air Force and has lived here less than a year, and did what any ordinary person would do, not knowing that there was a strip reserved in the area. He said in this instance, he did not see how the Board could do much but let the man go ahead with the garage . Mr. Ferguson said he would be in favor of letting the man put his driveway in, but in doing so, he would be subject to payment at a later date Mr. Stevens said it could be explained to him that no objection will be made and when the road is laid out, he will have to pay a charge It was agreed that when Worthen Road is laid out, the Board will expect to seek authority to convey the land between this individuals land and the Town land and he will be expected to pay in lieu of betterments what would have been charged if betterments were assessed. Upon motion duly made and seccnded, it was voted to sign a contract between the Town of Lexington and Contract George Brox for street construction, including drains , at an estimated amount of $109,309.00. Mr. Stevens reported thA he received the grant and release from Daniel J. Fink. He presented an Fink agreement "Assumption of Sewer Connection Charge" to Agreement be signed by the Board and given to Mr. Fink, owner of lot 17, Peacock Farm Road. Upon motion culy made and seconded, it was voted to execute the agreement assuming the sewer connection charge of $753 .78 in lieu of betterments for connecting the dwelling on lot 17 to the sewer 1 Em r 595 po �.� t=" Mr. Stevens referred to a damage settlement ap- proved by the Board, rich was referred to him by the Fire Commissioners On May 1, the rescue truck made a turn on property of Woodhaven Country Store and hit the awning . The owner has accepted $92 to re- Claim store the awning Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to settle the claim of Woodhaven Country Store, for damage to property of same on May 1, 1960, for $92.00. Mr. Stevens reported on the conference held with Mr. Anthony Cataldo at which time the Chairman of the Board and Superintendent of Public Works were present . Parking area Following a discussion of the subject of the ac- quisition of a parcel of land situated on Meriam Street abutting the Boston & Maine Railroad for the es- tablishment of an off-street parking area, it was agreed to consider the subject further next Monday evening. Mr . Carroll presented copies of a Water Rate Study submitted by Whitman & Howard, between the Hanscom Air Force Base and the Town Water Study Inasmuch as Mr Stevens and Mr. Carroll are both satisfied with the study, it was agreed by the Board to accept it as presented. Messrs Stevens and Carroll retired at 9:15 P.M. Mr. John J. Garrity met with theBoard to dis- cuss the subject of Guides He said he understood there were twelve or fourteen applicants who had been schooled by Mr Proctor, a teacher at the William Diamond Junior High School He advised Mr. Proctor to hold up on the applications as he was not certain the Board wanted that number of guides . The Chairman reported that she had talked with Mr. Proctor today and he has recommendations which he sent to Mr. Garrity. Mr. Garrity left a cops of the recommendations for the Board. Mr. Garrity said that if the Board grants licenses to girls, they should be restricted tothe Commthn as a safety measure He also su gested that the Chamber of Commerce be contacted on the subject of guides and that whoever has charge of the Information Booth should hlso be in charge of the guides . Mr. Richards said he thought the Board should Guides restrict the licenses to boys, establish the age of fourteen years , or those who will be fourteen during the summer and allow the group to take the test. He agreed that it should be revised and offered to work 596VC 'rJ i with Mr Garrity in revising the examination. It was agreed to write the Chamber of Commerce and ask that a representative of the organization dismiss the sub, et with the Board. Mr. Ferguson said he did not think the Town is justified in spending too much money on this and the guides should organize themselves and have a schedule of time they are supposed to be available and a book for them to sign into. If a guide is consistently not signed in, the Board can revoke the license . It was agreed to give the test to the eleven boys and not to have any girl guides Mr Garrity retired at 9:40 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the records ofthe Selectmen ' s Meeting held on May 23, 1960 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the following j/o pole locations, same having been approved by Mr. Carroll: Spring Street, southeasterly side, south- Pole lo- westerly from a point approximately cation 1,125 feet southwest of Cambridge- Concord Highway, -- Six poles . The following individuals met with the Board to discuss the Yearly Dump Permits : Messrs . Edwin R. Banks, Robert C ustance, Donald Andrews, Freeman Nourse , Arthur Field and Trembley. Mr. Banks asked why trucks with A B, or C plates are not allowed in the dump without a $25.00 permit or the $2.00 a day permit He said he did net think it was right and that the rubbish will pile up behind houses and filling stations, which is already being done . He said he refuses to .use his Station Wagon for a rubbish truck, does not haul anyone ' s rubbish but his own and cannot understand why he should pay $25.00 Dump Permits He said no permits are issued on Saturdays or Sundays so he has to take time off on Fridays He suggested revising the regulations, not for the disposal col- lectors, but for the taxpayers of the Town The Chairman explained that one of the subjects to be discussed this evening was the dump, but because another important item came up, the Board has not had time She asked if Mr. Banks had any recommendation Mr. Banksssaid that, in his opinion, eqach truck owner should be issued a free permit, andhey dump 597 111 rubbish from out of town, a fine of $25.00 should be imposed. He saidthe $25.00 permit for disposal com- panies was fair, but there are taxpayers like himself who will not pay it . Mr. Cole asked if he would object to a nominal charge, and Mr. Banks replied in the affirmative . Mr. Andrews asked why there was discrimination against the truck owners, and Mr. Adams replied that most of the abuse was coming from truck drivers