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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-11-23-BOS-min 356 SELECTMEN'S MEETING I November 23, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, November 23, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs. James, Adams and Ferguson were pre- sent. Mr. John Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also prevent . Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on November 10, 1959. Mr . Carroll reported that he is going to meet Pelham Road with Mr. Daniel A. Lynch and the architect for the Grey Nuns on December 3, 1959. Mr. Carroll reported that he attended a public hearing today called by Mr. Mark Crocker, President of the Association of the MDC Water Users. A previous meeting was held relative to the change in water rates . At another hearing held by Mr. Maloney, Commissioner of the MDC , it was decided to file a bill in the next session of the Legislature to increase the rates. On November 20, the member communities received a letter from Harold Toole stating that Mr. Maloney had met with a special commission and it was mutually agreed that the various towns and cities should file the bill MDC water and sponsor it . The member communities met today in Newton and it was voted not to file the bill to in- crease the rates as the member communities felt that the MDC was asking the various towns and cities to file this bill without having had time to study it The group was not sure what the increase should be, although it was agreed that there should be an in- crease, and that the Special Commission or the MDC should file the bill and the group so notified the MDC . The Chairman asked if the MDC wanted the member communities to file a bill to pay the MDC more money, and Mr. Carroll replied in the affirmative . He said that each year the MDC is going more and more into debt and is having to refinance this debt each year. This year the MDC will have to refinance almost $4,000,000.00 of maturing bonds . Mr. Carroll reported that some of the Superin- tendents of Public Works and Water Commissioners felt 357 that the towns had no control of what the MDC is doing Mr. Ferguson asked if the sown was losing money on its water rates, and Mr Carroll replied in the affirmative . Mr. Ferguson asked if the Town was losing money on the water supplied to the airport, and Mr. Carroll replied that he could not pick out that one user, but the Town did lose money last year. Perhaps another year there would not be so much capital outlay. Mr. Stevens arrived at the meeting at 7:37 P.M. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to sign a contract, presented by Mr. Stevens, with Contract C . Jiustino, Inc . , in the amount of $109,301, the low bidder, for Trunk Sewers, Contract #9. At 8:00 P.M. , Mr Jesse Sousa met with the Board relative to sewer betterment assessments levied against lots 137 and 138 Eastern Avenue Mr. Sousa had re- Sousa quested an abatement which was denied by the Board. betterments Mr Sousa said that when his son wanted to build a house on these lots, he was unable to obtain a per- mit . He said the first lot is 50' x 52/ , and the other one is 5o/ x 57 , or 60' . The Chairman said that the Board realizes the lots are small,but also felt that someone could baild a house there . Mr. Sousa said that Mr. Murray is building in the area and would like to buy the lots . Mr. Sousa told him the lots were of no use to him and he would be will- ing to sell them. The Chairman said that if Mr. Sousa sold the lots, his problem in regard to the betterments would be solved, and if the transaction did not go through, he could come back to discuss the subject with the Board again. Mr. Sousa retired at 7:50 P.M. Petition was received, signed by seventeen resi- dents of Baskin Road and two residents of Lincoln Street, for discontinuance immediately of the dump. The subject was discussed briefly with Mr. Stevens, Dump and it was agreed to advise the petitioner that the complaint maintenance program does not include burning and any fires that may break out are accidental, the dump is covered at regular intervals and is operated in such a way that it does not constitute a nuisance . Mr. Carroll recalled thqt some discussion had been held relative to closin* the dump on holidays, and he 35$ C: cy would like to start this Christmas He recommended closing the dump on New Years, Easter Sunday, Labor Dump Day, Thanksgiving Day, April 19 and July 4. He said he wouldiike to close the dump on Sundays, but that would double the cars on Saturdays . The Chairman suggested inserting a