Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-11-09-BOS-min 340 PIC SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 9, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, November 9, 1959, at 7:30 P.M. Chairman Maloney, Messrs Adams, Ferguson and Mrs. Morey were present . Mr. Stevens, Town Counsel, Mr. Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works, and the Executive Clerk were also present. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held Minutes on November 2, 1959, subject to clarification of the discussion pertaining to request for extension of a water main to service property at 2965 Massachusetts Avenue, owned by Mrs . Mary Cox. Mr. James J. Carroll, Town Clerk, met with the Juror Board for the drawing of one juror, Mr Eugene Flewelllng, 22 Locke Lane , was drawn for jury duty. Mr. Carroll retired at 7:33 P.M. Hearing was declared open upon petition of the Boston Edison Company and the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company to locate nine j/o poles on Pole Winter Street . Notice of the hearing was mailed to locations all abutters as they appear on the most recent local tax list. Mr. Mahon, representing the Boston Edison Company and Mr. Consilvio, representing the New England Telephone and Telegraph Company, were the only persons present at the hearing. Mr. Consilvio explained that the petitioners desire to relocate the poles and Mr. Carroll reported that the relocation has been necessitated as a result of constructing Winter Street. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the fol- lowing j/o pole locations : Winter Street, northwesterly side, north- easterly from a point approximately 115 feet northeast of Rangeway,-- Seven poles Winter Street, northwesterly side'; approxi- mately 180 feet southwest of Grove Street,-- One pole . ' 341 Winter Street, southeasterly side, approxi- mately 25 feet southwest of Grove Street,-- One pole . (Ten existing j/o poles to be removed. ) Mr Stevens brought up the subject of water supply from Lexington to the United States Air Force in Bedford and it was agreed to advise the Air Force that it is Water necessary for the Town to work out an agreement with the M.D.C. and therefore must know if the Air Force is going to participate as outlined in the Board' s letter. If no reply is received by a certain date, the Board will assume that they do not intend to participate and will proceed on that basis . Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany for permission to locate four poles on Henderson Road. The proposed locations having been approved by Mr. Carroll, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole locations : Pole locations Henderson Road, northerly side , westerly II from a point approximately 130 feet west of Burlington Street, -- Four poles. Petition was received from the New England Tele- phone and Telegraph Company for permission to locate three poles and a conduit on Marrett Road. The pro- posed loa;ations having been approved by Mr. Carroll, it was voted to grant the petition and sign the order for the following pole and conduit locations: Marrett Road (State Highway #2) southerly side, westerly from Station 65+69,-- Three poles. Marrett Road (State Highway #2) southerly side from Station 63+21 at Waltham Street, westerly approximately 360 feet of conduit. Petition was received from the Boston Edison Com- pany for permission to locate four poles on Edison Way. The proposed locations having been approved by Mr. Carroll, it was voted to grant the petition and Pole sign the order for the following pole locations : locations 342 c Edison Way, northeasterly from a point approximately 25' northeast of Massachusetts Avenue ,-- Four poles Mr. Stevens retired at 7:48 P.M. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Donald T. Clark, Chairman of the Lexington School Committee , Maintenance relative to proposed agreement, a copy of which was of play- enclosed, for the maintenance of playgrounds, drive- grounds, ways and roads surrounding school buildings. driveways & Mr. Carroll reported that he and Mr Spirts Roads-- discussed this subject again today and greed that Schools the word "playground" in the agreement should be changed to read "ball field" . He said that there are about ten acres of land at the William Diamond Junior High School and he told Mr. Spirts that he did not want to, and was not going to, maintain the entire area nor was he going to maintain the entire area at the Fiske Schocl . He said the Park Depart- ment should confine itself to the athletic fields . He reported that the area at the William Diamond School is much larger than the Center playground, and even though the Park Department just assumes the maintenance of the ball fields at the various schools, it will mean an increase of at least $5,000 plus a gang mower at a cost of $6500. He said, how- ever, that if the Park Department assumes the com- plete maintenance of these areas, the budget will be increased $20,000 or $25,000 in one year or even more depending on how extensive the area will be . He said he thought the School Department would have to pur- chase a mower too because there will be grass areas for that department to cut. He reported that he ad- vised Mr Spirts he would not maintain the entire area Mr. Adams asked if Mr. Carroll would take care of the athletic fields as they are built , and he replied in the affirmative