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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1959-11-02-BOS-min 334 tr0.11 SELECTION'S MEETING November 2, 1959 A regular meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Selectmen' s Room, Town Office Building, on Monday, November 2, 1959, 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. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Minutes to approve the minutes of the Selectmen' s Meeting held on October 26, 1959. Mr. Samuel P. Snow met with the Board in reference to attorney Thomas J. Hayes' letter relative to a re- quest from Mary Cox for the extension of a water main to service her property at 2965 Massachusetts Avenue . Mr. Snow said that he questioned whether or not there are any town-owned water lines in the vicinity of this property because he understood they were in- stalled by a developer. He said he understood that Cox request the mains adjacent to the property are privately for water owned and laid in paper streets and that the entire area is within the Minute Man National Historical Park Mr. Stevens advised that the Board could ac- knowledge Mr. Hayes ' letter and state that the Town does not have a water line immeditely adjoining the property and the Board feels that it would not be a proper expenditure of town funds to put a line in when, as the Board understands it, the property is to be acquired in the near future for a park. Mr. Hayes ' request for a copy of the Zoning By-law could be answered by advising him that for $1.00 he can obtain a copy from the Building Inspector. Mr. Ferguson atated that if Mrs. Mox is willing to pay the cost, and there will be no cost to the town, he would be in favor of giving her water. Mr. Carroll explained that there was no question relative to money, but there was a question relative to the location of the property in the National Park area Mrs. Morey suggested that the Board adopt a policy in the area for the National Park whereby the Selectmen would not go ahead on requests of betterments 835 of any type without first checking with the National Park Department, giving that Department an opportunity to step in at that time . Mr. Carroliagreed and said that if such a policy is adopted in this particular case , the people should be told, and the Board should detain an answer from the Park Service . The Chairman said if the Board felt the National Park Service should be notified, he thought there should be a time limit set for a reply. Mr. Carroll said if the Park Service gives an answer that it cannot make a taking at this time, he recommended granting Mrs . C ox' s request for water. Mr. Adams pointed out that the town would be entering and digging up land of the people who own the street, without even notifying them. Mr. Stevens advised that the town has no right to go into a private street and make a connection. Mr. Snow retired at 8:20 P.M. The Chairman stated that he personally felt a decision should be made on each case as it came up. It was agreed to advise Mr. Hayes that the Board will write the P'3rk Service for an immediate reply as to whether or not a taking is to be made, and if a taking is not going to be made , the town will consider Mrs . Cox' s request for water further. The Chairman read a letter from Murray Hills, Inc . , inquiring about authorization for closing Robinson Road from Grove Street, Lexington to Route #3, Burlington Grove Street Mr. Stevens reported that the Planning Board had received a similar letter and will ask the corporation for the book and page numbers where the order is re- corded. It was agreed to advise the corporation that the letter has been referred to the Planning Board. Mr. Stevens reported on the George C . Smith case, and upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to authorize Mr . Stevens to settle the case for $750, Smith case and if rejected, the case is to be tried. Mr. Stevens retired at 9:15 P.M. Mr. Carroll reported that a Mr. Chiacca is build- ing a house at 133 Blossom Street near Route 2. The application for a building permit was filled out and Mr. Chiacca applied for a water service . When it was called to Mr . Carroll ' s attention that no water was available , he investigated and found out that the appli- cant had checked the application indicating that water 336 1-4 cc m4 was available . Mr. Carroll said he thought Mr. `hiacca actually believed Town water was available . He explained Chiacca' s it was agreed to put the service in and Mr. Chiacca would request for pay whatever it cost. However, the service will cost water between $750 and $1,000 and the account is running very close . If he pays for it, the money will not be credited to the account, but go to the Excess and Deficiency Account. The Board recalled that this individual had requested the Fire Department to fill his swimming pool this summer and was, therefore , fully aware of the fact that water was not available . It was agreed, inasmuch as the construction hesnot gone too far, and Mr. Chiacca knew water was not available , not to grant the request for an extension until funds have been appropriated in the spring . The Chairman read a letter from John C . Nelson, 136 Cedar Street, requesting abatement of a sewer better- ment assessment levied against lot 81 Hamblen Street . Mr. Carroll presented a plan of the Nelson pro- Nelson' s perty and explained that Mr. Nelson was assessed on bower bet- Cedar Street and at a later date, when sewer was in- terment stalled in Hamblen Street, he was also assessed for a triangular parcel of land fronting on Hamblen Street. He explained that Mr. Nelson is deriving no benefit from the Hamblen Street sewer and recommended that the assessment be abated. It was agreed to advise Mr. Nelson that if he will combine his property into one legal lot, and have a plan recorded, the Board will consider an abatement of the sewer betterment assessment on Hamblen Street. Letter was received from the Arlington Board of Selectmen relative to providing adequate drainage for Golden Avenue . Under the proposal suggested by the Golden Ave . Arlington Engineering Department, 500 linear feet of drainage drain pipe would be laid in the Concord Highway and would be entirely within the limits of Lexington. The Selectmen felt that the drainage system would bene- fit residents of both Towns and concluded therefore that both Towns should participate in a proportionate share of the east, Lexington' s share to be 06,380. Mr. Carroll presented a plan of the area and indicated where he thought the drain should be lo- cated if the Board feels any obligation to the people involved. He explained that the cost to Lexington would be roughly $9,000 and his personal feeling is that the residents: of Lexington would not derive any benefit. 