notice re clos- ing on holidays in the Water Bills, and it was agreed to close the dump on the holidays as recommended by Mr. Carroll. The Chairman read a letter from the Lexington School Committee in regard to the feasibility of insur- ance to cover loss by theft of office equipment within the premises of the School Administration Building. Mr. Hill, of Brewer and Lord, was asked to express his thinking in regard to the problem and replied that a policy of this type could be issued at a cost of *27.67 per $1,000, coverage for three years ' Insurance Mr Carroll said that he personally did not be- lieve anyone would break into the building next to the Police Station. Mr. Adams said he felt that the Baird should fol- low a general policy and if the contents of one build- ing are to be covered by insurance , the same coverage should be placed on all the buildings. 11 The Chairman asked Mr. Carroll to look into the subject further and present more information to the Board before any action is taken. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the orders for the fol- lowing i/o pole locations; all having been approved by Mr. Carroll: (See Page 358-A) Pole *Sherburne Road, southeasterly side, southwesterly Iodations from a point approximately 100 feet southwest of Vine Brook Road,-- Five (5) poles. Nichols Road, southeasterly side , southwesterly from a point approximately 75 feet southwest of Blake Road, -- Five (5) poles. Bernard Street, southeasterly side , northeasterly from a point approximately 251 northeast of Bedford Street,-- Nine (9) poles - guy wire and anchor on the 9th pole . * Approved at Meeting of November 16, 1959 358-A 1111 Lincoln Terrace, northeasterly side, northwesterly from a point approximately 25' northwest of Lincoln Street,-- (Five (5) poles . Spencer Street, easterly side, approximately 50 ' north of Joseph Road,-- One (1) pole . Spencer Street, easterly side, southerly from a point approximately 30 ' south of Joseph Road,-- Three (3) poles . Wallis Court , northwesterly side, southwesterly from a point approximately 100' southwest of Massachusetts Avenue ,-- Two (2) poles . Ballard Terrace, easterly side, northerly from a point approximately 100 feet north of North Hancock Street,-- Seven (7) poles . Pine Knoll Road, northwesterly side, northeasterly from a point approximately 65 ' northeast of Bedford Road , -- Eight (8) poles. East Street, southerly side, approximately 780 ' east of Adams Street, -- OM (1) pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed) East Street, southerly side, approximately 985' east of Adams Street,-- One (1) pole . (One existing JO pole to be removed) Cedar Street, southwesterly side at Homestead Street,-- One (1) pole. (One existing JO pole to be removed. ) 359 Longfellow Road, southwesterly side , southeasterly from a point approximately 160 feet southeast of Burlington Street,-- Eight (8) poles . Milk Street, northeasterlyside , southeasterly from a point approximately 115 feet southeast of Carley Road,-- Five (5) poles. Donald Streav, southeasterly side, northeasterly from a point approximately 105 feet northeast of Ivan Street, -- Six (6) poles Arcola Street, northeasterly side, southeasterly from a point approximately 10 feet southeast of Bartlett Street,-- U Five (5) poles. Hawthorne Road, southwesterly side , southeasterly from a point approximately 10' southeast of Burlington Street,-- Six (6) poles . Harding Road, southwesterly side, northwesterly from a point approximately 80' northwest of Williams Road,-- Two (2) poles . Bruce Road, northerly side , easterly from a point approximately 25 feet east of Oak Street,-- Three (3) poles. Watson Road, southerly side, westerly from a point approximately 30 feet west of Robbins Road,-- Two (2) poles. Watson Road, southerly side, approximately 20 feet east of Lexington Avenue,-- Ons (1) pole . Ledgelawn Avenue , southerly side , easterly from a point approximately 65 feet east of Hillside Terrace ,-- Five (5) poles Ledgelawn Avenue ,southerly side , easterly from a point approximately 60 feet east of Hamilton Road,-- Two (2) poles. 