Mr. Carroll said that the areas are purchased for school and recreation areas, and Mr Spirts raised the question as to who will cut the grass in the summer, and Mr. Carroll' s reply to him was that he did not know . Mr. Ferguson asked if Mr. Carroll objected be- '1cause his Park Department budget would be indreased substantially, and he replied that is one objection . He said that if the Park Department assumes the re - sponsibility for the maintenance of these areas with- out having them fully developed at this time , then each year the Recreation Department or the School 343 IIDepartment may add something which will add to the main- tenance problem. Mr. Ferguson pointed out that whatever is done to develop these areas comes back to the Selectmen, and he asked what the school could do to them. Mr. Carroll replied that they are for school and recreation use . Mrs . Morey explained that if the School Depart- ment decides it wants a football area, it can put it any place . Mr. Carroll stated that if it were decided that the Park Department would maintain all these areas except the area just around the school, the budget would be almost double what it is now in only one year. Mr. Adams said thAt whoever maintains the areas, the cost will all be paid for by the Town. Mr. Carroll explained that the maintenance of the 400 x 400 area because it has a diamond in it would be about half of the maintenance of the entire maintenance , butas the use of the field becomes more complicated, it becomes more complicated as far as maintenance is concerned. II The Chairman said he thought the responsibility of the areas should be spelled out. Mr. Ferguson asked why the Park Department could not maintain the entire areas and Mr Carroll replied that it would mean hiring eight or ten more men. He said Mr Spiris thought the School Department should purchase a mower Mr. Adams asked if there would be enough work for two gang mowers, and Mr Carroll replied in the affirma- tive . He explained that Mr . Mazerall feels that the fields should be mowed once every four days. Mrs . Morey asked how much of the thirty-five acres was going to be left untouched and Mr . Carroll replied that as far as he could see, nothing would be left. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Carroll try to work out a solution with M . Spiris. Mr. Carroll said he would prepare a general plan. It was agreed that Mr. Carroll would try and work out something for this year and discuss the subject further with Mr. Spiris. The Chairman read a letter, signed by Mr. Thornton S. Cody, 8 North Street, and Mr. Carl H. Bolter, 51 North Street, requesting the Town to paint a solid white line down the middle of North Street from #36 to #80; 344 ma erection of a snow fence from #51 to #66, and tie erection of an elevated sign warning of children, opposite #31 Mr. Carroll agreed to take care of the requests as outlined in the letter. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Henning W. Swenson, 170 Marrett Road, requesting deferment of a sewer betterment assessment in tet amount of $910.28 Mr. Carroll presented a plan, indicated th3 pro- perty involved and recommended that the request be granted. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted, Swenson's under the provisions of Chapter 159 of the Acts of sewer bet- 1950, to extend the time for payment of the sewer bet- terment terment assessment in the amount of $910.28 levied deferred against Mr Swenson' s property, without interest, until said land or any part thereof is built upon, sold or until the expiration of three years from the date hereof, whichever event occurs first; provided, however, that this extension of time shall terminate immediately if the facilities of the sewer are used for said land or any part thereof. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Edwin B. Worthen, Jr ., relative to the various monuments and Monuments tablets marking the places of historic interest in the Town, with particular reference to the lettering on the monument near Bloomfiled Street . Mr. Carroll agreed to maintain these monuments and paint the lettering black so that it will be legible . The Chairman read a letter from Fay, Spofford & Thorndike, Inc. , offering their services as consult- Incinerator ing engineers in the event the Town decides to con- struct a municipal incinerator. Mrs. Morey suggested including the information with the dump report. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Carroll, Town Clerk, advising that the Town of Needham is interested Sale of in purchasing ten old-style double voting booths which he voting has on hand. booths It was ggreed to advise Mr Carroll to negotiate for the sale of the booths . The Chairman read a letter from the Board of Asst. Health with reference to Dr. Benton' s budget, re- Animal qu.sting an additional $100 per year for an Assistant Inspector Animal Inspector. ePP'6 345 M^r t 111 The Chairman reminded the Board of the invitation received Some time ago, to attend the dedication of the new Legion heddquarters, 3 Fletcher Avenue , on November 11 at 3 :00 P.M The Chairman read a letter from the Veterans of Foreign Wars inviting the Board to participate in the observance of Veterans ' Day, November 11. Six invitations for printing 700 copies of the 1959 Annual Town Report were sent out and only one bid was received Letter was received from the Rapid Service Press stating th^ t they doubt if they could handle the work at this time and ata price that would meet competition; therefore they refrained from bidding. Town Report The Somerville Printing Company submitted a bid of $5.35 per page for 700 copies of the 1959 Annual Town Report and $3.20 per page for 250 copies of the School Report. