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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1960-02-15-min 456 tv 1.4 SELECTMEN'S MEETING February 15, 1960 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, February 15, 1960, at 7: 30 P.M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs . James, Adams, Ferguson and Mrs . Morey were present . Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present . Mr . James J. Carroll, Clerk to the Board of Regis- trars, met with the Selectmen and requested permission Registration to have some tables placed in the Selectmen' s Room to be used for registering voters. The Board had no ob- jection and the request was granted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on Monday, February 8, 1960 Hearing was declared open upon petition of the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company for per- mission to locate twenty-four feet of conduit in Massachuset-s Avenue and 200 feat of conduit in Maple Street. Mr and Mrs . Orbert H. Simmons , 5 Maple Street, Conduit were present at the hearing . Mr . Consilvio, represent- hearing ing the petitioner, arrived at 7:40 P.M. Mr. Carroll explained that ordinarily the conduits are about twenty-four or thirty inches deep. The side- walk will be dug up and he will request the company to install a new sidewalk. Mrs . Simmons asked if there would be a new man- hole installed, and Mr. Carroll replied in the negative . Mrs . Simmons said there is a tree in the proposed location and she was concerned about it . Mr. Carroll said that he would not let the company disturb the tree roots and it will have to tunnel by hand under the tree He explained that the work would be done under the supervision of Mr. Mazerall, who is in charge of shade trees . The Chairman read a letter from Mr. John C . Carter, 1083 Massachusetts Avenue , expressing concern for the two maple trees and about the condition of the sidewalk after the proposed installation. Mrs. Simmons asked if the condition of the sidewalk on Maple Street could be remedied and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . 47 Mr. Consilvio explained that it is not intended to locate any manholes The hearing was declared closed at 7:43 P.M. and the group retired. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the fol- lowing conduit locations Massachusetts Avenue - from manhole 54/22A northwesterly to Maple Street, 24 feet of conduit. Maple Street - from Massachusetts Avenue , northerly and northeasterly approxi- mately 200 feet of conduit The Chairman read a letter from Governor Foster Furcolo, asking interested citizens to meet with him on Wednesday evening, February 17, at 7:30 P.M. in the Gardner Auditorium, to explore ways and means of pro- moting Massachusetts among the other states i IIMr. George Cooper, 191 Lincoln Street, came into the meeting and said he understood the petition for installation of a sewer in Lincoln Street had been denied. The Chairman explained that the subject was dis- cussed at great length and the cost was so out of proportion and the depth so great, that it did not seem Lincoln wise to proceed with the project without further study. Street Mr. Adams stated that sewer has to be installed sewer in Middleby Road before it goes in Lincoln Street. Mr. Cooper asked if the installation of a sewer in Lincoln Street would be considered another year, and the Chairman replied that the Board would probably consider it. Mr. Cooper, and a gentleman who was with him, re- tired at 8:00 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Stevens, ad- vising thatlegislation sought by the Board of Fire Commissioners to amend the mutual aid agreement statute so that such agreements might be entered into between towns and areas under federal jurisdiction has been enacted by the legislature and approved by the governor. It is now Chapter 14 of the Acts of 1960 and will become effective ninety days from February 1, 1960, the date on which the governor approved it . Mr. Stevens retired at 8:10 P.M. 458 ►.� CC The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Thomas F. O+Keefe, Jr. , 250 Grove Street, suggesting instal- lation of storm drains to collect water now running into his driveway and back yard from bojah Lexington and Bedford. Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. 0/Keefe talked to him about the problem which has been bothersome for years . The only solution is to run a drain down parallel to the Bedford line a distance of 250 feet. Drainage He said it is not a good solution and questioned whether it would be wise to spend about $2,000 to solve the problem which affects only one abutter. Mr. Carroll reported that he understood the Town of Bedford was willing to contribute towards the cost, and he suggested, if Lexington wants to help this man, to ask him to find out from Bedford how much that Town will contribute . He said Mr. 01Keefe does have a pro- blem, but the Town does not have any problem. Mr. Jamas asked if the Town has any liability for damage , and Mr. Carroll replied in the negative . He explained that he has discussed similar cases with Mr. Stevens . It was agreed to advise Mr. 0/Keefe to contact the Bedford Board of Selectmen to find out definitely if Bedford will contribute to the cost of a solution to his problem and if so, how much. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. William Roger Tree Greeley, commending the men for their work on removal of a diseased elm tree . The Chairman read a letter from The Cloverleaf Rubbish Service System, Canton, announcing a new system of processing rubbish and trash that will eliminate any town dump or incinerator. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Company for permission to locate one pole on the Cambridge-Concord Highway. Pole Mr. Carroll reported that the petition was re- location ferred back to the Boston Edison Company because this is a State Highway, but Mr. Mahon returned it for the Board' s signature . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following j/o pole location: Cambridge-Concord Highway, southerly side , approximately 95 feet west of Green Lane ,-- One pole . 