360 cr Ledgelawn Avenue , southerly side , opposite and easterly fromHamilton Road,-- Three (3) poles . Ledgelawn Avenue , northeasterly side , northwesterly from a point approximately 20 feet northwest of Revere Street,-- Six (6) poles . The Chairman read a letter from the League of Women Voters, advising thatthe group has been study- ing the town's financial structure and procedures, with emphasis on long-range fiscal planning of both capital and operating expenses . Mr. Charles E. Downe , Vice- League of President of Economic Development Associates, Inc . , Women Voters will be the speaker at a meeting in Estabrook Hall on Wednesday, December 2, 1959, at 9:45 A.M. The Board was invited to attend either the meeting or its recording which will be played back the evening of December 2nd at the home of Mrs. Stanley Miller, 3 Compton Circle . The Chairman read a copy of letter from Mr. Snow, Zoning Planning Director, to Mr . Donald K. Irwin, Building violation Inspector, in regard to a zoning violation, 258 East Street . The Chairman read a letter from the Planning Board advising that there would be no objection to Mr. Snow' s occasional attendance at meetings of the Selectmen's Committee on Traffic provided the matters to be con- a Traffic sidered are directly connected with the planning pro- Committee cess and not those concerned with traffic regulations, administration and similar matter . The Planning Board suggested that the Committee arrange to have alltraffic problems related to plan- ning discussed at meetings held every three or four months unless there is some particular matter which the Board desires to have Mr. Snow give immediate at- tention. Mr. Stevens and Mr. Carroll retired at 8:19 P.M. Mrs . Pullen and Mr. Cobb of the Town Celebrations Committee met with the Board. Mrs . Pullen stated tkat 1960 is a five year and she understood that every five years, April 19th is ob- served a little more special than the four years in between. She and Mr. Cobb became intrigued with the history of the celebration of April 19th in Lexington about which nothing has been written up. They stated reading all the back issues of the Minute Man since 1871 and working in the Boston Public Library, and have compiled data on the celebrations since 1776. They would like to write this up in a small booklet to be given to every family in Lexington, one per family. It is planned to do this within the Committee ' s budget. Mr. James dated he thought this would be very informative and worthwhile . Mrs. Pollen said that they had been quoted a April 19th price of $7d0 for a sixteen-page booklet and four or booklet five photographs, a copy for every house in Lexington . The booklet would not be elaborate and could be in- serted in the 1960 program, and would be distributed by the school children. No mailing costs will be in- volved. n- volved. The Board agreed that the idea was excellent and Mrs. Pullen and Mr. Cobb retired at 8:32 P.M. Messrs . William Potter, Jr . , and Murray Potter met with the Board. Mr. William Potter said that they have a parcel of land on Waltham Street, about 30,000 feet in a business area. They are thinking about erecting a building, but what it will be has not been decided. In trying to figure out what they would do, they ran into the parking problem. They can build up to a 10,000 square foot building and the 2 to 1 ratio for parking would not be sufficient He went to see Mr. Snow on a couple of occasions and discussed what they would like to do. Potter He said there are approximately three acres in the parking rear, not zoned for business . He wanted to find out whether or not more land could be included in the business zone not to be built on or to increase the size of the building, but just to provide more park- ing. Mr. William Potter said that presently the park- ing on all four corners is difficult and rather than add to the problem, if they could get more land that could be used for parking, they would be Yelping them- selves and helping the Town. Mr Snow gave him no help and said as far as he is concerned, he does not like local business districts and has future plans to set up businesses in a different manner. Mr. William Potter said he wondered if they could give the Town a piece of land to be made into a muni- cipal parking area to serve the four corners . He said he would like the Board to think about it if it has any merit at all. He presented plans and indicated the pro- perty they own in the business area and also the land in the rear that is not zoned for business. He explained that there is no access to the rear land except through Valleyfield which is a paper street. 