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to accept the bid submitted by the Somerville Printing Company, Inc . Mr. Carroll reported that Mr. Mazerall had in- quired about placing the creche on the Common this year, and said that there had been some criticism last year because it was not erected. Creche The Chairman reported that some of the work will be done by the Rotary Club and it was agreed that Mr. Carroll was to have it erected if anyone called him about it Mr. Carroll mentioned installation of parking meters in the municipal parking areas and reported that it involves about 224 meters . He talked to the supplier and there is a flat rate per meter for Parking installation, amounting to about $16,000 which can meters be paid for in a lump sum at 5% discount. Mr. Adams said that originally the method of payment involved no capital expenditure . It was agreed that Mr Carroll should include an item in his budget as a lump sum. At 9:00 P.M , Messrs . Clark, Bair, Spirts and Blai3dell met with the Board. Mr. Clark explained that he would like to dis- cuss salaries for secretaries, custodians and non teaching personnel. He said that before actually 346 tx" talking specifically about salaries, the group would like to have a general discussion. He stated that the Committee has tried to develop a framework of a schedule Custodian0 classification plan but has not at any point selected salaries people in relation to this . He explained that the custodians have come in again with a request which has not been discussed by the committee . The Chairman said that according to information the Selectmen received from one or two members of the Appropriation Committee, the Lexington Schools pay $4500 per year and the average pay in other communi- ties would be $4396. Mr. Spirts reported that the average salary for a regular custodian is $4108 or $79 a week. In Lex- ington, custodians in the same category receive $3952. Mrs. Morey inquired about the number of steps in the school schedule and Mr. Spirts replied that there are five . Mr. Spirts reported that the head custodian at the High School is paid a minimum of $80 and a maximum of $92. The head custodian at an elementary school is paid a minimum of $70 with a maximum of $82. A regular custodian, under the direction of a head custodian in a school is paid a minimum of $64 with a maximum of $76. He explained that there are two other categories. The head custodian at a Junior High School with four men under him is paid a mini- mum of $75 with a maximum of $87 and the maintenance men receive a minimum of $75 with a maximum of $90 The Chairman asked if the Committee had any idea of the changes it would like to make and Mr. Bair replied that the custodians have asked for substantial increases . The School Committee has not been able to discuss this in detail but will discuss it at a meeting on Wednesday The Chairman askedhow much of an increase was requested, and Mr. Spirts replied they want $10 a week for the regular custodians and $14 a week for the head custodians and maintenance men. He said it seemed to him, based on last year' s salaries, that Lexingtthn is about 6$ to 8% below the averages of the communities to which the comparison has been made . The Chairman explained that the Board has not discussed salaries, but in fairness to the entire group, should try to arrive atsome plan . Mr. Adams asked if the school custodians were paid overtime and Mr. Spirts replied that they are paid fees by individuals or groups using the school buildings . They are paid $2 more for working after six o' clock. 347 Mr. Clark explained that there may be differences in totals of pay rates because of the different kind of responsibility but the terms of sick leave , vacation etc. , should be on a common basis . Mr. Spirts stated that the custodians have the same vacation plan as other Town amployees Be said what is being attempted is , to come up with something that seems to be equitable to all concerned so there will be a schedule and then fit the people to that schedule . He said that if during a certain time of the year the Committee feels that an individual de- serves an increase , it would give it to him and if it sees the need for holding a competent individual, the Committee will have to double the increase . He explained that increases have been given to people on their anniversary date of employment, but the Committee is going to try and make them effective July 1st. This may mean that some people would not receive their increase at the time they usually would. Mr. Bair asked if the Selectmen had reached any conclusion as to what they plan to do, and the Chairman replied that the Board has not discussed salaries. Mr. Clark asked if the School Department should be taking care of the lawns at the Junior High School and should the tractor and mower be in the school budget or in Mr. Carrollts budget . The Chairman explained that the Board has come to the conclusion that d'hletic fields would be de- fined as athletic fields and the Park Department would take care of athletic fields as such