459 The Chairman read a letter from Richard D. Hamilton, 14 Harbell Street, offering $23,000 for II lots 243-258 on Asbury Street and lots 234-242 on Freemont Street; the amount to include all water , sewer and street betterments Tax title It was agreed to invite Mr Hamilton to meet with the Board to explain what he proposes to do if the Board should decide to accept his offer. A letter was received from Alfred A. Murray, 17 Theresa Avenue , offering $800 plus $450 street betterment assessment, for lots 152 and 153 on Theresa Avenue . Tax title Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that a proposal to sell be advertised in the Lexington Minute-man and further consideration be given to the offer at the meeting of the Board on March 7, 1960. Mr. Carroll said he noticed that the amount ap- proved for the Park Department budget was $53,495 and he had requested $59, 795. He said apparently the request for two additional men was not approved and he did not care one way or another, but if the two men are not approved, the item for the power mower Park Dept. might as well be taken out. He said the machine would Budget not be needed if ha is not going to take care of the school areas and without the men, he can't take care of them. He explained that the Maria Hastings School and the Harrington School areas were never taken care of by his department before . The Chairman said his department should not take care of any school territory that it has not had be- fore, and Mr. Carroll explained that there is a field in back of the Franklin School with a diamond and the School Committee wants him to take care of that also. The Chairman asked if the two additional men would be permanent employees, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . Mr. Ferguson asked what the men would do in the winter months, and Mr. Carroll replied that they would be working on Dutbh Elm disease , snow removal, clearing brush on recreation fields and clearing ice on the rinks, depending on the type of winter. He said Mr. Mazerall very definitely wants two more men if he has to do the school work. Mr. Adams said actually the request is for extra labor. The Chairman said the Board would discuss the subject further with the Recreation Committee . Mr. Carroll retired at 8:40 P.M. 460 CC Letter was received from the American Legion, Invitation Stanley Hill Post, inviting the Chairman and Mrs. Maloney to attend the Annual Washington Birthday banquet to be held February 22 at the Legion Build- ing, 3 Fletcher Avenue . Due to a previous commitment, it will not be possible for the Chairman to attend, so Mr. James agreed to represent the Board Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign layouts of the following streets to be presented at the Annual Town Meeting for acceptance by the Town: Appletree Lane Marlboro Road Street Asbury Street Moreland Avenue Layouts Blodgett Road Peachtree Road Bowker Street Pelham Road Burlington Street Reed Street Carley Road Revolutionary Road Dewey Road Rumford Road Gould Road Tyler Road The Board of Fire Commissioners met with the Select- men to discuss the manpower situation in the Fire Depart- ment . epart- ment . Mr. Sheldon explained that the appointment had been requested because the Commissioners felt they may not have presented their case adequately before . They would like three additional men in the department and not six, which will give them one man on the present shift basis . Mr. Sheldon said that in September, 1958, the Com- missioners shortened the hours from 614 to 56. Everyone Fire Comm. on both Boards realized this would have some effect on the protection situation. At that time, it was mutually agreed to give it a try. Under the present set-up, there are eight men at the Center Station and four in East Lex- ington, leaving one man light at the Center. He said the situation is complicated by the fact the Department funs the amnbulance . He stated that taking two men on the ambulance and a man on the desk leaves not eight but five men. There is another added factor . During the vacation period, they are not operating with eight in the Center and four at East Lexington, but with seven and three . He said there is sickness in the department as in other departments . He stated that the Commissioners felt these are things they should have discussed before because this is the practical side of the argument He said the Fire Department will operate without the three men, but it is a matter of the Selectments judgment if they feel this is a chance the Town should take . 461 The Chairman said that the Board has discussed the subject somewhat and realizes the problem but there never will be a perfect situation. He stated that the Commissioners have requested extra funds for the call men and there is a mutual aid agreement with the Air Force Mr. Roeder stated that the Department is operat- ing with less men than it had a year and a half ago . The Chairman said he personally felt the Com- missioners would be burdened with pressure for shorter hours if there are more men. Mr. Roeder said that the Privatest Committee , with whom the Commissioners meet, has not asked for shorter hours and are satisfied with the present setup because it gives them an opportunity for outside activities . Mr. Fitzgerald said they are not in favor of the forty-eight hour week because it would break up their outside time . Mr. Adams suggested that the Department might get around the shortage by increasing the amount for extra duty. Mr. Sheldon said that call men are available at night, but during the day, the Department is restricted to Town departments and only to that with permission from the Superintendent of Public Works Mr. Roeder explained that there are only three call men on the force who could respond to the aiabu- lance or take out a piece of equipment. Mr. Ferguson asked if the schedule could be re- arranged so there would be more regular men on duty during the day and use call men for nights . Mr. Roeder said that then there would be certain men working days all the time and certain ones working nights all the time . Mr. Ferguson asked if the Commissioners considered there are two men always on the ambulance and Mr. Sheldon replied not unless there is a call. Mr. Ferguson said in figuring the cost of operating the ambulance , the Board should figure the cost of six firemen and Mr. Sheldon said it probably should Mr. Adams said that it all comes down to a calcu- lated risk. The Commissioners retired at 9:00 P.M. Application was received fromManuel J. Aruda and Ethel R. Aruda for a license to sell all alcoholic beverages, not to be drunk on the premises, at =329 Liquor Massachusetts Avenue . License Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to advertise that an application had been received from 462 *4 rz cc Manuel J. Aruda and Ethel R. Aruda for a license to sell all alcoholic beverages, not to be drunk on the premises at the following location: Building at 329 Massachusetts Avenue , consisting of one floor, sbrage room, cooler room and sales room, with a cellar to be used for storage . The building is stucco and measures 37' 4" x 341 x 171 4" x 5► x 20 ' x 29' The Appropriatinn Committee scheduled the meeting for 9:00 P.M. , in compliance with the provisions of Article XIII, Section 2, to consider the items which make up the annual budget. The discussion was concluded at 10:50 P. M. , at which time the meeting adjourned. A true record, Attest: 7I 07ecdtive,; er Select . 1 1