362 CD Cr Mr. Ferguson asked if he would give the Town access over his land and Mr. Potter rallied in the affirmative . Mr. Ferguson asked how much land he would give to the Town, and Mr. Potter replied they would give whatever is necessary. He said the land is trot too low but would require some fill and grading . Mr. Adams asked if there was any way out onto Marrett Road, and Mr Potter replied in the negative . Mr. Murray Potter said that Mr. Stephen Boireau has several cars parked at the rear of his place The Chairman said that Marshall' s bakery is using that area for parking. Mr. William Potter said his original idea was to get the land zoned so it could be used for parking, but Mr. Snow advised him that it could not be done . He said if the Town is interested, they would give the land and the Town could put it into business and make a municipal parking area. Mr. Snow told him that they could not make a parking area in a residential zone . Mr. James stated that the Town can establish a parking area anywhere, a municipal use is permissive . Mr. Adams said he thought the subject should be referred to Town Counsel. Mr. Murray Potter said they feel there is a need in the area for parking. Mr. Ferguson asked if the Potters would put any restrictions on the land and asked if the Town could install parking meters . Mr. William Potter replied that they would not put in aiy restrictions and their original idea was to make a parking area themselves but Mr. Snow said it could not be done . Mr. Ferguson asked if they would sell the land to the Town to be used for parking purposes and Mr. William Potter said that the Town would not need three acres . The Chairman said that the parcel is landlocked anyway. Mr. Ferguson asked how much of the land the Potters would be willing to give to the Town and Mr. William Potter replied that they have not sat down and considered this but he thought they would be willing to give what- ever the Town needs . Mr. Murray Potter said that, under present conditions , they can put ap a 10,000 foot building and leave 20,000 feet for parking. He stated that they did not come to say how much they would give because no one has figured it out . Mr. James said they would have to figure out what is the most desirable area for the businesses that are being constructed in the area in terms of the number 363 of cars that might be used. Mr. William Potter said that H meland Realty is considering enlarging its building and has agreed to sell some of the land so the parking now is only on a temporary basis . Mr. Sevens returned to the meeting at 8:50 P.M. The Chairman explained that the discussion con- cerned the lot of land owned by the Potters and lo- cated on Waltham Street. He reported that about 30,000 feet are zoned for business and a 10,000 foot building can be built leaving the parking ratio 2 to 1. In the rear of the building there are three acres of land in a residential zone. He asked if the Potters could give some of this land to the Town, not that they want to increase the size of the building, but they feel parking is necessary in the area. He asked if the land could be used for parking. Mr. Stevens replied that land in a residential district can be used for municipal parking purposes . The Chairman explained that Mr. Snow had advised that under no conditions could anything be done with it. Mr. Stevens explained that it could not be used for the Potters ' parking, but for municipal parking would be different. Mr. William Potter said that Mr. Snow told him the Selectmen could not make a parking area in a resi- dential zone . The Chairman explained that the access would have to be through the Potter land and possibly the Home- land Realty land, which is now being used for parking by Marshall's bake yr. Mr. Stevens said that he would check the Zoning By-law for a definite answer. The Potters retired at 8:55 P.M. Notic e was received of the Metropolitan Planning Conference to be held Monday, November 30, 12:30 P.M. , at the 1200 Beacon Street Hotel, Brookline . Mr. James advised that he would know by Wednesday Planning whether or not he would be able to attend and represent conference the Board. Further consideration was given to the nomination of a Lexington resident to serve on the Advisory Com- miksien to advise the Secretary of the Interior on the development of the Minute Man National Historical Park. Advisory A copy of a letter from the Assistant Secretary Commission of the Interior to the Concord Selectmen, relative to the functions of the Advisory Commission, was received. 364 et 1.4 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was unani- mously voted to nominate Mr. Donald E. Nickerson, 49 Somerset Road, to serve on the five-member Advisory Commission. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to renew the following licenses for the year 1960: Licenses Joseph Trani, Incorporated Package Goods Store 1757 Massachusetts Avenue Berman's Market, Inc . 55 Massachusetts Avenue n " The meeting adjourned at 9:04 P.M. A true record, Attest : ec ive erk,( Selector tz. 1