and school play- grounds would be taken care of by the School Department Mr. Spfris said that it must be recognized that even if Mr. Carroll takes care of the athletic field, there is much mowing to be done and something will have to be included in the budget for this. Mr. Bair suggested that instead of defining it as athletic fields or playgrounds, it should be defined as those areas that can be cut with big machines, should be cut with big machines. Mr. Carroll pointed out that there is an area at the Harrington School that would be cut by a large mower, but the Park Department does not cut that area P now. The Chairman asked if the School Department has use for a gang mower other than the William Diamond Junior High School, and Mr. Spirts replied that if it was not for the William Diamond, they would not need it. Mr. Adams said rather than athletic fields, it should be areas that are going to be used in the summer 348 by the Recreation Committee . He said he did not think the Town should purchase a $6500 machine to be used on vacant land. Mr. Bair said he thought William Diamond field would be used more in the summer than is now antici- pated, and he suggested moving the athletic teams out to William Diamond. Mr. Adams suggested that Mr. Carroll and Mr. Spiris prepare some plans and that the subject then be re- viewed again. Mr. Spiris reported that there is some concern about athletic facilities for the High School outdoor areas. There is not sufficient space for the girls ' field hockey, and for two years Mr. Abell has been looking to the development of additional areas . He stopped thinking in these terms when Worthen Road was going through. He set up a meeting with Mr. Steele and Mr. MazeraL and tried to point out what the High School athletic facility needs were going to be . He said Outdoor he thought this started from the skating rink in behind athletic the High School that never developed and before any- areas thing is done with that area, there has to be some engineering work done . The next step was to meet with the Appropriation Committee , Selectmen, Recreation Com- mittee and Planning Boa d to see if this is the time to make definite plans for engineering for High School athletic fields. Mr. Bair explained that recommendations were made to do certain things to certain fields and he refused until there was some overall plan. He consulted Mr. Snow who gave him that plans he had. In the meantime , Mrs. Wanless came in to discuss the Recreation Com- mittee problems, and she too was concerned. He said he could not see building a field here and taking it out two years from now so he told Mr Abell he would not approve anything until such time as some overall plan had been worked out. Mr. Clark explained that Mr Steele asked the School Committee for $1200 or $2,000 to engage an in- dividual who would work ander Mr. Snow' s guidance to take a look at the present facilities, fdhture possible facilities and plan now. The School Committee said this would be taken up with the Appropriation Committee and the Selectmen. Mr. Clark said he was concerned himself as to what authority the School Committee had to engage someone to work under Mr.Snow' s guidance . Mr. Bair said the School Committee thought this should be done now before it is too far involved in spending money on that area, and that Mr. Snow might get a student whom he could guide . Then any planning done would not conflict with the total overall program. 349 ' Mrs. Morey asked if this was involved with the overall drainage of the area, and Mr. Carroll replied that he thought a study should be made of where things are going, but there isn't much that can be done as far as drainage is concerned. Mr. Clark said he thought the money should be ap- propriated, and under the direction of Mr. Snow, come up with some land use map for the area and then arrange a meeting with the School Committee, Planning Board and Recreation Committee . Then at least a guide of the use of that land in the future can beladopted. He stated that there are no funds in the school budget for this purpose and asked if the Board thought it should wait until Town Meeting or ask for a transfer. Mr. Carrolireplied that it depends on how urgent Mr. Abell needs it for next year He said he did not think anything should be done too hurriedly. Mr. Ferguson asked if the study would be limited to the Parker Field area and Mr. Adams replied in the negative stating it would be an overall study. He said the Central playground would ntbe there as it will be taken up by schools. Mr. Carroll said he did not think there would be time enough to have the land use map prepared before Town Meeting and by the time the money is made available , someone engaged and meetings of the groups, it will be long after Town Meeting time Mr. Adams pointed out that the Town is faced with a decision because the Hayden Foundation wants an answer. It was agreed to request the Appropriation Committee to transfer the sum of $1200 from the Reserve Fund to the Planning Board account for the purpose of engaging the Transfer services of a graduate assistant to work under Mr.Snow' s direction in designing a central school park proposal. The group retired at 10;10 P.V. An informal discussion was held on the subject of the dump and Mr. Carroll' s report. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P.M A true record, Attest: xecs tive lerki Select n. 't