337 Mr. Ferguson suggested that the Board acknowledge the letter and advise that due to the uncertainty of the relocation of Route 2 and the large cloverleaf pro- posed for that area, the subject has been referred to the Engineering Department and, in the same letter, ask about the status of the Great Meadows . The Chairman read a memorandum from Mr. Daniel A. Lynch relative to Pelham Road, water main to the new school, construction of which will start in 1959 and be ready for occupancy in September, 1960, and in- Grey Nuns ' stallation of Traffic Lights at Massachusetts Avenue elementary and Pelham Road. school It was agreed to advise Mr. Lynch that the Board would like a site plan of the property and would ap- preciate it if the architect would contact Mr Carroll, Superintendent of Public Works . Mr. Carroll retired at 10:00 P.M. Request was received from Mr. A. D'Abbraccio, 1L. Westminster Avenue , for deferment of a sewer betterment assessment levied against lot 22 Westminster Avenue . It was agreed tp advise }1r. D'Abbraccio that D'Abbraccio Chapter 159 of the Acts of 1950 provides for deferments sewer assess- of betterments assessed on large tracts of land only, ment and does not authorize deferment on single lots. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted that the Traffic Rules and Orders of the Town of Lex- ington adopted by the Board of Selectmen October 7, 1935 Traffic and subsequent amendments thereto, be and are hereby Rules & further amended by striking out, in ARTICLE V, Section Regulations 9, parking meter zones, the following: Grant Street, westerly side , from Massachu- setts Avenue northerly for a distance of 320 feet. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs. William H. Belsor, 40 Winthrop Road, requesting some relief from sonic booms. She claimed that four ceilings and one window have been cracked. Complaint It was agreed to refer the letter to Captain William Warrick, Installation Commander, Hanscom Field, Bedford. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. William H. Marshall in reference to the Board' s letter of October Marshall' s 14 regarding complaints relative to the operation of bakery 338 - oc r4 the bakery. Mr. Marshall advised that he has entered into negotiations for additional parking space in the areawhich will alleviate the parking problem on Grape- vine Avenue . He also agreed to pay for any damage to lawns . The Clerk was instructed to send a copy of the letter to Messrs. Robertson andHiinppi. Further consideration was given to appointment of someone to serve on the advisory commission to advise the Secretary of the Interior on the develop- Advisory ment of the Minute Man National Historical Park. Advisory Commission, The Chairman reported that Mr. Snow is not in Commission a position to accept appointment because of com- mitments to or with the National Park. It was guggested that Mr. Tucker, Mr. Jaquith and Mr. Worthen be nominated, in that order, or a member of the Planning Board. The Chairman agreed to discuss the subject further with Mr. Snow. Mr. Ferguson mentioned the twenty-five mile per hour traffic sign at the Common and said he did not Traffic think that particular location was appropriate . It Sign was agreed to refer the subject to the Traffic Study Committee for consideration and recommendation. Report of a meeting held by the traffic Study Committee on October 27, 1959 was received. At that meeting, Mr. Snow reported that the Planning Board questioned his being on the Committee . It was agreed to explain to the Planning Board Traffic how the Committee was established and advise that it will not be necessary for Mr. Snow to attend all meet- ings, but on occasions, it may be desirable to ask his opinion. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct Mr. John Carroll to request the State Depart- ment of Public Works to erect "No Parking" signs from Waltham Street to Kendall Road. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to request Mr. John Carroll to determine whether or not Park Drive is a street and if it can be incorporated in the Traffic Rules and Regulations . If so, parking is to be limited to one side and, upon approval, No Parking signs are to be erected. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to instruct Mr. John Carroll to have the stop lines at all Stop signs painted. 339 Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted to amend the Traffic Rules and Regulations prohibiting parking on either side of Depot Place, and to limit parking on Slocum Road to one side , the Chief of Police to determine which side . Mr. Adams reported damage to the center playground caused by cars deliberately driven over the grass. Mr. Ferguson suggested, and the Board agreed, Playground that the Chairman find out what information the Chief damage has relative to rules governing the playground and discuss the subject with Town Counsel. The Chairman read a letter from Mr. Arthur E. Burrell, Director of Civil Defense , relative to ap- pointment of Civil Defense personnel. Upon motion duly made and seconded, it was voted Civil to rescind all votes made prior to November 2, 1959 Defense appointing individuals to serve on Civil Defense . It was further voted to make the following ap- pointments, for terms expiring March 31, 1960, to the Civil Defense Department . CIVIL DEFENSE APPOINTMENTS Expiring March 31, 1960 Director Arthur E. Burrell 102 Gleason Road 1st Deputy Director Harold E. Roeder 6 Churchill Lane 2nd Deputy Director Robert M. Soule 10 Hancock Avenue Engineering Officer John J. Carroll Public Works Dept . Fire Service Officer Bernard J. Belcastro174 Wood Street Medical Officer Mark D.Lurvey Public Information Officer Harry F. Howard 94 Gleason Road Transportation Officer Wm. P. Fitzgerald 65 Liberty Avenue Water Service Officer John J. Carroll Public Works Dept Welfare Service Officer James E. Collins 14 Curve Street Discussion of the salary analysis, submitted by the Town Accountant and signed by Mr. Shaughnessey of the Salaries Appropriation Committee , was held over until the next meeting of the Board. The meeting adjourned at 10:55 P. M. A true record, Attest : xec tiv ' ler Se1ec .