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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-03-26-min 503 SLC TMEN'S MEETING March 26, 1960 A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen's Room, Town Office Building, on Saturday, March 26, 1960, at 9:30 A.M. Chairman Morey, Messrs. Adams, Ferguson and Richards were present. The Executive Clerk was also present. Mr. Cole arrived at the meeting at 10:10 A.M. The Chairman read a letter from the American Mosquito Control Association relative to the convention in Boston March 27 - 30. The Clerk was instructed to refer the communication to Mr. Carroll for him and Mr. Mazerall to look over, and Mr. Adams agreed to give some publicity in the Mosquito Minute-man that the Park Department is looking into the Control matter. A proclamation was received from Governor Furcolo proclaiming March 30, 1960 as Doctors' Day. The Chairman reported that the Middlesex South District Medical Society had prepared a proclamation Proclamation just for Dr. Piper, proclaiming March 30 in Lexington as Doctors ' Day in his honor. If the Board approves, the Society will present it to Dr. Piper, together with a gift. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize the Chairman to sign the proclamation. It was agreed not to publish the proclamation received from the Governor . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve Surety Bond F-132241, on behalf of James J. Bond Carroll, Town Treasurer, in the amount of $76, 700.00. The Chairman read a letter from the Division of Civil Service advising that a new eligible list, for Civil Police Entrance , would be established in April. It Service list was agreed to request the names certified from the list when it has been established. The Chairman read a letter from residents of 4 Percy Rcad, advising that they have granted permis- sion to the Methodist Church to use the land at the corner of Percy Road and Tavern Lane for the purpose 514 n CO of erecting a temporary structure for the sale of coffee , doughnuts and tonic on April 19, providing it meets with the approval of the Board. The Board had no objection inasmuch as the pro- ceeds are to be used for church work in Lexington. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petitions and sign the orders for the following 3/o pole locations; all having been approved by the Superintendent of Public Works: Grant Street, westerly side, northerly from a point approximately :5' north of Colony Road, -- Two poles. Grant Street, westerly side, southerly from a point approximately 55' south of Colony Road, -- Pole Fourteen poles. locations Grant Street, easterly side, opposite York Street, -- One pole Grant Street, westerly side, southerly from a point approximately 75' south of York Street, -- Six Six poles . Webb Street, westerly side, northerly from a point approximately )490' north of Woburn Street, -- Eleven poles. Homestead Street, southerly side , westerly from a point approximately 105' west of Cedar Street, -- Three poles. Homestead Street, southerly side, easterly from a point approximately 65 feet east of Asbury Street, -- Five poles The Chairman read a letter from the Bay State Society for the Crippled and Handicapped, Inc . , rela- Proclamation tive to Crippled Children's Week. Mr. Adams reported that this is a local drive . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to declare the week of April 3 to 9 Crippled Children' s Week and to sign the proclamation enclosed din the letter. ., 505 The Chairman read a letter from the United Cerebral Palsy with reference to the forthcoming house to house campaign scheduled for May 9 to 13, requesting the Board to name a local Chairman. Following an established policy, the Board did not designate a Chairman. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was Voted to renew the following Auctioneer's Licenses: Bertram P. Bustin 50 Bloomfield St. Auctioneer' s (Ren'wl ) Frederic B. Hubley 4 Stetson St. tt tt The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Health recommending the installation of a drain in Young Street to relieve the water condition with it recognizes to be a health problem. The Chairman reported that some of the residents attended a Selectmen' s Meeting and the original pe- tition did not have enough signatures to justify its consideration. Mr. Maloney offered them some hope that if the conditions were found to be sufficiently bad enough, funds might be requested at a Special Town Meeting to construct this street . Young Street Mr. Adams said he would like to receive letters from the Board of Health in more detail, stating that there are so many houses on a street and also the number affected. He said Mr. John Carroll should report to the Board and the Board of Health should be asked if this street is any worse off than any other. The Chairman reported that Mr. C amoll told her that it would be difficult to get anything under way because this would have to be engineered separately and it would have to be a separate contract. She said the Board could review all the streets for which requests had been received and rejected and ask the Board of Health for a report on those . The Board eould then determine whether or not there are any other streets needing immediate attention. Mr. Adams asked if the board wa. going to take a stand on the schadi vote or if the members of the Board were going to vote as individuals . Mr. Ferguson said, not being an expert on con- struction, he did not know if the figure was high or not. He said he had a great deal of confidence in the committee stktdying the problem; three of the members have no children in school and are substantial property owners and will try to get the most for the Town for the least amount of money. He said he would ;3'4'06 ca go along with the committee ' s recommendation. Mr. Cole said hehad discussed the subject with Mr. Spirts and as much as he dislikes the high price, he would be inclined to vote in favor of the school. He said he thought it was an experimental program. Mr. Adams said it was not up to the Board to make a statement as a Board and Mr. Ferguson said that was correct. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 10:15 A.M. Letter from the MDC relative to an agreement of cost of improvements to the system was held over until the regular meeting of the Board after the adjournment of the Annual Town Meeting. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to go into executive session for the purpose of dis- cussing, deliberating or voting on matters which, if made public, might adversely affect the public security, the financial interest of the Town, or the reputation of any person. The Board voted to resume the open meeting at 11.15 A.M. , at which time the Appropriation Committee and Mr. Donald Noyes, Chairman of the Capital Expendi- tures Committee, met with the Board. Following discussion relative toArticles 49 and Stabiliz- 50, it was decided to establish a Stabilization Fund ation Fund under Article 49 in the amount of $103,905.05, to be provided for by a transfer from the Excess and De- ficiency Account . It was also decided to request an appropriation of $1,170,000.00 under Article 50 to be provided by a transfer 6 $21,094.95 from the unexpended balance of the Franklin School addition and the Fiske School addition appropriations, a transfer of $103,905.05 from the Stabilization Fund and the balance of $1,045,000.00 to be bonded. Mr. Adams referred to Article 48 and said the more he thought about it the closer he thought the Court would come to the $40,000.00 requested by the owner, and he made a motion that the Town purchase the land outright for $40,000.00. Mr. Stevens explained that all the Board would be doing at this point would be to increase the figure to $40,000.00 and if the construction of the parking area is left in, it would be all right. He said it would have to be explained to Town Meeting why Mr. 57 Adams was prepared to go that high and that the Board does not expect to do very much construction. Mr. Adams said he thought there should be at least two crossings, one up near the center, and an easement would have to be taken to cross Mr. Cataldo's property. Mr. Ferguson said that two crossings might not be needed, most of the stores are at the lower end of the parking lot. Mr. Adams said there was a parking lot there any- way, and Mr. Ferguson asked why the new area was being acquired. Mr. Adams said it would take care of the upper end of the Town and for all day parking. Mr. Ferguson said he thought one crossing would be sufficient and he would be willing to go to court and let the court decide the issue . The Chairman said that the Board had decided on $25,000.00. Mr. Cataldo called to find out the Board's decision and when she told him, he said he would just as soon keep the land. She said that if Town Meeting wants to pay 40,000.00, a motion can be made for 4.0,000.00 to keep away from eminent domain. It can be explained that a majority of the Board cannot recom- mend paying a large amount in excess of the appraisers ' figures. Mr. Adams said he would not go along with that be- cause he thought it would cost a great deal more before it is finished. Mr. Richards said he did not care what a jury might decide because he would have acted on what he thought was best for the Town. He said he would almost favor a motion for indefinite postponement until a plan is drawn and the crossings shown. He stated that the Department of Public Utilities would decide where the crossings should go. Mr. Adams said a crossing would have to be made over the Cataldo land . Mr. Ferguson said that last week he voted against going ahead. Mr. Adams said he thought a parking lot in the area was essential to the Town and the Planning Board feels it is essential and it will never be obtained for less than 400000.00. The Chairman said she was opposed to postponing the article . A building will be erected on Waltham Street this spring and the Savings Bank plans to en- large and both projects will reduce the existing park- ing space and there will be less parking space than there has been. Furthermore, if the owner wants to, he can let a church have the property. i _ t m4 Mr. Richards said that where it has been generally agreed by .a majority of the Board, he could not con- scientiously go beyond the price of the experts who have studied this. If the jury decides the Town will have to pay $40,000.00 of $100,000.00, that is their prerogative . He said he felt the Board was acting on good faith. The Chairman said there was a motion agreed upon the other night to offer $25,000.00. Mr . Richards said that..if Mr. Adams' motion was to reopen the article, he would vote on that. Mr. Adams moved that the vote of $25,000.00 be reopened. Mr. Cole seconded the motion. Mr. Adams was the only one in favor, the other members of the Board opposed to reopening. Mr. Adams said he reserved the right to speak individually at Town Meeting. The meeting adjourned at 12:45 P.M. A true record, Attest: I -1_31-Scotive6dlerkc Selec n 1c