Mr. Ferguson explained that the dump is filling up very rapidly, and if it fills up, the Town will have to spend more money. The problem is to prolong the life of that dump and the longer it is, the less expensive it will be for the taxpayers of Lexington. He informed the group that the Board made a study of the dump, and the report was that it was the trucks causing the problem and not the pleasure cars . The easiest way to enforce it is to charge commercial plates . Mr. Banks said that there is a difference between personal rubbish from homes, and other items . He said if he has another load of rubbish to take to the dump, he is going to take it and the attendant can take his number again. Mr. Richards explained that it costs $28,000.00 a year to operate the dump and the amount Of revenue gained from any permit is nominal, and permits are issued only for the purpose of control and not as a money-making proposition. He explained that it is not the intention of the Boa-d to be unfair or to penalize Mr. Banks or anyone else He said the in- tention is to regulate the dump and eliminate the abuses that have grown over the years He stated that Lexington has been operating one of the few free dumps in the area. He explained that an effort is being made to prevent disposal companies from going outside of Lexington and arriving at the dump with their loads. The problem of examining the loads of rubbish is very difficult, and the Board is looking for an equitable solution He stated that the Board has not singled the truck drivers out. Mr. Adams said he understood Mr. Banks felt that the average householder should have use of the dump free . However, there are two other classes; one of the men collecting rubbish for a living. They are making money out of the facilities the Town furnishes . There is another class, businesses who use the dump occasion- ally. He said the businesses use the dump more than the householders . 1 L 598 1 Mr Custance said personal rubbish and rubbish picked up in Lexington should be permitted to dump free Mr. Nourse said that if a truck owner is going to be charged, everyone should be charged The Chairman explained that the Board had intended to discuss the subject this evening, but it seemed to be discussing it by listening to the group present Now, because of the time , it cannot be considered this evening Mr. Banks said that he did not intend to obtain a $25.00 permit, but if he did have a load of rubbish, he would take it to the dump. The group retired at 10 40 P.M. Letter was received from Mrs . Margaret F. Rees, relative to another outlet from the Bird Hill Road Bird Hill Rd. section, and it was agreed to refer the subject to the Planning Board. Letter was received from Mr. Haskell C . Freedman, attorney, commending Lieutenant Corr for the manner Lt.Corr in which he handled a serious matter involving a minor child at a hearing in the Concord court. Letter was received from Mrs . Gardner C . Ferguson, Secretary of the Lexington Chapter American Red Cross, advising the Board of the program planned for the Chapter 's Annual Meeting on June 8, to be held at theChurch of Our Redeemer Parish House . The Chairman read a letter from Mr. James J. Carroll, Borrowing advising that it will be necessary to borrow $750,000.00 in anticipation of revenue , and that the Merchants National Bank of Boston has offered a rate of 1.96% on the issue . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the bid submitted by the Merchants National Bank of Boston. The Chairman reported that the real estate bills are not going to be sent out until the fall, the excise Real estate tax bills to go out first. tax bills It was agreed to advise theBoard of Assessors that the Selectmen would like them to send tha real estate tax bilis out as quickly as possible, so that the revenue will be coming in and the borrowing reduced 0 Letter from Robert J. Hannon, 19 Tyler Roitd,* rola- ' Excise tive to the validity of bills presented to him for I bills automobile excise taxes, was noted and placed on file I 599 Letter was received from Blue Cross-Blue Shield, relative to Chapter 214 of the Acts of 1960, which amends Chapter 32B in respect to students . This changes the definition of Dependents to include unmarried Blue Cross- children 19 or over who are full-time students . Blue Shield It was suggested that a copy of the communication be sent to the Town Clerk in whose office theBlue Cross- Blue Shield coverage is handled Certificate of Incorporation was received from the Secretary of State on behalf of Robert A. Dallas, 61 Ledgelawn Road, and others not residents of Lex- Cert . of Inc, ington, for the purpose of forming The School of Insurance , Incorporated Satisfactory character reference was received from the Chief of Police . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign the application and return it to the Secrea4py of State Applicatic,n for the use of Cary Hall for the pur- pose of holding a Senior Class Graduation Party was received from Jarrett C . Higgins, 12 Outlook Drive The party is scheduled for June 8 from 10 00 P.M. until 3:00 A.M. Mr. Warren, principal of the Senior High School, informed th Clerk that a small portion of the class is getting together for something to do after the graduation exercises . He inquired to find out whether or not there were parents sponsoring it, but the reply he received was not too definite . Use of Hall It was agreed to advise Miss Higgins that the Board will not rent the hall to a minor and suggest that some responsible citizen file an application, and further, that the use of the hall would be granted until 1:00 A.M. only Application for a Yearly Dump Permit, received from the fresh Pond Market, 360 Huron Avenue , Cambridge , Permit was denied. Application for a license to operate a taxicab, received from Robert R. Muller, 2L Ewell Avenue , a License police officer, was denied. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it war voted to renew the following licenses : Licenses Eric W. Handley, 1881 Mass . Avenue Guide Theron H. Gough 451 Concord Avenue Peddler I 600 Written recommendations for changes in the Dump Regulations were held over until the next meeting of 111 the Board . The meeting adjourned at 11 20 P.M. A true record, Attest: Jb { xec 'tiv ale , Sele c /en 111 I L